After Mistaking My Stepsister’s First Love - Chapter 81

After that, time seemed to return to a peaceful rhythm.

Housekeeper Wu mentioned that Guan You had visited a few times, but Ye Wenjin never caught sight of her afterward. Not just Guan You, she didn’t see Ye Shuyao or the Yin family members either.

Ye Wenjin assumed Housekeeper Wu had specifically instructed the guards, so she didn’t dwell on it. As long as they stayed away, that was enough. Otherwise, she had even considered moving.

But this villa held special meaning for Jian Mo, it was where Aunt Shen had lived. Unless absolutely necessary, Ye Wenjin didn’t want to leave.

Once she realized those people had stopped appearing, she stopped thinking about them altogether.

She resumed her routine of waking up early to accompany Jian Mo to work. Even though they had already completed their permanent mark, and Jian Mo no longer needed her scent to stay stable, accompanying her sister to work had become a habit.

The two of them now carried an even more intimate, oblivious-to-others aura, which immediately caught the attention of most people in the company.

Especially the secretaries on the same floor as Jian Mo.

If anyone had the authority to comment on their relationship, it was definitely the secretaries.

Even though they had thought it was sweet before when Miss Ye accompanied CEO Jian to work, they never expected that after a few days apart, the two would return even sweeter.

So sweet that even their casual glances at each other felt overwhelmingly sugary. The secretaries openly admitted they couldn’t take it.

After some observation, they concluded that the two must have completed their permanent mark, which explained the magnetic pull between them even the most ordinary exchanged glances radiated sweetness.

“Honestly, watching other people’s relationships is the best. These two are just too sweet. My daily motivation for coming to work now is to witness their romance in person.

Sigh, if only I had someone like either of them as my partner, I’d gladly trade winning a hundred million for it!”

“Greedy much?”

When Ye Wenjin overheard the playful banter from the break room, she froze for a moment.

She never imagined she’d hear such words that, to her, were high praise coming from someone else’s mouth. Even more surprising was that they placed her and Jian Mo on the same level. For a moment, she felt dazed.

Then, a warm touch at her waist brought her back. She turned and, as expected, saw Jian Mo’s face.

Jian Mo pressed a finger lightly to her lips in a gesture for silence.

Ye Wenjin nodded in understanding, and the two retreated back to the office without drawing any attention.

The moment the door closed, Jian Mo pulled Ye Wenjin into a hug with a smile.

“Ah Jin, why did you look so surprised just now? Was it really that unexpected?”

Ye Wenjin hadn’t realized Jian Mo had heard it too. Her toes curled slightly in embarrassment.

“Because… because I never thought they’d see me as equal to you. I’ve always felt like I wasn’t good enough for you, so I had to work harder to deserve you. So… hearing them say that, I was just surprised.”

Jian Mo gently stroked her head. “Why would you think that? Isn’t it because you’re already a wonderful person that they’d say such things?”

Ye Wenjin scratched her cheek sheepishly but couldn’t resist looking up at Jian Mo. “Really?”

Jian Mo chuckled. “Of course. Ah Jin has always been a wonderful person. That’s why I’ve admired you for so long.”

The first time I saw you, my first thought was how could there be such a kind-hearted person. So many people were passing through the rain, and no one else paid me any attention only you came up to me, not even afraid that I might be some kind of lunatic who could suddenly lash out and hurt someone.”

Ye Wenjin frowned slightly, disagreeing. “Sis! Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re not a lunatic. And the reason I gave you an umbrella that day was, first, because I felt you and I were somewhat alike.

And also… you looked so desperate back then, as if you were completely wrapped in despair. Even though you were drenched in rain, it seemed like the water couldn’t even penetrate that despair.

I thought to myself, I can’t just walk away like this I have to do something, at least shield you from the rain. That’s why I gave you that umbrella.”

“Sis, you’re not a lunatic. Don’t say that about yourself anymore.”

Ye Wenjin’s gaze softened. “The sister I see is gentle, tolerant, a perfect person. Even if others don’t see it that way, in my eyes, sis will always be the best.”

Jian Mo let out a quiet chuckle. “Ah Jin, your filter for me is way too thick.”

Ye Wenjin’s eyes curved into crescents. “It’s not a filter. The sister I see is exactly like this, how could it be a filter?”

Jian Mo’s lips unconsciously curled upward. “Am I really that good?”

Ye Wenjin nodded firmly. “Of course! Sis is exactly that good!”

Jian Mo couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Ah Jin is great too, especially with such sweet words.”

As she spoke, she suddenly leaned in and kissed Ye Wenjin’s lips.

Caught off guard, Ye Wenjin blinked, then pressed forward again as Jian Mo started to pull away.

The two shared a long, lingering kiss.

Unfortunately, such tender moments couldn’t last too long because the next second, someone knocked on the door, and Jian Mo had to return to work.

Time passed quickly as the two immersed themselves in the joy of going to and from work together. But one day, Ye Wenjin suddenly realized something: she was about to report for duty.

There was less than a week left!

After realizing this, Ye Wenjin began acting strangely.

Jian Mo often saw her spacing out, as if lost in thought. Her attention was scattered, and she frequently zoned out. Sometimes she’d be talking one second, only to drift off into her own world the next.

After observing her for a day, Jian Mo came to a conclusion.

“Ah Jin, are you nervous?”

Ye Wenjin froze, her forced composure crumbling as her whole demeanor wilted.

“Of course I couldn’t hide it from sis…”

She really was nervous. Before, other things had occupied her mind, so she hadn’t had time to dwell on it.

But now, with her reporting date drawing closer, the moment she became aware of it, the tension began to spread uncontrollably.

Ye Wenjin tried to tell herself not to be nervous, but the more she thought about it, the harder it was to relax.

At the same time, she didn’t want Jian Mo to worry. After all, sis was already exhausted from work every day, there was no need to trouble her with such a small matter.

But in the end, it didn’t take long for Jian Mo to figure it out.

Ye Wenjin’s facade of calm finally collapsed. Frustrated, she tugged at her hair. “Sigh, even though I’ve done some research in advance, meeting everyone for the first time… I just feel so unsure.”

Jian Mo smiled gently and reassured, “Ah Jin, why do you always overthink things? Even though I don’t dance, I know that no matter where you are, skill always comes first.

Besides, Ah Jin has such great talent in dance, works incredibly hard, and has such a wonderful personality, you’ll definitely win everyone over.”

As she spoke, she hugged Ye Wenjin. “I’m looking forward to the day you become the principal dancer.”

Ye Wenjin couldn’t help but laugh. “Sis, you have way too much faith in me. I’ve only just started my internship at the dance troupe. Isn’t it a bit early to talk about becoming the principal?”

Jian Mo raised an eyebrow. “How so? I have complete confidence in you. I know you can do it unless you don’t believe in yourself?”

Ye Wenjin wanted to say she wasn’t sure. She was self-aware; there were so many people in the world more talented than her. How could she be certain she’d succeed?

But Jian Mo had such unwavering faith in her that Ye Wenjin swallowed her doubts. After a brief pause, her gaze grew resolute.

“I understand. Since Sis believes in me so much, I’ll work even harder. I’ll make sure you see the day I become the principal dancer.”

Ye Wenjin solemnly made her promise.

Jian Mo was taken aback, wondering if she’d inadvertently pressured Ah Jin too much.

Truthfully, she just wanted Ye Wenjin to have more confidence in herself not to shoulder such a heavy burden. Had her words backfired?

Just as Jian Mo was about to explain, Ye Wenjin, suddenly fired up, declared she was heading off to practice immediately.

Watching her slip away, Jian Mo fell silent.

But Ye Wenjin truly felt she couldn’t slack off any longer. After resting the entire break, it was time to return to her training routine.

With only a few days left, she needed to ramp up her practice sessions to make up for lost time and regain her form as quickly as possible.

With that resolve, Ye Wenjin sprang into action.

For the next few days, she no longer accompanied Jian Mo to the company in the mornings, instead arriving in the afternoon to leave together after work. Then, in the evenings, she spent two more hours in the dance studio.

Without Ye Wenjin by her side during the day, Jian Mo’s expression grew noticeably colder.

At first, the office staff assumed the two had quarreled until they saw Miss Ye appear in the afternoon, dispelling the notion.

They thought she must have been busy, but when she kept arriving at the same time over the following days, everyone was puzzled.

Moreover, CEO Jian was a master of mood swings icy and unapproachable in the morning, but the moment Miss Ye showed up in the afternoon, her demeanor instantly warmed.

The staff got another dose of their sweet, albeit slightly suffocating, affection. Still, they quickly learned the golden rule: report work in the afternoon, and all would be well.

But in the morning? Better pray for luck.

Jian Mo’s mood had been far from ideal these past few days. Having grown accustomed to Ye Wenjin’s company at work, the sudden separation left her feeling restless and longing.

Was she truly going to support Ye Wenjin in pursuing her career, even if it meant sacrificing their time together?

Not to mention, once Ye Wenjin joined the dance troupe, the time they could spend together would undoubtedly become even scarcer.

Unbidden, dark thoughts began to surface in her mind.

Yet, the moment she looked up and saw Ye Wenjin’s earnest dedication to her training, all those shadows dissipated into nothingness.

Jian Mo slowly exhaled a heavy breath, her gaze unwavering as she watched Ye Wenjin gracefully dancing in the studio, and thought,

Forget it. As long as Ah Jin is happy.

Besides, her Ah Jin was meant to be a free swan. Her world shouldn’t revolve solely around her, it should also hold the dreams she longed to chase.

Ah Jin deserved to stand on a grand stage, seen by countless people, not be confined by her in some small corner of the world.

Deep down, Jian Mo knew that whatever she said, even if Ye Wenjin didn’t fully understand, she would still obey.

But she didn’t want a puppet for a lover. She wanted her Ah Jin to shine brilliantly, to dazzle forever.

Because Ah Jin had never been her collectible, something to be locked away in a display case for admiration.

So Jian Mo could never do that.

If she had wanted Ye Wenjin to become a mere exhibit, she wouldn’t have helped her meet Mei Yan ahead of time in the first place.

What she wanted to see was a radiant lover.

And from what she knew of Ye Wenjin, the girl was wholly focused on becoming someone worthy of her, which was why she pushed herself so hard.

Jian Mo’s gaze softened until it seemed to melt into tenderness.

Her Ah Jin, her beloved, was meant to be a dazzling star.

As if responding to Jian Mo’s thoughts, Ye Wenjin began working harder than ever before, even cutting out her favorite foods from her diet, insisting on maintaining a perfect physique.

A week passed in the blink of an eye. Taking a deep breath, Ye Wenjin lifted her luggage and stepped into the car.

Mei Yan’s dance troupe had a training center in the city, and that was where Ye Wenjin was headed.

Jian Mo drove her there, but even after arriving, neither of them moved to get out of the car.

For a couple still in the throes of passion, separation was the cruelest torture even if it was only temporary.

But this parting was for the sake of a better reunion. Besides, though the training was intensive and closed off, there would still be periodic breaks for rest.

So, with one last lingering look at Jian Mo, Ye Wenjin leaned in and kissed her gently. “I’m going in now, Jiejie. You should head back too. I’ll come home during the break.”

With that, Ye Wenjin turned away reluctantly, confirmed her identity with the staff, and was led inside.

Jian Mo remained in place for a long time before finally leaving.

As the car rolled forward, the scenery outside the window flickered past, and the light in Jian Mo’s eyes dimmed and brightened in turn.

She had delayed long enough. Before Ah Jin returned, it was time to bring all of this to an end.

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