Pry Away Step-Sister's Fiancee - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Am I Beautiful?

Su Yu had never experienced such veiled sarcasm before, and for a moment, she was at a loss for how to respond. She looked up uncertainly, only to realize that the comment wasn’t directed at her at all.

It was aimed at Madam Jiang Sui.

Jiang Sui gave her daughter a disapproving look. “I always tell you to focus on your studies instead of messing around with people. That’s a daisy—it symbolizes good wishes. And I’m not one to fuss over trivial superstitions.”

Ni Hezhi pursed her lips in clear dissatisfaction.

Jiang Sui didn’t bother looking at her again and turned to Su Yu with a gentler tone. “Xiaoyu, this is my daughter—Ni Hezhi. ‘He’ as in sprouts of grain, and ‘Zhi’ as in gardenia. She’s a year older than you and also in her final year of high school. I’m hoping you can help her with some tutoring this summer.”

“What? The whole summer?” Ni Hezhi’s voice suddenly spiked like she’d been stepped on. “You said we’d only be staying two or three days! Jiang Sui, you lied to me!”

She clenched her fists, her eyes sharp and angry. “Jiang Sui, you’re my Alpha stepmother, not my real mom. What right do you have to control my life?”

Jiang Sui’s expression hardened. “Since I married your mother, that makes me your guardian,” she snapped. “You enjoy the comforts of our home, yet waste your time in clubs and bars. Ni Hezhi, apart from spending money, what exactly can you do? Starting today, you’ll stay here in this village and learn some discipline.”

Ni Hezhi scoffed coldly, her pride unshaken. “So this is the plan, huh? Dump me in this godforsaken place while Mom’s unconscious?”

She gritted her teeth, her eyes starting to redden, but she stood tall. “When my mother wakes up and sees I’m gone, she’ll make you pay for this.”

Jiang Sui cut her off, her tone icy. “When Ni Qingyao comes back, I’ll explain everything. As for you—when you stop being so insufferable, I’ll consider bringing you home.”

Clearly unwilling to continue bickering, Jiang Sui turned to the county officials nearby and smoothly shifted the conversation. “Director Chen, about that rural support program we discussed…”

The officials, who’d been waiting for her cue, quickly jumped in. “Let’s continue at the village committee office. Lunch is ready; we’re just waiting on you.”

Jiang Sui nodded. “Alright.”

Before leaving, she paused beside Su Yu and reminded her, “Hezhi will be staying here this summer. Please help her get settled in.”

Su Yu instinctively replied, “Okay,” but as she recalled the intense argument between the two earlier, she felt a bit awkward. She quietly averted her gaze to avoid making Ni Hezhi feel more uncomfortable than she already did.

Ni Hezhi stared at the moss-covered, rundown brick house in front of her, then glanced at the wild green hills behind it. Her eyes misted with frustration.

Just two days ago, her mother, Ni Qingyao, collapsed during a meeting due to a heart condition and was flown abroad for emergency treatment. Jiang Sui took over the company—and immediately sent Ni Hezhi off to the middle of nowhere.

The anger inside her churned uncontrollably, but she kept her face composed. Her mother’s condition was unknown, and the entire family and company were now under Jiang Sui’s control.

Ni Hezhi had always been clever. She knew that a direct confrontation would get her nowhere. The only way to turn the tables was to find some dirt on Jiang Sui—something that could be used as leverage.

But what kind of secrets could Jiang Sui be hiding?

Her eyes drifted toward Su Yu, who stood quietly nearby.

The girl was slender and graceful, dressed in a faded school uniform. Her black hair was tied back, her brows narrow and refined. Her almond-shaped eyes had a natural curve, their peach-blossom shape making her gaze feel both distant and quietly seductive. She had a high nose bridge, long lashes that cast shadows over her cheeks—stillness and softness in one.

Ni Hezhi couldn’t immediately tell whether Su Yu was an Alpha or Omega. She was more delicate and mesmerizing than any Alpha she’d met, and her beauty was reminiscent of an Omega.

But if she was an Omega, why didn’t she emit any pheromones?

To Ni Hezhi’s knowledge, her mother had never heard of Su Yu. That meant Jiang Sui must be supporting Su Yu on her own.

Jiang Sui was notoriously frugal, never particularly generous even with her own staff. So why sponsor a stranger like Su Yu?

Ni Hezhi remembered overhearing gossip from the kitchen manager: someone claimed Jiang Sui was secretly keeping a “little milk A” on the side. Ni Hezhi had reported this to her mother, but instead of taking it seriously, she was scolded and told never to bring it up again.

Could it be…

Was this the connection between Jiang Sui and Su Yu?

On the surface, Su Yu was just a poor student receiving financial support, but was she actually Jiang Sui’s “kept” Alpha?

No matter what the truth was—Ni Hezhi could find a way to make it so.

With a sudden cheerful smile, she called out sweetly, “Hey there!”

Her voice was bright and teasing. “Didn’t you say you’d show me around?”

Ni Hezhi moved closer to Su Yu, gently reached out a pinky finger and hooked it around Su Yu’s. She gave it a playful wiggle and asked, “Where’s my room? Will you show me?”

The slight touch sent a strange shiver from Su Yu’s fingertips straight to her brain, and she instinctively pulled her hand back like it had been burned. She took a small step back and answered, cheeks flushed, “I’ll take you in.”

From the outside, Su Yu’s house already looked poor. Inside, it felt even more humble—barely any furniture, and you could count all the appliances on one hand.

Still, everything was neat and tidy. Items were organized carefully, the windows were spotless, and sunlight poured in, making the place feel warm and comfortable despite its modesty.

Ni Hezhi glanced at a cabinet in the corner where two black-and-white portraits were placed: one of a man, one of a woman.

The man looked around forty, gentle and refined, more scholarly than the average farmer. The woman’s age was hard to tell, but even in monochrome, her beauty shone through. It was the kind of beauty that hinted at a tragic life.

Ni Hezhi guessed these were Su Yu’s parents. Looking at the mother’s elegant features, she realized Su Yu must have inherited her beauty from her—especially those sweeping eyebrows and slender eyes that seemed cold but held something quietly yearning underneath.

While she was still studying the photos, Su Yu opened a bedroom door and said softly, “You can come in.”

Ni Hezhi stepped inside to see where she’d be living for the next two months.

Old. Cramped. Bare.

Even her pets had better rooms than this.

There was a 1.5-meter bed, a set of repainted furniture, and an old double-door wardrobe. The only electrical item was a clunky ceiling fan that looked like it belonged in a retro TV drama. She half-expected it to fall and hit her on the head.

The bed was dressed with tacky peony-patterned sheets, but it was clear someone had tried their best. Lace had been sewn along the edges, and everything was freshly washed.

Ni Hezhi sat on the bed—it was hard as a rock. She’d probably have nightmares just trying to sleep on it.

She couldn’t stand being here a minute longer.

Jiang Sui and the village chief would be gone soon. In just a few hours, she had to dig up some kind of leverage to use against her.

Her gaze swept across Su Yu’s body with a curious glint. Then she called out coyly, “Hey, little dummy, come here.”

Su Yu looked over calmly. “My name isn’t ‘little dummy.’ I have a name.”

Ni Hezhi smirked, lowering her voice. “Alright then, Su Yu it is.”

Su Yu didn’t reply or move.

What the hell?

Was she dense or something?

Ni Hezhi had always been the adored school beauty. People followed her around like puppies, eager for her attention. She’d never had to chase anyone. The fact that she was taking the initiative now—and getting nothing in return—was maddening.

Still, she decided this was her opening. If she could seduce Su Yu, maybe she’d discover Jiang Sui’s secret.

Ni Hezhi stepped forward and gently took Su Yu’s hand again, brushing her fingers over the rough calluses along her palms.

The touch was almost flirtatious.

Su Yu’s heartbeat went wild. Her lips pressed tightly together, her lashes trembling in nervous panic.

It took her a moment to react, but just as she tried to pull away, Ni Hezhi locked their hands with a twist of her wrist.

Su Yu froze like a statue. Her throat tightened, her senses overloaded.

Ni Hezhi pulled her gently toward the bed, almost effortlessly.

A faint scent of laundry soap lingered in the air. As she leaned in, her chin brushed lightly against Su Yu’s neck, her warm breath sending waves of tingling sensation down Su Yu’s spine.

It wrapped around her like a net, slow and sweet, sinking into her very bones.

Panicked, Su Yu pushed her away.

Ni Hezhi stumbled slightly, then let out a short laugh in disbelief.

What, does she think I’m some kind of demon? Is she really that scared of me?

Leaning in again, her voice low and teasing, Ni Hezhi whispered into Su Yu’s ear, hot breath grazing her skin:

“Su Yu… do you think I’m beautiful?”