Chapter 182: Chapter 182 Cheng An Su Xing
Da Shachun: […]
It thought it through carefully and realized there really was some sense to it.
[So this plot…]
Jiang Nanshu: “All these plots should serve my Disgust Value, don’t you want to send me back?”
Da Shachun: […]
Oh, how it wished to, even in its dreams—it couldn’t understand why it had got stuck with Jiang Nanshu.
[Fine then.] It compromised: [So I guess it’s time to schedule the plot where you kidnap the female lead and make the male lead choose between the two… Since it has already gone off the rails, let’s get it over with quickly, the sooner the better, so I can go home.]
“Hehe, sure.”
Da Shachun: […]
This mission was practically hell-level. Forget it, it was washing its hands of this!
Duan Huaiyu came out only to see Jiang Nanshu gazing blankly at a spot, looking lost and a bit cute.
He quickly lowered his eyes: “Miss, the bandaging is done. The doctor said to keep it dry, avoid spicy food, and eat a bland diet. Change the dressing once a week.”
“What’s that?” Jiang Nanshu drawled.
Duan Huaiyu lifted his eyelids, waiting for her to continue.
With a hook of her lips and a twinkle in her almond eyes, she teased, “Explaining so clearly, you want me to take care of you?”
A look of surprise flashed across Duan Huaiyu’s chiseled face before he slowly shook his head: “I wouldn’t dare.”
In the moment their eyes met, it was as if vines had tightly clung to him, pulling hard, sinking into a quagmire.
He had simply said it off the cuff, without any other thoughts behind it.
Jiang Nanshu shrugged: “Well, I won’t have time to accompany you for your check-up, so I’ll send you some money later to treat your arm.”
“No need,” he blurted out quickly.
Jiang Nanshu’s gaze turned quizzical.
His adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke: “I don’t want your money, I can heal myself. A small injury like this doesn’t require your funding.”
“Then what do you want?” Jiang Nanshu was genuinely puzzled, how could someone not love money?
If she were the one injured, she would squeeze the other party dry.
Duan Huaiyu shook his head: “I want nothing. Being able to repay your kindness is enough for me, Miss, farewell.”
He was tall, with a muscular upper body and clearly defined lines; even in a T-shirt, the tension was palpable.
His wheatish complexion, buzz-cut, and rugged, cool features made him look like a small mountain standing before her, no wonder Su Ran had hired him as a bodyguard. Who would dare approach with such a man backing them up?
Jiang Nanshu reached out, grabbing his intact arm.
Duan Huaiyu looked down, feeling the heat on his skin where Jiang Nanshu touched him, her fairness stark against his darker tone, a vivid contrast that struck the eye.
Jiang Nanshu tilted her head to look at him, smiling faintly: “Join me.”
Duan Huaiyu’s fingertips trembled, baffled: “What?”
“Stick with me, I’ll guarantee your prosperity,” Jiang Nanshu clarified.
Duan Huaiyu: “…”
His rising hopes finally dashed.
He exhaled in relief, arching an eyebrow: “You mean, you want me to be your lackey?”
Jiang Nanshu stroked her chin, sizing him up: “Something like that? I kill, you pass the knife, I set fire, you bury the body. Can you do that?”
Duan Huaiyu: “…”
He was a law-abiding citizen, why would he get involved in such dangerous activities?
“Yes.”
He spoke before his mind could catch up.
By the time he wanted to refuse, the answer had already slipped out.
His face tensed even more.
Jiang Nanshu released his hand, smiling beamingly, “You’re quite easy to persuade. Don’t be nervous, I’m not asking you to do anything bad. I think that song you wrote was pretty good. I’m giving you a chance. Whether you can climb up or not, those who aren’t qualified, don’t deserve to be my little brother.”
So, after going round in circles, Jiang Nanshu’s purpose was to help him?
But why…
He was just a low-level worker with debts all over, who also had to take care of his sick mother at home, powerless and without any influence. He didn’t feel there was anything noteworthy about him that would catch Jiang Nanshu’s eye.
Moreover… she also had an arranged marriage with someone of equal social standing, so she wouldn’t possibly be interested in someone like him.
“But I… may not grow into the pine and cypress you’re imagining. If you want to fork out money to support me, Miss, I won’t accept it. Someone like me isn’t worth your expense.”
He was someone who just got by, with no stable life insurance, only able to support his family through various part-time jobs. In other places, the women in matchmaking sessions wouldn’t even glance at someone with heavy burdens and little education like him.
Dreams fail in the face of real life.
“Duan Huaiyu.” Jiang Nanshu shook her head slightly, “You’re not bad. Don’t feel inferior. I trust my judgment of people. I’m giving you a chance. Go and seize your dream. Whether you can succeed or not, we can talk about that after you’ve tried.”
Jiang Nanshu didn’t intend to let Duan Huaiyu become an unknown bodyguard.
She could see the love for music in his eyes, which he had to give up due to life’s burdens, expensive medical bills, forcing him to drift along in the city.
The Jiang Nanshu that Duan Huaiyu saw was radiant, like a little angel encouraging him.
He finally nodded, his voice low and hoarse, “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
“Good, you first rest up and recuperate. Don’t worry about the medical bills, I’ve got them covered. Wait for my call.” Jiang Nanshu wiggled her phone, adding Duan Huaiyu’s contact information.
“Nannan?” A man’s faint voice came from a distance.
Turning her head, Jiang Nanshu saw that it was Jiang Jingcheng, holding a medical chart, standing tall and handsome in the busy hospital lobby. The young women around him blushed, shyly casting their gaze upon his face, which resembled a piece of fine art.
“Second brother?”
[Wow, what a coincidence to meet here. I almost forgot, I was going to report you.]
Jiang Jingcheng: “?”
What had he done that she was about to report him?
He waved at Jiang Nanshu, standing still and waiting.
Jiang Nanshu quickly said to Duan Huaiyu, “You go back first. I’m going to see my second brother, and then I have to go to the concert venue to meet my fourth brother. Wait for my message.”
She then trotted over to Jiang Jingcheng.
Jiang Jingcheng’s cold gaze swept over Duan Huaiyu. He stood up straight and returned the gaze.
After a moment, Jiang Jingcheng’s eyes moved away, his usually indifferent face softening with a gentle smile towards Jiang Nanshu, like a piece of exquisite mutton-fat jade, radiating a soothing warmth.
Not knowing what was said, Jiang Nanshu excitedly pulled Jiang Jingcheng towards the inpatient department.
Jiang Jingcheng’s eyes mixed with helplessness, and by reading his lips, he seemed to tell Jiang Nanshu to “slow down.”
Not until the two figures disappeared did Duan Huaiyu walk out of the hospital.
His encounters today felt like a dream.
He did not go home but instead headed to the police station.
While Jiang Nanshu, dragging Jiang Jingcheng, hurriedly rushed to the inpatient department.
She had just learned that Cheng An was awake!
[He’s had quite a long sleep. His goddess is almost battered and bruised by Lu Qingyan and he hasn’t come out to play the knight in shining armor. I’m going to stir things up a bit.]
Jiang Jingcheng: “…”
Seeing her eagerness, he asked the question that had lingered in his mind for a long time, “During the time Cheng An was in a coma, besides us attending physicians, the Cheng family didn’t let anyone close. Because he said a lot of things in his delirium, I heard it once during my rounds. He said… you would die.”
Jiang Nanshu paused, her eyebrows raised, her smile broad, “What is he to decide that?”