The Double

At night, Jiang Li couldn’t sleep. During the day, Little Yao was delighted by the treat Jiang Li had bought him, and his mood improved greatly. It’s always easy to please children, so tonight, Wen Renyao finally didn’t have to console a crying Little Yao and went to bed early.

In the room across from Jiang Li’s, if she opened the window, she could see that the light was still on in Jih Heng’s room—he hadn’t gone to sleep either.

Seated at her desk, Jiang Li stared at the slowly burning candle, lost in thought. She didn’t go to talk to Jih Heng because her heart was anything but calm. Or rather, when she had realized what her feelings were, she became unsure of how to act, not understanding why she couldn’t carry on as before.

In her friendship-based interactions with Jih Heng, her feelings had deepened over time. She had been in love before and knew what it was to have her heart stir. Even if it was just for an instant, it was not an illusion.

This was an unfortunate development, not to mention that she had planned to live her life unmarried, alone. Currently, she was still Miss Jiang the Second of the Jiang Family, with no connections to the Duke Residence or Jiang Yuanbai whatsoever. Of course, more importantly, Jiang Li knew of Jih Heng’s indifference. He was a decent person, extraordinarily handsome, and had always lent a hand when she was in trouble, helping her out a great deal. Although initially he was just a spectator, watching the drama unfold, after the incident in Tongxiang, he honored his promises, even going beyond what was expected. He did not seek any reward—a simple fan pendant would satisfy him.

When in dire straits, one is likely to feel immense gratitude towards those who offer help. But she didn’t know when that gratitude turned into a little fondness. Jiang Li knew she couldn’t blame herself, for if Jih Heng truly treated someone well, no one would remain unmoved.

But treating someone well doesn’t necessarily mean liking them.

Someone like him probably wouldn’t fall for anyone. As he himself said, he didn’t need sincerity and naturally wouldn’t give his own. To like Jih Heng was destined to be a hopeless and protracted wait. Jiang Li understood this better than anyone. She still possessed the lonely courage and hope reminiscent of her Xue Fangfei days, yet she was far more rational and composed than Xue Fangfei had been. She knew what she should and shouldn’t do, and cutting her losses in time was more critical than anything.

Jih Heng was not Shen Yurong, but liking Jih Heng may not be any better than liking Shen Yurong.

She needed to sever her misguided attachments.