Kaira's shocking demand

After applying ointment to Anna's hand, Kian quietly got up and went to sit far away, as if he had never even been there. His presence disappeared like a shadow fading into the background.

A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed in the living room. Kaira was coming. As soon as she entered the room, her eyes landed on Anna and Kian —both sitting miles apart from each other. An involuntary, faint smile crossed Kaira 's face, perhaps at the irony of the situation.

She walked straight over to Anna, gently held her hand, and sat beside her without saying a word.

Taking a long, deep breath, Kaira said,

"Sister-in-law… let's go shopping."

"Shopping?" Anna was taken aback.

Kaira had been full of surprises today.

Anna had never imagined that Kaira would be the one to invite her out shopping.

More so, in the past, when Anna had asked her several times to come along, Kaira had outright refused each time. She either preferred shopping alone or with Jasmine. She hadn't liked Anna's taste and had made that clear—bluntly, without any hesitation.

Since that day, Anna had never insisted again.

That's why Kaira suddenly said this today… left Anna confused.

In a slightly nervous voice, Anna said,

"No… I can't go. There's a lot of work at home… I just came to check in on you, nothing more. We'll go some other day, I promise…"

Kaira listened to Anna… and remained silent for a moment.

Her grip on Anna's hand hadn't loosened. Then, with a soft smile, she said, "Housework happens every day, but moments like these don't come often… when we can actually get to know each other better."

For the first time, Anna saw a different kind of softness in Kaira 's eyes. No pretension, no sarcasm… just a sincere effort.

Anna couldn't bring herself to say anything.

Kaira gently said, "Please… just for an hour. No major shopping, we'll just look around a little… something for you and something for me."

Anna's lips parted slightly, but words didn't come out. She wasn't sure how to respond to this changed version of Kaira .

Once again, Kaira used her classic innocent act — making a childlike face, a touch of delicacy, and a whole lot of drama in her eyes. She came and sat beside Anna.

"Sister-in-law, please…" she said, her voice dipped in sweetness,"I have to go to the Jian House tomorrow. I'll be meeting my grandfather-in-law for the first time, and you know I have to look absolutely perfect there. So I need to shop, get makeup… everything. And I can't do all this alone. You have to help me. After all, you're going to be the daughter-in-law of this house… and I'm your loving sister-in-law!"

There was innocence in her tone, but anyone who could read between the lines would know—she was emotionally blackmailing Anna.

Kian , seated on a nearby sofa, was watching and listening to it all. He couldn't understand why his sister was behaving so strangely today. And the most surprising part was—she was asking Anna to go shopping with her. Anna, with whom she had barely had a proper conversation till now.

Anna's face said it all—she clearly didn't want to go. But Kian could never bear to see his sister disappointed.

In a slightly firm voice, he said, "If Kaira wants to take you shopping, then go with her. You can buy something nice for yourself too."

As soon as he said that, Kaira 's eyes lit up. She looked at Anna with a smile and said,

"Right! Now that even bhai has said so, you have to come with me, sister in law!"

Then she instantly extended a hand toward Kian .

Kian looked at her empty hand and raised his brows,"What do you want now?"

Without missing a beat, Kaira said with exaggerated drama,"Your card! What else? Do you expect me to go there and shop for air?"

Kian chuckled and shook his head,"You're married now. Why should your brother still be spending on you? Go splurge your husband's money."

Kaira narrowed her eyes, then pouted like a little girl, "He's not even home right now! And a brother will always be a brother, won't he?"

Anna stood quietly—there was a smile playing on her face, unable to ignore Kaira 's innocent little effort.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Shanghai's busiest Fuzhi Road, with fast-moving cars and crowds of pedestrians, a silver Tesla X slowly pulled up in front of a luxury boutique mall.

The car door opened, and out stepped Kaira —dressed in a soft, powder blue silk Hanfu, her hair half-tied, pearl earrings dangling from her ears, and a light glossy pink tint on her lips. Her stride carried that familiar confidence that instantly drew everyone's attention.

Right behind her, a little hesitant, Anna also got out—wearing a simple white top and beige pleated skirt. Her hair was clipped back, and a slight nervousness shadowed her face. Her steps seemed to say, "I'm here too… but my heart's not fully ready."

Kaira looked around and reached out, gently grabbing Anna's wrist.

"Come on, Sister-in-law! Today I'll show you the real taste of Shanghai style. And please… Don't be shy like this. No one here knows who we are, what we are… just for today, it's a 'fun day!'"

Anna smiled faintly, but the confusion still lingered inside—"Alone with Kaira ... what if she says something, asks something?"

As they stepped inside—

The golden glow of the China Moon Mall spilled like liquid gold all around. Every store was a colorful fair of Chinese fashion—Qi Paos, silk blazers, embroidered handbags, and rows of jade pendants.

Kaira , bubbling with childlike excitement, rushed toward a store.

"Hey look! Snow Lotus has launched a new silk series! OMG!"

She instantly pulled Anna inside by the hand.

"Sister-in-law, look at this dress! Just imagine—when I wear this in front of my grandfather-in-law… I'll look so graceful, so elegant that he'll say—'Kaira , you are the true young lady of the Jian house.'" she said with wide eyes and a dramatic flair.

Anna smiled slightly, but before she could reply, Kaira picked up another dress.

"And this one's for you! Pure jade green… it'll look perfect with your skin tone. Come on, try it!"

Anna hesitated, "I'm not used to wearing these kinds of clothes…"

Kaira cut her off—

"Then get used to it! Look, no one's going to judge you here. And anyway, this is my favorite style—Shanghai minimalism meets royal elegance... and today, you're one of my chosen guests!"

Kaira 's words were innocent like a child's but carried the commanding air of a queen. She moved toward a changing room in the corner of the store, and just a few minutes later, she stepped out—fully dressed in a jade white embroidered Hanfu, with golden phoenix embroidery along the edges.

She spun around and said, "How do I look?"

Without realizing it, Anna replied, "…like a princess from some ancient Chinese empire."

Kaira burst out laughing, "Exactly! And I'll make you my minister—one who bows and honors my gaze!"

Anna smiled—relieved. At least Kaira wasn't upset, and the mood was light and cheerful.

Then Kaira said as they continued walking,

"Come on, we still need to get makeup for you… do you know about Chinese wedding makeup styles? Dewy skin, bold red lips, and soft glitter eyes… today I'll teach you the Shanghai way, Sister—in—law!"

Anna took a deep breath, and in a soft voice, said to herself,"Maybe… this relationship isn't as difficult as I thought."

At this time, both of them were shopping when suddenly a familiar voice came from behind and started cursing Anna directly.