Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 47

 Chapter 47: The Little Sun Fades

In that moment, a spring breeze, carrying the scent of sweet fruit and flowers, seemed to blow past Shen Ya’s ears. Tender green shoots sprouted at her feet, and flower buds gradually turned to face her, blossoming.

She saw her former self, standing at a crossroads, when suddenly a warm hand took hold of her wrist. Though she could only see a vague outline, she felt that this shadow might be the light guiding her toward a different path.

This idea stirred her heart. Jianglan University could be visited anytime, but Qiao Xi’s words were, in their own way, an effort to make up for past regrets.

“Then I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’ Teacher Shen. You absolutely must come and explore the campus with me when school starts.”

“Alright.”

“Then, Teacher Shen, I’ll contact you later. I’m currently hiding in the restroom.”

Imagining Qiao Xi secretly hiding in the bathroom at that moment, Shen Ya’s eyebrows curved slightly, and a smile was audible in her voice: “Mhm.”

Even though Qiao Xi heard the teasing response, she could only blush and pretend not to notice. She hung up the phone, washed her hands, and stepped out of the restroom. The congratulations and well-wishes for her were just beginning.

Jiang Zhiqing and Qin Yunxin decided to hold a grand university entrance celebration for Qiao Xi. They invited not only close friends but also relatives from their hometown with whom they had previously conflicted. When Qiao Xi learned about this, some unpleasant childhood memories intermittently replayed in her mind.

Worry overshadowed her happiness, but she clearly understood her mothers’ purpose in doing this. She thought she had concealed her feelings perfectly all these years, but she hadn’t managed to hide them from her mothers’ eyes.

The celebration was set for her birthday. Qiao Xi thought, since so many people were being invited, could she also invite Shen Ya?

Qiao Xi, trying her luck, first informed her mothers. Then, she got the e-invitation template, replaced the placeholder with Shen Ya’s name, and sent it to her. After that, she waited anxiously for Shen Ya’s reply.

Shen Ya’s reply was faster than she expected, as if she had been waiting on the other end of the chat app: 【Alright, I will be there as promised.】

Qiao Xi was very busy this summer. Her classmates had all been accepted into excellent universities. After the semester started, they would be scattered across the country, and the next time they met was uncertain. Therefore, class gatherings were held frequently, and Qiao Xi also traveled to nearby cities with a few close friends.

However, whenever Qiao Xi had free time, she would follow Shen Ya like a little shadow. She learned about Shen Ya’s workplace, met her colleagues, and even tried to cook at home, waiting for Shen Ya to come back from work.

The first time she cooked, she ended up wasting all the ingredients and had to take Shen Ya out to eat in the end.

Happy times always pass quickly. Before Qiao Xi could fully enjoy her holiday, the new semester was around the corner, and before school started, she had to attend her own celebration dinner.

In late August, during the hottest time of the year, Qiao Xi arrived early at the familiar banquet hall with her family. Today was both her university celebration and her coming-of-age ceremony.

Friends and family arrived one after another. Even the relatives from her hometown with whom the family had conflicts came to her celebration. Qiao Xi hadn’t seen these people for a very long time. In her memory, these relatives had never truly accepted her as part of the family, but today, they instantly smiled when they saw her, complimenting her good grades and how pretty she was growing up, bringing honor to her two mothers.

Her two mothers accepted the red envelopes they presented and, with loaded words, praised Qiao Xi to the skies. Qiao Xi played dumb on the side but silently cheered for her mothers.

Watching the faces of these formerly condescending relatives turn from green to purple from her mothers’ retorts, she couldn’t help but want to laugh. These people probably hadn’t wanted to come initially, but her mothers, to vent for her, had covered the travel expenses and one night’s accommodation. Still, these relatives cared about face and gave red envelopes when they came to the dinner.

Qiao Xi was painfully suppressing her laughter when she saw a familiar figure. She whispered to Jiang Zhiqing: “Mom, Teacher Shen is here. I’ll go greet her.”

“Mhm, go ahead.”

Shen Ya appeared outside the banquet hall with a group of people who seemed to be Qiao Xi’s relatives. She immediately spotted Qiao Xi standing next to the elders.

Qiao Xi was wearing a neat white shirt today, black tailored shorts, and polished leather shoes, looking formal yet lively.

When Qiao Xi turned and saw her, she instantly transformed into a tail-wagging puppy running toward her. However, there were many people around. Qiao Xi took two steps and was stopped by someone, so she had to pause, greet them briefly, and quickly walk towards Shen Ya.

“Teacher Shen.” Upon reaching her, Qiao Xi wanted to hug Shen Ya, but with so many eyes watching, she held back. Though her body was reserved, her expression betrayed her delight: “Are you hot, Teacher Shen? I’ll take you inside to rest.”

Shen Ya took out a red envelope with the characters ‘Bright Future’ printed on it from her bag and handed it to Qiao Xi: “Happy Birthday, Qiao Xi.”

“It’s enough that Teacher Shen came. Why are you giving me this?” Qiao Xi said, about to put the red envelope back in Shen Ya’s bag, but Shen Ya held her hand and shook her head.

“It’s for good luck. Take it.”

“Then thank you, Teacher Shen.” Qiao Xi slipped the red envelope into her shorts pocket and linked her arm through Shen Ya’s: “Didn’t Teacher Shen already wish me a happy birthday at midnight?”

“Mhm, I can say it again.” Shen Ya finished, then lifted a hand to gently rub Qiao Xi’s head: “Aren’t you supposed to greet relatives and friends with your mothers?”

“No need. I was already tired of standing around and was looking for an excuse to sneak away. Thankfully, Teacher Shen arrived just in time to save me from misery.”

Even though Qiao Xi had grown up, she was still so fond of playful talk. Shen Ya chuckled and walked into the banquet hall with Qiao Xi.

Quite a few people had come today. As soon as Shen Ya entered, she saw Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyao talking to others. Qiao Xi led her straight through, stopping only at the main table.

“Teacher Shen, sit here.”

“This is the main table,” Shen Ya said, not believing she should sit there.

Qiao Xi pulled out a chair and gently pressed Shen Ya into the seat: “This is the spot Mom arranged. Besides, Teacher Shen, you’re not an outsider. You’d be uncomfortable sitting elsewhere. Our family isn’t that particular, don’t worry.”

Not an outsider…

Hearing this from Qiao Xi, Shen Ya had somewhat expected it, but it still warmed her heart. The little sun was still radiating her charm today.

Soon, Jiang Yunyi walked in with her bag. She greeted familiar relatives along the way but didn’t linger with anyone. Seeing Qiao Xi and Shen Ya, she came to the table, pulled out the chair on Shen Ya’s other side, and sat down: “Long time no see.”

Shen Ya gave a slight nod: “Long time no see.”

Qiao Xi didn’t see her other two mothers and asked: “Sister Yunyi, where are Big Mom and Mommy?”

Jiang Yunyi poured herself a cup of tea from the table before saying: “They ran into a familiar friend downstairs and started chatting, so I came up first.”

“Right,” Jiang Yunyi put down the teacup, took a bank card from her handbag, and slipped it into Qiao Xi’s hand: “This is a reward for getting into Jianglan University. Buy whatever you like. As for your birthday gift, I’ll send it to your house tomorrow.”

Qiao Xi accepted the bank card without ceremony. Thinking about the significant increase in her savings, she couldn’t stop smiling. Her Sister Yunyi was always generous and good at making money, and since she was her own sister, Qiao Xi certainly wouldn’t refuse.

Not long after Jiang Yunyi arrived, Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyao also returned to the main seats and sat next to Qiao Xi. Qin Shuyao smiled and actively greeted Shen Ya, and although Jiang Yunxi was somewhat distant, she still nodded to Shen Ya.

The banquet hall gradually became lively. When most tables were filled, the feast officially began. Qiao Xi was the protagonist of the day. The backdrop at the front of the hall displayed congratulations for Qiao Xi’s acceptance into Jianglan University. While waiting for the dishes to be served, Qin Yunxin and Jiang Zhiqing stood on the stage and spoke warm words of praise and future blessings for Qiao Xi.

These words were sincere. Towards the end, both mothers’ eyes became slightly red. Qiao Xi, sitting below, was naturally moved. Her tear ducts were shallow, and she couldn’t handle too many warm words like these.

As she shed tears, Shen Ya handed her a tissue to wipe her eyes. Jiang Yunxi stroked her head and deliberately teased her: “You’re all grown up and still such a crybaby.”

At this, Qiao Xi secretly stretched her leg under the table and kicked Jiang Yunxi hard.

“Hiss…” Jiang Yunxi sucked in a breath. When Qin Shuyao looked over, she quickly forced a smile, but her hand, hidden from view, played a childish finger-wrestling game with Qiao Xi.

This effectively distracted Qiao Xi. By the time her two mothers finished speaking and left the stage, all the dishes were served.

No one was encouraging drinking tonight. Qiao Xi was constantly drinking soda. However, some relatives would come over to chat with her during the meal, mostly exchanging polite pleasantries. Initially, Qiao Xi managed effortlessly, but the more people she hosted, the more tired she became.

Qiao Xi saw Shen Ya put down her chopsticks and wipe her mouth, so she tugged at Shen Ya’s shirt hem, then pulled out her phone and typed: 【Teacher Shen, are you full?】

Shen Ya nodded.

Qiao Xi then used the excuse of going to the restroom and dragged Shen Ya away from the banquet.

Stepping out of the banquet hall, Qiao Xi let out a sigh: “I’m suffocating. Teacher Shen, will you come to the restroom with me?”

“Okay.”

The two walked down the corridor, following the building’s signs to the restroom.

“In the blink of an eye, the Jiang family’s youngest daughter has grown so big.”

“I know, right? Before, Jiang Zhiqing fell out with her hometown relatives because of that child. I thought she wouldn’t invite them.”

Qiao Xi suddenly stopped walking. Shen Ya naturally heard the conversation between the two people outside the restroom.

“Jiang Zhiqing and Qin Yunxin are strange, too. When their own daughter got into university, they didn’t throw such a big banquet. Yet they treat this adopted daughter so importantly.”

Adopted… daughter?

Shen Ya turned her head to look at Qiao Xi. At some point, the vitality on Qiao Xi’s face had vanished. She hung her head, making her expression unreadable. The feeling emanating from her was exactly like a fragile doll about to break.

This was the first time Shen Ya had seen Qiao Xi’s vulnerability. It turned out the little sun could also have moments when she couldn’t shine.

She grabbed Qiao Xi’s wrist and turned to leave. The gossiping voices were quickly left behind them.

Shen Ya led Qiao Xi out of the banquet hall. Qiao Xi was like a puppet on a string the entire time. She didn’t speak, didn’t move, just obediently followed behind her, like a light that had lost the ability to shine again.

Although the overheard conversation was only a few short sentences, the information was significant. Based on the literal meaning, Shen Ya guessed some things. Perhaps Qiao Xi was not Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyao’s biological sister, but was very likely adopted.

No wonder Qiao Xi didn’t take the surname Jiang or Qin. She hadn’t suspected anything before, but reflecting on it now, she noticed many details she had overlooked.

After walking some distance from the banquet hall, Shen Ya flagged down a taxi. She opened the back door, gently pushed Qiao Xi in first, then got in herself and closed the door. As the car started, she took out her phone and scanned her contacts. She initially intended to tell Jiang Yunxi, but for some reason, her finger ultimately tapped on Jiang Yunyi’s voice call.

“Shen Ya?”

Shen Ya glanced at Qiao Xi next to her. She lowered her voice and said: “I went to the restroom with Qiao Xi just now and overheard some conversation at the door. Qiao Xi…” Shen Ya paused before continuing: “I took her away. Could you please let her mothers know?”

Jiang Yunyi on the other end frowned deeply. She had already guessed what Shen Ya hadn’t finished saying. She couldn’t believe that after so many years, someone would still bring this up. “Alright, I understand. I’m sorry to trouble you. Could you please keep an eye on Xiao Xi for us first?”

After hanging up the phone, the car grew quiet. Shen Ya raised her hand and placed it on Qiao Xi’s head. The Qiao Xi now lacked all her usual liveliness. She looked like an abandoned puppy, aggrieved and helpless, much like Shen Ya herself once was.

It was only then that Shen Ya realized that Qiao Xi’s closeness to her might not have been because the little sun wanted to warm everyone, but because this little dog, trying hard to shine and attract attention, had found a kindred spirit who deeply understood her.