Chapter 61

On the way to the hospital, nurses and doctors worked urgently to treat the wounds. Dai Ning watched with mild indifference, clearly bored.

As long as someone with great fortune is still breathing, they simply won’t die. She understood this all too well, which left her utterly disappointed.

When they arrived at the hospital, Chen Jing was immediately rushed into surgery. His body had suffered acid burns, and the wound on his waist also needed stitching.

Dai Ning sat on a chair nearby, killing time by playing games on her phone.

Qingtuan quietly opened its vision to peek into the operating room. The severity of Chen Jing’s injuries shocked it, prompting it to quickly retract its view and instead focus on watching Dai Ning play.

The night had been chaotic. When the doctor finally informed her that Chen Jing was out of danger and had been transferred to a regular ward, Dai Ning reluctantly headed to his room.

Chen Jing was asleep. His lips were pale, and his brow remained furrowed even in his dreams due to the pain.

Looking around, Dai Ning noticed only cold, hard chairs in the ward. Without hesitation, she climbed onto Chen Jing’s bed, nudged his arm aside, and lay down to sleep.

“Did you foresee all this?” Qingtuan, having held back all night, couldn’t help but ask.

“No,” Dai Ning replied. “I just knew Ji Tian wouldn’t let such a good opportunity slip by. I warned the bodyguards not to act rashly if Chen Jing showed up, but I didn’t expect them to use acid.”

A faint coldness appeared in Dai Ning’s eyes. The pain of being disfigured in her past life had long since faded. She was someone with a big heart, unwilling to dwell on past suffering.

What had unfolded tonight proved one thing: the acid attack in her previous life was indeed Ji Tian’s doing.

Back then, the agony was unbearable. She couldn’t sleep for nights on end, waking up in constant whimpers, tears brimming in her eyes.

Dai Ning initially thought Chen Jing would be a hassle tonight, but unexpectedly, this stammering man was unusually quiet.

He woke up once in the middle of the night from the pain. Without saying a word, he glanced at the girl beside him but didn’t wake her, silently falling back asleep.

At dawn, Qingtuan, anticipating the nurses’ arrival, finally woke Dai Ning. “Chen Jing is awake.”

Dai Ning opened her eyes and was met with a pair of cool, calm eyes.

Chen Jing’s face showed no sign of pain. He raised his hand, gently brushing her cheek.

The motion drained his already pale complexion further. When he withdrew his hand, Dai Ning pressed it down, smiled sweetly, and asked in a soft voice, “Brother, are you feeling better?”

“Mm.”

The skin beneath his hand was soft and delicate. Chen Jing retracted his hand.

“Do you want some water?”

“Yes.”

Dai Ning got out of bed, fetched a cup of warm water from outside, and helped him drink. Chen Jing sipped from her hand without complaint.

Soon after, the doctor and nurses came for their rounds. Seeing Chen Jing’s calm demeanor, they were somewhat astonished.

The effects of the anesthesia had worn off, and under normal circumstances, most people would be writhing in pain from such severe injuries. Yet Chen Jing showed no reaction. If not for confirming the wounds were his, they might have thought they were treating someone else.

In all their years of practice, they had seen resilient patients, but someone as stoic and indifferent as Chen Jing was almost unheard of.

After changing his dressings, the medical staff left.

Dai Ning tilted her head and asked, “Brother, does it still hurt?”

“No,” he replied, a hint of warmth in his gaze.

“What do you want for breakfast? I’ll go buy it.”

“Anything is fine.”

“Wait here.”

Dai Ning returned shortly after with an unexpectedly thoughtful choice: easily digestible soy milk and porridge for Chen Jing.

She made no move to feed him. Chen Jing sat up on his own and ate silently.

While savoring her own fragrant breakfast, Dai Ning began recounting last night’s events.

“The police took the bad guys away. We might hear something in a couple of days. Brother, why were you there last night?”

Chen Jing’s hand, holding the spoon, paused briefly. “To… t-to check on you.”

He wasn’t one to say much. After spending some time with him, Dai Ning soon grew bored.

Due to the incident, this year’s competition summer camp was canceled. Li Hu came to the hospital, bringing a large bag of fruit and a bouquet of flowers.

“I’m sorry for what happened. It was our failure in ensuring safety. Mr. Chen, thank you for saving the teacher and students.”

When faced with Li Hu, Chen Jing’s demeanor turned cold. He gave only a faint response.

Li Hu turned to Dai Ning. “Are you alright? Were you scared last night?”

Dai Ning shook her head. Chen Jing had protected her well—she hadn’t even been grazed by a drop of acid.

“This is from Zhang Youying,” Li Hu said, handing her a small bottle. Inside were two weak fireflies. Dai Ning stared at them, momentarily stunned.

After a glance at both Chen Jing and Dai Ning, Li Hu said, “Take good care of your brother. I’ll leave now. If anything comes up, feel free to call me.”

Before leaving, Li Hu cast another subtle look at Chen Jing. Last night, this injured man had shielded Dai Ning without hesitation and subdued their attackers despite his wounds. Yet, strangely, Li Hu sensed something other than brotherly affection. Another emotion, undeniable, lingered beneath the surface.

After Li Hu left, Dai Ning stared at the two fireflies in the bottle.

It was a Thursday. The hospital was dreadfully boring. Dai Ning leaned closer and asked, “Brother, do you need me to stay with you?”

The question was mischievous. Chen Jing met her gaze.

After a long pause, he turned his head away and replied stiffly, “No.”

Dai Ning smiled, her lips parting slightly. “Then I’m leaving, okay? I still have classes today. If you need anything, you can ask Chen Lianxing to come to the hospital or hire a nurse. I’ll visit you after school.”

Chen Jing’s fingers clenched the bedsheet. He watched her leave without a care, the softness in his eyes gradually replaced by coldness.

Dai Ning had long expected his response. Overly strong people, be they men or women, rarely evoke pity.

“Dai Ning, Chen Jing got hurt saving you. Now he’s lying in the hospital, and you’re just leaving? Isn’t that a bit heartless?” Qingtuan muttered timidly.

Dai Ning didn’t go to school. Instead, she sought out the bodyguards to learn more about last night’s events.

“Miss, the investigation revealed that those people were mentally ill.”

Mental illness—intermittent, no less. Even the mastermind couldn’t be traced.

Dai Ning sipped her milk tea, unsurprised. She wasn’t the least bit disappointed. If Ji Tian were that easy to deal with, her past life wouldn’t have ended so tragically.

Just as Dai Ning sought to harm the man of fortune, she had learned to use Ji Tian’s hand to do so.

Dai Ning wasn’t in a hurry. To her, all this was just an amusing game. It was Ji Tian who ought to be worried now. Chen Jing had been willing to risk his life to save her, and Ji Tian had already lost the favor of two men of fortune. She must be fuming in secret.

Stretching lazily, Dai Ning noted that it was still early. She decided to go shopping. If she saw anything good, she might buy something for the old man back home—her grandfather’s birthday was coming up soon. She herself would also need to return to Beijing before long.

As for the lonely brother in the hospital, he was probably feeling quite desolate. After all, she hadn’t shown him the slightest bit of concern.

Though he had sensed something, he didn’t even dare to ask.

Chen Jing didn’t call Chen Lianxing.

When the young nurse came to check on him in the evening, she sighed at the sight of him being all alone, feeling a bit sorry for him. Most people with such serious injuries would have family accompanying them, but this man had no one by his side.

And where was that beautiful young girl from last night? How could she leave him alone like this?

Chen Jing remained silent the entire day. He wasn’t stupid—he had sensed something off since last night. Those attackers were clearly targeting Dai Ning. Who was she, really?

And then there was her behavior. In the past, when he was sick with a fever, she would stay by his side. But now, even with his serious injuries, she left simply because the hospital wasn’t entertaining enough.

Could it be… was everything before just a façade?

She loved many things—fun, excitement, mischief—and her personality was as proud and domineering as if she had been born without the ability to care for anyone else.

A spoiled and willful girl. A very bad girl.

He didn’t know when he had realized this about her, but now that she was gone, while he felt disappointed, he couldn’t say he was surprised.

Chen Jing found it a bit laughable, and so he chuckled quietly to himself.

His wounds burned painfully, making any movement inconvenient. Keeping his composure, he called for a caregiver to assist him.

The caregiver helped him with his necessities, and Chen Jing spent most of the day lying in bed.

When the door opened again, Ji Tian stepped inside with a shy smile. “I’m sorry to bother you. Last night’s incident was on the news, and I heard you were injured, so I came to check on you. Are you okay?”

Chen Jing lowered his gaze, his expression becoming calm and indifferent.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

Ji Tian frowned as her eyes fell on Chen Jing’s bare upper body, wrapped in layers of gauze. Anger flared in her heart, but outwardly, she only looked concerned. “Why isn’t Lianxing here to take care of you? Is there anything you need? Would you like some water?”

“You must be in a lot of pain. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you.” Ji Tian reached out, trying to hold his hand.

Chen Jing pulled away from her touch.

The atmosphere became awkward. Ji Tian’s eyes reddened slightly, her expression stiffening.

Chen Jing remained as cold and unresponsive as ever, but Ji Tian was used to this. She gritted her teeth and carried on as if nothing had happened, going to boil some water for him.

Chen Jing frowned as he watched her. He had clearly expressed that he didn’t want her here, yet she ignored him, persisting in her relentless pursuit.

At that moment, a girl wearing a miniskirt strolled in, a lollipop in her mouth.

Before Ji Tian could finish boiling the water, Dai Ning cheerfully announced, “Big brother, I’m back from school!”

Ji Tian turned around, eyeing Dai Ning’s lively, carefree demeanor. A thought crossed her mind, and she feigned confusion. “Chen Jing, your little sister looks really familiar. She bears an uncanny resemblance to my family’s long-lost eldest daughter.”

Hearing this, Chen Jing’s gaze instantly sharpened.

“Really?” Dai Ning wasn’t expecting Ji Tian to be here, but she showed no sign of unease. “Then why do I look nothing like you? Maybe your family made a mistake.”

Ji Tian forced a smile. “I’ve heard that my sister, whom I’ve never met, is as sharp-tongued as you.”

“Don’t worry, I’m definitely not your sister. You look way older than me.”

Ji Tian’s smile almost faltered.

Dai Ning continued, “I don’t know you, but now that I’m here, there’s no need for you to take care of my brother. You can leave now.”

Her tone was completely impolite. Ji Tian instinctively looked at Chen Jing, hoping he would chastise Dai Ning. However, Chen Jing’s dark eyes remained fixed on Dai Ning, silent and inscrutable.

“Are you leaving or not? If not, I’ll have to kick you out.”

Ji Tian knew what kind of person Dai Ning was. Staying any longer wouldn’t benefit her. She stood up and, suppressing her frustration, said, “Chen Jing, I’ll visit you another time.”

Dai Ning made a face at Ji Tian’s retreating figure, then gestured for the caregiver to leave as well. She shut the door behind them, turning to find Chen Jing’s icy gaze on her.

He didn’t seem to care about either Ji Tian or the caregiver. Instead, he asked her directly:

“You lied to me?”

Dai Ning smiled sweetly as she sat on the edge of his bed, feigning innocence. “What? What could I possibly lie to you about?”

Chen Jing’s eyes seemed sharp enough to cut. Gritting his teeth, he enunciated:

“The wandering, the amnesia, Chen Dai Dai!”

Which part of it was true? Did she have no intention of confessing even now? Chen Jing didn’t even want to imagine why she had pretended to have no memory or home. Was it just to toy with him? To laugh at him for being foolish enough to treat her as his sister?

“Don’t call me that.” Don’t call him her brother.

“You’re so petty. I only lied to you a little bit. Weren’t you happy during that time?”

Chen Jing’s expression darkened like a storm.

What stung him most wasn’t being lied to—it was that, despite it all, he had fallen for her…

“You see? You were happy, and so was I. Isn’t that a good thing? Why look so upset?”

Chen Jing’s cold eyes bore into her.

“I was in a coma for a long time before waking up and meeting you,” Dai Ning said, half-truthfully. “At the time, I really couldn’t go home. You treated me so well, and I was afraid you’d send me away.”

Chen Jing clenched his fists. He couldn’t believe how infuriating she could be.

Dai Ning took his hand, prying his fingers apart.

Chen Jing could have pulled away but didn’t.

Her small hand nestled in his palm without a hint of fear at his cutting glare.

“So, do you still want me as your little sister?” she asked, her eyes wide and expectant.

Chen Jing’s chest heaved, his voice harsh. “No!”

Dai Ning huffed, pulling her hand back.

“Fine! If you don’t want me, there are plenty of people who’d love to claim ties to me, the great eldest daughter of the Ji family.”

Seeing his lack of reaction, Dai Ning grew impatient and turned to leave.

Chen Jing lowered his gaze, listening to her footsteps fade. He scoffed inwardly, thinking he truly was nothing more than her plaything.

But just as he was about to close his eyes, the sound of footsteps approached again.

Dai Ning turned back, cupped his face, and pressed her lips against his.

The cicadas buzzed loudly outside in the sweltering summer heat.

Chen Jing froze, as if struck by lightning, unable to believe what she had just done.