Chapter 151: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (26)
The lingering sweetness of the red velvet cake was a tempting invitation. But Yu Nian, surprisingly, resisted the urge to lean closer, her gaze fixed on the snake-bone ring, maintaining a safe distance.
Then, she smiled sincerely. “Happy.”
She had been struggling with how to navigate the complex relationship between Su Mingxiu and Yu Wanru, the broken marriage, the business rivalry, and her own feelings caught in the middle…
She could only compartmentalize, being a good daughter to Yu Wanru, a good lover to Su Mingxiu—at least, that was her current intention.
“I’m happy to see you again so soon.”
She finally looked at Su Mingxiu. Even though she knew Su Mingxiu’s beauty was exceptional,
She was still stunned. Perhaps it was Su Mingxiu’s newfound success, adding another layer of allure.
Su Mingxiu’s makeup was always impeccable, but having lived with her, Yu Nian knew her natural beauty was just as striking. Now, seeing her in next season’s designer outfit, the snake-bone necklace complementing the ring, she felt like Su Mingxiu was the most dazzling presence in the entire room.
Yu Nian even offered a sincere compliment: “You look especially beautiful today.”
Su Mingxiu looked at her for a long moment, then leaned back on the sofa, her eyes half-closed, her voice soft. “Don’t you want to ask about… what’s been happening?”
She did.
Of course, she did.
Every time they met, Yu Nian had so many questions. Before, she had wanted to ask about Su Mingxiu’s alleged infidelity during her marriage.
Later, she had wanted to ask when Su Mingxiu would reciprocate her feelings. And now, even more questions.
About Su Mingxiu’s relationship with Sheng Tianheng, her reasons for targeting Wanda, and… did she even like Yu Nian?
Yu Nian chuckled softly, a self-deprecating sound, the realization that she might only be seeing a reflection, a mirage, the real Su Mingxiu far beyond her reach.
Their relationship had been wrong from the start.
Her Little Mom didn’t need her pity or her naive promises, didn’t need her pretense of familial affection… Yu Nian wasn’t even sure if she deserved a second chance.
Would Su Mingxiu ever need her love?
“I…” After a moment, Yu Nian smiled faintly. “I don’t want to ask anymore.”
Seeing that Su Mingxiu had taken a cake from her plate, assuming she hadn’t eaten dinner, Yu Nian offered her the entire plate. “Knowing that I like you… is enough.”
She had imagined confessing her feelings in a romantic setting, with candles and flowers, a declaration of her unwavering love—
She hadn’t imagined saying these words so casually, without romance, without confidence, almost…humble, like a speck of dust in Su Mingxiu’s radiant presence.
Su Mingxiu didn’t reply, only taking the pastries from Yu Nian’s plate, one after another. As she ate, a silence settled between them.
Yu Nian, feeling uneasy, stood up. “Do you want anything else? I can get it for you.”
But as she stood up, Su Mingxiu grabbed her collar. A ripping sound—
Yu Nian looked down and saw that her bow tie had snapped.
Su Mingxiu withdrew her hand, a hint of apology in her eyes. “Sorry, but I wanted to say, your bow tie was crooked, and it didn’t match your outfit.”
She had guessed that Yu Wanru had chosen Yu Nian’s outfit, only that control freak would buy a pre-matched set, so unimaginative.
It didn’t suit Yu Nian’s youthful energy.
Yu Nian’s black shirt, without the bow tie, seemed even more somber.
But she didn’t seem to notice, picking up the broken bow tie and saying: “It’s okay.”
She was about to leave with her plate when Su Mingxiu stopped her, placing the plate aside and pulling her back onto the sofa. Tracing Yu Nian’s collar, she said: “I’ll compensate you with something better—”
She unclasped the diamond-studded snake-bone necklace from her own neck, a piece worth almost 500,000 yuan, and casually placed it around Yu Nian’s neck.
It looked like a white snake emerging from her black shirt, its tail dangling, a surprisingly alluring contrast against Yu Nian’s innocent features.
But Yu Nian, oblivious, only touched the necklace, her gaze lingering on Su Mingxiu’s matching ring, her expression complex. Su Mingxiu pulled her up.
“These pastries are too sweet, not very filling.”
“Have dinner with me.”
Su Mingxiu had seen Yu Nian’s barely touched plate, she knew the girl was hungry, so she used this as an excuse. But Yu Nian didn’t know. She hesitated, then silently followed.
As they stepped out of the elevator, Su Mingxiu adjusted Yu Nian’s collar, her ring and Yu Nian’s necklace catching the light, their brilliance echoing each other.
This scene, captured by someone, would later be misinterpreted—
The “Rich Kids’ Club” chat exploded again.
I, Shangguan Nanbei: “Shocking! Su Mingxiu brought down Wanda Group to…”
Violent: “If I didn’t know the backstory, I would have thought this was a picture of a queen and her loyal puppy. But knowing their relationship, I just want to say, what the fuck?!”
Never Buy a Bag Until I’m 90 lbs: “Is this a sugar baby story? I really thought Yu Nian joined that show because she was interested in her stepmom… but now, it seems… different?”
Violent: “@Static Beauty, I’ve been out of town for a few days, what did I miss? You’re closest to Niannian, spill the tea.”
Static Beauty: “…”
Static Beauty: “I don’t know, don’t ask me, she hasn’t replied to my messages.”
Violent: “I have even bigger news, someone photoshopped this picture and posted it on a BDSM forum, saying it’s a real-life dominant/submissive relationship, they’re now a popular fantasy couple. [/picture]”
Never Buy a Bag Until I’m 90 lbs: “What the fuck, that’s weird.”
I, Shangguan Nanbei: “What the fuck, but I can’t stop looking at it, they actually look good together, it’s kind of hot.”
Static Beauty: “What the fuck are you guys talking about?”
Dai Yan rarely cursed, but now, staring at the black and white photo, the two beautiful faces, one leaning in, casually adjusting the other’s collar, the snake-bone ring sparkling, matching the necklace—
And the way Yu Nian tilted her head slightly, the snake’s tail pendant dangling from her neck, almost touching Su Mingxiu’s fingertip,
It looked like the pendant was an extension of the ring,
Not a necklace, but a collar.
Dai Yan was stunned. She hadn’t wanted to know any more about the Yu family drama, but this picture was too much. She sent it to Yu Nian, her voice weak and trembling. “What… what’s your relationship with Su Mingxiu?”
Mother and daughter?
Enemies?
Or this… this disturbingly captivating master/pet dynamic?
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