She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 6:

Chapter 06:

Mind if I come up for a bit?

After the film crew moved their shooting location from the main sports field to the gymnasium, they implemented closed-set filming. Except for staff, no outsiders were allowed inside the gym.

This meant students finally stopped obsessing over the big stars filming on the sports field and became much more focused in class. Teachers also felt relieved, able to concentrate fully on their teaching tasks.

It was Wednesday. The last class in the afternoon was Chemistry. Before Chen Guo could even return to the office after class, she received a call from Hao Xinyi, who eagerly asked: Teacher Chen, are you done with class? I’m at the school gate now.

Just finished. I’ll drop off my things and come over, Chen Guo replied while walking.

Hao Xinyi urged: Hurry up then! That hotpot place is always packed. I’m afraid we’ll have to queue if we go too late.

Alright. Chen Guo checked the time and responded: See you in five minutes.

A new hotpot restaurant had appeared on Meituan, and Hao Xinyi had been suggesting they go since last week. At that time, Chen Guo was preparing for an open class and too busy to spare time. Besides, she wasn’t particularly interested, so she politely declined.

She thought that would be the end of it, but after she finished her work, Hao Xinyi invited her again. It was just a meal – refusing every time seemed rather unfriendly, so Chen Guo didn’t make any more excuses.

The hotpot restaurant they were going to for dinner was quite far from Jinyuan. By the time they took the subway there, it was almost dark. Fortunately, the broth turned out delicious and the ingredients were generous, making the trip worthwhile.

Since they weren’t in a hurry, they ate while chatting. Hao Xinyi asked Chen Guo: Did you know? Jiang Chen’s movie is almost finished shooting.

I didn’t know. Chen Guo looked up and asked: Who told you that?

I went to the administration building to submit materials this morning and heard Director Wang mention it. Hao Xinyi sighed, The leadership seems quite happy that this film crew is finally leaving.

Chen Guo smiled and said: With the crew gone, students can focus on their studies. Of course the leadership is happy. Why? Aren’t you happy?

It’s not that I’m unhappy, it’s just— Hao Xinyi took a bite of food and said wistfully: I probably won’t have another chance to see Jiang Chen after this.

Chen Guo put down her chopsticks and glanced at Hao Xinyi, asking casually: Do you like her?

Hao Xinyi blurted out: Who doesn’t like beautiful women? They say online that staring at handsome men and beautiful women can prolong your life. Not sure if it’s true, but it definitely improves your mood instantly. Living with Jiang Chen, you probably wouldn’t have to worry about breast hyperplasia.

Chen Guo shook her head, I don’t know.

Ah, I hope the Goddess Nüwa will be fairer when molding me in my next life. Hao Xinyi raised her water glass to Chen Guo, Come, let’s toast to the Goddess Nüwa.

Chen Guo couldn’t quite follow Hao Xinyi’s train of thought, but still clinked glasses with her, May your wish come true.

Hao Xinyi burst out laughing and declared boldly: I want Jiang Chen’s face in my next life – that’s not too much to ask, is it?

Chen Guo twitched her lips, momentarily speechless.

Fortunately, they soon moved on to other topics. Hao Xinyi was a straightforward person without much guile, blunt and carefree. The meal turned out to be quite enjoyable.

The weather forecast said it would rain in an hour, so after finishing their meal without much delay, the two headed for the subway station. Since they were going the same way, they chatted a bit more on the train—mostly Hao Xinyi talking, jumping from one topic to another without letting the conversation lag. Chen Guo spoke little but wore a constant smile, patiently responding.

After they parted ways during the transfer, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. Chen Guo lifted her head, glanced at her reflection in the opposite train window, and recalled the earlier conversation, feeling somewhat dazed.

She couldn’t understand why the effortless brightness that Hao Xinyi naturally exuded seemed impossible for her to imitate or learn, no matter how hard she tried.

It always allowed that person to see right through her at a glance.

By the time Chen Guo got off the train, she still hadn’t figured it out, but she didn’t force herself to come up with an answer. After all, this question had troubled her for years—it was normal not to find a solution right away.

Exiting the subway station, the wind outside was strong, but fortunately, it hadn’t started raining yet. Chen Guo suspected the rain was giving her a chance to get home before it poured, so she strode briskly toward her neighborhood.

Her phone vibrated twice in her pocket along the way, but she didn’t have time to check it. Only after arriving home and changing her shoes did she take it out to look.

Teacher Hao: I’m home! Let me know when you get back.

Chen Guo opened WeChat and was about to reply when she noticed a red notification number in the contacts column out of the corner of her eye.

Someone had sent her a friend request.

Without thinking, Chen Guo tapped on it. The person’s profile picture was a bunch of colorful balloons, just like before.

She stared at the profile picture for a moment, then went back and accepted the friend request.

She turned off her phone screen, placed it on the dining table, and turned toward the kitchen to get some water. But after taking only two steps, her phone rang.

Chen Guo stopped and glanced back—a subconscious reaction, but she hesitated for two seconds before turning around, picking up her phone, and unlocking it.

J: Where are you? Let’s talk.

Chen Guo licked her lips, her eyes fixed on the screen as she sat down in a chair and began typing. At home.

As soon as she sent the message, rain began pouring outside.

J: Which home?

Chen Guo replied: A friend’s place.

J: Which building, unit, and floor?

Chen Guo froze for a moment, then suddenly realized something. She stood up and walked toward the door, grabbing an umbrella while typing out a reply.

Where are you?

At the neighborhood entrance.

Chen Guo pulled the door open and stepped out, thinking the whole way that if only she had returned through the south gate earlier.

Then, she wouldn’t have missed it.

Driving her own car would have been too conspicuous, and worried about being followed by paparazzi, Jiang Chen had specifically borrowed Tang Jing’s car today. Unexpectedly, Chen Guo had sharp eyes and hadn’t mistaken it.

But that was all—she hadn’t mistaken it.

The rain grew heavier, and the person standing just outside the car door under an umbrella remained motionless in the downpour. Jiang Chen suspected that if she didn’t speak up, Chen Guo would stand there all night.

Muttering in exasperation, Jiang Chen pushed the car door open and said coldly to the person standing beside the car, “Are you on guard duty? Get in.”

Chen Guo glanced at Jiang Chen through the gap and said, “My clothes are wet.”

Jiang Chen looked her up and down—not only were her clothes soaked, but her hair was drenched too. The umbrella in her hand seemed purely decorative.

“Don’t you know how to hold an umbrella properly in the rain?”

Chen Guo pressed her lips together, adjusted her grip on the umbrella, and asked, “Auntie, when did you get here?”

Interfered by the sound of the rain, her voice reached the other person’s ears as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, while the other woman stood before her, drenched like a drowned rat.

Jiang Chen thought of something and stepped out of the car directly.

Chen Guo froze for a moment, instinctively tilting the umbrella forward. She was just about to say something.

It’s too noisy here.

Jiang Chen glanced at her and asked, Would it be convenient for me to come up and sit for a while?