Stealing My Stepsister's Fiancée - Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Favoritism in Bloom
While trying to bathe the scrappy village puppy, Ni Hezhi struggled to manage it. She ended up tossing it into a basin in frustration. Thankfully, the little mutt was tough and tumbled around without complaint before trying to scramble back out. She quickly bundled it in a towel, lined a cardboard box with straw and cloth scraps, and gently placed it inside.
The puppy pawed restlessly at the sides of the box, trying to crawl back into Ni Hezhi’s lap, only to be nudged back.
“You little clingy thing,” she chuckled, rubbing its belly. “Sorry, but I can’t sleep with you.”
She paused for a moment and then added softly, “Because…”
The pup shifted around again, its dark eyes full of protest. Ni Hezhi scratched its head, trying to soothe it. “Don’t be mad. I’ll find you a better owner.”
With the box in hand, she headed to Shu Hui’s room. When she didn’t find her inside, she followed the smell of cooking to the backyard and peeked into the kitchen. Sure enough, Shu Hui sat near the stove with an English textbook in her lap. Her lips moved silently, as if she were reciting vocabulary, but no sound came out.
Ni Hezhi remembered Grandma saying Shu Hui used to speak when she was younger. Over time, her lack of interaction and auditory feedback made her forget the use of spoken words. Not knowing how loud her own voice was, she assumed she was speaking clearly when no one else could hear her. Eventually, she just stopped trying.
Luckily, she had Su Yu—an unshakable older sister who shielded her from life’s harshness. Su Yu always took on the hardest chores herself. Even when it came to housework, as long as she was around, she wouldn’t let Shu Hui lift a finger. Instead, she pushed her to study, hoping knowledge would one day offer her sister a different life.
Through the hazy kitchen smoke, Ni Hezhi spotted Su Yu, sleeves rolled up, tending to the fire. She deftly grilled eggplant over the coals until it was soft, peeled the skin, then tossed the pulp in hot oil with garlic, green onions, and chili. The aroma instantly filled the small, stuffy room.
The kitchen, already cramped and lacking ventilation, felt even hotter than the sweltering outdoors. Watching Su Yu labor through it made Ni Hezhi frown. Her school uniform was soaked and clinging to her back—clearly still damp from the earlier swim. She’d refused to change, brushing it off. But in this heat, soaked clothes could easily lead to a cold.
Worried, Ni Hezhi pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and stepped quietly behind her. She barely touched Su Yu’s cheek when the girl instinctively straightened and turned to look.
Their eyes met. Su Yu’s face lit up with a small, genuine smile. “You’re here?”
Ni Hezhi’s heart fluttered at the sight. “Your little puppy didn’t want to be apart from you.”
Su Yu didn’t know how to respond. She felt like a student caught off guard by a sudden question from the teacher—flustered and unsure what to say.
Ni Hezhi simply smiled and moved to where Shu Hui sat. She pulled the little dog from the box and handed it over.
Shu Hui’s eyes sparkled with joy. Her lips moved in a silent flurry, hands forming quick gestures as she struggled to express herself.
Ni Hezhi reassured her gently, “It’s okay. Your sister said yes—we can keep it.”
Shu Hui was overjoyed. She stroked the puppy’s back tenderly. The dog let out a happy little yip, looking at her with gleaming eyes.
“It’s been bathed. You should give her a name,” Ni Hezhi added. “She’s a girl.”
Shu Hui’s grin stretched from ear to ear. She made a circle with her finger on her head, signaling she’d think carefully.
Amused, Ni Hezhi glanced back at Su Yu, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Su Yu felt the weight of that gaze. Her movements paused slightly, just in time to see Ni Hezhi pulling Shu Hui close and whispering something. They both giggled, whispering behind her back.
Even without hearing, Su Yu could guess what they were laughing at—and that she was the target. Strangely, it didn’t bother her. It warmed her, as though the quiet joy in the room was contagious.
After her parents died, Su Yu had no choice but to become the adult in the house. At thirteen, she was hauling fertilizer over mountains, her shoulders raw and bruised, bl00d seeping into her clothes. But she never complained—not to her grandmother, not to her sister. She knew she had to be strong for them.
She had become the silent backbone of the family—a sapling forced to grow straight under a relentless wind. At night, when no one could see, she’d curl up in a quiet corner, stare at the stars, and wonder which two might be her parents watching from above, until her neck ached and her eyes filled with tears.
By day, she wore her strength like armor.
The grief in their home ran deep—poverty, debt, and loss all coiled around them like vines. But then Ni Hezhi arrived.
Suddenly, Grandma smiled more. She now had someone who doted on her, chatting, massaging her legs, cutting her nails. Shu Hui, once withdrawn, now laughed easily.
Ni Hezhi had brought light. Like a burst of sunshine, she filled the house with warmth, gradually healing the holes grief had carved into their hearts.
Su Yu, still holding the salt jar, stared at Ni Hezhi. Her heart softened in that moment, an unconscious smile tugging at her lips.
Ni Hezhi noticed her dazed expression and smirked. She leaned close and whispered teasingly, “What’s got you daydreaming?”
Su Yu startled and quickly dropped her gaze, flustered. “Nothing.”
Trying to change the subject, she said, “Can you get me a plate?”
“Sure.” Ni Hezhi walked over to the cabinet. As she turned back, she saw the way Su Yu’s damp hair clung to her flushed cheeks. It tugged at her heart.
She stepped forward again and gently pressed her forehead to Su Yu’s, using her handkerchief to dab at her face. “It’s too hot to be cooking like this. Why not just make some porridge?”
Su Yu blushed even deeper, pulling back slightly. “It’s fine. Just one more dish and we’re done. You go sit—it’s hotter in here.”
Ni Hezhi shook her head. “It’s hot out there too.”
She peeked toward the stove. “Is there anything I can help with?”
Su Yu chuckled, “No need.”
As she chopped vegetables, Ni Hezhi stood behind her, curiously watching. When Su Yu tossed ingredients into the pan, the oil hissed and popped.
Startled by the sudden splash, Ni Hezhi jumped—straight into Su Yu’s arms, hugging her waist tightly.
Su Yu froze. She had just told her to back away—why was she clinging now?
Though flustered, she instinctively raised her hand to shield Ni Hezhi’s exposed arms from stray oil splatters.
But Ni Hezhi noticed something else—Su Yu hadn’t pushed her away.
Her heart raced. Quietly, she tightened her embrace and let her fingers toy with the edge of Su Yu’s damp uniform.
Wait… Her clothes were still wet?
Tongcun’s weather changed fast. It was scorching during the day, but as dusk settled, it cooled rapidly. Wearing wet clothes now could easily lead to illness.
Ni Hezhi frowned slightly. She had spare clothes in her suitcase—oversized, but they’d fit Su Yu.
And then she caught herself. Why do I care so much?
She quickly rationalized: She saved me from the river. I’d feel guilty if she got sick. That’s all it is. Just… responsibility.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Su Yu’s embarrassed voice: “Ni Hezhi, can you let go? I need to plate the food.”
For once, Ni Hezhi obediently released her and leaned casually against the storage shelf, her eyes gleaming with playful intent.
Su Yu couldn’t meet her gaze. Her heartbeat was erratic, her thoughts scattered.
Ni Hezhi noticed her blushing cheeks and followed her gaze—to the two ripe tomatoes in her hands.
“You said you were only making one more dish,” she teased. “What are the tomatoes for?”
Su Yu didn’t answer. She quietly rinsed them, peeled the skin, and diced them. Glancing toward the stove to ensure her sister wasn’t looking, she sneaked behind the door and pulled out a precious can of sugar, rarely touched.
She sprinkled a generous amount over the tomatoes, then divided them into two bowls—one small, one large.
The smaller portion she placed aside. The rest she handed to Ni Hezhi.
The sweetened tomatoes glistened with juice, fragrant and tempting.
Ni Hezhi blinked in surprise. “These are for me?”
Su Yu’s lashes fluttered slightly. “Mm. They’re sweeter with sugar. Try them.”
Ni Hezhi pointed at the smaller bowl. “And those?”
“They’re for Huihui,” Su Yu said in a low voice.
A smirk spread across Ni Hezhi’s face. “Why does she get so little? Doesn’t she know her big sister’s heart has already been stolen?”
She dragged out her words deliberately, watching Su Yu’s ears flush red.
It hit Su Yu like a slow wave—she really had started prioritizing Ni Hezhi. In the past, anything good always went to Shu Hui first. But now…
Now Ni Hezhi came first.
When did that happen?
She wasn’t playing favorites based on gender.
But somehow… her heart had made its choice.