"Who did you run off with? What happened to that conviction of yours, to protect her for a lifetime? Where is it now?"
Chen Dongyang was utterly speechless. With a heavy expression, he glanced at Tiantian, paused for a few seconds, and then said,
"Could I trouble you to look after her for me for two days? Just two days, and I promise I'll be back. I swear it."
Chen Jiaojiao gasped on the other end of the phone.
"No way, Chen Dongyang? I didn't believe her at first. You might not be a good man, but you wouldn't be irresponsible... Have you really changed your mind? Who are you with now? What are you doing for these two days? People are dying here, and you're still in the mood to mess around? How could I have a brother like you!"
Tiantian wasn't foolish. From his expression and the one-sided conversation, she guessed what was happening on the other end of the phone.
Seeing Chen Dongyang hesitate to speak, she took the initiative to speak.
"Did something happen? If it's really necessary, we can go back. It's not like we have to go on this trip."
"No," Chen Dongyang said firmly.
"I promised you a week, and I must stick to it. No matter what, I need to spend two days carrying out our plan."
"Sis, don't ask too many questions for now. I'll give you a proper explanation when I get back. Just help me look after her for two days, please. I'm begging you."
Chen Jiaojiao heard the female voice on this end and was utterly speechless. She sneered on the phone.
"I must have owed you in a past life, Chen Dongyang, you scumbag! Fine, since I'm unlucky enough to be your sister, I'll help you for another two days."
"Let's be clear beforehand. If anything irreversible happens, don't blame me when I get back. Our sibling bond ends here after these two days. I won't deal with your mess anymore. Get lost and stay far away from me."
With that, Chen Jiaojiao hung up the phone first.
Chen Dongyang sat back on the bed, staring at the floor for a few seconds. He then lay down beside Tiantian, took her hand, and placed it on his face.
"Tiantian, I'm sorry..."
Seeing his heavy and tired appearance, Tiantian's heart ached.
They had overestimated themselves, thinking they were as carefree as they imagined. But facing separation, words couldn't express the loss and sadness in their hearts.
"There's nothing to be sorry about. Don't say silly things."
At this point, she could only pretend to be strong, using a carefree demeanor to lessen his pain.
"Don't say sorry. I'm willing. You don't owe me anything."
"I don't want to be distracted for these two days. Doubao needs you. Let's go back."
Since neither of them could sleep with their hearts heavy, they decided to leave for Nancheng that very night.
No one was in the mood to talk along the way.
Chen Longyang held her hand tightly as he drove, wishing the road would never end, that it would stretch on forever. He didn't want to part with Tiantian.
It was strange. He had dated so many times before, and breakups never felt like this. But now, after only two months, he could barely breathe.
However, despite his reluctance, they had reached their destination.
Zeng Hui was very agitated, crying about drinking medicine and wanting to jump off the building. Chen Jiaojiao, fearing something might happen, stayed at the hospital to personally watch over her.
After sending Chen Dongyang the address, she went to wait at the entrance of the inpatient department.
When she saw him walking towards her, holding the hand of a slender girl, her mind exploded.
She couldn't believe her eyes. She looked again and again, and again, until Tiantian greeted her.
"Auntie Jiaojiao."
Their hands were still clasped. Chen Jiaojiao wasn't foolish. After a moment of speechlessness, she realized what had happened and slapped Chen Dongyang across the face.
"You dog! Haven't you caused enough trouble? You're actually setting your sights on her? Do you know who she is? Chen Dongyang, are you trying to die?"
She put all her strength into the slap, leaving five red finger marks on Chen Dongyang's face.
Tiantian watched, her heart pounding, and quickly reached out to cover his face.
"Auntie Jiaojiao, what are you doing?"
Chen Jiaojiao looked at her again with anger.
"Tiantian, you're not surprised to see me at all. Did you already know about my relationship with him?"
"You... do you know what relationship Chen Dongyang has with the woman lying upstairs? Are you stupid?"
"Although he's somewhat attractive, he's not suitable for you! Your parents look down on people like him, and he can't give you the life you want. With so many talented young men in Nancheng, why are you doing this?"
Ever since she learned that his sister was Chen Jiaojiao, Tiantian had prepared herself for this moment.
Although this was the first time Chen Jiaojiao had reprimanded her since childhood, she felt it was justified, so she didn't talk back.
She just looked at Chen Dongyang with concern again.
"Auntie Jiaojiao, I've grown up. I'm not a child anymore. I know what I'm doing. Chen Dongyang didn't lie to me or harm me. Please don't be so agitated."
Seeing her concern for him, it was clear she was deeply in love.
Chen Jiaojiao was not only speechless but also terrified.
Her unpromising brother had harmed Zhan Beijue's beloved daughter!
If they were just casually playing around, it would be fine. But it was clearly not the case now.
He wanted Zhan Beijue's daughter to be the third party, and to be defeated by such a crazy woman. She couldn't even imagine what would happen if Jiang Nanfang found out. How could she face her as a friend?
Sighing, she calmed herself and decided to try and persuade Tiantian.
"Tiantian, let go of him, come here, Auntie wants to talk to you for a moment."
Tiantian knew with her toes what she was going to say – it would be about analyzing the pros and cons and urging her to leave Chen Dongyang as soon as possible.
So, she didn't let go and didn't go with Chen Jiaojiao.
"I know what you want to say, and I know what you're worried about. There's no need, Auntie Jiaojiao. We're not what you think we are."
"I'll only see him off here. I won't go upstairs, and I won't have any further contact with him. My parents won't know either. You can rest assured."
What? Chen Jiaojiao couldn't understand them anymore.
"You two are not what I think you are? So, you both know it's impossible, but you're just casually playing around?"
"Jiang Jingtiian, if I'm not mistaken, this is your first love. Are you so casually choosing to play around with your first love?"
Everything she said was correct, and Tiantian agreed. "You can understand it that way."
Chen Jiaojiao was so angry she laughed.
"I used to always criticize your parents for overprotecting you and Ge'er. How can a child this old still be confined? Now I finally understand. They shouldn't have let you out. You're too naive, Tiantian."
Tiantian didn't agree with this.
"He didn't cheat me out of money, nor did he deceive me with his looks. It was all my own willingness. It has nothing to do with whether I'm naive or not."
Chen Jiaojiao was speechless again.
"You two are in the throes of passion right now, thinking your love is superior to all else. You won't listen to anything I say, so I won't say anything more. Just know what you're doing."