She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 23:

Chapter 23: 23

Let Me Accompany You (Flashback Chapter)

Jiang Chen said, No.
Chen Guo looked at Jiang Chen, then after a moment gently tugged at the corner of her mouth. Mm.
Jiang Chen’s lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but Chen Guo walked toward her. I’m going to feed Mimi.
Jiang Chen shifted her body slightly, watching Chen Guo pass by her. Only after the person had left the bedroom did she belatedly respond, Okay.
Chen Guo suddenly stopped walking, turned her head and glanced at Jiang Chen. Aunt.
Jiang Chen looked up.

Chen Guo asked, Are we still sleeping together tonight?
Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned, then the corners of her mouth curved upward. Of course.
Chen Guo seemed to have taken a reassurance pill, her face relaxing considerably as she walked toward the balcony. Jiang Chen watched the direction she left in, the smile on her face gradually fading as she unconsciously became somewhat distracted.

In those memories she had deliberately ignored, her relationship with Chen Guo seemed to have started becoming subtle from the moment Lu Tong appeared.

She remembered it was the celebration banquet for Irreconcilable Foes. The crew gathered for a meal, and during dinner, everyone recalled past moments working together and the honors Irreconcilable Foes had received since its release. Their eyes glistened with tears, emotions running high.

As the female lead of this film, Jiang Chen drank quite a lot that night. When the gathering ended, Tang Jing’s phone remained unreachable, and ultimately it was Lu Tong who drove her home.

They had parted on amicable terms initially, and their subsequent interactions had always been normal. But that night, something went wrong in some aspect—perhaps the movie’s success made them both somewhat sentimental, inevitably recalling the past and becoming emotional.

Many details from that time were already blurry in Jiang Chen’s memory, but she distinctly remembered Chen Guo’s gaze when she looked at them. Her eyes were pitch black as she stood two meters away from the entrance door, watching the two of them kissing passionately with utterly emotionless, cold and calm eyes.

It was Lu Tong who first noticed Chen Guo’s presence. She reacted quickly, raising her hand to shield Jiang Chen’s face, protecting her against her chest, then using her eyes to warn Chen Guo to stay away.

Jiang Chen, unaware of what was happening, leaned limply against Lu Tong. After recovering for a moment, she murmured, I won’t have you stay over tonight.
Lu Tong glanced at Jiang Chen, hesitating to speak.

Aunt. At that moment, Chen Guo suddenly called out.

Jiang Chen turned to look and immediately understood why Lu Tong’s behavior had been so strange moments before. Simultaneously, she became significantly more sober.

Chen Guo looked at her without saying anything more.

Seeing the way Chen Guo was looking at her, Jiang Chen felt an indescribable guilt in her heart. She reached back to support herself against the wall, creating distance between herself and Lu Tong.

Lu Tong followed closely, asking uneasily, Who is she?
Jiang Chen said as calmly as possible, My niece. It’s fine.
Lu Tong’s pupils slightly dilated in surprise. Since when do you have a niece?
Jiang Chen pressed her lips together. You should go back first. I’ll explain another day.
Lu Tong paused for a moment, realizing the situation wasn’t appropriate for this conversation, then nodded. Alright. Go rest early, and don’t forget to drink the hangover soup before bed, or you’ll have a headache again tomorrow morning.
Jiang Chen softly responded, Mm.
As Lu Tong passed by Chen Guo, she stopped and said, Your aunt is drunk. Take care of her tonight.
Chen Guo looked up at Lu Tong and said, Okay.
Lu Tong pursed her lips, turned to look at Jiang Chen, her eyes filled with complex emotions. After hesitating for a long time, she only said, I’m leaving.
As the elevator door closed, Jiang Chen withdrew her gaze and staggered unsteadily to the door, lowering her head to enter the passcode.

Her alcohol tolerance had always been good; the amount she drank that evening was hardly anything to her, at most leaving her slightly tipsy. Yet now, her mind felt as muddled as a pot of glue.

Soon, a mechanical female voice prompted her: passcode error.

Jiang Chen grew somewhat irritated and was about to try again.

Chen Guo asked, Is she your girlfriend?
…
Jiang Chen pressed her lips together, not intending to discuss matters of the heart with a student, especially since this particular relationship involved two women.

It felt indescribably strange and absurd.

Chen Guo stepped closer, stopping beside Jiang Chen, and rephrased her question, A hookup?
Jiang Chen’s fingers stiffened. She lifted her head to look at Chen Guo, her gaze flickering with shock that Chen Guo would use such explicit language.

Reading the expression on Jiang Chen’s face, Chen Guo added, I’m an adult.
Due to frequently transferring schools in the past, Chen Guo was two years older than most of her classmates. Even so, Jiang Chen felt it was inappropriate to discuss this with her.

No, Jiang Chen replied curtly. Did you change the door passcode?
Chen Guo said, No.
Then she lowered her head. Let me try.
Jiang Chen moved her hand away, and soon the sound of the lock turning was heard. The door opened, and Chen Guo said, It’s done.
Without looking at her, Jiang Chen entered directly, changed her shoes, and headed toward the master bedroom. But after two steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around, paused for a few seconds, and only spoke after her gaze focused on Chen Guo’s face: Don’t tell anyone else in the family about what happened tonight.
Chen Guo walked to the bar to pour water, her eyes never meeting Jiang Chen’s. Then be more careful in the future. Don’t let the paparazzi catch you.
The corner of Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched, and she realized her earlier behavior had been impulsive. She stood still for a moment, lost in thought, but said nothing and returned to the bedroom.

Not long after lying down, Tang Jing called, explaining that her father had felt unwell after dinner and she had just taken him to the hospital. She had been busy with examinations and missed the call.

Are you home now?
Jiang Chen hummed softly, shifting her sleeping position to ease her headache. Is everything alright?
Tang Jing said, Nothing serious. He’s just getting older, and his blood pressure is a bit high. We just need to be more careful in daily life.
Jiang Chen nodded, moving the phone away from her ear. Just as she was about to open the drawer to get a cigarette, a wave of nausea surged in her stomach.

She didn’t have time to get up and leaned over the edge of the bed to vomit. The pungent smell quickly filled the room.

Staring at the mess on the floor, Jiang Chen frowned, pondering how to clean it up when the bedroom door was pushed open from the outside.

Chen Guo stood at the doorway holding a glass of honey water. Apparently unprepared for the scene inside, she froze for a moment before stepping in.

Rinse your mouth first, Chen Guo said, crouching by the bed. She helped Jiang Chen sit up, supporting her shoulders, and brought the cup to her lips.

Extreme physical discomfort made Jiang Chen unwilling to speak. She wiped her mouth with her hand and took a sip from the cup Chen Guo held.

The water was warm, mixed with honey, and it soothed her stomach considerably.

Jiang Chen took another sip before lying back flat on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she let out a soft sigh.

Why aren’t you in school today? Jiang Chen asked with slurred speech, her words slightly muddled from drunkenness.

Chen Guo glanced at her, placing the cup on the bedside table. School’s on break.
Jiang Chen thought for a long moment but couldn’t recall any recent holidays, so she gave up and closed her eyes. Her warning held little force as she mumbled, Don’t skip classes.
Chen Guo hummed in acknowledgment and stood to leave.

Too lazy to open her eyes, Jiang Chen heard the door open followed by the sound of running water.

Then came soft rustling footsteps. The various noises unsettled Jiang Chen until she finally opened her eyes to see Chen Guo holding cleaning supplies, tidying up the mess by the bedside.

She wasn’t particularly deft, but worked with careful attention.

Having someone bustling around while she was drunk stirred an indescribable feeling in Jiang Chen’s heart – one that made her feel deeply grounded.

Propping herself up, Jiang Chen took a cigarette from the drawer, lit it, took a drag, then leaned against the headboard. Holding the cigarette between her fingers, she quietly watched Chen Guo clean.

The room remained unlit, bathed in dim light. Chen Guo kept her head down while cleaning, never looking at Jiang Chen.

Silence enveloped them both. Their intersecting shadows swayed gently on the wall like scenes from another century, carrying an unspoken sense of weighty tranquility.

When Chen Guo finally looked up, she brought a basin of water to the bedside. Let me wipe your hands. You’ll sleep more comfortably.
Jiang Chen didn’t move, her gaze fixed on Chen Guo until she suddenly chuckled after a moment.

What is it? Chen Guo asked.

Jiang Chen shook her head, leaned deeper into the bed, stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray, then cooperatively extended her hand.

Kneeling by the bed, Chen Guo held Jiang Chen’s wrist with one hand while clutching a warm towel with the other. Her lips parted: Open your hand wider.
Jiang Chen complied.

Bent over, Chen Guo gently wiped with the towel – first the palms, then between the fingers. Her entire focus remained on Jiang Chen’s hands, completely absorbed in the task.

Jiang Chen’s drunkenness hadn’t fully subsided; her mind remained blank and sluggish. Yet this current feeling pleased her, and she relaxed contentedly against the headboard. It’s nice having someone at home.
Chen Guo released Jiang Chen’s hand to rinse the towel before cleaning the other hand. As she leaned over Jiang Chen, their eyes met.

Auntie, are you unhappy?
Jiang Chen didn’t catch it clearly, looking at Chen Guo questioningly. What?
You got your heart broken, Chen Guo stated.

Jiang Chen paused, then laughed. Nonsense.
Chen Guo tightened her grip on the towel, eyes still downcast. Did you like her very much?
The smile slowly faded from Jiang Chen’s lips. She couldn’t say whether she liked her or not – she just—

Being alone is too boring.
Chen Guo’s hands stilled as she looked up at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen smiled self-deprecatingly. This acting profession… can be quite lonely sometimes.
Chen Guo remained silent.

It looks glamorous on the surface, but when you’re alone in private, it’s especially— Jiang Chen trailed off, her expression briefly wistful before she quickly collected herself. Curving her lips into a smile, she said, Never mind. Focus on your studies.
Withdrawing her hand, she told Chen Guo sincerely, Thank you for taking care of me tonight. It seems my earlier care for you wasn’t in vain.
Chen Guo’s lips twitched. I’m an adult now.
Jiang Chen nodded dismissively.

Chen Guo watched her for a moment before looking away. Auntie, are you still feeling unwell?
Waving a hand, Jiang Chen replied, Much better now.
Chen Guo stood by the bedside, picked up the glass of honey water from the nightstand, and handed it over.

Jiang Chen’s headache had eased considerably by now, and she instinctively reached out to take it.

Chen Guo moved her hand back slightly.

Jiang Chen looked at her.

Meeting her gaze, Chen Guo said, Auntie, let me feed you.
Jiang Chen was taken aback, feeling something was odd but unable to pinpoint what.

After taking a sip, she told Chen Guo to rest. It’s getting late. You have class tomorrow—go to bed.
Chen Guo looked at her. Auntie, I don’t have class tomorrow.
Jiang Chen felt confused. I know, you just said—
She glanced at Chen Guo. An actor’s intuition was always sharper than most; she could keenly sense something intangible stirring between them, intense yet elusive. Before she could grasp what it was, she heard Chen Guo say:

Let me stay with you.
Author’s Note

The next few chapters will be flashbacks~