The Double

The fan moved on her neck as white as jade, seemingly a lethal weapon set to harvest lives. Her features were distinct, her appearance as clean and lovely as a fairy child from the mountains. Her small, rosy lips, when pursed, displayed a hint of obstinacy, and her long eyelashes, like a layer of morning dew barely hanging on, trembled ever so slightly—pitifully beautiful.

Jih Heng’s fan roamed, growing increasingly intense—it was no fancy folding fan, rather fiercer than the edge of a blade.

The venomous snake coiled itself around its prey, baring its fangs as the venom slowly dropped. The white rabbit huddled in fear, delicate and careful, clinging to a sliver of hope for survival.

It drew closer; the snake’s tongue was cold, its gaze frigid. It needed only to bite down lightly, and the rabbit would be rendered motionless forever.

But suddenly, it flung its tail, turned its head away, and slithered off.

Jiang Li felt the fan lift from her neck; in an instant, all sensations were gone. She lifted her head and saw Jih Heng’s indifferent profile.

Jih Heng said, "You’re the first to thank me for trying to kill you."

Jiang Li replied, "Is that so? That’s an honor then."