Against the Light - Chapter 16
Chapter 16: Meeting
At the hospital, Bai Yilan wandered calmly through the small garden behind the inpatient wing, watching the patients chatting and relaxing in the distance.
She remembered how Xinran had sprained her ankle last year and had recuperated in this very hospital for a week.
To this day, she still remembered the moment she heard Xinran had been injured and hospitalized. Her heart felt as if it had been ripped from her body, the pain suffocating. Without a second thought, she had dropped all her work, left the entire crew hanging, and flown back overnight. When she saw Xinran sitting before her, safe and sound, she had pulled her into her arms and held her tight, never daring to let go again.
In front of her, Xinran was like a child who couldn't take care of herself, depending on her for everything. She had always disliked that personality trait in people, but with Xinran, it was different.
With her, and only her, anything was acceptable.
She could rely on her without restraint, be playful, be willful, and do anything she wanted.
All it took was one sweet smile from Xinran, and Bai Yilan would lose all resistance, willingly surrendering. She was happy to spoil her, to indulge her, to watch her be wild and cause trouble. She was willing to set aside all her principles and pride for her.
Because that was the person she loved, the person she wanted to protect for a lifetime.
But she never expected that her whole heart would be exchanged for betrayal and a bed photo.
Gu Xinran stood behind a tree, silently watching Yilan's figure. She never would have imagined she would see Yilan here!
Yilan was staring blankly at the lake, her eyes filled with such sorrow. Although Gu Xinran knew this woman wasn't her wife, her heart still ached. She could tangibly feel Yilan's pain and grief. She desperately wanted to rush over and hug her, to offer her a shoulder to cry on.
After a long moment, just as she was about to look away, she caught sight of a doctor in a white coat walking toward Yilan. She glanced over instinctively and froze in shock!
Lost in her own thoughts, Yilan didn't notice someone approaching from behind.
It wasn't until a pair of hands covered her eyes that she snapped back to reality with a start, though she quickly realized who it was.
"Sister."
Jiang Boyan smiled sweetly, let go, and walked around to face her. A brief glance was all it took for her to frown. "Why have you gotten so thin?" she asked, stroking her cheek.
Seeing the worry and concern filling Jiang Boyan's eyes, Yilan felt a sting in her nose and nearly burst into tears. This was the kind of look she feared most. She lowered her head slightly, masking her feelings with a smile. "I was out having fun, running around everywhere. It's more tiring than work."
"Is that so? Then come home for a few days. Get some proper rest and keep Mom company. The old lady is all alone at home with nothing to do. She nags me every day when I get home."
Yilan looked down at the hand Jiang Boyan was holding. From its warm palm, she felt a warmth she hadn't experienced in a long time.
After composing herself, she looked up at Jiang Boyan. Her features were delicate, her eyes gentle. With her long hair tied up, she looked incredibly sharp. Dressed in a clean white coat, she was elegant and poised, and her soft-spoken voice carried a natural kindness.
"Okay. Are you off work?"
"Not yet. I saw you from the window earlier. I waited for a while, but you didn't come up, so I came out to look for you."
Bai Yilan chuckled. "Skipping work?"
Just as Jiang Boyan was about to reply, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
"Dr. Jiang, a patient registered an urgent appointment and is waiting for you."
"I'll be right there."
Seeing the two of them leave, Gu Xinran finally stepped out from behind the tree. She stared after the doctor, her expression extremely complicated.
She had been stunned to see Jiang Boyan, because in her original world, Jiang Boyan had been a good friend to both her and Yilan! But at the same time, she was also the catalyst for Yilan's death!
In that world, Jiang Boyan had always doted on Yilan. At the time, Xinran was focused on her career and didn't spend much time with Yilan. Jiang Boyan mistakenly believed she was toying with Yilan's feelings and wanted to force her to give up her career, return to her family, and run away with Yilan.
She had deliberately leaked the news that Xinran was married, hoping it would deal a blow to her career. But she never imagined the reporters would dig and dig until they exposed Yilan. The public opinion spiraled out of her control, not only destroying Xinran but also harming Yilan!
And she herself spent the rest of her long life in regret and self-blame.
Gu Xinran took a deep breath.
The person before her, though she had the same face as Jiang Boyan, had a completely different identity.
The original owner's memories told her that this Jiang Boyan was Yilan's older sister. They had grown up together, and she doted on Yilan, caring for her meticulously!
It took Gu Xinran a long time to accept this reality. In her past life, she could never truly forgive Jiang Boyan, not even in death.
"Hey, I've been looking all over for you. What are you doing here? Hurry up and see the doctor," Qu Qi said, holding the X-ray film, which she couldn't make sense of.
"Okay."
In the surgical consultation room.
Qu Qi handed the film to the doctor, then helped Gu Xinran sit down, taking excellent care of her. Gu Xinran looked a little uncomfortable. She never would have thought that the doctor treating her would be…
Jiang Boyan's brow furrowed slightly as she looked at the film. "Your hand…" She looked up at the patient in the chair, her gaze pausing for a moment before her expression turned icy.
"It's broken. Can't be fixed. Transfer to another hospital," she said coldly.
"???"
Qu Qi glanced at Gu Xinran's wrist. "Doctor, isn't that a bit hasty…?"
"If I say it can't be fixed, it can't be fixed. Now go!" Jiang Boyan's tone was harsh as she subtly glanced toward the folding screen behind her.
Xinran caught her glance and realized Yilan must be behind the screen. She didn't want Yilan to see her, which was why she was so desperate to make her leave.
"Hey, now, what kind of doctor are you…"
"Sister Qi, forget it. Let's go." Gu Xinran stood up. Suddenly, her head buzzed, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness on the spot.
"Xinran!"
When Gu Xinran regained consciousness, a day had already passed.
The warm sunlight fell on her body, bringing a trace of warmth.
She tried to move her fingers and found it a little difficult. A jolt of panic shot through her. This feeling of powerlessness was all too familiar!! For a second, she thought she had returned to that old, frail body, and sweat immediately beaded on her forehead.
It wasn't until she saw Fang Jinghai sleeping soundly on the sofa nearby that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Huh? Fang Jinghai?
She carefully recalled the moments before she fainted. She was getting her wrist looked at, the doctor was Jiang Boyan, and Yilan! Yilan was there too. When she collapsed, she thought she had heard her voice!
"Hey, Sister, you're awake! Are you hungry? I bought you breakfast. Why don't you sit up and eat something?" Fang Jinghai rolled over, nearly falling off the sofa. She happened to glance up and saw Gu Xinran's eyes were open, so she immediately scrambled to her feet.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, a classmate of mine is a nurse at this hospital. She saw you faint yesterday. She'd seen our show and knew I was a little fan of yours, so she told me about it. The doctor said it's nothing serious, just exhaustion, and that you should rest well for a couple of days."
Looking at her innocent smile, Gu Xinran felt a warmth in her heart. "That was very thoughtful of you."
"Heh, well, you were nice to me first," Fang Jinghai said with a grin. She raised the head of the bed and handed her the congee.
"Um… Sister Ran, there's something I think I should tell you."
"Hm?"
Fang Jinghai looked her in the eye. "Yesterday… when I came here last night, I saw Teacher Bai."
Gu Xinran froze. "Who?"
"Teacher Bai. Bai Yilan."
"I got here around nine last night and saw she was here, so I didn't dare come in. And she didn't leave until almost dawn. She watched over you all night."
Gu Xinran closed her eyes. Damn it, how could she have slept so soundly!
"Did she say anything?"
"That I don't know. How could I eavesdrop on that!" Fang Jinghai declared righteously. "But from the way she looked at you, I think she…" Fang Jinghai carefully observed Gu Xinran's expression.
"She what?"
"I think she… still loves you."
"I mean… if my ex were lying here, I'd probably be wishing she'd just die already. I definitely wouldn't be looking at her with that kind of affectionate, worried, and anxious expression."
Gu Xinran pressed her lips together. The original owner had hurt her so deeply. Could she still love her?
Even if she did, the original owner was gone now. What was to become of these feelings…?
"Um… Sister Ran, there's one more thing."
"Yes?"
"This thing… I think… I should give it to you." Fang Jinghai hesitated before taking out her phone and handing it to Gu Xinran, casting a wary glance at the door.
Gu Xinran took it, and her brow furrowed instantly! The phone was playing a video—it was the clip of the original owner's conflict with Luo Bing, the one where she supposedly hit her! But what was different was that this video was shot from an angle showing Luo Bing's face clearly! You could distinctly see her lips move near the original owner's ear. Although you couldn't hear what was said, her insidious expression was captured perfectly!
"Where did you get this?"
"I… secretly filmed it. I used to quite like Luo Bing, so I sneakily recorded a bit. But then I caught that expression, and it startled me too. After that, I felt like things might not be so simple. It wasn't until I got to know you and your character that I realized Luo Bing might be the one putting on an innocent act."
Gu Xinran took a deep breath, her mind racing. She looked at Fang Jinghai again. "But if you give this to me, won't you be affected?"
"I'm not afraid. No one cares about a small-time camerawoman. Oh, right, if you're worried someone will question the video's source, I can testify for you. Worst case, I'll just get a new job. I can make a living doing anything, right? Anyway, I think the truth is more important. You've been misunderstood by everyone for too long. I don't want to see that disgusting look on Luo Bing's face as she uses you as a stepping stone. You have to keep fighting!"
Gu Xinran pressed her lips together, genuinely moved by the young camerawoman.
"Well, Sister Ran, you get some rest. I won't bother you anymore. Call me if you need anything!"
Watching Fang Jinghai's somewhat lonely but exceptionally straight-backed figure leave, Gu Xinran's lips curved into a smile. "I'm looking for an assistant. Are you…"
!?
"I can do it!!!"
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