Chu Lingyue uttered two words calmly: “Naturally.”
【Ding! Rewarded: a plate of pearl meatballs.】
The smile in Tang Jin’s eyes grew a touch more genuine. She pressed on relentlessly. “Wifey…”
“Tang Jin, Lingyue—have you made up the bed yet?” A knock at the door interrupted Tang Jin’s words.
Tang Laidi was penniless now and wished she could glue her eyes to Tang Jin, terrified that her little sister-in-arms might make off with her silver.
Though she knew Tang Jin wouldn’t stoop to something so utterly heartless, she couldn’t help worrying.
It was probably because she’d handed over her entire fortune to Tang Jin—it just didn’t feel secure.
That was why, after these two had gone inside and lingered for what felt like ages without emerging, Tang Laidi couldn’t hold back and came to knock.
Tang Jin cursed inwardly at her miscalculation. She’d forgotten about the goofy sidekick waiting outside. Otherwise, she would’ve dragged Chu Lingyue into an all-night feast of gossip.
“What were you going to say, A-Jin?” Chu Lingyue, ever perceptive, took the initiative to ask when she noticed Tang Jin’s words cut short.
Tang Jin shook her head. “It’s nothing. We can talk tomorrow.”
She pushed open the door. Tang Laidi stepped inside and took in the state of the room. She froze.
Where was the bed-making? There was only one quilt on the bed. Did that mean she had to squeeze in with this wife-wife duo? Wasn’t that a bit too hasty?
“Tang Jin, I don’t mind sharing a bed, but won’t that be too much for Lingyue?”
Tang Jin followed her gaze to the bed and arched a brow. “What are you thinking? You sleep on the floor.”
This sister really dared to imagine things—three of them under one big quilt? Why not aim for the stars while she was at it?
Tang Laidi scratched her head. “Alright, that works.”
Fine, she’d overthought it.
Tang Jin cleared her throat lightly. She was tempted to say she’d sleep on the floor too, but recalling how the original host and Chu Lingyue interacted, there was no need to make things harder on herself.
The original host had always pined for the golden eldest miss next door, faithfully saving herself for that unrequited crush. And Chu Lingyue, once in bed, would simply turn her back without a glance. Even sharing a bed, the two of them had never shared any intimacy—a pure facade of a marriage.
The only problem was that the house had no extra quilts. It was downright embarrassing.
With no other choice, Tang Jin trudged over to Old Madam Tang’s place and hauled back two quilts. She laid out a pallet on the floor for Tang Laidi.
Only then did they wash up and settle in. Tang Jin climbed into bed.
Chu Lingyue slept on the inside, just as in the original host’s memories. She quietly turned her back, making no extra moves.
Tang Jin closed her eyes heavily. After a day of constant anxiety and racking her brains, exhaustion had long since set in. She drifted off to sleep in no time.
Deep into the night, Tang Laidi stared at the silhouettes on the bed, unable to sleep. The floor was rock-hard—she regretted her choice already.
But she’d given all her savings to Tang Jin as startup capital. She didn’t even have enough for an inn. She’d have to make do for now. At least her little sister seemed reliable—no steamy passion unfolding before her eyes.
As she lay there pondering, a soft cry of alarm rose from the bed.
“A-Jin!” It was Chu Lingyue’s voice.
Tang Laidi went rigid, her ears practically perking up. No way, right? No way…
Her little sister wasn’t that bold, was she?
On the bed, Chu Lingyue had turned her back as usual and was on the verge of sleep when a hand suddenly snaked around her waist.
Startled, she cried out on instinct.
The person behind her seemed utterly oblivious. Not only did she not withdraw her hand, she even scooted closer, pulling Chu Lingyue tightly into her embrace.
Chu Lingyue’s breath hitched, sleep vanishing in an instant. Remembering the third person in the room, she silently pried Tang Jin’s hand away and shifted further inward.
This woman’s sleeping posture had always been impeccable. They’d been married so long, and something like this was a first.
For a moment, Chu Lingyue wasn’t sure if Tang Jin had done it on purpose or not.
Fortunately, the person behind her didn’t reach out again.
Chu Lingyue let out a quiet breath of relief. She stayed awake a little longer before finally drifting off.
On the floor, Tang Laidi waited ages for the show she half-hoped for, but nothing came. Disappointed, she rubbed her eyes.
The next morning, Chu Lingyue woke to find herself once more cradled in Tang Jin’s arms.
She lay still for a moment, then gently tried to push Tang Jin’s hand away.
To her surprise, the arm around her waist tightened abruptly.
Chu Lingyue paused, then closed her eyes without a word.
Behind her, Tang Jin mumbled sleepily and drew her arm in a bit. Hmm? This didn’t feel right, not like usual.
Her eyes flew open. Taking in the situation, she froze.
How had this woman ended up in her arms?
No— this position…
Careless slip-up. She always hugged her pillow in her sleep. Had she grabbed this woman instead after dozing off?
She’d have to watch that from now on, or misunderstandings could get messy.
Snapping to her senses, Tang Jin carefully extracted her hand and slipped quietly from the bed to dress.
Good thing she woke early. Otherwise, it’d be mortifying.
Once Tang Jin had slipped out of the room, Chu Lingyue sat up. From that person’s reaction just now, she could at least confirm one thing: Tang Jin probably hadn’t meant to do it.
So her sleeping habits had changed…
As she pondered, her gaze swept over and landed on Tang Laidi, who had woken at some point.
Tang Laidi yawned and jabbed a finger toward the door. “Why’s Tang Jin sneaking around like a thief just to get out of bed?”
“She’s always been so considerate, not wanting to disturb me,” Chu Lingyue replied evenly.
Tang Laidi’s eyes brimmed with envy. “You two have such a great relationship.”
She was jealous. She wanted to get married too!
Just then, another knock sounded from outside.
Tang Jin had just finished washing her face and went to answer it.
The visitor was the wife of the original host’s second uncle, currently working next door at the Chu household, tending to Eldest Miss Chu—Chu Shaoyang.
Chu Shaoyang was the original host’s cherished unrequited crush, the apple of Scholar Chu’s eye.
Tang Jin recalled the name the original host had given Chu Lingyue and rolled her eyes inwardly.
Chu Shaoyang and Chu Lingyue—the original host really knew how to play at substitute crush drama.
“Tang Jin, Miss Chu sent me to ask when you’ll repay those twenty taels of silver.”
Chu Lingyue and Tang Laidi emerged just in time to hear this. Both women froze in disbelief.
Chu Lingyue’s eyes widened in shock. Weren’t those twenty taels for opening a restaurant? Then why had this woman haggled with her over profit splits last night?
Tang Laidi looked ready to burst into tears. Twenty taels? That was her entire savings! Had her little sister tricked her into covering a debt?
Tang Jin was stunned too. When had the original host borrowed twenty taels from Chu Shaoyang? There was no such memory!
“Second Aunt, when exactly was this silver borrowed? My head’s been foggy lately—I can’t recall,” Tang Jin asked, puzzled.
“You don’t remember? It’s right there in black and white.” Tang Second Aunt’s voice sharpened suddenly. She sneered with disdain and pulled out an IOU.
Tang Jin reached to take it and examine it, but the other woman whisked it away.
“You aren’t planning to eat this contract, are you?” Tang Second Aunt eyed her with utter suspicion. She trusted not one bit about this niece of hers.
Tang Jin let out a dry laugh. “Second Aunt, you’re joking, haha.”
Eat paper? Did she seem like someone with no bottom line?
Lol