She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Are we together now?

The surrounding air seemed frozen, the room deathly still.

The person at the door stood stunned for nearly a minute, pale lips trembling slightly, before finally turning away without a word and stumbling off.

Click. The door closed again.

Silence returned to the room.

Jiang Chen slowly released her grip. Chen Guo blinked blankly, as if still processing what had just happened, staring at Jiang Chen with the dazed expression of someone who’d received too great a shock.

Why are you looking at me like that? Jiang Chen bent down to pick up the phone from the floor.

Chen Guo’s lips moved slightly, almost unable to find her voice. But… there’s still half an hour left.

I arrived downstairs just now. Jiang Chen glanced at her, suddenly feeling like laughing. What’s with that expression? You look more nervous than I am.

Chen Guo stood motionless, staring at Jiang Chen. Why?

Jiang Chen placed the phone on the counter. Why what?

You know. Chen Guo suddenly stepped forward, gripping Jiang Chen’s arms tightly, her voice trembling slightly. You know what I’m talking about.

Jiang Chen lowered her gaze, pausing for a few seconds before giving a bitter smile. Because… I didn’t know how to bring it up either.

She had already said that much in Anqing, yet Chen Guo hadn’t dared to formally ask should we be together? How could she not understand the reason?

Over these four years, she had countless times blamed Chen Guo for being too heartless, for leaving without looking back. But if she really thought about it, wasn’t she also partly responsible?

She had repeatedly allowed Chen Guo to approach, allowed her to cross boundaries, allowed their relationship to become ambiguous.

Knowing there was no future, yet still giving her hope. Giving her hope, only to make her despair.

Actually, she could be quite cruel too.

From beginning to end, she had always dominated this relationship – when it started, when it ended, how much love remained, when it faded… everything was decided by her.

No wonder Chen Guo thought she only saw her as a friend to relieve loneliness and boredom. After returning for so long, despite all her dramatic behavior and even finding a fake boyfriend to provoke her, she still didn’t dare to ask do you like me?

If Jiang Chen hadn’t come to find her this time, she’d probably still think she was suffering from unrequited love.

And she seemed to have accepted this way of being together from the bottom of her heart – as long as they were together, their official status didn’t matter.

Because she knew Jiang Chen had her own difficulties, and after learning her lesson once, she seemed to understand these difficulties even better.

But a normal relationship shouldn’t be like this.

If Chen Guo took ninety-nine steps toward her, she couldn’t remain completely still.

On the way back, Jiang Chen had been mentally rehearsing what to say the entire journey. But whenever she imagined the scene, she still found it difficult to speak – it would be too awkward. Would Dai Xiaoqin and Jiang Yun think they were crazy if they heard?

Then Jiang Yun called, saying she had already arrived downstairs.

Instinct moved faster than thought.

For the first time, action proved easier than words.

Jiang Chen slowly raised her head, looking at Chen Guo. From now on, can you love me with more confidence?

Chen Guo’s lips trembled slightly. Instead of answering, she directly kissed her.

Jiang Chen didn’t wake until the next afternoon. The curtains weren’t fully drawn, sunlight streaming through the gaps to spill beside the bed. It looked like a beautiful day.

Yet she didn’t feel like moving at all.

Chen Guo was utterly inhuman last night.

From afternoon to evening, then deep into the night, every time they paused for less than ten minutes, her legs would be pushed apart again. The whole night was spent with him experimenting with different variations.

His demands were particularly excessive—sometimes wanting to see her face, other times insisting on hearing her voice. Several times, Jiang Chen felt like killing him.

Yet Chen Guo knew exactly how to handle her. Seeing her frown, he’d coaxingly kiss and nuzzle her. When her breathing grew heavy, he’d immediately lighten his touch; when it softened, he’d intensify again…

Deceiving and coaxing, over and over.

While lost in thought, the culprit entered. You’re awake.

Jiang Chen gave him a lukewarm glance. Chen Guo naturally understood what that look meant and smiled, placing breakfast on the bedside table before leaning down to kiss her.

Jiang Chen turned her head away, refusing contact. You’re sleeping in the spare bedroom tonight.

Chen Guo chuckled without committing, squeezing her hand instead. You must be hungry. Have something to eat.

Having woken up nearly at noon himself, Chen Guo found the ingredients he’d prepared last night still unused in the refrigerator. He stir-fried two light dishes and simmered a seafood congee that smelled wonderfully fresh.

Having eaten nothing since yesterday, Jiang Chen was long starved. She pushed Chen Guo away, enduring the soreness in her body as she slowly sat up. Chen Guo supported her arm. If you’re still uncomfortable, don’t get up. I’ll feed you.

Jiang Chen shot him a glare without responding and went directly to wash up.

The weather was so splendid that Jiang Chen felt lazy. With nothing scheduled for the day, she returned to bed after eating.

Soon, Chen Guo finished cleaning up and joined her, wrapping an arm around her waist while whining an apology. I’m sorry, I won’t be like this again.

Jiang Chen kept her eyes closed, couldn’t be bothered to engage. Chen Guo smiled and kissed her neck. I really like you.

Jiang Chen had a conditioned response to those words—her lower abdomen involuntarily twitched. Last night, that phrase had served as a signal that someone was about to misbehave.

Sure enough, her robe was untied the next second. Jiang Chen turned her head, giving Chen Guo an indescribable look, silent but piercing.

Chen Guo chuckled softly and kissed the corner of her mouth. Don’t look at me like that. I just wanted to check if it feels better now.

It’s fine if you don’t touch it. Jiang Chen pulled her robe closed, but Chen Guo’s hand remained inside, gently massaging her stomach. You have to tell me if you feel unwell.

Jiang Chen turned away, silent for a few seconds before suddenly asking, Who called you earlier?

Chen Guo paused, surprised. You heard?

Who was it, hiding on the balcony to take the call? Jiang Chen remarked with sarcasm.

Holding her, Chen Guo gently squeezed her fingers. Don’t get angry when I tell you.

The hospital called. Jiang Chen guessed before he could explain.

Chen Guo froze for two seconds, lowered his eyes, and murmured, Yeah…

The hospital had called to say Jiang Ping had suddenly woken up in the morning, demanding the nurses find his daughter. Afraid Jiang Chen would be upset, Chen Guo hadn’t dared mention it.

I asked Zheng Xinbao to go check first, to calm him down, and then… Chen Guo’s voice unconsciously softened. I’ll go see him tomorrow.

Jiang Chen nodded, responding generously, Fine, go ahead.

Before Chen Guo could discern whether these were Jiang Chen’s true feelings, she heard her add, If you go back, we’re breaking up.

Chen Guo tightened her arms around her, pressing her forehead against the back of Jiang Chen’s neck, murmuring, Don’t.

Truthfully, she didn’t want to return either. But now that Jiang Ping had regained consciousness, she feared he might resort to extreme measures if he couldn’t find her. Softly, she negotiated with Jiang Chen, I’ll come back after he dies.

Jiang Chen fell silent for a moment before turning her head. Are you sure?

Chen Guo clung to Jiang Chen, burying her face in her neck, her voice barely audible. Don’t be angry.

Jiang Chen glanced down at Chen Guo. She understood why Chen Guo was doing this, but the thought of Jiang Ping’s actions made her chest tighten with discomfort.

If only—

If Gao Yuliang had met her sister earlier, perhaps she could have seen Chen Guo as a child too.

Would she have lived a lighter life back then?

Jiang Chen reached up and ruffled Chen Guo’s hair. I’ll go back with you.

Chen Guo froze, lifting her head. Jiang Chen met her gaze. What? Not welcome?

Of course not, Chen Guo hurriedly replied.

Jiang Chen paused. But not tomorrow.

Why? Chen Guo asked.

Jiang Chen looked at her and answered honestly, I plan to go back tomorrow.

Chen Guo was momentarily stunned but quickly grasped her meaning. Some things couldn’t just be known—they needed to be spoken aloud.

Everything felt too sudden. Even now, it seemed unreal to Chen Guo. She couldn’t help but tug Jiang Chen’s hand, seeking confirmation. Are we together now?

Jiang Chen’s expression shifted as she stared at Chen Guo. What do you mean? Trying to back out?

No, I’m just asking. Chen Guo pinched Jiang Chen’s palm.

Jiang Chen pulled her hand back. We’ve already come out. Do you still need to ask?

Chen Guo lowered her head, pausing for a few seconds before a faint smile touched her lips. It feels like a dream. You’re actually with me.

Unable to bear her foolish expression any longer, Jiang Chen turned away. Chen Guo embraced her again, idly tracing patterns on her stomach with her fingers.

Jiang Chen caught her hand. Let me ask you something.

Hmm?

Jiang Chen tilted her head back slightly. If I hadn’t come looking for you, were you planning to never return?

No, Chen Guo admitted truthfully. After Jiang Ping dies, I’d still come back to bother you.

Though she’d expected this answer, Jiang Chen couldn’t help feeling irritated. So my place is like a hotel? You come and go as you please.

Chen Guo fell silent.

What’s done is done. From now on, don’t hide things from me or lie to me. With Chen Guo, it was best to be direct. Jiang Chen stated firmly, If you can’t do that, we break up.

Chen Guo gently bit Jiang Chen’s neck. Stop saying those two words.

Jiang Chen teased her, I can’t even say them?

No.

Jiang Chen chuckled softly. Silly.

Chen Guo pinched Jiang Chen’s waist in protest. Laughing, Jiang Chen tried to squirm away, but her hand was caught. Chen Guo half-pinned her down, leaning in to brush her lips against Jiang Chen’s before gently capturing them.

The devotion in Chen Guo’s gaze made Jiang Chen lose herself for a moment, forgetting to push her away. By the time she regained her senses, it was too late to stop.

Her robe was pushed aside. Jiang Chen closed her eyes, instinctively turning her head to the side as she yielded to her.

Chen Guo kissed for a while before stopping abruptly, like an unplugged appliance, lying motionless against Jiang Chen’s chest.

Jiang Chen steadied his breathing and glanced down at Chen Guo, somewhat surprised. A sudden attack of conscience?

Chen Guo chuckled softly and shook his head. You should rest. I won’t bother you anymore.

Jiang Chen closed his eyes and said with resignation, Do whatever you want.

Chen Guo lifted his head, his eyes dark and intense. Then make some noise.