Chapter 163: Moments of Clarity, Moments of Confusion

"Yunqing’s mother was once a famously stunning beauty. Passionate, uninhibited, and radiant, she had countless admirers who lacked even the courage to confess their feelings, daring only to harbor silent, secret crushes. She was also immensely talented, having once served as the chief designer for Tianya Jewelry.

"Yet, ever since she married Uncle He, everything seemed to change. At first, Uncle He treated her very well, but as time passed, his warmth faded into coldness. Her health gradually deteriorated, especially after giving birth to Yunqing. She was like a flower, withering imperceptibly day by day. A woman of such formidable pride naturally had no need for pity, but neither did she deserve mockery and blame, right?"

Jiang Yao nodded. "On the surface, it appeared she ended her own life. In reality, everyone around her conspired to push her to the edge."

To kill someone spiritually is far crueler than destroying them physically.

"That’s why Yunqing has always had a terrible relationship with Uncle He, and we have no intention of inviting him to our wedding." Nana Jin tilted her chin up with a proud, delicate flourish.

"Oh?" This came as a bit of a surprise to Jiang Yao. "Weren't he and your father old friends of many years?"

"I don't care about that," Nana Jin said, shrugging. "I told my dad: if he dares to invite Uncle He to my wedding with Yunqing, I’ll elope with Yunqing and never come back. My dad loves me the most; he listens to everything I say now."

With a sly wink at Jiang Yao, Nana Jin laughed softly.

Jiang Yao smiled with a trace of helpless resignation. Nana Jin lived in a complete, happy family, and perhaps that was the foundation of her carefree spirit.

Still, it was for the best. At least out of the two sisters, one of them was happy.

She neither wished nor intended to disrupt that happiness.

"We're here." Nana Jin stopped outside the entrance of Jiang Yao’s apartment building. "I won't come up with you. But Ah Yao, I’m going to try on wedding dresses in a few days—will you come with me?"

Jiang Yao nodded. "Just call me whenever you're ready."

"Does this mean we're friends now?" Nana Jin beamed with a radiant smile.

Jiang Yao nodded again.

"I am very glad to be your friend now." Nana Jin turned around, then looked back to wave at Jiang Yao. Her long, dark curls drifted in the breeze, exuding an air of effortless romance and charm.

Jiang Yao watched her leave with a soft smile.

She didn't feel tragic at all anymore. At least the people around her would no longer suffer misfortune because of her; everyone she cared about was happy.

Before long, filming for *Secrets of Time* officially began.

Yiwei Ye found herself busier than ever with each passing day.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yao's physical condition continued to deteriorate. She frequently forgot things—sometimes lucid, sometimes drifting into a hazy fog.

Ever more worried about her, Yiwei Ye practically wished she could tie a rope around her waist and keep Jiang Yao tethered to her side. Consequently, Jiang Yao became a frequent presence on the film set.

Amidst the routine of the production, Jiang Yao frequently caught glimpses of Yunqing He.

Yet, by tacit mutual understanding, neither of them ever stepped forward to initiate a conversation. Even when their paths occasionally crossed, they exchanged nothing more than a faint, quiet smile.

Jiang Yao felt content with that—at least she could still see him often.

Nana Jin also visited frequently, treating the cast and crew to meals and coffee. Whenever she arrived, the set instantly buzzed with lively energy.

After all, she was the investor's daughter.

Filming proceeded smoothly, and before anyone realized it, the production was nearing its wrap.

On this particular day, Yunqing He had no scenes to shoot, and Nana Jin was absent as well; rumor had it they had gone out together to choose their wedding bands.

While Yiwei Ye was busy filming a scene, Jiang Yao slumped completely into her chair, dozing off.

Lately, she had grown increasingly prone to exhaustion, spending the greater part of her day asleep, while her lucid moments became the rare exception.

"Achoo!" A sudden gust of chilly wind swept across the set, causing Jiang Yao to sneeze.

Before she registered it, a thick coat had been draped over her shoulders.

Jiang Yao stared blankly at the garment, rubbed her eyes, and looked up to find Elder Jin standing beside her.

"Jin..."

Elder Jin raised a finger to his lips in a gesture for silence, then pulled up a chair to sit beside her. "Don't disturb the others."

If the investor himself was spotted wandering around the set, it would inevitably draw a flurry of bustling attention, and peace would be out of the question.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together and lowered her voice. "What brings you here?"

Elder Jin smiled. "I came to check on Nana, and on you as well. Only when I arrived did I find out Nana wasn't here."

"Miss Jin is your daughter, so checking on her is enough. Why check on me?" Jiang Yao offered a faint smile.

To Elder Jin's ears, the remark carried a subtle sting, yet Jiang Yao's expression remained entirely innocent, devoid of any apparent hostility.

He frowned slightly. "She is my daughter, but are you not as well?"

"How could I..." Jiang Yao started, but trailed off mid-sentence. She paused blankly, as if deep in thought, and after pondering for a long while, she finally rubbed her temples again. "Oh, right..."

Her mind was growing hazy once more.

She decided it would be wise to speak as little as possible in the coming days, lest her failing health be exposed sooner rather than later.

Elder Jin sighed with helplessness. "What's wrong?"

"I think... I must still be half-asleep and haven't fully woken up," Jiang Yao murmured, offering an excuse.

"I know that Yunqing and Nana getting married might be somewhat distressing for you, but try not to let it hurt you too much."

"Mm." Jiang Yao responded softly.

A short distance away, Yiwei Ye had finished her scenes for the day and walked over. "Ah Yao, wrap-up for today! What should we grab to eat?"

"Whatever you'd like, my treat," Elder Jin interjected from the side.

Yiwei Ye didn't stand on ceremony. "Then we'll take advantage of your generosity."

Jiang Yao shot Yiwei Ye a helpless look; the girl's greatest strengths were her thick skin and cheerful disposition.

Pushing herself up from the chair, Jiang Yao prepared to leave with Yiwei Ye.

Just as her elbow pressed against the armrest, a sudden, violent wave of agony pierced through her skull.

She knew immediately that another episode was starting.

The excruciating pain escalated with such ferocity that even her desperate efforts to mask it proved futile. Her face drained of all color as she clutched her head tightly.

Despite biting her lip until it bled, a soft moan slipped past her clenched teeth.

"Ah Yao!" Yiwei Ye's expression shifted instantly.

Elder Jin looked on with astonishment. "What... what is happening? Where does it hurt?"

Jiang Yao waved her hand, wanting to say she was fine, but at this critical juncture, she could no longer force out a single word.

Driven by the agony, beads of cold sweat rolled continuously down her forehead.

She lifted her gaze to meet Yiwei Ye's terrified face, as the entire world around her faded into absolute silence.

Then, darkness consumed her vision, her body listed sideways, and she collapsed unconscious...