What reason is there to stay in Xinhai?
"I swear! I'm really not a playboy!"
The elevator doors slid open with a dull thud, and the muffled voice suddenly became clear. Inside the elevator stood Ji Shuhe, Ji Shulang, and Wen Shaoyu.
Ji Shulang raised both hands, facing Ji Shuhe's scrutinizing gaze, his face written all over with "confess and get leniency." "If I were really dating both sisters at the same time like they say, may I never be able to get through to the court phone in this lifetime!"
"Perfect timing."
Just as Ji Shulang was speaking with fervor, Wen Shaoyu, who was holding the elevator door, chimed in lightly like a ghost behind him: "You cancel your lawyer's license and come to our company's legal department."
"Sure, with our relationship, it's not too much for me to be a legal director, right?" Ji Shulang followed Ji Shuhe out of the elevator, turning his head to look at Wen Shaoyu, even making demands. "Five insurances and one housing fund are basic, annual leave can be calculated by seniority, but we'll have to discuss the monthly salary privately."
How did this turn into a job application...
"Bro!" Ji Shuhe felt something was off and couldn't help interrupting with a frown.
Ji Shulang immediately snapped back to normal, sidling up to Ji Shuhe, without any of the coldness expected of a lawyer: "Just kidding. I'm doing well as a lawyer, why would I cancel my license? Even if he were willing to hire me, I wouldn't go!"
The surroundings were quiet enough to hear clearly. Wen Shaoyu let out a light snort, put his hands in his pockets, and quickened his pace to the front.
Ji Shulang pretended not to hear and continued to address Ji Shuhe: "Got sidetracked. Let's get back to the topic."
"The whole thing is just Aunt Li from Building 3 gossiping with nothing better to do. First, it's not true. Second, it's a rumor with no evidence. Third, even if An Qing and I walked together, that doesn't prove I'm dating her!"
"Xiaoshu! Your brother has always put character first! You have to believe me!"
Ji Shulang had called for backup early on, all for tonight's "ambush" targeting him.
He didn't know what the matchmaker Aunt Li had said to Chu Yue, but suddenly the rumor exploded that Ji Shulang was two-timing. He had been set up with An Yao earlier and was still in contact with her, but then he supposedly hooked up with her twin sister, An Qing.
The matchmaker swore she had seen Ji Shulang sending An Qing to her doorstep late at night, and a few days later, he picked up An Yao in his car.
This infuriated Chu Yue. She was a teacher, and from childhood, she valued character and upbringing above all. She never imagined that her son, who had grown up to be excellent in every aspect, would turn into a playboy in matters of the heart.
When the accusatory call came, Ji Shulang was naturally unable to defend himself. To avoid a joint interrogation by his parents and grandmother at home, he quickly sought out Wen Shaoyu and Ji Shuhe, who were in the know, hoping that Chu Yue would clear his name in front of witnesses.
The three of them were now walking scattered along the dimly lit path. Wen Shaoyu was at the front, Ji Shulang a bit slower, walking sideways to look at Ji Shuhe, who was at the back, pulling up her coat collar and burying half her face in it.
To be honest, Ji Shuhe's mind was a tangled mess right now.
Ji Shulang's rambling defense, Chu Yue's questions at dinner about An Qing and An Yao's relationship, and...
And earlier, Wen Shaoyu, knowing she had no way out, had blocked the elevator exit and forcefully demanded an answer from her.
Too many things revolved around her, too many responses she needed to give. Ji Shuhe wasn't used to suddenly becoming "important," nor did she know how to handle her own "importance."
So when the words came out, she herself was dazed by what she asked: "Then why did you send An Qing home late at night?"
"Xiaoshu, it's fine if you spaced out during dinner, but how could you forget who you were drinking with on New Year's Eve!" Ji Shulang's eyes were full of grievance. "I made an appointment with An Qing and took her home. Don't you two know who it was for?"
Ji Shuhe snapped back to reality. It was indeed New Year's Day. She had testified for Ji Shulang at dinner just now.
Ji Shulang's gaze shifted from grievance to suspicion, sweeping across Ji Shuhe and then to Wen Shaoyu.
The person walking ahead didn't say a word, but Ji Shuhe guiltily bit her lip and awkwardly changed the subject: "But I remember you said that day that you and An Yao just had a meal and didn't feel anything for each other."
"Yeah, no chemistry. We made it clear then—had a meal to go through the motions, then went our separate ways. But after New Year's, An Yao referred a friend to me for legal consultation. The issue was simple, so I didn't charge. She felt bad and offered to buy me coffee."
Speaking of this, Ji Shulang felt even more wronged. He was clearly a good-hearted young man helping out. How did that turn him into a playboy?
Ji Shuhe rubbed her still-throbbing temples. It all sounded reasonable. Ji Shulang was just unlucky.
As his sister, she naturally believed in Ji Shulang's character. But when she met An Qing earlier, the hesitant tone she used when mentioning An Yao made Ji Shuhe feel that the sisters' relationship was somewhat delicate.
Ji Shuhe thought for a moment. Although she couldn't untangle her own mess, she didn't want her friends to get hurt, even by accident.
She stared at the tangled shadows of the three of them on the ground, then looked up at Ji Shulang after a moment: "A senior colleague of mine produced a great documentary. He followed five pairs of identical twins, from ages five to thirty, interviewing them every five years."
"At five, aside from looking alike, the twins had completely different hobbies and tastes. But as they grew up, under the stereotype that 'twins should be identical,' they started to converge in all aspects, even choosing to marry another pair of twins."
Ji Shuhe's example was gentle, but her soft voice carried a serious reminder to Ji Shulang: "But An Qing hasn't been assimilated. The two sisters have always been different."
"So, bro, if you have feelings for either of them, you must keep a clear boundary with the other." She paused, her tone filled with protectiveness. "Especially An Qing. She is a very important friend to me. I don't want her to feel, because of any misunderstanding, that she's someone's second choice."
Ji Shulang seemed to get it. With Ji Shuhe's hint, he recalled An Qing's state that night they drank, and the abruptness of An Yao's invitation for coffee. He seemed to figure something out.
"When you put it that way, I think I understand," he said, crossing his arms and rubbing his chin. "But I'm really not close with them. It's purely friendship."
Ji Shuhe wrinkled her nose, swallowing the words about having to choose between friendships, and quickened her pace: "Then stick with your pure friendship!"
Ji Shulang's place was at the back of the neighborhood. Coming out of Grandma Ji's building, he should have parted ways with them at the fork. Maybe out of hospitality, or more likely because he needed someone to listen to his grievances, he ended up accompanying Ji Shuhe and Wen Shaoyu to the neighborhood gate.
"President Wen, let me interview you," Ji Shulang said, looking incredulously at Wen Shaoyu when he realized they still had to walk further out. "You have a parking spot in the neighborhood, yet you parked outside. What's your reasoning?"
Wen Shaoyu nodded and answered succinctly: "You can ask your sister about that."
Ji Shulang immediately rolled back his eyes that were about to roll out: "I get it. A walk after dinner is good for digestion. My sister is always thoughtful."
Ji Shuhe wanted to facepalm again.
Her brother's filter for her was ridiculously thick. He showered her with unprincipled praise every day, making it really hard not to get a big head.
But before she could lower her hand, Ji Shulang spoke again, and this time, he completely deflated the little bit of lightness she had mustered.
"Wen Shaoyu, take Xiaoshu home early. She has to work tomorrow. Drive slowly on the way."
Ji Shuhe had been picked up by Wen Shaoyu, so it was assumed he would take her back. Ji Shulang thought he was being considerate, even adding a few more safety reminders to show he was a caring brother.