When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 37.2

A nurse walked over, patted his shoulder, and gently reminded him, “Sir, you can’t smoke here.”

Jiang Yao nodded and put out the cigarette with his hand. The nurse’s heart skipped a beat when she saw that and asked, “Sir, are you okay? Should I help you to a rest area?”

Jiang Yao indicated that he was fine and not to worry, his voice muffled, his head never lifting.

Even if Jiang Yao didn’t tell her, Jiang Yan had a way to find out her condition. While Jiang Yao was gone to get food, she secretly found the attending doctor. The doctor told her about her illness in detail and consoled her to be optimistic and maintain a good mood, as it was beneficial for recovery.

Jiang Yan smiled. With a terminal illness, how can I recover?

After returning, she pretended not to know anything and chatted casually with Jiang Yao.

“Bro, did the doctor tell you when I can be discharged? School starts in two days.”

Jiang Yao froze. The chopsticks in his hand dropped to the floor. He bent down to pick them up, not raising his head for a long time.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Yan also felt heartbroken. Her nose stung, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.

She quickly wiped away the tears with a tissue, pretending nothing was wrong.

Jiang Yao raised his head again, his eyes also red. Jiang Yan teased, “Bro, were you stung by the chili? If you can’t eat spicy food, don’t pretend you can. Now you’re crying!”

Jiang Yao gave a gentle smile. “It is a bit spicy. You’re the best at eating spicy food in our family. I can’t handle it. But this is the last meal. Starting tomorrow, we’ll eat bland food so you can get discharged and go back to school soon.”

Jiang Yan smiled and agreed, picking up a piece of chili with her chopsticks and eating it. Crying, she said the food was too spicy and they really should eat something bland.

Jiang Yan was half a month late for school. Meng Fanyi was incredibly worried. If they hadn’t talked on the phone every day, she would have gone to North City to find Jiang Yan.

“Are you really coming back tomorrow? You said tomorrow last time, but you stood me up for ten days. I don’t believe you anymore,” Meng Fanyi said, quite dissatisfied.

Jiang Yan looked at her adorable expression and chuckled. “Really, I promise I won’t lie to you this time. You’ll see me when you wake up.”

“Alright then, I’ll wait for you. When you get here, I’ll treat you to a big meal.”

“Okay.”

Looking at the bleak scenery outside, Jiang Yan also felt a sense of desolation.

Why did she have to go back to school? She couldn’t say for sure. Perhaps it was to give her heart some closure.

Meng Fanyi was urging her to come back every day. She couldn’t disappoint that affection, and also…

Should she go see the person she liked one last time?

Jiang Yan’s heart grew heavier, like a drowning person. Even breathing was painful.

Jiang Yao gave up the opportunity to be an exchange student at a Top 5 university abroad and stayed with Jiang Yan the entire time. He brought her to the dorm, gave her many more instructions, and then left.

Meng Fanyi asked curiously, “Why is your brother suddenly so motherly? He barely used to see you before.”

Jiang Yan smiled. “Maybe he changed after the New Year and realized his sister is important.”

It’s probably because I won’t be around much longer, so he’s paying extra attention.

From that day on, Jiang Yan went to classes as usual, but most of the time she would stare out the window, lost in thought.

When spring bloomed, Xia Yuzhi returned.

She looked much more haggard and had lost weight. The first thing she did when she saw Jiang Yan was apologize.

Jiang Yan waved her hand, signaling that she didn’t have to. After so much time, she had long forgotten about the incident.

As Jiang Yao said, people have to live in the present. Constantly holding onto past hatred would only bring unhappiness.

Xia Yuzhi was much calmer and no longer as lively and cheerful as before. She had also grown distant from Jiang Yan and Meng Fanyi.

She still walked to school and back with them and ate with them, but the atmosphere was no longer as warm as before, carrying an unspoken coldness.

Meng Fanyi was busy with student council affairs and rarely stayed in the dorm, so when it was just her and Jiang Yan, they had even less to talk about.

Xia Yuzhi didn’t want this, but she was helpless. No matter how she tried to explain things to Jiang Yan, she remained indifferent, her eyes calm, like someone who had seen through the world.

Then one day, she saw Chu Qinghan silently following Jiang Yan, her eyes hiding a shocking depth of affection. At that moment, she suddenly realized that in the days she had been away, their relationship had likely undergone earth-shattering changes.

Jealousy distorted her. Thus, a bold idea began to form.

One day near the end of the semester, Jiang Yan received a call from Xia Yuzhi.

“Yanyan, I’m at Lanyue Hotel. Can you come and pick me up? I was forced to drink by some people I don’t know. They’re looking for me now, and I’m so scared.”

Her voice was tearful, sounding genuinely afraid.

However, Jiang Yan found it a little strange. Wasn’t Lanyue Hotel Chu Corporation’s property? Xia Yuzhi was practically one of their own people. Why was she calling her instead of seeking protection from the hotel staff? Did that make sense?

“Calling the hotel manager would be more effective. I can’t rush over right now.”

Xia Yuzhi immediately started crying, sobbing uncontrollably. As she cried, she asked if Jiang Yan was still mad at her; otherwise, why would she refuse to help her in a dire situation?

Having such a huge accusation dropped on her, Jiang Yan was speechless. She grabbed her phone and left the dorm.

Xia Yuzhi hung up the phone and instantly transformed from a pitiful victim to a calm and composed person, without any sign of fear.

She wiped the tears from her face, went into the bathroom to wipe off her lipstick, added powder to make herself look paler, and finally grabbed a bottle of baijiu and took a big gulp.

After Chu Qinghan complained to her father, she was dragged back and locked up for half a year. She hadn’t gone through all that trouble to persuade them to let her out just to watch them date.

Things you like, you have to fight for, and the person you like is no different. She would use her own methods to make Jiang Yan choose her.

Jiang Yan hailed a ride, arriving at Lanyue Hotel in twenty minutes. She stood in the lobby and called Xia Yuzhi.

“Where are you?”

Xia Yuzhi sounded timid. “I’m in room 8012. They’re blocking the elevator. I don’t dare to go out. Can you come up and find me?”

Jiang Yan walked towards the elevator, where she was spotted by Chu Qinghan, who was standing on the second floor.

Jiang Yan? What is she doing here?

“Miss, do you still want to review this quarter’s financial report?”

“No, send it to my email later.”

Chu Qinghan quickly replied, then walked towards the elevator, seeing that it had stopped on the eighth floor.

Xia Yuzhi also seemed to have come today. So, is she here to find Xia Yuzhi?

Thinking of this, her hands clenched instantly, crumpling the documents she was holding.

Jiang Yan reached the eighth floor and didn’t see anyone near the elevator, which made her very confused. After finding room 8012, she gently knocked on the door.

“It’s me, Jiang Yan.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the door opened. The person inside immediately pulled her in and closed the door.

After clearly seeing the scene inside, Jiang Yan quickly averted her eyes, her voice slightly cold. “Why are you dressed like this?!”

Xia Yuzhi’s pajamas were very revealing, practically transparent.

Xia Yuzhi ignored her words and hugged her tightly, clasping her arms around her.

“Yanyan, be with me. I can give up anything for you.”

If her parents knew she was still with a woman, they would truly kick her out of the house, but she didn’t care. As long as she could be with Jiang Yan, she could give up everything.

Jiang Yan was a little breathless from the embrace. She looked down at Xia Yuzhi’s tear-streaked face, and her eyes gradually darkened.

“Xia Yuzhi, don’t do something so self-degrading. Even if you hold onto me with your body, I still won’t like you.”

The light in Xia Yuzhi’s eyes shattered, and her tears flowed even more fiercely. “Can’t you just give me a chance? I truly love you!”

Jiang Yan scoffed. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t use this method to force me. In the end, aren’t you just loving yourself? Xia Yuzhi, whether you’re competing with Chu Qinghan or genuinely like me a little, I can’t be with you. I made that very clear from the start.”

After Jiang Yan spoke, Xia Yuzhi’s arms released her inch by inch, and she slumped onto the floor in defeat.

Jiang Yan picked up a bath towel and draped it over her, then turned to leave. Before she reached the door, a dizzy spell hit her. She nearly fell to the floor.

“Yanyan, what’s wrong?!” Xia Yuzhi immediately stood up, and the bath towel on her body fell to the floor.

She quickly helped Jiang Yan sit down and poured her a glass of water.

“I’m fine. Put your clothes on first.”

Xia Yuzhi’s face instantly flushed, as if she had been punched hard.

After getting dressed, the two sat facing each other. Jiang Yan rested her head on her hand, unwilling to open her eyes. Xia Yuzhi knew she didn’t want to face her and wisely left.

“You rest well. I have permanent usage rights for this room. You can stay as long as you want.”

Jiang Yan really wanted to leave, but she couldn’t support her body, so she could only sit.

Her health was getting worse and worse. It seemed finishing university was a luxury. If Jiang Yao knew she was in this state, he would surely make her get hospitalized immediately.

The door knocked again. Jiang Yan thought Xia Yuzhi had returned. She supported herself against the wall and opened the door.

“What’s wrong with you?!”

Chu Qinghan had been standing outside for a long time, imagining what the two inside might be doing. The more she thought, the heavier her heart sank. She wanted to rush in with a master key.

But reason told her she couldn’t. Doing so would only make Jiang Yan hate her more.

Only when she saw Xia Yuzhi running out in tears did the weight in her heart finally lift.

Seeing that Jiang Yan wasn’t coming out, she summoned the courage to knock on the door, only to see Jiang Yan’s face was pale, and she couldn’t stand straight.

“Nothing. Why are you here?”

Chu Qinghan paused, then explained, “I happened to have some business to handle here today.”

“So you knew Xia Yuzhi was here?”

Chu Qinghan’s silence gave Jiang Yan the answer. Her dizziness gradually subsided, but her heart began to slowly twist.

“Senior, do you like me?”

Chu Qinghan hadn’t expected her to ask that suddenly and was stunned.

Jiang Yan moved closer, staring into her eyes. “You don’t like me? That’s truly a shame. I was planning to have a more in-depth exchange with you, Senior.”

Chu Qinghan didn’t say anything, leaning down to kiss her lips. Then, naturally, the two tumbled together.

Chu Qinghan still had a shred of sanity. She asked hoarsely, “Jiang Yan, are you sure you won’t regret this?”

She knew Jiang Yan hadn’t forgiven her, which was why she asked, giving her a chance to change her mind.

Jiang Yan laughed softly, her voice laced with lust, utterly seductive. “Senior, are you unable to perform?”

Chu Qinghan’s eyes darkened, and her voice became even hoarser. “Even if you regret it, I won’t let you go. I’ll let you know whether I can perform or not!”

The next day, Jiang Yan, whose bones felt completely disjointed, deeply regretted saying such things to provoke Chu Qinghan.

Her body felt relatively clean, so Chu Qinghan must have showered her while holding her.

She shifted and got out of bed, put on her clothes, took one last look at Chu Qinghan, and then left with her head held high.

Jiang Yan returned home. After staying there for a while, she voluntarily went to the hospital.

Although she held no hope, she at least wanted to reassure those who loved her.

If she didn’t accept treatment, Jiang Yao would probably take a leave of absence from school to stay by her side. His grades were excellent, and he had a bright future. He shouldn’t have to sacrifice it for her.

The first year passed, and her condition worsened. Jiang Yan smiled.

The second year, her condition was much worse. She had dialysis three times a week. She cut her long hair short.

The third year, her life was counting down. Jiang Yan received a call from Meng Fanyi.

Before this, she had overheard Jiang Yao’s conversation with their father. The gentleness he had maintained for so long finally collapsed overnight as he roared, questioning his father whether money or his daughter was more important.

In truth, it was an unanswerable question. Her father worked to earn money to give them a better life. At least since childhood, there was little she wanted but couldn’t have.

If there was one thing, it was Chu Qinghan.

Thinking of this, she decided to attend the class reunion to see her one last time.

…

Waking up in pain again, Jiang Yan slowly opened her eyes. This time, Chu Qinghan was beside her.

“Did you have a nightmare?” Chu Qinghan asked with concern.

Jiang Yan smiled, hugged her, and buried her face in her chest. “I dreamed you said you didn’t love me and were going to leave me.”

Chu Qinghan held her tightly, quickly showing her sincerity. “I won’t. That will absolutely never happen.”

Jiang Yan chuckled, looking up at her, her eyes holding a smile and a sprinkle of light.

“I’m kidding. Don’t be so nervous. You weren’t like this before. How did you become so naive as you got older?”

Chu Qinghan gave her a light peck, sighing. “How can I not be nervous? I can’t bear for you to disappear for three years again. I panic if I can’t see you for a second.”

So, she decided to take a long vacation, three or five years, to accompany Yanyan wherever she wanted to go.

However, she hadn’t told her yet, planning to give her a surprise once everything was settled.

“Senior, the New Year is coming soon. Will we be able to see fireworks this year?”

Chu Qinghan nodded. “Yes, you definitely will.”

Jiang Yan started feeling dizzy again. She nestled into Chu Qinghan’s arms, feeling her warmth, half-asleep and half-awake.

Chu Qinghan fully kept her promise. She didn’t go back to work. Instead, she stayed with Jiang Yan, cooked for her every day, took her shopping, and bought a pile of clothes and shoes. Looking at the gradually filled closet, her heart slowly settled.

This is what a home should feel like.

She used to think the house was too big, too empty, and too cold, often sleeping at the office when she worked late. Now that the mistress of the house was here, it instantly warmed up. Now, she didn’t want to go anywhere. She just wanted to be with the person she loved.

Being with Yanyan, nothing felt boring.

“Yanyan, should we go out and buy you new clothes tomorrow?”

Jiang Yan was sitting by the French window, drinking milk tea. Hearing this, she was puzzled. “Didn’t we just buy some two days ago? Why buy more? I won’t be able to wear them all.”

“The New Year is in a few days. Everyone buys new clothes. I won’t allow you not to have any.”

Chu Qinghan finished speaking, leaned over to take a sip of her milk tea, and then kissed her, saying contentedly, “So sweet.”

Jiang Yan was merciless. “You’re so cheesy.”

Chu Qinghan first laughed, then pounced on her, tackling her to the floor, kissing and tickling her.

“How dare you call your wife cheesy? Let me teach you a lesson.”

Jiang Yan laughed uncontrollably, repeatedly begging for mercy. “I won’t dare! I won’t dare! Please let me go! You’re not cheesy at all.”

Chu Qinghan finally released her, pulled her into her arms, and wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes.

“Yanyan, I love you so much. As long as you can stay by my side, I’m willing to offer you the best of everything in the world. Don’t leave me again, okay?”

A shadow of gloom crossed Jiang Yan’s eyes, but she still smiled and said, “Okay.”

My remaining life is already being spent with you. I won’t break my promise.

But your remaining life is for you to live. After I die, whether you’re sad or happy, grow old alone, or love someone else, that’s your business and has nothing to do with me.

In the following days, the two went out to buy clothes, and stocked up on food. On New Year’s Eve, they made dumplings together. Chu Qinghan suddenly brought up the New Year’s Eve four years ago, the day she stood downstairs at Jiang Yan’s house for half the night, only leaving after the light in her room went out.

“How did you know where my house was, and even the exact location of my room?”

Jiang Yan was a little surprised, but only a little, and soon calmed down.

The damage was already done. No matter how much she did afterward to compensate, it couldn’t erase the scars in her heart.

“Your brother often mentioned you to us when you were in your last year of high school, saying you were pretty and smart, and he even showed us your photo. Your room is on the side facing the street. I’ve known that all along.”

Perhaps she had always felt that Jiang Yan was special, but she was unwilling to admit it.

Love is a seed buried deep in the heart. It’s not obvious at first, but when it breaks through the soil, one realizes how intense it is.

When Jiang Yan disappeared after their one night of passion three years ago, she nearly went insane. She didn’t even attend the postgraduate entrance exam. She took her graduation certificate and went to work at her family’s company, immersing herself in work day and night, using it to numb herself.

She never expected to see her again. Although Jiang Yan had changed a lot, it didn’t stop her from loving her.

This time, she wouldn’t let go.

Hearing her words, Jiang Yan remembered her reluctant face when Jiang Yao dragged her to take photos. She must have looked so ugly.

“So, who all saw that photo? Was my image ruined before I even stepped into the school?”

And here she was, trying so hard to maintain her Goddess persona!

The clown was herself.

Chu Qinghan leaned over and kissed her, her tone indulgent. “It’s fine. You are the most beautiful person in my heart.”

Jiang Yan put an ugly dumpling on the cutting board and mocked, “You really are getting cheesier.”

Chu Qinghan let her tease her, a constant smile on her face.

After eating the dumplings, Chu Qinghan took Jiang Yan out to see the fireworks.

“We can’t light them here, can we? We can only buy those small sparklers.”

“We can. Soon, my fairy will see fireworks just for her.”

Before Jiang Yan could understand what she meant, a beautiful firework exploded in the sky, followed by a continuous sound of fireworks.

Her name slowly appeared in the air, followed by several heart shapes, and finally, the words “I love you,” drawing envious looks from the couples nearby.

Jiang Yan hugged her and whispered, “Thank you.”

Thank you for letting me have such beautiful memories in the last stage of my life.

Chu Qinghan rested her chin on Jiang Yan’s shoulder, her voice coaxing.