As Dabao and Xubao joined Hanyu for lunch in the school cafeteria, Xubao's cheeks flushed slightly as she stole glances at Hanyu, her longtime crush. Hanyu, oblivious to her adoration, welcomed them with a warm smile.
Hanyu: "Hey, guys! Glad you could make it. I've saved you both a seat."
Xubao: "Thanks, Hanyu!"
Dabao nodded in agreement, grateful for the distraction from his earlier encounter with the bullies. As they settled into their seats and began eating, Hanyu noticed the lingering unease in Dabao's demeanor.
Hanyu: "Hey, Dabao, everything okay? You seem a bit off."
Dabao hesitated, his gaze flickering between his sister and his best friend. He wanted to confide in Hanyu, to share the burden he had been carrying alone, but the fear of judgment held him back.
Dabao: "Yeah, everything's fine, Hanyu. Just a rough morning, that's all."
Hanyu studied Dabao for a moment, his intuition telling him that something wasn't quite right. Despite Dabao's reassurance, he couldn't shake the feeling that his friend was hiding something from him.
Hanyu: "Are you sure? You can talk to me if something's bothering you, you know."
Dabao forced a smile, masking the turmoil swirling inside him.
Dabao: "Thanks, Hanyu, but really, I'm fine. Just a minor setback, nothing I can't handle."
Hanyu nodded, though a nagging doubt lingered in the back of his mind. He respected Dabao's privacy but vowed to keep a closer eye on his friend, sensing that there was more to the story than Dabao was letting on.
Hanyu: "Alright, if you say so. Just remember, I'm here for you if you ever need to talk."
Dabao nodded gratefully, relieved that Hanyu didn't push the issue further. As they resumed their lunch, Dabao resolved to confront his troubles head-on, knowing that he had a loyal friend by his side, even if he wasn't ready to share his struggles just yet.