Jiang Lai knew that doing this would make her sister-in-law jealous, but she couldn’t push Xu Ruobing away either. She felt too sorry for Xu Ruobing at that moment. If there was no outlet for her emotions, keeping them bottled up would only make things worse.
“Mm… just a little while.”
But Jiang Lai had no idea that this small wish of hers would end up being photographed—the two of them embracing captured in a single image.
Not far from them, a man holding a camera had been waiting there as if he’d anticipated the moment, snapping a complete picture of Jiang Lai and Xu Ruobing in each other’s arms.
After taking the photo, he pulled out his phone and sent a full message to his employer. The very next second, Xu Ruobing’s phone rang, and she released her hold.
These days, Jiang Lai and Chi Yingyu slept in the same room, so Jiang Lai could immediately notice anything unusual about Chi Yingyu—any subtle shift or change.
Before, when her sister-in-law was in a good mood, her hugs were soft and relaxed. Being held in her arms felt like sinking into a big cotton ball, where she could let go of everything.
But recently, Chi Yingyu’s movements had become much rougher, sometimes even painful.
The recent changes in her sister-in-law left Jiang Lai uncertain, unable to figure out what was going on in her mind.
For several days straight, Jiang Lai tried to comfort her, wanted to know what was happening. But every time she asked, Chi Yingyu would lower her eyes, think for a long time, then slowly lift her head and just stare at her—unblinking, her expression shifting several times.
Jiang Lai wasn’t particularly dense. She could feel that Chi Yingyu was definitely hiding something from her lately. Every time she gently held her to offer comfort, whenever she opened her mouth to ask, she only received hesitant refusals.
So Jiang Lai was really curious—what had happened to her sister-in-law? Why did she need to hide it from her? If it was work-related, she wanted to see if she could help. If it was something she’d done wrong emotionally, she could change.
Now, aside from work and time spent on her daughter, Jiang Lai was willing to devote everything to her sister-in-law.
Her thoughts were simple: either never date her sister-in-law and keep their relationship clean, or since they were already together, she would maintain her role as a partner. That was her responsibility and what she wanted to do.
Jiang Lai thought it over and decided to go to Chi Yingyu’s law firm today. They wouldn’t go home tonight—they’d go out for some air and talk things through properly.
After wrapping up work and briefly saying goodbye to the other employees at Xu Ruobing’s studio, she started packing up to leave.
But even after she’d gathered all her things, she couldn’t leave right away at quitting time. She still had to wait for Xu Ruobing.
Xu Ruobing had been very busy lately, traveling all over the country, but every time she finished her work, she’d come back to this city and drop by her studio—and also to see Jiang Lai.
Xu Ruobing was a good person. Her affection and kindness toward Jiang Lai were debts Jiang Lai didn’t know how to repay. When she was at her most indecisive, most miserable, and least able to face the fact that she had become a woman, Xu Ruobing had appeared by her side and made her feel that the future was full of hope.
And there was the time she was kidnapped. If not for Xu Ruobing, so many people wouldn’t have come to find her, let alone let her escape from that estate in the chaos.
Jiang Lai was full of gratitude toward Xu Ruobing.
While waiting for Xu Ruobing, Jiang Lai didn’t waste time. She pulled out her phone and opened the navigation app to check how long it would take to get from here to Chi Yingyu’s law firm.
She hadn’t gotten her new driver’s license yet, so she still relied on the subway and buses for commuting.
Before, she would go straight home after work to cook dinner and wait for Chi Yingyu to come back. But some things were hard to talk about at home, especially since her sister-in-law sometimes burrowed under the covers and refused to come out, like a sulking child.
Just as Jiang Lai was thinking about how to broach the subject and get her sister-in-law to tell her what was going on, the studio door was gently pushed open, and a striking figure appeared at the entrance.
Xu Ruobing wore a fitted long coat that accentuated her curvaceous figure, like a model stepping out of a fashion magazine. Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, with a few stray strands playfully falling beside her fair cheeks, adding a touch of casual charm and allure.
Her exquisite face looked like a meticulously crafted work of art, her skin white as snow with a faint glow. No matter when Xu Ruobing appeared, Jiang Lai’s eyes were always drawn to her first.
Working alongside Xu Ruobing made everything else seem secondary. Just looking at that stunning face every day was enough to lift her spirits.
Xu Ruobing entered the studio, her first glance searching for Jiang Lai. Then she trotted over to her in her high heels.
The others in the studio were already used to this scene. The two were like magnets, always sticking close together.
Though Xu Ruobing wasn’t often at the studio, whenever she appeared, she would immediately cling to Jiang Lai.
“I missed you so much.”
Xu Ruobing’s usual aura carried a strong sense of pressure, but in front of Jiang Lai, she turned into a clingy big dog, practically hanging off her.
Their faces were almost touching. With just a slight turn of her head, Jiang Lai could see Xu Ruobing’s lips—beautifully curved and tantalizingly close.
Xu Ruobing’s mouth curled into a gentle smile. That smile almost instantly dispelled the gloom in Jiang Lai’s heart, sweeping away the frustration caused by Chi Yingyu.
And as the weather grew warmer, Xu Ruobing’s clothes became thinner.
If it had been before, Jiang Lai could have enjoyed this without any burden. But not now. She had to be responsible to Chi Yingyu.
So she pulled back a little, coming to her senses.
“Sister Ruobing, are you tired today?”
Xu Ruobing noticed the slight distance Jiang Lai had created and felt a pang of sourness, but she couldn’t say anything. After all, Jiang Lai was now taken.
At the thought, her mood soured. She hadn’t expected that after being busy for the past few years, someone would “steal home” from her. If only she had made a move first—now she was filled with regret.
She even wished she could turn back time a few days. Even if it meant canceling that event, she would have stayed by Jiang Lai’s side.
While she was wallowing, Jiang Lai’s concerned voice reached her ears:
“The event ended at noon today. You could have rested there another day and come back. Your health matters most.”
Xu Ruobing shook her head slightly.
“It’s fine. I just missed you, so I hurried back after I finished.”
She looked at Jiang Lai’s slightly furrowed brow. “You seem anxious. Is something wrong? I feel like you have something on your mind.”
She reached out and directly rubbed Jiang Lai’s cheek.
Jiang Lai hesitated for a moment, then finally voiced her worry:
“Ruobing, Yingyu has been acting really strange lately. I feel like she’s hiding something from me. No matter how many times I ask, she won’t tell me. I’m really worried. I’m going to her law firm today to have a good talk with her. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an honest conversation.”
Xu Ruobing listened, patted her on the shoulder, and said with a smile, “She’s definitely cheating. I’ll go investigate for you, and then I’ll take you to catch her in the act.”
“Ruobing… that’s impossible. I trust her.” Jiang Lai shook her head. “Maybe she just needs time. She’ll tell me when she’s figured it out. As long as we communicate well, we’ll work it out.”
They chatted a bit more. Jiang Lai checked the time and decided she couldn’t delay any longer. She got ready to leave.
Just as she stepped out of the studio, Xu Ruobing suddenly called out:
“How are you getting there? The subway? Want me to drive you? It’ll be faster and more convenient.”
Jiang Lai was a little surprised but gratefully accepted.
Sitting in the passenger seat, she buckled her seatbelt as the car slowly exited the parking lot. The city’s neon lights flickered outside the window like flowing colors.
Xu Ruobing broke the silence: “If she really is cheating, you have to tell me. I’ll make sure she regrets it.”
Jiang Lai smiled.
“I know you mean well. Thank you for always being by my side, helping me when I’m in trouble. I’ll do my best to repay you someday.”
Xu Ruobing let out a soft laugh, a trace of loneliness flickering in her eyes.
“I don’t need you to repay me. I just wanted you to be okay. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
She paused, then finally said it:
“Actually… I’ve always liked you. Ever since the first time I saw you. But someone else got there first.”
Jiang Lai was slightly stunned. She’d known Xu Ruobing had feelings for her, but she hadn’t expected her to be so straightforward.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
Xu Ruobing quickly laughed and said, “Don’t be nervous. I know you’re with Yingyu now. I just wanted to get it off my chest. That’s all. As long as you’re happy, that’s enough.”
The car stopped at a red light.
Xu Ruobing turned to look at Jiang Lai, her expression serious. She reached out and grasped Jiang Lai’s wrist.
“Jiang Lai, if Yingyu treats you badly—even if you two haven’t broken up yet—I won’t stand by and do nothing. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you.”
A warmth spread through Jiang Lai’s heart. She nodded gently. “Thank you, but Yingyu treats me well. I believe we’ll be happy.”
The light turned green, and the car continued forward.
Soon, they arrived at the building where the law firm was located.
Jiang Lai unbuckled her seatbelt. “Ruobing, thank you so much for today.”
“Don’t be so polite with me.” Xu Ruobing smiled. “Go on. Talk things out. Call me if anything comes up.”
Jiang Lai got out of the car and headed toward the building.
Xu Ruobing sat in the car, watching her retreating figure. But her heart was far from calm.
On the surface, her magnanimity and composure were nothing more than years of self-restraint and forbearance. But facing the fact that the person she loved belonged to someone else, her emotions were starting to crumble.
Her possessiveness was stirring.
Finally, she pushed open the car door and called out:
“Jiang Jiang!”
Jiang Lai paused mid-step and turned around.
Xu Ruobing hurried over and, before Jiang Lai could react, pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Let me hold you for a bit… just a little while. Otherwise, I really can’t bear it.”
Her voice trembled slightly, her warm breath brushing against Jiang Lai’s ear.
Jiang Lai’s body stiffened. Her hands instinctively touched Xu Ruobing’s back, but at that moment, she hesitated.