Chapter 110 - Isn't Calling Her Sister Better?

Soon, after Bai Yuerou knocked a few times on the villa’s door, Xu Jingwen, dressed in casual home attire, quickly ran over to open the door for the two of them. With a cheerful smile, she welcomed them inside. Seeing him carrying gifts, she playfully scolded, “You child, why are you bringing things when visiting your aunt’s house? It’s too formal.”

“Hello, Aunt. I wasn’t sure what you might need, so I just bought a little something for you and Uncle. This is Ejiao cake¹, said to be good for blood circulation and beauty.” Tang Huaijin smiled as he placed the gifts on a nearby table and continued, “But it seems you don’t really need it. I’m afraid people might mistake you and Yuerou for sisters when you go out.”

Xu Jingwen was amused, covering her mouth as she laughed, “Such a sweet talker. I’m not as young as you say.”

“You’re too modest.” Tang Huaijin chuckled, following Xu Jingwen into the living room.

Bai Renli was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, looking quite focused, but his peripheral vision was constantly on this side, noticing how his wife was almost laughing flowers. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Tang Huaijin glanced at Bai Renli and politely said, “Good afternoon, Uncle.”

Only then did Bai Renli slowly put down the newspaper, sip his tea, and softly say, “Hmm, sit down.”

Although Bai Renli seemed quite afraid of his wife, it must be said that Tang Huaijin’s nominal father-in-law still had a strong presence. Seeing that he wasn’t being difficult, Tang Huaijin felt relieved and sat down on the sofa.

Bai Yuerou, with a slightly flushed face, sat next to Tang Huaijin on the sofa. Although she was at her own home, she appeared somewhat reserved.

Xu Jingwen smiled as she observed the young couple on the sofa for a while, then suddenly clapped her hands as if she remembered something. She turned to the upstairs and called, “Jingxi, come down quickly, Jin is here.”

Then she looked at Tang Huaijin and smiled, “Jingxi is my eldest daughter. She heard her sister was dating and came back from Jingdu especially.”

Tang Huaijin smiled awkwardly and nodded gently, not saying anything.

Soon, a girl with a figure very similar to Bai Yuerou’s came down from the second floor. During this time, Bai Jingxi had already removed her makeup, revealing a face that bore a seven or eight-point resemblance to Bai Yuerou’s bare face. Her nose and mouth shape were extremely similar, with the only difference possibly being her eyes.

Bai Yuerou had almond-shaped eyes, not so narrow at the corners, roughly round in shape, appearing lively and spirited.

But Bai Jingxi’s eyes were extremely rare fox-like eyes, with corners that tilted upwards, possessing a seductive allure, stunning at first glance.

The two had very different temperaments as well. Bai Yuerou had the gentle elegance of a Jiangnan woman, her smile extremely tender, giving a sense of inner peace.

While Bai Jingxi also loved to smile, her face similarly had sweet dimples, but her smile was somewhat playful, her captivating narrow fox-like eyes slightly squinted as she carefully observed Tang Huaijin, as if completely forgetting what had just happened, she laughed, “So you’re Tang Huaijin, my sister’s boyfriend?”

Tang Huaijin felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze, but in front of Yuerou’s parents, he couldn’t ignore her, forcing a smile and softly said, “Yes.”

Bai Yuerou understood Tang Huaijin’s nature and didn’t want him to feel wronged, so she quickly introduced, “Jin, this is my sister, Bai Jingxi, she used to be in Jingdu doing…”

Before she could finish, Bai Jingxi interrupted with a smile, “I was in Jingdu studying with a professor. Hearing my beloved sister found a boyfriend, as her elder sister, I naturally had to come back.”

Bai Yuerou glanced at her sister strangely but didn’t think much of it. Bai Jingxi was indeed studying under a psychology master, so it wasn’t incorrect to say that.

Tang Huaijin nodded and smiled, “Nice to meet you, Jingxi-Jie.”

This was his way of indicating he wouldn’t dwell on the previous incident. Bai Jingxi nodded, giving him an approving look.

Xu Jingwen cheerfully sat beside her husband, hearing this, she laughed, “Why call her Jingxi-Jie? Just call her sister, Jingxi has always been very fond of Yuerou.”

Bai Yuerou’s face turned a bit red, she playfully protested, “Mom~”

Bai Jingxi smiled noncommittally, her gaze playfully fixed on Tang Huaijin, seemingly waiting for him to speak.

Tang Huaijin merely smiled slightly without saying anything. In his heart, the only person he willingly called sister was always Tang Yaoyao.

Afraid the atmosphere might turn awkward, Bai Yuerou quickly pulled her mother’s arm and acted coyly, “Mom, is dinner ready? I’m hungry.”

Xu Jingwen affectionately pinched Bai Yuerou’s cheek, teasingly said, “Already got a boyfriend, yet still loves to act spoiled with mom.”

“Alright, alright, let’s eat.”

After speaking, fearing her daughter might be too embarrassed, she quickly stood up, glanced at her husband, and lightly snorted, “Bai, come with me.”

Bai Renli helplessly shook his head, put down the teacup, and stood up to follow his wife.

Seeing this, Tang Huaijin quickly stood up and said, “Aunt, let me help, let Uncle sit.”

Xu Jingwen waved her hand with a smile, “It’s your first visit, how can I let you do this? Just sit.”

After speaking, she exchanged a glance with Bai Jingxi and said, “Jingxi, you haven’t been home for a while, chat with your sister and Jin.”

Bai Jingxi nodded with a smile, watching her parents head to the kitchen before retracting her gaze. She glanced at her sister, who seemed as if facing a great enemy, and chuckled softly, “Alright, don’t look at me like that, I won’t ask anything.”

With their parents absent, Bai Yuerou no longer bothered to pretend with her sister, squinting at her sister, she coldly laughed, “I’m warning you, Bai Jingxi, don’t ask my boyfriend anything, my affairs have nothing to do with you.”

Bai Jingxi’s expression turned innocent, “I already know what I need to know, what’s there to ask?”

Hearing this, Bai Yuerou gritted her teeth, subconsciously tightened her grip on Tang Huaijin’s hand, and after a moment of silence, she said, “Sis, don’t say anything random to mom and dad, okay?”

Hearing her call her ‘sis’ for the first time, Bai Jingxi’s face didn’t show happiness, instead, she frowned, glanced at Bai Yuerou, seemingly wanting to ask something, but refrained due to Tang Huaijin’s presence.

Seeing her silent, Bai Yuerou couldn’t discern her attitude, appearing somewhat frustrated.

Tang Huaijin was puzzled. Honestly, he couldn’t quite understand what the two sisters were talking about, but seeing Bai Yuerou’s seemingly unhappy expression, he hesitated for a moment, gently interlaced his fingers with Bai Yuerou’s, holding her hand and softly caressed her delicate white hand as if comforting her.

Bai Yuerou felt his hand’s movement, glanced at him, saw the hint of tenderness in his eyes, her mood eased a bit, she softly smiled at him, resting her head lightly on his shoulder.

Bai Jingxi said nothing, squinting at their interaction, her eyebrows furrowing deeper.

Soon, Xu Jingwen and Bai Renli brought the dishes to the dining table, inviting everyone to eat.

After everyone sat down, Xu Jingwen discreetly glanced at her daughter, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry. Bai Jingxi’s furrowed brows relaxed, she nodded slightly at her mother.

Xu Jingwen’s face immediately showed a smile, looking at Tang Huaijin with even more satisfaction, she cheerfully said, “Jin, can you drink? Have a few drinks with your uncle.”

Tang Huaijin smiled, “Not bad, I’ve had a few drinks with my father before.”

Bai Renli didn’t say much, he picked up the bottle and poured Tang Huaijin a drink, seeing him quickly hold the cup, his expression slightly softened.

Tang Huaijin understood the meaning behind this drink, silently sighed in his heart, raised the filled cup, stood up, and said, “Uncle, I toast to you.”

He lightly touched the rim of his cup to Bai Renli’s cup bottom, downed the drink in one go, the burning sensation in his throat made him slightly uncomfortable, but when a father-in-law pours a drink for a son-in-law, how could he refuse?

Seeing Tang Huaijin finish the drink in one go, Bai Renli’s eyes filled with appreciation, he nodded slightly, and also finished his drink.

Jizhou City is a place where people drink the most white liquor, the folk customs are quite simple, and people with good drinking habits and capacity easily gain favor.

Tang Huaijin saw this father-in-law leisurely squinting after drinking, he was immediately impressed, although his drinking capacity was decent, he was definitely not Bai Renli’s match.

Seeing her husband’s expression, Xu Jingwen smiled proudly, quickly picked up chopsticks and served her good son-in-law some food, laughing, “Alright, you two take it slow, eat some food first, these are cola chicken wings I made, try them.”

Tang Huaijin nodded with a smile, picked up the chicken wings and ate them, expressing admiration, “Delicious, Aunt, your cooking is amazing.”

These words made Xu Jingwen beam with joy, she laughed, “Yuerou can make this dish too, in the future, let her make it for you.”

Bai Yuerou blushed again, stealing glances at Tang Huaijin, but didn’t scold her mother.

Bai Jingxi listened quietly, eating her meal with a faintly mocking smile at the corner of her mouth.

Footnote:

1. Ejiao Cake(阿胶糕): A traditional Chinese health snack or confection made primarily with Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ejiao is highly valued for its purported benefits in nourishing blood, improving circulation, and enhancing complexion/beauty.