“It’s not that you can’t come. It’s just a bit sudden. If you’d told me ahead of time, I could’ve prepared something.”
“Sorry about that~ Did I disturb you?”
Ji Ya hadn’t planned on coming at all. But Mentor Yu Xuan’s intimate relationship with Yan Zhen had piqued her interest. After asking Nian Lun, she learned that Yan Zhen was currently living with Mentor Yu Xuan. Four beautiful female classmates lived there too—including his cousin and another cousin.
In her previous life, her Little Brother Yan Zhen had lived alone. He never got too close to any women. So how had he ended up living with girls this time around—and even won over Mentor Yu Xuan?
Ji Ya felt it was necessary to drop by and take a look.
What she discovered was Yan Zhen sandwiched between two women at the dining table.
Sure, they were his cousins, but getting cheese-sandwiched like that from both sides was hardly proper.
And only the three of them were huddled together on one side. The other three sides each had just one person. It was as if they were declaring their trio’s special closeness—while everyone else was a step removed.
As far as Ji Ya was concerned, Yan Zhen’s relationship with Mentor Yu Xuan was already intimate enough. They’d even shared a tongue-filled goodbye kiss, clear as day for a couple in the heat of romance.
Anything more intimate than that could only mean—
Sure enough, Ji Ya keenly sensed that both Yan Meng’er and Yan Ruyu were no longer virgins.
—Someone had beaten her to the punch? She’d thought she could snag the first bite this lifetime. Tsk!
“Enough of that. Has Sister Ji Ya eaten yet? Come sit down and join us.”
Yan Zhen turned to Xiao Xinyan. “Senior Sister Xinyan, scoot over next to Senior Sister Xue’er and make some room for Sister Ji Ya.”
Xiao Xinyan naturally didn’t want to sit beside Mi Xue’er. But Yan Zhen rarely made requests of her. She couldn’t refuse.
Xiao Xinyan glanced at Mi Xue’er. The other girl looked reluctant but didn’t object, so Xiao Xinyan moved over.
This made Ji Ya narrow her beautiful eyes. Could it be that these two had designs on Little Brother Yan Zhen too?
After all, he was so outstanding. Living under the same roof meant close contact—and it was all too easy to spot his shining qualities up close. No wonder they’d be left dizzy and lovesick.
Ji Ya took her seat as these thoughts swirled in her mind. She smiled and said, “Ladies, pleased to meet you. I’m Ji Ya, the current Chief Manager of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce. I’m also Little Brother Yan Zhen’s newly sworn older sister. We’ll probably cross paths plenty in the future, so I hope we can look out for each other~”
Yan Meng’er responded boldly. “Hello, Sister Ji Ya. I’m Yan Meng’er, Cousin Yan Zhen’s little sister—and one of his future concubines~”
At those words, an exclamation mark of impending danger seemed to pop up over Yan Zhen’s head.
—Tea power!
But Ji Ya didn’t lose her composure. She just put on a surprised and puzzled expression. “One of his future concubines? What does that mean?”
Yan Meng’er didn’t back down an inch. “Just what it sounds like. Besides me, our cousin is also one of Cousin Yan Zhen’s future concubines. Right, Cousin?”
Yan Ruyu wasn’t as shameless as her cousin. Having it blurted out in public like this made her pretty face flush with heat.
“I’m Yan Ruyu. Nice to meet you, Sister Ji Ya… But when did you become sworn siblings with Yan Zhen? I haven’t heard him mention it.”
Ji Ya shot Yan Zhen a flirtatious glance. “Not long ago. A few days back. Your big sister and Little Brother Yan Zhen hit it off right away, so we became sworn siblings.”
The other women all thought the same thing: Yeah, right. She just wants Yan Zhen (or Cousin Yan Zhen) to treat her illness.
“And who might you two beauties be?”
“Xiao Xinyan of the Xiao Family. Pleased to meet you, Chief Manager.”
Xiao Xinyan sounded quite reserved.
The Chief Manager of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce was a big deal. Even the Xiao Family had to butter her up. But Xiao Xinyan didn’t like the way Ji Ya looked at Yan Zhen—like she wanted to steal him away.
If she weren’t wary of Ji Ya’s status and cultivation, Xiao Xinyan would’ve muttered “vixen” under her breath.
Mi Xue’er disliked Ji Ya just as much. But she was more afraid than anything.
In the previous life, few women had been close to Yan Zhen. Aside from his beautiful master, who had shown him great kindness, there was Good Big Sister Ji Ya.
Ji Ya hadn’t managed to crack open Yan Zhen’s heart. But she’d accomplished things none of them could. Clearly, she wasn’t to be underestimated.
“I’m Mi Xue’er. Pleased to meet you, Sister Ji Ya. This is my home. Feel free to drop by anytime you’re free—your little sister welcomes you with open arms~”
—In any case, she couldn’t show her displeasure. That would put Little Brother Yan Zhen in an awkward spot between them.
Sister Ji Ya graciously accepted Mi Xue’er’s kind offer. But she had to return to Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce Headquarters in a couple of days. She wouldn’t be able to visit often for now… Oh, right. Didn’t Little Brother Yan Zhen tell you? He’s coming with your big sister.
Yan Zhen finished the soup in his bowl and patted his belly. “I mentioned it yesterday. Everything that needs packing is already packed.”
Ji Ya blinked. “In that case, let’s head out tomorrow.”
Yan Zhen nodded. “Sounds good.”
The women in the house all felt reluctant. But it was Yan Zhen’s decision. They had no reason to interfere.
Yan Meng’er tried wheedling. “Cousin, isn’t tomorrow a bit soon? How about a couple more days?”
Yan Zhen patted her little head. “Whether it’s tomorrow or a couple days from now, it’s the same. Better to go early and get back early.”
“That’s true~ But you have to give us time to prepare mentally. We won’t see you for so long. What if Meng’er comes down with a bad case of lovesickness?”
“Your lovesickness hit awfully fast… Besides, I just gave you a messaging talisman. Contact me if anything comes up. Or even if nothing does.”
Yan Ruyu couldn’t help asking, “So when do you plan to come back?”
Yan Zhen did some mental math. “The treatment will take about a month. Factoring in travel time, one and a half to two months total.”
Mentor Yu Xuan shook her head to herself. In the previous life, it’d taken about three months for him to return—as a Mystic Scholar, just in time for the graduation ceremony. Could he pull it off sooner this time?
“How about we all go too? We can make it a group trip.” Mi Xue’er dropped a bombshell. “What do you say, Little Brother Yan Zhen?”
“Uh…”
“Go? What about your studies?” Mentor Yu Xuan shot her student a glare. “Besides, Yan Zhen isn’t going for fun. He’s treating the Chief Manager’s illness. Why would you all tag along for no reason?”
Who cares about studies? I’ve been through them once already… Mi Xue’er grumbled, unconvinced. “Doesn’t Mentor want to go?”
Mentor Yu Xuan faltered. Mi Xue’er’s words felt loaded, leaving her inexplicably guilty. “Ahem. Of course I’d like to visit Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce Headquarters if I get the chance. But not right now.”
“Sorry, sisters. Your big sister has no choice but to borrow Little Brother Yan Zhen for a bit.” Ji Ya chimed in smoothly. “Once he’s cured my illness, I’ll find a chance to host you all at headquarters~”
“Speaking of which, I have a question.” Xiao Xinyan spoke up suddenly. “The Chief Manager’s illness can’t be simple, right? Junior Brother Yan Zhen has only just started learning pill refining. How’s he going to treat it?”
Yan Zhen had a bad feeling at her words.
Sure enough, Ji Ya said shyly, “My illness is tricky in some ways, simple in others. Finding the right partner for dual cultivation solves half the problem. Little Brother Yan Zhen matches all the conditions perfectly. It’s a bit improper, but I’ve still decided to entrust myself—er, the task to him.”
The room fell utterly silent. Four pairs of beautiful eyes—all but Mentor Yu Xuan’s—widened as they stared at Yan Zhen in disbelief.
—Dual cultivation!?
