My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 13

Her smooth, long hair, drenched in cold water, clung to her pale face in wet strands. Her doe-like eyes, usually so captivating, were now watery and vulnerable. Her soft lips were bloodless, and the delicate, pale green vine-patterned dress she’d worn that morning was soaked through, water stains spreading across the fabric. The fabric clung to her shoulders, revealing the skin beneath as she looked up at Zhen Zhu with a dazed expression.

She’s still trembling, probably terrified of being scolded again.

Zhen Zhu bit her crimson lip and switched on the bathroom light. The warm, amber glow brought a hint of warmth to the room. She grabbed a towel from the rack above Zhen Min’er’s head and draped it over her. “Why do you listen when I tell you not to turn on the light?”

“And why are you soaking wet? What, you think you’re not miserable enough already? Want to make yourself even more pathetic?!”

As she spoke, Zhen Zhu rubbed Zhen Min’er harder with the towel. She glanced back at Aunt Wang, who was still trembling at the doorway. “What? Haven’t you seen me bullying someone before?”

“Want a closer look?!”

Aunt Wang immediately shook her head and fled.

Zhen Zhu looked down at Zhen Min’er, now wrapped entirely in the towel, still shivering occasionally. Honestly…

“Who said I was going to lock Zhen Min’er up?”

“…The Madam said… She said you were upset…”

“So, if I’m upset, I’ll lock Zhen Min’er up?!”

“Y-yes, you…”

“How many times has she been locked up?!” Zhen Zhu demanded, her high heels clacking loudly on the stairs as she rushed toward Zhen Min’er’s room upstairs. “Didn’t it occur to you to ask if this was my idea?!”

“…Eldest Miss, you… you really don’t like Miss Min’er…”

“Yes, I don’t like her!” Zhen Zhu snapped, turning back to glare. “But I wouldn’t resort to such a cruel and idiotic method!”

Zhen Zhu never imagined Zhen Min’er would be locked in the bathroom of her own room. She had gone there earlier, found the room pitch-black, and left.

Is she stupid? Didn’t she think to call out when she heard my footsteps? Just obediently stay locked up?

This kind of Main Lead—no, anyone who isn’t the Main Lead—wouldn’t survive more than a few episodes!

She’d probably get herself killed!

And… what’s Sang Xiaohua’s game? Using my name to torment my own daughter? Is she a pervert? Or just mentally ill?!

“You mothe—” Zhen Zhu began, looking down at her docile and easily bullied stepsister in her arms. She bit her lip, then changed her words mid-sentence: “From now on, don’t be so gullible! Don’t just accept whatever arrangements others make for you!”

“If anything happens, come to me, understand?!”

Zhen Zhu was furious, but her movements softened slightly. She felt Zhen Min’er’s icy body pressed against her chest. She had previously resented the girl’s feverish heat, but now this chill made her even more uneasy.

Zhen Zhu pushed aside the trembling body still clinging to her and pulled Zhen Min’er to her feet.

“Come on, let’s get you changed.” Zhen Zhu was at her wit’s end. How had she ended up with such a Main Lead, one who constantly needed her protection?

After changing Zhen Min’er into her pajamas, Zhen Zhu dried her hair and tucked her into bed.

The Eldest Miss has never done anything like this before! Zhen Zhu had repeatedly tried to get Zhen Min’er to do things herself, but…

Those amber eyes, deep and haunting in the dim light, and that deathly pale skin, cold as ice… Zhen Zhu couldn’t bring herself to say, “Do it yourself.”

“Hmph, you’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Finally tucking her into bed, Zhen Zhu couldn’t resist pinching Zhen Min’er’s pale cheek hard, hoping to make her silent, easily bullied stepsister cry out.

But even as a faint blush finally appeared on that deathly pale face, Zhen Min’er remained silent. Zhen Zhu quickly released her hand, realizing something was wrong. “Hey, if it hurts, say something!”

“Are you mute?”

“From now on, if you feel pain, discomfort, or anything’s off, tell me right away, got it? And if you want anything, you have to—”

“Elder Sister, I want Elder Sister to sleep with me.”

“I’m scared.”

“C-can… you…?”

Zhen Min’er’s small voice trembled, her head bowed as she stared at the blanket covering her chest, her body curled into a tight ball beneath the covers.

“I’ll stay with you for today,” Zhen Zhu said, her beautiful fox-like eyes glancing away. “I’ll go get my pajamas. You rest now.”

“I’ll come sleep with you later.”

Zhen Min’er watched her sister’s retreating figure, then looked up, a deep smile curving her lips. “Elder Sister, you’re the best.”

Zhen Zhu returned in a knitted pajama set, lifted the covers, and lay down beside Zhen Min’er.

The initially cool body beside her gradually warmed, likely from the blanket’s warmth. The temperature against Zhen Zhu’s arm felt like a furnace.

It was uncomfortably hot.

Normally, Zhen Zhu slept without clothes. She had initially planned to remove her pajamas, but her stepsister’s amber eyes, bright and unwavering, kept her from doing so.

Perhaps that was why she felt so warm.

“Go to sleep!”

Zhen Zhu shifted from lying on her back to her side, but the persistent gaze behind her made her snap.

“Elder Sister…”

“Thank you, Elder Sister…”

“Just sleep!”

Zhen Zhu’s ears burned.

She forced herself to close her eyes.

Beside her, Zhen Min’er’s breathing gradually evened out. In the quiet of the night, Zhen Min’er slowly opened her eyes.

The faint scent of roses drifted from the side, like a fish slipping into her heart. Zhen Min’er turned her head to gaze at her sister, who had unconsciously rolled onto her back in her sleep.

The cold, commanding gaze she usually wore was nowhere to be seen.

Leaning half her body against Zhen Zhu, Zhen Min’er reached out and gently traced her sister’s delicate forehead, down her brows, across her high, elegant nose, and down to her chin. Her amber eyes were dark and unfathomable. Her long, silky hair, now completely dry, cascaded around her face, obscuring her cheeks and revealing only a small, pointed chin. Zhen Min’er parted her lips slightly.

“Elder Sister, I love you so much.”

Noticing strands of hair obscuring Zhen Zhu’s face, Zhen Min’er’s hovering hand, after confirming her sister’s breathing was steady, slowly settled on Zhen Zhu’s cheek.

Tucking her sister’s hair behind her ear, she revealed a jade-white ear and the graceful curve of her profile, like a sculpture meticulously crafted by God—exquisite and delicate, like a piece of jade meant to be cherished.

“Elder Sister’s skin is so soft.”

Zhen Min’er froze, reluctant to withdraw her fingers from her sister’s skin. Her fingertips slowly traced the cool, smooth curve of Zhen Zhu’s ear.

Soft…

Cool…

It soothes my feverish heat.

“Why is Elder Sister so kind? Why? Why can’t you be kind only to me?”

“Elder Sister, you’re so beautiful. Those vile men outside must be plotting in their dark hearts to possess you. Only I, I will always protect you, always stay by your side…”

“Elder Sister, could you…” Zhen Min’er’s body moved with her thoughts, slowly drawing closer to Zhen Zhu. She pressed her burning cheek against her sister’s skin. Elder Sister…

Elder Sister, you’re right here beside me.

Please, never leave me…

When Zhen Zhu woke up, she found herself staring into a pair of amber eyes. She jerked upright, pushing Zhen Min’er away. “You scared me half to death, coming here so early!”

“Elder Sister~” Zhen Min’er cooed in a clingy voice, making Zhen Zhu shudder. She frowned. “Speak properly.”

After seeing Zhen Min’er off to her painting lesson with He Hanmeng, Zhen Zhu felt a strange discomfort in her neck. She twisted it slightly.

Lying on the sofa, Zhen Zhu studied a musical score, occasionally jotting down a note. Her throat felt dry. “Zhen Min’er, bring me some fruit.”

No response.

“Zhen Min’er?” Zhen Zhu frowned and looked up, finding the living room empty.

Then Aunt Wang rushed in, her voice trembling. “Does Eldest Miss need anything?”

“…No, nothing,” Zhen Zhu said impatiently, looking back down. “Go back to your work.”

Zhen Zhu continued writing her musical score, but after only a few strokes, her gaze drifted to her wristwatch. She noticed something alarming:

“When did Zhen Min’er’s Happiness Value drop to 65%?”

“Huh?” The System’s childlike voice chimed in, equally surprised. “Oh my! It’s true!”

“??? You didn’t know?” Zhen Zhu was furious. “How could you miss such a massive change? What caused it?”

“Um…” The System’s voice turned meek. “I fell asleep yesterday…”

“Then?” Zhen Zhu frowned. “Why…”

“It must be because of the Male Lead! He came yesterday, which explains the drastic change in her Happiness Value. Initially, her Happiness Value was suppressed because you locked her up. But when you rescued her, it naturally increased!”

“That’s definitely it!” the childlike voice declared confidently.

“…Oh,” Zhen Zhu murmured, pressing her lips together.

Irritated.

Annoyed.

“It’s too hot,” Zhen Zhu muttered, unable to continue writing her musical score. Her neck ached slightly; if Zhen Min’er were here, she could have given her a massage.

“Fine.”

Zhen Zhu scoffed. Did she really need Zhen Min’er to survive?

“Lin Zhi, let’s go out. Accompany me to the club for a massage,” Miss Zhen commanded her friend.

Lin Zhi, who lived nearby, quickly arrived at the club where the group often gathered. After waiting for ages, she finally spotted Miss Zhen, dressed in a deep green gown and clicking her heels like she was walking a red carpet. Lin Zhi rolled her eyes. “Seriously? You’re just here for a massage today. Why couldn’t you wear something casual?”

“How could I possibly go out in something casual? I’m not like you, so… careless.”

“Alright, alright, Miss Zhen Zhu,” Lin Zhi scoffed, following Zhen Zhu inside. If they hadn’t grown up together, she wouldn’t have given this haughty eldest miss the time of day.

They found two familiar masseuses and lay down.

As gentle yet firm hands kneaded her scalp, Lin Zhi sighed in contentment. “Ah, this is heavenly~”

“What’s got Miss Zhen calling me out today?” Lin Zhi murmured, eyes closed in bliss, still managing to sneak in a jab.

“What, do you have a problem with that?” Zhen Zhu retorted, her usual arrogance directed at her friend. “If I have time, of course I’ll call you. Why would I call you if I didn’t? I have plenty of things to do!”

“Tsk,” Lin Zhi scoffed. “Fine, fine, Your Highness is too busy for us commoners. We’ll just wait for your commands, then!”

As she spoke, Lin Zhi glanced at Zhen Zhu.

“Huh!” Lin Zhi stopped the masseuse from continuing the head massage. “Wait, wait, don’t press yet.”

She sprang up from the bed.

Zhen Zhu, her eyes still closed, immediately sensed her friend putting on shoes and approaching. Annoyed, she snapped open her sharp, alluring fox-like eyes and glared up at Lin Zhi, who stood towering over her. “What do you want?!”

“Hmm,” Lin Zhi stood there, stroking her chin, raising an eyebrow as she stared at the red mark on Zhen Zhu’s neck. “Miss Zhen, when did you get a boyfriend?”

“And you didn’t tell me or Yueyue?”

“Or is he your childhood sweetheart?”