Chapter 11: Is His Fondness for Her Cheap?

Shi Niannian was startled and turned her head to find it was Shi Xinghe.

She turned her body and took a step back, "Brother, good morning!"

"Hmm." Shi Xinghe's eyes suppressed emotion as he came out for a morning run and from afar saw the beautiful sight of Shi Niannian standing under a tree. He couldn't help wanting to embrace her but was afraid of scaring her.

He stared at Shi Niannian, this girl who had grown up under his watchful eye. He couldn't recall when it began, but she gradually made her way into his heart.

She was pretty, obedient, sensible, and knew her boundaries; he wanted to keep her by his side.

He knew the Shi family's purpose in adopting her from the very first day she arrived, but he would not let that happen.

"Brother, are you out for a morning run?" Shi Niannian saw Shi Xinghe just staring at her without speaking, so she made conversation, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Finished running, let's go back!" Shi Xinghe said and walked ahead.

Shi Niannian had no choice but to follow, keeping a one-step distance between herself and Shi Xinghe.

Shi Xinghe suddenly stopped and grabbed her hand, "Why are you walking so slowly?"

"Uh..." Shi Niannian glanced at their joined hands. Even if she was slow to catch on, she could feel Shi Xinghe's affection for her.

But Shi Xinghe was engaged in a business marriage, one he agreed to. Was he planning to keep her as a secret lover?

Did both of them not see her as a person? Did she lose her rights to act, only passively accepting their intentions?

Shi Niannian really wanted to shake off Shi Xinghe's hand, but she couldn't; she couldn't afford to offend anyone right now.

She looked up at Shi Xinghe, didn't he know that she had slept with Ling Yichen, and didn't know about the mother and daughter's plans of the Shi family?

Even if he didn't know about the mother and daughter's scheme, shouldn't he know the purpose behind her adoption?

Sooner or later she would be sacrificed, so what was he thinking now? To make full use of her?

Shi Niannian smiled bitterly inside; indeed, a businessman took no loss.

Ling Yichen stood in front of a window smoking, watching Shi Xinghe and Shi Niannian walking back hand in hand, his face darkening.

He snorted coldly; she was so well-behaved in front of Shi Xinghe, yet when with him, she acted like a little hedgehog, always on guard.

Shi Niannian returned to her room, leaned against the door, her body going limp.

Another time bomb was added to her surroundings; what should she do?

She didn't want to leave her room alone anymore; there were always unexpected encounters.

All day long, Shi Niannian didn't leave her room, even had her meals delivered by the servant.

In the evening, Shi Niannian received a message from Shi Shuyao, telling her to change into a swimsuit now and come to her room so they could go to the hot springs together.

A swimsuit? Shi Niannian rummaged through the bag sent by Shi Xinghe and indeed found a swimsuit.

She picked it up and glanced at it, a flesh-pink bikini, the fabric scarce, held in place by only a few straps, with a sheer cover-up, but it was very transparent.

Wear such revealing attire and walk around? Was she asking for more wolves?

Shi Niannian put on the swimsuit and looked at herself in the mirror; even she blushed at her reflection.

She found a loose dress that was easy to put on and take off and draped it over herself.

That felt much more comfortable. She took her door card and left the room, arriving at Shi Shuyao's door. Just as she was about to knock, she heard voices inside.

"Brother Yichen, do you like Niannian?"

It was Shi Shuyao's voice; she must be right at the door, otherwise, the sound would not be so clear.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because you're always staring at her, and last night you even spoke up for her."

That voice was sickeningly sweet.

"Have I? Aren't I just caring for you?"

Ling Yichen's tone carried a hint of teasing.

"Brother Yichen, if you like, you can have Niannian keep you company."

"Oh, keep me company? How so?"

"However, you want, I'll help you with whatever you like," Shi Shuyao sighed, "After all, I like you, so I'll help you with whatever you wish to do!"

Ling Yichen chuckled lightly, "Would she listen to you?"

"We, the Shi family, have raised her for so many years; what's wrong with her giving back a little? But you can't fall for her; she can only be a tool for venting."

"How could I fall for a venting tool? That would make my affection far too cheap."

Ling Yichen and Shi Shuyao's words felt like a series of sharp knives plunging into her heart; she clutched her chest, the pain intense!

She knew Shi Shuyao had intentionally allowed her to overhear, for the door was not fully closed, leaving a sliver of an opening.

Shi Shuyao was making it clear to her, wanting to send her to Ling Yichen's bed to be treated as a plaything!

Shi Niannian's whole body trembled, her fists clenched tight.

A venting tool? Liking her is cheap? She really wanted to see how elevated their feelings for each other could be!

Shi Niannian returned to her room, took off her outer dress, and changed into that layer of gauze.

She washed her face with cold water, trying to calm herself down.

Shi Shuyao, you forced me to do this.

She tied her long hair into a messy bun, revealing her slender, pale neck.

Taking a few deep breaths, Shi Niannian rubbed her face and then revealed a sweet smile.

She stood again in front of Shi Shuyao's door and knocked gently, "Sister, are you there?"

The door opened promptly; Shi Shuyao appeared slightly annoyed, "Niannian, why did it take you so long to come here? I've been waiting for you."

"I'm sorry, sister, it's my first time wearing this kind of swimsuit, it took me a while to figure out how to put it on," Shi Niannian explained.

Shi Shuyao and Ling Yichen behind her both turned their gaze upon Shi Niannian's body.

Shi Shuyao felt like scratching the palms of her hands raw; what a slut she was, dressing like that. Was she trying to seduce men?

A flicker of amazement passed through Ling Yichen's eyes, his heart itching.

He hadn't taken what Shi Shuyao just said seriously, but now he was somewhat intrigued.

Shi Niannian glanced at Shi Shuyao's swimsuit, which was very flashy and pretty, but sadly, her breasts were too small to fill it out.

"Sister, Brother Yichen, let's go to the hot springs!" Shi Niannian said with a smile.

"Okay!" Ling Yichen was the first to step out of the room.

Shi Shuyao followed, grabbing Ling Yichen's hand.

Shi Niannian walked behind them.

At the edge of the hot spring pool, Qin Zheng let out a whistle, "Little sister Niannian, you've got quite a figure!"

Su Yinian's eyes were also glued to Shi Niannian.

As if unaware, Shi Niannian politely greeted each person.

Not seeing Shi Xinghe, she casually inquired about him.

"He had to leave early for work," Su Yinian clarified for her.

Shi Niannian uttered an "Oh," took off the gauze covering, and stepped into the hot spring pool, where the water was just right.

Ling Yichen and Shi Shuyao entered the pool too.

The water was crystal clear, and the men's eyes occasionally stole glances at Shi Niannian's body.

Qin Zheng and Su Yinian engaged Shi Niannian in conversation, asking a barrage of questions, to which she responded appropriately—neither too distant nor too intimate.

Shi Shuyao watched with disdain and a twinge of jealousy.

Ling Yichen observed with a cold eye, his facial expression unchanged.

Before long, Qiao Wan and Song Qi approached, their swimsuits made of barely more material than what Shi Niannian was wearing.

As soon as they arrived, they clung to Qin Zheng and Su Yinian, their actions free and uninhibited, regardless of the presence of others.

Shi Niannian blushed at the sight and no longer felt comfortable staying. She left that hot spring and went around to another pool, where the water seemed hotter than the other.

Shi Niannian slowly immersed herself and sat on the steps inside.

The heat penetrated her pores and entered her body, eliciting a comfortable sigh from her.

Shi Niannian soaked alone in the pool, relishing the moment of tranquility as she closed her eyes to savor this brief respite.

"Aren't you hot?"

A large hand had appeared on Shi Niannian's body.