Just as Tinia turned around to leave, Jiang Lijin called out to stop him.
"Wait."
Hearing Jiang Lijin's voice, Tinia spun around and leaned in close, his eyes astonishingly bright. "What's wrong? Can't bear to let me go?"
"Stop right there." Jiang Lijin raised a hand in a halting gesture. "Let's make a deal. Stop calling me 'wife' all the time. It sounds incredibly awkward."
Tinia's handsome face instantly fell, his blue eyes filled with accusation. "Why? You are clearly my wife!"
"It's just a no." Jiang Lijin's attitude was firm. The term of endearment was far too clingy; she really couldn't stand hearing it anymore.
"Then what should I call you if not wife?" Tinia pursed his lips, looking displeased.
"Call me by my full name, Jiang Lijin."
"No way!" Tinia shook his head like a rattle drum. "Using your full name is too distant. It doesn't sound intimate at all."
Jiang Lijin rolled her eyes inwardly, secretly grumbling: We aren't even close to begin with, okay?
But if she actually said that out loud, this young master would probably throw a tantrum here for half the night. She thought for a moment, recalling the matching profile sent by the Main Brain earlier.
Tinia, nineteen years old.
The original owner of her body was twenty-one this year.
"How about you call me 'Sister'?" Jiang Lijin suggested.
Tinia froze for a second, his mind racing.
He had long since memorized the public data on the Star Network. Chiron was twenty-four, Baal was twenty-five. As for the remaining two guys whom even the Main Brain couldn't find any records of, they were likely unregistered citizens from some remote garbage planet, without even an exact age.
Calculating it all, out of her five matched partners, he was the only one who could openly and legitimately call her "Sister"!
This was an exclusive, one-of-a-kind title!
Figuring this out, the slight grievance in Tinia's heart instantly vanished into thin air, and he agreed faster than anyone else: "Alright, Sister!"
This "Sister" was called out sweetly and crisply, accompanied by a brilliant smile. He was cut out for business, knowing best how to climb up the ladder when given a chance. As long as it brought them closer, what he called her didn't matter.
"Alright, hurry back to your room and sleep." Jiang Lijin waved her hand to shoo him away.
"Goodnight, Sister." Tinia strolled back to his room, completely satisfied.
The room finally quieted down. Jiang Lijin leaned back on the sofa and opened the Star Network mall on her optical computer, planning to pick out a few changes of clothes.
A virtual light screen unfolded in mid-air, displaying a dazzling array of clothing.
She casually swiped through until her gaze suddenly stopped on a pink lace dress. The design was intricate, with layers of tulle paired with a delicate color.
As she looked at it, Felwin's pitiful face popped into her mind at a very inappropriate time. That woman always loved wearing this style of clothing, hiding behind males and pretending to be pitiful.
What bad luck.
Jiang Lijin frowned in disgust and decisively swiped the page away. It was better to just buy a set of pajamas to make do for the night.
Before she could pick out a suitable style, the front doorbell rang.
Who would come this late?
She pulled up the security camera feed at the door. In the night, a black hovercar with sleek lines and understated luxury was parked outside the yard. The car window wasn't completely closed, and the side profile of the man in the driver's seat could be vaguely seen.
It was Chiron.
Jiang Lijin pressed the button to open the gate, simultaneously unlocking the access to the house's underground garage. The hovercar drove smoothly into the garage.
A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. The rhythm was unhurried and very polite.
Jiang Lijin walked over to open the door.
Chiron stood outside, his posture tall and straight. He was wearing a soft, dark gray casual shirt, with the cuffs casually rolled up. He held a silver-white suitcase in one hand and a paper bag printed with the logo of a luxury brand in the other.
This big shot from the Imperial Academy of Sciences apparently intended to take up permanent residence here as well.
"Coming over this late, I hope I haven't disturbed your rest." Chiron's voice was gentle as he handed over the paper bag in his hand.
Jiang Lijin took it, feeling a bit puzzled. "What's this?"
"When I went back to pack my luggage, I noticed that what you asked me to throw away were all everyday clothes." Chiron's tone was calm, as if narrating the most ordinary matter. "So, I picked up a set of pajamas on the way, following the size of your old clothes. See if they fit. Also, that small box you mentioned is in the bag too."
In her mind, the system Xiao Yi had already started screaming frantically: [Ahhh! Host! Listen to him! Look at this! This is what you call the quality of a top-tier male! This is what they mean by details determine success! This is a genuinely good man who knows how to dote on someone! Lord Chiron is simply my favorite! The Number One spot is definitely his!]
Jiang Lijin automatically blocked out Xiao Yi's noisy chatter.
"Thank you." She lowered her eyes, her voice softening a bit.
"You're welcome." Chiron glanced at the hallway. "Which room am I staying in?"
Jiang Lijin pointed to the row of rooms diagonally across. "There are three empty rooms over there, pick whichever you like." She paused, then added an explanation of the current occupancy, "Tinia is in the one on the left, and the one on the right belongs to Baal."
As soon as she finished speaking, the door on the left suddenly opened.
That kid Tinia did it on purpose, absolutely. The door to his room had actually been slightly ajar the whole time; he was clearly observing the enemy in secret.
Tinia leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, and his blue eyes unceremoniously scanned Chiron from head to toe.
Chiron's expression remained unchanged. He gave a slight nod as a greeting, completely ignoring the youth's provocation.
Tinia let out a light chuckle and withdrew his critical gaze. "The esteemed Director of the Imperial Hospital. You certainly are much more polite than that rude..."
He stood up straight and adjusted his collar. "Allow me to introduce myself. Tinia. The sole heir to the Yunlan Group. Since we'll all be living under the same roof from now on, I look forward to your guidance."
After saying that, he didn't even wait for Chiron's response. He turned around, went back into his room, and casually shut the door.
Chiron paid no mind to this slightly provocative behavior. He turned back to Jiang Lijin to discuss business. "Tomorrow morning, I will take you to the Central Hospital on the main central planet for a comprehensive physical examination."
Jiang Lijin became alert. "Checking what?"
"Don't be nervous," Chiron gently reassured her. "It's just a routine check-up. You are currently the only 3S-grade female in the interstellar region, and the Female Protection Center takes your health very seriously. This is also a welfare benefit they provide; we need to regularly confirm that all your physical indicators are in good condition."
So it was a publicly funded medical check-up.
Jiang Lijin pondered to herself. It just so happened that her knowledge of this world's mental power purification system was limited to the original owner's memories and fragments on the Star Network. As an authoritative institution, the Central Hospital had the top purification department. Going there to scout the place out, figure out how those high-ranking females operated, and understand the market situation would be a good idea.
"Alright, what time tomorrow?" she agreed readily.
"Nine in the morning, I'll come get you." Chiron pulled up the handle of his suitcase. "Rest early."
He turned and walked towards the opposite side. Instead of choosing the quietest room at the very end, he went straight ahead and pushed open the door right next to Baal's.
The hallway returned to its quiet state once more.
Jiang Lijin carried the paper bag back to her room. Upon opening it, she found not only a set of exquisitely textured silk pajamas, but even intimate apparel had been prepared for her—and the sizing was absolutely perfect.
Pinching the pitifully scant scrap of fabric between her fingers, she fell silent.
