“Wh-What do you mean, sleep together?”
Jiang Cheng shot up from the sofa, literally startled out of her seat.
Nearby, by the kitchen doorway, Jiang Xiaotang paused mid-step.
Then she silently shifted half a step closer to the doorframe, her ears perked up, twitching one after another.
“Oh, sorry, I misspoke.”
An Xin covered her mouth, putting on a very surprised expression.
But her tone was so steady it sounded like she was about to say, “This is Central Broadcasting Station” next.
However, from the slight curve visible behind her hand, it clearly looked like a mischievous smirk after pulling off a prank.
“What the young lady meant was—” she paused, “she wants you to sleep at the Lin family estate tonight.”
Then just say Lin Shuangxue wants me to stay with the Lin family.
Simple as that.
Jiang Cheng was fuming.
This woman was seriously malicious.
Even worse than Lin Shuangxue!
The girl fumed silently, but she suppressed her anger well enough.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Cheng tried to make her voice sound as calm as possible.
“No need, Miss An Xin.
Little Tang and I are doing just fine at our own place.”
An Xin seemed to have expected this answer.
She tilted her head slightly, raised her hand, and waved it in front of Jiang Cheng.
Her fingers were long, with nails that were cleanly trimmed and free of nail art—a rare kind of beauty.
Jiang Cheng felt that if the girl who liked using her clone to blow people up saw these hands, she’d go crazy.
“If you live at the Lin family estate, you’ll have endless little dresses to choose from.”
As the girl’s thoughts wandered, An Xin gently folded down one finger.
Jiang Cheng sneered.
That’s it?
You think that’s enough to buy me off?
“Not enough,” she blurted out, then realizing her mistake, quickly added, “Ahem… I mean, that little benefit isn’t enough to make me move. You’ll have to add more money… No! Forget money! It’s just not enough anyway!”
As if she hadn’t heard Jiang Cheng’s rambling, An Xin continued folding down a second finger.
“Little Sister Xiaotang can go to and from school with Miss Luo Ying.
I’ll be handling the pick-up and drop-off.
Very convenient.”
Jiang Cheng pouted.
“We can just take a taxi.
I’ve got… a little bit of money now.”
A third finger.
“You’ll be given a maid’s identity.
You’ll receive a monthly salary of one hundred thousand base pay, free medical care, free housing, and free meals.”
Jiang Cheng opened her mouth.
That’s… tempting.
No, no, no.
A real man doesn’t bow for five pecks of rice.
Even though I’m not a man, and not big at all… I’m still a girl with integrity!
With a system like mine, how could money ever starve me to death?
She puffed out her chest, trying hard to look dignified.
“I’m the type of person who loves saying no to people like you who think they’ve already won!”
“So… I refuse!”
An Xin looked at her and let out a soft sigh.
That sigh made Jiang Cheng’s heart skip a beat.
“Miss Jiang Cheng,” An Xin’s voice remained gentle, “there’s something you may not be aware of.”
“Wh-What is it?”
“You still owe money.
Eight million.”
Jiang Cheng froze.
She knew she owed eight million, of course.
The system had told her on the very first day.
But the question was—
“I do owe money… but what does that company have to do with the Lin family?”
The corner of An Xin’s mouth lifted again.
This time, she didn’t cover it with her hand, and Jiang Cheng clearly saw the curve.
“That company has been acquired by the Lin family.”
“…Huh?”
“So, to be precise,” An Xin’s tone was light and casual, “you now owe money to the Lin family.”
The living room went silent for a moment.
Jiang Cheng felt her brain crash.
“Wh-When did this happen?”
“About half an hour ago.”
Half an hour ago?
That must have been right when An Xin was leaving the Lin family!
Jiang Cheng’s voice trembled a little:
“You… when did you find out I owed eight million?”
“Around noon today.”
Jiang Cheng fell silent.
So you guys bought the entire company just so I’d owe you money?
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found she didn’t even have the energy to complain.
I’ve truly… stumbled into a den of tigers, haven’t I?
No.
Jiang Cheng suddenly snapped back to reality.
The one who owes money is the boss!
What if I just refuse to pay?
Become a deadbeat?
What are you going to do about it?
She gathered her courage, ready to throw that line out with confidence, when An Xin spoke again.
“Oh, by the way, Miss Jiang Cheng… you might not know this, but that loan you took out was a black-hearted loan.”
“…Huh?”
“According to the original contract, you’re required to repay the full eight million principal by the end of this month.”
An Xin’s voice was unhurried.
“The reason the other party gave you leeway was that they were afraid if they pushed too hard, you’d just vanish, and they’d lose any chance of making a profit entirely.”
Jiang Cheng’s mouth formed an “O.”
“So, if you refuse the young lady’s kindness…” An Xin tilted her head slightly, “by the end of this month, you and Little Sister Xiaotang will probably be homeless.
Living under a bridge, crying pathetically, praying some rich lady will take you in.”
Jiang Cheng was shaking with anger.
Why does this world have so much malice toward beautiful girls!
…Oh, the person across from me is also a beautiful girl.
Never mind, then.
No, wait!
This is a big deal!
She hung her head dejectedly, like a delicate white flower battered by a storm.
Seeing her like this, An Xin let out a laugh.
But she quickly composed herself, restoring that composed and graceful demeanor, as if the laughter had just been an illusion.
“Then, I’ll bring people over tomorrow morning to help you move.”
She stood up, smoothing her skirt.
“Please have your luggage packed tonight, you and Little Sister Xiaotang.”
“Ugh… fine.”
An Xin reached the door, then suddenly stopped.
“Miss Jiang Cheng.”
“What now…”
“The young lady… she’s really looking forward to you coming.”
The door gently clicked shut.
The living room fell silent.
Jiang Cheng collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the dim yellow light on the ceiling, and let out a long sigh.
I never expected this.
In the end, I’m still submitting to a beautiful girl’s skirt.
Damn it!
She clenched her little fist in anguish.
This is not the kind of kept life I wanted!
What being kept should mean—a cute and lively one-meter-fifty tall loli rich girl, from a wealthy family, passionate and devoted, with eyes only for you.
She hugs your leg, hands over her bank card and password, and from then on, all you have to do is cuddle and act cute.
The initiative should be in my hands!
But now…
How is this any different from being a pet Lin Shuangxue keeps locked up?
A little cat wearing pretty clothes, living in a gorgeous cage, petted and held whenever the owner wants…
“Ugh…”
Jiang Cheng buried her face in the cushion, letting out a desperate whimper.
The future is total darkness… (sadness)
A soft sound of footsteps came from beside the sofa.
A small hand gently patted her shoulder.
“Big sister…”
Jiang Cheng lifted her face from the cushion.
Jiang Xiaotang stood before her, expression as serious as if she were about to swear an eternal vow.
“It’s okay, big sister.”
The girl’s soft voice came through.
“Being a pet isn’t so bad.”
“…Huh?”
“At least you’re a cat type.”
Jiang Xiaotang analyzed with a straight face.
“No matter how you look at it, you’re the cat master, and Lin Shuangxue is just the one scooping the litter box.”
Jiang Cheng blinked.
That… kind of makes sense?
“From then on, big sister just has to eat, sleep, and poop anywhere—”
Jiang Cheng froze.
“Wait, what do you mean poop anywhere?!”
She pulled Jiang Xiaotang into her arms, grabbed the girl’s chubby little cheeks, and squeezed them roughly, twisting them around until the girl’s face was all deformed.
“Mmm mmm mmm!”
Jiang Xiaotang’s face distorted in her hands, her voice muffled as a result.
“Little Tang knows she was wrong… Big sister, stop…”
“Will you ever say nonsense like that again, huh?”
“Ugh… won’t dare anymore…”