Following Sheng Jianan into Mr. Sheng’s hospital room, the elderly man on the bed looked much more weathered, with an oxygen tube still in his nose. Seemingly hearing the commotion, the old man opened his eyes and shakily pointed to the seat beside him. Before Tang Yanqi could react, Sheng Jianan had already pulled her down to sit on the chair.
Mr. Sheng reached out to Tang Yanqi, who quickly extended her hand. The old, weathered hand gripped hers tightly, squeezing hard. Tang Yanqi felt that the elder seemed to want to say something to her, but couldn’t express it, so he could only hold her hand .
She was a smart girl and understood that the only thing the old man could be worried about was her and Sheng Jianan. Tang Yanqi tightened her grip on his hand and smiled, "Grandpa, Jianan and I are very well."
The obedient, earnest manner, with a smile hanging from the corner of her mouth, was reassuring, and Mr. Sheng nodded in relief at her words, while Sheng Jianan looked at her profile, his heart skipping a beat.
It felt like a delicate snowflake had landed on his heart, sweeping away all the previous panic and tension.
Almost instinctively, Sheng Jianan placed his hand over Tang Yanqi’s and his grandfather’s: "Grandpa, we are doing well."
Without his usual arrogance and playfulness, Sheng Jianan appeared very serious. Tang Yanqi looked up to see the clean lines of the man’s jaw, and as her gaze traveled upward, she could see the sincerity in Sheng Jianan’s dark eyes.
For a moment, Tang Yanqi’s heart stalled. Rationally, she knew this was just Sheng Jianan’s filial piety; he didn’t want his grandfather to worry or stress over his affairs, but she still felt a flutter from his words.
They are doing well... Are they really doing well?
Being this way isn’t bad, at least it’s not like the initial sharp confrontation. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI(F)ire.net
Mr. Sheng needed to rest, so Tang Yanqi and Sheng Jianan didn’t stay too long at the hospital. They were the last to leave, and as they entered the elevator, the two remained silent; the atmosphere was awkward.
Tang Yanqi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Mr. Sheng, I’ll be heading back to school later. I’ll make sure to arrive on time when we come to see Mr. Sheng again."
Tang Yanqi’s meaning was clear. She would cooperate with Sheng Jianan to enact the appearance of "they are doing well," so Sheng Jianan wouldn’t have to worry.
But Sheng Jianan frowned at her words. Her understanding should have made him happy, but now, Sheng Jianan found that he couldn’t feel happy at all.
Sheng Jianan didn’t say anything, and the two walked silently to the hospital entrance. Tang Yanqi maintained a half-meter distance behind Sheng Jianan, taking care not to overstep.
Sheng Jianan strode directly to the parking space, while Tang Yanqi stopped in place. After a few steps, Sheng Jianan heard no sound behind him and turned to see Tang Yanqi standing there blankly.
"Come over, get in the car."
Tang Yanqi followed obediently but didn’t get in the car, her eyes calmly locked onto Sheng Jianan: "I’m going back to school. I have class in the afternoon, and it’s very close from here, no need to trouble you."
Sheng Jianan didn’t care much; he directly stuffed Tang Yanqi into the passenger seat and walked around to get into the car himself. As the car drove steadily, Tang Yanqi was at a loss; hadn’t she already said that wasn’t necessary? Why did he still insist on cramming her in?
On second thought, considering Mr. Sheng’s hospitalization, Sheng Jianan’s temper surely wouldn’t be good. Tang Yanqi thought it better not to push his buttons.
Earlier today, she had been wronged at school and then mocked by Mrs. Sheng. No matter how much one could endure, Tang Yanqi felt she had reached her limit; it wasn’t as if she didn’t have a temper—she could erupt too.