Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 120

Chapter 120: After Dinner, Jiang Yunxi Saw…

After dinner, Jiang Yunxi saw the car Shen Ya was driving and was immediately depressed again. The gift she had bought for Qiao Xi was simply passed on to Shen Ya. She felt indescribably awkward, so she pretended not to see it. The sister she had raised for over ten years had been completely stolen, lock, stock, and barrel.

Before they parted, Jiang Yunxi remembered something else and asked Shen Ya: “The Moments post you made—did Xiao Xi see my comment, and did she say anything?”

“I blocked her.”

“Hmm?” That surprised Jiang Yunxi, but she quickly realized: “So, the purpose of your Moments post was just to lure me out.”

“Yes.”

Suddenly, complex emotions flooded Jiang Yunxi’s heart. She looked at Shen Ya, unsure what expression to show. The person who used to be so passive had changed so dramatically after breaking through her constraints. She laughed out of exasperation: “Fine, fine, fine. So what was your motive for doing that?”

“Even though Xiao Xi was out with me, she was constantly worried about you. She has always been afraid to confess our relationship to you, likely because of the misunderstandings we had.” Shen Ya looked at Jiang Yunxi: “I didn’t want her to continue worrying. Since the conflict is between you and me, it should be me who resolves it.”

A hint of admiration flashed in Jiang Yunxi’s eyes, but she quickly put on a stern face and let out a cold snort, “It’s right for her to worry about me. That little brat has been completely corrupted! Did you know about her stealing the wine?”

Shen Ya knew that if she claimed ignorance now, Jiang Yunxi wouldn’t believe her. Observing her reaction, she seemed to discern a contradictory ‘tough outside, soft inside’ feeling. Jiang Yunxi was genuinely angry at Qiao Xi, but she probably wouldn’t do anything harsh to her.

Instead of answering directly, she said: “I already lectured her.”

“Oh?” Jiang Yunxi was intrigued now. “How did you lecture her?” That little brat Qiao Xi was raised by her. She knew better than anyone how good she was at feigning innocence and being sly. Every time Qiao Xi misbehaved and angered her, it gave her a headache. Scolding was useless, hitting was forbidden, and saying anything too serious led to a report to their mother, resulting in her being lectured instead.

“I gave her two taps, pretended to be angry, and told her it must never happen again.”

After thinking through what “two taps” meant, Jiang Yunxi asked: “Did Xiao Xi listen?”

“Yes, at least she hasn’t done anything like that since.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yunxi was initially frustrated, as her own words were ineffective on Qiao Xi, while Shen Ya’s warning was heeded. But looking at it from another perspective, that little brat truly needed a good lesson.

“Alright, go on home.” Jiang Yunxi said, then took out her phone and added Shen Ya to the small group chat she had created on Saturday.

Shen Ya gave her a slight nod, “Goodbye.”

The two got into their respective cars and completely separated at the intersection. Watching Jiang Yunxi’s car merge into traffic, Shen Ya smiled warmly. The obstacle between her and Qiao Xi had completely disappeared.

When she got back, she noticed Jiang Yunxi had added her to what seemed like a family group for the younger generation, but Qiao Xi was not in it. She thought perhaps Jiang Yunxi still planned to probe Qiao Xi’s attitude, which was why she hadn’t included her.

As Shen Ya exited the elevator, she ran into Zhou Ziqian waiting by the door. She wanted to rub her temples. Just how nosy were these two that Zhou Ziqian had managed to find a small stool from somewhere and was sitting in the corridor waiting?

“Aiyoo~ Our Boss Shen has returned in triumph.” Zhou Ziqian, who had been half-asleep, instantly brightened up when she saw Shen Ya and sprang from the stool. She rushed forward, grabbing Shen Ya’s arm, afraid she would run off. She dragged her back into her own apartment, hooking her foot to shut the front door.

Shen Ya was pulled onto the sofa by Zhou Ziqian. Fang Moyao also walked out of the room. She glanced at Shen Ya, then changed direction and walked into the kitchen to get a drink.

After snacks and tea were laid out on the table, Zhou Ziqian grabbed a handful of melon seeds and faced her: “Start talking, Boss Shen.”

Shen Ya picked up the tea on the table and tested its temperature. After confirming it wasn’t too hot, she drank it all. As the teacup landed, her voice sounded: “A peaceful resolution. Nothing you wanted to hear.”

“Expand on that, how peaceful?” Zhou Ziqian didn’t quite believe it: “You and Jiang Yunxi didn’t fight? No tension or insults exchanged? She actually agreed to let you be with Qiao Xi?”

She knew Fang and Zhou thought she and Jiang Yunxi would definitely clash. In fact, she had prepared for such a confrontation before meeting Jiang Yunxi, but ultimately, her latter guess was correct. Jiang Yunxi was an incredibly awkward person, but one who clearly distinguished between love and hate, and never explained herself despite knowing her reputation was poor.

“She loves Xiao Xi very much and is a good sister. What happened between us was just a misunderstanding. Once the misunderstanding was resolved, she naturally wouldn’t stand in the way of Xiao Xi and me.”

“That’s it?” Zhou Ziqian hadn’t even cracked many melon seeds: “That’s all?”

Shen Ya nodded: “We chatted about the past, talked about Xiao Xi, and then finished with a meal.”

“Huh? Jiang Yunxi was that agreeable?” Zhou Ziqian looked at Fang Moyao doubtfully. The smile on Fang Moyao’s face was faint, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Zhou Ziqian felt let down after waiting all night only to hear this news. Shen Ya was not in a rush to leave. She sat in Fang and Zhou’s apartment for a while, briefly telling them about the evening’s dinner, and only left when Qiao Xi messaged her.

…

The next day, at noon.

Shen Ya had just left her workplace when she saw an unexpected person.

“Shen Ya.”

Qin Shuyao was standing outside her office building, wearing a gentle smile and holding a white bag. As Shen Ya approached, she realized she and Qin Shuyao were even similar in height.

Shen Ya gave a slight nod. She and Qin Shuyao merely knew each other and hadn’t interacted. It was genuinely surprising that she had come to find her, but she was certain the other person wanted to talk about Qiao Xi.

“I apologize for coming without prior notice. I hope I haven’t interrupted you?” Qin Shuyao was very polite. “Are you free for lunch? I’d like to treat you and chat about you and Xiao Xi.”

“Yes.”

Qin Shuyao appeared gentle, but as Shen Ya got closer, she detected a sense of aloofness. No wonder Jiang Yunxi had thought she and Qin Shuyao were very similar in the past.

“You’re more familiar with this area. Let’s see what you’d like to eat.”

Qin Shuyao maintained a distance of about half a fist’s width from her—neither too close nor too far. Although she kept smiling, Shen Ya felt that the other person wouldn’t be easily satisfied.

Shen Ya didn’t know much about Qin Shuyao or what she liked to eat, so she could only lead her to a nearby restaurant that suited Qiao Xi’s taste.

It was lunchtime, so all the private rooms were taken, but fortunately, they got a window seat. Although the restaurant was noisy, the commotion seemed to be blocked out from their table.

Scanning the code to order, Qin Shuyao placed her order, and Shen Ya added a few items. Putting her phone down, the gentle-looking Qin Shuyao smiled and uttered the coldest words: “Even if everyone in the family has accepted it, I do not approve.”

This opening caught Shen Ya completely off guard.

“I know your past relationship with Yunxi. I don’t care what happened between you two, but Xiao Xi is my sister. I raised her myself, yet I know nothing about you. I can’t feel at ease, and I cannot entrust her to you.”

Qin Shuyao’s smile remained on her face. It was neither mocking nor disdainful, and it lacked any emotional coloring, seeming more like a habitual expression. “But I know that even my disagreement won’t change anything. If Xiao Xi were to know how I feel, she would be caught in the middle and feel conflicted. Therefore, please convince me before this meal is over.”

“Let me be clear, Yunxi doesn’t know I came today. Let’s keep this a secret between the two of us, alright?”

Faced with Qin Shuyao’s sudden challenge, Shen Ya was completely unprepared. The other person’s tone and mannerisms were polite and gentle, yet she felt an inexplicable pressure.

How was she supposed to convince Qin Shuyao? Verbal promises? Asserting her position? Or recounting everything she and Qiao Xi had experienced?

None of it seemed feasible.

“What if I can’t convince you today?”

Qin Shuyao’s smile deepened, her eyes curving, sparkling with an elusive light: “Life is very long, and Xiao Xi can make many more choices.”

This was a clear threat. Shen Ya furrowed her brow slightly, clenching her hand. Her brain was rapidly trying to figure out what to say to get Qin Shuyao to agree.

Qin Shuyao didn’t speak again before the dishes were served. She occasionally picked up her phone to send messages to someone, but mostly she rested her chin on her hand and observed Shen Ya. The only thing that didn’t change was the smile on her face.

Shen Ya wanted to ask for help, but she was constantly locked in Qin Shuyao’s gaze. She felt as though she had fallen into a mother tiger’s den, with the other party staring intently at her. She had become the villain trying to steal the cub from the mother tiger.

Thinking this, Qiao Xi’s voice seemed to ring in Shen Ya’s ears—a few snippets of conversations Qiao Xi had shared with her about her family. She remembered Qiao Xi telling her that the person who spoiled her the most in the family was not her two mothers, but Qin Shuyao.

Qin Shuyao seemed to have a strong sense of possessiveness over Qiao Xi. Indeed, very much like a mother tiger protecting its cub.

So, after discovering her relationship with Qiao Xi, did the other person believe Qiao Xi would be taken away from them? Could it be that possessiveness was the driving force behind her inability to accept it?

There was no time to confirm the exact answer, but at least this was one angle. She knew too little about Qin Shuyao to think of any other reason.

She had to take a chance.

After all the dishes were served, Qin Shuyao began to eat. She didn’t rush Shen Ya and even commented, “The taste is quite good,” while eating one of the dishes.

Shen Ya nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and put food in her mouth.

After watching Qin Shuyao taste every dish, Shen Ya put down her chopsticks, “My relationship with my family is not close. I’ve always lived alone. With Xiao Xi being with me, she won’t have to face my family, and she can always stay by your side.”

As she spoke, Qin Shuyao also stopped eating. She listened patiently to Shen Ya’s words, her expression unchanged.

“But if Xiao Xi were to be with someone other than me in the future, she might actually leave your side.”

Qin Shuyao nodded: “Is this your answer?”

“Yes.”

Qin Shuyao smiled gracefully, both gentle and elegant. She picked up the white bag beside her, opened it, and pulled out a luxury shopping bag. She moved the bag toward Shen Ya: “Yunxi gave you safety knots yesterday, so this is my welcoming gift.”

Huh?

Did she manage to convince Qin Shuyao?

Shen Ya didn’t move, continuing to wait for Qin Shuyao’s next words.

“Please forgive my earlier rudeness. I was too curious about you, so I resorted to this trick to see your reaction and what you would say to me.” The aloofness around Qin Shuyao suddenly vanished. She held out a hand: “So, let me formally introduce myself. I am Qin Shuyao, one of Qiao Xi’s sisters.”

Qin Shuyao’s rapid shift in demeanor made Shen Ya sigh inwardly. No wonder she hadn’t felt any genuine hostility from Qin Shuyao—the other person had none to begin with. Qiao Xi had two excellent sisters and two mothers who loved her dearly. Now, she, too, could enjoy that family warmth.

Shen Ya reached out and grasped Qin Shuyao’s fingers, then heard Qin Shuyao say: “I hope we can get along well in the future.”

“We will.”

“Oh, and I have one more thing I need your help with.”

Shen Ya asked her: “What is it?”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing major. You can definitely help.” When Qin Shuyao smiled this time, Shen Ya was briefly reminded of Qiao Xi. It was the same mischievous look Qiao Xi had when she had a cunning idea: “Don’t let Fang Moyao get too close to Xiao Xi. That one is trying to steal our child.”

“This…”

“You will help, won’t you?”

Shen Ya was helpless. It looked like Fang Moyao was about to face off against these two sisters. She only wanted to watch from the sidelines and not participate in this “kidnapping war.” Since agreeing wouldn’t hurt, Shen Ya nodded: “Okay.”

“If any problems arise in the future, you can contact me first. Shen Ya, I will be at home with Yunxi and our mothers waiting for you to come back.”

In two consecutive days, Shen Ya received two welcoming gifts. Jiang Yunxi gave her safety knots. Qin Shuyao gave her and Qiao Xi two jade gourds. She temporarily kept them safe, planning to give them to Qiao Xi when she returned on Thursday.

She worked a little overtime tonight and didn’t have time to buy ingredients to make a snack for Qiao Xi and deliver it. Zhou Ziqian wasn’t waiting for her outside tonight. The door to 502 was tightly shut, suggesting the two might not be home. This suited her perfectly; she was ready for a peaceful evening and planned to order takeout.

She had just entered her house and changed her shoes, and before she even reached the living room, the door opened again, and Qiao Xi flew into her arms like a beam of light.

“Teacher Shen!” Qiao Xi hugged Shen Ya, rubbing her head hard, as if a little dog had seen its owner, unable to let go: “Teacher Shen, can you let me stay tonight?”

Shen Ya held Qiao Xi with one arm and used the other hand to turn on the light switch: “Not going back to the dorm tonight?”

“Nope.” Afraid Shen Ya would refuse and lecture her, Qiao Xi lifted her head with a pitiful expression, trying to use cuteness to get away with it: “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Teacher Shen.”

“Is that so?” Shen Ya poked her cheek: “We slept in the same bed on Sunday, and I even left a kiss on your face before I left yesterday morning.”

“That doesn’t count!” Qiao Xi whined: “I haven’t seen Teacher Shen for two days and one night! And tomorrow I have to face my two sisters. This is going to be a tough battle. Can’t Teacher Shen comfort me?”

Shen Ya realized that Qiao Xi just wanted to act spoiled and cling to her. She was such a little rascal, and her persistence made her helpless. The little rascal didn’t know that her two sisters had already agreed, so Shen Ya pretended nothing had happened.

Shen Ya pinched Qiao Xi’s cheek again: “Then I’ll let you stay if you’re obedient, otherwise I’ll have to send you back to the dorm.”

“I’ll be obedient! I definitely will!” To prove herself, she actively leaned in and kissed Shen Ya’s lips, kissing and licking like a puppy. After moving away, she smiled contentedly: “Teacher Shen, after I explain things clearly to my sisters tomorrow, let’s go home this weekend.”

“Okay.” Shen Ya stroked her head: “Whatever you want.”