Surprise! My Cohabiting Sister is Actually My Fiancée - Chapter 11

On Sunday, the day before her official start date, Jian Suixin invited Jun Xizhi out for dinner.

With Jun Xizhi’s agreement, she booked a Cantonese restaurant. Jian Suixin had specifically asked Ying Tao for recommendations, choosing a place known for its delicious food, reasonable prices, and immense popularity.

She had made a reservation two days in advance and barely managed to secure a table.

When she asked Ying Tao for recommendations, it sparked a minor protest. “Why are you only inviting Sister Zhi? What about me?”

Jian Suixin reassured her, “I’ll take you next week. I already promised Elder Sister this week.”

“Can’t we all go together?” Ying Tao persisted.

Jian Suixin hesitated. “Um, this time it’s just me and Elder Sister. Next time, okay?”

Ying Tao then banished her with the “crime” of “prioritizing romance over friendship.”

Jian Suixin protested, “I just promised Elder Sister first! We can all go together next week.”

The System calmly pointed out, “So you admit to prioritizing romance over friendship.”

Jian Suixin: “……Let me check the menu. What looks good?”

System: “Tch.”

That evening, the two took a taxi to the restaurant, which was already packed. After Ying Tao had cooled down, Jian Suixin had wheedled her into revealing the restaurant’s best dishes and ordered them all. Despite the restaurant’s bustling atmosphere, the food arrived surprisingly quickly, with all the dishes served within minutes of their arrival.

Jun Xizhi raised her glass in celebration. “Congratulations, Xiao Jian, on finding a job!”

Recalling something Jian Suixin had said a few days earlier, though she hadn’t fully understood the context, Jun Xizhi added, “I wish you great success in earning lots of money.”

Jian Suixin clinked her glass against Jun Xizhi’s, pleased with the blessing. “Thank you, Elder Sister. I’ll work hard!”

“What about you, Elder Sister? How’s your job search going?” Jian Suixin asked casually.

Jun Xizhi paused, momentarily surprised. “Job search?”

“Yes, for a job,” Jian Suixin replied, her eyes lighting up as she devoured a shrimp dumpling in one bite. “Didn’t you say you were looking for work too?”

Remembering her earlier remark, Jun Xizhi mumbled vaguely, “Mm, almost there.”

“That’s good,” Jian Suixin said, raising her glass again. “Then I wish you find a great job soon too, Elder Sister!”

The two continued to chat and enjoy their meal, their time together passing pleasantly.

When they were nearly finished eating, Jian Suixin noticed a waiter passing by and called out, “Excuse me, could we get the bill, please?”

The waiter paused, momentarily surprised that she was being asked for the bill. After a moment’s hesitation, she smiled. “Hello, to pay the bill, you’ll need to go to the front desk.”

Jian Suixin looked momentarily bewildered, then realized her mistake and smiled sheepishly. “Oh, I need to go to the front desk. Sorry about that.”

“No problem,” the waitress replied with a smile, shaking her head before turning to leave.

System: Host, you don’t even know how to pay the bill?

Jian Suixin: It’s my first time at a place like this. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

The two women walked to the front desk, where Jian Suixin scanned the QR code to pay. Jun Xizhi said, “Xiao Jian, you’re treating me?”

Having landed a job and celebrating with her sister, Jian Suixin was in high spirits and had enjoyed a few drinks. Unfortunately, her alcohol tolerance wasn’t great, and she was already feeling tipsy. Her words slurred slightly as she said, “Elder Sister, don’t be polite. This is just the beginning. When I get my first paycheck, I’ll treat you to something even better.”

“Once I’m rich, I’ll take you to a Three-Michelin-starred restaurant!” Jian Suixin declared grandly, waving her hand as if she were already wealthy.

The front desk clerk overheard and smiled. “You two have such a lovely bond. This young lady is so generous!”

She handed over the payment machine.

With a beep, Jian Suixin put away her phone, ready to leave.

A “Payment Failed” notification stopped her in her tracks.

“Huh? Failed?” Jian Suixin rubbed her eyes, the alcohol haze lifting slightly. “What’s going on?”

The receptionist looked equally bewildered. “Um… could you try again?”

Jian Suixin opened her payment code and tried again.

Beep. Payment Failed.

Jian Suixin frowned. “Is the machine broken?”

The receptionist fiddled with the device for a moment, unable to find any issues. “I’m sorry, ladies. Please wait a moment while I switch to another machine.”

After switching to a new machine, they tried again.

Beep. Payment Failed.

Before Jian Suixin and Jun Xizhi could figure out what was happening, the waitress seemed to understand. She paused, maintaining her smile, and carefully chose her words. “Perhaps, madam, you should check your balance?”

The words jolted Jian Suixin awake. The last traces of alcohol vanished as she remembered the money she’d spent just a few days earlier. Her toes curled involuntarily against the floor, and her face began to flush.

I’m doomed.

Jian Suixin forced a dry laugh. “Just a moment, let me check.”

With trembling fingers, she opened her balance. One glance was enough. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit down hard on her lower lip.

“Elder Sister, don’t be polite. This is just the beginning. Once I get paid, I’ll treat you to something even better.”

“When I have money, I’ll take you to a Three-Michelin-starred restaurant.”

“You two have such a wonderful relationship. This beautiful lady is so generous.”

Remembering the grand promises she had made just a minute ago, Jian Suixin desperately wanted to crawl into a hole and bury herself.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, she stole a glance at Jun Xizhi across the table. I’m supposed to be treating her, she thought, but I can’t bring myself to say, “My card’s empty. Could you cover this for me, Elder Sister?”

Especially since this was their first meal together, and the first time she was treating Jun Xizhi.

After a moment of contemplation, under the combined gazes of Jun Xizhi and the receptionist, she cleared her throat and carefully phrased her question: “Excuse me, do you offer credit accounts here?”

Jun Xizhi couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Jian Suixin’s face felt like it was about to boil over from embarrassment.

The waiter’s eyes widened in surprise, and it took him a few seconds to grasp the meaning of her question. His smile nearly faltered as he replied, “I’m afraid not, madam.”

Jian Suixin bit down hard on her lower lip, wishing she could vanish into thin air.

Next time I treat someone to a meal, she vowed, I’ll definitely check my account balance first.

Jian Suixin froze, utterly mortified. She hadn’t anticipated this situation. She and the cashier stared at each other, wide-eyed and speechless.

The three of them stood in awkward silence, as if isolated from the bustling atmosphere of the restaurant.

Finally, Jun Xizhi broke the tension with a smile, raising her phone. “I’ll take care of it.”

Jian Suixin’s head snapped up as if she’d seen a savior. Yet her embarrassment was overwhelming; her face flushed crimson. “Elder Sister, thank you so much,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Jun Xizhi paid the bill while Jian Suixin kept her head bowed, avoiding the cashier’s gaze. Her nails dug into her palms. As soon as the transaction was complete, she grabbed Jun Xizhi’s hand and fled, practically running away.

I can never come back to this place again, Jian Suixin thought, clenching her fist.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret at the thought of the delicious shrimp dumplings.

Jian Suixin pulled Jun Xizhi along, not stopping until the restaurant was out of sight. Only then did she slow down.

She kept her head down, stealing furtive glances at Jun Xizhi, afraid to speak.

Now Elder Sister will think I’m stingy and cheap, that I only offered to treat her to freeload, she worried.

Will she think I’m poor?

Though I am quite poor right now.

Jian Suixin felt compelled to explain herself.

“Elder Sister, I’m so sorry. I’m really embarrassed. I promised to treat you, but you ended up paying,” Jian Suixin mumbled after a moment of silence.

Jun Xizhi smiled. “It’s alright. I should be celebrating your new job anyway. This time, I’ll treat you.”

Jian Suixin vowed, “Next time, I’ll definitely treat you. I’ll check my balance beforehand.”

Jun Xizhi suppressed a laugh at Jian Suixin’s dejected expression, managing to keep her lips from curving upward as she nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

Still uneasy, Jian Suixin continued to explain, “I forgot my card was empty. I just graduated and don’t have much saved up yet. I’ll have money once I get paid.”

She pulled out her phone. “I didn’t mean to. Look, my WeChat and Alipay balances…”

Jian Suixin walked alongside Jun Xizhi, anxiously trying to explain.

As she listened, Jun Xizhi suddenly stopped.

Jian Suixin braked abruptly, nearly bumping into her. The words she was about to say caught in her throat.

She looked up, her expression flustered. “Wh… what’s wrong?”

Jun Xizhi replied, “I know you didn’t mean to. Don’t worry about it.”

Jian Suixin blinked, then blinked again, meeting Jun Xizhi’s gentle gaze.

“And,” Jun Xizhi teased with a smile, “next time, don’t just show your account balance to anyone.”

Relieved that Jun Xizhi wasn’t angry or blaming her, Jian Suixin relaxed.

“She’s just too kind,” Jian Suixin said, deeply moved. “What luck! I just randomly picked a roommate and ended up with someone so wonderful.”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm,” the System agreed. i”That’s why you absolutely must treat her well.”

“Definitely, definitely,” Jian Suixin promised, her resolve firm. “I’ll treat her to a meal as soon as I get paid.”

A thought struck her, and her heart leaped with joy. “That means I’ll have another chance to eat with Elder Sister!”

“Once I get paid, I’ll have money. I have to treat her to something really nice.”

“Oh, and next time, I’ll book a private room! Just the two of us, so we can enjoy some quality time together!” Though it was still early, Jian Suixin was already happily planning their next meal.

The System listened silently, impressed.  “That’s a pretty good plan.”

Jian Suixin beamed proudly. “What do you think? Am I clever or what?”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm, you’re so clever! Now who can tell the difference between you and Einstein?”