“If I were a girl’s parent, I wouldn’t be able to accept something like this.”
Although Jiang Lai didn’t know Si Yina’s parents, the hearts of parents the world over are much the same. If Jiang Lai were facing her own daughter bringing home a girl, and that girl was covered in ambiguous marks left by her daughter…
Just thinking about it made Jiang Lai feel uneasy. It was far too awkward.
Regardless of the motive, Jiang Lai felt that a dignified and elegant appearance was the type preferred by all parents. To show up looking like a “seductress” was simply too reckless.
The gown she was wearing wasn’t inherently over-exposed, but on her figure, it ended up looking like a very pronounced low-cut dress.
Jiang Lai knew her facial features were cold and refined, but when paired with her body, it created a vibe that felt somewhat “scandalous.” This lethal contrast filled her with a sense of revulsion.
“If you won’t let me change, then give me a jacket… understood?”
Seeing Si Yina remain unmoved, Jiang Lai grew annoyed. She stopped being polite and stood up, directly stripping the suit jacket off Si Yina’s shoulders.
“You wrap yourself up so tightly, yet it never occurs to you that I might be cold in something this thin?”
Being nice got her nowhere; she had to be a bit “vicious” for Si Yina to actually listen. Jiang Lai considered herself a very gentle person—since becoming a woman, others even saw her as somewhat weak.
But in front of Si Yina, Jiang Lai’s temper flared much more easily… she had even started getting physical, something she could never have imagined in the past.
Jiang Lai looked at the blazer she had just snatched. As she put it on, it still held Si Yina’s lingering warmth. In the process of dealing with Si Yina, she had finally realized: when facing someone who is completely immune to logic, action is much more efficient.
Just as Jiang Lai thought she had mastered the trick to handling her, Si Yina—now sans jacket—wore a look of indescribable, secret pleasure. It was as if Jiang Lai’s rough actions were a reward; her face was practically begging for Jiang Lai to be even more forceful with her.
The two didn’t waste much more time in the room. After a quick touch-up, Jiang Lai followed Si Yina to meet her parents.
The atmosphere of the resort island at night and during the day were two extremes. At night, it was as quiet as a ghost town, but by day, it was bustling with life.
Feeling the shimmering sunlight, Jiang Lai’s mood involuntarily brightened. She wasn’t sure if it was the beautiful weather or the joy of knowing she was about to be “liberated” from this ordeal, but either way, everything was coming to an end.
Jiang Lai followed silently behind Si Yina. Along the way, Si Yina seemed to encounter many acquaintances. Everyone they passed greeted her, and Jiang Lai could feel their curious gazes drifting toward her.
At that moment, Jiang Lai had an illusion: she was like a pet Si Yina was showing off, and this walk was her exhibition.
Whenever Si Yina met someone, she would tightly grip Jiang Lai’s hand. If she couldn’t reach her hand, she would possessively wrap an arm around her waist, as if declaring her sovereignty while flaunting her prize.
Jiang Lai felt quite disgruntled at being treated as an accessory for someone else’s vanity. However, they were no longer in the privacy of their room. In the room, she could be blunt with Si Yina, but outside, she couldn’t humiliate her in public. For someone like Si Yina… nothing was more important than “face.”
The walk didn’t take long. Soon, Jiang Lai was led into a very elegant small courtyard. Upon entering, she saw a middle-aged woman of extraordinary temperament waiting for them.
Si Yina’s mother glanced at her daughter before fixing her entire gaze on Jiang Lai. Although she had known the girl her daughter was bringing was beautiful, she still felt a flash of surprise when she saw Jiang Lai in person.
Si Yina’s mother had been a great beauty in her youth and had seen countless “once-in-a-millennium” starlets over the decades, but none compared to Jiang Lai at first sight.
Jiang Lai looked elegant and poised, yet radiant in a way that was incredibly pleasing to the eye. Her face alone generated a high level of favorability. The mother had expected her daughter to bring some “siren” type who would charm people into losing their wits, but she hadn’t expected someone so dignified.
The mother stepped forward and tightly grasped Jiang Lai’s hand, pulling her close with a very gentle smile. When she saw the blazer Jiang Lai was wearing, a knowing, playful glint appeared in her eyes.
“I didn’t expect my darling daughter to have such good taste.”
If her personality was also suitable and satisfying, and given how much her daughter clearly adored her, the mother saw no reason to object. But all of this depended on Jiang Lai making a good impression.
In the corporation, Si Yina’s father made the decisions, but in this house, the mother held the final say. If she decided on something, it was law; if she disagreed, it wouldn’t happen even if the other two family members were in favor.
Naturally, the mother’s domain included her daughter’s marriage. She had always hoped Si Yina would find someone she truly loved, but she also felt the need to keep a close watch, lest her daughter lose her mind over someone unsuitable.
Si Yina was slightly surprised to see her mother so full of smiles. Her mother had been very strict with her since childhood; rare moments of tenderness were usually reserved for birthdays or the New Year.
This had only eased after she grew up and followed the path they had set for her. Only after becoming a “qualified heir” in their eyes did she truly feel the warmth of the family.
Through that strict upbringing, Si Yina had always lacked care and affection. But the desire for family love was a pursuit of her childhood; as an adult, she had long outgrown that stage. Now, she only pursued more “thrilling” relationships and nights of passionate entanglement.