The Sickly Beauty Can’t Escape the Obsessive Lover - Chapter 8

The atmosphere in the room instantly froze over.

Old Master Rong’s face darkened abruptly. “Rong Qing, shut your mouth right now! Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”

Rong Qing, who had never suffered such humiliation before, flushed red with indignation as he argued, “He’s the one pretending to be pitiful! I didn’t do anything to him!”

Old Master Rong snapped, “Enough!”

This was a family matter, and outsiders had no place to interfere. Jing Yuan quietly glanced at Old Master Lin, then maneuvered his wheelchair closer to him, nestling pitifully against his side and closing his eyes.

The situation was too intense. He was scared.

Old Master Lin patted the back of his hand gently. “Don’t be nervous.”

Jing Yuan nodded obediently, tucking his delicate chin into his collar like a soft, round little dumpling seeking a safe harbor.

Ji Yan watched Jing Yuan with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Chen Tian looked puzzled.

“Prepare the car. We’re going home.”

Chen Tian replied, “Understood.”

On the way back, Jing Yuan felt both sleepy and exhausted. Leaning against the soft blanket, he kept a ginseng root in his mouth.

He needed to negotiate with his family tomorrow and had to conserve his energy.

Ji Yan remained silent the entire time, though his peripheral gaze occasionally drifted to Jing Yuan’s sleeping face. Noticing the ginseng stuffed in the other’s pocket, he seemed lost in thought. “Chen Tian.”

Chen Tian responded, “Yes?”

“Has Yuan Yuan’s health not improved at all?”

Chen Tian replied, “That’s correct.”

Ji Yan pressed further, “What did Director Li say?”

Chen Tian wasn’t particularly concerned about Jing Yuan’s health but relayed the general feedback from the director: “Director Li said that Young Master Jing’s condition can’t be rushed. It needs to be nurtured slowly.”

Ji Yan nodded slowly, crossing his long legs as he pondered seriously.

“Personally, I think he’s been looking better lately.”

Chen Tian frowned slightly, not entirely agreeing with Ji Yan’s assessment. The scene of Rong Qing confronting Jing Yuan was still vivid in his mind. Jing Yuan seemed to have very little stamina—fragile and easily pushed over.

“Make sure he gets proper treatment.” Noticing Jing Yuan’s ear twitch slightly, Ji Yan lowered his gaze and affectionately stroked the other’s chin. “Only when Yuan Yuan is healthy can I focus on my work without worry.”

Seeing how deeply Ji Yan was immersed in his role, Chen Tian couldn’t help but feel impressed.

“Understood.”

Half-asleep, Jing Yuan overheard every word of their conversation.

So, it was true—Ji Yan really did like him.

Jing Yuan couldn’t sit still any longer. He began planning how to quickly visit the Manhe Club to find the story’s main protagonist and help facilitate a match between them.

At least for now, he could rest assured that Ji Yan wouldn’t try to kill him. He would pretend to adore the other man. It was his best bet for staying safe.

…

By the time they arrived home, Jing Yuan’s back was aching badly. The day’s events had pushed his current physical condition to its limits. Fortunately, the ginseng roots had kept him alert enough to eavesdrop on Ji Yan and Chen Tian’s conversation, reminding him to maintain a convincing sickly facade.

The original host’s bookshelf was filled with many beautiful notebooks. A few days ago, Jing Yuan had casually browsed through them and picked the one with the prettiest cover to use as his diary.

Since transmigrating into this book, he hadn’t made a single friend.

Sometimes, he didn’t even have the chance to share his private thoughts with anyone.

Being naturally talkative, he decided to pour his heart out into the diary. Someday, after he retreated to live in seclusion among the mountains and forests, he could turn his tales of outwitting the major antagonist into a novel—a memoir of his later years.

Struggling against his drowsiness, Jing Yuan jotted down a few trivial matters.

By the time he woke again, it was already the next day.

…

That morning, Chen Tian accompanied him to the Jing family home. His mother was overjoyed to hear he was back. She set aside her company responsibilities to personally prepare a delicious meal for him.

Jing Baiwei had been summoned by Jing Yuan. Sitting across from his younger brother, he couldn’t fathom why Jing Yuan had suddenly reached out to him.

Jing Yuan exchanged a glance with his “bargain-bin” older brother, feeling oddly constrained. To mask his discomfort, he casually peeled a strawberry and began nibbling on it in small bites.

His fingers were pale and slender, resembling a kitten stealthily pilfering food as he picked up the strawberries one by one—even his eating mannerisms were strikingly similar.

Jing Baiwei watched him silently, a peculiar sensation stirring within him.

Just then, the meal was served.

As Jing Yuan nibbled on a spare rib, he recounted the matter of Lishui Park in detail to the three of them.

Although Chen Tian had specifically accompanied Jing Yuan, he hadn’t entered the house, choosing instead to wait in the car the entire time. This made it easier for Jing Yuan to speak his mind.

“Dad, Mom, Big Brother,” Jing Yuan set down his chopsticks, his tone relaxed. “It’s not bad to freeload off Ji Yan. I think there must be something unusual about his decision to build the International Trade Tower there.”

Jing Baiwei hesitated for a moment. “Lishui Park is quite remote. Could Ji Yan have caught wind of something that made him willing to construct the tower there?”

“I’m not sure about that either,” Jing Yuan replied unhurriedly as he peeled a shrimp, his words slightly muffled. “If you all agree, I’ll go talk to Ji Yan. Our family isn’t greedy. We only want 20% ownership of the Trade Tower.”

Father Jing furrowed his brow. “But the Trade Tower hasn’t even been built yet, and it’ll be a long time before it’s officially operational. Yuan Yuan, are you sure Ji Yan isn’t just feeding you empty promises?”

“Of course not,” Jing Yuan explained earnestly. “Don’t you trust Ji Yan’s judgment? But to ensure our family has a steady income, Ji Yan will definitely have to compensate us in some way.”

Father Jing wavered. “Let me think about it some more.”

Jing Yuan knew such matters couldn’t be decided in an instant. He turned to persuade Jing Baiwei again, “Haven’t you been looking for opportunities to make a comeback lately? You must be short on funds, right? If Ji Yan compensates us with tens of millions, Big Brother will have the capital to start his business.”

Jing Baiwei smiled wryly. “Yuan Yuan, Ji Yan isn’t a philanthropist. How could he possibly give us both ownership of the tower and such a large compensation?”

Jing Yuan rested his chin on his hand and grinned. “I have a plan.”

Mother Jing actually approved of the idea. Breaking her silence, she said gently, “I think Yuan Yuan’s proposal is good. The Ji family is still reliable.”

Father Jing remained indecisive. “Let’s wait for Yuan Yuan’s update then.”

After the meal, Jing Yuan used the excuse of wanting to chat more with his parents to send Chen Tian home first. Of course, he said this to Chen Tian privately. He had other plans to attend to next—plans he needed to keep hidden from everyone.

Putting on a show of leaving home, Jing Yuan declined his parents’ offer to see him off and hailed a spacious DiDi, intending to head to Manhe Club.

The driver was quite friendly. Seeing Jing Yuan in a wheelchair, he assumed he was a young person unable to care for himself and couldn’t help but feel pity.

As soon as he got out of the car to assist Jing Yuan, he was taken aback when the slender, handsome boy folded the wheelchair and hoisted it into the trunk.

The driver was speechless. Was traveling by wheelchair a new trend?

Soon, the car stopped at the entrance of Manhe Club. After hesitating for a long time, Jing Yuan reluctantly sat back in the wheelchair, preparing to enter.

He couldn’t very well push the wheelchair while walking, could he?

The security guard at the entrance stopped him. “Sorry, our club is membership-based. Please show your membership card.”

Sitting in his wheelchair, Jing Yuan’s eyes sparkled. “I’m not here to have fun.”

The security guard was utterly baffled, but considering the other person was disabled, he spoke gently, “Then what are you here for?”

Jing Yuan: “For an interview.”

The guard grew even more puzzled.

The young man was pitifully thin, confined to a wheelchair, and looked no older than eighteen or nineteen. Hardly the image of someone capable of working.

“May I ask which position you’re applying for?”

Jing Yuan had recently seen an online recruitment notice for dancers at Manhe, so he declared with an air of importance, “Dancing.”

The guard burst out laughing. “You? Dancing? How do you plan to do that?”

Jing Yuan lowered his voice mysteriously. “Have you never heard of the name ‘Midnight Rose’?”

The guard frowned. “No, I haven’t.”

Jing Yuan coughed lightly. “Tell your boss that Midnight Rose from the club next door is here for an interview. He should see me.”

This time, the guard was successfully taken in.

“Wait here, I’ll go ask.”

Jing Yuan offered a grateful smile. “Thank you, brother. You’re surprisingly kind-hearted.”

After what felt like an eternity, the unusually kind-hearted guard hurried back. “Our supervisor says he doesn’t know any Midnight Rose.”

Jing Yuan shamelessly replied, “Perhaps my reputation is only known within the industry.”

The well-meaning guard froze. “Then what should we do?”

He had a friend who was also disabled and often faced discrimination, so he genuinely wanted to help Jing Yuan.

“Given your mobility issues, I wouldn’t recommend applying as a dancer. But our club does regularly hire people with disabilities—it helps with tax exemptions.”

The guard’s expression turned slightly awkward. “I can give you our recruitment supervisor’s WeChat. Look through the available positions, fill out the form, and come back for an interview. Your chances will be better that way.”

Jing Yuan, referred to as “disabled,” forced a smile. “You’re truly a kind-hearted big brother.”

With that, he struggled to maneuver his wheelchair, his retreating figure looking somewhat desolate, punctuated by intermittent coughs.

“Oh, by the way, big brother, can I ask you something?” Jing Yuan turned his pale, cough-ravaged face and asked pitifully.

The guard felt a pang of sympathy. “Go ahead.”

Jing Yuan: “Is there anyone here named Yun Shu?”

The guard scratched his head. “No Yun Shu, but there’s someone with a similar name.”

Jing Yuan pressed eagerly, “What is it?”

The guard: “Rainy Night Wild Cloud.”

Jing Yuan: “…Thank you, big brother.”

Watching the young man leave, the guard murmured to himself, “It’s really not easy for disabled people to find work.”

…

After all that trouble, Jing Yuan finally returned home.

Truth be told, he had only intended to visit the club today, not actually apply for a job.

His current physical condition wasn’t sufficient for him to work, but once he recovered a bit more, he could probably manage to play the role of a mascot at Manhe’s nightclub.

That evening, Ji Yan surprisingly came home early from work.

Seizing the opportunity during dinner with Ji Yan, Jing Yuan recounted his visit home and the discussion with his parents about the Lishui Park project.

Of course, his account was artistically embellished, with a fair share of exaggeration.

When he finished, Ji Yan gently removed his wristwatch and leaned back in his chair, exhausted. “So, Yuan Yuan, how much do you think I should pay your family?”

In his heart, Jing Yuan thought, The more, the better. But aloud, he said considerately, “Any amount is fine, as long as it helps my family get by. You know, my parents are getting old, my brother isn’t exactly business-savvy, and I’m just a sickly burden with no ability to work. I’ve left my parents and brother behind to be with you wholeheartedly…”

Ji Yan waited leisurely for him to finish speaking before picking up his knife and fork. “Yuan Yuan, your words put me in a difficult position.”

Jing Yuan asked softly, like a kitten, “How could it be difficult? We’re family. Selling Lishui Park to you without hesitation is also a way of supporting you.”

Ji Yan lowered his gaze, cutting his steak unhurriedly. “So, how much does Yuan Yuan want?”

Jing Yuan hesitated for a long time before holding up four fingers.

Ji Yan smiled, set down his knife and fork, and adjusted his glasses. His distinct knuckles were pale and slender. “Forty million is acceptable, but you must agree to one condition.”

It was once again the part Jing Yuan disliked the most.

He vaguely remembered that the last time Ji Yan helped him demand interest from Rong Qing, the condition he had to agree to was to hold nothing back.

“What condition?” Jing Yuan asked.

Ji Yan replied, “Accompany me to the cemetery tomorrow. It’s my mother’s birthday.”