Ji Heyuan shivered and stopped thinking about it.
As the only person in the family rejected by Little Bread, she racked her brains trying to attract Little Bread's attention, yet the cat simply ignored her.
Jiang Jiang was amused by Ji Heyuan. For a while, all her attention was on Ji Heyuan and Little Bread, and she had no extra thoughts to spare for Ji Xu'an.
It was only in a pause between laughter that Jiang Jiang unconsciously glanced at Ji Xu'an from the corner of her eye. Only then did she realize that Ji Xu'an was quietly looking at her, and in those dark eyes seemed to be emotions that were impossible to decipher.
Jiang Jiang's heart tightened, and she slowly restrained her smile.
Ji Heyuan, however, remained completely unaware. In order to tease the cat, she even moved closer to Jiang Jiang, their legs pressed together.
Ji Xu'an took all of this in. She said nothing, yet her fingertip tapped lightly against the sofa armrest again and again, as if somewhat distracted.
Sister Zhou happened to poke her head out and saw this scene, and the ominous feeling in her heart grew even stronger.
Perhaps the truth really was not what she had thought. Perhaps she had been too presumptuous.
This Miss Xie truly had remarkable ability. It had not been long at all, yet she had already won over both young mistresses of the Ji family. As for the Old Madam, there was no need to mention her—she had supported Xie Xiao from the very beginning.
If this continued, it would only be a matter of time before Miss Xie married Eldest Miss.
Sister Zhou drifted off in thought and did not even hear Ji Xu'an calling her, until Ji Xu'an repeated herself and she hurriedly responded, "What is it?"
Ji Xu'an did not know when she had walked to the kitchen doorway. Her brows were slightly furrowed. "Once the meal is done, you can leave first."
As for the dishes, they could be put into the dishwasher.
Sister Zhou did not quite want to leave. She wanted to observe how Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an interacted, but no matter how much courage she had, she did not dare reveal her thoughts in front of Ji Xu'an.
Eldest Miss was not easy to fool, and she was not particularly sentimental either. Even employees who had worked for many years would be dismissed without hesitation if they harbored ulterior motives.
Sister Zhou did not dare gamble her future on Ji Xu'an's soft heart.
After she left, the atmosphere in the apartment became even stranger.
Ji Heyuan diligently went to the kitchen to carry out the dishes. When choosing seats, she subconsciously chose the spot beside Jiang Jiang.
Ji Xu'an walked at the very end. She was holding two bowls of rice. Seeing the two of them sitting side by side, both looking at her with expectant expressions, Ji Xu'an's steps paused almost imperceptibly.
She said nothing, placed the rice in front of them, and then sat alone across from them.
Ji Heyuan kept talking. She truly talked a lot. When there were other people present before, she could chat with them. Now there were only the three of them, and her sister looked so cold. Even a fool would know who to talk to.
Ji Xu'an endured it for a while. It was all useless chatter.
She felt she had already been gentle enough, even waiting until Ji Heyuan finished speaking before reminding her, "Have you forgotten the rule of not speaking while eating?"
Ji Heyuan pouted. "That's when there are outsiders. Now everyone at this table is family. If we still sit quietly, how boring would that be?"
Jiang Jiang seemed to agree with Ji Heyuan's words as well. Ji Xu'an could only remain silent and let the two of them chat and laugh while eating.
Though separated by only a dining table, she seemed to exist in a different space from the other two, appearing out of place.
Ji Heyuan did not notice anything wrong with her sister at all. In truth, she was not intentionally seeking Jiang Jiang out for conversation. It was mainly because even while eating, Little Bread was still lying on Jiang Jiang's lap, and Ji Heyuan found it hard not to tease the cat.
Perhaps influenced by that earlier thought, Ji Heyuan began referring to herself as "Little Aunt."
"When Little Aunt earns money, I'll buy you lots of delicious food and a big house to live in." Ji Heyuan put down her chopsticks and chuckled. "So can you let Little Aunt pet you in advance?"
Little Bread did not even spare her a glance.
Ji Heyuan swallowed her frustration. As expected of a cat raised by her sister. This little temper was exactly like her sister's.
Wait.
Ji Heyuan suddenly had a marvelous thought.
If Little Bread's personality was truly very similar to her sister's, then it being aloof in front of her but acting like a clingy puppy in front of Jiang Jiang, constantly acting coquettish and trying to please her, wouldn't that mean her sister also—
Ji Heyuan could not help shivering. She stole a glance at Ji Xu'an across the table, who still wore a cold expression. Her gaze became increasingly strange, faintly tinged with shock and disbelief.
She had never expected this. So you're actually this kind of contrast-cute sister!
Perhaps noticing Ji Heyuan's stare, Ji Xu'an lifted her eyes and looked over. That glance made Ji Heyuan's scalp tingle, the same nervousness and unease she had felt as a child after making a mistake.
She—she had not done anything wrong, right?
Was it really because she had talked too much?
Ji Heyuan silently shut her mouth. Fine. She would stop talking.
The person who had just been chattering non-stop suddenly fell quiet. Jiang Jiang did not find it strange at all. Ji Heyuan's train of thought had always been unconventional, not something normal people could understand. Whatever she did, Jiang Jiang would not be surprised.
As for Ji Xu'an, she had seemed a little off since earlier…
Jiang Jiang pondered silently, but her face revealed nothing.
After dinner, Ji Heyuan sprawled on the sofa rubbing her stomach, showing no sign of leaving.
Ji Xu'an came out of the kitchen and saw Ji Heyuan talking to Jiang Jiang. She endured it and endured it, but in the end could not hold back. She walked over and lightly kicked Ji Heyuan's calf.
Ji Heyuan looked up at her blankly, her clear eyes revealing foolishness. "What's wrong?"
Jiang Jiang, who was absorbed in petting the cat, also looked up at Ji Xu'an, a gentle smile still lingering at the corner of her lips.
Ji Xu'an's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. Her tone was not particularly cold, but Ji Heyuan could still hear the faint dissatisfaction hidden within.
"Aren't you leaving yet?"
Ji Heyuan froze, almost unable to believe what she had heard.
"You're driving me away?!"
She felt so wronged she was about to explode. She had never expected that one day she would be driven out of the house by her own sister. Judging by Ji Xu'an's expression, she was not joking.
Ji Heyuan's eyes immediately reddened. She turned fiercely to Jiang Jiang and demanded, "Do you also think I should leave?"
If Jiang Jiang also said yes, she swore she would never step foot here again!
Jiang Jiang hurriedly waved her hand. "I don't think that."
Why should the battle between these sisters drag her into it?
She comforted Ji Heyuan. "Heyuan, Sister definitely doesn't mean that. How could she drive you away?"
As she spoke, she cast Ji Xu'an a subtle glance filled with disapproval.
Ji Xu'an subconsciously tensed. Even though Jiang Jiang's expression was still gentle and harmless, she inexplicably felt as though she had done something wrong.
Jiang Jiang seemed to be blaming her, blaming her for speaking to Heyuan that way.
Ji Xu'an lowered her lashes slightly, and the fingers at her side curled as well.
"There is no room for you at home. Besides, didn't you say you don't like being managed by me?"
Those words were directed at Ji Heyuan.
Ji Heyuan was still indignant. "There are several rooms in this house. Can't one be tidied up for me to stay in? If not, I can sleep on the sofa. It's already so late. Are you really at ease letting me leave alone?"
Ji Xu'an did not look at Jiang Jiang. With her back to the light, her shadow seemed elongated. "The spare room has been arranged for the cat. The other two are the dressing room and the study."
She paused, then continued, "If you're going back to school, I can have the driver take you."
Ji Heyuan opened her mouth, suddenly not knowing what to say. It seemed her sister was not truly driving her away, yet she still felt wronged.
In the end, Ji Heyuan simply pushed Jiang Jiang's arm and made her judge. "Xie Jiang Jiang, tell me, isn't my sister wrong here?"
Jiang Jiang: "Huh?"
Ji Xu'an also fell silent. She looked at Jiang Jiang quietly, seemingly waiting for her answer as well.
Jiang Jiang met her gaze speechlessly. She even felt she saw a trace of grievance in Ji Xu'an's eyes. Jiang Jiang took a deep breath, feeling a headache coming on.
It was one thing for Ji Heyuan to throw a tantrum. Why was even the usually mature and steady Ji Xu'an acting strange?
And perhaps Jiang Jiang was overthinking, but she felt that Ji Heyuan was not entirely wrong. Ji Xu'an really did seem to be targeting Ji Heyuan a little tonight.
Not in a hateful way, but as though Ji Xu'an truly did not want Ji Heyuan to stay overnight.
Only she concealed this intention well and even found a good excuse, so even Ji Heyuan had not realized her true motive.
Under the scrutiny of both of them, it was hard for Jiang Jiang to say who was right or wrong. In the end she could only honestly say, "Neither of you is wrong. It's just that the way you expressed it wasn't quite right."
"Sister's tone should have been gentler. As for Heyuan, your emotions were too intense."
Ji Heyuan was clearly dissatisfied with this attempt at smoothing things over. As for Ji Xu'an, Jiang Jiang could not tell whether she was satisfied, but it was true that there was no smile on Ji Xu'an's face the entire time.
It was already settled that Ji Heyuan would stay the night. The question became where she would sleep.
Jiang Jiang suggested, "How about Heyuan sleeps with me?"
The moment she finished speaking, Ji Xu'an rejected it without hesitation.
"No."
Ji Heyuan had originally felt somewhat shy about Jiang Jiang's suggestion—after all, she had never slept together with Jiang Jiang before—but because of Ji Xu'an's attitude, her rebellious streak flared up again.
"Why not? Xie Jiang Jiang already agreed."
Ji Xu'an looked at her with a dark gaze. "You don't sleep peacefully. Jiang Jiang is still injured."
Ji Heyuan immediately wilted. That was true.
Jiang Jiang had not truly intended to sleep with Ji Heyuan. She had only said that to lead into what she would say next.
"Then Heyuan can sleep with Sister. Sister Xu'an sleeps very properly."
Ji Heyuan first hesitated, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Wait. How do you know my sister sleeps properly?"
Hadn't the two of them never slept together before?
Jiang Jiang blinked. "When Sister stayed with me in the hospital, we slept together."
Ji Heyuan let out a meaningful "Oh~."
Ji Xu'an understood what Jiang Jiang meant—if she did not agree to let Ji Heyuan sleep with her, then Jiang Jiang would have no choice but to give up half of her own bed. Ji Xu'an could only nod.
Ji Heyuan was a little nervous, and also somewhat excited.
It had been a long time since she had slept with her sister. The last time was when she was very young. Ji Xu'an had been afraid that she would have nightmares sleeping alone at night, so she had accompanied her.
The three of them entered two separate rooms. Little Bread slept in the cat bed.
When closing the door, Jiang Jiang hesitated for a moment and said softly to Ji Xu'an, "Sister, if you're not used to it, how about letting Xiao Yuan sleep with me instead?"
Ji Xu'an refused. "Go to bed early. You don't need to worry about us."
Jiang Jiang could only close the bedroom door.
At first, Ji Heyuan felt a little uncomfortable, but she quickly relaxed. After taking a shower, she even rolled around on the bed.
In comparison, Ji Xu'an was much more restrained. Even after lying down beside Ji Heyuan, she did not relax.
Ji Heyuan did not notice Ji Xu'an's tension. She still wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her sister.
"Sis, are you really going to marry Xie Jiang Jiang in the end?" Ji Heyuan lay on her side facing Ji Xu'an and asked in a low voice.
Ji Xu'an was leaning against the headboard, holding a book in her hand. She wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and the emotions in her eyes were completely concealed behind the lenses, making it difficult for Ji Heyuan to discern any change in her gaze.
Ji Heyuan's opening was so blunt that Ji Xu'an did not know how to answer her.
Fortunately, Ji Heyuan did not stubbornly insist on hearing her reply. She giggled foolishly. "I think Xie Jiang Jiang is pretty good. If she becomes my sister-in-law, she definitely won't bully me in the future."
Ji Xu'an suppressed the surging thoughts in her heart and said lightly, "Even if it isn't her, no one can bully you."
Ji Heyuan curled her lips. "That's not necessarily true. If you meet someone scheming who keeps whispering in your ear every night, maybe you really would harden your heart and kick me out of the house."
Ji Xu'an's face was expressionless. "You're getting more and more ridiculous."
Ji Heyuan clicked her tongue. "Seriously, Xie Jiang Jiang likes you so much, and it's not like you don't have feelings for her. You might as well settle it earlier."
"After all, they say every three years is a generation gap. You're a full eight years older than Xie Jiang Jiang. And there are so many young and beautiful girls in university. Who knows, one day Xie Jiang Jiang might be lured away by someone else."
Ji Heyuan said this only to give Ji Xu'an a sense of crisis. She did not notice how Ji Xu'an's gaze turned cold in an instant and continued provoking her.
"You don't know—Xie Jiang Jiang is very popular. A few days ago she was even posted on S University's confession wall. Lots of senior students were asking around for her information."
"Of course, I didn't say anything. To outsiders I always say Xie Jiang Jiang already has a partner, but no one believes it."
With a hint of watching the drama unfold, Ji Heyuan began wildly offering crooked ideas to her sister. "In the end, it's just because they've never seen you. Sis, listen to me—take Xie Jiang Jiang out more and show off your affection. Then no one will dare try to poach her."
Unfortunately, Ji Xu'an was not persuaded. "There's no need."
Jiang Jiang does not like those still immature young girls at university. Compared to them, she prefers mature, charming women.
Of course, there was no need for Ji Xu'an to tell Ji Heyuan that.
"You're just being stubborn. When one day Xie Jiang Jiang really gets snatched away, you'll know regret."
Ji Heyuan truly felt a sense of frustration, like iron that failed to become steel.
She thought again of Chu Yueqi, who had been bold enough to try to poach her sister's partner right in front of her. At that time, her sister had also looked completely indifferent. She could not understand why her sister was so at ease. Was it because she was certain that the person Xie Jiang Jiang loved would only ever be her?
Ji Heyuan guessed wildly.
Ji Xu'an did not want to explain to her. She should have upheld her previous stance—that whoever Jiang Jiang chooses is her freedom—but for some reason, Ji Xu'an found herself unable to say those words.
After finishing discussing her sister's romantic progress, Ji Heyuan began complaining about Ji Xu'an. "I think you're really biased. You two aren't even married yet, and you're already favoring Xie Jiang Jiang. After you get married, will I still have any place in your heart?"
Ji Xu'an was stunned. "I'm biased?"
Ji Heyuan snorted heavily. "Do you think you're not biased at all?"
Ji Xu'an tacitly accepted her statement.
Ji Heyuan scoffed. "That's normal. Every biased parent thinks they're not biased, and they never admit it. But in fact, that's exactly what they're doing."
"For example, just now—when I talked to you, you brushed it off. But the moment Xie Jiang Jiang said something, you listened."
"And at dinner too—you were obviously more attentive to Xie Jiang Jiang. You even took the initiative to serve her soup. If she hadn't passed you my bowl afterward, you probably wouldn't even have remembered me, right?"
Ji Xu'an parted her lips, wanting to explain her behavior.
Ji Heyuan interrupted her. "I know—you're going to say Xie Jiang Jiang's foot isn't convenient, so you need to take extra care of her. But I can do those things myself, can't I?"
Ji Xu'an had her lines stolen and could only respond with silence.
"So I say you're biased and don't even realize it. Some kinds of care become habits over time." Ji Heyuan tucked in her blanket. "Luckily I quite like Xie Jiang Jiang too, and she's never targeted me. Otherwise I definitely wouldn't be able to accept it."
Ji Xu'an remained silent.
Ji Heyuan only wanted to vent a little. She did feel somewhat wronged, but it was not too serious, because she also knew Jiang Jiang's situation was special.
She reminded Ji Xu'an, "I understand you want to treat your wife well, but you can't completely forget your sister just because of a pretty face."
Originally, Ji Heyuan had wanted to say more, but seeing Ji Xu'an looking preoccupied, she gave up the idea.
She was not picky about beds. As she lay there, she gradually grew sleepy. Her eyelids became heavier and heavier, and soon she fell fast asleep.
But Ji Xu'an could not sleep.
Ji Heyuan said she understood her, but Ji Xu'an did not even understand herself.
Ji Heyuan thought she treated Jiang Jiang better because she regarded her as a girlfriend, but in Ji Xu'an's heart, Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan were both her younger sisters. The two of them were the same.
Yet just now, she had felt displeased because Jiang Jiang only focused on talking to Ji Heyuan and ignored her.
Was it also because she harbored the same thought as little Yuan?
Did she feel that Jiang Jiang was biased toward little Yuan, and that was why she was unhappy?
—
That night, Jiang Jiang had some insomnia. She kept thinking about the kitten outside. From time to time, she took out her phone to check the surveillance camera. Only after seeing that the kitten was still obediently lying in its cat bed did she feel relieved.
Since she could not sleep anyway, Jiang Jiang simply started playing with her phone.
The first thing she checked was WeChat. After replying to some new messages, Jiang Jiang opened Moments.
The first post that caught her eye was a new update Ji Xu'an had shared two minutes ago.
Jiang Jiang clicked on the link Ji Xu'an had posted. After it loaded, the large bold title at the top read:
"What kind of impact does parental favoritism have on children?"
Jiang Jiang: ?
It was an article opposing parental favoritism. After reading it carefully, Jiang Jiang felt it made quite a bit of sense. But she still could not understand why Ji Xu'an would share such an article late at night.
Although she did not understand what Ji Xu'an was trying to express, she still gave the post a like.
The next second, Jiang Jiang received a new message from Ji Xu'an.
[Sister: Still not sleeping?]
Jiang Jiang did not reply. Instead, she guiltily removed the like, attempting to pretend nothing had happened.
Ji Xu'an was almost amused by anger.
[Sister: Staying up late is bad for your health. Go to bed early.]
Jiang Jiang bit her lip, thinking that Ji Xu'an was the same, yet she still lectured her.
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: Why aren't you asleep either, Sister? Are you still busy?]
Busy? Busy with what?
Busy reading inspirational chicken soup essays?
Ji Xu'an inexplicably felt she had been subtly mocked, but she thought Jiang Jiang probably would not deliberately be sarcastic. Perhaps Jiang Jiang was simply concerned about her.
[Sister: Insomnia.]
Jiang Jiang was not surprised at all. She had already guessed that Ji Xu'an was not used to sleeping with someone else and would definitely have trouble sleeping tonight.
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: I have insomnia too. I can't sleep.]
Ji Xu'an did not reply again, but a moment later, Jiang Jiang heard someone knock on her bedroom door.
When she opened it, the person standing outside was indeed Ji Xu'an.
"Can't sleep? Is something on your mind?" Ji Xu'an asked first.
Jiang Jiang shook her head. "Nothing on my mind. I just can't sleep."
Seeing that Ji Xu'an did not speak, Jiang Jiang added, "What about you, Sister? Why do you have insomnia?"
Ji Xu'an lowered her lashes. "I was thinking about some things."
Jiang Jiang pulled the door open a bit wider. "Sister, come in first."
Ji Xu'an knew she should not go in—after all, the things she was thinking about were all related to Jiang Jiang—but in the end, she still stepped inside.
Behind her, Jiang Jiang closed the door.
Ji Xu'an turned around and saw Jiang Jiang shiver. She said softly, "Go back to bed and lie down."
Jiang Jiang did not stand on ceremony. She wrapped her legs tightly in the quilt, and only then did she raise a faint smile. "Sister, can you tell me what's troubling you?"
Ji Xu'an considered how to begin. "There are some things—I don't know whether what I'm doing is right or wrong."
How rare. It was Jiang Jiang's turn to resolve Ji Xu'an's doubts.
She thought for quite a while before saying in a firm tone, "Then follow your heart."
"Follow your heart. Do whatever you want to do. Sister, judgments of right and wrong are given to you by others. As long as you don't leave yourself with regrets, then even if everyone thinks it's wrong, you won't feel disappointed because of it."
Ji Xu'an fell into thought. "Is that so…"
So she should follow her heart?
"What if I don't even understand my own heart?"
Jiang Jiang did not hesitate. "Then listen to your instincts. Don't think too much."
"Some things don't have to be figured out completely. Besides, things will work themselves out when the time comes."
Ji Xu'an remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft breath. "You're right. I've been overcomplicating it."
Jiang Jiang laughed lightly. "Sister is too close to the situation, so you can't see it clearly."
She blinked her almond-shaped eyes and asked softly, "Is little Yuan asleep?"
Ji Xu'an: "Mm."
Jiang Jiang licked her lips, a flush gradually rising on her cheeks. "Then…"
She hesitated, her words carrying careful probing.
"Then, Sister… do you want to sleep with me?"
—
Author's note:
Little Bird: I'm just a joke—the joke of the entire S City!
—
T/N: If you're enjoying this translation, feel free to check out my Patreon. If you're unable to support financially, you can still subscribe for free and receive chapters two hours earlier, along with updates and announcements. Paid tiers offer early access and daily chapters.
Thank you so much for reading!
patreon.com/Baenz