Surprise! My Cohabiting Sister is Actually My Fiancée - Chapter 43

“Is she living with you now?” The other person unconsciously emphasized the word “now.”

Jian Suixin froze, her heightened sensitivity likely due to the subtle impression the other person gave her.

Living with me “now”?

The implication… had her Elder Sister lived with this person before?

Jian Suixin’s hand, hanging at her side, instinctively clenched into a fist, her guard rising.

“Yes. Is there a problem?” Jian Suixin’s voice was stiff.

The other person stared at her in silence for a few seconds before lowering their head slightly.

Perhaps it was Jian Suixin’s imagination, but she thought she detected a hint of melancholy in the other person’s eyes.

Jian Suixin grew even more wary. Could this person really have something to do with her Elder Sister?

The other person remained silent, standing at their doorstep with no sign of leaving. Jian Suixin had no choice but to ask, “Are you… looking for my Elder Sister?”

“Elder Sister?” The other person looked up in shock, a hurt expression crossing their face. “Is that what you usually call her?”

Her expression was so pained that Jian Suixin couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh. She simply nodded.

After a moment of silence, the other person asked, “Where did she go?”

“To work,” Jian Suixin answered truthfully.

“Has she been… coming home every day recently?”

Jian Suixin had been working on a film set recently, but she still kept in regular contact with Jun Xizhi by phone, so she was generally aware of the situation. “Yes, she comes home every day.”

“Did you just get back from a business trip?” The girl’s gaze fell on Jian Suixin’s suitcase.

Jian Suixin nodded. “Yes.”

They were strangers, and there wasn’t much to talk about. Due to a subtle sense of wariness, Jian Suixin’s smile was a little strained, but she still politely asked, “Would you like to come in and sit down?”

The girl shook her head. “No, thank you.”

Jian Suixin breathed a sigh of relief.

If they had actually gone inside and sat together, it would have been even more awkward.

Not only did the girl seem unhappy, but after exchanging a few words with her, Jian Suixin’s mood also plummeted.

Jian Suixin stared at the girl, initially wondering if she was a relative of her elder sister. But the girl’s current expression and reactions didn’t seem to fit that theory.

This didn’t feel like someone visiting a family member out of concern. It felt more like…

Some kind of tangled love-hate drama.

Could she be her elder sister’s ex, back to try and rekindle things?

The moment this possibility crossed Jian Suixin’s mind, her mood instantly plummeted from its peak to its lowest point.

“I’m sorry, I forgot everyone’s at work right now. I came at a bad time. I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

Jian Suixin smiled. “It’s no problem. Would you like me to pass on a message?”

The girl shook her head. “No, thank you.”

Even though she’s cold, Jian Suixin thought, she’s quite polite.

Jian Suixin felt too embarrassed to say anything more.

But! Who was this woman who had suddenly appeared, claiming to be Jun Xizhi’s ex-girlfriend?

She desperately wanted to ask directly: Who are you? What’s your relationship with my Elder Sister? Did you two really have something? Even if you did, a true woman never looks back—so why are you here now?

Jian Suixin’s mind raced, a thousand thoughts flashing through her head in an instant, only to be abruptly halted by the girl’s next words.

“Could you ask her how I can repay her for the shared rent from before?”

“If she still doesn’t want to see me, I can have a friend transfer the money.”

Jian Suixin was stunned. Shared rent? Repay her?

She had discussed housing with Jun Xizhi before, who had mentioned never having a roommate before. Jun Xizhi had said that Jian Suixin was her first roommate—so where was this shared rent coming from?

There must be some misunderstanding.

Jian Suixin asked uncertainly, “Who exactly are you looking for?”

The girl looked puzzled, unsure why she was asking. “I’m looking for Ying Tao.”

Ying Tao?

Hearing that name, Jian Suixin finally exhaled the breath she had been holding, understanding dawning on her.

After all this, it turned out they had both misunderstood each other.

It was their fault for being so indirect.

Just as Jian Suixin was about to speak, the System suddenly chimed in: “Host, according to my data analysis, this person is likely Ying Tao’s former roommate.”

Jian Suixin: …Do you think I needed you to tell me that? I figured it out myself.

What’s the point of having this System anyway?

“Why didn’t you wait until she left to tell me?”

The System whined, “According to the original plot, you wouldn’t have even come out to rent a place, so you wouldn’t have met Ying Tao, let alone have any connection to her roommates. They’re just minor, minor characters in the book. It takes me forever to retrieve information about them.”

Jian Suixin: Fine, whatever.

Knowing the girl was looking for Ying Tao, Jian Suixin’s tone lightened considerably. “You’re looking for Taotao?”

The girl gave her a slightly puzzled look, the meaning clear: What else would I be here for?

Jian Suixin couldn’t help but smile. She pointed to the opposite door. “She lives in that unit.”

The girl paused, turning to stare at the tightly closed door across the hall. “This unit?”

Jian Suixin nodded.

The love-hate drama was real, but thankfully it wasn’t directed at Jun Xizhi.

Jian Suixin silently sent a mental pat of affection to Ying Tao and breathed a sigh of relief.

The girl’s expression turned slightly awkward. “I’m sorry, I thought…”

Jian Suixin waved her hand. “It’s fine. She’s at work and won’t be back until evening. Should I ask her about something for you?”

The girl hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “No, thank you.”

Her gaze drifted to the door across the hall. “Is she also…?”

Jian Suixin immediately understood. “She lives alone.”

Even after learning the girl’s identity, Jian Suixin couldn’t resist asking, “May I ask how you know her?”

The girl paused before answering, “We used to be roommates.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “Former roommates.”

Tsk, this definitely has the vibe of a former girlfriend.

Ying Tao had mentioned that she and her previous roommate had split up after a major argument—the kind that couldn’t be resolved.

Now that the former roommate had appeared…

Was she here to win Ying Tao back?

The girl’s hesitant expression suggested things weren’t that simple.

But this was clearly a personal matter, and since it was their first meeting, Jian Suixin didn’t want to pry.

She simply smiled. “I see.”

The girl clearly cared deeply about Ying Tao. After hesitating several times, she finally asked, “Did she ever mention me?”

Jian Suixin: …

This was a tricky situation. Should she say Ying Tao had mentioned her, or hadn’t?

Jian Suixin didn’t answer, her expression already revealing the truth. The girl lowered her gaze. “If she didn’t mention me, then she didn’t.”

Jian Suixin wasn’t sure what their relationship was, but seeing the girl’s disappointment, she quickly said, “She did! She definitely mentioned you.”

The girl’s eyes lit up for a moment. “What did she say about me?”

Jian Suixin searched her memory. Ying Tao had only mentioned her once, and it was about a fierce argument she’d had with her former roommate, which led her to move out before her lease expired.

Jian Suixin: “…She… she talked about some things you two did together.”

This vague answer, combined with the girl’s sharp intuition, immediately made her realize Jian Suixin was making it up.

But she didn’t press further, simply nodding.

Remembering Jian Suixin’s earlier reaction, she asked, “So you thought I was…”

Jian Suixin blurted out, “Ah, I almost thought her ex-girlfriend had come back for revenge!”

The girl remained silent.

Jian Suixin, realizing her words might have sounded inappropriate, touched her nose and quickly backtracked. “It was all a misunderstanding. Don’t look so serious! You misunderstood me the moment you saw me too, didn’t you?”

She then clarified her relationship with Ying Tao. “Don’t worry, Taotao and I are just good friends.”

After a moment’s thought, she lowered her voice. “By the way, Taotao’s single now. She’s a single, overworked office worker, working from 8 AM to 6 PM. Feel free to pursue her.”

The girl remained silent.

She seemed about to explain her relationship with Ying Tao, but Jian Suixin had already seen through her intentions. Unaccustomed to talking much, she simply nodded. “Okay, thank you.”

Assured that the girl wasn’t there to steal her Elder Sister, Jian Suixin’s enthusiasm tripled. “Do you have any plans tonight? If not, why don’t you come over to my place and wait for her to get back?”

The girl shook her head again. “No need, thank you.”

Since the girl declined, Jian Suixin didn’t press further and saw her off.

Back inside, Jian Suixin sent Ying Tao a message, briefly explaining the encounter and asking what was going on. Was Ying Tao keeping something from her?

The message went unanswered.

Jian Suixin didn’t know much about Ying Tao’s situation with her roommate and didn’t want to meddle. After waiting a few minutes without a reply, she put her phone away and moved on to other tasks.

By the time Jian Suixin got home, it was already late afternoon. She immediately went into the kitchen to tidy up and start preparing her “grand feast.”

Worried that Jun Xizhi might return halfway through the surprise preparations, she hurried even faster, determined to complete her plan smoothly.

Lost in her preparations, Jian Suixin didn’t notice the time. After bustling around, she finally finished everything, but Jun Xizhi still hadn’t returned. She couldn’t help but marvel at her own efficiency.

Then she glanced at her phone to check the time. It was 7:30 PM.

Jian Suixin: ……

So it wasn’t her efficiency that was impressive—Jun Xizhi was just late.

Jian Suixin found this odd. Her elder sister usually got off work at 5:30 PM. It had been two hours already, enough time for her to have walked home. Why hadn’t she arrived yet?

Maybe something delayed her after work, Jian Suixin thought. To preserve the surprise, she decided to wait a bit longer, reheating the dishes to keep them warm.

Another fifteen minutes passed, but the sound of the door opening still didn’t come.

Jian Suixin suddenly realized: Could Elder Sister have been working overtime again while I was out?

She asked the System, which shared her suspicion: “It’s possible. Should we call and ask?”

But calling would ruin the surprise.

On the other hand, if she didn’t call, she wouldn’t know when her Elder Sister would be back.

In the end, Jian Suixin decided to send a message.

bJian Suoyou/b: Surprise inspection! Are you working overtime?

bJian Suoyou/b: Suddenly Popping Up.jpg

After sending the message, Jian Suixin stared blankly at the chat window. A few minutes later, “Typing…” appeared.

Two more minutes passed, but still no reply.

Is Elder Sister writing a whole essay? Why is it taking so long?

But it was clear Jun Xizhi wasn’t writing an essay. Another minute passed before she finally replied.

bElder Sister/b: No, I was just washing dishes.

Jian Suixin narrowed her eyes.

I knew it.

That unscrupulous boss! She’s only been gone a few days, and he’s already making Elder Sister work overtime again!

bJian Suoyou/b: Really?

bElder Sister/b: Really.

bJian Suoyou/b: Really, really?

Jun Xizhi replied earnestly: Really, really.

bElder Sister/b: Xiao Jian, what’s wrong?

bJian Suoyou/b: What if it’s not true?

Silence fell on the other end.

Jian Suixin puffed out her cheeks, still refusing to tell the truth.

She pulled out her trump card.

Jian Suoyou: Elder Sister, I suddenly miss you so much. Let’s video call! (Heart emoji)

Another moment of silence followed, the person on the other end clearly suspecting something.

Elder Sister: Are you back?

Jian Suoyou: Guess?

Elder Sister: I was wrong.

Jian Suoyou: Hmph.

Elder Sister: I’m heading home right now. Wait for me.

Putting down her phone, Jian Suixin vowed to the System, “Just wait! Once I have enough money, I’ll buy out Elder Sister’s company and make that boss work overtime every single day, 365 days a year, with no breaks!”

System: …That’s a bit much, don’t you think?

Jun Xizhi returned far sooner than Jian Suixin had expected.

It felt like she had only been daydreaming for a moment when the door clicked open, the sound of the fingerprint lock.

Jian Suixin suspected Jun Xizhi had flown back.

Her spirits lifted instantly, and she sprang up, rushing to the door.

Jun Xizhi was about to speak when Jian Suixin held up a “pause” gesture.

“I came home early to surprise you, so we can’t just let the moment pass like this,” Jian Suixin said. “Elder Sister, please go back outside and come in again. Just pretend!”

Jun Xizhi couldn’t help but smile, but she obediently complied. “Alright.”

She closed the door, then reopened it. This time, Jun Xizhi pushed the door open with a look of surprise. “Xiao Jian, what are you doing back?”

Jian Suixin was finally satisfied and rushed forward with a hearty laugh.

System: Host is being rather childish.

But someone’s willing to indulge her childishness, which is quite enviable.

The two had been apart for half a month. Seeing Jun Xizhi again, Jian Suixin ran to her and gave her a big, warm hug—their first embrace since reuniting.

Jun Xizhi immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, Xiao Jian. I lied to you.”

Jian Suixin was deeply displeased, though her anger was directed at the company boss. “What’s with your boss? Weren’t they supposed to stop making you work overtime? I’ve only been gone a few days! Why is it starting again?”

Jun Xizhi smiled. “Things have been busy lately.”

Jian Suixin continued to grumble about the boss. “That boss is ridiculous! Working hard during regular hours isn’t enough—they have to make you work overtime too. And why now? Why not earlier or later? As soon as I get back, it starts again. It’s all her fault! The surprise I planned is ruined.”

Under Jian Suixin’s influence, Jun Xizhi found it easy to criticize the boss as well, as if the person they were complaining about had nothing to do with them. “It’s all her fault.”

“Have you had dinner yet?” Jian Suixin asked again.

Jun Xizhi shook her head. “Not yet,” she replied. “I’m starving.”

So my surprise wasn’t for nothing, Jian Suixin thought.

But the thought had barely formed when she reacted with anger. “Working overtime is one thing, but skipping dinner too?”

Jun Xizhi rested her head on Jian Suixin’s shoulder. “The boss was rushing me. I didn’t have time.”

Jian Suixin’s anger flared. “That damn boss! He’s exploiting his employees! Overtime is bad enough, but not even letting you eat?”

She patted Jun Xizhi’s back. “Has the boss gone crazy again lately? I haven’t seen you for half a month, and you’ve gotten so thin. He’s such a terrible boss.”

Jun Xizhi echoed softly, “He’s such a terrible boss.”

Jian Suixin took Jun Xizhi’s hand. “Come on, Elder Sister. I made dinner. It’s perfect timing to eat now.”

Jun Xizhi smiled and followed Jian Suixin, her voice soft and almost childlike. “I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t been eating properly. Thank goodness Xiao Jian made something delicious for me.”

Jian Suixin’s vanity swelled with satisfaction. She settled Jun Xizhi at the table and began serving the dishes.

Despite her time on set preventing her from cooking, Jian Suixin’s culinary skills hadn’t dulled. The four dishes and soup were a feast for the senses, bursting with color, aroma, and flavor.

Jian Suixin had been busy for hours without eating, but her mind wasn’t on food. She pushed the dishes toward Jun Xizhi. “Elder Sister, eat up!”

Jun Xizhi tasted each dish and smiled. “You’ve been busy filming lately, but your cooking hasn’t lost a bit of its touch.”

“I should be treating you to welcome you back, but I ended up making you work.”

Jian Suixin shook her head vigorously. “We can celebrate later. This is my surprise for you.”

Jun Xizhi chuckled. “Alright, then let’s do it this weekend. I’ll treat Xiao Jian to dinner.”

Jian Suixin remembered something else. “Oh, Elder Sister, are you finished with work? Will the Boss be upset that you rushed back?”

Jun Xizhi reassured her. “Don’t worry. I was already wrapping things up when you texted me. It’s all done.”

Only then did Jian Suixin relax.

After dinner, Jun Xizhi sliced some fruit, and the two settled on the living room sofa, enjoying a rare moment of peaceful TV time together.

Jian Suixin glanced at her phone. Ying Tao’s chat window remained silent, still no reply.

Remembering the afternoon’s incident, Jian Suixin told Jun Xizhi about it, carefully omitting the part where she had almost mistaken the girl for Jun Xizhi’s ex.

“…So that’s what happened. I thought she was some relative visiting you, but it turned out to be Taotao’s former roommate.”

Mentioning relatives, Jian Suixin casually asked, “The New Year’s coming up soon. Will you be going home?”

In her memory, Jun Xizhi had never mentioned her family, nor had Jian Suixin ever seen her interact with any relatives.

Just moments ago, Jun Xizhi had been listening with a smile as Jian Suixin recounted her afternoon. But the moment family was mentioned, her smile vanished.

She neither confirmed nor denied, simply saying, “We’ll see when the time comes.”

Jian Suixin’s smile faltered, sensing Jun Xizhi’s reluctance to discuss the topic. She quickly changed the subject.

“Elder Sister, will you have to work overtime again? Has the boss finally learned to treat people properly?”

Jun Xizhi shook her head. “No, not anymore.”

“At least that’s good,” Jian Suixin sighed. “What’s with this boss? She never made me work overtime when I was there, but as soon as I left, she started making you stay late.”

Jun Xizhi feigned annoyance, furrowing her brow. “Yeah, why only after you left?”

She chuckled. “Maybe she was afraid of getting scolded by you, so she didn’t dare make me work overtime when you were around.”

Jian Suixin laughed. “Our boss is afraid of me? Did you tell her all those things I said about her?”

Jun Xizhi suppressed a smile and remained silent.

With Jun Xizhi no longer needing to work overtime, Jian Suixin’s mood brightened considerably. “Elder Sister, I have some good news for you!”

“Hmm, what’s the good news?” Jun Xizhi asked.

Jian Suixin smiled brightly. “I’ve been resting at home recently, with no other work. I can keep picking you up from work!”

She added, “Oh, and not just after work! I can make you delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner too.”

“And when Elder Sister has days off, I can stay home and keep you company. We can even go out and have fun together.”

She tilted her head up, her eyes meeting Jun Xizhi’s with a radiant smile. “Looking at it this way, it’s actually several good news!”

“Let me think, what else…”

Before she could continue, Jun Xizhi interrupted with a smile, “Alright, that’s enough.”

Jian Suixin’s thoughts were cut off. “Hmm? Why?”

Jun Xizhi chuckled, using a toothpick to pick up another piece of fruit and hold it to Jian Suixin’s lips. “If you keep talking like that, I won’t want you to leave.”

Jian Suixin bit into the fruit, its sweet juice bursting in her mouth, filling her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. She leaned closer to Jun Xizhi, resting her head on her shoulder. “Then I won’t leave. I’ll stay and keep Elder Sister company.”