Stealing My Stepsister's Fiancée - Chapter 16
Chapter 16: You Are My Puppy
Ni Hezhi pointed to the washbasin near her feet and offered with a cheerful smile, “I’ll take care of the laundry.”
Shu Hui waved her hands energetically, signaling that she could handle it on her own.
A quiet guilt settled in Ni Hezhi’s chest.
She hadn’t really helped since arriving—if anything, she’d only added to the burden. She was eating the family’s limited supplies without contributing. Grandma had been frail and sick for a long time, often unwilling to eat nutritious food like eggs, and yet she’d still manage to offer them to her. Su Yu, though cold in appearance, made sure to bring her the freshest vegetables and fruits daily. Shu Hui, quiet and sweet, cared for her as if she were a precious guest.
Jiang Sui had left her in this rural village assuming she’d break. That she’d crumble from the hard life, beg to return, and come crawling back to her—tail between her legs.
But that wouldn’t happen.
Even if it meant staying here forever, Ni Hezhi would never bow down to her.
Turning toward Shu Hui with a soft, sincere look, she said, “Please don’t treat me like an outsider. I want to help too.”
Shu Hui glanced to the side and pointed at a broom resting against the wall, inviting her to sweep the floor.
Ni Hezhi smiled brightly and nodded—finally feeling a sense of usefulness.
Grabbing the bamboo broom, she scanned the area. The floor was already spotless. Shu Hui had probably cleaned it that morning. But autumn winds had stirred outside, sending sweet osmanthus petals swirling to the ground. A few village dogs rolled playfully in the fallen blossoms.
As Ni Hezhi raised her broom, the dogs scattered, startling at the motion. One bold little pup stayed behind, grabbing the end of her broom in its teeth and tugging hard.
Lowering her head, she found herself face-to-face with a round-eyed puppy, its gaze alert and adorably blank.
Strangely… it reminded her of Su Yu.
Ni Hezhi chuckled and reached out to pet it. But the pup quickly backed away, raising its tail cautiously—on guard.
Exactly like Su Yu, she thought. Doesn’t even want to be touched.
Determined now, Ni Hezhi reached again, trying to catch its tiny legs. The pup barked in protest, hopping just out of reach like it was scolding her.
Shu Hui came outside holding freshly cleaned sneakers. When she saw the scene, she laughed silently and dug into her pocket, pulling out a piece of dried sweet potato. She offered it to Ni Hezhi and motioned for her to feed the dog.
Ni Hezhi held out the treat, and the pup—still cautious—approached slowly, sniffed, and then licked it up with a soft tongue.
She smiled, reaching out to stroke its back. The little thing let out a quiet, contented whimper and curled into her touch.
“Does this dog belong to anyone?” she asked.
Shu Hui shook her head and pulled out a pen and notepad, quickly scribbling:
“Nobody owns it. People here often abandon puppies after they’re born.”
Ni Hezhi’s face softened. “Poor thing…” she murmured, stroking its fur. Then she turned to Shu Hui, hopeful. “Can we keep it?”
Shu Hui hesitated and frowned slightly, then wrote:
“I want to… but my sister wouldn’t approve.”
Ni Hezhi sighed dramatically, still petting the pup. “That heartless, cold-faced dummy,” she muttered.
Though the words were teasing, there was a playful intimacy to them—like flirtation between lovers.
The puppy didn’t leave this time. After finishing its snack, it started climbing up Ni Hezhi’s skirt.
Laughing, she picked it up and carried it inside to get it some food. Just then, she heard the creaking of wheels approaching.
She turned quickly and couldn’t suppress the faint smile tugging at her lips.
Su Yu had returned.
Of course she was back. What was there to be excited about?
Still, despite what she told herself, Ni Hezhi’s gaze unconsciously followed the figure dragging a wooden cart through the fading sunlight. The long evening shadows stretched behind Su Yu, guiding her silently toward home.
Ni Hezhi’s eyes sparkled. She called out with a smile, “Su Yu, you’re back?”
Su Yu looked up.
The golden light of dusk bathed the village in a quiet warmth. Under the pomegranate tree, Ni Hezhi stood with the puppy nestled in her arms. Her delicate face framed by loose strands of hair, her features glowing gently under the dappled light.
Su Yu’s heart skipped.
She was… beautiful.
Her eyes shimmered like stars, and her smile radiated such gentle joy that it seemed to melt everything in its path.
Flustered, Su Yu quickly looked away—but after a few seconds, she couldn’t help stealing another glance. When she saw Ni Hezhi’s grin deepening, she felt a matching curve pull at her own lips.
Ni Hezhi took a few steps forward, placing the puppy in front of Su Yu, her lashes fluttering as she asked sweetly, “Su Yu, look at this little one—isn’t it adorable?”
Su Yu glanced down. The puppy had peeked its fluffy head from the crook of her arm and, rather boldly, started licking Ni Hezhi’s collarbone and pawing at her chest.
“Cute?” Ni Hezhi asked, feeding the puppy another treat with a smile.
Su Yu muttered a flat “Mm.”
Cute? It was… indecent!
She frowned slightly, feeling an odd twinge inside. Something uncomfortable stirred in her chest—a strange sense she’d felt before, like when Miao Hailu had gazed too long at Ni Hezhi by the river. But Miao Hailu was at least human. This was just a dog. So why did she feel… irritated?
She didn’t understand it.
She had never experienced this before. It was unfamiliar and confusing.
Su Yu remained quiet, standing close beside Ni Hezhi, her thoughts cloudy. She tried not to look, but her gaze kept drifting toward Omega anyway.
Don’t look, she told herself. Be cool.
But her body didn’t listen.
Ni Hezhi was playing with the puppy, her eyes half-lowered, her lashes brushing her cheeks, every motion slow and graceful.
So lovely, Su Yu thought without meaning to.
Noticing the stares, Ni Hezhi’s lips curved slyly. She suddenly looked up, catching Su Yu mid-glance.
Su Yu stiffened and tried to look away, pretending to examine the ground.
Ni Hezhi leaned in, voice soft and teasing, “Were you just sneaking a look at me, Xiaoyu?”
Caught off guard, Su Yu’s lips pressed together and her face flushed bright red.
Ni Hezhi beamed. “If you want to look, why not just look directly?”
Su Yu stammered, “I—I was watching the dog…”
Ni Hezhi tilted her head and pressed, “Oh? Is the puppy cute, then?”
Embarrassed, Su Yu’s ears turned red. She looked away.
Ni Hezhi gently pulled her back to face her. Su Yu met her eyes briefly, then nodded, flustered.
The sight reminded Ni Hezhi of a popular puppy meme—big eyes, awkward expression, unknowingly adorable.
“I think…” she dragged the words with a teasing drawl, “you’re cuter than the dog.”
Su Yu’s breath caught. She could see herself reflected in Ni Hezhi’s pupils, stunned, unsure—like a deer caught in headlights.
Cute?
Had anyone ever said that to her?
Her grandma called her stubborn, Miao Hailu said she was cold, and even Shu Hui once described her as “like an old professor.” No one had ever called her… cute.
Ni Hezhi smiled and pushed the puppy into Su Yu’s arms. “Xiaoyu, can we keep it?”
“I already asked Shu Hui. It doesn’t belong to anyone. Let’s raise it together, okay?”
Su Yu hesitated. She didn’t dislike animals, but past experiences made her wary.
Once, Shu Hui had cared for a stray kitten with great love—only for it to be crushed by accident when a wooden shelf fell. Shu Hui had cried in secret for days. Since then, Su Yu had refused to let her keep pets, afraid the heartbreak would be too much.
Ni Hezhi seemed to notice her long silence and raised her chin playfully. “Hey! If you don’t say anything, I’m taking it as a yes! I’ll feed it myself—it can share my meals.”
Still quiet, Su Yu asked, “Do you really like it?”
“I do,” Ni Hezhi replied, her voice growing quieter. She gently stroked the pup. “My mom once told me… dogs are the most loyal creatures. Be kind to them, and they’ll stay by your side forever. Even if abandoned, they’ll never stop waiting. That kind of devotion—it’s stronger than what people offer. People betray. Dogs don’t.”
When she mentioned her mother, a mist filled her eyes.
Su Yu, seeing the sudden vulnerability, felt a pang in her chest—an unfamiliar ache.
All her usual mental defenses fell away. She hesitated, then stepped a little closer.
“Ni… Ni Hezhi,” she said softly.
Ni Hezhi looked up. “Hmm?”
“If you really like it… we’ll keep it.”
At those words, Ni Hezhi’s entire face lit up like a sunrise.
“Really? You’re okay with it?”
She bounced excitedly, the puppy in her arms, eyes gleaming like mischief and starlight.
“Su Yu, that means he’s our puppy now, right?”
They were standing close—too close. Su Yu could see every curve of her lips, the shine of her skin.
She mumbled, “Mm.”
Ni Hezhi leaned even closer, brushing her lips against Su Yu’s neck in a feather-light kiss. Then she whispered teasingly into her ear, “Su Yu, you’re my puppy too.”
Su Yu stumbled backward, stunned, her mind blank.
Ni Hezhi stood in the doorway and looked back, smiling with playful satisfaction. “From now on, you’re only loyal to me. No being nice to any other girl.”
In that quiet moment, everything seemed to pause.
Su Yu watched her go, hand still brushing the spot on her neck, the corner of her mouth curving uncontrollably into a quiet smile.