Once a vast ocean

  Qin Xiao struggled in a black whirlpool.

  Endless blackness.

  She suddenly saw a patch of dense stars appearing in the distance.

  Her body slowly sank, she gazed at the starry sky, and she no longer struggled.

  The turbulent water pulled her into the depths, her consciousness gradually blurred, and she sank down.

  When she opened her eyes again, she saw the familiar high school cafeteria.

  Qin Xiao knew she was dreaming.

  Then let the dream go on and stay in this moment forever, never having a later. Just keep doing it like this, never wake up.

  (The following "Qin Xiao" refers to Qin Xiao in high school, and Bai Ze Hua is the same)

  The monthly exam results are out, Bai Ze Hua still ranks among the top ten in grade. Qin Xiao also made a big effort and got into the top 100.

  "Qin Xiao, you did quite well this time." Bai Ze Hua said, looking at Qin Xiao's test paper while sitting in the small pavilion.

  "That's a great way of teaching!" Qin Xiao patted Bai Zehua's shoulder. "Thanks, buddy!"

  "Qin Xiao, you did so well on this exam, I..." The words got stuck in her throat as soon as she saw the watch on Qin Xiao's wrist.

  "What's wrong?"

  "It's nothing."

  In fact, Bai Ze Hua's backpack had Qin Xiao Xiang's wristwatch inside. He knew she really wanted it. Especially when she reluctantly handed the watch to the salesperson and took one last look at it. So he went to buy it the next day. He had been waiting for an opportunity, and finally got it.

  "Speak your mind."

  "I bought that watch, intending to give it to you as a gift for your progress. But I see you've already bought one."

  Bai Ze Hua didn't actually have much hope for the things he sent out. Because Qin Xiao liked those things, but never accepted anything from others. If she couldn't afford it, she wouldn't buy it; she would save up until she had enough money to buy it. He had learned this lesson many times before.

  "I thought I made myself clear before. I don't accept things from others. I know there are some things that I can't afford, but I'll work hard to save up and buy them. If I really can't afford it, I'll wait until I earn more money to buy it later. But I'm particularly sensitive about receiving gifts from others. No free lunch." Qin Xiao continued doing her homework without even lifting her head.

  "I know. It's just a gift, anyway. And it wasn't expensive." Bai Ze Hua was already used to this. When they went out to eat together, she always insisted on going Dutch and never let others pay for her. Sometimes when it wasn't suitable for the girl to pay, she would give the money back to someone else a few days after dinner or treat them to another meal.

  Qin Xiao did this, but she didn't want to owe others or take advantage of them. Her father wasn't very rich and was just a mid-level official, but she wasn't interested in what belonged to others. She didn't want things that weren't hers and wouldn't take them.

  If she had compromised a little, the subsequent series of events would not have occurred, and she would not have become a "Qin Xiao" who felt like a stranger to herself. She also wouldn't have lost the person who cherished her the most. Of course, that's all in hindsight now.

  "Alright. Thanks, you don't have to do that again. We're buddies, giving gifts is too formal and tacky." Qin Xiao felt that what he said earlier was a bit over the top, so he eased up on the atmosphere.

  "What if we're not buddies?"

  "I don't want gifts from strangers."

  Bai Ze Hua felt a twinge of annoyance upon hearing the word "stranger". He really wanted to ask her, "Can't we be anything else besides just friends?" But the words reached his lips and he forcibly swallowed them back down.

  Because he was afraid, the answer he heard was "stranger".

  His concerns were not unreasonable. He didn't know that after many years, the two of them would not only become strangers but also sworn enemies. She hated him to the bone.

  Bai Ze Hua, actually I know what you want to say. But sorry, sometimes we still need to pretend not to see or speak of it.

  ————————————————————————————————————————————————

  The chatter of Fu Xiao Zhi:

  Don't mention it, we're still good friends after all! Qin Xiaoxiao and Da Baibai are indeed good friends!

  "This series of "Once a Blue Moon" is all about Qin Xiaoxiao's past memories! It will be very warm and gentle, after all, the abuse hasn't started yet!"

  Thank you again!