My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 29

Taking the gift in hand, Zhen Zhu led Zhen Min’er to the living room.

There they saw the short-haired girl in a qipao, chatting animatedly with Lin Zhi. She seemed to have a cheerful personality.

“Welcome,” Zhen Zhu greeted briefly.

As she approached, intending to hand over the gift box, the short-haired girl heard footsteps and immediately turned around, her round, cat-like eyes widening with delight. She rushed forward excitedly, exclaiming, “Sister Zhen Zhu! I’m so happy! You actually invited me!”

The enthusiastic girl closed in, and Zhen Zhu instinctively wanted to step back, but the girl’s radiant smile stopped her.

Sister…

Sister, Sister!

Sister~

Those dewy, fawn-like eyes always lit up when they saw her, her soft voice calling out excitedly, her gaze filled with hope and adoration.

Snapping out of her reverie, Zhen Zhu noticed the girl’s initial enthusiasm had waned slightly, replaced by a hint of embarrassment at having interrupted.

“It’s nothing,” Zhen Zhu said, her expression softening involuntarily. “Your gloves are ruined. Here, take these.”

“Consider it compensation.”

Zhen Zhu handed the gift box to Gu Anhe, placing it in her palm. Her expression softened slightly.

“Thank you, Sister Zhen Zhu!” Gu Anhe accepted the gift, her cat-like eyes sparkling.

Seeing Gu Anhe’s undisguised delight as she held the box, Zhen Zhu’s voice warmed. “You’re welcome.”

While Zhen Zhu and Gu Anhe were chatting, Lin Zhi quietly slipped over to Zhen Min’er, who stood nearby with her head bowed. Lin Zhi raised her peach-blossom eyes. “What’s on your mind? Are you jealous?”

“…”

“What are you saying, Sister Linzh?” Zhen Min’er asked, her eyes filled with confusion, as if frightened by Lin Zhi’s question. She took several steps forward, interrupting the conversation between Zhen Zhu and Gu Anhe, and nervously grabbed Zhen Zhu’s waist, kneading and pressing the fabric of her dress with a mixture of gentleness and force.

The sudden tingling numbness made Zhen Zhu’s legs weaken, and Zhen Min’er steadied her.

“You?” Zhen Zhu stared at Zhen Min’er in shock, who looked back with panic.

“Elder Sister, did I hurt you just now?” Zhen Min’er asked. “I’m so sorry, Elder Sister! Sister Linzh suddenly came over, and I… I got scared…”

“I’m so sorry, waah…”

Was it a misunderstanding?

The tingling numbness drained Zhen Zhu’s strength. Only after being helped to the sofa did she manage to suppress the unsettling sensation.

She glanced at Zhen Min’er and saw her frantically trying to call for a doctor.

“No need, no need!” Zhen Zhu quickly stopped her. Good heavens, I can’t possibly admit my legs went weak just because my stepsister pinched me!

What would become of Miss Zhen’s dignity?

“Sister Zhen Zhu, are you alright?” Gu Anhe also rushed over, offering Zhen Zhu a teacup from the table.

“Elder Sister… you just took medicine. You shouldn’t drink cold water…”

Zhen Min’er’s voice was small and weak. Realizing her mistake, she quickly stepped back, lowering her gaze in a humble posture. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interrupted Miss Gu and Elder Sister’s time together…”

Zhen Zhu’s hand froze mid-sip. Instinctively, she pulled the cup away, her abdomen still feeling bloated and numb.

Hearing this, Gu Anhe immediately snatched the cup back from Zhen Zhu, apologizing profusely. “I’m so sorry, Sister Zhen Zhu!”

She added awkwardly, “If Sister Zhen Zhu isn’t feeling well today, I should probably head back.”

Zhen Zhu wanted to ask her to stay, but the lingering numbness and her still-recovering diarrhea made her hesitate.

“I’ll invite you again next time. I apologize for the poor hospitality today,” Zhen Zhu said, her cool tone softening as she glanced at Gu Anhe.

“No, no! I’m just so happy to have met Sister Zhen Zhu!” Gu Anhe exclaimed, her cheeks flushed as she clenched her fists. “Sister Zhen Zhu, you’re so cool!”

“You’re a total goddess!”

The sudden barrage of praise caught Zhen Zhu off guard. She paused, cleared her throat, and turned her head slightly before replying, “Thank you.”

Noticing the faint blush on her sister’s ear, Zhen Min’er offered, “Elder Sister, I’ll see Miss Gu out.”

Zhen Min’er had always enjoyed this task. Zhen Zhu used to disapprove of her escorting guests, considering it unnecessary and beneath the Zhen Family’s dignity.

“Alright,” Zhen Zhu agreed. Given her own impoliteness toward Gu Anhe today, she decided to let Zhen Min’er handle the farewell.

As Zhen Min’er led the excitedly bouncing Gu Anhe away, Zhen Zhu’s gaze narrowed at Lin Zhi, who was furiously tapping her phone screen. Since yesterday, Lin Zhi seemed to be hiding something from her.

Zhen Zhu wanted to see what messages Lin Zhi was sending.

But…

Her legs were still weak, and she couldn’t stand up.

No way, Zhen Zhu thought, gritting her teeth. Next time, I’ll pad my waist. How can I react like this to a casual touch from Zhen Min’er?!

Zhen Min’er escorted Gu Anhe to the door.

“Thank you, Sister Min’er,” Gu Anhe said, blinking her beautiful cat-like eyes and smiling sweetly.

“You’re welcome…” Zhen Min’er replied timidly, her deer-like eyes darting nervously. After a moment of hesitation, she added, “Um…”

“Yes? What is it?” Gu Anhe tilted her head in confusion. “You can just say what’s on your mind, Sister Min’er.”

“It’s just… I didn’t mean to rush Miss Gu away. It’s just that…” Zhen Min’er said cautiously, “I don’t usually like having guests at home. I’m sorry, Miss Gu.”

“Huh?” Gu Anhe responded blankly. “Sister Zhen Zhu doesn’t like guests? But Sister Linzh said she loves company!”

“…”

More bl00d seeped through the white bandages. Zhen Min’er spoke nervously, “Is that so…”

“Then maybe I misunderstood…”

“I’m sorry, Miss Gu,” Zhen Min’er said, lowering her gaze and clenching her fists.

“It’s okay! You were just worried about me,” Gu Anhe said with a bright smile, her short hair making her look even more adorable. “I really like Sister Zhen!”

“I’d be so sad if you couldn’t come more often~”

“Oh, by the way, Sister Min’er, you can just call me Anhe!”

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Gu Anhe leaned in conspiratorially, cupping her hand to whisper, “I used to think Sister Zhen was so aloof and unapproachable, like she was worlds away. I never imagined I’d get to be this close to her!”

“I’m determined to become good friends with Sister Zhen Zhu!” Gu Anhe tilted her head expectantly. “Then one day, we can hold hands and go shopping together, just like Sister Linzh and I do!”

Holding hands and shopping with my sister…

Zhen Min’er pressed her lips together, suppressing her emotions. She looked up, forcing the practiced, timid smile she’d rehearsed countless times in the mirror, and waved goodbye to Gu Anhe.

She watched the girl’s bouncy, sun-kissed short hair shimmer golden as she swayed, her smile radiant.

She watched her chat sweetly with the security guard and the driver, able to strike up a conversation with anyone.

A person living in the sunlight, completely unlike me…

Would she really hold my hand and go shopping with me?

Ah, Zhen Min’er glanced down at her palm. The bl00d had completely overflowed, as if she’d clenched her fist too tightly.

After sending the message, Lin Zhi leisurely ate her fruit when she noticed Zhen Zhu suddenly come upstairs to retrieve the painting brushes her mother had left behind. Puzzled, Lin Zhi asked, “Why are you taking those out?”

“Don’t you hate painting?” Lin Zhi suddenly perked up, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she stared intently at Zhen Zhu. “Are you planning to give them to Zhen Min’er?”

“If I remember correctly, you even asked Yueyue to recommend famous painters and had a whole list of requirements. Was that all for Zhen Min’er?”

Zhen Zhu, who had initially felt nothing wrong, grew increasingly uncomfortable under Lin Zhi’s teasing grin. “Yes, so what?”

“What’s with that expression?”

Zhen Zhu couldn’t bear to look at Lin Zhi’s lewd expression. Besides…

“Hmph, besides, these were…”

“…Jining Lan asked me to give them to Zhen Min’er.”

She said it exactly as the System had instructed, even though she wasn’t speaking directly to Zhen Min’er. Just uttering the words made Zhen Zhu feel nauseous, as if she’d swallowed something disgusting.

“Jining Lan?”

“Tch.”

Lin Zh remained unconvinced. “Even if you just cursed Jining Lan, the main thing is these belonged to your mother. You wouldn’t give them away unless you really wanted to.”

“Oh, Eldest Miss, why are you making excuses for giving a gift?”

Grinning mischievously, Lin Zhi’s face lit up with anticipation. “Come on, tell me! What’s the real story between you two?”

“Why did you give this to Zhen Min’er? Have you two taken your relationship to the next level?”

“What ‘next level’?” Zhen Zhu glared at her coldly. “Our relationship has never been good!”

“I just thought Zhen Min’er served me well and deserved a reward!” Irritated by Lin Zhi’s scrutiny, Zhen Zhu shot her a contemptuous look. “Can’t you ever give someone a gift?!”

“Hahahahaha, of course I can! Hahahahaha…”

“Eldest Miss, you’re giving yourself away! Hahahahaha! You just said Jining Lan begged you to give it to her!”

“…Ahhh!” Zhen Zhu’s face flushed crimson. She stomped her foot and lunged at Lin Zhi, who was laughing so hard she was nearly choking. “Shut up already!”

“What does it matter why I gave it to her?! The point is, Zhen Min’er and I aren’t that close!”

Zhen Zhu’s haughty Eldest Miss facade finally crumbled. Faced with her unscrupulous friend, she slapped Lin Zhi several times, barely managing to muffle her raucous laughter when a faint voice called out from the doorway.

“Elder Sister…”

Watching her sister playfully brawling with that woman whose thoughts she couldn’t fathom, Zhen Min’er couldn’t help but call out to Zhen Zhu.

Then, as Zhen Min’er returned, she saw her sister instantly regain her usual composure—cold and aloof.

The deliberately torn wound on Zhen Zhu’s palm began to bleed again, the bl00d seeping from her palm to her fingertips before dripping onto the floor.

A fresh, bloody scrape on her knee oozed, the bl00d trickling down her leg.

Perhaps her earlier staged fall had been too forceful. Zhen Min’er felt a sharper, almost blinding pain.

Hearing Zhen Min’er’s voice, Zhen Zhu, who had just straightened her clothes and turned around, saw Zhen Min’er’s pitiful state.

“What happened to you?!”

“Just now…”

“Miss Gu was probably upset and walking too fast. I… I grabbed her too hard, and she accidentally fell,” Zhen Min’er stammered, her head bowed.

“Gu Anhe pushed you?” Zhen Zhu frowned. She didn’t seem like that kind of person.

“No, no!” Zhen Min’er shook her head frantically, her face tense. “I… I tripped myself.”

Zhen Zhu recalled how Zhen Min’er had been locked in the bathroom and hadn’t called for help. She frowned again.

“Don’t be nervous. If Gu—”

“Pfft, Eldest Miss, if Zhen Min’er says Anhe didn’t push her, then she didn’t.”

Lin Zh, her figure-hugging dress slightly disheveled but unbothered, sauntered over, cutting in. “We don’t do speculation here.”

With a saccharine smile, Lin Zhi continued, “I can call Anhe right now.”