Stealing My Stepsister's Fiancée - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: First Kiss

Su Yu pushed the cart with a deeply bowed back, her mind still lingering on the open-air movie Qiu Xiaoxia had mentioned. She barely noticed Ni Hezhi’s intense gaze, which was so sharp it could burn the grass beneath her feet.

In recent years, the county had put great effort into enriching rural culture. Occasionally, officials would come to hold political sessions and show free outdoor films to the villages.

Since the village was economically poor and entertainment options scarce, villagers from neighboring areas would flock to watch these movies, especially the youth. They would even gather days in advance to prepare. Films about Alpha, Omega, and Beta relationships were especially popular—an opportunity for couples to grow closer.

But Su Yu wasn’t interested in joining the crowd. While others enjoyed the movies, she preferred to study at home. This time, however, Qiu Xiaoxia mentioned the latest blockbuster was being shown—fresh from the city’s cinemas.

Su Yu figured Ni Hezhi was usually grumpy and boring, so she thought about letting her and Huihui go watch the movie together.

Qiu Xiaoxia’s father was the village party secretary, and it was through his influence that seating was arranged.

For the first time, Su Yu spoke up and asked Qiu Xiaoxia to see if her father could reserve two good seats for them. To Su Yu’s surprise, she quickly agreed, saying she’d wait at the sunbathing field.

Su Yu planned to finish selling her tomatoes, then buy some snacks from the commissary to share with Ni Hezhi during the movie.

Just as she was thinking this, a voice—sharp as ice—cut through her thoughts.

“Suyu!”

She instinctively turned toward the call, her eyes clear and unaware of any danger.

Qiu Xiaoxia, who had been staring at Su Yu’s profile, noticed the sudden change in expression and followed her gaze.

Who was this person calling Su Yu? Why were they yelling?

Rumors said Su Yu’s family had ties to a wealthy lady in the city, someone ethereal and otherworldly—could this be her?

Ni Hezhi gave Su Yu a cold glance, then stumbled over toward Qiu Xiaoxia like a fish out of water. When their eyes met, the silent battle of scrutiny, temptation, and hostility was unmistakable.

Ni Hezhi quickly withdrew her gaze, returning it to Su Yu with a questioning look.

Though silent, her eyes seemed to ask something unspoken.

Su Yu felt caught off guard by Ni Hezhi’s intense stare—as if she had been found in an embarrassing situation. Her usual cold, proud demeanor melted away, replaced by a tight, tense feeling like a drawn bowstring.

Ni Hezhi called out louder, “Su Yu, come here!”

Su Yu’s eyes flickered with hesitation. “What for?”

“To teach me how to swim,” Ni Hezhi replied with a sly smile.

Su Yu’s ears turned pink, but she didn’t refuse. “After I finish selling tomatoes, okay?”

Not refusing was as good as agreeing.

Qiu Xiaoxia’s expression shifted instantly. Seeing Su Yu’s nervousness, her cheeks flushed a bright red.

People have a natural intuition, especially girls—they’re finely tuned to detect potential rivals for the ones they care about. Every time Qiu Xiaoxia sensed this, she would alert Su Yu, who always treated such situations differently than others.

Qiu Xiaoxia’s shoulders sagged as a coldness filled Ni Hezhi’s eyes.

Ni Hezhi ignored Qiu Xiaoxia’s silent warning and focused only on Su Yu, who still stood frozen. Raising her eyebrows in frustration—a habit when annoyed—Ni Hezhi’s face displayed a mix of helpless stubbornness and quiet beauty.

Su Yu forced herself to look away, feeling the awkward tension grow thick.

Just then, Miao Hailu appeared, carrying a scooter rope, and handed it to Qiu Xiaoxia. “It’s a short walk from here to Shigu Field. It’s easy to push the cart along Shizi Road. Just follow me.”

Then she smiled and approached Ni Hezhi. “Sister, I’m Miao Hailu, Su Yu’s classmate. You want to learn to swim, right? I can teach you breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle…”

Ni Hezhi ignored her.

Who needed lessons from her? She was a national youth swimming champion. Of course, she could swim.

Though annoyed and restless, Ni Hezhi also felt she was overreacting. Su Yu had important things to handle, and forcing her to teach swimming seemed a bit much.

Still, watching Su Yu interact so naturally with Qiu Xiaoxia sparked an uncomfortable jealousy inside Ni Hezhi. She felt prickly and defensive, like a hedgehog guarding its territory.

After a silent moment, Ni Hezhi glanced at their hands gripping the cart handlebars together, moving forward in unison.

Very fitting.

Young couples working hand in hand, pushing forward together.

After a brief glance, Ni Hezhi’s eyes darkened as she turned and walked toward the river without looking back.

Su Yu watched silently, feeling empty inside. She didn’t understand why Ni Hezhi’s anger made her feel abandoned and lonely like never before.

Just as she hesitated whether to follow, she heard a splash.

Under her shocked gaze, Ni Hezhi jumped into the river, sending water flying.

Su Yu’s heart pounded wildly. After a moment’s shock, Ni Hezhi suddenly flailed her arms in panic and sank.

The bl00d drained from Su Yu’s lips; she abandoned the tomato cart and dashed toward the river like an arrow.

Qiu Xiaoxia rushed to catch the falling scooter and shouted after her, “Ayu, come back!”

But Su Yu couldn’t hear a thing except the frantic beating of her heart.

Ni Hezhi couldn’t swim but had just plunged into the water—why?

Su Yu didn’t stop to think and jumped in after her. Miao Hailu followed closely, splashing water everywhere.

Ni Hezhi was a skilled swimmer and excellent at holding her breath underwater. She pretended to be drowning, struggling just enough to seem real. After a few splashes, she quietly surfaced to scan her surroundings.

Wow, this silly girl actually came to save her!

Ni Hezhi felt a rush of excitement. Her efforts had not been in vain. But when she glanced right, she saw Miao Hailu swimming toward her.

Ah, that obvious troublemaker again!

Ni Hezhi adjusted her position and moved closer to Su Yu, then submerged, leaving only her slender arms flailing helplessly. Her movements slowed as if she was sinking.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her ankle.

Opening her eyes underwater, she saw it was Miao Hailu.

Oh no.

Could this girl stop causing trouble?

Though Miao Hailu risked herself to save Ni Hezhi, she was ruining the game Ni Hezhi had planned with Su Yu.

Ni Hezhi kicked and struggled, trying to break free, but Miao Hailu held on tight, pulling her forward with urgency.

“Sister, don’t be afraid! I’ll save you…”

Ni Hezhi was about to lose her patience but dared not kick too hard—after all, Miao Hailu was risking her safety.

Eventually, Miao Hailu’s strength faded from exhaustion, and Ni Hezhi seized the chance to slip free, sinking to the riverbed before swimming swiftly away.

Miao Hailu, startled, surfaced and called for help.

Waiting anxiously, Ni Hezhi saw no sign of Su Yu and prepared to dive again when a panicked voice called out:

“Hug me!”

It was Su Yu.

Ni Hezhi felt herself being pulled up and onto Su Yu’s shoulder. A faint smile touched her lips.

Su Yu wrapped one arm around Ni Hezhi’s waist and the other supported her legs, which pressed softly against him.

The water pressed them close, their bodies touching intimately. Ni Hezhi’s soft curves brushed against Su Yu’s chest, an undeniable, tender sensation.

Su Yu didn’t dare meet her gaze for long. As Ni Hezhi’s neck and shoulders surfaced, he shifted slightly, loosening his grip on her hip.

Ni Hezhi, displeased by his hesitation, subtly relaxed her body and clung tighter like a water snake.

“Su Yu, I can’t swim…” she whispered, her wet eyelashes fluttering. “Don’t let go… I’ll drown…”

Her trembling legs wrapped tightly around Su Yu’s, her fear real and palpable.

“No, people float in water if they know what to do,” Su Yu said softly, helping her relax. “Hold my shoulders, lean on me, and we’ll get across…”

His voice was gentle, even tender—something Su Yu himself didn’t realize.

“Don’t be scared. I’ll protect you. You won’t drown.”

She didn’t want to be on his shoulder—she preferred to hold each other upright.

Ni Hezhi pushed herself up, looping her arms around Su Yu’s neck and legs around his waist.

Her thin straps slipped off her arms, revealing smooth, graceful curves bathed in sunlight, the dew on her skin sparkling.

Irresistible.

No matter how much Su Yu tried to look away, her radiant presence filled his vision.

Sensing his attempts to pull back, Ni Hezhi held on tighter but feigned fear.

“I won’t learn anymore…”

“Alright, alright,” Su Yu relented. In that life-or-death moment, he dropped his usual boundaries and hugged her firmly, one hand around her waist, the other supporting her lower back. He soothed her gently, “Relax, lean your head on my shoulder, shift your weight… Don’t be nervous, trust me. I’ll get us safely to shore.”

“Hmm, I trust you,” Ni Hezhi murmured, nuzzling into his neck with a soft smile. “You won’t leave me behind, right?”

Her soft, vulnerable voice felt like a feather brushing Su Yu’s heart.

He’d never felt this way before. His emotions surged uncontrollably, as if his heart was a ship with a broken rudder, drifting toward chaos.

As they moved, Su Yu whispered reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, and we’ll be on land soon.”

“Su Yu…” Ni Hezhi whispered back, nestled close like a kitten.

He slowed his strokes and met her gaze.

In that fleeting moment, Ni Hezhi smiled warmly, flattering him softly, “Su Yu, you’re so good.”

Su Yu felt as if he were dreaming—his heart was restless, full of drifting clouds, swaying shadows, and the distant chorus of cicadas. He felt lost, uncertain where this feeling would take him.

The sunlight glittered on the clear lake like stars in the sky. Ni Hezhi lifted her head, eyes full of tender waves.

Su Yu stared back, a mix of shyness and warmth shining through his usual reserve, penetrating the shimmering light to look deep into her Omega eyes.

Ni Hezhi slowly leaned closer, her lips parting slightly.

Ah, the moment was perfect.

In love, you fool!

Why aren’t you kissing me yet?

Do you really want me to beg? People need face too!

Idiot, wooden-headed fool!

Kiss me!

Ni Hezhi’s silent plea threatened to burst out, but Su Yu remained frozen, panicked yet showing a new depth of emotion she hadn’t seen before—though she couldn’t quite place it.

She wasn’t in the mood to analyze. She had made her feelings clear. Did Su Yu need her to spell it out?

Just as she was about to force the moment, splashing sounds erupted behind them.

“Su Yu, let me help!” Miao Hailu struggled through the water, disturbing the calm.

Ahhh, how could she forget about that obvious troublemaker?

Ni Hezhi quickly released her hold around Su Yu’s waist, kicked hard, grabbed Su Yu’s neck, and dragged her underwater.

The sudden move caught Su Yu off guard. She didn’t understand what was happening and felt herself losing strength, pulled beneath the surface.

Though Su Yu could swim, her breath-holding ability was weak. She nearly choked as the water closed over her.

Struggling, she saw Ni Hezhi’s face approach.

She didn’t relax but clung tightly to Ni Hezhi’s waist, holding her up.

Ni Hezhi didn’t resist; instead, she reached out and cupped Su Yu’s face.

Su Yu’s vision blurred, but she could see Ni Hezhi’s red lips moving closer until they sealed onto hers in a tender, firm kiss.