Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Knowing that Qiao Xi had found ‘Blank’…

Knowing that Qiao Xi had found ‘Blank’, Shen Ya was sleepless all night. ‘Blank’ had quite a few members, and she had never seen Fang Moyao intervene in anyone’s relationship. Why was Fang Moyao so concerned this time? Was it simply because Qiao Xi was Jiang Yunyi’s sister that she paid extra attention?

The phone call from Fang Moyao last night was clearly a signal that she shouldn’t continue to run away. She didn’t know what Qiao Xi had said or how much Fang Moyao knew. When she returned tomorrow, her original plan was to see Qiao Xi first, but now it seemed she would have to make a stop at ‘Blank’.

During these two days in Zhoucheng, Shen Ya didn’t go anywhere. Most of the time, she sat by the floor-to-ceiling window in the room, gazing at the convergence of the sea and sky in the distance. Whenever she was quiet, she would wonder if Qiao Xi, when she lived here, also looked at the golden sunset spilling over the sea like this, not with an appreciation for the beautiful scenery, but with an endless feeling of loneliness and sadness.

On the day she returned to Jianglan, Shen Ya packed her luggage early and waited for Jiang Yunyi in the room. When there was a knock on the bedroom door, she pulled her suitcase and opened the door.

Jiang Yunyi was also carrying a suitcase. After coming down from upstairs, they first put their luggage in the car before returning to the hotel for a meal.

From Jiang Yunyi’s attitude, Fang Moyao hadn’t told her about Qiao Xi, so Shen Ya didn’t mention anything either. She hadn’t slept well the previous night, and shortly after getting into the car, she fell asleep in the narrow but warm vehicle.

The dazzling light cast several rays through the gaps in the curtains. The heating was turned up high in the room, so Qiao Xi kicked off her blanket even in her sleep. She lay on her side, clutching the blanket like an octopus.

The previously quiet room was soon interrupted by an unexpected visitor. Zhou Ziqian pushed the door open, glanced at Qiao Xi’s messy sleeping posture on the bed, and immediately took out her phone to snap a photo. She opened Shen Ya’s chat window and typed a line: [Boss Shen, I have a photo you’ll be interested in. Just V me 50 and it’s yours. You’ll definitely regret it if you don’t buy.]

Zhou Ziqian waited for two minutes, but Shen Ya didn’t reply. She wondered if the other party was busy with something else. She put away her phone, first drew back the curtains, then walked to the bed, pulled up her sleeve, raised her hand, and gave Qiao Xi’s exposed butt a heavy slap.

“Ugh…” Qiao Xi was woken up by the slap. Her consciousness slowly returned, and she gradually opened her eyes. The evening light was still glaring, so it took her a while to fully adjust. When she fully opened her eyes, she saw a woman with a strange smile on her face appear before her. Qiao Xi was startled, thinking she had traveled to some horror movie world. She screamed: “Ghost!!”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Little Sister Xiao Xi?” Zhou Ziqian slapped Qiao Xi’s butt again: “Are there any ghosts as pretty as me, Big Sis?”

The accumulated pain made Qiao Xi realize her butt actually hurt a bit. Faced with a woman who was more casual and intrusive than she was, she hurriedly shrank into the blanket.

Qiao Xi stared at Zhou Ziqian with a ghost-seeing expression. She clutched the blanket tightly, afraid the other person would do something more outrageous.

“Big Sis knows the beds at ‘Blank’ are comfortable, but look at the time now.” Zhou Ziqian sat down on the edge of the bed, crossed her legs, and leaned closer. She hooked Qiao Xi’s chin with her finger: “Little Sister Xiao Xi’s face is really pretty. Your mother must be a beauty.”

Such flirtatiousness made Qiao Xi feel entirely uncomfortable. She slapped Zhou Ziqian’s hand away, shrank her neck, and vigilantly stared at her: “What do you want!”

Zhou Ziqian stroked Qiao Xi’s face with the back of her finger, finally tapping her nose, before putting on a wounded expression: “Big Sis even prepared dinner for you, yet Little Sister Xiao Xi is yelling at me.”

“You…” Qiao Xi got goosebumps. “Can you speak normally?” Zhou Ziqian’s current demeanor was very much like a thousand-year-old fox spirit from the mountains.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Zhou Ziqian retracted her “evil aura.” She straightened up and pointed to the things on the bedside table: “You got drunk last night. Big Sis had a hard time carrying you up here. See? I even changed your clothes, and bought you a hangover cure in case you wake up with a headache.”

“What?!” Qiao Xi’s face instantly flushed. She immediately looked down, only to realize she was wearing a set of pajamas she’d never seen before: “You, you changed my clothes!”

Zhou Ziqian rolled her eyes: “What? A Big Sis changing her little sister’s clothes is not allowed?”

“Who’s your little sister!” Qiao Xi snapped, pulling back the blanket and kicking Zhou Ziqian.

Zhou Ziqian didn’t get angry; instead, she smiled slyly. She grabbed Qiao Xi’s ankle and dragged her closer, not letting go despite Qiao Xi’s struggles. Seeing she couldn’t escape, Qiao Xi gave up and stopped. Zhou Ziqian also stopped tormenting her.

The other party then lowered her body and brought her face close to Qiao Xi: “Maybe, our Little Sister Xiao Xi really should call me Big Sister-in-law.”

After saying that, Zhou Ziqian released Qiao Xi’s foot. She stood up and tidied her clothes. “Get up. Dinner is ready. Do you want lobster? Big Sister-in-law specially bought it for you today.”

What Big Sister-in-law, what Big Sis, what nonsense. Qiao Xi didn’t know what Zhou Ziqian was talking about, but the other party left her room after saying that, claiming she would wait outside the door.

Hearing the door close, Qiao Xi finally let out a sigh of relief. She got out of bed, found her phone, and turned on the screen. It turned out she had slept for so long that it was now indeed time for dinner.

Interrupted by Zhou Ziqian for a while, the sky outside was already getting dark. She rubbed her head. She still remembered what happened last night. Now that the influence of alcohol was gone, her mind was clear. Fang Moyao, despite seeming gentle, would coil around her neck like a snake.

She remembered every word Fang Moyao said last night. Although she didn’t know why the other party intervened between her and Shen Ya, some of the things the other party said were right.

Now, her feelings for Shen Ya were a mix of anger and love. If, as the other party said, Shen Ya were to figure things out and come back to pursue her, she would definitely make her pay for all the pain she had endured these past few days.

Qiao Xi didn’t keep Zhou Ziqian waiting for too long. After changing her clothes, she indeed found the other party outside the door. Zhou Ziqian was on the phone, and her tone was completely different from the previous flirtatious one. She looked serious, speaking sarcastically to the person on the other end of the line.

Qiao Xi watched her roll her eyes several times before decisively hanging up the phone. Just as Qiao Xi thought Zhou Ziqian would curse a bit, the other party showed a smiling face the next second.

Zhou Ziqian walked over and put her arm around Qiao Xi’s shoulder, “Let’s go, let’s go. I’m starving, Little Sister Xiao Xi.”

Qiao Xi wasn’t very hungry. After coming out of the room, she scanned the area and found this floor consisted of a few rooms, like hotel rooms. However, there weren’t many rooms, suggesting each one was quite spacious.

She asked: “Where is… Boss Fang?”

“Why call her Boss Fang? So distant. Call her Big Sis.”

Qiao Xi muttered softly: “I already have sisters.”

“Can you have too many sisters?” Zhou Ziqian laughed at her: “Little Sister Xiao Xi is still young, so naturally you don’t understand how wonderful Big Sis is.”

Qiao Xi ducked out from Zhou Ziqian’s grip. She moved a few steps to the side, but Zhou Ziqian had long arms, and before she could get far, she was pulled back again.

“Why are you running?” Zhou Ziqian gripped her shoulder this time: “Oh, I almost forgot. Our Boss Shen is a Big Sis too.”

Qiao Xi couldn’t be bothered with Zhou Ziqian. They had already descended from the third floor. They didn’t stop at the second floor, but Qiao Xi still sneaked a glance. The second floor was also full of tightly closed doors. It was supposedly a bar, so why so many rooms?

“Why is Little Sister Xiao Xi silent?”

Qiao Xi glanced at Zhou Ziqian, then shook her shoulder. The other party held her even tighter. Her suspicion deepened. She felt this place was strange. Could Fang Moyao and Zhou Ziqian be involved in some illegal organ-harvesting business?

Qiao Xi quietly asked: “Are you involved in some illicit business here?”

“What nonsense are you talking about, child? We are legitimate business people.”

With Zhou Ziqian’s shameless demeanor, she certainly didn’t look like an honest businesswoman.

Arriving at the bar on the first floor, there weren’t many people yet. At the same familiar spot from yesterday, Fang Moyao was already sitting on the sofa waiting for them. Meeting again, Qiao Xi was now wary of Fang Moyao.

The other party was wearing a black turtleneck sweater today. When she saw Qiao Xi, her gaze was like a soft feather gently brushing against her cheek, “Good evening, Xiao Xi.”

If she hadn’t experienced the other party’s methods last night, she might have been fooled by this gentle and friendly appearance again today. She didn’t speak, just nodded casually.

After settling Qiao Xi down, Zhou Ziqian went to the back kitchen to bring out the food and drinks. Qiao Xi saw the other party placing a bottle of drink in front of her again and quickly waved her hand: “I’m not drinking.”

“Don’t worry, it’s orange juice.”

Tonight’s dinner was truly sumptuous, filled with all her favorite seafood. Qiao Xi realized how hungry she was just by the smell. After eating half a lobster, she suddenly became alert: “How much does this meal cost?”

“It’s on the house. I’m treating you tonight,” Fang Moyao said, placing a crab leg in Qiao Xi’s bowl.

Qiao Xi’s expression didn’t change, but she murmured to herself. Fang Moyao had asked her for five hundred yesterday, and today she was treating her to a seafood feast? Was she up to no good again?

She ate while remaining wary of Fang Moyao, but until she was full, Fang Moyao and Zhou Ziqian only chatted casually.

Qiao Xi didn’t want to linger. After eating her fill, she wanted to leave. She had already found a perfect excuse. After wiping her mouth clean, she said: “I’m going home. My Pangpang is still at the pet store waiting for me to pick him up.”

“Alright, I’ll have Qianqian send you.”

Fang Moyao actually didn’t stop her?

Qiao Xi couldn’t figure out the other party, but since she could leave, she wouldn’t delay any further: “Then, thank you, Boss Fang.”

“Don’t call me Boss Fang.” Fang Moyao took out an exquisitely wrapped small box from behind her: “Jiang Yunyi and I practically grew up together. You are her sister, so calling me Big Sis is perfectly fine, right?”

If that was the reason, it seemed acceptable.

But she already had three sisters. Calling the other party Big Sis again felt a bit strange. After thinking it over, when Qiao Xi spoke again, she called Fang Moyao: “Sister Moyao.”

Fang Moyao raised her eyebrows, her smile fading slightly, seemingly not entirely satisfied with the title, but she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she instructed Zhou Ziqian: “Drive safely.”

Qiao Xi accepted the gift box Fang Moyao handed her. She didn’t know what was inside. Zhou Ziqian still had her arm around her shoulder. Fang Moyao followed them. After leaving ‘Blank’, she was led to a black commercial vehicle.

Zhou Ziqian rolled down the passenger side window. Fang Moyao stood outside, her gaze fixed on Qiao Xi: “You can come over anytime in the future. Even if I’m not here, they will take good care of you.”

Qiao Xi nodded.

“Xiao Xi, can I ask you one last question?”

Fang Moyao’s tone was sincere, and Qiao Xi had no reason to refuse: “Go ahead.”

“I would like to know, are your birth mothers named Qiao Qianrou and Fang Lanxi?”

“You know my birth mothers?” At the time, Qiao Xi didn’t think too much. It had been a long time since she heard those two names mentioned. Fang Moyao actually knew her birth mothers, so their relationship must be good. But why had she never heard her sisters mention this person before?

Fang Moyao offered no explanation. Her smile was almost nonexistent: “Go now. Make sure to safely get her home.”

Throughout the journey, Zhou Ziqian chatted with her about many strange gossips. She went to the pet store to pick up Pangpang. When she asked about Shiyi, Zhou Ziqian only said she would return her when Shen Ya came back.

Qiao Xi was dropped off at home by Zhou Ziqian. The other party looked around her house before leaving with peace of mind.

Jiang Yunyi stopped at a service area before dark. After a simple meal with Shen Ya, Shen Ya suggested she drive the rest of the way to let Jiang Yunyi rest for a while.

Jiang Yunyi didn’t refuse. The two alternated driving and didn’t talk much along the way. They returned to Jianglan City early in the morning. Jiang Yunyi first dropped Shen Ya off before returning to her own home.

Exhausted from the day, Shen Ya’s first task upon returning home was to take a shower. It wasn’t until she came out of the bathroom that she had time to check her phone. Qiao Xi hadn’t sent her any messages all day. She wondered how the other party was doing. Qiao Xi must be asleep by this time.

She scrolled down and saw that Zhou Ziqian had sent her a message in the evening. After opening it and reading the sentence, she immediately sent a fifty yuan red envelope to the other party.

Zhou Ziqian was indeed awake. After receiving the money, she immediately sent a photo.

It was the room she used to stay in at ‘Blank’, and a girl was lying on the bed. Shen Ya knew at a glance that the girl was the Qiao Xi she missed day and night. The other party was hugging the blanket she used, resting on her pillow, with the same adorable sleeping posture.

The fifty yuan was well spent. Shen Ya typed two words in the chat box: [Thank you.]

[Boss Shen, when do you have time to come over?]

[Tomorrow.]

Unfortunately, plans rarely work out as expected.

As the first ray of morning light woke the sleeping earth, Shen Ya’s phone began to ring urgently. She groggily picked up the phone and answered. Before she could speak, Chen Qian’s voice came through the phone.

“Sis, Mom has been hospitalized for several days. She, she said she wants you to come to the hospital.”

“What?” Shen Ya sat up in bed. Her mind wasn’t clear yet, but hearing it was Shen Qiuyu looking for her, she habitually snapped back: “What does her hospitalization have to do with me? Since she’s not dead, I’m not going. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control my temper and end up killing her with anger.”

“Sis…” Chen Qian immediately started to cry: “My dad cheated. Mom fought with him and accidentally fell down the stairs. She fractured her leg and is still lying in bed after surgery. Sis, I don’t know what to do…”

Cheated? Fought? And a fracture? Shen Ya only found it amusing after hearing the story. It truly was a case of the wicked getting their comeuppance. She might not care about Shen Qiuyu, but Chen Qian was innocent. She had seen Chen Qian’s change over the past year and felt this sister still had hope. She didn’t want Chen Qian to grow up and become the next Shen Qiuyu.

Perhaps her silence scared Chen Qian, so Chen Qian shared a secret with her: “Sister Qiao Xi came to the hospital on the third day of the Lunar New Year. She originally told me not to tell you, but Mom just really wants to see you today. I tried to persuade her, but she’s making a scene about seeing you. I have no choice, Sis…”

Chen Qian crouched in the hospital stairwell, tears streaming down her face as she spoke: “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to come. It’s okay. I’ll tell Mom you’re busy. I’m sorry, Sis.”

Shen Ya got out of bed and smoothed her hair. “Send me the address.”

Hearing Shen Ya’s answer, Chen Qian could no longer hold back. She had been at the hospital for all those days. A major incident had happened at home, yet she had no one to talk to. Those relatives who came and went only spoke formalities. It was only then that she realized those so-called relatives were completely unreliable.

In the end, she couldn’t rely on anyone. This made her think of Shen Ya, who was ostracized by the whole family. Her sister was kicked out of the house by their mother when she was so young, but she still managed to grow tenaciously. Chen Qian thought she might never be able to become as outstanding as her sister.

Unbeknownst to them, her sister had already grown into a towering tree and reached a height their family could never reach. Chen Qian admired Shen Ya and felt ashamed of everything she had done in the past.