Chapter 19: A Twisted Game of Hearts

Gold Moon watched from the balcony as Qian Surou entered the white door, admiring her graceful and cheerful stride, despite the envious murmurs escaping her lips.

Qian Surou would be somewhere out of sight, laughing and chatting with someone else. Just thinking about it made Gold Moon’s arms tighten around her chest, as if trying to crush her own ribcage.

But for now, let the imposter bask in her moment of glory. Gold Moon didn’t want to disrupt the stage that was set. Qian Surou was still that perfect girl from years ago, waiting for her to return, even though the wait had far exceeded their expectations.

With three years of rent prepaid, Gold Moon had been watching Qian Surou from afar, like a beacon on a ship’s prow, each time she came to visit.

On Qian Surou’s birthday, gifts were sent a day early, reaching her clumsy stepmother.

In moments of anxiety, Gold Moon would sculpt Qian Surou’s likeness in clay, finding solace in the act and reminding herself that she wasn’t ready to appear in Qian Surou’s life, as it would only hurt her.

In this world, Gold Moon had nothing but her little Qian. But—it was so painful.

“Qian, you’ve been a naughty girl! I solved your problems, and yet you turn to Ji Yushu. It breaks my heart! So, I must punish you.”

Gold Moon sat in a rocking chair, pressing a beloved olive-green sleeveless dress close to her nose, inhaling the intoxicating scent.

Then, she reached for a spare phone to compose an email, attaching a picture of Qian Surou and Ji Yushu embracing in the art room.

“Little Qian doesn’t know, does she? She’s been cursing you on social media. Who do you think your true love will choose? Qian, even if you’re hurt— I’ll be right there to comfort you!”

***

Like all galgame heroines, Xiao Ji’s parents were busy, and her family was a blended one, with a younger sister, a car, and a house.

Her old seat was at the back of the class, near the window, but she hadn’t experienced anything as dramatic as a falling notebook or sudden eye mutations; it was simply due to her height.

Visiting Xiao Ji meant encountering her younger sister, a side character with a level of misery that could rival Gold Moon’s own.

In all routes, she was the annoying little sister who sought the protagonist’s attention, acting as a stumbling block in her love life.

In the game, Xiao Yuqin’s tactics included deception, manipulation, threats of suicide, and creating rifts between Xiao Ji and her love interests. While she appeared cute and clingy, she was actually a cunning little fox.

In her backstory, it was revealed that Xiao Yuqin had been pushed aside by her biological parents, ignored by her mother, and resented Xiao Ji after moving into the new home.

However, Xiao Ji’s care and love eventually softened Xiao Yuqin’s resentment.

Even after all the harm she caused, Xiao Ji still treated Xiao Yuqin as a precious sister, which contributed to her developing a performative personality disorder, modeled after the image of a sweet little sister.

As Qian Surou changed her shoes, she briefly recalled the game’s plot. Though she felt guilty for thinking this way, she couldn’t help but feel that Xiao Yuqin was too good to be true, even as a step-sibling.

She couldn’t accept the idea of a family member harboring strange feelings toward her.

“Hi, Xidong,” said Ji Yushu. “Long time no see.”

“Long time no see. My sister caused you trouble. Please, have a seat, and please be careful.”

Ji Yushu’s infectious humor immediately put Qian Xidong at ease. She scratched her cheek with her index finger and turned to Qian Surou, exchanging a look.

“It seems I’ll get to enjoy some coffee brewed by Susu. I’m so lucky.”

She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out imported coffee beans.

“Later, we plan to watch a movie in the home theater—‘Kronos Winter.’ Would you like to join us, Xidong?”

It was a romantic movie, Qian Xidong thought, her nerves on edge. But from the title alone, it was hard to tell exactly what the film was about, much like classical music—who knows if it was a symphony, a sonata, an aria, or a romantic piece?

“No, that’s my sister’s plan. You two go ahead, Yushu. This is a time for shock therapy.”

She was hinting at the pain of heartbreak.

“Ah, I see…” Had she guessed? Originally, they had wanted to mend their relationship, but now that a third person had pointed it out, they felt incredibly awkward, as if words were stuck in their throats.

“You should go help her,” Qian Xidong urged Ji Yushu to assist Qian Surou in the kitchen.

“Then, Xidong, could you please bring Xiao Yuqin downstairs? You remember where her room is, right?”

“Yes.”

Truthfully, Qian Xidong didn’t want to have anything to do with Xiao Yuqin. Because her sister used Ji Yushu’s home as a sanctuary, Qian Xidong had visited many times.

The feeling of being an outsider was little better than playing a rock in a school play. Perhaps because of her twisted emotions, everything else seemed distorted.

Instead, she noticed someone else who was as twisted as herself. There was a chance it could be a misunderstanding, so she decided to verify.

However, every time Xiao Yuqin interrupted Ji Yushu and Qian Surou without considering the mood, Qian Xidong suspected it was intentional.

Observing Xiao Yuqin’s expressions, she occasionally saw a flicker of dislike under her sweet exterior—undoubtedly, she shared the same dark thoughts as Qian Xidong. But Qian Xidong had the thought,

“Ah, with her around, I feel relieved,” and chose to avoid her.

Watching someone you like be intimate with another was torture. Compared to Xiao Yuqin, who wanted to fight for her love, Qian Xidong was a coward.

Looking back at the open kitchen where the two were busy, Qian Xidong sighed silently and headed towards the staircase leading to the second floor.

The staircase had a double design, with one steep path and one gentle, textured slide, the latter designed to catch wheels, allowing even a wheelchair user to ascend alone.

Soon after starting high school, Qian Xidong heard the rumor. Xiao Yuqin had been pushed off the school building by a classmate, causing the biggest scandal at Qihua Girls’ Academy in decades.

The mainstream narrative blamed a conflict between classmates, but a student who knew the pusher said Xiao Yuqin had deliberately provoked her.

Of course, no one believed the victim could be at fault, but Qian Xidong knew Xiao Yuqin was in the astronomy club, had the key to the rooftop, and had a tendency for self-destruction.

Perhaps Xiao Yuqin’s original plan was to end her life, but fate intervened, leaving her with a disability and earning her Xiao Ji’s devoted care, which led to a misplaced affection.

But it was none of her business. Qian Xidong found the door with a cute cat sticker and knocked lightly.

“Come in.”

When Qian Xidong opened the door, she was greeted by walls covered in colorful sticky notes, reminiscent of a movie scene featuring a wish list.

The notes included Ji Yushu’s and Qian Surou’s handwriting, with the latter placed in a less noticeable corner.

After a quick glance, Qian Xidong turned to the frail girl sitting on the edge of the bed, her light golden hair shimmering in the sunset. Her mother was foreign, giving her a distinctive appearance.