The Vinegar Jar Is Overturned

Qiao Yu directly sat down next to Zhou Yi.

The woman’s hair was swept entirely to one side, revealing her long, fair neck, which happened to face Zhou Yi’s direction.

She was deliberately showcasing her neck and shoulder line.

There was no doubt—she was a beautiful woman.

Her sweater sleeves were slightly longer than her hands, covering half her palms and leaving only a few fingers peeking out from the cuffs. She cupped her face with her hands, tilting her head slightly as she flashed Zhou Yi an innocent, adorable expression.

“Calling you ‘Classmate Zhou’ feels too formal. Can I call you ‘Yi’ instead?”

“Whatever you prefer.”

“At your age, you should call me ‘big sister,’ just like Qiao Xi does.”

“Big sister.”

No matter what Qiao Yu said, Zhou Yi responded with only a few clipped words, maintaining a polite yet distant demeanor—completely different from how he acted around Qiao Xi. Qiao Yu could sense it.

And the more he acted this way, the more she wanted to capture his attention.

In a soft, gentle voice, she asked, “Yi, how did you and our Qiao Xi meet?”

If she wanted to steal Zhou Yi from Qiao Xi, she needed to understand their history.

Zhou Yi briefly recounted how he and Qiao Xi had first crossed paths. Immediately, Qiao Yu put on an admiring expression, her eyes sparkling as she exclaimed,

“Wow! I had no idea you were so impressive! We really owe you for that. Qiao Xi could’ve been in danger. We should’ve treated you to a meal much sooner.”

“That girl Qiao Xi—she never tells us anything. You’d think she’d mention her own savior.”

Her words simultaneously praised Zhou Yi while subtly undermining Qiao Xi. The teasing, lighthearted tone masked her true intentions—unless one listened carefully.

Wasn’t she implying that Qiao Xi didn’t take Zhou Yi’s lifesaving act seriously?

Of course, Zhou Yi knew exactly what kind of person Qiao Xi was. A couple of words from Qiao Yu wouldn’t make him resent her.

“It’s fine. Qiao Xi has thanked me many times already. Besides, she’s helped me with plenty of things too. I should be thanking her.”

“You’re too kind. If only I could find a boyfriend like you.”

Qiao Yu leaned back on the sofa, her head tilting slightly toward Zhou Yi—just enough for a few strands of her hair to “accidentally” brush against his shoulder.

He pretended not to notice.

“Someone like you, Qiao Yu-jie, could have any man you want. You must just have high standards.”

“If I say I want someone like you, does that count as high standards?”

She crossed her legs, one foot swaying playfully near Zhou Yi’s calf, occasionally grazing it—as if by pure coincidence.

Zhou Yi realized she was skilled at these subtle, ambiguous little gestures.

But he remained unmoved, his expression so steadfast it could’ve passed a Communist Party loyalty test.

“I’m not exactly a top-tier catch. You’ll find someone much better.”

Qiao Yu laughed, her body shaking with mirth—her chest “accidentally” brushing against Zhou Yi’s arm before quickly pulling away, as if it had all been unintentional.

Eyes curved into crescents, she murmured, “So, Yi, was that a compliment? Are you saying I’m good enough for you?”

Her voice was soft, liquid-sweet. She tilted her head, gazing up at Zhou Yi from beneath her lashes, her eyes brimming with allure.

Just then, Qiao Xi emerged from the kitchen.

Seeing Qiao Yu leaning close to Zhou Yi, laughing happily, something sharp twisted in Qiao Xi’s chest.

[Qiao Xi’s Affection Points +2]

Watching this scene, Qiao Xi felt a pang of jealousy. The thought of Qiao Yu stealing Zhou Yi away from her sent a wave of panic crashing over her.

Since childhood, Qiao Yu had always gotten whatever she wanted. Why couldn’t she leave the one person Qiao Xi liked alone?

Qiao Yu’s intentions were glaringly obvious—even from this distance, Qiao Xi could see her batting her eyelashes at Zhou Yi.

And she’d even changed outfits. As a fellow woman, Qiao Xi saw right through her little schemes.

The worst part? Qiao Yu wasn’t even trying to hide it. She didn’t fear Qiao Xi—didn’t consider her a threat at all.

“Jie, Auntie Zhang wants to know what you’d like to eat. Could you go check in the kitchen?”

Qiao Xi tried to shoo Qiao Yu away, but Qiao Yu just chuckled dismissively. “Tell her I want beef.”

Then, turning back to Zhou Yi with a smile, she pressed, “You still haven’t answered me, Yi.”

Her sugary, coquettish tone was the last straw for Qiao Xi.

For once, Qiao Xi shed her usual meekness. She strode over to Qiao Yu and said firmly,

“Tell her yourself. And—you’re sitting in my spot.”

It was rare for Qiao Xi to speak so coldly. This time, she was genuinely angry.

Qiao Yu crossed her arms, amused. “Your spot? The sofa doesn’t have your name on it. Right, Dad?”

Qiao Zhengguo always favored Qiao Yu. But with Zhou Yi present, he couldn’t blatantly take her side. He could only shoot her a warning look.

“Qiao Xi’s younger. Be the bigger sister and let her have this one.”

Qiao Yu shrugged. “Fine, fine. I’ve always been the one giving in to you. Just don’t expect the world to coddle you like this. Lucky for you, I’m easygoing.”

Qiao Xi’s face burned with anger. How dare Qiao Yu twist the narrative in front of Yi-ge, making her seem like some spoiled brat!

Once seated, Qiao Xi’s flushed, pouting face only made Zhou Yi find her even more endearing.

Her eyes met his, brimming with silent grievance.

“I’m not usually like this...”

Zhou Yi’s smile was tender, indulgent. “I know.”

Qiao Xi exhaled in relief. Qiao Yu, however, was far less pleased.

The moment Qiao Xi appeared, Zhou Yi’s attention locked onto her—his demeanor completely different from how he treated Qiao Yu.

Lowering her head, Qiao Yu smirked coldly. What did Qiao Xi have besides tears and a victim act? And yet men fell for it every time.

At dinner, the moment Zhou Yi took his seat, Qiao Xi practically dove into the chair beside him, determined to block Qiao Yu.

She pressed close to Zhou Yi, her eyes fixed on the empty seat on his other side.

Sure enough, Qiao Yu claimed it.

From the head of the table, Qiao Zhengguo sighed. “Why are you all crowding together? The table’s big enough.”

Qiao Yu ignored him.

“I have so much to ask Yi about. He runs his own business—I could learn a lot from him, Dad.”

Qiao Xi muttered, “Dad’s a businessman too. Why not ask him?”

Qiao Yu smirked. “It’s not the same. Yi’s young, like us. Youth has its advantages.”

Qiao Zhengguo shook his head helplessly and let it go.

The table was laden with dishes. Qiao Yu pointed at one and pouted at Zhou Yi. “I want that, but it’s too far. Could you get some for me?”

Before Zhou Yi could move, Qiao Xi abruptly stood and plopped a serving into Qiao Yu’s bowl.

“Don’t trouble our guest, jie.”

Jealous Qiao Xi was a far cry from her usual self.

Zhou Yi’s eyes lit up—he found this side of her oddly charming.

With a smile, he placed a piece of meat in her bowl. “You’re too thin, Xi. Eat more.”

Instantly cheered, Qiao Xi stuffed the meat into her mouth, cheeks puffing like a smug little hamster as she shot Qiao Yu a triumphant look.

“For some reason, Auntie Zhang’s cooking tastes even better today.”

Qiao Yu rolled her eyes—this little brat actually dared to give her attitude now. How bold she'd become.

Qiao Zhengguo simply watched the drama unfold, knowing he didn’t need to play the judge or show favoritism today. That role belonged to Zhou Yi.

And it was clear this judge was biased toward Qiao Xi.

For once, Qiao Yu got a taste of being left out in the cold.