Surprise! My Cohabiting Sister is Actually My Fiancée - Chapter 42

If you two keep this up, I’m going to start shipping you for real!

The viewers in the live stream went completely wild.

It was hard to blame them. The scene unfolding before their eyes was undeniably suspicious, making it impossible not to speculate.

Xiaoxiao! Sister Xiaoxiao! Beautiful Xiaoxiao! Don’t just stand there! Go find out what’s going on!

Ahhh, Sister Xiaoxiao, my only sister! Can you interview them and find out what’s happening? You’re my only connection in the entertainment industry, waaaah!

Ran Xiao stared at Jian Suixin’s retreating figure, stunned for three seconds. This is bad, she thought.

She glanced at the frantically scrolling comments and swallowed hard.

Ran Xiao was inwardly panicking. From her observations, Jian Suixin and Jun Xizhi had a good relationship, but there hadn’t been any overtly intimate behavior. Other crew members had speculated about their relationship, but Ran Xiao had dismissed it as just the close bond between sisters.

But this scene went beyond anything she had imagined.

This… this… Could those rumors from the set actually be true? Is there really something between them?

What had started as mere gossip within the crew had now been broadcast live to the world.

Ran Xiao felt utterly innocent. She shouldn’t be called Ran Xiao; she should be called Ran Cry.

She had simply been doing a live stream to give back to her fans, offering a little bonus. Less than half an hour in, this happened.

Ran Xiao wanted to cover for Jian Suixin and Jun Xizhi, to offer some explanations, but the truth was right there, leaving no room for excuses.

Besides, she could see the heated discussion in the chat. These people were already worked up. Even if she tried to explain, would anyone believe her?

She didn’t know what to say. Why did Jun Xizhi need to go to the fitting room without changing clothes?

Even if she insisted on going, why did she have to choose the one Jian Suixin was in?

Even if they were close sisters, so close they wanted to change in the same fitting room, why was Jian Suixin’s face so flushed when she came out?

Could she have been suffocating inside, and Jun Xizhi had to give her CPR, causing that effect?

Ran Xiao felt like she was backing herself into the sea.

It made no sense. None of it made any sense.

Ran Xiao’s mind was a mess. It took her a long time to sort out the key issue.

What kind of relationship Jian Suixin and Jun Xizhi had in private didn’t matter. After all, netizens couldn’t barge into their homes to see what they did all day.

The most critical issue now was that Ran Xiao had inadvertently revealed their relationship.

If Jian Suixin found out, she would likely kill her.

Ran Xiao watched the live stream’s constantly scrolling comments, the rapidly increasing online viewers, and the enthusiastic users explaining the situation to newcomers.

No, survival comes first.

Taking a deep breath, Ran Xiao addressed the screen: “Friends in the live stream, today I only took you on a tour of the film set. We just looked around—we didn’t see a single person, right?”

A wave of mocking laughter erupted in the comments.

HAHAHAHAHAHA Xiaoxiao, you’re killing me!

Xiaoxiao, you’re amazing! Just a casual live stream and you manage to create this kind of spectacle. I’m impressed.

I almost didn’t tune in when you said you’d stream after the crew wrapped up. Now I see why—only Xiaoxiao could pull this off. Did you plan this all along?

Ran Xiao was on the verge of tears, thinking, If I’d known this would happen, I would never have streamed today, even if you threatened to kill me.

Regardless, the viewers felt sorry for Ran Xiao and decided to show some consideration to the person who had uncovered this major secret. They resolved not to tell Jian Suixin.

Specifically, they would avoid mentioning the incident in the comments under Jian Suixin’s Weibo posts.

How long they could keep it a secret depended on luck.

Sister, we’ve done all we can. If the algorithm pushes it to Jian Suixin, there’s nothing more we can do.

Her fans had gone above and beyond.

After all, they could only control their own posts, not Jian Suixin’s internet activity.

Meanwhile, completely unaware, Jian Suixin hurriedly changed clothes and went to find Jun Xizhi. The two went out for a cheerful meal together.

At that moment, she had no idea that in the time it took to change outfits, she had gained a rumored romantic interest.

On the other side, Jun Xizhi was packing to leave when her assistant sent a message:

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: Boss, I’m ready! I’ll pick you up first thing tomorrow morning!

Zhi Xi: Okay.

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: Finally! You’ve been gone almost a week. I thought you’d never leave! (Old mother wiping tears.jpg)

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: If you don’t contact them soon, they’ll think you’ve run off!

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: Oh, right! Remember that business van we got last week? I’ll pick you up in it. (Cool)

Jun Xizhi stared at the messages popping up in the chat, momentarily silent.

She didn’t answer immediately, instead looking up at Jian Suixin and asking, “Xiao Jian, my friend will be here early tomorrow morning to pick me up. You have filming early, so you don’t need to…”

Before she could finish, Jian Suixin interrupted, “Absolutely not! Elder Sister, I’m definitely going to see you off!”

Jun Xizhi hesitated, but Jian Suixin quickly added, “Don’t worry about filming. I’ve already taken the day off.”

“When I told the Director, he initially refused. But as soon as I mentioned it was to see you off, he immediately agreed!” Jian Suixin winked. “Elder Sister, you haven’t been on set long, but you’re already so popular!”

Recalling how the Director had been pretending not to know her well on set, Jun Xizhi sighed helplessly. She didn’t know what to say, so she simply hummed in agreement and smiled. “It’s all thanks to you, Xiao Jian.”

Then she replied to her assistant.

Zhi Xi: Don’t use that car.

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: Huh? Why not?

Zhi Xi: Get an older, more inconspicuous vehicle.

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: Huh?? Why??

Zhi Xi: The more ordinary, the better.

Sales Manager Xiao Zhang of AAAA City: …Understood, Boss.

After dinner back at the hotel, Jian Suixin posted a Weibo update to engage her fans.

@Jian Suixin: Saying goodbye for now.

The post included a photo of their shadows.

After dinner, Jian Suixin pulled Jun Xizhi outside the hotel for a photoshoot.

Due to recent online buzz, Jian Suixin’s Weibo posts had been attracting more likes and comments than usual. As soon as she posted, a wave of fans flooded in.

Good evening, Xin Xin! (heart emoji)

Baby, who are you saying goodbye to? Aren’t you filming? Is someone wrapping up their scenes?

Wild guess: Is Elder Sister leaving after visiting the set?

Leaving already? Can’t she stay a few more days?

Sister Jian, could you please answer? Are these Weibo posts—and the ones you posted before—about you and Sister Jun?

Would you mind sharing what kind of relationship you two have? (starry-eyed emoji)

Jian Suixin had a habit of replying to comments, and she was delighted by the recent surge in engagement. She usually picked out popular comments from the top section to respond to.

However, when she saw a comment asking about her relationship with Jun Xizhi trending at the top, she hesitated.

This wasn’t the first time Jian Suixin had received such inquiries—fans had repeatedly pressed her about whether Jun Xizhi was a friend or something more. For various reasons, she had always avoided answering.

Seeing the question again, perhaps fueled by the wine she’d had earlier or the impending departure of her elder sister, Jian Suixin stared blankly at her phone, her heart heavy with reluctance.

She typed “She’s my friend,” but after a long pause, she deleted it.

Finally, she replied: She’s someone very important to me.

Unbeknownst to Jian Suixin, she had just gained a massive wave of CP fans.

Since one half of this CP remained shrouded in mystery, with only a surname known, the other half became the primary subject of public scrutiny.

Calling it “archaeology” was a stretch. Jian Suixin had only been in the public eye for a few months, leaving little material to excavate.

The most revealing clues were her Weibo posts from that period.

From early fan edits of the pair to security footage showing Jian Suixin protecting her Elder Sister outside a restaurant, and culminating in the “changing room incident,” many onlookers gradually became obsessed, eager to dive into this CP.

I didn’t want to ship them, but she called her Elder Sister! Their visuals are so pleasing to my eyes! And she refused to call them friends, only saying she’s someone very important to her! They’re just so perfect together, waaaah!

Everyone, go all in on this CP! I have connections on set—they’re sharing a room at the hotel! The crew offered separate rooms, but they insisted on staying together. Friends don’t do that!

Holy crap! Is that true? Is this info legit? Don’t lie to me, I’m not well-read!

Aaaaaah! I don’t care anymore! No one stop me—I’m shipping them first!

The next day, Jian Suixin saw Jun Xizhi off. The director had given her two hours off specifically to escort Jun Xizhi, after which she was to return to filming.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Jian Suixin felt that Ran Xiao was avoiding her today.

Normally, Jian Suixin spent most of her time with Jun Xizhi, but she also had good relationships with the rest of the crew, especially Ran Xiao. Ran Xiao was outgoing and loved making friends, and when Jun Xizhi wasn’t around, Jian Suixin interacted with her the most.

But today, Jian Suixin could clearly sense that Ran Xiao didn’t want to be around her.

At first, she didn’t think much of it, assuming Ran Xiao was busy studying the script to prepare for filming. But the same thing happened for the next few days.

Jian Suixin grew puzzled. What was wrong with Ran Xiao?

After racking her brain, she couldn’t recall doing anything to offend her. Finally, during lunch one day, she cornered Ran Xiao and demanded to know what was going on.

Ran Xiao was torn. She was afraid Jian Suixin would hit her if she found out, but the deed had already been done, and she couldn’t bear to keep it from her friend.

Cornered and looking pitiful, Ran Xiao finally mustered the courage to speak. “Xin Xin, if I accidentally did something to hurt you, would you forgive me?”

Jian Suixin was baffled. “Did you do something to hurt me?”

Ran Xiao emphasized, “I said if.”

Jian Suixin pondered. “It depends on the specific situation.”

Ran Xiao carefully observed Jian Suixin’s expression. “For example, if some unintentional actions of mine caused a slight blemish on your reputation.”

This was far too vague. Jian Suixin remained still, stroking her chin thoughtfully. “So what exactly did you do behind my back?”

Ran Xiao: “I said if! I didn’t do anything…”

Jian Suixin: “Sis, your words are way too suggestive. You might as well just admit you did something bad.”

Ran Xiao: ……

Ran Xiao fled in a panic. “Just go look it up online yourself! Stop pressuring me!”

Jian Suixin was utterly confused. How am I supposed to look it up when I don’t even know what happened?

Despite this, it didn’t take long for Jian Suixin to get her answer.

The viewers in the live stream had promised not to tell Jian Suixin, and Ran Xiao was stubbornly refusing to speak. But secrets can’t stay buried forever. Two days later, during a mid-shoot break, Jian Suixin idly scrolled through her phone and received a personalized news recommendation from the algorithm.

Following the “tongue kiss incident,” Jian Suixin’s pupils dilated in shock once again.

While she had been busy filming, completely unaware, had the outside world already developed to this extent?

Deeply startled, Jian Suixin stared blankly at her phone screen for a moment before pressing “replay.”

She watched it again.

After repeatedly scrutinizing the video and reading through all the comments, Jian Suixin was utterly amazed.

She had merely changed clothes, yet it had sparked so much speculation? Could they really think she and her elder sister were involved? Wasn’t this going too far?

With these thoughts swirling in her mind, she began liking each comment in the section.

No matter what her mind told her, her body betrayed her true feelings.

She finally understood what Ran Xiao meant by “damage to her reputation.”

Jian Suixin immediately went to find Ran Xiao.

Seeing Jian Suixin storm toward her with such fierce determination, Ran Xiao sensed something was wrong.

When Jian Suixin finally spoke, Ran Xiao’s expression instantly changed.

“I know what you meant by ‘damage to my reputation’ that day.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Ran Xiao dropped to her knees and begged, “I was wrong! I’m so sorry! Hit me, I won’t fight back!”

Why would I hit you? Thank you, my dear friend, Jian Suixin thought, but she kept her face stern. “It’s fine. I don’t blame you.”

You did well. Keep it up.

Ran Xiao was completely stunned. She had expected Jian Suixin to come demanding retribution, but instead, she was being absolved of all blame.

She imagined Jian Suixin charging in with a menacing blade, only to peel an apple for her instead.

Tears welled up in Ran Xiao’s eyes. “Thank you,” she choked out. “You’re such a good person.”

Jian Suixin silently accepted the “good person” label, not forgetting her true purpose in seeking out Ran Xiao.

She herself didn’t care about the incident and even welcomed the attention.

But that didn’t mean her elder sister felt the same way.

Moreover, her sister was a private citizen, and too much public scrutiny could be harmful.

Therefore, an explanation was necessary.

Posting a Weibo post herself would seem contrived and deliberate, so Jian Suixin entrusted this delicate task to Ran Xiao.

She asked Ran Xiao to mention it casually during her next livestream, offering a brief explanation.

Since the incident hadn’t garnered excessive attention, there was no need to escalate the situation further.

Still kneeling and profusely thanking Jian Suixin for sparing her, Ran Xiao remained completely oblivious to Jian Suixin’s true motives and readily agreed to the request.

By the time Jun Xizhi left, Jian Suixin had already completed half of her filming schedule. A dozen days later, the production officially wrapped.

Lanterns Like Daylight had been generating significant buzz online, especially Jian Suixin, whose popularity had surged after the recent incident and the edited video clips.

So when the production team announced the wrap, many fans showed up to celebrate.

Congratulations on wrapping up! Can’t wait to see Junior Sister soon!

Happy wrap, Xin Xin!

Happy wrap! Xin Xin must be itching to get back and see her Elder Sister, right?

Jian Suixin was indeed itching to get back. The last comment perfectly captured her feelings, and she barely resisted liking it.

After settling all her affairs and bidding farewell to the cast and crew, Jian Suixin set off for home.

Elder Sister, wait for me!

Given her current financial constraints and the distance between City A and Z City, Jian Suixin took the high-speed train.

She arrived that day and hailed a taxi home.

As she entered her neighborhood and saw the familiar surroundings, Jian Suixin’s excitement surged.

It was mid-afternoon when she reached her apartment building. Stepping into the elevator, she couldn’t suppress her smile, her mind filled with thoughts of finally seeing her Elder Sister again.

To surprise her, she had deliberately kept her return a secret from Jun Xizhi.

She returned early to prepare a lavish meal and surprise her Elder Sister when she got off work.

Jian Suixin happily planned her surprise.

The elevator ascended slowly, finally stopping with a ding.

Jian Suixin eagerly stepped out, pulling her suitcase behind her, but froze the moment she exited the elevator.

A person stood at her front door, their back turned. Though she couldn’t see their face, she was certain she didn’t recognize them.

If I don’t know them, they must be here for my Elder Sister.

The person rang the doorbell, but since Jun Xizhi wasn’t home, no one answered.

The girl wore a khaki trench coat, a black midi skirt, and her flaxen-dyed hair was styled in elegant curls that cascaded over her shoulders.

Every detail, from head to toe, exuded refined elegance.

Jian Suixin instinctively held her breath.

She stepped forward, but before she could speak, the other woman sensed her presence and turned around.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, yet her expression was cold and aloof.

Jian Suixin froze, a sudden unease tightening her chest. Her guard went up. “Excuse me, who are you looking for?”

The girl stared intently, her beautiful eyes narrowing. She pursed her lips and, instead of answering, asked, “Is she living with you now?”