Plaything

[Spoiled Young Miss × Long-Suffering, Unhinged Devoted Man]

[Not Related by Blood, Bitter Love]

When Xu Tangxue was six, her father brought home a little boy from outside.

He gave the boy the surname Xu and named him Xu Yin.

The nanny told Xu Tangxue that Xu Yin was her father's illegitimate son, brought home to steal her daddy from her.

She disliked the intruder from the very first glance.

She lifted her little chin, her eyes full of disdain.

What kind of stupid older brother was he? Her life had simply acquired a new toy.

*

Xu Tangxue was good at putting on an act. She had endless ways to bully Xu Yin behind closed doors, but would still pretend to be sweet and call him "Brother" in front of others.

Until one day, the Xu family went bankrupt and her father was critically injured in a car accident.

When she hurried home to get money, she found Xu Yin sitting leisurely on the sofa.

He sat above her, savoring the sight of her in such a wretched state.

At twenty, the young man had built himself a kingdom with his own two hands, relying on his nerve and determination.

His arrogance had grown even greater, and Xu Tangxue could barely meet his eyes.

But she still refused to ask him for help.

He seemed to see right through her. He stroked her reddened eyelids.

In a casual voice, he said, "Poor little princess. Don't you even know how to ask for help?"

Ask him? She would rather die...

His cool fingers rested against her lips, his tone ambiguous. "Ask me, and I'll teach you how."

Xu Tangxue: "..."

*

For more than ten years, Xu Yin had played along with the little princess in a show called "The Strong Bully the Weak."

The girl had enjoyed every moment of it, unable to stop herself.

Later, even after her pride was shattered, she still didn't know how to bow her head.

But that was all right. The little princess had been proud her whole life, and he was willing to wait.

For more than ten years, he had stayed in the shadows, ready to make his move, waiting and waiting for the day she would have to bow her head.

But when that day finally came, the thought in his heart was instead...

He would never make a princess who had been proud her whole life bow her head.

*

Content warnings:

1. They are not registered under the same household. The hero's surname is Xu to protect him, as will be explained in detail in the story.

2. The heroine's hostility at the start is genuine, with a touch of malice. See the title for details.

3. The hero probably isn't normal, either. Please don't conflate the story's values with the author's own.

Theme: Promoting healthy attitudes toward love