My Gloomy Stepsister Has Her Eyes on Me - Chapter 32

After all that effort.

As her thoughts grew clearer and her mind sharpened, Zhen Zhu felt deeply grateful for having woken up.

Compared to her initial state, trapped at the bottom of the valley, mindlessly following the plot, Zhen Zhu, though frustrated by the tasks she had to perform, was…

willing to do them.

Except for those times when she was truly annoyed with Zhen Min’er.

Zhen Zhu glanced back at the room upstairs and suddenly understood her occasional anger.

In truth, she had hoped Zhen Min’er could also break free from the plot.

But…

She hadn’t.

As the Main Lead, Zhen Min’er was destined to end up with the Male Lead.

And Zhen Zhu didn’t have the energy to save others.

Fine. When she finally stopped caring, she even went so far as to promote their relationship and tell the very lies she despised.

The result…

How utterly laughable.

Everything had returned to square one, even worse than before.

Was this the universe telling her: You’ll always be a character in this book, bound by the plot, even if you’re awake?

Is it all the same?

“I’m done.”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Just like the thunder she feared most, Zhen Zhu coldly stared out the window at the darkening night sky, yet the dark clouds and rumbling thunder refused to dissipate.

It was as if the World Consciousness was deliberately flaunting its power before her, warning her.

“Host, you… you shouldn’t…” The doll-like voice trembled with anxiety. “The World Consciousness is very displeased…”

“Then let it be displeased.”

“I’m done.”

Zhen Zhu snorted coldly. “If it has the guts, let it strike me dead.”

She didn’t want to give up her life, but if she was going to be controlled step by step through her entire existence, she’d rather be struck dead!

“I’m not playing along anymore!”

“What a stupid mission! This Eldest Miss is done!” Straightening her back, she tilted her fox-like eyes upward, glaring at the lightning-streaked sky. “Come on, strike me dead!”

Boom—

Clearly, the so-called World Consciousness was furious, the thunder growing even louder.

But…

“All thunder and no rain,” Zhen Zhu sneered, her lips curling into a cold smile. “Looks like you’re afraid I’ll die and no one will follow the Vicious Female Supporting Character’s plotline!”

“You’re nothing but empty threats.”

“Host, Host… you shouldn’t… Let me check if…”

Ignoring the clamor in her mind, Zhen Zhu immediately dialed Lin Zhi and Ba Xueyue’s group chat. “Come on, we’re going to the White Horse Club.”

What mission? Get lost! I’m breaking free from this plot right now!

For the first time, Zhen Zhu rolled her eyes rudely. Maybe all those times I had to maintain the Zhen Family’s image, wearing formal dresses and all that, were just the System controlling me.

When I was a kid, I just did whatever made me happy!

Even the thunder…

Zhen Zhu pressed her lips together and pushed open the door. The thunder rumbled louder as she stepped outside, her body trembling instinctively. She steadied herself by gripping the wall.

The thunder reminded her of the day her mother died.

That’s why she was afraid.

But…

Just as her mother had said before she passed:

My precious Pearl, from now on, you must fear nothing and no one. No one can stop you. You can overcome any obstacle because my Zhu’er possesses boundless courage.

It’s normal to be afraid, but you must strive to overcome it. My Pearl is like the bright moon in the sky, shining brilliantly. A little difficulty is nothing for our Pearl, right?

Right!

As a child, she had feared nothing.

Yes, her mother’s death was a deep wound, but it shouldn’t have become an unhealable scar.

It was just thunder, wasn’t it?

Lightning?

What was the big deal?

Zhen Zhu stepped outside, the fierce wind whipping her long, wavy hair into the air.

As it danced wildly, she casually brushed it aside, carelessly draped the blanket she’d grabbed from the sofa over her formal gown, and, feeling the warmth, didn’t bother calling a driver or even acknowledging the surprised security guards at the gate. She simply headed to the garage and picked out a car.

The red supercar roared out of the mansion, and a figure slowly emerged from the shadows at the corner of the staircase.

Zhen Min’er pressed her hand against the bleeding needle mark on her arm.

No.

Her dark, lifeless eyes stared blankly ahead as she pulled out her phone and made a call.

White Horse Club?

Elder Sister…

It was Elder Sister who left first… Zhen Min’er lowered the still-glowing phone screen, her gaze darkening.

Lin Zh pulled Ba Xueyue, who was still wearing her nearsighted glasses and typing updates on her phone, into the private room.

“You’re here,” Zhen Zhu said calmly, looking at Lin Zhi. “Come on, pick someone.”

On the dark brown coffee table lay an oversized photo album. Zhen Zhu handed it to Lin Zhi. “Here, there are plenty of handsome guys inside.”

“Oho?” Lin Zhi’s peach blossom eyes narrowed as she casually took the album. Instead of flipping through it, she asked curiously, “Why did you suddenly invite me here?”

“If I remember correctly, Zhen Min’er is still sick, right?”

The waiter had just poured the wine, and the glass paused mid-air as Zhen Zhu’s cold gaze sharpened. “Yes.”

“But whether she’s sick or not has nothing to do with me.”

“J Ninglan is taking care of her.”

Something’s going on, Lin Zhi thought, nudging Ba Xueyue, who was immersed in her writing, with her elbow and giving her a knowing look.

Ba Xueyue rolled her eyes at Lin Zhi’s nosiness, but she was genuinely concerned. “Are you alright, Eldest Miss?” she asked.

They had seen thunder and lightning on the way here. “You rarely come out in weather like this.”

“From now on, I won’t let the weather keep me indoors,” Zhen Zhu declared, setting down her wine glass. Her fox-like eyes narrowed slightly, radiating a cold, regal air as she stated bluntly, “And I won’t be afraid of thunder anymore.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“So, why did you suddenly invite us out for drinks today?” Lin Zhi persisted, refusing to give up her probing. Could it be about Zhen Min’er…?

“To celebrate.”

A crimson smile curved her lips as she took a sip of wine. Raising her glass, she toasted Lin Zhi across the table. “I’ve broken off my engagement with J Ninglan.”

“May J Ninglan and Zhen Min’er have a long and happy life together!”

“After this, I’m going on a trip to find inspiration!”

They can both leave me alone now! I have no intention of staying in contact with them!

I’ll book my trip tomorrow. I need to get away and shake off those lingering puppy-dog eyes. Waiter, another glass, please.

Lin Zh and Ba Xueyue exchanged glances.

“That’s truly wonderful news!”

“Yes, wonderful, wonderful.”

“Since the Eldest Miss is here, why don’t you pick out something good for us?” Lin Zhi changed the subject. “We can’t let you have all the fun while we’re left out, can we?”

“Look at the menu and order whatever you want. It’s on me tonight,” Zhen Zhu said, swirling the red wine in her glass, her expression somewhat unfocused.

The thunder outside continued to rumble. Zhen Zhu scoffed inwardly, So this is all it amounts to, huh?

She realized it had been this way from the start. The so-called World Consciousness had only dared to threaten her, never truly attempting to eliminate her. Yet she had initially been terrified by its thunderous displays.

How embarrassing!

Zhen Zhu drained her glass in annoyance.

Xiao Lu quickly refilled it.

“This one looks good too!”

“He’s so handsome! So handsome!”

“What do we do? I can’t choose!”

“Eldest Miss?” Lin Zhi sidled up, grinning mischievously. “Can we order a few more?”

“Order whatever you want,” Zhen Zhu replied, her gaze radiating the effortless confidence of wealth. Her annual dividends were a staggering sum, making such expenses trivial.

“Yay! Thank you, Eldest Miss! Hahaha!”

“Come on, let’s feast like royalty!” Lin Zhi shouted deliberately, then she and Ba Xueyue picked out over a dozen handsome men who looked like male models.

Tall and handsome was a must, but they also came in various styles: cute, domineering CEO, sunny, athletic, purely beautiful…

The private VIP room was spacious, at least a hundred square meters, and even had a dedicated performance stage.

Lin Zh and Ba Xueyue excitedly made the handsome men perform all sorts of acts.

They had the waiters do the latest viral dance trends, like the leg-sweeping dance, and Lin Zhi frequently raised a toast to Zhen Zhu in high spirits.

The atmosphere was lively. Zhen Zhu watched her friends’ boisterous antics, pursing her lips as she thought…

Well, no matter what, awakening and rekindling our friendship is still a good thing, even if they are… very gossipy and mischievous friends.

But that didn’t change the fact that she still loathed Zhen Min’er and J Ninglan, the male and female leads who had disrupted her normal life!

The flashing lights flickered around her, casting strange, multicolored patterns that shifted and revealed a soft, sweet smile.

Elder Sister~

Zhen Min’er…

The thought of Zhen Min’er drawing closer, gradually closing the distance, kissing her, embracing her…

She turned her head to find J Ninglan looking bashful.

What am I even thinking?!

Zhen Zhu took another gulp, pursing her lips. Hmph, it’s all the System’s fault!

If not for the mission, she would never have been forced to suppress her annoyance and interact with Zhen Min’er so much, even helping her find a tutor… and… kissing her—no, giving her CPR to save her life!

Am I really that kindhearted? Absolutely not! It’s all the System’s fault!

Oh, right! I hate that System that assigns missions but can’t do anything itself!

“Host, I… I’m innocent~” the System’s childish voice wailed in her mind.

Zhen Zhu ignored it completely.

Just one bottle of red wine…

Yet Zhen Zhu already felt slightly tipsy, her thoughts muddled.

My alcohol tolerance isn’t usually this low…

From Lin Zhi’s arrival to when they both fell asleep, it couldn’t have been more than half an hour…

Wait a minute? Zhen Zhu’s blurry gaze shifted to the side, only to find Lin Zhi and Ba Xueyue already slumped against each other, fast asleep.

Half an hour?! Impossible! Lin Zhi can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk!

Something’s wrong!

Rubbing her throbbing head, Zhen Zhu struggled to clear her mind. She glared sharply at Xiao Lu, the wide-eyed waiter who had been dutifully pouring her tea.

“You—”

Before she could finish her sentence, darkness suddenly enveloped her vision.

Zhen Zhu collapsed onto the sofa.

Xiao Lu was about to step forward when a soft voice cut through the air, freezing him in his tracks.

“Get out.”

“Boss,” Xiao Lu protested.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Zhen Min’er strode in through the side door, her eyes icy as she glared at Xiao Lu.

The thought of this man having been so close to her elder sister… she…

She watched as Xiao Lu and his group, including Ba Xueyue and Lin Zhi, hurried away. Her gaze lingered on her elder sister, lying unconscious on the sofa, still breathtakingly beautiful.

Her sleeping elder sister… without the usual coldness and indifference.

Instead, she looked peaceful.

Just like that night when she had slept soundly beside Min’er.

A deep slumber.

But this wasn’t the natural sleep of that night.

This was…

The effects of drugs.

But what did it matter?

Her long-suppressed emotions erupted. Zhen Min’er knelt beside Zhen Zhu, twirling a strand of her elder sister’s curly hair around her finger. “Elder Sister…”

“I’m sorry.”

“But I’ll never let you go again.”

Zhen Min’er’s gaze drifted from Zhen Zhu’s lips and curves down to her ankles. She ran her hand along Zhen Zhu’s calf. “I’ll have to lock you up.”

“Otherwise, you’ll always slip away from me.”

“Didn’t you say it yourself?”

“As long as we love each other, we’ll never be apart.”

“I love you, Elder Sister~”

“So we can’t be separated now.”

She pressed a kiss to Zhen Zhu’s wine-scented lips, gently biting her soft lower lip. Xiao Lu’s eyes overflowed with delight. “Finally… I get to kiss Elder Sister again~”