Chapter 122: Things Never Dared to Be Hoped For

Jiang Yao seized Ye Yiyi’s hand. “Don’t tell Cheng Yanchi.”

“Why?” Ye Yiyi asked, bewildered. “If we keep it from him, he’ll curse me to death when he finds out someday.”

“If Cheng Yanchi really had a way to help, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell him. But…” Jiang Yao paused. “Cheng Yanchi isn’t a doctor. Besides, his father hasn’t been well lately. He’s already overwhelmed just dealing with his own family’s affairs.”

Ye Yiyi was still unwilling to give up. “But…”

“No more ‘buts.’ Think about it. Knowing Cheng Yanchi’s temperament, if he found out, wouldn’t he keep me confined to the hospital every day? There are still so many things I want to do.” Jiang Yao remembered how, the last time she had been hospitalized for anemia, Cheng Yanchi had insisted on keeping her in the hospital for quite some time. “Once I get through this busy stretch, I’ll find an appropriate time to tell him, all right?”

Ye Yiyi was somewhat persuaded. What Jiang Yao said was not without reason.

“Then… what else do you have to be busy with? Right now, your health is the most important thing.” Ye Yiyi’s voice choked again. “A-Yao, let’s not give up, all right? Let’s visit a few more hospitals and find some more doctors.”

“All right. I promise.”

Jiang Yao agreed readily.

Yet in her heart, she knew better than anyone that Huai’an Hospital represented the highest level of medical care in the country.

If the doctors at Huai’an Hospital had given her such a diagnosis, then they had essentially pronounced judgment on her life.

Ye Yiyi did not go home that night.

She stayed with Jiang Yao, holding her tightly as the two of them lay on the same bed and slept through the night.

Several times, Ye Yiyi murmured in her sleep, calling Jiang Yao’s name.

Jiang Yao lowered her head and saw that tears had already streamed down Ye Yiyi’s face in sleep.

Silently, Jiang Yao tightened her arms around her.

Very few people could face death without fear. Jiang Yao was no exception.

But at least for this moment, she was happy.

Because her Ye Yiyi had come back to her.

Just as she had countless times before, Ye Yiyi held her tightly, like a little sister, the two of them relying on each other to survive.

Only, how would she care for her in the days to come?

In a hazy stupor, Jiang Yao did not fall asleep until dawn was nearly upon them.

When she woke, she found Ye Yiyi sitting beside the bed, staring fixedly at her.

“Ye Yiyi, startling someone can scare them to death.” Jiang Yao patted her chest lightly.

“At a time like this, you still have the mood to joke.” Ye Yiyi pursed her lips.

Jiang Yao raised a hand and pointed toward the sky outside. “What do you mean, a time like this? The weather is so fine today, and I’m still alive and well, aren’t I? If you keep looking so mournful now, you won’t have to smile for the next several years.”

At the mention of the next several years, Ye Yiyi managed to lift the corners of her mouth.

Several years. At least Jiang Yao still had several years.

But for a young, vibrant life, several years were far too few.

“Why are you still sitting here? Don’t you have work today?” Jiang Yao nudged Ye Yiyi.

“I’m not going.” Ye Yiyi shook her head. “What work? I don’t even want to be a pop queen anymore. I’m staying here with you.”

Jiang Yao raised her hand and tapped Ye Yiyi on the head. “Have you lost your mind? You’re not going to work for the next several years? Am I supposed to support you?”

“I…” Ye Yiyi rubbed her head.

Jiang Yao pushed her. “Go on, go.”

Only after Jiang Yao urged her again and again did Ye Yiyi finally leave.

Watching her go, the smile at the corners of Jiang Yao’s lips gradually faded.

She stood before the mirror, looking at her somewhat haggard face. With one finger, she forced the corners of her mouth upward.

“Jiang Yao, the sky hasn’t fallen yet. If Heaven wants you to live for one day, then live that day properly. Don’t go around looking miserable all the time.”

The Hope snack shop opened very early.

Aunt Qin began bustling about shortly after four in the morning, and quite a few customers came for breakfast.

With its excellent flavor, generous portions, and affordable prices, the little shop had won over a great many patrons.

Jiang Yao sat quietly in the corner, watching the stream of people come and go, taking in the most ordinary warmth and bustle of human life.

How long had it been since she had sat down like this and eaten a proper breakfast?

Aunt Qin was bent over her work the entire time and failed to notice her. It was not until she had served a bowl of tofu pudding to the last table that she asked, “What would you like?”

When she looked up, she realized it was Jiang Yao.

Aunt Qin froze for a moment.

“A bowl of soy milk and two steamed buns.”

Jiang Yao smiled faintly and spoke softly.

Eleven years ago, when she had first come to Aunt Qin’s shop, she had ordered exactly those two things.

Unexpectedly, Aunt Qin had not cursed her or driven her out. She had simply turned and gone into the kitchen. Before long, she had come back carrying a bowl of soy milk, two steamed buns, and two fried eggs.

“That little bit won’t fill you up. I’m adding two fried eggs.”

Jiang Yao looked at the food on the table, her eyes faintly reddening.

Back then, Aunt Qin had brought out two fried eggs in exactly the same way and said the very same words.

“What is it? Not going to eat?” Aunt Qin’s tone was still far from gentle.

“I’ll eat. I’m eating.”

Jiang Yao lowered her head, trying not to let Aunt Qin see the tears at the corners of her eyes. She picked up her chopsticks and silently lifted a piece of fried egg, taking one bite, then another…

There was no question that Aunt Qin’s cooking was excellent.

It was a taste Jiang Yao had not experienced in far too long.

Before she had finished her bowl of tofu pudding, Jiang Yao set down her utensils and suddenly collapsed onto the table, sobbing uncontrollably.

It was something she had waited for all these years, yet had never dared to hope for.

Forgiveness.

Almost no one passing through the shop noticed the small corner where she sat.

Just as no one had noticed that, within Jiang Yao’s heart, there was a corner filled with such sorrow.

Breakfast hours passed.

The shop gradually emptied, until only Jiang Yao’s table remained.

Another stack of napkins appeared on the tabletop.

Jiang Yao slowly raised her head and saw Aunt Qin looking at her helplessly.

“Even if the napkins are free, that isn’t how you’re supposed to use them.”

Jiang Yao bit her lip and hurriedly wiped away her tears.

Aunt Qin pulled over a chair and sat down. “Was it really that awful? To make you cry like this?”

Jiang Yao quickly shook her head.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll throw you out again?”

Jiang Yao sniffed. “I just…”

“You miss Chen Zui, don’t you?” After so many years, Aunt Qin was mentioning Chen Zui so openly for the first time. “I miss him too. Ever since Xiaoshu’s accident, I’ve thought about many things. Back then, I failed as a mother too. I didn’t believe my own son in the first place—I blamed him instead.”

“Thank Heaven Xiaoshu was left to me. From now on, all I hope is that everyone can live in peace and safety.”

Jiang Yao watched the wrinkles quietly spreading across Aunt Qin’s face and suddenly felt that there was something different about her today.

“How is Xiaoshu?”

“He hasn’t completely recovered, but young people recover relatively quickly.”