Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Shen Ya Only Saw the Message When Class Ended…

Shen Ya only saw the message from Zhou Ziqian when class ended, and she quickly called the other party back from the stairwell.

Knowing the special nature of Shen Ya’s profession, Zhou Ziqian wasn’t surprised when Shen Ya didn’t reply immediately. After explaining to the elders, the group decided not to leave, choosing instead to wait there for Shen Ya’s reply.

“Shen Ya called back.”

Zhou Ziqian’s single sentence instantly energized the three elders who had been dozing off on the sofa. Even the usually carefree Zhou Ziqian felt uncomfortable under the gaze of these three pairs of eyes.

She answered the call without putting it on speaker, but the elders still leaned in closer. Zhou Ziqian glanced at the elders and asked: “Boss Shen… Teacher Shen, is class over?” She was used to calling her Boss Shen, but in front of the three elders, Zhou Ziqian decided to be more formal.

“Just finished. What’s up?” The observant Shen Ya immediately noticed the unnatural tone in Zhou Ziqian’s voice.

Zhou Ziqian cleared her throat, her peripheral vision sweeping over the three elders sitting beside her before she spoke: “Teacher Shen knows Xiao Xi is back at school today, right? The elders happened to want to check out the old apartment. What a coincidence, I just had people come over to clean my place today and ran into them.”

“And?” Shen Ya pretty much guessed what Zhou Ziqian was about to say.

“So, the family found out about your relationship with Little Sister Xi and want to invite you to dinner tonight. Do you have time?”

It was just as I guessed.

Shen Ya knew she would have to face Qiao Xi’s family eventually. She was already familiar with and had the approval of Qiao Xi’s two mothers, so meeting them wouldn’t make her too nervous. However, she had never met Xiao Xi’s Grandma and Aunt, so she didn’t know if the Fang family members were easy to get along with or what they thought of her.

Since the elders had extended the invitation, it wouldn’t be right to refuse.

“Sure. But I’m finishing work a bit late today. Should I make the restaurant reservation, or do you already have a plan?”

“You don’t have to worry about the place to eat. We’ll handle the reservation. Just come straight here after work.” Zhou Ziqian finished speaking and looked at Fang Hongjing for confirmation.

Fang Hongjing nodded.

“Alright, see you tonight.”

Zhou Ziqian hung up the phone. Before she could put her phone down, Zhou Ran leaned over: “Well, what did she say?”

“She agreed. We’ll handle the location. I just need to send her the place and time later.”

“This…” Fang Hongjing thought for a moment, finding the appropriate title before speaking again: “Where does Xiao Shen work?”

“Near the city center.”

“That’s still a bit of a distance.” Fang Hongjing nodded repeatedly. “Why don’t we buy groceries and cook ourselves? That way we don’t have to bother going out. Since the house has just been cleaned, and you are planning to move in, we can stop by the supermarket to buy some things for you. We can also frequently come over to cook for Xiao Xi in the future. Food at school is never as good as home-cooked meals.”

The elder had made a decision, and Zhou Ziqian immediately agreed. She and Fang Moyao already knew the elders would visit often, so she said: “Okay, I’ll call Sister Yao Yao and tell her to come back for dinner tonight.”

Shen Ya tucked her phone into her coat pocket. This meeting was too sudden, giving her no time to prepare. But since it was her first time meeting Qiao Xi’s relatives, she couldn’t show up empty-handed.

Shen Ya made a decision. She asked her supervisor for an hour of leave to go out and buy something and swapped the order of her classes with a colleague.

Fortunately, her workplace was in the city center, making shopping very convenient. It was her first time meeting parents so formally, and she had no experience in choosing gifts, but she had checked online earlier, so she could head straight for her destination after leaving work.

Shen Ya finished work late, and it was already completely dark when she left the building. Upon learning that the Fang elders were personally cooking and inviting her for dinner, Shen Ya’s heart tensed up again. She felt like she was suspended in the air, lacking a sense of security. Luckily, she had gone out earlier in the afternoon.

The only advantage of finishing late was avoiding rush hour traffic. There was some distance between her workplace and home, and even though she drove fast, it still took quite some time.

Shen Ya carried several bags. The moment the elevator opened, the sound of laughter reached her ears. She stepped out of the elevator. The door to the apartment on the right was open, and the aroma of home-cooked food filled the air—the taste of a home Shen Ya had long yearned for.

“Shen Ya?” Fang Moyao was leaning against the door frame, chatting with Zhou Ziqian. She turned her head after hearing the movement, and her gaze fell on the items in Shen Ya’s hands: “Why did you bring so many things?”

Fang Moyao gave Zhou Ziqian a look: “Qianqian.”

Zhou Ziqian immediately walked out of the apartment, her sleeves rolled up and water droplets on her hands, suggesting she had been busy with something else. Seeing Shen Ya, she forced a smile, her eyes squinting into thin lines: “Boss Shen, you’re too polite. You bought so many things just to come home for dinner.” She took a few gift boxes from Shen Ya and led her into the apartment.

“Grandma, Mom, Mommy, Teacher Shen is here.”

With Zhou Ziqian’s announcement, the elderly person sitting on the sofa looked up, and the two elders busy in the kitchen also poked their heads out.

As the three pairs of eyes landed on Shen Ya, she stood rigidly in place, her expression unchanged. She looked cool and composed, her lips tightly pressed. The tea and health supplements in her hands, along with the black mock turtleneck sweater that exposed a section of her fair neck, made her appear taller, colder, and more serious. But only she knew that her palms had been breaking out in cold sweat since the moment the elevator door opened.

“Shen Ya?”

“Yes.” Shen Ya immediately responded. She looked at the slightly taller woman in the kitchen, guessing from her facial contours that she must be Fang Moyao’s mother: “Hello, Auntie.”

Shen Ya then turned to face the elder on the sofa, bowing slightly: “Hello, Grandma.”

Fang Lianxin smiled and stood up: “Good child, quickly put your things down, wash your hands, and eat.”

Shen Ya’s movements became stiff. She placed the items on the coffee table in the living room. Fang Lianxin took her hand and patted it, looking at her kindly: “You don’t need to bring so many things when you come home to eat in the future.”

“Okay.”

Shen Ya wasn’t good at interacting with elders. Facing Fang Lianxin’s gentle gaze toward a junior, she could only feel helpless and fall silent.

Six people sat at the round table. Shen Ya found herself sitting in the center. The table was filled with dishes. Although they were everyday meals, they made Shen Ya feel a sense of warmth.

“We were indeed abrupt in inviting you today. We only just found out about your relationship with Xiao Xi. Auntie has no ill intentions; I was just eager to see what kind of person Xiao Xi likes.”

Fang Hongjing was very pleased with Shen Ya at first sight. Her judgment was not wrong. Although Shen Ya seemed cool and distant, she was a thoughtful and good child. Despite the rush, she still brought gifts for them. They felt her sincerity.

Shen Ya sat upright, as if in a job interview. She nodded repeatedly: “Yes.”

“No need to be nervous.” Fang Hongjing picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of lobster meat in Shen Ya’s bowl: “Have some food. We are all family. No need to be so reserved.”

“Okay.”

Shen Ya only picked up the shrimp meat in her bowl and put it in her mouth after the elders started eating.

Fang Hongjing: “How does it taste?”

“It’s very delicious.”

“Good, as long as you like it. We originally planned to go to a restaurant, but I thought it would be more relaxed and free to cook at home since we are family. Tell Auntie what you want to eat next time, and Auntie will make it for you.”

“Thank you.”

Zhou Ran served Shen Ya a bowl of soup: “Have some soup to warm yourself up. It’s cold outside, isn’t it? It hasn’t warmed up much even after the New Year.”

Shen Ya held the bowl and nodded.

Fang Hongjing: “I heard from Yao Yao that you two have known each other for a long time. Xiao Shen is also from Jianglan City, right?”

“Yes, I am from Jianglan City.” Shen Ya thought that the elders might be trying to gather information about her, so she introduced herself proactively: “I am 30 years old and a high school math teacher. I only have one mother and one sister, but my relationship with them is not close, so Xiao Xi won’t have to interact with them in the future. I will go wherever she goes in the future. My income is decent, and I have some savings. I won’t let Xiao Xi suffer any hardships with me.”

Zhou Ziqian was already smiling, and Fang Moyao also curved her lips. The three elders exchanged a smile, looking at Shen Ya’s serious and earnest demeanor. At this point, they no longer doubted Shen Ya’s sincerity.

“Alright, we know now.” Fang Hongjing added more food to her bowl: “You can call me Auntie with Xiao Xi from now on. Next time Xiao Xi has a holiday, come home and eat with us.”

“Okay, Auntie.” Shen Ya sighed in relief inwardly. This meant she had gained the approval of Qiao Xi’s relatives.

Shen Ya had never experienced family warmth from her own family, but she had gained countless moments of such warmth through Qiao Xi. The family dinner no longer revolved solely around questioning and answering her. Shen Ya heard many stories about the Fang family from the elders, and this also meant that the Fang family was accepting her as a new family member.

After the meal, Shen Ya volunteered to do the dishes, but Zhou Ziqian stopped her, saying: “Take a break. You’ve been working all day; aren’t you tired? If I were you, I’d slack off whenever I could.”

Shen Ya shook her head: “It’s fine, I’m not tired.”

“Then let’s do it together. We have a dishwasher anyway.”

Fang Moyao, who rarely did any housework, even helped pick up a few cups and took them to the kitchen. Shen Ya was used to hardship from a young age. She was quick and reliable in her work, and soon, she and Zhou Ziqian had cleaned up the dining room and kitchen.

Fang Moyao opened the refrigerator, took out a can of soda and handed it to Zhou Ziqian, then asked Shen Ya: “Want anything to drink?”

“No, thank you. I’m not thirsty.”

Fang Moyao leaned against the kitchen door: “Qianqian and I discussed it and decided to move in. We’ll be neighbors now.”

Shen Ya nodded: “That’s good.”

“Alright, you must be tired today. My family will be leaving soon. You should go home, take a shower, and rest.”

The three elders sat in the living room for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, they decided to head home. Shen Ya, Fang Moyao, and Zhou Ziqian walked them to the underground parking lot together.

Before leaving, Fang Hongjing held Shen Ya’s hand and spoke to her quietly for a while: “Xiao Shen, we’re family now. Don’t be shy with Auntie. If you encounter any difficulties in life or at work, tell me. Auntie won’t interfere in your relationship with Xiao Xi, but communication is the most important thing when two people are together. Even if you have conflicts in the future, talk it out properly. If you really can’t resolve it, talk to us, and we’ll see if there’s another way. Auntie knows you’re a good child and trusts Xiao Xi’s judgment. I hope you two can have a long and happy life together.”

Hearing these words, Shen Ya’s heart ached sweetly. Such care was foreign to her, and the feeling of being cherished by family was heartwarming. She nodded, “Okay, thank you, Auntie.”

After seeing Fang Hongjing into the passenger seat, the three elders didn’t let the younger generation escort them any further. They shooed them back to the elevator lobby before starting the car and leaving.

Fang Moyao had brought two suitcases when she came today, bringing along some essentials, so they would be staying here tonight.

The three returned upstairs. Before entering her door, Fang Moyao turned to Shen Ya: “I wonder what Xiao Xi is doing now.”

Shen Ya then realized Qiao Xi hadn’t messaged her all evening. She took her phone out of her pocket: “I’ll ask.”

[Teacher Shen: What is Xiao Xi doing?]

Qiao Xi, who had just finished her meeting and was about to go out for a late-night snack with Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian, saw Shen Ya’s message on the way. She immediately replied: [Just finished the meeting, about to go out for a late-night snack. Is Teacher Shen home yet? Have you eaten?]

“Xiao Xi just finished her meeting and is going out for a late-night snack with friends.” Shen Ya replied while asking Fang Moyao: “Do you two want to join?”

Zhou Ziqian waved her hand: “No thanks, I’m stuffed.”

Fang Moyao: “I’ll pass today. I’m tired and planning to rest for a bit and then go to sleep.”

“Alright then.” Shen Ya turned left: “See you tomorrow.”

“Mm, see you tomorrow.”

“Boss Shen, let’s go to work together tomorrow! I know a delicious breakfast place nearby. I’ll take you for beef vermicelli tomorrow morning.” Zhou Ziqian opened her door and waved at Shen Ya again.

After watching Shen Ya enter her apartment, Fang Moyao pushed Zhou Ziqian inside and closed the door.

The hallway returned to silence.

Back in her apartment, Shen Ya pressed the send button: [I’ve eaten. I’m home now.]

[Little Rascal: It’s so tiring returning to school today. Teacher Shen must have finished work very late today too. Do you still have to work overtime later?]

[No need.]

[Little Rascal: Then Teacher Shen should go to bed early.]

[You too. Don’t stay out too late.] Shen Ya typed another line: [Spend time with your friends first. I’ll read a book for a while.]

Although she didn’t have to work overtime, Shen Ya habitually read work-related books. She rarely watched TV, preferring to rest or read or do other things in her spare time.

“Meow~”

Shen Ya put down her bag and picked up Eleven from the floor. She checked Eleven’s food bowl and saw no kibble: “Are you hungry? I’m sorry, I should have come back to feed you first.”

Shen Ya put Eleven down, opened the nearby food storage bin, and feeling guilty for starving Eleven tonight, she opened a separate can of wet food.

The apartment was quiet, but the area outside the community was bustling. University students had returned, and the night market stalls were doing a booming business. Qiao Xi and her two friends finally found an empty table at a barbecue restaurant. Looking around, they saw it was full of students from the nearby university.

The three of them were starving. They ordered a table full of barbecue and crawfish. They didn’t have many classes the next day, and none were early in the morning. University dorms had no curfew, and there were no room checks tonight, so the three weren’t in a rush to go back.

It wasn’t until nearly midnight that Qiao Xi and her two friends left the late-night eatery, rubbing their full stomachs. Even though it was late, the night market was still crowded.

Xia Cong’an stretched: “I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep in until I wake up naturally tomorrow. Don’t wake me up.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t get up until noon either.” The two looked at Qiao Xi simultaneously: “You’re not going to the library early in the morning, are you?”

“No.” Qiao Xi affirmed: “I’m not going back to school tonight.”

“What?!”

“What?!”

Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian exclaimed in unison.

“I have something I need to go back for. See you tomorrow.” Qiao Xi didn’t explain. Before Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian could grab her for an “interrogation,” she had already blended into the crowd and disappeared from sight.

Qiao Xi was thankful she left quickly. The night market was very close to the apartment Fang Moyao had lent them. She had just made up her mind. She missed Shen Ya too much after two days apart. If she was this close and didn’t go see her, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to sleep all night.