Chapter 220: Chapter 220

Shen Jianian adjusted to the light, her eyes opened, meeting Pei Che’s complex and indescribable gaze; her last-moment dodge seemed to have hurt him.

She sat up from the bed, swallowed, and hurriedly tried to explain her evasive behavior, appearing somewhat flustered, "Sorry, I might... might not be ready yet."

Pei Che’s voice was husky, as if it wasn’t his own, "Do you remember what you said earlier?"

Shen Jianian’s eyes were blank; she had clearly forgotten the words she subconsciously blurted out, instead asking Pei Che, "What did I just say?"

Pei Che looked at her eyes filled with confusion, not seeming to be faking it, apparently, she didn’t recall anything.

For a long while, he finally lacked the courage to mention that person’s name in front of her, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he brushed it off randomly, "I didn’t hear it clearly either." He ruffled Shen Jianian’s hair, his fingers still stiff as if just pulled from icy water, "It’s late, you should rest well."

The words Shen Jianian was about to say were stopped by Pei Che’s gaze, he smiled and shook his head, his expression gentle, "You don’t need to say anything, I didn’t mind, we’ll take it slow. If anyone should apologize, it should be me apologizing for being a bit impatient and not considering your feelings."

"No, it’s not." Shen Jianian hurriedly denied.

She was very clear it wasn’t his problem.

Pei Che remained gentle, "Alright, let’s not talk about this, go take a bath and sleep."

He left Shen Jianian’s room, and as the door closed, the faint smile on his lips turned bitter.

Little Nian doesn’t remember Fu Jichen, yet at certain moments she still brings him up; matters related to him are like a brand, engraved deep in her memory, not excavated in daily life, but unable to erase the traces of his existence.

Today was the day he successfully proposed, he should have been happy, however, after she called out "Fu Jichen," he couldn’t muster a shred of joy, each beat of his heart felt like a sharp thorn, causing intense pain.

Must Fu Jichen always lie between him and Little Nian like an insurmountable obstacle?

Pei Che walked back to his room in a daze, standing by the window, the moon in the sky still the same as seen two hours earlier, unchanged; it was his mindset that altered, making the crescent moon appear so bleak.

That night, Shen Jianian also tossed and turned, unable to sleep; she didn’t understand why she felt the urge to escape at that moment, nor could she recall what she said in that instant.

No matter what, her actions hurt Pei Che’s heart, despite his words indicating otherwise, she couldn’t truly believe he wasn’t affected.

Men probably care a lot about this aspect, how should she remedy the situation, should she take the initiative? But she indeed wasn’t ready yet.

Thinking repeatedly about this matter until the sky turned white, light creeping in through the never-drawn curtains, Shen Jianian realized it was almost dawn. Outside, a door opened and closed, it was Pei Che coming out of his room.

Shen Jianian got out of bed, quickly walked to the door, and held the door handle with one hand, suddenly pausing, what should she say after seeing him? Pretend nothing happened, or apologize again? No matter what, it would be awkward. Follow current novels on NoveI~Fire.net

Taking her hand off the door handle, Shen Jianian dismissed the idea of facing him now, turning back to the bed.

The phone beside the pillow buzzed once, Shen Jianian blinked her dry eyes and picked it up to take a look.

Unexpectedly, the person messaging her early in the morning was Zhao Shunyi, "Did you offend Boss Dong?"

If she hadn’t mentioned it, Shen Jianian would have almost forgotten about this person, did Boss Dong do something to the crew?

Thinking this, Shen Jianian hurriedly typed to inquire, "Why do you say that?"

Zhao Shunyi: "Wow, you’re up this early?"

Zhao Shunyi: "I heard from my agent that Boss Dong requested to cut all your scenes from the movie. Director Wu Heng and the producer are strongly defending you, arguing that the movie is already wrapped up; if they replace you, they’ll need a new actor, and actors with scenes with you will need to return for reshoots. Gu Chongli has already joined the next crew, bringing him back won’t be easy, venue rentals and other costs would need to be covered again, a substantial expense. Eventually, Boss Dong was convinced, after all, the movie is his investment, and it’s his money that’s burning. But he doesn’t intend to let it go, threatening to ban you in the industry, ensuring you have no roles to play from now on."

Steadily lowering her raised heart, Shen Jianian casually replied, "I never intended to enter the entertainment industry, if I’m banned, so be it, it doesn’t affect me."

Zhao Shunyi: "So what exactly did you do to him? I’m so curious."

Shen Jianian thought about it, not hiding what happened at the wrap party, where Boss Dong and his assistant cornered her outside the bathroom, wanting to take her to a room; she refused, even splashing him, head to toe, with red wine.

For a while, Zhao Shunyi didn’t send any messages, probably shocked by her actions.

Just when Shen Jianian thought she wouldn’t send any more messages, Zhao Shunyi sent a bunch of thumbs-up emojis.

Zhao Shunyi: "From now on, you’re my idol. You did something I’ve always wanted to do but never dared to!"

Zhao Shunyi: "I thought it was disgusting enough that he took every chance to take advantage, but I didn’t expect him to be so unscrupulous. I hope I won’t encounter such a pervert in my future career."

Zhao Shunyi: "I’m a bit worried that someone as petty as him might target your position in the orchestra. You’d better be mentally prepared."

Shen Jianian could feel that Zhao Shunyi genuinely cared for her, and she was very touched. She explained more: "Our orchestra manager’s husband is a well-known businessman in Jiang City, and Boss Dong’s influence shouldn’t reach that far."

Zhao Shunyi: "That’s good to hear. It’s a bit of a pity, though, I was hoping you could continue acting."

Shen Jianian chatted with her for a while, started feeling sleepy, and wasn’t sure when she fell asleep.

No one mentioned the proposal again that evening. Pei Che acted as if nothing had happened and treated Shen Jianian as he did before. Gradually, Shen Jianian let go of her guilt.

The two of them booked a flight for August 15th, planning to fly to Beicheng, stay one night at the Pei Family’s former villa, and attend Yan Qiusheng’s concert the following evening.

The day before departure, Shen Jianian was in her room packing things to take with her. The door was open when she suddenly heard a "thud" from downstairs, prompting her to run out to see what had happened.

Zhou Ruo had fallen on the landing of the staircase, her legs draped over the edge of the steps, as if she had tripped while going upstairs. She had already fallen unconscious.

Pei Che wasn’t home. After a brief moment of shock, Shen Jianian ran back to her room, picked up her phone, dialed 120, and then called Pei Che to tell him Zhou Ruo had fainted at home.

The ambulance arrived at the villa entrance, and Shen Jianian accompanied the medical staff to the hospital.

Pei Che had initially bought this villa in Jade Heaven to make it easier for Shen Jianian to see a doctor, and its biggest advantage was its proximity to Jiangcheng First Hospital. The ambulance traveled unimpeded, covering a normally ten-minute drive in just seven or eight minutes.

Before long, Pei Che rushed to the hospital from his company, wearing a shirt and slacks, with a patch of sweat on his back. Seeing Shen Jianian in the corridor, he asked, breathing heavily, "How is it?"

Shen Jianian, with a pale face, clearly frightened, grasped her left elbow with her right hand, still wearing indoor slippers: "They said it was an acute myocardial infarction caused by high blood pressure. Fortunately, she was brought in quickly, and she’s out of danger now."

Pei Che sighed with relief, leaned his back against the wall, slightly raised his head, and swallowed hard. Having already lost his father, he couldn’t bear to lose another family member.

High blood pressure is a common ailment among middle-aged and elderly people. Zhou Ruo usually took antihypertensive medication and was not much affected in her daily life, yet this sudden condition arose unexpectedly.

Zhou Ruo woke up in her hospital room, saw the tense faces of the two children, and managed a weak smile: "Did I scare you both?"

"Why didn’t you mention feeling unwell?" Pei Che stood beside the bed, feigning sternness as he lectured her, "I’ve told you countless times, as you age, you can’t ignore even minor ailments. You need to get checked at the hospital promptly."

Zhou Ruo didn’t argue back; she sighed and explained: "I didn’t intentionally hide it. I suddenly felt a stabbing pain in my heart while going upstairs, broke out in a cold sweat, and then lost consciousness."

Listening to her account, Pei Che couldn’t muster the anger he had felt earlier. He was filled with dread, unable to imagine what might have happened if Little Nian hadn’t been home.

Pei Che immediately made a decision: "Once you’re discharged, it would be best to hire a nanny at home, just in case neither Little Nian nor I are there to look after you."

Zhou Ruo knew her son was worried about her, and she didn’t want such an incident to happen again, so she didn’t refuse.

Her condition was a cardiovascular issue induced by high blood pressure, requiring a few days of hospitalization for observation.

Zhou Ruo told them to focus on their own activities and not to stay at the hospital with her: "I heard you mention that you’re going to Beicheng tomorrow to see that cello concert. Since you have tickets, you should go. I’m fine now."

Pei Che, sitting in a chair peeling an apple, didn’t even look up: "How can we leave you alone in the hospital?" As he said this, he lifted his eyes and glanced at Shen Jianian.

Before he could speak, Shen Jianian guessed what he was going to say and gently shook her head, saying: "It’s alright, auntie’s health is more important. There will be other chances to see the concert."

"I’ve already said there’s no need for anyone to take care of me. If you continue , I’ll be discharged." Zhou Ruo frowned, disagreeing with the two for rearranging their plans on her behalf.

Pei Che knew how much Yan Qiusheng meant to Shen Jianian; he was her idol during childhood, and this concert was Yan Qiusheng’s first performance after many years. Not being able to attend would inevitably leave a sense of regret in her heart.

"How about..." After some deliberation, Pei Che thought of a compromise, "I’ll stay, and Little Nian can go to the concert."

As soon as he said it, he felt a bit uneasy: "Will Little Nian be alright on her own?"