She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Forget It Then
Chen Guo stared at the chat box for two seconds before exiting the interface and dialing Jiang Chen’s number.
The call connected after just one ringtone. Before Chen Guo could speak, Jiang Chen’s voice came through the receiver: Let’s video chat.
Chen Guo paused for a moment, then said: Okay.
When the video connected, both instinctively glanced at each other first before speaking: Finished work?
Mm. Jiang Chen placed her phone on the entryway cabinet, lightly supporting herself with one hand on the cabinet edge as she bent down to remove her high heels. After changing into slippers, she felt much more comfortable. Picking up her phone, she walked further into the room. You only sent me one message today.
Her tone was light, no different from usual casual conversation, yet other meanings could still be detected. The corners of Chen Guo’s lips curved into a faint smile. I had full classes this morning, and meetings in the afternoon.
Jiang Chen leaned back against the sofa. So busy, no wonder you didn’t even have time to send a message.
Chen Guo didn’t respond, the smile in her eyes deepening.
Jiang Chen glanced up and asked: Where’s the Kitten? I want to see her.Chen Guo turned to look at Mimi, who was focused on eating. She’s eating. I’ll show you.
Jiang Chen said: Okay.
Chen Guo switched the camera view and stood up, moving closer so Jiang Chen could see more clearly.
Has she gained weight? Jiang Chen asked.
Has she? Chen Guo crouched down, stroking Mimi’s back. She does seem to have put on some weight compared to before.
Jiang Chen asked: What are you feeding her?
Cat food, and some freeze-dried food. She really loves chicken breast. Chen Guo said.
Jiang Chen gave a soft mm of acknowledgment.
After petting the cat for a while, Chen Guo looked up and noticed Jiang Chen’s gaze fixed on her, her expression slightly stunned.
On the screen, Jiang Chen’s eyes were calm and gentle, carrying a faint smile. This kind of deeply indulgent stare focused solely on one person gave Chen Guo a peculiar feeling in her heart.
She guessed that in Jiang Chen’s heart, she must be important too.
Chen Guo lifted her eyelids slightly, meeting Jiang Chen’s gaze as she asked: Auntie, have you eaten yet?
Jiang Chen said: Not yet, Tang Jing went to buy food.
Chen Guo nodded, then said: I saw today’s news.
Jiang Chen made an oh sound. So that’s why you only sent me one message today.
Chen Guo didn’t know what to say. The only way she could think to counter Jiang Chen had always been silence, and silence alone.
After waiting a moment, Jiang Chen spoke again: Do you feel better now?
Looking at Jiang Chen, Chen Guo’s expression showed some emotion.
Jiang Chen chuckled and said: Don’t look at me like that. When you do, it makes me feel…
She paused before continuing: …like I’ve treated you terribly before.
Chen Guo said: That’s not true.
Jiang Chen asked: Then can you smile for me?
…… This sudden request made Chen Guo somewhat uncomfortable.
Jiang Chen asked: Is something bothering you? Tell me about it.
Chen Guo shook her head. Nothing’s bothering me.
Jiang Chen: Then smile more. Otherwise I’ll overthink and assume you’re unhappy.
Chen Guo forced a slight curve of her lips. Okay.
Their conversation was quite mundane, occasionally falling into abrupt silences, yet the call lasted for a long time. Only after hanging up did Jiang Chen remember – she had forgotten to mention the most important matter.
Jiang Chen glanced at the messages she had sent in the chat box, curling her lips in self-mockery. It turned out she was just like Chen Guo—knowing full well some things were impossible, yet caring about them desperately.
On Wednesday evening, Jiang Chen landed in Shanghai. Before she could even drop off her luggage, Dai Xiaoqin summoned her home.
Chen Guo was there too, sitting on the sofa with her head lowered, silent. On either side of her sat Dai Xiaoqin and Jiang Yun, both watching Chen Guo with peculiar expressions.
After a prolonged silence, Dai Xiaoqin asked, Is there really no room for negotiation?
Chen Guo nodded, her tone resolute. None. I want ten million as bride price.
Jiang Yun took a deep breath, her emotions complicated.
She still remembered the lunch with both families when Chen Guo demanded ten million in bride price. The expressions on Zhang Dongming’s parents’ faces were unforgettable—shock, confusion, bewilderment, followed by a long, awkward silence.
Even Zhang Dongming’s gaze toward Chen Guo was indescribable.
Hearing this, Dai Xiaoqin quickly tried to smooth things over: This child is talking nonsense.
But Chen Guo retorted, I’m not talking nonsense. I want exactly that much.
The entire room fell into silence.
Though Zhang Dongming worked within the system, his family’s financial situation in Shanghai was merely comfortable. Ten million in bride price was an astronomical figure. No one had expected the usually sensible and obedient girl to make such an absurd demand before marriage.
After a long silence, Zhang’s mother embarrassedly admitted that it wasn’t that they were unwilling to pay the bride price, but that their family simply couldn’t afford it.
In the end, the meal concluded in disarray.
Jiang Yun thought Chen Guo might have misunderstood, assuming that since the two families were old acquaintances, Zhang Dongming’s financial situation was comparable to her aunt’s. She explained to Chen Guo that this wasn’t the case.
But to her surprise, even after learning about Zhang Dongming’s family circumstances, Chen Guo still insisted on the amount.
Jiang Yun had no choice but to be blunt: Guoguo, if you really insist on ten million in bride price, things between you and Dongming might… fall through.
Chen Guo was silent for a moment before saying, Then let it be.
Jiang Yun: …
Dai Xiaoqin: …
Dai Xiaoqin didn’t know what to say. She stood up and went to the kitchen to cook, calling Jiang Chen over to help. Closing the kitchen door, she whispered in complaint, Has this child lost her mind? Insisting on ten million in bride price—ten million! Even our family couldn’t come up with that much all at once.
Jiang Chen glanced through the sliding door toward the living room. Maybe Guoguo has her own reasons.
What reasons? I think your sister has spoiled her too much, and now she’s grown greedy, Dai Xiaoqin said. She sees you as a celebrity earning so much and thinks money grows on trees, that every family is like that.
Jiang Chen frowned slightly.
Dai Xiaoqin sighed. Ah, people change. Don’t be fooled by how obedient and sensible she used to be. Now that she’s grown up, her true colors are showing. I’ve always advised your sister to just fulfill her responsibilities, but she wouldn’t listen. Just wait—sooner or later, this child will drain your sister dry. And you should be careful too—
Mom, Jiang Chen interrupted coldly, stop.
Dai Xiaoqin froze, turning to look at Jiang Chen in confusion.
Realizing her tone had been too harsh, Jiang Chen pressed her lips together. I believe Chen Guo isn’t that kind of person.
Dai Xiaoqin snorted dismissively and said irritably, Right, she’s not that kind of person. I’m the bad one, making up stories about her. It was me who forced her to demand ten million in bride price.
Jiang Chen lowered her head to sort through the vegetables, remaining silent.
After dinner, snow had fallen outside without anyone noticing, leaving the ground covered in a blanket of white. Jiang Yun, worried about the slippery roads and unsafe driving conditions, suggested the two stay overnight at home.
Chen Guo didn’t speak, her gaze fixed on Jiang Chen.
After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Chen replied, Okay.
After Gao Yuliang passed away, Dai Xiaoqin had been taking care of Jiang Yun. To ensure they lived comfortably, Jiang Chen purchased a two-story villa in a quiet, spacious area with a tranquil environment. The first floor had two guest rooms, providing ample space even if both Jiang Chen and Chen Guo stayed over.
After the meal, Chen Guo watched television for a while before standing up and announcing she had work the next day, then retreated to her room.
Jiang Yun glanced back at the closed door and sighed softly.
The group sat for another ten minutes, but Jiang Yun had no interest in the TV and asked Jiang Chen to wheel her back to her room.
Once the door was shut, Jiang Yun finally felt comfortable confiding in Jiang Chen, and unsurprisingly, the topic was about Chen Guo. To be honest, I don’t dare discuss this in detail with Mom. Every time it comes up, she’s bound to criticize Guo Guo for being unreasonable. But in this matter, I really can’t understand it either. Guo Guo and Dongming have such a strong relationship, so why is she so insistent about the bride price?
Jiang Chen’s hands paused while making the bed, but she didn’t respond.
Jiang Yun looked at Jiang Chen and waved her over. Alright, stop fussing for now. Keep me company for a bit.
Jiang Chen walked over and sat beside Jiang Yun, recalling Dai Xiaoqin’s words in the kitchen. She felt uneasy but couldn’t reveal the real reason.
Chen Guo isn’t that kind of person.
Jiang Yun understood what Jiang Chen meant and quickly agreed, I definitely believe Guo Guo isn’t greedy or materialistic. I just can’t figure out why she’s being so stubborn this time. At first, I thought she was worried about lacking financial support and feeling insecure after marriage, but when I offered to buy her a house, she refused.
Jiang Chen licked her lips and fabricated a reason, Maybe the bride price is just her way of testing Zhang Dongming.
Jiang Yun paused, then had a sudden realization. You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Guo Guo lost her parents early, and she’s never been very close to us. She’s been on her own all these years—she must feel very insecure. Marriage is a major life event, so she must want to be cautious. Ah, why didn’t I consider that before? And this child, keeping everything to herself without talking to us—it must be so exhausting.
Jiang Chen gave a faint smile, fell silent for a moment, and then abruptly said, I should have visited her when she was in college.
Jiang Yun was taken aback, and a belated sense of regret washed over her. She lamented, Yes, at the time, I only thought about how she left without even a phone call and resented her for being so cold. Actually, Mom was right about some things. My kindness to Guo Guo wasn’t really about treating her as my own daughter—it was more about seeking self-comfort and self-gratification, something to ease my heart when I think of Yu Liang. True parents wouldn’t hold so much against their child.
Jiang Chen’s mind drifted as she listened, filled with imagined scenes of Chen Guo during her college years. With her personality, she surely wouldn’t have taken the initiative to make friends.
Day after day, always alone.
A sudden impulse surged in Jiang Chen’s heart—she wanted to see Chen Guo, right now, at this very moment.
It didn’t matter if they didn’t speak; just a glance would be enough.
As if guided by some unseen force, she stood up and said, Sis, I’m a bit tired. You should rest too.
Jiang Yun found Jiang Chen somewhat unusual today and looked at her in surprise, pretending to complain, We haven’t seen each other for so long, and you’re leaving after just a few words? Are you tired of your sister already?
Jiang Chen froze for a moment before hurriedly explaining, No, it’s just that I’ve been on a plane for too long today and I’m exhausted.
Jiang Yun smiled, Alright, I’m just teasing you. Go get some sleep.
Mm, goodnight, Sis.
Jiang Chen closed the door behind her and left. The motion-sensor light in the hallway automatically turned on. Standing by the railing, Jiang Chen glanced downstairs—the TV was off, and everything was quiet.
Jiang Chen went downstairs, pausing for a second outside Chen Guo’s room before continuing forward and opening the door to her own room.
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Before she could even turn on the light, a hurried yet warm presence rushed toward her.
Jiang Chen staggered backward, her back hitting the door with a soft thud. Yet her expression remained calm, without a trace of surprise or panic—until Chen Guo’s kiss descended.
She raised her hand to actively hook it around Chen Guo’s neck, a faint curve lifting the corner of her lips: I knew you would come.