CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 153 SHE STILL WANTS TO MARRY SOMEONE ELSE

Jian Sirun placed his large hand on his older brother’s shoulder, his voice deep with meaning, "One is willing to make the move, the other willing to go along with it."

"What?" Jian Mingcheng was utterly confused. They’re already divorced.

Si Yuhuan accepted the rice Aunt Liu served. He first tasted the braised pork, praising it continuously, "The flavor is good, with excellent wok hei." Then he started eating the stir-fried choy sum.

Jian Xi held her bowl of rice. This supposedly happy family meal suddenly isn’t appetizing anymore, she thought.

Jian Sirun ate with composure, while Jian Mingcheng found the food tasteless.

"Director Si, you came today just to bring a thank-you gift?" Jian Mingcheng couldn’t help but ask, his tone characteristically blunt.

After Si Yuhuan had nearly finished eating, he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I’m also here to take Jian Xi to the hospital."

Jian Xi looked at Si Yuhuan.

He explained logically, "Grandfather will wake up later. He likes you so much, he’ll probably want to see you more than his own grandson."

This made Jian Xi blush instantly.

Jian Mingcheng found it hard to refuse.

I really want to see Grandfather, Jian Xi thought. And so, as if guided by an unseen force, she ended up going with Si Yuhuan.

Watching the two of them leave, one after the other, Jian Mingcheng sighed. "They’re divorced, so why does this feel so awkward?"

Jian Sirun had somehow appeared behind him. Jian Mingcheng turned, startled.

"Little Four, how do you always appear out of nowhere?"

"A karmic entanglement," Jian Sirun commented, then instructed the butler to return the gifts Si Yuhuan had prepared to the Si Family Old Residence, unopened.

As a renowned genius doctor, he had treated countless wealthy individuals, and the gifts offered to him were innumerable. Jian Sirun had an unwritten rule: he refused all gifts.

Even so, his doorstep was practically worn smooth by people eager to give him gifts.

After all, who could guarantee they would never fall ill?

「Meanwhile」

Jiang Qimeng received the news, her worry mounting.

Si Junyan called her. "Sister Meng, Grandfather will wake up soon. I’m afraid Big Brother won’t let me off easily."

If Grandfather reveals everything I said back then, Big Brother could kill me, given his temperament! he fretted.

"Calm down," Jiang Qimeng said. She hadn’t expected the surgery to be successful either, or for Old Master Si to wake up so suddenly. It’s truly unexpected. "The Si Family only has you two cousins left. Old Master Si has always been protective of his own; he might not tell Yuhan the whole truth."

"Right! Grandfather definitely doesn’t want to see Big Brother kill me," Si Junyan muttered, clearly panicked.

Jiang Qimeng felt all her recent plans had been thrown into disarray. Nothing was succeeding, and frustration gnawed at her. "Pretend to be sick," she suggested. "It’ll achieve two things at once. Maybe Old Master Si will feel sorry for you and forgive you."

She let out a choked sob. "It’s my fault too. I can’t help you much, so I came up with such a terrible idea."

Jiang Qimeng sent him a few photos. They were of injuries she’d inflicted on herself—bites and tears—when the pain from her recent drug trial became unbearable. The marks were bloodied and looked horrifying.

Si Junyan’s heart ached at the sight, veins throbbing on his temples. "Sister Meng, just endure it a little longer. I’ll definitely help you achieve your wish."

After he hung up, Jiang Qimeng still didn’t quite grasp what he meant by "achieve your wish."

But I don’t have the energy to dwell on it, she thought. She needed to freshen up and rush to the hospital. These wounds were perfect for claiming credit.

As soon as Jian Xi arrived at the hospital, Yan Qing approached to give a report.

"Boss, the Old Master just woke up."

"Really?" Jian Xi rushed in immediately.

Si Yuhuan watched her, his gaze so intense it felt as if he could drown in the light of her eyes.

Yan Qing remarked with a sigh, "The Madam is truly filial. I heard she’s been so worried about Old Master Si these past few days that she’s lost her appetite. In contrast, Miss Jiang seems..."

He glanced at Si Yuhuan and trailed off.

Si Yuhuan knew very well that while Jiang Qimeng claimed she would give her life for Grandfather, she hadn’t actually done anything.

Even when she "suffered" from the drug trials, she’d always make a show of it in front of me for a long time before leaving, he recalled.

In the hospital room, Old Master Si had just awakened. The doctors hadn’t permitted him to eat yet, so the medical staff could only moisten his lips with a cotton swab, trying to alleviate their dryness.

"Let me," Jian Xi said, taking the cotton swab and water from the caregiver. She carefully moistened Grandfather’s lips.

Her careful, attentive touch was even gentler than the paid caregiver’s.

Si Yuhuan walked in to see this scene, and his heart clenched.

"Grandfather, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" Jian Xi asked softly.

Waking up to see both of them, Old Master Si was overjoyed. His cloudy old eyes glistened with tears. He took Jian Xi’s hand, placed it in Si Yuhuan’s, and repeatedly said, "Good, good."

Jian Xi felt a prickle in her nose, and her eyes reddened as well.

Feeling the warmth of her hand, Si Yuhuan seized the chance to grip it tightly. Jian Xi tried to pull away. This shameless man! Taking advantage of me!

But Si Yuhuan’s grip was too strong; she couldn’t break free. Then, she heard his pleasant, low voice near her ear, "Grandfather, we’re doing very well. You need to focus on getting better too, so you can hold your great-grandson."

Hearing this, Old Master Si’s eyes lit up.

Jian Xi was horrified. Does he know something?!

She lifted her large, expressive eyes to Si Yuhuan in disbelief. He affectionately tapped her nose, a gesture so intimate it seemed like something a doting couple would do.

Old Master Si beamed, convinced their relationship had progressed significantly during his coma. "Good, good! Grandfather will get better and hold my great-grandson!"

He seemed to regain a good deal of vitality in an instant.

Si Yuhuan leaned close to Jian Xi’s ear and whispered, "You want Grandfather to have the will to live too, don’t you?"

Despicable! Shameless! Jian Xi fumed internally.

But thankfully, it was just a careless remark, she thought, relieved. He nearly scared me to death.

Jian Xi clenched his hand tightly, her long nails digging into his palm. Si Yuhuan winced from the sharp pain but endured it, his handsome face flushing red from the effort.

"Oh, dear husband," Jian Xi cooed, "your face is all red! What’s the big deal? We’ll have children sooner or later. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about."

As she spoke, she pretended to wipe sweat from Si Yuhuan’s forehead, but instead, she rubbed his face roughly.

Old Master Si watched their playful banter, quite pleased.

When they left the room, Si Yuhuan couldn’t help but rub his tormented face and his palm, which felt like it had been scratched raw.

"Jian Xi, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?" he seethed through gritted teeth.

Jian Xi nodded with an exaggerated pout. "You’re only just realizing?"

She looked so impish. She’s actually quite adorable, Si Yuhuan found himself thinking. She has such a spirited side. Right now, she’s like a sly little fox that’s successfully snatched a treat—a bit naughty, but all the more endearing.

"Watch your tone when you’re asking for favors," Jian Xi said, lifting her chin and walking ahead.

Si Yuhuan caught up and reached for her hand. "Can I take you to dinner?"

Jian Xi simply stared at his hand.

Si Yuhuan immediately let go.

"Behave yourself," she warned. "This is a public place, and I intend to marry someday. If any nasty rumors start because of you and affect my prospects, I’ll hold you accountable."

Hearing her declare her intention to marry—to marry another man... An unfamiliar, unsettling feeling churned within Si Yuhuan, and his handsome face began to darken.