SWMSO – Chapter 40

Jiang Yi felt it was truly bizarre to be discussing this topic with Jiang Sixian. She coughed lightly, feeling a bit awkward. “If you say so…”

She had no intention of continuing the conversation, so she put on her headphones, lowered her head, and went back to playing her game. Jiang Sixian glanced at her, seeing she was no longer paying attention, and remained silent.

Thus, in silence, they returned home.

Although Jiang Yi hadn’t mentioned the masquerade ball to the adults, Ning Wenying still found out.

That Saturday, Ning Wenying invited a fashion designer to the house, specifically to take Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian’s measurements for custom-made evening gowns and some winter clothes.

At first, Jiang Yi was puzzled, thinking ready-to-wear clothes would be fine. Why bother with custom-made?

When she privately asked Ning Wenying about it, Ning Wenying simply smiled and said, “A proper young lady should have a gown perfectly tailored to her measurements. That’s the best.”

Having grown up in Chengzhong Village, Jiang Yi naturally didn’t understand that, in Jiang Qionghua’s social circle, every aspect of life, from food and clothing to housing and transportation, had strict standards.

Even though Ning Wenying didn’t particularly care about these standards, for Jiang Yi to make a beautiful appearance at her birthday party, she still put in considerable effort.

Besides the birthday gowns, Ning Wenying also ordered custom-made dresses for the masquerade ball.

Before placing the order, Ning Wenying even asked Jiang Yi what kind of style she preferred. Vintage? Modern? Steampunk? Cyberpunk?

Jiang Yi made a rather unusual request: “A steampunk vampire?”

Ning Wenying found it quite interesting and nodded thoughtfully. “Very creative. Auntie will give it a try…”

When Ning Wenying said “give it a try,” Jiang Yi didn’t quite understand what she meant. Later, she learned that Ning Wenying was a designer herself, involved in everything from jewelry design to large-scale event planning, demonstrating impeccable taste and artistic talent.

After finalizing the dress designs on Saturday, Jiang Yi was dragged out by her friends on Sunday. Despite her strong reluctance, she couldn’t resist their enthusiastic invitations and finally relented.

After all, she was a hardcore homebody, spending almost every weekend at home playing games and watching TV.

That day, Ning Wenying happened to be home. Seeing Jiang Yi hurriedly putting on a white down jacket and heading out, she asked curiously, “Xiao Yi, where are you going?”

Jiang Yi zipped up her jacket, looked at Ning Wenying, and said, “I’m going out with some friends.”

Ning Wenying nodded. “Have fun, but remember to come back for dinner. Auntie is cooking tonight. You must come home early.”

Ning Wenying’s reminder, like any mother worried about her child running wild outside, was full of concern. Jiang Yi nodded, went to the entryway to change her shoes, and replied, “Okay, Auntie Ning, I’ll be back before 5:30.”

Ning Wenying smiled at her. “Be good, then. Have fun.”

Jiang Yi gave an OK sign and left.

The moment she left, Jiang Sixian came downstairs, just in time to see Jiang Yi’s retreating figure.

Jiang Sixian turned to Ning Wenying, who was curled up on the sofa in the living room, wrapped in a blanket and scrolling through her tablet. “Mom, Jiang Yi went out? Where did she go?”

Ning Wenying looked up at Jiang Sixian, seeing her walk over, and asked with a smile, “Xianxian, are you curious?”

Jiang Sixian didn’t hide it and nodded directly. “A little. Because Jiang Yi doesn’t usually go out.”

Ning Wenying smiled, pointing out her daughter’s thoughts. “Right? So you find it unusual?”

Jiang Sixian nodded. “Mm.”

Ning Wenying continued scrolling through her tablet, saying casually, “She told me she’s meeting some friends.”

Ning Wenying looked up at her daughter. “By the way, you’re in the class next to Xiao Yi’s. Do you know how she’s getting along with her classmates? Does she have any close friends?”

Jiang Sixian sat down beside Ning Wenying, and Ning Wenying draped the blanket over her, pulling her daughter close.

Jiang Sixian snuggled into her mother’s embrace and, thinking about Jiang Yi, replied softly, “She’s quite popular in her class. Her classmates always crowd around her, it’s quite lively.”

Ning Wenying nodded knowingly. “Ah… so she’s the kind of student who stands out? Just like your Auntie Qionghua, very popular during her youth.”

Jiang Sixian nodded. “Probably… She has a few good friends in her class. Auntie Chen’s daughter… Chen Wanzhou, is quite close to her. They always hang out together, quite a noticeable group.”

Ning Wenying clapped her hands. “So she has a little clique… that’s good. No one will bully her at school.”

Jiang Sixian said somewhat helplessly, “She beat up Song Yi shortly after transferring. She’s so fierce, no one at school would dare provoke her.”

Ning Wenying let out a soft “Eh?” “So, are you saying Xiao Yi has become the school bully?”

Jiang Sixian paused, then said softly, “If you put it that way, Mom, it’s not entirely wrong. Jiang Yi’s group all look rather intimidating.”

Ning Wenying clapped her hands lightly, looking excitedly at her daughter. “So Xiao Yi is quite the cool kid at school! Is she like a campus idol? Does anyone like her?”

“Xiao Yi is such a good child, surely many girls like her.”

Speaking of this, Jiang Sixian hesitated, but still recounted everything truthfully, including the gift-giving incident and how Jiang Yi had awkwardly rejected the confession.

Ning Wenying, listening, couldn’t help but cover her mouth, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Between chuckles, she sighed, “Truly youthful. Young people are so adorable. Xiao Yi is so adorable.”

Jiang Sixian admitted Jiang Yi was adorable, especially when rejecting someone.

Ning Wenying, after laughing, narrowed her eyes and looked at her daughter. “Xianxian, you seem to know quite a bit about Xiao Yi, even though you’re in different classes.”

Jiang Sixian’s earlobes turned slightly red. Trying to remain calm, she said, “Because Jiang Yi attracts attention easily. The school is full of rumors about her. I often hear them.”

Ning Wenying didn’t quite believe her and looked at her daughter meaningfully. “Really?”

Jiang Sixian nodded. “Yes, Mom, that’s how it is.” She paused, then changed the subject. “Jiang Yi said she’s going out to play. It’s probably with her friends. They’re quite close…”

“A few days ago, they were even teasing Jiang Yi, trying to get her to dance.”

Ning Wenying was surprised. “Xiao Yi can dance?”

Jiang Sixian shook her head. “She can’t. Her friends were just teasing her. Jiang Yi has a good temper. As long as you don’t cross any lines, she’s easy to get along with.”

Ning Wenying nodded in agreement. “Because Xiao Yi is a good child.”

Jiang Sixian, having said this, paused, then looked up at her mother and said earnestly, “But Mom… Jiang Yi can’t dance. I think you should teach her.”

“I think many people will ask her to dance at the masquerade ball. It wouldn’t be good to keep refusing everyone.”

Ning Wenying looked intently at Jiang Sixian. “You want me to teach her?”

Jiang Sixian nodded. “Mm. I just feel that she’d only be willing to learn if you taught her. Although it’s not strictly necessary, but… knowing how to dance isn’t a bad thing, right?”

Ning Wenying stared at Jiang Sixian, smiling. “Xianxian… you really care about Xiao Yi. I’ve never seen you so concerned about anyone before, even willing to share your mother.”

Jiang Sixian’s heart skipped a beat. She snuggled into Ning Wenying’s embrace, acting spoiled. “Mom cares about her too…”

Ning Wenying wrapped her arms around her daughter, gently swaying her. “Mom always felt you should have a younger sister like Xiao Yi. Someone with a strong personality, a bit wild, to complement you.”

“That way, Mom would have no regrets.”

Jiang Sixian stiffened, looking up at Ning Wenying. “Mom, are you thinking about my younger sister again?”

Ning Wenying shook her head. “No… I just feel that finding Xiao Yi was truly a wonderful thing.”

Jiang Sixian nodded in agreement. She also felt meeting Jiang Yi was a wonderful thing.

Mother and daughter cuddled on the sofa, chatting idly for a while. Jiang Sixian even watched a movie with Ning Wenying before going upstairs to study.

At 5:20 pm, Jiang Yi returned, right on time.

Ning Wenying was cooking in the kitchen. Following the aroma, Jiang Yi arrived at the kitchen, and before even reaching the door, she took a deep breath and shouted, “It smells so good! Auntie Ning, what are you making?”

Jiang Yi, saying this, leaned against the doorframe, peering into the kitchen.

She looked up and saw two figures, one tall and one petite, turn to look at her.

Jiang Yi’s gaze instinctively fell on Jiang Sixian, who stood beside Ning Wenying, wearing an apron, her long hair tied back in a high ponytail, holding a ladle and looking at her, her eyes sparkling like stars.

Jiang Yi, looking at her exposed, fair neck, felt a sudden dizziness. She shook her head violently, dispelling the inappropriate thoughts, deliberately averted her gaze, and looked at Ning Wenying. “Auntie Ning, I’m back.”

Ning Wenying’s gaze passed over Jiang Sixian and landed on Jiang Yi. “Xiao Yi, you’re so good, back right on time. Go change your clothes, dinner will be ready soon.”

Jiang Yi nodded and slowly walked away. After a few steps, she turned and stole another glance at Jiang Sixian.

In the kitchen, Jiang Sixian stood beside Ning Wenying, holding the ladle and taking a sip of the soup.

Jiang Yi, looking at her delicate profile and long eyelashes, felt an intense itching in her heart.

Just then, Ning Wenying looked down at Jiang Sixian. “Is it good?”

Jiang Sixian nodded obediently. “It’s good.”

Her eyelashes fluttered, a joyful light shining in her eyes, incredibly captivating.

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but stare for a few more seconds, then turned and continued walking. After a few steps, she raised her hand, pinched her cheek hard, and silently chanted: This is deadly!

Jiang Sixian is a deadly siren. I can’t even think about her, thinking about her will be the death of me. So it’s best… not to think about her at all.

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