Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Eavesdropper

Faced with such warmth, Shen Ya merely nodded slightly. She and Qiao Xi had only met once, so they were certainly not familiar.

The serious conversation that had been taking place was injected with sudden vitality when Qiao Xi entered, and the atmosphere was no longer heavy. Despite Shen Ya’s indifference, Qiao Xi’s smile didn’t waver. Her eyes had already secretly darted back and forth between Jiang Yunxi and Shen Ya.

Qiao Xi pulled out the chair situated between Shen Ya and Jiang Yunxi, sat down, took off her bag, and handed it to Jiang Yunxi: “I was just buying books nearby, and I happened to see my sister’s car, so I guessed my sister might be eating here. I didn’t expect that calling with my sister’s phone number would actually get me brought in.”

Jiang Yunxi moved a set of chopsticks and a bowl toward Qiao Xi and checked her for any dampness from the rain. Seeing the hem of her clothes was slightly wet, she took off Qiao Xi’s jacket and draped her own clothing over Qiao Xi: “Why isn’t Shuyao with you?”

“Sister had an urgent matter, so she’s not with me.” In between her words, Qiao Xi glanced at the bowls of Jiang Yunxi and Shen Ya. Only after confirming that both of them had started eating did she pick up her chopsticks and put a piece of food in her mouth.

Qiao Xi didn’t ignore Shen Ya next to her. After finishing her conversation with Jiang Yunxi and swallowing her food, she turned her head to stare at Shen Ya. She wasn’t familiar with her; their single previous encounter was under rather unusual circumstances. Today, the accidental discovery of her elder sister and “Teacher Shen” meeting alone sparked a quiet sense of gossip in her heart.

Shen Ya was beautiful—a look that Qiao Xi found impossible to forget with just one glance. She used the simplest hair tie to pull her long black hair into a low ponytail. She had thin lips and light brows. Although her eyelashes were long, she hadn’t intentionally curled them. Her eyelids drooped slightly, and her lips seemed to only have a simple layer of lip balm.

The woman naturally exuded an air of detachment. Even sitting this close, Qiao Xi felt there was an insurmountable abyss separating her from Shen Ya. Although the black clothes wrapped her tightly, her delicate features, carved as if by a master craftsman, added a sense of aloofness, solitude, and mystery.

Qiao Xi was so captivated by Shen Ya’s demeanor that she forgot to restrain her blatant staring. It wasn’t until Shen Ya suddenly stood up and glanced askance at her that Qiao Xi realized her offense. She quickly withdrew her gaze and put down her chopsticks: “I’m really sorry. Did I interrupt you and Teacher Shen, Sister?”

“No,” Jiang Yunxi reached out and patted the back of Qiao Xi’s head. “We were just chatting casually. Xiao Xi, you haven’t interrupted us.”

But Shen Ya’s coldness made Qiao Xi sense that something was amiss. She didn’t know what Doctor Jiang and Teacher Shen had been discussing before she walked in, but based on the current atmosphere, they might have been discussing something serious. It seemed she had caused trouble for both of them.

While Qiao Xi was considering how to apologize and find an excuse to leave the dinner, Shen Ya pulled back her chair and picked up her bag, leaving with the statement: “I’m going to the restroom.”

Her voice was like a trickling stream in the forest—first, a rush of cool air, but upon careful reflection, one could detect the gentleness hidden beneath the coolness.

Qiao Xi watched Shen Ya’s receding back. Although the woman’s back was straight, she radiated an indescribable sense of loneliness, which Qiao Xi found unsettling. But if Shen Ya truly felt she had interrupted the meal, why did she deliberately adjust her tone just now, trying to appear gentle?

Shen Ya had left, and after closing the door, her footsteps couldn’t be heard. Qiao Xi turned her head, still pondering everything about Shen Ya, but upon seeing the mound of food piled in her bowl, she immediately pulled back all her thoughts.

She picked up her chopsticks and put the peeled shrimp in her bowl into her mouth. Before swallowing the food, she casually asked, “Was Doctor Jiang just talking about work with Teacher Shen?”

“No, just casual conversation.”

“Oh.” Qiao Xi didn’t press the matter. She knew her sister meant she had no intention of telling her. Therefore, she quickly changed the subject: “It’s raining so heavily outside. I was just thinking that if I couldn’t get a taxi, I would call Doctor Jiang.”

The shrimp in her bowl was finished. Qiao Xi picked up another piece of fish. Just as she was about to put it in her mouth, her hand shook, and the fish fell onto her light-colored pants. The fish sauce left a mark. Qiao Xi let out a small gasp of annoyance. Jiang Yunxi had already grabbed a wet wipe to clean the stained area.

“I’m sorry, Doctor Jiang. I didn’t hold it properly.”

Jiang Yunxi smiled softly, her eyes full of indescribable tenderness and kindness: “Why are you being so formal with your sister? Are you up to some mischief again?”

“Sister, you’re wronging me.” Qiao Xi put on an innocent expression. Seeing that the pants still had sauce on them, she pulled out a few paper towels and said to Jiang Yunxi: “I’ll go to the restroom to wash this out.”

Jiang Yunxi held her hand: “I’ll go with you.”

“No, no need,” Qiao Xi quickly waved her hands. “If both of us leave, it would be so awkward if Teacher Shen came back and didn’t see us.”

Qiao Xi didn’t give Jiang Yunxi a chance to refuse. She jumped up from the chair like a little rabbit and quickly ran out of sight.

She had been to this restaurant more than once and could find the restroom without asking a server. As she approached, she saw a tall, slender figure leaning against the white wall by the door.

Shen Ya was holding her bag with both hands, the back of her head against the wall. Her chin was slightly raised. Although she was looking at the ceiling, her gaze wasn’t focused.

“Teacher Shen?” Qiao Xi raised her hand and waved it in front of Shen Ya: “Teacher Shen??”

Shen Ya’s gaze gradually focused. Recalled to awareness by Qiao Xi’s voice, she quickly concealed all her emotions, returning to the indifferent appearance she had in the private room.

Shen Ya gave Qiao Xi a polite nod, not intending to exchange pleasantries, and started walking back, bypassing Qiao Xi. Just as she passed by, her wrist was grabbed. She immediately frowned and tried to pull her hand away. The touch of an outsider made her uncomfortable, and she felt offended by Qiao Xi’s action. She wanted to say something, but considering Qiao Xi was Jiang Yunxi’s sister, the words got stuck in her throat and she couldn’t actually utter them.

“Teacher Shen.” Qiao Xi only held Shen Ya for two seconds before letting go. She then took a step back, widening the distance between them. She grabbed the hem of her clothes with both hands, her eyes slowly and cautiously moving upward until they met Shen Ya’s gaze, where she flashed a harmless smile.

Shen Ya was initially going to ignore her, but seeing Qiao Xi’s restrained and shy demeanor, she sighed inwardly and asked, “What is it?”

Receiving Shen Ya’s response, Qiao Xi’s smile deepened. But seeing Shen Ya’s tightly furrowed brow, she immediately pointed to her pants and said: “Oh… my, my pants are dirty. I wanted to come and wash them.”

Shen Ya’s gaze followed Qiao Xi’s fingertip down. After seeing the obvious grease stain, she uttered a faint, soft “Mm,” like an “Read and Noted” mark on a student’s homework.

“Anything else?” Shen Ya asked.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Qiao Xi seemed afraid Shen Ya would run off. She took a deep breath, bent down, and seriously stated: “I’m sorry, Teacher Shen. I interrupted your meal with my sister. Please don’t be mad.”

“Hm?”

Qiao Xi straightened up and took half a step forward. She observed Shen Ya’s expression and, seeing no resistance, moved another half step: “I didn’t bother you two, did I?”

“No.”

“Teacher Shen, you don’t have to feel awkward. After all, I was the uninvited guest. If you and my sister still have things to talk about, I’ll go browse the bookstore next door again and come back after you finish eating.”

“No need.” Shen Ya held her bag with one hand, letting it hang by her right side. “Your sister and I had nothing further to discuss.”

Qiao Xi naturally didn’t believe Shen Ya’s words. She didn’t know Shen Ya, but she knew her sister. Her Doctor Jiang had many friends, but only a handful she would meet alone for a chat and a meal, and Shen Ya wasn’t usually among them.

She was certain there was a secret between her sister and Shen Ya. Recalling that accidental encounter long ago, the memory was still fresh. Since she couldn’t get any useful information from either Shen Ya or her sister for the time being, she could only let it go.

Qiao Xi reached into her pants pocket. She rummaged inside: “Even so, I caused trouble for Teacher Shen.” As she spoke, she boldly took Shen Ya’s left wrist and placed the item she found in her pocket into Shen Ya’s palm.

A piece of candy appeared in Shen Ya’s hand. Qiao Xi’s voice rang out again: “This candy is really delicious. Consider it my apology for today’s intrusion. Teacher Shen, you must accept it.”

Shen Ya stared at the candy, neither responding nor moving, as if the candy were some strange object that she momentarily didn’t know how to handle.

While Shen Ya was momentarily stunned, Qiao Xi pressed Shen Ya’s fingertips back, ensuring she held the candy tightly. Having done all this, Qiao Xi took two steps back and said cheerfully and cheekily: “There! I’ll take that as Teacher Shen accepting it. Since you’ve accepted the candy, you can’t be unhappy anymore.”

Afraid Shen Ya would change her mind, Qiao Xi immediately turned and ran toward the restroom.

Just as she stepped through the restroom door, a voice suddenly sounded from behind her: “If the grease stain on your pants won’t wash out, soak it in dish soap when you get back.”

Qiao Xi stopped and turned around. Shen Ya had already turned and left. Her figure quickly disappeared around the corner, leaving only a faint, clean scent lingering in the air.

Qiao Xi smiled, murmuring softly: “Thank you, Teacher Shen.”

She wasn’t in a rush to return, hoping to give Shen Ya and Jiang Yunxi more time to talk. So, she slowly cleaned her pants. The grease stain couldn’t be removed with water alone, so Qiao Xi didn’t force it. After washing her hands, she wandered around the restaurant’s small garden.

Seeing her alone, a server kindly brought her tea and complimentary snacks.

After drinking the tea and enjoying the scenery, Qiao Xi decided enough time had passed and walked back toward the private room.

She wondered what exactly Shen Ya and her sister were discussing and whether it had been resolved satisfactorily. She reached the door, first pressing her ear against it. Hearing no movement inside, she gently knocked.

A few seconds later, she pushed the door open. To her surprise, only Jiang Yunxi was seated inside. Shen Ya was nowhere to be found.

Qiao Xi rushed toward Jiang Yunxi, staring at the empty setting, and asked, “Has… has Teacher Shen not come back?”

“Something urgent came up, and she’s already left,” Jiang Yunxi paid no mind to Shen Ya’s departure, instead frowning as she questioned Qiao Xi: “But Xiao Xi, why were you gone for so long?”

Qiao Xi only registered the first half of Jiang Yunxi’s statement. She looked at the seat Shen Ya had occupied, her expression confused and stunned. The woman left without even eating her meal? Did the candy she gave truly convey her apology to Shen Ya’s heart?