2.6 Star Painter

"You're not going anywhere. Who says I gave you permission to leave this Mansion?" Cheng Da couldn't stand it if she left him, even if the Arts College was nearby, his heart wouldn't be at ease.

"Elder brother, let go, Xiu Ying is an adult now, I can take care of myself and I promise that I won't trouble you with the dormitory fees either." Tian He couldn't understand why this half-brother of hers was so adamant on her staying at the Mansion, the Arts college is not even that far away.

"I already said you can't. You're staying here." Cheng Da didn't want to argue with her any longer, his decision was final.

He didn't pay attention to her unwilling face and summoned his lead guard of the mansion to his study room.

"Make sure the Young Miss doesn't take a step out of the Mansion, or it'll be you that will leave." Lead guard Wu was shaken by his clan leader's orders, knowing the importance of this, he didn't dare take it easy.

"I have received your orders, Clan Leader." He politely saluted to him before leaving to get ready to enforce the security around the mansion.

Tian He watched everything unfold so quickly around her that she was almost too dumbstruck to say anything. How dare he keep her here?! She was just his half-sister, he didn't have the right to do this.

"Elder brother! Xiu Ying is a student at the Arts College, although classes have paused due the upcoming annual Arts contest, I will still need to step out to perform for that. Are you going to bar my way from participating, too?" If she couldn't even enter the Arts contest, she wouldn't be able to complete her task.

Looking at her angry wronged expression, Cheng Da didn't know how to explain it her. He was the exalted Wang clan leader, he had many enemies, if they ever found out about her and used her to go against him, he would never be able to forgive himself.

Especially now since there was the sudden news that the Qi clan ambassador had entered his territory, it was too risky for her to be outside while he hadn't figured out what he was here for.

He knew that the Qi clan had been eyeing his territory since his father's time, but because there was the territory agreement, he has held his hands. However, this didn't mean that there weren't small to medium skirmishes that happened between them, the Qi and Wang clan were already long-time enemies.

Since he had investigated that the Qi clan ambassador came to the Shi clan's mansion, he wouldn't believe it if there wasn't some agreement between them, he just hasn't figured out what is was yet, but before he was certain of all the factors, he needed his Xiu Ying to be safe.

Tian He stared at her half-brother who was still holding onto her arm, she saw his expression flash with helplessness and worry, but she didn't understand, what was he worried about? If it was about her safety, the Arts college is already a very safely guarded place, or else how could all those young talented painters survive until now.

"Elder brother, is there something that's bothering you? Did something happen to the Wang clan recently?" She really couldn't think of any other reason why her exalted half-brother would show such a worried expression.

Hearing her question, he didn't want to respond to her. Even if something did happen to the clan, he would never allow her to step into danger, it was enough that he was here to protect her. He let go of her arm and went back to sit on his study's chair, calming himself, he replied to her.

"Xiu Ying, for the time being, you'll have to stay in the mansion for your own safety. Elder brother will need to take care of some things soon, so he won't have time to accompany you for a while, but if there's anything troubling you, you can always ask one of the guards in your courtyard to send a message to me, I'll make sure to reply to you as soon as I can."

He'll need to increase the security around her courtyard too. Since he had received the news of the Qi clan ambassador visiting the Shi clan's mansion, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something might happen, and since his senses have never failed him before, he wasn't going to take any risks with her.

Tian He heard her half-brother's words and immediately knew that her earlier conjecture was correct, something must have happened to the Wang clan for her half-brother to feel insecure with her safety. After all, although she was only his half-sister, since she got to know him, she knew that he really did care about her, or else why would he place his elite guards around her courtyard and have the servants send her food right after she woke up from her earlier nap.

Although these actions were small, she was able to tell that this half-brother of hers really did treat her well as his sister, well except for the teeth marks he imprinted on her neck and her swollen lips, everything about him was a perfect example of a caring elder brother.

Fine, since I can't argue with you about leaving the mansion, I still must vent out my frustrations.

As for her task, if her half-brother still won't let her out, she'll have to think of something to escape, she remembered she hasn't used the energy she received from the last world's mission to purchase any items yet, once she gets the appropriate pill to increase her soul strength, she could easily take care of the rest.

She turns her attention to her half-brother who was already looking over the documents on his desk, but as soon as she looked at him, he moved his head to meet her eyesight.

Seeing him look over, she smiled slightly and walked over to him until she was right next to him. Looking at him with mischievous eyes, she starts unbuttoning the top part of her shirt.

Cheng Da's face faltered, "Xiu Ying, what are you—"

"Elder brother~, look at what happened to Xiu Ying's neck, I think there's needs to be a sweep of insects in my courtyard, look at how bad Xiu Ying's neck got bitten, it's all red and bruised. Those insects were really merciless in their actions, don't you think so too, elder brother?" She blinks her moist wronged eyes at him.

Haha, looking at his constipated face, she couldn't help but think that playing the part of a naïve half-sister isn't that bad sometimes. Let's see him try to play this off, since she had to obey him for now because of her safety, she wouldn't step out of the mansion, but that doesn't mean she has forgotten what he did to her. This perverted half-brother of hers, she swore that she needed to help him find a good wife, or else her neck wouldn't be spared, showing this would be the best reminder and a good lesson to make him to stay away.

"Elder brother, Xiu Ying thinks it's strange, why am I the only one that got bitten, while the servants who lives nearby my courtyard were fine." She moves even closer to him and extends her neck to give him a clear view of the teeth marks on her. Let's see if he can still play the part of a 'good' elder brother now. He had this coming a mile away, this is payback for taking advantage of me while I was asleep.

Seeing her pale white neck that was still a bit red from his earlier actions, he couldn't help but curse underneath his breath, there was no way he would tell her that it was him that gave her those marks. If she starts asking why he bit her, he wouldn't know how to respond. This half-sister of his was already afraid of him before, although it has gotten better, he didn't want her to avoid him because of his actions.

"Coughs, Xiu Ying, it looks like there are really malicious insects in your courtyard, I'll have the servants sweep it clean later. No need to worry that those insects will bite you again." Damn, if it wasn't because she was so tempting, he wouldn't have laid his hands on her so early.

"Really, elder brother? Those insects won't bother Xiu Ying again, do you promise? The bite on my neck still hurts a lot, if it happens again, I'm afraid Xiu Ying won't have a choice but to move out." Haha, this is the perfect, since she was stuck in this mansion for a while anyway, this threat will certainly keep him away from her, after all, he was her 'caring' elder brother.

Listening to her threat, he couldn't help but get angry. How could she bring up that she'll leave, even if it was a joke, he didn't like how she mentioned it so easily, for some reason, it made his heart feel extremely uneasy.

"Xiu Ying, don't casually mention you'll leave later. Elder brother doesn't like listening to it." His eyes looked at her seriously.

Hearing his tone to her, she couldn't help but feel a bit upset, it was his fault that there are teeth marks on her neck and he was shameless enough to play along with her about them being insect bites. She hadn't even mentioned about his perverted behavior and he was giving her orders on what to say. She was just his half-sister, sooner or later, when the original owner comes back, she'll probably become a famous painter, by then, it wouldn't be hard to settle down with a good husband. This order of his is basically useless.

She puts down her hands from her neck and looks seriously at her half-brother in front of her.

"Elder brother, Xiu Ying is a grown woman, after I complete my studies at the Arts College, I'll have to eventually move out and start my own life." Seeing his pained expression, it seems like her half-brother might be lonely without this half-sister with him, who knew he needed companionship this much?

She calmed down and decided to give some assurance to this half-brother of hers.

"Elder brother, before I leave, I'll make sure to find a good wife for you, she'll take good care of you and you don't have to worry that I will go far, Xiu Ying will probably still need to count on you to keep my future husband in check." No joke about that, with him being the exalted clan leader of the Wang clan, the original owner who was introverted and timid definitely won't have to be worried that she'll be bullied by her future husband and in-laws.

When Cheng Da heard that she'll eventually leave him, his heart couldn't help but feel that something squeezed it painfully, it felt like this feeling was something he felt before, it was a prolonged painful feeling, it even made him want to howl and scream in remorse.

The feeling was so suffocating that he felt that he was starting to have trouble breathing, but before he could figure out why he felt this way, he heard her mention that she'll get a husband, even counting on him to keep him in check! How laughable, that bastard would be dead before he'll get a chance at her.

His heart was filled with anger. Alright, since she wanted to leave him so badly, he'll make it that she'll have to stay with him forever.

His eyes turned deeper and resolute as he looks at his beloved Xiu Ying in front of him and before she could respond, he rapidly raises his arms and lifts her up to his embrace, carrying her to his study's bedroom.

"Ah! Elder brother, what are you doing?" She was totally caught off guard by his actions, his grip on her waist and legs were a bit too hard, and she couldn't help but move a bit in distress, but that only caused his gripped to tighten more. She eventually gave up moving and looked up at him, where exactly is he carrying her towards?

When she turned head around, she saw that they entered a small bedroom that was connected to his study room. It was neatly arranged with minimal antiques and the colors were mostly dark blue, on some of the wooden stands, there were small bonsai plants nicely arranged in a straight line. There was also a large canopy bed in the back of the room, the curtains were a similar dark blue color, but the sheets were a nice cream white.

Suddenly, she heard him slam the doors behind them, and she couldn't help but feel that this half-brother of hers was angry for some reason. Was the advice about getting him a wife too much? Or did he not want to help the original owner keep her future husband in check?

Before she could ask him what was wrong, she saw him walk towards the canopy bed and for some reason, she felt a bad feeling about this whole situation. However, she didn't get a chance to say anything when he suddenly tossed her onto the bed and climbed on top of her. Then, she saw him bring down the dark blue curtains which obscured her sight from the outside world, only letting the dim candlelight seep through the small slits between them.

She watched it as it rapidly fell for a moment before turning her attention towards her half-brother who was on top of her. His arms and legs were currently encaging her inside, she suddenly felt that this atmosphere was a bit too weird and dangerous, but she didn't know what to say, what was this half-brother of hers doing?

She questioningly looks up at him, "Elder brother, you—"

"Xiu Ying, didn't you say that you are a grown woman now. Well, elder brother doesn't think so, let me show you what it means to be a grown woman." His voice was dangerously low as he stared at his beloved person in front of him, his beloved woman that wanted to leave him for another.

He couldn't bear it if she looked at someone else with those bright clear eyes of hers, let him touch this sweetness, and smell her sweet honey scent, it would tear his heart out. He would never let that happen, she couldn't fall in love with someone else, she could only belong to him! He'll make sure that she feels that she wasn't a grown woman yet, when that happens, she wouldn't dare leave him.

He reaches out his hands and rapidly locks her hands together above her head, then he quickly moves his knees in between her legs, with this she won't be able to escape. He'll make sure she'll learn fully well what happens if she mentions she's a grown woman that's ready to leave him.

Suddenly caught off guard with his rapid movements and feeling his knees move between her legs, she couldn't help but panic a bit. This posture is way too dangerous! She struggled to regain the freedom of her hands but just his big left hand was strong enough to keep them in place, instead she felt that the more she tried to move her hands, the tighter his grip would become.

"Ah, elder brother, please let go, you're hurting my hands." She looked up at him with her eyes, this half-brother of hers is seriously scaring her, and what did he mean by showing me what being grown woman is? He was not making any sense at all.

He didn't pay attention to her plead and started to use his other hand to unbutton her clothes.

When she saw his movements, she was shocked! This half-brother of hers is trying to stripe her!

"Elder brother! Stop!" She really couldn't let him continue, this body may not be hers, but she couldn't let it be defiled before the original owner returns, she was a woman too, she knew the feeling all too well what happens when an unmarried woman is touched before she was married.

Her life would be over!

She started struggling harder, but his grip on her never faltered, instead it got so painful that she couldn't help but think that if he squeezes it any tighter, her hands would really fall off from her wrists. Seeing that he was almost done taking off her front shirt, she couldn't stay silent.

"Elder brother, why are you doing this? You're scaring me!" She was really starting to panic now.

Stopping his movement for a brief moment, he looks at her clear bright eyes that held some fear in them now, but after a moment, he resumed his actions. He couldn't stop until she knew that leaving him and loving someone else was something he couldn't tolerate.

Seeing him ignore her pleas, her fear increased, if he at least talked to her, she would figure out a way to calm him down, but seeing him like this, she was really fearful of what he might he do.

He had finally gotten rid of the first and second layer, all that's left are her inner garments. He paused his movements seeing its lovely peach color, it matched so well with her nice pale white skin. He lightly glided his rough fingers on her nicely defined breasts and felt her body tremble nervously against his touch.

When he touched her, she felt a tingling feeling erupt from that spot, her heart sped up and she struggled fiercely to free herself, looking at his fascinated expression, she couldn't bear for him to continue.

"Elder brother, please stop. I don't want this." Her voice was soft from the fear she was feeling.

He looked at her who was looking at him in panic and fear, he smiled softly, "Xiu Ying, you're beautiful, you see, you tremble so cutely with just a touch of my hands." While he said that, he used his rough hands to gently massage her right breast in his palm, it felt so smooth and comfortable.

Feeling his big hand grip her right breast, she felt her body heat up. As his massage continued, her body began to tremble even more, and she felt a heat source come from her belly. Suddenly, he pinched her nipple and she couldn't help but scream out.

"Ah! Elder brother, no, it hurts." The force he used to pinch it was too much.

"Don't worry, elder brother will make the pain go away." He leans down his head and stretches his tongue out to lick the already hard nipple from his earlier pinch, gliding it gently on her thin undergarments.

The warmness of his tongue on her nipple was sending shivers down her spine, her belly part felt an increase in heat, she was feeling weird and couldn't help but move her legs to try to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling.

Seeing her flushed skin, he chuckled softly, "Xiu Ying, who knew you would be this sensitive?" He moves his hand to work on her other breast, massaging it gently before squeezing the small nipple on top.

"Aa! No, please stop, I can't take it anymore." The heat source from her belly was making her feel extremely uncomfortable and the sensations from his touches were making her body feel that it was being shocked.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, he paused his movements, "Xiu Ying, look at elder brother and answer me honestly, do you still want to be a grown woman and leave me? Hm?" When he said the last part, he used his hand to pinch her left nipple once again, but this time, he used a bit more force.

"Ah! No, stop!" His pinches were causing her body to tremble even more, her body couldn't take getting more shock than this.

"Xiu Ying, you haven't answered me yet." He leaned in his head and used his teeth to bite on her hard left nipple, sucking and licking it afterwards.

"Aa…no…stop…elder brother…I'll answer…please…" She was begging him now.

He stopped his actions on her nipple and gazed into her eyes, if she even said one lie, he wouldn't let her off that easily.

After breathing hard a bit, she calmed down and looked at her half-brother's face that was beside her breast. His eyes looked at her intensely, almost burning into her soul.

"I'm not a grown woman, I won't leave you." Even if she was stupid, she still caught the underlining meaning of his earlier words, no way would she let him continue, this much was already too much for her to handle.

Looking intently in her eyes, he saw the slight nervousness within them, he couldn't help but feel pained, she was lying to him. Why? Why does she want to leave him? Is it because she already has someone she loves?

But that's not possible, I've already investigated everything about her interactions at the College, she shouldn't know anyone. He looks at her eyes again, those clear bright beautiful eyes of hers always manage to suck in his soul whenever he looked long enough, but why do those eyes carry deceit within them? Why is she saying that she won't leave him, when her eyes say otherwise?

Seeing her try to keep a neutral looking face, he laughed sarcastically at himself. Was he a fool?

Yes, he was a fool in love, even if she wanted to leave him, he still wanted her. His heart and soul still wanted her, he couldn't bear it if she left him, the pain he felt from just that thought was enough to tear his heart into pieces. He needed her to stay with him.

So, since that's the case, she couldn't blame him for marking her permanently.

…..

Shi clan's leader was pacing in his main hall, waiting for his guards to report to him on their findings about Clan Leader Wang and his half-sister. Just when he about to send for someone to look for those guards, he finally heard sounds come from the entrance, it was the guard he sent to investigate.

"Clan leader, here is the information you've requested." The guard dressed in black raised his hand and gave a small paper booklet to his lord.

After clan leader Shi received it, he called his guard to retreat and he himself went into his study to look over the details. When he finally finished reading it, even he was surprised by the news. If it wasn't because there were recent activities going on inside the Wang clan's mansion, his guards would have never been able to find anything, but to think that this clan leader Wang actually cares about his own half-sister now. Even though he had received news beforehand that he used to neglect this sister of his, what changed his mind?

In any case, this was good news for the Shi clan, his guard had also found out that this Xiu Ying girl actually registered for the annual Arts contest, to think that she was talented enough to compete in it. No matter, this was the perfect chance for them to make their move.

Once they captured her, the Wang clan's leader would think twice before wiping them out. He'll have no choice but to agree to surrender and promise not to eradicate their family if he still wants to see his sister again.

"Clan Leader Wang, this is what you've forced me to do." His eyes turned determined and a hint of murderous intention shown within them.

"The young miss requests entry." A servant boy announces from outside the study room.

Hearing that his daughter wanted to see him, he couldn't help but feel thankful towards her, if she had never mentioned this Xiu Ying girl to him, he would have never found out about her importance towards the Wang clan's Leader. After consenting to let her in, he immediately saw her figure dash into the hall.

"Father, your daughter greets you." She couldn't wait until morning to speak with him.

"Li'er, what is it that you've wanted to see me about?" For her help, he was going to patiently listen to her request.

"Father, about your plan to capture Wang Xiu Ying, I want to come along." There was no way she would miss out on this chance, after she gets rid of her, she'll tell the news to Cheng Da personally, his face would certainly be priceless!

Haha!

She couldn't help but laugh cruelly, it was payback for humiliating her all this time. Cheng Da oh Cheng Da, you should have accepted me while you had the chance, even if you're the exalted Wang clan leader, so what? You'll still lose your only beloved person, by then, won't you be miserable?

Her smile grew wider the more she thought of the hopeless expression he'll make once he receives the news of his beloved Xiu Ying's death.

Seeing her daughter smile so happily, he couldn't refuse her request, after all, capturing a mid-level soul strength painter would be easy, there wouldn't be any danger towards her.

"Alright, father allows you to follow, but you have to remember to obey the lead guard's command." He needed her to be obedient in this.

"Yes, father. I promise you." Of course, that didn't mean she couldn't kill her.

She knew that once the Wang clan's leader agrees not to eradicate them, he wouldn't be lenient in taking away their power, if that happened, their family's standing in this territory would be more lowered than even the smallest family in this main city. She would never be able to hold up her head high again.

If that happens, she would rather not let her be released after the transaction between her father and Cheng Da is completed, she'll still be the exalted Wang clan's daughter, while she would be reduced to a daughter of a small family. It wasn't fair, why does she get to obtain the love of Cheng Da and become the Madam of the Wang clan, what about her?

Just thinking about the mocking she'll face, her heart grew infuriated, it's all their fault, if she couldn't live happily, then neither could they.