She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 10:

Chapter 10:

You came at just the right time.

One had a toothache, the other a sore throat. During the meal, neither spoke as they quietly drank their respective bowls of porridge.

Feeling unwell, Jiang Chen ate only a little before putting down her chopsticks. She sat waiting for Chen Guo to finish eating before starting to clear the dishes. This had been their routine – one cooked, the other washed dishes, both acting with natural understanding and tacit agreement.

So Chen Guo was accustomed to it. She didn’t offer to help, instead getting up to change clothes in preparation for grocery shopping.

She had assumed Jiang Chen would go back to sleep after breakfast, but was surprised to see her emerge changed into outdoor clothes. Chen Guo blinked, Aunt, are you going out?

Jiang Chen pointed to her throat.

Chen Guo immediately understood, saying, Then let’s go down together.

Jiang Chen nodded, retrieving a mask from the cabinet to wear. They went out together but spoke little, their gazes occasionally meeting before quickly looking away.

Perhaps because they had just woken up, both were in calm moods.

There was a pharmacy in the commercial space downstairs, but the larger supermarket required crossing two traffic lights. Chen Guo didn’t suggest Jiang Chen accompany her grocery shopping – it was inconvenient for female celebrities to appear in public places, especially famous ones.

But when passing the pharmacy entrance, Chen Guo also stopped, watching inside as if concerned about something. Only when Jiang Chen emerged with purchased medicine did her expression relax slightly.

Aunt, I’m going grocery shopping now.

Jiang Chen stopped her, asking, Is metronidazole enough for your toothache?

Chen Guo looked at the bag in her hand before realizing Jiang Chen had bought medicine for her too. She nodded, It’s enough.

Then let’s go. Instead of returning home, Jiang Chen continued toward the next intersection.

Understanding, Chen Guo followed and asked, Is it alright for you to go out during the day?

Jiang Chen sounded exasperated, Am I a wanted criminal?

Chen Guo: ……

Jiang Chen’s throat still felt like being cut by knives. She opened her bag, took out bottled water, unscrewed the cap, pulled down her mask, and took her medicine standing by the roadside.

Then she turned to ask Chen Guo, Will you take yours now or wait until it hurts more?

Chen Guo glanced at her, took the water bottle, unconsciously wiped the bottle opening with her finger after unscrewing the cap, then took her medicine.

Noticing this action, Jiang Chen snorted lightly and said calmly, If you find it distasteful, go buy a new bottle.

Chen Guo shook her head, Never mind, it would be wasteful not to finish it.

Her reluctant manner prompted Jiang Chen to comment, I never noticed before how stingy you are.

Chen Guo didn’t seem to mind, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly as she said, Aunt, the morning air is fresh outside. Getting out more is good for your health.

Jiang Chen glanced at the elderly man jogging on the adjacent path and asked, How long have you been teaching?

Chen Guo thought for a moment, Almost a month and a half.

Jiang Chen replied, Not that long, yet you already sound so preachy.

Chen Guo said, Perhaps professional habits develop quickly.

Jiang Chen shot her a look, Don’t treat me like one of your students.

Chen Guo acknowledged, Alright.

Having spoken too much at once, Jiang Chen coughed. Chen Guo turned to look at her, Does it still hurt badly?

Jiang Chen really didn’t want to talk anymore, but when Chen Guo asked, she couldn’t help responding, It won’t work that fast. It’s not like I drank some miracle drug.

Chen Guo chuckled softly.

Jiang Chen eyed her, What have you been laughing about all this time?

Chen Guo glanced at Jiang Chen and affirmed, I told you you’d get angry.

Then don’t say it.

Chen Guo nodded, Alright.

They weren’t actually walking fast, but chatting back and forth, they unconsciously reached the supermarket entrance. Chen Guo went to get a shopping cart and asked Jiang Chen, Auntie, when are you going to Chongqing?

It was the weekend, and the supermarket was crowded. An elderly couple entered along with Jiang Chen and Chen Guo, pulling a shopping basket slowly but holding hands tightly all the while.

Jiang Chen walked behind, watching them until she heard Chen Guo speak and finally looked away. Tomorrow morning, by plane.

Chen Guo followed Jiang Chen’s gaze and asked, Do you need to buy anything to bring along?

No need.

It wasn’t that she really didn’t need anything—she’d be on set for half a month, so daily necessities were a must—but Jiang Chen couldn’t think of what she might be missing at the moment.

These things were usually prepared by Tang Jing, and even if she did forget something, she could always buy it there.

Jiang Chen said, Let’s get the groceries first.

Mm.

The elderly couple headed to the fruits and vegetables section. Jiang Chen reached out to steady the shopping cart and walked in the opposite direction toward the seafood area, casually asking Chen Guo, Do you know how to pick crabs?

Chen Guo said, Probably.

Jiang Chen looked at her, What do you mean, ‘probably’?

Chen Guo stated frankly, An online blogger said, just pick whichever one you like the look of, and you usually can’t go wrong.

Jiang Chen: …

Jiang Chen tore off a bag and decided to handle it herself. Chen Guo walked over, Auntie, let me hold the bag for you.

Mm.

Jiang Chen passed the bag back without noticing where Chen Guo was standing, and her fingers accidentally brushed against the back of Chen Guo’s hand. Chen Guo immediately pulled her hand back.

Jiang Chen turned to look at her.

Chen Guo held the bag as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Chen felt an indescribable emotion but didn’t say anything. She calmly finished selecting the crabs, and when Chen Guo went to weigh them, she grabbed the other’s hand.

Chen Guo was startled and turned to look at her, What’s wrong?

Jiang Chen looked at her, her tone sarcastic, I wanted to see if touching you would kill you.

Chen Guo explained, You hit me just now, that’s why I moved away.

It felt like punching cotton—Jiang Chen was inexplicably annoyed. She deliberately didn’t let go and asked, How about now, does it still hurt?

Chen Guo looked down at their joined hands and shook her head, It doesn’t hurt.

Then let’s go.

Chen Guo glanced around and reminded Jiang Chen, Auntie, we’re in a supermarket.

Jiang Chen said indifferently, It’s just holding my niece’s hand. The media can’t be that harsh on me.

Chen Guo pressed her lips together, then gently held on, her fingers slipping between Jiang Chen’s, interlocking their hands.

Alright.

Jiang Chen had only meant to tease Chen Guo and was about to let go after the joke, but the sudden grasp left her momentarily stunned. She turned to look at Chen Guo.

They had done all sorts of intimate things before, but it seemed they had rarely held hands properly like this.

Chen Guo’s palm was warm and strong, making Jiang Chen feel somewhat flustered. She instinctively tried to pull her hand away.

What’s wrong? Chen Guo held on tightly, not letting go.

Jiang Chen said, It’s not convenient for picking fish.

Understanding, Chen Guo finally released Jiang Chen’s hand and said, Auntie, your hands are so cold.

Jiang Chen’s fingers curled slightly as some rather indecent images flashed through her mind. In the past, Chen Guo had often complained about her cold hands—back then, they were in bed.

She had coaxed her in a lewd tone, Just put them inside for a while to warm up.

Chen Guo had let out a soft hum and actually warmed them for her.

Truth be told, when it came to being shameless, she was nowhere near Chen Guo—because she only talked a big game, while Chen Guo actually followed through.

After they had finished buying most of the groceries, the two pushed their shopping cart toward the checkout counters. Just as they got in line, Chen Guo suddenly remembered she had forgotten to buy seasoning. She turned to Jiang Chen and said, Auntie, you wait in line. I’ll go grab some cooking wine and light soy sauce.

Jiang Chen glanced at her still-swollen face and felt a pang of sympathy. You stay in line. I’ll go get them.

Chen Guo nodded. Okay.

She watched Jiang Chen walk away before turning back. The moment she turned, she noticed a man in the next line staring intently at her.

Chen Guo frowned and was about to speak to him when the man walked over and asked uncertainly, You’re Hao Xinyi’s colleague, right?

Chen Guo paused and looked up at him. It was a completely unfamiliar face—she was sure she didn’t know him.

And you are?

The man scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. You don’t remember me? I’m Hao Xinyi’s cousin. You came to my place to see the cat that day.

There had indeed been a guy at home when she went to pick up the cat, but he had been sitting on the couch playing video games the whole time and barely spoke. Chen Guo didn’t have a strong impression of him.

Still, since he had approached her, she couldn’t just ignore him. She smiled and said, I remember now.

The man smiled back and glanced at Chen Guo’s shopping cart. Grocery shopping this early?

Chen Guo nodded. The produce is fresher in the morning.

The man said, Hao Xinyi mentioned you also want to get a cat. I know the owner of a cattery—if it’s convenient, I can give you his WeChat. All the cats there are very healthy, so you can pick one with confidence. He might even give you a discount.

Chen Guo had already chosen a cat and didn’t need an introduction to any cattery owner. Just as she was about to politely decline, she caught sight of a familiar figure slowly approaching from the corner of her eye.

She paused, then smiled and said, Then I’ll add you on WeChat.

The man was delighted and pulled out his phone. I’ll scan you.

Chen Guo said, Okay.

After adding each other, the man smiled and said, I really like kittens too. We can exchange tips on raising them sometime.

Chen Guo smiled in response. Mm.

As the line was about to reach Chen Guo, the man said goodbye. I was jogging nearby and came in to buy water. I won’t keep you any longer. Bye.

Chen Guo said, Okay.

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and saw Jiang Chen. Smiling, she said, Auntie, your timing is perfect. It’s just our turn.

Jiang Chen glanced at her, her tone laced with implication. Yes, quite the coincidence indeed.