Why do you always want to be my Taoist partner?

Jiang Li held a wine glass in his hand, looking at the two girls on the stage from afar. A thin layer of snow had fallen on the wine in the glass, making it slightly icy, but it became extremely hot when it went down his throat.

The atmosphere of today's banquet was more lively than yesterday. Those who had come to toast Jiang Li yesterday came again today. Jiang Li still accepted everyone and gradually leaned back in his chair drunkenly, squinting his eyes. For a moment, he couldn't even tell whether it was Zhu Taozhi or Zhu Qiutang who walked back to his seat.

The girl came over and sat in his arms. Jiang Li knew it was Zhu Taozhi. Zhu Taozhi turned her head, her dark eyes bright and serious. "Who dances better, me or her?"

“I think they all look equally good.”

"No, you must tell me who looks better today." Zhu Taozhi pouted slightly.

"I can't tell." Jiang Li answered drunkenly.

"Can't you just say something to comfort me?" Zhu Taozhi seemed unhappy and turned her head away from him, but Jiang Li was still just lying on the chair, looking at the heavy snow in the gray sky, as if he was drunk.

Zhu Taozhi looked at Zhu Qiutang who was sitting on the chair opposite. Zhu Qiutang was sitting there quietly with the wine glass in front of her still empty. Zhu Taozhi simply stood up and sat down next to her. Then he picked up the wine pot and filled both of their glasses.

"I'll have two drinks with you." Zhu Taozhi said, raising her glass and drinking it all. Zhu Qiutang glanced at her and raised her glass as well, but she didn't drink often, so her cheeks soon turned red.

Zhu Taozhi quickly refilled her glass. She whispered, "It's up to you," and then drank it all. She kept drinking glass after glass until she couldn't remember how many glasses she had. In her eyes, the shadows of snowflakes seemed to overlap. She gently put her arms around Zhu Qiutang's neck and leaned close to her ear. Her voice was also drunken and weak, but it was hard to tell whether it was filled with hatred.

"Why...why did you steal my man?"

There was a hint of surprise in Zhu Qiutang's eyes. She subconsciously wanted to explain herself, but after hearing Zhu Taozhi's firm tone, she didn't know what to say. She lowered her eyelashes slightly and couldn't say anything.

Zhu Taozhi did not press the issue any further, but kept his arms around her neck, and his voice became lower and lower.

"I...I've always thought of you as my good sister."

Zhu Qiutang looked at the girl's porcelain-white face, but was speechless for a long time.

Zhu Taozhi grew up in a honey pot and has always been innocent. She always likes to play with Zhu Qiutang, but because of bad luck, Zhu Qiutang has to push her away. But Zhu Taozhi has a lot of patience. No matter how much she ignores Zhu Taozhi, Zhu Taozhi will always come up to her, because in her heart, she is really her only sister.

Zhu Qiutang has always been jealous of Zhu Taozhi since she was a child, so she worked particularly hard to snatch away those things that belonged to Zhu Taozhi. Compared with Zhu Taozhi's innocence, she was the selfish and despicable woman.

She was silent for a long time. When she finally wanted to say something, Zhu Taozhi had closed her eyes, as if she had fallen asleep.

................................................

When Zhu Taozhi woke up, Jiang Li was wiping her skin with a hot towel.

She slowly opened her eyes and asked, "What time is it?"

"You just fell asleep at the party."

"How did I get back?"

"I carried you back." Jiang Li gently wiped her collarbone with the towel in his hand. Zhu Taozhi was still wearing the dance dress. Jiang Li took off the outer veil of her dance dress. Zhu Taozhi stared at him and asked, "Where is my sister?"

"She has, of course, returned to her chambers."

"Why don't you go find her?"

"Why should I go find her at this time?" Jiang Li looked at Zhu Taozhi in front of him with a smile on his face. Zhu Taozhi turned her face away and said with grievance in her voice, "Don't try to hide it from me anymore. I know everything."

"Ok?"

"Every time you come back from her place, you smell like her makeup. Is there any secret way to get her scent?"

"This is an oversight on my part."

"You weren't negligent, you clearly let me know on purpose." Zhu Taozhi finally turned her face back. She sat up a little, her delicate and protruding collarbone trembling with her breathing. The light in the room was not bright, and Zhu Taozhi stared at him straight, "I don't understand."

"You ask."

"Why... We have known each other for three years, and you have never loved me that much, but you have only known her for three days." Zhu Taozhi bit her lip, and her breathing became a little less even.

Of course she would feel wronged.

Since she was a child, she always felt wronged. She was the one who enjoyed good fortune among the two sisters, but because of this, should she be left out? Why did everyone prefer her elder sister? Why was she never paid attention to when she went to play with her elder sister? She always felt particularly awkward, so she quarreled with her mother, then left the Northern Territory and ran to Zhongzhou alone to relax.

In these three years, she has met many people and seen many things. She has grown up gradually. She thought she had begun to reconcile with the past, but she met Jiang Li again, so she felt more and more aggrieved.

Why is it that she and Jiang Li have known each other for three years and are still torn between love and hate, but Zhu Qiutang and Jiang Li have only known each other for three days and they are already in love?

Jiang Li put down the hot towel in his hand for the time being. He reached out and gently grasped Zhu Taozhi's hand. He thought seriously for a moment and said softly, "Falling in love with someone is always just a matter of a moment. It has nothing to do with time. Maybe at a certain moment, you see something shining on her, and then at that moment you suddenly fall in love with that person. You start to fantasize about everything about him, you start to weave all the beautiful images for him, you start to be moved by him, and you start to learn to miss him."

"We have known each other for three years. I wore a mask during the first three years, so I never thought of falling in love with you. It was not until the day you took off the mask that I really saw your eyes clearly." Jiang Li gently held Zhu Taozhi's hand, "With your sister, it was because of that day in Wanhua Valley..."

Jiang Li told Zhu Taozhi everything that happened in Wanhua Valley.

The two of them accidentally entered the Ziyou Secret Realm and embraced each other under the guidance of the Ziyou Secret Realm. Later, Zhu Qiutang left stubbornly and happened to encounter her heavenly tribulation. The two of them went through the tribulation together. He accompanied Zhu Qiutang in the inner demon tribulation and saw everything about her, so there seemed to be some love between them.

Zhu Taozhi listened to Jiang Li's story in silence. When Jiang Li finished, she raised her head and asked, "So why didn't you tell me?"

"Two reasons. One is that I'm afraid you'll be angry then..."

"You're going to tell me sooner or later, so I'm going to get angry sooner or later, and you know it very well."

"So there is a second reason." Jiang Li's hand gently stroked Zhu Taozhi's face. He hesitated for a moment and said softly, "She and I will part ways after that. No one knows what the future will be like. Maybe when I come to the Northern Region again, my love for her will have gradually cooled down, and maybe she will feel the same way about me. So I thought, when I come to the Northern Region next time and confirm everything, I will tell you about this."

"That sounds nice." Zhu Taozhi gritted her teeth and said, "Then you and her Devouring Doom these past few days, so it's just, it's..."

Jiang Li's hand gently stroked Zhu Taozhi's face and he said, "But haven't I told you everything now?"

"What about me? What do you take me for?"

"You are you, you are Bamboo Peach Branch, you are also a unique existence." Jiang Li said softly.

"Then if I ask you to choose between me and my sister, who would you choose?" Zhu Taozhi's expression was very stubborn. "Even if you choose her, I won't stop you. If you like her more, then go and be with her. You have nothing to feel guilty about towards me. If you don't like me, then don't like me. Not liking me is your loss, not mine."

"Why do you always feel that I don't like you?" Jiang Li looked at Zhu Taozhi in confusion.

"She's just more likable."

"You sisters are all lovely in your own way." Jiang Li gently pinched Zhu Taozhi's face, but the seriousness in Zhu Taozhi's eyes did not diminish at all. "I'm not kidding. You can only choose one between me and my sister. Who do you choose? Either her or me. Either me or her."

Jiang Li was not frightened by Zhu Taozhi's question, but asked softly, "Have you ever thought about how I would answer her if she asked me this question?"

"There is only one fixed answer. Is there a different answer?"

"But why do you insist that I choose between the two?"

"Then what do you want?"

"I want both."

"Do you want face or not?"

"No." Jiang Li answered innocently.

"I don't care, you have to make a choice." Zhu Taozhi's lips were almost bitten by her. She just stared at Jiang Li's face, waiting for his answer.

When arguing with a woman, don't care about what she is saying now, but grasp what she really wants at the core.

Jiang Li seemed to have really thought about this question seriously. After a long while, he said softly, "I won't choose. If I choose you, I will hurt Zhu Qiutang. If I choose Zhu Qiutang, I will hurt you. I can't bear to hurt anyone."

“You can’t keep getting away with this.”

"Then I won't choose anyone." Jiang Li sighed softly and stood up. "Fate is thin and light, and most of the time, there will be no end after the dust and muddy water."

"Where are you going?"

"I want some quiet time." Jiang Li gently closed the door for Zhu Taozhi.

Zhu Taozhi said nothing. She watched him walk out of her room. She clutched the quilt in her hands, raised her head, and tried hard not to let her tears fall.

Chapter 225: Chapter Bad Sister

Jiang Li ran to the steps outside the courtyard and sat for a while.

The fluorite in the yard was lit, snow was blowing in the wind, and the cold wind made him feel a little cold. He came out just to be quiet.

The reason why Zhu Taozhi was so persistent in asking him to choose one was not because of any deep hatred between her and her sister. On the contrary, her relationship with her sister was not that bad. Otherwise, when Jiang Li told her that her good luck would disappear after being swallowed up by Zhu Qiutang's bad luck, the expression on her face would not have been so relaxed.

Compared to her good luck, she hopes that her sister will no longer be troubled by bad luck. Her heart has always been clear and transparent. Although her sister always pushes her away again and again, in her heart, she still regards her as her good sister.

The ultimate reason why she asked this question was because she felt wronged.

First, she felt aggrieved that Jiang Li and Zhu Qiutang had kept it a secret from her. Second, she felt aggrieved that she had never been better than her sister since she was a child. Third, she felt aggrieved that she and Jiang Li had known each other for three years, but Zhu Qiutang had only known him for three days, yet the two of them had become equally important in his heart, and her sister had already made love with him... countless times in bed.

Jiang Li was very clear about Zhu Taozhi's grievances, but it was useless for him to say more now, so he decided to step out and calm down. Perhaps it would be better to let Zhu Taozhi think about it carefully. If she felt aggrieved, sad, and uncomfortable in her heart, no matter how many nice things Jiang Li said, it would be useless.

He just sat on the steps watching the wind and snow. He didn't know how long it had passed before he heard footsteps on the snow. He looked up and saw Zhu Qiutang standing at the gate of the courtyard. When she saw him, there was a little panic in her eyes.

"Why are you here?" Jiang Li asked softly.

"I... thought Taozhi might be awake... so I thought... to come over and take a look." Zhu Qiutang answered, but she did not walk into the door. She asked in a low voice, "Why are you sitting here?"

"I want some quiet time."

"what happened?"

"I told her everything about us." Jiang Li said softly.

"Hmm..." Zhu Qiutang responded softly, then looked into Jiang Li's eyes cautiously, waiting for his next words.

"She wants me to choose one of you." Jiang Li looked at Zhu Qiutang in front of him and said softly. Zhu Qiutang's hands were lightly grasping her dress. She was still standing by the door. Then she turned her face away and said, "You don't have to worry about my feelings."

"You two sisters are both very interesting. She thinks I will choose you, and you think I will choose her." Jiang Li smiled helplessly, and then he asked Zhu Qiutang, "Why don't you come in?"

"I... won't come in. Just stay with Taozhi."

"Come and sit with me for a while." Jiang Li said softly.

Zhu Qiutang hesitated for a moment, but she still carefully held up her skirt and walked through the snow in the courtyard, and came to sit next to Jiang Li. The two of them looked at the crystal clear snow in front of them without saying a word.

"So what should we do next?" Zhu Qiutang asked cautiously.

"I don't know either." Jiang Li smiled helplessly, but he took Zhu Qiutang into his arms. Then he looked at Zhu Qiutang's profile and asked a question seriously, "According to your personality, you should have said something to persuade me to choose Taozhi. Why didn't you say it this time?"

Zhu Qiutang looked at Jiang Li's curious eyes, and her eyes became a little evasive. After a long while, she stammered and replied, "I... wanted to say it."

"and then?"

"But I, but I'm afraid that you will really choose Taozhi. Then... I will regret it again. I can't bear it."

Jiang Li was stunned for a moment.

He looked at Zhu Qiutang's slightly red cheeks, her evasive eyes, and the sadness in her eyes. He suddenly felt his body a little stiff, but it was not because of the cold. Instead, his heart seemed to be gradually warming up.

Jiang Li came closer to her and blinked, "Is there another reason why you're afraid that I'll spank you again?"

Zhu Qiutang seemed to have thought of something all of a sudden. Her cheeks flushed red and she gently bumped her forehead against Jiang Li's. "You're annoying."

Jiang Li smiled happily. He gently hugged Zhu Qiutang's waist. After a long while, he suddenly murmured to himself.

“I’m actually a person who is particularly afraid of trouble.”

"Ok?"

"I never learned what deep affection is. I only enjoy the warm feeling when we are together. So once I feel troubled, I will want to retreat. I have never cared about so-called love, and I don't have any moral bottom line."

"Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

"No, I'm just a little annoyed." Jiang Li sighed helplessly, "Why do you have to force me to choose?"

"Because... Taozhi really likes you."

Zhu Qiutang answered in a low voice.

Zhu Taozhi's love is more like a pure and passionate little girl. She falls in love with you, stands on tiptoe beside you, looks into your eyes, and smiles. She loves you so much, so she hopes you love her as well. She hopes she is the only one in your heart, and wants to exchange her unique love for you for your unique love. She has done nothing wrong. If she doesn't love you, she will just push you away. How could she hold back her tears and let you choose one?

"Ah, I don't want to think about it anymore. It's so annoying." Jiang Li picked up Zhu Qiutang by the waist and gently held her knees with one hand. "Let's go to bed."

"Then, what about the peach branch?"

"It's useless to continue talking to her now, so why don't we have a good sleep first?" Jiang Li hugged the flustered Zhu Qiutang and walked out of the courtyard. Zhu Qiutang struggled for several times and said in a panic, "This... is not good."

"What's wrong?"

"You have to... coax Taozhi."

Jiang Li looked down at Zhu Qiutang, who was feeling uneasy in his arms, and smiled helplessly, "It's hard to coax her in a short time anyway."

"You...can't do this."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Jiang Li put Zhu Qiutang down. Zhu Qiutang and he stood in the courtyard with their ankles buried in the snow.

Zhu Qiutang didn't know how to respond to Jiang Li's words. Looking at the annoyed expression on his face, she hesitated for a moment, moved closer to Jiang Li, stretched out her hands and gently hugged him.

After a while, she said softly, "Can you please let me go and talk to Taozhi?"

Jiang Li was stunned for a moment, looked into Zhu Qiutang's eyes, and nodded gently. Zhu Qiutang loosened his arms, walked to the door of Zhu Taozhi's room, knocked gently, and walked in after receiving a response.