Chapter 11: Living with My Sister-in-Law  

Jiang Leyi fidgeted with the cup in her hands, sighing inwardly, her words tinged with awkwardness and shyness.  

“Although it’s not very convincing coming from me, my dad is really a good man and a good father. Choosing him, you definitely won’t lose out.”  

Growing up, even now, Jiang Leyi had always wanted a mother.  

As a child, it was because her classmates had mothers by their side every day, while she didn’t.  

Though her caring aunt took on some maternal responsibilities, it never felt quite the same.  

Wanting a mother was almost an obsession for young Jiang Leyi.  

But now, her desire for a mother wasn’t for herself—it was for her dad.  

As his obedient daughter, the thought of Jiang Lai growing old alone felt unbearably lonely.  

When a potential romantic interest for her dad finally appeared, Jiang Leyi wanted to play matchmaker no matter what.  

Jiang Lai bit her lower lip, struggling not to break down emotionally.  

It was the first time she heard her daughter’s evaluation of her.  

Being called a good father made everything she’d done over the years feel worthwhile.  

At that moment, Chi Yingyu, who had been watching Jiang Lai, spoke up.  

“I was just stopping by to check in. We have things to do, so we’ll head out now.”  

Handing a prepared gift to Jiang Leyi, Chi Yingyu pulled the nearly crumbling Jiang Lai out of the room, leaving Jiang Leyi, cheeks slightly flushed, alone.  

Jiang Leyi watched her aunt and her potential future stepmother leave, eagerly sharing the exciting news with her best friend.  

She sent several happy emojis to express her excitement, then delivered her big news.  

[I’m about to have a stepmother!!]  

Her best friend, a dormmate from university, was someone Jiang Leyi felt an inexplicable familiarity with, despite never meeting before.  

She felt an unconscious urge to get close to her.  

More importantly, this friend treated her exceptionally well, almost like a mother’s unconditional love for her daughter, deep to the core.  

Because of this, Jiang Leyi considered her her closest friend, sharing everything, big or small.  

Looking at the chat, Jiang Leyi expected an instant reply, as her friend always responded immediately, like she had superpowers.  

So, not getting a response was odd—perhaps something was holding her up.  

While Jiang Leyi wondered what her friend was doing, her friend stared at the message, her gaze icy, as if Jiang Leyi having a stepmother was unforgivable, like being betrayed.  

On the verge of an emotional breakdown, her friend slowly typed a message unrelated to the previous one.  

[Can I visit your house this winter break?]  

***

At the neighborhood stairwell, Jiang Lai, having left the house, cried uncontrollably.  

Her eyes red, her mind filled with her daughter’s praise, tears surged, unstoppable.  

For the current Jiang Lai, even the heaviest blows couldn’t make her shed a tear; difficulties only annoyed her.  

But this was different—her daughter’s single compliment shattered her emotions, her eyes reddening instantly, an irrepressible ache rising.  

She looked pitiful.  

Chi Yingyu hugged Jiang Lai, their height difference allowing her to hold her comfortably, her hand gently stroking Jiang Lai’s back.  

“Yingyu… thank you for pulling me out.”  

Caught off guard by her sister-in-law’s sudden embrace, Jiang Lai tried to break free, but Chi Yingyu held her tighter.  

Jiang Lai took a deep breath, barely calming herself, suppressing the heavy sob in her voice.  

“You probably don’t want others to see you crying. Just stay in my arms for now.”  

Looking at Jiang Lai’s slightly red nose, Chi Yingyu wasn’t too worried.  

This crying was born of emotion, all part of her plan, though she didn’t expect such a strong reaction.  

Watching the tears on Jiang Lai’s face, Chi Yingyu wanted to lick them away.  

It seemed that becoming a woman made Jiang Lai more emotional, revealing new aspects for Chi Yingyu to explore.  

Earlier, Chi Yingyu had been exchanging glances with her niece, silently endorsing her words.  

Without her aunt’s tacit approval and encouraging looks, Jiang Leyi wouldn’t have spoken so directly.  

As Jiang Lai slowly emerged from her emotional whirlpool, the question of where she’d go next arose.  

“Until your identity is revealed, live with me, okay?”  

“Live with you?”  

Jiang Lai instinctively felt this was inappropriate.  

Chi Yingyu was no longer the little girl she once was; she was an adult.  

What would it mean for them to live together?  

Even setting aside other concerns, she had to consider her sister-in-law’s reputation.  

If Chi Yingyu had a romantic interest, Jiang Lai living with her would complicate things.  

“That won’t do—men and women should keep their distance.”  

“Men and women?”  

Chi Yingyu looked at Jiang Lai, tilted in her arms, talking about boundaries while being so close.  

She didn’t argue, instead lowering her head, her eyes full of gentleness.  

“But where else can you go?  

You can’t keep staying in hotels!”  

In today’s information-driven society, Jiang Lai, without an ID, was essentially undocumented, leaving her at Chi Yingyu’s mercy.  

“How big is your place?”  

“One bedroom, one living room”