"But if the party ends, I won’t get to see Little Ann anymore," Shi Yiyin said seriously, raising a finger. "If we walk slowly for one second, we’ll see Little Ann one second less."
Her mom always said they couldn’t go play at Little Ann’s house, so she rarely got the chance to see her except at parties. Meng Shujie didn’t expect her daughter to value meeting the Qin family’s young lady so much. Unable to argue with her clever daughter, she laughed and said, "Alright, let’s hurry so you can see Little Ann sooner."
Having convinced her mom, Shi Yiyin lifted her skirt and happily ran toward Little Ann.
"Little Ann!"
When Qin Sui’an heard the familiar call, she turned her little head and saw a flash of royal blue rushing toward her. Before she could see the other’s face, Little Ann was enveloped in a hug.
Shi Yiyin held her tight, bending down to nuzzle against her soft cheek, her hair radiating joy. "Little Ann! I missed you so much!"
"Hmm..." Qin Sui’an blinked her big round eyes and finally responded, "Sister Yiyin..."
After a few seconds, Shi Yiyin reluctantly let go, looking her up and down with sparkling eyes. "Wow! Little Ann, you look so pretty today!"
She glanced at her own dress, also royal blue and glittery, but Little Ann’s was clearly much more expensive. Shi Yiyin mumbled, "Cousin didn’t lie; Little Ann really is wearing a sparkling royal blue dress!"
She had chosen her dress just before leaving and had immediately asked her cousin what Little Ann would wear upon hearing he was at the party. Despite the differences, there were similarities, and Shi Yiyin beamed, "Little Ann, we’re wearing matching outfits!"
Qin Sui’an had never heard that term before and blinked in confusion. "Matching outfits?"
"Yes!" Shi Yiyin patiently explained. "My mom says that very good friends can be called best friends. Since we’re wearing similar outfits, it’s a matching outfit!"
Her simple explanation made sense to Qin Sui’an, who smiled, "Sister Yiyin is Ann’s very good friend?"
"Yes!" Shi Yiyin nodded vigorously. "I like you, and you like me, so we’re very good friends!"
To her, finding someone who liked her back was rare, and Little Ann was just that person. Qin Sui’an blinked, trying to understand.
Shi Yiyin took her little hand. "Come on, Little Ann, let’s go play over there! There are too many adults here for us kids to have fun."
Looking to the right, Qin Sui’an saw her dad chatting with a strange uncle. Noticing her gaze, Qin Haochen smiled gently and mouthed, "Go play."
With her eyes brightening, Qin Sui’an happily followed Shi Yiyin to another area.
It wasn’t Shi Yiyin’s first time at the Bai family mansion. She led Qin Sui’an to the backyard, where there were swings, slides, and other playground equipment. The seesaw didn’t work because of their weight difference, and playing on the slide was awkward in their dresses, so they each took a swing and swayed slowly.
Soon, Shi Yiyin grew bored and found a small soccer ball. They began playing a little kicking game. Although there was a soccer field at Bay Villa, Qin Sui’an had never played before, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Shi Yiyin, caring for the younger Ann, ran after the ball whenever it kicked too far, returning it to her. They enjoyed their little game immensely.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Bai Zhou sulked under his parents’ orders not to run around, gazing enviously through the floor-to-ceiling windows at his aunt and Shi Yiyin playing soccer. He wanted to join them!
Bai Zhou looked up at his mom with longing eyes. "Mom, I want to play soccer with Auntie too!"
Bai Aiya knew her son loved to play and would have a hard time stopping him later, so she coaxed him, "Wait until after we cut the cake, Bai Zhou. Be good; it’ll be time soon."
For the first time, Bai Zhou wasn’t looking forward to cutting and eating the cake; he just wanted to go outside and play with his aunt.
At the same time, on the other side of the hall, Shao Xinxin noticed that Qin Sui’an was missing. She looked around and spotted Qin Sui’an’s family but couldn’t find her.
Where did Qin Sui’an go?
Since Qin Sui’an’s family wasn’t around, Shao Xinxin took the opportunity to search for her. Then, she spotted a small figure outside the floor-to-ceiling window chasing a soccer ball.
Shao Xinxin’s eyes brightened.
The ball rolled toward a swimming pool!
Her heart raced with excitement. Without hesitation, she looked around and quickly made her way to another exit closer to the pool.
Once outside the main hall, it was much quieter. Perhaps sensing something thrilling was about to happen, Shao Xinxin held her breath and carefully crouched by a sofa near the pool.
Until that familiar figure appeared, the royal blue dress sparkling under the lights.
It was definitely Qin Sui’an! She was wearing that dazzling royal blue dress tonight!
Shao Xinxin stood up and ran toward her, pushing her into the pool with both hands.
A startled scream rang out: "Ah—"
Then came the sound of a splash.
Standing by the pool, Shao Xinxin watched the blue figure disappear beneath the water, her smile yet to appear, when she heard a familiar voice cry out behind her:
"Sister Yiyin!"
That sweet little voice made Shao Xinxin freeze.
Wait, that was definitely Qin Sui’an’s voice! Who is the one in the water?
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