If an ordinary person has done something guilty and is suddenly questioned so sharply, no matter what, some trace will show on her face.
But Ji Xu'an did not catch the slightest sign of guilt on Jiang Jiang's face. Facing her interrogation, Jiang Jiang looked utterly bewildered, as if she did not understand why Ji Xu'an would ask such a thing.
When Ji Xu'an kept a cold face and said nothing, the oppressive force carried in her sharp gaze was enough to make people's legs go weak. Even Secretary Zhao, who had followed her for several years, did not dare meet Ji Xu'an's eyes at such times.
But Jiang Jiang did not retreat.
Ji Xu'an knew that Jiang Jiang had never been particularly brave. At this moment, although Jiang Jiang's face had already gone pale with fear, from beginning to end she did not avoid Ji Xu'an's gaze. The stubbornness and persistence in her eyes were startling.
Was it truly because she had been misunderstood, so she refused to bow her head?
Or was it that she had something to rely on, knowing Ji Xu'an could do nothing to her?
"President Ji." Jiang Jiang switched back to that form of address. Her hands were clenched tightly into fists, her eyes red as she looked at Ji Xu'an. "You think those words were taught by me to Grandma to say that all of this was my scheme, is that it?"
Ji Xu'an remained expressionless under her questioning, the corner of her lips even curving into a faintly mocking arc. "Wasn't it?"
Jiang Jiang seemed furious; her whole body was trembling. She widened her eyes, trying desperately to force the tears back, unwilling to lose face in front of Ji Xu'an.
"I don't know how to prove myself. It's only right that you suspect me. After all, I truly can't produce any evidence to prove that I didn't do anything unnecessary." Jiang Jiang sniffed. Her formerly soft and pleasant voice had taken on a hoarse, tearful rasp.
"But President Ji, if I really did this, what would I be doing it for?"
"If I hadn't said anything, I would still be your rightful fiancée. Even if you were unwilling to marry me, in order to placate Grandma, at least the engagement ceremony would have been unavoidable." Jiang Jiang held back and held back, but tears still surged out of her eyes.
She was crying hard, unable to stop. Her entire small face was soaked, teardrops still clinging to her chin.
And Ji Xu'an stood two steps away from her, watching steadily, silent as a statue.
Jiang Jiang sobbed. She cried as though she might pass out in the next second, unable to speak clearly, yet she still insisted on defending herself. "After making such a fuss, not only would my status as fiancée become neither legitimate nor justified, I'd also provoke your endless suspicion and doubt. Am I cheap? Am I deliberately making myself suffer?"
Ji Xu'an let out a very light cold laugh. "Who knows?"
As if stimulated completely into collapse by that sentence, Jiang Jiang looked as though she wanted nothing more than to slap Ji Xu'an twice.
Yet even so, there was not the slightest panic or unease in her eyes, the kind that would arise from events spiraling beyond expectation.
Ji Xu'an pondered. Had she really overcomplicated Xie Xiao?
Jiang Jiang did not slap Ji Xu'an. Instead, the anger in her gaze turned into grievance.
"You lied to me, Ji Xu'an, you lied to me…" Jiang Jiang murmured.
"If you didn't want to, you could have refused me. Why did you have to lie?"
Ji Xu'an said nothing, offering no defense.
Jiang Jiang let the tears blur her vision. She bit down hard on her lip, lowering her head to avoid Ji Xu'an's cold expression. "Last night, I was really very happy."
"I thought you were finally willing to believe me for once."
"Xie Xiao." Ji Xu'an finally spoke. "How am I supposed to believe you?"
"We agreed to dissolve the engagement, and it turned into dissolving it without making it public. Shouldn't I suspect you?"
"Then go tell Grandma!" No one had expected Jiang Jiang to erupt so suddenly. Not only Ji Xu'an, but even passersby were startled, their gazes toward the two women especially strange.
Jiang Jiang did not care how others looked at her. She glared fiercely at Ji Xu'an, her voice sharp. "What's the point of telling me? I'm not the one who makes the decisions!"
"Ji Xu'an, you're a coward! You don't dare get angry at Grandma, so you can only vent all your anger on me. Isn't it just because I have no one to rely on, so you can knead and shape me however you like?"
"You think you're wronged—am I not wronged? Do you think I really want to marry you? If Grandma hadn't repeatedly urged me before she left, telling me I must come find you, I…"
Jiang Jiang could not continue. Her voice trembled. "I wasn't born liking to be disliked. I have dignity too…"
"…I'm just very afraid of being alone. I just want to have a home…"
"Grandma Ji has truly treated me very, very well. I don't want to disappoint her." Jiang Jiang looked away, the final sentence so soft it was almost inaudible. "You wouldn't understand."
Ji Xu'an's fingertips hanging at her side trembled almost imperceptibly. It had been a long time since anyone had pointed at her nose and scolded her like this. Strangely, however, there was not much anger in her heart. She was even calmer than when she had walked out of the sanatorium earlier.
The two of them had thoroughly torn away that layer of friendly pretense. It was also the first time Ji Xu'an had seen such an aggressive side of Jiang Jiang.
As the saying goes, even a rabbit will bite when cornered.
Ji Xu'an slowly exhaled. She believed seventy percent of these words, because Jiang Jiang's attitude toward Grandma had indeed always been intimate, no less than toward her own grandmother.
As for the remaining thirty percent of doubt, she would clarify it in the days to come.
"You're right." Ji Xu'an admitted her own cowardice. "I don't want to disappoint Grandma. Her health isn't good. The doctor said to try not to anger her."
"Today's matter counts as my fault. I apologize to you. As for Grandma, you don't need to explain anything. Just do as she says."
Jiang Jiang bit her lower lip fiercely. Tears still would not stop flowing, like a rabbit whose fur had been drenched by rain. Because she was too sad, even her long ears seemed to droop powerlessly.
Ji Xu'an handed her the handkerchief she carried with her. "I'm sorry."
Slender, pale fingers extended before Jiang Jiang. A faint breeze carried the subtle fragrance on the handkerchief, creating the illusion of care and tenderness.
In truth, Jiang Jiang was right. Sometimes Ji Xu'an's meticulousness could indeed make people mistakenly believe she was cold on the outside but warm within. Moreover, hearing the ever-proud and aloof Ji Xu'an say "I'm sorry"—for someone else, it would likely feel like an unexpected honor.
But unfortunately, Jiang Jiang would not believe even a fraction of it.
After all, striking someone with a stick and then offering a sweet date afterward was Ji Xu'an's usual tactic.
Still, she did not refuse the handkerchief. When to make a scene and when to be obedient—Jiang Jiang had long mastered it by heart.
She had first expressed her dissatisfaction just enough, then when Ji Xu'an compromised, she revealed a more straightforward, grievance-filled expression—exactly the reaction someone falsely accused ought to have.
But she could not keep sulking forever, because she wanted Ji Xu'an to know she still held a sliver of expectation toward her.
When she took the handkerchief, Jiang Jiang's fingertips seemed to brush Ji Xu'an's finger pads unintentionally. The touch was icy cold.
Ji Xu'an lowered her arm, her knuckles tightening slightly. Her tone remained calm, though the earlier cold sharpness was gone.
"The wind is strong outside. Get in the car first."
Jiang Jiang shifted her feet and pricked lightly, "I thought you weren't going to care about me anymore."
Ji Xu'an opened the passenger door and let her get in first, explaining at the same time, "I never said that."
Jiang Jiang sat down. Without waiting for Ji Xu'an to remind her, she fastened her seatbelt herself, though her movements were somewhat clumsy.
Ji Xu'an clicked her tongue softly at the sight. She had not been that angry to begin with. Even if she had indeed been unhappy when she first heard the news, the walk out had been enough for her to calm down.
After all, Jiang Jiang was right. Even if the dissolution of the engagement was not made public, today's matter benefited her as well. At least she would not be forced to hold an engagement banquet with Jiang Jiang.
Ji Xu'an's earlier behavior had mostly been a test. She could not tolerate being schemed against, especially when the person plotting was Xie Xie, whom she had always looked down upon.
After roughly confirming that Jiang Jiang had not been the one stirring trouble, Ji Xu'an's attitude toward her returned to what Jiang Jiang had seen upon waking that morning—not particularly warm, but at least no longer bristling like drawn swords and bent bows.
Jiang Jiang was still sniffling softly. Ji Xu'an had no intention of chatting with her. The car was quiet for a time, until Jiang Jiang calmed down and spoke again, finally breaking the oppressive silence.
"The handkerchief is dirty." Jiang Jiang looked at the snow-white handkerchief she had kneaded into a crumpled ball, feeling both ashamed and somewhat vindicated.
It didn't matter that she couldn't retaliate against Ji Xu'an. She could vent her anger on Ji Xu'an's handkerchief instead.
Ji Xu'an saw through her thoughts at a glance, because Jiang Jiang's expression was far too obvious. Her face practically proclaimed petty triumph. Yet when Jiang Jiang made that expression, it was not irritating; rather, it carried a childish sort of cuteness.
Ji Xu'an held the steering wheel with one hand and cast a casual glance at the wrinkled handkerchief. "Throw it away."
Jiang Jiang tightened her fingers, clutching the tear-dampened handkerchief firmly in her palm, pouting rebelliously. "I won't!"
She likely did not realize just how pitiful she looked, with swollen red eyes and even the tip of her nose flushed, making her resolute refusal sound almost like coquettishness.
"As you wish." Ji Xu'an withdrew her gaze from Jiang Jiang, turned the steering wheel, and stepped on the brake.
Park. Turn off the engine. Open the door. Get out.
The series of movements was so fluid that before Jiang Jiang could even react, she was alone in the car.
Jiang Jiang froze. If this were a comic, there would probably be several oversized question marks floating above her head.
Why had Ji Xu'an suddenly left?
Through the car window, Jiang Jiang saw Ji Xu'an walk toward a shop. With her back to this side, she seemed to be saying something to the shop assistant.
Jiang Jiang waited patiently. About five or six minutes later, Ji Xu'an returned to the car and handed the milk tea she had just bought to Jiang Jiang.
"Drink something warm to warm yourself."
Jiang Jiang took it. The cup was warm to the touch. Her previously cool fingertips quickly absorbed the heat, no longer as pale as before, now tinged with a healthy faint pink.
The weather at the end of August was not cold. Ji Xu'an guessed Jiang Jiang had simply been frightened by her earlier outburst.
The straw had already been inserted. Jiang Jiang placed it to her lips and cautiously took a sip. The next second, her still damp red eyes narrowed.
"This sugar water tastes better than the one this morning," she commented softly.
Ji Xu'an corrected her, "It's called milk tea."
"I've had milk tea before. It didn't taste like this." Jiang Jiang thought about it. The milk tea here was better.
Ji Xu'an made no comment. She restarted the car and drove toward the apartment. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jiang Jiang holding the cup with both hands, drinking earnestly, looking delighted and satisfied. The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Quite easy to coax.
Jiang Jiang had not truly been angry. That had all been an act for Ji Xu'an. This cup of milk tea was an unexpected delight, and she liked it very much.
Jiang Jiang decided to retract her earlier evaluation that Ji Xu'an was arrogant and aloof. In fact, Ji Xu'an could lower herself to apologize—though there was not much sincerity in it.
And Ji Xu'an did know how to coax people. It all depended on whether she wanted to or not.
Biting the straw, Jiang Jiang replayed her earlier performance in her mind. She should not have revealed any major flaws, right?
Recalling the change in Ji Xu'an's attitude before and after, she could not help sighing inwardly. Sure enough, sometimes one had to go a little crazy at the right time to secure more benefits for oneself.
Look—wasn't Ji Xu'an much gentler toward her now?
—
Ji Xu'an first brought Jiang Jiang back to the apartment, because Jiang Jiang's eyes were far too red, her face full of traces of crying. In this state, she simply could not go to school to register.
"I've already told little Yuan. The two of you will go together this afternoon."
There was certainly no time to cook lunch, and Jiang Jiang had no intention of cooking herself, so Ji Xu'an ordered takeout.
It was Jiang Jiang's first time encountering takeout. She found it fascinating—whatever you wanted, you just had to tap on your phone. It was like the spells of fairies written in stories.
Phones were truly wonderful things.
Jiang Jiang's greatest impression of phones had been taking photos and making calls. As for the rest, she had some vague impressions but not much depth.
This time, she decided to properly explore the functions on her phone.
Ji Xu'an, rarely at the company, sat on the sofa handling WeChat messages. Seeing Jiang Jiang fiddling with her phone, she said concisely, "My WeChat ID is the same as my phone number."
Jiang Jiang took several seconds to process that. "Are you asking me to add you as a friend?"
Ji Xu'an did not state it explicitly. "When it's inconvenient for me to answer calls, you can send me a WeChat message."
So that really was what she meant.
Jiang Jiang found it rather magical. Was this what Ji Xu'an was like after speaking things out? She seemed like a different person. At first she would not even give her phone number, and now she was proactively letting her add her as a contact.
Jiang Jiang held out her phone with both hands toward Ji Xu'an, the anticipation and joy in her eyes so bright they could dazzle.
Ji Xu'an took the phone, entered her number, found her own account, and selected to proceed with verification.
When filling in the remark, Ji Xu'an lifted her eyes and glanced at Jiang Jiang beside her. Her fingertips tapped lightly a few times before she returned the phone.
Moments later, Jiang Jiang saw a new message in her WeChat.
[I've accepted your friend request. Now we can start chatting!]
The message came from — Sister.
Jiang Jiang abruptly looked up at Ji Xu'an. Ji Xu'an, however, was not looking at her. She stared steadily at her tablet, her lowered lashes revealing seriousness and focus.
Jiang Jiang's lips trembled. She called softly, "Sister?"
Ji Xu'an responded calmly and evenly.
"Mm."
At once, Jiang Jiang's heart, which had been hanging high in suspense, settled back down.
—
Until the takeout arrived, Jiang Jiang still wore a silly smile. During the meal she kept lifting her head to look at Ji Xu'an, filling Ji Xu'an with helplessness.
"Eat properly."
"Oh." Jiang Jiang stayed quiet for no more than three seconds before sneaking another look at Ji Xu'an, cautiously seeking confirmation. "This time… you're not lying to me, right?"
Ji Xu'an showed not the slightest guilt. "I never lied to you in the first place."
She seemed to have selectively forgotten the argument from the morning. Jiang Jiang also kept silent about it. The atmosphere between them was harmonious in a way it had never been before.
After finishing the meal, Jiang Jiang diligently cleaned up the takeout boxes, then trotted back to her room and retrieved the prepared gift from the drawer.
"For me?" Ji Xu'an reached out to take it.
She had known Jiang Jiang planned to give her something—Housekeeper Chen had told her long ago—but since Jiang Jiang had never made a move, Ji Xu'an had pretended it did not exist.
"Open it and see." Jiang Jiang bent down and sat by Ji Xu'an's feet, her upper body leaning against the sofa, one hand supporting her chin as she gazed at Ji Xu'an with full expectation.
Ji Xu'an opened it and clearly froze in surprise.
It was also a handkerchief. The pale green tone was fresh and gentle. Embroidered upon it was a white magnolia, lifelike, each petal displaying softness and natural grace.
Ji Xu'an turned it over. The reverse side bore the same pattern, the designs on both sides equally exquisite and beautiful, without the slightest visible thread end.
"This is…" Ji Xu'an found it hard to believe.
Jiang Jiang pressed her lips together shyly, even the two dimples at her cheeks tinged with bashfulness. "I embroidered it myself."
This time, Ji Xu'an was truly astonished. She had not expected Jiang Jiang to possess such skill. The embroidery was so exquisite and practiced that even a layperson could see it was extraordinary.
"You specifically studied this?"
Ji Xu'an knew Jiang Jiang had asked Housekeeper Chen for needle and thread. She had originally assumed Jiang Jiang was going to embroider something like cross-stitch. She had not expected the finished product to be far more stunning than she had imagined.
"I've liked these kinds of things since I was little." Jiang Jiang did not directly affirm Ji Xu'an's assumption. After all, the real Xie Xiao certainly had never studied embroidery.
"It's beautifully done." Ji Xu'an's gaze seemed to soften further. She had always admired capable people, no matter what kind of ability it was.
Xie Xiao had indeed given her a surprise.
Ji Xu'an gently stroked the magnolia on the handkerchief, able to feel the care Jiang Jiang had put into preparing the gift. Her tone warmed further. "Thank you for your gift. I like it very much."
Jiang Jiang let out a heavy sigh of relief. "As long as Sister likes it."
She rested her cheek against her arm, the corners of her eyes curved, her gaze so pure it was almost naïve. "I actually prepared it a long time ago. I was afraid you wouldn't accept it, so I never took it out."
Ji Xu'an put the handkerchief away and asked casually, "And now you're certain I'll accept it?"
Jiang Jiang scratched lightly at the sofa with her fingertip and shifted her gaze away somewhat unnaturally. "I think you will."
Not giving Ji Xu'an a chance to speak, Jiang Jiang hurriedly added, "Sister, thank you for being willing to take care of me and stand up for me."
She made a solemn promise. "I will always listen to you."
Ji Xu'an looked at her deeply. "No need to thank me."
If Xie Xie could truly do as she said, that would be the best repayment to her.
——
Ji Xu'an carefully put away the handkerchief Jiang Jiang had given her. She did not intend to take it out for use. No matter how carefully one cherished such an item, once it was used, traces would inevitably remain.
It was the first time Ji Xu'an had received such a gift. She felt it carried commemorative meaning. Besides, if she took it out and it was damaged, Xie Xiao would surely think she did not value the gift.
After putting the handkerchief away, Ji Xu'an waited another half hour. Only when Zhao Zitang called to say he had arrived downstairs did Ji Xu'an call Jiang Jiang to prepare to leave.
Seeing Jiang Jiang so anxious she seemed absent-minded, Ji Xu'an offered reassurance. "The registration procedures at S University aren't complicated. With Secretary Zhao there, you don't need to worry."
Jiang Jiang came back to herself and smiled at Ji Xu'an. "I know. Thank you, Sister."
Ji Xu'an said nothing more.
Today Zhao Zitang was driving. When Jiang Jiang got into the car, she realized Ji Heyuan was already inside.
"Little Yuan, good afternoon?" Jiang Jiang took the initiative to greet her.
Ji Heyuan clicked her tongue. "What's so good about it? I waited all morning for you. You sure have quite the status."
Although registration wasn't urgent, just thinking that she had been waiting for Xie Xie made her feel annoyed.
"I'm sorry, little Yuan. Sister and I went to the sanatorium this morning." As Jiang Jiang spoke, she struggled with the seatbelt. She tried twice and failed to fasten it. In the end, Ji Xu'an couldn't bear to watch and helped her.
Ji Heyuan saw this scene in the mirror and nearly stared her eyes out. Since when had her sister's relationship with Xie Xie become this good?!
Although Ji Xu'an had merely reached out casually to help with a small matter—that was Ji Xu'an!
The phrase "helping others for joy" simply did not exist in her dictionary.
Ji Heyuan clicked her tongue twice, then suddenly caught onto something.
"Wait. What did you call my sister?"
Ji Heyuan smacked her lips, shocked and confused. "You two are really playing fancy, huh?"
Xu'an, Sister, and President Ji—now you've skipped even the name entirely.
Ji Heyuan felt sour inside. She even wanted to ask Ji Xu'an: when you hear someone call you Sister, can you tell who's calling you?
My sister. My sister alone!
Actually snatched away by someone surnamed Xie!
"Little Yuan." Ji Xu'an's voice carried a warning. "Don't talk nonsense."
"Yes, yes, I'm talking nonsense." Ji Heyuan rolled her eyes.
Since Secretary Zhao was present, she did not say more. It was one thing to bicker in front of family; there was no need to lose face in front of an outsider.
Zhao Zitang was practically boiling with excitement at the gossip, his curiosity unstoppable. What exactly had Miss Xie done? How had President Ji suddenly grown so much closer to her?
Unfortunately, the three women in the back did not speak again. Zhao Zitang could only suppress his gossiping heart regretfully.
These days were the registration period. S University was crowded with people coming and going. The parking lot was nearly full. Secretary Zhao circled the campus several times before finally finding an empty spot.
The four of them got out of the car. Zhao Zitang carried a briefcase containing Jiang Jiang's and Ji Heyuan's various documents.
Ji Heyuan had come to S University many times before. As a local entrepreneur of S City, she was invited almost every year to attend various events.
Leading the group with ease toward the registration area, Ji Xu'an spotted from afar someone holding a sign by the roadside—a student from the photography department welcoming freshmen.
He was a tall boy, especially enthusiastic, and he took the initiative to greet Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan. "Are you two juniors from our department?"
Because Ji Xu'an and Secretary Zhao clearly looked like working adults, only Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan still had that clarity—almost foolish innocence—unique to college students in their eyes.
Ji Heyuan was only sharp-tongued and sarcastic in front of Jiang Jiang. At this moment she appeared particularly outgoing and lively. "Yes, we're in the photography department."
"I'm your senior. I'm a sophomore this year." The boy shook the wooden sign in his hand. "Have you gone to register yet?"
"We're just about to," Ji Heyuan replied with a grin.
She quickly struck up a conversation with him. The boy even handed the sign to another student, preparing to personally lead them to the registration area.
Compared to Ji Heyuan's extroversion, Jiang Jiang was much quieter. She did not speak, only observing everything around her with curious eyes.
For some reason, this sight stirred something subtle in Ji Xu'an's heart.
"That's the S University library." Ji Xu'an suddenly said.
Jiang Jiang immediately withdrew her gaze from others and looked at Ji Xu'an eagerly.
Seeing this, Ji Xu'an could only lower her voice and begin introducing some basic knowledge about S University.
Jiang Jiang listened with satisfaction. This move of hers had not been wrong at all. Once she shed the identity of fiancée, Ji Xu'an's guard and rejection toward her had decreased by at least half.
Behind them, Secretary Zhao watched the scene with a smile.
Had President Ji really taken her as a good little sister?
She didn't even show this much patience to her own biological sister.
Hehe. He didn't believe it.
—
The registration area was crowded and required lining up. Fortunately, with Secretary Zhao handling things, Ji Xu'an was free to relax and simply stand aside waiting.
Her gaze unconsciously settled on Jiang Jiang. She watched her move cautiously, like a newborn baby exploring the world for the first time, finding everything before her novel.
She had not watched long when someone lightly tapped her shoulder. Ji Xu'an turned her head to see a familiar face.
"Xu'an."
It was Wen Xueyun.
"Did you come to accompany little Yuan to register?" she asked.
Ji Xu'an hummed in response. "Why are you here?"
Wen Xueyun wasn't a counselor; she didn't need to be here guarding the registration area.
"Helping a colleague." Wen Xueyun shrugged helplessly. She avoided Ji Xu'an's gaze and searched the crowd for Ji Heyuan's figure.
It looked like concern for Ji Heyuan, but in truth Wen Xueyun felt guilty.
She had not come to help a colleague at all. She had spotted Ji Xu'an's car on campus and guessed she might still be at the registration area, so she hurried over.
Fortunately, she hadn't missed her.
Wen Xueyun let out a breath of relief. She quickly found Ji Heyuan in the crowd, just about to go greet her when she saw Ji Heyuan tilt her head and say something to a delicate and well-behaved-looking girl beside her.
"Little Yuan made a friend so quickly?" Wen Xueyun smiled.
"No," Ji Xu'an replied lightly. "A relative's child."
The smile on Wen Xueyun's face stiffened slightly.
She had liked Ji Xu'an for so long and knew her family situation thoroughly. None of her relatives' children looked like that.
Yet Ji Xu'an had no reason to lie to her.
An inexplicable sense of rejection suddenly arose in Wen Xueyun's heart. She did not know whether the dislike was directed at this suddenly appearing "relative's child," or because that person reminded her of Ji Xu'an's not-so-old girlfriend.
Speaking of which, Ji Xu'an's girlfriend was also the granddaughter of her grandmother's good friend.
At this moment, Wen Xueyun had not yet considered that the two might be the same person.
"That's nice. The two of them are at the same university, so little Yuan will have company."
Ji Xu'an nodded. "Xie Xiao is also in the photography department. I'll have to trouble you to look after her as well."
Wen Xueyun did not show the slightest displeasure. She smiled teasingly. "With a word from President Ji, I guarantee I'll handle it beautifully."
A faint smile appeared in Ji Xu'an's eyes as well.
Not far away, Ji Heyuan, standing in line, somehow saw this scene and immediately brightened.
She turned to look at Jiang Jiang and found that Jiang Jiang had already noticed, quietly watching Ji Xu'an and Wen Xueyun.
"See that?" Ji Heyuan lowered her voice. "A mature and sexy beauty like Sister Xueyun is the one who matches my sister. When they're together, it's called a perfect match, a union of equals."
"As for you, when you walk beside my sister, people probably think it's a parent bringing her child."
Jiang Jiang withdrew her gaze and replied calmly, "That shouldn't be the case. Sister Xu'an doesn't look old."
Ji Heyuan choked. "That's nonsense! My sister doesn't look old, nor is she old, okay!"
She quickly realized she had nearly been led astray. "What I mean is you're too childish!"
Jiang Jiang: "Oh."
Jiang Jiang: "You're probably describing yourself."
Ji Heyuan was a few days older than she was.
Ji Heyuan: ...
Ji Heyuan was so angered she nearly shut down.
After registering, a kind senior student told them they should next go collect their military training uniforms.
Hearing those two words, Jiang Jiang felt puzzled.
"Military training?"
"You country bumpkin, don't tell me you've never even heard of military training?" Ji Heyuan was exasperated. "Which deep mountain forest did you crawl out of?"
She explained what military training was. Jiang Jiang's eyes widened in disbelief.
The rulers of this world actually allowed ordinary people to know the army's training methods!
Although Jiang Jiang already knew this world was safe and free, she was still shocked. Were those in power truly not worried that someone might use this to raise a private army?
Fortunately, though she was astonished, she did not voice the question, or Ji Heyuan would certainly have mocked her mercilessly.
Not to mention that the intensity of military training could never turn ordinary people into professionally trained soldiers; in modern warfare, numbers were not the decisive factor—weaponry was.
Jiang Jiang had once lived in the age of cold weapons. She could not imagine how advanced and formidable modern weaponry was.
Even if she did not fully understand, she could sense from Ji Heyuan's tone that something was off.
"Little Yuan, girls have to do military training too?" Jiang Jiang asked softly.
Ji Heyuan clicked her tongue. "You're so young. Why are your ideas so feudal?"
"In modern society, everyone is equal. Men and women are the same. Why would you think girls don't have to do military training?"
Jiang Jiang had been scolded as old-fashioned and felt a bit embarrassed. "I didn't say it wasn't allowed. I was just asking."
Yet there was a trace of excitement in her tone that made Ji Heyuan find her baffling.
"Even though everyone has to do it, honestly, I doubt many people actually like it. You must be a weirdo."
Someone who actually likes military training!
Jiang Jiang pressed her lips into a smile. "Mm. I like it."
Under Ji Heyuan's strange gaze, Jiang Jiang did not explain.
What she liked was not military training itself, but the feeling of not treating women as accessories to men, of allowing women to possess the same rights as men.
Perhaps to Ji Heyuan this was a trivial matter, but to Jiang Jiang—or to all the women of that other world— it was something they did not even dare dream of.
Even someone as noble as Princess Huaining had faced nationwide criticism when Emperor Jiacheng handed the Luanjing Bureau to her.
They accused Princess Huaining of being a woman unfit to meddle in state affairs.
Even after she used iron-blooded methods to silence opposition, their agreement had only been superficial. In their hearts, they had never truly accepted it.
Jiang Jiang knew that women in this world had also endured oppression and suffering. She sincerely felt gratitude and admiration for those who had fought for the phrase "equality between men and women."
Liu Xiaobao from the foot of the mountain had three older sisters. All three loved her dearly, and she had sworn she would repay them.
But her family was poor—so poor they could not even afford food.
Her eldest sister had been married off early to a widower as his second wife. Her second sister was promised to a bachelor in the same village, whose family was said to be even poorer than the Liu family's. As for her third sister, she had been noticed by a wealthy merchant in town who wanted her as his thirteenth concubine. He was said to be over forty years older than she was. The third sister refused and fled, only to fall from a cliff during her escape. Her body was never found.
Liu Xiaobao had hated and resented it, had knelt and begged, yet in the end she could only watch helplessly as her sisters walked into the abyss.
Even she herself could not resist the grinding of fate and could only numb herself into acceptance.
Jiang Jiang had once tried to help her. It was in the fifth year after she had been brought back to the Duke's residence. That year, Liu Xiaobao was seventeen, newly betrothed to a poor scholar in the village.
Once childhood companions, now one stood high as a young lady of the Duke's residence, the other low as dust, a rural village wife.
Yet Liu Xiaobao's gaze toward her held neither respect nor envy, only a heavy sorrow that could not be dissolved.
"Little Jiang Jiang, you can't save me. You can help me for a while—but what about later?"
"Everyone says a woman is destined to marry. She must dedicate her life selflessly to her husband and children. A woman who doesn't marry will be scorned—even her own family will consider her a disgrace."
"Granted, someone as noble and illustrious as you—just a bit of powder falling through your fingers would be enough for me to enjoy for a lifetime. But little Jiang Jiang, what difference is there between you and me?"
"Do you truly want to marry the Crown Prince? Truly want to compete with countless women for one man, spending your long life in endless open and hidden struggles?"
Jiang Jiang had been unable to speak. The powerlessness at that moment was far heavier than when she had struggled to maneuver among the people of the Duke's residence.
Liu Xiaobao waved her hand at her. "Go, little Jiang Jiang."
"I will never have a day in this lifetime when I break free of my shackles. But I hope you will."
"After all, you are little Jiang Jiang."
—
"Hey! Xie Xiao? Xie Xiao?!"
"…Xiao…Jiang Jiang!"
Jiang Jiang abruptly pulled herself from her memories to find Ji Heyuan looking at her with displeasure. "I'm talking to you. What are you thinking about so intently?"
For once she did not explode in anger. Perhaps she had sensed something unusual about Jiang Jiang. For a fleeting moment, she had thought Jiang Jiang looked very sad—so sad she might cry.
Ji Heyuan thought to herself that she would magnanimously spare Xie Xiao this time. If she really started crying in public, Ji Heyuan would lose face too.
Jiang Jiang shook her head. "Nothing. Little Yuan, what did you just say?"
"So you were treating my words like farts," Ji Heyuan muttered, then raised her voice. "I said we're going to find my sister and Sister Xueyun first. Secretary Zhao went to help us collect the military training uniforms."
"I'll listen to you." Jiang Jiang smiled at her. Because of the crowd, she had to move closer to Ji Heyuan to avoid being separated.
Jiang Jiang's seemingly dependent posture made Ji Heyuan's ears suddenly feel hot. "If you're going to talk, just talk. Why are you standing so close?"
She fumed inwardly. Xie Xiao must have used this soft and pitiful demeanor to charm her sister completely!
Jiang Jiang compromised and stepped back. "If you don't like it, I'll move farther away."
"What do you mean like or not like? Don't say such dangerous things!" Ji Heyuan quickly interrupted her. "Don't ever say that in front of my sister, got it, Jiang Jiang?"
"…Why are you calling me that?" Jiang Jiang looked at her silently.
Ji Heyuan did not care. "When I call you Xie Xiao you don't respond. Besides, I think this name rolls off the tongue."
She cast Jiang Jiang a sideways glance. "What, aren't you called Jiang Jiang?"
Jiang Jiang did not answer. Her expression turned strange, making Ji Heyuan feel a chill down her back, as if something bad were about to happen.
Ji Heyuan stiffened all over. That female ghost wouldn't show up again, would she?!
She took a large step sideways, pressing close to Jiang Jiang's shoulder. "Don't stay too far from me. Hurry up, hurry up!"
Jiang Jiang looked at her like she was foolish. "Wasn't it you who said—"
"I changed my mind, okay?" Ji Heyuan forced an excuse. "I… I have social anxiety!"
Jiang Jiang: "..."
Don't think she doesn't know what social anxiety means.
After finally squeezing through the crowd to reach Ji Xu'an and Wen Xueyun, Ji Heyuan let out a heavy sigh of relief. With her sister here, that female ghost surely wouldn't dare come close.
Relaxing, she blinked playfully at Wen Xueyun. "Sister Xueyun! Should I call you Teacher Wen from now on?"
Wen Xueyun smiled gently, her tone intimate. "Just call me Sister. If you call me Teacher, it feels like I'm a generation older than your sister."
Ji Heyuan agreed. Just as she was about to say more, she heard Wen Xueyun tease:
"Little Yuan, aren't you going to introduce this younger sister to me?"
"What's our relationship? Why would it be my place to introduce her?" Ji Heyuan said pointedly.
At first Wen Xueyun did not catch the implication and continued joking. "I saw everything. You two seem to get along very well. You've been chatting and laughing nonstop. Little Yuan, you clearly like her a lot."
Ji Heyuan waved her hands frantically, practically writing rejection across her face.
"I'm not! I don't! I wouldn't dare!"
"Sister Xueyun, don't talk nonsense. I may love eating dumplings, but I definitely don't love a sister-in-law!"
At the word "sister-in-law," the smile on Wen Xueyun's face froze, then crumbled inch by inch into ashes.
She forced a twitch of her lips. "Sister-in-law…"
"Xu'an, so this is the one you mentioned—your not-so-young…"
"Girlfriend?"
—
Author's Note:
Ji Heyuan: I really do want to live a few more years!
—
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