My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 16

“Lesbian?”

Her pupils constricted slightly, and her expression tightened.

Zhen Min’er had heard the term before, online, during the relentless attacks on homosexuality.

The criticism was especially harsh toward female homosexuality.

She remembered reading a particularly vulgar comment: “How do two women even do it, hahaha! They don’t have anything! Do they just use their hands or toys?! Hahahahaha…”

The profile picture was of a male anime character. Zhen Min’er reported the comment immediately—the man was truly disgusting.

Nauseated, Zhen Min’er glared coldly at the comment on her phone. All men…

They should all die.

That was her thought at the time.

Lesbianism felt distant and irrelevant. Zhen Min’er knew she loathed men but had never considered the possibility of girls being together.

But… was He Hanmeng a lesbian?

And Elder Sister… didn’t object?

The vulgar comment suddenly resurfaced in her mind.

If she could… be intimate with Elder Sister…

Elder Sister smelled so good.

So… I love Elder Sister?

Just like… how men can love women.

Can I love Elder Sister too?

Zhen Min’er looked up, noticing her sister’s disapproving expression and hearing her gentle warning: “Zhen Min’er, you must respect other people’s sexual orientations!”

“Hmph!”

“So, Elder Sister… can you accept lesbians?”

“Elder Sister can accept two girls being together.”

“Just the two of them, with no one else, never separating?”

Hearing herself ask this, Zhen Min’er felt her heart pounding so violently it ached.

“Of course,” Zhen Zhu replied, her bright eyes seeming to capture the sunlight, making it impossible for Zhen Min’er to look away, yet so dazzling she could barely meet her gaze.

“As long as they love each other, that’s all that matters,” Zhen Zhu said matter-of-factly. “It’s a decision between two people who love each other, and no one else has any right to interfere.”

“Mm.”

“Elder Sister is right.”

Elder Sister is right, Zhen Min’er thought, lowering her head slightly, the corners of her lips curving upward. Yes, love is something no one else can interfere with.

Elder Sister also said that if you love someone, you have to fight for them.

You have to take what you want.

Accompanied by the gentle strains of piano music, a man in a tailored black suit pushed open the door of Juile Restaurant, respectfully stepping aside to allow a tall woman in an emerald green gown to enter.

A girl with long black hair, wearing a light blue floral dress, followed closely behind.

The manager immediately approached. “Eldest Miss, you…”

“Prepare the Emerald Pavilion,” Zhen Zhu instructed.

“At once, Eldest Miss,” the manager replied promptly.

“Elder Sister, why did you decide to eat out today?” Zhen Min’er asked sweetly as she settled into her seat.

The Emerald Pavilion was Juile’s most exclusive private room, with three walls made of transparent glass, offering views of lush greenery and a tranquil pond—a serene and leisurely setting.

The designer had intended to create a comfortable and relaxing dining atmosphere.

“Just felt like it,” Zhen Zhu said, glancing at the swaying willow trees outside the window. She checked her phone—12:40 PM. Jining Lan still hadn’t arrived.

Zhen Zhu scoffed inwardly. Can’t even keep an appointment? What kind of Male Lead is this?

“I just felt like bringing you out for a meal,” she added.

After all, she did enjoy good food.

It had been a while since Zhen Zhu had visited Juile. The restaurant had been opened by her mother before her death.

Taking a small bite of the signature dish, Zhen Zhu pursed her lips. The chef’s skill remained impressive; even after all this time, the flavor was exactly as she remembered.

Zhen Zhu took a few more bites before noticing that Zhen Min’er beside her had barely touched her food. She casually scooped a few bites of spicy dishes into Min’er’s bowl. “Eat up.”

These dishes were specially ordered for her.

What was the point of ordering them if she wasn’t going to eat? Zhen Zhu herself hated these ridiculously spicy dishes.

Zhen Zhu felt a surge of irritation at Min’er’s pitiful expression. “Just take whatever you want to eat.”

“Do whatever you want to do.”

“Stop hesitating and then moping around all alone.”

“Instead of waiting for others to notice your misery, go out and take action yourself.”

“You think being obedient will make people treat you well?” Zhen Zhu paused, the clatter of chopsticks against the porcelain bowl ringing sharply as she dredged up old grievances.

She thought back to yesterday, when Min’er had meekly stayed in the bathroom, her wet hair clinging to her face in a pitiful sight. “People will only want to bully you even more!”

“Got it?”

“…Mm, I understand.”

Min’er’s doe-like eyes flickered with emotions Zhen Zhu couldn’t decipher, but her small face bobbed in earnest agreement, her soft, vulnerable demeanor both endearing and heartbreaking.

“…Eat.”

Zhen Zhu piled more of the vibrant red dishes onto the bare white rice, instantly making it look more substantial and visually appealing.

The colors complemented each other beautifully.

Min’er’s lips curved into a faint smile.

After finishing her bowl of rice, Zhen Zhu felt somewhat full. She checked her phone and saw it was already 1:10 PM. Jining Lan still hadn’t arrived.

Great.

Zhen Zhu’s red lips pressed into a displeased line. What a jerk.

Once Zhen Min’er finishes eating, I’ll…

Zhen Zhu glanced at Zhen Min’er, who was sitting beside her, eating obediently. As she raised her hand slightly, she noticed something was off.

Her arm brushed against warm skin.

When did Zhen Min’er get so close?

Startled, Zhen Zhu looked at the person beside her, only to see Zhen Min’er staring back with wide, confused eyes. “What’s wrong, Elder Sister?”

“When did you move so close?” Zhen Zhu frowned and shifted slightly to the other side of her chair.

“I wanted to be closer to you, Elder Sister,” Zhen Min’er said, looking up with a hurt expression. “So I moved my stool closer.”

“Didn’t you say I should do what I want, Elder Sister?”

“If…”

“If you hate me…”

Zhen Min’er bit her lip, lowered her head, and stood up to move her stool back. “I’ll just move back to my original spot…”

“…Alright, alright,” Zhen Zhu quickly interrupted, grabbing Zhen Min’er’s hand before she could move the stool. “Sit down, sit down.”

“When did I say you couldn’t sit here?!”

“I was just asking.”

I can’t possibly go back on my own words after just lecturing her! Zhen Zhu couldn’t bring herself to contradict herself so blatantly.

Holding Zhen Min’er’s hand, she made her put down the stool and sit before finally releasing her.

Zhen Zhu snorted coldly. “Eat.”

“Then… Elder Sister, did I do the right thing?” Zhen Min’er asked cautiously, her voice barely audible.

“…You did the right thing.”

“Good, Elder Sister~” Zhen Min’er’s gaze remained fixed on the blush creeping up Zhen Zhu’s ear. Her pink lips curved into a perfect smile, and a faint light flickered in her dark eyes as she pressed even closer against Zhen Zhu’s arm. “Elder Sister is so kind.”

She’s developing quite well, Zhen Zhu thought, her soft br3asts pressing against her arm. She shifted slightly away from Zhen Min’er, but moments later, that warmth was back against her side.

Why is she so close?! It’s hot!

Zhen Zhu pursed her red lips, the upward slant of her fox-like eyes narrowing slightly in annoyance. Her light brown irises seemed small within her narrow eyes as she cast a frosty glare at Zhen Min’er, who was pressing closer and closer.

What’s she doing?! Trying to squeeze me off the bench?!

“You—!” Zhen Zhu was about to snap when she saw those doe-like eyes sparkling like stars. Zhen Min’er picked up a bright red chil pepper with her chopsticks, popped it into her mouth, chewed thoughtfully, and flashed Zhen Zhu a sweet smile, her cheek puffing out in a small, adorable bulge.

So cute.

“Hmph.”

“Eat up.”

Zhen Zhu pouted, turned her back, and sat firmly on the bench, letting Zhen Min’er’s body press even closer.

Hmph, I’ll let her squeeze me today, but only today! Zhen Zhu thought to herself.

The warmth beside her intensified, mingling with the unfamiliar spicy aroma of the dishes and the soft, rhythmic breathing. Zhen Zhu, who had never been this close to anyone before, felt deeply uncomfortable.

Her ears tingled, as if someone were breathing right beside them.

Closer and closer.

For some reason, Zhen Zhu felt increasingly uneasy. Unable to bear her discomfort any longer, she instinctively lashed out at her stepsister, even though she couldn’t bring herself to eat another bite.

“Your breathing is too loud!”

The icy words slipped from her crimson lips as Zhen Zhu turned to glare at her disobedient stepsister. Her patience had reached its limit; she felt like she—

Suddenly, a face loomed closer. The usually round, deer-like eyes were squeezed shut, and a soft touch brushed against her cheek.

Zhen Zhu shuddered violently, leaping up from her chair and stumbling backward several steps. Her fox-like eyes widened into round, cat-like pupils as she clutched her right cheek. Her voice trembled, “W-what are you doing?!”

“I wanted to kiss Elder Sister.”

“But Elder Sister said…” Zhen Min’er seemed genuinely frightened, her deer-like eyes glistening with tears. “If I like something… I should just do it, right?”

“I-I’ll listen to Elder Sister.”

“You, you, you—”

Zhen Zhu choked on her words. It was true—she had said those things! But she never meant for her stepsister to kiss her!

When did she get so close to this girl?!

And who does she think she is, kissing me whenever she feels like it?!

The soft, lingering warmth of the kiss still burned on her cheek, making her feel like she was about to melt from the heat.

“You, I—!”

“You’re not allowed to—”

“I… I’m sorry, Elder Sister.” Before Zhen Zhu could finish, a soft plink echoed as Zhen Min’er lowered her head, her voice soft and pitiful, tears dripping onto the floor. “It’s all my fault.”

“Please don’t be angry, Elder Sister.”

“You, I—!” Zhen Zhu stomped her foot. Why, why is she crying again?!

“Forget it!” Zhen Zhu snapped, covering her burning cheek. “Just pretend I didn’t say anything!”

Zhen Zhu paused briefly before stomping closer, snatching a tissue and shoving it at her stepsister, who was always crying. “Hmph! Stop crying!”

“All you ever do is cry!”

“Then… does Elder Sister forgive me?” Zhen Min’er looked up, her pitiful expression making Zhen Zhu, the one who had been kissed—

“……”

Zhen Zhu didn’t want to speak. She pressed her hand against her burning cheek, handed over the tissue, glanced at Zhen Min’er with her beautiful fox-like eyes, and turned away with a cold hmph.

“Elder Sister…” Tears welled up in her eyes again, dripping loudly onto the floor, irritating Zhen Zhu.

“Fine! I forgive you, okay?” Zhen Zhu huffed, shoving the tissue box into Zhen Min’er’s hand. The blush on her cheeks refused to fade. “Just forget it!”

“Then… can I still kiss you, Elder Sister?” Zhen Min’er clutched the tissue box, her deer-like eyes rimmed with red, and asked cautiously, “I like you, Elder Sister…”

“!!!”

Zhen Zhu’s heart, already racing, nearly stopped. Her ears flushed crimson as she sprang up, her slender finger pointing at her tearful stepsister. “Zhen Min’er, don’t push your luck!”

Click.

The sound of the door opening interrupted Zhen Zhu’s scolding. She frowned and turned.

A figure darted forward, shoving her against the wall.

Zhen Zhu grabbed the wall for support and spun around, furious.

She saw Jining Lan tenderly wiping away Zhen Min’er’s tears, his face filled with concern.

It was the System’s notification sound.

Ding-dong! The Main Lead’s Happiness Index has increased by twenty points, reaching eighty-five percent!

The Male Lead is the only one who can do it! the System exclaimed in its delighted, childlike voice.