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"Yes."
The word was barely louder than a breath.
Dong Hai's chin sank almost to his chest, a faint pink crept across his cheeks and slowly spread to the tips of his ears.
He lowered his head and stared at his little shoes as if they had suddenly become very interesting.
He didn't know where to place his hands. He clasped them in front of him, then tugged at his sleeve before finally hiding them inside his sleeves altogether. One shoe scuffed against the other.
"And..." He twisted his sleeve shyly. "I l-like playing with Fan-Fan. He laughs a lot. I like that."
The last few words were so soft they melted into the morning air, barely louder than a whisper. He glanced down, his voice trailing off as the silence settled between them.
Lin Xin pressed a hand over his mouth, his eyes curving into crescents. This child was so small, yet his heart was so sincere.
