Chapter 105: A Love Too Selfish

The warm and harmonious scene of the parents together inexplicably stirred a pang in Jiang Yao’s heart.

The word "family affection" felt unbearably distant to her.

When she was a child, she used to envy those little girls who could hold their parents’ hands and pass by eating candied hawthorns.

Later, she grew accustomed to it—numbed herself deliberately to avoid thinking about it—and over time, the sadness faded away completely.

Yet somehow, the scene before her eyes once again struck the most sensitive nerve within her.

Suddenly, she wondered: if she had a father, would he treat her the way he did Jin Nana?

No, he wouldn’t.

Jiang Yao quickly sobered up.

That man had abandoned her mother even before she was born, abandoned her too—how could he have even the slightest feeling for her?

A bitter smile tugged at Jiang Yao’s lips.

From the other side, Old Master Jin chuckled and said, “No need to go back to eat. Dad specially brought this for you. Miss Jiang, let’s eat together.”

Jin Nana turned back and stuck out her tongue at Jiang Yao. “You’re in for a treat. The dishes my dad makes even make our hired chef envious.”

Jiang Yao was somewhat surprised.

People of Old Master Jin’s status usually had no need to cook for themselves; how had he acquired such culinary skill?

Old Master Jin patted Jin Nana on the shoulder, then looked at Jiang Yao again. “Miss Jiang, please don’t be polite.”

Jiang Yao was never one to be polite in such matters.

She sat down and ate the tomato beef brisket alongside Jin Nana.

The beef was stewed until tender and flavorful, almost melting in the mouth.

At the first bite, Jiang Yao’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly took a second mouthful.

This taste... why did it feel so familiar...

Her mother was a good cook, but strangely, she never made beef brisket; she always said it was the most unpalatable dish in the world.

Jiang Yao’s own cooking skills were not bad either, but after living alone, she rarely stewed beef brisket—it was simply too time-consuming.

Yet now, this taste somehow stirred a sense of déjà vu.

“What’s wrong?” Jin Nana noticed her expression and nudged her with an elbow.

Jiang Yao shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just really delicious.”

Old Master Jin laughed. “If you like it, eat more. I cooked plenty.”

“I didn’t expect you to be able to do this,” Jiang Yao said politely.

Old Master Jin’s smile gradually stiffened; the loving gaze he had for his daughter dimmed.

He sighed, “I’ve had my share of hardships in earlier years.”

Not long after, Old Master Jin and Jin Nana left.

Jiang Yao lay back on the hospital bed and dozed off again. In a haze, she saw the door to the ward slowly open.

She yawned.

She hated having people constantly visit her while she was hospitalized.

It disturbed her rest and made sleep uneasy.

So she decided not to sleep anymore, opened her eyes, and saw Sister Cai already seated across from her.

“Is there something?” Jiang Yao propped herself up.

Sister Cai’s gaze was cold.

Understandable—her artist’s romantic partner had caused so much trouble, and was likely to cause more in the future.

Sister Cai’s attitude could hardly be warm.

After thinking for a moment, Sister Cai said, “I came to see you. Yun Qing doesn’t know.”

“Mm.” Jiang Yao nodded.

Everything was as expected.

“The matter between you and Yun Qing was photographed secretly. You probably already know, right?”

Jiang Yao nodded again.

Of course she knew—otherwise, how would she have ended up in this condition?

“Miss Jiang, I originally shouldn’t say this to you, but Yun Qing is exceptionally stubborn. Once he’s set on something, no one can persuade him.”

“So, I’ve become your weak point?”

Sister Cai sighed. Her tone softened from stern to pleading. “Miss Jiang, I beg you—before this escalates further and becomes uncontrollable, break it off with Yun Qing. Don’t have any more contact.”

Jiang Yao lowered her head. “Ms. Cai, don’t I look stubborn enough already?”

“I knew you’d say that,” Sister Cai shook her head. “Naturally, Yun Qing is well-off, and I understand why you’re unwilling to let go. But do you really think you have a future together? Have you considered that this will ruin Yun Qing?”

“Why does everyone keep telling me I’ll ruin He Yun Qing?” Jiang Yao countered. “What am I? A monster? A mutant virus?”

“Miss Jiang, you should understand what I mean. Don’t make me say it plainly: a person like you...”

“A person like me? What kind of person?” Jiang Yao frowned. “Someone who’s been in hell—does that mean they should stay there forever, living a life without light or hope?”

Realizing her mistake, Sister Cai felt guilty. “Sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just wanted to say, Yun Qing isn’t forbidden from dating or having scandals. Sometimes, scandals even help a person. But it depends on what kind of news. Yun Qing’s partner could be a well-reputed, popular actress or a well-educated wealthy heiress—but it can’t be you. Do you understand, Miss Jiang?”

Popular actresses, wealthy heiresses...

Jiang Yao lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers.

She never belittled herself, but she had to admit there was an unbridgeable gap between herself and those people.

“Maybe what you see is the glamorous Yun Qing in public, but I know the hardships he’s endured and the criticism he faced to get to where he is now,” Sister Cai said earnestly. “Can you bear to see all his efforts go to waste?”

Jiang Yao silently clenched her fists.

Sister Cai’s words, though not heavy, struck a chord in her heart.

Being with He Yun Qing, she didn’t care if she was in danger or what others said about her. She could endure it all.

But she cared deeply about He Yun Qing being hurt.

Seeing that Jiang Yao was silent, Sister Cai stood and took a concert ticket from her bag, placing it on the table.

“This is Yun Qing’s special invitation to you for his concert—a surprise. I took the liberty of bringing it to you first.”

“The ticket’s given, and I’ve made my position clear. What you do now is up to you.” Sister Cai nodded to Jiang Yao and left the ward.

Jiang Yao quietly picked up the concert ticket.

Tickets so many longed for but could not get.

Now it lay right before her.

Just like He Yun Qing, whom so many chased after madly—now, he was her boyfriend.

But could she truly hold onto this ticket, hold onto He Yun Qing tightly?

Was such love too selfish?