Zhuang Zi'ang and Su Yudiel sat on the grass, dreamily gazing at the sky, wishing they could drift like the clouds. Occasionally, a few butterflies would flutter by.

"I wish I were a little butterfly," Su Yudiel mused, "so I could fly to the other side of the river and see what the scenery's like over there."

"We could fly a kite and let it see for us," Zhuang Zi'ang suggested with a smile.

"Good idea! You're so smart," Su Yudiel said, delighted.

"You just called me dumb," Zhuang Zi'ang retorted. "So, should I go buy a kite now?"

Su Yudiel glanced at the sun's position and shook her head. "It's too late today. I have to catch the bus home soon."

"Can't you go back a little later?" Zhuang Zi'ang asked, a bit disappointed.

"No, I have to catch that bus." From Su Yudiel's tone, it sounded like her family was quite strict. Which made sense, it wasn't safe for a girl to be out too late.

"Little Butterfly, tomorrow's Saturday, no school. Let's come here and fly a kite!" Zhuang Zi'ang then suggested.

"Okay, let's meet at Xishan Park tomorrow morning," Su Yudiel readily agreed. (西山公园 - Xishan Park, literally "West Mountain Park")

The sun was getting redder, hanging low over the western hills. Suddenly, a ringtone broke the peaceful quiet. Zhuang Zi'ang glanced at his phone, "Mom" was on the screen. He stared at it for a few seconds before sliding to answer.

"Mom, you should be at work. How do you have time to call?"

Xu Hui's voice came through, "I heard you and your dad had a fight?"

Zhuang Zi'ang hesitated for a moment. "I don't want to go back to that house. I'll just stay at your place, wait till you get back."

Xu Hui sighed, trying to reason with him patiently. "Zi'ang, your father and I getting divorced has hurt you a lot. Try to understand your dad better, get along with your aunt and your little brother. Don’t make it harder for your dad, okay? I know I’m not a good mom, I never have time for you…"

Zhuang Zi'ang cut her off, "Mom, how's it going with that colleague of yours?"

Xu Hui was taken aback. "Why are you asking about that, honey?"

Zhuang Zi'ang choked up a little, "Just… find someone who’ll take good care of you. Don't work yourself to death."

Xu Hui chuckled, "When you grow up, you can take care of me!"

Zhuang Zi'ang’s heart ached. I won't grow up.

Xu Hui, not catching the sadness in his voice, just comforted him a bit more before hanging up in a hurry.

"Little Butterfly," Zhuang Zi'ang asked the girl beside him, "Your mom's really good to you, right?" She was always so happy, she must come from a really happy family. Parents who cherished her like a treasure.

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Su Yudiel nodded. "Yeah, my mom's the best. I miss her every day. I just want to jump into her arms." The words sounded sweet, but something felt a little… off.

Zhuang Zi'ang and Su Yudiel stayed on the grass until almost six, then got up and slowly climbed the stone steps. Time was a weird thing. A 45-minute math class felt like forever. But sitting here with Little Butterfly, even doing nothing, two hours just flew by.

At the bus stop, some students were already waiting. As soon as Su Yudiel showed up, all the boys turned to look. She was just too beautiful. It was like the air around her turned sweet. Zhuang Zi'ang felt a little possessive, wishing he could put a big mask on her face.

The No. 19 bus pulled up slowly from around the corner, meaning it was time to say goodbye. Even though they'd see each other tomorrow, he still felt a little sad to part.

"I'll be waiting for you at the park tomorrow," Zhuang Zi'ang said, "You have to come, okay?"

"Of course, I’ll come! Pinky promise?" Su Yudiel said, holding out her pinky.

Zhuang Zi'ang frowned slightly. Eighteen years old, was a pinky promise a bit childish? Especially with everyone watching!

"Hurry!" Su Yudiel couldn't wait, grabbing his hand and hooking their pinkies together. "Pinky swear, cross my heart and hope to die, promise you won't change your mind!" Su Yudiel chanted, pressing their thumbs together with a serious ritualistic air.

A pinky swear. The most sacred contract between kids. Adults had laws and morals to keep their word, but still broke promises all the time. Kids? Once they pinky swore, they’d never go back on it.

The bus pulled in, students started boarding. Su Yudiel waited till last, wanting to spend a few more moments with Zhuang Zi'ang.

"Goodbye, Little Butterfly."

Zhuang Zi'ang watched the No. 19 bus pull away, its red taillights disappearing, before finally turning away. He stared at the bus route sign, trying to guess which stop Little Butterfly would get off at. He stared so long the words started to blur, then gave up, feeling pointless, and turned to leave.

He hadn't walked far when a black car pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, revealing Lin Mushi's face. As the school beauty, her looks were naturally stunning. Zhuang Zi'ang thought Su Yudiel was prettier, but maybe that was just him being biased. Li Huangxuan had praised Su Yudiel to annoy Lin Mushi and deflate her ego anyway.

"Zhuang Zi'ang, you are not standing me up again tomorrow, Saturday," Lin Mushi warned.

Zhuang Zi'ang suddenly remembered he still owed her a movie. But tomorrow was for Su Yudiel, pinky promise and all. Everyone knew you couldn't break a pinky promise.

"Mushi, I've got plans tomorrow. Can we push it back just a tiny bit?" Zhuang Zi'ang pinched his thumb and pinky finger together, showing just how tiny.

Lin Mushi looked suspicious. "You going to fool around with that girl again?"

Zhuang Zi'ang coughed lightly. "Hey! ‘Fool around’? Watch your mouth."

Lin Mushi pouted. "Zhuang Zi'ang, you've been acting more and more out of line lately, skipping class all the time. You're gonna ruin yourself."

Hearing his friend’s scolding, Zhuang Zi'ang didn’t know how to explain. He couldn’t just drop the bomb on her. After a moment, he figured the best way was just to play it cool. "Mushi, are you jealous?"

Lin Mushi's eyebrows shot up. "Zhuang Zi'ang! Jealous of you? Get lost! Go as far away as you can!"

"What if one day I really do get lost, far away and never come back? Will you miss me?" Zhuang Zi'ang had asked Li Huangxuan the same thing. Now it was Lin Mushi’s turn, and she gave him the same look of disgust.

"Why would I miss you? Just disappear already! There’s a line of guys wanting to take me to the movies, you think I actually care about you? You’re clueless. Go fool around with whoever you want, I don’t care anymore!"

Lin Mushi rolled up the window and told her driver to go, leaving Zhuang Zi'ang standing alone on the curb, feeling lost. The evening wind was strong, gritty with sand, making his eyes water.