"You're too kind."
Xiao Xiao's eyes curved into a smile.
"Xiuxiu is my friend."
"She invited me to see a movie."
"Of course I went with her since I had the time."
"It wasn't anything worth thanking me for."
This was just normal interaction between friends.
"Mm."
Master Xiao had explained it clearly, and Chi Xiuchuan immediately felt a little embarrassed.
"I made too much of it."
"Sorry."
Chi Xiuchuan smiled wryly.
"You probably know that when it comes to Xiuxiu, I tend to overreact."
"She's called me out on it several times, too."
But some habits—
The fact that they became habits already showed how hard they were to change.
He wanted to change.
But sometimes his mouth really was quicker than his brain.
There wasn't much he could do about it.
"We're friends, too."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
So there was no need to apologize over such a trivial matter.
"Mm."
Chi Xiuchuan smiled.
He greatly respected Master Xiao.
Because Master Xiao had saved Xiuxiu's life.
And because Master Xiao was extraordinary.
But at the same time, they were good friends, too.
Chi Xiuchuan said goodbye to Xiao Xiao.
He had only come over to greet Master Xiao.
And, while he was at it, to thank him for accompanying Xiuxiu to the movies a few days ago.
He'd called Xiuxiu that evening.
It was obvious she'd had a wonderful time.
The cheerful sound of her voice through the phone had softened his expression.
It had also eased some of his regret over being unable to take his little sister to the movies because something had come up at the last minute.
As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.
Xiao Xiao turned and continued toward his destination.
He didn't run into