The Double

"Ah Li?"

Ah Shun shuddered with surprise, looking at the person in amazement. How come, this County Magistrate Xue, why did he know the visitor was Miss Biao? And why did he call her so affectionately?

Jiang Li was also taken aback. She slowly lowered her head, her breathing became fainter as she looked at the person she was holding. Father... had he not lost his mind? A surge of ecstasy flooded her heart.

But the ecstasy faded quickly.

Xue Huaiyuan opened his eyes, but he did not look at her, rather he stared at the stone wall, or perhaps at the stains splattered upon it. He struggled out of Jiang Li’s grasp and quickly shrank back to his previous corner, picking up a handful of straw from the ground and clutching it tightly in his arms as if afraid someone might steal it, muttering, "Ah Li... Ah Li..."

Jiang Li felt a sting at her nose and tears were about to fall again. Father had not regained his senses; the reason he was mumbling the name "Ah Li" was only because this name held a significant part in his life. Even after he’d lost his mind, he still chewed over the name.

It was just as well, she thought mockingly, even if her father was sound of mind at this moment, standing in front of him, he might still not recognize her. She wasn’t "Ah Li" anymore; she had become "Jiang Li".

"Miss Biao?" Ah Shun was somewhat worried.

Jiang Li turned her head back and said, "I’m fine." Looking at Xue Huaiyuan, who continued to mutter in the corner, her heart twisted in pain. She knew she shouldn’t expect too much. At least her father was still alive, and there was the fortunate possibility of reunions within their lifetimes amidst the misfortune. But seeing her father like this, Jiang Li wished she could flay Shen Yurong and Yongning a thousand times over, yet even that would hardly ease the pain in her heart.

She said, "I will take County Magistrate Xue out, he’s too frail. Please, Uncle Zhang, go find the best doctor in Tongxiang to see to County Magistrate Xue for the time being."

Butcher Zhang, seeing his lifesaver in such a state, was extremely hateful toward Feng Yutang. Upon hearing Jiang Li’s orders, he immediately went out the door to find a doctor.