When Spring Burns - Chapter 22

He Jianxue, infected by the girl’s joy, explained, “I was able to stand up two days ago, but I still need to strengthen my rehabilitation training.”

Sheng Tingmian lifted her head from her embrace and only then realized how tall her sister was, taller than her. “If Sister He Xiu were still alive, she would definitely be happy for you too.”

At the mention of He Xiu, He Jianxue’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Nineteen-year-old He Xiu never got to see her sister stand up for her, forever frozen at the age of 19.

Just then, the assistant spoke up to remind her, “Miss He, it’s almost time.”

Sheng Tingmian didn’t understand what was happening. He Jianxue composed herself, wrapped an arm around Sheng Tingmian’s shoulder, and led her to the car door. “Come, let me take you somewhere.”

Sheng Tingmian got into her car and followed He Jianxue as they left the hotel. During the ride, she kept glancing at He Jianxue’s legs, finding it truly unbelievable that her sister had managed to stand up in just half a month.

Although she had mentally prepared herself, it still came as quite a shock.

Haishi was a bustling metropolis, vibrant and brightly lit even late at night. The car wound through the towering skyscrapers of the CBD before finally arriving at the peninsula seaside villa district.

The night breeze stirred the waves, carrying a damp, salty scent.

The car followed the winding asphalt road upward until it pulled into the garage of a seaside villa.

Sheng Tingmian followed He Jianxue out of the car and upstairs. The moment she stepped inside the villa, she froze in place. A magnificent European-style villa unfolded before her eyes, its spacious hall clearly decorated with care, the theme was a birthday celebration.

There were limited-edition dolls she had only ever seen on her phone, but even more decorations whose names she didn’t know but could tell were expensive.

Perhaps because it was almost midnight, the assistant spoke a few words into the walkie-talkie, and soon, outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, clusters of fireworks burst into bloom with a series of bangs.

They lit up the entire villa as bright as day.

Even the dark expanse of the sea in the distance was clearly visible.

Sheng Tingmian, witnessing such a scene for the first time, was completely stunned, staring blankly at the breathtakingly splendid display.

He Jianxue led her into the hall, took out a key, and placed it in her palm. “Mianmian, this villa is my birthday gift to you. I hope your 19-year-old self will always be happy.”

Sheng Tingmian’s wrist was held firmly by He Jianxue. Suddenly, she felt as if she were in a dream, more overwhelmed with favor than ever before. “Sister, isn’t this… a bit too extravagant?”

She was just a minor opera singer, how could she deserve such deep affection from her sister?

“Compared to what you’ve done to help me stand on my feet again, these things are nothing. Besides, you’re my sister, you deserve the best gifts in the world.”

Seeing her dazed expression, He Jianxue wrapped her arms around her waist and lifted her up. Her slender waist was as delicate as a willow branch. He Jianxue looked seriously at the girl’s face, subtly feeling her weight.

Since becoming paralyzed, she hadn’t held anyone like this. The last time she had held someone this way was when she held He Xiu, five years ago.

“Sister…”

Sheng Tingmian gasped softly, startled by the gesture. She braced her hands on He Jianxue’s shoulders, worried about her legs. “Put me down quickly. Your legs have only just recovered.”

He Jianxue set her down and ruffled the soft hair on her head. “Now that my legs are better, I just wanted to hold you.”

To hold her little sister.

After listening, Sheng Tingmian stepped forward and hugged her, resting her head on He Jianxue’s collarbone. Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, fireworks burst and bloomed like the beating of a heart.

“I also want to hug my sister once her legs are healed.”

The fireworks continued to bloom. The assistant, standing in the corner, glanced at her watch, it was just past midnight. The scene of the embrace in the hall was so heartwarming.

Miss Sheng’s 19th year should bloom as brilliantly as the fireworks, right?

As the fireworks ended, Sheng Tingmian pulled back from He Jianxue’s embrace. No one had ever celebrated her birthday so grandly before, her sister was the first.

Since the hotel was still some distance away, He Jianxue suggested she stay the night and offered to take her to the theater the next day.

Unable to refuse such kindness, Sheng Tingmian stayed at the villa. Lying in bed, she felt as though she were floating on clouds, her heart unable to calm down.

When He Jianxue came out of the bathroom, she saw Sheng Tingmian immediately shift to the side to make room for her. She smiled and said, “I can sleep in the next room if you’d like.”

Hearing this, Sheng Tingmian threw back the covers and hurried over to pull her back. “Sister, what are you saying? I’m not kicking you out.”

She had just happened to lie in the middle, not intending to take up the entire bed.

He Jianxue always found her exaggerated reactions endearing. “Mianmian, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Sheng Tingmian asked, “What is it, sister?”

He Jianxue sat on the edge of the bed. “Due to certain reasons, I’ll need to use a wheelchair for a while longer. I didn’t use it tonight because I didn’t want you to worry. I wanted you to know about my condition firsthand.”

Because of her past despondency and resistance to treatment, He Xiu never dared to ask too much about her legs. She could only gather information indirectly from others and cautiously ask if she was willing to undergo treatment.

Her eyes were always filled with unspoken concern, but whenever they met hers, she would swallow her words.

He Xiu must have been sad too, wanting to care for her sister but constantly worrying that her words might hurt her. Always thinking of others, yet ending up burdened with pent-up emotions.

How many days had she truly been happy?

Sheng Tingmian nodded and lay down beside her, snuggling close. “Even if you don’t tell me, it’s okay. I trust that you have your own plans.”

He Jianxue closed her eyes deeply, turned over, and held her tightly in her arms. “Mianmian, I hope you’ll always be happy…”

Sheng Tingmian wrapped her arms around her waist, breathing in the soothing scent of camellia on her. She softly murmured, “I hope you’ll always be happy too, sister…”

…

The next day, while still half-asleep, Sheng Tingmian faintly heard her phone ringing. She reached out to find it, groping from one side of the bed to the other, even touching the other pillow but still not finding it.

She had no choice but to open her eyes and search. As she did, she saw a figure in white bending over to pick up her phone from the bedside table.

He Jianxue had just finished her shower and was wearing a white bathrobe. She glanced at the girl’s drowsy eyes and then at the caller ID, it was her aunt calling.

She decided to answer it for her.

Sheng Xiaoyun, thinking it was Sheng Tingmian on the other end, said, “Sheng Tingmian, what time is it? Why haven’t you come down for breakfast? The hotel’s breakfast time is almost over.”

“Xiaoyun, it’s me, He Jianxue.”

Sheng Xiaoyun was startled and quickly checked her phone. It was indeed Sheng Tingmian’s number, no mistake.

He Jianxue looked at the yawning young girl on the bed and spoke gently, “Mianmian is with me. I took her out for her birthday last night. She doesn’t have a performance this morning, so let her sleep a bit longer. I’ll take her to the Central Theater in the afternoon.”

Sheng Xiaoyun tried to process this information. Although Miss He had always been kind to their troupe, as Sheng Tingmian’s aunt, she couldn’t help but worry about her niece’s safety. “Miss He, weren’t you in Yanshi? Is Tingmian really with you?”

He Jianxue understood her concern and, after a moment, held the phone up to Sheng Tingmian. “Mianmian, say something to your aunt.”

Having stayed up too late the previous night, Sheng Tingmian was still drowsy. She fumbled along He Jianxue’s wrist to take the phone. “Hello, Auntie…” She managed only a few words before yawning, mumbling a couple of affirmations. “I really am with Sister He. She celebrated my birthday with me last night. You go ahead and have your meal, Auntie. I’m going back to sleep… I’m so tired…” She yawned again, tears welling at the corners of her eyes from exhaustion.

Only then did Sheng Xiaoyun believe it and hung up.

He Jianxue took the phone back for her and let her continue sleeping.

It was nearly ten o’clock when Sheng Tingmian finally emerged from the bedroom. Seeing He Jianxue seated in her wheelchair again, she was reminded of the instructions she’d been given the night before. “Good morning, Sister.”

He Jianxue set down her tablet. “Get ready, and we’ll go have a meal.”

Sheng Tingmian nodded obediently and went to freshen up.

Half an hour later, they were seated at a Western restaurant.

Sheng Tingmian suddenly remembered something. “Sister, my fans said they’d like me to film a vlog, but I don’t know how to do it. Do you have any suggestions?”

She didn’t have much time to learn filming and editing, and even if she did, she wasn’t sure what content to create or what would be considered high-quality.

He Jianxue asked, “Do you want to do it?”

Sheng Tingmian thought for a moment. “I feel like since fans are willing to support traditional opera, and its current popularity is partly thanks to their efforts, I’d like to fulfill this small request of theirs.”

He Jianxue replied, “As long as you’re comfortable appearing on camera, that’s what matters. As for how to film and what to film, I’ll find you an assistant. You don’t need to learn it yourself, just focus on your opera performances.”

“Will that work?” Sheng Tingmian wondered if having an assistant might be inconvenient, but then it occurred to her that professional tasks were best handled by professionals. She really didn’t have much time to learn something new anyway. “Thank you, Sister.” Her worries eased, and a smile touched her lips. “You solved my problem so quickly.”

He Jianxue seemed to ponder something briefly, her red lips curving slightly. “You can always come to me if you run into any problems. Don’t keep them bottled up, ask me more often. I’ll take care of things for you.”

Sheng Tingmian responded sweetly, “Okay.”

“Sister, when are you going back?”

“Back where?”

“To Yanshi.”

“Not for now. Your performances here will wrap up in a few days. I’ll go back with you.”

Sheng Tingmian realized then that Sister He had been keeping track of her schedule all along. Cangnan was the first stop of their tour, Ningbei the second, and Haishi the last.

This two-week tour had been remarkably successful, with nearly every show sold out. The surge in popularity was comparable to that of a hit variety show.

But they also had to know when to step back. After returning, they needed to intensify their training, innovate their repertoire, and deliver even better performances to repay their audience.

Over the next few days, He Jianxue could be seen sitting in the audience for every performance Sheng Tingmian gave at the Central Theater.

After each show, if she wasn’t too tired, He Jianxue would take her to explore famous landmarks in Haishi and treat her to all kinds of delicious food. Sheng Tingmian suddenly felt as though she were on a vacation while working.

This birthday was probably the happiest she had ever celebrated.

So, this is what it feels like to have an older sister.

On the final day of the tour, everyone joyfully flew back to Yanshi and returned to their respective homes, while Sheng Tingmian accompanied He Jianxue on another flight back to the He residence.

The next day, Sheng Tingmian saw a middle-aged woman paying a visit.

“A’Xue, how are your legs?”

She watched as her sister stared coldly at the woman. “Auntie, are you here to notify me about the shareholders’ meeting?”

“A’Xue, why would you say something like that…”

Duan Peiwen noticed that her legs were still paralyzed and chuckled, her already minimal concern fading even further.

“Auntie is heartbroken about what happened to you, but what’s done is done, and we just have to accept it, right? You’ve been away from the group for a year now, so you’re unfamiliar with many of the projects. I know you’re struggling and want to manage things but can’t. Your father is overwhelmed with work, and to prevent the shareholders from looking down on the He family, why don’t you issue a statement letting your cousin represent you at the shareholders’ meeting? Let him run errands for you and act as your mouthpiece. How does that sound?”

“Mouthpiece?” He Jianxue sneered. “Auntie, I’m just disabled, not brain-dead.”

If things went on like this, her shares and projects would likely end up in her cousin’s hands.

Duan Peiwen’s expression turned awkward. “We’re family, do you really think Auntie would take what’s yours? If I wanted something, I could just ask your father directly. Look at you, treating me like a thief.”

He Jianxue scoffed at her excuses, the atmosphere growing tense. “What benefits did you get from the Lin family after He Xiu’s death?”

Duan Peiwen froze. “Why are you asking about that?”

He Jianxue looked up and met her gaze directly. “As her older sister, don’t I have the right to know?”

Perhaps intimidated by her piercing stare, Duan Peiwen reluctantly replied, “The Lin family only compensated a few million.”

He Jianxue pressed further, “Where is that money?”

Annoyed by her persistence, Duan Peiwen snapped, “What can a few million even do? It’s not even enough for a round of mahjong.”

“You lost it all playing mahjong?” He Jianxue’s eyes turned icy, her hands unconsciously tightening on the wheelchair armrests. She had expected the two siblings to demand compensation from the Lin family, but she never imagined Duan Peiwen would squander it all on gambling.

It made the scene this person had caused at the hospital all the more ridiculous. It was clear that these two siblings had pushed He Xiu into the marriage without a care for her well-being.

Duan Peiwen retorted, “So what if I lost it all? I practically watched He Xiu grow up, but she was just unlucky and ended up with such a fate. If you’re short on money, you should’ve told Auntie earlier. I would’ve given you He Xiu’s compensation.”

“Duan Peiwen!” He Jianxue glared at her venomously. “What did you use to pressure He Xiu into the marriage?”

“Pressure? What nonsense are you talking about? He Xiu agreed to the marriage willingly. A’Xue, you can’t take out your grief over losing your sister on me. It’s been so long, haven’t you moved on from He Xiu’s death yet?”

“What exactly did you say to her?!”

Duan Peiwen watched her fluctuating emotions and thought to herself that He Jianxue was no longer as composed as before, her temper becoming increasingly impulsive. It seemed the drug was taking effect.

Anyway, Duan Yunzhi had already rallied enough shareholders. By the time the new chairman was elected, it would undoubtedly be Duan Yunzhi. He Jianxue, in these past few days, was likely struggling with the periodic pain from her paralyzed legs and probably wouldn’t be able to attend the shareholders’ meeting.

Even if she did attend, few shareholders would be willing to vote for a disabled person as the new chairman.

Thinking this, Duan Peiwen no longer bothered with politeness. “What else could it be? It’s all because of you, her sister. When the collaboration with the Lin family’s automotive company hit a snag, and you, as the person in charge, suddenly fell critically ill and fell into a coma, leaving behind such a huge mess, He Xiu, afraid you’d be held accountable, took the initiative to enter into a marriage alliance.”

“A snag?” He Jianxue frowned. “Who told you there was a snag in that project?”

She had executed it flawlessly; it was a win-win collaboration that could proceed successfully even in her absence.

But the next moment, He Jianxue suddenly realized, if they could fabricate such a reason to deceive He Xiu into the marriage alliance, it meant they were certain He Xiu would compromise for her sister and wouldn’t resist.

And those who stood to gain from it watched as He Xiu was coaxed into jumping into a pit of fire,

Faced with the questioning, Duan Peiwen, feeling guilty and lacking confidence, had said all that just to shift the blame onto He Jianxue, making her, as the older sister, feel remorseful and lose her fighting spirit.

She hadn’t expected He Jianxue to question the past events. Duan Peiwen vaguely sensed something was amiss.

“Have you forgotten, A’Xue? It was your mistake, and He Xiu’s marriage alliance was because of you.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Duan Peiwen stared wide-eyed at the woman rising from the wheelchair and walking toward her.

“You…”

“Ah!”

Her phone and purse fell to the floor as Duan Peiwen’s hair was violently grabbed and her head slammed against the wall, making her scream in terror.

“Murder! Help!”

He Jianxue’s face was dark with rage, her well-defined wrist exerting all its strength as she gripped Duan Peiwen’s collar and hair tightly. “You actually dared to deceive her, to trick her into jumping into a pit of fire…”

“She was only 19…” He Jianxue struggled to control her emotions, but her fury was unmistakable. “Just because she wasn’t blood-related to you?”

“No, even if she were, you’d still have done the same.”

Her own paralyzed legs were the best proof.

These two siblings, one a venomous man, the other a venomous woman, deceived a 19-year-old girl into a marriage alliance, where she was abused until she couldn’t take it anymore and drank poison to end her life.

Duan Peiwen’s forehead was bleeding, her body swaying unsteadily, but He Jianxue’s anger remained unabated. Just as she was about to take things further, a voice calling “Sister” suddenly pulled her back.

He Jianxue turned to look at the person at the end of the hallway. Meeting Sheng Tingmian’s confused and slightly fearful eyes, He Jianxue finally released her grip. Duan Peiwen collapsed to the floor, her forehead covered in blood.

He Jianxue signaled to her assistant with a glance. “Lock her in a room. No access to any electronic devices.”

Tomorrow was the shareholders’ meeting. She would deal with everyone then.

The assistant, clearly accustomed to such scenes, remained expressionless as she dragged Duan Peiwen away.

He Jianxue intended to return to her study, but the study was in the same direction as the bedroom. If she headed to the study, she would inevitably pass by the bedroom.

He Jianxue changed her mind again, deciding to just sit in the reception room for a while. She picked up Duan Peiwen’s phone and bag, settled into the sofa, and tried to find more evidence from the phone.

The phone was locked with a fingerprint. He Jianxue went to find Duan Peiwen, used her fingerprint to unlock it, and when she returned to the living room, she noticed Sheng Tingmian had already come out of the bedroom. She was standing in the reception area, staring at the spot where Duan Peiwen had hit the wall. Hearing He Jianxue’s footsteps, she turned around abruptly as if startled.

He Jianxue took in her reaction. “Do you want to go back?”

Sheng Tingmian bit her lip, too afraid to speak. The sister before her seemed a little unfamiliar, but she could understand why she was so angry.

She had heard every word that aunt had said.

He Xiu’s death was their fault, they had deceived her sister into believing the collaboration had failed, then exploited He Xiu’s feelings for her sister to trick her into a marriage alliance to cover up the mistake.

“I’ll have someone take you back.” Just as He Jianxue was about to call Butler Liu, she suddenly felt a pair of delicate hands grasp her wrist, followed by a damp handkerchief pressed against her wrist bone.

He Jianxue froze, looked down at her wrist, and only then noticed a small smear of blood she hadn’t realized was there.

She hung up the phone and quietly watched as the young girl wiped away the bloodstain.

He Jianxue’s gaze drifted over the girl’s head to the wall. There were bloodstains there too. Putting that together with the damp handkerchief in her hand, a thought occurred to her:

“Were you just trying to wipe the blood off the wall?”