Let Her Lose Control - Chapter 8

Su Ningyue took Yu Qingci to West Lake Tower, Cloud City’s iconic landmark. Completed just a year ago, the nearly 300-meter-tall tower was the tallest structure in the city, built by Huachen Entertainment after winning the construction bid three years prior.

 

West Lake Tower was more than just a landmark; it served as a popular filming location for numerous production teams and pioneered China’s first urban bungee jumping experience. The tower’s two sides offered starkly contrasting views: one side showcased the vibrant scenery of a 5A-level scenic area, while the other overlooked the bustling heart of the city, drawing countless tourists.

 

The winter night in Cloud City was damp and chilly, but fortunately, it wasn’t raining. The observation elevator ascended much slower than those in shopping malls, making the sensation of weightlessness barely noticeable.

 

Yu Qingci initially clung to Su Ningyue’s shoulder, but soon grew dizzy and slumped to the floor, tilting her head to gaze out the window. “Xiao Yueyue,” she asked incredulously, “you’re not actually taking me bungee jumping at this hour, are you?”

 

Su Ningyue crouched beside Yu Qingci. “Haven’t you noticed your stomach growling all this time? I’m taking you for midnight snacks. If you still want to bungee jump afterward, I won’t stop you.”

 

The panoramic city views from West Lake Tower were unparalleled. Every night, social media influencers flocked to the tower to take photos, and during late-night snack hours, the restaurants were so crowded that you couldn’t get a table without a reservation.

 

But the Su family was an exception.

 

Yu Qingci leaned forward, peering out at the gradually blurring figures on the ground. She recalled a rumor: “I heard that when this tower was built, the first person to bungee jump was a member of your Su family. It caused quite a stir. Is that true?”

 

“Sort of,” Su Ningyue replied.

 

The “sort of” was because she had been the one who made the first jump.

 

But now, she couldn’t truly consider herself a full-fledged member of the Su family.

 

When West Lake Tower was first completed, its top-floor observation restaurant and bungee jumping attraction drew envious glances from countless real estate developers. Yet Huachen Entertainment held the government tender, leaving rivals to resort to underhanded tactics elsewhere.

 

Just then, a bungee jumping accident occurred elsewhere in the country, plunging West Lake Tower into a public relations crisis even before its grand opening.

 

On the ribbon-cutting day, swarms of media reporters confronted Su Ningshang with cameras, demanding assurances of visitor safety. Su Ningshang calmly explained the safety measures, but the media, hungry for sensational headlines, refused to listen. The situation escalated until they demanded a live safety demonstration.

 

Had it not been for the other bungee jumping accident, the first jump would have been a coveted honor. Now, with Huachen Entertainment under intense scrutiny, the first jump seemed ominously ill-fated.

 

The media’s attacks were clearly aimed at Su Ningshang. Even if she sent a staff member in her place, the reporters would find a dozen reasons to discredit them.

 

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

 

The media had already drafted their headlines about Su Ningshang’s refusal, ready to report on how a hundred million yuan investment had gone down the drain.

 

But then, another figure stepped forward. “I’m Su Ningyue, Su Ningshang’s younger sister. My sister has been working tirelessly for days preparing for the grand opening. Bungee jumping isn’t suitable for her right now. May I be the first to experience it?”

 

In that moment, countless cameras swiveled toward Su Ningyue. She didn’t even dare turn to see Su Ningshang’s reaction.

 

After the staff helped her put on the equipment, Su Ningyue walked alone to the edge of the bungee jumping platform. Mimicking the instructor’s instructions, she adjusted her posture and leaped into the dizzying void.

 

The howling wind and the terrifying sensation of weightlessness accompanied her descent. When she was pulled back onto the platform, Su Ningyue was as pale as a sheet of paper, surrounded by the celebratory flowers and thunderous applause.

 

From that day forward, the West Lake Tower was packed with tourists daily, recouping its investment in just one year.

 

Looking back on that incident, Su Ningyue realized that what had left the deepest impression on her wasn’t the exhilarating sense of rebirth after the jump, nor even the near-death terror she had felt plummeting downward.

 

What she remembered most vividly was Su Ningshang’s trembling hands as she held her back on the platform. The scolding she had anticipated never came.

 

After a long silence, Su Ningshang murmured softly, “Afraid you wouldn’t have anyone to hide behind if you didn’t jump?”

 

Su Ningyue snapped out of her reverie and recounted her heroic act to Yu Qingci, immediately earning Yu Qingci’s admiring gaze. “I never knew you were so brave! I wouldn’t dare jump—I value my life too much.”

 

Su Ningyue smiled, neither confirming nor denying the compliment.

 

However, their late-night snack plans were dashed just minutes later. Yu Qingci’s low alcohol tolerance left her too drunk to walk by the time they exited the sightseeing elevator. In the end, Su Ningyue had no choice but to ask hotel staff for help escorting Yu Qingci to a nearby hotel.

 

Since Yu Qingci’s parents had been separated for years, Su Ningyue called Yu Qingci’s family without mentioning the drinking. She simply explained that she hadn’t seen Yu Qingci in ages and was keeping her overnight.

 

Having grown up together, their families were well-acquainted, so no one suspected anything.

 

After settling the tipsy Yu Qingci into bed, Su Ningyue leaned against the opposite side of the bed to rest for a while. It was then that a WeChat message from Su Ningshang popped up:

 

When are you coming home?

 

Su Ningyue glanced at the time—it was already nearing midnight. Not wanting anyone to know Su Ningshang was frantically searching for her across Cloud City, she proactively sent the hotel’s location and emphasized: Yu Qingci got drunk. I have to stay here tonight to look after her.

 

Su Ningshang didn’t reply.

 

Su Ningyue turned on the TV and began flipping through channels aimlessly, eventually stopping on the movie channel. It was a suspense film produced by Huachen Films two years ago, and to her surprise, Shu Xuan was in it.

 

Her appearance lasted barely half a minute, a stark contrast to the treatment she would later receive as the female lead.

 

Su Ningyue suddenly remembered that Shu Xuan had only truly skyrocketed to fame in the past year. This wasn’t solely due to Huachen’s high-profile film Twin, but also because Huachen generously provided her with numerous endorsements and publicity opportunities, solidifying her position as a top-tier star.

 

The entertainment industry was overflowing with award winners, and even actresses who had won Best Actress often failed to capitalize on the prestige of their awards. Online speculation about Shu Xuan’s success inevitably linked it to her “friendship” with Su Ningshang.

 

Her phone lit up again: Come downstairs.

 

Su Ningyue’s heart tightened as she grabbed her phone and went to the window.

 

The crescent moon was hidden behind dark clouds, and the neon lights along the street were mostly dimmed, leaving only the streetlights dutifully illuminating the night.

 

Her room window faced the hotel parking lot. Su Ningshang’s ice-blue Phantom was parked directly across from the window, not in a designated parking space.

 

Su Ningshang stood beside her car, dressed as if she had just come from a formal event. She wore a cashmere shawl over a matching skirt suit—elegant but hardly warm.

 

Across the twenty-odd floors, her gaze seemed to meet Su Ningyue’s.

 

Su Ningyue’s fingers twitched, ready to draw the curtains.

 

But when Su Ningshang’s call came through, Su Ningyue paused, her hand hovering over the curtain.

 

After a few seconds, she answered.

 

“Aren’t you coming downstairs?” Su Ningshang asked.

 

“My friend is alone at the hotel,” Su Ningyue replied. “I’m worried about her.”

 

Su Ningshang murmured an understanding, hung up, and turned to get back into her car.

 

The situation had resolved with almost unbelievable ease. Anxious that Su Ningshang might change her mind, Su Ningyue immediately drew the curtains and switched off her phone.

 

As she turned, Yu Qingci stirred on the bed, listlessly rolling over. “Are we at a hotel?”

 

After her nap, the drunken flush on Yu Qingci’s face had faded considerably, though she still seemed lethargic.

 

Seeing her friend’s state, Su Ningyue couldn’t resist pretending to take a sneaky photo with Yu Qingci’s phone. “Yeah, I sold you. Scared?”

 

Yu Qingci had been calm, but when she saw the camera, she jolted upright, only to collapse back down a second later, too weak to stay up. “Sell, sell, sell me,” she mumbled. “Just make sure you get a good price. I’ll buy you candy.”

 

“You’re the one who needs candy, you little brat.”

 

Yu Qingci fell silent again. When Su Ningyue glanced over, she was fast asleep.

 

She was a far cry from the composed young woman who had tried to pick up men at bars like an adult.

 

Su Ningyue lay down on the other bed and turned off the light. Perhaps because she had been to so many places that night, exhaustion washed over her, and she drifted off to sleep almost immediately.

 

She woke to the sound of rain outside the window. Su Ningyue turned on her phone and checked the time: 3:18 AM.

 

Several bottles of juice provided by the hotel sat on the table. Thirsty, Su Ningyue got out of bed and opened one. It was a mixed fruit juice with carrot, and the taste was a bit odd.

 

Driven by some instinct, she set down the juice and walked to the window, gently pulling back a corner of the curtain.

 

It wasn’t raining outside, but sleeting—a mix of rain and snow, each clinging to the other, giving tangible form to Cloud City’s winter.

 

As her gaze followed the falling snow, Su Ningyue spotted that familiar Rolls-Royce Phantom, looking strangely lonely in the rainy night.

 

Su Ningyue checked her call history and WeChat messages. Su Ningshang hadn’t contacted her.

 

So… was Su Ningshang still waiting downstairs?

 

Three minutes later, Su Ningyue descended with a tense expression. As she stepped out of the hotel lobby, she borrowed an umbrella. The wind that whipped against her face carried a bone-chilling cold.

 

Having been roused from bed in the middle of the night, Su Ningyue was already in a foul mood. But when she confirmed that Su Ningshang was indeed in the car, her expression darkened further.

 

So, Su Ningshang’s “Okay” hadn’t meant “Okay, I’ll go home,” but rather “Okay, I’ll keep waiting.”

 

The car doors were locked from the inside, leaving only a narrow crack in the window. Wind and rain seeped through the gap, soaking half of Su Ningshang’s shoulder, yet she remained blissfully unaware in her sleep.

 

Frowning, Su Ningyue immediately rapped on the car window.

 

Su Ningshang startled awake, her eyes landing on Su Ningyue with a hint of uncertainty. “Ningning?”

 

This was a hotel. In truth, it was more likely that Su Ningshang had parked here after booking a room.

 

Yet Su Ningyue had still come downstairs in the middle of the night to confirm.

 

At that moment of confirmation, Su Ningyue’s head began to buzz as if she’d been struck.

 

Su Ningshang’s gaze settled fully on her, carrying a hint of critical scrutiny. “What are you doing here?”

 

Su Ningyue’s heart pounded faster than it had even at the West Lake Tower earlier that night. That gaze through the car window and rain-streaked glass was intensely oppressive. Clutching her umbrella, Su Ningyue turned and fled.

 

Su Ningshang flung open the car door and pursued her, the sharp clicks of her heels echoing crisply through the predawn stillness.

 

On the slick, rain-slicked pavement, the heels easily overtook the flats, leaving no doubt about the outcome.

 

After being dragged into the hotel, Su Ningyue was handed a dry towel by a lobby attendant as Su Ningshang strode to the front desk, smoothly reciting her identification details. “Book another room near hers.”

 

The check-in process was swift. Once inside their room, Su Ningshang closed the door, walked over to a chair, and sat down, her gaze fixed steadily on Su Ningyue.

 

Behind her, the window reflected the intensifying rain and snow. Su Ningshang’s eyes were darker than the night itself.

 

She called out, “Come here.”

 

Su Ningyue remained silent.

 

Su Ningshang softened her tone. “Why are you standing there? Aren’t you cold?”

 

Cornered, Su Ningyue murmured, “A little.”

 

Su Ningshang raised her eyelids and extended a hand toward Su Ningyue. “If you’re cold, why didn’t you come to your sister?”

 

Su Ningyue felt as if she had been instantly transported back to the moment after her bungee jump from West Lake Tower a year ago.

 

Su Ningshang sat while Su Ningyue stood, putting her at an immediate disadvantage. Su Ningyue took a few steps forward, intending to sit beside Su Ningshang. “Why did you—”

 

Before she could finish the question, Su Ningshang pulled her into her arms.

 

After a few seconds, seeing that Su Ningyue wasn’t going to continue, Su Ningshang spoke expressionlessly, “Why are you being so temperamental tonight?”

 

It was a belated interrogation.

 

Su Ningyue lowered her gaze to her rain-soaked hem, the line from her jaw to her neck tensing slightly. “I went out with Yu Qingci. She drank too much, and if her dad saw her like that, she’d get in trouble. So I brought her here to sober up. I planned to take her home once she was clear-headed.”

 

The explanation, rehearsed countless times in her mind, flowed smoothly.

 

Su Ningshang’s stern expression didn’t soften as she quietly observed Su Ningyue.

 

That’s not what she wants to hear.

 

Su Ningshang pressed down on the nape of Su Ningyue’s neck, exposed by her lowered head, and tilted it slightly downward. “If I hadn’t waited downstairs tonight, would you have come home tomorrow?”

 

Clearly not.

 

Su Ningyue’s averted gaze gave Su Ningshang her answer.

 

Su Ningshang tightened her grip, forcing Su Ningyue to meet her eyes. “So, Ningning, why?”

 

Su Ningyue immediately regretted rushing downstairs the moment she saw Su Ningshang’s car. It was clear Su Ningshang had anticipated her reaction, deliberately waiting for her to walk right into her trap.

 

The feeling of being psychologically manipulated made Su Ningyue close her eyes, silently refusing to engage.

 

Su Ningshang had plenty of ways to make Su Ningyue talk. She gripped Su Ningyue’s ankle, traced her hand up her thigh, and suddenly pushed her onto the sofa.

 

Su Ningyue’s vision blurred. Before she could struggle, Su Ningshang seized her chin and kissed her. Her tongue was quickly sucked numb. Su Ningyue, her face flushed crimson, leaned back until she could barely breathe. As if sensing her limit, Su Ningshang released her just in time.

 

Warm breath brushed against Su Ningyue’s nose as Su Ningshang chuckled softly. “Alright, I’ll have someone arrange for your friend. She’ll be fine alone in her room. Stay here tonight and come home with me in the morning?”

 

“No way,” Su Ningyue retorted immediately.

 

Su Ningshang wrapped her arms around Su Ningyue’s back again, her tone warning. “Ningning, you don’t have the right to refuse.”

 

“Why not…?”

 

Su Ningshang made good on her word, denying Su Ningyue any chance to object as she showered her with meticulous, relentless kisses.

 

Su Ningyue had managed to suppress her emotions until now, but under Su Ningshang’s renewed assault, she finally snapped. With a sudden burst of strength, she shoved Su Ningshang backward, flipping their positions.

 

She didn’t seem to be trying to escape; rather, she appeared to be seizing control. This sudden shift made Su Ningshang’s breath quicken sharply.

 

“Ningning?”

 

Su Ningyue didn’t respond.

 

Her slender, pale fingers slowly traced a path upward from Su Ningshang’s chest, pausing briefly at her collarbone.

 

Then, abruptly, she gripped Su Ningshang’s throat and began to tighten her hold.

 

The rain outside intensified, gradually transforming into icy sleet as the temperature plummeted.

 

The pressure wasn’t enough to leave marks, but it was suffocating, causing Su Ningshang’s neck to flush crimson from the base.

 

Tears welled in Su Ningyue’s eyes, swirling like molten rubies.

 

“You… you…” Su Ningyue stammered, as if she had just learned to speak, even though she was the one choking Su Ningshang.

 

“Which university are you planning to send me to this time? Yun University… Yuncheng Polytechnic… or Yuncheng Normal University?”

 

A tear slid down Su Ningyue’s chin, splashing onto Su Ningshang’s chest with scalding heat.

 

Behind the fleeting pleasure, a trap had been lurking all along.

 

The lingering passion in Su Ningshang’s eyes vanished, replaced by a sternness that grew increasingly severe. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”