Pei Xi took a half step back in an instant.

"No...no need," she said, sucking on a sour plum.

Spitting on someone else's hand is extremely impolite.

Even Pei Zhi didn't use his hands to catch what she vomited.

"Really, it's not necessary." Pei Xi waved his hand, looked down and rummaged through his bag, found a tissue, and spat the dried plum onto the tissue.

Then she saw Jiang Cheng's fingers curl up, and he put his hand back to his side.

For some reason, Pei Xi felt that his movements were somewhat hesitant, as if he were a little disappointed.

She shook her head, thinking that she probably had too much of an imagination.

She quickly wrapped the dried plums in paper and threw them into the nearby trash can.

"Let's go," Pei Xi said, looking at Jiang Cheng.

As the sun gradually dipped below the horizon, bathing the entire street in an orange-red glow, the two strolled leisurely, unknowingly reaching the end of the street.

Pei Xi held the teddy bear in his arms, his fingers unconsciously gripping the teddy bear's fur, the grip becoming increasingly tight.

Actually, there was something else she wanted to tell Jiang Cheng today.

But she didn't know how to bring it up.

As they were about to leave the night market and part ways, Pei Xi mustered her courage and looked at Jiang Cheng, saying, "Um... there's something I want to tell you."

Jiang Cheng was taken aback. "What is it?"

Pei Xi lowered his head and took out a piece of drawing paper from his bag.

She handed it to Jiang Cheng, saying, "This is for you."

Jiang Cheng took it, his gaze suddenly sharpening.

He recognized the painting as his own.

He had seen the simple sketches that Pei Xi gave away to those customers for free, and this drawing was very different from the others.

Every stroke of the brush is exquisite, even the curve of the hair on his forehead is perfectly rendered.

Jiang Cheng unconsciously tightened his grip on the drawing paper.

From childhood to adulthood, no one has ever taken his picture or recorded any moment of his life.

Not to mention, someone would draw him stroke by stroke.

Even the wrinkles in clothes and the strands of hair ruffled by the wind.

"Did you just draw this?" Jiang Cheng looked up at Pei Xi, suppressing the lump in his throat, and asked softly.

Pei Xi nodded, "I thought it looked really good, so I drew it without thinking."

She looked up at Jiang Cheng, her eyes filled with anticipation, and asked him, "Do you like it?"

Jiang Cheng paused for a moment, then nodded. "I like it."

Pei Xi's expression brightened. She touched her nose and asked hesitantly, "Then... can I ask you for a favor?"

"What?" Jiang Cheng asked.

Pei Xi instinctively grabbed his sleeve, her eyes pleading, "Could you please help Pei Zhi?"

Jiang Cheng was taken aback, thought for two seconds, and asked, "A ball game?"

He knew Pei Zhi had been looking for someone recently, but he didn't expect that he hadn't found them yet.

Pei Xi nodded heavily, then said with a smile, "Pei Zhi is too embarrassed to tell you, but I know that only with your participation will No. 1 Middle School win."

She moved slightly closer to Jiang Cheng, placed her hand on her cheek, and lowered her voice, as if she were telling him a secret.

"I'll tell you a secret, Pei Zhi can't live without you."

A hint of mischief flashed in her eyes, tinged with a touch of coquetry and ingratiation, making one's heart melt.

Jiang Cheng was somewhat unable to move, staring fixedly at her. Her clear amber eyes seemed to possess a magical power, capable of sucking away one's soul.

Seeing his silence, Pei Xi's smile froze and slowly faded.

On second thought, why should they agree?

It's clearly Pei Zhi who needs him, yet she expects him to take the initiative to befriend Pei Zhi. That's just too unfair.

She only considered her brother and didn't take his feelings into account.

A hint of guilt appeared in Pei Xi's eyes. She clenched her fingers and looked at Jiang Cheng, slowly saying, "I know this isn't fair to you. Consider it a favor I owe you, okay?"

She said softly, "I'll pay you back however you want, as long as I can do it."