When Spring Burns - Chapter 44

“Mianmian, come here.”

It wasn’t until another voice interrupted that the two of them stopped their tugging. Sheng Tingmian suddenly realized her hands were being held, and she was standing rather close to Ji Siyi.

She couldn’t help but remind her, “Sister Siyi… you’re holding my hand.”

Ji Siyi was startled, only then noticing that she had been taking advantage of the other girl. Tingmian’s delicate, slender hands were resting in her palm, no wonder her gestures looked so elegant when she performed opera.

Flustered, she quickly let go and repeatedly apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

Sheng Tingmian gave her a shy smile to ease the awkwardness. “It’s alright.”

The corners of Ji Siyi’s lips unconsciously lifted, her gaze fixed intently on Sheng Tingmian. She thought to herself, in this materialistic world, there was actually a girl with such a pure and beautiful aura.

Ever since she was rejected last time, she hadn’t completely shut out news about Sheng Tingmian.

The Dragon Boat Festival performance had caused quite a stir, and Sheng Tingmian had performed exceptionally well. Ji Siyi had even called her parents to watch. Later, she learned that He Jianxue had invested in the Liqing Opera Troupe, a troupe her aunt had founded in her youth. When it was on the verge of disbanding, it was Sheng Tingmian who refused to give up and personally sought out He Jianxue for investment.

Even after gaining some fame, Sheng Tingmian wasn’t swayed by external factors like reputation, vanity, or wealth. She remained true to her innocence and passion for opera, continuing to train and perform with diligence.

Ji Siyi thought to herself, no wonder she had been drawn to Sheng Tingmian’s pure and sincere aura from the very first glance.

Who wouldn’t love such a wonderful girl?

“How about you call me Sister too? I’ll take you as my sworn sister.”

Sheng Tingmian looked at her in surprise, somewhat at a loss, and turned to glance at He Jianxue. “Sister Siyi… I’m already Sister’s sworn sister.”

Ji Siyi didn’t see it as a big issue. If they couldn’t be lovers, they could still be sisters. “What’s wrong with having one more sworn sister? A’Xue would definitely be happy too, right, A’Xue?”

Ji Siyi looked toward the woman on the bed, but He Jianxue only gave her three words: “I’m not willing.”

“…” Just as Ji Siyi was about to say something, He Jianxue added, “My little sister can only be mine.”

Sheng Tingmian’s face warmed, and she smiled faintly. Unintentionally, her eyes met her sister’s calm gaze. After a moment, she was the first to look away, not daring to meet her sister’s eyes.

Having hit a wall, Ji Siyi couldn’t help but complain, “I never expected you to be so possessive of Xiao Tingmian.”

Possessiveness… He Jianxue shot her a subtle glance.

“Fine, if you’re not willing, then you’re not willing.” Ji Siyi went over to examine her, prescribed some medication, gave a few instructions, and left.

Sheng Tingmian brought a glass of warm water to He Jianxue. “Sister, time to take your medicine.”

He Jianxue took the cup, and Sheng Tingmian poured the pills into her palm, holding them out to her. He Jianxue wasn’t used to being cared for so meticulously, as if she were a child, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. In the end, she could only signal for Sheng Tingmian to pour the pills into her own palm.

“Give me the medicine.”

“Okay.”

Sheng Tingmian lowered her gaze, supporting He Jianxue’s hand with her left hand while slowly pouring the pills into her palm with her right.

Once the last pill fell, He Jianxue swallowed them all at once and washed them down with water.

Sheng Tingmian watched her take the medicine with a gentle gaze, as if in her eyes, her elder sister was a child in need of care, no matter how old she was.

He Jianxue set the cup aside, noticing the overly fervent concern in her gaze. Yet she knew this was simply Mianmian caring for her elder sister.

“Why don’t you go back today?”

“Why?” Sheng Tingmian didn’t understand. “Isn’t this when you need someone to take care of you most? How could I just abandon you and go home alone?”

He Jianxue’s tone was cold. “I’m going to work later. What would you do following me there?”

“Why do you have to work on weekends?” Sheng Tingmian sounded puzzled, then slightly resentful. “Can’t you skip work? You’re not fully recovered yet.”

“The medicine will take care of it.” He Jianxue ignored her request, threw off the covers and got out of bed, selecting an outfit from the wardrobe to change into.

When she picked up her bag, Sheng Tingmian blocked her path. “Sister, are you really better?”

She didn’t believe it, no medicine worked that fast.

He Jianxue looked steadily at her younger sister. She had no idea about the distorted feelings she’d developed for her; more contact would only sink her deeper.

“I’m really fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll have someone pick you up later to take you home.”

With that, He Jianxue brushed past her coldly and walked straight out.

Sheng Tingmian chased after her, stopping in the opulent hotel corridor, watching with deep concern as her sister’s tall figure retreated until it disappeared from view.

Was work really so busy that she had to go in on weekends?

Dejected, Sheng Tingmian returned to the hotel room and sat on the sofa in a daze for a long time. It wasn’t until her coach called that she remembered she’d signed up for one-on-one swimming lessons last night and needed to attend class today.

She decisively headed out for her lesson.

Fortunately, she was a natural swimmer. With the coach’s guidance, she basically grasped it quickly, all that remained was to build practice and muscle memory.

Returning to the hotel in the evening, she found the room had been cleaned, but her sister’s belongings were still there. Sheng Tingmian guessed her sister would likely stay here tonight, so she temporarily stored her swimming gear in the room.

While brewing some ginger tea and filling a thermos, she noticed the remaining medicine had been left at the hotel, not taken to the company. Checking the time, she saw it was nearly time for the dose.

“Sister actually forgot her medicine, honestly.”

Without hesitation, Sheng Tingmian packed the medicine, went downstairs, left the hotel, and headed to her sister’s company.

When He Jianxue saw her sister appear before her again, she frowned. “Why are you here again?”

“Sister, it’s time for your medicine. You left it at the hotel.” Sheng Tingmian pulled the pills from her bag. “But I brought them for you, and I also made you some ginger tea. If you have time, you can drink it.”

He Jianxue pressed her thin lips into a straight line, silently accepted the items, quickly took the medicine, and drank all the ginger tea before issuing her dismissal: “Alright, you can go back now.”

Seeing her compliance, Sheng Tingmian felt pleased. “Then I’ll wait for you back at the hotel.”

“…” He Jianxue had meant to tell her to return to the He family home, what was the point of staying at the hotel? Wouldn’t that mean they’d see each other every day? Even sleep together?

He Jianxue massaged her temples with a headache.

…

And so, throughout the entire weekend, she couldn’t avoid eating and sleeping alongside Sheng Tingmian.

It wasn’t until Monday, when the workweek began, that Sheng Tingmian reluctantly returned to the He family home, as it was closer to the theater.

When the second weekend arrived, He Jianxue needed to go to Ji Siyi’s for her third treatment session. Upon hearing this, Sheng Tingmian rushed over to accompany her.

After the surgery, He Jianxue sat pale-faced in a wheelchair and began her hospital stay.

Sheng Tingmian came to keep her company, chat with her, and relieve her boredom, meticulously arranging every detail of her daily life.

“You don’t need to take care of me like this,” He Jianxue spoke up to stop her, but she immediately regretted it when she saw her younger sister freeze in place, instantly looking hurt.

Sheng Tingmian lowered her gaze, hiding her sadness. “Does Sister not like it when I take care of you?”

She just wanted to fulfill her duties as a younger sister. She never expected that, in her sister’s eyes, it would be seen as unnecessary effort.

Her eyes grew warm with tears, and she bit her lip, holding them back.

“Mianmian…” He Jianxue had just spoken when Sheng Tingmian interrupted her, “Since Sister doesn’t like me taking care of you… I’ll go back. Sorry for disturbing you.”

With that, Sheng Tingmian turned around, tears silently streaming down her face. She wiped them away and walked out.

“Mianmian…” He Jianxue noticed her wiping her tears and tried to call her back, but she could only watch helplessly as her stubborn figure disappeared through the door.

Ji Siyi was called over and found He Jianxue back in her wheelchair. “What’s going on?”

“Help me check out of the hospital,” He Jianxue signaled her assistant to push her out.

“You haven’t recovered yet. Why are you checking out?” Ji Siyi was puzzled. “Is there something urgent at the company?”

He Jianxue glanced at her. “Will you do it or not?”

Assuming it was for work, Ji Siyi processed her discharge and reminded her, “Make sure your legs don’t get wet these days.”

He Jianxue, still unwell, returned to the He family home, only to find that Sheng Tingmian wasn’t there. Thinking she might have gone back to her aunt’s place, her feelings grew complicated. Mianmian must have been deeply hurt by her.

…

Meanwhile, feeling wronged, Sheng Tingmian left the hospital and went straight to her aunt’s place.

Sheng Xiaoyun noticed something was off about her expression and stopped her before she could retreat to her room. “What’s wrong? Who upset you? Tell your aunt about it.”

Sheng Tingmian looked at her aunt with red-rimmed eyes, growing more upset the more she thought about it. “Auntie, do adults see my care as childish and burdensome?”

Sheng Xiaoyun looked at her tall, slender niece. “Who said you’re childish? Did Miss He say that?”

“She didn’t call me childish, but she wouldn’t let me take care of her.” Sheng Tingmian told her about He Jianxue’s third round of treatment. “Shouldn’t I, as her sister, care for her and look after her at a time like this? Why does she seem so eager to push me away?”

Last week, she had already sensed it, her sister kept pushing her away, refusing to let her take care of her.

She hadn’t said anything, but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel it. Besides, her sister was still working despite being ill, so she had tried to be considerate and understanding of a patient’s mood, holding back and assuming she was overthinking it.

But today, she was just taking care of her as usual, arranging her meals and daily routine. Her sister wasn’t as busy with work as last week, so why was she still being pushed away?

“Auntie, did I do something wrong?” Sheng Tingmian’s eyes welled up with tears.

Sheng Xiaoyun wiped the tears from the corner of her eye and thought for a moment. “I don’t think you did anything wrong. Maybe Miss He has some unspoken difficulties?”

“I don’t know,” Sheng Tingmian said, feeling nothing but wronged.

Sheng Xiaoyun continued to comfort her, “But you don’t need to be too upset about this. It’s not your fault, you did nothing wrong at all. How could being so considerate and caring be a mistake? When either of us is sick, don’t we take care of each other? The problem must lie with Miss He. Maybe she was just in a bad mood.”

Sheng Tingmian sniffled, unsure of who was really at fault. Covering her face, she turned away and said, “Auntie, please let me go back to my room and be alone for a while.”

Sheng Xiaoyun sighed, “Alright.”

Once back in her room, Sheng Tingmian buried herself under the covers. The image of that woman’s cold expression and her heartless words, “You don’t need to take care of me like this,” replayed over and over in her mind. The more she thought about it, the more tears welled up in her eyes.

Her heart ached so much it felt as though it might shatter.

Not long after, she suddenly heard the sound of her aunt talking to someone in the living room. Listening carefully, she thought she recognized a familiar woman’s voice.

Realizing who had come to visit, Sheng Tingmian pulled the covers tightly over herself, turning over and hiding her head completely beneath the blanket.