By the time the two of them got off work, the heavy snow outside had already stopped, leaving only a slightly thick layer of white snow on the ground.
The low and desolate feelings in Chi Yingyu’s heart slowly returned to normal in Jiang Lai’s embrace, once again regaining her usual spirit in front of herself.
Walking home with Chi Yingyu, Jiang Lai looked at her sister-in-law’s relaxed expression, and her own heart also relaxed, the worries in her mind turning into nothing but bubbles.
“When the snow melts tomorrow, it’ll be even colder. You should wear more layers when you go out.”
But this advice was even more suitable for Jiang Lai herself. She had only planned to come out to deliver an umbrella, not expecting to stay outside for long, so she was only wearing a not-so-thick jacket.
Now, with the cold wind whipping through the air, Jiang Lai’s cheeks and nose were flushed bright red from the chill.
Jiang Lai looked just like a delicious little cream cake, her red nose tip resembling a cherry on top—utterly tempting.
Chi Yingyu really wanted to take a bite, but now was not the time to indulge her desires.
Seeing her brother-in-law’s face red from the cold, Chi Yingyu boldly pulled Jiang Lai into her arms, stuffing Jiang Lai’s frozen red fingers inside her own clothes.
“Is it warm enough in there?”
Jiang Lai could feel her hands in a warm environment, and with the slightest movement, she could touch the softness of Chi Yingyu’s body.
“Won’t my hands freeze you…?”
“No, not at all. I even wish I could hold you completely in my arms.”
“How could you do that while walking?”
Jiang Lai imagined it for a moment and realized that if they really did as Chi Yingyu suggested, the two of them probably wouldn’t make it home any time soon.
Jiang Lai wanted to pull her hands back, but Chi Yingyu held on tightly, not allowing her to move as she wished.
Jiang Lai found, in some ways, that she was becoming more and more helpless against Chi Yingyu, and her sister-in-law was growing bolder and less afraid of her.
In the past, her sister-in-law would always listen to whatever she said, never questioning her.
But now, whenever Jiang Lai made any request, it was like a pebble dropped into water—sometimes not even causing a ripple.
This kind of situation, where she didn’t have to think or make decisions herself, was not as annoying as Jiang Lai had imagined. Sometimes, she even enjoyed the comfort of it.
“I might have to go out again tomorrow…”
At this moment, Jiang Lai’s tone was extremely gentle, as if she were negotiating, even a bit humble, when speaking to her sister-in-law.
Perhaps Jiang Lai hadn’t noticed it herself, but her authority was slowly fading when she was with Chi Yingyu. Now, she even felt the need to inform Chi Yingyu in advance before going out.
Jiang Lai felt that reporting her plans in advance was no big deal.
After all, all the meals at home were prepared by her now, so if she went out, Chi Yingyu would have to handle lunch or dinner by herself.
When Chi Yingyu heard that her brother-in-law would be going out again tomorrow, her steps faltered for a moment.
She wanted to refuse, to make Jiang Lai stay obediently by her side.
But Chi Yingyu was now more passive than ever before.
She was afraid her older sister would confront her brother-in-law, and she was also afraid that Jiang Lai would reveal her true identity to someone else, which would mean losing her greatest advantage.
Chi Yingyu felt terrible.
On one side, her sister was back and wanted to reclaim her position; on the other, her brother-in-law Jiang Lai was chatting with people she didn’t know, even acting so ambiguously that just watching them made her want to ship them.
“So where are you going tomorrow? Do you want me to give you a ride?”
“No need.”
Jiang Lai instinctively refused. She certainly couldn’t tell Chi Yingyu that someone had already arranged to pick her up tomorrow.
But as soon as Jiang Lai spoke, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace that surrounded her with the cold sandalwood scent.
The sudden hug made Jiang Lai want to struggle, but when she saw Chi Yingyu’s slightly reddened eyes, her heart softened, and she gently patted her sister-in-law.
Jiang Lai could feel that Chi Yingyu’s emotions had been fragile lately, her whole state not very good. When she was held in Chi Yingyu’s arms, she didn’t dare to speak.
But this kind of tight, almost forceful embrace, with Chi Yingyu using so much strength, made Jiang Lai feel as if she might melt into her sister-in-law. Such a reckless hug was just like a pair of lovers madly in love.
And to do this right on the sidewalk—wasn’t it a bit much? …Though, there was no one else around.
While Jiang Lai was comforting her sister-in-law, Xu Ruobing, the ambiguous figure in her phone, was plotting a way to bind herself and Jiang Lai together.
Xu Ruobing was a nationally renowned actress, even famous worldwide, but such a beautiful and popular star had recently suffered an attack in a shopping mall.
Xu Ruobing had been suppressing the trending topic about the incident, planning to deal with public opinion after handling everything herself. But the situation took an unexpected turn.
A video of a beauty saving a star garnered unprecedented attention. Xu Ruobing clicked on the video and realized someone had recorded the whole event.
The viral video was of Jiang Lai helping her in the mall, and Xu Ruobing never expected someone would capture it so clearly under those circumstances.
Delighted by the short video, Xu Ruobing even forgot to switch to her alternate account before messaging the person for the original file.
In the conversation, she made it clear that she was willing to pay for it if necessary.
Meanwhile, Jiang Lai, completely unaware, was suddenly the focus of attention online, her popularity even surpassing Xu Ruobing’s for a time.
This made Xu Ruobing develop some new ideas. She wondered if she could use this incident to keep Jiang Lai by her side, using benefits as a lure.
Xu Ruobing didn’t believe anyone would refuse money handed to them, especially when it came so cleanly. She couldn’t think of a single reason to refuse.
Tomorrow, when the two of them went out on their date, Xu Ruobing would bring it up—ask if Jiang Lai was willing to work with her.
On the surface, Xu Ruobing seemed full of goodwill about this, but deep down, she still harbored some not-so-innocent thoughts, even fantasizing about some shameful office play and imagining the two of them working together, inseparable wherever they went.