บท 7: Kiddo!

After the rebirth, Xiu had made a strict rule to follow through for herself; she always woke up with a new determination and went to bed in satisfaction at night.

However, this task was difficult tonight. Her soaked clothes had dried up in the taxi but the shivering hadn't subsided. Coming back to her apartment, she pulled on a loose pair of pajamas along with a snuggly shirt. She took paracetamol and fell on her bed in a deep slumber.

It was around midnight when she woke up and that too because of the strong and raging protests from her stomach which was asking for food. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't had anything nutritious or healthy to eat since last night.

She rubbed her forehead in exasperation since this habit of skipping meals because of strict diet meals was still going hand in hand with her. She was rather tired of it now. Because of this very habit, she even looked malnourished now. She had painstakingly followed through diet plans in her previous life to look the part of stunning Superstar.

However, this life was different. Bai Xiu was already frail-looking and with Xiu's eating habits, it was a wonder that her body was still holding on.

Making her way to the kitchen, she opened the fridge only to realize that there were only water bottles inside. She was about to look for her phone to text Nora when her eyes fell on the sticky note on the fridge.

It read:

"Baby Xiu'er, Sorry! I forgot to buy groceries. But I'm not good at it anyway so please, let me off the hook considering that I just had a breakup." There was even a pleading face drawn at the end.

Xiu really wanted to beat this stupid best friend who was using that breakup card all over again. How typical of her! But even though she wasn't the real Bai Xiu, she couldn't bring herself to get angry with Nora. That girl had been her saving grace who showed her a way when she felt lost and lonely in this unfamiliar body, unfamiliar place, and no memories to guide her.

She knew that Nora did all of this thinking that she was her best friend Bai Xiu but still, it meant a lot to her. Xiu hadn't even gotten this much warmth and love from her own mother as much Nora had showered her with.

Xiu rubbed her itchy nose and sniffled. She could tell that this was the sign of flu since this body didn't have a strong immune system.

"Forget it. I'll buy some medicine for cold on my way as well." Thinking that Xiu picked up her phone and left in her cute bunny slippers and disheveled bed hair. She was looking like an adorable teenager rather than an inelegant woman.

Her apartment complex was located in high-class society, it was a very safe area and she didn't have to walk far to reach the pharmacy. After buying herself some cold medicine, she walked towards the 24-hour convenience store. There wasn't much traffic at this hour and just when she was close to the convenience store.

"Boo!"

That sudden shout made Xiu jump in fright, only to see her elegant and classy looking best friend laughing with her hand on her stomach. Nora was laughing her head off and Xiu could even detect the slight twinkle of tears that had brimmed in her big eyes.

Xiu lifted her hand and pinched Nora's shoulder making her yelp.

"Who scares their best friend like this?" Xiu bellowed in anger since she actually got scared earlier.

"The normal ones. Like those who push their best friends of a couch." Nora reminded her of the morning incident and Xiu rolled her eyes at how childish this revenge was.

"Hmph!" Not wanting to entertain her anymore, Xiu entered through the glass doors of the convenience store.

Nora followed her inside and hugged her from behind like a clingy girlfriend. "Baby Xiu, don't be angry." Suddenly recalling something, she let go off her and asked, "Oh, and what are you doing here? It's so late at night."

"I can ask you the same question," Xiu replied while crossing her arms before her chest in an imposing manner. But seeing her in such an adorable state, Nora couldn't bring herself to feel the intimidation. "Also, who was the lazy bum who forgot to buy groceries. It certainly wasn't me."

Nora pursed her lips taking in all her scolding. "I'm late because I was working overtime. Dad's been nagging me to be a little more responsible and whatnot." Nora replied offhandedly while Xiu tapped her head. She should have expected this answer.

Nora was actually working as a Manager in a Seven-Star Hotel which was even listed in Forbes. Her stepfather owned a Hotel Empire and she was the only heiress. So, this job was more like her training which she wasn't taking seriously at all.

Just to escape from the nagging of her mother and step-father, Nora had decided to share an apartment with Xiu. That and also because her parents would never allow her to live alone. It was safe to say that she was pampered way too much. But since Xiu never treated her any different than a normal person, she always felt a stronger bond toward her.

Seeing that Xiu's beautiful eyes had narrowed into slits, Nora decided to continue, "How about I pay for everything?" The cold gleam in Xiu's eyes got thicker and Nora decided not to add fuel to fire or more appropriately not add more frost to this snow which was out to bite her. This frostbite-like best friend was already giving her the chills. "Baby Xiu, don't be angry."

When Nora used that tactic of acting cute, Xiu gave in but only because her head was hurting because of the flu. She needed rest and that could only happen after they were done buying something to eat.

"Go and collect the snacks that you feasted on last night. I'll buy some noodles for both of us."

"My Lao tong's[1] wish is my command!" Nora playfully gave a salute and marched off toward the snacks shelves.

Xiu also roamed around the convenience store to find noodles. She chose the Chicken noodle flavor for herself and since Nora had a peculiar taste, she had to look for the tomato sauce flavored noodles.

Her eyes lit up as she found tomato sauce flavored noodles on the top shelf. She lifted her arm and tried to reach it. But since there was only a single packet of tomato sauce noodles, it was quite in the back and Xiu had to tip-toe to reach it. Just when the tip of her finger touched the packet, she felt a warmth behind her back and another strong hand stretched forth and took the tomato sauce noodle packet with ease.

Xiu thought he was helping her and even bowed slightly to say, "Thank yo-" but her words stuck in her throat as she realized that the guy had turned to leave.

"Hey! Stop right there, you thief!" Xiu's roaring voice made the guy halt in his steps and he turned around.

And that's when Xiu noticed that the guy or calling him a man would be more appropriate had a strong presence. She first noticed his fair skin which was even blemish-free with his exquisite and chiseled facial contours, he looked better than the country's top male gods. He had peach flower eyes, elegant brows and thin lips which were set in a straight line.

He gave off a feeling of maturity and sturdiness along with a mix of mischief which could be seen in his black orbs. There was a mysterious wild streak in that pair of eyes. The sleeves of his button-up shirt were rolled up to his elbows while the tie around his neck was hanging loose.

While she was observing him from head to toe, the man was frowning with an impatience. When she didn't speak after a whole minute, he snapped a finger before her face and said, "You want something, kiddo?"

[1] "*Lao tong*": Lao tong refers to women who share a bond closer than even sisters.