I don't know just how much Xiaotao had eavesdropped so I frantically explained, "I know my motives are selfish but I can’t watch you put your life in danger!"

"I hate it when people make decisions on my behalf without my accord, even if it’s for my own good!” Xiaotao retaliated, glaring angrily at me. “From now on, I won't speak to you outside of work, and you’re no longer allowed into my home!"

She folded her arms and turned away, as if too infuriated to tolerate looking at me. I scrambled to salvage the situation, lengthy apologies spilling from my lips in an attempt to coax her into calming down. 

In truth, Xiaotao wasn’t as angry as she pretended to be, but at the time I was completely deceived by her impressive acting skills. In my state of confusion and worry, I thought I had committed a terrible blunder and was anxious to...