Green Snake Shake

His heart leapt into his mouth and started beating like a drum. He stared studiously ahead.

"You're my best friend," she said.

His heart plummeted, still beating like a drum, but for all the wrong reasons now.

"No, Mei Meili," he said grumpily.

"Why not? Don't you like me?" her voice was light and sweet but tinged with insecurity.

"Of course I like you, but not in that way. Do you really believe men and women can be best friends, Mei Meili?" he asked her, uncharacteristically serious.

"Yes," she said with implacable confidence. "Especially me. I can be your best friend along with Fifth Brother. I have five brothers and I'm the same as them. Well, I want to be as good as them. I nearly am."

Tan Bowen stared down at her perfect feminine face and graceful figure, swathed in the softest of pinks. She was like a painting of a fairy descended from the heavens.