My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 17

Specks of sunlight filtered through the translucent floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow on the couple standing before them. The handsome man gently cradled the hand of the girl with the soft, flowing hair, his voice filled with concern as he asked, “How are you, Min’er? Are you alright?”

“Golden Boy and Jade Maiden!” the childish System chirped.

Hmph, Golden Boy and Jade Maiden!

Jade Maiden? Zhen Min’er barely qualified. Golden Boy? More like Violent Golden Boy!

Zhen Zhu rubbed her bruised arm, still stinging from where she’d slammed it against the wall. She glared at the conspicuous mark. If Jining Lan weren’t the Male Lead, she’d have ordered the bodyguards to give that idiot a couple of punches right then and there.

Otherwise, she’d never quell the rage burning in her heart!

Since the Happiness Value had increased, it meant she was no longer needed. In that case, she might as well leave them to their private world.

Hmph, the Main Lead has no taste!

Zhen Zhu turned away, too annoyed to watch any longer, and stormed toward the door.

“Elder Sister…”

“Zhen Zhu, what exactly did you do to Min’er?!”

Two voices rang out simultaneously.

One was pleading.

The other was accusatory.

Zhen Min’er never expected this disgusting man to show up.

But… but Elder Sister already feels differently about me…

Breaking free from Jining Lan’s grasp, Zhen Min’er rushed forward and tugged at her sister’s sleeve. “Elder Sister, no…”

“Are you two never going to stop?!” Zhen Zhu snapped, her face no longer flushed and her heart no longer racing. She turned irritably, shaking off Zhen Min’er’s hand and glaring coldly at both of them. “I gave you two a chance to pour your hearts out to each other. I created this opportunity for you.”

“Jining Lan, would you even be here with Zhen Min’er if I hadn’t texted you?”

“No gratitude? And you even pushed me away?!” The lingering chil pepper fumes must have been too strong; Zhen Zhu felt a throbbing ache in the veins on her forehead.

“Zhen Min’er, enough already! Since your beloved Brother Ninglan is here, stop pretending to like me!”

The spot where she had been kissed, still burning moments ago, now felt as if it were being pricked by needles. Zhen Zhu pressed her hand firmly against the spot, rubbing it vigorously as if trying to scrub away the lingering heat and disgust.

Clenching her fist, she frowned. “If you two have so much free time, go flirt somewhere else!”

“Stop making trouble where there is none!”

Cold, icy, and utterly unwilling to look at the two people who seemed to be intimidated by her, Zhen Zhu yanked open the car door and left.

“…Host?” the System asked cautiously in her mind. “You seem very angry?”

“Your Happiness Value has increased. Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“Yes! I’m happy, extremely happy!” Zhen Zhu spat out through gritted teeth. The thought of Jining Lan and Zhen Min’er holding hands made her ecstatic!

She’d be free from this plot soon! She was truly, utterly, thrilled!

Zhen Zhu figured she must be too happy, which explained why she couldn’t open the car door on the first try, or even the second!

“What the hell is this thing?!” she raged, stomping her foot and slamming her fist against the door handle. “Are you trying to piss me off too?!”

“…Eldest Miss, you need to pull the handle back to open the door,” the bodyguard behind her offered earnestly.

“Did I ask for your opinion?!”

“Do you think I’m stupid?!” Zhen Zhu snapped, whirling around, chin raised, glaring at the meddling bodyguard.

The bodyguard fell silent and retreated two steps.

The car door finally opened. Zhen Zhu climbed in.

“Drive.”

“Eldest Miss, Miss Min’er…”

“What’s it to you?! Are you driving or not?!” Zhen Zhu crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. “What, do I need her permission to drive now?!”

“Don’t worry! Some chivalrous soul will take her home!” Zhen Zhu deliberately ignored the faint cries of “Elder Sister” from outside the car, slapping the seat. “Drive!”

Why chase after her? Go chase after your Male Lead! Go chase after Brother Ninglan!

The car sped away, passing Zhen Min’er, who was still standing at the gate, and continued without stopping.

Zhen Zhu pursed her lips, glanced at the scene, then looked away with a hmph.

“Ahhh, Host! The Main Lead’s Happiness Index has plummeted by 50%, down to 35%!!”

The shrill, childlike voice startled Zhen Zhu, who was still bristling and had been glancing out the window. “What? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?!”

“Ahhh, no! I triple-checked before daring to tell you, Host!” the voice squeaked frantically. “Host, hurry back! See if something’s happened between the Main Lead and the Male Lead?!”

What’s wrong with Zhen Min’er now…?

“Master Chen, wait,” Zhen Zhu said, turning to look back at Zhen Min’er, who was still standing motionless at the gate.

Forget it. Let’s turn back and see what’s going on with her…

“Turn…”

“Back to pick up Miss Min’er?” Master Chen responded, stopping the car.

“…No! Take me home!” Zhen Zhu replied coldly.

Master Chen didn’t dare speak and immediately resumed driving.

“Host?” the childlike voice asked, puzzled. “The Main Lead is definitely—”

“Don’t worry about it. The Main Lead will pamper her!” Zhen Zhu retorted, annoyed. “Didn’t you say before that only the Male Lead can bring happiness to the Main Lead? Since he’s already chasing after her, the ending will definitely be them entwined until the ends of the earth. We don’t need to do anything else.”

As soon as Zhen Zhu turned back, she saw Jining Lan rushing out and putting his arm around Zhen Min’er’s shoulder at the doorway.

Zhen Min’er didn’t resist, her head bowed, her body trembling slightly—probably sobbing…

She’s enjoying the Male Lead’s affection right now!

Hmph! Zhen Zhu tapped her head. Stop thinking about it. Go home and practice the piano! There’s a competition next year!

Wait a minute… Zhen Zhu frowned, a headache forming. My piano competition?

The touch on her shoulder made Zhen Min’er want to vomit.

Elder Sister… called this man over?

Is she trying to set me up with this disgusting man?

No.

I won’t be with this disgusting man.

And neither will Elder Sister.

Zhen Min’er slowly raised her head, her voice pitiful: “Brother Ninglan, Elder Sister is gone…”

“Let her go!” Jining Lan patted the beloved girl gently. “Don’t worry about that woman!”

“Brother Ninglan, it has nothing to do with Elder Sister…” Zhen Min’er bit her lip, her tear-filled eyes still red at the corners, looking both adorable and pitiful. “Don’t blame Elder Sister.”

“Stop defending Zhen Zhu,” Jining Lan scoffed. “You’re just too kind-hearted, that’s why you’re sticking up for your sister.”

“Everyone knows what kind of person Zhen Zhu is—a vicious Eldest Miss. She even locked you in the bathroom yesterday! Aunt Wang told me.”

“Min’er, don’t ever defend Zhen Zhu again. She’s not worth it.” Jining Lan frowned, his expression contemptuous as he criticized Zhen Zhu.

“……”

The bathroom incident… Aunt Wang told Jining Lan?

Her nails dug into her palm. That was a private game between her and Elder Sister. What right did Aunt Wang have to tell this disgusting man?

“I’ll protect you from now on,” Jining Lan declared, patting his chest confidently. “I won’t let you go through anything like yesterday again. I’ve already spoken to Aunt Wang, and Zhen Zhu won’t be able to lock you up anymore.”

Hah.

“Thank you, Brother Ninglan…” Zhen Min’er looked up, offering him a heartbreakingly tender smile, her eyes still glistening.

“But, Brother Ninglan, you’re engaged to my elder sister. I shouldn’t be clinging to you like this. It’s wrong…” Zhen Min’er lowered her gaze again, her amber eyes devoid of emotion as she stared coldly at the ground. She took a step back, letting Jining Lan’s hand fall from her shoulder, suppressing the urge to vomit. Her voice remained soft and gentle.

“I shouldn’t disturb you, Brother Ninglan. If we get too close, Elder Sister will be angry with me, and Mother will be angry too.” Zhen Min’er shook her head, her eyes shimmering as she looked up. She bit her lip fiercely. “As long as you and Elder Sister remain engaged, I won’t take another step toward you. Elder Sister’s anger should be directed at me—I’m the one being immoral…”

“No, Min’er, you’re not being immoral! Zhen Zhu is the immoral one! If it weren’t for her, we would have been together long ago!”

“Last time, she proposed breaking off the engagement, but she didn’t do anything!”

Jining Lan was about to continue berating Zhen Zhu when Zhen Min’er spoke softly, her eyes filled with hopeful anticipation: “Brother Ninglan… would you be willing to break off the engagement?”

This completely stoked Jining Lan’s masculine pride. “Of course I’m willing to break off the engagement!”

“Then… never mind. Brother Ninglan is also controlled by his parents. Breaking off the engagement must be very difficult. I shouldn’t put you in such a difficult position…” The light in Zhen Min’er’s eyes gradually dimmed as she lowered her head again, her voice filled with concern. “Brother Ninglan is the second child in the family, just like me, unlike Elder Sister. You need Elder Sister’s help to break off the engagement…”

“I can break off the engagement myself, don’t worry!” Jining Lan retorted, his tone indignant. “I don’t need Zhen Zhu! Grandfather’s birthday banquet is coming up soon. Once it’s over, I’ll talk to my parents. I don’t need Zhen Zhu’s help at all!”

“Really, Brother Ninglan…?” Zhen Min’er looked up, her right hand clenching the hem of her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed to speak before Jining Lan could retract his words: “I knew you were capable, Brother Ninglan…”

He had to be capable of doing it.

He also had to break off his engagement with Elder Sister!

Zhen Min’er evaded Jining Lan’s hand, covering her tear-stained, tearless eyes. The oppressive darkness unleashed her hidden desires.

“If Brother Ninglan could break off the engagement…”

If this disgusting man could break off his engagement with Elder Sister…

“Then I wouldn’t have to avoid Elder Sister anymore…”

Then Elder Sister could completely avoid this disgusting man.

Elder Sister’s cheeks were so soft and fragrant.

“Then I could… be with Brother Ninglan…”

A delicate blush spread across her face, her eyes shimmering like spring water, so captivating that Jining Lan, who had been feeling somewhat remorseful for his decisive words, lost his composure.

Then she could be with Elder Sister forever.

If only the engagement were broken.

Elder Sister had said that as long as two people loved each other, they could be together forever.

She loved Elder Sister—even more than that.

Elder Sister would definitely want to be with her too.

Dark, selfish desires filled Zhen Min’er’s mind, lingering there, waiting—

To devour someone.

Someone already promised to another.