Come to My Place for Dinner Today

Li Qiu can't stand Sheng Chi, who lives across the hall from her.

They competed over who was taller as kids, then over grades as they grew up. They had to one-up each other in everything.

After the college entrance exams, they had a huge fight. Without telling anyone, Li Qiu decisively ditched Sheng Chi and applied to a university thousands of miles away.

They only got in touch once during the first semester of her freshman year. Sheng Chi sent her a message on WeChat.

[Li Qiu, you're something else.]

Li Qiu didn't reply, and Sheng Chi never messaged again.

Li Qiu thought they had fallen out for good.

During winter break of her freshman year, she went home for the New Year. It was snowing heavily that day, and Li Qiu nearly slipped as she dragged her suitcase along.

She looked up and saw Sheng Chi, there to pick her up.

Li Qiu: I'm doomed.

Sheng Chi: Hah. I've been waiting for you.

After she got home, Li Qiu didn't dare leave the house. She hadn't replied to Sheng Chi in six months, so he was probably still mad.

Her phone, left on the sofa, chimed with a new message. Li Qiu craned her neck to look, ready to face her doom.

Sheng Chi: [Come over to my place for dinner today. Mom made braised pork ribs.]

Li Qiu: ?

Can you still go over to someone's house for dinner after you've broken off the friendship?

* Cheerful childhood sweetheart x scheming childhood friend.

* A heartwarming little winter story.

Blurb screenshot dated January 9, 2026

Theme: Growing up together and setting off for distant horizons together