Chapter 367: I think I should give you some compensation

Miao Yijia wore a small pearl bag slung across her body, which could only hold her phone and a lipstick; she had little interest in sweet things, she accompanied a friend browsing the shop for half a circle, felt bored, took out her phone from the bag, wanting to scroll through social media.

Just then, by chance, she glanced casually and saw that pair of sisters.

Miao Yijia kept one hand on her bag, as if immobilized by a spell, motionless. After a while, she turned her gaze away, and unwillingness and resentment flashed across her eyes.

Days passed, and Chen Songbai never mentioned how to deal with the matter, leaving her aside like an ornament. He also didn't let her continue living at his place, rented an apartment, sent her and her luggage there, and then ignored her.

Every day when she opened her eyes, she wondered why Chen Songbai still hadn't divorced Xia Xuan.

She didn't believe Xia Xuan wouldn't mind; having seen that scene with her own eyes, she thought Xia Xuan could never tolerate it.

Through the crowd, Xia Xuan glanced at Miao Yijia a few times, her expression grim, not wanting to confront her directly; she tugged Xia Xi's arm and whispered, 'We've bought enough, sis, let's go.'

From beginning to end, she never intended to make things difficult for Miao Yijia; she simply didn't want to see her.

Including Chen Songbai.

As long as she didn't see them, she could barely maintain her calm.

Xia Xi's gaze shifted from Miao Yijia's face, she gave Xia Xuan a warm smile, squeezed her hand, and said, 'I said I'd buy more; you help me pick some out, I'll go say a few words to her.'

Since we're fated to meet here, we can't pretend we never saw each other.

Xia Xuan felt a bit nervous, she grabbed her hand back, and with difficulty gave a small shake of her head: 'Forget it, there's nothing to say to her.'

Xia Xi knew her sister was soft-hearted, she lightly patted the back of her hand: 'Don't worry, I know my limits.'

Miao Yijia caught sight of Xia Xi walking over from the corner of her eye, her heart tightening; she wasn't close to Xia Xi, having only shared a meal once. This woman had a strong presence and deep thoughts, not as soft and easy to bully as Xia Xuan. She gripped the pearl chain of her bag, turned to look for her companion, wanting to leave.

Who knew her companion was bending over to pack candies.

Miao Yijia anxiously bit her lip; she couldn't just walk away herself, as that would seem too deliberate.

In the blink of an eye, Xia Xi stood before her, a faint smile on her lips, as if unaware of the matter between Chen Songbai and her. But she was Xia Xuan's own sister—how could she not know?

"What a coincidence." Xia Xi sized her up, her gaze lingering on her left wrist for two seconds, where white gauze was still wrapped; seeing her complexion, there seemed no serious issue, "There's a coffee shop nearby, shall we go talk?"

Miao Yijia's companion heard a pleasant voice, turned holding a transparent plastic bag, and standing before Miao Yijia was a mature, beautiful woman with long black curls reaching her waist, wearing a short knitted sleeveless top, a denim half-skirt, simple yet stylish, with a slender white waistline visible where the top's hem met the skirt's waist.

"Jiajia, is this your friend?" the companion wondered, having known Miao Yijia for a long time but never seeing such a person in her circle of friends.

Though Miao Yijia tried to stay calm, she was essentially a fresh graduate just entering society, with little experience and shallow cultivation; facing someone she couldn't gauge, she felt a bit intimidated, her expression unnatural, and she gave a dry laugh: 'No.'

Xia Xi smiled generously at her companion: 'Just a distant relation. I happened to run into her; I'll say a few words.'

"You two chat, you two chat." The companion sensibly turned her head back and continued picking candies.

Xia Xi raised an eyebrow, looked at Miao Yijia, and said, 'Let's go.'

Miao Yijia felt strong resistance inside, yet didn't know how to refuse, she stammered: 'I… I still have something later; maybe… just forget it.'

Xia Xi gradually wiped the smile from her face, leaned in, tilted her head, and whispered low in her ear: 'If you don't mind, I can also talk with you here, about how you ended up sharing a bed with your cousin.'

Miao Yijia's face changed dramatically; she looked around anxiously, afraid of being overheard.

The shop grew more crowded, mostly parents with children; Miao Yijia's palms sweated, she reluctantly nodded: 'Alright then.'

Miao Yijia lowered her head and followed Xia Xi to the neighboring coffee shop; the atmosphere here was opposite that of the candy shop—very quiet. But the space was ample, with tables spaced far apart.

Xia Xi ordered a non-coffee drink, while Miao Yijia absentmindedly asked for an Americano; holding the cups with both hands, the coolness dispelled the heat in her palms. She lowered her eyelids, never daring to meet Xia Xi's gaze, her shoulders slightly drawn in—a self-protective posture.

"I heard you slit your wrists; are you okay?"

Xia Xi didn't follow the usual routine; she first expressed concern for her body. Miao Yijia startled, a flash of disbelief crossed her eyes—she had expected Xia Xi to be aggressive, but the reality was the opposite, leaving her even more at a loss.

"Still… still okay." Miao Yijia's heartbeat quickened, her words blurred.

"How could you give up on life?" Xia Xi shook her head with a look of regret, "You're still so young, the road ahead is long; if you die, there's nothing left. There are still many beautiful things in the world worth holding onto."

"After the incident, everyone blamed me; I felt helpless, momentarily unable to see reason, I did something foolish, and won't do it again." Miao Yijia gradually relaxed her guard, lifted her eyes to her, and said, "How is your sister-in-law? I'm truly sorry to her."

Seeing her feigned innocence, Xia Xi's eyes grew a hint of coldness: 'Rest assured, she's fine. You also saw her happily going out with me to shop for skirts and candies. She may seem a bit soft, but she's my sister—she could never be truly fragile.'

Miao Yijia stared for a few seconds; Xia Xuan was nothing like she had imagined—wasn't she supposed to be fighting desperately with Chen Songbai for a divorce?

"Then what about her and my cousin…" Miao Yijia strained her lips to speak: 'Are they not divorcing?'

Xia Xi feigned surprise, drew a breath: 'Who told you they were going to divorce? Chen Songbai knelt before Xuanxuan, apologizing, saying he was drunk and didn't mean it; the person he loves has always been her. Xuanxuan is still a bit resentful, hasn't said she forgives him, but their feelings run deep, and there will surely be a day when the ice melts. In this whole affair, you are the most wronged, so seeing you just now made me want to talk, worried you'd refuse; in the shop I used sharper words, hoping you'll excuse me.'

Miao Yijia couldn't even muster a smile; everything had completely deviated from her planned course.

How could this happen?

Is Chen Songbai not intending to take responsibility for her?

No wonder he hasn't contacted her lately; she thought he needed time to think, but actually he just wants to ditch her.

"As her sister-in-law, you surely also hope your cousin and sister-in-law live harmoniously, right?" Xia Xi put her on a pedestal, then cut off her retreat: 'You couldn't possibly want to break them up. Even if they divorced, ten thousand steps aside, you could never marry your cousin, and you don't like him anyway, right? You can't let this accident ruin your life.'

Miao Yijia felt choked, her chest tight.

Could she admit she liked Chen Songbai? No.

Once admitted, her involvement with Chen Songbai would be seen as having ulterior motives—absolutely unacceptable.

Miao Yijia lowered her head again, tears pattering down; this time it wasn't an act, she was truly heartbroken and despairing. The skirt draped over her legs was dampened by tears in a patch; Xia Xi gave her a cold look for a moment, then pretended to have just noticed her crying, quickly pulling a pack of tissues from her bag and placing it before her.

"Why are you still crying? I know you've been hurt, but things are like this now; endlessly feeling sorry won't help." Xia Xi said, "I've thought it over, and still feel I should give you some compensation. What do you want—money or something else? As Xuanxuan's sister, I'm willing to contribute part, and the rest will be borne by your cousin."

Miao Yijia gritted her teeth in hatred; Xia Xuan was so fortunate to have such a sister speaking up for her—was this bullying her because she had no one to back her?

After exchanging contact information, Xia Xi left the coffee shop and returned to the previous candy store; Xia Xuan had already picked out her candies, packed into six or seven bags.

"I saw the shop selling gift boxes, so I bought some." Xia Xuan showed her sister the red gift boxes she'd bought; they were currently a stack of cardboard that needed to be folded back at home.

After forcing a smile for a few seconds, Xia Xuan still couldn't hold back; a hint of gloom appeared on her face: 'What did you say to her?'

Xia Xi pinched her cheek, just as she usually teased Youyou: 'Keep it secret for now.'

Xia Xuan: 'Oh.'

Xia Xi: 'Your thoughts, sister knows; wait a bit longer.'