Diagnosis: Friend [Rebirth] - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Jiang Qing was dead.

She died on the day of her best friend’s engagement, right outside the entrance of the engagement hotel.

On the traffic sign, the little green man flickered rapidly. Jiang Qing was following the flow of the crowd, her high heels clicking against the pavement.

A yellow Ferrari charged toward the crowded crosswalk. Jiang Qing, walking on the outermost edge, took the full force of the impact. Her limbs were thrown to God-knows-where, and half of her head was crushed beneath the wheels.

She didn’t even have time to register what had happened before her body stopped moving—or rather, before she ceased to have a body at all.

Yet, she could still hear. She could still see.

The piercing screech of brakes and the roar of the engine sliced through the air. Following a massive thud, the car’s hood slammed into a roadside planter; the sound of twisting metal was bone-chilling. Screams erupted like boiling oil hitting a pan—hysterical shrieks tore through throats. She watched a pair of feet after another running past her eyes.

Blood flowed from her forehead into her eyes, veiling her vision in a layer of red gauze—an inappropriately festive color.

Jiang Qing felt a bit sad, and a bit tired.

But mostly, she wanted to cry—she was dying.

She didn’t want to die. She had come to attend Gu Yining’s engagement banquet; she had put on makeup especially for this, wearing a beautiful dress. She swore that even as a ghost, she would never let that damn Ferrari driver off the hook.

Two hours earlier.

A fine, drizzling rain had been falling over Anping City for several days. The sky was dyed a murky, ashen white, with a faint, indistinct tint of pale blue at the horizon, resembling damp moss.

The rain stopped this morning.

A brilliant ray of sunlight pierced through the dismal clouds like a sword, tearing a hole in the sky. The edges of the heavy clouds began to glow, and golden light instantly spilled down.

The weather had cleared.

Jiang Qing sat on her bed for a long time, watching the clouds slowly disperse. The golden sunlight filtered into the room, landing on the back of her hand without any warmth. Then, slowly, it climbed from her hand to her arm, finally reaching her slender, frail neck.

The pale skin of her throat moved as she swallowed. Jiang Qing lifted the covers and got out of bed.

The moment she stood up, her vision went black. She quickly reached out to steady herself against the wall, her body feeling heavy. After resting for a moment, her sight returned to normal. She fumbled for a piece of candy from the nightstand.

The sweetness melted on the tip of her tongue.

Seeing that it was almost time, Jiang Qing stretched and went into the bathroom to wash up.

The cold water made her feel much more alert, and her long-vacant brain finally returned to reality. She pulled out a tissue to wipe the water from her face and looked up at the slightly haggard woman in the mirror.

Her face was thin and pale, her eyes sunken into their sockets, surrounded by heavy dark circles. Increasing workloads and a depressed mood had left her eyes full of exhaustion. She wasn’t even thirty yet, but fine lines were already appearing at the corners of her eyes.

She didn’t know when the company’s layoffs would finally reach her.

In the past, Jiang Qing had always been fearful, terrified that the layoff axe would fall on her, feeling relieved every time she dodged a round. But now, with layoffs and “restructuring” happening simultaneously, the workload had increased while pay decreased. It had reached a point where she could no longer endure it. She almost hoped she would be laid off immediately so she could at least take the severance pay and use the opportunity to go somewhere alone.

Jiang Qing took a white dress out of the closet.

Gu Yining had given it to her a few days ago: “This dress is so pretty, it really suits you, Qingqing!”

The woman was so drowned in the joy of her engagement that she hadn’t noticed Jiang Qing’s forced smile—or perhaps Jiang Qing had simply acted too well. Over the past twelve years, she had become an expert at hiding her emotions.

She put on the white dress and stood before the mirror.

Her skin possessed a strange whiteness, with veins faintly visible beneath the surface. She looked like a flower that hadn’t seen sunlight in a long time—pale, withered, and frail. The whiteness was almost dismal.

Jiang Qing remembered the medical report from her check-up a few days ago; she could pick it up today since it was on the way.

After carefully picking out a necklace and applying exquisite makeup to cover the dark circles, she put on her heels and called a cab to the hotel.

As soon as Jiang Qing stepped into the hotel, the phone in her hand vibrated. Seeing the name “Gu Yining” on the screen made her breath hitch. she exhaled and slid her finger to answer.

“Jiang Qing, are you here?” Gu Yining’s steady, gentle voice came from the other end.

From age seventeen to twenty-nine—twelve years was enough time to temper a cheerful, sunny girl into a mature woman. Unlike Gu Yining, Jiang Qing hadn’t changed much in those twelve years; she was still quiet and introverted, the kind of “good girl” at a party who never spoke and only kept her head down to eat.

“Mmhmm, I’ve reached the venue.” Jiang Qing took a glass of red wine from a waiter, nodded her thanks, and turned to face a beautiful woman.

Her features weren’t bold or heavy; they were light and faded like a desaturated ink painting, yet they were very pleasing to look at.

The woman stepped forward to clink glasses with her, her brow arching imperceptibly. The pearl necklace around her neck made her look noble and elegant. “Miss Jiang.”

Hanging up the phone, Jiang Qing smiled at her. “Auntie Zhou, long time no see.”

Though past forty, Zhou Xuening’s features remained exquisite. The charm of a mature woman radiated from her, her every gesture dignified and grand. She was more composed now, having been settled by time. When she smiled, fine lines appeared at the corners of her mouth, but they didn’t detract from her beauty; instead, they added a layer of captivating charm.

Her slightly curly long hair draped over her shoulders. Zhou Xuening tilted her head and suddenly smiled. “Wait a moment.” She put down her wine glass and leaned toward Jiang Qing.

Her cold hand brushed against Jiang Qing’s warm skin as she pulled out a few stray hairs that had gotten caught in the necklace. Her lips pressed close to Jiang Qing’s ear, and her voice was very low:

“Once today is over, you should finally give up.”

The strands of hair tickled her skin.

Jiang Qing didn’t speak. She just looked at the retreating Zhou Xuening and smiled—a smile so bitter it made her throat ache and left her momentarily unable to speak, her chest heaving slightly from the bitterness.

Zhou Xuening left at some point, but Jiang Qing was still wearing that unflattering smile. Her lips were caught on her teeth; after a long time, her moist lips became dry, creating quite a bit of resistance as they slid back down over her teeth.

The venue was decorated everywhere with white roses. In her peripheral vision, she noticed her silk skirt was also white. The overhead lights were so bright that the reflections made her eyes sting.

Just as Jiang Qing was about to tip the wine into her mouth, a slender hand reached around her shoulder and gripped her cold wrist. The red wine swayed slightly in the glass. A faint scent of perfume silently enveloped her.

She frowned almost imperceptibly. Before the newcomer could speak, she turned around and took a step back, looking up with a smile. “The bride-to-be is here!” Her eyes curved like a moon surrounded by stars, but bitterness fermented in her throat.

Gu Yining was wearing a pure white off-the-shoulder gown, her long hair pinned up, giving her a rare air of gentleness.

“Didn’t you have a nosebleed just a few days ago? Why are you drinking now?” Gu Yining’s fingers slid along her smooth, cold skin to grip the wine glass. With a slight tug, she pulled it from Jiang Qing’s hand.

Jiang Qing pulled out a nearby chair and sat down, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at her. “That was just because the weather was too dry. Besides, what’s wrong with me having one glass of wine at my best friend’s engagement?”

She tried to keep her tone light, but the words felt incredibly humiliating. The phrase “best friend” was a slap Jiang Qing gave herself, intended to wake herself up from the past twelve years.

Gu Yining said without hesitation, “You’re not allowed.”

She tilted her head back slightly and drained the wine in one gulp. Then, she leaned in close, deliberately blowing the alcoholic breath against Jiang Qing’s neck, tilting her head and grinning.

Gu Yining’s eyes were very bright, the whites clear and the pupils crystal-like. When she stared at Jiang Qing like this, it felt as though she were filling her heart and eyes with her. Whether at seventeen or twenty-nine, Jiang Qing could never calmly face such a fervent gaze.

Such an unmasked gaze was too misleading; it made the feelings she tried so hard to hide grow uncontrollably.

She loved Gu Yining, from age seventeen to twenty-nine.

In the eyes of outsiders—and in the eyes of Gu Yining—Jiang Qing was “the best friend,” the loyal companion who would always be by her side.

But Jiang Qing wasn’t. She was painfully aware of the improper thoughts she hid under the guise of friendship. She had stayed by Gu Yining’s side as a “bestie” for twelve years. In those twelve years, that secret desire had taken root and sprouted into a towering tree that could never be uprooted.

Sometimes Jiang Qing wondered if Gu Yining also felt a bit of ambiguous affection for her beyond friendship… but today, Gu Yining was getting engaged. This felt like a signal, a total wake-up call for Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing looked away, scanning the room randomly. When she turned back, a warm palm was resting on her forehead. Gu Yining asked softly, “What were you doing this morning? Why are you so cold?”

“Haven’t I always been like this?” Jiang Qing pulled her head back, separating her forehead from the warm palm. She reached into her bag, pulled out a box, and handed it to Gu Yining. “A gift.”

Gu Yining opened the box to find a necklace. She pursed her lips, her mouth curling into a smile. “Qingqing truly has excellent taste.” Then, she took Jiang Qing’s hand, her eyes scanning her body. “I told you this dress would suit you.”

Jiang Qing responded with a faint smile.

The venue gradually filled with people, and even reporters squeezed through to interview the pair. Naturally, the subject of the interview was Gu Yining.

This engagement was a high-profile event. The protagonists were the son of the Cheng family and the daughter of the Gu family—both families being titans in the business world. This union was seen as a powerful alliance, drawing heavy media attention.

Jiang Qing had met the Cheng son before; he was handsome and very polite. Just as the media said: a perfect match of talent and beauty. Standing in the center of the crowd, they attracted every eye in the room.

Jiang Qing withdrew her gaze. She found a quiet corner to sit and poured herself another glass of wine. She checked her phone—11:08 AM.

She had to go to the hospital to get her report.

Successfully using this excuse to lie to herself, Jiang Qing stood up and left the lively engagement banquet early. Perhaps it was the wine, but after leaving the hotel, her head felt a bit groggy and her body felt cold.

Her phone vibrated several times; it was messages from Gu Yining.

“Where did you go?”

“I saw you leave.”

Indeed, attending the wedding (or engagement) of someone you love is not something just anyone can do. Jiang Qing couldn’t do it. Simply watching the two of them standing together was unbearable; how could she possibly offer her blessings with a calm face?

She looked at the flashing red light across the street. After I get the report from the hospital, I’ll resign, she thought. She wanted to go away alone, and it was the perfect excuse to miss Gu Yining’s actual wedding.

The light turned green. The little man on the electronic screen ran quickly. Jiang Qing stepped into the street.

In the next instant, the screech of brakes and a violent impact occurred in close proximity. In a heartbeat, Jiang Qing was sent flying, hitting the ground limply. Her twisted legs were right before her eyes. Blood trickled from her mouth, filling it with a thick, metallic sweetness.

Shocking crimson centered around the back of her head, a massive flower of blood blooming across her pure white dress.

The pain made Jiang Qing cry, but worse still, her consciousness began to fade. She could no longer feel the pain.

She was dying.

Her blood-veiled eyes looked forward vacantly. Ten meters away, inside the luxury hotel, Gu Yining’s engagement banquet was still in progress.

Her eyelids fell powerlessly, and a heavy darkness occupied her entire vision.

In the final moments of consciousness, she heard someone screaming her name hysterically:

“Qingqing!”

“Jiang Qing!”