Chapter 12: Bathing 

As her sister-in-law said, Jiang Lai couldn’t manage alone right now.  

Without Chi Yingyu, she might end up on the streets, with nowhere to stay.  

For someone without an ID, many things were inconvenient.  

While Jiang Lai hesitated, Chi Yingyu practically herded her back to her place like a duck to water.  

Chi Yingyu’s home was a one-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, conveniently close to her law firm.  

Though a single-bedroom unit, it was no different from a regular apartment aside from the bedroom count.  

Small but fully equipped, it could easily accommodate two people.  

More importantly, the living room and bedroom were separate, so Jiang Lai could sleep in the living room.  

While Jiang Lai was still inspecting the apartment, Chi Yingyu brought out a pair of new slippers, crouching down in front of her.  

“These are new.”  

“Okay…”  

Jiang Lai instinctively moved to put them on, but seeing the slippers Chi Yingyu offered, she froze.  

Her own slippers were a crisp blue, so why were hers pink and cutesy, adorned with an adorable kitten?  

Faced with such childish, pink slippers, Jiang Lai hesitated, inwardly resisting these cute things.  

Chi Yingyu noticed her reluctant look and smiled, explaining, “These are the only spare pair I have.  

If you don’t like them, you can wear mine.”  

“No, no, no.”  

Jiang Lai quickly shook her head.  

Wearing such pink slippers wasn’t a big deal since no one would see.  

But taking her sister-in-law’s slippers just because of a color preference would be truly childish.  

When weighing the lesser evil, she had no other choice despite her reluctance.  

Even though her body was now female, deep down, Jiang Lai still saw herself as a man, a fact she believed would never change.  

Otherwise, after so long as a woman, aside from buying a new pair of fitting shoes, she’d stuck to her old ways, wearing the same clothes as before.  

Only this gave her a sliver of comfort, a constant reminder that she was once a man.  

Chi Yingyu looked at Jiang Lai, still wrapped up tightly, and, thinking of the faint alcohol smell on her, smirked playfully.  

“I’ll grab you some clothes. My dear sister-in-law, why don’t you take a bath first?”  

Jiang Lai frowned slightly at Chi Yingyu’s teasing.  

“Why are you poking fun at me too?”  

“No choice—your expressions are just too cute.”  

Unlike before, Jiang Lai’s emotions now seemed to play across her face.  

Chi Yingyu wanted to see all her expressions, knowing she’d remember the stairwell moment forever.  

No matter how much time passed, Jiang Lai with tears in her eyes would stay in her heart.  

Jiang Lai wanted to glare at Chi Yingyu, but seeing her head to the bedroom, she quietly went to the bathroom and started running hot water.  

From last night until now, she hadn’t properly cleaned up, especially with the lingering alcohol smell.  

While filling the tub, Jiang Lai took off her coat, placing it in the laundry basket.  

Sniffing her shirt curiously, she noticed not just alcohol but a pleasant perfume scent.  

The moment she smelled it, she thought of Xu Ruobing from last night…  

She’d really been out of it, nearly losing herself.  

Looking in the bathroom mirror, Jiang Lai slowly unbuttoned the first button of her white shirt, pulling the collar aside.  

On her fair neck was a vivid red mark.  

Why hadn’t it faded?  

As adults, if her sister-in-law saw this kiss mark, Jiang Lai would have no defense.  

Glancing at the cabinet by the mirror, she figured there’d be a concealer to cover it after her bath.  

As for last night, she’d treat it like a dream—it couldn’t happen again.  

White steam rose, soon enveloping the bathroom in a misty haze.  

Jiang Lai sat in the tub, her features softened and gentle, staring at the water’s surface while thinking why Chi Yingyu was taking so long with the clothes.  

She reached out her slender hand, gently stirring the water, making soft ripples.  

No matter how she looked, these were delicate, jade-like hands.  

Could she really never return to her old self?  

Would she have to live the rest of her life as a woman?  

Perhaps due to the small bathroom and poor ventilation, Jiang Lai felt a tightness in her chest, needing effort to breathe.  

She pressed her hand to her chest, and thanks to that touch, she realized her larger chest really did float on the water.  

Maybe because of it, many tasks felt exhausting.  

Not only had her height shrunk, but her stamina had weakened too.  

Even bathing left her short of breath.  

***

In the bedroom, Chi Yingyu nearly turned her wardrobe upside down, unsure what cute outfit to pick for her brother-in-law.  

Clothes were strewn across the room, yet she felt they weren’t enough.  

Why hadn’t she bought cuter clothes before?  

Chi Yingyu’s heart ached.  

Jiang Lai’s cold, expressionless face paired with adorable clothes would create a striking contrast, a forced charm that thrilled her just thinking about it.  

Though a lifelong singleton, Chi Yingyu was no stranger to niche literature, and with no real experience, her fantasies ran wild.  

While imagining and rummaging through clothes, she heard a loud “thud” from the bathroom.  

Her heart skipped a beat, and she rushed over.  

Hearing no sound from inside, she reached to open the bathroom door, but it was held shut by two slender hands.  

A low voice came from behind, slow and restrained, as if enduring something.  

“I’m fine, I just slipped.”  

Though Jiang Lai didn’t want to worry her, through the small crack in the door, Chi Yingyu caught a glimpse of her stunning figure.