Chapter 68: You Are Not My Sister

On the Avenue of Erudition at the Capital Academy of Arts

Qin Qing and her “sister” were walking hand in hand through the campus. Qin Qing, in a strappy denim outfit, her black hair fluttering lightly in the breeze, drew many admiring glances. Her sister wore a white sleeveless dress that moved with the wind, its round neckline and flowing fabric accentuating her graceful figure. Pink low-heeled shoes set off her delicate feet, each step as light as a water lily on a pond.

Not far behind them, two young men of similar age were chatting and laughing as they watched the girls. One wore a black short-sleeved shirt and shorts, his hair cropped short and his eyes cold and piercing, his strong build making him the picture of a handsome, capable man. The other wore a red T-shirt and blue jeans, radiating a sunny charm, though his eyes hinted at something sinister. His ash-brown hair and slender frame gave him the look of a fresh-faced youth. These were the Poison Prince and the Blood Prince, sent here for one purpose: to capture the time-space hunter, Qin Qing.

The Blood Prince could hardly contain himself, swallowing repeatedly as he stared. “Brother, which one do you want? I like the one in the straps. After so many days, finally two pure ones. I want her…” His lecherous expression betrayed his eagerness to taste pure yin blood. Had the Poison Prince not grabbed his arm, he might have rushed over already.

The Poison Prince heaved a sigh. “Useless! Look at you, getting all worked up over a woman.” Even as he chided his companion, he didn’t forget the warning: “Don’t forget the young master’s orders. If you want to die, go ahead—go take her now!” The threat sent a chill down the Blood Prince’s spine. Bruce was like a god to them, and crushing a Stinkbug like him would be as easy as crushing an insect—indeed, as a Stinkbug, he was just that.

“Fine, fine, hall master, what do you suggest? We can’t just keep following them around. What are we supposed to do, send our location to the boss and let him come himself?” The Blood Prince was visibly dissatisfied.

“Have you forgotten the young master’s instructions?” Poison Prince’s eyes narrowed to slits as he spoke calmly. “Now that her double has appeared, we only need to catch both at once. You take one, I’ll take the other. She’s just a frail girl—besides controlling time, what else can she do?”

Hearing the plan, the Blood Prince shrugged, then sneered triumphantly, “In that case, I want the one in straps and shorts! She’s mine…” He swallowed again.

“Alright, alright, brother, whatever you say.” The Poison Prince was helpless in the face of his companion’s antics. Still, he warned sternly, “Just don’t kill her. You know what will happen if you do—we’ll both die!”

The Blood Prince nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. But as they prepared to move, a glance up revealed the two beauties had vanished.

“Where did they go? Where?” The Blood Prince looked around anxiously, resentment on his face as he aimed a kick at the Poison Prince. “Damn it, this is your fault—you and your endless chatter! Now we’ve lost them! You explain to the boss when we get back!”

People could be found again, but explaining to Bruce made Poison Prince break out in a cold sweat. He knew Bruce had the power to turn him into a pool of lifeless water—and dry it up until nothing remained.

“Quick, run!” The “sister” in the dress grabbed Qin Qing’s hand and pulled her into a desperate sprint.

“What’s wrong? Is something about to happen?” Qin Qing sensed the urgency, seeing the grave look on her companion’s face.

“Don’t talk, just run. Someone wants to kill me!” At these words, Qin Qing’s face turned pale. Since gaining her powers, she’d encountered all sorts of trouble—thieves, harassers, would-be assailants—but she’d always escaped thanks to her abilities. Yet now she was running for her life, a move starkly at odds with her usual style.

Qin Qing wrenched her hand from her “sister’s” grasp. “Who are you really? If it were me, I wouldn’t run! Tell me, who are you?”

The white-dressed woman’s expression shifted. “I am you. Do you want to die? They aren’t ordinary men! Do you really think you can escape?” her voice rang with anxious fury.

“Who are you? If you’re me—fine, I’ll prove it!” With that, Qin Qing pulled out a nail clipper and cut the long nail on her left pinky.

“So you’ve realized at last. Then die!” The beautiful woman’s eyes narrowed to slits, her lips curling in a murderous smile.

“Temporal Reversal!” With a single thought, Qin Qing and the world around her spun backward, returning to the moment she first encountered Liu Lang.

...

“Oh, it’s you two sisters again? Hm, I still prefer the younger one. Sister, do you mind if we get together?” Liu Lang, in his ragged clothes, grinned shamelessly.

“Lang, I want to go to the movies with you. Are you free now?” For the first time, Qin Qing called him by that name, and Liu Lang nearly melted, leaving her “sister” wide-eyed in surprise.

Liu Lang stared, dumbstruck. “Y-Yes… I’d love to…”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Qin Qing extended her left hand, inviting Liu Lang to take it.

“Qingqing, are you sure you want to go?” her sister asked.

Qin Qing squinted at her, “Sister, don’t you already know? Why are you asking?”

Liu Lang was so excited his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He rubbed his hands repeatedly on his flower-patterned shirt, then gently took Qin Qing’s hand. “Sister, we’ll be off, then.”

Her sister, looking exasperated, shouted after them, “Stop right there! You only want the younger sister, not the elder? I’m coming too! Take me with you…” It was clear she intended to stick to Qin Qing.

“What do I do? I can’t shake her off, and I can’t say she’s not my sister! What if she gets violent? Liu Lang wouldn’t stand a chance. But why is it her and not me? Don’t I know I’m in danger?” Qin Qing walked along, sighing under the weight of her thoughts.

“What’s wrong, Qingqing?” Liu Lang asked with concern.

It took a while before Qin Qing replied, “Oh? I’m fine…”

“She likes you, you know. Don’t be such a fool!” her sister confided to Liu Lang with a mysterious air.

“No, I just…” Qin Qing tried to protest, but couldn’t reveal the truth. She realized she might never return to today, or perhaps she really would be killed. Her only chance was to retreat to an earlier point in time. “What should I do?”

“Stop right there!” A group of people came running up behind them.

“Run, Qingqing! Sister, you go on your own—I’ll take care of Qingqing…” Liu Lang was clearly intent on protecting the younger sister, or perhaps he sensed something was off about the elder.

After a frantic dash, they finally lost their pursuers. Now only Qin Qing and Liu Lang remained, eyes meeting, hearts pounding. Qin Qing was exhausted, while Liu Lang could barely contain his excitement.

“No…” Qin Qing refused Liu Lang’s attempt to kiss her.

Liu Lang, crestfallen, stood awkwardly like a wilted eggplant.

“You still won’t accept me. Is it because I’m too fickle? I know you like Brother Wu Ming! But where is he now? Five years—it’s been five years and he hasn’t contacted you once! Where was he when you were in danger? All he cares about is that damn Dao sect! Bah!” Liu Lang vented his frustrations, then quickly masked his bitterness.

“I’m sorry…” Liu Lang turned away.

Qin Qing didn’t know what to say. She had used Liu Lang this time. “I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have… What did you just say—Dao sect?”

At this point, Liu Lang cut her off. “Dao sect? No, no, no, I said ‘all in bad luck’—you misheard.” After a pause, he added, “Anyway, let’s go to the movies. Maybe things will be better afterwards. I might leave this place today…”

“Huh? Where are you going?” Qin Qing felt that Liu Lang was behaving unusually today, saying strange things.

“I’m leaving. After this, no one will bother you anymore. I’ve chased you for four years and never succeeded. Before I go, I just want to watch a movie with you, is that alright?” Liu Lang seemed like a changed man, pleading for a chance.

“But I…”

“I know… I know everything. Today I’ll protect you!” Liu Lang patted his chest, clearly aware of the earlier danger.

“It’s not just that—it’s… sigh…” Qin Qing tried to explain.

“What is it? Don’t be afraid. I’ve dealt with things like this before. This time, I’ll handle it.” Liu Lang tapped his nose confidently.

Qin Qing could only nod. She couldn’t let him know her secret. “What should I do? Liu Lang has no idea. What now? Am I really going to die?”

“Don’t worry, Qingqing. It’ll be fine. Nothing will happen this time,” Liu Lang assured her, his face calm and smiling.

“Qingqing, after all we’ve been through, this time I swear I’ll protect you! I won’t be a coward—I’ll protect you!” Liu Lang vowed silently.

He took her hand again, and this time, Qin Qing did not refuse.

“Oh, there you two are!” Her “sister,” out of breath and hand on her hip, caught up to them, clearly exhausted.

“Oh? Sister, you lost them?” Liu Lang laughed.

“Yes, it was tough, but I finally found my little sister. Qingqing, let’s go home. If you stay with Liu Lang, you’ll only end up wandering… ha ha ha.” The alluring “sister” reached for Qin Qing’s hand.

But Liu Lang blocked her, grinning. “Sister, today Qin Qing finally agreed to be my girlfriend. Can you give us some time alone? I’ll treat you to a big meal next time…”

“Oh? Not interested. Let’s go!” The sister was clearly displeased. “Being with you is a waste of time. We sisters should marry the same man! Right, little sister?”

Qin Qing was utterly confounded by this. It seemed this so-called “sister” was determined to have her way. “What? Sister, you’re joking… Liu Lang is fine… He’s leaving for the south tomorrow, so I’ll spend today with him. You have the keys, don’t you? You understand everything, really.” Qin Qing had to feign innocence.

Seeing things weren’t going her way, the “sister” could only nod and turn away.

“How annoying! What kind of sister is that?” Liu Lang grumbled as they walked on. As he turned, though, he sensed a sudden, intense murderous aura behind them. His brows knit, and he muttered, “Qin Qing, run!”