The Double

Liu Xu said, "Are you well? How long has it been since I’ve seen you? Has it been two or three months? I wanted to visit your mansion before, but I heard things at the Jiang Family have been rather unsettled, so it seemed inappropriate to visit rashly. I thought about asking you to meet me, but I was afraid you would find it inconvenient to leave your home. I didn’t expect to see you here today."

Jiang Li smiled faintly, "A lot has happened recently, but it’s all in the past now."

Liu Xu sized up Jiang Li and, seeing that her demeanor did not seem feigned and she hadn’t become haggard or lost weight, finally breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good to hear. Seeing you like this puts my mind at ease. How come you’re here alone today? I don’t see Jiang Youyao."

Outsiders weren’t aware yet that Jiang Youyao was missing, so Jiang Li said with a smile, "She’s at home, grounded."

Liu Xu said, "Given her temperament, she must be causing trouble at home again. It’s probably better that she didn’t come; I really fear she’d trouble you."

"Thank you," Jiang Li also smiled, looking at Liu Xu, "I trust you haven’t had any issues recently?"

Liu Xu replied, "Not really," but as she spoke, she seemed to hint at some unspeakable concern, hesitating. Noticing this, Jiang Li softly asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Liu Xu glanced at her, and with a helpless sigh, said, "My father says it’s time to look for potential suitors for me. Today, my mother also came to the banquet to scope out suitable candidates. Heaven knows I don’t want to get married at all; what’s so good about marrying?" As she spoke, she turned to Jiang Li, her eyes lighting up, "Speaking of which, you must be attending the banquet for the same reason, right? You’re around my age, and the Jiang Family should have been looking for suitors for you by now!"

"Perhaps," Jiang Li laughed.