Previously, to fend off pressure from the family, Ji Ya had held an engagement banquet with Yan Zhen. The two were now nominally fiancée and fiancé. However, with no Yan family elders present, the union felt somewhat unofficial and lacking legitimacy.
Ji Ya had originally hoped to use the occasion to solidify their relationship. In doing so, she might even surpass his two younger sisters from her previous life and claim the position of principal wife.
The plan had been flawless, but she never imagined Huangfu Wenqing wouldn’t call off the engagement.
The betrothal between Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing had been arranged by Yan Lie and Huangfu Xiong. Naturally, the old man sided with Huangfu Wenqing. No wonder his expression had been so sour earlier—he clearly viewed Ji Ya as a vixen seducing his grandson.
The dutiful Yan Zhen wouldn’t defy Grandpa’s wishes. Even if he wanted to take responsibility for her, he had no choice but to reluctantly back down.
The situation was dire. If things continued this way, she’d end up as nothing more than his good big sister again, personally arranging his wedding.
Should she resort to the ultimate measure—a shotgun wedding by getting pregnant?
Ji Ya subconsciously touched her belly.
“Mm…”
“Sister Ji Ya, are you hungry?” Yan Zhen noticed his good big sister’s gesture and immediately caught on. “I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare some late-night snacks for you.”
Ji Ya came back to her senses. She had wanted to linger here longer anyway, perhaps even stay the night, so she went along with it.
Yan Zhen rang the bell to summon a servant, then gave instructions for the kitchen to prepare hotpot and deliver it to his room.
“Come on, Sister Ji Ya. I’ll take you to meet Long Ying and introduce you to my fiancée on the way.”
The pair walked side by side out of the parlor, with Aunt Mu leading Jin Tong and Yu Nu at a discreet distance behind.
“Is this really okay, Little Brother Yan Zhen?” Ji Ya gazed at her good little brother’s handsome profile, her voice laced with worry. “What if I accidentally make your fiancée jealous?”
“No problem.”
—Precisely what I want: to make her jealous, maybe even furious.
Yan Zhen hadn’t originally planned to let Sister Ji Ya meet Huangfu Wenqing, lest the two clash and things spiral out of control. But on second thought, this was the perfect chance for Sister Ji Ya to stir up Huangfu Wenqing and test whether she’d finally break off the engagement.
After all, Sister Ji Ya’s green tea arts far outstripped Zi Xunyi’s, and her vixen charm was dialed to maximum. Men adored it, but women despised her for it.
As for Grandpa, he’d have to be dealt with later. The script came first.
Ji Ya flashed a charming smile and said as they walked, “Don’t worry, Little Brother Yan Zhen. Sister won’t breathe a word about us to anyone.”
—No, you absolutely should spread it around. Best if it infuriates Huangfu Wenqing into calling off the engagement and turning the two-year battle pact into a true clash of honor.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Yan Zhen took his good big sister’s slender white hand and said earnestly, “Sister Ji Ya is my fiancée too, and we’ve already been intimate… Though we agreed it was just for show and I wouldn’t have to take responsibility, I can’t bring myself to do that. If you’re willing, I’ll explain everything to Grandpa about us.”
Ji Ya’s heart fluttered. She hadn’t expected Little Brother Yan Zhen to defy his family and brave the Huangfu clan’s wrath just to stand by her.
She had been tempted to subtly provoke Huangfu Wenqing, but now guilt flooded her. She silently berated herself for her pettiness.
“Silly boy, who am I to deserve that? You mustn’t pick a fight with Grandpa over me.”
“Grandpa dotes on me the most. It’ll be fine.”
Yan Zhen chuckled, thinking he’d boost Sister Ji Ya’s confidence first. That way, she could wield her green tea arts against Huangfu Wenqing with full legitimacy.
—Who knew I’d turn into a scheming boy myself? Sigh~ It’s all the script’s fault, all System-chan’s fault!
Yan Zhen felt a sudden pang of emotion. Remembering that Long Ying and Huangfu Wenqing had mentioned coming to his room to “check things out,” he led his good big sister straight back to his courtyard.
A lantern glowed in the yard, illuminating the stone table and stools under the night sky. There were only three stools, so Yan Zhen tallied the group and fetched two more from his room—Jin Tong and Yu Nu didn’t eat food, only spirit pills.
Yan Zhen sat shoulder-to-shoulder with his good big sister, then turned to Aunt Mu. “Aunt Mu, have a seat too. We’ll all eat hotpot together.”
“You’re too thoughtful, Little Uncle.”
Aunt Mu took the spot beside Ji Ya. Yan Zhen glanced at Jin Tong and Yu Nu, who were still sharing a single lollipop, likely given to them by Aunt Mu earlier.
Seeing the puzzled look on Yan Zhen’s face, Aunt Mu explained proactively, “Ever since that incident, these two girls have developed a taste for lollipops, so I use them as rewards.”
“But why only one for both of them?”
Ji Ya picked up the thread. “The sisters are of one mind and body. They do everything together—even splitting a single spirit pill in half to share.”
“I see.”
Though Yan Zhen had enjoyed the emotionless twins’ intimate service before, he realized he knew next to nothing about them.
“Yan Zhen Zhen!”
A voice rang out in the night. Yan Zhen jerked his head up to see a pink little figure appear overhead, rapidly growing larger in his vision.
—Again?!
Yan Zhen braced himself, ready for the incoming Meat Bomb Impact, but the loli dragon girl’s figure vanished in a flash. Moments later, she reappeared before them with elegant poise.
Right, Spatial Power.
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched. Is this how you use Spatial Power?
A cool night breeze followed, heralding Huangfu Wenqing’s arrival in the yard. The girl tossed her hair and crossed her arms, modestly propping up her chest a bit.
The two women appeared one after the other. Spotting four other females in the yard besides Yan Zhen, they both froze.
—Ji Ya?!
—Vixen sister?!
“You’re here.” Yan Zhen’s expression remained calm. “Let me introduce her. This is Ji Ya, Chief Manager of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce and my sworn big sister.”
Both women naturally knew Ji Ya. In their previous lives, she had been the grand steward of the Radiant Heavenly Emperor Palace, handling all its affairs and earning Yan Zhen’s utmost trust. Despite her poor cultivation talent, he had piled resources on her until she became a Mystic Ancestor expert.
It was also Ji Ya who had once rescued Yan Zhen from pursuit by the Cloud Heaven Palace.
The question was, why was she here now? Another rival in love?
Huangfu Wenqing stepped forward with poised grace. “I’m Huangfu Wenqing, Yan Zhen’s fiancée. Nice to meet you, Sister Ji Ya.”
Ji Ya harbored no fondness for Huangfu Wenqing but knew better than to treat her with the disdain of her past life.
“Nice to meet you too, Little Sister Wenqing. You’re truly lovely—no wonder Little Brother Yan Zhen likes you so much.”
Huangfu Wenqing relaxed slightly and forced a smile. “Not at all. You’re the beautiful one, Sister Ji Ya. I’ve long heard of the ‘Golden Jade Beauty’.”
Ji Ya’s gaze shifted to Long Ying. “And you must be Little Sister Long Ying? Just as adorable as Little Brother Yan Zhen described.”
Long Ying blinked her big eyes and chirped, “Hello, Sister Ji Ya. I am Yan Zhen Zhen’s good partner.”
The loli dragon girl felt a twinge of nerves deep down. Sister Ji Ya’s wits were second only to the Star Saint Lord’s— one slip, and her secret as a reincarnator might come out.
The four eyed one another, each lost in private thoughts.
Just then, the hotpot arrived.
