Chapter 14: Sunset

It was Shen Han.

From the side and behind, Su Mi saw that Shen Han’s expression was not very pleasant, with a slight frown as she stood in front of Su Mi.

At the same time, a team of security personnel quickly separated the Yang family members, leaving only the three of them in front of Su Mi and Shen Han.

Mr. Yang opened his mouth, stammering, “Miss Shen, sorry to trouble you with this.”

Shen Han sneered, her expression a mixture of disdain and amusement. “Taking advantage of my sister’s good nature, thinking I wasn’t around, you bully her like this?”

As she finished speaking, the atmosphere suddenly became oppressive, and the surrounding air pressure seemed to drop drastically.

Su Mi felt her breath catch for a moment. In the next instant, she saw sweat pouring down Mr. Yang’s face, while Yang Er fainted on the spot.

Mrs. Yang gasped but quickly fell silent as if choked.

Su Mi was a bit taken aback and peeked out from behind Shen Han, seeing Yang Er being held by Mrs. Yang, seemingly fine.

Was that… Shen Han’s use of mental power?

Su Mi couldn’t be sure but at least felt safe now.

Looking down, she realized Shen Han was still holding her hand.

Well, after pulling her away, the villain might have forgotten to let go.

However, the villain’s hand was beautiful, cold white skin, long fingers, well-defined joints, lightly grasping her hand as if enveloping it entirely.

… It felt quite safe.

In front of her, Mr. Yang stammered, “We didn’t mean it, we just wanted Miss Su’s help…”

His knees buckled, and he seemed to want to kneel but stumbled, not quite managing it.

More sweat poured down Mr. Yang’s face as he repeatedly wiped it with his sleeve, bowing low. “Please, Miss Shen, have mercy on us. Our Yang family has been operating in this city for many years. We don’t need you to do anything, just allow us to stay… I heard you are interested in investing in the land in the eastern part of the city…”

Shen Han was evidently impatient, interrupting him, “Where were you when you sent so many people to bully my sister and Xu Nanqiao? It took you this long to realize it was your fault?”

“This…”

Mr. Yang was at a loss for words.

Shen Han didn’t want to waste more time talking to them, saying coldly, “I’m still of the same mind. If you want to leave this city unscathed, you better sincerely apologize to the two involved. Talking to me is useless.”

She stepped aside, revealing Su Mi.

The young girl with double buns blinked, looking like a puppy suddenly pushed to the front, still being held by Shen Han, appearing very innocent and well-behaved.

“…”

Mr. and Mrs. Yang were both staring at her intensely. Su Mi scratched her cheek and mumbled, “If Xu Nanqiao forgives you.”

After all, she herself wasn’t directly affected by the incident.

The two immediately sighed in relief as if they had already received Su Mi’s forgiveness, showering her and Shen Han with gratitude.

Su Mi felt bewildered, like the proverbial fox assuming the tiger’s authority.

Moreover, from what she knew of the protagonist, she likely wouldn’t easily forgive Yang Er for what she did.

Su Mi quietly turned around and moved back behind Shen Han.

She whispered, “This family seems quite troublesome. Maybe we should send someone to protect Nanqiao?”

“Mm.”

Shen Han seemed to agree, letting go of Su Mi and nodding toward the car.

Understanding, Su Mi got into the car and let out a deep breath, watching as Shen Han spoke with the security team leader before returning to the car.

With the door closed, the noise outside was shut out.

Su Mi sat upright in the back seat, reflecting on the recent events.

The villain had watched the scene for so long without intervening, likely because she suspected Su Mi’s involvement.

She rubbed her hand, still feeling the cool touch from being held earlier.

Su Mi steadied herself and asked, “Sister, will that family leave the city?”

Shen Han hummed in affirmation, “Probably. Be more careful when making friends in the future.”

Su Mi obediently agreed, then thought of the original plot’s ending for the Su family.

She decided to be a bit more honest and confess her mistakes.

“Sister, it was my fault this time,” Su Mi cleared her throat, looking a bit embarrassed, “I knew they had ulterior motives in befriending me, but I thought it was just for family benefits. I didn’t expect someone would harbor malicious intent… I talked to them more to make them treat Nanqiao better, but I didn’t think it would lead to this. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have said so much…”

“It’s fine.”

Shen Han answered calmly, leaning on the armrest and looking over with a lazy expression.

“From the process, you didn’t have bad intentions, just that someone with ulterior motives took advantage of what you said. From the result, you saved Xu Nanqiao in time, and I could handle these people. Besides, I asked you to take care of Xu Nanqiao at school, knowing you might make mistakes. Don’t worry about it.”

Su Mi: “…”

She felt touched, but not too touched.

The villain’s perspective was sharp, leaving Su Mi unable to refute being called a fool.

She deflated, “Okay.”

Seeing Su Mi’s dejected look, Shen Han found her adorable, like a small, drenched puppy.

Hmm… still a little golden retriever.

Shen Han chuckled, “Su Mi.”

Su Mi looked up, “Yes, sister?”

Shen Han said, “Don’t be afraid to make small mistakes. As long as you don’t go astray, I can handle things for you.”

As the car drove smoothly towards the sunset viewing point, the evening light shone behind Shen Han, filtering through her hair, illuminating Su Mi’s eyes.

Su Mi remembered the original plot, where the villain seldom smiled and always looked gloomy.

But whenever she smiled at Su Mi, the light in her dark eyes and the words she spoke carried a particularly…

Su Mi suddenly told the system, “A particularly domineering aura.”

Then added, “If I go astray, she’ll deal with me.”

System: “…” That’s not wrong.

Su Mi pressed her fingers, opened the map on her smart device.

The system observed for a while and hesitantly asked, “You can’t read maps, can you?”

Su Mi closed the map, looking calm, “Maybe I just enjoy looking at maps.”

System: ?

It threw a question mark and went offline.

Shortly after, the car stopped at a roadside spot.

This was a scenic spot on the hillside behind the South Garden, lush with flowers like the garden itself.

Shen Han walked to the edge of the viewing platform, where there were several benches. She brushed off the leaves and petals on one, then beckoned Su Mi over, “Come, it’s just right.”

Su Mi hurried over and, seeing the villain sit down, sat next to her with her dress neatly arranged.

Indeed, it was perfect timing. The commotion at the gate had delayed them, and now, sitting on the viewing platform, they could see the rolling mountains and the setting orange-red sun.

The clouds in the sky were also dyed orange and pink, making the sunset glow like a splendid painting.

This was probably Su Mi’s first time seriously watching a sunset.

Originally, it was just an excuse, but Shen Han took it seriously… which fit the original plot, where the villain always kept her promises.

Su Mi inexplicably glanced back at Shen Han.

She was also looking into the distance, the mountain breeze blowing a few strands of hair across her face, brushing her nose, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she wrinkled her nose.

The villain’s nose tickled by her hair?

Su Mi stared at Shen Han’s nose, somewhat entranced.

Then she saw the villain’s eyes shift, turning to look at her, quietly meeting her gaze.

Her deep eyes reflected the sunset’s light and Su Mi’s small silhouette, with even the mole at the corner of her eye seeming to catch the light.

Su Mi was stunned.

Then Shen Han reached out, pressing her head gently but firmly, turning her back to the sunset.

Shen Han’s voice was indifferent, “Watch properly.”

Su Mi: “…”

Don’t press my head! I’m still growing!

When she looked back at the sunset, she realized it was descending much faster than she expected.

Even the brief moment of looking at Shen Han had made the sun almost touch the mountaintop, visibly sinking.

Soon, the sun dipped below the mountain, disappearing.

The temperature seemed to drop suddenly in the mountains, and Shen Han took her back to the car, instructing the driver to take Su Mi home first.

Su Mi finally asked, “Sister, did you have something to do when you went out?”

Shen Han replied, “Nothing important.”

If it wasn’t important, why not send the protagonist home?

Su Mi began to worry.

Even if the villain hadn’t realized her feelings for Xu Nanqiao, she wouldn’t even bother to send her home?

At this rate, the world might end before the villain realizes her feelings.

Su Mi decided to hint at it.

She tried to bring it up, “Sister, have you ever liked someone?”

Shen Han: “Why ask this suddenly?”

Su Mi tried to sound casual, “Just curious.”

Shen Han said, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

Su Mi: “…”

Su Mi cleared her throat, trying to hint more directly.

“Plato said, everyone is born missing their other half, and many spend their lives searching for it. Often, the stronger a person is… Alpha, the lonelier they are inside. They might not realize it, but they might subconsciously yearn for their other half, which is why they treat certain Omegas in a special way…”

She stole a glance at Shen Han’s expression and continued, “As the saying goes, you turn around, and that person is right there under the dim light…”

“Su Mi,” Shen Han interrupted, frowning slightly, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Oh!

Su Mi immediately stopped, showing a formulaic smile, “I meant to ask if you had a pleasant time with Nanqiao today?”

Shen Han said languidly, “It was okay.”

After a pause.

Su Mi couldn’t help but say, “Sister, don’t you think you’re quite special to Nanqiao? If you spend more time with her, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable…?”

Shen Han gave her a cool glance.

“Su Mi, if you have nothing better to do, you can get out and walk home.”

Su Mi shut her mouth.

She obediently sat until the vehicle arrived in front of the Su family’s house.

Shen Han said, “I’m not feeling well today, so I won’t go in to visit Uncle and Auntie. Give them my regards.”

Su Mi quickly replied, “Okay, okay.”

She walked into the courtyard, then turned back and waved at the black car, waiting until it drove away before hopping up the steps and slipping into the house.

Tonight, Su Ci Yu and Wen Zi Su had taken Su Yi to a banquet, leaving only a few lights on in the empty house. Su Mi cooked herself a bowl of noodles, eating while reading several new excerpts from the system, all about how to pursue someone.

A slip of the hand—she swore it was just a slip.

She shared it with Shen Han.

Su Mi: Great literature to share ^^

Author’s note:
Shen Han: (inspecting) Cute, I want to keep her.