The Beautiful Older Sister I Picked Up Is Good at Flirting - Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Fang Songxian noticed something was off with Fanzhen’s mood—the light in her eyes seemed to have dimmed. Anxiously, she wondered which of her words had upset her and asked nervously, “Jie, what’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”
Fanzhen forced a smile. “No, I’m fine.”
Seeing that Fanzhen was focused on feeding the fish and ignoring her, Fang Songxian grew even more uneasy. Trying to cheer her up, she said playfully, “Do you like goldfish, Jie? I’ll catch one for you!”
Fanzhen: ???
Where did she get the idea that I like goldfish?
Before Fanzhen could stop her, Fang Songxian had already dashed off to the backyard. A minute later, she returned, holding a long-handled fish net.
She stuck the net into the pond without hesitation. After a brief moment of shock, Fanzhen rushed forward to grab her arm. “Miss Fang, stop! The little fish belong in the pond—it’s better for them to swim free.”
Fang Songxian looked down at Fanzhen’s pale fingers holding her and grinned brightly. “But… you like them, Jie.”
“I don’t like them.”
Fanzhen was starting to get annoyed. She gave her a light tug—at least she thought it was light—but Fang Songxian exaggeratedly leaned against her shoulder and clutched her chest like she’d been startled, whispering, “Jie…”
Now, Fanzhen finally saw through her little act. Her expression turned serious as she pushed Fang Songxian away. Her watery apricot eyes grew cold. “Miss Fang, I have to work now. Excuse me.”
Fang Songxian ran a few steps to catch up. “Don’t be angry, Jie. I acted that way because I really like you… I’m sorry…”
Fanzhen lowered her long lashes, avoiding her gaze.
Truthfully, Fang Songxian was impressive in every way—appearance, education, wealth, family background. Even her pheromones were top-tier, making her the dream Alpha for many Omegas and Betas.
But Fanzhen simply didn’t feel anything for her. Every moment alone together was forced out of politeness.
To lead someone on when you don’t like them—that would be cruel.
So she stuck to her principles and refused her outright: “Miss Songxian, thank you for liking me. But please don’t waste your time on me. We’re not a good match.”
Fang Songxian’s eyes dimmed. “Why? Can’t you at least give me a chance? Maybe… maybe your opinion of me will change.”
Fanzhen shook her head.
Fang Songxian’s eyes reddened. “So… not even the slightest chance?”
Fanzhen met her eyes calmly. “None!”
Fang Songxian exhaled hard and asked, “Is it because you already like someone?”
Fanzhen paused for a second. “No.”
Fang Songxian suddenly smiled and met her gaze with determination. “Then I still have a chance.”
Fanzhen had never met someone this stubborn. “Miss Fang, please let me—”
“Don’t say it, Jie.” Afraid that Fanzhen might say something too heartbreaking, Fang Songxian cut her off quickly and changed the subject. “I’m going to catch you a fish.”
She grabbed the net and ran back to the pond, stirring the water with it. The startled fish darted in all directions. She waved the pole around for a while but didn’t catch a single fish.
Her face turned green. She couldn’t lose face in front of Fanzhen—not when she’d just promised to catch a fish for her.
She carefully moved the net closer to the goldfish. The fish was right there, but each time she moved, she missed. Finally, she threw aside the pole in frustration and reached directly into the water with her hands. She still couldn’t catch a thing, and in the end, all she managed to do was soak her pant legs.
“Miss Fang, stop. I really don’t want one.” Fanzhen tried to stop her again, but didn’t want to physically touch her. Just as she was at a loss, a cold and familiar voice cut in:
“Fanzhen!”
She turned sharply and saw Fu Siyi standing a few meters behind her, her profile bathed in sunlight. Her features were refined, lips pursed in a cherry red line, eyes dark and cold as they fell on Fang Songxian.
Fanzhen’s lips curled upward involuntarily. “Miss Fu…”
Fu Siyi tilted her head slightly, her chilly gaze softening the moment it met Fanzhen’s. “Fanzhen, I brought Aunt Wan back with me. She wants to try the dumplings you made.”
Only then did Fanzhen notice the woman beside her.
She wore an off-shoulder white sweater, a bright red velvet pencil skirt, and knee-high black boots, revealing just a tempting sliver of fair skin.
She looked young—judging by her appearance, no more than early thirties—but since Fu Siyi called her “Aunt Wan,” it was hard to guess her true age.
On her collarbone was a black dahlia tattoo, adding a wild and untamed beauty that only made her even harder to place.
As Fanzhen studied Cen Wan, Cen Wan studied her back. After a brief exchange of glances, Cen Wan hid the surprise in her eyes and smiled warmly. “You’re Fanzhen?”
Fanzhen paused, then nodded. “Hello…”
She didn’t know how to address her and looked to Fu Siyi for help.
Fu Siyi smiled, leaned down close to her ear, and whispered just loud enough for only her to hear: “Aunt Wan’s surname is Cen.”
Fanzhen’s ears turned red, feeling like she was meeting the parents. She whispered, “Miss Cen…”
At the fish pond, Fang Songxian, seeing how close the two were, grew visibly colder. She quickly walked over and squeezed between them to stand before Cen Wan and said sweetly, “Aunt Wan~”
“Oh my, what happened to you? You’re all wet!” Cen Wan looked her over and giggled. “Were you fishing?”
Fang Songxian, of course, didn’t dare say she got rejected and moped around. “Well… the goldfish at Fu Manor are really beautiful.”
“Is that so?”
Just then, Fu Siyi slowly stepped closer. Her lips curled slightly, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. In fact, her very presence was oppressive—enough to make Fang Songxian back away instinctively.
Fu Siyi’s smile widened. “Since you like the goldfish here so much, let me catch a few for you.”
She picked up the net by the pond. With her long arm, she swept the water’s surface, but the goldfish scattered in fright and dove deep.
Fang Songxian lifted her chin and gave her a smug look. “Doesn’t seem like your fish are that obedient.”
Fanzhen stared at Fu Siyi, remembering how she had fought with flour that day. Her hands clenched unconsciously.
Cen Wan leaned closer and whispered, “She saw Songxian pestering you earlier. She’s getting revenge for you.”
Fanzhen: “…”
Actually, she wasn’t really mad.
She didn’t have feelings for Fang Songxian, so nothing she did or said really bothered her.
Fu Siyi glanced at Fang Songxian, then looked at Fanzhen, her cold gaze softening into an incredibly gentle smile. “Fanzhen, hand me the fish food.”
Fanzhen walked over and held out the bowl.
The silicone bowl was soft, and her hand supported the bottom as Fu Siyi reached in to grab the food—her fingertips brushing across Fanzhen’s palm.
It was ticklish, tingly, and set off a string of electric shivers.
Fu Siyi raised the net. Winter sunlight fell softly along her long eyelashes, and from this angle, she looked so beautiful it could daze someone.
She turned her face slightly, smiling with quiet confidence. “Fanzhen, should I catch that red one?”
Her beautiful peach blossom eyes were full of that dazzling Alpha self-assurance.
“Okay.” Fanzhen’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, hiding the flush creeping up her cheeks.
Fu Siyi tossed the food into the pond. Soon, fish swarmed the surface to feed. Her eyes locked on a red-tailed one, and with a quick sweep of her net, she stirred up gentle ripples on the surface.
In one swift motion—scoop, spin, close the net—the red fish was caught, flopping and splashing in the net.
“Got it! Got it!” Fanzhen squealed in excitement and hugged Fu Siyi’s arm, shaking it with joy. “You caught it! You’re amazing!”
Caught up in the moment, Fanzhen forgot herself completely. She didn’t even realize she was acting like a fangirl at a concert, waving glow sticks for her idol.
Fu Siyi stiffened, like frozen in place. Her arm was held tightly, no space between them, and Fanzhen’s soft body rubbed against her through her clothes, heating her thoughts like wildfire.