Chapter 17: The Refined Sister-in-Law × The Beautiful, Delicate Invalid

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Unfortunately, pressing against Xin Yi’s delicate eyebrows, he restrained himself and traced her lips with his fingertips for a long while, yet never dared to kiss her.

In the end, he obediently carried her to the bed, carefully removed her embroidered shoes and silk socks, tucked her in gently beneath the covers, and only after watching her for a long moment did he leave.

Xin Yi, outwardly a fragile and enchanting beauty, cursed inwardly: What kind of show is this? Not even a kiss!

Once the door closed, the candle flickered and snapped, and she stopped pretending, opening her eyes, her face flushed with anger.

The system, seeing her about to burst like a pufferfish, quipped sarcastically from the side: “Who told you to fake being drunk so early? If you’d flirted a little more, wouldn’t he have kissed you?”

Xin Yi gritted her teeth: “Didn’t you say my current maiden persona should be more reserved? I closed my eyes hoping he’d steal a kiss.”

Yet, he had almost swollen her lips with his touch, and his burning gaze clung to her like a spider’s web, yet he still managed to hold back.

No, she needed a plan—she must be kissed next time.

She had to keep raising his favorability; their relationship must deepen. Relying solely on Shen Rujie’s one-sided fantasies wouldn’t bring their favor to one hundred percent.

At the crucial moment, to provoke Shen Rujie, even that wretched Shen Gui would have to be dragged out and used as a catalyst for their relationship.

The system, unsure of her intentions, asked suspiciously, “Host, you don’t really like Shen Rujie, do you? Remember, your duty is to complete the conquest mission, not to fall in love. Once we finish, we leave. Don’t mess up.”

It had seen hosts who got love-struck, some throwing tantrums and refusing to leave, clinging to the small world to be sweet with the male lead, causing the mission to fail and dragging it down too.

After a brief moment of frustration and reflection, Xin Yi calmed herself.

Hearing its warning, she didn’t overreact but smiled coolly, “Shen Rujie? Of course I like him.”

To be fair, the young man was quite likable. Aside from being hard to approach at first, he hadn’t done anything to lower her favor.

She didn’t reject kissing him or even more intimate contact.

The system’s head hurt; sure enough, its worst fears were coming true! Just as it was about to advise her to turn back and remember the virtual world wasn’t real…

Xin Yi continued, “Who doesn’t like a handsome boy? It’s normal to admire the youth. If the next world has a handsome man too, I’d definitely like him again.”

She paused slightly, then changed tone, “Besides, didn’t you make me take the emotional suppressant early? Why worry? Everyone in the Time Bureau knows the rule: just use the body, don’t involve the heart.”

She, with no grand ambitions and only wanting to earn money and slack off, understood this perfectly: flirt with the villain, sleep with him, max out favorability, then run away.

Hmm… the second phase was about to begin.

Shen Rujie, this beautiful sickly little dog, looked rather easy to fall asleep on.

*

Half a month passed, and Xin Yi’s health gradually improved; she no longer needed medicine.

Even without A Ying accompanying her, she could go out for walks.

She had specially invited Shen Rujie.

She wanted him to accompany her strolling around the capital; the excuse was easy to make up: “I’ve been cooped up too long, want to see some bustle,” or “A Ying nags too much, I don’t want to listen,” and he would certainly agree.

Shen Rujie was indeed punctual… no, he arrived a quarter of an hour early to pick her up.

Xin Yi had long finished her grooming by the maid and, upon seeing him, set down her teacup and stepped out with him.

At the carriage, she deliberately lifted her almond eyes to look at him, feigning weakness in a shy voice, “I… can’t get up.”

No sooner had she spoken than the young man scooped her up horizontally. Her hair nestled obediently against his chest, her body soft and limber as if without bones.

The gentle fragrance of medicinal herbs mixed with Xin Yi’s floral scent intertwined with the crisp pine scent on him, making the young man’s throat dry, “I’ll carry Xin Yi up.”

He no longer called her “Sister-in-law,” but by her name, Xin Yi.

Sometimes, when they went out together, he’d tease her with the fabric shop owner’s nickname, “Miss Xin Yi.”

They first went to the fabric shop.

Xin Yi had plenty of idle silver coins, some from her dowry, some recently insisted upon by Shen Rujie. She feigned surprise, pushing them away, “Where did you get so much silver, Ah Jie?”

Without looking at her, the youth turned his face away, blushing, saying he had saved it and would save more, all for Xin Yi.

As long as she was willing to keep a lamp and a sleeping mat for him in the house.

Xin Yi pretended to hesitate for a moment, then reluctantly accepted.

She liked buying fabrics to make clothes and bought fabrics for him too. If she ate something delicious, she habitually saved some for him. In a way, it was a reciprocal exchange.

Today, however, was particularly unlucky.

At the fabric shop, they unexpectedly ran into a woman—Zheng Wu, now taken into the Marquis’s residence by Shen Gui and with a wedding date arranged.

She was there with her maid choosing wedding fabrics.

After examining a few bolts, she looked up and saw the young man from the Marquis’s residence, handsome but aloof.

Zheng Wu first saw Shen Rujie in mid-last month at the residence.

She had never seen such pale, handsome youth; even Shen Gui seemed rougher compared to him, especially those narrow, phoenix-like eyes that glanced at her face for a long moment, making Zheng Wu blush.

Of course, she didn’t know he wasn’t attracted to her looks.

He was coldly scrutinizing this woman before him, wondering how she could compare to Xin Yi and why Shen Gui, despite having wives at home, couldn’t control his lust.

They had no real connection but happened to meet outside the residence.

As his new sister-in-law-to-be, Zheng Wu intended to greet him.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing her approach, his brow furrowed with disgust as if seeing a plague, his eyes flashing a faint threat.

He reached out, grasping the arm of the woman beside him, seemingly to shield her behind himself.

Zheng Wu then noticed the woman by his side, her face stunningly beautiful like spring snow, dark eyes like water, lips vermilion, dressed in a floor-length blue robe with a simple white cloak at the neckline, smiling brightly as she spoke to the youth—one glance that made hearts melt.

She had never seen the sickly wife Shen Gui mentioned, naturally unaware this was Xin Yi.

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Only vaguely guessing this was likely the woman Shen Rujie favored, the one he trusted and showed such strange, tense expressions for.

Xin Yi seemed unaware of the awkwardness, tugging at the youth’s sleeve with a teasing tone, “Ah Jie, what are you doing? You’re blocking my view of those two fabrics—I haven’t even chosen which to order!”

But the youth refused to move, making Xin Yi sense something was wrong.

She pursed her lips and gently freed her hand from his grasp, then saw Zheng Wu, accompanied by a maid, choosing wedding fabrics.

Zheng Wu met her gaze, studied her a moment, nodded politely with a smile, but seemed afraid of the youth’s dark, sharp gaze and quietly stepped away.

Xin Yi knew exactly who she was; she had secretly visited the manor outside the capital to see Shen Gui’s concubine.

Her eyelashes fluttered down, her face pale. Though dazed and unsteady, she forced a faint smile.

She looked up at Shen Rujie, eyes slightly reddened, more out of panic seeking distraction, “Ah Jie, which of these two fabrics do you think looks better?”

Her attempt to hide grievance was heart-wrenching.

Shen Rujie couldn’t tell whether the pain in his chest was more pity or jealousy.

He held her soft, delicate hand carefully in his palm, fearing to hurt her, his voice hoarse, “Both are beautiful, both suit Xin Yi.”

The system clicked its tongue admiringly, “Host, you’re quite clever, arranging to be out when Zheng Wu came to choose fabrics. It really works; Shen Rujie looks like he’s about to die of pity for you.”

Xin Yi thought it was an old fossil with a pig brain.

She smiled lightly, “Pity alone isn’t enough. Too much jealousy leads to offense. Once the emotional wound is torn open, it’s impossible to hide.”

The fabric shop was vast, with countless patterns dazzling the eye.

Zheng Wu, supported by her maid, reached the back where, besides many red silks and satins, a few bolts of blue gauze with red silk hung from wooden stakes like a faint screen.

Suddenly, her fingers stiffened at the fabric’s pattern.

From behind the curtain came a pale, pitiful female voice, weak and hesitant, “Ah Jie, my chest feels tight, please press it for me…”

Not just Zheng Wu, even the nearby maid’s cheeks flushed.

She expected Shen Rujie, never tender, to refuse flatly, but after a brief silence, the faint rustling of fabric was heard.

The youth seemed to restrain himself, but his hoarse voice said, “Like this, is it better?”

Behind the silk curtain, Shen Rujie’s face was almost crimson, but he hesitated, then bent his hand to gently stroke her chest through the skirt.

He stifled his quickened breath, cursing Zheng Wu and Shen Gui. It was their fault! If they hadn’t insisted on choosing wedding fabrics today, Xin Yi wouldn’t be so upset!

Zheng Wu and the maid, stunned outside the curtain, soon recovered and, cheeks burning, hurried away.

Fortunately, after leaving the fabric shop, Shen Gui soon arrived from the street.

Zheng Wu’s beauty was evident, and her slightly swollen belly showed she was pregnant, no longer as slender as two months ago.

Shen Gui hurried over, carefully supporting her, speaking with affectionate reproach, “It’s so cold; why are you waiting outside, Ah Wu?”

Seeing her beloved man worried, Zheng Wu smiled sweetly, teasingly stuck out her tongue, “The Marquis insisted the maid dress me warmly; how could I feel cold?”

“We’ve been walking so long, I’m a bit hungry; let’s go to the teahouse ahead to eat.”

Shen Gui naturally agreed.

Meanwhile, the smiling waiter led the new guests to the next private room in the teahouse.

This was the capital’s finest teahouse, where dishes and drinks were expensive, with panoramic views.

By the window was a table beside two spacious low couches, overlooking the distant lantern-lit rooftops.

Shen Rujie first helped Xin Yi sit at the table, then rose to close the window.

He feared the night wind might cause a cold; he didn’t mind, but Xin Yi couldn’t risk it.

The woman before him had removed her cloak, wearing a floor-length blue robe, sitting at the table.

She seemed a little gloomy, reaching for a slender silver-handled tool to stir the incense ashes in the brazier, scattering a perfect hibiscus flower, lowering her eyes, lips slightly pursed.

Unintentionally coquettish, irresistibly endearing.

Shen Rujie’s heart softened, and he nearly smiled. After watching her a moment, he fetched a wet cloth from a copper basin to wipe her hands.

His movements gentle, voice coaxing, “Dinner’s soon. If you want to play more, wait until after.”

Xin Yi looked at him smiling, but in her heart thought: Not this game later, the next one is you.

The system wanted to cover its ears to protect its innocent soul, “Weren’t you supposed to be a pure little green tea? Host, have you learned bad habits from those mischievous older sisters next door?”

Xin Yi, unhappy to hear it badmouth those around her, retorted, “Our Time Bureau sisters all love each other. You blockhead, what do you know?”

Finishing, she lost interest in the system and instead adopted a fragile, lonely expression, speaking to the youth, “Ah Jie, I want to drink.”

“The osmanthus wine last time wasn’t enough; I want something stronger.”

The window lattice was slightly open, bringing in the coolness of moonlight, cold stars, and distant city lights.

Silence drifted in, mingling with the scent of wine.

One incense stick passed, then two, then three…

The wine cups on the table lay askew; Xin Yi, murmuring about finishing half a jar of daughter’s red wine, was already thoroughly drunk.

She rose from the low couch, swaying slightly, leaning on the table to stand, but collapsed into Shen Rujie’s arms.

Settling down, she smiled, looking up at him, extending slender, pale arms to hug his neck; the scent of wine mixed with her feminine fragrance drifted to his nose.

“A Ying, comb my hair…”

She was treating him like a maid.

Shen Rujie’s palm rested on her waist; perhaps the closed room was too warm, a faint sweat appeared on his elegant brow. Still, as she wished, he used his fingers as a comb to smooth her flowing black hair.

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Not just combing; he washed her hands, massaged her shoulders, and finally…

He even helped her change clothes.

Under the flickering light, her flushed, drunken face appeared soft and boneless as she sat on the low couch, looking at him with dark, moist eyes like a quiet lake after an early spring snow.

Shen Rujie’s Adam’s apple twitched, recalling the maids’ whispered words: “The madam wore a blue gauze robe, with rouge on her lips, like a small Guanyin statue.”

“That look made me swoon; the marquis kept glancing at her during meals.”

So…

When she went to dine with Shen Gui, was she dressed like this?

Had Shen Gui seen her like this?

Had she ever clung to him with flushed cheeks, coaxing him to comb her hair and change her clothes?

Perhaps even more—calling him “husband” with shy eyes, enduring whatever treatment or humiliation because he was her husband, and such things were permissible.

Jealousy reddened Shen Rujie’s phoenix eyes; he nearly couldn’t breathe.

So he reached up, caressing the woman’s upturned face in his arms, smiling faintly at her drunken, hazy almond eyes, “Xin Yi, call me husband.”

The woman shivered at his cold fingertips but didn’t pull away, her voice confused and helpless, “Hu… husband.”

Suddenly, he bent down, unable to resist, kissing her lips.

He swallowed all her fragile sobs between his teeth, massaged her slender shoulders, parted her lips, perhaps kissing too fiercely and urgently, making faint wet sounds.

Their tongues tangled, their sobs and breaths mingled.

He didn’t know when her tied robe had loosened, pearl hair ornaments fallen by the couch, and his cold fingers pressed anywhere causing shivers...

Just as things threatened to spiral further, the door suddenly opened, followed by stumbling footsteps and a panicked whisper.

Shen Rujie reluctantly parted his lips, looking up.

It was Zheng Wu.

She had gone to the restroom in the private room and, on returning, accidentally opened the wrong door, witnessing such a scandalous scene.

The handsome youth lay softly on the woman’s shoulder, breathing gently like an unfulfilled lover.

Zheng Wu froze, shocked that the cold, dark-clad youth she first met at the residence could be so entangled.

Especially as she pushed open the door, the youth noticed the noise, pulling the woman into his chest.

He lifted her loose robe to cover her bare shoulder, breathing heavily, glaring irritably with sharp eyes…

Zheng Wu could hardly believe her eyes.

She quickly reacted, stumbling back two steps, cheeks blazing, then fled in a flurry.

Back in her private room, Shen Gui noticed her odd demeanor, worriedly frowning, “Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so red?”

Recalling the scene, Zheng Wu’s face flushed deeper, eyelashes trembling.

She didn’t say anything.

She wanted to ask if the second young master had another woman, but knowing how Shen Gui hated mention of his younger brother to the point of rage, she only smiled and changed the subject, “Maybe the stove was too hot, and my clothes too thick. It’s nothing.”

Shen Gui nodded and didn’t press further.

His mind was troubled lately, often distracted, thinking of the ungrateful woman who took the divorce papers and left the residence. Even with Ah Wu, he couldn’t help it.

At this moment, he not only thought of Xin Yi’s face but seemed to hear her faint sob, coquettish and helpless, as if nearby.

He quickly frowned, shaking his head to stop his wild thoughts.

Smoke curled from the brazier, just a wall away.

On the low couch, the woman’s dress and the youth’s dark robe were disheveled; the creases at the cuff showed how long they had kissed.

After the door closed again, Shen Rujie briefly sobered.

He looked at the soft, boneless woman beneath him, her coquettish gaze silkily sleepy, her robe loose, lips swollen and glossy, suddenly realizing what he had done.

But he only lost himself for a moment before laughing softly against her neck.

Not loosening her clothes, he held her tighter, voice sticky and obsessed, “Xin Yi, you and I should have done this long ago.”

Why couldn’t it be him?

He was more loyal than Shen Gui.

The drunken woman in his arms naturally didn’t understand his reckless words.

She only heard his seductions at her ear, shamelessly, “Am I pretty, Xin Yi?”

She seemed slow-witted, thinking for a moment, then nodded blankly, “...Pretty.”

“Then let’s kiss a little longer, shall we?”

The youth bit her neck, quickly turning to wet pecks, his red, sickly eyes, “Just like before, okay? I promise no one will know.”

Xin Yi, pretending to be drunk but lips aching, silently thought:

Go away.