After Marrying the Cold Omega in Secret - Chapter 62

With just a glance, Chi Ye averted her gaze.

The joy she had felt moments ago was now shrouded in gloom.

Her fingers tapped lightly on the counter, deliberate and slow, while her other hand gripped a glass so tightly her fingertips had turned pale.

The glass still held the warm water Chu Jin had poured for her, saying she might be thirsty after eating noodles.

That lingering warmth was the only thing tethering Chi Ye’s rationality and trust.

She forced a faint smile, but the moment Chu Jin finished tidying up and turned to face her, that smile vanished.

Replaced by a frosty indifference.

She couldn’t ignore her feelings.

She simply couldn’t bring herself to be happy.

Chi Ye’s lips pressed into a thin line. Without looking at Chu Jin, she feigned nonchalance and took a sip of water.

Only when setting the glass down did she casually remark, “Seems like someone messaged you.”

Chu Jin sensed the shift in her mood, a foreboding tightening in her chest as she picked up her phone.

Sure enough, it was a message from Jiang Xu.

She had invited Chu Jin to visit her studio, mentioning that a sample garment was ready for her to try on.

Out of politeness, Chu Jin replied with a neutral, “Okay.”

When she looked up again, Chi Ye was already heading upstairs.

Watching her retreating figure, Chu Jin’s heart sank.

The jealousy had struck again.

Chu Jin hurried after her, catching up just before the stairs and naturally slipping an arm around her shoulders.

Chi Ye resisted slightly, but Chu Jin held her tighter. “Don’t move, or you’ll fall.”

Then, softly near her ear, she asked, “You saw it was Jiang Xu who messaged, didn’t you?”

Though the answer was obvious, Chu Jin wanted to clear things up.

Unable to break free, Chi Ye let herself be held.

Her tone was sharp. “She always contacts you at night. You two must be close.”

Last time, Chu Jin had taken a call from her in the evening. This time, though no call came, the message was just as suggestive.

Starting with “older sister”.

Hearing Chi Ye’s sarcasm, Chu Jin felt a flicker of amusement but quickly explained, “There’s really nothing between us. Just friends, and we haven’t talked in ages.”

They reached Chi Ye’s bedroom door, and she stopped. Chu Jin released her, meeting her eyes earnestly.

“Seriously, I’m not lying.”

Chi Ye’s gaze was cold, her resentment lingering. “Just friends? And she calls you ‘sister’?”

“…I am a little older than her.”

Chu Jin realized Chi Ye was jealous but hadn’t expected the term to be the issue.

Chi Ye was far from satisfied. Though she’d never met Jiang Xu, her instincts told her the woman wasn’t as simple as Chu Jin believed.

At the very least, her feelings for Chu Jin weren’t purely platonic.

Yet Chu Jin remained oblivious, acting like being called “sister” was perfectly normal.

Frustration coiled in Chi Ye’s chest with no outlet. She could only reply icily,

“You sure have a lot of ‘little sisters.’”

Seeing Chi Ye’s expression darken further, Chu Jin decided to drop the subject. She opened her phone and pulled up the chat with Jiang Xu.

“See, we were just discussing business. The reason she messaged me today was to ask me to try on some clothes when I have time.”

Chu Jin’s voice gradually faded until it stopped completely.

Because she suddenly remembered, she hadn’t told Chi Ye about attending the fashion week!

Well, this was just making things worse.

Chu Jin felt her scalp tingle.

Chi Ye nodded slightly. “Mm, that’s your freedom.”

“You don’t need to explain to me.”

Chu Jin couldn’t stand it when Chi Ye spoke like this. Even though she knew the other was just being stubborn, it still made her heart ache.

After speaking, Chi Ye opened the bedroom door, stepped inside, then turned to grip the doorframe while looking at Chu Jin outside.

The implication was obvious.

“Get some rest early,” Chi Ye said.

Looking at Chi Ye’s indifferent expression so different from just half an hour ago, Chu Jin felt an indescribable suffocation, as if wrapped in plastic film. It seemed transparent, but in reality, it was airtight and stifling.

Still, she forced a smile despite the discomfort in her heart.

Leaning against the doorframe, she lowered her gaze to meet Chi Ye’s. “What, kicking me out after using me?”

Chi Ye didn’t respond, her expression unreadable.

A fog of confusion settled over Chu Jin’s heart, making Chi Ye feel suddenly distant.

Despite their many intimate moments, she seemed close yet separated by a veil. Every time Chu Jin thought she’d stepped into Chi Ye’s heart, it turned out to be an illusion, fragile as a bubble that burst at the slightest touch.

Just like now.

She didn’t understand what Chi Ye was thinking.

“Chi Ye, what exactly do you take me for?”

This was the first time Chu Jin had called her by her full name.

Her tone was unprecedentedly serious, laced with deep helplessness and exhaustion.

But the moment the words left her mouth, Chu Jin regretted them.

As the contracted party, asking such a ridiculous question was practically inviting humiliation.

Just as Chu Jin was drowning in regret, Chi Ye suddenly spoke.

“And what do you take me for?”

Chi Ye seemed to be losing control of her emotions too. Though her face remained composed, her voice trembled slightly. “Even if you only see me as an employer, shouldn’t you at least pretend to be loyal?”

Hearing this, Chu Jin’s own emotions surged. The grievances and dissatisfaction she’d suppressed came pouring out:

“Then what about you and Wan Qing?”

Once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping it. Chu Jin pressed on:

“What exactly is going on between you two?”

“I’ve asked so many times, and you always avoid the subject. Who’s the one who’s never honest here? And why do you always get to question me?”

Seeing Chi Ye remain silent, Chu Jin stared into her dark eyes, her voice growing weak. “Say something.”

The air hung heavy with silence for what felt like an eternity.

Finally, Chi Ye’s pale lips parted.

“There’s nothing to say.”

With that, she closed the door.

The heavy thud of the door shutting felt like a hammer striking Chu Jin’s heart no blood, just a dull, silent ache.

Early the next morning.

Knowing Chi Ye would wake up early, Chu Jin deliberately stayed upstairs much longer than usual.

At breakfast, Auntie Chen told her Chi Ye had just left.

Normally, Chi Ye would have left for the office long ago, but this morning she had waited for a while before departing.

Chu Jin scooped a wonton into her mouth, chewing as she replied, “Maybe she just didn’t feel like working today.”

Her tone was deliberately indifferent.

She finished the entire bowl before patting her stomach contentedly.

“Madam has quite the appetite today, ate more than usual,” Auntie Chen remarked with a smile as she cleared the dishes.

“It’s all thanks to your excellent cooking,” Chu Jin said with a curved smile.

Since Chu Jin’s arrival, the villa had indeed become more lively than before. Previously, serving Chi Ye mostly involved receiving orders, with little conversation between master and servant.

When Chi Ye was present, the villa would be eerily quiet, as cold and desolate as a winter cellar.

But ever since Chu Jin came, she often chatted with the maids. In her free time, if the weather was nice, she would even play cards in the courtyard.

Now, with the addition of a cat to pet, the atmosphere had improved immeasurably.

After finishing her meal, Chu Jin went to feed the cat, then grabbed a feather teaser and played with it for a long time.

Finally, she picked up the cat and cradled it in her arms, noticing it felt much heavier than before.

“Has this cat gotten a lot fatter?” Chu Jin asked.

No sooner had she spoken than the cat in her arms, Wanzi, let out a displeased meow, as if understanding her words.

Aunt Chen stroked the cat’s head, her eyes crinkling with a gentle smile. “Kittens grow quickly at this age they change every day. He’s already almost three pounds now.”

“Three pounds?!” Chu Jin exclaimed in disbelief, squeezing Wanzi’s belly.

It was warm and soft to the touch.

“This little guy really is growing fast.”

Wanzi was only a few months old, yet already this heavy. It was hard not to suspect he’d eventually turn into a chonky cat.

After exchanging a few more words with Aunt Chen, Chu Jin went upstairs to do her makeup and change.

Last night, after her argument with Chi Ye, she had been so upset that she immediately messaged Jiang Xu to confirm a fitting for the next day.

On second thought, since she had nothing else scheduled these days, it was the perfect time. Once filming started, she likely wouldn’t have much free time.

Chu Jin applied a more elaborate makeup look than usual. She initially considered wearing a show-stopping dress but ultimately opted for something more understated.

She chose an elegantly tailored black dress.

The refined cut lent her a mature air, tempering her natural allure with a touch of restrained sophistication.

Just before leaving, Chu Jin hesitated, retracting her foot from the doorway and turning back to inform Aunt Chen.

“Aunt Chen, I have some business to attend to today and will be back late.”

Her tone was calm, but she added,

“If Mr. Chi asks, tell him I went to see Jiang Xu.”

The studio was tucked away in an artsy district on the east side of the city. Fortunately, the roads were wide enough for cars to pull right up to the entrance.

The three-story building appeared freshly renovated, its walls painted a minimalist white with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The design incorporated artistic flourishes, making it stand out as refined and distinctive among the tree-lined street.

The building alone looked like a work of art.

Chu Jin lifted her sunglasses and saw the studio’s name displayed beside the door:

Two bold characters in artistic script, Ru Jin (Now).

Not bad. Simple, clear, and upscale-sounding.

She had barely paused when the door suddenly swung open, revealing Jiang Xu’s beaming face.

“Jiejie, you’re here!”

Today, Jiang Xu wore a dusty pink bandeau top paired with an intricately detailed black skirt, her hair half-up with a few loose strands framing her face.

Her radiant smile was as warm as a little sun.

Chu Jin smiled, “How did you know I was coming?”

She had just arrived, and the door opened so promptly.

“That’s because I’ve been waiting for you at the door, sis.” Jiang Xu grinned, leading Chu Jin inside.

Upon entering, they were greeted by a reception area. Jiang Xu handed Chu Jin a prepared cup of coffee from the table.

“It’s the same blend you had last time. I made a special trip to buy it this morning.”

Chu Jin accepted it with thanks.

“Why thank me? I should be the one thanking you.” Jiang Xu blinked and pushed open the door behind her. “I’m the one taking up your time today.”

“It’s fine. I haven’t had much going on these days anyway.”

Following her inside, Chu Jin found herself in a spacious room filled with large tables covered in various fabric swatches, design sketches, pattern pieces, scissors, and pins.

Numerous dress forms stood nearby, most already draped with partially constructed garments. Though still in muslin and merely pinned together, the exquisite and unique designs were already evident.

Several stylishly dressed individuals bustled about, each absorbed in their tasks yet still managing to greet Jiang Xu.

“Hey, Xu-jie!”

“Xu-jie, you’ve brought the model back?”

Jiang Xu glanced at Chu Jin with a smile. “Yes.”

The scene left Chu Jin momentarily dazed, swelling with pride as if watching her younger sister suddenly grow into an accomplished adult.

Her heart swelled with joy for her.

“These are still being cut and assembled, not finished yet.”

Jiang Xu’s voice snapped Chu Jin out of her reverie as they approached another door. “Inside is one I’ve just completed.”

After a brief pause, Jiang Xu pushed the door open.

The lights flickered on, revealing an upscale exhibition space where perfectly calibrated lighting created an elevated ambiance.

Dresses hung on racks in the corners, but the centerpiece was unmistakable, a black velvet gown suspended at the room’s heart.

Its crisp tailoring and fluid silhouette shimmered under the lights, the rich fabric glowing softly. Diamond accents at the bodice added a touch of brilliance to its elegance, whispering understated luxury that commanded attention.

“Sis, try it on quickly.”

Jiang Xu carefully lifted the dress from its stand.

Chu Jin stood transfixed before finally reaching out only for Jiang Xu to maintain her grip.

After a hesitant moment, Jiang Xu softly suggested, “This dress is tricky to put on. Let me help you.”

Her eyes held a gentle inquiry, awaiting Chu Jin’s response.

Chu Jin understood many haute couture pieces required assistance for dressing and final adjustments by the designer.

She glanced down at Jiang Xu. Though she felt nothing beyond sisterly affection between them, the memory of Chi Ye’s displeasure last night decided her.

With a firm smile, Chu Jin declined:

“No need. I’ll manage myself.”

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