Pry Away Step-Sister's Fiancee - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 — Who’s More Beautiful, My Stepmother or Me?

Ni Hezhi crept closer and noticed Su Yu’s ears flush bright red.

Hah. She turns red from a simple touch? How amusing.

She reached out and brushed the edge of Su Yu’s earlobe with her fingertips. Immediately, Su Yu’s back went rigid, and she took a startled step backward.

Ni Hezhi continued to move forward, and Su Yu kept retreating in sync, step by step—until she bumped into the edge of the bed and sat down abruptly, with nowhere else to go.

Ni Hezhi didn’t miss a beat. She straddled Su Yu’s lap, one arm looping around her neck, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she gazed at her.

Only then did Su Yu realize just how intimate their position had become.

Objectively, Ni Hezhi was light; it would’ve been easy to push her off. But strangely, Su Yu didn’t make a move to do so.

“Su Yu, do you think Jiang Sui is pretty?” Ni Hezhi asked softly.

Su Yu averted her gaze, eyes hazy with confusion.

She’d never paid much attention to people’s looks, especially not those of her elders. Jiang Sui, to her, was a dignified, graceful woman—always understated but commanding in presence. She dressed plainly yet carried herself with a poise no one could imitate.

After a moment, Su Yu murmured a faint “Mm.”

Ni Hezhi’s lips curved up subtly, her tone light but unreadable. “Then… between her and me, who’s better looking?”

It was a strange question. Su Yu blinked in confusion, not sure how to respond.

Ni Hezhi leaned closer, lips barely grazing Su Yu’s, and said with a mischievous glint, “She’s been supporting you all these years. Did she ever ask you to give something in return?”

Her breath was warm and sweet like syrup, curling against Su Yu’s lips.

Su Yu’s heart pounded so wildly, it felt like it might break through her chest. Her cheeks burned, her whole body felt feverish.

No summer sun could compare to the heat she felt now.

She turned her face away, trying to put some distance between them.

“No. Madam Jiang only ever told me to focus on school,” Su Yu said seriously.

After a pause, she added in earnest, “I’ve recorded everything she’s given me in a notebook. I plan to repay her, every cent.”

Ni Hezhi rolled her eyes internally. What a blockhead. Who asked you that?

“She’s not the kind of person to give without reason,” Ni Hezhi murmured. “She’s always been careful with her money and people. There must be something she wants from you.”

Her fingers traced lightly along Su Yu’s cheek. “You know she has a thing for young, good-looking Alphas, right? Just like you…”

Su Yu’s brows drew together in slight alarm.

“You’ve got the wrong idea,” she said.

Ni Hezhi giggled, voice syrupy. “Maybe not now… but what about later?”

She nestled into Su Yu’s arms like she had no bones in her body. One hand draped across Su Yu’s shoulder while the other slowly unfastened the top button of her shirt. Her silky hair cascaded over Su Yu’s chest, contrasting starkly against her fair skin and the delicate black lace beneath.

The sharp contrast between the fabric and her smooth skin drew Su Yu’s gaze like a magnet.

Ni Hezhi’s fingertips moved like a teasing snake, tracing soft circles against Su Yu’s chest. “With a face like yours… it’s only a matter of time before she tries to claim you.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to stay with me instead?”

“I can give you money too.”

She chuckled softly. “Besides, Jiang Sui’s getting up there in years. She’s what, forty-three? That’s two whole zodiac cycles older than you. In a few years, she’ll be wrinkled and worn. Don’t waste yourself on her. Stick with someone younger…”

Ni Hezhi grabbed Su Yu’s wrist and pressed her hand against the curve beneath her lace. “Isn’t my body more enticing than hers?”

Su Yu’s pulse roared in her ears. She wanted to escape, but in the tugging chaos, her fingers accidentally squeezed the soft fullness under her palm.

She froze.

The sensation was unlike anything she’d ever felt—softer than the steamed buns her grandmother made fresh from the stove…

A breathy giggle snapped her out of her daze. She jerked her hand back as if burned.

“S-sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

Ni Hezhi tilted her head, voice coy, “Tell me—who do you like more?”

Su Yu’s lashes quivered. She shook her head firmly. “I told you, Madam Jiang and I… there’s nothing going on.”

“But I want you to say there is,” Ni Hezhi whispered, lips brushing her neck. “When Jiang Sui comes back, I want you to tell everyone you have an inappropriate relationship with her.”

Su Yu’s expression changed instantly. “No. That would be a lie.”

When she wouldn’t agree, Ni Hezhi’s smile faded. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Please, Su Yu. Only you can help me…”

She shifted in Su Yu’s lap again, pulling herself closer. “You saw how she treats me. My stepmother wants to take everything my mother owns. And my real mom… she’s not even conscious right now…”

Su Yu was quiet, thoughtful.

“If she’s so dangerous, wouldn’t it be safer for you to stay here?” she asked.

Ni Hezhi hadn’t expected such a sharp reply. She pouted, breathing softly against Su Yu’s cheek. “I don’t want to stay in this dump! No cafés, no karaoke, no malls, not even fried chicken. What kind of life is this?”

“Xiaoyu…” Her voice broke, tears threatening. “I miss my mom…”

Su Yu glanced down at the delicate girl curled up in her arms and felt her heart clench.

In all her life, she’d never met someone so beautiful yet unpredictable.

Ni Hezhi whispered, “If you just say she’s been inappropriate with you, then I can use it as leverage against her…”

But Su Yu’s gaze turned cold.

She remembered the phrase “education changes fate.” Without Jiang Sui’s help, she wouldn’t have had the chance to go to school, much less think of a different future.

Regardless of Jiang Sui’s motives, she had changed Su Yu’s life for the better. That was undeniable.

And Su Yu had once been wrongly accused of theft as a child, simply because she was poor. The shame and helplessness of that injustice had left deep scars.

Because of that, she would never falsely accuse someone—especially not the person who gave her everything.

Su Yu pried Ni Hezhi’s arms off, trying to free herself.

But the spoiled heiress clung tighter, pretending to wince in pain.

Su Yu eased her grip, her expression cold and unreadable.

Ni Hezhi saw her chance and continued to tempt her. “I’ll take care of all your expenses. My mom gives me a huge allowance. When you graduate, I can get you a job in her company. She dotes on me—I can pull strings.”

Before she could finish, Su Yu shoved her away.

Ni Hezhi hit the bed frame with a pained groan.

Su Yu panicked—she hadn’t meant to hurt her.

“Are you okay? I just…”

“Su Yu, are you really refusing to help me?” Ni Hezhi said, her tone turning bitter.

No one had ever pushed her before. She felt humiliated, stripped of control.

The atmosphere turned tense.

“So what did Jiang Sui give you to make you so loyal?” she sneered.

Su Yu’s voice was calm and resolute. “Madam Jiang is a good person.”

To her, Jiang Sui was family. She had stepped in when no one else did, and Su Yu would never forget that.

“She’s a saint and I’m the villain, huh?” Ni Hezhi scoffed. She walked past Su Yu with a haughty glare. “Then stay away from me. Wouldn’t want me to corrupt you.”

Su Yu didn’t flinch. She stood like stone, unaffected by the jab.

Ni Hezhi was fuming when the sound of footsteps echoed outside.

Jiang Sui had returned.

After exchanging a few words with the village chief, Jiang Sui handed a black suitcase to Ni Hezhi. “Go inside and change.”

Ni Hezhi gritted her teeth. “Where’s my phone? My wallet?”

Jiang Sui’s smile was cool. “This isn’t a vacation. And there’s no signal here anyway. I already gave money to Grandma Su Yu to cover your expenses and tuition.”

Ni Hezhi laughed bitterly to herself.

So she’s already making moves to take it all, huh?

After finishing her instructions, Jiang Sui turned to Su Yu and spoke in a low voice. “She’s difficult. You don’t have to go easy on her. If there’s work, make her do it. She needs the discipline.”

Su Yu nodded softly in reply.

Ni Hezhi’s anger boiled over. She snapped, “So, has the will been finalized yet, Jiang Sui?”

Surrounded by officials, Jiang Sui looked uncomfortable but didn’t reply. She simply got in the car and drove off with a quick farewell.

Ni Hezhi watched the car disappear. Her lips quivered.

She had never been away from her mother. Not for a day. Not without contact.

Now she was trapped here—cut off, abandoned, afraid she might never see her again.

A crushing sense of isolation swept over her.

Su Yu looked up. The sun dipped behind the hills, casting warm orange hues across the wheat fields. Harvesters buzzed in the distance. In that glow, Ni Hezhi stood quietly, lost and fragile.

Without a word, Su Yu stepped forward.

She reached for the suitcase, but Ni Hezhi swatted her hand away.

“I’ll carry it myself,” she snapped.

Su Yu hesitated, voice soft. “I just wanted to help…”

Ni Hezhi scoffed. “I’m a bad person, remember? Stay away from me.”

And with that, she hoisted the suitcase herself and marched into the house, head held high.