Twin Flames of Rivalry

Looking at the stunned Jin Yulian, A Yun smiled and said, “It’s better that you’re here. I have something to tell you.”

Jin Yulian, feeling numb, asked, “What is it?”

A Yun smiled and said, “Don’t be sad. I know you like him, but you don’t have the ability to protect him, so you don’t deserve to have him.”

Jin Yulian finally came to her senses and said, “You want to take him away, don’t you?”

A Yun replied, “Don’t use such an ugly word like ‘take away.’ I won’t force you. I’ll give you two choices.”

Jin Yulian was shocked. “What two choices?”

A Yun said, “If you choose him, then repay me the one hundred thousand loan; if you give him up, you don’t have to repay anything. Go back and think it over, and give me your answer tomorrow.”

Jin Yulian laughed heartily. “I didn’t expect him to be worth so much—one hundred thousand! No need to wait for tomorrow. I’ll tell you now: since you like him, I’ll make it happen for you.”

A Yun hadn’t expected Jin Yulian to be so decisive—no hesitation, no pretense. She asked, “Are you sure you’ve thought it through?”

Jin Yulian said, “You’re right. I don’t have the ability to protect him. If I choose him, my company will go bankrupt, and he’ll be bullied by others. So giving him up will free both of us.”

A Yun said, “That’s a wise choice. By giving him up, both of you can find your own happiness.”

Jin Yulian gave a bitter smile. “I didn’t expect that fortune teller at the ancient temple on Tong Mountain was so accurate. Love and career—one must choose only one, not be greedy. So I’ve thought it through and chosen my career! But don’t worry, I’ll still repay the one hundred thousand. If my company’s finances improve, I’ll definitely return it. I don’t want people saying I sold out my lover to make money.”

A Yun sighed, “Why be so stubborn? Fine, suit yourself. Anyway, I won’t come asking for that money again.”

I thought to myself how eerie the portrait of the fairy in the old temple on Tong Mountain had been. Looking back now, that fortune teller’s words were indeed accurate.

He said I was the one helping Jin Yulian’s company out of its difficulties, and that Jin Yulian would have to choose between the man and the company—only one. Also, when A Yun’s mother asked about her marriage fate, the fortune teller hinted that I was A Yun’s boyfriend. I hadn’t expected all this to come true so soon.

A Yun’s assets were definitely greater than Jin Yulian’s. Her looks were no worse, and she was an only child, unlike Jin Yulian, who had an annoying younger brother.

By all rights, this was the best outcome. Jin Yulian chose to give me up, which spared me from being caught in a dilemma and from bearing the disgrace of being called a betrayer. Besides, A Yun gave me one hundred thousand. With the house and money Jin Yulian gave me, I could clear all my debts. I would have no psychological burden or guilt moving forward.

If I had to choose, it would have been difficult. Now that Jin Yulian had made the choice, the pain and guilt were hers to bear. Suddenly, I felt that A Yun was far more scheming than she appeared—she was definitely not as gentle and easygoing as she seemed.

Jin Yulian said, “Congratulations, A Feng. We’re both free now.” I wanted to say something, but no words came out. I just stared at her helplessly.

She gave me a melancholy smile and said, “A Feng, sorry about earlier—I lost my composure and dropped the beef noodles! But you have a better girlfriend now. I believe she suits you more. I wish you both happiness.” With that, she turned and quickly walked away.

I knew she was trying hard to hold back her feelings, not wanting to show them in front of A Yun. I wanted to chase after her, but A Yun held me back, saying, “You still have an IV drip in your hand.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “A Yun, what’s so special about me? Why did you choose me?”

Half-joking, half-serious, A Yun said, “Our fate is predestined.”

I scoffed, “Nonsense.”

A Yun said, “What nonsense? Have you forgotten what the fortune teller at Tong Mountain said?”

I had nothing to say. A Yun then asked, “Are you hungry? Want me to get you something?”

I said, “No need to trouble yourself. Those beef noodles are my favorite. Just help me pick them up.”

A Yun frowned. “Those noodles fell on the floor. They’re dirty now. How can you eat them?”

I said, “Though they fell, the packaging isn’t broken, so they’re not dirty.”

A Yun sneered, “I know you haven’t forgotten her. Even if the beef noodles fall on the floor, you still want to eat them because she bought them.”

I said, “A Yun, where are your thoughts going? The noodles are fine. It’d be a waste to throw them away. If you don’t want to pick them up, I’ll get them myself.”

As I struggled to get out of bed, suddenly a woman’s voice came from the door, “A Feng, are you here?”

I recognized Aunt Lin’s voice and quickly said, “Auntie, I’m here.”

Aunt Lin came in carrying some homemade snacks. Seeing a beautiful stranger sitting by my bedside, she was surprised and asked, “A Feng, how bad are your injuries?”

I said, “Auntie, I’m fine. Sorry to worry you. By the way, could you help me pick up that beef noodles?”

At that moment, Aunt Lin noticed the container of beef noodles on the floor and was shocked. Then she seemed to understand and guessed I might have had a quarrel with my girlfriend. She bent down, picked up the noodles, and came over to hand them to me.

I said, “Auntie, it’s so late. Why are you still visiting me?”

Aunt Lin said, “A Feng, I heard you were injured and admitted to the hospital. I couldn’t sleep at night without coming to see you.”

I asked, “What about Tie Tou?”

Aunt Lin smiled, “He’s fine, now living at home. Xiao Yu and Da Pang are taking care of him. Besides, he can move around on his own now.”

I smiled, “That’s good. I’m relieved.”

Aunt Lin said, “It’s all thanks to you letting me live in such a nice house.”

As she handed me the beef noodles, she softly said, “A Feng, this beautiful girl is your girlfriend, isn’t she?”

I had no response. Aunt Lin continued, “A Feng, don’t quarrel with your girlfriend. Pamper her a little, and thank her for letting us live in that big house.”

Then Aunt Lin helped me open the beef noodles package. She was surprised, “A Feng, there’s so much beef in here. This must be expensive! Your girlfriend is so thoughtful—you’d better say something nice to her.”

With a smile, Aunt Lin said, “Young lady, thank you for buying such good beef noodles for A Feng.”

A Yun replied coldly, “I didn’t buy those beef noodles.”

Aunt Lin was suddenly embarrassed and didn’t know what to say.