### Chapter 23: Make a Wish!
The excitement in Night Lan’s heart had cooled down. She suddenly felt the urge to express something when she noticed White Fish’s unusual behavior.
“White Fish, in some ways, you’re actually the first friend I’ve made in this life.”
Making a friend right at the start of a new life? No problem.
White Fish smiled and said, “Is that so? I feel very honored to be Night Lan’s first friend. That’s wonderful!”
“Before making friends, I always amused myself alone. I played games solo, chatted with myself in my mind, and spoke the truth to thin air. I never expressed my true feelings to anyone.”
“Mmm… That does sound pitiful, but now that I’m here, Night Lan won’t have to talk to herself anymore.”
“Yeah, but talking to myself is a habit. Can’t break it.”
“I see.”
Night Lan continued talking, as her inner thoughts grew stronger.
“White Fish, how do you view friends?”
“Friends? They should chat with each other, help each other, try to share good moods, and find ways to drive away bad moods, something like that.”
“Yeah, and if that’s the case, why don’t you tell me about your troubles instead of bottling them up?” Night Lan stared directly into White Fish’s eyes, as if trying to see through her.
“Huh…?”
White Fish tilted her head and felt bewildered.
Ugh, what’s this feeling of being seen through?
“Night Lan, we’ve only just met, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then why do I get the feeling you know me so well?” White Fish slowly lowered her head.
“White Fish, I think you’re not good at hiding your emotions in front of others.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well… because the forlorn expression you had just now didn’t show up in front of your sister. You seemed to hide it perfectly, always smiling, as if intentionally telling her, ‘I’m happy, don’t worry about me.'”
“Hmm… Is it really that obvious?” White Fish acknowledged that most of what Night Lan said was true.
Her smile had significantly diminished.
At least she was no longer putting on a fake smile. Instead, she looked rather resigned.
“There’s no helping it, because my sister always suppresses herself, as if she lives for me. I don’t want her to suffer like that.”
Night Lan knew that White Fish was ready to “divulge everything.”
She pouted slightly, playfully glaring at Night Lan without any malice.
“Seriously, Night Lan, it’s just our first meeting, and you already spoiled my great act. That’s really unreasonable.”
“Mmh, sorry…”
Night Lan wasn’t sure if her action was right and decided to back down.
“I’m not angry. I just think Night Lan is a very kind person. I wonder why you’re my first friend.”
White Fish couldn’t understand Night Lan’s social circle and assumed Night Lan should have many friends by now.
Night Lan gathered her courage again and said, “White Fish, you’re my friend. If you have any worries, you can tell me. I’ll help you solve them.”
After a moment of contemplation, White Fish seemed to concede.
“The main worry is probably with my sister. She’s always unhappy about my condition, though she acts fine in front of me.”
Night Lan understood a bit.
Is it because of the “terminal illness” White Fish has?
“Is Senior White Paint feeling very depressed?” Night Lan was puzzled; she couldn’t tell from her behavior.
They hadn’t known each other long, and Bai Tu always kept a cool demeanor, which didn’t help Night Lan gauge her true feelings.
White Fish nodded confidently.
“Yes, after all, as her younger sister, how could I miss those feelings?” White Fish smiled.
When she talked about her sister, her gentleness was genuine.
“Sister has been searching for effective treatments to cure my illness, even though she hasn’t found any. The pressure has been overwhelming, and she wouldn’t be able to handle it if I were to leave one day.”
“Mmm…”
Night Lan stayed silent, fully agreeing with her.
The departure of a loved one can be devastating for many people.
White Fish continued, “With both Mom and Dad gone, it’s just us two sisters relying on each other. I think, at least before I go, I should keep a cheerful facade and act like it’s no big deal. Maybe that will make Sister feel better.”
“And your true feelings…”
“Mmm… I guess I do have a little urge to cry.”
Night Lan stood up and hugged her.
Even though she was normally so timid, she instinctively made such a close gesture.
“Night Lan…?” White Fish’s eyes were somewhat unfocused.
“Crying might help. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, and I’m here with you now.”
“Mmm…”
Tears began to well up in White Fish’s eyes. Holding back her emotions when being embraced, she felt weaker than she imagined inside.
“I don’t want to cry… I really don’t want to…”
Night Lan gently stroked her silky hair as if peeling away layers of White Fish’s defenses.
“Don’t do that…” her choked voice came through.
Night Lan softly said, “Maybe letting go will help. Let me be your confidant, okay? We’re friends.”
“But… you’re just saying that randomly…”
Finally holding back no more, White Fish started crying uncontrollably.
“Waaah—”
Her tears flowed like an unstoppable river, as if she was pouring out all the pent-up emotions over the years.
Night Lan quietly patted her gently, trying to soften her own voice.
“Let it all out… I’m here.”
…..
It took almost ten full minutes for White Fish’s crying to stop.
She wiped away her tears, her cheeks turning slightly rosy—a sign of embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, I’m just venting my emotions on you…”
“Nothing, even though it’s our first time, I’d do it again if needed. If you still need someone to confide in, just reach out to me.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Yeah, got some things to handle. I’ll come back later tonight.”
“Mmm…” White Fish nodded reluctantly.
This was her first real friendship, and she had poured out so much to Night Lan. Being apart now was hard.
“Um, it’s the first time I’ve talked like this to a friend. Could you not tell Sister? I’m afraid she’d worry more.”
Upon hearing this, Night Lan nodded reassuringly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret.”
“That’s good…”
Just before leaving, Night Lan blurted out,
“White Fish, if you had the chance to make a wish, what would you wish for?”
White Fish looked baffled.
“To let Sister stay happy even after I’m gone…”
“Is that your true wish?”
“It doesn’t matter…”
“But I think, your true wish is very important to me,” Night Lan stared straight into her eyes with a serious expression.
“You want to live, right?”
“Uh?” White Fish’s pupils dilated.
“Your online name exposed you. You still yearn to live, not to be indifferent.”
“Mmm…”
There was indeed a strong desire before, but after numerous checks and disappointments, it had faded.
Now, did she still want to live?
If wishes came true, wouldn’t they be powerful?
Even if they were just illusions.
“I want… to live.”
Hearing that, Night Lan grinned adorably.
“So simple, why didn’t you say so earlier? Don’t worry, I’ll help you make it happen!”
At that moment, Night Lan’s determination surged, eagerly wanting to learn more.
But she remained unaware that by giving White Fish this qualification, the hidden power within her began showing signs of awakening.
