"What to do When the Pretty Woman I Kissed is My Best Friend's Professor" - Chapter 57

Shen Jinrong felt that she must have been enchanted by Yan He. Looking at that sincerely smiling face, she was momentarily dazed, as if she would do anything Yan He asked.

Her heart leaped in alarm. She came back to her senses, trying to pull her hand back, but Yan He held it tightly. She looked into Yan He’s eyes, which were brimming with a smile, but Shen Jinrong distinctly saw a hint of mischief in them.

“No,” Shen Jinrong refused.

Of course, Yan He wasn’t going to kiss her; she just wanted to see the Older Woman blush. She also knew that the Older Woman had just recovered from an illness and her immunity was low. If Shen Jinrong hadn’t insisted, Yan He wouldn’t have wanted her to come to the hospital.

“Then, Older Woman, could you please buy me a bottle of water?” Yan He blinked pitifully. “I don’t want to hold the IV pole and buy water all by myself.”

Shen Jinrong tilted her head, placed her bag behind her, and stood up: “I’ll go buy it then. What do you want to drink? Juice? Or something else?”

“Water is fine.” Seeing her about to leave, Yan He secretly reached out and grabbed the corner of Shen Jinrong’s jacket, pouting: “Older Woman, a hug.”

Shen Jinrong was held back. Seeing Yan He’s blinking, pitiful look, her heart softened. She lightly hugged Yan He, a touch-and-go embrace. As she gracefully walked away, Yan He was still stunned in place, unable to believe that the hug had come so quickly and left so swiftly.

By the time she recovered her wits, she could only see the Older Woman’s receding figure. She heard the creaking sound as the Older Woman pushed open the glass door. After that door closed, the infusion hall was left with only her again.

But now, Yan He didn’t feel the loneliness she had earlier. She let out a long breath, her right hand gently resting on her chest. Her heart was beating too fast. She took a few deep breaths, trying to slow her heartbeat.

What makes up the Older Woman? Gentleness, beauty, seduction? Or an unintentional myriad of charms?

She lowered her eyes, her lips curving into a smile.

When Shen Jinrong returned with a bottle of water, what she saw was Yan He’s silly smile. Her heart stirred, and a gentle smile bloomed on her lips.

She quickly walked to Yan He’s side and sat down, asking with a smile, “What are you laughing about?”

Yan He sniffled, feeling that since the Older Woman arrived, the empty and desolate hall had become “covered in flowers.” She thought, Now, the phrase “covered in flowers” can be used as an adjective to describe the jubilant feeling because she came.

Although there were no flowers or warm breeze here, Shen Jinrong’s arrival was like warm sunshine falling upon her. Even if only briefly, she had possessed the light.

“Nothing,” Yan He simply said.

Shen Jinrong raised her eyebrows slightly and didn’t press for an answer. She didn’t hand the mineral water bottle to Yan He but held it with both hands: “Not giving it to you yet. The water from the vending machine is all cold.”

Her brows furrowed as she spoke, as if utterly bewildered by the matter: “Why don’t they have room-temperature water?”

Yan He laughed: “Maybe because it’s still September.”

Shen Jinrong came to a sudden realization: “Perhaps so.”

They both laughed.

“Little one, don’t be like this anymore,” Shen Jinrong stopped laughing, looked into Yan He’s eyes, and sighed gently: “I will worry.”

“Don’t be like what?” Yan He tilted her head to ask.

Don’t kiss you? Or don’t fall into the water again?

“Don’t hurt yourself again.” Shen Jinrong quickly added after saying it: “I don’t mean ‘hurt’ in the literal sense, but—” She paused, and under Yan He’s expectant gaze, her resolve softened: “You must take good care of yourself.”

Yan He pursed her lips, turned her head, stared at the floor in front of her, and said softly, “I protected a child yesterday.”

Shen Jinrong froze.

“About—this tall, still just a child.” Yan He gestured with her right hand, a faint smile on her face. “I was originally just going to work at that park yesterday, but after bringing the child out of the water, I was completely soaked, so I couldn’t go.”

Yan He spoke casually about what happened yesterday, as if it were a trivial matter. She deliberately avoided words like “save,” as in her view, she had merely done what she ought to do.

“So, the Older Woman didn’t infect me.” Yan He took her hand, her gaze sincere: “Don’t blame yourself.”

Shen Jinrong was stunned.

It’s truly marvelous, Shen Jinrong thought. Although Yan He’s tone was so light and understated, a feeling of shared glory arose in her heart. She was proud of Yan He, but this pride wasn’t for a junior; it was a shared glory for her loved one.

I love her, so I will be proud of everything she does.

“…Yan He…” Shen Jinrong did not speak for a long time. After a prolonged silence, she sighed and softly called Yan He’s name.

Yan He, why are you so wonderful? Like a small sun, driving away layers of dark clouds and falling upon her. When you become like sunlight in my heart, I start to be afraid. Afraid that you are truly only a fleeting moment, like the sun, afraid that your fondness for me is just a flash in the pan.

She should have said something—said she was proud of Yan He, said she shared in her glory. But she said nothing. She simply returned the grip on Yan He’s hand, her thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

The Older Woman said nothing, yet Yan He felt that she had conveyed a thousand words to her.

Sometimes, the expression of emotion does not require words; a glance, an action, is enough.

“You are truly amazing,” Shen Jinrong said softly, “Yan He.”

Yan He smiled.

“I think so too, Older Woman.”

When it was time to change the second bag of fluid, the nurse sister walked over. Seeing Shen Jinrong accompanying Yan He, she smiled: “Your older sister is here?”

Yan He was startled, glanced at Shen Jinrong, and nodded, her smile brilliant: “Yes!”

“It’s good to have company,” the nurse smiled at the two: “It’s also more convenient.”

Shen Jinrong smiled back at her: “Mhm, thank you.”

After the nurse left, Yan He looked at Shen Jinrong with mischievous eyes: “Older Woman.”

Shen Jinrong raised an eyebrow: “What else? Didn’t you call me that?”

Yan He’s eyes darted away unnaturally. If she could, she would certainly want to introduce her as—This is the person I love. But—she looked at Shen Jinrong again.

Shen Jinrong blinked at her, the tear mole at the corner of her eye jumping along.

Yan He pursed her lips and lowered her head to look at her fairy tale book.

“The Little Mermaid,” Shen Jinrong saw the illustration and slightly raised her eyebrow: “I thought you would read The Little Prince.”

“My mother picked it,” Yan He smiled awkwardly: “She told me to read more books and look at my phone less.”

Shen Jinrong laughed: “I really like the book you gave me.”

Yan He was not used to receiving compliments. Her ear tips were red. She turned her head away, not daring to look at the Older Woman’s smiling eyes, and replied awkwardly: “…Mhm.”

“Actually, I rarely receive books.”

Yan He looked at her, somewhat surprised.

“Mhm… to be precise, I rarely receive thoughtfully prepared books.” Shen Jinrong winked at her, her smile cunning: “Books from friends or sent by the publisher don’t count.”

Yan He felt that she probably shouldn’t ask this question, but she did anyway: “Who else was it?”

The smile on Shen Jinrong’s face froze.

Yan He instantly regretted asking that question.

“If it’s too difficult, just—” forget it.

“It was Tan Ning.” Shen Jinrong’s smile now carried a hint of helplessness. Yan He waited for her to continue speaking, but Shen Jinrong said nothing more.

Perhaps she really did like Tan Ning.

Yan He thought, But what does it matter? The person by her side now is me—or rather, she is by my side.

“Professor Tan is a very nice person,” Yan He cautiously mentioned.

“She is very nice,” Shen Jinrong lowered her eyes and thought, But when ‘nice’ reaches the level of being a do-gooder, it’s not entirely nice anymore.

Silence ensued again.

Yan He suddenly said, “Older Woman, I need to go to the restroom—” Shen Jinrong stood up: “I’ll go with you.”

Yan He’s eyes widened, and a blush instantly crept up her cheeks: “N-no—no need—” she stammered.

Shen Jinrong frowned: “You can’t manage alone.” Her tone was certain, as if she had researched the matter deeply.

Yan He became submissive.

She—she definitely didn’t want the Older Woman to go to the restroom with her! Not! At! All!

What kind of mortifying social death scenario is this!

“I can go alone!” Yan He insisted.

Shen Jinrong looked at her in surprise. After a long pause, she chuckled softly, perhaps amused by the young one’s shyness or something else. She relented: “Then I won’t go inside; I’ll wait for you at the door, is that alright?”

Yan He’s eyes darted around, her mind constantly evaluating the feasibility of this suggestion.

“I remember there’s a hook for the IV pole in the restroom here.” Shen Jinrong stroked her head: “Be careful alone; the blood might flow back.”

Yan He nodded with difficulty.

After escorting Yan He to the restroom door, Shen Jinrong only felt comfortable letting her go in alone after the young one promised repeatedly to be careful.

Then, Shen Jinrong stood quietly to the side, looking at the white fluorescent light in the doctors’ office not far away. She instinctively stood where the light didn’t reach, and a chill gradually rose within her.

Disinfectant, overwhelming white.

She frowned, her hands unconsciously clasped together. Her right hand touched the wristwatch on her left wrist, and the icy sensation startled her. Then, a familiar voice, one that Shen Jinrong did not want to hear again, rang out behind her—”Jinrong?”

A woman in a white lab coat, her hands in her pockets, tentatively called her name.

Shen Jinrong slowly turned around. Even she didn’t notice the stiffness of her movements.

The woman smiled: “It really is you? I truly didn’t expect to see you again.”

Shen Jinrong forced a smile: “Dr. He, isn’t it better not to see each other in the hospital?”