The bus rattled along the bumpy road, but Su Nian's heart was noisier than the engine. She sat by the window, chin propped on her hand, watching the streets blur past.
Tomorrow… everyone will come to my house.
The thought made her stomach churn. What would Wang Zixuan and his friends think when they saw her cramped little home? The peeling paint, the worn-out furniture, the noisy brother who seemed to be born to create chaos? Would they laugh? Would they sneer? Or… would they behave decently for once?
Su Nian let out a dramatic sigh so loud the old lady sitting beside her gave her a look. She straightened up quickly, pretending she hadn't just sighed her soul out.
By the time the bus screeched to a halt at her stop, her heart felt heavier than her schoolbag.
She rang the doorbell, and her mother opened the door with her usual gentle smile. "Nian Nian, you're back."
The comforting sight barely lasted two seconds before her eyes landed on the battlefield inside.
The hallroom looked like a toy factory had exploded. Cars, blocks, stuffed animals—all over the floor. In the center of the chaos sat her little brother, happily smashing two toy robots together like he was conducting the world's most important war.
Su Nian stepped inside, took one step—then promptly tripped over a plastic dinosaur tail. She fell flat, her bag sliding across the floor.
"Arghhh—!" she groaned, face planted.
Her brother froze for exactly one second before bursting into giggles. "Jie! You look like a pancake!"
Su Nian shot up, hair messy, face red, and pointed at him like a raging general. "What are you doing?! Why did you mess up the house?! Go clean it now before I make you the pancake!"
Her brother stuck out his tongue. "You can't catch me!" and zoomed away like a little rocket, toys scattering even further.
Before Su Nian could chase him, her mother called from the kitchen, "Su Nian, don't scold your brother. He's just a kid."
"But Mom—!" Su Nian threw her arms in the air. "He's not a kid, he's a natural disaster!"
Her brother popped his head out from behind the sofa, making monster claws. "Rawrrr! Disaster monster here to eat you!"
"ARGHHH!" Su Nian stomped to her room, slamming the door shut with all the drama of a tragic heroine.
Inside, she tossed her bag aside, stormed into the washroom, and splashed cold water on her face. But halfway through, she suddenly felt her vision tilt, her knees going weak. She gripped the sink tightly, breathing heavily until the dizziness passed.
"Get it together, Su Nian…" she muttered to her reflection, cheeks dripping.
When she returned to the hallroom, her father was sitting on the sofa, quietly reading the newspaper. She dropped down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.
Her father lowered the paper and glanced at her. "What happened, dear?"
"Nothing, Dad. Just… tired and worried."
Before he could ask more, her mother's voice floated from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!"
The table was soon filled with steaming dishes. Su Nian's eyes sparkled instantly. "Whoa, Mom, did you cook a feast for the whole neighborhood?"
Her mother chuckled. "Eat first, talk later."
Her father reached over, picked the spiciest chicken piece, and dropped it into her bowl. "Eat well, Nian Nian."
Su Nian beamed. "Thanks, Dad. You're the best." Then she turned to her brother. "Unlike someone who only knows how to make messes."
Her brother made a face and shoved a broccoli piece into her bowl in revenge. "You eat that."
"Broccoli! Nooo—!" Su Nian dramatically collapsed on the table, earning a laugh from her parents.
Later, when they all sat on the couch, her father asked gently, "Now tell me, why are you worried?"
Su Nian hugged a pillow tightly. "Our school is holding the autumn sports day. I've been picked for the relay race and the three-legged race."
"That's a good thing," her father said. "So why worry?"
She pouted. "Because my teammates… are not exactly my friends. We don't get along." (Of course, she was thinking about Wang Zixuan and his gang.)
Her father chuckled softly. "Don't let anyone bring you down. Let your inner light shine. They should know that my daughter is strong."
Su Nian's eyes warmed. "Dad, no one understands me better than you." Then she remembered. "Oh, and tomorrow, my teammates are coming to our house to discuss the practice schedule."
Her father nodded. "Alright. Then get a good night's sleep. It's getting late."
"Okay. Good night, Dad."
---
The next morning arrived like always. Su Nian dragged herself out of bed, washed up, dressed for school, and rushed outside—only to watch the bus drive away without her.
"Great. Just great!" She stomped her foot. "Why does this always happen to me?!"
She resigned herself to walking to school. Halfway there, she heard soft sobs.
A little boy stood at the corner of the street, tears streaking his cheeks.
Su Nian's annoyance melted instantly. She crouched down. "Hey, why are you crying?"
"I… I'm lost," the boy sniffled. "I can't find my mommy…"
Her heart clenched. She gently patted his head. "Don't worry, little one. I'll help you find her."
The boy's eyes widened. "Really? You're so nice, Jie Jie."
"Of course." She puffed her chest. "I'm basically a superhero. Now, let's go."
Instead of going straight to school, Su Nian held his tiny hand and walked him to the police station. Along the way, the boy kept asking innocent questions—
"Jie Jie, are you a teacher?"
"No, I'm a student."
"Then why are you so tall?"
Su Nian almost tripped. "Tall?! Do I look like a giraffe to you?!"
The boy giggled, instantly forgetting his tears.
At the station, she explained the situation to the officers. They praised her for her bravery and kindness. One of them even ruffled her hair. "You're a good kid. Your parents must be proud."
Su Nian's cheeks flushed with both pride and embarrassment. "Ah—no need to make me sound like a saint, it's just basic human decency."
When the boy's mother arrived and hugged her son in relief, Su Nian's heart softened. She waved at the boy, who shouted, "Bye-bye, superhero Jie Jie!"
As she walked out of the station, she finally checked the time—
"Oh no! School! I'm so lateeee!!"
She slapped her forehead, groaning. "Today's gonna be my funeral."