Pry Away Step-Sister's Fiancee - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 — Teaching You How to Kiss

The moment the words left Ni Hezhi’s lips, Su Yu froze as though struck by lightning.

His eyes widened, horror spreading across his face. It took him a moment to even react—then he jerked backward instinctively, retreating as far from her as the space allowed.

Ni Hezhi leaned in, playfully draping herself over his shoulder with mock offense. “What, am I that scary to look at?”

“N-No… it’s not that…” Su Yu stammered, lashes lowered, unable to meet her gaze.

“Then what are you dodging for?” she teased, her breath brushing against his skin as her lips trailed mischievously close to his ear. “Don’t know how to kiss? Want me to teach you?”

She leaned in, lips nearly grazing his cheek.

But just before contact, Su Yu pushed her back sharply by the shoulders, his strength fueled by flustered panic.

Ni Hezhi stumbled—heels catching on a jar of pickled vegetables in the corner of the yard. She staggered a few steps and finally caught herself against a low wall.

By the time she regained her balance, Su Yu was already bolting from the courtyard, a blur of movement and panic. In his haste, he knocked over several more jars with a clatter.

He ran like something was chasing him.

Ni Hezhi stood still for a beat, stunned—and then a smile broke across her face, slow and uncontainable.

Ever since her Omega traits emerged, she’d had no shortage of attention. Admirers buzzed around her like flies, persistent and clingy.

But Su Yu?

Su Yu had pushed her away. Not once—but twice.

Ni Hezhi’s competitive streak flared to life.

Oh, how very interesting.

This dusty little mountain village may be dull and lifeless—but Su Yu?

He was the one bit of color in all the gray.

Outside, cicadas droned lazily. Sunshine spilled over the wooden doorstep. Ni Hezhi lay on the old creaky bed, staring up at the spinning ceiling fan in boredom.

This house was practically from another century. No television, no mobile phone, no electronics—not even a radio. She couldn’t understand how these people passed the time without going insane.

Eventually, she decided she couldn’t spend another moment inside and wandered out to find her grandmother sitting in a lounge chair, working on shoe soles.

When Ni Hezhi said she wanted to go for a walk, her grandma nodded with a warm smile. “Not much to see around here, but the view’s lovely. Go take a look and get familiar with the village.”

She rummaged in her pocket and pressed a small handful of coins into Ni Hezhi’s hand. “If you reach the entrance of the village, there’s a small stand. Get yourself something nice.”

Ni Hezhi tried to refuse, knowing the family’s finances were tight. But Grandma wouldn’t take no for an answer. In the end, she accepted just two coins.

She flashed a sweet grin. “Thank you, Grandma.”

“What can two yuan buy? Take it all,” the old woman insisted, trying to give her the rest.

“It’s plenty,” Ni Hezhi called as she jogged off.

She followed a dirt path past scattered houses until she saw a small, tattered red banner waving in the wind—black ink characters reading concession stand. A few elderly villagers sat under a locust tree nearby, fanning themselves and chatting.

She scanned the area. No sign of Su Yu.

Just as she was about to head back, she heard harsh giggles—taunting, shrill, unmistakably the sound of children bullying someone.

“Look out, the monster’s here! Run!”

“Ugh, the deaf-mute’s back! My mom says if she touches you, you’ll go mute too! Let’s chase her off!”

Ni Hezhi turned and spotted the scene.

A handful of boys—barely eight years old—were crouched in the grass, slingshots in hand, aiming at a girl who was quietly picking wild vegetables nearby. A stone flew and struck her on the neck.

The girl flinched and turned, eyes watering. But when she saw their mocking faces, she quickly looked down again, shrinking into herself.

Ni Hezhi’s gaze sharpened.

That girl—wasn’t that Su Yu’s sister?

What was she doing outside? Su Yu never let her leave the house alone. This was the peak of the harvest season—tractors roared through the roads day and night. It was dangerous for someone like her.

Su Yu always took over the farm work to keep Shu Hui safe.

But now, here she was, alone and vulnerable.

While Ni Hezhi stood frozen, one of the boys grabbed a thick thorn branch from the weeds, charged at Shu Hui, and shoved her down. “I’m the great Sun Wukong! Time to beat the monster!”

The branch came down on her back again and again. Shu Hui curled up tightly, shielding her head with her arms. Silent tears fell, and faint, painful whimpers escaped her throat.

“Freak!”

“Stupid mute!”

These names had haunted Shu Hui all her life. Her classmates avoided her. Others used her as a punching bag to boost their own ego. And she… endured it all quietly, never telling Su Yu out of guilt. She knew her sister already carried the weight of the family alone.

When she heard people in the city liked wild vegetables, she’d thought she could help by foraging some.

She hadn’t expected to be attacked for it.

In her mind, she began silently counting each blow. Four. Five. Six. They usually got bored after twenty or thirty.

She clung to the naive hope: maybe if she endured, a real Sun Wukong would appear to save her.

But the world had no gods.

If it did, her parents would still be alive.

When she hit “eight” in her mind, the blows suddenly stopped.

She peeked up from her curled arms and blinked in confusion.

One of the boys was dangling midair—suspended by the collar of his shirt. He flailed helplessly, legs kicking.

Sunlight crowned the head of the person holding him, outlining her like a golden halo.

Not a god.

But her rich sister from the city.

Ni Hezhi took the thorn from his hand and swatted his leg. The boy shrieked.

“Hurts, right?” she said coldly, hitting him again. “That’s what you get for bullying others. Feels different when you’re on the receiving end, huh?”

The commotion drew a small crowd of villagers. Some of the elders approached, frowning. “They’re just kids—don’t be too harsh. Children fight sometimes, that’s all.”

Ni Hezhi turned, her expression ice-cold. “Fighting? Look at the marks on her arms. If it were your kid, would you call it just a scuffle? You don’t care because she’s deaf and can’t cry out!”

She scanned their faces. “You turn a blind eye while your kids do whatever they want—and when things go wrong, what do you do? Scold them lightly? That’s not discipline.”

“She’s lucky they’re just kids. If they were older, they’d be facing criminal charges. If you won’t teach them manners, I will!”

With that, she dragged the boy to Shu Hui and demanded, “Apologize.”

The boy hesitated. “She’s deaf. She can’t hear me.”

Ni Hezhi raised the thorn again, and he caved instantly. “Sorry! I’m sorry!”

She wasn’t done. But just then, Shu Hui tugged on her sleeve, eyes pleading.

Ni Hezhi looked down at her, startled. Shu Hui gently shook her head—asking her to let it go.

So she did.

The boy ran off, terrified.

Ni Hezhi turned back to Shu Hui, rolling up her sleeves. Angry red welts crisscrossed her arms. Her rage flared again, and she stepped forward to go after the boy—but Shu Hui grabbed her arm, shaking her head rapidly.

Ni Hezhi sighed and gently patted her hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they never hurt you again.”

But Shu Hui didn’t let go. She just kept shaking her head, eyes filling with tears.

“Shu Hui,” Ni Hezhi’s voice hardened. “The more afraid you are, the more they’ll come after you. The only way to stop bullies is to be fiercer than they are. Understand?”

She didn’t know why she raised her voice. Was it frustration? Heartache?

She’d never been one to meddle in others’ business—but maybe this was different.

Because it was Shu Hui.

Because she was Su Yu’s sister.

And that made her family.