She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 30:

Chapter 30: 30

You kiss me first— (Flashback Chapter)

Chen Guo fell seriously ill, lying in bed for three full days before her high fever gradually subsided.

During these three days, it was Tang Jing who took care of her, delivering meals without missing a single one, reminding her to take medicine, and ensuring she was properly covered while sleeping.

Throughout this period, Jiang Chen never showed her face once, making Tang Jing feel her aunt wasn’t fulfilling her responsibilities well.

Every time Tang Jing saw Chen Guo with drooping eyelids, pursed lips, and looking utterly drained by illness, she couldn’t help but explain on Jiang Chen’s behalf.

The weather had cleared up, and the film crew would resume work soon. As the lead actress, Jiang Chen had numerous matters to attend to daily, which was why she hadn’t visited.

Chen Guo verbally said it was fine and that she understood, but deep down, she knew better than anyone why Jiang Chen was avoiding her.

In the evening, after supervising Chen Guo taking her medicine, Tang Jing also took away Jiang Chen’s luggage.

The female artist had quite a few belongings, and Tang Jing couldn’t carry them all in one trip. Chen Guo glanced at her, threw off the covers, and said, I’ll go with you.

Tang Jing waved her hand, No need, no need. Just lie down and rest properly. I’ll make another trip later.

It’s fine. Chen Guo got out of bed, After lying down for so many days, it’s time to move around a bit.

Tang Jing thought that made sense; after lying in bed for several days, she ought to get up and walk around.

She smiled and handed a suitcase to Chen Guo, Seeing that you’re alright, your aunt will surely feel much more at ease.

Chen Guo gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile but said nothing.

The room Jiang Chen had moved into wasn’t as spacious as the previous one; you could take it all in at a glance.

Hearing the door open and thinking it was only Tang Jing, Jiang Chen didn’t pay much attention, flicking ash into the ashtray and about to say something.

But when she turned her head, she saw Chen Guo, who looked… noticeably thinner.

Tang Jing moved the things into the room, deliberately making conversation as she remarked to Jiang Chen, Young people recover so quickly. Just two days ago, she was unconscious with a high fever, but after a few doses of medicine, she’s already better.

Good that she’s better. Jiang Chen averted her gaze, stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray, and stood up to help.

Just as Tang Jing was about to say more, her phone rang—the director’s assistant was summoning her to a meeting on the first floor.

Once she left, only Chen Guo and Jiang Chen remained in the room.

Neither spoke, and silence hung between them for over ten seconds.

Jiang Chen walked over, took the suitcase from Chen Guo’s hand, and pushed it against the wall, Are you feeling better? Is there anywhere you still feel unwell?

Her tone was calm, as if nothing had happened.

Yes.

Jiang Chen was taken aback and instinctively turned to see where Chen Guo was feeling unwell.

But as soon as she turned her head, her eyes met Chen Guo’s.

My heart feels unwell. Chen Guo looked at her, her gaze unwavering, Are you avoiding me?

Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then coolly averted her eyes, Didn’t Tang Jing tell you? The crew is about to resume work soon. I’ve been very busy these days, and staying in that room would disturb your rest.

Chen Guo’s eyes swept around the room, her tone devoid of emotion, Actually, there’s no need to go through all this trouble. I’m leaving tomorrow. You can move back in; this room is too small and uncomfortable to live in.

Jiang Chen was stunned, her attention entirely caught by the first part of the sentence, Where are you going?

Chen Guo’s gaze lingered on Jiang Chen’s face for a few seconds before she named a place, Tianjin.

Jiang Chen immediately furrowed her brows, a surge of anger rising in her heart. For such a trivial matter, are you going to drop out of school?

Chen Guo was visibly taken aback. …What?

Jiang Chen was completely immersed in her own emotions, inexplicably recalling what Dai Xiaoqin had said earlier.

If she’s not your biological child, no matter how well you treat her, she might not remember your kindness in the future.

Wasn’t this exactly the case now? She’d inexplicably declared her affection, acting as if it were some profound devotion, yet just because I didn’t visit her for two days, she’s ready to turn around and leave.

What difference is there between her and an ungrateful wretch?

Even in a proper relationship, there should be a gradual process from shallow to deep. You really can’t trust a single word from a kid!

Fine. Jiang Chen nodded, lifting her eyes, about to say, Leave if you want.

Suddenly, Chen Guo walked over and gently embraced her.

Jiang Chen froze, not understanding what Chen Guo was up to this time, when she heard the person holding her speak softly.

My aunt called me last night, asking if I wanted to spend the New Year in Tianjin this year. It’s just for the holiday.

They were about the same height, and Chen Guo’s chin rested lightly on Jiang Chen’s shoulder.

As if trying to soothe something, she spoke slowly, her warm breath against Jiang Chen’s neck making her feel slightly ticklish, her heartbeat uncontrollably quickening.

Worse than that, she realized she actually didn’t want Chen Guo to leave.

It made no sense—clearly, her leaving would be better for both of them.

She wouldn’t have to exhaust herself dealing with a child’s affections, nor would she have to live in fear of her sister discovering this twisted relationship and blaming her for corrupting her daughter.

Do you want me to stay? Chen Guo asked.

Jiang Chen closed her eyes. As expected, it had to come to this.

She slowly pushed Chen Guo away, glanced at her, felt uncomfortable, and averted her gaze.

My mom called a few days ago, saying she and my sister are spending the New Year over there and won’t be back. The film crew here definitely won’t be able to spare me for a while, so I’ll most likely be spending the New Year with the crew. The house will be empty, so if you want to go to Tianjin for the holiday, I’ll have Tang Jing buy you a ticket tomorrow, but…

Jiang Chen paused, looking at Chen Guo. If you don’t mind being bored staying with the crew, you can remain here.

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Guo gave her answer. I’m not going to Tianjin.

Jiang Chen pressed her lips together. Think it through carefully. Once filming starts, Tang Jing and I will be very busy every day, and no one will have time to look after you. You’ll have to stay in your room by yourself.

Can I go to the set with you? Chen Guo asked.

Jiang Chen hesitated. You can go, but don’t cause any trouble.

Chen Guo looked at Jiang Chen, silent for a few seconds. That day, I was half-asleep and thought I was dreaming—that’s why I acted that way. Besides, you were the one who… kissed me first.

… Jiang Chen was stunned, wanting to explain that it had been an accident.

But she felt it was pointless. It had already happened. Yes, it had already happened.

Before this, for work, she’d filmed many kissing scenes—just lips touching lips.

It should have been a perfectly ordinary thing, but whenever she thought about it happening between her and Chen Guo, it just couldn’t be ordinary anymore.

Jiang Chen’s mind was too chaotic, completely unable to sort things out. All she could do was adopt the demeanor of an elder. You only have half a year left. Focus on your studies first. Our matter… we’ll talk about it after your college entrance exams.
Chen Guo hadn’t expected Jiang Chen to say that—it was completely an unexpected surprise for her.

Although this was likely just an excuse Jiang Chen used to placate her, such words sounded as if there were some illicit affair between them, inexplicably stirring excitement within her.

I understand the importance of the college entrance exam and won’t treat it as a joke.

Having reassured each other, the two finally spent a few days in peace.

Chen Guo stopped saying strange things, and Jiang Chen no longer avoided her.

Though Chen Guo claimed she would visit the set, she only went twice, spending the rest of her time in her room doing test papers.

After wrapping up each night, if it wasn’t too late, Jiang Chen would stop by Chen Guo’s room to check on her, bring her some snacks, exchange a few words, and then return to rest.

This tranquil period was particularly comforting—until Lu Tong came to visit the set.

As a renowned art-house female director in the industry, Lu Tong didn’t have many works to her name, but each was a masterpiece.

What people loved to gossip about most were the two films she collaborated on with Jiang Chen.

One propelled a newcomer to the status of Movie Queen, while the other helped her defend the title, directly winning the Three Golden Awards.

The director knew the bond between Lu Tong and Jiang Chen was extraordinary. Coincidentally, an investor was also present that day. After wrapping up, the director had an assistant book a private room at an out-of-town family-style restaurant and invited the producer and several lead actors to join for dinner.

Initially, the atmosphere was quite pleasant, but after a few drinks, the investor—probably drunk—began asking inappropriate questions about Jiang Chen and Lu Tong’s relationship.

I’ve heard rumors that you two are that kind of couple—is it true?

Instantly, all eyes at the table turned to the two of them, expressions shifting dramatically.

Jiang Chen was checking her phone at the time. During lunch, she had sent a message to Chen Guo’s homeroom teacher, subtly inquiring about Chen Guo’s performance at school and whether she was struggling with math.

Lately, every time Jiang Chen visited, Chen Guo was buried in test papers, mostly math ones. Jiang Chen wondered just how poorly she had scored to be working so diligently.

The teacher, likely busy in the afternoon, had only just replied, her message tinged with confusion.

Chen Guo’s math scores have always been excellent—she’s never fallen out of the top three in her class.

She then sent a ranking list from the class’s final exams, where Chen Guo’s name stood prominently in the second row. Her grades were well-balanced across subjects, nothing like what Chen Guo had claimed—that she had performed poorly and needed to humbly ask for tutoring fees.

Jiang Chen hadn’t been paying attention to the conversation at the table until the investor called her out by name. Distractedly, she glanced up, her eyes filled with bewilderment.

Lu Tong, seated beside her, shot her a discreet glance before smiling faintly and asking the investor what kind of relationship he meant, hoping he would drop the subject. But some people, after a few drinks, lose all sense of propriety.

Unfamiliar with Lu Tong and unwilling to engage with her, the investor turned his criticism toward the director, his tone displeased. He complained that Jiang Chen was being disrespectful—after all he had invested in the project, the lead actress wasn’t even acknowledging him.

The director quickly tried to smooth things over, insisting that wasn’t the case, while secretly signaling Jiang Chen to say something.

Jiang Chen had encountered investors with no moral integrity who threatened film crews with money before, but no matter how much she detested them, those with money ultimately called the shots.

A slight curve lifted the corner of Jiang Chen’s lips as she smiled at the investor. With practiced ease, she explained that she had merely spaced out for a moment—how could she possibly disregard the benefactor feeding the entire crew? She then raised her glass in a toast to the investor.

The investor seemed appeased by this response, his expression softening as he encouraged Jiang Chen to down several more drinks. Only then did the minor incident pass.

Jiang Chen’s alcohol tolerance was actually quite good, but perhaps because she had drunk those glasses too quickly, she felt slightly dizzy after leaving the restroom, with an inexplicable warmth spreading in her chest.

She braced both hands against the edges of the sink, head lowered, remaining motionless for a long while as if waiting to see if she would vomit.

Lu Tong stood nearby, watching the water on Jiang Chen’s face gather like tiny streams along her jawline before dripping into the sink.

Are you okay? Lu Tong shifted her gaze slightly and handed over a tissue. Wipe your face.

Jiang Chen took the tissue and wiped her face roughly. …Thank you.

You’re still so formal with me. Lu Tong gave Jiang Chen a somewhat helpless glance. She had originally intended to discuss the new film, but given the circumstances, decided to drop it. Can you walk? I’ll take you back.

Remembering what happened last time after drinking, Jiang Chen waved her hand. No need, Tang Jing is waiting downstairs to pick me up.

You still need to get downstairs first. This restaurant doesn’t have an elevator. Lu Tong looked at Jiang Chen, her voice exceptionally soft and filled with concern. Xiao Chen, there’s no need for such distance between us.

The affectionate address made Jiang Chen’s heart tremble momentarily, but she said nothing, only responding, Let’s go.

Lu Tong supported Jiang Chen as they went downstairs. Just as they exited the restaurant entrance, they saw Tang Jing, who seemed to have just arrived. She immediately stepped forward upon seeing the two, reaching out to take Jiang Chen from Lu Tong.

Don’t worry, I’ll help her. Lu Tong placed both hands on Jiang Chen’s shoulders, subtly pulling her closer. I live in the same area anyway.

Tang Jing paused for a moment, glanced at Lu Tong, hesitated briefly, but since it was just a short distance, she ultimately said nothing, lowering her eyes. Alright, then let’s get in the car.

The alcohol from earlier hadn’t rendered Jiang Chen completely unconscious—she could hear their conversation—but her dizziness was overwhelming, so she didn’t bother protesting about who should support her.

After all, there were only three of them here, and only these three knew about what had transpired between them.

But when she got into the car, she suddenly noticed another person sitting in the passenger seat.

The very person who claimed to be bad at math, played the victim in front of her, and deliberately made her uncomfortable.