Jiang Li stood on tiptoes and ruffled Tong Yi’s hair, “How could I possibly get tired of such a cute big nephew? Plus, I know you’re worried about your aunt’s safety, which is why you come here to keep me company even though you got nothing from the lessons.”
“Of course I am. Even though your martial arts are decent, it’s hard to fight off multiple attackers by yourself.” Tong Yi casually replied, “As your big brother, I am always loyal to my little sister, and I can back you up when needed.”
Jiang Li pulled Tong Yi’s arm closer and whispered, “Have you noticed that my third uncle has assigned people to secretly follow me?”
Tong Yi raised an eyebrow, “You noticed that?”
Jiang Li nodded seriously, “Those two people hide well, but I thought that someone as cautious as my uncle would surely have made arrangements to secure my safety, so I observed carefully and then discovered them.”
Tong Yi’s mouth twitched slightly, not expecting Jiang Xiao Li’s observational skills to be so sharp.
Jiang Li patted Tong Yi’s shoulder, “That’s why it’s completely unnecessary for you to follow me around. It might even make Jiang Zhou wary, which could also be why he hasn’t dared to make a move.”
“…” Tong Yi didn’t know how to respond; did Jiang Xiao Li think he was getting in the way and was trying to get rid of him?
With a sigh, he leaned in close to Jiang Li’s ear and whispered, “I’ll tell you a secret.”
Jiang Li pushed him slightly and then touched her somewhat itchy neck, “Just speak normally, why do you need to get so close?”
Seeing Tong Yi looking somewhat dejected, she relented and asked, “What’s the secret?”
Tong Yi immediately perked up and whispered with vigor, “Third Master Feng actually assigned three people, not just two. Did you notice?”
Jiang Li was stunned, “Where is this third person?”
Tong Yi pointed to the driving instructor, “The previous instructor was training you well, but suddenly took leave, there must be something fishy about that. This new instructor, despite his age, has calluses on his hands and is particularly agile. He is definitely skilled in combats.”
Jiang Li gave him a deadpan look, “I had noticed that, but the two people I mentioned earlier were following me secretly. This instructor is right out in the open, do you think I’m blind?”
Tong Yi: “…” Alright, Jiang Xiao Li is always right.
What Jiang Li didn’t know was that the third person Tong Yi mentioned wasn’t the instructor, but another individual hidden from sight. This person was more adept at staying concealed, and Tong Yi had discovered him by chance. He had only brought up the instructor to lighten the mood.
He decided to keep the actual third person a secret from Jiang Xiao Li, as she might feel upset knowing that he had detected the presence of someone she had missed entirely. In fact, he had only noticed this person due to the heightened instincts he had developed following that fatal kidnapping incident.
Ruffling Jiang Li’s hair, he told her, “Don’t think too much—let’s just keep practicing driving. You seem a bit distracted today. Even if Jiang Zhou’s people wanted to make a move, they might notice something’s off and hold back.”
Jiang Li nodded, “Right, practice driving, get the license.”
Thus Jiang Li resumed her driving practice as usual and no longer insisted Tong Yi leave. She figured that if Jiang Zhou really had sent people to watch her movements, they’d have known that Tong Yi was always with her. If Tong Yi suddenly stopped coming, it might actually seem suspicious.
…
The fact that Jiang Li was a compatible kidney match for Jiang Ruo was only ever mentioned once by Jiang Zhou to Feng Yun, and after she rejected his suggestion to persuade Jiang Li to donate, he didn’t bring it up again. Feng Yun believed her son had dropped the idea and was relieved.
However, just when she thought her worries were over, she received a call from Jiang Zhou informing her that Jiang Ruo’s condition had suddenly worsened. “Wasn’t Ruoruo just fine before? How did her condition deteriorate so suddenly?” Feng Yun was frantic.
“I don’t know,” Jiang Zhou’s voice was heavy. “I just hope she can get through this. If she does, she can hopefully recover well, but if, if she not… I’ll stay by her side and make sure she’s happy in her last days.”
Sensing Jiang Zhou’s sorrow, Feng Yun quickly said, “Stay in the hospital and take good care of Ruoruo. I’ll come over right now. Having one more person there might help us figure something out.”
But Jiang Zhou flatly refused, “You don’t need to come, Mom. Ruoruo’s condition has been deteriorating for several days now; I’ve been hiding it to avoid worrying you and Dad. Besides, I’ve already transferred her to a hospital in Beijing; it’s inconvenient for you to come here, just stay at home and wait for our updates.”
“Then… then what should we do? Should I call your father to discuss what we can do?” Feng Yun felt at a loss.
Jiang Zhou refused again, “Not for now. The specialists are consulting on Ruoruo’s case. I just hope they can figure out a solution.”
…
Jiang Zhou insisted on not allowing Feng Yun to visit Jiang Ruo at the hospital, even refusing to give her the hospital’s address. He emphasized repeatedly that he just wanted to be with Jiang Ruo quietly and did not wish to be disturbed by anyone.
Feng Yun had already sensed something was off with Jiang Zhou’s emotions; she was very anxious but felt powerless.
After hanging up the call, Jiang Zhou looked at Jiang Ruo, “We’ll stay in Beijing for a couple of days, then head back to Minjiang together. We’ll tell Mom your condition has stabilized temporarily.”
Jiang Ruo frowned, “Brother, it’s wrong to lie to Mom like this. She believes my condition has really worsened and must be very anxious.”
Jiang Zhou looked conflicted, “I know it’s wrong, and I know Mom will be sad and worried, but Ruoruo, this is the only way I can think of. I have no other options.”
Jiang Ruo shook her head in objection, “But…”
“No buts,” Jiang Zhou interrupted her, “What’s done is done. The lie has been told, and it can’t be taken back. I believe Mom will stand by us.”
Jiang Ruo still disagreed with his method, “But my condition hasn’t worsened, any doctor can confirm that. Once we return to Minjiang, Mom will find out we lied.”
Jiang Zhou removed a hair tie from his wrist, tied up Jiang Ruo’s hair for her, and spoke gently, “Mom is too worried about you to suspect us of lying. In a couple of days, we’ll go back and then tell her that your condition has only temporarily stabilized but could deteriorate again at any time.”
Jiang Ruo frowned again, “Even so, Mom couldn’t possibly persuade Jiang Li. Brother, can we please stop this?”
Jiang Zhou smoothed her brows with his hand, “Silly girl, as long as Jiang Li agrees to donate a kidney to you, you can live a healthy life, and we won’t have to go through this anymore.”
Jiang Ruo was completely swayed by his voice. She sat silently on the bed, smelling the familiar scent of her brother, unable to utter a word.
It was not until Jiang Zhou’s face closed in that she realized something was off.
What… what is Brother going to do?
Jiang Ruo’s heartbeat quickened, and her breath almost paused with trepidation. But the feeling lingered only for a moment before Jiang Zhou abruptly released her, his voice flat as he spoke, “Get a rest. I’m going to take a shower.”
Jiang Ruo grabbed him and asked in a trembling voice: “B-brother… was you… just now, was you…”
Jiang Zhou’s breathing was rapid, but he managed to regain his composure and spoke while shaking his head. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you.”
Seeing the relieved look on Jiang Ruo’s face, Jiang Zhou suddenly lifted her chin, “Just because I’m not doing it now, doesn’t mean I won’t do it later. Once you’re fully recovered, you can properly make it up to me.”
Jiang Ruo’s face turned as red as a ripe apple. She pushed Jiang Zhou away, stating angrily, “Aren’t you going to take a shower? Go away! And stop saying such things; I haven’t agreed to be your girlfriend yet.” If she could choose, she would prefer to be his sister forever, so he would always dote on her.
Jiang Zhou pinched Jiang Ruo’s cheek lovingly and then went into the bathroom, worried he might lose control and behave irrationally if he stayed here.
His Ruoruo was so weak now; if he lost control and caused her condition to worsen, then he would really be worse than a beast.
But according to his plan, it wouldn’t be much longer.
He just hoped his mother wouldn’t disappoint him.
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Translator’s note:
Hello everyone, I’m happy to announce that AerialRain now has gotten additional helps, which allow us to take two more projects! Let us introduce you to His Secret Guard and Marrying the Short-Lived Villain, both having historical settings. We are still adjusting our schedules here, so the two new titles will have irregular schedule for the time being. Hope you all enjoy them!
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