Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Powerful Sister (GL, ABO) - Chapter 14

At Victoria Harbor Residence, Ye Zhixun was simmering bone broth and preparing to clean a fish for steaming when the notification sound of a new message chimed. Wiping her hands, she tapped to check it.

[“Make extra food. We have two guests coming.”]

It was a message from Yu Li.

Ye Zhixun didn’t think much of it. She simply rinsed more rice and decided to prepare the ingredients she had originally set aside for the afternoon, figuring that would be enough.

As she busied herself, the sound of the door opening reached her ears.

Ye Zhixun went to greet them and first saw Yu Li stepping inside, carrying a pot of orchids.

“Sister, let me take the flowers,” Ye Zhixun said, reaching out to take the pot from Yu Li. She was slightly puzzled, since when did Yu Li take up orchid cultivation? It was an unexpected shared interest with her grandmother. But the moment the pot settled in her hands, a familiar voice rang out.

“Ah-Xun!” It was her aunt’s voice.

Ye Zhixun looked up, nearly dropping the orchids in shock.

What the—?!

Her aunt and uncle stood at the doorway, travel-worn and laden with bags.

Just yesterday, she had reassured them over the phone that she was fine, that nothing was wrong. They had seemed convinced so why were they here today?!

“Ah-Xun, surprise! We happened to have business in Hong Kong, so we brought some things for you fresher than any delivery could manage. Though we hit a snag on the road, and luckily ran into Xiao-Xi’s sister. Ah-Li is such a kind soul, she arranged help with the luggage and even gave us a ride here.” Her aunt beamed, the corners of her eyes crinkling with joy.

Such a kind soul?

Ye Zhixun wanted to scream for help.

Being punished alone was bad enough, she didn’t want her family dragged into this!

Spare the innocent!

“Come in and sit down first,” Yu Li said, slipping into her house slippers and glancing at the stunned Ye Zhixun.

With Yu Li’s words, the group poured inside.

Aside from Ye Zhixun’s aunt and uncle, there were also delivery workers hauling in boxes so many that the living room floor was soon covered like a stockroom.

“Kid, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” her aunt teased, patting Ye Zhixun’s shoulder as she entered.

Numbly, Ye Zhixun carried the orchid pot inside and set it on the coffee table.

First, she was the one being drowned now her whole family was about to join her. What about Grandma?!

“These boxes of apples and pomegranates were just picked yesterday, super fresh. Keep them at room temperature for now. Ah-Xun, remember to send a couple of boxes to Xiao-Xi’s parents later. If there’s too much, store the rest in the fridge. These two potted flowers are new from your grandma, she treasures them. The buds are just about to bloom, so she insisted we bring them. One for Xiao-Xi and one for her sister perfect timing. As for the meat and vegetables, just store them in Xiao-Xi’s fridge like before. Her family’s fridge is huge, so it’ll fit… We brought half a lamb too much to eat at once, so freeze the rest…”

Ye Zhixun’s head was spinning, but her aunt had already started directing where everything should go.

The boxes were damp from rain and smudged with mud, leaving marks on the pristine floor.

Ye Zhixun hurried to clean up, terrified that Yu Li would lose her temper.

This scene felt eerily similar to the shock of waking up to Yu Li that day.

She hadn’t told her family about the breakup yesterday she had even said things were fine between her and Yu Xi.

And now?

Her aunt and uncle, likely because of Yu Xi, had extended their affection to Yu Li, thinking she was wonderful. And somehow, they must have misunderstood believing this was Yu Xi’s home.

In the past, the family had sent things a few times, and the excess would be stored in Yu Xi’s refrigerator.

But this time…

The situation was entirely different.

Ye Zhixun felt utterly dramatic, wanting to immediately carry her uncle and aunt away from this place.

“I invited them here. It’s more convenient to store things this way, so we won’t need to buy groceries later,” a cool voice spoke up. Ye Zhixun snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at Yu Li.

“Is the meal ready?” Yu Li asked.

Ye Zhixun froze for a moment. In that instant, she felt that Yu Li’s eyes carried exhaustion, her face pale, as if she might collapse at any second yet something seemed to be holding her up, barely keeping her from falling.

“Hmm?” Yu Li frowned slightly when she saw Ye Zhixun staring blankly, letting out a questioning hum. Ye Zhixun shivered.

“Almost done. I’ll go finish cooking. Please wait a little longer, Sister.”

Ye Zhixun spoke quickly.

Faced with the choice between hauling her uncle and aunt away or finishing the meal, she chose the latter.

“Pour tea for Uncle and Aunt,” Yu Li’s voice called out again just as Ye Zhixun was about to leave.

Ye Zhixun hurried to brew tea and set the cups on the coffee table.

“Uncle, Aunt, please sit and have some tea. The food will be ready soon,” Yu Li said to the couple, who had just finished arranging their belongings.

The two looked at Yu Li with warmth and enthusiasm completely unafraid.

Yu Li played the host, polite and composed like any normal person.

Ye Zhixun had no idea what Yu Li was up to. Watching the three of them sitting on the sofa her aunt chatting away with her natural gift for conversation while Yu Li listened quietly, the whole scene felt surreal.

The sound of boiling water snapped Ye Zhixun’s attention away from the living room, and she rushed back to the kitchen to finish cooking.

When her aunt tried to help, Yu Li stopped her, asking her to stay and chat instead.

Yu Li considered herself cold-hearted and unkind.

But perhaps it was because the old family home had left her so unsettled that a stranger’s face one bearing a sincere smile actually felt… pleasant to her.

Listening to Ye Zhixun’s aunt talk, there was no financial gain involved, yet it was oddly comforting.

And so, she had brought them here.

Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh meat it should make for a delicious meal.

Her aunt glanced toward the kitchen, where the loud sizzling of Ye Zhixun’s cooking would likely drown out their conversation.

“Ah Li, when we called Ah Xuan yesterday, she looked terrible like something was weighing on her. When we asked, she insisted she was fine and not to worry. But we’ve watched her grow up, how could she hide anything from us? It’s normal for kids to have their own secrets as they get older, but if she’s struggling, she should speak up. With so many of us in the family, we’ll always find a way to help. Don’t you think so, Ah Li? Do you know what’s been bothering her lately?”

Her aunt lowered her voice as she asked Yu Li.

Yu Li studied the woman before her and realized they had come all this way simply because Ye Zhixun had seemed unwell because they were worried.

Aside from the breakup, she herself was the other culprit.

Ye Zhixun probably didn’t want her family to worry and was keeping her promise to Yu Li.

“It’s nothing serious. She’s probably just upset that she can’t skip class to go on a trip with Yu Xi. Don’t worry too much, she’ll be fine soon,” Yu Li covered for Ye Zhixun with a lie.

After all, Yu Xi really was about to leave for a trip.

Ye Zhixun’s uncle and aunt recognized her and treated her so warmly because of Yu Xi, Yu Li knew that.

Since Ye Zhixun hadn’t told her family about the breakup, Yu Li wouldn’t be the one to spill it.

“Oh, I see. That child, she’s always been like this, never missing class even when she’s sick. Too stubborn, too earnest,” her aunt mused, seemingly satisfied with the explanation, and continued chatting with Yu Li.

Ye Zhixun kept peeking over from time to time.

Once the meal was ready, her aunt went to help set the table, and everyone sat down to eat.

Ye Zhixun felt a bit nervous, not wanting her uncle and aunt to notice, so she tried to act as natural as possible.

Yu Li’s stomach had been empty and uncomfortable, so she focused on eating as soon as she sat down.

Ye Zhixun had prepared light dishes and paid attention to which ones Yu Li ate more of, making a mental note to cook them again next time.

“A-Li, you’re too thin. Don’t follow those people who diet eat more,” her aunt said, noticing that Yu Li finished quickly without taking seconds and was just sipping her soup slowly. She stood up to serve Yu Li another bowl of rice.

Even though Yu Li could stomach the food, her appetite was naturally small, and she had already eaten more than usual.

“I only gave you a little. Have some more. How else will you have the energy to work?” her aunt coaxed, speaking to Yu Li as if she were a child.

Back at home, Ye Zhixun’s grandmother and aunt always insisted she hadn’t eaten enough, constantly refilling her bowl and now they were doing the same to Yu Li.

“…” Ye Zhixun was speechless. Auntie, you’re really bold.

She was afraid Yu Li would get annoyed, but to her surprise, Yu Li looked up, thanked her aunt, and actually finished the extra rice!

“Uncle, Auntie, I have to go to work. Uncle Zhao will take you around Hong Kong City. I’ve already booked a hotel nearby for you to stay tonight,” Yu Li said after the meal, making arrangements for them according to the role she played in their eyes even leaving her own driver at their disposal!

Their impression of Yu Li soared even higher, and they thanked her repeatedly.

“A-Li is such a good person. We’d only seen photos before, but she’s even more beautiful in person. Kind, capable, and stunning, what a rare combination,” her aunt sighed after Yu Li left.

“…” Hearing her aunt’s sincerity, Ye Zhixun wondered if she had misjudged Yu Li.

Hadn’t Yu Li outright agreed with Qin Nanzhen about throwing her into the sea? If she hadn’t been proactive and obedient, she might have already sunk to the bottom.

And why was she, someone not easily frightened, so afraid of Yu Li?

“Uncle, Auntie, what brings you to Hong Kong? I’ll help you with your errands first, then take you around,” Ye Zhixun pushed aside her thoughts, focusing on settling her elders before sending them home as soon as possible.

“Nothing urgent, really. We’ve secured supply contracts with a few supermarkets for our fruits and vegetables, and your uncle just needs to meet the local managers. There’s a new variety this year, so we’ll see if we can negotiate a deal. He can handle that alone. We’re leaving tomorrow, we don’t want to leave your grandmother alone for long, and Little Black Bean is about to give birth, so we won’t stay to sightsee,” her aunt explained.

“Little Black Bean’s giving birth? That soon?” Ye Zhixun’s mood lifted at the mention.

Little Black Bean was the border collie she had raised back home.

Her aunt, now in high spirits, went into detail about it.

In the afternoon, while her uncle attended to business, Ye Zhixun took her aunt around the city. After her uncle finished, she picked him up, and they did some sightseeing together, buying souvenirs to take home.

By the time Ye Zhixun returned to Weigang Residence, Yu Li was still at the office.

“A-Li, are you really handing the raw gemstone procurement to Yu Qi’s team? What if something goes wrong? If the supply chain is disrupted, the fallout will be huge,” Qin Nanzhen asked worriedly after the meeting.

“Let them handle it. What’s the matter?” Yu Li said, looking up at Qin Nanzhen with a complicated expression.

“You’re not giving up on yourself, are you? Last time you handed over product sales, and now it’s raw material procurement. Even if the old master supports Yu Qi and those old fogeys have been won over, after all these years, we don’t necessarily have fewer people on our side than they do,” Qin Nanzhen said.

“We’ll deal with problems if they arise. No problems would be the real problem,” Yu Li replied listlessly.

Hearing this, Qin Nanzhen took a moment to process it before looking at Yu Li in surprise.

She knew Yu Li wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

“Let’s focus on preparing for the year-end show. What did the fashion designer, Phillier, say?” Yu Li asked.

“Don’t even get me started on that. Philier said she’s afraid of her wife. Her wife won’t let her work with omegas, especially a single omega like you, it makes her feel insecure. So, she refused to collaborate with us,” Qin Nanzhen said angrily.

Yu Li frowned.

Why is everyone pushing for marriage these days?!