Did the Tsundere Miss Get Slapped in the Face Again Today? - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: “From Now On, No Matter What Happens, We Won’t Part.”

The clock on the wall ticked steadily.

For a long moment, no one in the living room spoke. The heavy silence created a suffocating atmosphere.

Jiang Zhi secretly wiped her sweaty palms on her trousers. She wanted to say something, but the moment she met Lin Han’s expressionless, unruffled eyes, the words died in her throat. Her lips parted slightly, then closed timidly.

In her moment of restlessness, Lin Anran’s hand suddenly reached out, gripping hers tightly with their fingers interlaced. Jiang Zhi instinctively squeezed back. The warmth of Anran’s palm provided a brief, grounding comfort to her anxious heart.

“Anran,” Lin Han spoke suddenly, breaking the silence. “Miss Jiang looks thirsty. Go brew a cup of tea for her.”

Anran looked at her sister warily. “I won’t. Jiang Yi didn’t say she was thirsty. Even if she is, it’s not like we don’t have staff here. Just ask an auntie to brew it.”

Lin Han stared at her in silence.

Anran remained unmoved. “You just want to get rid of me. Is there something you have to say that I can’t hear? Well, I’m staying. Don’t even think about it. You’re not going to bully Jiang Yi, you meanie.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhi tugged at Anran’s hand, signaling her to stop talking recklessly.

Anran didn’t care. “She is a bully. She uses her status to pick on people.”

Jiang Zhi: “…”

Lin Han let out a cold laugh, her face turning visibly grim. Seeing the situation souring, Jiang Zhi gently stroked the back of Anran’s hand and said softly, “Go brew me a cup of tea. I really am thirsty. It’s okay.”

Anran pouted, clearly reluctant. But meeting Jiang Zhi’s firm gaze, she considered it for a moment and eventually yielded.

“Fine.” Anran let go of her hand and stood up. She took two steps, then paused as if remembering something, turning back. “If she bullies you, just smash this cup on the table. Use it as a signal, and I’ll come running immediately.”

Lin Han laughed in spite of her irritation. Even Lin Yishu, who had been quiet until now, chuckled.

Jiang Zhi felt incredibly embarrassed. “I get it, I get it. The ‘smashing cup’ signal. I won’t be bullied.”

Anran walked toward the kitchen, looking back every three steps.

Lin Han had sent her away specifically to speak with Jiang Zhi alone. As for what she wanted to say, it remained to be seen. Jiang Zhi sat on the edge of the sofa, hands on her knees, feeling apprehensive. However, Lin Han was Anran’s family; if they were to have a future, Lin Han was someone she inevitably had to face.

“It’s been over two years since we last met—nearly three. Miss Jiang doesn’t seem to have changed at all,” Lin Han said nonchalantly, looking down as she adjusted the buttons on her white shirt cuffs.

“Is that so? Ah… it has been quite a while. I suppose I haven’t changed much.” Jiang Zhi struggled to find a response, forcing out awkward small talk.

Lin Han stopped fiddling with her buttons and looked up, her gaze piercing. “I thought that after being apart for so long, you would have shown some growth. But it seems I overestimated you.”

Jiang Zhi’s fingers curled slightly against her knees.

Lin Han gave a short, dry laugh from her nose—one that signified neither joy nor anger. “To be honest, I still don’t think you are a good match for Anran. To say something you might not like: I still don’t hold you in high regard.”

Jiang Zhi lowered her gaze. She didn’t know how to argue—nor could she—because Lin Han was speaking the truth.

“But I’ve also come to a realization,” Lin Han said, rubbing her temples and sighing. “If we calculate based purely on ‘compatibility,’ you don’t meet my standards. However, it seems emotions cannot be calculated entirely by those metrics.”

Jiang Zhi slowly raised her head, finally finding the courage to look her in the eye.

“I don’t care who was right or wrong in your little spat. From now on, solve your own arguments. Communicate. Don’t cause a massive scene that drags the whole family in just to mediate for you. Don’t you find such behavior ridiculous?”

Lin Han lowered her hand. “Forget it. If you can bring Anran happiness, I can overlook other conditions. I have no other requirements for you two: date if you want to date, but stop the drama.”

Those words…

Jiang Zhi’s eyes lit up. For a moment, she couldn’t believe it. Was Lin Han actually agreeing to their relationship? No more opposition?

“Ahem.”

Lin Yishu coughed lightly. “Since we’ve reached this point, we’re all family. Since we’re family, let’s not be so serious! Relax a little.”

Yishu tried to play the role of the icebreaker. However, under a sharp look from Lin Han, she immediately shut up. “Fine, let’s stay serious. Serious is good. You two really have major issues with how you handle things. Why make such a fuss over a relationship? Keep it quiet from now on.”

Lin Han glanced at Yishu. “You’re the one who needs to keep quiet. Why do you talk so much?”

Lin Yishu: “…”

Jiang Zhi took a deep breath, stood up, and gave a deep, sincere bow to both sisters. “I must apologize for today. I know I seem unreliable. When things get tough, my instinct is to hide, which hurt Anran. But I can guarantee that in the future, I will definitely…”

Lin Han raised a hand, cutting her off. “I don’t care for guarantees. Words like that are meaningless. If you want to guarantee something, prove it with your actions.”

She then looked toward the kitchen. “Stop eavesdropping. This ‘meanie’ wouldn’t dare bully your precious treasure anymore.”

Caught eavesdropping, Anran poked her head out and slowly shuffled back to Jiang Zhi’s side, positioning herself like a shield.

Jiang Zhi tugged at her clothes. “It’s fine.”

Anran didn’t budge, remaining firmly in front. Lin Han shook her head in disdain. Just then, her phone rang. After checking the screen, she took the call and walked out to the courtyard.

The moment Lin Han left, Anran whirled around. She cupped Jiang Zhi’s face, looking her over from left to right as if checking for any damage.

Lin Yishu coughed again. “Hello? Hello? There’s still a person here, you two. Show some consideration.”

Anran glanced back at her, ignored her, and went back to staring at Jiang Zhi.

“Oh, boy,” Yishu stood up and sighed. “I didn’t get any of the sweetness of your relationship, but I sure tasted all the bitterness. You’d better not fight again. And if you do, don’t let me know. This is too much work.”

Jiang Zhi quickly moved Anran to the side and looked at Yishu with genuine gratitude.

Yishu waved her hand. “Forget it. Save the thank-you speech. Go on, keep being lovey-dovey. I won’t be the third wheel.” With that, she left.

As she reached the courtyard, she bumped into Lin Han, who had just finished her call. Yishu grabbed her. “Don’t go back in.”

Lin Han frowned and brushed her hand off.

Yishu smirked. “What’s wrong with your sister holding your hand? You don’t let anyone touch you. Anyway, don’t go back. The couple just reconciled; they need to have a heart-to-heart. Don’t go in there and spoil the mood.”

“The second you walk in, the whole vibe changes. It gets icy and no one dares to speak. How are they supposed to talk openly?”

Lin Han didn’t insist on going back. She simply looked Yishu up and down. “You sure know a lot. One would think you’ve been in a dozen relationships yourself.”

Yishu choked. Typical Big Sister. Striking right where it hurts.

Yishu snapped back, “Sister, you’re not doing any better. You’re in your thirties and pushing forty. Where’s the shadow of your partner? I haven’t seen even a glimpse, yet you have the nerve to mock me.”

Just as she spoke, someone waved from outside the courtyard gate. It was a young woman, barely in her early twenties, with a messy bun—looking youthful and vibrant.

Seeing her, Lin Han’s cold eyes softened slightly into a frown. She walked over. “Why are you here? didn’t I tell you to wait outside?”

The girl’s smile was radiant. “I wanted to see you sooner.”

Lin Han didn’t give much of a reaction, keeping a cold face, but the girl seemed completely unfazed by the frostiness. She stepped forward and tucked her arm into Lin Han’s.

Yishu watched from behind, her eyes wide with gossip. She was shocked. What is happening? That girl is holding Lin Han’s arm and Lin Han isn’t pushing her away? She never lets anyone touch her arm!

After a brief exchange, Lin Han and the girl walked away arm-in-arm. Yishu sprinted to the gate, peeking out.

“What’s the situation? My sister has a girlfriend too? And such a young one? She looks even younger than Anran…”

This was the equivalent of the sun rising in the west. Yishu’s jaw dropped. She manually pushed it shut, muttering to herself, “Does our family have a gene for this? Everyone likes girls. Anran, and now Big Sister too.”

She sucked in a breath and looked at herself. I couldn’t be like that too, could I? She shook her head. No point thinking about it; she didn’t even have a crush, let alone a prospect. A born loner.

“Wait… that means in the future, they’ll each have someone to be all lovey-dovey with, and I’ll be stuck in the middle, alone…” Just imagining the scene felt like a horror story.

No. I have to find someone too, Yishu resolved.

With Lin Han and Lin Yishu gone, only Jiang Zhi and Lin Anran were left in the vast living room. For some reason, despite their intimacy, being alone now felt strangely silent and awkward.

Jiang Zhi cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Have you eaten?”

Purely making conversation. Anran shook her head, then nodded.

Jiang Zhi didn’t understand. “Shall I cook for you? Are there ingredients in the kitchen?”

Anran gave a soft “mm.”

Jiang Zhi pointed to the left. “Is the kitchen that way?”

Anran gave another “mm.”

It was strange. The air was cleared, the misunderstandings resolved, and even Lin Han had relented. All obstacles were gone, so why did the atmosphere feel so odd?

Jiang Zhi took ingredients from the fridge, tied on an apron, and started prepping vegetables. Anran stood at the kitchen door, watching her.

Jiang Zhi raised the greens in her hand. “Do you want to come in and help?”

Anran’s eyes lit up, a grin spreading across her face. she skipped into the kitchen. The stagnant atmosphere instantly livened up.

Jiang Zhi chuckled. “If you wanted to come in, just come in. Do you need my permission?”

Anran: “I don’t know.”

“Hmm?”

“I was afraid that after talking to my Big Sister, you’d be spiraling again… maybe you were angry.”

Jiang Zhi set down the vegetables and cupped Anran’s face. “I won’t. From now on, no matter what we face, I won’t be like that again.”

“You say that every time, but you always lie. I’m not calling you ‘Jiang Yi’ anymore. I’ll call you ‘Jiang the Liar.'”

Jiang Zhi laughed softly. “I don’t think I’ve ever asked you… why you always call me ‘Jiang Yi.’ When we first met, you clearly knew my name was Jiang Zhi.”

Anran: “Because…”

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