?<strong>Chapter 1398:</strong>


    “Alright, Collier. If he’s your friend, then he’s my friend too. I’ll even prepare a wee gift for him.”


    “Awesome! You’ll like him; I know it!” Collier grinned, his excitement contagious. He immediately shared the news with their mother, Madisyn.


    Seeing how serious her son was, Madisyn took an interest as well. She told Collier to invite his friend over for dinner once he’d settled in. The weekend arrived, and early in the morning, a car pulled up in front of the vacant vi next door.


    The moment Collier heard his friend had arrived, he bolted straight to the dance studio, where Lilyana had just finished her stretching routine.


    “Lilyana, my new friend—our new neighbor—he’s here!” Collier’s voice was full of energy.


    Lilyana straightened up, looking at her eager brother. “Got it. Let me change, and we’ll go wee him together.”


    For this first meeting, Lilyana took extra care with her appearance. After a quick shower, she slipped into a white dress and neatly pinned back her hair with delicate clips. Onest check in the mirror—perfect. shing aposed yet warm smile, she picked up the carefully wrapped gift and followed Collier out.


    They rang the doorbell and waited. A few momentster, the door opened, revealing a boy dressed in a crisp white shirt and light-colored jeans.


    He had striking features and a naturally refined air about him. A faint smile yed on his lips—until his gazended on Lilyana.


    His smile faltered ever so slightly.


    Lilyana, too, found herself momentarily stunned.


    Before meeting her brother’s new friend, Lilyana had imagined countless versions of his personality and appearance, running through various possibilities in her mind. But never in a million years did she expect it to be Cn—her own ssmate.


    How had this reserved, seemingly untouchable academic prodigy ended up befriending her elementary school-aged brother? Her mind buzzed with unanswered questions.


    Oblivious to the tension between his sister and his friend, Collier beamed with pride as he introduced them.


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    “Lilyana, this is my friend, Cn! And Cn, this is my amazing big sister. What do you think? Isn’t she the prettiest girl in all of Ansport?”


    Collier could never stop praising his sister. No matter who he was talking to, he always found a way to highlight her talents and charm. “Cn, my sister isn’t just stunning—she’s incredibly talented too. Everyone adores her,” he said with enthusiasm.


    Normally, Lilyana wouldn’t be bothered by his words. If it were anyone else, she would have simply nodded along, knowing her brother was just stating facts. But with Cn here, the situation felt different. An odd sense of unease settled over her as Collier continued.


    She reached out and tugged at his cor, lowering her voice. “Alright, Collier, that’s enough.” Then, turning to Cn, she smiled politely. “I had no idea you and my brother were friends. What a small world, right?”


    With that, she handed Cn the neatly wrapped gift, her expressionposed. “A little something as a wee gift,” she said warmly. “Since we’re neighbors now, I hope we get along well.”


    Cn nced at the gift in her hands. “Thank you, Lilyana. I didn’t expect this.” He looked up at her with a warm smile. “And I definitely didn’t expect you to be Collier’s sister.”


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