Chapter 293: Melodrama~
Yeah, Xia Ling is a relative of Xia Yu! Considering how Jiang Hanhang treated Xia Yu earlier, it’s actually surprising that Xia Ling didn’t step in to give her a piece of her mind!
In that moment, Jiang Hanhang was at a loss and couldn’t figure out what to do, resorting to adorably batting her eyes: “Xiao Ling, I know I was wrong, please don’t hit me, okay?”
Seeing Jiang Hanhang like this, Xia Ling glanced at the stoic Jiang Kekai beside her, then scanned the crowd who were all sneaking glances their way. With a sigh, she had to reluctantly let Jiang Hanhang off the hook: “We’ll deal with this when we get home tonight.”
“I swear I’ll never make this kind of mistake again!” Jiang Hanhang promised earnestly.
As for tonight’s events… Well, she and Xia Ling had tussled in bed plenty of times. This time was probably not much different; she wasn’t too concerned. Cuddled up by Jiang Kekai, Xia Yu started to feel a little warm. She recalled Sister Little Ning mentioning something about heating in this place… Not just her, even Jiang Kekai, who sat for a bit after entering, started feeling a bit hot. She took off her thick coat first and then turned to Little Cutie Xia Yu, asking with concern: “Are you warm? If you are, you can throw off some of those layers, or it’ll be awkward when it’s time to eat.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Following Jiang Kekai’s lead, Xia Yu also shed her thick, warm coat and felt a lot more comfortable right away. The stuffy feeling disappeared. “Heh, melodrama~” Jiang Dong’s voice broke through the moment. He couldn’t stand to see Xia Yu acting all cutesy in his little sister’s arms. And why? Because he knew all too well this guy used to be a boy!
Yes, knowing all this made him view Xia Yu through tinted glasses, and he just didn’t like her.
At this moment… he could no longer hold back.
Looking at her older brother, Jiang Kekai could hardly believe he’d actually say something so hurtful. She felt she could scold Jiang Hanhang, but she had to treat her brother with some semblance of respect: “Big Brother, what are you saying? Some things shouldn’t just be blurted out!”
“I’m just saying some people really have no self-awareness; they’re not toddlers that need you babysitting them! Is this not melodrama?” Jiang Dong could no longer restrain his frustrations; he needed to let it out. He just couldn’t understand why his genius sister would like someone like this!
What he truly hoped was for his brother to speak nicely and maybe even apologize to Xia Yu, but Jiang Dong’s actions really caught Jiang Kekai off guard: “Bro, how can you be like this?”
“I’m just speaking the truth! Isn’t she just a…”, Jiang Dong paused as he noticed the curious eyes around them, and huffing angrily, he added: “Look, everyone is kind of tuned in; you guys probably see what I’m saying! I simply can’t afford to lose face here.”
Little did he know, these words caught the attention of a few interested ears. They were hoping he would spill everything; wouldn’t that just mean Xia Yu is indeed the surviving experiment?!
Previously, Doctor Y had been on a mad search for Xia Yu, the experimental subject. It was probably this Xia Yu, and they’d all started contacting the outside world… “You…”
Jiang Kekai was fuming at her brother, grabbing Xia Yu’s hand and storming off, with Jiang Hanhang and Xia Ling silently collecting all their clothes and following behind.
Unsurprisingly, Xia Yu’s mood wasn’t great. She felt Jiang Dong had a point; how could she be so clingy to Sister Little Ning? How could she act so cutesy? After all, she used to be a boy!
As they approached the door, the temperature dropped sharply. Jiang Kekai slowed down, taking the clothes from Jiang Hanhang and Xia Ling to drape over both herself and Xia Yu: “Xiao Yu, you mustn’t listen to my brother rambling, okay?”
Looking at Xia Yu’s darker-than-ever face made Jiang Kekai feel worse. She wished she hadn’t brought Xia Yu to such a place. It would’ve been better to head home early.
That’s right; they hadn’t really been in Demon City long. It was time to return. This gathering was supposed to be their last hurrah, and they were scheduled to head back together tomorrow. But Jiang Kekai certainly hadn’t expected such a scene to unfold today. Her heart felt so heavy.
As they returned to the car, Jiang Kekai called her dad: “Dad, I’m taking Xiao Yu, Xiao Ling, and Hanhang home to Peng City now.”
“But didn’t we agree to leave together tomorrow? Did something happen?”
“It’s nothing, Dad, don’t overthink it. I’ll hang up now.”
Feeling somewhat impatient after that announcement, she hung up and shifted her attention to Xia Yu.
Don’t be fooled by Xia Yu’s usually carefree facade; Jiang Kekai knew very well how fragile this little one was. Especially not able to withstand emotional blows, particularly of this kind.
At this moment, she felt like all her efforts over the past six months had gone down the drain. And she was uncertain how to comfort this little cutie so she wouldn’t overthink things. But… that felt impossible.
Right now, Xia Yu stared out the window, a storm of thoughts stirred by Jiang Hanhang and Jiang Dong’s earlier words. She began to question if maybe she was in the wrong? Is there really no difference between her current situation and being a kept person?
Xia Ling, equally clueless on how to cheer Xia Yu up, was no better off. As for Jiang Hanhang, she didn’t dare to speak up, knowing she’d already inadvertently said some hurtful things to Xia Yu before, leaving her feeling guilty.
The atmosphere… made the driver Zhao Wei curious about what had happened. She couldn’t help but wonder if this much awkward silence could be any more uncomfortable!
Finally, Zhao Wei couldn’t hold back her curiosity: “Young Lady, Second Young Lady, what happened? Spill it! Maybe I, the adult, can help ease your troubles.”
Though she said that, it was a private matter, and Jiang Kekai didn’t want too many people in on it: “It’s okay, Sister Zhao Wei, just focus on driving.”
“Sure…”
Since it seemed Jiang Kekai didn’t want to talk, Zhao Wei’s nosy instincts were left unsatisfied, which felt oddly discomforting.
Before long, Zhao Wei drove them back to the Jiang family home: “Young Lady, are you all set to head to the airport? Should I arrange a convoy to escort you there? It’d be safer.”
“No need; a convoy might hit traffic and draw attention. We’ll leave like this, and it’ll be fine.”
“Understood~”
Whatever the Young Lady says goes! Zhao Wei was used to it. To her, even though the Young Lady was young, she was incredibly reliable. She couldn’t help but envy Xia Yu for being taken care of by such a Young Lady.
If she had a Young Lady like that looking after her, she wouldn’t mind a forbidden romance at all! Zhao Wei dreamily thought.
Once they returned to the room with a visibly quiet Xia Yu, Jiang Kekai began packing: “Xiao Yu, is there anything you want to take with you? I’ll help you grab it.”
After some time, Xia Yu finally responded: “Nothing.”
Seeing Xia Yu in such a state, Jiang Kekai felt an ache in her heart. Since they were alone, she pulled Xia Yu into a tight embrace: “Xiao Yu, don’t scare your sister like this, okay? Why do you care what others think? Have I treated you poorly?”
Jiang Kekai’s words made Xia Yu’s eyes warm up, her voice starting to choke: “You’re really kind, but…”
“There are no buts!” Jiang Kekai interrupted Xia Yu’s self-doubt: “I’m good to you now, and it’ll only get better! Xiao Yu, don’t question yourself like this, okay? Just know I won’t leave you.”
“Mm~”
Getting the response she wanted, Jiang Kekai knew that Xia Yu wouldn’t be able to return to her previous self overnight. All she could do was secretly wipe her tears and continue packing up.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Xia Ling and Jiang Hanhang locked the door and, in an assertive move, pushed Jiang Hanhang onto the bed.
This time Jiang Hanhang didn’t resist like before. After all, she knew Xia Yu’s current state had a part to play because of her. If Xia Ling didn’t discipline her, Jiang Hanhang would feel terribly guilty.
Understanding the thoughts swirling in Jiang Hanhang’s head, Xia Ling didn’t hold back. She reached out and pinched Jiang Hanhang’s little face: “You enjoy stirring things up; now you’ve gotten in trouble!”
After some time, seeing Jiang Hanhang’s face plastered with red marks, not retaliating but gazing up at her with teary eyes contemplating her actions, Xia Ling felt a twinge of pity: “Alright, this is a one-time deal, got it?”
“I got it, I got it.”
Hearing Xia Ling’s forgiveness, even though her face hurt, Jiang Hanhang couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. Honestly, for her right now, being forgiven meant everything.
Looking at the silly girl, Xia Ling sighed, turning to fetch some ointment to help Jiang Hanhang.
Though the marks on her face would clear in a couple of days, applying some would surely speed things up. Ultimately, Xia Ling couldn’t help but be soft-hearted towards this silly girl.
Before long, Jiang Hanhang resumed her usual self as if nothing had happened, gazing at the mirror with a pitiful expression: “Xiao Ling, you were too rough! Didn’t you ever think about my feelings?”
Xia Ling shot Jiang Hanhang a sidelong glance: “Hopefully, this will teach you a lesson to think twice before you speak out of line. Now I just hope your sister can help you get better soon, or I’m really afraid my parents will have something to say.”
Mentioning Jiang Kekai suddenly boosted Jiang Hanhang’s confidence. She patted her not-so-developed chest: “Don’t worry! My sister is incredibly capable; she can fix this!”
“Let’s hope so.”
Sighing once more, Xia Ling hadn’t expected this trip to Demon City to end this way, nor could she anticipate how fragile Xia Yu was. They shouldn’t have taken it lightly.
