Chapter 48: Taking Care Part 1

Jiang Ruoning once again suspected that Shi Sui was a worm in her belly—how could anyone guess her thoughts so accurately?

She lowered her head and squatted in front of Xiao Guai, asking, “Did you mention me to her?”

Xiao Guai shook her head like a rattle-drum, her voice still soft and glutinous. “No, I didn’t mention Sister.”

Jiang Ruoning ruffled her hair. “Then what did you chat about with the sister inside?”

Xiao Guai said, “I asked if her body was better, and she said her head hurt. Then she let me touch her forehead.” As she spoke, she reached out and touched Jiang Ruoning’s forehead. Jiang Ruoning’s body stiffened. Xiao Guai’s palm seemed to retain Shi Sui’s temperature and scent. She caught a faint fragrance. Xiao Guai continued her report, “Then she peeled an orange for me to eat.”

Jiang Ruoning waited for a long time. “That’s it?”

Xiao Guai shook her head.

Jiang Ruoning was at a loss. She had given Xiao Guai so many things to ask about on the left and right, but the girl hadn’t asked a single one. Xiao Guai blinked her big eyes. Jiang Ruoning said, “Alright, go eat some snacks.”

Xiao Guai let out a whoop and bolted off. After two or three steps, she turned back, then pattered right up to Jiang Ruoning again. “When I was leaving, Sister said she really misses you.”

Jiang Ruoning choked on her own saliva. “Wh-what?”

Xiao Guai didn’t hesitate. “She said she misses Ning-jie and asked if I knew what Ning-jie was doing.”

Jiang Ruoning stared at her. “What did you say I was doing?”

Xiao Guai was clever this time. “I said you were at work.”

Jiang Ruoning breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s more like it.”

But Xiao Guai had already said she was at work—why did Shi Sui still message her? Telling her not to trouble Xiao Guai. What a narcissist. Jiang Ruoning pulled out her phone and huffed as she typed out a message. Just as she was about to send it, she deleted it character by character. Then she messaged Qin Zheng instead: [Pick me up for the dinner later.]

Qin Zheng fumbled for her phone under the covers. She hadn’t rested well these past few days and had taken half a day off in the afternoon to catch up on sleep. She hadn’t told Yun An, but who knew Yun An would get off work early? The moment she got back, she rushed into the shower, then climbed into bed with her, calling it some kind of telepathic connection.

Whether their hearts had a telepathic connection, Qin Zheng didn’t know—but their bodies certainly did.

Qin Zheng couldn’t push her away even if she wanted to. Her whole body went limp like water, and the arm holding the phone had no strength. Yun An saw her screen light up and asked, “Who’s that?”

“Ruoning.” Qin Zheng shifted forward a bit, putting some distance between her and Yun An. She said, “Let’s give her a ride since we’re going the same way.”

Yun An nibbled her ear. “Why not have Shi Sui pick her up?”

Qin Zheng turned her head, pushed away the beautiful face leaning in, and closed her eyes. “Why should Shi Sui pick her up? They don’t have anything to do with each other.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than the phone on the bedside table vibrated.

Yun An poked her head out from under the covers and glanced at the screen. Seeing Qin Zheng look over, she explained proactively, “It’s Shi Sui.”

Qin Zheng asked, “What does she want?”

Yun An said, “She wants us to give her a ride since we’re going the same way.”

Qin Zheng: …

Yun An asked her, “Do they really have nothing to do with each other?”

Qin Zheng was a bit embarrassed and annoyed. “How do you even have Shi Sui’s contact info?”

Yun An choked for a moment, then said, “Added it last time.”

Qin Zheng looked at her. “What ‘last time’?”

She hadn’t seen any special interactions between them at the airport.

Yun An couldn’t make up any more excuses and confessed, “Ye Yu gave it to me.”

Qin Zheng frowned. “Why did she give you Shi Sui’s number?”

Yun An thought for a moment. “Maybe she wanted me to help Shi Sui out.”

Qin Zheng sat up straight in bed. “Help Shi Sui? Help her with what?”

Yun An saw that she wasn’t even wearing clothes, sitting up so boldly like that. The thin blanket slipped from her shoulders, revealing a small section of pale skin with stray hairs falling on it like silk.

Why discuss this now, of all times?

Yun An didn’t understand, but she didn’t dare argue. She met Qin Zheng’s gaze and said, “Help her pursue Jiang Ruoning.”

Qin Zheng sneered, “You’re really such a softie.”

The moment Yun An heard that, she hurriedly professed her loyalty. “If you’re not happy about it, I won’t contact her.”

Qin Zheng held back, wanting to say something but not knowing how.

Not help? Jiang Ruoning was practically throwing herself at Shi Sui—what reason did she have not to help?

But help? She still couldn’t get over that time when she couldn’t reach Shi Sui. It had left a bad taste.

Finally, Qin Zheng spat out curtly, “Do whatever you want.”

Yun An saw her cold mouth but warm heart—she was too cute. She hugged Qin Zheng and pressed close. Qin Zheng tried to push her away but failed, getting kissed breathless. She patted Yun An’s shoulder. “Get up.”

It was eight o’clock—about time to get ready and head out.

Yun An got her clothes, helped her comb her hair and do her makeup. Qin Zheng just sat in front of the mirror, tilting her head back occasionally while messaging Jiang Ruoning: [Got it.]

Jiang Ruoning felt awkward: [I’m at Sister Xiao Man’s place lol.]

Qin Zheng: …

She couldn’t possibly believe Jiang Ruoning was there for Sister Xiao Man. She must be there for Shi Sui—this desperate look.

Qin Zheng replied: [Got it.]

It really was on the way.

Jiang Ruoning was surprised that she didn’t ask any more questions and just replied “Got it,” but she didn’t want to stir up trouble. She put away her phone and sat on the sofa with Xiao Guai watching TV for a bit. At eight-thirty, Qin Zheng called, saying they were there and to come downstairs. Jiang Ruoning planted a kiss on Xiao Guai’s cheek, turned, and left Zhou Man’s home. As she got on the elevator, she deliberately glanced at Shi Sui’s door—no sign of it opening. She didn’t know if Shi Sui had already left. She lowered her eyes.

Qin Zheng’s car was parked by the flower beds downstairs. The window was half-open, Yun An in the passenger seat. No interior lights on—Yun An’s face was turned inward, probably chatting with Qin Zheng. Jiang Ruoning walked to the driver’s side and knocked on the window. Qin Zheng rolled it down and turned to look at her. “Why’d you come to Sister Xiao Man’s?”

Jiang Ruoning lied, “I had something to do with Sister Xiao Man.”

Qin Zheng saw through her. “Is Sister Xiao Man home?”

Jiang Ruoning wasn’t good at lying, especially with Yun An there like a lie detector. She let out an “Aiya.” “It’s private stuff.”

Qin Zheng, seeing her try to gloss over it, asked directly, “Are you here for Shi Sui?”

“How could that be!” Jiang Ruoning overcompensated. “Why would I look for her? Am I crazy?”

A muffled cough came from behind her. Jiang Ruoning turned. Shi Sui stood right there behind her, greeting nonchalantly, “Good evening.”

Jiang Ruoning was dumbfounded, tongue-tied and unable to greet back. She held her breath and said nothing. Yun An leaned out a bit from the driver’s side, pressing on Qin Zheng, and said to them, “Get in the car.”

She was getting in too?

Jiang Ruoning eyed Shi Sui suspiciously and saw her open the back door and get in. Jiang Ruoning went rigid all over. Qin Zheng asked her, “Not getting in?”

“Oh.” Jiang Ruoning snapped back, wanting to ask Qin Zheng but unable to. Feeling stifled, she sat in the back seat, with an arm’s length between her and Shi Sui—an outstretched arm’s distance.

Shi Sui glanced at her curled up against the door, worried she’d accidentally yank the handle and tumble out in a panic. She reached toward Jiang Ruoning. Jiang Ruoning tucked her hands between her legs and hunched her shoulders.

What a pose.

Shi Sui couldn’t bear to look. She frowned, patted Jiang Ruoning’s shoulder. Jiang Ruoning hadn’t expected her to be so bold—Qin Zheng was right there, and she dared to touch? She whipped her head around and glared fiercely at Shi Sui. Shi Sui ignored it completely, grabbed her upper arm, and pulled. Jiang Ruoning slid smoothly along the seat cushion right next to Shi Sui.

From the front, Yun An asked, “Are you catching a cold?”

Shi Sui’s voice was nasal. “Yeah, caught a cold. No strength at all—otherwise, I wouldn’t trouble you to pick me up.”

She was polite. “Zhengzheng, thanks.”

Zhengzheng!

Had Qin Zheng been turned?

Jiang Ruoning stared at Qin Zheng through the driver’s seat, trying to bore a hole in the back of her head. Qin Zheng gripped the steering wheel with both hands, coolly saying, “No problem.”

Oh, not turned—still on her side.

Jiang Ruoning was pleased.

She didn’t say a word the whole way, but Shi Sui chatted a bit with Yun An. Their work didn’t overlap, so topics were limited. Unknowingly, they got to Shi Sui’s time abroad. Yun An asked, “How’s it been? Used to it?”

The car went silent for two minutes before Shi Sui spoke. “Not used to it.” She lowered her head, voice tinged with bitterness. “But no choice.”

Yun An, hearing her respond, continued, “Ever thought of coming back?”

Shi Sui turned to look out the window, the scenery flashing by like the past six years floating before her eyes. Shi Sui said, “I’ve thought about it.” Three short words: “Can’t come back.”

It seemed the conversation ended there.

But Jiang Ruoning zoned out.

She still remembered Shi Sui joking once: I’m easy to take care of—just instant noodles will do. So what kind of life had she really lived abroad? Back when she didn’t know it was Shi Sui, Jiang Ruoning thought of that ex who’d gone overseas—carefree and happy, no real impression.

But what if not?

No what ifs. From what she knew of Shi Sui now, it wasn’t carefree or happy.

She kept her head down, opening her palm, then curling her fingers—repeating it several times. Yun An said, “Rest a bit. About ten minutes left.”

Shi Sui felt bad but accepted. “Then I’ll rest a little.”

With that, she tilted her head and leaned against Jiang Ruoning.

Jiang Ruoning tensed up instantly, slowly turning her head. How had Shi Sui so smoothly rested on her shoulder? Her hair even brushed Jiang Ruoning’s jaw. Jiang Ruoning wanted to push her away but felt the warmth from beside her—higher than normal. Probably cold from the cold. Shi Sui wore a black V-neck knit sweater, white trim at the collar. Though her long hair draped and covered some of her neck, the marks were still noticeable. The ointment had worked—the wounds had healed, not as shocking up close. They looked much better.

Below, she had on jeans and sneakers.

She’d always worn professional suits before, or at least crisp shirts and slacks. This casual getup made her look like a fresh college grad, all youthful tenderness. Jiang Ruoning admired enough, sat up straight. When Shi Sui’s head rubbed against her shoulder, she relaxed her muscles again.