Feng Qishi said, "My cousin, Qu Tian."
Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi, who had reminded her, then looked at the young man in front of her and asked, "Why aren't you in school?"
"Oh, my school is nearby. I'm done with classes and came to play for a bit, to relax," Qu Tian said. He peeked at Mu Anxiao's pale face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I played too many roller coasters, I'm fine," Mu Anxiao swallowed.
"You're amazing," Qu Tian smiled, then looked towards where drinks were being sold and said, "Wait for me."
"Oh, okay," Mu Anxiao nodded slightly and continued to lean against the tree, motionless.
Qu Tian took out his phone and ran past Feng Qishi.
"I'm sorry," Feng Qishi said, looking at Mu Anxiao's pained expression.
Mu Anxiao shook her head, "Don't apologize, I wanted to play too."
"How about I use a spell to ease it for you?"
"Do you know any spells?" Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi.
"You can teach me," Feng Qishi smiled.
Mu Anxiao breathed heavily and said, "You're really good at finding ways to learn."
"It's not just for myself, it's for you too," Feng Qishi smiled.
"The relief spell has side effects. I won't teach it to you, lest I harm myself," Mu Anxiao said faintly and closed her eyes.
"Alright," Feng Qishi sighed.
Mu Anxiao said nothing.
A moment later, Qu Tian arrived with a bottle of mineral water, stopping in front of Mu Anxiao. "Drink some water, it'll make you feel better."
"No, thank you," Mu Anxiao shook her head.
Seeing Mu Anxiao refuse, Feng Qishi said, "Are you silly? Drinking water can relieve your discomfort."
Hearing Feng Qishi's words, Mu Anxiao reached out and said, "Give it to me."
"It's room temperature, not cold," Qu Tian said, unscrewing the cap and handing it to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao took the bottle and drank a few sips.
Qu Tian asked carefully, "Are you feeling better?"
"No," Mu Anxiao shook her head.
Qu Tian frowned, then instinctively supported Mu Anxiao's arm and said, "Don't stand, let's go sit over there." He then helped Mu Anxiao to a bench and they sat down.
"Thanks," Mu Anxiao said, lowering her head.
Qu Tian stood in front of Mu Anxiao and smiled, "You're lucky you met me, otherwise it would have been trouble."
"You're really exaggerating," Mu Anxiao said.
Qu Tian chuckled twice.
"Aren't you tired carrying your backpack? Sit down," Mu Anxiao said, looking up at Qu Tian.
Qu Tian smiled sheepishly and obediently sat beside Mu Anxiao. "It's truly amazing that you came here alone."
"I'm leaving soon," Mu Anxiao drank some more water. "I wanted to come here and play."
"I always said I wanted to come here with my cousin," Qu Tian said suddenly.
"Which cousin?" Mu Anxiao asked, disoriented.
Qu Tian's eyes darkened. "From now on, in my heart, I only have one cousin, Feng Qishi."
Hearing Qu Tian's words, a touch of emotion appeared in Feng Qishi's eyes.
Mu Anxiao looked up at Feng Qishi, then turned to Qu Tian. "What about the others?"
"They don't count, just cousins who are presentable on the surface," Qu Tian said.
Mu Anxiao smiled faintly and asked, "How are your studies going?"
"There's still a lot I haven't caught up on. I've thought that if I don't do well on the exams, I'll repeat the grade," Qu Tian said.
Mu Anxiao truly couldn't understand Qu Tian's words and looked up at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi glanced at Qu Tian and said, "It means repeating a year and then taking the exam again next year, but," he thought for a moment, "he's essentially retaking the exams."
Mu Anxiao retracted her gaze from Feng Qishi's face and turned to Qu Tian. "If you don't pass and repeat the grade, isn't that called retaking the exams?"
"Retaking sounds bad," Qu Tian said.
"Does repeating a grade sound good?" Mu Anxiao retorted.
"It's just my personal opinion," Qu Tian smiled.
"Alright, but," Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi again, "if you have the desire to study hard, your cousin will be very happy to hear it."
"Yeah, I originally thought I'd just get into any university. But the moment my cousin left, I felt," Qu Tian said, "I couldn't go on like that. I want to get into a good university for both of us."
"Just do your best for yourself," Mu Anxiao said, patting Qu Tian's shoulder. "Just remember your cousin in your heart forever."
"Yes, you're right, but that's what I'm thinking," Qu Tian said, looking at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao smiled faintly. "Yes, everyone has their own thoughts."
"Yeah, did you go to the haunted house?" Qu Tian suddenly asked.
Mu Anxiao furrowed her brow, recalling the house decorated with ghost drawings they had just passed, and the young people with excited yet fearful expressions. She swallowed.
"You didn't go, did you?" Qu Tian asked, looking down at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao blinked and said, "What's the point of going there?"
"For fun, it's really fun," Qu Tian said excitedly.
Mu Anxiao gave a dry laugh, thinking of the horror movies from that night, and her eyes darted away. "It's fun, but I'm not going."
"Are you afraid of ghosts?" Qu Tian asked with a smile.
Mu Anxiao's eyelids fluttered a few times. "It's not that I'm afraid, it's just that sometimes, people scaring people can be fatal."
"You're afraid of people," Qu Tian said intentionally.
Mu Anxiao touched the back of her head, indicating she didn't want to answer that.
"Okay, I'll go in. You can wait outside, right?" Qu Tian didn't press.
"I..."
"Are you feeling better?" Qu Tian interrupted.
Mu Anxiao scratched her face and said, "Much better."
"Great, let's go," Qu Tian smiled and stood up.
Mu Anxiao hesitated for a moment, then stood up and looked at Feng Qishi. "Alright, let's go."
In the blink of an eye, they arrived outside the haunted house. Mu Anxiao looked at the people dressed as ghosts at the entrance and then at Feng Qishi, saying nothing.
Feng Qishi laughed, "Speaking of which, I'm the scariest one."
"They are scarier than you," Mu Anxiao said.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's voice, Qu Tian turned and asked, "Who are you talking to?"
Mu Anxiao closed her mouth and shook her head.
"Then..." Qu Tian pointed at the entrance. "I'm going in."
Mu Anxiao nodded, taking a few steps back, worried Qu Tian would change his mind.
Seeing Mu Anxiao retreat and looking at his own raised hand, Qu Tian said, "You're really not coming with me?"
"No," Mu Anxiao refused flatly.
Qu Tian gave an awkward smile. "Actually, I always wanted to come here with my cousin," he lowered his head. "For some reason, when I see you, I feel like I'm seeing my cousin, so, please come in with me."
"Huh?" Mu Anxiao was stunned.
"This guy is trying to trick you," Feng Qishi said.
Qu Tian walked directly to Mu Anxiao and said, "Let's go together, I'll protect you!"