"Sister, this is my brother-in-law. Hello, brother-in-law..."
Before Jiang Hai stood a pure white elf, smiling warmly at him. Her silver-white hair, fair skin, and familiar face left Jiang Hai completely stunned.
"Xiao Ya, you're back! When did you get here?" Qi Li's eyes lit up as she hugged the girl tightly, practically bouncing with excitement.
"I just came back a few days ago. Didn't I follow my second sister to the U.S. for treatment?" Xiao Ya answered, still playfully jumping alongside Qi Li. Yet, her gaze occasionally flickered softly towards Jiang Hai. Jiang Hai swallowed nervously, confused by the look.
"Jiang Hai, let me introduce you. This is my youngest sister, Qi Ya. You might have met her when you were younger. Jiang Hai, this is your sister's little sister," Qi Li said, then turned to Jiang Hai with a smile as she introduced them.
"Ah... heh... hey... uh... hello..." Jiang Hai stammered awkwardly. The air around him felt like it had frozen solid. What should he say now? Should he pretend not to know her? But if he admitted knowing her, how could he explain it?
His mind went blank. Since Xiao Ya was here, her sister Bernice had to be Qi Li's second sister. It seemed that, inadvertently—probably, possibly—something unspoken had happened between him and his two sisters-in-law. The thought alone made Jiang Hai want to turn and run away in embarrassment.
But he knew there was no escape. His every step felt like a rusty machine struggling to move.
"Is Xiaojie back too?" Qi Li, caught up in the joy of her sister's return, asked Xiao Ya.
"Yes, my second sister is back too, but she's out shopping. She won't be back for a while," Xiao Ya smiled gently. Qi Li's face brightened; finally, everyone in their family was together again.
"I'll go see Mom first," Qi Li said, changing her shoes and dashing into the house, leaving Jiang Hai trailing behind.
"Relax a little, or you'll be spotted," Xiao Ya—no, Qi Ya—said softly as she stepped in front of Jiang Hai, pretending to help him find slippers but whispering quietly in his ear.
The breath she blew against him only made Jiang Hai more flustered.
He had thought about everything but never imagined this: Bernice and Xiao Ya were actually Qi Li's sisters. Was this some cruel joke?
"Are you really Qi Li's sister?" Jiang Hai grabbed her hand before she could leave, whispering.
"Of course, I am. Haven't you figured it out yet? To be honest, which of the three sisters do you find most comfortable?" Qi Ya, who looked as if she'd just weathered a storm and got a little dirty, teased Jiang Hai quietly.
His face flushed red. That was the most shameless thing he had ever heard.
"Hehe, come on in!" Qi Ya laughed, then led the way into the villa's living room.
Inside, Qi Li was already chatting with their mother. Jiang Hai recognized Zheng Xiu'e standing nearby, listening attentively while preparing tea and snacks.
As Jiang Hai entered, Qi Li's mother stood and smiled warmly.
"Xiao Jiang is here! Come, sit down," she said, pulling Jiang Hai beside her. Jiang Hai's embarrassment deepened as Xiao Ya sat next to him, smiling. His body felt stiff amid the company.
"Xiao Jiang should know her—this is my youngest daughter, Qi Ya. She's had a troubling illness since childhood, albinism. Her second sister studied medicine and has been treating her in the U.S., but not in Boston where you were. They were in Miami, down south. It's been years since I last saw them. This year, Xiao Ya's condition improved enough that she can be out in the sun normally. They just returned. Since you're all in the States now, if anything happens, you must help take care of them," Qi Li's mother said earnestly, taking Jiang Hai's hand.
Jiang Hai was speechless. How could he "take care" of them any more than he already had? He'd taken care of them well enough in bed—did this mean he was expected to have a few more kids?
"Mom, look what you say! My brother-in-law is shy," Qi Ya said kindly, standing to ease the awkwardness.
"Yes, yes, but if you need anything, go to your brother-in-law. He's quite capable now. The delicious beef you ate after you came back? That was all thanks to him..." Qi Li's mother smiled fondly, praising Jiang Hai. He felt his face heat up again.
She clearly knew Jiang Hai was no longer the same person he used to be. Without this stability and potential, she never would have allowed her daughter to marry him. If he had been useless, she would feel sorry for Qi Li.
But now Jiang Hai had some status and strength, and they seemed quite compatible.
"Mom, don't worry. If the second and third sisters have any trouble in the U.S., Jiang Hai will definitely help," Qi Li smiled, and Jiang Hai lowered his head further, utterly embarrassed.
He had no words for the conversation, grateful that Zheng Xiu'e was there to serve tea and distract him.
But drinking too much tea had its consequences. Less than half an hour later, Jiang Hai felt his lower abdomen tighten.
He excused himself to use the bathroom but decided not to leave so soon. If he had to listen to the mothers again, better to stay a while longer in the toilet. He squatted there for over ten minutes, playing a game on his phone.
Just as he stepped out, the door next to him opened, and Bernice walked in carrying a bunch of things.
"It's you..." Seeing her, Jiang Hai's last hope for escape was shattered. It really was her.
"Hey, you're here. Happy about this surprise?" Bernice smiled as she put down her things and approached Jiang Hai. She glanced at the people in the room but ignored them, focusing on him.
"No surprise. More like quite frightened. What should I call you now? Bernice, Qi Jie, or sister-in-law?" Jiang Hai said helplessly. He really had done something that infuriated both humans and gods.
"Up to you. But when we're doing that, do you want me to call you husband?" Bernice leaned in, lightly tracing her fingertips across Jiang Hai's chest before whispering sweetly in his ear. Before he could react, she hugged his neck and kissed him.
Kissing his sister-in-law here was unbearably embarrassing. Jiang Hai wanted to push her away, but she grasped his hand and pressed it firmly against her chest.
"Hey! You're courting death!" Jiang Hai warned with some fear. If anyone saw this, he would never be able to wash away the shame—even if he jumped into the Yellow River. Well, assuming he was clean to begin with.
"Tsk, coward. I'll come see you tonight," Bernice said with a playful glare, then walked away carrying something.
Jiang Hai wiped his mouth, checking to make sure nothing was amiss, then returned to the living room.
There was another round of introductions, with Bernice pretending to meet Jiang Hai for the first time. It was true she had never met him before, unlike Qi Ya, who'd seen him as a child.
The act was so awkward, Jiang Hai felt his embarrassment deepen.
Despite his discomfort, the overall atmosphere was warm and joyful.
That night, they celebrated the New Year together. After dinner, around eight, they watched the Spring Festival Gala while making dumplings.
Although the show wasn't very impressive this year, everyone cherished the reunion and the festive atmosphere.
It was well past midnight when the gala ended. Everyone else was sleepy—especially Qi Li and their mother. Old people tend to get drowsy early but wake up early, too.
After finishing the dumplings at midnight, everyone went to rest. Jiang Hai planned to stay with Qi Li.
He went to take a shower, but halfway through, Qi Li walked in.
"Sir, want me to rub your back?" she asked with a smile.
Jiang Hai grinned and reached out his hand. Qi Li stepped into the bathtub with him and, instead of rubbing his back, explored other areas.
An hour later, Qi Li lay in Jiang Hai's arms like a tired heap. Listening to his strong heartbeat, she smiled contentedly. After more than two hours of passionate intimacy the previous night, Qi Li was drained. After lying quietly for about ten minutes, Jiang Hai noticed her wrinkled fingers and gently picked her up.
After cleaning her hands, he carried her to the bed. As soon as she touched the mattress, Qi Li turned sideways to sleep.
"Aren't you thirsty? Want some water?" Jiang Hai asked, nudging her.
"I'm too sleepy. I'll sleep. If you're thirsty, go get water from the fridge downstairs," Qi Li mumbled, too tired to open her eyes.
Jiang Hai chuckled, gave her a playful spank, put on his pajamas, and headed downstairs for water.
Just as he reached the stairs, a figure suddenly grabbed him.
It was Bernice—now Qi Jie.
"I've been waiting for an hour. You must have been busy in there. Tsk, you really know how to enjoy yourself. Now you belong to me!" she murmured with a sly smile and pulled Jiang Hai into her room.
No need to say more about what followed. It was almost one o'clock when he went to bed, but when Jiang Hai left Qi Jie's room, it was nearly four in the morning. Parched, he decided to get water again.
In the kitchen, Qi Ya stood in pajamas. Seeing him, she smiled and beckoned him over with a finger.
Jiang Hai got the water and drank it all, gazing at Qi Ya, who was as charming as ever. There was nothing more to say. They had "practiced" here before, and despite the embarrassment, Qi Ya's playful finger bite reignited the battle.
By the time Jiang Hai returned to Qi Li's room, it was five in the morning, and dawn was breaking.
Exhausted from the night's exertions, Jiang Hai held Qi Li close and finally fell asleep.