Chapter 63: The Humiliated Heiress of the Arranged Marriage (8) Part 2

“Since Sister cares so much about me, your little sister has no choice but to tell you the truth—”

The words trailed into a murmur as their lips met, her voice lost amid the tangle of their tongues.

“How could little sister not crave Sister’s love? I’m simply in no rush… because I know that in this lifetime, whether it’s Sister’s body or her heart, it will all belong to me in the end.”

…

Bai Qian vowed never to broach these topics with her again.

She had assumed the fool was Chi Miaohan, but in truth, the idiot was herself.

She had no intention of accepting her. From the moment she’d entered this world, Chi Miaohan had been nothing more than a little sister to her. The idea of that little sister turning into a girlfriend was horrifying!

Bai Qian resolved to pack her things and flee this house. No more shared living with Chi Miaohan—who cared about arranged marriages or the Bai Family? If she didn’t escape soon, she’d be the first casualty!

She hadn’t even dated anyone yet, and already the girl was bold enough to kiss her. Bai Qian shuddered to imagine what might happen if they actually started going steady.

But escape proved impossible.

The reason was straightforward: this blasted heiress body of hers refused to let her lift a finger to pack.

Determined to fight it, Bai Qian struggled in vain. In the end, all she could do was sniffle pitifully as she descended the stairs in search of Chi Miaohan—the very girl she’d shooed away just moments before.

Chi Miaohan was perched on the sofa, knitting a scarf for Bai Qian. Hearing footsteps, she looked up to see her aggrieved Little Kitty coming down. She set her work aside at once, hurried over, guided her to the sofa, and sat her down. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Bai Qian let her dab away the tears, her voice thick with sobs. “I want to move out.”

Chi Miaohan blinked, certain she’d misheard. “You’re sure? Today?”

The girl shot her a glare that held zero menace. “I don’t want to live with you anymore. I’m moving out on my own—to somewhere you can’t find me!”

“…”

“But I can’t pack my things myself. Wuwuwu, you’ll have to do it for me.”

Amused yet exasperated, Chi Miaohan arched a brow. “You think I’ll agree to that?”

Her eyes, red-rimmed and wide, brimmed with adorable defiance. “If you don’t, I’ll cry until you do!”

Chi Miaohan paused for a beat, then coaxed her gently. “Is Sister upset because I couldn’t resist kissing you earlier? From now on, if you don’t want it, I swear I won’t kiss you again. So please don’t be mad, alright?”

Bai Qian faltered mid-sob, hesitating. “Then swear it.”

Chi Miaohan did so with theatrical solemnity. But the moment she lowered her hand, Bai Qian grabbed it and lifted it again, her voice soft but firm. “Now swear you’ll never fall for me.”

Chi Miaohan didn’t indulge the escalation. Smiling, she turned the tables. “Why can’t Sister like me, exactly?”

“I told you—I only see you as a little sister.”

“Then from today onward, don’t.”

“Chi Miaohan!”

She drew her close, her breath warm against Bai Qian’s ear as she spoke with unwavering seriousness, word by careful word.

“Don’t try to talk me out of it, Sister. I’ll agree to anything you ask… except stopping myself from loving you.”

“Arguing like this is pointless, so I’ve thought it over. How about we meet halfway?”

Chi Miaohan smiled. “Give me four years. If after that, you still only see me as a sister, I won’t push you once we graduate. But if you fall for me in those four years… we get engaged on graduation day. Deal?”

Bai Qian realized she’d gravely underestimated her.

She hadn’t even dated anyone yet, but they were already thinking about marriage.

The other girl wasn’t wrong, though. If they kept “fighting” like this, it wouldn’t solve anything. Bai Qian didn’t want to spend every day just whimpering and acting spoiled over it either. For the sake of her normal life, she agreed without hesitation.

“But I have one condition.”

“In four years, you become the Bai Family’s second daughter.”

Chi Miaohan didn’t argue with her deliberate omission of other possibilities. “Okay.”

…

Bai Qian truly saw Chi Miaohan only as a little sister.

She had it all figured out.

Four years was plenty of time—long enough for someone who’d endured a heartbreaking romance to forget the one who hurt them and fall for someone new. And that was for people who’d actually been in love. She and Chi Miaohan? They hadn’t even dated.

When she really thought about it, they hadn’t known each other that long. The girl’s affection was probably just because Chi Miaohan had only been around her lately. Once she went to college and met more people, those feelings would fade on their own, no intervention needed.

So after sealing the verbal agreement, Bai Qian felt completely at ease.

She hadn’t wanted to indulge her body’s nasty impulse of “keep stringing her along even if you don’t like her, just to get her to do things for you.” But then she reconsidered. This could actually backfire in the best way—reverse psychology to push her away.

Chi Miaohan was thrilled right now. But when she realized she was the only one giving without getting anything back, her mindset would shatter.

And by then, falling out of like with her would be a piece of cake.

Up until now, their concern had been mutual. From this moment on, Bai Qian would withdraw hers entirely, letting Chi Miaohan taste the bitterness of her own loose lips.

That evening.

Chi Miaohan got a call from the landlord.

The woman said she’d rented out that two-bedroom apartment, but her stuff was still inside. The new tenant was moving in tonight, so she hoped she could come back right away to pack it up.

Chi Miaohan agreed and hung up.

Bai Qian had dozed off on her shoulder while they were watching TV. She gently carried her back to the bedroom and tucked her in. As she pulled up the covers, the girl let out a soft murmur and opened her eyes.

Seeing that she looked like she was about to head out, she mumbled, “Are you going to school?”

Chi Miaohan explained, “The apartment’s not cleared out yet. I need to go pack my things.”

Bai Qian nodded, her eyelids drooping again. She shifted a little, burying her head deeper into the blanket, her voice muffled. “Okay then. I want an apple. Cut one up for me before you go.”

“Sure.”

Chi Miaohan was gone for several hours.

Normally, Bai Qian would send a message to check in. This time, she sent nothing—no mercy. If she was really going to play the scumbag woman, she couldn’t give the girl any of the responses she was hoping for.

As for her body’s constant “whimpering threats,” that went without saying.

It had always been ruthless. It only forced reactions out of Bai Qian now and then to get what it wanted.

It wasn’t until after nine that Chi Miaohan’s call came through.

“Sis, I just finished packing. It’s almost ten now, and I have class in the morning, so I’m not coming back. Can you sleep on your own?”

“I can. You don’t need to keep me company anymore.”

The girl chuckled softly. “Good to hear. It’s late—get some rest, Sis. I’m gonna shower and crash. Night, Sis.”

Bai Qian said all the right words, but deep down, she knew better. Tonight, just like last night, she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

She wasn’t about to tell her that yet, though. She scrolled through some short videos on her phone for a bit, waited until the timing felt right, then casually called her back.

“Sis?”

“I can’t sleep. Come back and keep me company right now!”

She delivered the demand in her most spoiled tone, then hung up without giving her a chance to argue or refuse.

Bai Qian got out of bed for a glass of water and had just thrown back the covers when the phone rang again.

She wondered with a spark of anticipation if the girl had finally wised up and was going to start pushing back against her unreasonable, spoiled behavior.

But Chi Miaohan’s first words were just a gentle question. “So, what story should I start with for Sis tonight?”

Bai Qian froze for a second, then realized why she was asking.

“Sis doesn’t want to talk? Okay, I won’t push. Tonight, I’ll start with…”

The hand gripping the phone trembled. In an unsteady voice, she asked, “Chi Miaohan, why on earth do you like me?”

The storytelling paused. After a few seconds, instead of answering, she countered, “Then why doesn’t Sis like me?”

“Not liking someone doesn’t need a reason!”

She smiled. “Liking counts too. I like you, Sis—more than even I know how much. Go back to sleep. I’ve left the house and will be home soon.”

Bai Qian forgot to keep up her “meanness” and let out a low growl laced with anger. “Chi Miaohan, don’t forget you have classes! You’re back now, but you’ll have to rush off again tomorrow. Don’t you ever think about yourself?!”

Chi Miaohan’s smile softened even further, her voice drifting on the night breeze with a warmth that could melt any ice or snow.

“I only care about you, Sis. That you worry about me like this… it’s enough.”

…

Bai Qian seethed inside. How could this girl be so foolish, putting others before herself?

—Even if that other person happened to be Bai Qian herself.

So when Miaohan slipped under the covers, reaching to pull her into an embrace like always, Bai Qian wouldn’t let her.

“Sis, what’s wrong?”

Bai Qian ignored her, scooting back a little before rolling over to face away.

Undeterred, Miaohan sidled closer. But the moment her hand rested on Bai Qian’s waist, it was swatted away with a light, punitive tap.

“Don’t touch me!”

Puzzled, Miaohan ventured, “What’s the matter, Sis? Did I take too long getting back? Or did I mess up something else?”

That apology—taking all the blame on herself—finally shattered Bai Qian’s restraint. She whipped around, enunciating each word with icy clarity. “Chi Miaohan! Even if you like me, you have to put yourself first! Your own needs come before mine! Always bending over backward for me like this—you’re not loving yourself at all! Don’t you understand?!”

In a twist, her rare outburst of anger only fueled her own emotions. After yelling her heartfelt concern, Bai Qian dissolved into aggrieved tears before Miaohan could even reply.

This time, Miaohan’s arms wrapped around her securely, drawing her close.

Forgetting her promise not to kiss without permission, Miaohan leaned down and brushed the tenderest kiss against the corner of Bai Qian’s tear-streaked eye.

“Sis, if liking you means knowing limits and calculating gains and losses, then how could what I feel even be called liking?”