The Shelved Spear

"Ah, I told my mom I wanted to go to middle school in Peng City, but she cruelly turned me down." Xiao Mei, stuffed full, slumped in the booth sofa and said helplessly to her two friends, "Our Egg Pie Protection Association won't truly be able to gather until high school."

Da Lu smiled. "You'd have to take high school entrance exams across provinces. That'd be even harder, right? And the high school Little Bell is going to attend will definitely be the hardest one to get into."

Xiao Mei's expression turned miserable. "Then what are we supposed to do...?"

Liu Shiling smiled. "It's okay. Even if we aren't in the same city, we can still chat online, video call, play games, and hang out together on weekends. My sister told me that ultra-high-speed maglev trains are being built everywhere now. There should be a line from Star City to Peng City soon. Then you can come visit me, or I can go visit you—we'll get there in a whoosh, just like taking the bus. Super fast."

Propping up her chin, Xiao Mei murmured, "But I want to play with Little Bell every day. Do I have to wait until college?"

Da Lu laughed. "Then you'd better start studying hard now. Otherwise, there's no way you'll get into the university Little Bell goes to."

"Hmph, Da Lu, don't underestimate me. If I really start working hard, I'll scare you all! Even if I can't get into the same major, I can get into the same school. Even if I can't get into the same school, I can get into the same city!" Xiao Mei declared firmly.

Da Lu laughed. "You're determined to be Little Bell's little tagalong, huh? Stick this close to her, and be careful she doesn't get sick