Stealing My Stepsister's Fiancée - Chapter 13
Chapter 13: Shura Field
Su Yu’s back grew increasingly tense, and a fine layer of sweat gathered at the tip of her nose.
So hot…
Unbearably hot…
She was used to working under scorching conditions—forty degrees daily—her body naturally toughened against heat. Yet now, she felt like she was burning up from the inside.
Not just heat, but an irritating, prickling sensation crawled along her neck and back like tiny insects biting her skin. Her body felt swollen and feverish, mixed with a strange, almost intoxicating sensation.
Because of her slow physical response caused by differentiation disorder, Su Yu simply thought Ni Hezhi was holding her too tightly, preventing the heat from escaping.
Finally overwhelmed, she summoned strength and pushed Ni Hezhi away, regaining her balance.
The pressure and heat eased slightly.
Without another word, she ignored Ni Hezhi, turned, and carried a basket of tomatoes over to the cart. Her tone was flat as she said, “You should head back now.”
Humph!
How many times had this happened already?
The stubborn, dense-headed man had pushed her away so many times she couldn’t even count. Was he really made of stone? How could he be so unyielding?
“Su Yu, you’re boring when you’re like this,” Ni Hezhi grumbled in frustration, then turned to leave. His skirt brushed against her calves, leaving a faint breeze behind.
Miao Hai followed close behind, hat tipped jauntily, teasing Liu Hai as he glanced at Ni Hezhi with a bright smile: “Sister, let me teach you…”
“Swim,” Su Yu cut him off, grabbing the edge of his clothes and pulling him back toward the cart.
“Su Yu, what’s wrong? I want to teach the young lady how to swim. Look, she’s walking to the river. It’s dangerous since she can’t swim—I’ll protect her,” Miao Hai protested.
But Su Yu seemed indifferent, her eyes fixed on Ni Hezhi as she approached the river nearby the tomato field. The river water came fresh from the mountains, clear and sweet. Villagers washed vegetables and rice upstream, while kids played downstream during summer, splashing happily.
Ni Hezhi found some shade and sat down, slipping off her shoes to dip her feet in the cool water. Her pale legs moved gently, sending up small splashes.
Seeing she hadn’t entered the water, Su Yu relaxed a bit, looked away, grabbed the cart’s handle, and gestured for Miao Hai to help push from behind.
“Su Yu…” Miao Hai stepped closer, narrowing the space between them. “Is she really not your wife?”
Su Yu blinked twice, stepped back a bit, and raised her voice slightly: “No, she’s not.”
Avoiding Miao Hai’s gaze, she caught only a soft murmur from her: “You two look so close, and yet the young lady still holds on to you.”
“Maybe she does…” Su Yu quickly pulled the cart to block her view.
Miao Hai circled to the back, took hold of the basket, and muttered to herself: “If the match my mother set up looked like her, would I still run away? Su Yu, I’ve never seen someone so beautiful. My taste has definitely leveled up. Remember all those crooked, cracked dates we used to see?”
Su Yu replied calmly, “But didn’t you say Qiu Xiaoxia is very pretty?”
Miao Hai sneered. “That’s nothing compared to the young lady. Not even close! Look at her skin and figure… it’s more perfect than any anime character. Even celebrities on TV can’t compare. And Qiu Xiaoxia? She’s so plain… Damn, here comes Cao Cao.”
At that moment, a girl about seventeen or eighteen appeared from a nearby ridge. She had a ponytail and a fresh, honest face. Her eyes were big and clear, though her skin was a bit tanned—a healthy glow typical of mountain girls.
Qiu Xiaoxia spotted Su Yu and happily caught up, asking, “A Yu, are you ready yet? The Shaigu Stadium team is lined up at the commissary, but don’t worry, I asked Abba to save a spot for you—you can join us later.”
Su Yu showed no expression but politely declined, “No need. I’ll line up with them.”
Qiu Xiaoxia pressed, “You’re foolish. The farther back you get, the easier it is to be priced out.”
Su Yu disliked relying on outsiders’ help. For years, she had carried every responsibility at home alone—bearing the heavy load of chores, no matter how tiring or painful. She preferred to endure hardship than owe favors to others.
To her, there was a clear divide between outsiders and family.
Qiu Xiaoxia was an outsider.
A sudden question flashed through Su Yu’s mind: Then who counts as family?
Her grandmother? Huihui?
She looked up toward the river. Ni Hezhi’s back was visible as she scooped a handful of water, flicking droplets into the air. The droplets danced like sparkling notes above her head.
Her face was as stunning as a Chinese ink painting, captivating and ethereal.
Maybe it was Su Yu’s prolonged troubles, but she ignored Qiu Xiaoxia’s calls, causing the girl to grab her arm and shake her: “What are you staring at?”
Su Yu’s eyes glazed, and she looked away quickly, “Nothing.”
She avoided Qiu Xiaoxia’s touch, pulled the cart forward, and continued on with Miao Hai.
The river water was crystal clear, and Ni Hezhi inhaled deeply, feeling light and refreshed.
The mountain air was pure.
Wildflowers, uprooted and scattered, lay at her feet. Above, green peaks rose, butterflies fluttered, and frogs croaked near the pond.
Ni Hezhi picked up a leaf, held it overhead, and saw Su Yu’s slender figure pushing the cart through the dappled sunlight.
She couldn’t quite grasp what she felt—somewhere inside, a block of unease sat heavy.
Born into wealth, Ni Hezhi was accustomed to being served, surrounded by friends and luxury. She never imagined there were people in the world who struggled to survive day by day.
The burden Su Yu carried alone was immense—endless work cutting wheat, growing vegetables, digging, washing, cooking—all spinning tirelessly.
While Ni Hezhi traveled to fancy resorts and partied extravagantly, Su Yu worked with her own hands to support her family. Remarkably, she still found time to study hard and excel beyond everyone else.
After their parents died when she was just thirteen, Su Yu became the pillar for her grandmother and sister. But…
No one could truly rely on her.
A dull ache stirred in Ni Hezhi’s heart. Seeing Su Yu busy at work, then relaxing by the river, made her feel a vague guilt.
Jiang Sui had ordered her to work, so she couldn’t just idle.
Unable to stay still, Ni Hezhi dried her feet with a handkerchief and resolved to help Su Yu.
As she bent down to put on her shoes, a saying popped into her head:
“Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.”
Huh!
What was she thinking?
Helping Su Yu was only part of her “plan” to get close to her—and maybe use her one day.
That was all!
Ni Hezhi shook off the distracting thoughts.
Then she noticed an unfamiliar girl next to Su Yu.
The wooden cart bumped over uneven mud. Su Yu pulled hard from behind, Miao Hai pushed with effort, and the girl steadied the wobbling baskets.
After crossing a muddy patch, the three pushed the cart onto a smoother path—Shizi Road. Su Yu loosened the rope and turned to speak with the girl.
Ni Hezhi was too far to hear, but she saw the girl smile brightly, nodding eagerly. Su Yu’s lips curved into a faint smile as well.
Ni Hezhi swallowed the lump in her chest, her frustration rising to the point of suffocation.
How could Su Yu talk so casually to someone else? Laugh so freely?
A scooter rattled past on the gravel, the girl following Su Yu with a light step. Her embroidered bag swayed as her eyebrows danced with joy.
The fire inside Ni Hezhi grew hotter, harder to contain—each attempt only fanning the flames.