Chapter 455: This Bastard is a Heart-Stealing Thief!
"Sister, my dear Sister Ruo Shui, I won't sleep in anymore."
Looking at her sister Xu Ruoxue, who was pulling at her arm with the eagerness of a child, Xu Ruoshui asked with a half-smile, "You're not sleeping in anymore?"
Xu Ruoxue declared righteously, her chest puffed out with newfound resolve, "I've decided to follow Sister Ruo Shui's teachings. From now on, I'll go to bed early and wake up early, and I'll never sleep in again."
"...Heh, that's all the ambition you have."
Xu Ruoshui rolled her eyes and gave Xu Ruoxue an exasperated look.
Feeling the weight of her sister's gaze, Xu Ruoxue's bravado deflated. She felt a familiar prickle of guilt and began fiddling with her fingers, her head bowed in a posture that was especially endearing.
"Alright, hurry up and get dressed so Shen Anyu doesn't see you looking so disheveled," Xu Ruoshui chuckled, her voice softening into its usual gentle tone.
"Mhm, mhm, Sister Ruo Shui is the best."
Like a spring released from compression, Xu Ruoxue scrambled up from the bed, any trace of morning grogginess vanishing in an instant. She moved with a sense of urgency, eager to prepare for his arrival.
A short while later, Xu Ruoxue stood before the full-length dressing mirror, a vision of classical elegance. She wore a bespoke cheongsam, the fabric a fine porcelain white patterned with delicate blue ink-wash paintings of bamboo. The dress clung to her form, accentuating a graceful and slender figure that flowed into long, flawless legs. The high collar framed her delicate neck, and the silk outlined a physique that was nothing short of perfect. Her cool and ethereal face was dusted with a light powder, just enough to amplify her natural beauty, but a hint of astonishing allure now bloomed beneath her usually frosty demeanor.
Yet, despite the stunning reflection staring back at her, Xu Ruoxue's beautiful starry eyes were clouded with unease. She turned them away from the mirror to look at her sister, her voice barely a whisper.
"Sister Ruo Shui, are you really not jealous?"
They had switched back to their own bodies some time ago, the dizzying, terrifying ordeal now a memory. But the promises made during that time felt fragile, like morning mist that could dissipate under the harsh light of reality. Xu Ruoxue couldn't forget the conversation they'd had while trapped in each other's souls. Xu Ruoshui, ever the pragmatic one, had promised they would face this together—that they would both be with Shen Anyu.
But later, after the crisis had passed, Xu Ruoxue had sensed a shift in her sister, a subtle withdrawal, a hint of regret that made her heart clench with anxiety. Did the promise still stand now that they were themselves again?
Xu Ruoshui met her sister's worried gaze and let out a soft, exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes in a familiar, comforting gesture. "Since I agreed, I won't go back on my word," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. She walked over, her hand gently smoothing a non-existent wrinkle on Ruoxue's silk-clad shoulder. "Besides," she continued, a flicker of sharp, calculating light entering her eyes, "only when the two of us are together can we be more competitive. That bad man probably has countless women around him."
With her sharp intellect and her position as the CEO of the Xu's Landscape Garden Company, it was impossible for Xu Ruoshui to remain ignorant of Shen Anyu's… extracurricular activities. Even with his immense power to suppress the news, whispers and rumors always found a way to surface, like weeds through pavement.
She had already connected the dots on a few. There was Qin Ningbing, the formidable CEO of Magic City's Renxin Hall Pharmaceutical Company, a woman whose influence nearly rivaled her own. Then there was Lin Keqing, the notoriously fiery eldest young lady of the powerful Lin family. And, of course, Luo Yuhe, the superstar she had met personally. That was three already, and Ruoshui suspected it was merely the tip of the iceberg. Each name was a reminder of the battlefield they were stepping onto.
"Scum!" Xu Ruoxue blurted out, her indignation genuine and fierce. The word hung in the air, sharp and clear.
A knowing smile played on Xu Ruoshui's lips, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she leaned closer to her sister. "Since you know he's a scoundrel," she teased, her voice a low murmur, "why are you still throwing yourself at him like a moth to a flame?"
The question struck home, and Xu Ruoxue fell silent for a moment. The anger on her face softened, replaced by a vulnerable, wistful expression. "I can't help it," she said softly, her gaze turning distant as she lost herself in memory. "I've already fallen in love with him."
It hadn't been a single moment, but a cascade of them. The first shocking encounter at the Ji Family's estate in Magic City, where he had appeared like a god, untouchable and powerful. The two times he had saved her from mortal danger, his strength a terrifying, yet comforting, shield. And then the most bizarre, miraculous event of all—swapping souls with her sister. That shared crisis, that intimate look into each other's lives and Shen Anyu's role in it, had forged an unexpected, unbreakable connection. Her heart, once encased in ice, had slowly, irrevocably thawed and then melted completely for him.
Even now, knowing he was a philanderer, a collector of hearts, a man far from the perfect hero she had imagined, she was still willing. The thought of leaving him was an ache she couldn't bear.
Watching the complex storm of emotions play across her younger sister's beautiful face, Xu Ruoshui's heart twisted with a strange mix of sympathy and shared frustration. She, too, was caught in his web. Internally, a string of curses formed in her mind. 'Dog man. Bastard. Heart-stealing thief.'
"Alright, stop overthinking," she said, her voice gentle again as she gave Ruoxue's shoulder a comforting pat. "You sit for a bit. I'll go cook."
Hearing the word "cook," Xu Ruoxue's eyes lit up immediately. "Sister Ruo Shui, I'll help you!"
'Oh, gods, no.' Xu Ruoshui barely suppressed a wince. 'Forget it. I'm afraid you'll poison the dog man!'
Her teasing expression was all the answer Ruoxue needed. She remembered all too well the last time her sister had attempted to cook—the result had been a culinary disaster of epic proportions, a true work of dark cuisine.
Xu Ruoxue pouted, glaring petulantly at her sister's retreating back. A silent vow formed in her heart. She would learn. She had to. She'd heard the old saying: to capture a man's heart, you must first capture his stomach. Her sister, elegant in the living room and a goddess in the kitchen, already had a massive advantage. She wouldn't let that "dog man" favor her sister just because of her cooking.
...
In the sun-drenched, modern kitchen, Xu Ruoshui had tied her long, beautiful hair into a loose bun, a few stray strands framing her face. While her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, her hands moved with an ingrained skill and grace, dicing vegetables with a rhythmic, steady beat.
"Dog man," she murmured under her breath, the sound lost in the sizzle of garlic hitting hot oil in the wok. "Hmph, both Xu Ruoxue and I have fallen for you. I wonder how proud you must be feeling right now?"
Her gentle, beautiful eyes shimmered with a watery light, a complicated mixture of annoyance and a helpless anger that was directed as much at herself as it was at him.
Just then, her entire body went rigid.
Two strong arms wrapped around her slender waist from behind, pulling her back against a solid, warm chest. A sudden heat seeped through the fabric of her simple floral dress, startling her. Her breath hitched. A firm chin came to rest on her right shoulder, and the clean, masculine scent of sandalwood and something uniquely him flooded her senses.
Her first instinct was that it wasn't her sister. This was a man.
A jolt of pure panic shot through her, and she was about to struggle, to scream, when a low, magnetic chuckle vibrated through her, coming from right beside her ear.
"Don't turn around," the deep voice murmured, a playful command laced with possessiveness. "I'm your husband."
The tension drained from Xu Ruoshui's body in a single, whooshing sigh of relief. The spatula she was holding clattered against the countertop. She turned her head slightly, her cheek brushing against his, and chided him, her voice breathless, "Honestly, you almost scared me to death. I thought it was a bad guy."
A brilliant, dazzling smile broke across her face, chasing away the last of her annoyance. "But then again," she added, her eyes sparkling, "you are a bad guy. A dog man."
"Oh? I'm a dog man now?" Shen Anyu tightened his embrace, nuzzling against the soft skin of her neck.
Her skin tingled where his lips almost touched. A delicious shiver ran down her spine. "Hehe," she giggled, her voice turning soft and syrupy. "Is 'good husband' good enough for you?"
Shen Anyu's eyes roamed over the stunning woman in his arms, a deep sense of admiration filling him. The powerful, sharp-witted CEO he knew from the boardroom was gone. In her place was a vision of domestic perfection. Perhaps it was because she was at home, in her element, but Xu Ruoshui radiated a soft, approachable warmth. She wore a simple blue floral dress, the fabric light and summery. It was form-fitting and cinched at the waist, perfectly outlining a slender waist that he felt he could span with his two hands. Her exposed calves were fair and straight, her skin gleaming like fine jade in the morning light.
But it was the light blue checkered apron she'd tied over the dress that completed the picture. The sight of it transformed her, imbuing her with the captivating aura of a virtuous wife and loving mother.
Such a peerless beauty, washing her hands to make soup just for him... even a man like Shen Anyu, who had seen countless wonders, couldn't help but be deeply moved.
And since he was moved, Shen Anyu naturally followed his heart. He gently turned her in his arms, his gaze intense enough to melt steel. Her breath caught, her heart hammered against her ribs, and the world outside the kitchen seemed to fade away into a distant hum.
Who knows how much time passed.
The sound of footsteps came from outside the villa, breaking the spell.
Inside, Xu Ruoxue's head snapped up, her face lighting up with pure, unadulterated joy. "It must be him!"
Without a second thought, she quickly rose and hurried to the door to greet him. Sure enough, she saw the handsome, unforgettable man who had been haunting her dreams. Her cool, starry eyes immediately softened into pools of liquid affection. She spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of shy reverence, "Brother Shen, you're here. Sister Ruo Shui and I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Shen Anyu, looking as composed and unruffled as if he'd just arrived, smiled slightly and nodded gently. "I heard Sister Ruo Shui say that your family's Ragdoll cat can do a backflip, so I came to see."
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Xu Ruoxue's starry eyes widened in confusion. Her family's Ragdoll cat, Little White, could do a backflip? How come she didn't know? She looked past him, towards the kitchen.
"Sister Ruo Shui, can Little White do a backflip?"
Xu Ruoshui leaned against the kitchen doorframe, her cheeks still faintly flushed and her lips looking slightly swollen. She shot Shen Anyu a playful, warning glare before answering, her voice smooth as silk, "It used to, but it recently took an arrow to the knee and can't do backflips anymore."
Xu Ruoshui's cooking was, as expected, quite impressive. The table was filled with a feast of exquisite home-cooked dishes, and Shen Anyu praised the meal profusely, his compliments flowing like a river.
He even praised the chef repeatedly.
Of course, it was entirely unclear whether he was praising her exceptional cooking skills, her breathtaking beauty, or, most likely, both.
Listening to Shen Anyu continuously shower her sister with praise, Xu Ruoxue felt a sharp pang of jealousy. A quiet but fierce resolve hardened within her: she absolutely had to learn how to cook, and she would become even better than her sister.
After dinner, Shen Anyu naturally stayed the night.
However, a somewhat muddled Shen Anyu entered the wrong room.
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