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Zhang Yan did not have many belongings, just a suitcase and a backpack.

“Officer Zhang,” as soon as Zhang Yan entered, Xia Ye took a pair of slippers from the shoe rack by the door and enthusiastically offered to help her with her things.

“Hello, Sister-in-law, just call me Zhang Yan.” Zhang Yan said, then carried her suitcase directly into her room.

When she had come to discuss this with Xia Ye before, Xia Ye had already arranged a room for her. Now, Zhang Yan went in and saw that the room was spotlessly clean. There was a bed, a row of wardrobes against the wall, and a set of table and chairs. A thermostatic kettle was on the table, and the bed was made with sheets and bedding. Even toiletries like toothbrushes and towels were prepared.

“Sister-in-law, you are truly too kind. My brother is incredibly lucky to have married you.”

Zhang Yan flattered Xia Ye with a playful smile, which immediately eased the awkwardness that Xia Ye and Song Xiaoxiao had been feeling.

Especially Song Xiaoxiao, she had experienced being personally handcuffed by Zhang Yan. At this moment, she couldn't help but feel lingering fear.

Xia Ye had originally wanted to give the master bedroom to Zhang Yan, but Lin Yuan was the first to object. Since it was agreed that Zhang Yan was his younger sister, there was no way a younger sister would live in the master bedroom. Of course, Zhang Yan herself was also unwilling.

“Xia Ye, quickly help your sister-in-law organize her things.” It was Song Xiaoxiao who reacted quickly; she soon followed Zhang Yan's lead.

Zhang Yan opened her suitcase, and the three girls worked together, hanging clothes in the wardrobe and placing ornaments on the table.

Lin Yuan was quickly chased out because some of the clothes were inevitably private.

“Oh~, you use lipstick too.”

“Yes, but I only use it occasionally. This shade is too dark. I have a few unopened ones, do you want them?”

...

“This series of skincare products isn't suitable for winter. Why don't you try my set?”

“Why isn't it suitable?”

“It depends on individual skin type. This one is for moisturizing and oil control, but I see your skin isn't oily. It's better to switch to the highly moisturizing one; the moisturizing effect will be better.”

...

“Sister-in-law, how can your waist be so thin? Is it from dancing? Teach me too.”

...

Cosmetics and body management are always the most interesting topics for girls.

After a round of chatting, much of the distance between the three of them disappeared.

This was Xia Ye's first time interacting with Zhang Yan from a daily life perspective, and she realized that many of her previous worries were indeed unnecessary.

Zhang Yan truly treated her as her sister-in-law. That Officer Zhang, who wore a uniform and exuded authority, was actually just a cheerful girl in real life. There was no oppressive, high-and-mighty feeling as she had imagined.

Zhang Yan was clearly far less professional in makeup and skincare than Song Xiaoxiao. In Song Xiaoxiao's words: she applied expensive skincare products as if they were cheap facial creams, without considering skin type or body constitution, and completely disregarded the proper combination of toner, lotion, cream, and serum.

And in terms of physique, Zhang Yan was completely clueless about dancing; she only knew how to practice military boxing. Despite her good figure, her movements, especially when twisting her waist and hips, always gave off a fierce impression, as if Lu Zhishen had possessed her.

In contrast, Xia Ye exuded grace and gentleness in every gesture. Even a slight adjustment of the stray hairs at her temples emanated femininity.

“No wonder my brother said that girls look best when they are delicate. If I were a man, I would also like someone like you, Sister-in-law.”

...

Zhang Yan quickly integrated, and the burden on Lin Yuan's mind was finally lifted.

An extra set of bowls and chopsticks appeared on the dinner table, and the four of them finally had enough for a mahjong game.

It was nice for the four of them to be so harmonious, but the sound insulation of the apartment building was too poor. With rooms so close together, Lin Yuan and Xia Ye couldn't do anything they wanted.

Zhang Yan's arrival also brought a convenience—this small family finally had a car.

Thereafter, the four of them would wake up every morning. Zhang Yan would first drop Xia Ye and Song Xiaoxiao at the subway station, and then she and Lin Yuan would begin their busy day.

“Sister-in-law has gone to tutoring class, so you're mine during the day.”

Every day, watching Xia Ye and Song Xiaoxiao enter the subway station, Zhang Yan would always enthusiastically say this.

Lin Yuan could only sigh, “I'm truly busy.”

After a few days, the home was peaceful. Lin Yuan was finally going to do something important.

“Take me to Lanbiao Factory.”

“Where is Lanbiao Factory?” Zhang Yan asked while opening the car's navigation system.

“Good Group is Huangbiao, so where do you think Lanbiao is?”

“Oh,” Zhang Yan then searched on the map.

After fiddling for a while, “It seems I can't find it. Does their company have a branch in Purple Gold?”

“What's wrong with this broken car system of yours?”

Zhang Yan's car was good, but its car system, at the end of 2024, was indeed a piece of junk.

“Vov's car systems are notoriously bad. I'll use my phone for navigation.”

Lin Yuan said faintly, “Domestic cars have worked so hard for so long and still haven't sent foreign capital to its grave. It seems this is my next direction to strive for.”

“You seem to have a natural fondness for subversion.”

“Not subversion, it's revolution.”

“Do you dare to say it in Chinese?”

“I don't dare. I'm afraid you'll hit me.”

“You're my brother now, how could I hit you to death?”

Lin Yuan suddenly realized, “Damn, it really is. Is my attribute not pure anymore?”

“What are you talking about? Let's go!”

The car drove smoothly on the road.

Song Xiaoxiao and Xia Ye, meanwhile, were on the subway heading to their tutoring class.

“Xia Ye, tell me honestly, these past few days, have you felt uncomfortable?” Song Xiaoxiao affectionately rested Xia Ye's head on her shoulder.

Xia Ye thought for a moment, “At first I was a little scared, but now it's fine. Zhang Yan really seems like Lin Yuan's biological sister.”

“Are you really… not uncomfortable at all?”

“As long as… I don't think too much, I won't feel uncomfortable.”

“Are you worried about the future?”

“I can't quite put my finger on it. When Lin Yuan and Zhang Yan discuss things, we can't interject. It just feels strange.”

“Me too.” Song Xiaoxiao looked at her reflection in the subway window, “It's fine when we're not discussing things, but as soon as they talk about serious matters, I feel like we're just backup dancers on the side.”

Xia Ye rubbed her elbow with a bitter smile; the injury on her elbow was from falling while practicing dance. “I feel like my life now is both happy and so difficult! Thinking about how I used to even go to maid cafes, I can't even imagine those days now. The money Lin Yuan gives me is simply endless; I can't spend it all even if I drink milk tea like water. He doesn't even ask me to do anything. Xiao Xiao, am I being very ungrateful?”

“Hmm…” Song Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, “I'm quite content. If it weren't for your man, I'd still be locked up. I've fantasized countless times about when I could live such a leisurely life, but I never expected to achieve it so easily by clinging to a powerful figure, and without having to sell anything.”

Xia Ye teased, “Then what do you want to sell?”

“Why are you joking with me like this? Do you want me to joke about Lin Yuan?” If Song Xiaoxiao really wanted to sell something, who else could she sell to? Both of them knew it clearly.

After the joke, Xia Ye's expression quickly turned melancholic, “Xiao Xiao, I must get into Purple Arts. I don't want to truly be useless.”

“Alright, I support you. But I'm not going to work hard. If I were you, I'd hug Zhang Yan and cry bitterly.”

“Why?”

“Where do you find such a good matriarch? Just the identity of a younger sister-in-law.”

Xia Ye laughed upon hearing this, “You're right. The only one who can truly help Lin Yuan is Zhang Yan. She has already been very good to me. I've thought about it, why not just leave Lin Yuan?”

Song Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh, a slightly mocking laugh, “Then what would you eat? What would I eat? I still have a criminal record. Should I take you and go back to our old profession? Girl, open your eyes wide. The two of us are like concubines in novels. Oh, no, no. You're the concubine, and I'm just a maid. Please, have pity on me, don't stir things up. This wealthy life I've finally obtained!”

Xia Ye whispered, “I know. I've also figured it out now, but I know that none of this belongs to me, and I panic when I think about it. I must get into Purple Arts.”

“And what if you get in? You'll become a famous artist, but you'll still be dancing for Zhang Yan. You can dance for her now.”

Song Xiaoxiao's words were truly devastating.

Xia Ye was stunned for a long while before she reacted, “It seems so… but… but besides getting into Purple Arts, I really don't know what else I can do.”

“That's true. It's still important to improve one's professional skills.” The current Song Xiaoxiao's demeanor had even changed, with a calm and composed expression on her face. But whether her inner self was truly like that, only she knew.