The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: The Visit

“Captain Tao! Wait a minute!”

Having just found no one at her destination, Tao Yitong was about to turn and leave when she heard a shout from behind. She looked back to see a colleague from the interrogation department.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I’ve finally reached you. There are two people here that might require your personal attention.”

“Who?” It was rare for the interrogation team to seek her out. Had they caught some particularly troublesome esper?

To her surprise, her colleague said with a conflicted expression: “They are your family members.”

Hearing the word “family,” Tao Yitong immediately felt a headache coming on.

Because of that book, she had been restless all night and didn’t sleep well. she was deathly worried that Jiang Zitan would become guarded against her again; if that happened, not only would she be back on the old path of the original book, but all her previous efforts would go down the drain.

So the next morning, Tao Yitong uncharacteristically did not sleep in. Hearing a noise downstairs, she threw on an outer robe and went down.

Jiang Xianshun was on her tiptoes, rummaging through a cabinet for rain gear. It was forecasted to rain today; the sun hadn’t come out, and the morning was gloomy and overcast. Unable to find what she needed, Jiang Xianshun was about to go to the kitchen to get a footstool when she looked up and saw someone standing by the stairs.

Dressed in a sheer gauze robe, her long hair voluminous and her eyes slightly squinted, the girl possessed rare light-honey-colored hair and pupils. Standing there silently, she carried an extraordinary, ethereal aura.

Jiang Xianshun froze in a daze. When she snapped out of it, her cheeks instantly flushed bright red. She had never seen someone so beautiful.

Tao Yitong ruffled her hair and looked the child up and down. Without descending the stairs, she simply squatted down: “Are you Jiang Zitan’s sister?”

Jiang Xianshun nodded, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her.

Seeing that she wasn’t particularly annoying, Tao Yitong lazily walked down the stairs barefoot. Her skin was incredibly fair, and her feet were beautiful; as Jiang Xianshun watched those snowy-white feet step onto the dark wood floor, it looked like falling snowflakes—strikingly conspicuous.

Tao Yitong leaned down, her long hair cascading: “What’s your name?”

Jiang Xianshun didn’t even dare to look at her, her face crimson: “Jiang… Jiang Xianshun.”

“Where are you going?”

“To my tutoring class.” Jiang Xianshun’s voice was as small as a mosquito’s buzz.

“Oh, tutoring class…” Tao Yitong muttered softly, feeling a bit displeased in her heart. She was naturally headstrong and couldn’t help but wonder why no one had signed Jiang Zitan up for a tutoring class.

Even if the Jiang family favored boys over girls, they still provided tutoring for the youngest daughter. Yet Jiang Zitan, who was in her second year of high school, was on the verge of being unable to attend school at all, forced to act as a nanny to serve her younger siblings.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Tao Yitong found everything unpleasant to the eye. She squatted and pinched Jiang Xianshun’s cheek, her tone harsh: “Then why aren’t you going? Or are you such a big girl that you still need your sister to walk you? Are you missing an arm or a leg?”

Jiang Xianshun sensed the hostility and became frantic, fearing she was being hated: “I… I”

The door behind them suddenly opened. Jiang Zitan stepped out; her room had poor soundproofing, and she had heard the entire conversation. Jiang Xianshun’s cheek was still being pinched, her eyes rimmed with red. Hearing Jiang Zitan come out, she turned and called out weakly: “Sister…”

Jiang Zitan pulled Jiang Xianshun toward her, her brow furrowing slightly as she looked at the young mistress squatting on the floor.

Almost the instant she saw Jiang Zitan, Tao Yitong’s “cat eyes” curved into a smile—a complete transformation from her cold, difficult demeanor toward Jiang Xianshun a moment ago.

“Good morning, Jiang Zitan.” She greeted her with a beaming smile.

Jiang Zitan’s expression was poor, and she didn’t return the greeting. “What were you just doing?”

Tao Yitong stood up, her expression inscrutable. “Nothing at all.”

“Is something wrong?”

Jiang Zitan was introverted; talking to people was an effort, let alone arguing. Suppressing her temper, she led Jiang Xianshun out the door. Tao Yitong was left stunned by the gust of wind from the closing door.

Jiang Zitan pushed the bicycle out from behind the door and saw Jiang Xianshun still standing at the entrance, clutching her hem uneasily. She walked over and asked, “Did she pinch you too hard?”

Jiang Xianshun shook her head vigorously but didn’t get on the bike.

Jiang Zitan was a bit impatient. “Then what is it? If we don’t go now, you’ll be late.”

“I was thinking…” Jiang Xianshun lowered her head, her voice as small as a kitten’s.

Jiang Zitan asked, “Thinking what?”

“Thinking… about whether it’s very tiring for Sister to pick us up and drop us off every day.” Jiang Xianshun’s face was flushed red. She had always relied on her sister and taken it for granted; only today did she realize something was wrong.

Among the three Jiang children, as far back as she could remember, her eldest sister had been very young when she started being responsible for taking care of them. She was a thoughtful child and had always known her sister worked hard, but only today, after thinking carefully, did she realize her sister bore much more than she imagined.

“Is Sister tired?” Jiang Xianshun summoned her courage and looked up at her sister.

Jiang Zitan was also looking at her. The rain dampened Jiang Zitan’s dark hair; her pupils were pitch black, and her expression was flat, devoid of the gratitude or emotion one might expect. After a long silence, the corner of her mouth twitched: “Sister isn’t tired.”

Jiang Xianshun almost couldn’t help but shiver. How could she not be tired? If it were her… she feared she would have grown resentful.

All along the way, Jiang Xianshun sat on the back seat in her raincoat, watching Jiang Zitan pedaling in front of her, completely drenched by the rain. She almost couldn’t stop herself from crying. How could she not be tired? Her sister was truly suffering. Jiang Xianshun reached out and gripped the wet hem of Jiang Zitan’s clothes.

Jiang Zitan returned wearing Jiang Xianshun’s raincoat. She didn’t have one of her own, and Jiang Xianshun’s was a bit small. In the past, she would usually return drenched in this weather; this was the first time Jiang Xianshun had stuffed her own raincoat into her hands.

“Sister, don’t catch a cold.” Jiang Xianshun had said that with red-rimmed eyes as she handed it over.

Jiang Zitan parked the bike and opened the door. The rain outside was moderate, and she had been soaked along the way. As she walked in dripping wet, a puddle formed at the entrance. She looked up and saw someone sitting at the foyer.

It was Tao Yitong. She had changed into an outdoor outfit—a black gauze dress with red rose petals embroidered on the hem, revealing her long, fair calves. Her hair was swept up, and she wore makeup. She sat there sullenly, like a doll, and uncharacteristically lacked a smile when she saw her return.

Jiang Zitan wasn’t smiling either; she was expressionless 365 days a year, but she actually felt a bit uncomfortable. She seemed to have lost her temper with the young mistress before leaving. She couldn’t grasp Tao Yitong’s personality, but she was certain the other would be very angry; after all, she had been snubbed by a “country person.”

Faced with each other’s sour expressions, Tao Yitong couldn’t hold back: “What are you still standing there for? Take off the raincoat.”

“…Oh.” Jiang Zitan almost forgot she was still wearing it. Being reminded felt like having her awkwardness exposed, and her face grew warm.

Tao Yitong didn’t notice her embarrassment and said awkwardly, “Did I do something wrong just now?”

Jiang Zitan’s hand paused while unfastening the raincoat. “No.”

Tao Yitong grew frustrated by her “wooden” reply. “If you have an opinion, just say it!”

Jiang Zitan shook her head. “I don’t.”

Tao Yitong glared at her for the first time, her tone aggressive even though her words were admitting fault: “I know I did something wrong!”

Jiang Zitan: “Not really.”

Tao Yitong’s tone was fierce: “Does that mean you forgive me!?”

Jiang Zitan: “…Yes.”

Tao Yitong gave a “Hmph.” “I just won’t treat your sister like that next time.”

Jiang Zitan suddenly felt like laughing. “Mm.”

Tao Yitong stood up. “Then let’s go out and play.”

Jiang Zitan: ? “In this weather, go out and play?”

Tao Yitong arched an eyebrow. “Yes, you said you’d accompany me out.”

Jiang Zitan pursed her lips. Remembering that Jiang Shibao had no tutoring class today, she eventually nodded in agreement.

“Great.” Tao Yitong smiled. “This umbrella is a new purchase—it’s very beautiful. I’ve been waiting for it to rain.” Once she was happy, she became talkative. Seeing Jiang Zitan standing still, she tugged at her sleeve. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Zitan looked down. Now that they were close, she realized Tao Yitong was slightly shorter than her. The faint sweet scent of perfume drifted from her hair. Jiang Zitan saw the delicate, upturned nose beneath her bangs and her lips painted with dark lipstick.

Noticing the gaze, Tao Yitong turned her face, her “peach blossom” eyes curving; her light-colored pupils were stunningly beautiful. “What is it?”

“…Nothing.” Jiang Zitan turned her face away and silently increased the distance between them.

The rain was still falling outside with no sign of stopping. Tao Yitong opened her umbrella. It was black with a golden moon printed on the surface, looking very expensive; indeed, it felt much heavier than an ordinary umbrella.

Tao Yitong held the umbrella up and looked back at Jiang Zitan, who was standing at the foyer with no intention of moving forward. “What is it? Come here.”

Jiang Zitan didn’t move. She stood under the warm light, her dark hair still wet, her entire being radiating stubbornness. “I…”

“I’ll go get an umbrella,” she said, turning to go back inside.

Tao Yitong was stunned. “What do you need an umbrella for?”

Jiang Zitan didn’t reply and went straight into her room. After rummaging around for a while, she came out with a plastic sheet umbrella. Tao Yitong was perplexed but said nothing, assuming Jiang Zitan didn’t want too much physical contact with her after all, as a “strong female lead” persona, sharing an umbrella with a friend might go against her character.

But Jiang Zitan’s umbrella was far too dilapidated. The wind outside was strong, and almost the moment she opened it, the small plastic umbrella was blown inside out, exposing its ribs.

Jiang Zitan: … Tao Yitong: …

Tao Yitong, standing right there, was nearly hit in the face by the sudden deformation of the dangerous umbrella. She forbade Jiang Zitan from using it. “Don’t use that one. Share mine; my umbrella is very large.”

Jiang Zitan held her broken umbrella, her expression looking somewhat unnatural. Tao Yitong sensed her embarrassment and was about to offer some comfort when she saw Jiang Zitan nod silently.

She was always like this; Tao Yitong couldn’t tell if she was truly willing or not, but suddenly suggesting they go back would be odd, so she simply raised the umbrella to invite her in.

Watching Jiang Zitan walk to her side, Tao Yitong felt a silent relief, but Jiang Zitan felt as though a steel plate was embedded in her back, her whole body in a state of high tension.

As they walked slowly, Tao Yitong stole glances at her. Because of her companion’s extreme nervousness, her own heart was inexplicably racing, her full attention diverted toward the other. Seeing Jiang Zitan drifting too far, with half a shoulder nearly outside the umbrella, she reminded her: “Jiang Zitan, come closer.”

Jiang Zitan’s brow furrowed slightly, but she did as told and moved closer. The rain drummed rhythmically on the umbrella surface. Tao Yitong couldn’t stand the silent atmosphere. Seeing Jiang Zitan silently drifting away again, half her body out of the umbrella, she couldn’t help but turn and look: “Why are you staying so far away?”

Jiang Zitan pursed her lips and said nothing, but moved slightly closer.

Tao Yitong couldn’t take it anymore. “Are you still angry with me?”

Jiang Zitan shook her head. “No.”

Tao Yitong was growing impatient. “You keep saying no, but I have no idea what you’re thinking. If you have something to say, why can’t you just say it?”

The rain grew heavier, and the sky was so dark it was hard to tell day from night. Beneath the umbrella, neither spoke further. Tao Yitong didn’t stop her pace, walking in a straight line with her head down.

Jiang Zitan felt a tingle of unease, not knowing why the young mistress was suddenly angry. Seeing her enter the commercial street, she wanted to suggest a different path, but feared adding fuel to the fire. There were few pedestrians on the street; the “black moon” umbrella and the fast-walking girl in a long dress beneath it, which were so out of place in the village, drew the eyes of almost all passersby.

Chen Huishu, who was sitting in a small shop playing mahjong, looked out the window and immediately spotted the black umbrella in the rain curtain. Flashy, expensive—it was clearly something only a wealthy person could afford.

Almost instantly, Chen Huishu thought of the city person currently living in her house. “How unlucky,” she laughed at herself. Fengkang Town wasn’t a place where only that troublesome young mistress could afford such an umbrella. Just as she was about to resume the game, she saw the umbrella gradually approaching the shop.

Beneath the umbrella, the figures of the two girls emerged. The one holding the umbrella wore a long dress, her frame slender and her skin snowy-white. The one beside her was tall with a straight back. Walking together, they inexplicably gave off a feeling of being a perfect match.

Tao Yitong consciously moved to the side, leaving the space for Jiang Zitan.

“Grandfather, please take a look at this.” Jiang Zitan handed over a document. Noticing that Jiang Hong’s hands lacked strength, she helped him open it.

“What is this?” Jiang Hong’s gaze toward Jiang Zitan became even more affectionate. After all, compared to his biological granddaughter who was sharp and confrontational from the start, forcing him to deal with her cautiously, Jiang Zitan appeared as filial as ever.

He knew Jiang Zitan was soft-hearted, especially toward family; she couldn’t bring herself to be ruthless. He wasn’t asking for her life could she really leave him to fend for himself?

However, Jiang Zitan was likely to disappoint him this time, because she had brought a share transfer agreement. “This is an agreement I’ve drafted for you. Please see if there’s anything that needs changing.”

“Also, since your health is in such a poor state, it’s best to draw up a will as soon as possible.” The sensible and filial granddaughter said considerately: “I have brought a lawyer. If you have any needs, you can tell me.”

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