The Sickly Beauty Can’t Escape the Obsessive Lover - Chapter 16

Late at night, Jing Yuan returned to his room, still trembling with lingering fear. The gun felt icy cold to the touch, and even a brief contact was enough to send shivers down his spine.

After a groggy bath, Jing Yuan chewed on some ginseng slices and burrowed into his blankets. His constitution was weak and prone to chills, especially in winter. He had to keep his hands and feet tightly tucked under the thick quilt to feel somewhat comfortable the next day.

Today’s physical exertion had far exceeded his body’s limits. Before long, his head sank into the soft pillow, and he completely forgot about the fact that Ji Yan was still waiting for him.

The next day, Jing Yuan woke up.

Breakfast was lavish. Wearing his favorite white pajamas, he nibbled on nuts one by one, resembling a little squirrel.

Chen Tian watched him silently for a while before speaking softly, “Young Master Jing, before Mr. Ji left for work, he asked me to pass on a message to you.”

“Ji Yan?” Jing Yuan held a bowl of bird’s nest porridge, sipping it slowly.

Suddenly—

Jing Yuan remembered something and began coughing violently, his pale pink lips trembling.

He had forgotten about his appointment with Ji Yan last night. Wuwu.

Chen Tian looked at him suspiciously. “Young Master Jing, are you alright?”

Jing Yuan clutched his chest, his expression as if the sky had fallen. “Uncle, is Ji Yan angry with me?”

If the big villain got angry, he might just kill someone.

Chen Tian was baffled. “Mr. Ji asked me to tell you that he’ll be working overtime frequently recently, but he’ll set aside a few days next week to accompany you on a trip to the scenic area.”

A faint smile crept onto Jing Yuan’s lips. “A trip?”

“Yes.”

Jing Yuan rested his chin in his hands, chewing a couple of pieces of honeydew melon, his cheeks puffed out.

He had stood Ji Yan up yesterday, yet instead of punishment, he was being rewarded? This behavior was hardly that of a big villain. It was more like that of a little angel.

With that thought, Jing Yuan finished his breakfast in peace.

After the meal, he wheeled himself around the floor where Ji Yan’s bedroom was located, lost in thought.

While he was daydreaming, a little boy came running toward him, crying.

Jing Yuan had never seen a child in this household before and called out gently, “Where did you come from, little one?”

The boy stopped, his eyes timid. “My dad works in the kitchen.”

“I see.” Jing Yuan wheeled his chair closer to the boy. Seeing the child’s tear-streaked face, he lowered his head and patted his pockets. “Let me find some candy for you. Don’t cry, okay?”

The boy’s fear gradually subsided.

In his memory, this pretty older brother was supposed to be very fierce. His father had specifically warned him to stay away from him.

After searching for a while, under the boy’s expectant gaze, Jing Yuan pulled out a handful of ginseng slices from his pocket.

He chuckled at himself and scratched his head. “Want some ginseng?”

The boy fiddled with the hem of his shirt and shook his head gently. “Thank you, brother, but I’ve never had it before.”

Considering the child’s health, Jing Yuan put the ginseng back in his pocket. “Come with me to my room. I’ll find some candy for you.”

The boy immediately brightened up. “Okay!”

On the way back to the room, Jing Yuan chatted with the boy and learned that he had been scolded by his father because he was afraid of the dark and couldn’t sleep alone.

The boy’s mother had passed away three years ago.

Jing Yuan felt deep sympathy for the boy’s plight.

After retrieving some candy from a drawer, he generously filled both of the boy’s pockets to the brim. The two of them, one big and one small, excitedly unwrapped the candies and tasted them.

Jing Yuan smiled warmly and asked, “Did you know that in stories, loved ones who have passed away turn into stars?”

The boy lifted his teary eyes. “No, I didn’t.”

Jing Yuan continued, “Then do you know why we can only see the stars at night?”

The boy chewed on his candy and shook his head blankly.

“Because Mom knew you’d be scared at night, she came out especially to protect you.”

“Really?” The little boy’s round eyes were filled with astonishment.

“Of course.” Jing Yuan took pride in his storytelling skills. “So, will you still be afraid from now on?”

The little boy grinned, his eyes crinkling. “No, I won’t be.”

Jing Yuan patted his head. “Good boy.”

After seeing the little boy off, Jing Yuan, as usual, drew the curtains to avoid drawing attention and began his exercise time.

During dinner, his appetite had noticeably improved. He devoured two large chicken drumsticks in one go, earning frequent glances from Chen Tian.

…

Late at night, at the stroke of midnight, Ji Yan drove home.

The entire manor was enveloped in the tranquility of the starry sky. The air was fresh that night, and every star was clearly visible.

After a long day of work, both his body and mind were exhausted.

Especially after the negotiation battle with Sande.

Ji Yan hadn’t eaten anything and wasn’t in a hurry to return to his room. Instead, he fetched a bottle of red wine from the cellar and went alone to the wicker chair in the backyard, tilting his head back and closing his eyes.

Though it was cold outside, the air was refreshing.

Ji Yan held the wine glass in one hand, his head throbbing painfully.

In this lifetime, he seemed a bit too eager for success. He was desperately trying to change the current situation, to protect his parents’ hard work from being coveted and ruined by others. But the group’s board of directors was no pushover. They were extremely troublesome and constantly creating problems for him.

Ji Yan pursed his cold, thin lips. As he looked up, he suddenly caught sight of a boy around four or five years old peering out from a second-floor window.

The white building in the backyard was where the household staff lived. He remembered this boy, who had grown up here until he was seven or eight before leaving.

The little boy’s eyes were bright, and he was muttering something under his breath. Ji Yan couldn’t make out the exact words, but he could tell the boy was troubled.

Just then, the little boy noticed Ji Yan. His small hands gripping the windowsill, he quickly hid.

Ji Yan stared at the now-empty window, lowered his gaze, and took a sip of wine. But when he looked up again, he met those bright eyes once more.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” he asked casually.

Hearing this, the little boy cautiously peeked out. “I’m looking at my mom.”

“Your mom?” Ji Yan tilted his head slightly, his expression puzzled.

The little boy said innocently, “Brother Jing told me that Mom is in the sky, keeping me company.”

Ji Yan’s eyelid twitched slightly. He rested his wrist loosely on the arm of the chair. “Why did he tell you that?”

The little boy boasted, “I don’t know. But he also gave me lots of candy to make me happy.”

Hearing this, Ji Yan roughly understood what had happened between the two.

He didn’t say anything more, and the little boy didn’t disturb him. The two of them simply gazed together at the same starry sky.

When Ji Yan returned to his room, he suddenly noticed a note on the door. The messy, scrawled handwriting didn’t need a signature for him to know who had written it.

[A grateful heart, thankful for you. Sorry about last night, I’ll make it up to you.]

Ji Yan reached out and took it down, his eyes falling on the two cartoon figures drawn on the note. He had to admit, Jing Yuan’s drawing was quite impressive. It seemed he had some talent in other areas.

Entering the bedroom, he once again gazed at the moonlight outside the window, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.

“Compensation?”

…

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

Early in the morning, Jing Yuan packed his travel suitcase and got into the car with Ji Yan.

The suitcase was a smart, electric model that Jing Yuan had specifically sought out. It could be ridden like an electric scooter, making it effortless to pull around while out and about.

Today, Jing Yuan was dressed in a fresh and lively style.

In a light green overall paired with a pure white baseball cap, he looked like a freshly graduated high school student at first glance.

The journey was about two hours long. Jing Yuan started off full of energy, but halfway through, his body couldn’t take it anymore—he was carsick.

Ji Yan was reading a newspaper and noticed Jing Yuan slumping in his seat. He asked casually, “Carsick?”

Jing Yuan’s cheeks flushed red as he leaned against the car window, cracking it open slightly. “Mm-hmm.”

Ji Yan teased him on purpose, “I’ve never seen you get carsick before.”

Feeling guilty, Jing Yuan deliberately avoided the question. “Ji Yan,” he whined nasally, coughing pitifully.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Yan’s voice was lazy as he kept his eyes on the magazine in his lap, not looking up.

Jing Yuan said, “Aren’t you a domineering CEO? Why aren’t you traveling by helicopter?”

For a moment, Ji Yan was at a loss for words. Even Chen Tian in the passenger seat couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“In novels, domineering CEOs all have private jets.”

Ji Yan replied calmly, “I’m a CEO, not a tyrant. Helicopters aren’t allowed in urban airspace.”

Jing Yuan was clearly unconvinced. Since when did the villain care about rules like that? Shouldn’t he defy all odds for his beloved?

After bickering with Ji Yan for a bit, Jing Yuan felt a bit more energized. He closed his eyes listlessly, waiting to arrive at their destination.

A long while later, the black extended Maybach pulled up on the lawn outside the resort.

Jing Yuan pushed the car door open and let out a long sigh of relief.

It was noon, and the refreshing environment and air lifted his spirits. He quickly regained his energy, sitting on his suitcase as he opened his thermos and took small sips.

The steam from the cup mingled with the chilly air, rising slowly.

Ji Yan adjusted his overcoat and stood beside Jing Yuan, giving him a glance.

Ginseng, goji berries, red dates… it had everything.

The resort covered an area of about 20,000 square meters, and the vacation villas inside were still two kilometers away.

This was one of Chen Jifeng’s properties, newly opened. Many friends from their circle had come to show their support.

Ji Yan said leisurely, “We still have a bit of a drive ahead. Let’s get back in the car.”

Jing Yuan frowned slightly, looking reluctant. “Can we walk? I don’t want to ride in the car.”

Ji Yan raised an eyebrow. “Your suitcase has wheels. Are you going to let me ride on it?”

Jing Yuan evaded the question. “This is mine.”

Ji Yan chuckled softly and opened the car door. “Yuan Yuan, I’ll give you a choice. Ride your suitcase there yourself, or get in the car with me.”

Jing Yuan dawdled, fiddling with the handle of his suitcase as he tried to persuade Ji Yan to walk with him.

The resort was huge, and he didn’t know the way.

“I—”

Just as Jing Yuan started to speak, a pleasant voice came from behind.

“Xiao Yuan, Ji Yan, you’re here too.”

Jing Yuan turned around and saw Ning Jin sitting in the resort’s open-top sightseeing vehicle, leisurely enjoying the view.

Ning Jin was naturally handsome, with a friendly demeanor and a tall, well-proportioned figure that added to his charm.

Spotting the empty seat next to Ning Jin, Jing Yuan’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Cousin Ning, are you here to have fun too?”

Ning Jin had his assistant drive the sightseeing vehicle over. “Yes, Jifeng invited me.”

A bold idea suddenly occurred to Jing Yuan.

Pressing a button, he rode his suitcase cheerfully over to Ning Jin’s sightseeing vehicle.

“Cousin Ning, is the seat next to you taken?”

Seeing the hopeful look in Jing Yuan’s clear eyes, Ning Jin smiled warmly. “No, it’s free. Would you like to come up and enjoy the breeze?”

Jing Yuan offered a reserved smile. “Could you give me a ride?”

“Of course, no problem, Xiao Yuan,” Ning Jin replied readily.

So, Jing Yuan flashed a row of small white teeth as she turned to wave at Ji Yan. “Then I’ll go on my own. Bye!”

Ning Jin hopped out of the car and helped Jing Yuan load her luggage.

Watching the two of them in such perfect sync, Ji Yan stood alone by the car, his expression gentle, but a shadow of gloom clouded his eyes.

“Baby,” he suddenly called out to Jing Yuan.