Chapter 151: What If I Insist on an Answer?

“Aunt Jin...” Jiang Yao reached out her hand to steady Mrs. Jin.

Mrs. Jin’s sobs grew even more heart-wrenching. “Nana is still so young. How do you expect her to face the rest of her life?”

It was as if everyone’s lives were frozen in time on this fateful night.

Not only Nana, but Jiang Yao and He Yunqing also found themselves at a loss, uncertain how to face the days to come...

After struggling through most of the night, when Jiang Yao finally left the hospital, it was already the early hours of the next day.

He Yunqing walked beside her along the empty, silent streets.

“Your health isn’t fully recovered yet. Do you want to get checked while we’re here?”

Jiang Yao shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s just a cold. Compared to what Nana has suffered, it’s nothing.”

He Yunqing pondered for a moment. “The Cheng family situation is complicated, but you still need to take care of yourself. I’ll do what I can to help.”

“You?” Jiang Yao forced a faint smile.

Right now, He Yunqing himself was a bundle of troubles.

She gently nudged He Yunqing. “You should go back. If Nana wakes up and sees you, it might ease her mind a little.”

“Ah Yao...”

Jiang Yao curled her lips into a faint smile. “It’s really okay. Even though we’re going through such painful times, as long as we hold onto hope, things will eventually get better, won’t they?”

He Yunqing looked at her forced smile, nodded softly, and turned to walk back.

“He Yunqing.”

Jiang Yao called out suddenly, watching the man’s figure grow smaller in the distance.

He Yunqing’s steps faltered slightly as he turned back.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together, summoning the courage. “Have you ever thought about being with Nana?”

He Yunqing narrowed his eyes slightly, his cool gaze lingering on Jiang Yao’s face as if trying to read her heart.

Her voice trembled a little. “I know it sounds selfish. I know I don’t have the right to decide for you. But Nana is the one who needs you most right now. I... I just... there are things in this world more important than romance…”

Because there are things more important than love, she chose to let go of He Yunqing and be with Cheng Yanchi.

Because there are things more important than love, He Yunqing has his own responsibilities...

He Yunqing’s eyes were filled with helplessness and tenderness as he looked at Jiang Yao.

“So, you want to push me toward another woman?”

The man’s expression remained immaculate, yet his eyes were already written with shattered fragments.

“You were never mine, He Yunqing,” Jiang Yao said, clenching her fists tightly, her voice choking as she fought back tears. “You and I, didn’t we both know this was a love that never had a future?”

“What if I want a future? What if I quit the entertainment industry for good?”

He Yunqing frowned deeply, stubborn as if the whole world didn’t matter to him.

“I don’t want those ‘what ifs,’” Jiang Yao sniffed. “You’ve forgotten—I’m already Cheng Yanchi’s fiancée; you’ve forgotten that Jin Nana is still lying unconscious in the hospital. We’re all past the age of recklessness.”

A bitter, self-mocking smile flickered at the corners of He Yunqing’s mouth.

He understood her words.

Once, even after they parted, as long as his gaze stayed on Jiang Yao, he felt as if his soul was still with her.

But from now on, there was no turning back...

“Go back, Ah Yao,” He Yunqing said softly. “You need to rest.”

“He Yunqing.”

“I want you to go back!” He Yunqing’s voice lowered into a roar. “Go back. Do you hear me? I will consider what you said carefully. Are you still not satisfied?”

Jiang Yao nodded, then turned and ran forward without looking back, wiping tears as she ran.

Jiang Yao — isn’t this what you wanted? Why are you still crying here?

Jiang Yao — isn’t this what you wanted? Why does your heart still feel like it’s being cut by knives?

Jiang Yao returned home in a daze. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Ye Yiyi’s worried face.

“How are you, Ah Yao?” Ye Yiyi helped Jiang Yao sit down. “You didn’t answer your phone. I was so worried.”

Jiang Yao glanced at her phone, seeing numerous missed calls from Ye Yiyi that she hadn’t even heard.

“Any news about Miss Jin?” Ye Yiyi asked.

Jiang Yao was stunned for a moment. “Hmm? Hmm.”

Seeing her like this, Ye Yiyi poured her a glass of water and handed it over. “Is she alright?”

Jiang Yao looked at the water. “Yiyi.”

“Huh?” Ye Yiyi was momentarily confused.

Jiang Yao’s fingers loosened involuntarily, and the glass fell to the floor with a clatter.

Suddenly, she collapsed into Ye Yiyi’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, Ah Yao. If you want to cry, just cry. It’s alright,” Ye Yiyi comforted her softly. “Let it all out.”

Jiang Yao’s sobs gradually faded until she was silent.

“Ah Yao, Ah Yao...” Ye Yiyi gently shook the unresponsive Jiang Yao. “Don’t scare me, Ah Yao...”

Just after leaving the hospital, an ambulance rushed Jiang Yao back inside.

Lying on the hospital bed, Jiang Yao slowly regained consciousness.

The bespectacled, refined doctor was speaking to Ye Yiyi, who wiped tears as she listened.

Noticing Jiang Yao had awakened, the doctor quickly bent closer.

“Ah Yao, how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” Jiang Yao shook her head and looked at the doctor. “Doctor, what’s my condition?”

The doctor’s expression turned grave.

“It’s alright, I’m prepared. Please just be honest,” Jiang Yao said.

The doctor sighed. “If properly controlled, this illness could have allowed you to live another three to five years. But Miss Jiang, your health is weaker, and recent stress and heavy worries have accelerated the deterioration.”

Ye Yiyi bit her lip tightly beside them, tears streaming down.

Jiang Yao calmly met the doctor’s gaze. “Just tell me straight—how much time do I have left?”

The doctor hesitated, then spoke gently, “Honestly, these things are uncertain. Otherwise, miracles wouldn’t exist.”

Miracles?

They are called miracles precisely because they are rare.

A bitter smile curved Jiang Yao’s lips. “It seems there are things I must hurry to do.”

She propped herself up, intending to get out of bed, but a wave of dizziness hit her the moment she stood.

Ye Yiyi hurried over to support her. “Ah Yao, don’t move.”

The doctor adjusted his glasses. “Miss Jiang, always think positively. Especially now, you must rest well. With your heavy cold, neglecting care will only worsen your condition.”

Jiang Yao reluctantly lay back down. After a moment, she rummaged through her bag and finally clasped something in her palm.

Opening her hand, there lay a single chess piece—one given to her by Old Master Jin...