She was seventeen again, that sweltering summer, trailing behind her brother, Yan Zhao, to the outdoor basketball court.

The day she first met Chen Huaixu.

Yan Zhao's friends erupted in mock outrage when they saw the pretty girl behind him. "We agreed on basketball, not bringing your girlfriend! Here to rub it in our faces?"

Yan Zhao tossed the basketball back. "My sister. Little sister."

Their expressions instantly shifted, morphing into enthusiastic greetings. "Whoa, your sister's gorgeous! Yan Zhao, you lucky dog! What school does she go to? Does she have a boyfriend?"

Yan Zhao pushed them away. "Enough, you'll scare her."

As the group dispersed, laughing, Yan Zhen noticed the handsome guy Yan Zhao had called out to upon entering the court. He had left the shade of a tree and was now watching them.

Looking up, she met his gaze, startled, and shyly looked away.

Oblivious to this subtle exchange, Yan Zhao introduced them. "I mentioned her, my sister, Yan Zhen. Still in high school."

Chen Huaixu nodded slightly, his gaze shifting from Yan Zhao to her.

"Chen Huaixu, my best friend." Yan Zhao patted Yan Zhen's shoulder. "Call him Brother Huaixu."

"Hello, Brother Huaixu," Yan Zhen said obediently.

Someone came over with iced water, urging Yan Zhao and Chen Huaixu to warm up, then glanced at Yan Zhen. "What brings your sister here today?"

"She insisted on tagging along. A real pain, this little shadow." Despite his words, Yan Zhao's lips curved into a smile as he pressed a bottle of water into her hand. "The bleachers are scorching. Sit under that tree over there. If it gets too hot, go home, okay?"

Yan Zhen nodded and headed for the shade.

Someone commented, "Your sister's so well-behaved."

"Well-behaved?" Yan Zhao chuckled, a lazy drawl in his voice. "Don't be fooled. She's a master of acting sweet around strangers and elders. Once she's comfortable, the princess comes out. You wouldn't be able to handle it."

"You seem to enjoy it, though."

"She's my sister. What else can I do?"

Soon, the court was alive with the sounds of dribbling and running feet. Yan Zhen sat under the tree, pressing the cold bottle to her cheek, watching Yan Zhao play.

Time ticked by. The players were drenched in sweat, yet their energy remained boundless. Sitting still, Yan Zhen felt the oppressive heat.

She couldn't understand their passion for basketball. She only knew that sweating made her incredibly uncomfortable. She hated sweating.

Yan Zhao's water was no longer cold, warmed by the sun. She set it aside and wiped her face with a wet wipe.

"What would you like to drink?"

A low, pleasant voice startled her.

She turned to see Chen Huaixu standing before her, holding a large bag. He opened it, gesturing for her to choose.

He had disappeared to buy drinks.

Yan Zhen peeked inside. It was as if he'd raided the entire store. Every kind of beverage imaginable, even milk. After a moment, she selected a juice and pulled out her phone. "Thank you. Let me transfer you the money."

Then she remembered. They'd just met. They weren't even WeChat contacts.

Chen Huaixu subtly registered her choice. Seeing her phone, he said, "We can add each other on WeChat, but no need for the transfer. I can afford a drink."

Yan Zhen blushed, retracting her hand. "Thank you, Brother."

"Chen Huaixu," he said suddenly.

"Huh?" She blinked, confused.

"My name. In case you didn't catch it." He patiently explained, "Chen, as in east. Huai, as in the Huai River. Xu, as in preface."

"I remember," Yan Zhen nodded.