Jiang Tang heard his cold tone, clenched her fingers and said casually, "I feel like you mean you don't want to see me."
Cheng Jiu's expression was cold and indifferent, with no smile on his face. He didn't look at Jiang Tang either but was about to get out of bed.
Jiang Tang hurriedly said, "Where are you going?"
Cheng Jiu said, "Something is up."
Nothing is more important than your body. Don't move around. Jiang Tang said as she stepped forward to hold his arm, but he calmly pulled it away. Her expression changed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. She slowly withdrew her hand, "Sorry, I didn't mean to touch you."
As soon as she got close, there was a very strong smell of perfume on her. He was not used to smelling it, let alone being touched by her.
Jiang Tang had originally intended to spend these few days with him while he was under observation in the hospital. She wanted to spend time and energy to let him see her. Even though he had a fiancee but was not married, as long as she could make him change his mind, it was fine for her to break off the engagement with Xin Gan. She still held out hope for Cheng Jiu.
Cheng Jiu pulled out the syringe. Immediately, blood oozed out from the back of his hand. He wiped it off randomly and then walked outside.
Jiang Tang followed over, her tone eager and worried. She chased after him and said, "Where are you going?" The doctor hasn't said you can be discharged from the hospital yet. What's the matter that makes you run out in such a hurry? Not even caring about one's own health?
Just then, Jiang Yang came back with a packed takeout. He happened to run into Cheng Jiu and Jiang Tang who were in a hurry to get into the elevator. Seeing Cheng Jiu awake, he happily called out, "Brother Jiu, are you awake?"
Cheng Jiu hadn't even entered the elevator yet. Turning around and seeing him, he said, "Where's Xiao Shi?"
Xiao Shi saw Meng Shenchang back to the team. Just now, Meng Shenchang came to see you, but you weren't awake at that time.
After Jiang Yang finished speaking, his gaze met Jiang Tang's. The latter gave him a wink. Before he could react, Cheng Jiu continued to ask, "Where are my phone and car keys?"
Jiang Yang stammered, "This..."
What can't be said? Cheng Jiu said seriously.
Jiang Yang didn't dare to look at Jiang Tang either, because he had given her his mobile phone. As for whether Jiang Tang had given it to Cheng Jiu or not, he wasn't sure. The car key was with him. He quickly took it out of his pocket, reached out and handed it to Cheng Jiu, saying, "The car key is here."
Jiang Tang was afraid that Cheng Jiu would keep asking further, so she said, "I remember now. Jiang Yang just put your phone in the ward, under the pillow. You left in such a hurry that you came out before I could say anything."
Cheng Jiu went back to the ward to get his mobile phone. Sure enough, he found it under the pillow, but it was out of power and turned off. He frowned hard, not forgetting that Shen Ruxin had called him this morning and said she couldn't get in touch with Xin Gan. He didn't know where Xin Gan was now either, so he had to hurry to find her.
Jiang Yang and Jiang Tang didn't follow. Jiang Yang patted the back of his head and asked, "What's wrong with Brother Jiu?" What are you in such a hurry for?
Jiang Tang's expression also turned cold as she said, "I don't know."
If she knew, she wouldn't be standing here foolishly.
Cheng Jiu was completely different from her usual self. She had never seen him like this before.
They had known each other for at least five or six years. During these five or six years, she thought she was the person who knew him best. But now, she suddenly felt that she knew very little about him. In fact, it wasn't as much as she had thought.
She knew nothing about his family situation, had never met his family members, knew nothing about his past, and had no idea about his social circle. She thought that this side of Beiyu was everything to him, but little did she know that everything was just her one-sided wish.
Jiang Yang said, "What's wrong with you, Tangtang? Why are you crying?"
Jiang Tang could no longer hold back her broken emotions. She shed tears in front of Jiang Yang, her eyes shrouded in mist. It seemed as if she vaguely saw Cheng Jiu walking towards her. She quickly turned her face away, not wanting Cheng Jiu to see her in such a state.
Cheng Jiu didn't notice either and walked straight up to Jiang Yang, saying, "Jiang Yang, lend me your phone."
Jiang Yang took out his mobile phone and handed it to Cheng Jiu. Cheng Jiu took it and said, "I'll return it to you later. I'll leave before I have it."
"Brother Jiu, are you going to be discharged from the hospital?" Are you all right?
No problem.
Cheng Jiu paused again. Seeing Jiang Tang with his back to him, he asked, "Jiang Tang, thank you for coming to see me. But I have something to do and can't take you back. Jiang Yang will take you back later."
Jiang Tang didn't say a word. One tear after another fell down, landing on the floor without a sound.
Cheng Jiu left without even looking back this time.
Jiang Yang saw Jiang Tang's trembling shoulders and sighed deeply, "Tangtang, Brother Jiu is gone. Don't cry."
Jiang Tang sobbed, "He must have gone to look for his fiancee."
Jiang Yang didn't know how to comfort her either. He felt even more that Xin Gan was the culprit. He couldn't help but curse, saying, "Tangtang, don't be sad. They haven't married yet. There must be a way. You've known Brother Jiu for so long. How long has that woman been here?"
I've known Cheng Jiu for a long time. But what about Xin Gan? They got engaged. It must have been decided by both of their families. I've known him for so long, but I don't even know what's going on in his family. You tell me, for someone with my conditions, his family probably wouldn't look down on him. It's all my own self-delusion.
Jiang Yang patted her on the shoulder and said, "Don't be sad. Actually, Tangtang, I feel that woman doesn't like Brother Jiu. You still have a chance."
Without Jiang Yang having to say anything, Jiang Tang herself had already noticed that Xin Gan's attitude towards Cheng Jiu didn't seem to be that serious.
Jiang Yang: "Have you forgotten that last time that woman came to the team without Brother Jiu's permission, and Brother Jiu scolded her right in front of us?" She left and Brother Jiu didn't chase after her. It must be that he didn't like her, which is why he didn't pursue her.
Jiang Tang wiped away her tears, calmed herself down and said, "I know I still have a chance. I can't give up on myself, nor can I let all my previous efforts go to waste."
Look, that's it. It's okay. There's still time. I'm on your side. Not only me, but also the others in the team.
...
After applying the ointment, Xin Gan didn't get better. What got worse was that she became red and developed rashes. Her cheeks, arms and other parts all had lumps of protrusions. Seeing something was wrong, she quickly took her wallet and mobile phone and went to the hospital.
It was late at night. Just as Xin Gan was about to go downstairs and leave, the innkeeper immediately called her over and said, "Miss, are you going out?"
Xin Gan turned her head and nodded, tightening her collar. It was cold at night, so she wore an extra coat.
Are you alone?
Xin Gan didn't nod. The innkeeper continued, "It's not very safe for a girl like you to go out at this time. If you have anything to do, wait until dawn tomorrow to handle it. Don't go out now."
Xin Gan said, "I'm going to the hospital."
There's one right across the road from the hospital. So be careful yourself and pay attention to your safety.
Xin Gan also knew that the innkeeper had kindly reminded her. Seeing that he didn't look like an outsider, she went out to the hospital.
When Cheng Jiu called, she was still registering. The nurse asked her to fill out the registration form. While she was writing, her phone rang. She saw that the caller ID was a local number but not Cheng Jiu's. After hesitating for a while, she answered.
Hello. May I ask who I'm looking for?
When Cheng Jiu heard Xin Gan's voice, he immediately asked, "Where are you?"
Xin Gan hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm fine. My cousin called you this morning. My phone was out of battery at that time, so she couldn't get in touch with me. I'm fine now. There's no need to come looking for me. I'm sorry."
I asked where you were. Send me the address. Cheng Jiu is always cold and assertive.
She had just filled out the registration form and handed it to the nurse. The nurse looked at the form and asked her, "Do you see a dermatologist?" There is no doctor on duty now. You go to the inpatient department and see Dr. Zhou.
Xin Gan wanted to hold the phone receiver but it was too late. Cheng Jiu had already heard it. "Are you in the hospital?" Dermatology? Which hospital are you in?
Xin Gan sighed inwardly and stopped struggling. She simply told the truth, "I'm a little allergic. Let's go to the hospital for a check-up. I'm really fine. You don't need to come over. It's so late..."
Cheng Jiu intensified his tone: "Xin Gan, don't make me ask for a third time."
Xin Gan could only tell him the address of the hospital.
She felt that they would never end, which was not what she wanted. But she was no match for him, and it was meaningless to be stubborn with him.
Since he is coming, then just come.
When Cheng Jiu arrived at the hospital, Xin Gan had already taken her medicine. The doctor prescribed some medicine for her to apply. Before leaving, he specially reminded her to avoid smoking and drinking, and not to eat spicy food, otherwise it would aggravate her skin problems.
Cheng Jiu was waiting at the hospital entrance when Xin Gan just came out. The two of them ran into each other. He was about to make a phone call when he saw her show up and then put away his phone.
Xin Gan walked over and explained to him, "Last night's flight didn't make it because of the bad weather. My phone ran out of battery this morning and my cousin couldn't get in touch with me. That's why I..."
Cheng Jiu didn't say a word. He kept staring at her and then said, "Where do you live?"
"Hotel."
"Come with me."
"..." Xin Gan tilted her head and looked at him in puzzlement, "Why did you go with me?" Where to go?
"Stay at my place."
Xin Gan: "..."
The two were standing opposite each other at the hospital entrance. Xin Gan couldn't figure out his thoughts, and Cheng Jiu had no idea what she was thinking. They were not on the same path.
It was Cheng Jiu who spoke first: "Even if you break off your engagement with me, won't your grandpa arrange another one for you?" If you do this, you will only bring trouble to yourself.
Xin Gan suddenly smiled and said, "So you mean that I don't want to break off the engagement with you, but just keep going with you. Without you, there will be another one. Is that so?"
"No. It's that no one can do it except me."
...
It suddenly started raining outside, pattering gently, accompanied by lightning and thunder. Xin Gan didn't bring an umbrella when he came out, and Cheng Jiu didn't even have one. He took off his coat and put it on her, saying, "I'll go drive. Wait for me here."
Xin Gan nodded slightly and couldn't help but look up at the neon lights in the distance. Beiyu was just vast in territory. The city center was not much different from Yongcheng, with tall buildings and a constant flow of traffic. Everywhere was filled with the atmosphere of a bustling city.
She couldn't help but recall how rudely Cheng Jiu had said that just now, clearly threatening and intimidating her. She felt a bit panicked because what Cheng Jiu had said was the truth. Without him, there would have been another one. Her marriage was beyond her control, and her grandfather wouldn't have agreed to her marrying someone else.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to Beiyu Island in person to explain it to Cheng Jiu face to face, because she knew that her grandfather had a hard time this time.
In her grandfather's eyes, she has always been a good child. She is also afraid of hurting her grandfather's heart, so she wants to find a compromise solution.
Cheng Jiu's car came quickly and was right by the roadside. She didn't have to walk a few steps to get in.
After getting into the car, Cheng Jiu asked her, "Are all your luggage in the hotel?"
Xin Gan said yes and gave the address without waiting for him to ask.
Cheng Jiu curled his lips but said nothing.
Xin Gan returned to the hotel again and brought back a tall man. As they passed by the front desk, the boss couldn't help but take a second look. His eyes were strange, full of curiosity and amazement.
Xin Gan felt a bit uncomfortable and hurried back to her room. Cheng Jiu followed her upstairs as well.
Entering the room, Xin Gan struggled for the last time and said, "Is there still any room for negotiation on this matter?"
Cheng Jiu said, "No."
Xin Gan sighed, as if resigned to his fate.
Cheng Jiu said, "In a few days, my dad will come over. There's no way around it. If you leave now, your grandpa and my husband are very suspicious and will blame me for not taking good care of you. Just be a little aggrieved and help me deal with it for now."
He said he was making her feel wronged, and he really did make her feel wronged.
Xin Gan was speechless and even a little annoyed, not wanting to talk to him.
Her grip was once again firmly held by him.
Cheng Jiu also received a call from his father on his way here just now. The reason for this sudden attack was to see how the two of them got along.
Xin Gan let out a sigh, put away the box, and then went into the bathroom to wash her face. Looking at her face in the mirror, which was red and swollen, she suppressed the urge to scratch and could only wash her face with clean water.
Cheng Jiu waited for a while at the bathroom door and called out to her, "Xin Gan, if you don't come out soon, I'll break in through the door."
"All right, all right. Right away."
Cheng Jiu took her suitcase and left first. Xin Gan came out later and took her room card to check out. The boss looked at her a few more times. That look was about to speak but stopped. Xin Gan pretended not to see.
When Cheng Jiu was driving, Xin Gan asked him, "How long will Uncle be here?"
It's just a few days. He's also very busy with work and will leave in at most three or four days. If you leave then, I'll see you off.
Xin Gan: "..." She couldn't help clenching her fists.
She was furious and didn't believe his words anymore.
Cheng Jiu caught a glimpse of her hand clenching on her knee. He tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, "I said I would see you off yesterday. It was the bad weather that the airline cancelled the flight. It's not my fault. Don't hold a grudge against me."
Xin Gan became even more furious and couldn't help saying, "But I think it's your problem."
This is what you call shirking responsibility.
"..."
Xin Gan simply turned her face away, looked out of the car window, and soon calmed down again, saying, "Are you going back to stay at that inn?"
"No. Stay at my place."
Xin Gan lowered her eyes and asked, "What about you?"
"Well, there's a family compound. I feel at ease if you live there, and it's close to me."
Family compound?
Xin Gan said, "But I'm not your family member."
Cheng Jiu turned his head and said, "Why not?"
She explained, "The family compound doesn't have to be married to be able to..."
"No need."
Xin Gan asked no more.
Knowing too much made her feel closer to his life, which was not her intention.
Cheng Jiu was concentrating on driving, staring ahead and saying, "Don't bear any burden in your heart. Just consider it a good deed and give me a hand."
Xin Gan leaned back, sighing more than once in her heart but not responding.
Our family has always forbidden me from dating just to wait for you to grow up. For all these years, whenever I come home, they always tell me about you. They have long regarded you as their own family member. In order to make her stay, Cheng Jiu changed his usual reticent style and became much softer in attitude.
Xin Gan felt embarrassed. She was very conflicted because Cheng's father must have come to Beiyu, just as Cheng Jiu had said, to visit the two of them. If she left now, indeed, the Cheng family would have some complaints to some extent. She herself didn't care, but if it affected the Xin family, that would be bad.
She has to consider her family to some extent.
While Cheng Jiu said that the whole family was waiting for her to grow up, she held her neck and dared not look at him.
She always felt that something was wrong with Cheng Jiu, but couldn't put her fingers into it. None of these words seemed like his style.
Forget it. It's like this. She won't be able to get away tonight.
There was also a guard post at the entrance of the family compound. Someone was on duty. When they saw Cheng Jiu's license plate, they immediately let him pass.
The yard is very quiet. A few households upstairs still have their lights on.
Cheng Jiu carried his luggage and walked ahead, with Xin Gan following behind him. They went up the stairs one after the other.
Opening the door, Cheng Jiu went in first to turn on the light and put the box aside. Xin Gan walked in and took a look. It was just an ordinary one-bedroom apartment. The living room had no unnecessary decorations and was very simple. The room was relatively clean and there was no dust on the table. It seemed that someone had come to clean it.
Cheng Jiu resumed his cold expression and said, "It's getting late. You can tidy up and go to rest."
Xin Gan: "Then where do you sleep?"
"I don't usually come back to sleep. I sleep in the dormitory. I only have one key. Here it is for you."
Xin Gan held the key, and the key still had the lingering warmth of what he had held.
Cheng Jiu took another cigarette and bit it. He had a bit of a rogue air about him. He raised his eyebrows diagonally and smiled, "Why are you still standing there stupidly?"
Xin Gan said indifferently, "Thank you."