My Online Girlfriend Has a Twin Sister

Liu He was surprised. It was rare to see Chen Yuan so stubborn.

In the past, whenever Chen Yuan knew he had done something wrong, he wouldn’t stubbornly refuse to admit it. He would realize his mistake and actively work to correct it.

But this time was different.

His entire being sent a single message: I’m wrong, but I won’t change.

Liu He quietly watched her son. She mulled it over for a moment, realizing that a hard-line approach wouldn’t work this time—it would only backfire. So, she softened her tone.

To persuade someone, you couldn’t just appeal to logic; you had to appeal to their emotions as well.

"Son, I really do understand how you feel. If I put myself in your shoes, I can see how difficult it is to make a choice, because both Ningning and Yaoyao are wonderful girls. Your father and I have always taught you to treat others the way they treat you. The fact that you feel so guilty just proves you’re a good kid."

"Yeah... I don’t know how to choose," he said, looking away.

"You used to always pester me, asking how your father and I met. I’ve told you the story many times, but I always intentionally left out a lot of the details, showing you only the good parts. The truth is, your dad and I had some bad memories from back then, too."

Liu He took Chen Yuan’s hand and continued, "Back then, your father was the first to be promoted to a teaching position at Qishui Ninth Middle School. I came in later. We had a very happy time for a while. Do you know a Ms. Li Huizhen? It was because of her that your father and I almost broke up."

"Huh?" He’d never heard this story before.

"That Ms. Li Huizhen had a crush on your dad. She was always bringing him food, deliberately coming to the office to chat with him. Every time she saw him, she’d get this dopey smile on her face. It was so annoying."

"And then what?"

"And then I got upset, of course. I insisted your dad make it clear to her that he was already in a relationship. Back then, he didn’t even believe she was interested in him, but how could I, as a woman, not see it? He dragged his feet, but finally, he stubbornly told her. But your Ms. Li wasn’t discouraged at all. In fact, she just came on stronger."

She continued, "One time, I saw the two of them sort of struggling with each other in the office, and I got so angry I moved back home on the spot. Our wedding was just around the corner, so a lot of people didn’t understand why I’d suddenly moved out and kept asking questions. I could really feel the pressure. Later, your dad came to my house to explain, and that’s when I realized I had misunderstood. But I was still mad and just wanted him to admit he was wrong. Your dad, though, insisted on being ’reasonable.’ He explained everything but still felt he hadn’t done anything wrong."

Mr. Chen picked up the story, teasing, "The result was we didn’t speak for over a month. Then someone told me your mom was being set up on a blind date. Looking back, I’m sure she did it just to make me mad."

"We were both being stubborn. Another half a month passed, and your dad still wouldn’t come see me, not even after he heard I was going on blind dates. I have so much pride, but after thinking it over, I decided I couldn’t let my temper get the best of me, or I’d lose him for good. So I took the initiative and went to find your dad to make up."

After listening, Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow. It was the first time he’d heard about this part of his parents’ past. ’So it turns out everyone’s the same when it comes to love,’ he thought. ’Everyone can be stubborn and prideful, and everyone tries to run away from their problems.’

"The reason I’m telling you this, son, is because you have to be clear in your own heart about what you truly want. You need to think more about the future. Back then, when I moved out and tried to force your dad to admit he was wrong, I felt vindicated for a moment. But in the long run, how long could that feeling last? What we really wanted was a happy marriage, not to win an argument about who was right or wrong. You can put off making a choice now, but that temporary comfort will only lead to future pain. To get what you truly want, you have to bear this guilt you’re feeling and let go of your relationship with one of them."

Liu He sighed and took a sip of tea to soothe her throat. She had successfully talked Chen Yuan into silence.

Her words were indeed well-reasoned and convincing.

"Let me think about it."

A moment later, Chen Yuan rested his hands on his knees and replied dejectedly.

He didn’t know if the light he hoped to see at the end of the tunnel was just a wishful fantasy or something that could actually happen. For now, all he could do was cling to that desperate hope.

Forcing him to choose now would be more painful than death itself.

"Logically, your dad shouldn’t be meddling in your love life, so I won’t try to persuade you any further. You’re a grown man now, all grown up in the blink of an eye. It’s fine as long as you think things through for yourself."

Mr. Chen patted his shoulder, his tone gentle. He thought for a moment before adding:

"No one wants you to be happy more than your mother and I do. As long as it’s a healthy, proper relationship, we’ll support you with everything we’ve got. Both Ningning and Yaoyao are wonderful girls. I’m very impressed by your taste."

"Dad, thank you."

This simple encouragement made Chen Yuan, who had been feeling pressured by Liu He, relax completely. He looked at his father with eyes full of gratitude.

The night grew deeper.

Seeing her persuasion was having an effect, Liu He decided to strike while the iron was hot. She first offered a few more words of comfort to Chen Yuan, then tentatively tossed out a new idea.

She waited for Chen Yuan’s answer, carefully observing his expression.

The idea was this: "If you can’t decide, I actually have a great idea. It’ll solve the problem once and for all."

Chen Yuan was rather surprised. He hadn’t expected his mom to actually have a solution. He immediately looked at her, confused.

"What is it?"

...

「Next door.」

The two sisters were taking a rare bath together.

The bathroom was filled with a hazy steam, like layers of fine gauze. The glass was covered in beads of water that trickled steadily downward.

Jiangg Yao was soaking leisurely in the bathtub, enjoying the feel of the water. She pushed a plastic swan toy through the bubbles on the water’s surface, having the time of her life.

A bright smile graced her cheeks, and her long hair was tied up in a bun.

Jiangg Ning, on the other hand, was showering with her head tilted back. Thin streams of water ran down her soft skin, steam rising up around her.

The two sisters hadn’t bathed together like this in a long time. To be precise, a scene like this only happened a few times a year, usually when neither of them wanted to be the last one to use the bathroom.

The scene was as beautiful as a painting, with only the sound of running water echoing in the room.

It was a rare, tranquil moment.

"Sister, do you think the Young Master is asleep yet?"

"Why do you ask? Probably not. He’s likely washing up, or maybe chatting with his parents."

"Oh? I wanted to video call him later. If he’s talking with them, then I guess I won’t."

"You can send him a message first to ask. Wait until you get out of the bath."

As Jiangg Ning spoke, she gathered up her long hair, getting ready to wrap herself in a towel and do her skincare routine outside.

She was more perceptive than Jiangg Yao, so she naturally understood that once the two of them had left, the family would have things to discuss that couldn’t be said in their presence.

And she was right.

A parent’s support—or lack thereof—has always been a crucial factor when their children choose a partner. Some people, lacking strong opinions of their own, can even have their choices swayed by their parents.

At this very moment.

However, Chen Yuan was not the type to be so easily influenced.

...

"Here’s my idea," Liu He said, sitting down next to Chen Yuan and patting his shoulder. "Ningning is the most suitable for you. Trust your mother’s judgment, you will absolutely not regret marrying her! Just choose Ningning, get through these next few years of college, and by the second semester of your senior year, you’ll be of legal age to marry. You can have the wedding right after graduation! All of life’s biggest decisions, solved in one fell swoop. It’s perfect!"

"???" Chen Yuan’s face was a mask of question marks.

’So her true colors are showing?’

’So that’s what this was all about. After that whole long speech tonight, this was her endgame.’

"I asked Ningning about it in private today," Liu He said conspiratorially. "She said that if her career is stable, she plans on having a baby if she gets married before thirty. Your dad and I could have grandchildren!"

Beaming, she slapped Chen Yuan’s shoulder a few times.

"Then what about Yaoyao?"

"As for Yaoyao... well, after you make things clear with her, you can leave the rest to me. I’ll talk to her, and I’m planning on making her my goddaughter. Won’t that make us all even closer? You two would be like brother and sister, just without the blood ties."

"Mom! That’s insane," Chen Yuan was dumbfounded. "Wait, you’re not joking, are you?"