Bullying The Sister-In-Law - Chapter 1

A loud noise echoed through the empty staff dormitory building, bouncing off the walls of the corridor, the reverberation lingering for a long time.

“The water is stopping! Hurry up, everyone, and get some water.”

The wooden door was knocked twice more. “Xiao Su, remember to collect water. It will be off until 11:30 tomorrow morning, so you might not even be able to cook lunch.”

The light was on, but no one inside answered. Aunt Zhang pushed the window open and shouted again, “Zhiluo, are you home?”

At this moment, Su Zhiluo was pressed against the wall, stark naked, by her deceased wife’s sister—her sister-in-law. She covered her mouth lightly, stifling a moan of pain.

Unable to hold it back completely, her lips slightly parted, and she let out a soft groan.

Liu Chengxu groaned too, her breath against Su Zhiluo’s ear. “Sorry, Sister-in-law, I didn’t mean to. Does it hurt a lot?”

“Mm…”

Su Zhiluo leaned her forehead against the wall, knocking it lightly. She didn’t feel any pain from the bump, but the rush of embarrassment burned her ears. Liu Chengxu’s knee was pressed into the space between Su Zhiluo’s legs, and her palm “smacked” against the wall near Su Zhiluo’s ear.

It was too close. Close enough to feel the heat radiating from every inch of the other person’s skin, close enough for their breaths to be entwined.

“Step back.”

“Okay.”

Liu Chengxu backed away, her chest brushing against Su Zhiluo’s back ever so slightly. Seeing that her sister-in-law was still plastered to the wall, and worried she might have been hurt, Liu Chengxu let her hand slide down Su Zhiluo’s waist and gently pulled her backward.

Su Zhiluo was startled and struggled. Liu Chengxu let out a soft “Aiy” sound. “Don’t move, let me see if you’re injured.” Her fingertips brushed away the stray hair from Su Zhiluo’s forehead.

Su Zhiluo pushed her hand away. “I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me.”

The current situation was highly inappropriate. Standing naked in the bathroom with her sister-in-law, holding the same showerhead, felt extremely immoral.

“You can let go now.”

“Alright.”

Liu Chengxu released her, moving to stand aside.

When Su Zhiluo turned around, Liu Chengxu said, “Sister-in-law, that spot is red.”

Su Zhiluo’s face felt hot, and she instinctively moved her hand to cover herself. Liu Chengxu pointed downwards and clarified, “Your knee.”

Instantly, Su Zhiluo’s ears turned scarlet with embarrassment. She turned and silently began rinsing the soap off her body. Liu Chengxu…

Liu Chengxu began applying body wash to her back. Su Zhiluo reached her hand behind her, and Liu Chengxu, in a moment of shared understanding, swapped the showerhead with her. Their fingers brushed, and neither of them spoke, only the sound of rushing water filled the room.

While squatting down to wash her legs, Su Zhiluo inadvertently glanced at Liu Chengxu in the mirror. Water droplets were trickling down that young body.

At 18, she was fully developed, with fair, tender skin, and her primary areas displayed the dangerous sensuality of a grown woman.

Su Zhiluo’s gaze immediately dropped below the waist, and she swiftly averted her eyes, realizing that the little kid from before had grown up.

“Hurry up and wash, the water is really going to run out…” Liu Chengxu used the showerhead on herself first, then directly helped Su Zhiluo rinse her back.

Su Zhiluo held her chest. Liu Chengxu’s palm felt her smooth back… it was slicker than she had imagined.

Su Zhiluo felt ticklish from her touch, so she took the showerhead back herself. She squatted to wash her own legs, running her fingers from top to ankle. Liu Chengxu dressed, but Su Zhiluo was still rinsing.

Liu Chengxu’s eyes felt hot. She turned to the side and, just in case, fetched another basin of hot water.

After finishing, Su Zhiluo walked straight out. She stood still for a moment to calm down, then went to the fridge to get a cantaloupe. Just as she was about to cut it, she remembered that the pork fat she had bought hadn’t been rendered. If she left it until tomorrow, it might spoil. Moreover, the water that had just come out was yellow, and the rendered lard wouldn’t taste good.

The pork fat in the wok sizzled, and the moment the ginger hit the oil, a savory, meaty aroma filled the air.

Liu Chengxu was holding her own underwear, hanging it on the clothesline, and then took out her sister-in-law’s and hung that up too.

Su Zhiluo quickly scooped up the pork lard.

Liu Chengxu had moved in with her at 14. Her private school had strict requirements, with early mornings and late nights, so her time was very tight. Su Zhiluo would help wash her clothes the next day, but she had always told Liu Chengxu to hand-wash her own underwear in the shower.

It was October, and the weather wasn’t as hot. Liu Chengxu’s bed wasn’t as scorching as it had been before. Su Zhiluo said, “You sleep in your own bed tonight. I touched it; it’s not hot.”

Liu Chengxu let out a soft “Mm” and turned back, fiddling with a lighter. It didn’t spark the first time, so she tried again and lit the mosquito coil.

A cabinet separated the two beds. Liu Chengxu couldn’t quite see her sister-in-law when she turned sideways. She slid down the bed. Su Zhiluo had her eyes closed.

Liu Chengxu tossed and turned several times, always feeling a sense of emptiness.

Her heart and eyes involuntarily sought out her sister-in-law on the bed next to hers.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll buy a house someday.”

Su Zhiluo was facing the wall and responded to her words, “That’s good.”

“A big house.”

“You can do it.”

“With a TV, air conditioning, and a car.”

“Whatever makes you happy.”

In truth, Liu Chengxu wanted to say, Wait for me. I’ll have everything when I graduate from college, and then you won’t have to suffer or be bullied, Sister-in-law.

In the morning, the water had not come back.

Before dawn broke, the dormitory building was already bustling. Neighbors rushed out to their street stalls or jobs; people clinging to meager wages were constantly running themselves ragged.

Su Zhiluo was also awake. She had work; it was a double-pay day for the national holiday. Aunt Zhang next door was awake and greeted them, asking if they had collected water yesterday and mentioning that she had called them for a long time without a response.

Su Zhiluo made up an excuse to dismiss the topic. Liu Chengxu came out of the room and rode her electric bike to take her to the factory.

Su Zhiluo initially held onto Liu Chengxu’s clothes, but after bumping a couple of times, she wrapped her arms around Liu Chengxu’s waist and said, “There’s rendered pork fat in the kitchen. Mix it with the cabbage and wrap dumplings for yourself. You don’t need to bring me food; the cafeteria is decent these two days.”

Liu Chengxu quietly said “Mm.” The red light was about to change.

After Su Zhiluo entered the factory, Liu Chengxu rode her electric bike to the subway station to meet her friends for their part-time job.

Meng Zhengyue had a camera slung over her shoulder and was standing next to a girl. Meng Zhengyue introduced them, “This is my friend, Cha Baomei.”

Liu Chengxu smiled and replied, “Hello.”

Meng Zhengyue said, “There aren’t many jobs left, but there’s one wearing a mascot costume. It’s very hot. Do you want it?”

“Why not?” Liu Chengxu said.

The three took the subway in. Cha Bao and Meng Zhengyue went into the comic convention to take pictures, and Liu Chengxu worked a booth wearing a mascot costume.

At noon, Liu Chengxu came out, drenched in sweat. Her hair was soaked. Meng Zhengyue was worried she would get heatstroke and bought her a bottle of water. Liu Chengxu still felt it was a waste, saying water was cheaper outside and she should buy it there next time.

Meng Zhengyue asked, “Are you that dedicated?”

Liu Chengxu was too dazed from the heat to take it in, and she drank half the bottle in one gulp.

The afternoon was even hotter. By the time the shift ended, Liu Chengxu was completely red. Meng Zhengyue and Cha Baomei helped her over to a spot with air conditioning to sit down.

After resting, the three went to the restroom to wash their faces. Liu Chengxu spent a little longer under the water and then said, “My sister-in-law will ask when I get back, and she’ll worry.”

Meng Zhengyue didn’t respond.

Cha Baomei asked, “Can you handle tomorrow…?”

“Is there still work?”

Meng Zhengyue said, “I’ll see what I can find.”

The three took the subway back. Liu Chengxu had a longer ride home than the others. On the train, Meng Zhengyue texted Cha Baomei: I’ll look for other work. She’s pushing herself too hard.

Cha Baomei: She is, but I still have a few clients.

Meng Zhengyue: I’ll look into other things and ask if she wants to go.

Liu Chengxu went home, wrapped the dumplings, and put them in the freezer. Then she went to pick up Su Zhiluo. Su Zhiluo got off work at eight. Liu Chengxu stood by the factory gate, looking inside to see if anyone was bothering Su Zhiluo.

Su Zhiluo walked out alone, head bowed. When she looked up and saw Liu Chengxu, she smiled. But when she reached her, she frowned and asked, “Where were you today? Why are you so hot?”

Liu Chengxu hid the truth. “I was out playing with friends.”

“Find a place with air conditioning to play,” Su Zhiluo said, pinching her clothes and placing a hand on her forehead. “You’re so hot. Do you have a fever?”

“I’m fine,” Liu Chengxu smiled, gesturing for her to get on the bike.

The evening breeze blew across her face, feeling cool.

Su Zhiluo was tired, resting her cheek against Liu Chengxu’s back.

At a red light, Liu Chengxu placed her hand over Su Zhiluo’s hands, pulling them closer to the center, feeling the thin calluses on her palms. After rubbing them twice, she said, “Sister-in-law, hold on tight.”

Su Zhiluo tightened her grip, her voice weary. “I won’t fall.”

When they got home, Meng Zhengyue transferred her wages: 14 yuan an hour for 8 hours, totaling 120 yuan, plus 8 yuan for meal compensation.

Liu Chengxu replied: Thanks.

Meng Zhengyue: Here are a few more part-time jobs. Take a look.

Liu Chengxu quickly scanned them. The mascot job was still the most lucrative: I’ll stick with you guys.

The seven-day holiday ended, and Liu Chengxu had earned 720 yuan, which was definitely not enough to buy Su Zhiluo a phone. She decided to save up more, but first, she went to a lingerie store.

Su Zhiluo came home from work that night and saw a lingerie box placed on her bed. She picked it up and asked, “Liu Chengxu, did you buy this new?”

“I bought it for you,” Liu Chengxu said, coming in while wiping her hands, having just finished the dishes.

“You bought it for me?”

Liu Chengxu said, “You should change your set. The ones you wear are all old.”

It was a very new style, light pink with a little lace, and it looked high-quality. Su Zhiluo said, “Take it to school with you. I don’t want it.”

Liu Chengxu lived in a dorm, and everyone hung their clothes together. If she wore something so old, her classmates would laugh. Su Zhiluo intentionally said, “I don’t like it.”

This hurt Liu Chengxu. “I really don’t need it. College isn’t like junior or senior high school anymore. Everyone is nice and doesn’t compare things like that. They even take me along for part-time work.”

Su Zhiluo frowned. “You went to work part-time?” She looked at Liu Chengxu’s sunburned face, her tone serious. “No, who told you to go?”

Liu Chengxu realized it was too late. “I didn’t do much. I just stood inside for a few hours, maintaining order.”

Liu Chengxu really didn’t understand Su Zhiluo. She always spoke sharply to her but couldn’t bear to let her suffer. She never allowed Liu Chengxu to do summer jobs, and still wouldn’t in college, even though their family wasn’t wealthy.

Su Zhiluo scolded her, using her full name. “Liu Chengxu, you just focus on your studies, alright? I’ll figure out the money. Are you short on money?”

Liu Chengxu felt deeply hurt. She turned away, lips pressed tight, her voice aggrieved. “If you have money, do you spend it on yourself? Su Zhiluo, I’m grown up now. I’m not that little kid anymore.”

She added, “…I wish I’d waited until I was at school to give it to you. I knew you would keep it and not wear it if I left it here.”

Liu Chengxu stormed out of the room. Su Zhiluo clutched the clothing box, her eyes stinging for a moment. She used to buy underwear based on comfort, but since raising Liu Chengxu, she had started saving money. She would wear things until they fell apart.

Su Zhiluo was deeply moved.

She put Liu Chengxu through school, not expecting anything in return. Putting aside the fact that she was her late wife’s sister, Su Zhiluo simply felt that girls shouldn’t be denied an education. She shouldn’t have to go out and work early and be bullied like she was. She could grit her teeth and endure the hardship.

Liu Chengxu went to the bathroom to shower and wash her hair. When she came out, Su Zhiluo took the lingerie box and went in. Soon, the sound of water started in the bathroom. When the water stopped, Su Zhiluo didn’t immediately emerge. She stayed inside for a while, then opened the door and hung the underwear she had rubbed with soap on the balcony line.

It was ridiculous for the two of them to argue over a set of underwear. Su Zhiluo returned to the bedroom, said thank you, and asked, “Why did you think to buy me this?”

Liu Chengxu was lying in bed, facing away from her, her voice muffled. “You always buy me nice things. I wanted to buy something for you too. Don’t always refuse me from now on.”

Su Zhiluo sat on the edge of the bed. “Alright. I’m sorry I snapped at you. I didn’t mean it that way.”

Hearing no reply from Liu Chengxu, Su Zhiluo’s voice softened to coax her. “Don’t be mad at me. I’m just worried about you. It’s too hot outside. What if you get heatstroke, hmm?”

Liu Chengxu was no longer angry. She turned onto her side and gazed at her sister-in-law’s face. Su Zhiluo’s long hair was tucked behind one ear, making her look very gentle.

At this point, she had to admit that her late sister had great taste to find such a beautiful wife.

Liu Chengxu said, “I don’t care about those things.”

“Good.”

Su Zhiluo’s heart felt like it held a basin of hot coals, burning her. She turned her back to Liu Chengxu to sleep. In the darkness, she blinked a few times, the stinging in her nose, along with the warmth in her heart, melting onto the pillow.

Liu Jinhuan had given her a home, and now her sister knew how to care for her too.

Su Zhiluo’s lips curved into a smile. She opened her mouth to speak, but by the time she turned back around, Liu Chengxu was already asleep.

The consecutive days of part-time work had been too exhausting, and her breathing was heavy.

Before dawn, Su Zhiluo had to go to work. She quietly turned on the light. Seeing the clothes on the balcony, she pursed her lips and walked over to take them down.

Su Zhiluo always felt that the best indicator of how well she was doing was whether her underwear fit. If it didn’t fit, you had to walk cautiously, hold your hands close, and become timid and unsure, which made you less confident. You could save money on anything else, but not this.

She never used to be stingy in this area. She wore good quality things when she should, and never let herself look drab.

But after Liu Chengxu arrived, Su Zhiluo prioritized her education above all else. She scrimped and saved, making sure Liu Chengxu’s studies never suffered. That expensive private school—if the teachers were good, she would pay for it. Moreover, Liu Chengxu always looked presentable at school, never wearing old clothes, and always looking neat and clean.

Liu Chengxu was half-awake, her eyes squinting in a daze. In the blur, she saw a patch of snow-white back. The shoulder blades subtly rose and fell as her sister-in-law fumbled with the bra clasp, her fingertips searching for the hook on the smooth skin.

Liu Chengxu’s eyes snapped open.

In the dim yellow light, her sister-in-law was trying on the new lingerie she had bought. The lace edge hugged her skin, clearly outlining every curve.

“Sister-in-law…”

Su Zhiluo’s hand paused. She softly said “Mm” and continued to find the hidden clasp to close it. Her voice was husky, soft, and brushed against Liu Chengxu’s ear.

“It fits very well…”

“It’s just a little tight… I really like it.”

She secretly watched her sister-in-law from beneath the light—her graceful figure, her mind filled with inappropriate thoughts.

Sister-in-law says it’s tight.