Chapter 219: Believing, Even While Fearing the Future |
Jiang Jingshi’s voice trembled more and more, overwhelmed by fear for the future. It wasn’t until she felt Lin Zhengran’s tight embrace and his hand gently stroking her head that she slowly began to calm down.
From a distance, Pan Lin glanced back at the car. Even though she couldn’t see what was happening inside or hear anything, she knew that President Jiang must be feeling utterly helpless right now.
The driver asked softly, “Sister Pan, what happened?”
Pan Lin shook her head. “Don’t ask. If anyone asks about President Jiang’s whereabouts—especially Second Miss or the old Chairman—don’t say a word about the hospital visit today, got it?”
“Mm, of course.” The driver could tell something big had happened. Even Pan Lin’s eyes were red with tears.
In the back seat of the car, no one knew how much time had passed. Jiang Jingshi was still sobbing, trembling slightly, her body completely drained of strength. Her soft, loosely curled long hair had spread across Lin Zhengran’s clothes. Her voice, gentle and tender, came out in a murmur:
“This is the first time you’ve seriously hugged me. Before, it was always by accident. This... is the first.”
Lin Zhengran’s voice was calm. “Jiang Jie, have you calmed down?”
Jiang Jingshi kept her face buried in his chest, not lifting her head, her expression hidden. “How could I calm down? According to the doctor, I won’t even be able to get out of bed much longer, right? Just this morning, I thought today would be the happiest day I’ve had in two months because you were coming. I never expected something like this to happen.”
Her fingers tightened around the fabric on Lin Zhengran’s back. “I’m still really satisfied.”
Lin Zhengran let out a soft breath, gently soothing her still-shaking body.
“Jiang Jie, if you’ve calmed down, can you let me say something?”
Jiang Jingshi responded softly, “Mm, go ahead.”
“Actually, your illness… there might be a way to cure it. Give me a little time—at the earliest, one week, at the latest, a month. I’ll find a way to bring you back to how you were.”
Jiang Jingshi didn’t look shocked, didn’t object, didn’t even say a word. She just sniffled and continued leaning against Lin Zhengran’s chest.
Seeing her silence, Lin Zhengran asked again, “Jiang Jie? Did you hear what I said?”
Jiang Jingshi’s voice was hoarse from crying, and the fabric on his chest was already soaked with her tears. “I heard you. But do you think Jie is that easy to fool? I’m not a three-year-old kid. This hospital brings together experts from all over the country and even abroad. If they can’t do anything, then no one can.”
Lin Zhengran was momentarily speechless.
Jiang Jingshi went on in a low voice, “Jie trusts you unconditionally, but... I can’t be completely brainless either, right?”
Lin Zhengran started sweating inexplicably. Honestly, saying something like that after the doctors already declared it incurable did sound kind of ridiculous.
But... he wasn’t just trying to comfort her. He didn’t need to.
He lowered his head. “Look at me.”
Jiang Jingshi waited a moment before slowly raising her head. Her peach blossom eyes were red and puffy from crying, with visible tear streaks on her cheeks. Though she was the Eldest Miss of the Jiang Corporation and rarely showed weakness to anyone, at this moment, in front of the boy she liked, in his arms—she had exposed all of her vulnerability.
Lin Zhengran gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. He couldn’t help but think: in terms of looks, Jiang Jingshi truly was flawless—even like this.
His fingers brushed over her eyes, making her slightly shy. Her lashes trembled, and she shifted her gaze away from his, avoiding eye contact.
Lin Zhengran smiled. “Back when you first saw me at the Taekwondo Center, didn’t you also think the team I brought was going to lose?”
Jiang Jingshi weakly replied, “Why are you bringing that up now…”
“What I mean is, I’ve never lied to you. I know it sounds illogical, and not very convincing. Even the professionals said there’s no precedent for recovery. But over the past two years, haven’t I always done what I said I’d do, Jiang Jie?”
Jiang Jingshi furrowed her brows and looked at him again, staring into his eyes. In her eyes, Lin Zhengran had always seemed mature—reliable in a way that went beyond his years. He was younger than her, should’ve had less life experience, yet everything he said or did always came with a natural ease.
And it was true—ever since they’d met, he’d never made a promise he didn’t keep.
“You… you’re serious? But the doctors here…”
“I know. I’ve never doubted the Jiang family’s strength—or yours. So I’m sure this hospital is world-class. But… sometimes, just because others can’t solve something doesn’t mean I can’t. The condition is: you have to believe me.”
He continued, “With this kind of illness, your mindset can really affect your condition. If you believe in me, then I’ll be at ease as I look for a way to cure you.”
Jiang Jingshi didn’t know what to say. Logic told her his words made no sense—his age, his background, nothing about him suggested he could deal with a rare terminal disease. But looking into his eyes, which didn’t seem like he was joking, her rarely awakened emotional side made her hold on to a sliver of hope. And he’d said one particular thing twice…
Lin Zhengran went on, “At the earliest a week, at the latest a month. Just give me that time. During this month, if you’re scared, stay here in the hospital. As long as the medicine they give you doesn’t have serious side effects, you can keep taking it. And one month from now…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Jingshi suddenly pressed her hand to his lips.
“Jie… Jie’s starting to not understand you anymore. You bring me to the hospital, find out I have an incurable disease, and now you say it can be cured…”
She slowly lowered her head, eyes sparkling with tears. “I finally understand why people say women are fools. Even when something’s clearly impossible, I still want to believe you… I guess I really don’t have much of a brain. I’m just a dumb woman.”
Lin Zhengran pushed back, “Don’t say that. Whether someone believes or not depends on the person. Some people do talk big, but there are also people who really can find a way. Of course, right now all I have are words. Whether it works or not… we’ll see when the time comes.”
Jiang Jingshi looked at him with a complicated expression—then suddenly burst into a teary smile. “You really can cure it?”
“Yeah. I can.”
“What do you need? How much money?”
“I don’t need any of that,” Lin Zhengran replied. “I just need time. As long as you believe in me, Jiang Jie, and keep your spirits up during this time—don’t let your body fall apart from sadness—that’s enough.”
Jiang Jingshi unexpectedly remembered getting lost in the residential complex when she was little, and how he had led her out of the maze. And now, if he could save her from this terminal illness too…
If even her life was in his hands, then who else could she ever follow?
“Jie believes you… I’ll listen to you.”
The two locked eyes. Jiang Jingshi’s gaze trembled, her heart beating faster. Her hands slowly rested on Lin Zhengran’s chest, her body straightened, and her fragrant lips leaned in inch by inch—waiting for his response.
It wasn’t until she felt Lin Zhengran’s arms wrap slowly around her waist that she smiled with joy… and kissed him.
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