Chapter 88: Showdown
"Two lattes, thank you."
Ling Shuang sat in a quiet corner by the window of a cozy coffee shop.
People nearby glanced at him from time to time.
A girl around nineteen or twenty, who had been lingering nearby for a while, finally seemed to muster her courage. She took a deep breath and approached Ling Shuang as if making a difficult decision.
"Excuse me, can I... get to know you?" she asked hesitantly, her voice slightly trembling. It was clearly her first time initiating such a conversation.
Ling Shuang looked up calmly. He was no longer surprised by these kinds of encounters. Since leaving the Far North and entering human society, this sort of thing had become commonplace.
Just as he was about to politely decline as usual, a soft but confident voice interrupted:
"Sorry, this is my boyfriend."
Jiang Nannan appeared beside him, smiling sweetly at the girl as she gently claimed her place.
She wore an off-white sweater that accentuated her delicate figure, and slim light blue jeans that highlighted the graceful curves of her long legs. Light makeup enhanced her features, making her look even more radiant and captivating.
Jiang Nannan sat down opposite Ling Shuang, keeping her eyes gently on the other girl.
Seeing her, the girl's confidence crumbled instantly. Embarrassed, she lowered her head and offered a quick apology before hastily leaving.
"Ah sorry, I didn't know… I'll leave now..."
Ling Shuang wasn't bothered by her departure. Instead, he turned his gaze to Jiang Nannan, his eyes filled with mild surprise.
He hadn't expected Jiang Nannan to take such a step.
To most girls, such a small act might be nothing, but for Jiang Nannan who had always felt inferior in front of him it was a major breakthrough.
Yet her next move reminded Ling Shuang that some things about her hadn't changed.
Once the girl had walked away, Jiang Nannan's expression shifted. As if shedding a mask, she looked nervously at Ling Shuang and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Shuang… you're not angry, are you?"
Ling Shuang stared at her, both helpless and tenderhearted.
Any other girl might have scolded him at this moment, but Jiang Nannan looked like she was the one at fault.
"How could I be?" Ling Shuang replied with a light smile. "Even if Sister Nannan didn't step in, I would've turned her down."
Jiang Nannan studied his expression carefully. Seeing no hint of displeasure, she finally relaxed.
"You two, your coffee is ready."
The waiter set down two steaming cups.
The pair chatted as they sipped their drinks, until Ling Shuang's tone suddenly turned serious.
"There's something I need to talk to Sister Nannan about."
Jiang Nannan's heart tightened at the shift in his voice.
Her instincts told her that whatever Ling Shuang was about to say wouldn't be easy to hear.
Trying to steady herself, she smiled softly. "Xiao Shuang, go ahead."
Ling Shuang took a sip of the warm coffee. His voice was no longer calm, carrying a subtle weight.
"Sister Nannan… my sister likes me."
"Ah?!" Jiang Nannan's eyes widened.
Ling Shuang began to recount everything that had happened during his recent trip to the Far North. Except for slightly adjusting the details of Xue Di and Bing Di's identities, he told her everything.
By the end, Jiang Nannan had lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable.
"That's what happened."
Ling Shuang waited patiently. He knew this was a lot to take in he had needed time to process it himself.
After a long silence, Jiang Nannan finally lifted her face, her golden eyes searching his.
"So... that white-haired sister... she likes you, Xiao Shuang?"
She naturally remembered the Empress of Ice—the white-haired woman from the Star Dou Great Forest. Their encounter had been brief, but the impression was unforgettable.
And now she'd learned that this "sister" also had feelings for Ling Shuang?
Jiang Nannan seemed unsure of what to say.
Ling Shuang spoke gently, "Sister Nannan, if you have anything to say, just say it. I won't mind."
Jiang Nannan hesitated, then finally voiced her concern.
"Xiao Shuang... but this kind of relationship... isn't it wrong?"
Ling Shuang was momentarily stunned. Then, realizing the misunderstanding, a few black lines practically appeared on his forehead.
"Sister Nannan, you've got it wrong. Sister Xue and I aren't blood-related. Strictly speaking, I was adopted by her."
Jiang Nannan nodded slowly, though a trace of doubt lingered in her eyes.
Seeing this, Ling Shuang elaborated on how Xue Di and Bing Di had discovered and taken him in on the Arctic Ice Field.
Only then did Jiang Nannan seem convinced.
After all, Ling Shuang and Xue Di did resemble siblings both had striking white hair and an extraordinary presence, even if their facial features weren't particularly alike.
With her doubts resolved, Ling Shuang finally felt a bit of relief.
It was fine if Jiang Nannan saw him as a heartbreaker but he couldn't let her think he had crossed a line of morality.
Jiang Nannan spoke again, "So... Xiao Shuang, what are you going to do?"
Ling Shuang met her gaze directly.
"Nannan, I'm sorry. I won't give up on Sister Xue."
He knew how it sounded how selfish or scummy it might come off but he wouldn't run from it. He had made his choice.
Jiang Nannan's expression instantly turned desolate.
A thin mist glazed her beautiful golden eyes.
Her lips, glossy with lip glaze, were pressed tight, and her teeth bit down faintly, almost drawing color from them.
Her voice trembled, fragile and pained.
"So... Xiao Shuang called me out today… is it because you want to break up with me?"
The last few words were nearly a sob.
"No—!" Ling Shuang quickly tried to explain. He hadn't expected her to think that.
But before he could say more, his lips were sealed by a sudden warmth.
Jiang Nannan threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, fiercely.
There was nothing shy or reserved about her in that moment.
The strength of her grip made it impossible for Ling Shuang to pull away.
"Nannan…"
Ling Shuang tried to gently free himself, but Jiang Nannan only held him tighter. He didn't dare use force, fearing he might hurt her.
After what felt like an eternity, Jiang Nannan finally relaxed and let go.
Her beautiful eyes were red-rimmed. She tried to hold herself together, but her sorrow still shone through.
"It's okay. I can bear it…"
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[ end of the chapter ]