On The Night I Confirmed My Girlfriend's Infidelity, I Kissed Her Sister (GL) - Chapter 41: Ye Jiayuan

“Who even is in Hong Kong that’s so important?”

Shen Guannan’s playful voice lingered in her ears as Fu Chaoying absently swiped her screen, her mind drifting to Ye Jiayuan’s cool, profound gaze and those… indescribably intimate moments.

Fu Chaoying collected herself and chatted a bit more before lowering the partition again, gazing at the distant sky outside the window.

The flight hadn’t departed yet—Ye Jiayuan was still breathing the same city’s air.

But Fu Chaoying already missed her, though she was reluctant to admit it.

Lowering her eyes, Fu Chaoying curved her lips into a faint smile before sending Ye Jiayuan a voice message: “Wifey, do you miss me—”

Even though Ye Jiayuan had been the one to bring up the term first, Fu Chaoying still felt a rush of embarrassment saying it aloud, mingled with a sweet warmth.

Had Ye Jiayuan called her that because she’d grown to like her? And what about herself?

Fu Chaoying didn’t want to dwell on it further when her phone vibrated. She saw Ye Jiayuan’s reply—just a one-second voice message.

Her fingertip lightly tapped the screen, and a simple “Mm.” came through her earphones.

She could almost picture Ye Jiayuan’s cool, composed expression.

Unable to resist, Fu Chaoying pursed her lips and held down the screen to send another message: “So perfunctory.”

But the next second, the reply came instantly: “Mm, I know you miss me.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together slightly and sent back: “No, I don’t.”

Then she turned off her phone screen and gazed out the window, the corners of her eyes curving softly.

Two minutes later, a ringtone broke the silence.

It was a call from her aunt. Fu Chaoying’s heart tightened slightly.

After two seconds, she answered, forcing a casual tone: “Auntie, what’s up?”

Fu Anjun’s voice carried a probing note: “Xiao Ying, are you done with work?”

“On my way home now,” Fu Chaoying replied smoothly, her grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly. “By the way, did you need something?”

Fu Anjun paused, her tone turning ambiguous: “Aunt Chu mentioned your sister seems to be in some kind of situation lately…”

She didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.

No doubt Aunt Chu had recounted the happenings in Hong Kong as an amusing anecdote to her aunt…

Fu Chaoying had previously asked Fu Chaohua not to mention her and Ye Jiayuan’s relationship to their aunt. Now that her aunt was probing into her cousin’s love life, she certainly couldn’t spill everything without consulting her first.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly changed the subject: “Ah, I’m still driving—can we talk later?”

Fu Anjun immediately urged her to be careful and added, “Come back to the old house tonight. I’ve called Xiao Hua back too.”

Assuming it was about their grandmother’s memorial, Fu Chaoying obediently agreed and promptly ended the call.

After hanging up the phone, Fu Chaoying quickly called Fu Chaohua on WeChat and briefly explained the situation.

On the other end, Fu Chaohua seemed completely unfazed: “It’s fine. My mom might actually be thrilled when she finds out.”

After all, Fu Chaohua had been single her whole life. Previously, Fu Anjun hadn’t dared to pressure her due to her studies. But now that she’d just earned her Ph.D. and already found a partner, wouldn’t her mother be overjoyed?

Yet Fu Chaoying had a nagging feeling things weren’t that simple, so she pressed further: “So, sis, are you on your way back now, or…?”

“We’re still at the café.”

Fu Chaoying lowered the partition and decisively told the driver to turn back to the coffee shop.

Without the involved parties present, she wasn’t confident she could handle the situation properly alone.

When Fu Chaoying arrived at the café, she happened to see the two of them huddled together over a book. A faint smile tugged at her lips, though she couldn’t help thinking of Ye Jiayuan… and missing her.

“Ahem.” Fu Chaoying cleared her throat teasingly. The two looked up in surprise. “Why are you back?”

Fu Chaoying sat leisurely across from them, grinning mischievously. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back first and badmouth Senior Dong?”

Dong Muyu chuckled casually. “Of course not. With our relationship, we trust you unconditionally.”

Fu Chaohua also laughed. “I haven’t mentioned a single word about you to my mom, by the way.”

Fu Chaoying shook her head with a smile, only for Dong Muyu to stand up. “Should I drive you two back?”

Fu Chaoying declined politely. “Jiayuan-jie lent me her car.”

Dong Muyu nodded lightly, then smirked. “Professor Fu, put in a good word for me, and I’ll owe you big time.”

Fu Chaohua nudged her arm. “What’s there to say? We’re already like this.”

Dong Muyu clung to her arm, cooing, “Jie-jie—!” Fu Chaoying immediately turned away. “Wait, Senior Dong, you…”

This was the first time Fu Chaoying had ever seen Dong Muyu act so clingy. She sighed and turned toward the exit. “I’ll wait for you in the parking lot, sis.”

Fu Chaohua, beaming like a flower, waved her off. “Be right there.”

The ambiguous phase is just too sweet to watch, Fu Chaoying thought.

Five minutes later, the car door was knocked on, and Fu Chaohua climbed into the back seat, barely containing her grin.

Fu Chaoying’s curiosity exploded. “You two aren’t already together, are you…?”

Fu Chaohua shook her head. “Still in the push-and-pull phase. I’m planning to confess at the right moment.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t agree more. “After all, she’s waited for you so long.”

“Not really. She said she’s dated before.”

Fu Chaoying pondered briefly. “That makes sense too.”

The two discussed dinner plans and texted the housekeeper in advance.

Then, almost offhandedly, Fu Chaoying asked, “Auntie didn’t ask about me, did she?”

Fu Chaohua shook her head. “Nope.”

Fu Chaohua and Fu Anjun didn’t have the kind of mother-daughter relationship where they shared everything. Busy with their own lives, they rarely kept in touch.

Fu Chaoying nodded slightly before remembering something else. “Oh, right. The excuse I used to slip out of the Ye family this morning was that I was working overtime on Senior Dong’s project.”

“Got it, got it. I didn’t see Muyu, didn’t see you or Jiayuan-jie, and ate lunch alone at school.”

Fu Chaohua burst into laughter, then added, “You and Jiayuan-jie have a very distant relationship. She barely acknowledges anyone, and none of us dare talk to her…”

As Fu Zhaohua spoke, her tone grew more sincere. “But Jiayuan-jie is really too serious. I genuinely don’t dare talk to her.”

Fu Zhaoying smiled faintly, remembering how before leaving, Jiayuan had kissed her ear, alternating between calling her “sweetheart” and “wife.”

Clearing her mind of those images, Fu Zhaoying simply said, “Jiayuan-jie is very kind to all of us. Just think of her as your own sister.”

Fu Zhaohua tilted her head and grinned. “No, no, no. She’s only your ‘sister.’”

Fu Zhaoying chuckled. They both understood the implication, though Fu Zhaohua didn’t press further.

The car pulled smoothly into Fu Zhaoying’s courtyard, where the sisters switched vehicles.

Fu Zhaoying drove Fu Zhaohua back to the Fu family estate.

As the car steadily climbed the mountain road, Fu Zhaohua finally asked, “You haven’t forgotten about Grandma’s memorial on Thursday, right?”

“The fifth anniversary.” Fu Zhaoying pressed her lips together.

Even now, just those few words could stir up the regret and sorrow of her grandmother’s passing.

“Will Jiayuan-jie come back for it?” Fu Zhaohua asked casually.

Fu Zhaoying smiled slightly. “She’s busy with work.”

But she didn’t confirm whether Jiayuan would return or not.

Because Fu Zhaoying wasn’t sure herself. During yesterday’s discussion at the Ye household, she hadn’t voiced an opinion—it had mostly been the elders, Chu Yiyun and Fu Anjun, making the arrangements.

Even if Ye Jiayuan didn’t attend, no one would fault her. After all, even some of Fu’s bl00d relatives had apologized to Fu Anjun, citing busy schedules that prevented them from coming.

Fu Zhaoying deftly changed the subject.

By the time they reached the estate, the sun was just beginning to set, painting the nearby sky in brilliant hues.

Unable to resist, Fu Zhaoying snapped a few photos and posted them to her social media.

The sisters entered together.

“Why are you two so late?” Fu Anjun looked up at her daughters, a probing glint in her eyes.

Fu Zhaoying obediently explained, “We hit some traffic.”

But the explanation did little to ease the tension.

Soon, the conversation turned to Fu Zhaohua’s love life.

“Are you dating that Bai family’s granddaughter?” Fu Anjun asked directly, her tone laced with scrutiny.

Fu Zhaohua shrugged and countered with a smile, “Did Aunt Chu tell you? Mom, you’re really well-informed.”

Fu Anjun shot her a look. “Don’t play coy with me. Answer the question properly.”

Faced with her mother’s somewhat aggressive attitude, Fu Zhaohua remained composed. “We haven’t made it official yet.”

Fu Anjun glanced subtly at Fu Zhaoying. “I seem to recall you and Xiao Dong were quite close before?”

Fu Zhaoying smoothly interjected, “We were just business partners.”

Fu Anjun seemed to suddenly remember. “Ah, right. That partnership was set up through Xiao Yuan.”

At the mention of Ye Jiayuan’s name, alarm bells went off in Fu Zhaoying’s mind. Sure enough, she heard her aunt say to her cousin, “Break it off before things get serious.”

Fu Zhaohua’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What? Why?”

Fu Anjun sighed. “Isn’t Jiayuan-jie better? A hundred times better than Xiao Dong?”

Fu Zhaoying’s brow twitched—here it comes.

Fu Zhaohua was momentarily speechless before collecting herself. “Mom, you can’t force these things. Besides, Jiayuan-jie already has a girlfriend.”

“You’ve met her?” Fu Anjun narrowed her eyes in response.

Fu Chaohua pursed her lips. “Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

Fu Chaoying listened quietly to their discussion, not daring to interject, but from the corner of her eye, she noticed her aunt’s gaze shifting toward her.

Slowly raising her eyes, Fu Chaoying met her aunt’s stare directly, only to hear her ask, “Isn’t that right, Xiaoying? This mysterious partner Xiaoyuan mentioned might just be an excuse she made up.”

A faint smile played on Fu Chaoying’s lips as she deftly changed the subject. “Auntie, actually, Senior Dong is really outstanding. Her company is growing rapidly with promising prospects.”

As she spoke, her eyes met Fu Chaohua’s across the room, both recognizing the mutual helplessness and surprise in each other’s gaze.

Fu Chaoying continued, “And… sister, why don’t you tell them yourself?”

Fu Anjun gave Fu Chaoying a long look before turning her attention back to Fu Chaohua.

Fu Chaohua confessed everything: “She had a crush on me during our undergraduate years and confessed when we graduated. At the time, I wasn’t thinking clearly and turned her down gently.”

“It was only later that I realized my feelings for her… and it was Xiaoying who created the opportunity for us to reconnect.”

Fu Anjun glanced at Fu Chaoying again. “Xiaoying…”

Her gaze returned subtly to Fu Chaoying, unexpectedly meeting her eyes again. There was nothing but sincerity and obedience in Fu Chaoying’s expression, revealing no hidden motives.

Only then did Fu Anjun smile slightly. “And how about you, Xiaoying? Have you moved on?”

Fu Chaoying nodded lightly and replied obediently, “I discovered her infidelity long ago and had plenty of time to prepare myself emotionally.”

Fu Anjun turned to look at Fu Li’s portrait, murmuring as if to herself, “Your grandmother and Old Mrs. Ye always hoped to see the Ye and Fu families united through marriage.”

“At first, everyone objected when Xiaoying was with Yian, but later… seeing your relationship stabilize, everyone grew more at ease. We even thought it would become a celebrated union.”

“Who would have thought…”

Fu Chaoying exchanged a discreet glance with her cousin before smiling. “Auntie, that’s all in the past now.”

Fu Anjun shook her head. “A marriage between Xiaohua and Xiaoyuan would be good too. There’s not much age difference between you.”

She turned to Fu Chaohua. “Xiaoyuan treats you well, and her character and abilities are top-notch. Why look for someone outside? And she’s even younger than you.”

Fu Chaohua didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Mom, who can predict matters of the heart? And as for age… Mu Yu is only a year younger than me.”

“She founded her own company and is more mature than me in many ways.”

Fu Chaoying also smiled. “Jiayuan even invested in Senior Dong’s company. She clearly thinks highly of her.”

Fu Anjun asked Fu Chaohua, “Does Xiaoyuan know about you and Dong Muyu?”

After a moment’s thought, Fu Chaohua nodded. “We’ve had many meals together in Hong Kong, and Aunt Chu often teases us about it.”

Fu Anjun massaged her temples and sighed softly. “Why can’t you understand the future I’ve planned for you?”

Listening to her words, Fu Chaoying suddenly felt… both amused and envious.

Ye Jiayuan was too outstanding, too dazzling. Even after openly declaring she had a partner, her aunt still wanted to secure a future for her cousin that involved her.

Her cousin remained silent, so Fu Chaoying naturally couldn’t speak up either.

After a long pause, Fu Anjun finally brought up the arrangements for the fifth anniversary memorial of Fu Li’s passing.

As the current matriarch of the Fu family, Fu Anjun had naturally made all the necessary preparations for the ceremony.

“Xiao Ying will be responsible for receiving the representatives from the art museum—a perfect opportunity to mend their relationship.”

“Xiaohua will be responsible for the representatives from the Artists’ Association.”

Fu Chaoying obediently agreed and listened to a few more instructions before hearing her aunt call them for dinner.

She let out an imperceptible sigh of relief and only bid farewell after finishing the meal at the old house.

Fu Anjun tried to persuade her to stay a little longer but eventually let her go.

Fu Chaoying stopped her car halfway down the mountain, gazing at the city lights in the distance, lost in thought for a long time.

Her aunt had made things clear today—she wondered how much longer she would keep persuading her cousin and whether she would take action.

Fu Chaoying began pondering her feelings for Ye Jiayuan, and Ye Jiayuan’s feelings for her.

She had tentatively asked earlier, but Ye Jiayuan said the timing wasn’t right yet.

Unable to resist, Fu Chaoying rolled down the car window and took a deep breath, wanting to inhale the mountain’s fresh air.

But then, she heard the faint chirping of cicadas nearby.

She listened intently until her phone suddenly rang.

It was Ye Jiayuan calling.

A faint smile tugged at Fu Chaoying’s lips. “Sis?”

“I just got home.” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was as cool and composed as ever, yet inexplicably reassuring to Fu Chaoying.

“I went to pick up Cousin and took her back to the old house this afternoon to discuss Grandma’s fifth anniversary with Aunt,” Fu Chaoying said, hesitating briefly before asking, “Are you free on Thursday?”

Silence lingered on the other end. Fu Chaoying held her breath until Ye Jiayuan finally spoke. “Probably not.”

Fu Chaoying chuckled lightly. “No worries, I was just asking casually.”

Her tone was breezy, masking the slight disappointment in her heart.

Ye Jiayuan’s voice deepened. “Will both the Artists’ Association and the Art Museum be attending this time?”

“Yeah, I’m in charge of hosting the museum’s representatives.”

Ye Jiayuan gave a soft hum. “Will it be awkward for you?”

Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “As long as I’m not awkward, the awkwardness falls on them.”

A faint chuckle seemed to drift from the other end—so quiet, yet Fu Chaoying caught it instantly.

“I’m halfway up the mountain right now, listening to cicadas and enjoying the night view.”

Ye Jiayuan paused slightly. “The sunset you posted was beautiful.”

Fu Chaoying quickly opened her social media feed. “Why didn’t you like it, then?”

“You only noticed now,” Ye Jiayuan replied flatly, a hint of grievance in her tone.

Fu Chaoying’s lips curved upward. “I really did just notice.”

Ye Jiayuan murmured, “I wanted to tell you in person.”

Fu Chaoying smiled. “Consider it received.”

Ye Jiayuan: “Mm, head back and rest early.”

Fu Chaoying obediently agreed, rolled up the window, and drove down the mountain.

Back home, she lit an incense stick and placed it reverently before her grandmother’s portrait, silently praying for a while before standing there for a long time.

Unable to resist, she reached out to gently touch the face in the photo—only to feel the cold surface beneath her fingertips.

This picture was much younger and healthier than how she looked before her passing. It had been chosen by her aunt from a collection of photos.

Yet Fu Chaoying’s mind conjured up the image of her grandmother in her final moments.

After a long while, Fu Chaoying gave her a faint smile. “Grandma, I had a good day today.”

Her voice carried an unspoken melancholy.

In the following days, Fu Chaoying followed her routine—washing up, sleeping, working, exchanging morning and evening greetings with Ye Jiayuan—until Tuesday night, when she received another message from Shen Guannan:

[I just ran into Ye Jiayuan having dinner with a beautiful woman.]

Fu Chaoying tightened her grip on the phone slightly as countless possibilities flashed through her mind. A shadow of realization suddenly crossed her thoughts, prompting her to make a call. “Who is this?”

Shen Guannan played coy, “Don’t know her, but she’s really beautiful.”

Fu Chaoying pursed her lips. “Long wavy hair, striking features?”

Shen Guannan chuckled. “Seems like you know your rival in love quite well.”

Fu Chaoying quietly exhaled in relief. “I’ve crossed paths with her a few times in Singapore before.”

Shen Guannan teased, “She’s so stunning—aren’t you jealous?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved slightly. “It wasn’t just the two of them having dinner, was it?”

Shen Guannan, caught in her lie, burst into laughter. “Looks like you trust her a lot.”

Feigning innocence, Fu Chaoying replied, “I trust you just as much.”

Seeing that teasing her was no fun, Shen Guannan suddenly remembered something. “I ran into that girl who looks just like you again today. What a coincidence.”

Fu Chaoying’s curiosity was piqued. “How similar are we talking?”

Shen Guannan struggled to describe it. “Just… really alike. At least fifty percent. If I didn’t trust your parents, I’d almost suspect she was a long-lost sister of yours.”

Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “How strange. I’m heading to Hong Kong this weekend—maybe fate will let us cross paths.”

Shen Guannan teased again, “Oh? Who exactly is waiting for you in Hong Kong that you’re rushing over?”

Fu Chaoying sidestepped the question. “I finalized talks with the art gallery earlier—just going to sign the contract.”

“Ooooh~”

Shen Guannan drew out the syllable with exaggerated inflection.

After chatting casually for a bit longer, Fu Chaoying hung up.

Within seconds, another message arrived: 【I’m coming on Thursday too. What time are you leaving?】

Warmth bloomed in Fu Chaoying’s chest as she replied: 【You’re busy with work—I appreciate the thought.】

Shen Guannan: 【No way. No matter how busy I am, I have to visit Grandma Fu. It’s been too long since I last saw her.】

Fu Chaoying’s eyes crinkled with a smile as they settled on a time.

On Thursday morning, Shen Guannan arrived punctually at Fu Chaoying’s home.

Fu Chaoying had just stepped out and invited her into her car to pick up the gallery representative together.

Shen Guannan, fully aware of Fu Chaoying’s past dealings with the gallery, was surprised. “Why did your aunt assign you to host them?”

Fu Chaoying replied offhandedly, “She probably wants us to mend things.”

Shen Guannan, blunt as ever, cut to the chase: “As long as you haven’t handed over Grandma Fu’s collection, don’t expect any real reconciliation with them.”

She continued venting, “Grandma Fu donated most of her works for free—how can they be so insatiable?”

Fu Chaoying smiled wryly. “I’ve been wondering the same thing.”

Under the guise of promoting Southern ink wash painting, what were they really after?

Fu Chaoying shook her head. “It’s fine. Let it be.”

When she personally greeted Director Qu, the encounter wasn’t as awkward as she’d feared.

The woman greeted her naturally and politely shook Shen Guannan’s hand.

Perhaps it was the decorum of someone within the system, but the atmosphere remained perfectly cordial.

Fu Chaoying took the wheel while Shen Guannan handled the small talk with Director Qu.

Another unfamiliar director joined them, though she remained quiet. After a brief exchange, Fu Chaoying drove toward the old estate to meet the others—Fu Anjun had chartered a bus to take the group directly from Nanyan to their hometown, about an hour’s drive.

Upon arrival, Fu Anjun and Chu Yiyun came out to welcome them.

Fu Chaoying obediently walked to Chu Yiyun’s side, listening as she asked with concern, “Have you and Guannan had breakfast yet, Xiaoying? There’s some in the kitchen.”

Fu Chaoying turned to Shen Guannan with a questioning glance before smiling at Chu Yiyun. “We’ve already eaten, thank you.”

Chu Yiyun nodded with a smile and exchanged pleasantries with Shen Guannan, saying how long it had been and how beautiful she’d become, and so on.

Fu Chaoying listened nearby, chiming in occasionally, until her aunt Fu Anjun called her over.

“Xiaoying, come say hello to the two directors.”

Fu Chaoying walked over with a faint smile but remained mostly silent, only nodding occasionally in response to her aunt.

“Our Xiaoying might have been a bit remiss recently. I hope Director Qu can be understanding.”

Director Qu’s gaze settled on Fu Chaoying, the corners of her lips curling slightly. “Xiaoying hasn’t been remiss at all. It was the bidding team who didn’t clarify things properly, putting Xiaoying in an awkward position.”

Recognizing the out being offered, Fu Chaoying smiled graciously. “Not at all, I’d nearly forgotten about it. Though I should apologize for not sharing a drink with you that evening.”

As Director Qu nodded with a smile, Fu Chaoying felt reassured—until the other museum director spoke up: “That was indeed your mistake. Director Qu’s drinking capacity is well-known. If you can’t even manage that, how can you expect to discuss anything else?”

Fu Chaoying’s heart sank as she frowned slightly at the speaker, about to respond when a familiar, cool voice cut in from behind—

“How provincial of me. I wasn’t aware that securing museum projects now requires drinking first.”

Ye Jiayuan strode forward steadily, her dark gaze fixed on the outspoken director.