Chapter Thirty-Two: A Friend I Just Met

Grandmother gently stroked Shen Suining’s hair and asked, seemingly at random, "Which friend is this, Suisui? Do I know them?"

Shen Suining felt a sudden surge of nervousness. She didn’t know how to answer her grandmother’s question, nor how to explain the tangled, complex web of her current relationship with Jiang Ji. Taking a quiet, deep breath, she replied, "Just a friend I recently met."

It wasn't technically a lie; she and Jiang Ji had indeed only known each other for a few days, even if their son was already over four years old.

Grandmother observed the expression on Shen Suining’s face, let out an "oh," and said, "That sounds like a very decent friend. To earn your trust so quickly after meeting... you must like this friend very much, don’t you?"

Shen Suining felt instantly awkward, sensing a deeper meaning behind her grandmother’s words. She offered an embarrassed smile and said, "He is a good person."

"Then I am relieved," Grandmother said. "Seeing that you have such a reliable person by your side, I have no more regrets."

Shen Suining’s face darkened immediately. She looked at her grandmother and insisted, "Grandmother, don't say things like that." She couldn't bear to hear her speak in such a way; it broke her heart.

Seeing this, Grandmother said no more. She was feeling tired, and before long, she closed her eyes and drifted back into a slumber.

Fighting back tears, Shen Suining adjusted the blanket for her grandmother and sat by the hospital bed for a long time before finally stepping out of the room.

Jiang Ji had been waiting outside the whole time. He knew that Shen Suining was not yet ready to bring him before her grandmother, so he had refrained from doing anything that might upset her without her permission.

The moment Shen Suining saw Jiang Ji, a wave of bittersweet emotion surged in her heart. For the first time in years, she had come out of a hospital room to find someone waiting for her. She was no longer fighting this battle alone.

Jiang Ji gently placed his hands on her shoulders and asked softly, "What’s wrong? Is Grandmother alright?"

Shen Suining nodded, then shook her head, looking at Jiang Ji with hopeful eyes. "Jiang Ji, if Grandmother goes abroad for treatment, she will definitely be cured, right?"

Jiang Ji paused, then asked, "Have you agreed to let her go abroad for treatment, Suisui?"

Shen Suining nodded. "As long as it makes her better."

"Suisui," Jiang Ji replied, "I cannot give you an absolute guarantee of a full recovery, but you can trust me—that is the most authoritative team in the world."

Shen Suining understood what he meant: if even they couldn't cure her grandmother, then her condition would remain as it was. This was, in every sense, their last glimmer of hope.

With this realization, her resolve hardened. She looked at Jiang Ji and said, "Jiang Ji, I agree to send her abroad. Please, I beg you, make sure they do everything they can to save her, okay?" She gripped his hand tightly, as if he were her only lifeline.

His heart aching for her, Jiang Ji pulled her into his arms. "I promise you, Suisui."

Shen Suining rested in his embrace for a while, as if drawing strength from him, and the heavy anxiety that had been weighing her down began to ease. Eventually, she felt a bit self-conscious and tried to pull away.

Amused by her reaction, Jiang Ji pinched her earlobe and teased, "Suisui, are you just tossing me aside now that you’ve gotten what you need?"

He added that it would truly break his heart if she ignored him now that her emotions had settled. Faced with his playfulness, Shen Suining’s face flushed red. She quickly changed the subject. "Didn't you say you had toiletries sent over? I want to go wash up."

Jiang Ji chuckled and led her by the hand toward the lounge. While she washed up, he stood to the side, arms crossed, watching her. It made her incredibly uncomfortable, but she had no way to chase him off, so she simply let him be.

Just as she finished and was about to head out, Jiang Ji pulled her into his arms. Before she could react, he kissed her deeply. Having craved those lips all morning, he finally felt satisfied. Shen Suining couldn't fight his strength and simply let him kiss her.

When they broke apart, Jiang Ji gently rubbed his thumb over her swollen lips and said, "I’ll make the arrangements today. We can send her off tomorrow, how does that sound?"

Shen Suining nodded; the arrangement was perfect. It would give her today to prepare. "I want to go back and get some things ready for her," she said.

Jiang Ji shook his head. "If you go back now, Jiang Runlang is likely waiting for you. Unless there’s something critical, just make a list, and I’ll have someone buy everything."

Shen Suining realized he was right; he was always so thoughtful. She nodded and said, "Then I need to ask my teacher for leave." Her vacation ended tomorrow, and she couldn't bear to let her grandmother go abroad alone—she had to accompany her.

Jiang Ji didn't stop her this time. Shen Suining took her phone to call her teacher, Tang Pingyao. The call was answered quickly.

"Teacher Tang," Shen Suining said apologetically, "I would like to request a few more days of leave."

On the other end, Tang Pingyao was kind, though he asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Has something happened? Do you need any help?"

Her heart warmed, and her nose stung with emotion. Tang Pingyao was her mentor, the person who had helped her the most when she was at her most helpless. Pushing down her feelings, she replied, "No, Teacher Tang, it's just that I’m sending my grandmother abroad for treatment, and I need a few more days."

"Would you like me to find someone to go with you?" Tang Pingyao asked.

"No, thank you, Teacher Tang," she quickly replied. "Someone is going with me. I’m just very sorry that I won't be able to return to the team on time."

"It doesn't matter," Tang Pingyao said. "Your grandmother’s health is the priority. You can come back whenever you’re ready."

Shen Suining thanked him repeatedly, and only after securing another week of leave did she hang up. She rubbed her tired, stinging eyes, and as she looked up, she met Jiang Ji’s gaze, which was as deep and still as a pool of water.

"What's wrong?" she asked in confusion. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Jiang Ji replied, "Suisui, it seems you have a very good relationship with your teacher."