[Scene: Mengqi’s bedroom. Desk messy with homework, snack wrappers everywhere.]

Mom (off-screen, shouting): Qiqi! Wake up, it’s already 9:15! Go wash up and get ready!

Mengqi (groaning, half-asleep): Ughhh, mom… I don’t wanna wake up… [exhales] ahh, I’m so tired.

Mengqi (thinking): If only life was as easy as food…

[Mengqi drags herself out of bed, grabs her bag and heads for the door.]

Mengqi (calling out): Mom, I’m going to the park!

Mom (from kitchen): Don’t stay out too late! Come back before it gets dark.

Mengqi (teasing voice): I’ll text you, my sweet mommy\~ 💕

Mom (rolling eyes): No need to flatter me so much. Just go already! Bye-bye!

Mengqi (running out): Bye, mom!

[Scene: Outside the house. Dad is watering plants near the gate.]

Dad: Qiqi dear, where are you going?

Mengqi (already skipping away): To the park\~!

[From down the road, her bestie Youyou shouts.]

Youyou: Qiqi! Hurry up, or I’ll finish all the snacks without you!

Mengqi (gasping, runs faster): WHAT?! You wouldn’t dare!!

Dad (chuckling): Kids these days… snacks are more important than anything.

[Scene: Walking through the street, on the way to the park. The afternoon sun is warm, cicadas chirping, the road lined with small shops.]

Mengqi: Youyou, did you… ugh… did you actually write the homework huh!!

Youyou: (grinning smugly) Yeah, I did.

Mengqi: (gasps dramatically) YOUYOU!! I hate you!

Youyou: (chuckles, hands in pockets) That’s not new.

Mengqi: (pouting) Why are our teachers doing this to us? Why are they giving such hard questions? Is it really necessary to study all this nonsense?

Youyou: (shrugs) Well, that makes a point actually… especially for someone like you who’s gonna be in a medical field. I don’t know why I have to study math though.

Mengqi: (groans loudly) Ughhh, don’t remind me of math. Numbers haunt me in my sleep.

Youyou: (playfully nudging her) By the way, Qiqi… are you coming with me to his house for dinner today?

Mengqi: (blinks) To whose house?

Youyou: (smirking) Your old crush. Do you forget him already?

Mengqi: (face turning red) Youyou!! That was a misunderstanding when we were kids. Like—who would like a fool like him… (grumbles)

Youyou: (laughing loudly) My Mengqi\~ but if you really didn’t like him, then why did you always talk about him back then?

Mengqi: (waves hands frantically) It’s just… whenever I felt bored, I used to say random stupid things, okay? That doesn’t mean I liked him!

Youyou: (teasing) Hmmm, okay, if you say so. Poor guy though… he might still be in his little fantasy world with you.

Mengqi: (crosses arms, huffs) Let him be. Why should I care about that idiot?

Youyou: (snorts) Okay, okay.

[They reach the park. The familiar sight of green grass, children running, and couples chatting under trees makes Mengqi slow down.]

Mengqi: (looking around softly) Youyou… this park really changed, right? I still remember when there used to be lights all over and those big swings when I was like ten…

Youyou: (smiles) Yeah. Time flies, huh?

Mengqi: (sighs) Mm. Feels weird… like we grew up too fast.

Youyou: Qiqi, wait here. I’ll go buy us some ice cream. Strawberry and honey flavour, right?

Mengqi: (brightens up instantly) Yeah! Don’t forget the sprinkles!

[Youyou jogs off toward the ice cream stall. Mengqi sits down on a bench, swinging her legs lazily. After a moment, she takes out her small sketchbook and begins to doodle.]

Mengqi (smiling to herself): Ahh, this is so pretty.

[She lifts her drawing closer to her face, admiring it. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices movement—a boy crouched down a few steps away, gently patting the head of a small puppy.]

Mengqi (eyes widening, whispering): Oh my God… this puppy is so cute!

[The boy suddenly lifts the puppy up, holding it carefully. The puppy wiggles happily. Mengqi tilts her head, squinting.]

Mengqi (muttering): By the way… why can’t I see his face?

[Almost as if hearing her thoughts, the boy glances up. Their eyes meet. Mengqi freezes, cheeks flushing red. Panicked, she quickly turns her head away, pretending she hadn’t been staring. The boy notices her reaction. His lips curve into a strange little chuckle. He turns away, still smiling faintly, and walks off with the puppy in his arms.]

Mengqi (thinking, heart racing): Wait—did he just… smile at me? God… he’s so damn cute!

[Just then, Youyou comes running back with two cones of ice cream.]

Youyou: Qiqi! Your ice cream\~

Mengqi (snapping back to reality, blurting): Youyou! There was this boy—he was playing with a puppy and… both of them were soooo cute! He looked at me and smiled… He must be around our age.

⸻

[Youyou hands Mengqi her ice cream and sits beside her.]

Youyou (teasing smile): Qiqi… do you like him?

Mengqi (blushing, holding the cone tightly): I-It’s just that… he’s so cute. And when I saw him, my heart… it started beating so fast.

Youyou: (raising an eyebrow) As humans, we have a word for this, you know. It’s called a crush. Or maybe… love at first sight?

Mengqi (face red, exhaling loudly): Ahhh! Don’t say it like that! (covers her face) If only… if only I could see him again…

Youyou (grinning mischievously): Hey, but what about Yuan? Poor him—

Mengqi (snaps, hitting Youyou lightly on the arm): I told you NOT to mention his name again! Who would even talk about that idiot, arrghhh!

[Youyou bursts into laughter, while Mengqi sulks, biting into her ice cream angrily. The scene fades out with the playful bickering.]

[Scene: Morning – Mengqi’s bedroom. Alarm ringing loudly.]

Mengqi: (groans, hitting alarm) Ughhh… already? Five more minutes… (sits up, hair messy) fineee, I’m up…

[She washes up quickly, sits at the table. Mom places breakfast in front of her.]

Mom: Eat properly, don’t just run off like that day.

Mengqi: (munching) Don’t worry, mom. I’ll be good today.

[Cut to: Mengqi in her school uniform, hopping on her bicycle. Youyou is waiting outside on her own bike.]

Youyou: Took you long enough! Let’s go or we’ll be late again!

Mengqi: (laughing) Hey, at least I’m awake today!

[They ride together, laughing and chatting on the way to school.]

[Scene: School, snack break.]

[Mengqi and Youyou walk down the hallway, heading toward the restroom. They suddenly hear raised voices from the principal’s office.]

Principal (angry, muffled through door): Do you think school is a playground?! How many times have I told you two to behave?!

[The girls exchange a look and quietly peek inside through the slightly open door.]

[Inside: two boys stand with their heads slightly bowed. One looks mischievous, smirking even while being scolded. The other stands straight, calm but with a faintly cold expression.]

Youyou: (whispering, eyes sparkling) Ohhh… that one on the left… he’s kinda handsome, isn’t he?

Mengqi: (eyes widen, staring at the other boy) Wait… (thinking) …why does he look so familiar?

[She racks her brain, then gasps softly as a flashback plays — the boy crouching in the park, patting the puppy, glancing up at her with that faint chuckle.]

Mengqi (thinking, clutching her chest): It’s him. The puppy boy…

[Her cheeks turn pink. Meanwhile, Youyou is still lost in staring at the other boy, completely oblivious.]

Mengqi: (whispering urgently) Youyou… that boy—!

Youyou: (dreamily) Mhm? Yeah, yeah, so handsome…

Mengqi: (pouting, whispering to herself) Not him! The other one…

[The girls duck back before the principal notices. They press their backs against the wall, both blushing for totally different reasons.]

Youyou: (grinning) Omg, Qiqi, we just discovered our type at the same time\~

Mengqi: (groans, covering her face) Youyouuuu… don’t say it like that!

[Scene: Outside school – afternoon after classes end.]

[The street is busy with students, bicycles parked everywhere. Youyou and Mengqi walk side by side, carrying their bags.]

Youyou: (grinning) Qiqi, should we stop by the tofu shop? I’m starving.

Mengqi: (brightening) Yesss, tofu sticks are the only cure for my suffering\~

[They stop at a small open food stall. The uncle hands them freshly grilled tofu sticks on skewers, sprinkled with chili and sesame. The girls sit on a low bench nearby, munching happily.]

Youyou: (teasing) Qiqi… sooooo, are you still thinking about that boy from earlier?

Mengqi: (nearly chokes on tofu) W-What boy?!

Youyou: (smirking) Don’t play dumb\~ your puppy boy. He’s actually cuter than I thought. I guess you finally learned to recognize handsome guys. Unlike before, when you called every random idiot “prince charming.”

Mengqi: (face burning, waving stick) Y-Youyouuu!! Don’t say it like that!

[She bites her tofu angrily, cheeks red. Her thoughts wander.]

Mengqi (thinking): The principal said he needs to study harder to get into +2… does that mean… he’s in 11th grade? But I’m only in 9th… oh my God… he’s older than me?!

Mengqi (thinking, clutching her chest): What’s his name? Why didn’t I ask… ahhh, stupid, stupid!

[She sneaks a glance at Youyou, who is licking her skewer with a cheeky smile.]

Youyou: (teasing again) Qiqi\~ admit it already. You’re totally falling for him.

Mengqi: (groans, covering face with both hands) AHHH stopppp!

Youyou: (sing-song) “Puppyyyy boy\~ puppy boy\~”

Mengqi: (snaps, hitting her lightly with the skewer stick) You’re dead, Youyou!!!

[Both laugh, their voices blending with the lively street noise. Mengqi’s face flushed as her eyes glaze over with daydreams of Hanxu.]

Mengqi (thinking softly): I want to know your name…

[Scene: Mengqi trying hard to open the bicycle lock to go to school. Golden sunlight fills the schoolyard. Students rush out with bags, bicycles lined up outside.]

Mengqi: Ughhh… why won’t you just open! Come onnn… (shakes the lock)

[A shadow falls over her. She looks up—it’s the boy from the principal’s office. Her chest tightens.]

Hanxu: (calm, teasing) Planning to wrestle with it all day?

Mengqi: (startled, fumbling harder) N-No! I was just about to open it…

[Hanxu crouches down, gently takes the key from her. With a smooth twist—click! The lock opens.]

Hanxu: (standing, smirking faintly) Easy.

Mengqi: (face pink) I-I could’ve done it too…

[Just then, his friend calls from a distance.]

Friend: (yelling) Hanxu! Hurry up!

[Mengqi freezes. She whispers to herself.]

Mengqi: (soft, half out loud) …Hanxu? So that’s his name…

[Hanxu hears her. He chuckles, stepping a little closer.]

Hanxu: (amused) Yeah. What happened? You look surprised.

Mengqi: (flustered, waving hands) Ahhh n-no, I’m not! Who said so?!

Hanxu: (grins, tilts head) Then why are you blushing?

Mengqi: (turns away, face burning) I-It’s just the sun! Really sunny today, okay?!

[Hanxu glances at the huge tree right next to them, shading her completely. He laughs quietly.]

Hanxu: (teasing, walking off) Mm. I believe you. Bye. Catch you later.

[Mengqi stares after him, her heart racing uncontrollably.]

Mengqi (thinking): Hanxu…

[Scene: 4th period, PT. Students gather at the ground for warmups. Mengqi stands lazily stretching, Youyou beside her.]

Youyou: (teasing whisper) Someone looks way too excited for PE today\~

Mengqi: (snapping) No I’m not! I hate PE!

Youyou: (smirks) Uh-huh… say that after you stop blushing every two minutes.

[The coach blows the whistle. Students split into lines. Mengqi bends down to tie her laces, when a shadow falls again.]

[She looks up—it’s Hanxu, standing across the line. He waves casually with a faint smile.]

Hanxu: (lightly) Hiii.

Mengqi: (awkward, raises hand halfway) H-Hi…

[Hanxu chuckles at her stiff little wave. His friends nudge him playfully, while Mengqi hides her face behind Youyou.]

Hanxu: (to himself, amused) These girls…

[Mengqi’s cheeks turn pink as she pretends to focus on stretching, heart thumping wildly.]

[Later, after running a few laps, Mengqi collapses on the grass beside Youyou, panting, hair sticking to her forehead.]

Mengqi: (groaning dramatically) Ughhh, I’m dead. Someone bury me here…

Youyou: (snorts) Drama queen. You barely ran two rounds.

Mengqi: (glaring weakly) Shhh. Even walking counts as running if your soul is suffering.

[Just then, a shadow falls over Mengqi again. She blinks up — it’s Hanxu, holding out his water bottle.]

Hanxu: (smiling faintly) Here. You look like you’re about to melt.

Mengqi: (eyes widening, quickly sits up) O-Oh… (takes the bottle carefully) …thank you.

[She sips a little, her cheeks already pink, and hands it back nervously.]

Hanxu: (teasing) Wooh, you’re strong though. I wouldn’t do more than… 5000 push-ups.

Mengqi: (nearly spits the water, coughs) 5000?! (snorts) Seriously, I think I can only do… like… fifty-something.

Hanxu: (laughs softly, eyes amused) Fifty is already good. You look like you’d faint after ten.

Mengqi: (pouting, smacks her chest) Hmph! I’m stronger than I look!

[Hanxu sits down on the grass next to her, resting his arms on his knees.]

Hanxu: By the way… which grade are you in?

Mengqi: (hesitant) …Ninth. Class Seven.

Hanxu: (exhales dramatically, grinning) Ninth, huh? So young. Kiddo.

Mengqi: (eyes widen, sits up straight) I-I’m not that young! Just two years younger, okay?!

Hanxu: (chuckles, leaning back casually) Two years is a lot when you’re a kiddo.

Mengqi: (face burning, grabs grass to throw at him) Arrghhh, STOP calling me that!

[Hanxu bursts out laughing, dodging easily. Mengqi hides her face in her knees, pouting while sneaking glances at him.]

Hanxu: (grinning, still teasing) Oookay, oookay… ‘woman.’ Happy now?

Mengqi: (throws hands in the air) That’s even worse!!

[Youyou, sitting beside them, stares wide-eyed, then smirks knowingly.]

Youyou: (sing-song) Qiqiiii\~ your face is red again. Someone’s heart is beating soooo hard.

Mengqi: (snaps, flailing her arms) Youyou!! Seriously, what’s wrong with you?!

Youyou: (laughing) It’s just fun to tease you. Come on, let’s go before we’re late.

[The whistle blows again. Students begin heading back toward the changing rooms. Hanxu stands, brushing dirt from his pants, then looks down at Mengqi.]

Hanxu: (light, casual) Catch you later, kiddo,byebye\~.

Mengqi: (muttering under her breath, cheeks hot) Arrghhh… I’ll never forgive him for that…

[But as she trails behind Youyou, Mengqi can’t help the tiny smile tugging at her lips, her heart racing wildly.]