An Adoptive Older Sister Cannot Become a Wife - Chapter 29

After falling for Qi Shu’s “honey traps” twice in a single morning, Nianshu completely forgot her resolution to keep her distance. As soon as the morning session ended, she followed Qi Shu home like a loyal puppy.

On the way, Nianshu wasn’t worried about Qi Shu’s afternoon race at all. Instead, her mind was fixated on the upcoming eight-day holiday a rare alignment of National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

“Are the Year 3 students still having makeup classes this year?” Nianshu asked, looking up. Usually, the graduating seniors were stripped of their holidays to cram for exams. Earlier this semester, Qi Shu had to return to school early, leaving Nianshu home alone and bored to tears.

Seeing the hope in her eyes, Qi Shu shook her head. “No classes.”

Nianshu’s eyes widened. “Really?!”

“Some parents reported the school for overworking students,” Qi Shu explained. “The administration wants to keep a low profile.”

“Good on those parents,” Nianshu muttered under her breath.

“What was that?”

Nianshu shook her head quickly. “Nothing! So, do you have any plans for the holiday, Sister?”

“The library,” Qi Shu said without hesitation.

Nianshu’s face fell instantly.

Seeing her drooping head in the rearview mirror, Qi Yan remembered something. “Speaking of the holiday, a client gave me two all-inclusive passes for a nearby resort. Your mom and I are too busy to go, and since you girls finally have some time off, you might as well enjoy yourselves.”

While Qi Yan was busy every day, Xu Zhiyu was especially slammed during holidays. National Day was peak wedding season, and she’d be swamped at the flower shop.

“Maybe I should stay and help Mom,” Nianshu said, feeling a bit guilty.

“Mom already hired an assistant,” Qi Yan laughed. “Don’t worry about us.”

That meant… for two whole days, she would be alone with Qi Shu! Just the two of them!

Nianshu felt like fireworks were exploding in her chest. She tried to keep her face neutral, stealing a glance at Qi Shu, who remained as calm as ever. “Sister, do you… do you want to go?” Nianshu asked, trying to sound casual.

Qi Shu knew exactly what Nianshu was thinking; the excitement was practically leaking out of her eyes. “If you want to go, then we’ll go,” she replied simply.

“I do!” Nianshu nodded vigorously, terrified Qi Shu might change her mind. She looked at Qi Shu with sparkling eyes, looking for all the world like a puppy who had just been promised a bone.

Qi Shu couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her hair. Nianshu, leaning into the touch, leaned her head closer. “Sister, you’re the best.”

Qi Shu just smiled.

Leaning back against the seat, Nianshu began plotting their resort itinerary. She tugged on Qi Shu’s sleeve. “Sister, do you think there will be hot springs? I’ve never been to one before.”

Seeing her excitement, Qi Shu’s lips curved slightly. “Probably.”

The 3,000-Meter Final

Nianshu’s excitement reached its peak in the afternoon when it was finally time for Qi Shu’s race. The sun was fiercer now, baking the red rubber track.

Qi Shu had signed up for the Year 3 girls’ 3,000-meter race. Because it was an endurance event, the heat was the final. As the longest track event of the meet, it drew a massive crowd.

Nianshu had dragged Qi Shu to the check-in area early. She was clutching a bottle of water, looking more nervous than when she’d run her own race. “Sister, do you need to stretch more? Is it too hot? I have cold water. What about your jacket? Will it get in the way? I’ll hold it for you.”

Qi Shu reached out and wiped a bead of sweat from the tip of Nianshu’s nose. “Weren’t you the one saying you weren’t worried this morning? Why are you more nervous than I am?”

Nianshu took the jacket Qi Shu handed her and folded it carefully in her arms. “It’s three thousand meters! That’s nearly eight laps!”

The official called Qi Shu’s name. She leaned in close and gave Nianshu’s cheek a playful pinch. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Qi Shu stood in her sleek athletic gear, her hair pulled back. The wind caught the stray strands at her forehead. She had a look of calm confidence that Nianshu rarely saw—a flash of competitive spirit. Nianshu was completely dazed by it, nodding with a bright red face.

Lin Xiao, who had been dragged along to cheer, sighed at the sight of her friend’s lovestruck expression. She’s a lost cause, she thought.

The gun went off, and Qi Shu surged forward. She didn’t rush to take the lead, maintaining a steady rhythm in second place. Nianshu followed her around the track, snapping photos and screaming at the top of her lungs, “GO SISTER! YOU CAN DO IT!”

Among the roar of the crowd, Qi Shu seemed to hear her. At the halfway mark, she glanced toward Nianshu and offered a tiny smirk. That one look made Nianshu’s heart skip a beat. That’s cheating, she thought, before screaming even louder.

On the final lap, Qi Shu accelerated. She glided past the leader and surged ahead, finishing with a massive lead.

The stands erupted. Nianshu jumped up and down, her eyes stinging with tears of pride, shouting “FIRST PLACE!” until her voice went hoarse.

As Qi Shu slowed to a walk past the finish line, Nianshu pounced on her, hugging her tight. “Sister! You’re incredible! How are you so amazing?!”

Qi Shu, who was barely out of breath after nearly eight laps, stumbled slightly from the impact. She wrapped an arm around Nianshu’s back to steady them. The scent of light sweat mixed with the girl’s faint perfume was sharp and clear.

The hug was burning and intense, filled with unshielded adoration. Qi Shu looked down at the fluffy top of Nianshu’s head and smoothed her hair. “Easy now, don’t trip.”

Realizing she’d been too impulsive, Nianshu’s face went crimson. She let go but stayed close, unscrewing her water bottle for Qi Shu and using a towel to dab the sweat from her sister’s brow.

“Don’t Move”

Back at the rest area, Nianshu was still buzzing. She scrolled through the photos she’d taken, showing them to Qi Shu one by one. “Sister, look at this one! You were so fast!”

Qi Shu looked down at her, her voice slightly husky from the exertion. “Are you really that happy I won?”

“Of course!” Nianshu nodded emphatically. Then, she leaned in and whispered, “Is your leg sore after running so long? Do you want me to massage it for you?”

Qi Shu let out a low chuckle. “No need.”

“I should,” Nianshu insisted. “Otherwise, it’ll hurt tomorrow.”

Before Qi Shu could object, Nianshu knelt on the grass and placed her hands on Qi Shu’s leg. She started kneading with zero technique, her pressure was uneven, her fingers soft, and her movements were completely haphazard.

Instead of a massage, it felt like she was lighting a fuse.

As those soft fingers brushed against her muscles, a wave of heat and irritation shot up Qi Shu’s leg. Her body, previously relaxed, went rigid. She reached down and caught Nianshu’s hands, stopping them.

“Don’t move.”

Qi Shu’s voice was several shades darker and huskier than before. Her gaze, as she looked down at Nianshu, was uncharacteristically heavy.

Nianshu, oblivious to the tension, thought she had accidentally hurt her. She pulled her hands back quickly. “I’m sorry! Was I too rough?”

Qi Shu let out a quiet sigh of resignation. “I’m fine. Just… no need for the massage.”

Nianshu figured that made sense, Qi Shu ran every morning, so this was probably just a normal day for her. Just then, she heard Zhang Ruomeng’s name called over the PA. “Oh! I promised to record Ruomeng’s race. Sister, I have to go! Rest up, I’ll find you later!”

Nianshu waved one last time before disappearing into the crowd.

Qi Shu sat back and watched Nianshu darting around the field with her camera. She saw Nianshu accidentally bump her head against the pole of a sun umbrella, rub it briefly with a wince, and then immediately go back to taking photos, completely unfazed.

“She’s cute, isn’t she?”

Jiang Ye’s voice drifted over as she sat down and handed Qi Shu an orange. “Thanks,” Qi Shu said, taking it.

Jiang Ye squinted toward Nianshu. “A lot of people are watching her, Qi Shu.”

Qi Shu’s hand paused for a fraction of a second while peeling the orange. “Mm.”

“It’s only natural,” Jiang Ye teased, leaning on her knees. “Our Niannian is pretty, sweet, and has a great personality. It’s hard not to like her, right?”

“Drop the ‘our’,” Qi Shu said, pulling off a piece of peel. Juice sprayed onto her thumb. She felt the stickiness and reached for a tissue, which Jiang Ye conveniently provided.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Jiang Ye continued with a smirk. “I just recall someone asking you to pass a love letter to Niannian a few weeks ago, and that letter ended up in the trash half a second later.”

Qi Shu didn’t look bothered. Her expression was as flat as water. “Boring.”

Jiang Ye laughed, nudging her. “I don’t think it was boring. I think you found it… annoying.”

Qi Shu didn’t respond. Her eyes were fixed on Nianshu, who was currently taking photos of Zhang Ruomeng posing heroically with the finish line tape. Nianshu was smiling so wide her eyes were like crescent moons.

Then, Nianshu seemed to sense something. She turned and met Qi Shu’s gaze. She waved both arms enthusiastically before running back toward the Year 3 stands.

The girl’s long hair swayed as she ran, her eyes shining with laughter. She looked more radiant than the fading summer sun.

“Sister!”

Nianshu arrived out of breath, skidding to a halt when she saw Jiang Ye. “Oh, Senior Jiang, you’re here too.”

Jiang Ye feigned offense. “I’ve been sitting here the whole time! But some people only have eyes for their ‘beloved sister’.”

Nianshu blushed. “That’s not true! Senior Jiang is so beautiful, no one could ignore you.”

Jiang Ye looked pleased. “See? Niannian is much better at talking than some people.” She glanced at Qi Shu. “Weren’t you supposed to head to the check-in area?”

Jiang Ye gave a meaningful smile. “Should I go?”

Nianshu, confused by the subtext, sat down on Qi Shu’s other side. Qi Shu handed her the peeled orange. Nianshu split it in half and offered some to Jiang Ye. “Do you want some, Senior?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Jiang Ye said, dusting off her skirt and standing up. “I really do have to go to check-in.”

Nianshu watched her leave, then whispered to herself, “The check-in area isn’t in that direction.”

“She’s lost,” Qi Shu said tonelessly. “She’ll find it eventually.”

Nianshu nodded and started eating her half of the orange. “Senior Jiang is so pretty,” she remarked.

“Oh? Is she?” Qi Shu’s tone was flat.

Nianshu, missing the warning sign, kept nodding. “I saw so many photos of her on the school’s ‘Confession Wall’ forum today.”

“Mm. She is popular.”

Nianshu’s cheeks were puffed out with orange. “More than that! She’s pretty, she’s kind, and her dancing is incredible. So many people treat her like a goddess. I really like her too.”

“Since you like her so much,” Qi Shu said quietly, “how about I let her be your sister instead?”

Nianshu stopped chewing immediately. Wait… that doesn’t sound right.

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