Chapter 121: I Only Want You

"It’s fine, I’m strong," Jiang Yao said dismissively. "I’ve even trained in boxing; I’m stronger than the average girl."

"I said no, and I mean it." He Yunqing carried the items and walked straight inside.

"Hey, He Yunqing."

He Yunqing stopped and turned back to look at Jiang Yao, pointing at her feet. "And you aren't allowed to run like that, either."

Jiang Yao stood still instinctively, looking at him speechlessly. "What is this about? I’m not made of paper."

Standing in the wind, Jiang Yao looked incredibly slender. Dressed in thin clothes, her complexion was poor, as if a single gust could blow her away.

He Yunqing walked back and tightened her coat.

"It’s getting cold. Don't go out wearing so little from now on."

His tone was exceptionally gentle.

Jiang Yao nodded, silently lowering her gaze. "I understand."

He Yunqing set the things down and, without lingering, left in a hurry.

Jiang Yao stood on the balcony, watching his departing figure downstairs, lost in thought.

Perhaps this was for the best; she didn't have much time left anyway.

By his car, He Yunqing held the door with one hand and suddenly looked back at the window where Jiang Yao stood.

Jiang Yao quickly stepped back, hiding herself behind the curtains, her heart hammering against her chest.

The man’s gaze rested faintly on the shadow cast upon the curtain, his deep eyes tinged with sorrow.

*A-Yao, no matter what happens, I hope you are well.*

The corners of his bitter lips turned up slightly. He opened the door, got in, started the engine, and drove away.

Only when the sound of the car faded into the distance did Jiang Yao dare to peek out again. She stared at the now-empty road and bit her lip in silence.

Her phone vibrated. It was a call from Cheng Yanchi.

"A-Yao, are you... still coming?" Cheng Yanchi, sitting at a table in the bustling bar, gazed at the flickering lights before him.

Jiang Yao remembered He Yunqing's words. "I'm a bit tired today, let's do it another time. Oh, and earlier, He Yunqing and I were just..."

Even though they were only boyfriend and girlfriend in name, Jiang Yao felt a subconscious need to explain.

"You don't have to explain, A-Yao," Cheng Yanchi interrupted. "Since you're tired, get some rest."

The call ended. Cheng Yanchi tilted his head back and drained his glass.

The wine today didn't taste like usual; the intense flavor was laced not with richness, but with bitterness.

***

Jiang Yao was exhausted, yet she could not sleep.

The doctor's words echoed in her ears. How could this be? She couldn't believe the result; after all, she felt perfectly normal, and everything seemed fine.

It was just the occasional dizziness, the headaches, the occasional hallucinations...

She got up and took out the hospital report, intending to read it carefully one more time.

As she held it, she realized something was wrong. This was not her report. It was Ye Yiyi’s!

Then where was her own...

Jiang Yao didn't dare to think further. Was it a mix-up, or had Ye Yiyi done this on purpose?

"Jiang Yao, stay calm. Just stay calm," she muttered, pacing the room with her phone. After a moment, she tentatively dialed Ye Yiyi’s number.

She hoped Ye Yiyi hadn't seen her report yet.

Surprisingly, the call connected. It seemed Ye Yiyi had finally unblocked her.

The sudden sound of Ye Yiyi’s voice made Jiang Yao nervous. "Ah, Yiyi... I... I..."

"What is it?"

Jiang Yao steadied herself. If Ye Yiyi was asking like this, she probably hadn't seen the report yet, right?

"I... I think we accidentally swapped our medical reports. Can we switch them back?" Jiang Yao bit her fingernails.

"Yes."

"Really? That’s great."

"Let’s swap now."

"Oh? Right now?" Jiang Yao looked at the sky outside. It was very late, but to avoid further complications, doing it now was for the best. "Should I come over to your place?"

"No need. Open the door."

Jiang Yao froze. Open the door?

She hurried to the entrance and pulled it open, only to find Ye Yiyi already standing there.

Ye Yiyi’s eyes were bloodshot, shimmering with unshed tears. In her right hand, she held Jiang Yao’s medical report.

"Yiyi..."

Jiang Yao opened her mouth, but could only manage a faint, strained whisper. Ye Yiyi’s expression told her everything: she knew.

"You wanted to switch, right? Here, take it back." Ye Yiyi shoved the report into Jiang Yao’s hand.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together and remained silent, clutching the report as she walked back into the room with stiff, mechanical movements.

"What is this, Jiang Yao!" Ye Yiyi shouted from behind her.

Jiang Yao sniffled, her fingers tightening around the report, her voice trembling. "What do you mean? I don't understand."

"It's come to this, and you're still playing dumb!" Ye Yiyi gritted her teeth. "If I hadn't seen it, were you just going to keep hiding it? How long were you going to hide it? Until you..."

She couldn't bring herself to say the word "die."

With her back to Ye Yiyi, Jiang Yao wiped the moisture from her lashes. "Actually, it’s not hopeless. Surgery is an option. The doctor said that even with conservative treatment, if it's managed well, I can still..."

"A-Yao!"

Ye Yiyi’s tears finally spilled over. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Jiang Yao, resting her face against her back. "A-Yao... how could you... what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do?"

Jiang Yao’s body trembled slightly.

She turned around, looking at Ye Yiyi’s tear-stained face. Ever since they were very young, they had relied on each other to survive. Even now, Ye Yiyi was still the one she leaned on.

Jiang Yao gently stroked Ye Yiyi’s cheek. "You’ve already established yourself in the entertainment industry. You’ll become a superstar, you’ll be very, very happy. Even without me, you’ll be happy."

Ye Yiyi shook her head frantically. "A-Yao, I don't want any of that. I don't want anything. I just want you. Just stay by my side, please? Don't leave me, please?"

"What silly things are you saying? You worked so hard for everything you have now," Jiang Yao said, gently wiping away her tears.

Oh, and there was Luo Yixian. Before she passed, she had to deal with that trouble for Ye Yiyi.

"I'm sorry, A-Yao. Without you, what does any of that mean? I was wrong..." Ye Yiyi sobbed. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she pulled out her phone. "Wait, Cheng Yanchi! Cheng Yanchi has so many connections, maybe he can find a way to save you!"