[Your Yibao: Where did you run off to @Penglai’s Snow? Your family is searching everywhere for you! Your mom is crying her eyes out!]

[Your Yibao: @Penglai’s Snow, reply when you see this! How childish can you be at your age? Whatever it is, couldn’t you discuss it with your family first?]

[Your Yibao: @FangYouYuanBao, @YuanYouFangBao, has Peng Xue contacted either of you?]

Mei Fang was jolted awake by Xia Yuan, who showed him the frantic messages on her phone. His eyes widened in shock. “Peng Xue ran away from home? Do you know why?”

“It must be because of family issues…” Xia Yuan explained while dialing Peng Xue’s number. “I remember her complaining before—her parents were strongly against her pursuing music like her cousin. They even almost smashed her bass during one argument. She’s been giving them the cold shoulder since then.”

[The number you have dialed is currently powered off…]

“No good, her phone’s off…”

Sitting on the bed with her hair disheveled, Xia Yuan was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan, chewing her fingernails as she racked her brain for possible places Peng Xue might have gone.

“If she ran away, I should be the first person she contacts! Why hasn’t she reached out? Did she go to her cousin? Or somewhere else… What if she ran off with some online friend and got into trouble?!”

Mei Fang gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Xia Yuan’s ear and squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t panic yet. Peng Xue isn’t the type to trust strangers easily. Have faith in her. She’ll contact you when she’s ready.”

Just then, Lin Youxi stirred awake, noticing their hushed conversation. After hearing Xia Yuan’s explanation, she pondered for a moment. “If Peng Xue left without a fight this time, it might not have been impulsive. Maybe she planned this for a while. If we ask her parents whether her room was cleaned out before she left, we might get a clue.”

“I-I’ll call them right now—”

Mei Fang patted Xia Yuan’s shoulder. “Being anxious won’t help… Let’s get up and freshen up first. Maybe Peng Xue will reach out soon?”

“Remember when we went hiking together? She said her dream was to drive a Jeep and wander the world. What if she actually went through with it this time?”

“I doubt that.”

Mei Fang gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Do you know what Peng Xue did first after getting her bonus last year? She paid me back—every cent I invested in her equipment.”

“She still owes me a few thousand. With her personality, she wouldn’t just vanish without settling her debts.”

“Besides, you’re her best friend. You two promised to start a band together, remember? Unless… you doubt your friendship with her?”

“Of course I don’t!”

Xia Yuan nodded slowly. “Then… we’ll wait a bit longer.”

---

It was Saturday, so there was no school. But Xia Yuan moved through her morning routine like a ghost—brushing her teeth, eating breakfast—all while glued to her phone, terrified of missing a message.

Worried about her state, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi washed the dishes together, discussing Peng Xue’s whereabouts.

“Wonder if they’ve called the police yet. Even if it hasn’t been long, they should report it.”

“Not even leaving a note… Peng Xue really is a troublemaker.”

Mei Fang glanced at Lin Youxi, who was scrubbing a plate with unusual force. “You seem… angry.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? An eighteen-year-old pulling this childish stunt—she’s not a ten-year-old.”

Lin Youxi handed him a rinsed bowl, her voice tight. “I don’t care about Peng Xue, but seeing Yuan worry like this pisses me off.”

“That expression reminds me of something from way back.”

Mei Fang smiled faintly. “Remember when Peng Xue insisted on walking home with us? You refused to let Yuan bring another friend and even dragged her aside to say so.”

“Of course I remember.”

Lin Youxi nodded. “That was the first time I ever said ‘no’ to Yuan.”

“So… you were jealous back then.”

“Obviously.”

Lin Youxi didn’t deny it. “That was the first time I felt… if I didn’t say anything, Peng Xue might slowly replace me in Yuan’s heart.”

“You really thought that?”

Lin Youxi nodded slightly, her gaze drifting to the dishes in the sink.

“She and Yuan… were too compatible. In middle school, whenever the three of us were together, I could barely get a word in.”

“But friends and family are different.”

“That’s how it is now. I’ve grown since then. But the most important thing—”

She dried her hands, then pinched Mei Fang’s cheek. “—is that without you as our anchor, Yuan and I would’ve drifted apart as adults.”

“You’re our most shared topic.”

As they finished washing up and headed to check on Xia Yuan, she came sprinting toward them:

“A-Fang! Youxi!”

“Xuexue messaged me!”

Her face glowed with excitement. “She’s at our neighborhood gate! She did come to see me!”

---

After notifying Yue Xinyi and Peng Xue’s parents, Mei Fang and Xia Yuan prepared to meet her—but Lin Youxi stayed behind.

“She’s been traveling from Bai Mei County. Probably hasn’t eaten. I’ll cook something.”

“Thank you! Youxi, you’re so sweet!”

Xia Yuan planted a loud kiss on Lin Youxi’s cheek. “I adore you!”

“Don’t get excited. I just didn’t want to scold her and risk her running off again.”

Lin Youxi pushed her away, but their eyes met, and both smiled. “You two talk to her properly. Convince her to go back to school.”

“Got it!”

Xia Yuan linked arms with Mei Fang. “Don’t lecture her yet. Let me speak first. We’ll hear her out together.”

“Deal.”

Hand in hand, they took the elevator down. True to her word, Peng Xue leaned against the gate, bass strapped to her back, staring at the sky. Spotting them, she grinned.

Xia Yuan broke into a run, flinging herself into Peng Xue’s arms. Peng Xue hugged her back—but her smile lacked its usual spark.

“Glad you’re still so lively.”

“Me?! You’re the one who vanished! Your parents are frantic!”

Peng Xue stuck out her tongue playfully, then set her bass case down. As she rummaged through her backpack, Xia Yuan frowned.

“Why unpack here? Let’s go upstairs! Youxi’s cooking for you!”

“I’ve planned this for a while. Almost didn’t come… but I couldn’t leave without seeing you.”

She pulled out a thick envelope of cash and pressed it into Xia Yuan’s hands.

“This settles my debt to Boss Mei. With the bonus repayment, we’re even now.”

Her smile softened. “I came to return the money… and say goodbye.”

“Xuexue… You don’t mean—”

Peng Xue patted her shoulder. “I’m done with school. I’m 18—time to see the world. Just me and this bass.”