When An Ancient Chinese Romance Novel Heroine Transmigrated Into A Lesbian Novel - Chapter 19

Jiang Jiang first arranged her belongings neatly, then explored the entire room carefully.

Before coming, Jiang Jiang had specifically asked Zhao Zitang, and learned from him that there were no surveillance cameras in the room, only two at the entrance. Jiang Jiang checked again just to be sure, and it was indeed the case, Zhao Zitang hadn’t lied to her.

So she not only explored herself, but also took the white jade exquisite mirror and let Xie Xiao watch together.

The two of them would exclaim from time to time.

“This big floor-to-ceiling window! I really love it!” Xie Xiao said through the mirror, her eyes full of envy, “Next time, try using a goblet to hold red wine, and stand in front of the window while drinking, overlooking the traffic below. Remember, be sure to dim the lights in the room!!”

Jiang Jiang didn’t understand, but it sounded very impressive, so she humbly asked, “Is there any special meaning in doing this?”

Xie Xiao’s expression was deep, “This way you can experience the feeling of a domineering CEO.”

Jiang Jiang:?

Jiang Jiang was full of curiosity, “What is a domineering CEO?”

Being able to use the word domineering to describe, Jiang Jiang could only think of royal family members, sons of dragons and grandsons of phoenixes, who were born with a more unattainable aura than others, and whose eyes were all on the top of their heads.

The Crown Prince was like this, and so was Princess Huaining.

Xie Xiao didn’t know how to explain the meaning of a domineering CEO to her. She thought for a while, “Probably… like Ji Xu’an?”

Jiang Jiang immediately understood. It seemed that even if this world didn’t have the rules of imperial power supremacy, some people were still above everyone else.

“Let’s not talk about this.” Xie Xiao felt that the more she spoke, the more wrong it became. She was also embarrassed to tell Jiang Jiang some earthy things, mainly because Jiang Jiang was too simple, and Xie Xiao was afraid of corrupting her.

“Are you going to start living with Ji Xu’an next?” Her face was full of gossip.

Jiang Jiang knelt by the window, looking at the scenery outside the window with Xie Xiao. Her eyes were peaceful and gentle, and her tone was slow, “Ji Xu’an probably won’t come over often.”

Xie Xiao didn’t understand, “Didn’t she say she wanted to cultivate a relationship with you? Otherwise, why would she go through the off-campus accommodation procedures for you?”

Jiang Jiang leaned her forehead against the glass window, smiling and looking at Xie Xiao in the mirror, “Xiao Xiao, even you were deceived by her?”

These words were just used by Ji Xu’an to deal with old lady Ji. If Jiang Jiang really believed it, then she would have fallen into Ji Xu’an’s trap.

Jiang Jiang was neither too close nor too distant from Ji Xu’an, and wasn’t Ji Xu’an the same?

Ji Xu’an was well-versed in the means of giving a stick and then a carrot. When they first met, she gave Jiang Jiang a blow, suppressing Jiang Jiang with a cold and disgusted attitude.

Although she said it fiercely, she didn’t treat Jiang Jiang harshly in other aspects, and she was also very cooperative when she should be, which inevitably gave people the illusion that she was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

“Ji Xu’an’s purpose was never to drive me away.” Jiang Jiang said faintly, “She just wants me to stay here quietly and not cause her any trouble, that’s enough.”

“But she showed that she hated you and rejected you before, looking like she couldn’t wait to let you get out of the Ji family immediately.” Xie Xiao felt that her brain was about to become a mess.

“If she didn’t do that, how could she scare me, and make me behave myself?”

Xie Xiao suddenly realized, “So your fear back then was all an act?!”

She didn’t expect Jiang Jiang to start acting so early, and even she was deceived.

“Not entirely.” Jiang Jiang was indeed very afraid of Ji Xu’an, because she, who didn’t know enough about this world, was no match for Ji Xu’an at all.

“If Ji Xu’an really wanted to drive me away, she only needed to let Ji Heyuan bully me.” But she didn’t do that, and even stood up for Jiang Jiang when Ji Heyuan bullied Jiang Jiang.

“Then what exactly does she want to do? Marry you? It doesn’t seem like it.”

“Maybe my recent performance has been pretty good, making her quite satisfied.” Jiang Jiang pursed her lips and showed a shallow smile, “The Ji family is rich, it’s not like they can’t afford to raise an orphan.”

Now Xie Xiao understood, “She wants to stabilize old lady Ji first, and then break off the engagement with you, right?”

That’s why Ji Xu’an was avoiding suspicion everywhere, just worried that once Jiang Jiang fell in love with her, the matter of breaking off the engagement would become more difficult.

“So, you want to invite her to have a meal and talk everything out?”

Jiang Jiang shook her head, “Not completely talk it out.”

She saw that Xie Xiao didn’t understand, and explained to the other party very patiently, “Xiao Xiao, you can never say too much, otherwise you will lose room for maneuver. It’s enough to say half and leave half, seven points true and three points false, so that you can leave a way out for yourself and not fall into a stalemate.”

Xie Xiao was thoughtful, “I understand, it’s about knowing how to leave blank space, right?”

To put it bluntly, it was to make the meaning ambiguous, so that the other party could understand and imagine for themselves.

“But you just said that Ji Xu’an wants to avoid suspicion, so will she come?”

Jiang Jiang said firmly, “She will.”

For someone like Ji Xu’an who held great power and was a person who did what she said, things that were beyond expectations were the most difficult to ignore, even if it was to solve the doubts in her heart, she would definitely make this trip.

“I’m not sure about the future, but tonight, she will definitely come.”

…

At a little after four in the afternoon, Zhao Zitang arranged for someone to send the things Jiang Jiang wanted.

This was the first time Jiang Jiang had used modern kitchen utensils to cook. Last time, someone helped, but this time she had to rely on herself completely. It was impossible not to be nervous.

But you couldn’t see any unfamiliarity from her movements at all. Even Xie Xiao sighed, “You really don’t look like you’ve never used them before.”

“I saw the cooks in the old house use them,” Jiang Jiang explained.

She didn’t cut vegetables quickly, but her knife skills were very steady, and the potato slices she cut were almost the same thickness, which made Xie Xiao’s face full of amazement.

Moreover, Jiang Jiang was wearing a pink apron with a cute rabbit pattern on it, and there were even two small ears on the chest, which almost didn’t make Xie Xiao faint from the cuteness.

Clearly the two people’s faces looked the same, why did Jiang Jiang give her a feeling of being very soft and easy to bully?

Xie Xiao felt that watching Jiang Jiang cook was also very interesting. As she watched, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration, “Haven’t you always wanted to find a job? You can be a food streamer!”

Jiang Jiang frowned, “What does this mean?”

Xie Xiao got excited, and her little mouth kept babbling without stopping. In the end, Jiang Jiang understood.

“People here like to watch others cook?” Jiang Jiang didn’t understand, what was so good about cooking?

“Not only that, there are also singing, dancing, playing games, etc. In short, there are all kinds of things.” The more Xie Xiao thought about it, the more feasible it became, and she couldn’t wait to have Jiang Jiang register an account immediately.

Jiang Jiang didn’t dampen her interest, but only waved the kitchen knife in her hand, “I’ll take a closer look when I’m free.”

Xie Xiao thought it made sense, “Then you go ahead and get busy.”

Preparing the ingredients took more than an hour. Jiang Jiang estimated that Ji Xu’an might be coming back, so she put away the white jade exquisite mirror.

…

At 6:10 PM, Ji Xu’an opened the combination lock with her fingerprint. As soon as she pushed open the door, a rich aroma of cooked dishes wafted over.

Ji Xu’an closed the door and took off her coat as she walked in, casually draping it over the armrest of the sofa.

By the time Jiang Jiang heard the movement and turned around, Ji Xu’an was already almost at the kitchen door.

“You’re here!” Jiang Jiang beamed a big smile, the surprise in her eyes undisguised, so direct that it warmed one’s heart.

Ji Xu’an paused slightly, “Mm.”

She quickly continued towards the kitchen, asking as she walked, “Is there anything I can help with?”

Jiang Jiang looked at her, flattered, and then quickly waved her hand, “No need, I can manage on my own. You’ve worked hard, sit down and rest for a while first.”

Ji Xu’an wasn’t very good at cooking, at most she could only help with the preparation, but Jiang Jiang had already prepared all the dishes.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang wasn’t just being polite, and really didn’t need her to do anything, she didn’t force it.

But Ji Xu’an didn’t go far. She sat down at the dining table and quietly watched Jiang Jiang.

There was no separation between the kitchen and the dining table. In the open space, Ji Xu’an could completely see Jiang Jiang’s busy figure.

While she was stir-frying the dishes, Jiang Jiang also brought out a plate of washed fruit, all of which Ji Xu’an liked to eat.

“There’s only one more dish left. President Ji, have some of this to fill your stomach first.”

Ji Xu’an’s gaze swept from Jiang Jiang’s scallion-like fingertips all the way to the fine beads of sweat on her nose. She nodded slightly, “You’ve worked hard.”

After a pause, she added, “No need to call me President Ji.”

Jiang Jiang thought that Ji Xu’an must have thought of Ji Heyuan’s words about “special fetishes.”

She revealed a bit of entanglement and unease at just the right moment, unconsciously biting her lip, not knowing that the flesh of her lips had already been bitten until it was crimson and moist, as soft and vibrant as water-soaked petals.

“Then… what should I call you?”

Ji Xu’an quickly lowered her eyes, her gaze not lingering on Jiang Jiang’s face for even a moment, “Just call me by my name.”

Jiang Jiang twisted her fingers, her voice soft, “Got it.”

She turned around and went back into the kitchen. Only after she had walked away again did Ji Xu’an look up at her back, her brows furrowing unconsciously.

Was I really overthinking things?

Jiang Jiang brought the last dish to the dining table. She took off her apron and pulled out a chair to sit across from Ji Xu’an.

“There are a few dishes that I’m making for the first time, I don’t know how they taste.” She said, blushing slightly, “But people who have eaten my cooking before have said that my cooking skills are pretty good.”

Hearing this, the corners of Ji Xu’an’s lips seemed to curl up slightly. She picked up a chopstick of the stir-fried lotus root slices closest to her. The entrance was salty and fragrant with a slight sweetness, indeed not bad.

Strictly speaking, Jiang Jiang’s cooking skills weren’t particularly good, but it had the atmosphere of home-cooked dishes, which was delicious.

In addition, the house was very quiet, and the soft light sprinkled on the dining table, adding a touch of warmth to the atmosphere at this moment.

Jiang Jiang guessed that Ji Xu’an should like it. She didn’t know if Ji Xu’an’s cold personality was related to the early death of her parents, but this matter must have had a great impact on her, so Ji Xu’an shouldn’t hate this feeling of home, right?

Jiang Jiang put herself in her shoes, at least… she herself liked it very much.

Neither of them spoke, and they had a peaceful dinner. Ji Xu’an didn’t eat much, but she ate a full bowl of rice tonight, which showed that Jiang Jiang’s guess was correct, she did like it.

After the meal, Ji Xu’an’s expression was obviously not as cold as before.

The atmosphere was just right. Jiang Jiang picked up the fruit wine next to her and poured half a glass for Ji Xu’an, “Secretary Zhao said this wine isn’t intoxicating, you can drink a little.”

If it had been before, Ji Xu’an would definitely have refused, but at this moment she didn’t say anything, acquiescing to Jiang Jiang’s actions.

Jiang Jiang also poured herself a glass. Seeing that Ji Xu’an was looking at her silently, Jiang Jiang explained in a low voice, “I’m an adult, I can drink.”

This was also what Xie Xiao had told her.

Ji Xu’an didn’t say anything. She picked up the glass with one finger and smelled it at her nose. It was a very ordinary taste, and the alcohol content was indeed not strong. It wouldn’t be a problem to call it a drink.

While she was sniffing lightly, Jiang Jiang had already gulped down a whole glass, as if she was cheering herself on.

Ji Xu’an raised her eyes and glanced at the opposite side, only to see Jiang Jiang looking at her with flushed cheeks and moist eyes.

Was she drunk?

Suspicion rose in Ji Xu’an’s eyes.

Jiang Jiang poured herself another glass, and after drinking it all in one gulp, she slowly opened her mouth and said, “Thank you, Ji Xu’an.”

Ji Xu’an’s eyes flickered slightly, “Thank me for what?”

The slight intoxication gave Jiang Jiang courage, and she looked straight into Ji Xu’an’s eyes, “Thank you for being so kind to me, for being willing to take me in and give me a place to live.”

Ji Xu’an didn’t think much of it, “It’s nothing.”

What Jiang Jiang said were all things that could be solved with money, and money was what Ji Xu’an lacked the least.

What Ji Xu’an cared more about was that Jiang Jiang used the word “take in.” She thought that Xie Xiao was also very clear about how outrageous her excuse was.

“It’s different.” Jiang Jiang shook her head, her voice even softer, so soft that it seemed like she was talking to herself, “You could have ignored me, just like… him.”

Ji Xu’an didn’t hear the last sentence very clearly, but she had investigated Xie Xiao and knew that Xie Xiao actually had an uncle, but the relationship between the two wasn’t good, and they didn’t interact at all.

She was talking about her uncle, right?

At this moment, Ji Xu’an suddenly became a little silent.

Of course, she still didn’t like Xie Xiao’s behavior of using the so-called fate to force her, but putting these aside, Xie Xiao was just a little girl who had lost her only relative not long ago, and was now alone and helpless.

Perhaps the atmosphere tonight was too warm, and Xie Xiao had rarely told her about her own thoughts.

After a long time, Ji Xu’an remembered some things that happened long ago.

The torrential rain that poured down, the heavy fog that seemed to have no end, the hysterical cries, the whistling wind… and the girl who was soaked all over, numb and seemingly unable to feel the pain…

Ji Xu’an picked up the wine glass and slowly took a sip, the murmurs of Xie Xiao’s rambling still ringing in her ears.

She seemed to be drunk, otherwise she would never show such a posture in front of her.

Ji Xu’an took the wine bottle next to her and looked at it, the alcohol content was 12% vol.

She raised her eyebrows and openly looked at the person opposite her, her tone inaudible, “You’re drunk, go back to your room and rest.”

Jiang Jiang blinked, her expression blank, she looked at Ji Xu’an with drunken eyes, and then burped suddenly.

She covered her mouth with shame and guilt, and then tears suddenly gathered in her eyes, as if she was about to cry in the next second.

“You’re letting me go.” Jiang Jiang’s tone was certain, but with a hint of grievance, “Do you also dislike me, and think I’m useless?”

“I didn’t say that,” Ji Xu’an said faintly.

Although she didn’t think Jiang Jiang was particularly useful either. At least, Ji Xu’an hadn’t seen any shining points in Jiang Jiang yet.

Jiang Jiang was drunk and didn’t listen to her explanation at all. The tears that had been welling up in her eyes actually flowed down her cheeks.

She was extremely aggrieved, “You did! You’re letting me go!”

There was quite a bit of unreasonable behavior in it.

Ji Xu’an’s eyes were calm, “I’m telling you to go back to your room, not to leave here.”

Jiang Jiang seemed to understand. She bit her lip and was silent for a few seconds, then apologized to Ji Xu’an in a super small voice, “Then I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been fierce to you.”

Her tone was incredibly soft.

Ji Xu’an wasn’t angry. There was no point in being angry with a drunk person. However, she had also seen another side of Jiang Jiang. Although she didn’t know if it was all an act, it was still quite interesting. So Ji Xu’an continued to sit at the dining table and watch Jiang Jiang, not getting up to leave immediately.

Jiang Jiang looked at her without blinking, silently shedding tears, crying quietly and delicately.

Ji Xu’an asked her, “What are you crying about?”

Jiang Jiang covered her heart, “I don’t know, but I just feel so sad.”

She thought for a long time before saying with some uncertainty, “I seem… to miss home a little.”

But she didn’t have a home here.

Jiang Jiang’s voice was very soft, but a strong sense of sadness came over her, weighing heavily on people’s hearts.

Ji Xu’an breathed out deeply, for the first time setting aside all her prejudices and saying to Jiang Jiang seriously and solemnly, “Xie Xiao, birth, old age, sickness, and death are things that everyone must experience. Even the most outstanding and great people will eventually face the day of death. If those who leave have something to worry about, those who stay should live well, carrying the expectations and blessings of the deceased, and heading towards a wider and more distant world.”

“Living each day earnestly and down-to-earth is the best way to remember those who have left,” Ji Xu’an said, finally gazing deeply into Jiang Jiang’s wet red eyes, her tone seemingly carrying some kind of deep meaning, “You must believe that every second you spend in this world is precious enough, and those things that you regard as worthless may be what some people are seeking but cannot obtain.”

Jiang Jiang stared at her blankly for a long time, so long that Ji Xu’an thought she might not have understood what she was saying at all. Then Jiang Jiang moved her lips and said softly, “I really envy Xiao Yuan.”

Jiang Jiang looked at Ji Xu’an, but also seemed not to be looking at her, her gaze seeming to look towards a very distant place, “When I was little, I also really wanted to have an older sister…”

Liu Xiaobao, who lived at the foot of the mountain, had three older sisters. Each sister doted on her, giving her all the good food and taking her to the river to catch fish and to the mountains to pick wild fruits.

But she was very stingy. Even though she had three older sisters, she wouldn’t give one to Jiang Jiang, and even deliberately showed off in front of Jiang Jiang.

Everyone had an older sister. Even someone as terrible as Ji Heyuan had an older sister who doted on her, but Jiang Jiang didn’t.

She lay on the table quietly looking at Ji Xu’an, tears rolling down from the corners of her eyes, wetting her sleeves.

Ji Xu’an breathed out, as if understanding something, and the gaze she looked at Jiang Jiang with was tinged with warmth, “Xie Xiao, you can also treat me as an older sister.”

“Close relationships don’t necessarily have to be husband and wife. You have more choices.”

Jiang Jiang was about to bite through her lip. She cried even harder, choking as she asked, “Will you be as good to me as you are to Xiao Yuan?”

Ji Xu’an promised, “I will.”

Jiang Jiang slowly reached out her hand, tentatively reaching across the table and gently grabbing Ji Xu’an’s sleeve.

Ji Xu’an didn’t dodge.

Jiang Jiang finally couldn’t help it and cried with her face covered in tears, “I know, actually you saying you were going to marry me was a lie…”

Ji Xu’an’s expression turned cold, and she was almost about to pull back her sleeve immediately, but before she could take any action, she heard Jiang Jiang say, “I’ll talk to Grandma Ji. After all, a forced melon isn’t sweet.”

She was drunk, her gaze was almost scattered, and her words were also intermittent.

“Actually, I told you before that I really didn’t know the truth behind the engagement, but I know that you definitely think I’m lying to you…”

Ji Xu’an didn’t deny it, because that was indeed what she thought. In fact, even now, she still hadn’t completely believed Jiang Jiang’s words.

“I know you hate me, and I also…” Jiang Jiang paused.

After a moment, she said again, “But I don’t want to make Grandma Ji sad. She’s really good to me.”

Ji Xu’an thought that Xie Xiao had perhaps placed her feelings for her own grandmother, all her longing, on old lady Ji.

After hearing this whole “heartfelt” speech, Ji Xu’an couldn’t have no reaction at all. She asked in a low voice, “Xie Xiao, do you like me?”

Jiang Jiang didn’t answer, staring at her for a long time before nodding her head lightly, but then she shook her head, “I…”

If she directly said she didn’t like her, Ji Xu’an might still be suspicious, but she showed this hesitant expression, and Ji Xu’an breathed a sigh of relief instead.

All of Xie Xiao’s strange behavior in recent days finally had an explanation.

Ji Xu’an knew that her feelings were correct. Xie Xiao was indeed trying to please her, but this pleasing wasn’t out of love, but rather Xie Xiao’s longing and desire for an older sister.

“A marriage without love won’t be happy. The liking you have for me is only the liking for an older sister, not the heartthrob of a lover,” Ji Xu’an said persuasively, “You want an older sister, don’t you?”

There was a very good candidate right now.

Jiang Jiang nodded honestly.

Ji Xu’an said, “I can promise you to treat you and Xiao Yuan equally, but this has a prerequisite, do you understand?”

Jiang Jiang continued to nod. She no longer shed tears, but smiled foolishly at Ji Xu’an, “I will try my best to persuade Grandma.”

Her small expression revealed seriousness, “This matter was caused by me in the first place, and I have a responsibility to resolve it.”

Ji Xu’an was satisfied, “As long as you can do what you say, I will also keep my promise.”

Jiang Jiang grabbed her sleeve and murmured, “Then… do I also have an older sister now? I don’t have to envy others anymore?”

Ji Xu’an nodded, “Mm.”

She had an extra younger sister, but she didn’t have any big thoughts in her heart.

Jiang Jiang smiled so much that her eyes were almost squinting, her almond eyes were red and swollen from crying, but the curve of her lips was satisfied.

She asked Ji Xu’an, “Then can I call you older sister?”

Ji Xu’an was rarely so patient, “You can.”

It was also good that the title of older sister could remind Xie Xiao not to forget what she had promised.

Jiang Jiang moved her lips carefully and called out very softly, “…Older sister.”

Ji Xu’an lowered her eyes to look at her, her gaze as deep as ink.

After a moment, a very light response sounded in the room.

“Mm.”

…

Jiang Jiang slept very soundly. The aftereffects of crying so much last night came out. Her two eyes were swollen like peaches. If you poked them with a finger, her eyelids would softly sink in, as if they had been soaked and bloated with tears.

Jiang Jiang yawned, and after getting up and washing her face, she felt refreshed again. The drunkenness from last night didn’t make her feel dizzy or have a headache.

Actually, she could hold her liquor pretty well.

After Jiang Jiang finished tidying up and opened the door, Ji Xu’an was already sitting on the sofa. She was facing away from Jiang Jiang, intently looking at the tablet in her hand.

Hearing the movement, Ji Xu’an looked over at her, “Your awake?”

“Mm.” Jiang Jiang stood there, letting her look her up and down. With those red eyes, she inexplicably gave off a feeling of being very easy to bully.

Ji Xu’an put away the tablet, “How much do you remember about last night?”

“I didn’t forget.” Jiang Jiang seemed a little nervous, but she still didn’t look away, “Thank you for comforting me. I will try to live well and try not to think about the past.”

Ji Xu’an suddenly felt a little gratified, probably because it was rare for her to be a spiritual mentor to someone, and her “student” was also very obedient, not wasting her guidance.

“Dwelling in the past will only make you stop moving forward. It’s good that you can figure it out,” Ji Xu’an said again, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat breakfast. You still have to go to S University to register today.”

She didn’t mention anything else, but Jiang Jiang couldn’t pretend not to know.

“Okay.” Jiang Jiang agreed first, and then offered her own opinion, “Before going to register at school, can we go to the nursing home first?”

Ji Xu’an didn’t speak, her probing gaze lingering on Jiang Jiang for a long time before she hummed softly.

They ate KFC for breakfast. Ji Xu’an wasn’t very interested, but Jiang Jiang liked it very much.

“Last time, Xiao Yuan also treated me to spicy water.”

It took Ji Xu’an a few seconds to react, “Coke?”

“Probably, it’s black and bubbly.”

Ji Xu’an raised her eyebrows, “You’ve never had it before?”

Jiang Jiang shook her head, her head drooping down uncertainly, “Xiao Yuan said I’m a country bumpkin. Am I embarrassing myself again?”

“She’s lying to you,” Ji Xu’an said in a flat tone, “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. There are so many countries in the world, and just our country, Z, has thirty-some provinces. Each province has many directly-administered cities, and each city has its own unique cuisine. It’s impossible for everyone to eat all the delicacies of every region, right?”

“What others take for granted, you may have never heard of. Similarly, some things that are familiar to you may be things that others have never encountered.”

“This isn’t embarrassing. Who doesn’t have a first time?”

Jiang Jiang unconsciously raised her head, looking at Ji Xu’an with shining eyes, “Older sister, you’re really so gentle.”

This was the first time someone had praised Ji Xu’an for being gentle, and Ji Xu’an felt it was quite novel.

She thought that Xie Xiao had probably forgotten how afraid she was of her before.

Jiang Jiang saw Ji Xu’an’s disapproval and couldn’t help but puff up her cheeks, a little unconvinced, “I didn’t say anything wrong. You understand a lot of principles, and you also comfort me when I’m sad.”

Ji Xu’an didn’t argue with her, “It’s nothing.”

If Xie Xiao was willing to listen to these words, it wouldn’t be a complete waste of her breath, if Xie Xiao didn’t want to listen, then it would just be a bowl of chicken soup for the soul that she would forget after drinking.

Ji Xu’an didn’t want to continue this topic. She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, looking at Jiang Jiang in a leisurely manner, “Your courage has grown a lot.”

Jiang Jiang smiled embarrassedly, “Probably because the big stone in my heart has finally fallen.”

Ji Xu’an remained noncommittal.

While they were talking, the things they ordered were ready, and Jiang Jiang took the initiative to get up and bring them over.

Ji Xu’an didn’t have much of an appetite, so she ordered herself a cup of coffee, holding it in her hand and taking a sip every now and then.

In comparison, Jiang Jiang’s was much more abundant.

She ordered the children’s meal.

This time, it didn’t come with a book, but a small toy, a rabbit with big ears.

Jiang Jiang held it in her hand and played with it over and over, her love for it overflowing.

Ji Xu’an found it amusing. She was indeed still a little girl who hadn’t grown up. She joked, “You really like this.”

Jiang Jiang nodded vigorously, “It’s very cute!”

She put away the little rabbit, and her gaze inadvertently caught the fleeting smile on Ji Xu’an’s face, and she couldn’t help but be stunned.

Ji Xu’an frowned, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Jiang pointed to the corner of her lips, “You smiled just now.”

Ji Xu’an was stunned. Did I smile just now?

She didn’t even feel it herself.

Jiang Jiang was very happy. She smiled with her eyebrows and eyes curved, her eyes completely occupied by a brilliant light, “Older sister, I can actually feel that you’re also much more relaxed today than before.”

Ji Xu’an was silent.

Although she didn’t admit it, the words that Jiang Jiang said still left shallow traces in her heart.

Her patience today was the best proof.

If she wasn’t moved, how could Ji Xu’an have indulged Jiang Jiang to eat KFC and say those words to comfort her?

Ji Xu’an put down the coffee in her hand, thinking that perhaps it was because Xie Xiao’s appearance and personality were very much to her liking, so subconsciously, she also hoped to get along with Xie Xiao peacefully.

If Xie Xiao looked any uglier, or her personality was any more arrogant and domineering, Ji Xu’an wouldn’t have comforted her, and she wouldn’t have even listened to Xie Xiao finish saying those words last night.

A scheming and unpredictable fiancée would make her feel dislike and distrust, but if it was a younger sister, Ji Xu’an was willing to be a little more patient with her.

Of course, the premise was that Xie Xiao hadn’t lied to her.

…

After eating KFC, Jiang Jiang was a little thirsty. Ji Xu’an knew that she didn’t like to drink Coke, so she bought her a cup of milk tea.

Without exaggeration, the moment Jiang Jiang drank it, she seemed to be stunned.

This sugary water was sweet, and she liked it so much!

Temporarily setting aside her prejudices, Ji Xu’an looked at Jiang Jiang with an objective gaze, and felt that she was quite interesting.

Her emotions were always expressed directly on her face. If she liked something, her eyes would shine, and if she hated something, she would frown, making it clear what she was thinking.

If this wasn’t an act, Ji Xu’an thought, she would indeed like to get along with someone like this, at least she wouldn’t feel very tired.

However, Xie Xiao had been very restrained in front of her before, and hadn’t shown this side of herself.

Perhaps it was because she hadn’t really gotten to know Xie Xiao before.

Ji Xu’an drove Jiang Jiang to the nursing home. Old lady Ji had already eaten breakfast and was taking a walk by the lake.

Seeing Ji Xu’an and Jiang Jiang walking towards her from afar, old lady Ji was obviously very happy. Jiang Jiang stopped, “Older sister, wait for me here first. I’ll go talk to Grandma.”

Ji Xu’an agreed, but didn’t walk too far, partly to prevent Xie Xiao from playing tricks, and partly to be able to respond to emergencies.

Jiang Jiang walked towards old lady Ji with her back to Ji Xu’an. By the time she reached the old lady, her eyes were clearly red.

Old lady Ji keenly noticed that something was wrong, “What happened, Jiang Jiang?”

Jiang Jiang blinked, and tears rolled down, “Grandma, Xu’an older sister wants to break off the engagement with me.”

Old lady Ji’s face immediately darkened, and she opened her mouth to call Ji Xu’an, who was standing not far away, over, but Jiang Jiang grabbed her hand before she could speak, “Grandma, please listen to me first.”

Old lady Ji took a deep breath, “Okay, say it.”

“I…” Jiang Jiang’s cheeks flushed, her face full of shyness, “I fell in love with Xu’an older sister at first sight. Although she looks cold and unapproachable, in reality, she’s the most gentle and considerate person.”

Old lady Ji deeply agreed. Xu’an only looked fierce, but was actually very soft-hearted.

Jiang Jiang stammered, “But Xu’an older sister doesn’t like me. I think it’s probably because she feels that this marriage wasn’t something she willingly accepted, so she’s very resistant to me getting close.”

No one knew better than old lady Ji how unwilling Ji Xu’an was to this matter, so she didn’t refute Jiang Jiang’s words.

Jiang Jiang’s voice was low, “Grandma, I was wondering, could we do this…”

She quickly explained her plan.

Old lady Ji looked hesitant, “Can this work? Xu’an is very smart, I’m afraid she won’t be fooled.”

Jiang Jiang bit her lip, and suddenly bent her knees, kneeling heavily on the ground, choking as she pleaded, “Please, Grandma.”

Old lady Ji was startled and quickly reached out to help her up, “Get up quickly.”

She closed her eyes and compromised, “I promise you, that’s all.”

…

Ji Xu’an wasn’t too far away, but she could only see the two people’s movements, and couldn’t hear their conversation.

Jiang Jiang had her back to her, so she couldn’t see Jiang Jiang’s expression, but she could see that the expression on Grandma’s face was very complicated, first angry and puzzled, then hesitant, and finally turning into compromise when Jiang Jiang suddenly knelt down.

This series of changes in expression matched Ji Xu’an’s imagined reaction of Grandma when she heard the news of the broken engagement, which initially proved that Xie Xiao shouldn’t be lying to her.

To be honest, Ji Xu’an also didn’t expect that Jiang Jiang would actually kneel down to Grandma. Her mood was slightly complicated, she couldn’t say what it felt like, but overall, she still breathed a sigh of relief.

This marriage wasn’t what she wanted in the first place, so it was good to break it off, but Ji Xu’an didn’t expect that Xie Xiao would be the one to bring it up first…

Things were developing too smoothly, and Ji Xu’an always had a feeling of unease, but Xie Xiao really didn’t seem to be playing her…

The conversation between Jiang Jiang and old lady Ji didn’t take very long. Before long, Ji Xu’an was called over, and Jiang Jiang waited not far away.

Old lady Ji’s expression wasn’t good. She rubbed her temples wearily, “Xu’an, Jiang Jiang has already told me, you don’t want to marry her, and she doesn’t want to marry someone who doesn’t love her.”

Ji Xu’an remained silent. She had said these words to Grandma long ago, but Grandma wouldn’t listen to her, and still stubbornly forced her to accept Xie Xiao.

“It was wrong of Grandma to do this, I shouldn’t have forced you. I know you resent me…” Old lady Ji sighed for a long time.

Ji Xu’an still didn’t speak. Seeing this, old lady Ji also knew that what Jiang Jiang said was indeed reasonable. If things continued like this, Ji Xu’an would never be able to truly accept Jiang Jiang.

“I won’t force you anymore. A forced melon isn’t sweet, after all,” old lady Ji paused, “Jiang Jiang said she wants to be sisters with you. What do you think?”

Ji Xu’an then opened her mouth and said, “Her grandmother was a friend of yours for many years, and she’s all alone. Even if it’s just for that, I will treat her like a younger sister.”

Old lady Ji seemed to have completely given up. She took Ji Xu’an’s hand, “Whatever you want to do, just do it. Xu’an, Grandma only has one request.”

“Can you not announce that you and she have broken off the engagement yet?”

Ji Xu’an’s eyebrows furrowed again, “What do you mean?”

“Not many people know about this matter in the first place, so announcing it or not won’t have much of an impact on you. Furthermore, Grandma isn’t asking you to pretend to be lovers, and you don’t need to hold an engagement banquet. In private, you’re still sisters, just don’t clarify it publicly.”

“I’m just not at ease in my heart,” old lady Ji said, her eyes slowly turning red, “I don’t know how many years I can still be with you. Xu’an, Grandma really doesn’t want you to end up lonely in your old age.”

“I thought, maybe this way we can deceive the heavens? When you or Jiang Jiang have someone you like in the future, you can clarify this matter, and neither of you will have any losses, right?”

Ji Xu’an felt that this was not right. She suppressed the anger in her heart and said coldly, “Grandma, is this your idea, or did Xie Xiao suggest it?”

Old lady Ji wasn’t guilty at all, “I haven’t told Jiang Jiang yet, but Jiang Jiang is a good child, she will definitely agree.”

Ji Xu’an only felt it was absurd, “I’ll call Xie Xiao over and have her talk to you.”

When Jiang Jiang was called over, her face was full of confusion. After hearing old lady Ji’s suggestion, she subconsciously looked at Ji Xu’an in disbelief.

“Pretend to be engaged to older sister?”

Old lady Ji persuaded her, “You don’t need to have any intimate behavior, just don’t deny it when others ask.”

Jiang Jiang only hesitated for a while before agreeing, “I’ll listen to you, Grandma. If I can help older sister, I’m willing to do anything.”

She looked at Ji Xu’an generously, “Anyway, I don’t have anyone I like. If older sister has someone she likes in the future, I won’t be an obstacle between them.”

She paused, and her face turned red again, “Of course, if I have someone I like in the future, can older sister also help me explain it to the other person?”

Ji Xu’an didn’t respond, her gaze was indifferent and cold, like a knife falling on Jiang Jiang, the exploration and scrutiny in those black eyes were so cold that it made it difficult to breathe.

Jiang Jiang withstood this pressure, and didn’t reveal any flaws on her small face.

After a long time, Ji Xu’an nodded slightly, “Since Xie Xiao thinks it’s okay, then I don’t care either.”

Old lady Ji smiled, took both of their hands, and repeatedly urged them. Jiang Jiang nodded repeatedly, “Don’t worry, Grandma.”

In comparison, Ji Xu’an was much more silent.

Ten minutes later, the two walked out of the nursing home gate, Jiang Jiang still wearing a smile on her face.

When they reached the car door, Ji Xu’an suddenly stopped, “Xie Xiao.”

She turned around, staring straight at Jiang Jiang.

“What exactly do you mean by having Grandma say these words?”

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