Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: A Secret Plan

Qiao Xi always inadvertently conveyed goodwill to her. Shen Ya had never had close friends, and she only maintained a nodding acquaintance with colleagues. Even within the blank space of her life, she didn’t feel integrated into any group. Yet now, from a girl much younger than her, she learned the meaning of friendship.

Even though Qiao Xi claimed the meal would be billed to Xia Cong’an, Shen Ya still couldn’t bring herself to accept the free meal. She proactively asked for the price to pay, but the waiter recognized Qiao Xi and wouldn’t let her pay.

Since she couldn’t pay, Shen Ya ultimately felt she owed something. However, Qiao Xi seemed to sense her discomfort and offered a step down: “Then, Teacher Shen, you can treat me to something else next time. I have lots of other foods I want to try.”

Shen Ya thought this might be Qiao Xi’s excuse to ensure they met again. But regardless of whether the other party provided the excuse, Shen Ya knew she wasn’t resistant to Qiao Xi’s contact.

She saw Qiao Xi into the car. The girl, just like before, rolled down the window before the car started, leaning out halfway with one hand waving: “See you next time, Teacher Shen!” Her hand was a blur of motion under the neon lights, and her bright smile sent Shen Ya the last bit of warmth for the day.

Shen Ya held her bag with both hands, a slight curve appearing on her lips. She nodded gently to Qiao Xi, watching the car drive forward until Qiao Xi’s smiling face melted into the night.

Only when the car Qiao Xi was in disappeared at the end of the road did Shen Ya turn and walk back towards the apartment.

The Lunar New Year was approaching, and the streets and alleys were festively decorated. In previous years, Shen Ya always stayed home and rarely went out for the holidays. The festival was merely an extra few days off for her. She had never experienced the joy of the New Year growing up, and this year would probably be no exception.

Returning home alone, coldness and solitude consumed her body and mind again. She sat on the sofa, and only then did she remember that she had forgotten to give Qiao Xi’s clothes back again.

Shen Ya rested against the sofa. She opened her eyes when her phone, placed on the coffee table, vibrated. She picked up the phone, tapped on the unread message, and seeing the message from Qiao Xi, the sense of loneliness was gently swept away again.

【Teacher Shen, traffic jam, so many people. Crying puppy.jpg】

Shen Ya was about to reply to Qiao Xi when a call suddenly popped up on the screen. Before she could react, her finger accidentally hit the answer button.

An anxious yet impatient female voice came from the phone: “Why hasn’t your sister returned yet?”

Shen Ya replied without thinking: “What does her return have to do with me?”

Hearing this, Shen Qiuyu’s tone changed. Her words were laced with fury, starting with curses and accusing Shen Ya of carelessness, demanding why she hadn’t sent Chen Xi home so late.

Shen Ya was tired of these words. Even as Shen Qiuyu talked non-stop, Shen Ya found a pause and retorted coldly: “Even the mother doesn’t care, so what’s the use of telling me?”

“Are you an animal, Shen Ya! She’s your sister!” Shen Qiuyu was so angry that her breathing became labored.

“She’s not with me. As for where she went, you’re so capable, so find her yourself.” With that, Shen Ya decisively hung up the phone and threw it under a small cushion on the sofa. She stood up, ignoring the phone’s vibrations, and walked upstairs to find clothes for a shower.

The phone screen, abandoned on the sofa, switched from bright to dark and back repeatedly until the person on the other side realized Shen Ya truly had no intention of answering and stopped calling.

…

Qiao Xi sat in the commercial car. The warm air inside made her comfortable and sleepy. She had been stuck in traffic for about twenty minutes, looking at the bright lights outside and yawning one after another.

The message she sent to Shen Ya sank into the sea again. She realized that as long as they weren’t communicating face-to-face, Shen Ya was like fine sand in her hand, ready to slip away at any time.

After interacting a few times, Qiao Xi was slowly getting a grasp of Shen Ya’s temper. The other woman was indeed gentle, but coldness and distance were the norm most of the time. Enthusiasm couldn’t be maintained for long, especially when separated by the internet. Shen Ya was like a hand warmer that had run out of battery, leaving nothing but coldness.

But it was this very side of Shen Ya that made her want to get closer. Chen Xi’s words today gave Qiao Xi a piece of information: Shen Ya probably wouldn’t go home on New Year’s Eve. That meant she might be celebrating alone. An idea was slowly forming in Qiao Xi’s mind.

She changed her destination, so after passing the intersection, the driver turned the steering wheel and took another road. Qiao Xi also called Jiang Yunxi, informing her that she would be going straight back to her mothers’ house tonight.

When she arrived at the complex entrance, Qiao Xi bought a box of cherries from the fruit shop. Her two mothers were definitely not asleep at this hour. Arriving at the door, she saw the lights still on downstairs.

“Mama! Mummy!”

Qiao Xi’s voice startled the two elders who were watching an old movie on the sofa. The sound of the TV stopped immediately. Qin Yunxin’s face broke into a surprised yet gentle smile upon seeing Qiao Xi. She waved at Qiao Xi and said, “Our Xiao Xi is back! Come here quickly.”

Jiang Zhiqing peered behind Qiao Xi. Not seeing the other two, she asked, “Where are Yunxi and Shuyue? Didn’t they come back with you?”

“No. I was out with friends today, and I thought I’d come back early to keep Mama company.” Qiao Xi placed the cherries on the coffee table and was pulled by Qin Yunxin to sit between them. “I just passed the fruit shop near home. I remembered Mama saying she wanted cherries a couple of days ago, so I bought some.”

The two mothers couldn’t stop smiling after seeing Qiao Xi. Qin Yunxin took one of her hands and felt it, making sure it wasn’t cold before saying, “Our Xiao Xi is the best. We bought cherries two days ago, but since these are from Xiao Xi, we’ll eat this box first.”

Jiang Zhiqing picked up the bag and stood up, asking, “Did you eat dinner?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Zhiqing rubbed her head: “Then Mama will wash some fruit for you to eat.”

Although the two mothers were not young, regular exercise and skincare made them look younger than their age. They had youthful mindsets and were much healthier than their peers. Qiao Xi was affectionate and loved sticking to her two mothers. At the moment, she was already hugging Qin Yunxin’s arm and wouldn’t let go.

“Mummy, are we having New Year’s Eve dinner at home or at Big Mama’s place the day after tomorrow?”

“Your Big Mama has already reserved a restaurant. We’ll go out to eat then,” Qin Yunxin asked her: “Do you have something in mind, Xiao Xi?”

“No, no. I was just wondering if I could go out with my friends after dinner?” Qiao Xi rested her head on Qin Yunxin’s shoulder: “Mummy, I already told my classmates. This is the last Lunar New Year of high school.”

A soft chuckle came from Qin Yunxin’s nose. She tapped Qiao Xi’s nose: “No wonder you came back today. You wanted to convince your mother and me first, right?”

With her little secret exposed, Qiao Xi didn’t try to hide it. She replied with a smile: “Of course, I must ask for my mothers’ permission first.”

“You can go out and play, but no sleeping over outside. It’s the New Year, and it’s not safe with so many people around.”

“I know. I definitely won’t stay out too late.” With her mother’s permission, her plan could finally be put into action.

Jiang Zhiqing returned with a plate of fruit. Seeing the mother and daughter chatting and laughing, she placed the fruit plate in Qiao Xi’s hands and asked, “What are you talking about?”

“Xiao Xi wants to go out with her classmates after dinner on New Year’s Eve,” Qin Yunxin explained to Jiang Zhiqing.

“Then go, but be very careful. If you encounter danger, contact your mother and me immediately. If you come back too late, I’ll have Yunxi and Shuyue pick you up. Oh, by the way, your mother and I bought you new clothes. They’re in your room. Try them on tomorrow and pick one you like to wear for the New Year.”

“Thank you, Mama, Mummy.” Qiao Xi hugged Jiang Zhiqing like a little bear: “I love Mama and Mummy the most.”

Qiao Xi was like candied fruit; anyone who held her in their mouth would feel sweetness in their heart. The two mothers always spoiled Qiao Xi. Among the three sisters, Jiang Yunxi was mature and steady since childhood and didn’t cause them worry. Qin Shuyue was confident and proud, constantly following Jiang Yunxi’s lead, trying to be a good elder sister. Only Qiao Xi was adorable and clever, loving to fawn over them since she was little, always keeping the whole family happy.

Qiao Xi nestled between her two mothers all night, accompanying them until late when her mothers finally sent her back to her room to sleep.

…

The next morning, Qiao Xi still hadn’t received a reply from Shen Ya. She didn’t know what the other woman was doing. She wanted to ask but was afraid of disturbing her. However, it didn’t matter. She would always find a chance to see Shen Ya. She decided that next time they met, she must improve her relationship with Shen Ya, at least enough to get a reply when sending messages via phone.

Qiao Xi slept in until noon when she was finally woken up by Qin Shuyue. It seemed her two older sisters had arrived at her mothers’ house. After lunch, Qin Shuyue and Jiang Yunxi were in the backyard looking at the fish. Qiao Xi quietly walked behind them and simultaneously wrapped her arms around their waists: “Dr. Jiang, Sister.”

“Why did you come out? It’s cold outside.” Qin Shuyue took her hand and tucked it into her own coat pocket. Jiang Yunxi gently patted her head.

“I have something I want to talk to you about, Sisters.”

Both turned their heads to look at her. Faced with such pressure, Qiao Xi remained composed, smiling as she looked at the fish in the water: “I want to go out tomorrow night after dinner.”

“No.” Jiang Yunxi refused without thinking: “It’s crowded outside. It’s not safe for you to go out alone.”

Qiao Xi had never gone out alone at night during the New Year. If Qiao Xi wanted them to go out together, they would agree without a second thought, but they genuinely worried about her going out by herself.

“Mama and Mummy have already agreed,” Qiao Xi said innocently, but Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyue knew her too well and saw her little fox tail.

Jiang Yunxi choked up, raising her hand to lightly tap Qiao Xi’s backside. She was helpless and slightly annoyed. Knowing Qiao Xi’s subtle ploy, she could only change her stance and agree.

Qin Shuyue, however, was as gentle as ever, simply reminding her: “Then don’t come back too late, or Yunxi and I will come pick you up.”

Successfully “convincing” her two sisters, a huge weight was finally lifted from Qiao Xi’s mind. She found a random excuse to leave the house and headed straight for the restaurant she and her mothers often visited.

Qiao Xi knew it was too late to book a New Year’s Eve dinner reservation now, but luckily, her mother was acquainted with the owner. She fabricated an excuse, simply saying she wanted to eat with a friend tomorrow and asked the owner to help her cook a few dishes and pack them up for her tomorrow night.

Convincing the owner was effortless. She had intended to tell Shen Ya about the arrangement beforehand, but on second thought, she decided to give her a surprise instead.