Chapter 29: Photos

Jiang Lai entered the women’s restroom…  

Once inside, she froze, her mind reeling over her boundary-crossing act.  

Though her body was female, and the restroom had private stalls where nothing could be seen, the mental barrier was the hardest to overcome.  

For decades, she’d been a man—accepting reality didn’t mean instantly feeling like a woman.  

Even after years as a woman, Jiang Lai doubted she’d forget her male identity.  

She sat dazed in the stall, intending to finish quickly and find her sister-in-law.  

But then, a strange female voice came from outside—others were using the restroom.  

The casual words sent her heart racing, lodging in her throat.  

Her current state was pure guilt, her body trembling with shame.  

Every cell tensed from the external shock.  

She didn’t dare listen to the sounds outside the stall.  

Beyond voices, there’d be more private noises.  

She tried to empty her mind, avoiding chaotic thoughts.  

To protect the strangers’ dignity, Jiang Lai covered her ears, muttering to herself, “I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean it…”  

She kept her hands on her ears, terrified of hearing something she shouldn’t.  

That would confirm the perversion she feared in her heart.  

Even if no one called her a pervert, her own morals wouldn’t forgive her.  

Her plan was to keep her ears covered, finish quickly, and leave.  

But while her plan was perfect, her body betrayed her.  

Outside, she’d been on the verge of breaking, unable to take another step.  

Now, no matter how much she urged herself, she felt nothing.  

She wanted to die.  

Using the restroom required a sense of safety.  

If the environment didn’t meet her inner needs, no amount of urgency could overcome her body’s instinctive resistance.  

Even with her ears blocked, she faintly heard outside noises.  

Slightly moving her hands, the bustling voices sounded as if spoken right beside her, crystal clear.  

She prayed silently for the others to leave quickly.  

She also worried if Chi Yingyu was getting anxious waiting outside.  

Thinking of this, she decided to message her sister-in-law about her situation.  

As she reached for her phone, she heard Chi Yingyu’s voice through the stall door.  

“There’s no one else in the restroom but us now…”  

Chi Yingyu stood at the entrance, watching time pass.  

Seeing Jiang Lai hadn’t emerged, she guessed her brother-in-law was struggling to adapt.  

Her presence was to reassure her.  

Chi Yingyu’s arrival confirmed the restroom was empty.  

Jiang Lai’s chaotic thoughts vanished, her heart easing.  

“Don’t worry, no one can hear.  

I’ll stand guard at the door, but you need to hurry this time.”  

Hearing the quiet outside, Jiang Lai let down her guard, feeling rare relief.  

Unbeknownst to her, Chi Yingyu hadn’t left—she stayed in the restroom.  

When Jiang Lai finished and washed her hands, her face was flushed.  

She vowed to adapt sooner; at home, it was fine, but in public, without help, her fears would drive her mad.  

Exiting the restroom, Jiang Lai’s face burned as she saw Chi Yingyu waiting faithfully.  

She wanted to explain her delay, but Chi Yingyu simply took a clean tissue from her bag.  

She gently dried Jiang Lai’s wet hands.  

“Anyone would feel scared or uneasy about this.  

I’ll be with you to take it slow…”  

“Okay…”  

Looking at her dependable sister-in-law, Jiang Lai took her hand without hesitation.  

She said happily, “When we get back, I’ll cook something delicious for you.  

Whatever you like, I’ll make it.”  

On the drive home, Jiang Lai’s gaze lingered on Chi Yingyu.  

She’d always felt a sense of déjà vu.  

Her sister-in-law resembled her late wife by sixty percent in appearance.  

But beyond looks, they were entirely different.  

If her wife knew her sister had become so outstanding, she’d be proud.  

While Jiang Lai’s eyes were fixed on Chi Yingyu, her phone rang.  

Seeing Chi Yingyu was driving, Jiang Lai took the initiative to pick up the phone.  

She glanced at it and saw it was her daughter calling.  

Her eyes shifted to Chi Yingyu.  

She’d told her daughter she’d be on a business trip for an undetermined time.  

It was to give herself some leeway.  

Why was her daughter calling Chi Yingyu now?  

With Chi Yingyu’s nod, Jiang Lai answered, putting it on speaker.  

Her daughter’s excited voice came through.  

“Auntie, am I disturbing you?”  

“It’s fine…  

What’s up?”  

“Nothing big, I just wanted to ask if you have a photo of my future stepmom.  

And I want a photo of you too, Auntie!”  

When Jiang Leyi asked for Jiang Lai’s photo, Chi Yingyu stole a glance at her.  

But she kept most of her focus on the road.  

“Leyi, why do you want these?”  

Chi Yingyu knew her niece didn’t want Jiang Lai to know about the photo request.  

Whether to provide them wasn’t her call.  

From the corner of her eye, she saw Jiang Lai’s panicked expression.  

She clearly hadn’t adjusted to the “stepmom” role.  

As for her own photo, Chi Yingyu was fine giving it—Leyi wouldn’t do anything bad.  

“Wait a bit, I’m driving.  

I’ll talk to you when I get back.”