She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Are you breaking up with me?

Jiang Chen froze for a moment, thinking she must have misheard. What did you say?

I’m planning to move out, Chen Guo repeated.

Jiang Chen stared at her for several seconds before turning away with a darkened expression and sitting at the dining table with her back to Chen Guo. She remained silent for a long while.

Just yesterday when they went out, everything had been fine. But after going out once, she came back acting like a completely different person.

Jiang Chen knew Chen Guo too well. Although she didn’t say it directly, her little thoughts weren’t hard to guess.

Last time when there was gossip about her and a male actor, she suddenly acquired a boyfriend out of nowhere.

If she wasn’t mistaken this time, it was probably because Chen Guo had seen that video on the hot search where Peng Yiyi was holding her waist. Otherwise, she wouldn’t suddenly go crazy for no reason.

Perhaps Chen Guo knew deep down that the news was fake, but she just felt unhappy.

And her way of expressing unhappiness was to make Jiang Chen unhappy too.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen felt both angry and sad – angry that Chen Guo was like a sealed jar, never telling her what she really thought, just silently tormenting her.

And sad that there seemed to be an invisible wall between them, always feeling like something was missing.

Since Jiang Chen wasn’t speaking, Chen Guo remained standing at the doorway as if being punished.

What are you standing there for?

Jiang Chen called her over impatiently.

Chen Guo paused for a moment before slowly walking over and stopping in front of Jiang Chen.

Why do you want to move out? Jiang Chen looked up at her. Don’t tell me it’s because this place is too far from your workplace.

Aside from the two old residential compounds across from Golden Source Middle School, Yongjin Garden was practically the closest neighborhood to the school in the area.

If Chen Guo used that as an excuse, she would basically be treating Jiang Chen like a fool.

Chen Guo lowered her eyelids slightly, remaining silent.

Are you tired of me? Jiang Chen asked.

Chen Guo quickly looked up, denying it: No.

Then what’s wrong? Jiang Chen asked patiently, waiting for Chen Guo to tell her the reason.

Actually, Jiang Chen didn’t mind Chen Guo throwing tantrums over this kind of thing – she even quite liked it.

But this bad habit of not communicating properly definitely needed to be corrected.

This time she happened to guess the root of the problem, but what about next time, or the time after that?

Jiang Chen couldn’t possibly guess right every time in the future, nor did she want to keep guessing like this forever.

Chen Guo fell silent again.

Jiang Chen gave a slight smile and said gently: If living with me really makes you feel that uncomfortable, then I respect your decision. I do have many flaws and bad habits – maybe there are some things I haven’t noticed myself that have made you uncomfortable—

…Stop talking. Chen Guo interrupted her quietly.

Jiang Chen looked up at her. Why shouldn’t I say it? Some things need to be made clear. I need to understand whether you simply want to move out for a while, or if you have problems with me and don’t plan to see me anymore.

The last sentence clearly struck a chord with Chen Guo. She suddenly looked up, her eyes somewhat panicked as she looked at Jiang Chen. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out in the end.

Seeing Chen Guo like this, Jiang Chen also felt uncomfortable and couldn’t bear to say anything else to provoke her.

It wasn’t like she didn’t know Chen Guo had this personality from day one. She could teach her slowly in the future.

She sighed softly and was about to let it go.

Suddenly she heard Chen Guo say: Can you let me think about it first?

Jiang Chen looked up, confused. Think about what?

Think about what you said. Chen Guo’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear.

Jiang Chen froze for a moment, remaining silent as she watched Chen Guo quietly. Only when her neck began aching from tilting did her eyelids gradually droop.

She had initially thought Chen Guo was just throwing a tantrum, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Whether Chen Guo had grown tired and wanted to separate, or had some other unspoken difficulty, she was genuinely considering ending things.

Really, it should be a simple matter of stating it clearly, but since the other person hesitated and said she needed more time to think, then they’d both take more time.

Jiang Chen nodded calmly, Then think. Think carefully.

Chen Guo moved quickly, finding a new apartment within two days. She broke the news while they were having dinner.

Sometimes it felt surreal – just last night Chen Guo had still been sleeping in her room, sharing the same quilt with her.

Though they hadn’t spoken much, Chen Guo had clung to her tighter than anyone in the night.

And today she could expressionlessly announce, I’m moving out tomorrow.

Jiang Chen paused with her chopsticks mid-air, glancing up, Have you decided?

…Not yet.

Jiang Chen placed the food in her bowl, tone indifferent, Then what’s the rush? This place is big enough for you. Stay here and think properly. If there’s anything you can’t figure out, we can discuss it.

Chen Guo remained silent.

Jiang Chen glanced at her and didn’t press further.

Chen Guo didn’t have many belongings – just two suitcases when packed. When she left, Jiang Chen deliberately stayed in her room.

But when she heard the door close, her heart ached sharply.

Unexpectedly, Chen Guo returned the next day. Jiang Chen thought she’d forgotten something.

Instead, she was carrying two large bags of groceries, coming to cook.

Jiang Chen didn’t stop her. Having someone cook and serve her for free was more than welcome.

She ate whatever Chen Guo prepared, and did so without any guilt.

In the following days, Chen Guo came almost daily, like an unpaid housekeeper.

She arrived punctually every day to cook, ate with Jiang Chen, cleaned the kitchen, then left.

Once when she arrived, Jiang Chen happened to be practicing yoga in the living room. Hearing the door open, she glanced sideways and noticed Chen Guo wearing a face mask.

She seemed to be wearing masks frequently lately.

As the music ended, Jiang Chen turned off the TV, picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from her neck, and walked toward the kitchen.

After pouring and drinking a glass of water, she casually asked, Caught a cold?

Chen Guo removed her mask, but as soon as she opened her mouth slightly, she frowned and managed two strained words, Sore throat…

Turning to look closely, Jiang Chen noticed the left side of Chen Guo’s face was swollen.

She froze, Wisdom teeth inflamed again?

After a brief silence, Chen Guo nodded faintly.

Taken any medicine?

Enduring the pain, Chen Guo replied, Yes.

Jiang Chen studied Chen Guo – she was the one determined to move out, yet with her dejected appearance now, it seemed like Jiang Chen had wronged her instead.

With a dark expression, Jiang Chen took the vegetables from Chen Guo’s hands and tossed them into the sink. Stop cooking. Come with me.

Chen Guo let herself be led to the balcony.

Open your mouth.

Seeing the sweat on Jiang Chen’s neck, Chen Guo obediently opened her mouth.

Jiang Chen looked inside – two wisdom teeth on the left were inflamed together, the gums red and swollen, looking quite severe.

Chen Guo was fortunate in her misfortune – she had four wisdom teeth, and every time they flared up, it was always two at once.

What have you been eating lately? Your inflammation is this severe. Jiang Chen frowned slightly.

Having kept her mouth open for so long, an inexplicable sourness spread in her mouth. Chen Guo swallowed, Nothing much.

Last time I told you to get two extracted, but you forgot the pain once the wound healed and didn’t take it seriously. Jiang Chen withdrew her gaze and turned toward the living room. Learn your lesson this time – go get them removed as soon as the swelling goes down, so you don’t have to suffer again.

Chen Guo watched Jiang Chen’s back and responded softly, …Okay.

Although Chen Guo didn’t complain about the pain, her face was so swollen that it was clear she wasn’t feeling well.

Jiang Chen’s heart softened. She told Chen Guo to rest and went to cook a pot of congee herself.

When the congee was almost ready, Jiang Chen went out to call Chen Guo for dinner and saw her curled up on the sofa, having fallen asleep at some point.

One side of her face was swollen, with dark circles under her eyes, making her look utterly exhausted.

Jiang Chen had tried to tread lightly, but she still woke Chen Guo, who looked momentarily dazed upon seeing her, then slowly sat up.

I fell asleep.

Jiang Chen pressed her lips together and averted her gaze. Let’s eat.

That night, Jiang Chen tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was filled with the image of Chen Guo lying on the sofa that afternoon.

The more agitated she felt, the more her smoking urge crept up uncontrollably.

She sat up, leaning against the headboard, lit a cigarette, and picked up her phone while smoking. She sent Chen Guo a WeChat message asking how her teeth were.

There was no reply for a long while. Jiang Chen frowned, about to call her directly and clarify a few things while she was at it.

Before she could dial, her phone rang first.

A woman’s voice on the other end said Chen Guo had been in an accident and asked if family could come to the hospital.

By the time Jiang Chen rushed to the hospital, the wounds on Chen Guo’s forehead and arm had already been treated and bandaged.

With fresh injuries on her face, she looked even worse than she had that afternoon.

The woman who had brought her to the hospital was the homeroom teacher of Class 9, in her early thirties and quite youthful. She explained to Jiang Chen how Chen Guo had ended up with those injuries.

She had fallen on her own.

Jiang Chen froze for a few seconds, her gaze bypassing the woman in front of her and fixing directly on Chen Guo standing behind.

The other woman kept her eyes downcast, her expression blank. She didn’t speak or even return Jiang Chen’s gaze.

The homeroom teacher seemed to sense the awkward atmosphere and tried to lighten the mood with a smile: Some paths around the school are a bit uneven. It’s easy to trip if you’re not careful at night. I’ll bring it up with the school another day.

Jiang Chen snapped back to reality and forced a smile. Thank you for bringing Chen Guo to the hospital.

Don’t mention it, we’re colleagues. The homeroom teacher was quite easygoing. She glanced at her watch and smiled. It’s getting late, you should head back soon. Xiao Chen must be pretty shaken up – let her rest well.

Jiang Chen politely offered to see the teacher home, but the woman waved her off, saying she had her own car.

So, she let it go.

After the teacher left, Jiang Chen’s smile faded bit by bit. She glanced at Chen Guo, didn’t ask where she lived, and took her straight back to her own home.

Once home, Jiang Chen went directly to the kitchen without waiting for the person behind her.

Chen Guo stood in the entryway, hesitated for a few seconds, then looked toward the kitchen. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.

Jiang Chen ignored her, downed two glasses of ice water in one go, braced one hand against the kitchen counter, eyelids slightly lowered, breathing heavily.

When she felt less agitated, she came out and walked over to Chen Guo. Glancing at the medicine in her hand, she asked, Is this for oral use or topical application?

…Both, Chen Guo replied hoarsely.

Which one do you take at night? Jiang Chen glanced at Chen Guo. Just point it out for me.

Chen Guo untied the bag and took out the oral medication. Jiang Chen took it and looked at it. Alright, go sit on the sofa first. I’ll get you some water.

Chen Guo turned her head to look at Jiang Chen and was about to walk inside when she suddenly realized she hadn’t taken off her shoes.

She turned back to the entrance to change her shoes. Jiang Chen came out with the water and waited for her to finish changing. Then they went inside together.

Jiang Chen handed the medicine and water to Chen Guo, who took them without even looking and obediently swallowed the pills.

Does it taste bitter? Jiang Chen asked.

Chen Guo shook her head.

Jiang Chen looked at her without any hint of beating around the bush. Do you want to break up with me?

Chen Guo froze for a moment, then turned her head and met Jiang Chen’s gaze. Her eyes looked calm, as if she would immediately walk away if Chen Guo nodded yes.

Chen Guo’s lips trembled, but no sound came out.

If you haven’t made up your mind yet, I can give you more time, Jiang Chen turned her head away, her voice muffled. Because I can tell you don’t want to break up either. Did something happen?

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Chen suddenly remembered something. That night at dinner, my assistant and agent were with me. Actually, I hadn’t planned on going originally, but you had something at school. I thought since I had nothing to do back home, and it had been a while since I’d seen that colleague, we might as well hang out together. When we came out after eating, we ran into some fans taking photos. A few young girls—they didn’t seem to have any bad intentions—so I let them take pictures. I never expected one of the videos would end up trending.

At this point, Jiang Chen turned to look at Chen Guo. Did you move out because of this?

Chen Guo seemed completely unaware of the situation, looking at Jiang Chen blankly.

Jiang Chen’s lips twitched weakly. So it’s not that. Then what is it? What’s making you so conflicted that you can’t tell me? Some things are easier to solve when two people discuss them together rather than one person bearing the burden alone.

The corners of Chen Guo’s eyes and mouth were bruised, and there were several scratches on the side of her face. Perhaps it was too painful—so painful she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Jiang Chen tilted her head to look at her, staring for a long time before finally relenting.

It’s okay if you can’t talk about it now. But I can’t let you live elsewhere anymore. You’ve only been out for a few days, and already you have gum inflammation and you’ve taken a fall. You’ve been acting really off lately. Even if living with me makes you uncomfortable, just bear with it for now. Let’s deal with whatever it is after the New Year.

Chen Guo, answer me.

Okay.

Jiang Chen believed her, but she never expected to wake up the next day and find Chen Guo gone.

At first, she thought Chen Guo had gone out to buy groceries, but as noon approached and there was still no sign of her, with her phone unreachable and no response on WeChat, Jiang Chen finally realized something was wrong.

Just like that, a full-grown adult had vanished without a word, right from under her nose.