The Sickly Beauty Can’t Escape the Obsessive Lover - Chapter 22

Although Xiao Jiang and Cheng Yun didn’t know Ji Yan, the aggressive, accusatory presence from the other side still frightened everyone. Especially Ji Yan’s eyes—utterly devoid of warmth yet curved with a smile—were particularly unsettling.

“Boss, should we call the police?”

Seeing Jing Yuan frozen like a statue, Xiao Jiang called out softly. Even though Ji Yan was Jing Yuan’s fiancé, he couldn’t just do whatever he pleased. After all, this was a society governed by law. Their boss’s health was so fragile; if Ji Yan dragged him back, would he even survive?

Suddenly, three tall, burly bodyguards stepped forward, cornering Xiao Jiang against the wall, their expressions stern and silent.

Xiao Jiang, clutching his phone, was terrified. “What are you trying to do?”

The bodyguards didn’t speak, nor did they move aside.

Cheng Yun was very familiar with the name Ji Yan. He had failed his interview at the Ji Corporation precisely because the company had appointed a new chairman who had drastically cut many departments.

Receiving Xiao Jiang’s pleading look, Cheng Yun hesitated. But deterred by Ji Yan’s status, he ultimately did nothing and stepped aside. He never would have imagined that Jing Yuan’s fiancé was actually Ji Yan.

Jing Yuan’s room wasn’t very large, and with over a dozen people suddenly crowding in, the space instantly felt cramped.

Ji Yan walked over to Jing Yuan, sat in a chair brought by a bodyguard, crossed his long legs, and gazed leisurely at Jing Yuan.

At that moment, the only sound in the room was everyone’s breathing.

The employees from Xinghe Entertainment exchanged glances. Seeing the situation, they took advantage of Ji Yan’s distraction and quietly slipped away.

Cheng Yun took one last look at Jing Yuan. Though worried about him, he chose to prioritize his own safety.

With Ji Yan making such a scene today, it seemed inevitable that something would happen.

As the others gradually left, Xiao Jiang huddled in the corner, on the verge of tears. In a critical moment, not a single reliable person remained.

Once almost everyone had left, the bodyguards closed the door leading to the courtyard, exchanging a warning glance with the innkeeper.

With the door shut, Xiao Jiang grew even more nervous, his right hand tightly gripping the chair, ready to resist at any moment. He glanced at his boss, who still maintained the same posture—head lowered, lost in thought.

Anxiously, he nudged Jing Yuan, hoping for some kind of response. But Jing Yuan remained motionless, huddled under a quilt with his head tucked in, as if struck mute.

“Heh!” Ji Yan’s laughter was especially conspicuous in the pin-drop silence of the room. He stared intently at Jing Yuan, then glanced dismissively at the trembling Xiao Jiang. “Yuan Yuan, why won’t you look at me?”

Finally, Jing Yuan stirred.

He lifted his head blankly. “Who are you, sir?”

Ji Yan looked at him, a smirk curling his lips. Raising his wrist, he signaled to Chen Tian, who immediately led everyone out of the room in unison, including Xiao Jiang.

Relieved to be out of harm’s way, Xiao Jiang still felt deeply concerned for Jing Yuan. He estimated Ji Yan’s height to be around 190 cm, with broad, powerful shoulders that exuded strength. If Ji Yan really laid a hand on Jing Yuan, Jing Yuan might not even be able to get out of bed tomorrow.

Noticing Xiao Jiang’s reluctance to leave, Chen Tian kindly reminded him, “If you’re worried, you can request to go back in.”

Xiao Jiang immediately withdrew and left without looking back.

Now, only Jing Yuan and Ji Yan remained in the room.

Jing Yuan drew his knees up, resting his chin on them, watching Ji Yan warily like a cautious kitten.

Ji Yan was in no hurry. His deep voice drifted over slowly. “Yuan Yuan, have you lost your memory?”

Jing Yuan continued his act. “Oh, maybe.”

Ji Yan chuckled softly, lifting his thumb to gently stroke Jing Yuan’s cheek. “You’ve lost weight.”

The other must have shed quite a bit.

His complexion also looked much worse than before he ran away from home.

Jing Yuan furrowed his delicate brows, his eyes welling up with tears as he began to play the tragic role. “The food here is terrible, and it’s too cold to sleep properly. Of course, it’s not as comfortable as home. But for the future of Yun Shui Jian and to repay the loan I owe you, I have no choice but to endure all these hardships and come here on business.”

Ji Yan’s voice was low. “The ten million you owe me is indeed quite urgent to repay.”

Jing Yuan’s eyes widened instantly. “Since when did it become ten million? It was clearly six million.”

Ji Yan raised an eyebrow. “Has your memory returned?”

Realizing he’d been tricked, Jing Yuan turned away, presenting his back to Ji Yan.

Ji Yan said lightly, “Are you angry?”

Jing Yuan replied with sarcasm, “How dare I be angry with you? But you, barging in here with so many people, as if you’re here to confiscate everything—you’ve scared me so much my heart still hurts.”

Ji Yan stood up, sat by the edge of the bed, and took hold of his wrist. “Do you need me to massage it for you?”

Jing Yuan pulled his hand back, cursing him inwardly as a rogue.

Ji Yan explained, “You forgot to bring your medicine.”

“Huh?” Jing Yuan was skeptical, pointing to the medicine box on the table. “I brought a month’s supply, all here.”

Ji Yan took out the prescription the hospital director had given Jing Yuan from his pocket, his tone indifferent. “You forgot a traditional medicine to boost your immunity.”

Jing Yuan looked at it and realized it was true. No wonder, even though he’d been in good spirits since arriving here, his body had felt increasingly heavy. He’d thought it was due to the lack of nutritious food and supplements and had been planning to buy some good food in town. Turns out, he’d just forgotten to take his medicine.

“How did you know I forgot to bring this medicine?” Jing Yuan clutched the prescription, puzzled.

Ji Yan replied, “Chen Tian checked the medicine box in your bedroom.”

“Oh.” Jing Yuan cautiously crawled across the bed.

Reaching the edge, he bent down to look for his shoes. “Thank you for bringing me the medicine. It’s getting late—I need to take a bath. You should hurry back to Ningcheng.”

Ji Yan was amused by this remark. “Yuan Yuan, are you trying to kick me out?”

Jing Yuan slipped on his slippers. His loose, beige cotton pajamas looked soft and gentle, giving him a weary, wintery warmth.

“The conditions here are poor. This entire homestay only has three rooms. If you want to leave tomorrow morning, you might have to sleep in the car.”

Ji Yan lowered his head, leisurely unfastening his wristwatch. “I quite like your room. Staying here for the night sounds nice.”

“No!” Jing Yuan immediately refused.

Ji Yan casually placed the watch on the bedside table and began unbuttoning his coat. “Why not?”

Jing Yuan pursed his lips, like a flustered little kitten. “I caught a cold a few days ago. If I pass it on to you, my heart would ache to death.”

As he spoke, Jing Yuan looked around for Ji Yan’s luggage. Seeing none of Ji Yan’s belongings in the room, he eagerly went to open the door. “Yan Yan, you should get going soon.”

Ji Yan’s gentle smile faded slightly.

A hint of chilliness began to seep into the air.

“Jing Yuan, do you think I have a very good temper?”

Jing Yuan, frightened, gripped the door handle, his face as pale as a little quail’s, not daring to move a muscle.

This was the first time Ji Yan had shown him his true colors.

He hadn’t expected the other to drop the act so completely.

The chilly wind from the courtyard seized the opportunity to slip inside, rushing into Jing Yuan’s windpipe. He coughed violently, his already thin arms now frighteningly frail as he clutched his chest, struggling to breathe.

Ji Yan watched him calmly, his expression unreadable.

But as Jing Yuan’s coughing grew increasingly labored and strained, Ji Yan’s face tightened with concern. He moved to Jing Yuan’s side.

The bodyguards in the courtyard, hearing the commotion from inside, turned their attention toward the house. Jing Yuan clung to the doorframe, as fragile as a dandelion, looking as though a single gust could scatter him to the wind.

He gazed helplessly into the courtyard, mustering all his strength to cry out, “Help…”

Before he could finish, his vision went black, and he collapsed weakly to the ground.

Xiao Jiang, who had witnessed the scene and assumed Ji Yan was responsible, grew frantic and reached for his phone to call the police.

“Wait.” Chen Tian stopped him, tilting his chin slightly. “Our boss would never harm Young Master Jing.”

Xiao Jiang frowned. “Seeing is believing. I saw it with my own eyes.”

Chen Tian smiled. “Look.”

Following Chen Tian’s gaze, Xiao Jiang saw that Ji Yan had already gathered Jing Yuan into his arms, while a private doctor hurried over.

“That’s Young Master Jing’s personal doctor. If the boss didn’t care about him, why would he bring the doctor along?”

Xiao Jiang was confused. “But I heard—”

“Just a lovers’ quarrel. They said things in the heat of the moment.” Chen Tian patted Xiao Jiang’s shoulder and followed the doctor inside.

…

When Jing Yuan woke up, the sky was already bright.

The room was dark, with only a sliver of light seeping through the gap in the curtains.

Groping in the darkness, he turned on the light and discovered that some medical examination equipment, like what you’d find in a hospital, had been set up beside his bed.

Just then, there was a soft “knock, knock, knock” at the door.

Jing Yuan called out hoarsely for them to enter, then picked up the still-warm bowl of bird’s nest and milk from the bedside table and sniffed it.

No strange odor—probably not poisoned.

Xiao Jiang entered with breakfast, his smile bright. “Boss, you’re finally awake.”

Jing Yuan nodded, craning his neck to look behind Xiao Jiang. Understanding his unspoken question, Xiao Jiang said, “Mr. Ji has left.”

“Left?” Jing Yuan mumbled through a mouthful of bird’s nest. “Why did he leave?”

“I’m not sure.” Xiao Jiang drew the curtains open. “After you fainted from low blood sugar last night, Mr. Ji and the doctor stayed to take care of you.”

Hearing the words “low blood sugar,” Jing Yuan’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Oh, so it was low blood sugar.”

Xiao Jiang smiled. “You were on an IV for a long-time last night. Mr. Ji didn’t leave until the doctor confirmed you were fine this morning.”

Jing Yuan hadn’t expected Ji Yan to bring a doctor to see him. He stared blankly at the bowl of bird’s nest porridge in his hands.

Xiao Jiang asked, “Is something on your mind?”

Jing Yuan muttered, “Did Ji Yan go to stay at another inn, or did he return to Ningcheng?”

Xiao Jiang thought for a moment. “Assistant Chen said Mr. Ji probably went back to Ningcheng.”

Jing Yuan nodded, beginning to wonder if he had been too harsh the previous night. After all, Ji Yan had come to bring him medicine with good intentions. Kicking him out might have been a bit heartless.

“Did they drive here from Ningcheng?”

Xiao Jiang, who was tidying the room, teased, “How would I know? Don’t you know either?”

After finishing his porridge, Jing Yuan sat on the bed, lost in thought.

After wrestling with his thoughts for a long time, he opened his WeChat chat with Ji Yan and typed out a message, deleting and rewriting it several times.

[Jing Yuan: Meow meow meow?]

After sending it, Jing Yuan burrowed back under the covers, nervously waiting for Ji Yan’s reply. But the other party seemed to have vanished into thin air. There was no response at all.

Jing Yuan propped his chin on his hand and asked Xiao Jiang, “Is Ji Yan on the road now? Doesn’t he have time to check his phone?”

Xiao Jiang leaned in mysteriously. “Are you planning to reconcile with President Ji?”

Jing Yuan immediately denied it. “No, I’m just expressing a warm greeting.”

Xiao Jiang chuckled. “If President Ji weren’t a domestic abuser, you two would actually make a pretty good match.”

“We’re not a good match at all.” Jing Yuan hopped off the bed and began picking out clothes, preparing to visit the tea fields.

He had no idea what kind of IV drip the doctor had given him, but all the lingering sickness had suddenly vanished. His cold symptoms had eased, and he now felt full of energy.

Xiao Jiang asked thoughtfully, “Do you need the wheelchair?”

Jing Yuan hesitated for a moment before deciding it would be better to use the wheelchair. It would save him some effort. The tea fields were quite far, about a twenty-minute walk.

…

Soon, the two arrived at their tea fields.

In two months, the tea fields would yield a bountiful harvest. By then, tea enthusiasts from all over the country would flock to Yun Shui Jian, eager to taste the first batch of fresh tea.

Wrapped in a thick scarf, Jing Yuan noticed how unusually quiet the tea fields were today. Not a single hardworking farmer was in sight.

Just then, Xiao Jiang pointed toward a crowd about a hundred meters away. “Did something happen? Everyone seems to be gathered over there.”

Jing Yuan, ever the gossip, didn’t wait for Xiao Jiang to react before skillfully maneuvering his wheelchair over at top speed.

Xiao Jiang: “…”

In his entire life, he had never seen someone handle a wheelchair so smoothly.

Finally reaching the edge of the crowd, Jing Yuan gently tugged his scarf aside, revealing his pale pink lips as he called out, “Uncles, aunties, what are you all doing?”

Everyone turned in unison to look at him.

Standing at the center of the crowd, Chen Tian curled his lips into a smile, cleared his throat, and continued speaking. “That’s roughly the story of Mr. Ji and Young Master Jing. This arranged marriage brought two lonely hearts together, and the two have grown more and more affectionate. Of course, there are always disagreements in love—occasional bickering is just part of the fun. Young Master Jing, deep down, truly does love President Ji.”

Listening to this unfamiliar story, Jing Yuan was utterly amazed.

Aside from the names being the same, none of it seemed to have anything to do with him.

Under the affectionate gazes of the elders, Jing Yuan felt it necessary to clarify things.

He cleared his throat. “Everyone, please don’t misunderstand. Ji Yan and I are actually—”

Before he could finish, Xiao Jiang rushed over in a flurry, followed by a low-key black car.

Xiao Jiang leaned close to Jing Yuan’s ear. “I forgot to tell you—all the agricultural land in this town has been purchased by the Ji Group. Future development plans will depend entirely on the Ji Group’s arrangements.”

Jing Yuan looked bewildered. “What about our lush green tea fields?”

Xiao Jiang replied casually, “They’re still here.”

Jing Yuan grew anxious. “I’m talking about the future!”

Xiao Jiang scratched his head. “As for the future—”

“In the future, it will depend on how my darling plans to handle it.” The car window slid down quietly, revealing Ji Yan sitting inside with a gentle expression. “Yuan Yuan, you’re not fully recovered yet. Why are you running around again?”

Jing Yuan adjusted the thick hat on his head, letting his smiling eyes show completely. With a smooth motion, he formed a small heart with his fingers over his chest. “Yan Yan, I thought you had left. I’ve been searching for you so desperately.”