Chapter 025: A Grudge, a Bitter Grudge

Jiang Yao slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Cheng Yanchi’s handsome and refined face.

She couldn’t help but glance around. Before she fainted, she vaguely remembered seeing He Yunqing’s face…

“A-Yao, you’re awake?” Cheng Yanchi beamed at her. “Are you hungry? No, wait, you should have some water first.”

He got up to pour her a glass of water, muttering as he did, “Ye Yiyi told me you’re anemic. Honestly, your body is the foundation of everything—you can’t just push yourself regardless.”

Jiang Yao propped herself up, took the glass from Cheng Yanchi, and sipped it lightly. “I’m fine.”

“You’d better be!” Cheng Yanchi shot her an annoyed glare. “The three of us are the most stable triangle—if you were gone, Ye Yiyi and I would argue ourselves hoarse!”

Jiang Yao smiled faintly. She liked hearing Cheng Yanchi ramble like this.

Cheng Yanchi grabbed an orange and began peeling it. “For the next few days, you’re to stay put in bed. Don’t go anywhere until you’re fully recovered.”

He spoke in a commanding tone.

Jiang Yao clasped her hands in mock salute and joked, “Yes, sir. I’ll obey.”

Cheng Yanchi’s hands slowed as he peeled the orange, suddenly turning serious. “A-Yao, I have a question for you.”

“Go ahead.” Jiang Yao took another sip of water.

Cheng Yanchi pursed his lips. “Do you really like He Yunqing?”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Jiang Yao choked on her water, coughing violently.

Cheng Yanchi hurriedly tossed the orange aside and stood up to pat her back.

After a bout of coughing, Jiang Yao took a few deep breaths and blinked at Cheng Yanchi, suppressing a laugh. “Yes, He Yunqing is so wonderful—handsome, talented, and wealthy. What woman wouldn’t like him?”

Cheng Yanchi sat down, sulkily peeling the orange again. “By that logic, I’m handsome, talented, and rich too. Why don’t you like me?”

Jiang Yao propped her head on her hand and looked at him with a smile. “Why do you react so strongly whenever He Yunqing is mentioned? Do you have a grudge against him?”

Cheng Yanchi shoved a segment of orange directly into Jiang Yao’s mouth. A grudge—a big one.

It was from many years ago.

That annoying guy!

“Anyway, you can like anyone you want, just not him!” Cheng Yanchi folded his arms.

Jiang Yao’s smile faded slightly at the corners of her lips. “Like him? That’s impossible. Isn’t it better to live a good, peaceful life? Why invite trouble?”

Besides, even wanting a peaceful life now seemed like an unattainable luxury.

Cheng Yanchi laughed, his pair of fox-like eyes sparkling. “Then let’s eat oranges.”

He spoke as if coaxing a child, popping another orange segment into Jiang Yao’s mouth.

Jiang Yao swallowed the orange and took another sip of water just as Ye Yiyi entered.

Seeing Jiang Yao awake, Ye Yiyi was delighted at first, then mysteriously sidled up to her.

“A-Yao.”

“Hm?” Jiang Yao wasn’t sure what was happening and leaned in to listen.

“I think He Yunqing likes me.”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Jiang Yao choked again, coughing violently.

The other two quickly rushed over to pat her back.

Cheng Yanchi shot Ye Yiyi a glare. “Can you not daydream in broad daylight? He Yunqing likes you?”

Ye Yiyi raised her brows. “What’s wrong? Are you jealous?”

Cheng Yanchi snorted.

Ye Yiyi rolled her eyes and counted on her fingers. “You guys might not know, but lately during filming, I feel like he keeps looking at me. There were several times… and last night…”

She wanted to say that He Yunqing had helped her last night.

But how could he have happened to be nearby?

Unless…

“A-Yao, what if he confesses to me? Should I say yes? Dating someone of his status must be exhausting, but I really like him…” Ye Yiyi chattered on nervously.

Jiang Yao rubbed her temples.

Cheng Yanchi shook his head helplessly. “You’re crazy.”

“A-Yao,” Ye Yiyi grabbed Jiang Yao’s hand, “anyway, I took to heart what you said to me last night. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid again. No matter how hard it gets, I’ll grit my teeth and stick it out. I won’t take any shortcuts I shouldn’t!”

Jiang Yao smiled with relief, hugging Ye Yiyi gently, her voice choked, “Good.”

For the next several days, Jiang Yao was confined to the hospital.

Cheng Yanchi went to her company to ask for leave on her behalf, practically forbidding her feet from touching the ground.

At last, with Ye Yiyi busy filming and Cheng Yanchi off at training matches, Jiang Yao was like a bird released from its cage, wandering all over the hospital.

Passing the nurses’ station, she overheard two young nurses chatting.

“Why has the director’s son been coming in so much lately?”

“Yes, yes,” the other nurse nodded in agreement. “I just saw him. It’s my first time seeing him, and he’s really handsome.”

“He sure is. But I feel like he looks familiar, like a celebrity…”

Jiang Yao stopped in her tracks, turning to the two nurses. “Did you say the director’s son is at the hospital?”

“Yes,” one nurse lowered her voice deliberately. “But keep it quiet—the director’s son is very low-key. Just the two of us saw him earlier.”

Jiang Yao lowered her voice as well. “Do you know where he is now?”

The two nurses exchanged a glance.

“Don’t worry, you’re not mistaken—he helped me, and I want to thank him,” Jiang Yao whispered.

One nurse patted Jiang Yao’s shoulder. “That’s a pretty flimsy excuse.”

“I…”

“But it’s fine. I saw him headed toward Mirror Lake.”

Jiang Yao thanked the nurses and walked alone toward Mirror Lake.

Mirror Lake remained as tranquil as ever.

The sun shone brightly, and a thin layer of ice covered the lake.

Jiang Yao arrived at Mirror Lake and looked around, not seeing a soul.

Yet, in her mind, she couldn’t help recalling the day she stood beside He Yunqing at the edge of the lake.

That man, on that day, was as serene and mysterious as the lake itself.

Jiang Yao shook her head. Why did she keep thinking of He Yunqing lately, seemingly without reason?

She collected herself, turned to leave, and had barely walked a few steps when a black Mercedes sped toward her.

Jiang Yao froze for a moment, quickly dodging aside.

She stumbled, narrowly avoiding the car, only to see it swing around, tires screeching on the pavement.

It roared toward her again, carrying the chilling, ruthless force of winter.

There was no doubt—the car was coming straight for Jiang Yao!

She stood paralyzed, her mind blank for a second, as she watched the vehicle rush toward her…