After Getting Married to My Obsessive Older Sister - Chapter 44.2

Chapter 44.2

Chu Yiqiao’s action was, strictly speaking, a stolen kiss.

Since it was “stolen,” it was only right to be nervous when caught red-handed by the owner.

Chu Yiqiao awkwardly placed the glass back on the table, then grabbed her own juice glass to drink as a cover-up. She finished it in one go. In her peripheral vision, she noticed Tan Ze was still watching.

She tried hard to act calm, attempting to pour herself another glass, but her hand shook, and she accidentally spilled some on the tablecloth. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and didn’t drip any on her dress.

She looked back at Tan Ze again… Sister is smiling!!

The person who had been talking to Tan Ze seemed startled by her smile. He frowned and followed Tan Ze’s gaze toward Chu Yiqiao.

Just the two of them was enough for Chu Yiqiao to handle. Now, an innocent bystander was involved. Chu Yiqiao scrambled to her feet, her face flushed red, and rushed out of the hall.

Even in her embarrassed need to escape, Chu Yiqiao sent a message to Tan Ze upon leaving, dutifully reporting her whereabouts.

Q: Sister, I’m going to the restroom.

Good Sister: Okay. You can ask a server for hangover soup while you’re at it. You drank quite a bit, right?

Aaaah!

The small booklet distributed upon entry had a map on the back. Chu Yiqiao compared it and walked toward the restroom. She passed a long corridor where a tea break was also taking place, presumably for guests from other auction sessions.

The restroom wasn’t very crowded. Many people were gathered in front of the mirrors touching up their appearance, and various conversations made it quite noisy. Chu Yiqiao squeezed carefully inside and chose a stall, closing the door.

Soon, more people entered. Chu Yiqiao vaguely heard her own name.

“Who is this Chu Yiqiao? I thought a person could only have one painting accepted.”

“The young lady’s treatment is naturally different from us common folk. She probably has connections and arranged it beforehand. Three pieces sold, maybe a million in total? Probably just pocket money to her.”

“So, was that rumor on Little Red Book true? That the competition was rigged? Didn’t the tipster post a picture? It was deleted in an hour, quick work.”

“It’s hilarious. They hyped it up for three days, and then posted a picture of an assistant having dinner with the event organizer’s staff. The authenticity is questionable. I’m staying neutral, anyway.”

“That’s what good fortune is like. If you’re born in Rome, why paint? A few casual strokes probably wins the excellence award.”

“Gosh, you’re so sour.”

“Aren’t you sour? I’m sour to death! Haha.”

Chu Yiqiao immediately decided that she would never use a public restroom again; it was too easy to run into embarrassing situations.

This place was a breeding ground for rumors, a place where reputations were shattered.

Chu Yiqiao lowered her head, idly fiddling with the phone in her palm. She had certainly grown a lot. The moment her name was mentioned, she had quickly switched to the background and started recording.

From the moment the two women entered until they left, every word was clearly captured.

But what good was the recording? Sue them? That seemed too much of a fuss.

Chu Yiqiao felt a pang of sorrow. Now she was genuinely wronged. Not the sweet, loving kind of wronged she got from her sister, but a truly sad wronged.

She comforted herself that this might just be life. It hurt the first time; after hearing it often, it would get better.

Chu Yiqiao sniffled, rubbing the corner of her eye, surprised to find she had no tears.

Maybe this is also part of growing up. The tears are flowing into my heart.

Finally, the sound of flushing echoed from behind a door.

Chu Yiqiao opened the door and walked out with her head down, not watching where she was going. Right outside the stall, she bumped into a soft wall, which made her dizzy.

“I’m sorry…”

Chu Yiqiao looked up, unprepared to meet a pair of gray-blue eyes.

Tan Ze was standing there, her chin slightly raised, her face expressionless.

It had been a long time since Chu Yiqiao had seen Tan Ze look like this. She glanced to the side. Two unfamiliar young women stood nearby, looking down at the floor. One of them met Chu Yiqiao’s eyes, then quickly looked away.

If Chu Yiqiao’s mood over the past month were charted, it would be mostly peaceful, with excitement in the evenings, and now a moment of sadness.

Tan Ze stood to the side, arms crossed. The two girls quickly apologized and hurried away, leaving Chu Yiqiao and Tan Ze standing face-to-face.

Tan Ze was not in a good mood. This was something Chu Yiqiao could tell without an app. She reached out proactively to take Tan Ze’s hand in a conciliatory gesture.

Tan Ze kept a straight face, looking as if she didn’t want Chu Yiqiao to hold her hand.

But for some reason, when Chu Yiqiao’s warm fingertips touched her skin, Tan Ze silently grabbed the tentative finger, then clasped Chu Yiqiao’s hand, and led her out again.

Assistant Zhao was also in the corridor. Chu Yiqiao checked the time; it was nearly 8 PM. It seemed they were ready to go home, so she didn’t ask any questions.

Zhao Jingxing followed behind them. Tan Ze walked with an expressionless face, thinking she should have just kept Chu Yiqiao locked at home. Perhaps her choice was fundamentally wrong. Chu Yiqiao was a hothouse flower; taking her outside would just make her break.

Tan Ze spoke, her tone devoid of blame, only a hint of helplessness: “Chu Yiqiao, didn’t you say you weren’t easily bullied?”

Chu Yiqiao weakly retorted: “I recorded it.”

She pulled out the plan she had already abandoned and challenged Tan Ze: “I was going to sue. That’s defamation of character!”

Tan Ze seemed slightly amused. Although the smile was fleeting, Chu Yiqiao caught it, so she pressed her advantage, offering the phone to Tan Ze like a treasure: “I started recording as soon as they mentioned my name.”

“That was quick thinking,” Tan Ze took the phone, dragged the progress bar to ensure the recording was there, and then tossed it to Zhao Jingxing: “Sue them.”

Zhao Jingxing took the phone, quickly copied the file, and nodded: “Yes.”

Chu Yiqiao: “Huh?”

Chu Yiqiao: “Really?”

Tan Ze glanced at her: “Didn’t you suggest it?”

Chu Yiqiao pondered, then had a sudden thought: “How about we send a lawyer’s letter warning? Not actually sue, just scare them a little. Just a little scare.”

She’s quite clever.

Tan Ze thought it would take sending 100 lawyer’s letters to offset the shock she felt when she opened the app and saw the mood indicator a moment ago.

The matter was ultimately resolved.

Chu Yiqiao looped her arm through Tan Ze’s and started chatting happily again, sharing how much money she had made today: Sister, why aren’t you praising me?

Tan Ze was annoyed by her seemingly carefree attitude and wanted to bite her.

Chu Yiqiao was wronged, but she turned around and forgot all about it, leaving all the sadness for Tan Ze to save for her.

Tan Ze’s heart, though small, had inscribed within it countless grievances that Chu Yiqiao had suffered, some from others, and some from her.

Chu Yiqiao was generous and quick to forgive; Tan Ze was petty and held grudges.

However, Tan Ze was also hypocritical. If others wronged Chu Yiqiao, she wished Chu Yiqiao would never forgive them and never give them a kind glance again.

But if she wronged Chu Yiqiao, Tan Ze wished Chu Yiqiao would also never forgive her, but ideally, be flexible enough to let Tan Ze repay her for a lifetime.

Chu Yiqiao held onto Tan Ze’s arm, letting her sister lead her out. Since she thought they were going straight home, Chu Yiqiao was reviewing the day’s events as she walked.

They finally stopped in front of a familiar door. Chu Yiqiao recognized it as the room they had been in earlier and looked at Tan Ze confusedly.

Tan Ze: “There are a few more things to discuss. Wait a few minutes. We’ll be home soon.”

Chu Yiqiao nodded.

Home soon.

Okay, so there was no intention of a proposal.

Chu Yiqiao felt a bit disappointed, but not too much. She just urgently wanted to achieve a more intimate relationship with Tan Ze.

Now that she thought about it, maybe they didn’t have to get married. Didn’t they say marriage was the tomb of love?

Chu Yiqiao really hoped her and her sister’s love would last forever.

Besides, maybe she wasn’t quite ready for marriage. Did Sister also think she was too young?

The more Chu Yiqiao thought, the more suppressed she felt. This room happened to have large balconies on both sides. She left a message for Tan Ze, pushed the door open, and stepped out onto the outdoor balcony.

The weather was clear recently. The city night sky was filled with twinkling stars. A slight breeze had picked up outside, gently blowing the stray hairs around Chu Yiqiao’s ears.

She gazed at the blackness outside the window, sinking her thoughts into it. The gentle night wind was like a wave, enveloping Chu Yiqiao, letting her drift in the air.

Suddenly, the balcony door opened again.

Chu Yiqiao looked up. Tan Ze had entered.

Her sister was still in the same simple attire, but her dark hair was pulled up, revealing a face with exquisite lines. Her expression was very tender and peaceful, as if she had shed all her armor and was approaching Chu Yiqiao in her softest state.

Chu Yiqiao was immediately transported back to their life at home. She would lie on her sister’s lap, and her sister would gently stroke her hair.

How wonderful it would be if life could always be like this.

Tan Ze walked over and leaned against the railing with Chu Yiqiao, holding a bouquet of flowers in her arms. But unexpectedly, they weren’t the usual flowers. They were a bouquet of white and pink roses.

A gift for a lover.

Tan Ze handed the flowers to Chu Yiqiao, gave the stunned Chu Yiqiao a hug, kissed her forehead, and said: “Chu Yiqiao, congratulations on the successful auction.”

Chu Yiqiao took the flowers and admired them. The bouquet was large, blooming grandly and passionately, but the scent wasn’t strong. A faint, subtle fragrance lingered in the air. It seemed Tan Ze had learned a lot from the rose incident.

“Thank you, Sister,” Chu Yiqiao said, holding the bouquet and tilting her head to place a light kiss on Tan Ze’s lips.

It was only a one-second touch. Tan Ze sensed Chu Yiqiao’s low mood and asked: “What’s wrong? Are you still thinking about what happened just now?”

Chu Yiqiao shook her head. The night was almost over. After what happened earlier, she no longer expected anything. She changed the subject: “Sister, how are you so amazing?”

Tan Ze didn’t smile: “There’s nothing to boast about with learned techniques.”

She was actually very envious of Chu Yiqiao’s talent. Happiness and joy were luxurious things, yet Chu Yiqiao could obtain them easily.

Tan Ze decided to be a good parent for once and give Chu Yiqiao some encouragement: “Chu Yiqiao, you are better than you think.”

Chu Yiqiao smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped: “Sister, then you are the best person in the whole world.”

Tan Ze felt unworthy of the praise. She hugged Chu Yiqiao, using a kiss to skillfully evade answering.

The light breeze touched their faces. Neither of them closed their eyes, looking at each other as if looking at another version of themselves. Tan Ze kissed gently. Chu Yiqiao felt completely enveloped by love, and every physical contact with Tan Ze made her feel secure.

The kiss wasn’t long.

Chu Yiqiao gasped lightly, saying with a cheerful smile: “Sister, I love you so much.”

This was a question Tan Ze could answer: “Chu Yiqiao…”

Just then, fireworks suddenly went off outside. Large, spectacular fireworks lit up the city sky. Chu Yiqiao turned to look, her beautiful small face illuminated by the changing colors.

Tan Ze’s latter half of the sentence fell into her ears at the same time: “…I love you too.”

What… is happening?

Chu Yiqiao’s eyes widened, as if her head had just been hammered. She looked at Tan Ze, then at the fireworks in the distance, then suddenly understood something. Her eyes were shimmering with moisture, clearly deeply moved.

Tan Ze’s heart jumped. She quickly turned her gaze to the massive fireworks outside the window and hesitantly started: “Chu Yiqiao…”

Unfortunately, at that very moment, the fireworks show outside inappropriately displayed a heart shape. Chu Yiqiao blinked, and two trails of crystalline tears instantly appeared on her fair cheeks.

She turned, suddenly embraced Tan Ze, kissed Tan Ze’s lips, and said through her tears: “Sister, I do!”

Tan Ze reached into her jacket pocket, her fingers finding the finished ring.

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