After Mistakenly Marking Her Stunning Omega Stepsister - Chapter 36

Lin Sui paused, then said sternly, “We’ll deal with this later.”

“Oh…” Wen Xiangzhu lowered her head, looking disappointed, and fell silent.

When the car finally pulled into the garage, Lin Sui practically leaped out of the vehicle.

Though she didn’t get carsick, the long ride had left her exhausted.

Uncle Wang retrieved their luggage from the trunk.

“Eldest Miss, Second Miss, shall I help you carry your bags upstairs?”

“No need, I’ll manage,” Lin Sui replied, taking hold of the suitcase handle.

Wen Xiangzhu jumped out of the car and stood beside her.

“Thank you, Uncle Wang. I’ll take mine up too.”

“Very well. Have a pleasant winter break, Misses.”

After Uncle Wang left, Lin Sui wheeled her suitcase toward the elevator.

Wen Xiangzhu hesitated for a moment before hurrying after her.

In the empty garage, the sound of footsteps and the muted rolling of the suitcase wheels echoed.

The elevator door beeped open.

“Sister,” Wen Xiangzhu pleaded, trailing after Lin Sui. “Can you please stop being mad at me?”

Lin Sui narrowed her eyes, remaining silent.

Seeing Lin Sui’s silence, Wen Xiangzhu added, “Sorry, Sister! I can make it up to you!”

At this, Lin Sui finally glanced at her.

“Make it up to me?”

“Yeah.” Wen Xiangzhu nodded vigorously.

The elevator doors opened, stopping on the second floor.

Lin Sui scoffed softly and wheeled her suitcase toward her room.

Wen Xiangzhu blinked and hurried after her.

“I really, really will make it up to you!”

“What do you think I need? Do I look like I’m short on money?”

Lin Sui shot her a look and opened the door. “I don’t need anything. I’m perfectly fine.”

“But I want to make you feel better.”

Wen Xiangzhu sounded hurt. She’d only kissed Lin Sui’s cheek—just once! Why was her sister so angry, ignoring her for days?

Lin Sui paused and turned to look at her.

“Then do you even know you were wrong?”

Wen Xiangzhu pouted. “How was I wrong…?”

Lin Sui: “……”

“Come on! Tell me! What exactly did you do wrong?!”

Lin Sui took a deep breath. “I’m your elder sister. Get your head straight.”

“I know,” Wen Xiangzhu said, her eyes reddening. “I like you, Sister. I just want to be closer to you. What’s wrong with that?”

Lin Sui was momentarily stunned. Her expression shifted, and after a pause, her tone softened slightly. “Being close doesn’t mean being that close.”

“And…” she added after a pause, “I have a fiancée. As my younger sister, you should know better than to give people the wrong idea.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Wen Xiangzhu’s eyelashes quivered, and tears welled up and spilled over. Her lips moved, but no words came out.

Lin Sui froze, suddenly wondering if she had been too harsh. But she hadn’t said anything wrong, had she? Why was she crying?

After a hesitant moment, she pressed her lips together and said, “I’ll forgive you this time. I’m not angry anymore, so please stop crying.”

Wen Xiangzhu let out a choked sob, and her crying intensified.

Lin Sui: “……”

Oh no, I made her cry. How do I comfort her now?

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.” Lin Sui looked at Wen Xiangzhu, flustered and her heart melting. “Come, come inside and sit down.”

She invited Wen Xiangzhu to her room.

Wen Xiangzhu hesitated for a moment, then obediently followed.

But her tears continued to flow.

Lin Sui paused, then changed the subject. “Did you find your pen?”

Wen Xiangzhu’s sobs paused momentarily, then intensified.

Lin Sui: “……”

Alright, alright, I get it. You didn’t find it.

Lin Sui tugged at the corner of her mouth in exasperation, then took Wen Xiangzhu’s hand. “Keep crying, and you’re banned from my room forever.”

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, and her tears suddenly stopped.

“So, if I stop crying, I can come back?”

“Uh… but not anytime you want.” Lin Sui added after a pause.

Wen Xiangzhu lowered her gaze, her eyelashes glistening with tears, making her look like a damp little kitten. She glanced around the room again and asked, “What about the puppy I gave you?”

“Your puppy?”

Lin Sui paused. “What puppy?”

Wen Xiangzhu stared at her blankly, her small mouth quivering as she began to cry again.

“You’ve forgotten about the puppy I gave you… Waaah…”

“No, no, I haven’t!”

Suddenly remembering, Lin Sui hurried to the drawer, pulled out the little plush toy, and held it up for Wen Xiangzhu to see. “I was just teasing you. I’ve been keeping it safe all this time.”

Wen Xiangzhu sniffled, barely managing to stop crying.

“Then why didn’t you keep it out in the open?”

“Um…”

Lin Sui stammered, struggling to come up with a convincing excuse. Seeing Wen Xiangzhu’s lip start to tremble again, she blurted out:

“Because I was afraid it would get dirty. It’s dusty out there.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Okay…”

Lin Sui breathed a sigh of relief and set the plush toy on the desk. But then she realized something was wrong. Weren’t she the one who was supposed to be angry? How did it suddenly become her comforting Wen Xiangzhu?

The internet wasn’t kidding. Tears really are an Omega’s weapon.

Perhaps exhausted from crying, Wen Xiangzhu wiped away her tears and sat down at the desk nearby. Her eyes lit up as if she’d remembered something.

“Sister, let me help you pack!”

Lin Sui glanced at her.

“No need.”

“Why not?” Wen Xiangzhu pressed her lips together, looking a little hurt.

Seeing this, Lin Sui sighed and took out her water bottle from her bag, opened the cap, and took a sip.

“We’re moving to the Jiang family in a few days, so there’s no need to pack now. We’ll just take everything with us when the time comes.”

Wen Xiangzhu paused, as if suddenly remembering this.

She blinked, looking a little disappointed. “What about me?”

“You? You want to come too?”

Lin Sui walked to the desk, set down her water bottle, and looked at her suspiciously.

“Can I?” Wen Xiangzhu lifted her head, widening her eyes as she gazed at Lin Sui.

Lin Sui frowned slightly. “Why don’t you wait until after the New Year and go with Mom?”

“No way! It’s so boring staying home alone.”

Just as she finished speaking, soft meows came from the door.

Lin Sui looked over and saw Little Calico, its round eyes wide, slinking in with feline grace.

Normally, when they lived in the dormitory, the maids from home took care of it. Now, it seemed very familiar with this place.

“You’re not alone either,” Lin Sui said, smiling at the little calico. “Don’t you have a kitten to keep you company?”

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, looked at the little calico, and held out her hand. “Suizhu, come here.”

The little calico seemed to recognize its name. It quickly walked over and jumped onto her lap.

“Can we take Suizhu to the Jiang family’s place?” Wen Xiangzhu asked, stroking the kitten’s head.

Lin Sui paused, then considered. “We could, but kittens have a hard time adjusting to new environments. We won’t be staying long at the Jiangs’, and when we return, it would have to adjust to our home again. There’s no need.”

After a moment, she added, “Besides, I’m worried we might lose the kitten if we take it out.”

Wen Xiangzhu nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right.”

She set the little calico down, letting it wander out of the room at its leisure. “Then I won’t pack either. I’ll go with Sister.”

“Together?” Lin Sui frowned slightly. “But…”

“What’s wrong? Can’t you?” Wen Xiangzhu asked, her eyelashes trembling.

Lin Sui blinked, glancing at Wen Xiangzhu’s still-red, swollen eyes. “Fine… I’ll talk to Wanwan about it later.”

“Yay!” Wen Xiangzhu’s face finally lit up with a smile. She jumped up and hugged Lin Sui, nuzzling against her. “Thank you, Sister! You’re the best!”

Lin Sui stood stiffly, frozen for a long moment.

“Um… but there’s one thing I need to remind you of.”

“What?” Wen Xiangzhu released her grip, looking bewildered.

“To avoid any misunderstandings, you’re not allowed to be so close to me,” Lin Sui said sternly. “Especially in front of Wanwan and her family. Got it?”

Wen Xiangzhu hesitated. “Got it…”

Only then did Lin Sui feel relieved.

After staying home for two days, Jiang Wanwan called.

“Sister Sui, the room is all set. When are you coming over?”

“Tonight. But… I’ll have to bring Wen Xiangzhu. Does that bother you?” Lin Sui asked tentatively.

“Ah? No problem! It’s fine. We’ll all be family soon anyway.”

The voice on the other end sounded perfectly normal. “Her room is all set up. We’re just waiting for you to arrive.”

“Good.”

Jiang Wanwan smiled. “My mom specially made time tonight to have dinner with you.”

“I know. I’ll be there on time.”

After hanging up, Lin Sui called Wen Xiangzhu, quickly tidied up, and set off with her suitcase.

The driver, familiar with the Jiang residence, arrived smoothly and without incident.

When they arrived, Jiang Wanwan was already standing by the door to greet them.

“Sister Sui!” She ran to the car, peeked inside, and waved at Wen Xiangzhu. “Wenwen.”

“Why did you come down here alone? It’s so cold outside,” Lin Sui asked as she stepped out and stood beside Jiang Wanwan.

“I just wanted to see you sooner,” Jiang Wanwan replied with a smile, slipping her arm through Lin Sui’s. “Come on, I’ll show you upstairs to put your luggage down.”

She looked perfectly fine, as if she had already accepted her grandmother’s death.

That was good.

As the heiress to such a large family, if she couldn’t handle even this much, she’d never be able to manage the family affairs.

“Suisui, is that you?”

As soon as they entered the gate, a woman in her thirties looked over.

She had delicate features and a mature, elegant style. Dressed in a crisp, tailored blazer and sporting long, flowing curls, she exuded an air of refined sophistication.

“Are you…”

Lin Sui stared at her, bewildered.

Truthfully, she only recognized a few regulars from the Jiang family; she couldn’t place this woman.

“Sister Sui, this is my aunt,” Jiang Wanwan said with a smile. “Have you forgotten? We even went to the amusement park together when we were little! It’s just that you haven’t visited as often lately, and Aunt has been so busy with work that we haven’t had a chance to get together. That’s why you didn’t recognize her.”

Lin Sui nodded. “Yes, Aunt has changed so much.”

After a pause, she added admiringly, “You’re looking more beautiful than ever.”

“You flatterer,” Xu Ming said with a chuckle, covering her mouth. She turned to Wen Xiangzhu, who was following behind Lin Sui. “And who is this?”

“This is my sister, Wen Xiangzhu,” Lin Sui said simply.

“Sister? So you’re the Wenwen Wanwan mentioned? An Omega?” Xu Ming asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Hello, Aunt,” Wen Xiangzhu said sweetly, stepping forward.

“Hello, dear,” Xu Ming replied with a smile. “Now, go unpack your luggage and check your rooms. Dinner will be ready soon.”

“Okay.”

As far as Lin Sui knew, Xu Ming was an Alpha and currently assisting in managing the Jiang family’s company. She had also founded her own clothing design brand, which was gaining popularity in the country. Achieving so much at a young age, she could potentially elevate the Jiang family’s status to new heights.

Xu Ming watched the group leave, her gaze lingering on the clothes Lin Sui and Wen Xiangzhu were wearing. Her eyes sparkled.

The same style.

Jiang Wanwan’s room was in the middle of the second floor. Lin Sui’s room was on the left, and Wen Xiangzhu’s room was on the right. They were all next to each other, making it easy for anyone to quickly find Jiang Wanwan.

The two rooms looked similar. Lin Sui simply placed her suitcase by the wall, briefly checked the bed and bathroom, and then came out.

“You’re not unpacking?” Jiang Wanwan asked, seeing her come out so quickly.

“No need,” Lin Sui said with a smile. “I’ll do it tonight.”

“Then check if you’re missing anything. I’ll have someone bring it over.”

“Not right now. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

“Okay.”

Soon, Wen Xiangzhu also emerged from her room.

After confirming that Wen Xiangzhu had no objections to the room, Jiang Wanwan led the two downstairs with ease.

Xu Ming, seated at the dining table, glanced up and smiled. “Perfect timing! I was just about to send someone to fetch you. Dinner’s served.”

“Great.”

Jiang Wanwan took her usual seat and pulled Lin Sui over beside her.

“Wenwen, you want to sit next to me?” she asked with a smile.

Wen Xiangzhu hesitated briefly. “Sure.”

“Suisui, look at all these dishes—everything’s your favorite!” Xu Ming said with a laugh. “But it’s been years since we’ve seen you. I wonder if your tastes have changed.”

“Thanks, Aunt. I love it all,” Lin Sui replied with a smile.

Now it felt just like a social gathering. Everyone was unfamiliar with each other, brought together by circumstances, forced to smile and exchange polite pleasantries.

Lin Sui maintained her smile, but inwardly, she sighed helplessly.

As the conversation continued, Jiang Wanwan’s mother grew wistful. “It’s a shame Mom isn’t here to share this lively gathering.”

Silence fell over the dining hall.

Lin Sui’s lashes fluttered as she instinctively glanced at Jiang Wanwan beside her, checking her mood.

The dining room fell into a heavy silence, filled with sorrow.

After a moment, Xu Ming, her eyes red, tried to smooth things over. “Aiya, Suisui rarely comes to visit. This is supposed to be a happy occasion—let’s not dwell on such things.”

“Right, let’s not dwell on it…” Mrs. Jiang said, turning to Lin Sui. “Come, Suisui, have a drink with me.”

“Alright, Aunt Jiang, cheers,” Lin Sui replied, pouring herself a glass.

“Wanwan isn’t very street-smart. I’ll have to rely on you to look after her.”

“Don’t worry, Aunt. Wanwan’s affairs are my own. No matter what happens in the future, I’ll never abandon her.”

“Good, good.”

Mrs. Jiang seemed somewhat reassured, downing her drink in one gulp, her eyes still red.

Xu Ming turned to Wen Xiangzhu, who had remained silent throughout. “Wenwen, would you like a drink?”

Wen Xiangzhu was taken aback. Before she could answer, Lin Sui quickly interjected, “She can’t drink. One glass and she’s out.”

“I see.”

Xu Ming nodded thoughtfully. “It’s rare to see you so understanding of others, Suisui. It seems you and your sister have a good relationship.”

Her words carried an unspoken meaning, easily picked up by anyone with a little insight.

Lin Sui chuckled. “Yes, my mother was worried we wouldn’t get along, so she even bought us matching outfits, claiming it would bring us closer.”

Hearing this, Xu Ming smiled gently. “So that’s how it was.”

Lin Sui drank several glasses of wine, each with a decent alcohol content.

By the time they’d finished eating, her head was starting to spin.

Several elders, perhaps intending to bring the young women together, smiled and suggested Jiang Wanwan take Lin Sui to the garden for some fresh air and a chat.

Unable to refuse the elders’ suggestion, the two rose and left the house.

Wen Xiangzhu watched them go, mindful of Lin Sui’s repeated reminders to avoid any appearance of impropriety. With so many eyes on her, she didn’t follow, but she felt restless sitting there. Finally, she stood up.

“Auntie, I’m full and feeling a little unwell, so I’m going upstairs now.”

******

The sky was dark and oppressive, but the few garden lamps scattered around gave the place a warm, cozy feel.

As they sat on the swing, the cool breeze cleared Lin Sui’s head, and her dizziness seemed to subside.

“Sister Sui, are you okay?” Jiang Wanwan asked, looking at her with concern. “My mom really shouldn’t have given you such strong wine.”

“It’s not like I can’t hold my liquor,” Lin Sui said with a soft laugh, waving her hand. “I’m fine.”

She didn’t flush easily, even when drunk. Her pale complexion remained flawless, betraying no signs of intoxication.

Seeing this, Jiang Wanwan didn’t press the matter.

“Mom and Aunt haven’t seen you in ages, so they were chattering so much today.”

“Mm, I know,” Lin Sui replied softly, her eyes half-closed as the swing rocked gently.

“Speaking of which, you and Wenwen seem really close. I’m so jealous,” Jiang Wanwan sighed. “I envy Wenwen.”

“Envy her?” Lin Sui paused, looking at her in confusion.

“Yeah, you’re not nearly as nice to me as you are to her,” Jiang Wanwan said half-jokingly.

Lin Sui fell silent for a moment.

“I’ll treat you well,” she said.

“I know you will,” Jiang Wanwan replied, her eyes smiling. “You’re always so kind to me.”

Lin Sui paused before adding, “She’s just my younger sister.”

“Right, just a younger sister. And in the future, she’ll be my little aunt.” Jiang Wanwan chuckled. “Come to think of it, do I need to try and get on her good side?”

“What are you talking about?” Lin Sui smiled helplessly. “It’s not like we’re blood-related. Does Eldest Miss Jiang ever need to curry favor with anyone?”

“I have no choice,” Jiang Wanwan said, gently linking her arm through Lin Sui’s. “After all, I… should be in love with you.”

“Should?”

“Should.” Jiang Wanwan paused. “I don’t really understand it either, but I’ve always believed that we’d be together someday.”

Lin Sui lowered her gaze, her lashes flickering slightly.

“Right… I’ve always felt the same way.”

“After all, it’s what our families’ elders wish for,” Lin Sui added after a moment. “But if you ever find someone you truly love in the future, you must tell me.”

“Why?” Jiang Wanwan froze, staring at her in confusion.

“Because you’re a good girl, I hope you can be with the person you love, rather than being forced into a relationship with me because of family pressure,” Lin Sui said earnestly, her expression completely sober despite having been drinking.

Jiang Wanwan stared at Lin Sui in surprise, her expression complicated.

Before she could respond, Lin Sui’s phone beeped once.

She glanced down at the message.

[Copycat: Sister, I’m feeling a little unwell.]