Surprise! My Cohabiting Sister is Actually My Fiancée - Chapter 46

During Jian Suixin’s time resting at home, Mother Jian called frequently.

“You child! Why do you keep things from us? You hide everything!” Mother Jian, who rarely paid attention to online affairs, only learned about the Luo Dong incident after it had been resolved. She scolded Jian Suixin while simultaneously worrying about her. “If you’d just stayed home, you wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation. Why do you insist on making trouble for yourself?”

After learning the truth, Mother Jian was furious and would nag Jian Suixin every time she called. She even downloaded Weibo with a clear purpose: No one messes with my daughter.

Jian Suixin chuckled. “Mom, don’t worry. Your daughter is all grown up now. What can’t I handle myself?”

Seeing her daughter’s maturity, Mother Jian felt both relieved and heartbroken. “From now on, tell your mother about any problems first. I’ll take care of it. We won’t let you suffer like this.”

Jian Suixin obediently agreed to everything Mother Jian said, which eased her mother’s worries somewhat. Mother Jian then asked, “When are you planning to come home? You should at least come back for the New Year, right?”

No matter how much they’d argued, it was still her family. Now that she was financially independent and could support herself, she had the leverage to negotiate with them and no reason to be afraid.

She couldn’t avoid seeing her family forever.

Thinking this, Jian Suixin agreed, “Yeah, I’ll come home.”

As their conversation drew to a close, Mother Jian couldn’t resist asking about her roommate situation.

Jian Suixin gave her standard answer: “It’s much better than before. Things are slowly improving.”

Mother Jian seemed relieved and added, “Relationships require effort. Since it’s almost New Year’s, why don’t you get them a gift or something?”

Jian Suixin replied, “I know, I know. I’m planning to go out and buy something tonight.”

That evening, Jian Suixin went out to buy a gift for Jun Xizhi, deliberately not telling her to maintain the element of surprise. She planned to slip out and back in unnoticed.

After dinner, the two retreated to their respective rooms. Jian Suixin tidied up her room and quietly opened the door, peeking out to check Jun Xizhi’s door.

Just as her head poked through the crack, Jun Xizhi pushed her door open, their eyes meeting squarely.

Jian Suixin: Well, isn’t this just perfect?

Jian Suixin nearly slammed the door shut and retreated, but she quickly composed herself and said, “Elder Sister, what a coincidence!”

Jun Xizhi’s gaze fell on Jian Suixin’s carefully chosen outfit. “Are you… going out?”

Jian Suixin nodded. “I’m just going out to buy something. Are you heading out too, Elder Sister?”

“Yes, I’m meeting a friend.”

As Jun Xizhi spoke, Jian Suixin noticed a fleeting moment of panic in her expression.

Puzzled, Jian Suixin wondered why her elder sister seemed so flustered. Was she trying to hide her plans to go out?

The thought flickered through Jian Suixin’s mind. “Then let’s go out together,” she said. “Where are you headed, Elder Sister?”

Jun Xizhi gave her an address, and Jian Suixin immediately replied, “That’s perfect! It’s on the way. I’ll drive you.”

Jian Suixin drove, dropping Jun Xizhi off halfway before continuing to pick out a gift.

After parking the car, Jian Suixin strolled around the area.

Based on her observations, her elder sister’s phone had been in use for quite some time and was showing considerable wear. She decided to buy her a new one.

She’d get the latest model of the same brand.

With a clear goal in mind, she headed straight for a phone store.

As dusk settled, City A’s nightlife buzzed with energy. The streets teemed with men and women out for the evening, bathed in neon lights and a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

After wandering around for a while without spotting a phone store, Jian Suixin, unfamiliar with the area, silently opened her phone’s navigation app.

The screen displayed a phone store just over a mile away. Jian Suixin followed the route.

This world would be lost without navigation, she thought.

Turning off the main road into a quieter side street, Jian Suixin walked, carefully observing her surroundings and memorizing the route.

Before she could even spot a phone store, Jian Suixin noticed a bar in the distance. It wasn’t that she wanted to go in; the bar’s vibrant, multicolored sign simply caught her eye, drawing her gaze.

But that glance proved significant. Her eyes inadvertently swept across a figure standing by the bar’s entrance, and Jian Suixin froze in her tracks.

Doubting her eyes, she squinted and stared again, confirming she wasn’t mistaken.

Though the distance obscured facial features, the hairstyle and clothing were unmistakably familiar.

She had just seen them minutes ago.

Why is Elder Sister at a bar? Jian Suixin wondered. Didn’t she say she was meeting a friend?

Suspecting her memory might be failing her, she asked, “Tong’er, quickly check if that’s Elder Sister!”

The System’s vision far surpassed hers. “It’s Sister Zhi.”

A woman stood beside Jun Xizhi, likely the friend she had mentioned. The woman’s back was turned, obscuring her face, but her hand rested intimately on Jun Xizhi’s shoulder as she whispered something.

“Why is Elder Sister at a bar?” Jian Suixin asked, puzzled.

“Well… maybe her friend wanted to get drinks here?” the System suggested.

That’s possible.

Jian Suixin thought that since they had run into each other so coincidentally, she should go over and say hello.

Instead of calling out, she quickly ran toward them, wanting to surprise Jun Xizhi.

She had only taken two steps when the two figures moved again.

The woman grabbed Jun Xizhi’s arm and pulled her toward the bar.

Jian Suixin stopped, frowning.

What’s going on here?

A sense of unease washed over Jian Suixin.

Judging by the woman’s expensive clothes and accessories, she was clearly wealthy. When did Elder Sister make such a friend?

The two seemed to be arguing, and the situation felt off. Jian Suixin changed her mind about rushing over and instead crept toward them stealthily.

Hiding behind the neighboring store’s display board, she eavesdropped on their conversation, careful not to be spotted.

“Don’t be like that, come inside and have some fun with me, Elder Sister. You’re already here—how can you enjoy yourself without a drink?”

“Still living in that rental apartment? Are you really that broke, Little Sister? Come on, let’s go inside and have a few drinks. Whatever kind of house you want, I’ll buy it for you. Deal?”

The street was crowded and noisy, so Jian Suixin dared not get too close, barely catching a few words.

Even with just those few words, Jian Suixin felt she understood the situation perfectly.

She clenched her fists tightly and stealthily peeked out, glaring fiercely at the back of the woman’s head.

Her gaze landed on the woman clinging to Jun Xizhi, her grip forceful and insistent, ignoring Jun Xizhi’s protests as she dragged her into the bar.

Jian Suixin: What do you think you’re doing?!

“Tong’er, look! The person with Elder Sister looks so rich. Her clothes and demeanor scream wealth and status. How could Elder Sister even know someone like that?”

The System panicked, thinking Jian Suixin suspected Jun Xizhi’s true identity and scrambling for an explanation.

Before it could come up with an excuse, Jian Suixin burst out angrily, “No wonder Elder Sister rushed out so frantically, afraid I’d see her. So that’s it! She must have forced Elder Sister because of her looks!”

System: …?

Forced her to do what? Host, wait—I can’t keep up with your train of thought.

System: “Host, what… what do you mean?”

Jian Suixin continued to grind her teeth, her hatred for the woman already burning fiercely, even though she hadn’t even seen her face clearly.

“Didn’t you hear what she just said? ‘If you keep me company while I drink, I’ll buy your Elder Sister a house’? She’s clearly forcing my Elder Sister to drink with her! Taking advantage of her good looks and lack of connections, she’s trying to make her do this! Look how unwilling my Elder Sister is—she’s practically dragging her inside!”

System: ……

The System’s CPU nearly fried as it struggled to process Jian Suixin’s words. It stammered, “T-t-this… could there be some misunderstanding?”

“What misunderstanding could there be?” Just then, the woman grabbed Jian Suixin by the shoulder, almost pulling her into a hug, and half-dragged her through the bar’s entrance.

“See! I told you something was wrong!”

Jian Suixin instantly exploded, leaping to her feet and charging toward the bar.

Elder Sister, don’t worry! I’m coming to save you!

The System frantically urged, “Calm down! Calm down! No matter what, you can’t just attack that woman! She only went into the bar. Let’s observe first—don’t act rashly. We need to be strategic!”

Jian Suixin had already reached the bar’s entrance. She took a deep breath.

The System was right. If the woman truly intended harm to her Elder Sister, she might have accomplices waiting inside. She couldn’t alert them.

But she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing either.

Jian Suixin composed herself and pushed open the bar’s door.

The bar seemed decent enough. Stepping inside, Jian Suixin found no deafening music or chaotic crowds. The dimly lit interior was filled with soothing melodies, and her tense nerves relaxed slightly.

Scanning the room, she quickly spotted Jun Xizhi.

Jun Xizhi and the woman had found a table and were just placing their orders.

Crouching low, Jian Suixin circled half the bar until she found a spot where she could observe them without being noticed. She settled into her hiding place.

The woman across from Jun Xizhi seemed to be in high spirits, her laughter ringing out cheerfully.

Jian Suixin finally got a clear look at her face: thick eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose, and thin lips—quite attractive.

But even if she looked like an angel descended from heaven, Jian Suixin would still see her as a vile, ugly creature.

Jun Xizhi’s expression seemed much more relaxed than it had been outside the bar, a faint smile playing on her lips as she tilted her head slightly and spoke.

To Jian Suixin, this was clearly a forced smile, a desperate attempt to please someone against her will.

The thought of her Elder Sister’s hidden anguish and helplessness, masked by a facade of cheerfulness, filled Jian Suixin with anger and sorrow.

Her Elder Sister was so beautiful, yet malicious people were always plotting to harm her.

Afraid of being discovered, Jian Suixin couldn’t get too close. She shifted to a more distant spot, continuing her observation from afar.

Jun Xizhi had her back to Jian Suixin, so her expression was hidden. Jian Suixin was certain she couldn’t be happy.

The woman then coaxed Jun Xizhi into drinking two more glasses of wine, her movements overly familiar. Though Jian Suixin couldn’t see Jun Xizhi’s face, her body language betrayed her clear resistance. Yet each time the woman poured another glass, using a mix of flattery and persuasion, Jun Xizhi ultimately drank it.

Watching this, Jian Suixin felt her heart about to explode.

She believed her elder sister wasn’t the type to sell herself for money. But against someone with such wealth and power, who used both coercion and temptation, Jun Xizhi had no leverage to resist directly. She could only feign compliance.

Compounding matters, her sister’s financial situation was precarious. If this woman offered a large sum of money…

Jian Suixin took a deep breath. Absolutely not!

Her sister had just quit her job and must be struggling financially, yet she always acted as if money were no object in front of Jian Suixin.

Jian Suixin bit her lower lip hard. So all those carefree appearances had been a facade.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Just as she was about to rush over and drag Jun Xizhi away, the woman suddenly moved.

She patted Jun Xizhi’s shoulder, whispered something in her ear, and stood up to leave.

It seemed she was heading toward the restroom.

Jian Suixin’s eyes lit up. An opportunity!

But before she could move, someone else had already approached her sister, holding a glass of wine. He smiled and said something to her.

Jian Suixin was taken aback. Does Elder Sister know someone at this bar?

She watched as Elder Sister shook her head, saying something that clearly conveyed rejection. The person looked disappointed and turned away.

Realizing what had happened, Jian Suixin understood that Elder Sister had just been hit on.

Looking around, she noticed several other men and women glancing at Jun Xizhi, seemingly hesitating whether to approach her.

Jian Suixin’s thoughts drifted for a moment. Elder Sister really is popular everywhere she goes.

With that thought, she wasted no time and hurried over to Jun Xizhi’s side.

Elder Sister was staring down at her wine glass, lost in thought. Sensing someone beside her, Jun Xizhi preemptively said, “I’m sorry, I have an appointment.”

Jian Suixin smiled slightly, feeling her mood lighten after speaking to Elder Sister.

A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she withdrew her intended words and instead asked with a smile, “Would you mind if I cut in line?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Jun Xizhi looked up in surprise, her gaze meeting Jian Suixin’s.

The indifference in Jun Xizhi’s eyes instantly melted into a pool of tenderness. “Xiao Jian, what are you doing here?”

Having been plied with drinks earlier, Jun Xizhi’s cheeks were flushed crimson. Though she looked undeniably beautiful, Jian Suixin felt only a pang of heartache.

Without further ado, Jian Suixin said, “I just happened to be passing by and saw you, so I came over to check on you.”

“Elder Sister, come with me quickly! I have something very important to tell you.”

Jun Xizhi froze, instinctively glancing in the direction the woman had left. “But what about…”

Jian Suixin’s heart tightened. Elder Sister is still afraid of offending her.

“It’s an emergency, Elder Sister! Come with me now!” Without giving Jun Xizhi a chance to refuse, Jian Suixin grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the bar.

Holding Jun Xizhi’s hand, Jian Suixin practically ran all the way to the underground parking garage. The two quickly got into the car and sped away.

During the drive home, Jun Xizhi’s WeChat notification pinged several times, and a phone call came through—likely from the woman at the bar. As Jun Xizhi reached for her phone, Jian Suixin firmly pressed down on her wrist.

“Elder Sister, don’t look. Don’t reply.”

Jun Xizhi wanted to ask what was going on, but Jian Suixin’s resolute demeanor made her assume it must be a dire emergency. She fell silent, settling into the passenger seat.

Finally safe at home, they collapsed onto the living room sofa, letting out sighs of relief. Only then did Jian Suixin truly relax.

Jun Xizhi remained anxious. “What’s this urgent matter?”

Throughout the journey home, Jian Suixin kept wondering what this urgent matter could be. “Elder Sister, go take a bath and get ready for bed. I’ll text you on WeChat.”

Jun Xizhi found Jian Suixin’s behavior tonight strange, but seeing her serious expression, she didn’t press further and returned to her room as instructed.

Thinking about how she had bravely rescued Jun Xizhi tonight, Jian Suixin felt a surge of pride.

Thank goodness I was there.

As her mind calmed, Jian Suixin reviewed the night’s events and felt a wave of lingering fear.

She recalled recent events: the frustrating job change to a position that didn’t suit her, the immense financial pressure she had to pretend to handle with ease, and now, drinking with wealthy women.

Jian Suixin’s heart clenched with each thought, growing more and more pained.

Elder Sister definitely didn’t want me to know, which is why she deliberately kept it from me.

Jian Suixin pressed her lips into a firm line.

No, I can’t let tonight’s events happen again!

After a moment’s hesitation, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to Jun Xizhi.

Jun Xizhi emerged from her bath, ready for bed, and picked up her phone to find two unread WeChat messages.

She smiled. Here comes the “urgent matter.”

But when she opened WeChat, she froze.

The unread message was a transfer from Jian Suixin. The accompanying note read:

Elder Sister! Use this for now! Promise me you won’t see that person again, okay?

Jun Xizhi: ?