My Sister-In-Law Has Impure Intentions (GL) - Chapter 16
Hearing this, Lin Ruoyan glanced back, wondering if her sister-in-law was being overly cautious. It was just the two of them and the housekeeper in the house, and the housekeeper was in the kitchen, so she wouldn’t likely overhear them. What couldn’t be said at home that they had to go outside for? Was this matter that important? She had also had people watching Xu Jingyi’s affairs recently, and it seemed there was nothing major going on.
Despite her doubts, she nodded and stood up. “Okay, now?”
Xu Jingyi’s heart fluttered, and she quickly stood up too, saying, “I’ll go upstairs and change. Wait for me.” She was afraid Lin Ruoyan might change her mind, so she hurried upstairs. She hadn’t expected to go out after dinner, so she was dressed in comfortable home clothes, which clearly weren’t suitable for going out, not even for a walk.
When she came back down, Lin Ruoyan was still sitting at the dining table, not even having moved her chair. Only when she saw Xu Jingyi descend did she stand up, and the two left together.
Xu Jingyi walked in front, contemplating Lin Ruoyan’s behavior. She usually seemed quite serious, but she hadn’t expected her to be so rigid. Even at home, she was so stiff, not even willing to lean back on the sofa while waiting for her. She just sat perfectly straight.
Even at night, it was still a bit warm outside, but much better than during the day. The temperature was slightly lower, and there was a gentle breeze, making the walk comfortable.
The conversation had ceased, and silence fell between them for a while. After walking for a good distance, Lin Ruoyan finally spoke up. “Sister-in-law, is there something you want to say?”
Xu Jingyi frowned, not quite understanding. She tilted her head and looked at Lin Ruoyan, asking, “What thing?”
Lin Ruoyan also fell silent. How was she supposed to know what it was? Hadn’t Xu Jingyi called her out? If it was to discuss something, why frame it as a walk? Surely it wasn’t just for a walk?
After a long pause with no reply, Xu Jingyi looked at her again, confused. “Hmm? Is there something I’m supposed to say?”
Lin Ruoyan fell silent once more.
“Or do you have something to tell me, Ruoyan?” Xu Jingyi asked again. She was completely relaxed, body and mind, and even her lips curved slightly when she spoke, not realizing there was anything amiss in their conversation.
Lin Ruoyan shook her head. “Nothing.” She then probed cautiously, “Then, sister-in-law, you asked me out for a walk because…?”
“It’s just a walk,” Xu Jingyi said, raising her arms to stretch her shoulders and back, looking a bit like an old man exercising in a park.
“Just a walk?”
Perhaps the questioning was too obvious. Only then did Xu Jingyi realize something was off. Their relationship wasn’t familiar enough for them to go for a post-dinner walk to aid digestion. The reason Lin Ruoyan had agreed might have been because she thought Xu Jingyi had something important to say, which was why she had subtly suggested a walk.
Ah, a misunderstanding.
Having figured out why Lin Ruoyan seemed so odd, Xu Jingyi sighed lightly. She took two steps closer to Lin Ruoyan, instantly narrowing the distance between them, and with her arm linked through Lin Ruoyan’s, she said somewhat sheepishly, “Oh, me? I ate a bit too much tonight, and at my age, I’m afraid of gaining weight, so I wanted to go for a walk.”
She kept watching Lin Ruoyan’s expression. Even though Lin Ruoyan’s facial changes were very subtle, Xu Jingyi still noticed her frown. Xu Jingyi’s expression didn’t change as she continued, “Walking alone is so boring, you know? That’s why I asked you to come along, so we could chat.”
Walking alone being boring was certainly part of the reason, but another part was Xu Jingyi’s desire to close the distance between them. They lived under the same roof, and they would have many more days together in the future. It was always good for their relationship to be harmonious. Since Lin Ruoyan’s personality was cold and direct, Xu Jingyi decided to be more proactive, including deliberately linking her arm through Lin Ruoyan’s after realizing why Lin Ruoyan had been acting strangely. They were both women, and linking arms was a perfectly normal thing to do. In her past social experience, this action could quickly bridge distances and foster intimacy.
“Is that so?” Lin Ruoyan subtly relaxed her slightly stiff body. “Then I misunderstood you, sister-in-law.” After the explanation, she gave an awkward laugh. “Let’s continue, then. The walk.”
It really was just a walk. I overthought it.
Xu Jingyi didn’t release Lin Ruoyan’s arm; they continued walking, linked together. “I used to walk often. Sometimes your brother would join me, but most of the time, I was alone.”
Lin Ruoyan didn’t reply.
“He was too busy, usually only coming home late at night.” The walk stirred her memories, and she chatted on. “My affairs are all handled by others; I don’t usually worry much, so I have a lot of free time.”
“My brother… would he help you with things?” Lin Ruoyan asked.
“No, he rarely interfered with my affairs to avoid suspicion. I handled everything myself.”
“Mhm.” Lin Ruoyan thought about the recent clues she had gathered, saying little aloud but feeling a heavier weight in her heart.
The villa area was large. They walked around for almost an hour, and Xu Jingyi, feeling that the extra rice she had eaten was mostly burned off, returned home contentedly.
“Ruoyan, thank you for walking with me tonight.”
“You’re welcome, sister-in-law.”
“Want to watch TV together?” It wasn’t bedtime yet.
“No, I’ll go back to my room and read a book.”
“Okay, then get some rest early.”
“You too.”
Author’s Note:
Xiao Lin: A simple walk definitely means she wants to go on a date with me! (It does!)