Chapter 1323: Chapter 1312: Siblings
"Shishi, have you ever tasted the food made by Ye Cheng’s little sister? Is it really as good as this blogger describes?" Cheng Zhizhi asked curiously.
"I’ve tried it, it’s truly the best food I’ve ever had! Both the appearance and taste are top-notch." Lee Shishi said, almost feeling her mouth water, and smacked her lips.
"Is it really that amazing?" Cheng Zhizhi’s eyes were filled with curiosity. "Could you ask her to arrange a table for me through your future little sister-in-law Ye Qiu? It doesn’t have to be expensive, something simple. I’ll treat you all; consider it my apology for leaving abruptly that day."
"I think that might not be good." Lee Shishi said reluctantly, "Ye Qiu is really busy, I don’t want to bother her."
"In the future, you’ll be her sister-in-law. There’s no need to mind such things between family; it’s me making amends. Can’t you give me this little face?" Cheng Zhizhi persisted.
"It’s really not necessary. I’ve said there’s nothing to apologize for, Zhizhi. We’re family, let’s leave it." Lee Shishi firmly rejected, showing no expression on her face, but perhaps even she didn’t realize she had become more distant from Cheng Zhizhi.
That’s right, there was nothing wrong with Cheng Zhizhi’s words, but since that day, she felt suspicious, as if Cheng Zhizhi was not really considering her best interests. Even though friends don’t always have to give in, the seed of doubt had been planted, and they couldn’t go back to how things were.
Cheng Zhizhi was also aware of Lee Shishi being guarded against her, but she couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t accept that Lee Shishi had found such a good boyfriend like Ye Cheng, especially since they were good friends; the comparison was inevitable.
Initially, knowing Ye Cheng was an orphan didn’t mean much to her. No matter how handsome he was, she was practical and thought wealth and status were more important than looks, so she wasn’t jealous. Not until she learned Ye Cheng had started his own company and was quite profitable.
She saw how good Ye Cheng was to Lee Shishi, and being close enough to feel it firsthand, the imbalance in her heart grew. Why was Lee Shishi able to find someone like Ye Cheng, while she couldn’t? Clearly, her family’s conditions were better than Lee Shishi’s.
She thought, any girl would want to marry someone like Ye Cheng. Firstly, he’s an orphan, meaning no mother-in-law issues, and after marriage, his focus would be on her family. Secondly, he’s young and has achieved career success with boundless potential. Thirdly, he’s handsome and gentle, with both inner and outer qualities - the dream husband for a woman.
It’s not that she doesn’t value her childhood friendship with Lee Shishi, but she feels that missing out on a man as good as Ye Cheng, means she’ll never find another.
So she didn’t know how she ended up inciting issues between Lee Shishi and Ye Cheng’s sister. She hadn’t expected Ye Qiu to be so perceptive and unwilling to give face.
Worried about Lee Shishi breaking off their friendship and fearing Ye Cheng distancing himself if he knew, she also resented Ye Qiu for meddling. After all, she’s just a sister with no blood relation, why interfere so much?
But after realizing Ye Qiu’s capabilities, she became even more reluctant to let Ye Cheng go. With Ye Qiu’s culinary skills, Ye Cheng’s future career would surely prosper, and if her father could host such a banquet, wouldn’t it elevate their status?
Cheng Zhizhi’s thoughts were clever, but she never considered that mutual support among siblings is natural. Helping her father doesn’t make sense.
Knowing Lee Shishi understood Ye Cheng and Ye Qiu’s abilities, she only thought about improving herself, while Cheng Zhizhi first thought of how to use him. Their differences were vast. She never considered why Ye Cheng cared for Lee Shishi.
"Alright, let’s not talk about apologizing; it’s pure that I want to eat your future sister-in-law’s food. You know I’m fond of it; please help me, let’s take a shortcut, okay?" Cheng Zhizhi held Lee Shishi’s hand in a plea, applying pressure at the end, "Are you still my best friend, or is it so hard to speak to your future sister-in-law?"
"But..." Lee Shishi was still troubled; agreeing means knowing Ye Qiu is too busy to ask, and rejecting Cheng Zhizhi’s words would appear as if she didn’t value their friendship.
"Come on, Shishi, if you can’t ask, why not give me Ye Qiu’s contact number, and I’ll ask her myself." Cheng Zhizhi continued to pester.
"Let me get a number from her, and if she says it’s possible to arrange earlier, I’ll invite you to eat, alright?" After pondering hard, Lee Shishi could only opt for this compromise.
Cheng Zhizhi felt discomfort, sensing Lee Shishi was truly guarding herself against her. She decided, since Lee Shishi was actively giving up on this friendship, she wouldn’t hesitate to take Lee Shishi’s boyfriend.
If Ye Qiu knew of such thoughts, she would laugh at her. Who truly betrayed this friendship first? Wasn’t it Cheng Zhizhi who coveted her best friend’s boyfriend? A typical green tea girl, accustomed to blaming others for her own mistakes.
Yet Lee Shishi had a flaw; she wasn’t good at refusing, even though she sensed danger but still agreed. Was it naivety or foolishness? She might regret soon enough.
But that’s her nature; she’s kind, loving, and willing to give, though being soft-hearted is also her fault. No one is perfect; no one has the right to criticize her because this isn’t a complete flaw.
Perhaps in a past life, when her parents pressured her, she had to leave Ye Cheng.
Given Ye Cheng’s circumstances in the previous life, leaving wasn’t a wrong choice, though she seemed somewhat indecisive.
This life has no burdens for Ye Cheng, thus her family shouldn’t oppose. But she still needs some decisiveness, since Ye Cheng’s career keeps developing, and they will face more challenges. No one will always have the time and patience to care for her; growing herself is true strength.
Ye Qiu agreed to Cheng Zhizhi’s request to cook and even chose a day when Ye Cheng wasn’t working, hoping Lee Shishi would realize a certain crisis.
"Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request. Shishi says you’re treating us, and I’m really embarrassed. Here’s a token of my appreciation." She presented a gift box that seemed valuable, from a brand renowned for its bags, with even the most basic models costing over twenty thousand, showing her generosity.
Then she looked brightly at Ye Cheng: "Your sister is so kind; I’m lucky to have met such a good friend."
Ye Qiu smiled without talking; Ye Cheng, not understanding the full context, just nodded. But deep down, Lee Shishi felt an inexplicable discomfort.
Comments