Chapter 31: The Spoiled Sister

Separated by a layer of soft sponge fabric, Jiang Xiaoyi felt a mix of tension and relief. At least her sister was still wearing clothes.

“Sister, you go wash up first,” Jiang Xiaoyi said as she pushed open the bathroom’s glass door. With her other hand, she slowly withdrew it from in front of Meng Chuning’s chest.

“Xiaoyi.” Meng Chuning watched Jiang Xiaoyi’s flustered retreating back, a pang of disappointment hitting her. Could it be that Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t meant anything by it? Had she just been overthinking?

Jiang Xiaoyi hurried back to the bedroom and shut the door tight. She ruffled her already messy hair, making it even more disheveled.

She needed to calm down right now. Things couldn’t keep spiraling in this irreversible direction.

She had only been trying to complete the punishment task—why had it ended up like that?

Jiang Xiaoyi flopped onto the bed in frustration. Meng Chuning didn’t seem to mind doing it with her at all. Was it possible she’d gotten… addicted after what happened in the office?

“…” Suddenly, Jiang Xiaoyi thought she shouldn’t have come at all. If she hadn’t reached out, none of this would have happened with Meng Chuning.

If she hadn’t contacted her, Meng Chuning would have forgotten about her long ago.

But what could she do about the Money Deduction System?

Jiang Xiaoyi frowned in agony. She couldn’t avoid transferring the money, but maybe she could earn more—enough for the system to deduct without going bankrupt.

Xiao Yi: 【Sister Lu Xi, keep finding acting gigs for me, okay? Thanks!】

Lu Xi: 【Aren’t you working too hard?】

Xiao Yi: 【I don’t want to be a no-name actress forever. Don’t you want to become the agent of a big star sooner, Sister Lu Xi?】

Lu Xi: 【I do! I’ll work hard too!】

Perfect. With Sister Lu Xi motivated like that, Jiang Xiaoyi felt much more at ease.

But with her current abilities, it would still be tough to earn enough for the system’s deductions.

Jiang Xiaoyi refreshed Moments with a sigh, scrolling through dispiritedly.

A new post from Mom had popped up. She tapped it to see a photo of her mom relaxing with a face mask on. Jiang Xiaoyi smiled and gave it a like.

Her phone rang almost immediately—Jiang Meilian calling.

Jiang Xiaoyi picked up. “Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Jiang Meilian was in the middle of her face mask treatment, her voice muffled. “I can’t sleep, baby. I’ve been too excited these past couple days. I’m at my friend’s shop getting some body care done.”

Jiang Xiaoyi let out an “oh.” “Mom, you should still try to get to bed early.”

“Okay.” Jiang Meilian sounded smug. “Oh, by the way, my business deal went through. We’ve been supplying fresh fruit to the group since three days ago.”

“Wow! Mom, you’re amazing. Now I can really relax.” Jiang Xiaoyi rubbed her nose, praising her mom. Her mom was way more capable than she was.

Jiang Meilian chuckled. “Baby, do you know how big the order is this time?”

Jiang Xiaoyi perked up. “How big?”

Her smile widened. “Two hundred thousand per month. Mom’s planning to expand the orchard and boost production so we can make even more.”

That was way more profit than selling to wholesalers. Jiang Xiaoyi thought she’d misheard. “Mom, which group did you sign with? You didn’t get scammed, did you?”

“YN Group and its subsidiaries. Some places even need air shipping.” Jiang Meilian peeled off her face mask. “YN Group has the resources and integrity—they wouldn’t scam anyone. Though their Chairman Meng is a bit hard to deal with. Super serious.”

Jiang Xiaoyi froze. So the strawberries she and Meng Chuning had eaten at lunch were from her own family’s orchard?

And was Chairman Meng… Meng Chuning’s mom?

From what Jiang Xiaoyi knew, YN Group had huge demand for fresh-cut fruit. They had afternoon tea for employees every day, delivered pre-sliced fresh fruit to their contracted artists, and even kept the fruit coming nonstop on sets they invested in—fresh cuts for actors and crew alike.

YN Group bought in bulk at premium prices, but their standards were strict.

Jiang Xiaoyi felt a twinge of sympathy for her mom. “Mom, don’t overwork yourself.”

“Don’t worry, baby. Mom’s not tired at all. Get some sleep, little star—staying up late is bad for your skin.”

“Got it, Mom. Goodnight.” Jiang Xiaoyi hung up as the bedroom door clicked open.

She got out of bed and went to open it. “Sister…”

She still got nervous the moment she saw Meng Chuning.

Meng Chuning’s long hair was dripping wet, water droplets trailing from the ends and quickly soaking into her dry nightgown, leaving damp patches that made her look a little pitiful.

Jiang Xiaoyi noticed her slightly flushed cheeks. “Sister, didn’t you dry your hair?”

Meng Chuning let out a soft “mm.” “Forgot.”

Jiang Xiaoyi grabbed a clean towel from the rack and gently rubbed the back of Meng Chuning’s head.

With their height difference, Jiang Xiaoyi’s lashes lowered slightly as her hands cradled Meng Chuning’s face, the towel half-obscuring Meng Chuning’s view.

“…” All Meng Chuning could see were Jiang Xiaoyi’s lips, mere inches away.

When her hair was half-dry, Jiang Xiaoyi’s lips parted. “Sister, I have to head back to A City for work the morning after tomorrow.”

Meng Chuning tilted her face up slightly, not really listening to what Jiang Xiaoyi was saying. All she could think about was diving in to explore those soft lips.

“Sister?” Jiang Xiaoyi bent down a little, her dark eyes meeting hers. “Are you tired?”

The soft lips moved out of view. Meng Chuning’s reddened gaze locked with Jiang Xiaoyi’s, and she swallowed softly. “A little.”

“You should get some sleep early then, Sister. You’ve got work tomorrow.” Jiang Xiaoyi hung the towel back on the rack. “When are you heading back to A City?”

“Probably need two more days.” Meng Chuning had sped up her work pace, compressing what should have taken four days into two.

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “Goodnight, then, Sister.”

“Xiaoyi…” Meng Chuning hesitated for a few seconds before saying nothing more. “Goodnight.”

It seemed like Jiang Xiaoyi really had no intention of doing anything with her. Hadn’t she promised seven days, unlimited times, satisfaction guaranteed or your money back?

Once Meng Chuning returned to her room, Jiang Xiaoyi was about to close her door when a crash echoed from next door—the sound of porcelain shattering. Followed by Meng Chuning’s muffled hiss of pain.

Jiang Xiaoyi yanked the door open and rushed over. “Sister, what happened?”

A vase had toppled from the shelf and smashed into pieces. Meng Chuning bent down to pick up the shards, but Jiang Xiaoyi grabbed her hand. “Don’t touch it with your hands. Watch out for your feet.”

Jiang Xiaoyi tugged Meng Chuning aside. “Come over here first.”

“Wait…” Meng Chuning rubbed her knee gently. “I didn’t notice and bumped it.”

“Don’t rub it—let me see.” Jiang Xiaoyi crouched down and saw the skin, once lightly pink, now red and swollen. It looked like a hard hit.

“Does it hurt a lot?” Jiang Xiaoyi looked up, her brows furrowed deeply.

Meng Chuning’s face was flushed, her knee throbbing hotly. “It hurts a lot.”

Jiang Xiaoyi gripped the back of her leg with one hand and examined it up close again. “How did you bump it this bad?”

It was the first time she’d seen Jiang Xiaoyi so serious, and suddenly Meng Chuning didn’t think it hurt quite as much. “Xiaoyi… are you worried about me?”

“Of course. I’ll take you to the hospital first.” Jiang Xiaoyi dashed back to her room for her jacket, draping it over Meng Chuning before scooping her up in her arms.

The world tilted as her feet left the ground. Meng Chuning was cradled against Jiang Xiaoyi’s waist, her legs hooked over Jiang Xiaoyi’s arm, the jacket fully covering the snow-white thighs exposed by her hiked-up skirt.

“Xiaoyi.” Nestled in her embrace, Meng Chuning wrapped her arms around Jiang Xiaoyi’s neck. “The hotel has an on-call doctor at night. We don’t need to go to the hospital.”

Jiang Xiaoyi was waiting for the elevator. “What if it’s broken?”

“It won’t be—it wasn’t that bad.” Meng Chuning wiggled her injured leg. “It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”

Jiang Xiaoyi glanced down at her. When Meng Chuning had swung her leg, the soft curve of her calf had brushed lightly against Jiang Xiaoyi’s arm a few times, leaving a trail of silky warmth.

“Then we’ll have the doctor check it anyway.” Jiang Xiaoyi carried her back and sat on the sofa.

The doctor arrived, examined it carefully, and said, “No issues. Just rest for the next few days.”

Jiang Xiaoyi relaxed. “Good. Thank you, Doctor.”

The whole ordeal had taken an hour, and it was already two in the morning. Jiang Xiaoyi worried that if Meng Chuning didn’t sleep soon, she’d be exhausted for work tomorrow.

“Sister, let me spray some medicine on it.” Jiang Xiaoyi opened the pain-relief spray and misted Meng Chuning’s swollen knee. “Does it hurt?”

“It’s okay—feels cool and soothing.” Meng Chuning bent her injured leg, her skirt hem sliding up her thigh, unable to cover the reddened skin at the base. Even through the fabric, it looked a bit swollen.

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi pulled her jacket down to cover her fully. “It’s late, Sister. Time for bed?”

“…Mm.” Meng Chuning clutched the jacket to her chest and tried to stand, but as soon as her injured foot touched the floor, pain shot through it and she sat back down.

Jiang Xiaoyi finished sweeping up the vase shards and turned to see Meng Chuning puffing out her cheeks. “Xiaoyi… my leg hurts. Can you carry me to bed?”

There was a whiny, spoiled lilt to her voice.

Something softened in Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart. She never imagined Big Boss Sister had such a soft, adorable side.

For some reason, she suddenly wanted to pinch those cheeks.

Jiang Xiaoyi walked over, bent down, and lightly pinched her face. “Sister, you…”

“Mm…” Meng Chuning’s soft, pale cheek yielded under the gentle touch. She’d been trying to act cute and spoiled, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Xiaoyi to actually pinch her.

Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t pinched hard and let go immediately. “Sorry, Sister. Did I hurt you?”

Meng Chuning shook her head, as if discovering something new. “Why did you pinch me just now?”

“I…” Jiang Xiaoyi wasn’t sure herself. Meng Chuning’s puffed cheeks had just looked so different from her usual self, and she’d acted on impulse.

“I’ll carry you to bed.” Jiang Xiaoyi bent down to pick her up. Meng Chuning hooked her arms around Jiang Xiaoyi’s neck and leaned in close.

The distance shrank in an instant. In Meng Chuning’s eyes, Jiang Xiaoyi saw her own reflection—frozen, breathless, tense.

“Wh-what…?” Jiang Xiaoyi’s voice trembled faintly. They were too close now; the slightest move and their lips would meet.

Jiang Xiaoyi freed a hand to grip Meng Chuning’s arm, but Meng Chuning held on tighter. “Tell me, Xiaoyi. Why’d you pinch my face?”

That tone again, soft and spoiled.

Jiang Xiaoyi felt like she was powerless against it, unable to refuse.

A hint of anticipation shimmered in Meng Chuning’s eyes.

Gazed at by those soft eyes, Jiang Xiaoyi murmured, “Because… you’re cute. I wanted to.”

In the bathroom earlier, when she’d guided Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand to her own softness, Jiang Xiaoyi had trembled and pulled away. But now she was pinching her cheek of her own accord.

Maybe Jiang Xiaoyi preferred her spoiled and cute.

“Xiaoyi…” Meng Chuning’s fingers brushed Jiang Xiaoyi’s face, pinching back gently with a soft voice. “You’re so innocent. You just wanted to pinch~”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi didn’t dare respond. If Meng Chuning knew she’d been reading Su Jiuyue’s steamy novels every day, what would her sister think?

Jiang Xiaoyi’s face reddened. “Sister, I’m not innocent…”

Meng Chuning: “Oh?”

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded slightly.

Meng Chuning’s voice trailed off in a teasing lilt. “Besides my leg hurting, there are other places that hurt too.”

Jiang Xiaoyi instantly understood. She wasn’t innocent by any means, and she stammered, “Wh-what do we do?”

Recalling the scene from before, she figured it might have been the lack of lubrication—but when she tried it out, she realized it wasn’t necessary at all.

Meng Chuning shook her head without a word. “It was probably because we didn’t use hand cream.”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s face flushed red as she listened, and she murmured softly, “But Sis, back then you…”

She broke off mid-sentence, wondering why she was even discussing this with her sister. Just to prove she wasn’t so pure after all?

“What about me back then?” Meng Chuning asked nervously. “Come on, Xiaoyi, just say it.”

“…You flooded the seven armies,” Jiang Xiaoyi said, her words a delicate euphemism.

Meng Chuning caught her meaning at once, her cheeks turning bright red. “Xiaoyi, you’re so naughty…”