"Reading this makes me want to go back to my school days and experience such youth!"
— Zuo Xiaoling, Creator of Nan Yan Zhai Ji Lu

"I’m always moved by youth stories. The delicate emotions, a glance, a touch—they stir something bittersweet in me. The immersion is incredible!"
— D Jun, Creator of Here You Are

"The nuanced emotional shifts, hilarious banter, and authentic campus life. How can male friendships be depicted so adorably?!Salt-Friend is a must-read!"
— Tu Jie Zi, Creator of Flower Shop by the Corner

"Distinctive teens shine brightly in each other’s youth. No matter where life leads, a shared look or smile becomes their armor. These kids fear nothing. Yangyang and Zhenzhen, stay best friends forever!"
— Lv Lv Lv Jiang, Creator of Protect Our Great One

"This comic tells a tender story. Ajing (the creator) embeds strength in her young characters, healing and empowering readers as they grow. I adore this unwavering, beautiful youth of ‘running through crowds to reach you.’ A sincere recommendation!"
— Liang Azha, Creator of Starting with a Lie

★ Copyrights Sold:Traditional Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, English!Simplified Chinese version sales exceed 250,000!
★ With over 1.5 billion views online, this is a highly acclaimed work by the popular comic artist Jing Jian, who has 1.37 million fans!
★ This work has 1.21 million fans, 310,000 comments, a popularity value of 4.4 billion, and over 600 million online discussions!
★ A youthful and unrestrained spirit, this is a campus comedy that instantly transports readers back to their teenage years and makes them want to relive their student days!
★ You might think this is a story about the daily life of a school bully, Tong Yang, and a top student, Xiao Zhen, who become friends after an initial conflict. In fact, it is a story about four young men who save each other, overcome their shadows, and grow upward together.
★ The author, Jing Jian, personally supervised the entire book's storyboarding and created new cover illustrations!

*CP: The cold and aloof genius student Xiao Zhen (萧真, who is actually kind-hearted) VS. The tough-on-the-outside but soft-on-the-inside crybaby school bully Tong Yang (童阳)

Volume 1
At the start of the semester, Tong Yang tries to do the right thing but is mistakenly labeled a school bully after a fight—and suspended. Upon returning to school, he’s feared and ostracized. Emotionally vulnerable, he hides away and cries in secret… only to be accidentally discovered by his classmate, the aloof top student Xiao Zhen.
Prideful and desperate to save face, Tong Yang tries to act tough—but ends up outmatched by Xiao Zhen at every turn. Normally cold and distant, Xiao Zhen unexpectedly offers to tutor Tong Yang, helps him mend relationships with classmates, and clears up misunderstandings. Under Xiao Zhen’s influence, Tong Yang begins to change for the better.
But then Tong Yang learns a shocking truth: the person he fought on the first day of school was actually… Xiao Zhen’s younger brother?!


Volume 2
With Xiao Zhen’s help, Tong Yang slowly integrates into the class—but old family-related struggles still weigh on him. Amid playful school antics, Tong Yang crosses paths with Xiao Zhen’s brother, Xiao Zheng, and the two start off as rivals before gradually building trust.
To repay Xiao Zhen, Tong Yang also helps reconcile the tense relationship between the brothers. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhen meets Tong Yang’s good friend Bai Yinuo and is invited to his birthday party…


Volume 3
At Bai Yinuo’s birthday gathering, Xiao Zhen discovers that Bai may have been in contact with Tong Yang’s family without Tong’s knowledge—and misinterprets Bai’s intentions.
Elsewhere, Tong Yang becomes anxious about the academic gap between himself and Xiao Zhen, fearing they’ll drift apart after high school. Xiao Zhen encourages him to hit the books again, tutoring him to improve his grades. Slowly but surely, Tong Yang’s academic performance begins to rise…

Jing Jian

A renowned Chinese webcomic creator celebrated for her nuanced portrayals of emotionand authentic storytelling about youth. Her flagship work, "Salt-Friend", is a heartfelt ensemble drama centered on teenage friendships and growth, beloved for its warm, healing narrativeand vividly drawn characters.

Jing Jian excels at capturing the subtle dynamics of adolescent relationships—whether it’s deep friendship, budding affection, or the confusion and support that come with growing up. Her stories avoid forced drama, instead finding profound emotional resonance in everyday moments, allowing readers to feel the purity and strength of youth.

Beyond "Salt-Friend", Jing Jian has written numerous short stories across various tones—from lighthearted campus comedies to tender coming-of-age tales. She firmly believes that “the beauty of youth lies not in perfection, but in the real moments that truly happened”. Her work consistently highlights the most relatable aspects of teenage life.

Volume 1
Part A: First Encounter · Clash (001)
Part B: Genius · Fool (023)
Part C: Hospital · Umbrella (045)
Part D: Deskmate · Exam (063)
Part E: Classmates · Friends (087)
Part F: Rascal · Little Brother (103)
Part G: Crossing Lines · Argument (117)
Part H: Cold War · Storm (141)
Part I: Sick Visit · Thank You (161)
Part J: Cat Adoption · Us (205)
Part K: Extras · Afterword · Bonus (240)

Volume 2
Part A: Home Visit · Key
Part B: Unexpected Adventure · Team Battle
Part C: Cat Visit · Misunderstanding
Part D: Hotpot · School Heartthrob
Part E: Online Friend · Heartbeat
Part F: Type · Milk
Part G: Basketball Game · Protection
Part H: Birthday · Promise
Part I: Four Boys · Night
Part J: Extras · Afterword · Bonus

Volume 3
Part A: Birthday · Friends
Part B: Sleepover · Dinosaur
Part C: Parting · Crybaby
Part D: Chase · Protection
Part E: Victory · Praise
Part F: Zhengzheng · Mature
Part G: Through the Crowd
Part H: Ladder · Advanced Math
Part I: Panic · Anger
Part J: Disappointment · Problem
Part K: Extras · Afterword · Bonus