Si Yina looked at Jiang Lai.
The moment she spotted Jiang Lai, the other woman also noticed the gaze cast her way.
Seeing Jiang Lai’s instinctive timidity, trying to avoid her eyes, Si Yina couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
Why did she always look like prey in front of a hunter every time they met—was she really so frightening?
Yet, even though Jiang Lai disliked her, even acting as if one day Si Yina would shamelessly throw herself at her, Jiang Lai was the one Si Yina couldn’t let go of, the one she kept thinking about—sometimes even to the point of losing herself in obsession.
It could be said that in the past two days, Si Yina’s mood had been utterly terrible.
Ever since her sexual orientation was exposed by someone she despised, her popularity among those around her had instantly plummeted.
Last night, not only did several elders come over to persuade her, repeatedly telling her to change whom she loved, but even some of her former best girlfriends now avoided her, afraid they’d become her target.
Because Si Yina had completely enraged her family, the quarrel at the banquet was still fresh in everyone’s memory—naturally, no one wanted to risk crossing her.
Instead of being upset, Si Yina actually felt a certain peace from the distance of these people.
Without all their annoying chatter, she figured the notifications on her phone’s chat apps would decrease a lot—at least she wouldn’t have to respond to every one just for the sake of appearances.
Though the bothersome people had lessened, the elders’ words kept trying to brainwash her from time to time.
Si Yina really wanted to leave, but if she did, she could imagine her parents nagging non-stop after the new year, turning every moment of hard-won freedom back into strict control—she absolutely refused to fall back under their thumb.
Since childhood, Si Yina had always been tightly managed.
No matter how many rebellious ideas she had, she could only be a well-behaved child who listened to her parents.
Only by being the child her parents trusted could she get what she wanted.
For the past twenty-odd years, Si Yina had always been the model of obedience, all just to gain a world she could control.
Now, Si Yina was rather satisfied with everything she had.
She owned a company she could run as she pleased, entirely under her command—her word was law there.
She relished this feeling of control.
But all of this depended on her parents giving her the power at this very moment, and Si Yina was very aware that everything she had could be taken back by her family at any time.
She could agree with them on everything else, but when it came to her sexual orientation, Si Yina would never waver—she would never change, not even a little.
How could she not love soft, sweet, and fragrant girls?
Si Yina simply couldn’t do it.
If she couldn’t be with soft, sweet girls, she’d rather spend her whole life alone.
But almost no one understood her true thoughts, nor her unwavering persistence.
In the end, Jiang Lai was the only one around her whom she could confide in.
“Can you give me a hug now?”
Si Yina, holding a sign with Jiang Lai’s name on it, walked up to her.
Looking slightly weak, she opened her arms, seeking a gentle embrace.
Si Yina liked women—especially beautiful ones—against whom she had no resistance whatsoever.
If she went a day without talking to a pretty girl, without some kind of intimacy, even food lost its flavor for her; she’d even question the meaning of living.
The reason she was in such a rush for Jiang Lai to come over, agreeing to every request she made, spoiling her in every way, was simply so she could get into Jiang Lai’s arms sooner.
Jiang Lai saw Si Yina’s outstretched arms and tried to keep calm.
She didn’t immediately embrace her, but first gently stroked her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s hand, trying to soothe and calm her.
After comforting Chi Yingyu for a moment, Jiang Lai hesitantly hugged her.
In her heart, Jiang Lai felt like she’d been bitten by a dog, or perhaps as if she were hugging a stray cat or dog—best not to think too much about it.
But thinking of all that she was about to enjoy, her mood lightened considerably.
After all, Si Yina had promised that if she came, all the expenses would be covered.
For Jiang Lai, who had never visited a Tourist City before, with hotel stays, sightseeing, and famous attractions all paid for, it was an unexpected delight—she was enjoying every bit of this heaven without hesitation.
Jiang Lai was easily satisfied; even her fantasies, yet to be realized, could already fill her with happiness.
All these intimate acts with Si Yina were simply laying the groundwork for future pleasures.
And… in the end, Jiang Lai was getting a huge bargain without having to actually offer up her body.
Her awkwardness only lasted a short while; she quickly gathered herself, not resisting as Si Yina pulled her into her arms.
This was just a transaction—just a bit of intimacy in exchange for free food, fun, and lodging.
That was definitely a good deal.
Jiang Lai was at least reluctantly willing.
Si Yina, on the other hand, was like parched earth finally meeting rain.
She clung tightly to Jiang Lai, refusing to let go, wishing she could meld her into her own body, so they’d never be separated.
The only one who could be said to be unhappy was Chi Yingyu, who stood beside them like a third wheel.
Even though Chi Yingyu had mentally prepared herself, as reminded by her brother-in-law on the plane, actually seeing another woman hug and cuddle made her eyes sting as if a needle had pierced them—hard to bear and impossible to ignore.
The three of them at the Airport arrival hall instantly became a beautiful sight.
Si Yina held Jiang Lai tightly in her arms.
Jiang Lai, though allowing herself to be hugged, only had one hand weakly resting on Si Yina, while her other hand gripped Chi Yingyu’s tightly, as if they were the closest pair.
Their tangled relationship made everyone passing by take a second glance.