Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: An Unexpected Detour

Shen Ya didn’t know why Chen Xi would suddenly change, stepping forward to take her away when she was surrounded by a pack of wolves. Chen Xi didn’t look much like her; rather, she didn’t look like Shen Qiuyu. Her memory of Chen Xi was still from before she was a few years old, and the limited recollections were not pleasant ones.

She couldn’t figure it out, so she asked: “Why?”

“Why what?” Chen Xi didn’t understand. At this moment, her eyes looked genuinely simple, even a bit foolish.

Shen Ya sighed. Perhaps because she had been dealing with Qiao Xi so much lately, she almost forgot that ordinary middle schoolers wouldn’t have such subtle thoughts. Chen Xi was clearly not very shrewd. Shen Ya had to be more direct: “Why did you pull me in here?”

“Oh, you mean that.” Chen Xi understood now. She explained: “I’m not stupid. Second Aunt and Mom were clearly being sarcastic. With so many people out there, what if you two started arguing? I think Mom is a bit resentful of you, but isn’t that because you haven’t come back or contacted the family much? Mom probably doesn’t mean anything truly malicious. I just thought I’d let you both cool down first, and then you can leave after dinner.”

“So that was your thinking.”

Shen Ya’s tone was devoid of emotion, and Chen Xi didn’t catch the underlying meaning. So, she continued: “I just feel that even if Mom is angry, she shouldn’t talk about you in front of so many people, right? Sister, aren’t we family? Why do you and Mom have such a huge conflict?”

Family?

Shen Ya almost couldn’t stop herself from laughing out loud when she heard those three words. Since she was kicked out of this room by Shen Qiuyu and it was renovated for Chen Xi’s use, where was her home?

Right, Chen Xi couldn’t even speak clearly back then, so how would she know that this bedroom was once Shen Ya’s last safe haven?

She had long since given up all hope for this home, and Chen Xi’s thoughts were irrelevant. From beginning to end, she was alone. She stopped talking to Chen Xi, instead walking past the bed to the window to look outside.

The weather today was unexpectedly bright. Even if she opened the window, the north wind would be warmed by the sun’s golden coating. The light was dazzling, so she couldn’t look directly at the sun. She could only look down, wondering what the other little sun was doing right now.

…

Qiao Xi was currently leading Pang Pang in a talent show for the family, demonstrating ‘sit,’ ‘shake hands,’ and ‘catch food.’ Under Qiao Xi’s command, Pang Pang perfectly executed every instruction.

Pang Pang became even more excited after spinning a few times. Its tongue was mostly hanging out as it panted heavily. Even though it was currently lying by Jiang Yunxi’s leg, its eyes were still glued to Qiao Xi.

“Xiao Xi, come here and eat something.” Jiang Zhiqing called the sweaty Qiao Xi over. As soon as she sat down, she handed a peeled piece of lobster meat to Qiao Xi’s mouth.

Qiao Xi opened her mouth and bit into the meat. Before she could swallow the food, her eyes locked on Jiang Zhilin, who was sitting directly across from her. Jiang Zhilin was her mother’s older sister, so Qiao Xi called her: “Big Mama.”

Jiang Zhilin was holding a tabby cat. The cat looked about two months old. Perhaps due to fear, it trembled occasionally and quietly stayed in her arms, but its eyes were fixed on Pang Pang on the floor.

“Xiao Xi, do you like cats?” Jiang Zhilin asked her.

Qiao Xi swallowed the lobster meat and nodded: “I do!”

Jiang Zhilin said: “Then take it home to raise for a few days. Your Big Mummy and I are going on a trip on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Your cousin Yunyi doesn’t know how to raise small animals, and I don’t trust her with it.”

Jiang Yunyi smiled and shook her head: “Mom, you think I could mess up raising a kitten?”

“I don’t trust you.” Jiang Zhilin said this and put the kitten on Jiang Yunyi’s lap, but the kitten immediately started meowing non-stop at Jiang Yunyi.

Jiang Yunxi pinched the back of the kitten’s neck and lifted it. The kitten honestly dangled its limbs, looking pitifully at her: “Let me raise it. It’s too quiet living alone. It would be nice to have a little companion.”

“Cousin Yunyi, why are you stealing my love!” Qiao Xi protested.

“How about this?” Jiang Yunyi thought for a moment and suggested: “After you finish your college entrance exam, I’ll give you another kitten as a gift, to celebrate you finally becoming an adult. How does that sound?”

Qiao Xi’s eyes sparkled: “Really?!”

“Yes.”

Qiao Xi quickly calculated and realized she wouldn’t lose anything; in fact, she would gain a lot. She didn’t have the energy to raise a kitten right now. Besides, this kitten belonged to Big Mama, and she would have to give it back after developing an attachment, which would make her even more reluctant to part with it.

This way was better. After her college entrance exam, she would have more time to feed and care for a kitten that truly belonged to her.

…

Although it was only New Year’s Eve, Qiao Xi had already received many gifts. There weren’t many family members; only their family of five plus Cousin Yunyi’s family of three.

The elders never interfered with the affairs of the younger generation, so after Qiao Xi was full, she planned to take Pang Pang elsewhere to play. But Jiang Yunxi mentioned that there were new game consoles and comics upstairs. Qiao Xi immediately abandoned Pang Pang and raced upstairs.

For Qiao Xi, the New Year meant family reunion and the most relaxing time. She could play from morning until night, without worrying about her studies, and she received gifts and money. She wished every day was the New Year.

Closing the door, she didn’t rush to find the new comic books. Instead, she opened her phone and tapped on Shen Ya’s chat window: 【Teacher Shen, are you busy?】

She waited for a long time but didn’t receive a message. She was used to it, so she didn’t think much of it. It was New Year’s Eve, after all; Shen Ya might have other activities.

Qiao Xi put away her phone. She didn’t play games or read comics. Instead, she opened her tablet to complete the drawing she had started earlier.

She drew for the entire afternoon until someone knocked on her door. Qiao Xi quickly saved her work and turned off the tablet.

“Xiao Xi?”

Qin Shuyue pushed the door open and walked in. A few strands of her ash-brown long curly hair lay on her shoulder, slightly moving with her light steps. “Xiao Xi, we’re going out for dinner.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Qin Shuyue handed her a coat. After Qiao Xi put the tablet into her backpack, she went over and put the coat on.

Qin Shuyue carried Qiao Xi’s backpack and held her shoulder with the other hand. After leaving the room, Qin Shuyue asked her: “Xiao Xi, where are you going tonight?”

“To the city center.”

“Then let Yunyi take you there later,” Qin Shuyue said. “She’s also heading that way.”

“Oh… that’s not necessary.” Qiao Xi couldn’t have someone drive her. She needed to pick up the food first before getting a taxi to find Shen Ya. If Cousin Yunyi drove her, wouldn’t her plan be exposed?

“Xiao Xi, you keep refusing us. Are you hiding something from your sisters?”

Qiao Xi’s spine felt a chill, but she managed to keep her composure: “Of course not! It’s just that I need to go somewhere first to pick up something, so I don’t want to bother Cousin Yunyi.”

Qin Shuyue patted her shoulder: “Xiao Xi, you’ve grown up, but you’re getting formal with your sisters.”

“No, how could I? I just don’t want to trouble Cousin Yunyi too much.”

Qin Shuyue stopped and turned Qiao Xi’s shoulders so that Qiao Xi faced her. Her smile was faint, and while her eyes were still gentle, they held a hint of seriousness: “Xiao Xi, we are family. Your needs are never a trouble. We’ve told you this many times, haven’t we?”

Qiao Xi’s lips trembled slightly. Some unpleasant memories surfaced in her mind, but she forced a smile as if nothing had happened: “I know, Sister. I’ll take Cousin Yunyi’s car later.”

“Good.” Qin Shuyue hugged Qiao Xi and patted her back: “Be good. Be careful when you go out. Call us if you encounter any danger, and come back early. Yunxi and I will come to pick you up.”

“I know.”

Qiao Xi knew that no matter how hard she tried to hide her emotions, her sisters, who knew her well, would still see through her. Although she was much younger than her sisters, she still remembered the things from the past.

She knew that the New Year celebrations used to involve more than just the eight of them, and her mother had cut ties with some relatives for her sake. She always felt guilty about this. Even though her sisters and mother had comforted her, she couldn’t help but dwell on it.

…

Qiao Xi had regained her composure after coming downstairs. She was once again the carefree little bird in the eyes of her family.

Tonight’s dinner was at a private club, so even Pang Pang was allowed to come along. They ate their New Year’s Eve dinner early. The place had few people, was spacious, and the quality of the dishes was impeccable. Even Pang Pang had a special pet New Year’s Eve dinner.

After dinner, everyone had their own plans. The four elders had arranged to meet friends, and Qin Shuyue and Jiang Yunxi were naturally going to have their date night. Qiao Xi was watched by everyone as she got into Jiang Yunyi’s car.

She fastened her seatbelt, listened to everyone’s final instructions again, and then left with Jiang Yunyi.

The heater was on in the car, and Jiang Yunyi drove smoothly. Knowing Qiao Xi was going to a restaurant to pick up food, she didn’t ask any further questions.

Although Qiao Xi was also Jiang Yunyi’s sister, their age gap was significant, so they didn’t interact much on a daily basis. But with just the two of them in the car, Qiao Xi didn’t want the atmosphere to be too awkward, so she proactively asked: “Cousin Yunyi, are you going out to play later too?”

“Yes, I’m meeting friends at a bar.”

“Oh.”

The conversation stalled again. Qiao Xi really didn’t know what to talk about. However, Jiang Yunyi seemed to pick up on her thoughts: “Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

That was perfect. Qiao Xi nodded quickly in agreement. She closed her eyes. Although she couldn’t sleep, listening to the radio inside the car did help her mind relax temporarily. She needed to be in the best condition to see Shen Ya.

After picking up the food, Qiao Xi gave Jiang Yunyi a location near Shen Ya’s apartment. Jiang Yunyi seemed to trust her greatly, or perhaps she didn’t think Qiao Xi would deceive the whole family.

The streets were lively again at this hour. Qiao Xi got out of the car and thanked Jiang Yunyi. The cousin reminded her again to be careful before driving away.

Qiao Xi waited until Jiang Yunyi’s car was out of sight before turning in the direction of Shen Ya’s apartment building.

She wondered if Shen Ya was home right now. She finally arrived at the apartment door, looked down to straighten her clothes, and then rang Shen Ya’s doorbell.

Qiao Xi was excited, but after the doorbell rang for a long time without any movement inside, she realized one thing: Shen Ya seemed not to be home.

She leaned her head forward, pressing her ear against the door. It was quiet inside. Could she really have gone out?

If Shen Ya didn’t go home for the New Year, where would she go? Was she out with other friends, or wandering aimlessly on the streets alone?

Qiao Xi put down the food she was carrying. She took out her phone and called Shen Ya’s number. Although Shen Ya didn’t always reply to her messages, she usually answered calls. But today, she called twice, and neither was answered. Qiao Xi scratched her head, worried about Shen Ya’s safety on one hand, and confused about her whereabouts on the other.

The least likely thing had happened. Qiao Xi leaned against Shen Ya’s front door dejectedly. She looked at the food on the ground, momentarily unsure whether she should leave or stay.

What if Shen Ya comes back soon? Just as she decided to stay, another thought immediately popped up: What if Shen Ya doesn’t come back tonight? What’s the point of staying?

Qiao Xi sighed. She decided to wait a little longer. If she couldn’t wait for Shen Ya before her sister contacted her, she would leave the food in the delivery locker downstairs and leave Shen Ya a message.

The waiting felt endless. Qiao Xi continued to send messages to Shen Ya, but they all went unanswered. Her hope was slowly being depleted.