Chapter 65.1

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The next morning, they woke up naturally, the soft glow of daylight spilling into the room.

Qiao Ziman stretched lazily before rolling out of bed, taking in the mess they had made the night before. With a resigned sigh, she bent down to start gathering the scattered sheets and discarded towels.

Chi Yin, still lying in bed, absentmindedly let her gaze wander—until it landed on the small pile of finger condoms lying near the edge of the bed.

Her ears instantly burned.

Last night’s Qiao Qiao… was a bit too much.

Completely relentless.

“Not sleeping in a little longer?” Qiao Ziman glanced over her shoulder with a playful smirk, holding up a damp bedsheet like evidence of last night’s destruction. “I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.”

Chi Yin shook her head, pressing her lips together, choosing silence over a response.

Qiao Ziman narrowed her eyes, setting down the sheets before sauntering over. “What’s wrong? Feeling shy?”

She leaned down, capturing Chi Yin’s flushed cheek with her lips, letting them linger just enough to make the warmth spread further. “You were pretty ruthless when you used to bully me. What happened?” Her voice dropped, teasing and deliberate. “Yin Yin, you look so beautiful when you cry. Makes me want to spoil you even more.”

Chi Yin turned her face away, but the deepening red at the tips of her ears betrayed her.

Qiao Ziman chuckled. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”

“Ding-dong.”

The sudden chime of the doorbell echoed through the quiet house.

Qiao Ziman glanced out the second-floor window and raised an eyebrow. “It’s your sister.”

Chi Yin frowned instantly, her face shifting from embarrassed to annoyed. “What is she doing here?”

“I’ll go check.”

Setting the broom aside, Qiao Ziman made her way downstairs.

The moment she opened the door, Jiang Shu stormed in, dragging a suitcase behind her.

“Sis-sis-sis-sis-sis-sis!” she cried dramatically. “Take me in for a while!”

Qiao Ziman blinked, staring at the scene unfolding in front of her. She pressed a firm hand on Jiang Shu’s shoulder, halting her dramatic entrance. “Doesn’t your mom still need you to take care of her?”

“Aiya, she’s already out of the hospital and doing just fine! Don’t worry about her,” Jiang Shu said, waving a dismissive hand. “Besides, I’m still mad at her—I’m running away from home! Gotta teach her a lesson!”

Before Qiao Ziman could respond, a quiet yet unmistakably cold voice floated over from behind her.

“Where did you learn that excuse?”

Jiang Shu turned her head and batted her eyelashes at Qiao Ziman with an innocent look.

Chi Yin stared at her in silence.

Qiao Ziman coughed and quickly raised her hands. “I swear, I didn’t teach her!”

Jiang Shu clasped her hands together and turned back to Chi Yin. “Big sis, please, just let me stay for a few days?” But before Chi Yin could answer, she suddenly narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her sister’s posture. “Wait… what’s wrong with you? Why do you keep holding your waist? Did my sister-in-law beat you up?”

Chi Yin’s expression remained unchanged as she slowly lifted a hand and pointed to the door. “Out.”

Jiang Shu gasped. “Come on, don’t do this. I’m begging you—”

“Unless…”

Chi Yin’s lips curved into a slow, unreadable smile.

Jiang Shu instinctively took a step back. “…Unless what?”

Chi Yin held up a single finger. “Ten thousand a day.”

Jiang Shu’s jaw dropped. “Wow, Big sis, that’s straight-up evil. Is there really a need to hold a grudge like this? I’m just a kid, you know!”

Without missing a beat, she whirled around and clung to Qiao Ziman’s arm, shaking it pitifully. “Sister-in-law, look at her! You have to stand up for me!”

Qiao Ziman sighed, scratching her nose as if contemplating something serious. After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“Jiang Shu… I already made up with your sister.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Shu released Qiao Ziman’s arm, turning to glare at them in disbelief.

“Sister-in-law, are you crossing the river and burning the bridge behind you?” She then swung her gaze to Chi Yin, eyes narrowing. “Big sis, I’m telling on you—this whole scam to get my money was actually your wife’s idea!”

Chi Yin cast her a calm, indifferent look. “So what? My money is her money.”

“You two are impossible!” Jiang Shu spun around with a huff, crossing her arms as she muttered under her breath, “I can’t believe I got caught up in your little scheme. If you don’t let me stay, then I’ll just sleep on the streets.”

Qiao Ziman glanced at Chi Yin, feeling a twinge of guilt. Leaning in, she whispered, “Are we being too harsh? She is your sister, after all. Maybe we should—”

Before she could finish, Chi Yin dipped her head and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of Qiao Ziman’s lips, smiling as she spoke. “It’s your call. Whatever you decide, I’ll go along with.”

How is she so good at this? Qiao Ziman couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. “Alright, alright. We were just messing with you.”

Stepping forward, she grabbed Jiang Shu’s suitcase and hooked an arm around her shoulder, guiding her inside. “You can stay as long as you want.”

“Sister-in-law, you’re the best!” Jiang Shu shot a resentful look at Chi Yin, then hopped and skipped her way toward the stairs, aiming for the second floor.

Qiao Ziman and Chi Yin locked eyes, both of them suddenly remembering something. “Wait, is that room even cleaned up yet?”

Oh no.

They bolted after Jiang Shu, each grabbing one of her arms before she could climb another step.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” they demanded in unison.

Jiang Shu shrank back slightly, darting her eyes left and right before mumbling, “I want to stay on the second floor.”

Qiao Ziman and Chi Yin: “No way!”

Jiang Shu pouted. “Fine, fine. No need to be so fierce about it.”

Qiao Ziman pulled her toward the living room sofa and plopped her down. “Go find Aunt He to keep you company for a bit. Your sister and I need to discuss something.”

Pulling Chi Yin aside into a quiet corner, Qiao Ziman lowered her voice. “Yin Yin, is it really okay for your sister to stay in the first-floor guest room? That room’s a little small.”

Chi Yin’s expression remained cold—clearly, she was still holding a grudge.

“If she doesn’t want the guest room, she can stay in the storage room,” she said flatly. “Either way, she’s not going upstairs. What if she disturbs us?”

Well… she’s got a point.

Just as they were finalizing their decision, the doorbell rang again.

“What now?” Qiao Ziman muttered, heading toward the entrance.

As soon as she opened the door, she froze.

Standing there, dragging a suitcase behind her, was Chi Qilan.

Gone was the frail woman from the hospital—she had completely shed her sickly appearance, once again exuding her usual commanding presence. One hand rested on her luggage as she lifted her chin, sharp eyes sweeping over the interior of the house.

Her gaze finally landed on Qiao Ziman.

Qiao Ziman stiffened instantly, nerves prickling at the intense scrutiny.

“A-Auntie,” she stammered, awkwardly motioning behind her for Chi Yin. “Yin Yin… uh… come here.”

Chi Qilan’s voice was calm but firm. “Yin Yin, step outside for a moment.”