Let Her Lose Control - Chapter 9

Twelve hours earlier, Su Ningshang had just finished a business dinner and was driving to her uncle Su Yang’s house.

She wasn’t the only guest. In addition to relatives, some of Su Yang’s friends were also present. Their gazes, some overt and others subtle, landed on her face as she greeted Su Yang, carefully gauging her mood and attempting to strike up conversation.

Su Ningshang had no interest in such social gatherings. She exchanged perfunctory greetings out of respect for Su Yang before finally getting to the point: “Where are the professors?”

Su Yang had invited several professors from prestigious universities, including some from the admissions office. They were intimately familiar with the early admission process, which offered far more room for manipulation than the national college entrance exam. Originally, he had intended to pave the way for his own son, but realizing Su Ningyue would soon be taking the exam, he tentatively called Su Ningshang.

In the study, the lighting was perfect. The professors briefly outlined some standard admission rules and mentioned the discretionary scoring practices at their respective universities.

Su Ningshang chuckled softly, tapping her knuckles lightly. “Is your university short on funding? Are you selling admission slots to make money?”

The final score combined written exam, interview, and competition results, most of which were verifiable. However, it was impossible to rule out the possibility of some slots being compromised.

The professors’ expressions immediately became strained.

But only strained, not outright hostile.

Su Yang quickly smoothed things over, saying, “It’s just giving everyone another chance, Xiao Shang. You know your cousin’s grades aren’t as good as Xiao Yue’s. I have to put in a little extra effort for him.”

He then turned to the professors, adding, “My niece’s grades are exceptional. Most schools wouldn’t even catch her eye.”

Su Yang was a shrewd man, always saying exactly what Su Ningshang wanted to hear. The professors, after inquiring about her ranking, immediately began showering her with compliments.

Everyone laughed in agreement. Noticing Su Ningshang’s lack of interest in their schools, the professors mentioned institutions with even higher admission standards, offering to pull strings to help her get in.

Such flattery might have worked on Su Yang, but Su Ningshang, accustomed to these sales pitches, remained unimpressed. She watched the group’s theatrical performance with a cold detachment.

As the charade wound down, Su Yang suggested, “Since there’s no evening study hall on Fridays, and Xiao Yue should be getting out of school soon, why don’t we call her over to join us?”

Since Jiang Jinsui’s return to the Su Family, Su Ningshang had minimized bringing Su Ningyue out in public. After all, everyone already knew Su Ningyue remained her top priority. Bringing her out would only subject her to unwanted scrutiny and dampen her spirits.

However, this matter concerned Su Ningyue’s future directly, a decision Su Ningshang couldn’t make alone. She picked up her phone and dialed.

Everyone in the study watched intently.

To her surprise, all three calls went unanswered. A WeChat message arrived with a photo of a girl—Su Ningshang recognized her as the daughter of the Boxin Group’s chairman, who had always been close to Su Ningyue.

Su Yang glanced at Su Ningshang’s expression and scolded, “Xiao Yue is so irresponsible! How can she not answer such an important call? Did she skip school to play around again?”

As he spoke, he observed Su Ningshang’s reaction. “You know, bl00d ties really do matter. Look at Xiao Jin, the daughter we took back—she’d never be so frivolous.”

Su Ningshang shot him a cold glare, unwilling to continue the conversation.

Su Yang’s motives were transparent. He had groomed Su Ningyue to align perfectly with his interests. Now that Jiang Jinsui had returned to the Su family, he hoped to secure a larger share of the family’s assets and benefit from her presence.

While Su Ningshang’s relationship with Jiang Jinsui couldn’t be easily undermined, she was disgusted by her uncle’s scheming.

Claiming she had a dinner appointment, Su Ningshang grabbed her bag and left.

As she left Su Yang’s house, Su Ningshang never imagined Su Ningyue would find out about this conversation, let alone misunderstand that she had already planned out her future.

After being scolded, Su Ningyue immediately released her grip, instinctively shrinking back—a habit ingrained since childhood.

The moment she moved, Su Ningshang grabbed her waist, threw her back onto the sofa, and pinned her down.

Then everything descended into chaos.

Su Ningyue’s body temperature continued to rise, the fading marks on Su Ningshang’s neck swaying before her eyes. She was forced to curl up in Su Ningshang’s arms, her eyes growing increasingly red, her long, wet lashes sticking together. She dared not move any further.

Her fingers gripped tightly onto Su Ningshang’s smooth back, her lashes wet and clumped together, her entire body tense. The sofa was too small, and Su Ningshang had thrown her onto the bed. In those final, fleeting seconds, Su Ningyue’s knuckles turned white from the force of her grip, her vision blurring until she could no longer focus.

Lying sprawled across Su Ningshang’s body, Su Ningyue watched as Su Ningshang checked her phone and replied to a few messages. As she lay there catching her breath, her gaze drifted to the screen.

It was already four in the morning.

The marks on Su Ningshang’s neck had completely vanished, but Su Ningyue, still shaken, couldn’t bring herself to meet her sister’s eyes.

As Su Ningshang finished replying to the last message and placed her phone on the nightstand with a soft clink, Su Ningyue immediately closed her eyes.

Su Ningshang noticed her little act and pinched the back of her neck. “Don’t pretend to be asleep.”

“I’m not,” Su Ningyue protested, only to realize how hoarse her voice had become.

Su Ningshang’s voice was equally raspy from exertion. Leaning against the headboard, her eyes half-lidded, lingering traces of desire still lingered in her gaze.

“Do you hate me?”

Su Ningyue’s eyes were blank.

Su Ningshang rephrased the question: “After treating you like this, do you hate me?”

Even though Su Ningshang had forcibly twisted their sisterly bond, and even though she might try to control Su Ningyue’s college application choices, Su Ningyue found herself merely dissatisfied, unable to associate words like “hate” with Su Ningshang.

For Su Ningyue, “hate” was too extreme an emotion. She shook her head and said, “No.”

Su Ningshang smiled and kissed Su Ningyue again, this time much gentler, almost soothing.

Su Ningyue’s struggles noticeably lessened. Distracted by Su Ningshang’s question, she seemed surprisingly compliant.

As their breathing gradually calmed, Su Ningshang said, “Tell me about this misunderstanding regarding my plans for your college.”

Su Ningyue struggled to steady her breath and asked, “…Are you willing to explain?”

Su Ningshang didn’t keep her in suspense. “I don’t know how this misunderstanding arose. I merely inquired about the early admission process. I never intended to choose a school for you, let alone make the decision myself.”

Su Ningyue: “But what about Rong City—”

Su Ningshang propped herself up on her hands, leaning against the headboard.

She always maintained this unhurried, composed demeanor. When Su Ningshang used this attitude to fluster others, Su Ningyue had admired her immensely. But when Su Ningshang turned that same attitude on her, Su Ningyue belatedly felt a surge of panic.

Su Ningshang gently brushed aside the stray strands of hair framing Su Ningyue’s forehead, her tone nonchalant. “In Rong City, it was because you wanted to leave me completely. I couldn’t allow that. I raised you—why should I give you away to a stranger?”

Su Ningyue evaded Su Ningshang’s touch. “I’m not an object, and my aunt isn’t a stranger.”

“But she’s not a ‘familiar’ like me either.” Su Ningshang’s voice hardened, her expression stern. “Do you really know your aunt? Can you be sure she’ll treat you well? You’ve only met at funerals. You’re so delicate, so particular about your food, clothes, and everything else. You couldn’t even handle boarding school—how could you possibly endure living as a dependent?”

“Who said I couldn’t handle boarding school?” Su Ningyue retorted, her voice rising in anger. “You’re the one who wouldn’t let me go!”

“You wouldn’t let me stay at boarding school, you wouldn’t let me go out on weekends, and you insisted on sleeping with me every night… You control every aspect of my life. You interfered when I wanted to visit my aunt in Sweden, and you even interfered when I wanted to stay overnight with friends. I suspect you’re trying to manipulate my college applications—am I wrong?”

After venting her frustrations, Su Ningyue spoke with righteous indignation. But as soon as she finished, she felt a pang of regret, quickly closing her eyes and bracing herself for Su Ningshang’s scolding.

The expected reprimand never came. Su Ningyue cautiously opened one eye and found Su Ningshang staring at her intently.

She quickly shut her eyes again.

After a long silence, Su Ningshang asked, “So you believe I would disregard your wishes and dictate your future?”

Su Ningyue remained silent, letting her silence convey her thoughts.

Su Ningshang said, “Very well.”

Su Ningyue opened her eyes. “What did you say?”

“You’ve misunderstood me to this extent?” Su Ningshang’s expression was unreadable as she stared at Su Ningyue, repeating each word deliberately: “I said, I agree to let you live at school.”

“Do you have any other requests?”

The carefully planned trip abroad had failed, yet Su Ningshang had readily agreed to her casual suggestion of living at school.

Su Ningyue struggled to discern the sincerity in Su Ningshang’s words.

Su Ningshang got out of bed and picked up her clothes, her voice softening slightly. “Then let’s wait until you think of something else.”

Over the following weekend, neither Su Ningyue nor Su Ningshang mentioned the matter again. The twenty-four hours they spent at home flew by as they reviewed their exam papers, one subject at a time, until the day was gone.

Su Ningyue repeatedly wanted to ask Su Ningshang if she had truly agreed to let her live at school and if she would genuinely not interfere with her college choices for the gaokao.

But each time she was about to speak, Su Ningyue would swallow her words back, meeting Su Ningshang’s gentle gaze.

Su Ningshang was acting too unnaturally.

According to their usual weekend routine, Su Ningshang should have already found an excuse to take her back to her room and do things that shouldn’t happen between them.

This gave Su Ningyue the illusion of having returned to a time before their immigration visas had arrived. Su Ningshang seemed like the same tender, doting sister she had once known, the one she felt so close to.

Huachen’s work schedule differed from most industries; the entertainment industry was often busier on weekends than weekdays, and Su Ningshang was no exception.

Yet on Sunday evening, Su Ningshang surprisingly cooked dinner herself.

Compared to Su Ningshang, the heir apparent, Su Ningyue seemed more like a pampered young lady who had never lifted a finger. She lay on the sofa, idly flipping through the college recommendation materials Su Ningshang had given her.

The information largely matched what Su Ningyue already knew: due to her course selections in physics, chemistry, and biology, applying through early admission would restrict her to science-focused majors, possibly even academic fields like chemistry or physics.

Lacking interest, Su Ningyue tossed the materials aside and noticed a new message from Yu Qingci, inviting her to dinner at the top of West Lake Tower.

Su Ningyue glanced toward the kitchen. Why don’t you invite someone else? Just let me know the time in advance, and I’ll get someone to reserve the best seats with a view for you.

Yu Qingci initially thought she had upset Su Ningyue the previous night. I promise I won’t drink or flirt with anyone today. Can we just have fun?

Su Ningyue was about to hesitate when she caught sight of Su Ningshang emerging from the kitchen. She quickly replied, I’m doing homework. Finals are coming up.

Yu Qingci, remembering the intense Gaokao system in China, felt deep sympathy. Alright, then. Good luck with your studies!

“Ningning, come eat,” Su Ningshang called out, untying the apron that clashed so sharply with her elegant demeanor. As she set it down, Su Ningyue noticed it and recalled the time she had grabbed it while being forced to buy additional items at the store to get Yu Qingci’s birthday gift.

Lost in thought, Su Ningshang bent down and scooped her up. Su Ningyue resignedly wrapped her arms around Su Ningshang’s neck as she was carried to the dining table.

When cooking for herself, Su Ningshang preferred minimal seasoning, emphasizing the natural flavors of the ingredients. The dishes were savory yet not bland, retaining their original freshness.

Su Ningyue had adopted Su Ningshang’s preferences, but being young, she occasionally couldn’t resist ordering unhealthy takeout just to try something new.

“I don’t like any of the majors offered in the early admission program,” Su Ningyue blurted out quietly halfway through her meal, unable to hold back any longer.

After hearing this, Su Ningshang consulted with Su Ningyue, “Do you have any majors you’re interested in? I can ask around and see if there’s any way to pull some strings.”

This was the second time Su Ningyue had been asked about her interests, and she still had no clear answer.

“I just don’t like anything too academic.”

Ironically, these were precisely the types of majors heavily represented in the early admission programs.

“There’s no need to pull strings for early admission majors. I can just take the regular entrance exam.”

Su Ningshang understood Su Ningyue’s perspective and reassured her, “Think about it some more. After all, you could finish your senior year half a year early. If you really can’t find anything you like, you’ll just have to stick it out for another six months.”

Su Ningyue nodded in agreement, and the conversation ended there.

On Sunday, a male idol group under Huachen was exposed for letting fans stay overnight during their concert. The photos captured more than just one male and one female.

This wouldn’t normally require Su Ningshang’s personal attention. However, the group had just debuted through a popular survival show and was at the peak of their popularity. Given Huachen’s usual arrangements, paparazzi wouldn’t typically cause trouble at such a sensitive time. Even if they got compromising photos, they’d usually just demand a payoff from the Public Relations Department to keep quiet.

Clearly, someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. As a result, Su Ningyue didn’t see Su Ningshang for several days afterward.

The trending topics on Weibo revolved around the male idol group, changing repeatedly as the deadline for early application submissions approached.

When the Class Teacher urged students to submit their early application forms, Su Ningyue filled out all sections except for her chosen university and major, leaving the form on her desk all day.

The next morning, Su Ningyue still hadn’t received any message from Su Ningshang. She gradually began to believe that Su Ningshang truly wouldn’t interfere with her application choices.

On the way to school, the driver picked her up as usual. Holding the early application form in her hand, Su Ningyue casually asked, “Has my sister been very busy lately?”

The driver, a man of few words, kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Yes.”

Su Ningyue pressed further, “Do you know what she’s been busy with? Is it still about that idol group?”

The driver maintained his unwavering gaze. “I’m not entirely sure. Should I ask President Su’s assistant?”

Su Ningyue turned her head away, replying calmly, “No need.”

After getting out of the car, Su Ningyue tore the application form into pieces and tossed them into the trash. As expected, after morning self-study, the Class Teacher summoned her to the office for a lecture on proper thinking.

Su Ningyue listened absentmindedly, unmoved by her Class Teacher’s earnest words. Eventually, the teacher relented, recognizing that Su Ningyue was one of the class’s top students and needed to be kept around to boost the school’s reputation on the gaokao. The teacher smiled, expressed her hopes for Su Ningyue to achieve a high score on the gaokao, and dismissed her back to the classroom.

The final exams were approaching, and this time it would be a unified exam across all of Cloud City. The undergraduate admission cutoff would be determined based on the annual gaokao pass rate, allowing students to gauge their chances of getting into their dream universities.

Teachers mentioned this in every class, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the morning.

In the afternoon, Zhou Fanfan, Su Ningshang’s assistant, waved to Su Ningyue from the classroom doorway. Zhou Fanfan served as Su Ningshang’s personal assistant, handling daily tasks like ordering meals and arranging clothing, as well as relaying information from Su Ningyue’s school.

For instance, Zhou Fanfan had reported Su Ningyue’s Monthly Exam results to Su Ningshang.

Though recently graduated, Zhou Fanfan was remarkably meticulous. “I’ve already processed your boarding application,” she said. “Should I pack your things from home, or would you prefer me to buy new supplies?”

Su Ningyue suddenly remembered the matter. She had assumed Su Ningshang had only made a casual promise, but it seemed she was serious. “Did my sister say anything specific?”

Zhou Fanfan smiled. “President Su said to do whatever you prefer. If you want to pick things out at the mall yourself, she’ll have me arrange a half-day off for you.”

Su Ningyue hesitated. “Then…”

Zhou Fanfan leaned closer, not hearing her clearly. “What was that?”

The question of whether Su Ningshang was busy almost slipped out, but Su Ningyue changed her mind. “Could you please help me buy the essentials, Sister Zhou?”

Zhou Fanfan worked efficiently. By the end of evening study hall, everything was ready for Su Ningyue. The dorm bed had been wiped clean, and the locker was stocked with Su Ningyue’s favorite snacks.

During her previous attempt at boarding school, Su Ningyue had lasted only a day. This time, she made progress, enduring a full week.

When she returned home for the weekend, Su Ningshang was away on a business trip to Jiang City. Alone in the house, Su Ningyue truly realized she had finally gotten her wish to be “free-range.”

Yet she felt a strange sense of loss.

Maybe it’s because one of my roommates snores every night, Su Ningyue thought. I haven’t been sleeping well, which is why I feel so listless.

If she asked her teacher to change dorms, she would inevitably have to reveal the girl’s private issues. While doing English reading comprehension during evening study hall, Su Ningyue began brainstorming solutions.

A passage that usually took her no more than ten minutes to complete now took her a full half-hour. When checking answers with others, she got three out of four questions wrong.

For Su Ningyue, who typically scored 140 on English exams, this was nothing short of humiliating.

As soon as the bell rang for evening study hall, Su Ningyue couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed her phone and stood up. Hearing someone call her name from behind, she paused, exchanged brief goodbyes, and headed straight to the Sports Field.

The school generally turned a blind eye to students using their phones at night. Su Ningyue didn’t even bring her bag as she began running laps around the track, her mind still preoccupied with the dorm situation.

By her third lap, someone caught up to her. “Su Ningyue? Is that really you? I thought I was seeing things!”

It was a boy from the neighboring class. They had participated in a competition together but weren’t particularly close. Su Ningyue gave him a polite smile and picked up her pace.

The boy caught up again. “I heard you didn’t apply for early admission? I thought you’d be aiming for those universities in Yancheng. My overall score isn’t top-tier, so I applied to Yun Polytechnic as a backup. If I get in early, I can be done with this sooner. But we probably won’t see each other after the next semester starts.”

Su Ningyue sensed there was more to his words. Adjusting her breathing, she replied, “Congratulations. I still have papers to finish, so I’m heading back to the dorm.”

The boy chased after her. “Su Ningyue, I—actually, I—”

Two headlights suddenly rounded the corner, cutting off his words. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the glare.

Just then, Su Ningyue’s phone rang. It was Su Ningshang. She answered, “Hello?”

“Ningning,” Su Ningshang greeted her, his voice slightly distorted by the electromagnetic transmission.

Her eyes, now adjusted to the low beams, finally made out the license plate ahead. Her gaze slowly drifted upward, recognizing the familiar, refined face in the car.

Su Ningshang’s voice remained gentle over the phone, as soft as the hazy moonlight. “I haven’t met this friend of yours before. Why don’t you introduce us?”