The excitement in Ye Lan’s heart began to fade. Then, noticing something different about Bai Yu, she suddenly felt like saying something.

“Bai Yu, in a way, you’re actually the first friend I’ve ever had in this life.”

The first friend she’d made in her new life, that is. Nothing wrong with that.

Bai Yu smiled. “Really? I’m honored. I’m so glad I could be Ye Lan’s first friend.”

“Before I had any friends, I always entertained myself alone. I played games by myself, and when I chatted, I was just talking to myself. I’ve always spoken my true feelings to the air. I’ve never told anyone what I really think.”

“Hmm... That sounds kind of sad. But you have me now, so you don’t have to talk to yourself anymore, Ye Lan.”

“Yeah, but talking to myself is a habit. I can’t break it.”

“I see.”

Ye Lan kept talking. As she said these things, her resolve grew stronger and stronger.

“Bai Yu, what do you think friendship means?”

“Friendship? I guess it means being able to talk to each other and help each other out. You try to share your good mood with the other person, and help chase away their bad mood. Something like that.”

“Then, if that’s what friends do, why won’t you tell me what’s bothering you, Bai Yu? Why are you holding it all in?” Ye Lan stared straight into Bai Yu’s eyes, as if she could see right through her.

“Huh...?”

Bai Yu tilted her head, feeling a little dazed.

Ugh, what was this feeling of being seen right through her?

“Ye Lan, this is the first time we’ve met, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why do I keep feeling like you know me so well?” Bai Yu slowly lowered her head.

“Bai Yu, I don’t think you’re very good at hiding your feelings from other people.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Um... Because you never showed that lonely expression in front of your sister just now. You hid it so well and kept smiling, like you were deliberately telling her, ‘I’m happy, so don’t worry about me.’”

“Hmm... Was it that obvious?” Bai Yu’s words were practically an admission that Ye Lan had gotten things more or less right.

The smile on Bai Yu’s face had softened.

At least, it was no longer that forced, sweet smile. Now it was a rather helpless one.

“I can’t help it. My sister keeps holding herself back, as if she’s living for my sake. I don’t want her to do that.”

Hearing this, Ye Lan realized that Bai Yu seemed ready to come clean.

Bai Yu pursed her lips slightly and gave Ye Lan a reproachful look, then complained without sounding the least bit angry.

“Honestly, you, of all people, Ye Lan. We only just met, and you had to see through my expertly crafted disguise. That’s just not fair.”

“U-Um, I’m sorry...”

Ye Lan wasn’t sure whether she’d done the right thing, and she was still a little intimidated.

“I’m not mad. I just think you’re such a kind person, Ye Lan. I really don’t know why I’m your first friend.”

Bai Yu couldn’t understand Ye Lan’s social circle. Surely she should’ve had a bunch of friends already.

Ye Lan gathered her courage and continued. “Bai Yu, you’re my friend. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. I’ll help you work it out.”

Bai Yu thought for a moment, then seemed to give in.

“My biggest worry is probably my sister. She’s always unhappy because of my condition. She hides it well in front of me, but I can still tell.”

Ye Lan began to understand.

Was it because of the “incurable illness” Bai Yu had?

“Is Senior Bai Tu under a lot of pressure?” Ye Lan asked, a little puzzled. She hadn’t noticed anything.

She hadn’t spent much time with Bai Tu, and Bai Tu always wore a cool, distant expression. Ye Lan couldn’t tell what she was feeling.

Bai Yu nodded firmly.

“Yeah. I’m her little sister, after all. How could I not notice how she feels?” Bai Yu smiled.

When Bai Yu talked about her sister, her tenderness wasn’t an act.

“My sister’s always looking for an effective treatment to cure me, but she hasn’t found one yet. The pressure just keeps building. If I were gone one day, my sister definitely wouldn’t be able to bear it.”

“Um...”

Ye Lan fell silent, agreeing with Bai Yu.

Losing a loved one really was something many people couldn’t accept.

Bai Yu went on slowly. “Dad and Mom died when we were very young. It’s just the two of us sisters, relying on each other. I’ve been thinking that I should at least stay cheerful until I’m gone. If I act like it doesn’t matter, like dying wouldn’t be a big deal, maybe it’ll be easier for my sister.”

“But how do you really feel...?”

“Hmm... I guess I do want to cry a little. Just a little.”

Ye Lan stood up and hugged her.

For someone as timid as Ye Lan, she’d reached out and hugged Bai Yu before she could even think about it.

“Ye Lan...?” Bai Yu looked a little dazed.

“You might feel a little better if you let yourself cry. I’m here with you now. You don’t have to hide under the covers and cry anymore.”

“Mm...”

Tears began to well in Bai Yu’s eyes. Held in someone’s arms, she wasn’t as strong as she’d imagined. The sadness and hurt in her heart seemed ready to break free.

“I don’t want to cry... I really don’t want to...”

Ye Lan gently stroked her hair, as if slowly peeling back the layers of defenses around Bai Yu’s heart.

“Please don’t...” Bai Yu’s voice came through in a sob.

Ye Lan spoke softly. “You might feel better if you let it out. At least let me be the one you talk to this time, okay? We’re friends.”

“That’s so unfair... Saying something like that out of nowhere...”

Bai Yu had held it in until now, but at last she couldn’t hold back anymore. She burst into tears.

“Waaah—”

Bai Yu’s tears streamed down her cheeks, as if she were letting out all the feelings she’d bottled up over this past while.

Ye Lan quietly patted her back, trying to make her voice as gentle as possible.

“Go ahead and cry... I’m here.”

.......

It was nearly ten minutes before Bai Yu finally stopped crying.

Bai Yu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her cheeks were a little flushed; she seemed embarrassed.

“Sorry for using you as an emotional dumping ground...”

“It’s okay. It’s my first time, but I don’t mind. If you ever want to talk to someone again, just contact me.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Yeah, I have something to do now. I’ll come back and keep you company tonight.”

“Mm...” Bai Yu nodded reluctantly.

It was her first time making a friend, and she’d finally told her so many things she’d wanted to say. Now that the other person was leaving, Bai Yu really didn’t want her to go.

“Um, this is the first time I’ve ever said all this in front of a friend. If you can, could you not tell my sister? I’m afraid it’ll make her worry even more.”

Hearing that, Ye Lan smiled and nodded.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep it secret.”

“That’s good...”

Just before leaving, Ye Lan suddenly found herself asking,

“Bai Yu, if you had the chance to make one wish come true, what would you wish for?”

Bai Yu looked confused.

“I guess I’d wish for my sister to stay happy even after I’m gone...”

“Is that what you really wish for?”

“That doesn’t matter...”

“But I think what you really wish for matters a lot to me.” Ye Lan stared straight into her eyes, her expression completely serious.

“You want to live, don’t you?”

“Huh?” Bai Yu’s pupils widened slightly.

“Your username gave you away. Deep down, you still want to live. You don’t really feel like nothing matters.”

“Mm...”

She really had felt that way very strongly once. But after one examination after another, and one disappointment after another, the feeling seemed to fade.

Did she still want to live, deep down?

If she made a wish, she could wish for anything, right?

Even if it was only a fantasy.

“I want... to live.”

Hearing her answer, Ye Lan gave her a cute smile.

“What? You could’ve just been honest! Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to make your wish come true!”

At that moment, Ye Lan was full of determination. She couldn’t wait to find out more.

And she had no idea that, after granting Bai Yu a certain permission, the power hidden inside her had begun to show signs of awakening.