Chapter 8 She Knew

Ji Jing’an glanced at his phone during a rare moment of downtime. Jian Meng hadn’t messaged him in a long time. Their last conversation had been from weeks ago when she had asked if he would come home for dinner, and he hadn’t replied.

It was only now that Ji Jing’an realized he’d been so caught up in wedding preparations that he hadn’t noticed Jian Meng’s silence. His first thought was that she must have found out about his wedding plans with Lin Qing.

He felt a pang of fear—fear that Jian Meng might be angry, hurt, or worse, that she might ruin things. Yet, if she knew, why was she so quiet?

Ji Jing’an had already used his connections to dissolve their marriage registration. He knew it was wrong, but this was his final gamble for the sake of business. After this, once he secured shares in the Lin Corporation, he would end the marriage with Lin Qing and remarry Jian Meng.

It was all part of Lin Qing’s plan as well, designed to reassure her father and secure the family business for herself. Although she would have to split half the shares with Ji Jing’an, it was better than being forced into a permanent marriage and walking away with nothing.

Still unsettled, Ji Jing’an called Jian Meng.

Jian Meng was surprised to receive the call; it was rare for Ji Jing’an to take the time to reach out to her. The past few days, Lin Chenyang had been keeping her busy with his endless questions and games, making it impossible for her to get any rest. However, she did notice she no longer felt quite as lifeless.

“Jing’an,” Jian Meng answered, her voice as calm as ever. Ji Jing’an hadn’t picked up on her underlying emotion, just as he never did.

“I’ve been busy with some important things recently, but it won’t take long. Just stay at home and rest,” Ji Jing’an said casually.

“Busy with… marrying someone else?” Jian Meng asked, her voice laced with a touch of bitterness.

Ji Jing’an froze.

“You know?”

“The wedding of President Ji is in the news every day.”

Ignoring her sarcasm, Ji Jing’an rushed to explain, “It’s just a fake marriage for the shares. It will end, and then we’ll go back to how things were.”

Jian Meng forced a bitter smile. “How things were… how long ago was that?”

Hearing her response, Ji Jing’an suddenly felt a deep ache in his chest, as if something inside him had been ripped away. A heavy, unfamiliar emotion began swelling within him.

“Mengmeng… if you can’t accept this…”

“Ji Jing’an, there’s nothing for me to accept or not accept,” Jian Meng interrupted, the weight of her unknown future pressing on her. She realized that Ji Jing’an marrying someone else might not be the worst outcome after all. With a new wife, he would move on, and she could focus on her treatment without worrying about anyone else.

“It’s just business. I understand,” Jian Meng said, her voice devoid of emotion. Her dry eyes couldn’t shed a single tear. And maybe, that was for the best.

Ji Jing’an felt relieved, glad that Jian Meng understood his situation. “Mengmeng, it’s good that you understand… You know, it hasn’t been easy for me to get here. This is my biggest opportunity. Just the shares in the Lin Corporation are worth billions. After the wedding, I can get three shares…”

“Jing’an, you should get back to work,” Jian Meng interrupted him.

“Alright,” Ji Jing’an replied, still oblivious to the unease in her voice. “Take care of yourself. If you need anything, just tell Xiao Shen; he’ll arrange it.”

Jian Meng softly acknowledged him and ended the call.

Lin Chenyang returned with a variety of snacks just as Jian Meng hung up. He noticed her troubled expression immediately. “What’s wrong?”

Jian Meng shook her head. “What are you doing back here again?”

“The doctor said you need someone to keep you company. You can’t stay in the hospital without anyone looking after you.”

“But it shouldn’t be you.”

“Then who else do you have?”

Jian Meng fell silent. She was starting to get used to Lin Chenyang’s constant presence, despite her initial reluctance.

“Don’t be so down. Look, I brought you spicy crayfish!” he said cheerfully.

Jian Meng frowned slightly. “But I’ve never eaten that before…”

“Are you more delicate than I am? This street food is the real taste of the city!”

The city’s flavor…

Jian Meng was reminded of the sweet glutinous rice balls and sour green dumplings from her hometown. Ji Jing’an used to sneak out of school every day to buy her the freshest treats.

When she returned from her memories, Lin Chenyang had already laid out a feast of chicken wings, duck necks, and crayfish. The mildly spicy aroma filled the hospital room.

“You’re going to attract the other patients with this spread,” Jian Meng said, half-laughing.

Lin Chenyang was unfazed. He noticed her smile and felt like he was seeing a different person. When she smiled, she resembled the kind and gentle high school senior he had admired when he first started junior high.

“This is the first time I’ve ever peeled shrimp for someone else. You have to eat it all!” he insisted, his playful stubbornness shining through.

Jian Meng finally understood why Lin Chenyang was so attentive to her—because he had lost his mother to leukemia.

With that knowledge, his concern became easier to accept.

She tried the shrimp tail for the first time. It was a bit spicy, but the flavor was something she had never experienced before. Growing up, she had always been obedient; her parents wouldn’t let her eat street food, and she had always avoided spicy dishes. Now, she realized how delicious these things could be.

—

“You can’t drink; if you pair it with beer, it would be amazing. Once you’re better, I’ll take you out to eat.”

Jian Meng paused slightly and then nodded.

“It’s a promise. You must get better, and I’ll take you to eat something else.”

Jian Meng smiled, amused by the agreement she had made with Lin Chenyang.

The shrimp tails were delicious, but Jian Meng, who rarely ate spicy food, didn’t fare well. The next morning, she woke up to find a few pimples on her chin. Having never experienced acne during puberty, Jian Meng felt anxious and angrily declared that the pimples were conjured up by Lin Chenyang.

“Beautiful youthful pimples! It means you’re getting younger. It’s a good thing!”

Jian Meng couldn’t win the banter against him, so she could only pray for the pimples to disappear quickly. Even with such a severe illness, what girl wouldn’t want to look beautiful?

After saying that, Lin Chenyang’s smile faded. He was unsure if Jian Meng had noticed her rapidly falling hair. Every time he brushed his hair, he secretly hid the fallen strands, afraid Jian Meng would find out.

He suddenly feared that Jian Meng might die just like his mother had.

In reality, the results of the chemotherapy were far from good.

“You might as well cut ties with that person.”

Lin Chenyang blurted this out and was taken aback; he couldn’t believe he had said that.

Jian Meng was stunned for a moment, looking at the boy’s frightened eyes, then she coldly lowered her head.

“Almost.”

Lin Chenyang thought Jian Meng would be angry at his rashness and meddling, but she merely said, “Almost.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it… I just think it’s not worth it; you’re wasting your time, and so is he.” Lin Chenyang explained clumsily.

His sister was right; he was just a kid who hadn’t seen much of the world, unable to handle even small matters and getting flustered.

After Jian Meng lay down to sleep, someone knocked on the door.

Lin Chenyang went to open it, and at the door stood a young man wearing a beige sweater.

“Who are you?”

Gu Chuan paused, confirming the room number of the hospital, and it was indeed the same room Jian Meng had given him… but why was it a man opening the door?

“I’m looking for Jian Meng.”

Only then did Lin Chenyang take a proper look at him. The person in front of him was dressed in designer brands, exuding an extraordinary aura, definitely not an ordinary person. “Are you Jian Meng’s…?”

Gu Chuan knew he and Jian Meng could only be considered former classmates at most… but he felt it unnecessary to tell a stranger he had never met before.

“That’s none of your business. Where’s Jian Meng?”

Lin Chenyang felt as if he had been lit like a firecracker and pushed Gu Chuan away, “You must be that hypocritical jerk, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Look at what you’ve done to Jian Meng. How can you still have the face to come here?” Lin Chenyang threw a punch at him fiercely…

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