Chapter 123. Kiana: I Have a Friend
On the night they came back from going out together, Sirin started trying all kinds of "subtle" hints at Kiana.
For example, she would deliberately sway back and forth in front of Kiana while griping about viewers who wanted her to ask Xander out.
And she would add that she's a girl, so how could she ask someone out alone?
To Kiana, that was basically the same as spelling it out.
So you're just too shy to go talk to Xander yourself, right.
What's the big deal.
Watching Sirin sidle up to her yet again, Kiana finally couldn't hold it in and said, "Okay, okay.
You want to ask Xander out to hang out, right.
I'll help you, all right.
Honestly."
We've been besties for over ten years.
Who are you trying to fool!
"I—I didn't mean it like that.
It's just that the viewers in my stream keep urging me, that's all.
I personally don't really care."
Sirin waved her hands, acting calm to cover the pounding in her chest.
"Really?
If so, then I won't bring it up."
Sirin froze for a second, then panicked.
"Don't!
I already bragged to everyone in the stream.
Kiana, you don't want me to lose face, right?"
No, I very much do.
Kiana muttered that in her heart.
Only after Kiana promised again and again did Sirin finally leave, satisfied and ready to head back to her room.
But when Sirin turned around, the unhidden joy on her face made Kiana pause, and her eyebrows slowly rose.
That's not right.
Isn't Sirin a little too happy?
Something's off.
Extremely—like nine parts out of ten—off.
She watched Sirin leave, and Sirin even started skipping with happiness toward the end.
After thinking for a moment, Kiana frowned and dialed Mei's number.
"Mei, Mei!!
We've got a problem!!!"
"What is it?"
Mei had just finished her shower not long ago.
Lying on the bed and stretching, she answered with some confusion.
"Remember what I told you that night at the very start of the year?"
"The start of the year… Sirin has someone she likes?"
"Right!"
Hearing that it was that matter, Mei let out a breath of relief, then turned over and said with a smile, "Isn't that a good thing?
What, worried the other person has bad character?"
Her family has a bit of pull here.
If needed, she could help.
"That's not it.
If it were someone else, it really would be a good thing…"
Kiana pulled a bitter face.
"A familiar person?"
"We can't be one hundred percent sure yet, but…"
Kiana took a deep breath and lowered her voice.
"It's very likely Xander."
"..."
Mei fell silent.
She opened her mouth, then lay there wordlessly.
So it's Xander…
Setting everything else aside, he really is a great candidate.
But still…
After a while, Mei finally spoke.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Are you going to ask her directly?"
Scratching her head, Kiana sounded troubled.
"I don't know.
It isn't fully confirmed yet.
But Sirin just asked me to invite Xander out to hang out.
I feel like I should do something…"
Why does it have to be that guy Xander.
What a headache…
The two girls, with zero romance experience, talked for a long time and still didn't come up with a concrete, workable plan.
In the end, Mei tentatively suggested, "How about… talk it over with your mom?"
"That won't work!!!"
Without a shred of hesitation, Kiana refused.
"If she found out, Sirin would probably never speak to me again."
But if she really could ask Mom Cecilia…
She's so gentle and knows so much.
She would definitely give great advice.
"Then don't say Sirin's name."
Mei's voice sounded in Kiana's ear.
Kiana blinked, then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Right, why didn't I think of that!
I'll just tell Mom it's my friend's situation.
Huge help, Mei!!"
"No, I just made a small, doable suggestion.
But when you tell her, don't—"
"Thanks, Mei.
I'm going to find Mom now!!"
Beep—beep—beep—
"—don't make your mom think 'friend' is just a cover…"
Staring at the disconnected call, Mei fell silent again.
She immediately called back, but after waiting a long time no one picked up.
Lifting her head to look at the stars through the window, a thread of worry rose in her heart.
It should… be fine, right?
...
Hanging up, Kiana sprang off the bed.
She left her phone on the bed, slipped on her slippers, opened the door, and headed for her parents' bedroom.
By chance, the old man wasn't home tonight, so she didn't have to worry too much.
She knocked and then went right in.
"Mom!"
"Mm?"
The bedroom lights were soft and bright.
Cecilia, mature and elegant, was sitting on the bed reading.
Hearing the voice, she looked up toward the door.
Seeing it was her daughter, she immediately showed a gentle smile.
"Kiana, what brings you here so late?"
"Can't I come if there's nothing?"
Kiana tugged the door lightly, then pattered over, flopped onto the bed, hugged her mother's waist, and rubbed against her mother's chest, acting spoiled.
"Of course you can.
Being spoiled by my most beloved daughter makes me very happy too~"
"Mom~"
Cecilia slipped a bookmark into the book and set it aside.
She gently stroked Kiana's head.
Looking at that face—so fond and so much like her own—her gaze grew even softer.
After taking out those two silly braided pigtails, Kiana really did look the most like her.
They cuddled and played for a while before Kiana, cheeks a little red, finally got to the point.
"Um, Mom, I… there's something I don't really understand, and I want to ask you."
At that, Cecilia blinked, and her heart instantly leapt.
Is this… the legendary life talk between parent and child?!!
So excited!
Taking a deep breath, Cecilia immediately grew serious.
"Mm.
Go ahead, Kiana."
"It's—just to be clear, it's not me.
It's that I have a friend!"
"Mm-hmm, your friend.
And then?"
Cecilia only smiled gently and didn't contradict her.
"My friend's been a bit troubled lately.
She wanted my opinion, but I didn't know what to say, so I came to you."
"Mm."
Seeing her mother still so warm and calm, Kiana let out a breath and felt reassured.
"My friend has recently fallen for someone."
Thud!
The bedroom door suddenly made a sound.
They both looked over, but there was nothing there.
Kiana frowned a little, but didn't mind and continued.
"If it were just that, it'd be fine.
But the person she likes is a bit special."
From just now, Cecilia's eyes had been shining.
So it's romance?
Ah, Kiana's reached that age.
I wonder which lucky boy it is.
"Special?
Because of status?"
Cecilia suppressed her excitement and spoke slowly.
"It's not status.
It's just… just…"
Kiana paused, embarrassed.
"That person actually already has a lover."
"...?"
Cecilia was about to encourage her by saying love requires competition, when Kiana added, "And his lover is our good friend."
"..."
Cecilia fell silent.
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