Chapter 1

"Miss, is that all for today?"

"Yes."

DING!

My name is KiaoXiao Fei. I work at a grocery store near my apartment. I can barely make a living while working as a cashier. But at least I have a job. The rent is cheap, and the apartment doesn't look too shabby. It's three rooms. One the bathroom, two my bedroom, and three the kitchen and living room. As a child, I did not like to depend on others for money. Instead I wanted to work for it.

I payed my college tuition in science without the help of my parents. I did not like to depend on my parents for everything because I'll be a burden to them. If one person looked at me, they would see a 21 year old girl with glasses and shabby-looking clothes. But I don't really care about my looks. I care about my money.

"I should check the news."

(turns on tv)

"The famous actor Chan Xing has told the news channel that his crush--"

(turns off tv)

"Ugh, how boring."

"Now that I think of it, Chan Xing has the name as him. My old friend."

Back when I was living in China with my parents, we built a house in the countryside. Our house was small, but it fit all three of us in. We would pick flowers and play by the lake usually. The lake was closeby so we would go there a lot. One day, my parents had to go on an urgent errand and left me at home. It was so boring to just sit and wait for them. So I went to the lake. As I was walking towards the lake, I spot a boy with black hair, and in overalls crouching on the ground crying. I felt bad for him, even if I didn't know why he was crying. I tapped on his shoulder and smiled.

"Hey, want to be friends? I'm sure it won't make you sad."

He wiped his tears and nodded. I grabbed his arm and smiled.

"C'mon! Let me show you somewhere special!"

I took him to my treehouse.

"If you ever feel sad, come in here and shout my name. I'll be there. You can tell me anything that is bothering you."

"O-okay."

"Oh I forgot! What is your name?"

"M-my name is Xing. Chan Xing."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Chan Xing! I'm KiaoXiao!"

We shook hands and that's how our friendship started. His nickname was ChenChen and my nickname was KiXi. Once a week, Chan Xing would visit my treehouse and would shout my name. I would hear him and climb up the treehouse. He would hug me and cry out that his mom was being to mean to him. I told him to try to be a bit nicer her. The next day he came running to me saying she was still mean. And the next day too. I got tired of this so I asked ChenChen where he lived. When we arrived, it was a gigantic mansion. I gulped. When we were at the entrance, both doors flung open.

"Young Master, welcome home."

"This is my new friend KiXi!"

(ChenChen runs up the stairs)

"Ki-Xi you say..."

He was looking at me up and down.

"Um, i-it's actually KiaoXiao."

"Well then Miss KiaoXiao, you may leave."

"Wait! I need to speak to Chan Xing's mom!"

"The mistress? Very well then. I will ask her. Please take a seat while you wait."

The house was marvelous. It was covered in gold and marble, and there were so many rooms from just looking. The seats were polished with marble, and the vases looked very old but antique. After looking around, (while sitting) a woman with crimson hair tied in a bun comes downstairs. She walks up to me whiling glaring.

"What a plain girl. It's a shame."

"Hey don't talk about me like that! I'm here to tell you-"

"Be quiet. Why is a little plain girl like you doing on our land?"

"No. I have a house!"

"Well where it is little girl?"

"N-near Lake Kino."

"Everything past Lake Kino is our land. I will ask you to pack your bags and leave our land."

"That's not fair! We worked hard to build our house!"

"On our land."

"Hamilton, find out who this girl is in 10 seconds. 10, 9 , 8-"

"Mistress, her name is KiaoXiao Fei. She does live near Lake Kino. She has a mother and father also living with her."

"Alright. Contact her parents. IMMEDIATELY."