The aroma of the food was inescapable, especially the tenderly stewed pig’s trotters. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say its scent could travel for miles! In the clay pot, the rich broth bubbled and popped, its splashing sauce scooped up with a small spoon and drizzled over the aty, brown skin.
Full of collagen, it trembled gently like Jell-O when lifted.
Green and red peppers and softened garlic cloves were dotted between the pieces of trotter.
On the other side of the door.
Jiangg Yao frantically gulped. ’How can this thing sll so good?!’ she wondered.
Just from taking a few whiffs, Jiangg Yao was already starving, her stomach growling and gurgling.
Especially since she’d had the salad hot dog her sister made for breakfast, which only made her get hungry faster than usual.
This single door was completely useless.
In fact, because it was shut tight, her craving grew even stronger.
The aroma lingering in the air was, without a doubt, teasing her nostrils.
"Ti to eat~"
Suddenly, Jiangg Yao heard the shout from outside. It was followed by a CLACK as bowls and plates were set on the coffee table, and chopsticks were arranged. Then, RUSTLE RUSTLE—that must have been Chen Yuan scooting over on the sofa to make room for Ningning. CLATTER—that was probably the mints she had left on the table being moved aside.
’Why aren’t they eating on the balcony? Oh... right, they probably think the sun’s too strong and don’t want to get tanned.’
Jiangg Yao hugged her arms tightly, inwardly complaining that the two of them were being awfully picky.
"It slls so good. I can’t wait to dig in."
"Eat up. Maybe you’ll grow a bit taller. You’re still young, after all."
"Sure, I’ll grow to be over six feet tall and hit my head on the doorfra."
"That’s too tall. I wouldn’t be able to kiss you even on my tiptoes."
Their voices weren’t loud.
But Jiangg Yao’s ears were sharp, and she heard every last word.
She rolled her eyes. Although she was furious, there was nothing she could do.
Yaoyao could have put on headphones, used earplugs, or even covered her head with two pillows. If she did that, she wouldn’t hear a thing, not even if Chen Yuan and her sister were driving a monster truck through the living room.
But she was too resentful. The more humiliated she felt, the more she had to listen. The angrier she got, the more she had to listen.
Anyway, only one thought consud her: ’Let’s just see what else you two can get up to!?’
Whatever Ningning did today, she would pay her back twofold so other day.
Yaoyao had completely transford into a modern-day Goujian, as a series of idioms floated through her mind!
Endure hardship for vengeance!
Grin and bear it!
Suffer in silence and bide my ti... WAHHH...
She silently wiped away the tear that slid from the corner of her eye. Her hand ran through her ssy hair, a waterfall of black silk.
She did her best to calm down, picked up the small mirror from her desk, and after stopping her tears, forced herself to smile.
’Hm! I look quite pretty when I smile.’
’No matter the setback, I will never let my cute self lose my composure. Maintaining a good ntality is an essential quality for any successful person. So what if the person I love is having a sweet, lovey-dovey al with soone else?’
’It’s just a mont of happiness.’
’I, Jiangg Yao...’
’...am going to be with Chen Yuan for a lifeti. Why would I mind a re mont of pain?’
’There’s a saying that goes: a little impatience can spoil a great plan.’
’The ancients really knew what they were talking about—’
Jiangg Yao was still muttering to herself, not yet finished with her whole self-pep talk, when suddenly...
A very gentle voice sounded out:
"This piece of trotter is delicious. Co, let feed you~"
Jiangg Yao heard it clearly. That was definitely Chen Yuan’s voice! ’He’s actually feeding my sister right now!’
CRACK—
Jiangg Yao heard that sound clearly, too. It was the sound of her clenching her fist.
CRACK CRACK CRACK—
A few more cracks in succession. Jiangg Yao heard these even more clearly. This was the sound of her heart breaking.
...
Her treacherous tears stread down her face. This ti, she really couldn’t hold it in anymore.
’That heartless Chen Yuan! When I eat with him and ask him to feed , just to do sothing cute and couple-y, I have to coax him over and over before he reluctantly agrees.’
’But with Ningning, there’s no need to coax at all? He’s just jumping at the chance to feed her?’
’How is that fair?!’
’It’s not fair! WAHHH...’
It was over. This ti, her defenses were well and truly shattered.
Ordinary people might not understand the strange feelings between twins, but anyone who has twins in their family will have experienced it firsthand.
They will inevitably compete for everything and anything, regardless of whether that thing is good or not.
Even if one gets a bump on their head, if they’re young enough, the other will definitely go and bang their own head against a wall.
Otherwise, it feels like the sky is falling, like they’ve been treated with absolute unfairness.
This isn’t being dramatic; it’s that this special relationship requires perfect balance.
Even the highly rational Jiangg Ning couldn’t escape this "twin psychology." She would also get jealous of her younger sister and Chen Yuan, though her symptoms were slightly milder.
...
Because of the wall, Ningning had no idea how miserably her sister was crying. She didn’t know how pitiful her sister was, having to muffle her sobs so Chen Yuan wouldn’t discover the truth about them being twins.
She was enjoying a sweet ti with Chen Yuan, but she hadn’t completely forgotten about Jiangg Yao.
As they ate, Jiangg Ning’s gaze kept drifting unconsciously toward the other bedroom.
She was a little worried and a little guilty.
She was worried because Jiangg Yao hadn’t eaten all morning and must be hungry now, and that hearing her and Chen Yuan’s interactions outside would make her feel awful.
The guilt, of course, was because Chen Yuan was just a wall away from discovering the truth.
At this mont, Jiangg Ning was keenly aware of how flimsy this lie was.
It could be exposed with a single poke.
’She was actually starting to regret agreeing to Yaoyao’s "ga of love." If she had told Chen Yuan the whole truth from the start, what would things be like now...? But alas, there’s no dicine for regret in this world.’
Since they had chosen this path, she and Yaoyao could only see it through to the end.
They only had to hold on for another thirty-odd days...
Just then, Chen Yuan suddenly put down his chopsticks, interrupting Ningning’s thoughts.
"I’m going to use the restroom and wash my hands."
"Ah... then use the one in the master bedroom. The light in the other one is a bit broken."
"Okay."
Chen Yuan pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands and went through the restroom door.
With a CLICK, Jiangg Ning peeked over, then quickly grabbed her phone to send a ssage.
...
"Wh-what is it? Why did you suddenly call out?" Jiangg Yao poked her head out of the other bedroom, her voice hushed to a bare whisper.
"Are you hungry?"
"Starving! My stomach’s about to cave in. But that’s not important, where’s the young master?"
"He went to the restroom. Quick, co eat. Switch with . I’ll go rest in the other bedroom for a bit."
"This... this is too risky. Is this really a good idea?"
"Just pretend to be . Don’t switch personalities, and he won’t find out! Let’s hurry and change clothes... Hey, we don’t need to change underwear. Why are you taking off your bra!?" Jiangg Ning hurriedly pushed Yaoyao’s hands down.
A frantic scramble ensued.
FLUSH—
The sound of the toilet flushing ca from the restroom. Chen Yuan washed his hands and returned to the living room.
"Are you full?"
he asked "Jiangg Ning."
"Ah? I... I’ll eat a little more," "Jiangg Ning" said, feigning composure as she added another scoop of rice to her bowl.
Chen Yuan looked at the bowl that had been empty just a mont ago, now stuffed to the brim again, and fell silent.
’Does Jiangg have such a huge appetite?’
’How co I never noticed before...?’
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