Volume One, Chapter Three: A Choice Between Two — Duan Xiaodong Chooses Duan Xiaoqiu

After the driver brought the car to a steady stop, Li Shuhe looked up at the largest cinema in Deep City. Above the theater’s marquee hung a massive movie poster, with the lead actress’s face taking up half the space.

"Are we watching this one?" Li Shuhe asked, pointing at the poster.

Duan Xiadong had rented out an entire screening room, allowing them to choose the film themselves.

"What do you want to see?"

"Let's go with this, then."

It was a documentary detailing the investigation of a major criminal case, which Li Shuhe found somewhat interesting.

"Mhm."

Duan Xiadong was not in the mood to pick a movie; to him, this was merely a task to maintain their relationship.

Just as Li Shuhe set one foot inside the theater, a figure lunged into Duan Xiadong’s arms.

"Brother!"

Duan Xiaoqiu had been squatting at the entrance for a long time. She knew her brother would be on a date with Li Shuhe today, so she had waited there early.

"Why are you so late? I’ve been out here so long my face is getting tanned," Duan Xiaoqiu complained, burying herself in Duan Xiadong’s arms and acting spoiled.

Li Shuhe stood in the shadows, her expression unreadable. *How would "she" have handled this before?*

Searching through her memories, she spoke tentatively: "I’m sure your sister didn't mean to interrupt our date."

Under their surprised gazes, Li Shuhe realized a moment too late that her timing might have been off.

"It’s all my fault. I thought Big Sister wouldn't mind," Duan Xiaoqiu said, blinking rapidly. The direct sunlight caused two physiological tears to well up in her eyes.

Li Shuhe raised an eyebrow. She had gotten the last question wrong, but she knew the answer to this one.

"It’s fine. It’s only right that Brother Xiadong spends more time with you. As long as you’re both happy, my own grievances don't matter."

Duan Xiadong ignored the two women at the center of the verbal sparring. With a cold face, he gently pushed Duan Xiaoqiu away and corrected her: "Call her Sister-in-law. And why are you here?"

Duan Xiaoqiu was not intimidated by her brother’s stern expression. She jumped up and stomped her foot. "No! She isn't my sister-in-law yet!"

Although Duan Xiadong had told Duan Xiaoqiu to address her as "Sister-in-law," he did not force the issue when she refused. Li Shuhe felt a pang of irony deep inside.

"Brother! Let’s watch this one instead! I really want to see it. All my classmates have seen it, and I’m the only one who hasn't."

Duan Xiaoqiu had heard clearly that Li Shuhe wanted to watch the documentary. Whatever Li Shuhe wanted, she was determined to stop.

Duan Xiadong felt his sleeve being tugged by Duan Xiaoqiu. A trace of helplessness crossed his eyes, and he finally smiled indulgently: "Fine, let's watch this one."

The two of them decided it naturally, with no one bothering to ask for Li Shuhe’s opinion.

Li Shuhe walked behind them, her gaze calm, quietly contemplating what "she" would do next. *Should I let Duan Xiadong catch me crying secretly during the film? Should I complain about not getting to watch the movie I wanted?*

"What a nuisance," Li Shuhe whispered to herself. Living as "her" was truly exhausting.

"Why are you sitting in the back?"

As soon as she sat down, a deep, angry voice came from above her. Li Shuhe looked up. Duan Xiadong was looming over her, his eyes narrowed with a dangerous, icy edge.

Li Shuhe sighed heavily in her heart, suppressing the urge to kick Duan Xiadong to death. Before she could speak, tears fell first. Li Shuhe froze, then realized that after five years of "her" conditioning, this body had developed an instinctive reaction.

It was a delightful discovery; Li Shuhe almost laughed out loud.

Letting the tears slide down silently, she wore a look of sorrow, her brows drooping. "It’s okay. Watching this movie is fine, too. You should spend time with your sister. I’ll be fine on my own; don't blame her."

Li Shuhe poured emotion into her words, her shoulders trembling.

Duan Xiadong remained expressionless, completely unmoved by her performance. He spoke in a calm tone, yet every word pierced Li Shuhe's heart.

"What are you sulking about? Xiaoqiu just wanted to see this movie. You’re older than her, you should be the one yielding."

Li Shuhe shifted her gaze to the right; Duan Xiaoqiu was looking back at her triumphantly.

Suddenly, Duan Xiadong reached down and grabbed Li Shuhe’s chin, squinting as he leaned into her face. "Hurry up and sit over here!"

With that, he shoved her chin away, forcing her head to the side. Li Shuhe’s face remained in the shadows, concealing her fierce expression.

This was their one rare date of the week, yet Duan Xiadong allowed his sister to ruin it every single time. Even though Li Shuhe felt no love for him, she deeply despised the man's behavior.

She suppressed the impulse to walk away. For the sake of her revenge, she could not blow her cover.

After composing herself, she looked up at Duan Xiadong with a haunting gaze, tears hovering in her eyes, silently conveying her grievance. Duan Xiadong’s expression remained icy and dark, his thoughts unreadable.

Li Shuhe stood up slowly and moved toward them. Just as she was about to switch to the row in front, she had an idea. She suddenly cried out, her voice filled with intense grievance and obvious sobbing.

"You two watch it, don't worry about me. I'm not watching anymore."

She turned and ran. Once she was outside and realized no one was following her, Li Shuhe let out a sigh of relief. Having just drunk a lot of fluids, she needed to use the restroom, so she turned and headed toward the washroom.

Duan Xiadong’s face looked particularly grim in the dim light. He hadn't expected Li Shuhe to leave so suddenly. His jaw tightened, and he muttered through gritted teeth, "Very well."

Duan Xiaoqiu grabbed Duan Xiadong as he started to go after her. "Brother, she’s just doing this to make you chase her. How can you let her lead you by the nose? You’re the head of the family; you’ve spoiled her too much in the past."

Duan Xiadong listened to his sister and agreed. If he hadn't spoiled her, she wouldn't be so lawless. She was already a "sister-in-law" to be, yet she insisted on competing with Xiaoqiu for everything.

After some thought, Duan Xiadong sat back down. Li Shuhe had no money on her and couldn't take the bus. Since they were far from her home, she would have no choice but to wait outside for him to take her back.

*Let her wait,* he thought. *Since she won't listen, I won't take her home when the movie ends. I'll let her walk back as a lesson.*

A few minutes later, chaotic sounds suddenly erupted from the neighboring screening room. Screams and shouts echoed through the empty cinema.

"Fire!"
"Run!"

A pungent smell of burning followed the cries.

"Brother!" Duan Xiaoqiu screamed in terror.

"Don't be afraid!" Duan Xiadong reacted quickly. His muscles tensed as he stood up, shielding Duan Xiaoqiu as they rushed out.

As soon as they opened the door, thick, choking smoke billowed in. Duan Xiadong closed his eyes, held his breath, and picked up Duan Xiaoqiu, preparing to dash out. Just as they stepped out, his foot slipped, and he stumbled. Duan Xiaoqiu was thrown from his arms and landed heavily on the ground.

At the same time, Li Shuhe was just exiting the restroom. The fire caught her off guard. As she pushed open the door, a woman flew to her feet. The smoke was so thick she couldn't see who it was, but, fueled by a spirit of helpfulness, Li Shuhe helped the person up.

Duan Xiadong saw Li Shuhe’s face through the smoke and let out a sigh of relief, but his heart, which had just settled, immediately tightened again.

A burning beam loomed large in Duan Xiadong’s constricted pupils, about to crash down on the two women. In the nick of time, Li Shuhe grabbed Duan Xiaoqiu and rolled to the side.

The beam crashed to the ground, and the smoke became so thick it was impossible to breathe. Li Shuhe’s ankle was struck by falling bricks, the stabbing pain causing her to lose the ability to move.

Seeing that both were unharmed, Duan Xiadong’s racing heart gradually slowed. The beam lay between them, still burning, the fire growing fiercer.

"Brother! Save me! My leg is pinned!" Duan Xiaoqiu trembled, tears streaming down her face in fear.

Behind them was the restroom; in front of them was the burning beam. Duan Xiadong stepped over the beam, picked up Duan Xiaoqiu, and roared at Li Shuhe, who was still lying on the ground: "Get up! Follow me!"

Li Shuhe wasn't about to throw her life away. She tried to stand but collapsed again.

"Are you still going to pretend at a time like this? Do you have to compete with Xiaoqiu for everything?"

Duan Xiadong looked at Li Shuhe’s clumsy acting and spoke with disgust.