Chapter 1
Edward Quan ·
I caught my stepmother bringing her lover home.
That evening, her son came timidly to beg me not to tell my father.
I crooked a finger at him, feeling wicked.
“Come here and kiss me. I'll think about it.”
He obediently did as I asked. After that, I teased him every day until his eyes turned red.
Eventually, I took pity on him and promised to keep the secret.
Not long afterward, he came to me again.
“Sis… my mother's cheating again.”
“I… I'll sleep with you. Could you please not tell your father?”
01
I'd barely caught my stepmother cheating before her son appeared at my door.
“About what happened today… could you keep it secret for my mother?”
When Lu Chengyi knocked, a red handprint still marked his face.
He stood hesitantly in the doorway, looking pitiful.
My gaze cooled.
What a mother. She wouldn't apologize herself. Instead, she sent her son to beg for her—and hit him first.
“Tell Song Wanmei to come herself.”
“Please, Sis…”
I was about to frown when he stepped closer. Pale fingers caught my sleeve. In his agitation, two buttons at his collar came undone, revealing a very distracting collarbone.
My friend's teasing voice returned to me.
“That six-foot-one stepbrother of yours is a masterpiece. Why not find a chance to try your luck?”
I swallowed.
A wicked idea occurred to me.
I beckoned.
“Come here and kiss me. I'll think about it.”
His eyes widened. He stammered without managing a complete sentence.
He had always been innocent. I'd probably scared him.
“Just one. I'll let you both off and keep the secret.” I coaxed him patiently, like a wicked older woman in a television drama. “Well?”
Seconds passed.
I was happy to wait.
This was no time to rush.
His lashes trembled. At last, as if accepting his fate, he closed his eyes. His ears burned red as he slowly approached.
Closer.
His breathing quickened.
Warm, soft lips brushed mine.
Before I could properly enjoy it, he retreated.
Which only made me want more.
“Hey. Did I say you could pull away? Why the hurry?”
He lowered his head and wouldn't look at me.
“First kiss?”
“…Yes.”
“Then I won't make things difficult.” Resting my chin on my hand, I gave a serious assessment. “Terrible experience, though.”
His eyes shone as if he might cry.
“Then… what you said still counts?”
“Of course.”
I reluctantly agreed.
As if.
02
My mother died young. Father remained single for years.
Five years ago, he fell in love with Chengyi's mother at first sight. Despite objections from both families, he married her.
Chengyi moved in with her.
He resembled his mother. He needed only to stand there for people to fall for him. Supposedly, the girls pursuing him could form a line from Peking University to the University of Hong Kong.
To me, though, he was a boy I couldn't help feeling sorry for.
His biological father was a gambler, always hiding from someone, never caring about his son.
His mother hit and scolded him at the slightest excuse.
Despite that upbringing, he got into a top university.
Even then, Song Wanmei openly cut his living allowance.
He spent all his time working part-time. No time for romance. Still innocent and inexperienced.
If I hadn't secretly transferred money to his account, he wouldn't even have had time to beg me today. He'd probably be tutoring someone's child.
Worse, even my father sometimes took against him.
I could only speak up a little when I could.
I didn't have the nerve to fight Father. My extravagant spending still depended on him.
Honestly, I'd been prepared for Song Wanmei's affair. I'd never meant to tell.
How well could those two live if they left us?
Chengyi would have to return to that poor neighborhood. The thought alone was miserable.
And yet—
I couldn't stop tormenting him.
I even wanted to torment him more.
03
The day after he begged me, Father returned from his business trip.
Song Wanmei greeted him with exaggerated affection, taking his suitcase and pouring out the same stale sweet talk.
He put an arm around his beloved wife and took her upstairs.
Chengyi and I were left looking at each other.
Since yesterday, he avoided my eyes whenever he saw me.
So shy.
It only made me want to tease him.
I looked straight at him and advanced.
He kept retreating.
At last, I backed him into the entrance hall. Clutching his trousers, he stammered:
“Sis…”
“Hey. Move.”
I waved casually.
“Why are you blocking the door? I need to open it.”
My new wardrobe had arrived.
Ignoring his bewilderment, I let the workers in and directed them to my room.
“Come help me sort my clothes.”
I pointed at him.
He bit his lower lip and obediently followed.
Clothes covered the bed, waiting to go into the new wardrobe.
I rummaged through them, then deliberately tossed a thin silk nightdress into his arms.
It was so slippery it fell to his feet.
He bent quickly, but fumbled over picking it up.
Somehow, it caught on his trouser zip.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Why is my dress caught on your trousers?”
“I…”
Flustered, he hurriedly freed it.
Just as he straightened his clothes and began to stand, I slipped a foot into his path.
We fell toward the bed together.
Suddenly, we were very close.
Anyone opening the door would have misunderstood.
“S-sorry…”
He tried to push himself up.
Outside, Song Wanmei called him to dinner.
The unexpected voice startled him. His arm gave way.
He fell against me again.
The room became excruciatingly awkward.