She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 7:

Chapter 07:

No one can refuse you.

Chen Guo remained silent, seemingly somewhat hesitant.

Jiang Chen looked at her and suddenly realized, Oh, I forgot you’re still staying at your friend’s place. Never mind then.

As she turned to get into the car, her arm was suddenly grabbed, and the umbrella above tilted toward her.

Chen Guo said to her, My friend isn’t home today. Let’s go.

The rain had been falling for a while and was gradually showing signs of stopping.

When they arrived home, Chen Guo closed the umbrella, leaned it against the doorway, and went to pour water for Jiang Chen.

Auntie, make yourself at home.

Jiang Chen stood at the entrance, surveying the interior. The apartment wasn’t large, estimated to be only about thirty square meters, with everything visible at a glance.

One bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, and one bathroom.

As she had suspected, Chen Guo was lying again.

Though the space was small, it was fully furnished with all necessary items, leaving very little room to move around. When Chen Guo turned around after pouring water, she found herself face to face with Jiang Chen.

Chen Guo averted her gaze, placed the paper cup on the table, and said, Auntie, don’t just stand there. Have a seat and drink some water.

Jiang Chen walked over and stood opposite Chen Guo, abruptly asking, Are you dating someone?

Chen Guo was taken aback, looking up at her. No, why?

Really?

Jiang Chen glanced toward the small bedroom with its door open and asked with interest, There’s only one room here. I’m curious how you and your roommate are sharing this space?

Knowing Chen Guo’s tendency to be stubborn—even with evidence right before her eyes, she would call black white if she didn’t want to admit something—Jiang Chen cut off her potential excuses in advance. Don’t say you sleep on the sofa. That excuse is ridiculous, and I won’t believe it for a second.

Chen Guo remained silent.

You rented this place yourself, didn’t you? There’s no roommate. You know my sister is worried about you, and you know my mom doesn’t want her to stress over your situation. That’s why you deliberately mentioned during dinner that you were renting a place, and sharing it with someone else. Since Yongjin Garden is so close to Jinyuan, my mom would inevitably suggest you move there.

Perhaps because she understood Chen Guo too well, Jiang Chen felt no anger while saying these words, only an eerie calm.

She just didn’t understand, Since you achieved your goal, why didn’t you move in?

Chen Guo’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she replied softly, Because you wouldn’t like it.

Jiang Chen was stunned.

Chen Guo gave a faint, wry smile. I’m guessing you haven’t been back for several days, right?

I’ve been busy with work.

That’s only part of the reason. Chen Guo lifted her eyes. You don’t want to see me, do you?

Jiang Chen suddenly lost the assertive, confrontational demeanor she had moments earlier. She even felt somewhat unable to meet Chen Guo’s gaze.

Does that matter?

It does, Chen Guo said. I did want to move into Yongjin Garden—it would save me rent and make commuting easier. But my intention wasn’t to force you out. It’s your home. It wouldn’t be right for me to take over your space.

Jiang Chen felt a mix of emotions—both touched and somewhat amused to hear the word right coming from Chen Guo’s mouth.

Then why didn’t you say so earlier? My sister thinks you’ve already moved in and plans to visit you this weekend. What am I supposed to tell her?

Chen Guo lowered her eyes. I’ll explain to Auntie Yun and Grandma. I’ll tell them I found a rental that’s closer to the university and more convenient for work.

Do you think my sister will agree to that?

Jiang Chen picked up the cup and took a sip of water, her mind suddenly in turmoil, unsure what she had even hoped to accomplish by coming here.

Chen Guo glanced at her and reassured, It’s fine, I’ll talk properly with Aunt Yun. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just say you rented the apartment for me.

… Jiang Chen paused, giving Chen Guo a meaningful look.

Chen Guo quickly explained, No, this is just an excuse to placate Aunt Yun. It doesn’t mean anything else.

Jiang Chen frowned, feeling even more unsettled. After a moment of silence, she suddenly made up her mind.

She set down her cup and looked across the table.

Don’t go through all that trouble. You can live there. My not going back has no other meaning—I’m just genuinely busy.

Really? Chen Guo asked as if bringing it up casually. I heard from a colleague that your film is almost wrapped up. You probably won’t be as busy then, right?

Jiang Chen was taken aback for a moment before saying, The scenes in Jinyuan are nearly done, but afterward, I still have to go to Chongqing for half a month of shooting. I really am busy.

Mm, your dark circles look heavy. Haven’t been sleeping well? Chen Guo asked.

Jiang Chen brushed it off, I’m used to it.

Chen Guo looked at her with concern, Auntie, work is important, but you need to take care of yourself too. Don’t overexert yourself.

Jiang Chen pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond. Between her and Chen Guo, it was always like this—sometimes distant, sometimes close, never quite settled.

It was as if they had reached some unspoken agreement to never bring up the past, as if doing so would allow them to coexist peacefully.

Over the years, she often asked herself: Is this how it’s going to be?

Occasionally, wild thoughts would surface—what if she tried, just in case…

Unfortunately, she never managed to take that step.

She lacked the courage, unsure whether she could bear the consequences that might follow such an attempt.

And she resented Chen Guo for not being worth that risk.

Auntie. Chen Guo called out to her.

Jiang Chen lifted her gaze, her eyes slightly dazed, What is it?

Chen Guo looked at her, Don’t be upset.

Jiang Chen let out a humorless laugh, I’m not upset.

Chen Guo said, I was young and foolish before, causing you a lot of trouble. It won’t happen again.

The smile on Jiang Chen’s lips slowly faded. She didn’t quite understand, What do you mean?

I’ve actually wanted to apologize to you for a long time. What I did back then was absurd, and I’m sorry for causing you so much pain.

From now on, I’ll do what’s appropriate for my role and won’t make things difficult for you anymore.

This time, Jiang Chen understood.

Chen Guo regretted it—she was repenting for her past actions.

This should have been a happy moment. She was finally receiving an apology four years overdue.

If one side could wake up and move on, then they wouldn’t have to remain entangled.

Yet Jiang Chen felt no joy at all. Her heart felt as if it had been torn open, a dull pain slowly setting in.

As the elder, the wisest course of action now would be to vaguely acknowledge it and let it pass.

An unclear beginning, followed by an unclear end—everything returning to normal would be for the best.

But Jiang Chen refused.

She let out a cold laugh and looked at Chen Guo, Is that what you were thinking when you came back and slept with me too?

Yes.

Jiang Chen’s tone turned flippant, Then why didn’t you refuse? I remember you were quite proactive at the time.

Chen Guo lifted her head, her expression calm and earnest, No one can refuse you.

That was quite the compliment. Jiang Chen nodded. She turned and glanced around the room before suddenly standing up and looking at Chen Guo, saying sincerely, I hope every word you just said is true.

After Jiang Chen left, the room fell into complete silence.

Chen Guo sat at the table for a long time, only lifting her eyes when her phone rang.

It turned out Hao Xinyi had been worried she hadn’t made it home yet after receiving no reply to her messages, so she specifically called to check.

After a brief exchange, they hung up. Chen Guo stood and went to take a shower. Passing through the living room, she picked up the remote control from the couch and turned on the TV.

Animal World was playing on screen – on the West African savannah, a lioness who had just given birth was being surrounded by a pack of wild dogs. The lioness fought fiercely with the wild dogs to protect her cubs.

Though known as the queen of the savannah, she was ultimately outnumbered. Her strength was quickly depleted, and she ceased initiating attacks, gradually crouching low in the grass.

Witnessing this, the wild dogs who had been gaining the upper ground suddenly halted their assault. They cautiously circled the lioness, testing and observing.

The lioness pretended not to care, standing up before slowly lying down again.

The wild dogs barked frantically at her but none dared approach. After encircling the lioness for a while, they eventually had to retreat voluntarily.

By yielding ground to advance, the lioness ultimately preserved her life and emerged victorious.

Yet during that period of waiting, her fear had been boundless.