My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 1

In the dimly lit room, scattered wine bottles and debris littered the floor. A rat peeked out from a hole in the corner, cautiously extending a paw. Noticing the hulking human-like figure crouching nearby, it quickly retreated into its burrow.

The trembling, hunched figure wore only a drab, gray robe, its long, disheveled hair obscuring all but a sliver of pale skin at the neck—a hint that the garment might once have been brighter.

The sudden cicada’s cry outside startled the huddled form. It—or she—lifted her head, her tear-streaked face etched with confusion.

This is…

She?!

Zhen Zhu recoiled in shock, stumbling backward. Her feet found no purchase, leaving her suspended in mid-air, helplessly watching herself—her own face smeared with dirt and confusion—drift further away.

She reached out to grab the wall, desperate to anchor herself, but her hand closed on empty air.

As the sensation of weightlessness intensified, she heard voices—men and women—chattering.

“Wow, this real heiress is going too far! The male and female leads were perfect together, why did she have to interfere?!”

“Exactly! She’s such a vicious young lady! Drugging the male lead, no less!”

“Just log off already!”

“Poor Min’er! Having such a step-sister… But at least the ending is happy! I’m satisfied~”

The voices of men and women grew louder, then fainter, yet Zhen Zhu’s mind became increasingly clear.

Zhen Min’er, the frail female lead of the novel.

Zhen Zhu, herself, the malevolent female antagonist.

Ji Ninglan, the devoted male lead and her former fiancé.

Ha.

Zhen Zhu found it utterly absurd. What kind of bizarre dream was this? Would she really fight over a man to the point of madness? She must have been reading too many novels lately to have such a ridiculous dream.

How laughable!

The weightless sensation vanished instantly, and the misty haze around her seemed to freeze in place.

Zhen Zhu woke up.

Opening her eyes, she recognized the familiar pale blue decor of her room. Of course, it was just a dream.

Knock, knock. A soft knock came from outside her door.

“Sister… are you awake…?”

A delicate, trembling voice, barely audible, drifted through the door.

…… Normally, Zhen Zhu would have criticized her step-sister for being too frail and lacking boldness. But after that dream…

Forget it. Not that she was afraid of the dream, but keeping quiet for once wouldn’t hurt.

“I’m awake,” Zhen Zhu replied.

The person at the door paused before opening it, their large, shimmering eyes sparkling like ripples on water. A flattering smile spread across their doll-like face.

“Sister, what would you like to wear today?”

“Something formal, I suppose,” Zhen Zhu answered casually, throwing back the covers to reveal her fair, well-proportioned body. Accustomed to sleeping nude, she stood casually before the mirror, letting her step-sister choose her outfit.

Seeing Zhen Min’er’s hand tremble slightly, Zhen Zhu frowned, adopting the imperious air of a pampered heiress. “What’s wrong? Be more efficient.”

“Nothing…” Zhen Min’er turned to open the wardrobe, selecting clothes. “I was just admiring your figure, Sister. I’m a little envious.”

“…What I have, you have too,” Zhen Zhu replied coolly after a brief pause. Her step-sister often made such complimentary remarks out of the blue. Does she think I’m so easily flattered?

Zhen Min’er’s eyes flickered as she chose a white fishtail dress for her step-sister.

“No white,” Zhen Zhu frowned, the dress reminding her of the small room from her dream.

“This one,” Zhen Zhu said, casually grabbing a low-cut, floor-length red lace dress hanging next to the white fishtail gown and handing it to Zhen Min’er.

“But, Sister…” Zhen Min’er murmured, holding the red dress and turning her face slightly away, as if unable to meet her dazzlingly beautiful sister’s gaze. “This dress suits you so well… but it doesn’t seem very formal. Aren’t you performing this afternoon?”

“It’ll be formal enough when I wear it,” Zhen Zhu declared, brooking no argument. “Help me put it on.”

Normally, she might have let it go, but the memory of that dream lingered—her step-sister as the Female Lead, and herself as the villainous supporting character.

Hmph, I won’t listen to that nonsense.

After dressing her sister—including her undergarments and a set of jewelry—Zhen Min’er stood quietly to the side, head slightly bowed, awaiting her sister’s approval.

Zhen Zhu stood before the full-length mirror, examined her reflection, and pronounced, “Not bad.”

“You may leave now.”

“…Yes, Sister.”

Zhen Min’er lingered for another glance at her sister’s reflection in the mirror, her gaze drifting slowly from the pearl necklace around Zhen Zhu’s slender neck down to her waistline and the small of her back.

Sister looks so beautiful in red.

Her waist must be so soft.

As usual, after finishing the nanny’s breakfast, Zhen Zhu tilted her head to eat the watermelon her step-sister offered, then leaned back on the sofa to review her next travel plans.

Since graduating, Zhen Zhu’s only passion besides performing was traveling.

Oh, right, the dream I just had… it started with my fiancé coming over? No, no, I don’t want to think about that! Zhen Zhu shook her head. I don’t care about him anyway!

“Sister…”

“Does your head hurt, Sister? I’ll massage it for you.”

Zhen Zhu glanced at her step-sister, who was eagerly leaning in, her round, glistening eyes sparkling with what looked like genuine concern.

“…Then massage it for me,” Zhen Zhu said, closing her eyes.

This isn’t me ordering her around—she’s offering!

I’ll just give her extra gifts later. Zhen Zhu closed her eyes, enjoying her step-sister’s gentle, comforting touch. Maybe… I’ll secretly give her a cat plushie? I think I saw her feeding stray cats once…

Urged by his parents to maintain the relationship, Ji Ninglan had no choice but to visit the Zhen family. However, upon entering, he was greeted by the sight of Zhen Zhu comfortably lounging on the sofa, while Min’er stood beside her, bowing her head and massaging her temples. He couldn’t help but scold, “Zhen Zhu, stop making your sister wait on you all the time!”

?! That voice! It matched the voice in my dream, the one reciting lines from the novel!

Zhen Zhu frowned, opened her eyes, and looked up, her clear, icy gaze fixing on her uninvited guest—her nominal fiancé—in the living room. “Oh, what do you want?”

Her calm, emotionless tone infuriated Ji Ninglan. He strode over and pulled Zhen Min’er, who was kneeling on the floor, to her feet. “You’re also a daughter of the Zhen family. There’s no need for this.”

“How can you treat your sister like this, as her elder?!”

“Too noisy.”

The commotion gave Zhen Zhu a headache, perhaps lingering effects from last night’s dream.

Unwilling to deal with these so-called male and female leads, Zhen Zhu rose to leave, but Ji Ninglan grabbed her arm…

Before she could shake him off, Zhen Min’er suddenly squeezed between them, pulling Ji Ninglan’s hand away. Turning her back to both of them, she said, “Brother Ninglan, this has nothing to do with my sister… I wanted this…”

“You’re just too kind…” Ji Ninglan said with a pained expression, then glared at Zhen Zhu. “As the elder sister, can’t you be more considerate of your younger sister?!”

Zhen Zhu seethed with anger. Even in her dream, this scene had seemed absurd. Witnessing it in person now left her utterly speechless.

“Fine,” Zhen Zhu wanted to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself, took a deep breath, and reminded herself not to waste her energy on fools. She lifted her gaze and sneered, “My sister is kind, and I’m malicious.”

“As the eldest daughter of the Zhen Family, why should I defer to a younger sister who only became a Zhen Family daughter because of her mother?”

“How utterly ridiculous.”

“Listen, Ji Ninglan,” Zhen Zhu’s anger grew with each word. She scoffed, “Our engagement is off.”

This dream is getting too real! It’s really the Male and Female Leads! Ugh! I’m done! I’m not playing along!

“Really?” Ji Ninglan asked, his face lighting up with surprise.

“Sister?!” Zhen Min’er immediately turned around, reaching out to touch Zhen Zhu’s arm. But Zhen Zhu stepped back, crossing her arms and regarding her coldly. Slowly withdrawing her hand, Zhen Min’er lowered her head, her eyes downcast. “Sister…”

Was Zhen Min’er upset?

Or was she simply incredulous that Zhen Zhu would let go? Zhen Zhu shrugged, deciding to reassure them both. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Dad. You don’t need to get involved.”

She, the eldest daughter of the Zhen Family, could have any man she wanted. A mere man was nothing.

Let her step-sister have him.

However… Zhen Zhu glanced at her fiancé, who was clearly delighted to avoid getting involved.

Her step-sister’s taste isn’t exactly top-tier, is it?

Ding—Congratulations, Host! You have proactively broken free from your shackles! The sudden voice in her mind startled Zhen Zhu.

First a dream, and now my brain’s acting up? I’m hearing voices!

It’s not a hallucination, Host! The childlike voice in her head grew clearer, bubbling with excitement. Host~ Even though you’re the villainess! But! You’ve awakened!

You’ve gained the chance to change!

Zhen Zhu returned to her room to gather her thoughts.

“So, you’re saying that if I make my step-sister happy, my family won’t go bankrupt, and I won’t end up like I did in that dream, right?”

Yes, Master! Isn’t that a great deal?

Zhen Zhu gritted her teeth, her beautiful amber eyes flashing with turbulent emotions.

“Why should I care about the Female Lead? I wasn’t even planning to acknowledge her! I just won’t be the villainous supporting character anymore!”

That won’t work, Bao Bao! You’ve awakened! The Female Lead is Heaven’s Chosen—if you, as a key character, don’t play your part, you’ll cease to exist! The childish voice in her head dripped with saccharine sweetness.

You’ll definitely die, you know~~

Was this a threat?!

Zhen Zhu seethed with anger. “I’m the eldest daughter of the Zhen Family! I won’t be intimidated by a mere threat—”

Boom!

A deafening roar erupted outside the window as a bolt of violet lightning slashed across the sky, shaking the world.

“…Hmph! I’m not unreasonable. For the sake of my family, I suppose I can help my step-sister find some happiness.” Zhen Zhu gritted her teeth, swallowing her resentment.

She’d uninstall Green River later! Reading too many novels had clearly warped her sense of reality!

Excellent, Master! Your enlightenment is truly remarkable! The childish voice chimed in with exaggerated praise. To assist you, I’ve gifted you a Happiness Index Meter!

“What’s a happiness index test?”

“Just look at your watch, Host!”

Zhen Zhu glanced down in confusion and saw her Nily Luxury Edition Rhombus Light Watch, studded with beautiful pink diamonds, had transformed into a round, bright pink children’s watch?!

A line of scrolling text read:

Female Lead’s current happiness index: 20%.

The text floated from top to bottom, then reappeared at the top, scrolling endlessly down until it disappeared off the screen.

This hideous watch completely clashed with her aesthetic!

“I don’t want it!” Zhen Zhu reached for her watch, but no matter how hard she tugged, it wouldn’t come off.

“Sorry, Host~ There’s no way to remove it~”

“No! Wearing such an ugly watch will make people question my taste!”

The childlike voice sighed. “Don’t worry, Host. Only you can see this. Everyone else will still see your original watch~”

“…” Zhen Zhu fell silent.

“Sister?” Her step-sister’s cautious voice came from the doorway. “Sister… are you okay? Are you… sad? I heard…”

Furious, Zhen Zhu snapped, “Who would be sad?!”

Ding-dong—The Female Lead’s happiness index has increased by 15 points! It’s now at 35%!

The childlike voice suddenly chimed excitedly in her mind.