She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

I’m not interested in being the other woman.

Chen Guo took a taxi to the hotel and went straight upstairs. Arriving at room 2501, she glanced at the room number before ringing the doorbell.

The door opened quickly from inside. When Tang Jing saw Chen Guo, her gaze paused briefly, seeming somewhat displeased, but she ultimately said nothing.

She went back inside to get her bag, and as she passed Chen Guo on her way out, she said, Your aunt drank too much. Make sure she rests early.

Chen Guo stepped aside. Okay.

Tang Jing closed the door behind her and left.

Chen Guo glanced at the high heels discarded in the entryway, then walked further inside. Finding no one in the living room, she looked toward the bedroom. After pausing for a few seconds, she walked over and pushed the door open.

A small night light was on in the room. In the dim yellow light, she could see someone lying face down across the bed. Chen Guo was very familiar with that silhouette – just one glance unconsciously brought back the memory of how Jiang Chen had looked at her during dinner that evening.

Her heart was always full of worries, and her eyes carried a faint sadness that even her smiles couldn’t conceal.

Yet her words were harder than stone, never willing to yield or show weakness.

Chen Guo stopped at the foot of the bed, looking at Jiang Chen as she asked, Aunt, what did you want me to come here for?

There was no response.

Jiang Chen had drunk quite a lot tonight. Those two messages might just have been drunken indiscretions, and Chen Guo didn’t think they meant anything. She walked to the inner side of the bed intending to straighten Jiang Chen’s position and cover her with the blanket so she could sleep more comfortably.

But as soon as she grabbed Jiang Chen’s arm, Jiang Chen suddenly lifted her head. When Chen Guo saw Jiang Chen’s face, her body stiffened momentarily, and her heart began aching as if pierced by needles.

Jiang Chen’s eyes were slightly red and moist, her face showing an indescribable weariness and vulnerability.

Had enough of your antics? she asked expressionlessly, looking at Chen Guo. If you’re done, get out of here. Stop hovering around me all day.

Chen Guo seemed not to hear anything. She slowly knelt down and reached out her hand, but before she could touch Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen turned her face away.

Chen Guo’s hand paused in mid-air as she stared blankly at Jiang Chen. Aunt, have you been crying?

Jiang Chen curled her lips mockingly and was about to deny it when Chen Guo suddenly leaned forward and embraced her tightly.

Jiang Chen struggled slightly. Chen Guo.

Her tone was full of warning.

Unmoved, Chen Guo held Jiang Chen tightly. I’m sorry, I lost my head again. Please don’t be angry, okay? I won’t pressure you anymore.

Jiang Chen was taken aback. Since returning, Chen Guo had often put on an act in front of her, but this time was different.

Her humble apology carried a trace of inexplicable panic.

As if she was particularly afraid of losing something.

Let go of me first, Jiang Chen said, restraining her emotions.

Chen Guo buried her face in Jiang Chen’s neck like a drowning person clinging to driftwood, murmuring pleadingly, Can you please not leave me?

Jiang Chen’s heart tightened, and she slightly lowered her eyelids. Chen Guo, are you afraid?

Chen Guo looked up, stared at Jiang Chen’s face for a few seconds, then leaned up and kissed her.

Jiang Chen’s eyelashes fluttered, forgetting to react. Chen Guo gently sucked on her lips before pulling back slightly to look into Jiang Chen’s eyes.

I’m sorry, I take it back.

I can’t help liking you.

Jiang Chen lifted her eyelids slightly to glance at Chen Guo, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening, yet she retained a shred of rationality and pushed the other away. I’m not interested in being the other woman.

Chen Guo lowered her head and kissed her again, tenderly licking Jiang Chen’s lips, her voice bewitching as she said, If you don’t tell him, he’ll never know.

.Jiang Chen pushed Chen Guo away once more, mustering her last bit of patience to ask, Is Zhang Dongming your boyfriend?

Chen Guo looked at her. Mm.

Jiang Chen narrowed her eyes slightly and mercilessly bit Chen Guo’s lip, gritting her teeth as she said, And you’re still pretending at a time like this?

Chen Guo didn’t even furrow her brow, replying slowly and calmly, Auntie, you already know, so why ask?

Jiang Chen deliberately asked, Know what?

Chen Guo grabbed Jiang Chen’s hand, enunciating each word clearly, Zhang Dongming is someone I brought in to act out a scene.

Although she had long known that the so-called boyfriend was just Chen Guo’s tactic to pressure her, hearing Chen Guo admit it aloud inexplicably eased the tension in her heart. Jiang Chen pushed Chen Guo away with an I knew you were like this attitude, then reached out to pick up the phone that Chen Guo had knocked to the floor.

Chen Guo seized Jiang Chen’s wrist, pulling her back onto the bed, flipping her over, and then pressing her body down on top of her.

Jiang Chen grunted softly, dodging Chen Guo’s kiss, and warned, If you ever pull such a pointless stunt again, I’ll…

Her tone faltered. What would she do? She herself felt a bit lost.

Chen Guo paid no mind, gently stroking Jiang Chen’s cheek with her fingers. If you knew Zhang Dongming was fake, why did you cry?

Jiang Chen’s throat tightened. She turned her head away, unwilling to admit that even though she knew Chen Guo wouldn’t actually date anyone, seeing Chen Guo and Zhang Dongming together and hearing their talk of engagement had made her uncontrollably sad.

This sorrow wasn’t just for herself—it was for Chen Guo, too.

Because in every moment her heart ached, Chen Guo hadn’t fared much better than she had.

Who cried?

I’m sorry, Auntie, I was wrong. Chen Guo lowered her head and kissed Jiang Chen’s eyes. I won’t make you angry again. Let’s go back to how we were before, okay?

The moment she saw Jiang Chen’s red-rimmed eyes coldly staring at her, everything before her seemed to suddenly overlap with fragments of memory.

The same face—exhausted, hollow, desperate…

Chen Guo suddenly felt afraid.

She was afraid of Jiang Chen looking at her that way, and even more afraid of repeating past mistakes.

In that instant, she no longer cared about status, promises, or favoritism.

She didn’t want to see Jiang Chen hurt or sad anymore.

She just wanted her to be okay.

Jiang Chen’s heart tightened. She asked knowingly, How were we before?

Chen Guo reached behind Jiang Chen’s waist, unzipped her dress, and slipped her hand inside, her eyes fixed on Jiang Chen, earnest and resolute. I’ll do whatever you say.

Jiang Chen’s breath trembled slightly as she raised a hand to caress Chen Guo’s face.

Her face appeared calm and harmless.

All thanks to those eyes.

Jiang Chen met Chen Guo’s gaze, her eyes carrying a meaningful probe. Who am I?

Chen Guo froze momentarily, remaining silent.

Jiang Chen tilted her head close to Chen Guo’s ear, deliberately using their previous conversation to embarrass her: Is this appropriate behavior with your aunt?

Chen Guo’s heart trembled heavily. She turned her head to look at Jiang Chen, whose lips held a faint smile – clearly intentional.

After steadying herself for a few seconds, Chen Guo lowered her head and kissed Jiang Chen’s lips, speaking with solemn deliberation: There’s no aunt in the hotel.

Chen Guo curved her lips. May we continue?

The room gradually grew quiet. After lying still for a while, Jiang Chen propped herself up on her elbow and opened the bedside drawer to search for cigarettes.

Chen Guo crawled over and tightly embraced Jiang Chen from behind.

Jiang Chen turned her head and gently stroked Chen Guo’s chin with her finger. Want to go shower?

Later. Chen Guo leaned her head against Jiang Chen’s chest and murmured, Smoke less. It’s not good for your health.

Jiang Chen paused, then slowly withdrew her hand. Alright.

Chen Guo was somewhat surprised she actually listened this time, glancing up at her.

Jiang Chen closed the drawer and lay back down, staring at the ceiling with pointed meaning: Don’t always read those tabloid rumors. There’s nothing wrong with my health.

Chen Guo froze for a few seconds before tightening her embrace around Jiang Chen, unconsciously nuzzling her shoulder. Okay.

Jiang Chen smiled faintly, leaning against the headboard in silence for a moment before turning to ask, When are you leaving?

Chen Guo said, Tomorrow night at eleven o’clock flight.

Jiang Chen: Work resumes the day after tomorrow. Why not leave earlier?

Chen Guo answered truthfully: If you hadn’t contacted me tonight, I would have had time tomorrow to find another excuse to see you.

Jiang Chen froze, then curled her lips. Bringing Zhang Dongming along again?

Chen Guo nodded. Yes, he can provoke you.

Jiang Chen exhaled, her chest feeling both sour and swollen. What if I never contacted you? Were you really going to get engaged to him?

Chen Guo: No, he has a girlfriend.

Jiang Chen stiffened, turning to stare at Chen Guo with shocked eyes.

After a moment, she averted her gaze, her tone not quite complimentary. Chen Guo, you’re really something.

Chen Guo moved closer, placing her hand on Jiang Chen’s waist. I just wanted you to care about me. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. He proposed the cooperation himself.

Jiang Chen caught the hand wandering over her chest and leaned down to look at Chen Guo. Do you really enjoy seeing me angry that much?

Chen Guo lifted her eyelids slightly. You made me angry too.

Jiang Chen frowned, suddenly remembering something, feeling somewhat speechless. Is this your first day knowing about my job? You actually believe those kinds of news reports.

Chen Guo seemed to ignore Jiang Chen’s words. Is he pursuing you?

Jiang Chen pressed her lips together. I’m not interested in men.

Oh, so he is pursuing you.

Jiang Chen snorted coldly. Many people pursue me. Are you going to get jealous of each one?

Chen Guo nodded: Yes, get jealous of each one, and make your life unsettled.

Jiang Chen believed she truly had that capability. She lowered her head to capture Chen Guo’s lips, biting lightly as she gritted her teeth: You’re such a scoundrel.

Chen Guo hooked her arms around Jiang Chen’s neck and kissed her back. Jiang Chen, don’t like anyone else. I’ll listen to everything you say.

The corners of Jiang Chen’s lips curved as she smiled meaningfully. Everything I say? Then why didn’t you stop when I told you to earlier?

Chen Guo’s expression froze momentarily, offering no response.

Chen Guo’s eyes were dark and bright, seeming utterly innocent and clear no matter what they looked upon, yet within that guileless gaze lurked a hint of wicked mischief, making her appear anything but innocent.

Jiang Chen sank deeper into those pitch-black pupils, her thoughts drifting uncontrollably. Just before she was completely engulfed by the heat, she unconsciously gripped Chen Guo’s wrist.

Chen Guo stopped and looked at her. What’s wrong?

Jiang Chen met Chen Guo’s gaze, her eyes carrying a meaningful probe. Who am I?

Chen Guo froze momentarily, remaining silent.

Jiang Chen tilted her head close to Chen Guo’s ear, deliberately using their previous conversation to embarrass her: Is this appropriate behavior with your aunt.