One Year After Her Sister-In-Law Was Widowed - Chapter 53

The development of events was unexpected.

Wan Qiyan watched in dumbfounded silence as Xiao Shuangyu led Ji Zhuozhou away from the venue, then swiveled her gaze sharply toward Xiao Shuangyu’s mothers.

The mothers also seemed not to have expected things to turn out this way; they remained where they were, their expressions grim.

It was unclear whether it was because they had almost hurt Xiao Shuangyu but injured Ji Zhuozhou instead, or because of Xiao Shuangyu’s urgency and that cry of “Sister.”

The atmosphere was delicate.

However, the tension didn’t just stem from what had just happened.

Whispers in the crowd mentioned other matters.

Wan Qiyan overheard a few snatches of conversation and felt something wasn’t right. She suppressed the urge to chase after Xiao Shuangyu and backed away, trying to find someone she could talk to for information.

The hotel security guards had arrived just as Xiao Shuangyu was about to collapse; they were nearly scared to death on the spot. Now, they were split between chasing after Xiao Shuangyu and calming the guests.

News reached the hosts. Everyone expressed understanding, saying the priority was resolving the issue quickly, yet a knot of unease remained in their hearts.

Taking advantage of the absence of outsiders, someone couldn’t help but grumble, “No wonder this branch of the Xiao family can’t rise up; they really have the manners of a small-time household.”

On the other side, the hotel manager caught up with Xiao Shuangyu, offering to arrange a car for the hospital.

Xiao Shuangyu did not refuse, but Ji Zhuozhou said it wasn’t necessary and pulled her back.

“I’m fine, just take me to rest for a bit.”

The manager hurriedly added that the hotel had a doctor who could provide simple treatment.

Xiao Shuangyu wanted to insist on the hospital, but Ji Zhuozhou already spoke up: “Put me down, I’m really okay.”

Ji Zhuozhou was still being carried in her arms.

The steady, powerful arms did not feel fatigued despite the discomfort of the rut. Xiao Shuangyu remained silent, refusing to let go.

Finally, the manager suggested letting the hotel doctor check her first to see the situation.

Ji Zhuozhou made the decision. “Fine, let’s do that.”

After speaking, she told Xiao Shuangyu to put her down again.

Xiao Shuangyu still didn’t comply, simply telling the manager to lead the way.

The manager opened a suite for them upstairs. By the time they swiped the card and entered, the doctor had caught up from the other side.

Ji Zhuozhou seemed to have been hit in the lower back. Seeing that the doctor needed to lift her clothes to examine her, the manager hinted several times for Xiao Shuangyu to wait outside. Xiao Shuangyu sat firmly, unmoving.

The manager was helpless. Although the relationship between the two didn’t seem ordinary, for safety’s sake, she couldn’t just leave them be. But she had almost been blunt about it; there was nothing more she could say.

As for Xiao Shuangyu, her mind was still foggy, and her entire focus was on Ji Zhuozhou. She had no energy left to analyze the manager’s hints.

Forget understanding them—the manager’s voice didn’t even register in her ears.

Ji Zhuozhou saw the whole situation. She almost couldn’t help but laugh, but at this moment, she was supposed to be weak and pitiable.

Suppressing her smile, Ji Zhuozhou spoke directly to Xiao Shuangyu: “Lianlian, stay.”

Xiao Shuangyu nodded instantly.

A flash of speechlessness crossed the manager’s face. So it wasn’t that she couldn’t understand, she just didn’t want to listen.

The manager left the room. Xiao Shuangyu stepped forward to help the doctor hold the edge of the gown’s zipper, preventing the dress from falling down completely.

Fair, slender waist appeared before her eyes, and beautiful dimples of Venus flickered in and out of view. The gland at the back of Xiao Shuangyu’s neck throbbed violently.

She didn’t spare a moment of attention for herself, staring instead at the obvious redness rising on the side of Ji Zhuozhou’s waist.

Xiao Shuangyu frowned; she really had been hit.

The doctor finished the examination quickly, saying it wasn’t serious, though there might be some bruising later. If they were worried, they could apply some ointment; rubbing it in would help it heal faster.

The doctor handed the ointment to Xiao Shuangyu.

The door closed, leaving only the two of them in the vast suite.

Xiao Shuangyu held the ointment, her viscous gaze lifting quietly to peek at Ji Zhuozhou, who was already lying face down, exposing her back.

Ji Zhuozhou told her to apply it.

Her gaze fell back to the ointment in her hand.

Carefully squeezing some out, she rubbed it in her palms to warm it. Taking a deep breath, she slowly touched Ji Zhuozhou’s skin, applying a slight amount of pressure as she rubbed.

The distinct scent of the ointment mingled with the delicate sensation of touch. Ji Zhuozhou bit back a muffled groan.

Xiao Shuangyu immediately lightened her touch. “Did I hurt you, Sister?”

Ji Zhuozhou shook her head. “No, Lianlian is being very careful.”

The room grew quiet again. All the attention of both people seemed to fall on the slight redness of Ji Zhuozhou’s lower back.

This wasn’t good.

Focusing too much might make it hurt more.

Xiao Shuangyu’s dull brain turned dryly, and she spoke softly. “Sister… when did you get back?”

In yesterday’s WeChat message, Ji Zhuozhou had told her she would be back on Sunday. Today was only Saturday.

Moreover, Ji Zhuozhou, who had returned early, hadn’t told her. She hadn’t said she would attend the banquet, and she certainly hadn’t mentioned she was on a blind date.

Blind date…

Xiao Shuangyu’s mood plummeted instantly. Before she could think further, a soft, warm voice rang in her ear.

Ji Zhuozhou said, “Just got back.”

And added, “Had some business.”

Lying on the bed with her back to her, those green eyes narrowed slightly, the depths dark and obscure.

Ji Zhuozhou hadn’t expected to run into the two aunts and Xiao Shuangyu here, much less let several people learn about her “blind date.”

She had indeed taken a hit to her lower back, but it was hard to say that her performance from then until now didn’t have elements of exaggeration.

Ji Zhuozhou wanted to distract Xiao Shuangyu.

So, Ji Zhuozhou spoke again, “I’ve never seen Lianlian wear clothes like this. This is the first time.”

Xiao Shuangyu lowered her gaze and suddenly asked, “Do I look like my sister?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, both of them froze.

Ji Zhuozhou looked back; Xiao Shuangyu averted her eyes.

She already shared seventy percent of her sister’s looks. Now that she was wearing the style of clothes Xiao Mingyi usually wore, would it make Ji Zhuozhou feel she was even more like her sister?

Ji Zhuozhou denied her statement. “No one is like anyone else. Lianlian is Lianlian. Lianlian… you didn’t want to wear this yourself, did you?”

It carried a slight hint of a question.

Xiao Shuangyu nodded. She slowly shifted her gaze back, meeting Ji Zhuozhou’s eyes. “My mothers prepared it for me.”

She added, “I don’t like it.”

Ji Zhuozhou hummed in response. “Mhm, it really doesn’t suit Lianlian.”

The ointment was applied.

Ji Zhuozhou lay back down, her other hand pointing toward the back of her neck, or perhaps her back.

“Lianlian is still in her rut, right? Do you want to do it?”

The Omega was half-pillowed on her arm. Having been examined and just had ointment applied, the zipper on the back of her dress was still down, revealing her smooth back and waist.

The delicate strap of her inner garment traced her slender waist, and because of her posture, it slightly squeezed a bit of flesh—it was incredibly alluring.

It was very quiet here.

Empty, deserted, desire breeding.

But Xiao Shuangyu turned her head away. “It’s already passed.”

Ji Zhuozhou had an injury on her waist; how could she possibly do it at a time like this?

Despite saying so, a few minutes later, Xiao Shuangyu was kissed on the lips by Ji Zhuozhou.

If… if it was just a kiss.

Xiao Shuangyu responded.

Deep kisses, over and over, squeezed the breath out of her. Her empty heart seemed to be repaired bit by bit. Xiao Shuangyu could finally smell Ji Zhuozhou’s scent from so close again.

Only, it seemed something more important had been forgotten.

The banquet officially began, the melodious sound of a violin ringing out in the ballroom.

In the suite upstairs, Ji Zhuozhou was saying goodbye to Xiao Shuangyu.

Those beautifully shaped lips were red and slightly swollen. Their kiss had been deep and lingering, smudging Ji Zhuozhou’s lipstick.

Ji Zhuozhou’s thumb brushed against the corner of Xiao Shuangyu’s mouth, wiping away the traces of staining. “Lianlian, you go first.”

Xiao Shuangyu processed this for a moment and suddenly said, “After it’s over, can I go home with Sister?”

Ji Zhuozhou shook her head. “I’m not going back. Let’s part here.”

Xiao Shuangyu thought Ji Zhuozhou was referring to the villa in the suburbs and immediately said, “I’m not going back either. I’ll go with Sister.”

Ji Zhuozhou understood her misunderstanding but didn’t correct it. “Lianlian should go back. Tell the aunts I’m fine.”

Xiao Shuangyu froze, but eventually nodded.

Xiao Shuangyu went downstairs first. The sight of people laughing and dancing entered her field of vision, and the back of her neck throbbed again.

Before she could find her mothers, she was grabbed by Wan Qiyan and dragged to a secluded spot.

Wan Qiyan lowered her voice. “What is going on with you and your sister-in-law?”

Xiao Shuangyu’s expression darkened. “Not sister-in-law.”

“Then your ex… uh, what’s with Ji Zhuozhou?”

“You like her.”

“What about her?”

“Why did she suddenly go on a blind date?”

Wan Qiyan asked one question after another, leaving almost no gap.

Xiao Shuangyu fell silent.

Forgotten memories returned to her mind. She suddenly remembered what she had forgotten.

She hadn’t asked.

About Ji Zhuozhou’s blind date.

However, whether she asked or not, perhaps Wan Qiyan’s questions provided the answer.

Xiao Shuangyu didn’t answer, but her silence was an answer in itself.

Seeing this, Wan Qiyan understood everything. She patted her shoulder. “Think on the bright side. Her actual status isn’t something we could have aimed for anyway.”

Xiao Shuangyu didn’t understand.

Wan Qiyan added, “Wait, I remember you said you went to work at Huari, right? Did you also not know that Ji Zhuozhou has been hiding her identity?”

Xiao Shuangyu was even more confused. “What?”

Wan Qiyan opened a webpage for her. It was a notification issued by Huari Headquarters a few hours ago, forwarded and interpreted by the media.

On the full English interface, Xiao Shuangyu pieced together a piece of information.

Huari Headquarters plans to restructure the Huari domestic branch into a subsidiary. From now on, the Huari domestic company’s equity will be independent. After the restructuring, Ji Zhuozhou will continue to serve as General Manager.

Ji Zhuozhou… continuing to serve as General Manager?

Xiao Shuangyu could understand every word, but when put together, she couldn’t understand it at all.

Saying “continue” meant that Ji Zhuozhou… had been the company’s General Manager all along?

How… how was that possible?

Wan Qiyan’s voice continued. “I have to say, she hid it really deep. I just went to check urgently, and word is Ji Zhuozhou is actually part of the Huari main family. Before, everyone thought she was just an orphan with no relatives.”

“Sigh, this is internal news. Probably not many people know yet. Anyway, the General Manager thing has spread. I don’t know if your mothers saw it or…”

Wan Qiyan cut herself off. She saw Su Yuran walking over fuming with rage. Su Yuran grabbed Xiao Shuangyu and pulled her into the shadows.

A while later, when Wan Qiyan looked for Xiao Shuangyu again in a panic, Xiao Shuangyu had already left the banquet alone, carrying a heavy handprint on her face.

She didn’t return to the villa in the suburbs, nor did she go to Ji Zhuozhou’s home. The taxi she hailed carried her all the way back to the vicinity of the school.

Passing the bustling snack street, passing the lively students, passing the busy cars, she returned to her cold, quiet rented room.

She lay in the dark room, her face stinging with fiery pain.

The sharp scolding of her mother, Su Yuran, still seemed to ring in her ears. Her rebuttal had been met with the pain on her face.

She didn’t care.

She was just… a little afraid.

But she still wanted Ji Zhuozhou to need her, even if only as a lover, even if only as an affair.

A single tear fell inexplicably from her eye.

She thought.