She Is Seriously Ill - Chapter 9:

Chapter 09:

Are you in a relationship?

Chen Guo had always shown little interest in most things, so Jiang Chen was surprised when she mentioned wanting to raise a cat. Looking at her uncertainly, Jiang Chen asked, You’re going to raise it?

Yes, my colleague has one that’s particularly adorable. Chen Guo paused, remembering something, then said, Wait a moment.

She turned and went back to her bedroom to get her phone, pulling up photos of the kitten. Auntie, look.

Jiang Chen approached and glanced at the screen – it was a white Ragdoll cat with a nose and mouth as delicate as pink flower petals, both beautiful and elegant.

Worried that Jiang Chen might be concerned about hygiene issues, Chen Guo added, After we bring the kitten home, I’ll buy an air purifier and clean every day. I won’t let any strange smells develop in the house.

Jiang Chen’s work kept her busy, and she rarely visited this place. Besides, it was rare to see Chen Guo interested in keeping a pet, so she didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm. Raising a cat is like raising a child. If you’re not afraid of the trouble, go ahead and get one.

Chen Guo smiled. Thank you, Auntie.

Don’t thank me yet. Let me be clear upfront – I’m very busy with filming and won’t have time to help you raise this little thing. If you bring it home, you’ll have to take full responsibility yourself.

Chen Guo didn’t seem to mind whether Jiang Chen would help or not, replying calmly, Don’t worry, I’ll raise it myself. I won’t trouble you.

With things already stated this clearly, Jiang Chen had nothing more to say. Alright, get to bed early.

Okay, Auntie, good night. Chen Guo returned to her room and closed the door.

Jiang Chen lowered her head, stood by the door for a moment, then also went back to her room to rest.

Estimating that Jiang Yun and Dai Xiaoqin wouldn’t arrive until around eleven the next day, Jiang Chen set her alarm for 10:30, planning to sleep in. But she woke up before seven in the morning.

The curtains weren’t completely drawn, allowing her to see the faint light of dawn. Jiang Chen turned over, closed her eyes, and tried to convince herself to sleep a bit longer, but her throat was dry and painful, making it impossible to fall back asleep.

She sighed softly, removed her sleep mask, sat up to clear her head for a moment, then got up to get water. She walked to the dining room and had just picked up a water glass when she suddenly noticed something unusual.

The kitchen light was on.

Jiang Chen turned her head and saw Chen Guo making breakfast in the kitchen.

You— Jiang Chen wanted to say something, but when she opened her mouth, her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton – she couldn’t produce any sound. She instinctively cleared her throat.

Hearing the noise, Chen Guo turned around.

Jiang Chen poured herself a glass of water and drank it, then tried to speak again. This time she could finally produce some sound, though it was extremely hoarse. You’re up so early.

She quickly drank two more large gulps of water.

Chen Guo looked at her and asked, Do you have a cold?

Jiang Chen’s hand paused, and she looked toward the kitchen with a strange expression.

Because Chen Guo’s voice wasn’t any better than hers – so hoarse it was almost developing a bubbly quality.

The two exchanged glances. The situation was somehow both funny and slightly awkward. Jiang Chen withdrew her gaze and asked with effort, straining her voice, What’s wrong with your voice?

My wisdom teeth are inflamed, Chen Guo said hoarsely.

Jiang Chen frowned and only when she moved closer could she see that both sides of Chen Guo’s face were swollen, making her appear rounder.

Have you taken any medicine?

Chen Guo shook her head. I’ll go buy some later.

Stop cooking for now. Come here. Jiang Chen took the spoon from Chen Guo’s hand, pulled her under the light, then gently lifted Chen Guo’s chin with her thumb and forefinger. Open your mouth. Let me see how bad it is.

Chen Guo’s eyelids lowered slightly as she looked at the face so close to hers, then slowly opened her mouth.

Jiang Chen wanted to see clearly how inflamed the teeth were inside, leaning closer with focused attention as she searched, Upper or lower?

Chen Guo opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound.

Jiang Chen lowered her gaze, suddenly realizing something was wrong.

They were standing too close. At this distance, if either of them leaned forward just slightly, their lips would meet. Yet neither made a move—whether waiting or testing fate, they simply gazed quietly at each other.

After about half a minute, Jiang Chen released her hand and moved past Chen Guo to check the porridge in the pot.

She picked up a spoon and stirred it a few times, then turned off the heat. Her voice hoarse, she said, All four don’t look too promising. Wait for the swelling to go down, then get two extracted.

Chen Guo nodded and walked over, asking, Have you been drinking?

Jiang Chen coughed, bent down to take two clean bowls from the cupboard, and replied, We had a crew dinner. I had a little.

Chen Guo’s eyelids drooped slightly as she stated with certainty, More than a little. You drank a lot.

Her throat was too sore—it hurt to even speak. Jiang Chen didn’t feel like opening her mouth again and mumbled vaguely, Mhm.

She guessed Chen Guo must be uncomfortable too, but the girl still used her strained voice to say, Drinking too much isn’t good for your health, Auntie. Drink less from now on.

Jiang Chen set down the spoon, letting it rest lightly on the edge of the bowl. She turned her head and looked at Chen Guo with impatience. Not wanting to speak, she kept staring, hoping Chen Guo would understand what she meant.

Chen Guo lifted her head and calmly met her gaze. You promised me.

Jiang Chen was taken aback, vaguely recalling that there was such an agreement.

That night, Chen Guo remained silent, and the two parted on unhappy terms.

Afterward, Jiang Chen didn’t return home for a long time due to work. During her rare moments of leisure, she would suddenly think of the child living in her home, and an inexplicable ache would stir in her chest.

Thinking back carefully, she hadn’t spent much time with Chen Guo. Perhaps it was the image of Chen Guo secretly crying on the staircase that had struck a chord within her.

Jiang Chen had developed a sense of expectation toward Chen Guo.

She hoped Chen Guo could be a happy young girl, growing up healthily.

So, when she discovered that darker side of Chen Guo, Jiang Chen’s immediate reaction was disappointment—so much so that she deliberately avoided seeing the child.

But work eventually had to come to an end.

By the end of October, the promotional tours in major cities were completed one after another. The new film received better-than-expected feedback, and the crew held a celebration banquet. As the female lead, Jiang Chen couldn’t avoid drinking.

By the end of the banquet, Jiang Chen was somewhat drunk but still steady on her feet, her expression unchanged. She sat in the back seat of the car, leaning her head lightly against the window, unusually quiet.

Tang Jing knew her well—this was a sign that the alcohol hadn’t fully hit her yet. She glanced back and asked, Do you want to sit for a while before leaving?

Jiang Chen cracked her eyes open slightly, took a look at where she was, then slowly closed them again. No need, let’s go.

After the car came to a stop, before Tang Jing could get out to open the door for her, Jiang Chen had already stepped out. Standing by the car, she said, I’m fine. You should head back quickly. Your boyfriend has been calling me, asking where you are.

Tang Jing hadn’t seen her boyfriend in a long time due to how busy they’d been lately. Although she longed to hug him and recharge, she was worried about Jiang Chen, who had drunk quite a bit that evening.

We’re already here. Let me walk you up. I’ll leave after I see you to bed.

Jiang Chen shook her head. There’s someone at home.

Tang Jing looked utterly astonished, taking a moment to digest this information. Jiang Chen didn’t live with her family, yet there was someone at home—which meant—

She pursed her lips and asked hesitantly, Are you in a relationship?

Jiang Chen didn’t know why, but hearing this question made her suddenly laugh, perhaps out of sheer disbelief. No.

Tang Jing asked, Then who is it? Living at your place.

Jiang Chen thought for a moment and said, My niece.

Tang Jing’s expression froze briefly before she quickly caught on. Oh, you mean Jiang Yun’s—

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Jiang Chen understood and nodded. Mm.

Tang Jing hesitated slightly. Alright, you’ve worked hard these past few days. Take some time to rest at home.

Jiang Chen replied, You too.

Stepping out of the elevator, Jiang Chen wasn’t actually sure if Chen Guo was home. They hadn’t seen or contacted each other for quite some time, so she had no idea whether Chen Guo was in school, on break, or had returned home.

But it didn’t seem to matter much.

Because when she drank, she didn’t get rowdy—she just slept.

Arriving home and opening the door, Jiang Chen glanced inside as she changed her shoes. Chen Guo was sitting in the living room watching TV. She hadn’t turned on the main light, so the room was dimly lit, illuminated only by the glow of the television screen.

Hearing the door open, Chen Guo turned her head to look, then stood up.

Only when Jiang Chen walked into the living room did she realize Chen Guo was watching the first movie she had starred in after her debut. Back then, she was young and bold, willing to take on roles of any intensity.

On the screen, the bed curtains slowly descended, revealing the faint, graceful silhouette of a woman—

The scene shifted abruptly to two figures entangled, accompanied by soft, breathy moans.

Early in her career, Jiang Chen had been afraid of people she knew watching her intimate scenes, worried they might gossip about her behind her back. But as she grew older, she gradually became more detached and could view such things with greater rationality and composure.

Perhaps out of concern that Chen Guo was too young and might be negatively influenced, Jiang Chen explained as she sat down, Some parts used a body double.

Chen Guo glanced at Jiang Chen but said nothing.

Jiang Chen showed no intention of continuing the conversation. She picked up a cushion, hugged it to her chest, and lazily leaned against the opposite end of the sofa, watching the movie.

The living room was quiet.

The plot continued, the flickering light from the screen casting shifting shadows across their faces. Unnoticed, the film drew to a close, and the ending credits began to roll.

Holding the remote, Chen Guo turned to look at the sofa. Jiang Chen had fallen asleep at some point and seemed to be sleeping deeply.

Chen Guo withdrew her gaze and stood up, about to head to the bedroom to fetch a blanket.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen opened her eyes. Is it over?

Mm.Chen Guo nodded, still standing.

Jiang Chen sensed the girl seemed a bit uneasy, perhaps because of what had happened last time. But now, the alcohol was starting to take effect, and her head was spinning too much to think too deeply about it.

She closed her eyes to ease the discomfort and mumbled indistinctly, Was it good?

Chen Guo said, It was good.

Jiang Chen murmured something in response, too soft to be understood.

Chen Guo had noticed the smell of alcohol on Jiang Chen the moment she entered. After standing there for a moment, she went to the bedroom, brought back a blanket, and draped it over Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen’s arm shifted slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing this, Chen Guo asked, Auntie, would you like some water?

Jiang Chen buried her face deeper into the cushion and mumbled softly, …Mm.

Chen Guo wasn’t sure if she really wanted water, but she set down the remote anyway and quickly brought a glass over. Auntie, do you want to drink it now?

Jiang Chen opened her eyes and stared at the face so close to hers. After a few dazed seconds, she spoke softly, From now on, if you want something, just tell me directly. If I can manage it, I’ll get it for you…

Halfway through her sentence, her eyes slowly closed again, her cheek pressed against the sofa as if utterly exhausted. No more lying from now on. It’s not good for children to tell lies.

If it were anyone else, she might have brushed off such a situation. But this was Jiang Yun’s daughter, after all.

With her eyes shut, Jiang Chen thought hazily—no matter what, she had to look after her sister’s child.

When the other person remained silent for a long time, Jiang Chen opened her eyes and encouraged her, Make a request now, and I’ll make it happen for you.

Hmm? Go on.

Can you not drink anymore from now on? Chen Guo said, looking at her.

That’s it… Jiang Chen was taken aback, then closed her eyes and laughed. Alright, alright. I promise you.