Chapter Thirty-One: Restored Condition

Faced with the tactic women so often employ, I truly found myself at a loss. Besides, she had actually admitted she was wrong! Though I was quite unaccustomed to seeing Hua Jingjing act so delicate and helpless, my anger dissipated more than half.

I said, “Alright, alright, I’ll stay and look after you. Why are you crying? Women! Honestly!” Wiping away her tears, Hua Jingjing managed a smile through her sobs and asked, “So, you’re not mad anymore?” I could only make a joke of it: “Forget it, a grown man doesn’t bicker with the little people. No need to take you so seriously.”

Feigning anger, Hua Jingjing retorted with a smile, “Who’s the little one here? I’m your boss, you know. I’m the grown-up!” With that, she bounced back onto the bed.

Turning to look at her, so overjoyed, it was impossible to associate her with the fierce and ruthless boss she’d always been. I was completely baffled by this drastic change. People say a woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean, and it couldn’t be truer!

I dragged a chair over and sat by the window, my gaze on Hua Jingjing, though my mind was turning over this unsolvable riddle. From what I knew of her, Hua Jingjing had been spoiled since childhood, raised in luxury, her willful and capricious temper fostered by constant indulgence. She’d been coddled all her life, never once bullied. The way I’d treated her recently was truly a humiliation of the highest degree; with her proud temperament, how could she possibly swallow such an insult? I couldn’t have done it, were I in her place. By all logic, she ought to hate me to the bone, itching to tear me apart, or even hire someone to take me out—it wouldn’t surprise me. Yet here she was, behaving so out of character, so meek and accommodating. There had to be something behind it, a reason for this.

But what could it be? I racked my brains. Knowing next to nothing about women’s psychology, I could only guess: perhaps Hua Jingjing had been so traumatized she’d lost her mind. Or maybe she was enduring her grievances to plot an even more vicious scheme. Her aim: to lull me into letting down my guard for a fatal blow.

I absolutely did not believe she’d turned over a new leaf—old habits die hard. Nor did I think she’d gone mad; that was just too far-fetched. The only likely explanation was that she was up to something.

Tang Qian, you need to be on your guard!

I silently warned myself. I didn’t know what her plan was, but the way she was suppressing herself, it had to be something major. If I didn’t stay vigilant, I might end up in real trouble.

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Hua Jingjing was eating the steamed buns I’d bought her. Suddenly, she noticed I’d been staring at her motionlessly for some time and blushed with embarrassment. She huffed, “Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have flowers growing on my face?”

Snapping out of my thoughts, I realized it was too dangerous to stay here with her—I’d be better off running some errands for her outside. It might be tiring, but at least I wouldn’t have to be on edge every single minute. So I said, “Didn’t you say you needed to buy some things? Just tell me what you want, I’ll go get them for you.”

Hua Jingjing laughed, “No rush, we can go this afternoon. Take it easy this morning and keep me company for a chat.”

I groaned inwardly—chatting with her was anything but relaxing. I had to find a way to slip away; every extra minute was a risk. Thinking quickly, I said, “Alright, you eat slowly, I’m just going to the restroom, I’ll be right back.” With that, I got up and headed for the door.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Hua Jingjing called after me.

I opened the door. “To the restroom, what else?”

She pointed, amused, to the inner room: “The restroom’s right here. Why are you going all the way outside?”

This was a high-end hospital room, equipped with every convenience—a small, comfortable bathroom with a flushing toilet, hot water available twenty-four hours a day. It was as good as any hotel suite. So to her, my heading out seemed strange and unnecessary.

Flushing with embarrassment, I blurted out, “I have to do number two. I can’t go with you in here; I’ll feel more comfortable in the public restroom!” And with that, I fled the luxurious hospital suite.

Hua Jingjing was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. “So even Mr. Macho Tang Qian can get embarrassed?” She immediately thought of the time she had diarrhea and he’d seen everything. Her cheeks flushed, but there was a hint of happiness in her bashfulness. She murmured to herself, “You rascal! Should I hate you, or…”

Once I slipped out, I felt liberated. I wandered aimlessly outside, deliberately killing time until lunchtime. Only then did I buy a boxed meal and bring it back to Hua Jingjing’s room.

As I expected, she was sitting there with a sullen face, glaring at me furiously. “You’ve really broken the Guinness World Record! Three hours in the restroom—should I report it for you? I guarantee it’ll make you famous worldwide!”

Knowing I was in the wrong, I couldn’t argue with her sarcasm. I gave a sheepish grin. “Had some things to take care of. I’m back, aren’t I? Didn’t even miss lunch. See, I brought you food—eat while it’s hot!”

She refused, pouting, “I’m not hungry! I’m full of anger, I don’t want to eat!”

I had to set the meal on the bedside table, forcing a smile. “Alright, alright, it’s my fault. But you still need to eat, you’re sick and need nutrition. Skipping meals won’t help you recover.”

She snapped, “You actually remember I’m a patient? Hmph! You talk a good game about looking after me, but this is what you call caring?”

“You yourself said all you needed was for me to buy things. There’s a nurse for everything else. I asked you, and you said you wouldn’t need errands run until the afternoon.”

“You! You’re still making excuses. You just don’t want to chat with me, do you? Men—none of you are any good!”

When Miss Hua Jingjing lost her temper, she really wouldn’t let me off the hook. I was getting annoyed too. I thought, “I’m not your husband—why should I put up with this? Eat or don’t, the food’s here, I’m not going to beg you.”

I stopped coaxing her. “Lunch is on the table, eat it or don’t as you wish. I’m going out for a smoke. Call me if you need anything.” And with that, I left the room.

Fuming, Hua Jingjing kicked at the covers with both feet. “You’ll be the death of me! Tang Qian, you heartless jerk! You… you’re a scoundrel!”

I smoked a cigarette outside, not daring to wander too far. After all, I’d promised to run errands for her in the afternoon—I didn’t want to miss her call. Secretly, I hoped night would fall faster so I could leave; I had another date that evening.

But to my surprise, Hua Jingjing didn’t call for me all afternoon. I waited and waited, and by three o’clock I couldn’t take it any longer. I went back to her hospital room and asked, “Hey! Are you still planning to buy anything today? If you don’t decide soon, there’ll be no time left.”

She was reading a novel. When she heard me, she closed the book and said, “I’m not in the mood today. I can’t think of anything I need. Why don’t you go back out to the corridor and keep smoking, and leave me alone?”

I chuckled, delighted to make my escape. Much better this way—back to our familiar adversarial roles. No need to be so on edge anymore.

I slipped out of the hospital and wandered the streets for a while. When dusk approached, I bought another boxed dinner and brought it to Hua Jingjing’s room.

I noticed the lunch I’d brought at noon was untouched. Instead, she’d eaten a pile of snacks—the table was littered with wrappers. I set the dinner on the table. “Here’s your dinner. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head home. I’ll come by tomorrow to help you with your shopping.”

Hua Jingjing replied coldly, “No need. Don’t bother coming tomorrow. I’ve decided to check out of the hospital. You can just go to work.”

I grunted in acknowledgment, guessing she probably hated me all over again. Though I’d still have to deal with her at work, that was better than constantly fearing what trick she might be plotting.

I left and went home. After dinner, I realized I hadn’t noticed how dirty my clothes had become these past few days.

Since it was still early, I took a hot shower, changed into clean clothes, and then headed to the China Photography Studio. I was about thirty meters from the entrance when a waft of perfume drifted by and someone caught up to me from behind, taking my arm.

Turning my head, I saw a face full of joy, radiant as spring. Who else could it be but Qiu Jieqin?