It was a peaceful morning at the villa. Jiayi sat in the living room, sipping her morning tea while reading the day's financial reports. The soft rustle of pages and the occasional chirping of birds created a serene atmosphere.
Meixiu strolled in, her hair tied in a messy ponytail, wearing an oversized hoodie that barely hid her toned figure. She dropped onto the couch beside Jiayi with a dramatic sigh.
"You seem restless," Jiayi remarked without looking up from her papers.
"Restless? Try confused," Meixiu muttered, crossing her arms.
Jiayi arched an elegant brow, setting her papers aside. "Confused about what?"
Meixiu hesitated, her usual playful demeanor replaced by uncertainty. "It's… nothing."
Jiayi gave her a knowing look. "Meixiu, you're a terrible liar. Spit it out."
Meixiu groaned and buried her face in a cushion. "Fine. It's about Ye Chen."
A small smile tugged at Jiayi's lips. "I figured as much. What about him?"
Meixiu peeked out from behind the cushion. "Don't make me spell it out, Jiayi."
"Let me guess," Jiayi said, leaning forward. "You're starting to have feelings for him."
Meixiu's cheeks flushed, and she sank further into the couch. "Maybe… okay, yes."
Jiayi chuckled softly. "It was bound to happen. He's kind, thoughtful, and surprisingly charming. But I didn't think you'd be the first to admit it."
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Meixiu asked, sitting up straight.
Jiayi shrugged, her expression calm. "You're not the only one who sees how special he is. I wouldn't be surprised if Lianyi feels the same way."
Meixiu's eyes widened. "Lianyi? Are you serious?"
"I've noticed how she looks at him," Jiayi said, her tone thoughtful. "And how she's always trying to help him or make him feel comfortable."
"That's just Lianyi being Lianyi," Meixiu argued, though her voice wavered.
"Maybe," Jiayi said, smiling faintly. "But you should ask yourself this: what are you going to do about your feelings?"
Meixiu groaned again, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Jiayi. It's complicated. He's our brother-in-law—well, sort of."
Jiayi placed a reassuring hand on Meixiu's shoulder. "Feelings don't follow rules, Meixiu. But if you care about him, you should be honest—with him and yourself."
Later that day, Jiayi found herself observing Meixiu and Ye Chen more closely. The three of them were in the living room, discussing plans for the upcoming week.
Meixiu sat closer to Ye Chen than usual, her body angled toward him as she laughed at one of his jokes. Jiayi noticed the way Meixiu's eyes lingered on him, her smile a little softer than usual.
"So, Ye Chen," Jiayi said casually, interrupting the moment. "Have you noticed anything… different about Meixiu lately?"
Ye Chen looked up, puzzled. "Different? Not really. Why?"
Meixiu shot Jiayi a warning glare. "Jiayi, don't start."
"What?" Jiayi said innocently. "I'm just curious."
Ye Chen glanced between them, sensing the tension. "Did I miss something?"
"Nope," Meixiu said quickly, standing up. "I'm going to the kitchen."
As she walked away, Jiayi smirked and turned back to Ye Chen. "She's been acting strange, don't you think?"
"She seems the same to me," Ye Chen said, though he looked thoughtful. "Maybe a little more… I don't know, thoughtful?"
"Thoughtful," Jiayi repeated, her tone amused. "Interesting choice of words."
Later that evening, Jiayi found Meixiu sitting on the balcony, staring at the stars. She approached quietly, pulling a chair beside her.
"Still thinking about him?" Jiayi asked gently.
Meixiu sighed, resting her chin on her knees. "I can't help it. It's like he's always on my mind."
Jiayi smiled softly. "That's how it starts. But the question is, are you going to do something about it?"
Meixiu turned to her, her expression conflicted. "What if it ruins everything? What if he doesn't feel the same way?"
"Life is full of risks, Meixiu," Jiayi said. "But you'll never know if you don't take a chance."
Meixiu frowned, her fingers tracing patterns on the chair's armrest. "You're really good at this advice stuff. Have you ever… felt like this about him?"
Jiayi's eyes widened slightly before she chuckled. "That's not the point right now. This is about you."
Meixiu narrowed her eyes. "You didn't answer the question."
Jiayi's smile turned enigmatic. "Let's just say I understand where you're coming from."
The next day, Jiayi decided to test her theory about Lianyi. She found her youngest sister in the garden, tending to her flowers as usual.
"Lianyi," Jiayi said, sitting on a nearby bench.
Lianyi looked up, her expression serene. "Yes, Sister Jiayi?"
"What do you think of Ye Chen?" Jiayi asked, her tone light but probing.
Lianyi blinked, her cheeks turning pink. "He's… very kind. And thoughtful."
Jiayi tilted her head. "That's it? Just kind and thoughtful?"
Lianyi hesitated, her hands fiddling with the petals of a flower. "He's also dependable. And he makes me feel… safe."
Jiayi's smile widened. "I see."
"Why are you asking?" Lianyi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Just curious," Jiayi said, standing up. "But I think you should be honest with yourself, Lianyi. He deserves that."
As Jiayi walked away, she couldn't help but laugh softly to herself. "This is going to get interesting."
That night, Jiayi found Meixiu in the kitchen, raiding the fridge for a late-night snack.
"So," Jiayi said, leaning against the counter. "What's your next move?"
Meixiu groaned, closing the fridge. "Why do you have to be so pushy?"
"Because I care about you," Jiayi said simply. "And because I think Ye Chen deserves to know how you feel."
Meixiu sighed, her expression softening. "Maybe you're right. But… not yet."
"Take your time," Jiayi said, patting her shoulder. "But don't wait too long."
Meixiu smiled faintly. "Thanks, Jiayi. You're annoying, but you're also the best."
"I know," Jiayi said with a wink.