Stealing My Stepsister's Fiancée - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: My Sister’s Arms Are So Warm
As Su Yu looked up again, a sudden pressure against her legs drew her attention. She glanced down and realized that at some point, Ni Hezhi had moved closer, her legs pressing against Su Yu’s knees, sliding slowly upward in a teasing rhythm.
Startled, Su Yu instinctively stepped back, but Ni Hezhi simply closed the distance again, completing the slow, deliberate motion—her movements smooth and intimate.
A strange sensation rippled through Su Yu’s body. Her skin tingled, her thoughts scattered. She couldn’t stop thinking of the vine growing behind the house—how it quietly climbed the wall every spring, twining and curling tighter and tighter until no space remained uncovered.
Right now, she felt like that wall, and Ni Hezhi was the vine—wrapping around her bit by bit, creeping into every corner of her heart, leaving no escape.
It was overwhelming—but not in a way she wanted to run from. She didn’t want to resist.
Ni Hezhi leaned in, her breath warm against Su Yu’s ear. She continued her subtle, suggestive movements, lips curling into a mischievous smile. “You little fool… your hands are shaking. You’re going to spill the bowl.”
Su Yu flushed deep red. Her hand trembled, hovering in mid-air—neither handing over the bowl nor holding it properly—completely flustered.
Seeing this, Ni Hezhi softened her teasing and gently took the bowl from her. She scooped a tomato slice into her mouth. It burst with a sweet, tangy flavor, refreshing and incredibly satisfying.
It was her first time tasting tomatoes like these—fully ripe, picked fresh. Not like the bland ones from the city that ripened during shipping. These were bright, fragrant, bursting with life.
Even more special… they were grown by Su Yu.
Looking up, Ni Hezhi’s eyes sparkled. “Su Yu, how are you so amazing? Is there anything you can’t do?”
This time, her voice carried no sarcasm—only sincere admiration.
Su Yu paused, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. Her voice went soft, as if embarrassed. “I’m not sure… I just try and learn. Practice enough, and you figure it out.”
She said it like it was no big deal. But the words tugged at Ni Hezhi’s heart.
She understood.
When someone loses all safety nets, they’re forced to survive. There’s no such thing as “can’t” when your back’s against the wall.
Ni Hezhi could see how hard Su Yu’s life had been—how little they had. She never touched white sugar unless absolutely necessary. And though she was just a girl, Su Yu had taken on the heavy lifting of an adult, doing all the rough chores without complaint.
Life hadn’t been kind. Some are born into luxury; others are dealt nothing but hardship. Su Yu had been handed the short end of the stick—but she faced it all head-on. Quiet. Resilient. Unshaken.
She didn’t shine in an obvious way, but she glowed with a quiet, grounded strength.
To Ni Hezhi… she was incredible.
But… why was she suddenly admiring her like this?
Ni Hezhi scolded herself internally. What was she thinking, piling on compliments for that slow-witted fool?
She reminded herself: Su Yu is just prey. Her goal was to break her down, tame her, get her wrapped around her finger.
To catch prey, you need the right bait.
She glanced at Su Yu again, eyeing her from head to toe. That school uniform from Z City No. 1 High—a prestigious, nationally ranked school—was honestly hideous. The colors were dull, the cut unflattering. Without Su Yu’s naturally beautiful face, it would’ve looked even worse.
Noticing the way Ni Hezhi was staring, Su Yu tugged at the hem of her shirt awkwardly.
Ni Hezhi frowned at the uniform, irritated. Without a word, she set the bowl aside, grabbed Su Yu’s hand, and pulled her toward the door.
“Where are we going?” Su Yu asked, confused.
“To change,” Ni Hezhi replied, pausing. “Your clothes are still damp from earlier. You’ll catch a cold.”
Su Yu hesitated, shrinking slightly. She only had two uniforms. If she changed now, she’d have nothing clean to wear tomorrow.
She wasn’t usually shy about being poor, but somehow… in front of Ni Hezhi, the words caught in her throat. She felt unusually self-conscious.
For the first time—she felt ashamed.
She murmured, “It’s fine. I’ll change after my shower tonight.”
Ni Hezhi expected that answer. She was barely older than Su Yu, and she knew exactly how much pride could weigh at this age. So, without responding, she walked straight to Shu Hui and pulled her along.
Shu Hui, in the middle of flipping through a dictionary trying to name the puppy, looked up in confusion as she was led away.
Su Yu stood frozen in place, unsure what was happening. A moment later, both sisters had her flanked—one on each side—and they guided her into Ni Hezhi’s room.
The space was small, so Ni Hezhi had stored her luggage beneath the bed. She crouched down, dragging out two heavy suitcases and tossing clothes onto the mattress.
Su Yu and Shu Hui exchanged puzzled glances.
Ni Hezhi turned her back to them and subtly snipped the tags off a couple of outfits.
About half a minute later, she turned around, holding two sets of soft, sporty casual wear. She raised an eyebrow and pointed toward the next room. “These are for you. Go try them.”
Su Yu froze.
She didn’t like accepting things from others—unless it was a scholarship or grant. And even then, she kept detailed records and always planned to repay every cent.
She didn’t need to say anything. Her silence spoke volumes, and Ni Hezhi understood her resistance immediately.
She remembered how neat Su Yu’s home had been on her first day there—modest, but spotless. The family had so little, yet their dignity shone through. The clothes were faded, but clean. Their pride remained intact.
Ni Hezhi realized: Su Yu’s self-respect ran deep. Giving her something outright wouldn’t work.
So—she got creative.
She pulled out a few more outfits—skirt sets that had trended recently among wealthy socialites. Slightly smaller in size, they’d fit Shu Hui perfectly.
She held them out. Shu Hui blinked, confused. She signed, “What’s this?”
“Clothes. For you,” Ni Hezhi enunciated slowly, making sure Shu Hui could read her lips.
Shu Hui’s eyes lit up with joy. She signed again, hopeful: “For me?”
Ni Hezhi nodded, a gentle smile tugging at her mouth. “There are plenty. Pick the ones you like.”
Shu Hui approached the bed and carefully spread the clothes out, her expression filled with wonder—as if she were afraid they might vanish like a dream.
Her body had started changing as she grew, and the clothes from last year didn’t fit anymore. Especially tops. But their family couldn’t afford new outfits, so she quietly endured the discomfort.
She never dared ask her sister for new things, knowing how hard Su Yu already worked.
Ni Hezhi nudged her shoulder and pointed toward the room. Shu Hui hesitated, then signed, “Aren’t these expensive?”
Ni Hezhi tapped her forehead playfully. “Not at all. They’re old clothes I can’t wear anymore.”
She picked up one skirt and held it up to herself. “See? It’s too small for me. But perfect for you.”
Shu Hui’s eyes sparkled, though she still looked to her sister for approval.
When their eyes met, Su Yu felt a rush of emotion—sharp, bittersweet. Her heart clenched.
She’d seen Ni Hezhi discreetly cut the tags off those clothes. If they were old, why would they have tags?
But she understood the intent—Ni Hezhi was protecting her pride.
Shu Hui hadn’t had a new dress in a long, long time.
Su Yu hesitated for a moment, then gave a quiet nod.
“Go ahead and try them.”
Shu Hui lit up instantly, signing repeated thank-yous before hurrying off to change.
As Su Yu watched her sister disappear into the room, her eyes stung. A warm wetness blurred her vision.
After a pause, her voice broke the silence, barely audible: “I’m sorry…”
She felt like a failure—unable to give her sister something as simple as a new dress.
Ni Hezhi heard those words. And her heart twisted.
Su Yu had lost her parents young. She was still a teenager—yet carried the weight of an entire household. She worked, cooked, raised Shu Hui, and even made sure she attended school. All on her own.
Ni Hezhi couldn’t even imagine what that must’ve taken.
She moved instinctively—reaching out to pull Su Yu into a hug, wrapping her arms around her tightly.
Su Yu froze. Then slowly, she allowed herself to lean in.
There were tears in Ni Hezhi’s eyes—but not the kind born from pity. Not judgment. Not some shallow sympathy.
No… it was something else entirely.
It was care.
“Su Yu…” Ni Hezhi whispered gently. “You don’t need to apologize. None of this is your fault.”
Su Yu felt a lump rise in her throat. She couldn’t explain why a simple sentence hit her so hard.
But in that moment, in Ni Hezhi’s arms, she felt something she hadn’t in a long time—
Warmth.
True warmth.
And a kind of comfort that wrapped around her like home.