The Double

She was an anomaly in Yanjing City, fundamentally different from the other girls there. It was as if in a flowerbed filled with precious plants, there bloomed an unusual species. Its appearance was gentle and harmless. It stood quietly, eliciting sympathy from those who passed by. But once its prey drew near, it would stretch out its tendrils, ensnaring the victim with no chance of escape, devouring it whole with an absolutely ferocious demeanor.

Under her seemingly gentle exterior, she concealed a cold and ferocious nature. The greatest danger of this plant was that it didn’t fear who its opponent might be, whether it was a sharp tongue or a fierce beast; its manner of devouring was merciless and fearless.

She was the most unique presence in the garden, and having such a fierce and lethal plant in the house would ensure peace for the entire family. This bizarre thought suddenly emerged in Jih Heng’s mind.

And Jiang Li, who now had her eyes cast down, actually looked a bit pitiable. The fierce plant showed a sorrowful side, surprising and bewildering to one who couldn’t tell if it was camouflage to lure prey or a genuine moment of vulnerability.

Seeing Jih Heng staring at her thoughtfully, Jiang Li masked the emotion in her eyes and smiled, "It’s an honor to see you here, sir. Every time I perform on stage, you’re in the audience, perhaps it really is fate."

Jih Heng almost laughed out loud. How interesting, the girl clearly loathed him to the bones, yet still kept up a sincere façade.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll mess up this act of yours?" Jih Heng asked languidly.

Jiang Li looked at him and replied, "Is that so? But I thought about it, and I can’t see why the Duke would do so."