The Beautiful Older Sister I Picked Up Is Good at Flirting - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Fu Siyi uneasily scratched the end of her brow and blurted out a flimsy excuse: “Uh… the chef said… there’s a strange flower growing along the corridor of the annex building, so I came to check it out…”

Even she didn’t believe that lie. Trying to salvage the situation, she quickly changed the topic: “I heard from Granny Ying… that you… want to stay in the Fu family.”

Fanzhen was taken aback. She clearly told Granny Ying she wanted to return to Yuan Kingdom—how did that get twisted by the time it reached the young lady?

But the truth was, she only said she wanted to go back because she had no choice. Of course, if she could stay, she would love to.

Fanzhen nodded a little awkwardly. “Yes, Miss, I would like to stay.”

Her cheeks were flushed from the lingering fever, her eyes shiny and moist, her slightly puffy lower eyelids making her look even more youthful and vulnerable—something about her just tugged at the heartstrings.

Fu Siyi looked away silently, her voice returning to its usual indifferent tone: “But if you stay in the Fu household, you’ll only be a servant, doing chores like serving tea and cleaning.”

“I’m willing, Miss,” Fanzhen said immediately.

Fu Siyi was someone who’d seen plenty of girls try to climb the social ladder—especially those with beauty and high-level pheromones, Omega types who’d sacrifice everything, including their dignity, to get ahead.

When she heard Fanzhen say she was willing to stay on as a maid, a rare flicker of appreciation crossed her eyes. Her voice was still cold, but her words were clearly much warmer: “Not everyone gets a shot at rising above. A good opportunity like this might just be your way to soar.”

Fanzhen shook her head without hesitation. “If you hadn’t saved me that night, Miss, I would’ve starved to death. What soaring could there be then?”

Fu Siyi lowered her eyes and looked at her slowly. “It’s good that you’re grateful. But I don’t need your thanks.”

She hadn’t helped Fanzhen expecting anything in return. Helping with strings attached wasn’t a noble act, and besides, what she had done didn’t even count as much of a favor.

Fanzhen looked up, meeting Fu Siyi’s bright eyes. A ripple passed through her heart, her fingers clutching the bedsheet under the blanket. In that moment, she forgot to breathe.

“I…” Fanzhen’s cheeks turned crimson as she quickly looked away. “It’s not just that… Everyone in the Fu family has been really kind to me. I… I like it here…”

“Miss, I… I’ll work really hard… Can I please stay?”

Fu Siyi stared at her in silence, then slowly turned her back: “You really are…”

She paused, then softly muttered one word through clenched lips: “Fool…”

Fanzhen blinked in surprise. Because Fu Siyi had turned around, she didn’t see the smile quietly spreading across her face—

—or how the corners of her mouth curved higher and higher.

…

(…Scene Change…)

Just as Fu Siyi left the servants’ quarters, Granny Ying came in carrying a tray and sat at the edge of the bed. “Zhenzhen, Granny made you a sweet dessert—come on, eat it while it’s hot.”

Fanzhen looked down and her lashes trembled in shock.

This wasn’t just any dessert. It was top-grade bl00d bird’s nest from Java.

Panicked, she tried to push the bowl away. “Granny, this is something only the Miss or Madam should eat. I shouldn’t—others will be upset.”

Granny Ying pushed the bowl back toward her. “Miss told me to give this to you. Who dares complain behind her back?”

Fanzhen lowered her eyes, a small smile curling her lips as a warm tide gently swept through her chest, making her eyes sting with tears.

She wasn’t someone cold by nature.

She knew that from the very first time she met Fu Siyi.

Softly, she murmured, “Miss… is a good person.”

Hearing that, Granny Ying paused, then slowly broke into a smile—so wide that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes bunched up.

“She’s more than that…” Granny Ying said with pride. “Our young lady has a lot of virtues.”

She scooped up a spoonful of the bird’s nest. “Come, eat, child. The doctor said you’re malnourished and need to be nourished properly.”

Fanzhen obediently took a small sip, chewing slowly, her eyes damp.

She thought back to before she fled the wedding—how her father’s business was at its peak, with people constantly fawning over them. But once the Huo family ran into financial trouble, those same socialite “friends” scattered like they were avoiding the plague.

She hadn’t wanted to marry that scummy Alpha. She had cried, protested, even gone on a hunger strike—but her ruthless father never looked back.

You only truly understand who’s there for you when you’re at your lowest.

Fanzhen took the bowl from Granny Ying and poured more than half of the bird’s nest into it, her eyes curved in a smile as she offered it back: “Granny, you eat too.”

Granny Ying waved her hand. “Granny’s not eating.”

Fanzhen insisted, holding the bowl up. “If you don’t eat, I won’t either.”

“…Good child…” Granny Ying was touched. She raised a hand to wipe her misty eyes, then took a sip and smiled. “Delicious.”

…

Fanzhen slept soundly after taking her medicine. The next day, her fever had subsided. Other than some lingering fatigue, she felt fine.

She put on her maid uniform and tied her hair up in a bun. Passing the servant dining room, she saw the staff eating breakfast. Huan-jie, the most observant of them, spotted her right away and waved. “Zhenzhen! You’re up already? Shouldn’t you rest another day?”

Fanzhen smiled and said she was fine, heading toward the storage room to get her tools.

Huan-jie called her back. “Hey, where are you going? Eat breakfast first.”

Fanzhen glanced at the wall clock, puzzled. “But… it’s not time for breakfast yet…”

“It’s a special day today,” Huan-jie said, pulling her to a seat. “Granny Ying said the Madam’s coming home today. The main house needs a full cleaning—plus the garden flowers are being replaced. We’re eating early ‘cause we’ll be busy later.”

Xiaoju came over, gossiping as she held her bowl: “The Madam’s been away almost a year for her campaign. Why’s she suddenly coming back?”

Huan-jie tapped her forehead: “Dummy—it’s the Madam’s birthday today.”

“Oh right…”

Fanzhen wasn’t very familiar with the Madam, only knowing she’d been adopted by Fu Siyi’s grandmother and later married her mother. She then rose rapidly in business and became one of the most influential women in the Su Kingdom.

But a few years ago, Madam Fu Weirong suddenly took interest in politics and started running for office. Her popularity and contributions were now well-known.

As the conversation drifted to Madam Fu, the group pulled Fanzhen into their chatter. But she remained quiet, remembering Granny Ying’s warning not to gossip about the family.

Their chatter was cut short when a stern voice echoed behind them: “Seems like you all have too much time on your hands. Think you can talk about the Madam? If you’ve got time to chat, maybe we should cut some positions.”

Everyone turned and saw Granny Ying’s strict face, and they quickly jumped up from their seats.

Granny Ying walked over slowly, eyes sweeping across the group. “If you’re full, then get to work!”

The room scattered immediately. As Fanzhen turned to go, Granny Ying stopped her and handed her a note.

Granny Ying smiled warmly this time. “Zhenzhen, don’t go clean. Let Huan-jie and the others handle that. You go upstairs and give this menu to the Miss—ask if she wants any changes.”

Fanzhen had a strange feeling—like Granny Ying wasn’t treating her like a servant at all.

Was it possible… she suspected something?

But that didn’t make sense. If Granny Ying knew her true identity, why not tell Fu Siyi or notify her father? Why help hide it and protect her instead? Even the tasks she got were the easiest.

It didn’t add up.

She was lost in thought when Granny Ying nudged her. “What are you daydreaming about? Go.”

Fanzhen snapped out of it and quickly replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

She headed to the study. The door was ajar. After knocking a few times with no response, she peeked in. “Miss…”

Silence.

She cleared her throat and tried again: “Miss…”

Suddenly, a pink figure swayed behind the door. As it creaked open, a giant pink squid costume appeared before her.

Fanzhen was too stunned to speak, wide-eyed as the “squid” spoke: “Fanzhen, help me take off the head—I can’t breathe.”

She recognized Fu Siyi’s voice and rushed forward to pull off the headpiece, revealing her beautifully flushed face.

Probably from being inside the costume too long, Fu Siyi’s forehead was damp with sweat. Her pale skin glowed with a soft pink hue, and her lips were full and glistening like a rose kissed by dew.

Fanzhen didn’t even notice the smile curling her lips as she stared in a daze.

The Miss, in this moment, wasn’t cold and aloof at all—she was…

Cute.

Fanzhen’s eyes swept over her disheveled bangs and couldn’t help but laugh. “Miss, why are you dressed like this?”

“It’s the Madam’s birthday today—I have a gift to give her…” Fu Siyi trailed off awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Um… my arms are stuck. Can you unzip me?”

Fanzhen remembered how Granny Ying and Assistant Jiang once teased that when Fu Siyi cared about someone, she became all tsundere and awkward—she’d even use a costume just to give a gift. They also joked that if she ever had a wife, she’d definitely play hard-to-get.

Seeing her like this now, saying one thing and doing another…

So cute.

Wait!

Her wife?

Why was she thinking this?

She wouldn’t be staying here long. Once Jiang Mingxiao convinced her father to cancel the engagement, she’d be going back to Yuan Kingdom.

Fanzhen shook her head to clear her thoughts and went to help unzip the costume. But the seam near the waist was snagged.

“Miss, wait a moment.”

She ran off, leaving Fu Siyi standing dumbly, realizing only after a while that she had obediently waited in place for ten minutes—just because Fanzhen told her to.

When Fanzhen returned, panting, she held up a strawberry-shaped sewing kit and smiled. “Miss, sit down. I’ll fix your ‘squid’ costume real quick.”

Fu Siyi sat obediently as Fanzhen kneeled beside her and tugged at the zipper.

“It’s too stuck to remove the costume. I’ll have to fix it while it’s still on you.”

They were very close. Fu Siyi tried to act natural and gave a soft “mm.”

Fanzhen carefully snipped the thread and re-stitched the zipper.

She lowered her head slightly, focused on her task. Her hair was tied into a bun, revealing the pale, elegant curve of her neck.

That smooth, slender swan neck, with skin as white and tender as a peeled lychee—every line a picture of grace.

Though Su and Yuan people looked the same and shared a language, Fanzhen’s complexion was noticeably fairer, her features more refined, and her aura gentle and soothing—even her hair smelled faintly sweet.

Fu Siyi stared, completely lost, unable to look away.

The room was quiet, sunlight catching on drifting dust, and something invisible began to stir in the air.

Fu Siyi shifted uncomfortably, and her chin brushed against a soft strand of Fanzhen’s hair—it felt like a cat’s tail, gently teasing.

Her heart gave an unexpected thump.