Chapter 58: Isn

Sister?

The young gentlemen present had just been struck by Su Ruoyun's line "Xini Gejuyuan and Weiyena Jinse Dating," and they hadn't recovered yet when, in an instant, Su Jiayi's affectionate "Sister" left them even more bewildered.

Weren't they "qing sister" and "gan sister"? How did they become a real sister?

That "Sister" was shouted so naturally.

Su Jiayi's temperament is such that he doesn't call just anyone "sister"; among his cousins they're all "bro," only the family's own cousin‑sister, plus the "younger sister" Su Mingyan introduced earlier, and the "singer" Su Ruoyun mentioned—the Madam Su who, before retiring, was a nationally recognized performing‑arts figure.

Combining the three, the young gentlemen present finally dared to be sure that the person before them was the Su family's imperial princess; after several twists in their minds, they painstakingly sorted out the matter before regaining their composure.

"It's nothing, just idle chat," Su Ruoyun's mouth curled slightly, a faint smile appearing, without revealing the content of the conversation.

Su Jiayi casually dragged a stool from beside him, flung it behind Su Ruoyun, plopped down with a lazy, carefree posture, his long legs crossed, exuding an air of leisure, clearly meant to prop up.

He had just stepped out to take a phone call; as soon as he entered, he heard these people interrogating each other like police checking household registrations, while his sister, ever good‑tempered, answered each question.

When a round of cards ended, the three losing parties willingly handed their chips to Su Ruoyun.

Su Ruoyun neatly placed the winnings on the card table, sensed that they had many thoughts hidden, and voluntarily got up to leave.

Everyone's gaze seemed glued to Su Ruoyun as they collectively watched her stride out of the private room with elegance; when the door shut, the previously suppressed atmosphere burst like a breached dam, and the room instantly erupted into a clamor.

"Is this really your sister?"

Su Jiayi crossed his legs, raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone laced with nonchalance, "Otherwise? My brother introduced her early on, and he's been pestering people to death—what, planning to join the police tomorrow?"

His tone was overly forceful, prompting the people beside him to repeatedly deny: "No, we thought the one Su brought was the Boss Lady."

Su Jiayi, who is stationed in the military district, is not well‑versed in outside rumors, and upon hearing that, he couldn't help but ask aloud, "What Boss Lady?"

"It's the boss lady of the 'One River Tobacco' tea house; we thought your brother had brought the little star you keep outside."

As the words fell, Su Jiayi's face darkened instantly, a cloud of gloom covering him, his tone low: "What little star? That tea house is run by my sister; where did those chaotic rumors come from?"

The speaker's tone was full of shock, the ending unintentionally rising: "The tea house's boss lady is your sister?!"

Su Jiayi gave a slight nod, lifted the wine glass placed on the walnut square side table, gently swayed it, and warned again: "If I hear you spread any more rumors, I'll have the police take you all in one fell swoop."

The others, uncertain and cautious, kept asking: "Is the tea house really run by your sister?"

After Su Jiayi confirmed, the group was instantly dumbfounded, and only when they came to their senses did they realize the Su family had taken all the money.

Another rumor flashed in their minds.

"And that three‑entrance, four‑courtyard house…?"

"That courtyard was a coming‑of‑age gift from my grandmother to my sister when she turned eighteen."

"..."

One rumor after another was shattered.

"..." The people around chattered in a cacophony.

Having already left the private room, Su Ruoyun was completely unaware of what had happened inside; she had just drunk three large cups, feeling a bit tipsy and drowsy, and she sought a quiet spot to sober up.

The private club, with its serene and elegant setting, featured lush bamboo swaying gracefully, overlapping shadows; she followed the pebble‑paved path, strolling leisurely, and finally sat on a synthetic‑wood bench in the courtyard.

When the evening breeze dispersed the alcohol scent, Su Ruoyun didn't rush back to the private room, but first went to the restroom.

She stepped out of the restroom, turned on the faucet, letting the trickling water flow over her fingertips; as she raised her hand to press the soap dispenser, a dense shadow appeared beside her.

In front of the public washbasin, the broad mirror clearly reflected a tall, slender figure.

Running into someone at the wash area is common; Su Ruoyun paid no mind, buried herself in washing her hands, diligently following the seven‑step method, scrubbing palms and backs until her hands were covered in white foam.

In the cramped space, only two streams of water sounded continuously; a low chuckle drifted to her ears, a fleeting smile like an invisible hook that tugged, causing Su Ruoyun to instinctively turn her head, lift her eyelid, and stare directly at the person beside her.

Their gazes met for just a second or two; the warm yellow light from the chandelier spilled down, and when Su Ruoyun saw the other's handsome face, she instantly turned her head expressionlessly, lowered her eyes, placed her hand under the water, and rinsed her palm clean.

Seeing this, Huo Jingcheng's mouth curled into a faint, ambiguous smile, his deep eyes brimming with mockery.

After washing his hands, he tore a paper towel to dry them, leisurely wiping away the water marks, then leaned casually against the sink, snapped a cigarette from the pack, laughed, and looked up at her: "I didn't expect that Miss Su and I still have quite a fate together."

At the double‑basin sink, the two were close; the faint, cool‑sweet scent of hibiscus wafted into his nose, tinged with a subtle hint of citrus.

Su Ruoyun lowered her head, her brows and eyes drooping, her long lashes hanging like butterfly wings; she stared at the cup of clear water in her palm and calmly retorted, "Isn't it that enemies' paths are narrow?"

When the words fell, Huo Jingcheng deliberately twisted her meaning, his tone carrying a hint of vague ambiguity, "Do you want to be enemies with me?"

"..." Su Ruoyun.

The term "enemy" can refer to a lover with deep affection or…

Su Ruoyun's original meaning was a foe, while Huo Jingcheng forcibly rendered it as "lover".

She unabashedly rolled her eyes, lifted her hand to turn off the faucet, didn't dry her hands, and prepared to leave.

Huo Jingcheng didn't light the cigarette; he merely held the slender tobacco stick in his hand, flicking it intermittently against the sink edge.

As they brushed past each other, a drifting fragrance curled into his nostrils; in an instant, Huo Jingcheng detected a hint of rich alcohol, and in a leisurely tone called to her:

"Miss Su,"

Startled by being addressed, Su Ruoyun halted her steps, turned her head toward Huo Jingcheng.

She heard him speak softly, his lazy tone laced with a hint of certainty: "You've been drinking again."