Chapter 023: Grandfather Says He Will Hold a Wedding for Them

She hadn’t figured out what was happening before Ji Yunan emerged from the hospital room with a sullen face, running right into her.

“Little sister-in-law.”

Ji Yunan looked at her, a bit surprised, but quickly changed his expression and greeted her.

Shi Runrun nodded, intending to slip past him to check on Cen Huan, but a thought struck her. She turned around and faced Ji Yunan, saying, “Yunan, you and Huan…”

Before she could finish, Ji Yunan sighed and said, “I met Cen Huan by chance overseas. The moment I saw her, I fell for her instantly. She must have liked me too. We quickly fell in love and… we became intimate…”

As he spoke, his face darkened.

“It was a beautiful night, but the next morning, at the hotel, I woke up early to attend to something. When I came back, she was gone… I searched all over America for her, but there was no trace. When I returned home, I kept looking for her, but I couldn’t find her anywhere.”

While speaking, Ji Yunan pressed his thin lips together.

“It wasn’t until last night, at the gathering where Xuezheng introduced you to our group, that I saw her again…”

Shi Runrun listened, nodding gently. So that’s how it was.

But then she reconsidered, feeling something was off. “Yunan, this doesn’t make sense. You said she liked you too, but why did she leave you after just one night in America? And last night, when Huan saw you, she looked terrified, as if she’d seen a ghost…”

Ji Yunan sighed, closed his eyes, and rubbed the bridge of his nose helplessly. “I don’t know why either… Last night, I had someone keep an eye on her movements. I learned she went to the hospital late at night. I was so worried that I came here first thing this morning, but as you saw, she doesn’t want to see me. She yelled at me and drove me out.”

Shi Runrun: “…”

She couldn’t help but mutter, “Yunan, is there some misunderstanding between you two…”

“I can sense that Huan still has feelings for you…”

After she spoke, Ji Yunan’s face lit up with renewed hope, his previously defeated handsome features brightening. “Really?!”

Shi Runrun nodded and continued, “That’s my first instinct. Otherwise, she wouldn’t cry upon seeing you… Anyway, Yunan, don’t scare her for now. I’ll go in to keep her company, and I’ll try to ask about it and speak in your favor.”

Ji Yunan finally smiled, his expression genuinely relieved. “Thank you, little sister-in-law!”

…

After sending Ji Yunan off, Shi Runrun pushed open the hospital room door and entered.

Cen Huan, curled up on the hospital bed, saw her and immediately burst into tears, rushing into her arms. “Runrun…”

Shi Runrun held her tightly, soothing her gently. “Huan, it’s okay now. It’s all over…”

“Sigh, you’re sick and didn’t even tell me. Coming to the hospital all by yourself—last night must have been so hard for you…”

Cen Huan shook her head in Shi Runrun’s embrace, sobbing, “It’s nothing… I’m fine… Runrun, he appeared in front of me again… What should I do… What am I supposed to do…”

Looking at her fragile state, Shi Runrun felt deep pity and stroked her back, asking, “Huan, can you tell me what really happened between you two? Why do I feel you both love and hate Yunan…”

Cen Huan raised her swollen, tear-streaked eyes and looked at her, finally speaking slowly.

What she described mostly matched what Yunan had told her, but the latter part shocked Shi Runrun.

“I thought he truly cared for me, so I gave myself to him. But the next morning, when I woke up, he was gone, and there was a stack of cash on the bedside table…”

Shi Runrun: “…”

“Runrun, I know how those rich young men are. After they've had their fun with a woman, they leave money behind as compensation. I’m not that kind of woman—I can’t stand that kind of humiliation.”

Shi Runrun listened, feeling a burst of anger. If what Huan said was true, she’d never treat Ji Yunan kindly again!

…

Having stayed with Cen Huan for a while in the hospital room, Shi Runrun received a call from Xiao Xuezheng.

“Where are you?”

His voice was deep and seductive, always concise and to the point.

Shi Runrun replied, “Huan is sick, so I came to the hospital to be with her. What’s up…”

The man continued, “No wonder I couldn’t find you at school. It’s fine. Grandpa wants to host our wedding, so he told me to take you to try on wedding dresses. I wanted to ask when you’re available.”

Wedding?!

Shi Runrun’s heart raced wildly. She exclaimed in disbelief, “What… Grandpa really wants to hold our wedding?! When… Oh, but I’m still a student—wouldn’t it be inappropriate to have a wedding now…”

Shi Runrun voiced many concerns, but the man quickly interrupted her: “Fine, since you don’t want a wedding, forget it. I find it pretty boring anyway! I’ll just refuse Grandpa then!”

“Wait! Xiao Xuezheng! Why are you in such a hurry!” Shi Runrun clenched her phone nervously, speaking quickly.

“I haven’t finished yet… I mean, even though I’m still a student, it’s not impossible to have a wedding… We’re already married, after all… A wedding is only natural… When… I can go try on wedding dresses right now… hehe…”

She was a completely different person from earlier, full of worries.

On the other end, the man couldn’t help but smile as he held the phone. He wondered, are all women like this, playing hard to get? Do they all love being coaxed by men?

“Wait at the hospital. I’ll come pick you up soon.”

With that, he hung up.

Shi Runrun held her phone, cheeks flushed, her whole body bursting with excitement!

She suddenly began to look forward to their wedding, imagining what it would be like…

She would wear a wedding dress and marry him beautifully…

Cen Huan, lying on the bed, looked at her and couldn’t help but feel happy for her. “Runrun, how wonderful, after all the hardships… You found a man who treats you so well. Unlike me. I’ll be your bridesmaid at your wedding!”

Shi Runrun looked at her frail face and felt another wave of heartache. She took her hand and said, “Huan, you’ll find happiness too. We’ll both be happy! Since you’re going to be my bridesmaid, you have to get better soon!”

Suddenly, Cen Huan seemed to remember something. Looking at the excited Shi Runrun, she whispered, “Runrun, I still have to tell you something. Don’t blame me for spoiling your mood.”

“What is it…”

“I heard that Qiao Yu is coming back to the country…”

What…