Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: The Sunny Day

The weather was fair and the sun was bright.

Qiao Xi felt that even the words in her textbook had become adorable today. Everything she saw felt beautiful, everything she heard felt delightful. Even when Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian teased her, she could accept it with a cheerful smile.

Since it was Friday and there was no dorm check, Qiao Xi didn’t need to explain why she wasn’t returning to school. She had already told her mothers that she was bringing Shen Ya home for the weekend. Jiang Zhiqing and Qin Yunxin knew this was a formal meeting. To make it a lively occasion and to show Shen Ya their sincerity about the meeting, they had invited the Fang family to join them for dinner.

Even though Qiao Xi told Shen Ya not to bring anything when visiting, Shen Ya insisted on buying gifts. She hoped this meeting would lead to everyone accepting her from the bottom of their hearts.

For this reason, she didn’t allow Qiao Xi to accompany her and went out alone to the mall on Friday evening. Qiao Xi originally planned to wait for Shen Ya at home, but unfortunately, she was whisked away by her two sisters.

Shen Ya hoped that this time, she would bravely step into the light on her own.

Qiao Xi, who had been taken back to her mothers’ home, sat in her room, staring at her two sisters, who were staring back at her. Knowing that her sisters had played a trick on her earlier, her previous worry had completely vanished.

With her own relationship issue sorted out, Qiao Xi noticed a problem between her sisters and her mothers. The two sisters sat in her room for a long time, talking about trivial things. Qiao Xi let out a smiling “hmm-hmm.” She lifted her head, sounding a little smug: “I just saw it. The mothers haven’t completely accepted your relationship yet, have they?”

Jiang Yunxi cleared her throat but didn’t answer.

Qin Shuyao was still holding Jiang Yunxi’s hand, smiling as she played with her fingers.

“Oh~ I get it now.” Qiao Xi crossed her arms, acting like a little adult: “The sisters and Doctor Jiang came to sit with me for so long because you want me to speak favorably to the mothers.”

Jiang Yunxi cleared her throat again, “Yes.”

Now that Qiao Xi had the support of the mothers, she was fearless. She remembered how her sisters had tricked her on Wednesday. This was a rare opportunity, and she felt she needed to give her sisters a hard time.

The moment before, she was still smiling, but she instantly changed her expression. She put on a look of being traumatized by her sisters, clutching her chest and trying hard to squeeze out a few tears: “The sisters scared me so badly on Wednesday. I still haven’t recovered.”

Qin Shuyao and Jiang Yunxi heard this and knew instantly what Qiao Xi was scheming. They were prepared. Qin Shuyao interrupted her: “What do you want, Xiao Xi? We’ll buy it for you. Can you forgive your sisters then?”

“Not enough.” All of Qiao Xi’s little tricks were being used on her sisters. She said, “I know Doctor Jiang had a misunderstanding with Teacher Shen before. Although Teacher Shen said you’ve cleared things up, I’m still uneasy. I hope Doctor Jiang has truly accepted Teacher Shen.”

Jiang Yunxi let out a soft “tsk,” too lazy to explain. If she hadn’t accepted Shen Ya, would she have wasted money buying her a gift? Qiao Xi was truly a little ingrate. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes and suddenly felt like pinching Qiao Xi’s cheek.

Seeing Jiang Yunxi’s expression, Qiao Xi knew the answer. She simply wanted a word of affirmation from Jiang Yunxi. “I understand. I’ll go and persuade the mothers to accept the sisters’ relationship.”

“Good girl.” Qin Shuyao let go of Jiang Yunxi’s hand. She stood up, walked over to Qiao Xi, hugged her, and rubbed her head: “Shen Ya is one of us. Of course, we accept her. Tomorrow, everyone in the family, including Yunxi and me, will welcome her arrival.”

…

The next day was still a bright, sunny day.

Qiao Xi woke up early and came out of her room. The house was quiet. Her mothers hadn’t woken up yet, and her sisters hadn’t fully woken up either. She had just sent a message to Shen Ya, but the other party hadn’t replied.

Even though Shen Ya was the one visiting, Qiao Xi was more nervous than she was.

Qiao Xi was restless, eventually fixing her gaze on Pangpang. Pangpang, still half-asleep, was dragged out of its dog bed by Qiao Xi and forcibly put into its harness. Pangpang yawned, lacking enthusiasm, but was still dragged out of the house by Qiao Xi.

Pangpang hadn’t had enough sleep. It walked slowly outside, as if walking on clouds. To calm herself down, Qiao Xi took Pangpang for a slow run around the neighborhood. If one lap didn’t work, she’d run two; if two didn’t work, she’d run several more.

The run woke Pangpang up, and the exhaustion briefly diverted Qiao Xi’s attention. When she first left the house, it was deserted, with even dew hanging on the leaves.

When she finally calmed down and decided to go home, more people were out in the neighborhood. She walked Pangpang towards the house, and just as they reached the door, she saw a familiar car.

Her eyes lit up. Her newly calmed heart began beating wildly again. Qiao Xi unbuckled Pangpang’s harness and, without waiting for Pangpang to enter the house, rushed inside first.

The sound of conversation in the living room quickly reached her ears. She didn’t manage to soften her footsteps, so when she appeared, the people on the sofa simultaneously turned to look at her.

Shen Ya’s lips curved into a faint arc. Her eyes seemed to hold an entire galaxy of stars. As she lifted her eyelids, the fragmented light transformed into a long corridor leading towards her, guiding Qiao Xi forward.

Qiao Xi’s eyes only saw her moon. It had only been one night, yet it felt like an eternity. Reaching Shen Ya, she bent down, leaned towards her, and carefully kissed the soft moonlight.

Shen Ya hadn’t expected Qiao Xi to be so bold, even daring to make such a gesture in front of the elders. She was slightly embarrassed, so she gently pulled Qiao Xi away and pressed her to sit beside her.

“Xiao Xi.” She tried to call back Qiao Xi’s reason. Seeing Qiao Xi still staring intently at her, Shen Ya felt helpless. She patted Qiao Xi’s hand and called out again: “Xiao Xi, your aunts are watching.”

“Huh?” Qiao Xi blinked. Her awareness returned, and the surrounding sounds came back to her. She finally noticed the two mothers sitting nearby. “Uh…”

The two mothers had suggestive looks in their eyes, their smiles teasing her enthusiasm.

“Young love is just so sweet,” Qin Yunxin gave Jiang Zhiqing a look: “Just watching them makes me feel young again.”

“Mommy, you are still young.” Qiao Xi wasn’t afraid of her mothers teasing her. She was just like this, used to being spoiled at home, so she didn’t feel self-conscious about looping her arm through Shen Ya’s.

“I’ll go see if your two sisters are awake. Let’s go out for some morning tea.” Jiang Zhiqing stood up to head upstairs, while Qin Yunxin remained in the living room.

Qiao Xi leaned into Shen Ya’s ear and whispered: “When did Teacher Shen arrive?”

“Just now.” Shen Ya looked down at Qiao Xi. She could see sweat beads on Qiao Xi. With the elders nearby, she felt somewhat constrained. She whispered: “You’re sweating a lot. Do you want to go upstairs and change?”

“I want Teacher Shen to come with me.”

Believing she was speaking quietly, everything was actually overheard by Qin Yunxin. She waved her hand and said: “Go on, go on. You can come down later when Mommy messages you.”

Qiao Xi tugged on Shen Ya’s arm. Shen Ya nodded and said to Qin Yunxin: “Then, Auntie, I’ll go up with Xiao Xi first.”

The two stood up simultaneously. Qiao Xi noticed the items stacked on the coffee table. She knew immediately that these were the gifts Shen Ya had bought for her mothers. With just a quick glance, she spotted the brand of tea her mother loved placed in the most prominent position.

Who did Shen Ya ask to buy such thoughtful gifts?

Qiao Xi pulled Shen Ya into the small home elevator. Only when they were completely out of the elders’ sight did Shen Ya finally relax slightly.

“I thought Teacher Shen would only arrive tonight.”

“Arriving only tonight would be too impolite.” Shen Ya still held Qiao Xi’s hand. She asked: “Why are you sweating so much from walking the dog?”

“Because I ran several laps with Pangpang.”

The elevator door opened. Qiao Xi turned and pulled Shen Ya: “Teacher Shen, come, I’ll show you my bedroom.”

Qiao Xi’s room was in the middle. Pushing open the creamy-white door, the first thing visible was a U-shaped wall holding decorations and some books. To the right was the sleeping area, and to the left was the bathroom and walk-in closet.

“When I was little, I rarely slept in my own room. I mostly slept with my sisters. I only returned to my room after my sisters went to school and rarely came back.”

Qiao Xi turned right into the sleeping area. There was another door nearby. She said: “That’s a small study. Teacher Shen, please sit down. I’ll go find clothes.”

There was a single-seater sofa by the window. After settling Shen Ya down, Qiao Xi went back to the closet to find clothes. Her body felt sticky from the sweat, so she detoured into the bathroom for a quick shower before coming out.

Shen Ya was sitting by the window, with light shining on her. When Qiao Xi returned, she saw Shen Ya surrounded by a faint halo, beautiful like a celestial fairy.

“Teacher Shen.”

She quickly went to Shen Ya. Having not seen her for one night, she missed her physically and mentally. Qiao Xi straddled Shen Ya’s lap, wrapped her arms around her neck, and leaned in for a kiss.

Fresh from the shower, she smelled completely of refreshing citrus. Shen Ya wrapped her arms around Qiao Xi’s waist, first kissing slowly, then extending her tongue to enter Qiao Xi’s mouth and intertwine with her.

The sounds of their kisses filled the air around them. When Qiao Xi started to hold her breath again, Shen Ya released her mouth and teased: “After all this time, you still haven’t learned how to kiss.”

Qiao Xi’s face was slightly flushed. She definitely wouldn’t admit she was clumsy. “That’s because Teacher Shen hasn’t taught me well.”

“You’re right, it’s my fault.” Shen Ya kissed her again: “Then every day from now on, I will try to give Xiao Xi a few more lessons so you can learn quickly.”

“Teacher Shen, you…” How did you become so naughty? Qiao Xi pretended to resist with her words, but her heart was blooming with joy. If she could kiss Shen Ya every day, she would be ecstatic. “Then, Teacher Shen, are you going to stay the night?”

Shen Ya nodded under Qiao Xi’s expectant gaze.

Qiao Xi was overjoyed. She gave Shen Ya a smacking kiss on the cheek: “Then I’ll tell the mothers later.”

“No need. When I just arrived, your mother already invited me to stay for these two days.”

“Then it seems my mother really likes Teacher Shen!” Qiao Xi thought of the gifts on the coffee table: “Who did Teacher Shen ask to find out what the mothers like?”

“Your sister, Qin Shuyao.”

“Oh.”

“Since meeting with her alone, my communication with her has increased these past few days. She cares about you a lot, so we talked extensively about you.”

“My sister is a good person. Even though she’s a little possessive of me, she’s actually gentle, just like Teacher Shen.” Qiao Xi leaned close to Shen Ya’s ear. Even though they were the only two in the room, she spoke secretly like a thief with a guilty conscience: “Their relationship hasn’t been recognized by the mothers yet. Last night, the sisters even asked me for help, hoping I could persuade the mothers.”

“And can you do it?”

“Of course.” Qiao Xi gave a triumphant smile: “I have my clever ways.”

Every time Shen Ya saw Qiao Xi show that assertive, confident smile, she couldn’t help but pinch her cheeks. This time, she pinched both cheeks, forcing Qiao Xi to grin foolishly at her.

Qiao Xi had thought the Fang family would also arrive in the afternoon, but her family seemed to value Shen Ya more than she thought. While she and Shen Ya were cuddling and kissing, Fang Moyao and Zhou Ziqian’s family also arrived.

Qiao Xi received the news that the Fang family had arrived, and Zhou Ziqian and Fang Moyao were already heading upstairs. She pulled Shen Ya out to the door. The moment Zhou Ziqian rounded a corner and poked her head out, a familiar teasing voice echoed down the entire corridor:

“Aiyoo, what lovely little couple is this, so sweet? Sister Yaoyao and I haven’t interrupted your good time, have we?”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Qiao Xi retorted.

Zhou Ziqian simply shrugged: “I didn’t say anything. Why is Sister Xiao Xi so nervous?”

Shen Ya and Fang Moyao nodded at each other in greeting.

Perhaps the commotion was too loud. Jiang Yunxi’s bedroom door soon opened. She peeked out, and when she saw Fang Moyao, her face instantly darkened. She gritted her teeth and called out: “Fang Moyao, you actually dared to come!”

Fang Moyao stood behind Zhou Ziqian, smiling like a thousand-year-old cunning fox: “Does Little CEO Jiang have any instruction for me?”

“I haven’t settled the matter of you misleading Xiao Xi into stealing wine yet!”

“What are you talking about, Little CEO Jiang? I’m genuinely confused.” Fang Moyao covered her mouth and chuckled softly: “Xiao Xi volunteered to compensate me with a bottle of wine. How can that be considered misleading?”

“You dare to say that!” Jiang Yunxi rolled up her sleeves, wanting to go back to her room to grab a paddle and give Fang Moyao a beating.

“Hmm? So lively.” Qin Shuyao walked out from behind Jiang Yunxi: “Everyone is here so early.”

Qin Shuyao wasn’t very familiar with Fang Moyao and Zhou Ziqian, but she was always very concerned about these two trying to steal her sister. She silently walked up behind Qiao Xi, putting an arm around Qiao Xi’s shoulder, as if silently asserting her claim.

Zhou Ziqian felt a hand rubbing her waist. She then changed her target to Qin Shuyao: “Little CEO Qin, I’ve heard so much about you. We’re here today to celebrate our little sister and sister-in-law. Come here, Little Sister Xiao Xi, your sister-in-law has a gift for you.”

Zhou Ziqian sounded exactly like a fox trying to lure a child. Not only did Qin Shuyao refuse to let go, but Qiao Xi herself clung tightly to Shen Ya’s arm, afraid to move over.

“Xiao Xi is not lacking in gifts. No need for Little CEO Zhou to spend money.”

The group was still engaged in this childish verbal sparring, completely unaware that the elevator had stopped on their floor once more.

Jiang Yunyi, holding a black handbag, approached from behind Fang Moyao with a serious expression: “Everyone’s here. Why are you still standing around?”

She didn’t know what had happened earlier, she was just delivering a message: “The elders asked me to come up and tell you to tidy up and come downstairs. We’re heading out.”

Qiao Xi was already hungry. She walked ahead, holding Shen Ya’s arm. Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyao followed closely behind, their fingers intertwined.

Zhou Ziqian wrapped her arm around Fang Moyao’s waist and loudly shouted: “Family dinner, gogogo! Let’s go!”

— End of Main Story —