SWMSO – Chapter 38

Jiang Sixian, looking exceptionally docile, reminded Jiang Yi of Zhang Tiantian’s comment about her resembling a cat.

Jiang Yi raised her hand, scratched her face as if to cover her awkwardness, and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to bed. Good night.”

Jiang Sixian nodded, looking up at her with a slight smile. “Thank you, Jiang Yi.”

Jiang Yi mumbled a “You’re welcome,” and after Jiang Sixian said good night, she turned and went back to her own room.

After closing the door, Jiang Yi replayed Jiang Sixian’s actions in her mind, and for some reason, the scene felt strangely sentimental. She shuddered at the thought, shaking off this absurd notion, and sat back down at her computer to continue chatting with her friends.

After briefly explaining the situation, Jiang Yi brought up her birthday. “By the way, what are you guys doing on Christmas Day? If you’re free, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

The little monitor readily agreed. “Sounds great! Where are we going?”

Chen Wanzhou also chimed in. “My parents… will probably be at some party that day. I’ll hang out with you guys.”

After they settled on a date, Jiang Yi said, “Okay, I’ll let you know the place later.” She didn’t mention it was her birthday party, just casually arranging a time as a heads-up.

In the following days, Jiang Yi continued pushing Jiang Sixian to lunch. Gradually, many at school assumed they were stepsisters who got along well.

As the weather grew colder, students started wearing down jackets or coats over their uniforms. Soon, it was early December, and Jiang Sixian’s cast was finally removed. Although she still had a slight limp, she could finally walk to lunch on her own.

Seeing her finally recovered, Jiang Yi breathed a sigh of relief. With Jiang Sixian’s foot healed, Jiang Yi no longer accompanied her to lunch. Thus, the “four Alphas dragging one undifferentiated” group reappeared on campus.

In early December, they had another monthly exam. This time, Jiang Yi participated, performing as usual and landing tenth place in her year, surprising quite a few people.

With decent grades, good looks, and having clarified her relationship with Jiang Sixian, Jiang Yi attracted a number of potential suitors.

A few days ago, a girl had even confessed to Jiang Yi, blushing as she handed her a love letter. Jiang Yi, utterly speechless, rejected her on the spot, even adding a disapproving, “At our age, we should focus on our studies. Where do you rank in the year? Liking me is less useful than liking studying.”

Because of this incident, many now knew that if they wanted to pursue the Class B school bully, they had to study hard. If their grades weren’t good, they shouldn’t even think about dating.

Perhaps because of this, even though everyone knew Jiang Sixian was practically Jiang Yi’s older sister, they couldn’t help but ship them.

Not only did their ship not sink, but it became even more popular. These idle high school girls even gave them a ship name, simple and straightforward: “Double Jiang.”

Jiang Yi was filled with complaints, thinking, Why not just call us “Li Shuangjiang”? He’s even an artist! (Note: Li Shuangjiang is a famous Chinese singer. This is a play on words, as his name also contains “Shuang Jiang” (双江), meaning “Double Jiang.”)

Especially the little monitor, the head shipper, who often showed Jiang Yi snippets from the forum, specifically to gauge her reaction.

These snippets were often quite explicit, describing scenarios like Jiang Yi and her older sister living together, the older sister going into heat and doing this and that with Jiang Yi’s hand, or Jiang Yi turning into a wolf on differentiation night and making her older sister scream in bed.

Every time Jiang Yi saw these screenshots, she wanted to beat the little monitor senseless, shake her head, and see what kind of filth was inside.

The second week after the monthly exams, the temperature plummeted.

The last class on Wednesday was a school-wide study hall. The little monitor was called to a student council meeting.

Class B’s study hall discipline was notoriously poor. With the monitor gone, everyone started whispering and chatting.

Jiang Yi, wearing a dark blue duffel coat, sat in the back corner, discussing this with Chen Wanzhou, her voice full of disapproval. “These young people have no sense of boundaries. No morals at all. Obsessed with forbidden love, always shipping impossible couples!”

Chen Wanzhou, scrolling through her phone, looked up at her and chuckled. “What’s so impossible? You and Jiang Sixian aren’t actually sisters. Your mothers aren’t married. Can’t people fantasize a little?”

“Besides, they’re just shipping you. It’s not like they’re bothering you directly. Why are you so worked up?”

Chen Wanzhou put away her phone, turned, leaned on Jiang Yi’s desk, and looked at her with a teasing smile. “Or is it… you have ulterior motives? Are you feeling guilty? Do you mind?”

Jiang Yi stiffened, nervously adjusting her collar. “What ulterior motives could I possibly have? Can’t I be annoyed by being shipped? What’s so great about Jiang Sixian? Why would I want to be associated with her?”

Chen Wanzhou clicked her tongue. “If she’s not so great, why are you so bothered? A few days ago, you even got two portions of lunch, then turned around and asked what ‘Xianxian-jie’ wanted to eat.”

Jiang Yi was momentarily speechless, then glared at Chen Wanzhou. “You talk too much.”

Chen Wanzhou sighed. “I’m not talking too much. You’re the one who keeps calling her ‘Xianxian-jie.’ If you’re so concerned about her, why don’t you just go to Class A and have lunch with her?”

Jiang Yi quickly retorted, “I’m not concerned about her! It’s just habit… I’ve been waiting on her hand and foot for a month; it’s become second nature. Now that her leg is healed, of course I shouldn’t be around her. Otherwise, I’ll be completely trained, and I’ll end up calling her ‘jiejie’ for the rest of my life!”

Chen Wanzhou pushed up her glasses, a knowing smile on her face. “Isn’t she older than you? She is your older sister. But Jiang Yi, are you sure it’s just habit, and not that you miss her? I think you’ve been acting strange these past few days, not being around Jiang Sixian.”

“You seem restless, like someone who hasn’t petted a cat in a while.”

Chen Wanzhou’s analogy was spot on. Jiang Yi froze, speechless. Seeing her silence, Chen Wanzhou leaned closer, asking conspiratorially, “Speaking of which, Jiang Yi, Jiang Sixian is such an outstanding person. You’ve been living together, spending so much time together, haven’t you felt even a little bit attracted to her?”

Jiang Yi retorted, “You’ve lived with your sister for so many years, would you have strange thoughts about her?”

Chen Wanzhou shrugged. “I don’t have a sister, so I don’t know. But Jiang Yi, you’re so imaginative, bringing up such a taboo topic. Could it be… you’ve thought about it?”

Jiang Yi scoffed. “Whether I’ve thought about it or not, you’re really gossipy. You and Lin Yinxi are practically half-sisters, inheriting the gossip gene.”

Chen Wanzhou sighed dramatically. “Perhaps… we’re soulmates.”

Just as they were discussing the little monitor, she suddenly burst back into the classroom.

Holding a roll of poster paper, her face flushed, she appeared at the doorway. The moment she entered, she raised the poster and shouted, “Comrades! Comrades! I have an important announcement! Stop your homework, stop your chatter, and look at the podium!”

After her announcement, she practically leaped onto the podium.

The students below stopped what they were doing and looked up at her. “What’s the big deal, monitor?”

“Yeah, why so dramatic?”

Even Jiang Yi was curious and looked towards the little monitor.

The little monitor leaned on the podium, looking at the students below, her voice brimming with excitement. “Comrades, our New Year’s event has been decided!”

The students below cheered. “Really? What is it? What is it?”

The little monitor raised the poster in her hand and shouted, “A masquerade ball!”

As soon as she announced it, the classroom erupted in cheers.

Soon, the entire third floor, where the sophomore classes were located, was filled with excited chatter.

As a transfer student, this was Jiang Yi’s first time encountering such an event in high school. She turned to Chen Wanzhou, puzzled. “A masquerade ball?”

Chen Wanzhou, still clapping, turned to Jiang Yi and explained, “It’s a school tradition. Every year, the sophomores look forward to it. Our school has many joint activities, and in some ways, encourages… internal relationships… you know what I mean.”

Jiang Yi nodded knowingly.

Compared to the others’ excitement, Jiang Yi was rather indifferent. However, ever since the masquerade ball was announced, the entire sophomore year buzzed with anticipation.

Everywhere on the third floor, you could see girls practicing dance moves.

Hand in hand, some shy, some bold, they practiced their social dances. Jiang Yi watched them, puzzled. “Are high school students this dedicated these days? They even practice dancing?”

The little monitor sighed. “You don’t know. Our school has another tradition. Every year, at the sophomore masquerade ball, the best dancers receive an award. Of course, the award isn’t important. It’s the title of ‘King of the Ball’ that sounds so good.”

Jiang Yi finally understood. The ball was essentially a peacock competition.

As they discussed the ball, Chen Wanzhou suddenly remembered Jiang Yi’s background and turned to her. “By the way, Jiang Yi, do you have a dress for the ball?”

Jiang Yi shook her head. “No, this is my first time attending this kind of event.”

Chen Wanzhou patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I can get you one.”

Jiang Yi declined. “That’s not necessary. I can prepare my own.” After all, knowing Chen Wanzhou, her dress would be even more flamboyant than a peacock’s.

Just then, Jin Duolai remembered something important. “Jiang Yi, can you dance?” If she remembered correctly, Jiang Yi’s previous living situation wasn’t very good. She probably didn’t have many opportunities to learn social etiquette like them.

Jiang Yi was momentarily speechless, then replied, “Well… I can’t.”

The little monitor placed a hand on Jiang Yi’s shoulder, sighing. “Don’t worry, we have a dance queen here. She can teach you.”

The little monitor pointed at Chen Wanzhou. Chen Wanzhou straightened up, cleared her throat dramatically, and bowed theatrically. “At your service, my princess.”

Jiang Yi shuddered at her theatrics and looked skeptically at the little monitor. “Are you sure there’s enough time to learn?”

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