My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 20

Elder Sister, you’re here too?

Seeing Zhen Zhu, Zhen Min’er instinctively withdrew her arm from Jining Lan’s embrace.

Jining Lan immediately stepped in front of Zhen Min’er, shielding her behind him, and glared at Zhen Zhu. “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming?”

“What are you planning to do to Min’er this time?”

“What kind of elder sister are you! Bullying Min’er at home is bad enough, but you had to chase her here too?!”

Zhen Zhu’s gaze shifted from Jining Lan to Zhen Min’er’s retreating figure, then she scoffed coldly. “Tch, who cares about you two!”

She grabbed Lin Zhi, who was about to lunge at Jining Lan, and pulled her back, raising an eyebrow. “We wouldn’t waste our time on you.”

With that, she turned and left without looking back, dragging Lin Zhi, who couldn’t resist shouting “You’ll regret this!” at Jining Lan, away with her.

Her naturally wavy black hair traced perfect arcs in the night air. The fox-like eyes, when she raised an eyebrow, held a disdainful and icy beauty, as if no one present was worthy of her attention, as if no one could possibly affect her.

Zhen Zhu’s pure white gown, adorned with sparkling diamonds, made her shine even brighter. Delicate pale green vines cascaded from the shoulder straps to her waist, accentuating her elegance.

Every movement exuded a powerful aura, drawing all eyes in the room.

A man in a suit couldn’t help but exclaim, “So this is the real Miss Zhen!”

“Of course! Our Eldest Miss is far superior to that little white flower!” Lin Zhi retorted, still looking back even as she was being dragged away.

Zhen Zhu pursed her lips, tightening her grip on Lin Zhi.

A bitter feeling welled up in her chest. Zhen Zhu frowned, trying to understand. I shouldn’t care about Jining Lan at all! What is this strange emotion?!

She didn’t understand it, and she didn’t want to!

If she ever truly fell for that idiot, she’d rather get her brain checked for defects!

…Zhen Min’er.

Zhen Zhu quickened her pace, yet the image of those bright amber eyes and lips stained a delicate pink by lipstick kept flashing before her eyes.

She shook her head, trying to banish the image. Seriously? All she did was change her clothes and suddenly she’s beautiful?

Why is she…

So concerned?

Zhen Zhu quickened her pace, causing Lin Zhi’s arm to ache faintly. She called out repeatedly, “Eldest Miss, slow down, slow down—”

Her…

No, she’s mine.

Zhen Min’er’s gaze fixed on Zhen Zhu’s retreating figure. The faint diamond shimmer of her white dress radiated a dazzling, almost blinding light.

Even more blinding was the sight of her elder sister holding that woman’s hand…

Her elder sister had never held her hand like that.

Zhen Min’er’s amber eyes darkened, her expression shifting as she stared at their clasped hands. The grip on Jining Lan’s arm tightened.

“Sss—” Jining Lan hissed in pain as the sudden, intense pressure on his arm made him wince.

“Min’er, don’t worry.” Seeing Zhen Min’er’s gaze fixed on Zhen Zhu’s receding figure, Jining Lan immediately stepped forward, blocking her view. “I’ll protect you.”

The pressure on his arm vanished. Jining Lan straightened his back, feeling increasingly confident in his actions. He declared earnestly, “Today, I won’t let Zhen Zhu harm you.”

An eyesore.

Zhen Min’er withdrew her palm, silently shaking her hand.

Unaware of the cold glint in her elder sister’s eyes, Zhen Min’er stared at the back before her, pondering whether she could make this person shorter by removing their tendons and bones, just so she could see her sister. Her pink lips parted slightly, her voice as soft as ever: “Thank you, Brother Ninglan.”

“But…” After drawing everyone’s attention, Zhen Min’er flinched slightly. “Elder Sister wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Before…”

“When Elder Sister used to order me around, it was always for my own good.”

More eyes turned to Zhen Min’er.

People just love a good show, don’t they? Yes, Elder Sister isn’t as good as you think. Take your eyes off her.

“I don’t blame Elder Sister,” Zhen Min’er’s voice grew softer and more tremulous.

“Brother Ninglan… this has nothing to do with Elder Sister.”

“It’s my fault.”

Elder Sister… you’re holding his hand.

Why not me?

Her dark, brooding gaze, which had been fixed on Jining Lan’s hand, suddenly brightened as she looked up at his parents. “Uncle J, Aunt J,” she greeted sweetly.

“…Min’er, is that you?” Madam J’s smile faltered for a moment when she recognized Zhen Min’er, but the warmth remained in her eyes as she glanced behind Jining Lan. “Where’s Zhu’er?”

Jining Lan’s grip tightened. He wanted to say Zhen Zhu had nothing to do with him, but under his father’s cold stare, he reluctantly replied, “She’s with Lin Zhi.”

“Then why aren’t you with Zhu’er?”

A deep, authoritative voice boomed from behind Jining Lan and Zhen Min’er, brooking no argument. “Go fetch Zhu’er. I haven’t seen her in ages.”

“I won’t—” Jining Lan protested, turning to see his grandfather, J Deha, standing beside Zhen Hongbo and his wife. He quickly shut his mouth and greeted them: “Grandfather, Uncle Zhen, Aunt Zhen.”

“Mother.”

“Father.”

Zhen Min’er also cautiously peeked out and greeted them.

J Deha smiled in greeting and turned to his oblivious grandson. “Aren’t you going yet?”

“…I…” Ninglan instinctively glanced at Zhen Min’er, who needed his protection. He hesitated, but then Zhen Min’er whispered from behind him, “Brother Ninglan… go find Elder Sister…”

Her voice was weak, and her forced smile didn’t reach her eyes. Her gaze lacked its usual sparkle, reminding Ninglan of what she had said in the car earlier:

After all, Brother Ninglan’s family can’t compare to Elder Sister’s… It’s understandable that the J Family doesn’t want to give up on her.

“I’m not going to find her!” Ninglan retorted, turning to face his family and raising his chin. “I don’t like Zhen Zhu. I want to break off the engagement.”

“Our J Family is just as good as the Zhen Family!”

“Why should the Zhen Family get to choose the engagement partner—”

“Shut up!” Father J roared. “Don’t you feel ashamed saying such things in front of your Uncle Zhen? Take those words back immediately!”

Brother Ninglan has achieved some success, but he’s still a child in our parents’ eyes. It’s understandable that they want to choose a more suitable partner for him… someone like Elder Sister…

“I won’t take it back! I’m grown up now, and I built my company’s success all by myself! Why can’t I marry the person I love? Why should I be forced to marry that arrogant Miss Zhen?!”

Jining Lan retorted fiercely, his anger rising when he felt Zhen Min’er tugging at his sleeve from behind, as if trying to silence him. How could he fail to protect his beloved Min’er-meime?

That would be utterly humiliating!

What would people think of him?!

“You, you, you—!” Father J sputtered, his face flushed with anger, wishing he could clamp his hand over his rebellious son’s mouth. “How dare you speak of Pearl-meime like that?!”

He turned to Zhen Hongbo, who remained composed with a faint smile, his expression unreadable. “My son here… he’s good at everything, just going through a rebellious phase. Probably got his head turned by some pretty faces. Don’t worry, I’ll give him a proper scolding when we get home!”

Behind Jining Lan, Zhen Min’er curled her lips into a knowing smile. Sure enough, when parents want to defend their sons, they’ll say anything, even the most blatant lies.

So… Father, who dotes on Elder Sister so much, should finally… Zhen Min’er looked up with anticipation. Surely he’ll…

“Haha, Ninglan, my nephew, you’re quite the joker,” Zhen Hongbo chuckled, shaking his head. “No need for any scolding.”

“Brother Hongbo—” Father J interjected anxiously, his words sounding suspiciously like…

“Eh,” Zhen Hongbo raised a hand, smiling at J Deha. “Today is Uncle Deha’s birthday banquet. How could I possibly steal the spotlight?”

“Zhu’er and my nephew’s matter is their own affair. We elders shouldn’t interfere.”

“Indeed,” J Deha chuckled, patting Zhen Hongbo’s shoulder. “I’m getting old, and you’re now elders yourselves. Let’s leave the young ones to sort things out.”

What does this mean?

Zhen Min’er quietly glanced at Zhen Hongbo, her fingers clenching. How could he accept Jining Lan speaking about Elder Sister like that?

Why?

Watching J Deha pat Zhen Hongbo’s shoulder without a change in expression, Zhen Min’er’s amber eyes flickered. She tugged at Jining Lan’s sleeve.

Min’er-meime is nervous, Jining Lan thought, his emotions rising. “Grandfather, Uncle Zhen—”

“Father, I’ll take Ninglan and Min’er to find Zhu’er,” Madam J interrupted Jining Lan’s unfinished sentence, nodded to the group, and, taking Jining Lan and Zhen Min’er by the hand, led them toward the back garden.

“You should go too,” Zhen Hongbo said, patting Sang Xiaohua’s shoulder.

“…Alright,” Sang Xiaohua hesitated briefly, glanced at her husband, and, seeing his gentle gaze, immediately lowered her head in agreement.

This is getting interesting, Zhen Min’er thought, a faint smile playing on her lips. I think I’ve figured something out.

Ah, just as I suspected. I’m the only one who truly loves Elder Sister.

Zhen Min’er obediently followed Madam J to the back garden, where Madam J stopped and turned to her.

“Min’er, Ninglan and Zhu’er are engaged,” Madam J said with a warm smile, her meaning clear. “You and your sister are welcome to visit Ninglan anytime.”

A flicker of barely perceptible disdain flashed in Zhen Min’er’s eyes as she lowered her head and hid behind Sang Xiaohua, her voice soft and demure. “I understand… Aunt J. I… won’t be alone with Brother Ninglan again.”

Since you’re being vague, she’ll spell it out. Jining Lan, that face-obsessed young master, will undoubtedly—

“Mother! What are you saying?” Jining Lan frowned. “I was the one who sought out Min’er-meime!”

“Besides, I’m already this old!”

“Oh~ you’re so grown up~ yet still clinging to your fiancée’s younger sister~”

“What’s that saying again?”

A crisp voice cut in, finishing Jining Lan’s sentence. Lin Zhi smiled sweetly as she pulled Zhen Zhu into the conversation. “A scumbag?”

“Lin Zhi,” Zhen Zhu said, speechless. “Is this the ‘good show’ you wanted me to see?”

“Who wants to watch this boring drama?”

“Isn’t it entertaining?” Lin Zhi’s peach-blossom eyes tilted slightly, radiating seductive charm. Her retort was no less cutting than Zhen Zhu’s: “Affairs are always so thrilling!”

“And a scoundrel’s sweet talk is even more captivating!” With that, Lin Zhi pulled out her phone, started recording, and aimed it directly at Jining Lan. “Hmm, I should record this for the world to see.”

“A scoundrel abandoning his fiancée to pursue her younger sister with declarations of love.”

“And making solemn vows, no less.”

“Let the internet judge just how thick your skin really is!”

“Lin Zhi!” Jining Lan reached for the phone Lin Zhi was holding in front of his face, but she deftly dodged his hand.

Still unsatisfied, Lin Zhi turned the camera toward Zhen Min’er. “Ah, and I mustn’t forget the mistress in this affair…”

“Lin Zhi! How dare you!”

“Enough,” Zhen Zhu said, frowning as she snatched the phone from behind Lin Zhi and shut off the recording app.

Turning sideways, she handed the phone back to Lin Zhi, refusing to meet the gaze of her stepsister, who had been staring intently at her since she arrived. With a cold huff, she declared, “Jining Lan and Zhen Min’er have nothing to do with me.”

“Zhen Min’er isn’t even worthy of being my mistress, let alone worth my attention.” Grabbing Lin Zhi, who was still trying to argue, Zhen Zhu steered her toward the pond. “Didn’t you want to see the goldfish?”

“I…” I don’t want to! Lin Zhi’s eyes widened, but Zhen Zhu quickly covered her mouth.

Elder Sister is protecting me.

Zhen Min’er flashed a sweet smile. When Lin Zhi had tried to film Jining Lan earlier, her sister hadn’t intervened. But when it came to her… her sister had stopped it.

But…

Watching Lin Zhi, whose mouth was covered by her sister’s hand but who still glared fiercely at her, Zhen Min’er lowered her head, her expression darkening.

I really want to… cut off her mouth.