[ Maybe it was the smiling at being chided that tipped her off... or maybe it was the network crimes against Little Xiao. Who can say. ]

You sound very close.

[ By blood or not, the connection is what's important, isn't it? She grins back in return, and it's just as obvious that she's happy to talk about her friends. ]

Yes! She's my oldest friend. I've known her four years now. Not nearly as long as growing up together with someone... that must be wonderful.