Chapter 88: Chapter 88: How many are there in total?
What the fuck.
Xia Liang had lost count of how many times he had sworn today.
Luu Qi, however, continued her monologue.
"Getting a car from one, and now a house from another! First Qin Jie, now this one. Not bad!"
As she spoke, Luu Qi patted Xia Liang on the shoulder.
"Cousin, you’re amazing! That Qin Jie was a real beauty, so I bet this new one is just as stunning."
"Hmph!"
Forcibly restraining the urge to smack her, Xia Liang took a long, deep breath.
"First of all, I’m not being kept by anyone. That house is mine; she’s just living in it."
Xia Liang had assumed Luu Qi would focus on the fact that he owned the house, but she didn’t seem to care about that at all.
"So you’re hiding a beauty in your golden nest! Cousin, you’re incredible!"
Luu Qi gave him another thumbs-up.
"Forget it. I’m not going to argue with you."
Xia Liang said no more, driving toward Xi Yiqian’s place.
Along the way, Luu Qi kept pestering him with questions about Xi Yiqian, completely unbothered by his apparent philandering.
This allowed Xia Liang to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
He had genuinely been afraid Luu Qi would go snitching to his mother, the Empress Dowager.
That scene...
Xia Liang shuddered at the thought.
During the drive, Xia Liang told Luu Qi quite a bit about Xi Yiqian, which Luu Qi found fascinating.
"There are still girls like that these days? I have to meet her."
"Mhm."
Xia Liang nodded at her reaction but still felt the need to add a word of caution.
"Just remember, don’t tease her when we see her. She has a very gentle personality."
"Ooh~"
Seeing Xia Liang act like this, Luu Qi felt a pang of jealousy. In all the years they had known each other, she had never heard him be so protective of anyone.
"You haven’t even made it official yet and you’re already this protective? Looks like my cousin is completely smitten with this ’little sister-in-law’ of mine."
Xia Liang stopped the car and pinched Luu Qi’s cheek.
"What’s there to be jealous about? All right, we’re here. Get out."
With that, Xia Liang unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. Luu Qi followed right behind him.
Looking at the residential complex in front of them, Luu Qi blinked.
"Which floor?"
"Enough with the questions. Just follow me."
Patting Luu Qi on the head, Xia Liang walked into the building.
It wasn’t until they were in the elevator that something suddenly dawned on Luu Qi. She stared at Xia Liang, her mouth agape.
"Wait, did you say you bought this apartment?"
Seeing her expression, Xia Liang just nodded calmly. A little late to be shocked now, isn’t it? He had considered explaining, but he no longer had the inclination.
"But Cousin! An apartment here must cost a fortune, right? It’s worth way more than that other sister-in-law’s BMW."
"Mhm," Xia Liang nodded again.
Luu Qi grew anxious.
"Cousin? Where did you get so much money?"
"I earned it."
Luu Qi stomped her foot in frustration at his indifferent expression, but her annoyance quickly faded.
Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll just stick to you from now on. I’m bound to find out sooner or later.
With that thought, her mood brightened considerably.
Just as they arrived at the apartment door and Xia Liang was about to use his key, his phone suddenly rang.
That familiar number... Zhou Ruo?
He glanced at Luu Qi, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression. He answered the call.
"Hello, my love. Are you coming back tonight?"
Even though the phone wasn’t on speaker, the corridor was so quiet that Luu Qi heard it clearly.
That... that wasn’t Qin Jie’s voice, was it? Could it be my ’little sister-in-law’? No, that’s not right... Cousin said she was very shy. Besides, they haven’t made their relationship official, so how could she call him ’my love’ so sweetly? He’s standing right outside the door, so he can’t be talking to the person inside. Which means... in addition to the two I already know about, a third one has just appeared! My cousin... he’s a true Sea King!
Luu Qi couldn’t help but feel a thrill. Beyond her surprise, there was a growing sense of secret joy. If Xia Liang has so many women around him, he probably wouldn’t mind adding me to the list.
Thinking this, she felt a sweet satisfaction in her heart as she watched Xia Liang chat on the phone.
Ten minutes later, Xia Liang finally hung up.
Luu Qi immediately sidled up to him.
"Third sister-in-law?"
Xia Liang nodded calmly and gave her a warning.
"Remember what I said. Watch your words."
Luu Qi gave him a sharp salute.
"Don’t worry! I’ll personally guard my big bro’s harem."
"Mhm."
Only then did Xia Liang nod in satisfaction, patting her shoulder.
"I’m counting on you."
After saying this, he took out his key to open the door.
However, Xia Liang didn’t know that Luu Qi was watching his back with a sneaky grin, muttering to herself.
To guard the harem, I have to be *in* the harem, right? Cousin, you’re the one who agreed to this!
At that moment, Xia Liang opened the door.
The apartment was pitch-dark.
Is she asleep? Xia Liang wondered.
Just then, a faint voice came from within the room.
"Who... is it?"
A small, slender figure emerged, slowly walking out while clutching a broom. It was Xi Yiqian. She had obviously heard the noise and mustered the courage to investigate. The fear on her face showed just how scared she was.
Xia Liang couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
"Silly girl, it’s me."
"Huh?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Xi Yiqian’s expression turned to one of surprise.
"Xia Liang? Is that you?"
"Yes."
Xia Liang switched on the lights.
Seeing his familiar face, Xi Yiqian broke into a brilliant smile, the delight in her voice impossible to hide.
"Why are you here?"
"What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to come?"
"No, no, no!" Xi Yiqian hurriedly shook her head, trying to explain herself.
She’s such a simple soul.
Xia Liang couldn’t help but shake his head as he walked inside.
Luu Qi followed behind him, and upon seeing Xi Yiqian’s face, she let out a gasp.
"She’s so damn beautiful!"
Xia Liang winced. Still, it was better than her immediately calling the poor girl "little sister-in-law." If Luu Qi had acted the way she had with Qin Shiya, Xi Yiqian would probably have fainted from embarrassment.
In contrast to Luu Qi’s surprise, Xi Yiqian’s smile froze when she saw the other girl. She silently put the broom away and started to head back to her room, intending to leave the two of them alone.
Knowing Xi Yiqian’s personality, Xia Liang instantly understood that she was jealous, but he chose not to explain. He just looked over at Luu Qi.
Witnessing Xi Yiqian’s reaction, Luu Qi’s jaw dropped.
So girls like this really do exist? At first, I thought my cousin was exaggerating, but I didn’t expect it to be true. The man she likes brings another woman home, and instead of exploding like any other girl would, this ’second sister-in-law’ of mine doesn’t even ask a single question. She just quietly tries to disappear into her room... She’s just... so painfully naive it’s heartbreaking. I’ll have to take good care of her from now on.
With this resolve, Luu Qi hurried over to her.
"You must be Sister Yiqian, right?"