It was already the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, with only five days left until the New Year.
Huatai Electric officially announced its holiday today.
Jiang Nan Fang had also finalized the bid documents, successfully getting Huatai into the final review.
She was now on paid leave.
Returning home alone like this, with no work and no one to accompany her, she suddenly felt so lonely.
For the past six years, although she had been busy every day just to make a living, sometimes not even having time to celebrate the New Year,
Having her child chattering by her side always made life feel sweet.
Now, with more time, less pressure, and plenty of money in her pocket to spend as she pleased, she could no longer feel happy.
She repeatedly scrolled through photos of her child on her phone, replaying happy memories, and curled up on the sofa, crying until her eyes ached.
It was already two in the morning, and Jiang Nan Fang, dazed from crying, had no sleepiness.
Realizing that if she continued like this, she would fall back into the same cycle as a month ago, becoming a lifeless husk due to excessive sorrow.
She forced herself to stand up, go downstairs, and walk to the nearest convenience store to buy a dozen beers and a case of baijiu.
She wanted to drink, to drink a lot, to lull herself to sleep.
If she slept, time would pass quickly.
If she slept, her mind would stop thinking.
If she slept, she wouldn't feel lonely.
She had no desire to go out, no wish to talk to anyone. It would be good to just sleep through this holiday.
After downing three bottles of beer and one bottle of baijiu, without even showering, Jiang Nan Fang stumbled into her room, leaning on the wall.
Pulling the quilt over her head, she finally drifted into a drowsy sleep.
She slept for two days and two nights.
During those two days, Jiang Nan Fang barely ate.
She woke up to drink, and drank to sleep.
As she had hoped, in her dazed state, she didn't feel lonely.
Around four in the afternoon of the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month, driven by the urge to use the restroom, Jiang Nan Fang finally left her bedroom.
She first went to the bathroom, and then, feeling an emptiness in her stomach, she came out to find her phone to check the time and perhaps find something to eat.
As soon as she picked up her phone, she received a message on WeChat.
Opening it, she saw it was from Ke Teng.
He had just finished filming today and had a week's holiday, inviting her to travel.
Jiang Nan Fang didn't reply to his message.
Because she saw that there was also a message from Ah Zhong in her chat list.
It was from yesterday.
He had asked if Jiang Nan Fang was free and if she could visit Zhan Zong at the hospital.
Zhan Bei Jue had been revived, but he was extremely irritable, not allowing anyone near his room, and refusing to eat or drink. Ah Zhong was worried he might have an accident if he continued like this.
Although it was a message from yesterday, and a day had passed without a reply, making it seem unnecessary to respond,
Jiang Nan Fang still found herself instinctively replying to Ah Zhong immediately.
"You and Mrs. Zhan can't persuade him, what use would it be for me to go?"
She thought Ah Zhong would be busy and wouldn't see the message for a while.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Jiang Nan Fang sent her reply, Ah Zhong messaged back.
"I trust my intuition, you coming will be fine. Zhan Zong listens to you."
"Mrs. Zhan did say some unpleasant things that day, I apologize that I can't help you."
"But I always believe she was wrong. I know Zhan Zong, Miss Jiang, Mrs. Zhan absolutely does not represent his feelings, please don't take it to heart."
"Since it's the holidays now, and you're idle at home, just consider it repaying a small favor to Zhan Zong, come and see him."
"I'm truly afraid something will happen if he continues like this, please, I'm begging you."
Anyone would be moved by such earnest pleas.
Especially since it was Ah Zhong, whom Jiang Nan Fang had always had a good impression of.
Besides, Zhan Bei Jue had been injured this time for her sake, and it would be somewhat unreasonable not to visit him.
Jiang Nan Fang wavered.
But she wouldn't admit it verbally.
"I'll say when I'm in a better mood."
Putting down her phone, she grabbed her clothes and sniffed them; they reeked of alcohol.
Jiang Nan Fang first went to the bathroom to wash up, then came out to change.
Her eyes were a bit puffy from drinking and sleeping excessively these past few days, and her complexion wasn't good.
She even found herself inexplicably putting on a bit of makeup before grabbing her bag and driving to the hospital.
Ah Zhong hadn't told her the room number, but Zhan Bei Jue's name was not difficult to inquire about.
Jiang Nan Fang easily found the entrance to the VIP ward.
Stepping out of the elevator and into the corridor, she immediately saw two women who looked like nannies standing outside the ward.
Inside, the sound of porcelain shattering could be heard, along with Zhan Bei Jue's furious roars.
"Get out! I'm not eating! I don't want to see anyone, don't bother me! All of you, get out, stay away from me!"
Hadn't he just recovered from his injuries? How could he have so much energy? Yelling and smashing things?
Jiang Nan Fang approached the ward door with a sense of curiosity.
Just then, Ah Zhong came out.
Their eyes met, and seeing Jiang Nan Fang arrive, Ah Zhong's joy was evident.
"Miss Jiang, you're here!"
Jiang Nan Fang smiled and asked, "What's going on? Who upset him to make him so angry?"
"It's nothing, nothing," Ah Zhong said excitedly.
"He just accidentally knocked some things over, I'll clean it up."
After speaking, he gestured to the two people at the door to leave.
They nodded at Jiang Nan Fang and turned away.
He then ushered Jiang Nan Fang into the room.
"I'm sorry, the floor is a bit dirty. You go in first, I'll get something to clean it with right away. You can keep Zhan Zong company for now."
"Zhan Zong, look, Miss Jiang is here!"
Jiang Nan Fang entered and looked at the hospital bed.
Zhan Bei Jue was wearing his usual hospital gown, his face pale, his lips as dry as parched earth that hadn't been watered in centuries, cracked and fissured.
He leaned against the headboard, looking extremely fatigued, appearing gravely ill.
Even in this state, he still had the energy to yell at people?
Jiang Nan Fang walked over, her tone teasing, "Where are you injured? I heard you were very badly hurt a few days ago, are you feeling better now?"
Seeing her, Zhan Bei Jue felt a surge of emotion, but his expression remained impassive.
He even arrogantly closed his eyelids: "Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang. I won't die for now."
"You, who are so busy with state affairs, how do you have time to visit today?"
Jiang Nan Fang wasn't foolish; she could tell he was blaming her.
*I took such a big hit for you, and now you're only coming to see me? How ungrateful.*
*This damn guy? Even at a time like this, he still has the mood to be sarcastic?*
"Why are your lips so dry? Are you thirsty? Shall I pour you a glass of water?"
Just then, Ah Zhong came in with a mop. Hearing Jiang Nan Fang's words, he said pitifully,
"Zhan Zong woke up yesterday morning, and since then, he hasn't had a single drop of water."
"The doctor said his injuries don't affect his eating, but he absolutely refuses to eat."
"Look, Mrs. Zhan just had chicken soup sent over, and he threw it away without even smelling it. Miss Jiang, please try to persuade him properly."
Zhan Bei Jue lifted his eyelids and glared at Ah Zhong with extreme disdain.
"You talk too much. What's it to you whether I eat or not? How dare you boss me around now, you've gone too far."