Chapter 4

Thirty minutes later, the two women walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

In each hand, they held a freshly minted red marriage certificate.

Jiang Yin stared at the photo on her certificate, finding it increasingly awkward.

So... I've sold myself?

And sold myself to Ji Xiangwan?

"Alright," Ji Xiangwan said, tucking her certificate away and turning to Jiang Yin, who was still lost in thought. "Any other questions?"

"Um..." Jiang Yin swallowed hard, suddenly remembering a critical issue. "Ji Xiangwan, even though we're married now... what about that old woman the Jiang family arranged for me? What if she comes after me...?"

Ji Xiangwan looked down at her, her gaze lingering on the lingering doubt in the young fox's eyes. She adjusted her glasses, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Don't worry."

"If that old woman finds out you're married to me..."

"She'll probably be... quite pleased."

After all, I am her, and she is me.

Jiang Yin let out a breath of relief.

"That's good. It seems that old woman, though perverted, knows her limits and understands she can't afford to cross you."

Ji Xiangwan: "......"

"Phew..."

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Jiang Yin let out a long sigh and stuffed the marriage certificate into her bag. "Alright, mission accomplished. I'm heading back to school now. The lab's a mess and I've got a ton of work to clean up."

With that, she turned to hail a taxi.

But before she could take two steps, her collar was grabbed from behind.

Literally grabbed.

Like a cat refusing to behave.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ji Xiangwan's voice came from behind.

Jiang Yin struggled fruitlessly, then turned to glare. "Back to school! The agreement said we wouldn't interfere with each other's lives! Unless you're planning to treat me to wedding candy?"

Ji Xiangwan released her grip and calmly explained, "The agreement does say we won't interfere with each other's personal lives. But it also states that starting today, you'll be living at my place. We need to cohabitate to deal with the elders."

"Cohabitate?!"

Jiang Yin's voice shot up eight octaves. "Who wants to live with you?! I only agreed to this for the acting! Besides, my parents aren't even here right now!"

"I'm not going!"

Jiang Yin refused instinctively. "My experiment is at a critical stage! I need to stay at the university!"

"My place is a fifteen-minute drive from S University. It's much more conducive to rest than your four-person dorm." Ji Xiangwan stood by the car, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Moreover, Article 3 of the agreement is very clear: the second party must cooperate with the first party in dealing with parental inspections. If my family suddenly drops by and finds only me here, do you think you'll still get that five million back?"

The mention of money instantly silenced Jiang Yin.

"Fine, fine! I'll go!"

She scrambled into the car and slammed the door shut. "But I'm warning you, I have a lot of stuff, and I'm a total slob. Don't blame me if I mess up your place!"

Ji Xiangwan slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and a meaningful smile curved her lips.

"No problem."

"I have excellent patience."

────────────

Binjiang·Yunque.

S City's most luxurious riverside apartment.

When the elevator doors opened, Jiang Yin, despite having prepared herself, was still stunned by the sight.

Is this what the decadent life of capitalists is like?

The entrance hall opened onto floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the entire S City riverfront.

The decor was minimalist black, white, and gray, with sparse furniture that exuded an "approach with caution" aloofness, perfectly mirroring Ji Xiangwan's personality.

"This place is five hundred square meters," Ji Xiangwan said, tossing her car keys onto a console table in the entryway and kicking off her shoes. "Each bedroom has its own bathroom and walk-in closet. The master bedroom—my room—is over there."

She pointed to a door at the end of the hallway.

Then, her finger shifted to another door, the one farthest from the master bedroom, separated by the entire living room and study:

"That's the guest bedroom. It'll be yours from now on."

Jiang Yin followed her finger and felt a wave of relief.

Good, it's far enough away.

Even if I sleepwalk at night, it'll probably take me two minutes to bump into her.

"No problem!" Jiang Yin declared immediately. "I'm perfectly satisfied. As long as you don't bother me at night, I promise to be as invisible as a ghost in the guest bedroom."

Ji Xiangwan glanced at her, seemingly amused by the word "bother."

"Don't worry."

She walked to the open-plan kitchen and poured two glasses of water. "I'm not interested in kids who haven't fully developed yet."

"You're the one who hasn't fully developed!" Jiang Yin puffed out her chest. Though she was a few centimeters shorter than Ji Xiangwan, she was confident in her figure.

She snatched the glass of water, downed it in one gulp, as if trying to swallow down her anger.

Only after finishing the water did she remember something important.

"Right, Ji Xiangwan."

Jiang Yin set the glass down, her gaze flickering. "That... my family..."

"I've already had it handled," Ji Xiangwan said casually, leaning against the counter. "I've spread word to the Jiang family that we're... dating."

"Dating?!" Jiang Yin's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? Do you think my eldest sister will believe that?"

"Whether she believes it or not doesn't matter. What matters is that with this reputation, that so-called marriage prospect won't dare make a move on you." Ji Xiangwan looked at her, her gaze deep. "In S City, no one has dared openly steal what's Ji Xiangwan's."

Jiang Yin froze.

Though the words sounded arrogant, over-the-top, and a little too dramatic, in that moment, she had to admit, the damn sense of security was overwhelming.

"At least you have some conscience."

Jiang Yin muttered under her breath.

The thought of that "marriage alliance nightmare" that had almost devoured her sent a shiver down her spine, quickly followed by a look of relief at having narrowly escaped.

"You have no idea!"

The mention of "that old woman" made Jiang Yin's eyes light up.

Perched on a high-backed stool, swinging her legs, she began to vent to her newly appointed "partner"—or rather, to embellish the story with dramatic flair.

"The woman my eldest sister tried to set me up with was an absolute freak! I heard he's some eccentric old woman with a foul temper and a penchant for tormenting people!"

Ji Xiangwan paused mid-sip.

With a hint of schadenfreude, Jiang Yin patted Ji Xiangwan's shoulder. "Speaking of which, I should thank you, President Ji. You may be annoying, but at least you're decent-looking and only a year older than me. If I'd been forced to marry a post-menopausal old woman, I'd probably have nightmares every night!"

Ji Xiangwan's eye muscles twitched slightly at Jiang Yin's "I'm so clever" expression.

Old woman?

Post-menopausal?

Very well.

I'll remember this.

Ji Xiangwan's slender fingers gently rubbed the side of the glass, her knuckles turning pale from the pressure.

"Is that so?" Ji Xiangwan asked, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It seems I'm your savior after all, then?"

"Something like that!" Jiang Yin waved her hand. "Anyone will do, as long as they're not an old woman! Even a dog... cough... well, not that kind of dog."

Ji Xiangwan watched this little fool preening over her "narrow escape," a surge of irritation rising in her chest. But then, she found it amusing.

So this is why Jiang Yin was willing to sign a contract and marry me?

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Yin noticed Ji Xiangwan staring at her with a peculiar expression and touched her face. "Is there something on my face?"

"No."

Ji Xiangwan averted her gaze, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Since she's so determined not to marry that old woman, let her continue in her delusion.

This secret seems rather interesting.

"I was just thinking," Ji Xiangwan pushed up her glasses, her voice regaining its usual refined yet roguish tone, "that Dr. Jiang has not only a vivid imagination but also... excellent taste."

"Naturally!" Jiang Yin puffed out her chin proudly.

"Alright, go tidy your room."

Ji Xiangwan set down her cup and turned toward the study. "I've already had your things moved from school. Oh, and one thing you need to know."

She paused, turning back to face Jiang Yin and raising a single finger.

"There's only one rule in this house."

Jiang Yin immediately tensed. "What?"

"I don't like noise, and I don't like people wandering into my study or master bedroom." Ji Xiangwan's voice turned colder, carrying an air of authority. "Especially the study—it's a forbidden zone. If I catch you rummaging through my things..."

"Who cares about rummaging through your junk!" Jiang Yin rolled her eyes. "My lab is way more interesting than your study! I wouldn't step foot in there even if you begged me!"

"Good." Ji Xiangwan gave her a long, piercing look before turning and closing the study door.

The lock clicked shut.

Jiang Yin stuck her tongue out at the door, then strutted toward her secondary bedroom like a cat surveying its territory, hands clasped behind her back.

When she opened the door, she froze.

She'd expected a plain guest room.

Instead, she found a room furnished with extraordinary warmth and comfort.

A two-meter bed, dressed in her favorite pure cotton linens.

By the window stood a massive desk, topped with the latest medical journals and an ergonomic chair that looked incredibly inviting.

Even the curtains were in her preferred color.

"This..."

Jiang Yin ran her hand over the chair, a strange feeling settling in her heart.

Was this really prepared on the spot?

How does it feel like... she'd known I was coming all along?

"It's definitely a coincidence," Jiang Yin shook her head, tossing herself onto the soft, luxurious bed and rolling around in comfort.

"Who cares! I've got money now, a place to live, and no one breathing down my neck! This is the life of a goddess—I wouldn't trade it for anything!"

She pulled out her phone, gazing at the remaining two million yuan in her bank account, and happily sent Meng Xitang a WeChat message:

Sister! Hu Hansan is back! I'm not going to Cloud tonight—I'm treating you to a family bucket! The one with extra chicken legs!

In the study next door, Ji Xiangwan sat behind her massive desk, watching the girl rolling around on the bed on the monitor. The smile playing on her lips finally broke free from restraint.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Jiang Lan."

Jiang Lan's anxious voice came from the other end: "How is it? Have you found Yin Yin?"

"She's here."

Ji Xiangwan leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk, her voice lazy and pleased.

"She's safe, lively, and still capable of cursing."

"That's good, that's good..." Jiang Lan sighed in relief, then asked, "But why did she come to you? Doesn't she hate you? And what about the arranged marriage...?"

"Don't tell her yet." Ji Xiangwan interrupted her, her gaze lingering on the girl on the screen, who was now grinning foolishly.

"Why?"

"Because..." Ji Xiangwan chuckled softly and murmured, "Because she said she'd rather sell herself to me than marry that perverted old woman you mentioned."

Jiang Lan on the other end of the line: "......"

"In any case, I'm keeping her."

Ji Xiangwan hung up, removed her glasses, and rubbed her temples.

This cat-and-mouse game had only just begun.

Welcome to your... new cage, Second Miss Jiang.