When people say that a single sincere friend is better than a hundred fake ones. They aren’t lying at all. Because the fake ones will keep leaving at the different junction of your life. But that one sincere friend will stick around to stand at your wedding to embarrass you with his speech saying, ‘Friend, you broke my heart but I hope the one you chose will make you happier.’

And that one friend will also be at your funeral with a heartfelt eulogy which would leave everyone in tears. That’s the power of friendship. The real ones can make you laugh your head off and they can make you cry buckets as well. No matter how silly, foolish, or idiotic these friends are. What really matters is the sincerity of that relationship.

Nora had to be the sincerest person Xiu had ever met in her two lives. Even being an heiress, she wasn’t arrogant. She didn’t even like to flaunt her wealth. But she also had no interest in being a socialite either.

‘I have you.’

That once sentence worked like magic to placate Nora. Her face lit up like the flowers blooming in spring; beautifully with a peculiar charm.

To distract Nora even further, Xiu even narrated the strange incident of a stranger leaving her with her coat jacket. “Don’t you think he was acting foolishly? I mean, he could have offered me a lift if he really wanted to help.”

Nora took her own used utensils to the sink and wore the gloves as she said, “And my baby Xiu’er, would you have taken the lift from a stranger? Even if he offered out of goodwill?”

Xiu fell into contemplation. Indeed, she overlooked this fact. She would never take a lift from a stranger. What if he had some ulterior motive? The belief she held in humanity and kindness was long trampled on brutally. Kindness and goodwill were just a ruse people used to deceive society.

“Okay. I agree that I wouldn’t have taken the lift. But he could have offered me an umbrella. He was riding in a pricey Rolls-Royce. Certainly, there would have been an extra umbrella in it.” Xiu retorted stubbornly while drying the dishes.

Nora was surprised to see that Xiu was actually making an effort to argue. Was it so important for her to win?

“What if he really didn’t have an umbrella?” Nora was also insistent as she gave Xiu a sideways glance.

“Nora darling, in all Korean dramas there is always such stuff in chaebol’s[1] cars.” Nora couldn’t help but giggle at how Xiu used Korean drama as an example. “Don’t laugh. You can check yourself. I even saw a show where the guy only had one umbrella but he left it to the girl while he put on his hood and walked in the rain.”

Nora wanted to touch Xiu’s head but seeing that she still was wearing the gloves, she didn’t do so. “Baby Xiu’er, it was also his goodwill that he gave you his coat and walked in the rain himself to get to his car. Stop always questioning things. Take things as they come.”

Xiu finally stopped arguing. She also felt that this argument was pointless. No matter what that coat was warm enough to provide her with the comfort that she needed at that time. She shouldn’t question someone’s goodwill.

“I’m going to sleep now,” Xiu announced after they were done cleaning up the kitchen together.

“Hey, my cuddle bear! Come back to me!” Nora whined from behind as she saw Xiu trotting towards her room.

“Nora darling, why don’t you get an appointment with a professional cuddler?” Xiu turned around to say with her one hand on her hip.

“Professional cuddler? There is such a thing?” Nora asked uncertainly.

“Of course there is!” Xiu answered affirmatively. “I recently saw a video. Just like professional therapists, there are now professional cuddlers.” Nora was blinking her big eyes with a dumbfounded look. “You pay them by hours just like those shrinks. There is nothing sexual involved. It’s pure cuddling.”

“But how can they cuddle with a complete stranger?” Nora was in disbelief.

“Just like you open up your life before a stranger. In reality, there isn’t much difference between shrinks and cuddlers. One gives you a bit of honest advice and listen to your rambling for hours while the other lets you cuddle them to get some silent support and comfort.” Xiu explained in a calm and patient manner. She even searched for the videos online and showed it to Nora.

The look on Nora’s face was priceless after that. She hugged herself while rubbing her arms up and down. “Baby Xiu’er, you just gave me the cringes. It feels so weird just thinking about hugging a stranger. But cuddling? Yikes!”

Xiu was trying her best to stifle her laughter. Her plan worked. If there was one thing she couldn’t bear with that would be cuddling. It felt so foreign to her. Perhaps because no one had ever cuddled her before, she was really uneasy with that.

“Oh, then we should sleep in our own bed.” Being a top-star, it wasn’t hard for Xiu to feign a sad expression.

Nora saw her twisting the doorknob of her room and shouted, “Baby Xiu’er, goodnight! Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite!” She even passed her a flying kiss.

Xiu shook her head at Nora saying, “Right back at you!” Then she took a step inside her room and closed the door.

When she laid down on her bed, there was a smile on her face like a flower that had yet to fully bloom and charm the world with its beauty. Looking at the ceiling, she laid straight on her back and whispered, “It wasn’t so bad.”

That was her affirmation to say that another day was well-spent. She was satisfied with her day after the time spent with Nora and the anger that she got to direct at a stranger with that kick. Also, the warmth that a stranger left to her. It was one productive day.

[1] “Chaebol”: The Korean term for second-generation heirs.