This was the first meeting between Da Ya and Er Ya.
With countenances that shared over eighty percent similarity, each felt like they had discovered a new continent upon seeing the other, yet also harbored the fear that it was merely a mirage.
Cautious, disbelieving, and a little excited.
"You..."
"I..."
The sisters circled each other, appraising one another.
"Pa..." Li Xiaoxiao slapped her forehead. "Xiao Zhong..."
"Dead." Li Xiaozhong was truly exhausted and didn't want to deal with it. "Burn paper for small matters, dig graves for big ones."
Having said this, Li Xiaozhong went straight back to her bedroom, closed the door, flopped onto the bed, and completely washed her hands of the situation.
"Li Xiaoxiao! What exactly is going on!" Da Ya and Er Ya turned their heads to Li Xiaoxiao, asking in unison.
"Uh..." Li Xiaoxiao swallowed and said, "You, you guys wait for me a moment. I'll go burn some paper for my brother... No, I mean, I'll go dig a grave!"
As she spoke, Li Xiaoxiao also tried to slip away. The moment she turned, heavy hands landed on her shoulders from both sides.
Li Xiaoxiao shivered, pursed her lips, and put on a tearful expression, silently lamenting in her heart, "Qing Tian... when are you ever going to come..."
Meanwhile, the moment Xia Qingtian received Li Xiaozhong's call, she knew something was wrong. Rushing to leave, she encountered Yu Zixuan at the entryway.
"Qing Tian, where are you going?" Yu Zixuan asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"I'm going to a friend's house, something happened there," Xia Qingtian replied as she walked out.
"Be careful." Yu Zixuan's eyes darkened as she watched Xia Qingtian's hurried departure. She turned back to her room and immediately instructed those stationed near the Li residence to follow Xia Qingtian.
Upon arriving at Li Xiaoxiao's place, Xia Qingtian saw Da Ya and Er Ya sitting on opposite sides of the sofa, with Li Xiaoxiao in the middle, looking small, humble, and utterly immobile.
Seeing Xia Qingtian arrive, Er Ya immediately jumped up. "Qing Tian! What's going on!"
"Who is she!" Da Ya also jumped up and asked.
"Why does she look exactly like me!" Da Ya and Er Ya questioned in unison.
"It's exactly what you two are thinking," Xia Qingtian replied, crossing her arms.
Since they had met, there was no way to undo it.
However, judging by the current situation, Da Ya hadn't yet been subjected to too much stimulation and developed any adverse reactions.
This was considered a fortunate turn of events amidst the misfortune.
"Is she a clone?" Er Ya asked, pointing at Da Ya.
"Is she an alien?" Da Ya asked, pointing at Er Ya.
"Can you two think of something a normal person would imagine!" Xia Qingtian's mouth twitched at their words. "You are sisters! Twin sisters!"
"!" Da Ya and Er Ya gasped in unison, then looked back at Xia Qingtian and asked, "Where's the proof?"
"What if she's a clone disguised as my sister?" Er Ya questioned.
"What if she's an alien disguised as my sister?" Da Ya asked.
"What's the point of cloning you?" Xia Qingtian said speechlessly to Er Ya. "So you can eat double portions and anger me to death?"
"What's the point of an alien disguising itself as your sister?" Xia Qingtian then looked at Da Ya. "You don't even know who you are, what would an alien want with you? Because you have a bad memory? Because you stay up late playing games?"
Da Ya and Er Ya found themselves unable to refute Xia Qingtian's words for a moment. They could only shift their gaze from Xia Qingtian back to each other, appraise each other again, and then embrace each other tightly. "Sister! I have a sister!"
Xia Qingtian looked at the two of them and shook her head helplessly.
It was her bad luck to encounter these two mischievous children.
"Qing Tian, you're finally here..." Li Xiaoxiao hugged Xia Qingtian's arm and started to cry. "They kept asking me questions, and I couldn't explain! My brother didn't help me at all, and even told me to burn paper and dig a grave!"
"What on earth is going on?" Xia Qingtian listened, utterly confused. She reached out and gently rubbed Li Xiaoxiao's head. "You go rest for a while, I'll have a good chat with them."
"Okay!" Li Xiaoxiao finally felt as if she had been granted a great pardon and walked away shakily.
She was so tired, more tired than working overtime at the company.
This was the end of her! Truly the end!
Xia Qingtian then pulled Da Ya and Er Ya to sit on the sofa. "I know you are both very excited right now, but you must understand that if twin sisters are separated from childhood, there are always unavoidable reasons. Therefore, you cannot let anyone else know about each other's existence for the time being. Absolutely do not flaunt the fact that you have a sister to outsiders. Er Ya! I'm talking to you!"
Er Ya, who had been excitedly whispering to Da Ya, shivered when Xia Qingtian called her name. She then pouted displeasedly. "Why are you only talking to me!"
"Because the only people Da Ya can interact with are Li Xiaoxiao and Li Xiaozhong. You are different." Xia Qingtian knew Er Ya's personality too well. If she didn't clarify the seriousness of the situation today, by tomorrow even the canteen ladies at Z University would know that Er Ya had a twin sister!
The Tang family's situation was already peculiar. Although Er Ya was now using the surname Di at Z University, what if someone guessed that this surname was fake?
When Di San had arranged for Er Ya to work as a security guard at Z University, it seemed like a casual arrangement. If someone investigated, they might uncover something.
Xia Qingtian did not want to take that risk at the moment.
"Okay..." Er Ya shrugged guiltily. She had intended to show off a little, but hearing Xia Qingtian explain the situation so seriously, Er Ya could only behave.
Xia Qingtian still felt a bit uneasy. She lectured them for a while longer before letting out a sigh of relief. "Da Ya will continue to stay with Li Xiaoxiao for now. As for you, Er Ya..."
"I want to be with my sister!" Er Ya hugged Da Ya tightly and looked at Xia Qingtian with her big eyes. "Please, okay..."
"Then you don't want your Xia Shang?" Xia Qingtian asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm..." Er Ya hesitated. She missed Xia Shang terribly!
"Xia Shang?" Da Ya looked at Er Ya blankly. "Who?"
"My man!" Er Ya puffed out her chest proudly.
"Wow!" Da Ya exclaimed in surprise.
"Sigh..." Xia Qingtian shook her head helplessly at the sound. "Forget it, you can stay here. I'll bring my uncle to see you tomorrow."
"I knew Qing Tian was the best~" Er Ya immediately forgot her displeasure, snuggling up to Xia Qingtian's arm and acting spoiled. "Absolutely don't bring that Miao guy! I hate him the most!"
"Okay~" Xia Qingtian dared not bring Miao Tong over at this time. The Ming Yin masters of the Tang family were all here. Was she planning to have the Miao family wiped out in one go?
After pacifying Da Ya and Er Ya, and transferring ten thousand yuan to Li Xiaoxiao as "feed money" for these erratic sisters, Xia Qingtian prepared to return to the Xia residence.