Chapter Nine: Substitute Sisters
“Sister Xi, are you asleep?”
Zhu Qiao, clad in pajamas, gently knocked on Zhu Xi’s door. The girl’s slender figure swayed in the warm, orange glow of the hallway light. It was often said that Zhu Qiao and Zhu Xi shared a striking resemblance, not only in their facial features but also in their figures. Zhu Qiao possessed a physique that belied her innocent demeanor – a delicate frame bearing ample curves, a sight that often left people speechless.
“I’m not asleep, Little Qiao. Come in.” Zhu Xi opened the door. She had been reading, her mind restless due to recent parliamentary affairs.
Zhu Qiao sat nervously on Zhu Xi’s soft bed, perching only halfway on the edge, maintaining a perfectly upright posture, the picture of ladylike decorum. “Sister Xi, there’s something I’d like to ask you for help with.”
Zhu Xi closed her book, rubbed her temples, and then brushed her short hair aside, revealing her alluring fox-like eyes. “Why so formal today? This favor, I’m afraid, isn’t going to be easy, is it?” The bright light of the bedside lamp illuminated the side of Zhu Xi’s face, enhancing her breathtaking beauty. Zhu Qiao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, Sister Xi is so beautiful. A pang of self-doubt struck her; she couldn’t compare to Sister Xi in anything, always needing her care, and not even as beautiful…
The thought of her first puppy suddenly crossed her mind, stirring a mix of emotions within her.
“It’s…” Zhu Qiao whispered, “Sister Xi, I want you to meet someone in my place.”
Zhu Xi’s ears twitched slightly.
Neither sister spoke, allowing the warm light to wash over the room. A tiny insect, emitting a faint glow, flitted past Zhu Qiao’s nose, tickling her slightly. “Sister Xi, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Zhu Xi gave a faint smile. “What do you want me to say?”
“Aren’t you going to ask who I’m meeting?” Zhu Qiao lowered her head further. “Usually, when you hear this, you’d be furious… I’m prepared to be scolded.”
Because I already know who you’re going to meet. Zhu Xi sighed and, playing along, asked, “So, who are you meeting? And how did you meet them?”
“I… I want to visit a game development team. I met the producer while chatting online.” With her head bowed, she looked like a child caught in the act. Zhu Xi suddenly wondered if she and Grandma Zhu had made the same mistake, controlling Zhu Qiao too much. She was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl; she should have her own life…
“Is this person you’re meeting male or female? What’s their name?”
Zhu Qiao’s voice became even softer. “It’s a boy. I don’t know his name…”
Lu Li. Lu Li.
Zhu Xi silently mouthed the name. It wasn’t unfamiliar to her. Since Zhu Qiao had first contacted Lu Li, Zhu Xi had intended to give him a warning, even if he was connected to the Chu Family, not to mess with Zhu Qiao.
Months ago, she had flown to Chuanhai, not rushing to contact Lu Li, but instead observing him from a distance. She wanted to fully understand his character before deciding whether to allow Zhu Qiao to interact with him. Initially, Zhu Xi had assumed that this adopted son-in-law of the Chu Family was a cowardly, smooth-talking youth, perfectly fitting her image of those who married into aristocratic families. She had seen too many of them in the Capital City; they even had a nickname, the “Son-in-Law Gang.”
But as she observed, Lu Li’s behavior surprised her. He wasn’t oily or weak; he was a perfectly normal young man, perhaps a bit flirtatious, but with many redeeming qualities. What intrigued her most was his relationship with several girls. She couldn’t fathom how a commoner, a poor boy, could have the Chu Family’s direct descendant so completely devoted, willing to share her boyfriend.
This prompted Zhu Xi to stay longer and observe further.
Every day, reports of Lu Li’s activities and whereabouts were delivered to her. Sometimes, when she was free, Zhu Xi would personally visit the school to “inspect.” She had practically witnessed the entire process of Wen Hupo falling in love. Zhu Xi even recorded it in her diary, titling the entry Strange Encounters.
She had seen Wen Hupo, dragging her large suitcase, defiantly refusing her father’s demands, and turning to walk towards Lu Li’s apartment. She had also witnessed Lu Li’s reckless intrusion at the airport. If it weren’t for her intervention and vouching for him, Lu, the great saint, might have faced criminal charges.
So far, Zhu Xi had a favorable impression of Lu Li, gradually abandoning her intention to interfere with her sister’s social life. At least allowing someone with a known background and a clean family history like Lu Li to interact with Zhu Qiao was better than some unknown person with ulterior motives.
The Fourteenth Princess’s thoughts returned to the present, and she looked at her anxious sister. “Why not go meet him yourself?”
“I…I…” Zhu Qiao stammered, unable to form a sentence. The reason was simple: she was afraid. Zhu Qiao’s world was very small, extending only a hundred meters in either direction from where she stood. The complexities of the outside world were overwhelming for her. Even chatting with Lu Li online every day was a major event requiring a scheduled alarm, let alone traveling to Chuanhai to meet the producer in person?
She worried about embarrassing herself, making the producer think she was a fool, a simpleton, and what if he then ignored her? It was better to let her more intelligent, more composed, more generous, and more beautiful Sister Xi take her place. At least that way, a perfect impression would be left on the producer.
As for herself… she could just hide in her small room, and that would be enough… right? Just like before. Sister Xi could handle everything.
Zhu Xi sighed and slowly nodded. “Alright, I’ll agree. I also happen to want to talk to this producer you mentioned.”
A wave of joy washed over Zhu Qiao, followed by an inexplicable sense of loss. This faint disappointment was like a sandcastle on the beach after the tide receded, a trace of its existence remaining, yet also seemingly gone without a trace.
Her slender fingers, like spring onions, intertwined, mirroring the tangled thoughts in her heart. “Sister Xi, could you tell the producer something when you meet him…?”
“What is it?”
“Well, it’s…” Zhu Qiao’s eyes flickered. “Just remind Mr. Producer to pay attention to his shoelaces. Loose shoelaces can cause tripping…”
Pay attention to his shoelaces? Zhu Xi paused, then a look of anger flashed across her face. “Little Qiao? Have you been ‘watching’ again?”
“…Yes… I’m sorry…” Zhu Qiao looked utterly miserable.
“Do you remember what you promised me that day?” Zhu Xi’s voice rose unconsciously. “You’re my only family! If even you… You have to learn to cherish your life! The more you see, the more irreversible the consequences become! It’s a bottomless abyss!”
Zhu Qiao rarely saw Sister Xi this angry. She quickly clung to her sister’s arm, shaking her head pleadingly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Sister Xi. I won’t watch anymore… Please don’t be angry.”
Zhu Xi’s ample chest heaved, and finally, she looked at Zhu Qiao with immense helplessness. “In this wretched family, you’re all I have left. Don’t leave your Sister Xi alone to survive in this rotten world. If I truly lose everything, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
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