Following the road south from the school gate to its end, you'll reach Xishan Park. The park is filled with unique rocks and flowers, pavilions, and terraces by the water. Many elderly people exercise here in the mornings.

Because it was the weekend, Zhuang Zi'ang woke up a little later than usual. He hurried out and stopped by a breakfast stall to buy breakfast for two.

The park, with its many trees, had exceptionally fresh air. He quickly found the girl with the peach blossom behind her ear by the flower bed.

It was the fourth day, and Su Yudiel was still in the same spotless outfit, looking brand new. She was holding a paper box, feeding stray cats, her eyes full of love. A crowd of cats of all colors surrounded her, meowing non-stop.

"Tiger, where have you been? You're all dirty."

"Pudding, have you been secretly dating behind my back, huh?"

"Cheese, you're skin and bones! Eat a little more."

...

Standing at a distance, Zhuang Zi'ang listened to Su Yudiel talking to the cats, finding it quite amusing. She had given each stray a cute, unique name.

"Little Butterfly," Zhuang Zi'ang called out.

"Zi'ang, you're here?" Su Yudiel turned and smiled. In that instant, all the flowers paled in comparison.

Zhuang Zi'ang sighed in relief. Good, she didn't call him "Big Dummy."

He waved the breakfast. "You're taking care of the kitties, and I'm here to take care of you."

Su Yudiel, the foodie, couldn't resist delicious food. She immediately took the bag from Zhuang Zi'ang and sat down by the flower bed, happily munching away. She even shared some with the cats as she ate.

Zhuang Zi'ang watched her, a faint smile on his face. Such a beautiful girl, yet so unpretentious, not caring at all about how she looked eating.

"What are you staring at? Eat yours! You really are a big dummy," Su Yudiel said, glancing at Zhuang Zi'ang.

Only then did Zhuang Zi'ang look away, taking a sip of his warm milk. He felt strangely comfortable being teased; it was almost like he felt a bit off if she didn't.

As Su Yudiel ate, her eyes kept darting around, as if looking for something. Noticing this, Zhuang Zi'ang asked, "What are you looking for?"

Su Yudiel frowned slightly. "Tom isn't here."

"Tom?" Zhuang Zi'ang was puzzled.

"It's a little gray cat, kind of silly, just like the one in the cartoon," Su Yudiel explained.

Immediately, Zhuang Zi'ang pictured the clumsy cat that could never catch a mouse, the cat that had brought laughter to countless childhoods.

"Since it's a stray, it might have wandered off. It'll be back in a few days," Zhuang Zi'ang comforted her.

"No, I used to feed him every weekend. He wouldn't leave me," Su Yudiel mumbled, looking dejected.

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"There's a park worker over there. Why don't we ask her?" Zhuang Zi'ang pointed to a cleaning cart in the distance.

"Okay!" Su Yudiel nodded.

The two got up and walked towards the worker. For some reason, Zhuang Zi'ang had a bad feeling about this.

"Excuse me, miss, have you seen a little gray cat? About this big, small, with a white spot on its ear..." Su Yudiel patiently described Tom's features.

"That cat… it's dead," the worker replied.

"What?" The milk carton in Su Yudiel's hand dropped to the ground. Her face was filled with shock.

"It got hit by a car crossing the road. Someone buried it by the side of the road," the worker said, keeping it brief, perhaps not wanting to upset Su Yudiel more.

The truth was, many stray cats get killed by cars, and their bodies are left mangled on the road. And not everyone bothers to bury them; they often just get flattened into roadkill.

"How could this happen? How could this happen? How could this happen?" Su Yudiel repeated, tears welling up in her eyes.

Standing beside her, Zhuang Zi'ang could clearly feel her sadness.

The worker sighed. "What a kind girl, crying like this over a stray cat."

"Little Butterfly, don't cry. Cats have nine lives," Zhuang Zi'ang gently comforted her.

Su Yudiel leaned her head on his shoulder, sobbing softly. "I liked Tom the best. He was so cute."

Zhuang Zi'ang's hand hovered in the air for a moment, then he mustered the courage to pat her hair.

"Little Butterfly, don't be too sad. Every cat dies eventually, just like everyone..." He paused for a long time before saying sadly, "...will die too."

Su Yudiel looked up, her eyes teary, seeming not to understand what Zhuang Zi'ang meant.

Zhuang Zi'ang looked into her eyes. "People always have to say goodbye, just like you and me. One day, we won't be able to see each other anymore."

"Why? Don't you want to be friends with me anymore?" Su Yudiel asked, her voice choked with sobs.

"No, Little Butterfly. I want to be friends with you forever."

"Then… don’t leave me, okay?"

Zhuang Zi'ang tried to soften the blow, but it was no use. Even he didn't know if he would have the courage to face that separation in three months.

Dwelling on this unsolvable question would only make them both sadder. Zhuang Zi'ang forced a smile. "No more crying! We promised to be happy every day, and we're going to fly a kite, remember?"

"Okay, let me cry for just a little longer, then I'll be fine," Su Yudiel pleaded.

"Alright, it's still early. Cry as long as you need," Zhuang Zi'ang said gently, his eyes full of sympathy.

When I leave, will you cry for me?

If you don't, does that mean we weren't really friends?

But if you cry too much, it'll break my heart.

So, just a little cry will be enough.

The morning sun gradually rose, shining on the grass and flowers. The stray cats, having finished their food, scattered.

Zhuang Zi'ang took out a tissue and gently wiped away the tears from Su Yudiel's eyes. "Okay, let's go fly a kite. Then I'll treat you to something delicious for lunch. You said when you're sad, you need to eat lots of good food."

Su Yudiel rubbed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and cheered herself up. Then she slung her shoulder bag over her shoulder. "Let's go to your apartment then."

"What for?" Zhuang Zi'ang was taken aback.

"To make a kite, of course! What else would we fly?" Su Yudiel retorted.

Zhuang Zi'ang suddenly realized she meant making a kite, not buying one. Making one yourself was definitely much more meaningful. The thought of making a kite by hand and watching it soar in the sky was a really cool idea.

The two left the park and headed towards the apartment complex. Just as they reached his building, they ran into their neighbor.

She smiled warmly when she saw Little Butterfly. "Hey there, you're here again!"

"Hello," Su Yudiel greeted her politely.

"You should come over more often. Zhuang seems much happier when you're around than when he's alone," the neighbor said meaningfully.

"I will, because we're good friends," Su Yudiel replied. Her smile was pure and innocent, without any hidden agenda. Even Zhuang Zi'ang wondered if she even understood what the neighbor was implying. In other people's eyes, a young man and woman spending time together wasn't just about being good friends.