Chapter 23: Entwined Fates

Her body felt cursed, frozen in place, her mind unable to function. The desire to die overwhelmed her, and the taste of iron from biting her tongue felt unreal, like a dream where her sister suddenly appeared.

Qian Xidong collapsed, her strength draining away as she lay next to Ji Yushu, unable to close her eyes and escape reality. She heard the sweet, mocking voice, ‘Reaping what you sow.’

In her mind, she imagined her sister would tell Ji Yushu, and she instinctively wanted to argue with her.

At first, she thought this person was an inferior imitation, but now, face to face, she found her strikingly unique and beautiful. In a daze, the image of this person merged with that of her younger, more innocent sister.

Even her awkward expressions seemed charming.

To Qian Xidong, if her sister weren’t so gentle and kind, her face would perfectly embody the beautiful yet wicked woman from fairy tales—round but not small, an oval face, thick eyebrows, deep, downturned eyes, and plump, vibrant red lips.

Though perfect, the person herself was a bit self-conscious about her full, beautiful forehead, and in middle school, she insisted on growing bangs to hide it.

As for Ji Yushu, she was the complete opposite, her face innocent but her mind full of mischief.

‘Of course, it’s easier to hurt an inferior product.’

‘Inferior glass breaks with a touch.’

Qian Xidong grabbed the chin of the one speaking so casually.

‘Given what just happened, my sister will definitely think we’re in a relationship. She likes women, so she’ll overthink it.

Since she’s already mistaken us, I don’t mind deepening the misunderstanding. As you said, my fate is just to leave. So accepting a woman who resembles her, it’s reasonable… I’ve changed my mind.’

‘You’re kidding, right?’

Your lips feel quite comfortable, Qian Xidong thought.

Retaliating in kind, she gave Ji Yushu no chance to refuse. The touch was more forceful than before, her elite forces targeting a weak point.

The vanguard seemed to be pricked by a needle, and Qian Xidong momentarily withdrew, licking her lips ambiguously.

‘How is my blood? Good, right?’ Qian Xidong said half-jokingly, pressing her thumb on the wound and smearing a crimson streak across Ji Yushu’s lips.

‘I just want you to take responsibility, isn’t that fair? Even if you have fantasies about my sister, I don’t mind… Though it’s unlikely, if you succeed, I can step back. But I think we’re quite compatible, what you might call—birds of a feather.’

Ji Yushu caught a glimpse of Qian Xidong’s self-mocking, ugly smile as she propped herself up on one elbow, seemingly proud of her earlier description.

Ah, this person is broken, Ji Yushu thought.

But it’s not my fault.

It’s the common flaw of those with grand ambitions and dreamers. They might self-pity or indulge in self-admiration, and I’m probably the latter.

It’s like when I was young and found a doll in the trash, stinking and tattered, buried under rotting fruit infested with maggots. Despite the disgust, I took it out and mended it.

But in the end, I received a brand-new doll, and it was thrown away by my dad, right in front of my eyes.

My sister must be the perfect doll in the dream toy store window, and the person in front of me is the one I secretly retrieved from the trash.

So—

Ji Yushu couldn’t help but shout:

‘Sister, kiss me!’

The sudden call of ‘Sister’ made Qian Xidong raise an eyebrow. How direct, Qian Xidong thought, mimicking Ji Yushu’s voice, even matching her tone and attitude. Vocal training is the foundation of performance.

For the first time, they ascended into the thickening clouds, where snowflakes melted into rain under the double sun’s scorching heat.

The remaining rainbow reflected on their jade-like cheeks, a change like two fools playing with a jumping rope, where a twist would send it flying, their fingers entangled by a red string.

The only comfort was the scorching heat seeping into their skin after the rain—

‘Hmm… Ahh…’

Lost in the moment, Ji Yushu realized Qian Xidong wasn’t angry, just closing her eyes like a child seeking revenge, as if to say, ‘You’re treating me like someone else, so I’ll treat you like someone else too.’

But Ji Yushu knew this woman couldn’t truly do that, just as she hadn’t come here for over a year.

A sincere person who can’t even deceive herself, it’s miserable to be entangled with someone like that. But it also means she won’t be easily abandoned, while my sister will certainly abandon me one day, embracing someone else.

Petals of youth brushed against her ear, moving slowly along her jawline, leaving a shallow, red mark on her pale skin, a clear sign of retaliation.

Ji Yushu’s voice trembled:

‘You did that on purpose!’

‘You’re so fragile. I just wanted to scare you, not leave any marks. They say it takes a long time to leave a mark, so I thought I’d try, and it turned out to be surprisingly easy. Is it because your skin is too thin?’

But she wasn’t really angry.

Ji Yushu also expected Qian Surou to share what she saw with her sister. This person, though intelligent and emotionally aware, is surprisingly slow to sense emotions.

Because she can’t detect their feelings, she can easily reveal the ‘sisters’ situation. Though she doesn’t want anyone to take her sister’s attention, she knows it’s impossible to stand by her sister’s side as a lover, so even if it’s Qian Xidong, it doesn’t matter.

Someone who can love a wretched and flawed person like me won’t increase easily.

‘Qian Sister’s skin must be thin too. I can see the veins on the side of her neck, like a dragonfly’s wing, probably bleeding with just a light scratch. Mine might be the same, do you want to try?’

‘You’re a troublemaker… Did you also provoke that classmate who pushed you down the stairs?’

‘Is that a problem? She bullied me, she hurt me, and I was just hated by her. Are you saying I’m wrong?’

‘You’re not wrong, but I’ll only bully you.’

Awful memories played on repeat in her head, her actions chaotic, even forgetting that the person hadn’t fully recovered.

Usually, there’s a warm-up before the main event, but her actions were backwards, focusing on touching and embracing, as if this could dispel the long-accumulated pressure in her heart.

In the end, only Ji Yushu was left in a state of unresolved tension.

But since it was a first-time experience, she passively accepted it. After all, a person with limited mobility won’t easily do anything embarrassing.

Qian Xidong felt herself starting to sweat and stopped.

‘That’s enough for now, they’ll be waiting for us soon.’

Ji Yushu was breathing heavily, her voice interspersed with dissatisfaction—

‘You weren’t wrong before, every time you use the bathroom as an excuse, it’s to interrupt them. So, my sphincter is fine, that part is fine too. Sister… aren’t you going to check?’

***

Ji Yushu’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, her heart pounding with a mix of confusion and curiosity. The unexpected encounter with Qian Xidong had left her both bewildered and intrigued.

As she lay beside her, the memories of their past interactions flooded back, each one a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit. Qian Xidong’s presence was like a magnet, drawing her in despite the chaos it created.

‘Qian Sister,’ Ji Yushu murmured, her voice barely audible, ‘what are you doing to me?’

Qian Xidong’s response was a soft, almost imperceptible smile, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that Ji Yushu couldn’t quite decipher.

The room seemed to close in around them, the air thick with unspoken words and hidden desires. In that moment, Ji Yushu felt a strange sense of connection, a bond forged in the fire of their shared experiences.

‘We’re just exploring,’ Qian Xidong replied, her voice gentle yet firm. ‘There’s no need to overthink it.’

Ji Yushu nodded slowly, her mind racing with possibilities. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with twists and turns that she couldn’t predict.

But for now, she was content to follow where it led, trusting in the strange, inexplicable pull that drew her to Qian Xidong.

As they lay there, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them in their own little universe. The weight of their pasts seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of freedom and possibility.

In that moment, Ji Yushu felt a glimmer of hope, a belief that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to navigate the complexities of their lives together.

***

Qian Xidong’s thoughts were a turbulent sea, waves of emotion crashing against the shores of her reason.

The encounter with Ji Yushu had stirred something deep within her, a long-buried desire that she hadn’t acknowledged in years.

As she lay beside her, the memories of their shared past played out like a movie in her mind, each scene a reminder of the connection they once had.

‘Ji Yushu,’ Qian Xidong whispered, her voice laced with a mix of longing and regret. ‘Why did it have to be this way?’

Ji Yushu turned to look at her, her eyes shining with a mix of curiosity and understanding. ‘Because we’re both broken,’ she replied softly. ‘And sometimes, the only way to heal is to embrace the broken pieces.’

Qian Xidong nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. In that moment, she felt a strange sense of peace, a acceptance of the chaos that had become her life.

As she reached out to take Ji Yushu’s hand, she knew that no matter what happened, they would face it together.

***

The room was filled with a soft, warm light, casting long shadows across the floor. Outside, the world continued to turn, oblivious to the storm of emotions raging within.

But for Qian Xidong and Ji Yushu, time seemed to stand still, suspended in a moment of perfect clarity.

In that space, they found a sense of belonging, a connection that transcended the boundaries of their pasts and reached into the uncertain future.

As they lay there, hands entwined, hearts beating in sync, they knew that whatever came next, they would face it together.

The road ahead was unclear, filled with challenges and unknowns, but they were ready to walk it side by side, their strengths and weaknesses intertwining to create a new path forward.

In that moment, they were more than just sisters, more than just friends.

They were kindred spirits, bound by a force stronger than blood or circumstance, a force that would carry them through the darkest of nights and into the brightest of dawns.

***

The future held endless possibilities, each one a step into the unknown. But for Qian Xidong and Ji Yushu, the journey was no longer about the destination, but about the path they walked together.

With every challenge they faced, every obstacle they overcame, their bond grew stronger, a testament to the power of love and resilience.

And so, as the sun set on another day, casting a golden glow over the world, they knew that no matter what lay ahead, they would face it with courage and hope, their hearts forever entwined, their spirits forever free.