As they walked toward the Ye Family Parlor, Ye Zhibai wasn’t in the best mood.
Sure, she was looking forward to seeing Sister Liang.
Even without knowing the purpose of her visit, there was that old saying:
When fellow villagers meet, tears well up in both eyes.
If that was true for mere fellow villagers, imagine how it felt for Sister Liang, who was practically her childhood sweetheart.
But that wasn’t why Ye Zhibai felt down.
No, it was because—
She bent over again—goodness knew how many times now—and tugged down the hem of her knee-length tangerine-orange skirt. In the calmest tone she could muster, she protested to her dear little sister, who had insisted she wear this frilly, over-the-knee getup!
“Um… Yun’er, that’s why I said… we could just go in our pajamas. It’s not that big a deal…”
“No way! This is a visitor we barely know, and we have no idea what Chi Yuliang wants to talk about. You have to act the part, Sis. As the eldest daughter of the Ye Family, you can’t greet guests in pajamas! Hehe… You look so pretty in this… Sis looks good in anything. Hug!”
“……!”
You know we’re going to meet a guest, right?
If you know that, then walk normally—no hugging or clinging! What would people think?
Girl clothes, girl clothes! Girl clothes every day! Do you have any idea how much psychological damage these outfits cause to little Zhibai, who’s only recently become a girl?
Sigh, but to be fair, Yun’er had a point.
Hadn’t Yun’er herself changed into a sky-blue pleated skirt?
Her black hair at the back of her head was tied up with a big bow as an accessory.
Ye Zhibai got it—her status had changed, so she needed to show some awareness, or she’d embarrass the family.
Just as she was thinking that, Ye Zhiyun suddenly leaned in close to Ye Zhibai’s ear and let out a soft breath.
The warm puff tickled Ye Zhibai’s earlobe, making her already flustered hands even more awkward.
Ye Zhiyun couldn’t hold back. With a doting whisper, she revealed the truth to Ye Zhibai.
“Hoo… Actually, Sis, even if you came out in pajamas, it wouldn’t matter. The parlor’s in our own home—no need to go outside. It’s just a little thing. But I think… your pajama look should be for my eyes only… Only I get to see it, okay? So I made you change. Sorry for being selfish… I hope you can understand~”
Heh, understand, huh?
Understand your foot!
I’d finally gotten used to that not-too-revealing nightgown, and now you pull this fancy nonsense!
So going out in a nightgown wouldn’t embarrass the family, huh?!
Ye Qinghe: Do whatever you like!
With her arm tightly hugged by Yun’er, she continued stepping toward the Discussion Hall.
Amid the happiness and warmth from Yun’er’s constant pillowy softness pressing against her, Ye Zhibai didn’t forget to glance up at the blazing sun overhead.
Compared to Ye Zhiyun’s blissfully happy smile—even as sweat beaded on her brow—Little Zhibai was squinting in agony.
Guang Yu… save me a drink, okay? Don’t chug it all. Put some in the freezer to chill, and don’t add wasabi.
Cuddling’s great, but in this heat, it’s like doing hard time.
Yun’er, if you’re hot, you could loosen up a bit, you know?!
This isn’t cuddling!
You’re practically trying to take me down with you!
Once they entered the Ye Family Parlor, blissfully cool with the air conditioning blasting, Ye Zhiyun very considerately let go of Ye Zhibai’s arm.
She switched her expression to the steady, serious one she used for outsiders.
That was the Ye Family’s Second Miss for you—full aura on when dealing with the world, seizing control before any unknown conversation even began.
Ye Zhibai didn’t need to bother with switches. Her icy face was default.
Pretty convenient.
By the time they arrived, Chi Yuliang had been waiting for a while.
Traces of sorrow from the past few days still lingered on her face… which was normal after experiencing the parting of life and death.
But her eyes weren’t as dull and lifeless as they’d been that day.
It was like she had something to look forward to now.
The ever-mature Sister Liang, with her regal vibe, spotted the Ye Sisters pushing open the Conference Room door. She quickly set her handbag aside, rose from her seat—
Ye Zhibai’s eyes lit up at her outfit.
She and Yun’er had just changed clothes. Sister Liang had clearly put in way more effort.
Her long purple hair cascaded freely without adornments, but it was sleek and perfectly groomed, obviously done up before coming.
Mid-heeled shoes on her feet, calf socks hugging the graceful lines of her legs—they highlighted the pure beauty of her youthful prime.
But Ye Zhibai’s gaze—
Was once again drawn to that cotton candy!
Chi Yuliang wore a cream-colored classical long dress. When her hands clasped in front of her, the fabric-wrapped marshmallowy fullness jiggled right along!
This… this… this could actually jiggle?!
That defies science!
It sent an entire summer swirling through Ye Zhibai’s mind!
Chi Yuliang stood politely from beside her chair and nodded a respectful greeting to the two.
She seemed a bit dazed and cute in the unfamiliar, extravagant mansion—unaccustomed, perhaps.
But she’d studied four years at Capital University, seasoned by big-city life, and with her natural poise, she adjusted quickly.
When she smiled and greeted them, she was poised, elegant, and graceful.
“Hello, Miss Ye and Second Miss Ye. I’m Chi Yuliang. Sorry for barging in on your home unannounced today.”
“No worries.” As the true eldest miss, Yun’er handled this effortlessly. “Have a seat, Miss Chi. We met last time—no need to be so formal.”
“Mm, thank you.”
Pretty ordinary dialogue, right?
Yeah, just casual hellos and pleasantries.
But only Ye Zhibai knew that in those two short sentences, Yun’er had nearly lost it and kicked her out!
From the moment Ye Zhibai entered, Chi Yuliang’s gaze had kept drifting uncontrollably to her face, brow furrowing in thought.
And Ye Zhibai’s gaze? It kept drifting to Chi Yuliang’s cotton candy.
Uncontrollably!
Ahem, human nature, human nature. You’ll get used to it.
Under Yun’er’s direction, Chi Yuliang returned to her seat.
Ye Zhiyun gripped Ye Zhibai’s hand tightly—really tightly!—and led her across the long conference table to sit directly opposite Chi Yuliang.
This setup! It didn’t look like a chat.
More like a showdown!
A maid entered, poured tea for the three, set out some snacks.
Then she left, closing the Conference Room door behind her.
That meant the talk could begin.
Chi Yuliang placed her palms on the table, but her eyes showed hesitation—maybe wondering if that was proper—so she pulled them back to her lap.
With a wry smile, she glanced up at the ceiling, her restraint plain as day.
“I didn’t know who you two Miss Yes were before… This mansion is huge… Sorry, I grew up in an ordinary family. My manners might be lacking. Please forgive any rudeness.”
Ye Zhibai chuckled inwardly. Sister Liang, among us orphanage kids, no one has better manners than you.
And manners? You talking about me?
On that front, I can mock myself!
Ye Zhiyun shook her head lightly. She had no patience for such trivial nonsense.
Instead, she cut straight to the chase.
“Alright, Miss Chi, make yourself at home. We don’t stand on ceremony here. So tell me—what’s the sudden visit about?”
“Got it.”
Chi Yuliang quickly gathered her thoughts.
The next second, her gaze—no longer sneaky—
Turned openly to Ye Zhibai.
A gentle smile, laced with nostalgia that tugged at Ye Zhibai’s heart.
“I’m here to see Miss Ye Zhibai today. Miss Zhibai, are you free tomorrow? If so, I’d like to invite you on a trip with me. Just the two of us.”
Clang…!
That was the sound of Ye Zhibai’s heart skipping a beat!
Of course.
It was also the sound of Ye Zhiyun’s teacup handle shattering in her grip.
Holy crap, Yun’er—that’s savage!
Sister Liang, your sudden words—even more so!
They’re all ruthless!
