Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Zhou Ziqian’s Head Almost…

Zhou Ziqian’s head was practically beneath the table to stifle her laughter. Fang Moyao’s expression changed several times, but only Shen Ya, already accustomed to Qiao Xi’s childish behavior, was able to face the strangely tense atmosphere calmly.

Fang Moyao was so angry she laughed. Fine, fine. She didn’t know who taught Qiao Xi this skill of being so sophistical and bratty. It seemed she hadn’t given Shen Ya enough things. In a while, she would definitely equip Shen Ya with all of Fangzui’s products.

Not wanting to completely lose her composure, Fang Moyao suppressed her temper and smiled as she chided her: “Okay, even if we were keeping things from you, why couldn’t you talk to us properly instead of coming and stealing my wine?”

“I didn’t steal it.” Qiao Xi’s eyes darted away. “I took it.”

“Pffft.”

Zhou Ziqian truly couldn’t hold it in. The moment she burst out laughing, she received a dagger stare from Fang Moyao. She quickly covered her mouth and swallowed her laughter.

A vein throbbed on Fang Moyao’s forehead. Her smile vanished, her face darkened, and she pointed at Qiao Xi and snapped: “You little brat are asking for a beating, aren’t you!”

Qiao Xi immediately hugged Shen Ya’s arm and shrank closer to her: “Teacher Shen.”

“Enough. Say less.” Thanks to her naturally cold face, otherwise she, too, would be unable to stop herself from laughing like Zhou Ziqian. Shen Ya patted Qiao Xi’s hand and then looked at Fang Moyao: “Boss Fang, Xiao Xi didn’t mean anything by it. She’s just a little lively.”

In Fang Moyao’s view, this wasn’t called lively; it was called a menace, causing more trouble than Zhou Ziqian did when she was a child.

Qiao Xi was merely being verbally provocative. She was also afraid that if she continued, Fang Moyao might take out a whip and hit her. For the sake of her life, she decided to endure and retreat a little.

“Yes, I shouldn’t have taken Boss Fang’s wine, but the wine is all gone. How about Boss Fang asks my Doctor Jiang for two bottles as compensation?”

Fang Moyao realized that Qiao Xi, this menace, was specifically targeting her own family members to exploit. Suddenly feeling much better after realizing that Jiang Yunxi seemed to be suffering more than her, she thought, Qiao Xi is just a bratty child. Why should I argue with a sister so much younger than me?

However, since Qiao Xi brought it up, she couldn’t miss this opportunity. Fang Moyao smiled deceptively: “Then what do you think I should say to Jiang Yunxi to get this compensation?”

Qiao Xi hadn’t thought about this question. It was an idea she came up with on the fly. Fang Moyao was a cunning fox. If she let her talk to Doctor Jiang, their relationship with Shen Ya might be exposed.

No way, no way.

Qiao Xi shook her head internally. She absolutely couldn’t let Fang Moyao discuss this matter with Doctor Jiang. Wait, I have an idea!

“Since I was the one who took the wine, I’ll definitely compensate Boss Fang with a bottle. How about this: as long as Boss Fang doesn’t tell Doctor Jiang about what happened in Blank or about my relationship with Teacher Shen, I will definitely compensate Boss Fang with a bottle of red wine of similar value. How does that sound?”

“Oh?” Fang Moyao raised an eyebrow, becoming interested: “How will you compensate?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I can definitely get you an expensive bottle of red wine.” Doctor Jiang’s wine cellar had plenty. Just grabbing a bottle would be fine, right? Doctor Jiang wouldn’t look at it for weeks. When she eventually noticed, Qiao Xi could just play dumb and whisper a few words to Sister Shuyuan. Wouldn’t the matter be over?

“Fine. Then I’ll wait for Xiao Xi to send me the red wine.” Fang Moyao didn’t tell Qiao Xi that she had already asked Jiang Yunxi for wine. Zhou Ziqian, who was enjoying the drama, was even less likely to say anything.

Fang Moyao’s mood improved. She asked them: “What would you like to drink? I’ll ask Mu Mu to bring it over.”

Shen Ya’s hand was still being held by Qiao Xi. She said: “I drove. I’m not drinking today. Could you bring some coconut juice for me and Xiao Xi?”

Fang Moyao: “The room is cleaned for you. You can stay the night.”

Shen Ya didn’t decide. She turned her head and asked: “What does Xiao Xi think?”

“Let’s not. It’s too far from Teacher Shen’s workplace here.” If Shen Ya had a day off tomorrow, she might consider it, but neither of them got much sleep last night, so it was better to go home early and rest.

“Alright.” Fang Moyao didn’t insist. She had originally planned to take Qiao Xi out to eat today, but it was more convenient and comfortable to talk in Blank.

So, when she learned Qiao Xi would be coming tonight, she asked Zhou Ziqian to buy ingredients and hand them over to Mu Qi to prepare. Zhou Ziqian had already messaged Mu Mu, and soon, Mu Mu came over with a dining cart, serving the prepared meals and drinks onto the table.

Looking at the presentation of the food on the table, Qiao Xi remembered visiting Mu Qi’s house for dinner last time: “This plate looks familiar.”

“Mm.” Fang Moyao told her: “I asked Mu Qi to prepare it and send it over, plates and all.”

A question mark slowly formed above Qiao Xi’s head.

“Little Sister Xi probably doesn’t know, but Mu Qi’s house is like our little cafeteria at Blank. Blank only purchases a small amount of fresh ingredients daily. If we want something else, we have to pre-order it from Mu Qi’s restaurant, and they send it over. But since we’re all regulars here at Blank, we can also order takeout if we don’t want the food here.”

“You’re quite casual then.” Qiao Xi asked them: “Many restaurants don’t allow outside food, fearing that someone might get sick and they’d have to pay compensation.”

Zhou Ziqian picked up the coconut juice and glasses, pouring drinks for the three of them: “To become a member at Blank, you must be sponsored by a regular customer. If anything goes wrong, the old member who brought the person in is also responsible. So, our membership already filters out a certain group of people.”

Hearing this, Qiao Xi glanced at Shen Ya. If every member had to be sponsored by an old member, then who brought Teacher Shen in? Was it her Doctor Jiang?

“It was me.”

Fang Moyao suddenly spoke, and what she said was exactly what Qiao Xi was thinking. Qiao Xi was startled and blurted out: “How did you know what I was thinking?”

That feeling of being in control returned to Fang Moyao. Being in a good mood, she was naturally willing to tease Qiao Xi more: “They say sisters have a psychic connection. The first time I saw you, I felt close to you. Not to mention now. I can guess what you’re thinking from your every expression.”

This was something that could fool a three-year-old, but it was impossible to fool Qiao Xi. She rolled her eyes: “Then Boss Fang, guess what insults I’m thinking of for you right now.”

“Pfft… Hahaha.” Zhou Ziqian truly couldn’t hold back. She never dreamed she would one day see Fang Moyao consecutively defeated. She was in her thirties, yet she insisted on bickering with a nineteen-year-old child.

Fang Moyao pinched Zhou Ziqian’s thigh under the table, but the pain still didn’t stop Zhou Ziqian’s laughter. Although Fang Moyao’s face was still smiling, there wasn’t much genuine amusement left.

She now completely understood what Jiang Yunyi meant by, “Do you think Xiao Xi is just any ordinary child?” She also wondered what Jiang Yunxi’s family had taught Qiao Xi when she was little.

“Let’s eat. Didn’t you say you were hungry just now?” Shen Ya sensed that if the two sisters continued to argue, neither would benefit, so she intervened. She picked up her chopsticks first and put a piece of fish into Qiao Xi’s bowl.

Qiao Xi was obedient. She knew Shen Ya didn’t want her to continue, so she also picked up the fish with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth.

Fang Moyao realized that Qiao Xi was like a puppy—she would bite anyone except her “owner.” She took a sip of coconut juice. After Qiao Xi ate a few pieces of meat, she decided to ask the main question for today.

“Xiao Xi, you came to see me today. What do you want to discuss?”

Qiao Xi wanted to retort with, “Why don’t you guess?” but she was afraid Fang Moyao would splash coconut juice in her face. So, she seriously said: “I’ve thought it through. Since you are my sister and my relative, I naturally want to acknowledge you all.”

“Mm, I’m very happy that you were able to think it through.” Fang Moyao meant this sincerely. Even if Qiao Xi was raised a bit spoiled and was a little menace, she was still her little aunt’s only flesh and blood.

Her mother and grandmother had grieved for a long time over her little aunt’s departure. Qiao Xi’s appearance would allow them to live happier lives going forward. If the elders were happier, they might stay with her longer.

“However.”

Fang Moyao’s heart, which had just settled, rose again: “However, what?”

“But I can’t move to your house, Boss Fang.” Qiao Xi had thought this through during this period. In the future, she would have two families, and she had to be fair to both. If acknowledging the Fang family meant leaving her current home, she would absolutely disagree: “Mom and Mommy raised me and put in a lot of effort. I can’t disown them. So, I want to discuss with Boss Fang. In the future, can our two families celebrate holidays together? As long as I have time, I will go back to see Aunt and Grandma. Do you think this is acceptable?”

“So you were eager to come and see me to talk about this?”

“Mm.” Qiao Xi’s voice carried a hint of seriousness: “School is starting soon, so I want to meet Aunt and Grandma before the term begins. But to avoid any awkwardness when everyone meets and discusses this issue, I wanted to discuss it with Boss Fang first. I don’t want to see any elder sad, and I can’t abandon either home. Mom, Mommy, Doctor Jiang, and Sister Shuyuan are very important to me. They have been with me for nearly nineteen years. Even if I’m not related to them by blood, I’ve long considered them my birth mother and sister.”

Qiao Xi paused, then added: “I’ve never met Aunt and Grandma. Suddenly knowing I have relatives alive isn’t a huge surprise for me, because I’m actually quite scared and worried. But I know Boss Fang, you’re not a bad person, and you’re very good to me, so I believe Aunt and Grandma will also love me very much. My birth mother died early, and perhaps I am their only thought remaining. Whichever family it is, I will manage it wholeheartedly.”

Fang Moyao decided to retract her previous words. Qiao Xi was not raised badly; on the contrary, she was raised very well. Although she was a bit mischievous, she was simple and kind, much more obedient than Fang Moyao was.

Ultimately, the recognition matter depended on Qiao Xi. Since this was what Qiao Xi wished for, Fang Moyao couldn’t object. Fang Moyao thought her mother and grandmother would likely want to see a happy and lively Qiao Xi every day.

“Alright, I will relay these words to Mom and Grandma.” After Fang Moyao promised her, she asked: “So, when does Xiao Xi want us all to go out for a meal together?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Fang Moyao shifted her gaze slightly: “Will Shen Ya be joining us too?”

Qiao Xi shook her head: “I haven’t publicly disclosed my relationship with Teacher Shen to my family yet. Once this matter is resolved, I plan to find a time to come clean to my family and bring Teacher Shen home.”

Qiao Xi was afraid Shen Ya might overthink things. She held Shen Ya’s hand and told her: “Teacher Shen, don’t be angry. I’ll definitely come clean to my family about our relationship as soon as possible.”

Shen Ya knew what Qiao Xi was worried about. She never thought of forcing Qiao Xi to do anything. Even though Qiao Xi hadn’t fully disclosed their relationship at home, she already had the approval of Qiao Xi’s mother. That was enough.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be angry.” Shen Ya stroked Qiao Xi’s face. If it weren’t for the two third wheels sitting across from them, she would definitely kiss Qiao Xi properly.

While Shen Ya and Qiao Xi exchanged loving glances, Zhou Ziqian reached back and felt Fang Moyao’s bag. She opened the bag, reached into the compartment, and pulled out a square box. When Fang Moyao looked at her, she shook the box under the table and pointed at Shen Ya.

Fang Moyao raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. She nodded, then picked up her glass and took a sip of coconut juice, ready to watch the show.

Zhou Ziqian cleared her throat twice, interrupting the ambiguous atmosphere between Shen Ya and Qiao Xi. When Qiao Xi realized what was happening, her face flushed slightly, so she picked up the glass and took a sip of coconut juice to regain her composure.

“Look at me! I forgot to include something important for the two of you when I packaged the delivery last time.”

Qiao Xi raised her eyes and stared at Zhou Ziqian. Shen Ya also looked at her.

Zhou Ziqian placed a small square box between Qiao Xi and Shen Ya: “Clean, safe, and hygienic. I only brought one box this time. I wonder if it’s enough for the two of you tonight?”

Qiao Xi’s first look at the box was one of confusion.

Second look: Why did the shape of this box look familiar?

Third look: After clearly seeing the words on it, her face turned crimson, and she immediately snatched the box and threw it at Zhou Ziqian.

“Little Sister Xi isn’t satisfied?” Zhou Ziqian caught the small box and, in front of the mortified Qiao Xi, presented the small box to Shen Ya again: “Our Boss Shen, on the other hand, knows a good thing when she sees it.”

Shen Ya took the box of finger cots and, ignoring the objection in Qiao Xi’s eyes, smiled slightly at Zhou Ziqian and Fang Moyao: “Thank you.”

“Boss Shen, don’t mention it. From now on, Sister Yao Yao says she’ll cover all of these.”

Fang Moyao turned her head, her eyes questioning: When did I say that?

Zhou Ziqian elbowed her and kept winking at her.

Forget it, it’s not worth much anyway.

Fang Moyao compromised. She nodded, confirming Zhou Ziqian’s words: “Yes, if you ever run out, just tell me. I’ll send them to you.”

Three to one, Qiao Xi’s objection was invalid. She watched helplessly as Shen Ya tossed the box of finger cots into her bag. She swallowed, thinking, Will I personally experience this tonight?

What was supposed to be a small side note lingered in Qiao Xi’s mind. After dinner, the two didn’t stay long. Fang Moyao and Zhou Ziqian saw them to the car. It wasn’t until the car turned the corner and Blank was completely out of sight that Qiao Xi finally threw the entire night’s embarrassment and shyness out of her mind.

Qiao Xi took her phone and checked her messages, letting out an “Eh?” after flipping through them.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Ya asked her.

“Neither of my two mothers contacted me today. Are they angry?”

“I forgot to tell you. Your mother contacted me during the day. They know you’re with me and haven’t insisted that you return. They said that during this period before school starts, you can stay with me.”

“Really?!” This was fantastic news.

“Mm.”

With her mothers’ permission, Qiao Xi was completely at ease. She finally didn’t have to worry about how to escape from home every day. She was so excited that she really wanted to hug Shen Ya and shower her with kisses.

After the two arrived home and closed the door, before the lights were even turned on, Shen Ya hugged Qiao Xi and kissed her lips. Qiao Xi moaned but was very cooperative. Shen Ya’s hand was already removing Qiao Xi’s clothes when a cat’s meow interrupted the ambiguous atmosphere between them.