After Stealing a Kiss from My Sponsor Sister - Chapter 27

“How did you get in here?”

While Jiang Ya was fetching clothes for Yu Shuang, the latter finally remembered to ask.

“Oh!”

Jiang Ya also recalled the phone call at the entrance.

After explaining it to Yu Shuang, she set the clothes aside and turned to fetch Miss Yu’s phone.

Tan Xiao had already called several times and sent multiple messages. Yu Shuang skimmed through them before calling back, cutting straight to the point: “Choose options 1 and 4. Try to negotiate as much as possible, but the bottom line is the number we discussed last time. If it goes beyond that, drop it.”

After summarizing everything in one sentence, she coughed twice and realized her voice was hoarse, dry and painful: “I have a fever and am heading to the hospital. We’ll talk about the rest after my temperature goes down, alright?”

Tan Xiao laughed heartlessly on the other end, her voice grating. Yu Shuang turned on the speakerphone in annoyance.

“I told you this wouldn’t work.”

“Taking a long-haul flight right after work, hahaha, your body isn’t as tough as your mouth, is it?”

Yu Shuang’s eyelids drooped wearily. “Are you done?”

Tan Xiao stopped laughing and turned serious. “Should I send your assistant over?”

Both of them had work assistants, but as young women in the arts industry, their schedules were often chaotic and nonstop. Over time, their assistants had become something like part-time personal aides.

Yu Shuang instinctively looked up and met Jiang Ya’s gaze.

The girl pursed her lips and softly offered, “I’m actually pretty good at taking care of people.”

Yu Shuang smiled and replied to Tan Xiao, “Not necessary for now. She’s been following my schedule too. I’ll call her if I need her.”

“OK!”

Tan Xiao hung up.

By the time the call ended, Jiang Ya had gathered the clothes.

“Change into something without metal decorations. Aside from silk, you can pick whatever you think fits.” Yu Shuang pushed aside unsuitable tops, too exhausted to think about coordination, and simply delegated the task to Jiang Ya.

“Would sportswear work?” Jiang Ya called out from halfway inside Yu Shuang’s walk-in closet.

Receiving no reply, her phone buzzed with a message.

Yu Shuang’s throat hurt, so she texted: 【Sure】

In the end, she changed into a loose outfit. As Yu Shuang descended the stairs, the aroma of food greeted her. At some point, Jiang Ya had reheated breakfast. Padding downstairs in slippers, she saw Jiang Ya’s head pop out from the kitchen, her straight hair cascading like silk ribbons.

“Miss Yu, there’s congee, eggs, steamed buns, and shaomai. Have a little before going to the hospital, alright? Do you have an appetite?”

“The food around hospitals is terrible. If we go now, we might not find anything you like.”

Yu Shuang considered it. “I’ll try.”

Her head was foggy, and she wasn’t sure if she could eat.

But the girl could eat first before taking her to the hospital, so she wouldn’t have to manage things on an empty stomach—lest it look like Yu Shuang was exploiting child labor.

Jiang Ya worked efficiently, and soon the table was filled with steaming breakfast dishes.

Yu Shuang took a few sips of congee and a bite of a bun, but the greasy taste made her nauseous, and she spat it out.

The bun in front of her was quickly replaced with brown sugar steamed bread, thoughtfully torn into small pieces. “Try this instead. It’s not greasy.”

Yu Shuang managed to eat a few small pieces.

She finished most of the congee but couldn’t force down any more and set down her chopsticks.

Jiang Ya was still eating and didn’t pressure her. “If you’re done, go sit on the sofa for a bit. I’ll eat quickly and be ready soon.”

Yu Shuang reached out her hand.

Jiang Ya looked puzzled.

She flipped her hand and crooked a finger. The child hesitated, then tentatively leaned her head forward, mouth still stuffed with half a bun.

Yu Shuang patted Jiang Ya’s head. “No need to rush. Take your time eating.”

“…Oh.”

Her eyes flickered, suddenly too timid to meet Miss Yu’s gaze.

Twenty minutes later, after checking the weather forecast and grabbing a warm coat for Yu Shuang, the two stepped out.

–

At the doctor’s office, the examination revealed a mercury thermometer reading of 39.5°C.

High fever.

Originally, the doctor had only planned to prescribe medication, but after seeing the chest X-ray, they immediately changed their tune—the infection was severe, and hospitalization was strongly recommended.

Jiang Ya looked at Yu Shuang, who instructed her to take a photo of the X-ray. After fiddling with her phone for a moment, Yu Shuang sighed. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Ya was puzzled. “No hospitalization? The doctor said you need IV fluids immediately to control the infection…”

Yu Shuang, weak and barely audible, replied, “We will. Just not here.”

She couldn’t bear the thought of staying in a third-tier hospital.

Now that they knew the problem, they might as well go private.

The entire day was spent at the hospital. Once the admission was settled and the IV drip started, Yu Shuang collapsed onto the pillow and fell asleep.

Jiang Ya compiled the previous medical records, organized the new hospital’s test reports, and neatly filed them in the drawer. She then went to ask the attending physician about the treatment plan before returning to the ward to tidy up. After pulling the thin blanket over Miss Yu, it was already past two in the afternoon when she finally went out to grab food.

While waiting for her meal, she got a call from the housekeeper, asking where they were and whether she should still prepare dinner. Jiang Ya truthfully explained the situation and asked her to make something light—she’d pick it up in the afternoon—before hanging up.

When she returned to the ward, Yu Shuang was already sitting up, though she still looked sickly and drained. Jiang Ya said, “The doctor says you’ll need to stay about a week. I’m going home to get some things. Are you hungry now? I can go buy whatever you’d like.”

Yu Shuang shook her head.

The fever made her feel like her bones were aching, unbearably uncomfortable.

“Then I’ll ask the doctor to prescribe some glucose to add to the IV.”

“Fine.”

The kid left again.

After a few trips back and forth, Yu Shuang felt drowsy once more. Jiang Ya murmured something beside her, but she couldn’t quite make it out, the words blurring together.

Just before the kid left, though, Yu Shuang called out to her. “Set up call forwarding on my phone to yours. If relatives or friends ask, tell them I’m sick. If it’s work-related, compile it into text and send it to me.”

Jiang Ya hesitated, but Yu Shuang urged, “What are you waiting for? You think I can take calls like this?”

Once Jiang Ya set it up and left, she glanced back at the door—Yu Shuang’s face was already buried in the blankets, eyes closed.

Closing the door softly, Jiang Ya strode away.

After the IV brought her temperature down, Yu Shuang slept soundly. At some point, she vaguely sensed a doctor changing the IV bag, but she couldn’t open her eyes. As soon as the commotion stopped, she sank back into deep sleep.

When she woke again, the IV line had been removed, though the catheter remained in her hand.

“You’ve finished today’s dose.”

Noticing Yu Shuang’s upward glance, Jiang Ya spoke up.

“Oh.”

“I want to get up and wash my face.”

“Let me help you.”

Her limbs were still weak. The private single room was well-equipped, and while Jiang Ya tested the water temperature, Yu Shuang realized her toothbrush and towel were already laid out.

“I got them from the housekeeper. I also brought an electric kettle, a thermos, and cups…”

“Mhm.”

A warm, freshly wrung towel was handed to her. Yu Shuang wiped her face, and under the bright lights, the child’s gaze was earnest. As she handed the towel back, Yu Shuang instinctively remarked, “You really are quite good at taking care of people.”

Jiang Ya smiled brightly and said, “Elderly folks always have their little ailments.”

Ah, so it was experience gained from caring for her grandmother.

Yu Shuang nodded. After washing her face a second time, she handed the towel back to Jiang Ya, who simply kept her head down and focused on the task.

It wasn’t until they returned to the ward that Yu Shuang realized the items Jiang Ya had mentioned earlier were just the few things she had brought along.

Two pillows—complete with pillowcases.

Her spare clothes, pants, and socks were also packed.

When she got into bed, Yu Shuang noticed the slippers she was wearing had been brought from home, neatly placed right under the bed.

“Did you just move my entire house here?” Yu Shuang asked, amused.

Jiang Ya poured her a glass of water, her expression serious. “No, just the essentials. Things like blankets and mattresses—the hospital has sterilization regulations, so we can’t bring those. We have to use theirs.”

“…You even asked about that?”

Jiang Ya’s eyes darted to the side. “Had to make sure I knew the rules.”

“Wow, impressive.”

Jiang Ya flushed slightly, but she was also a little pleased.

That afternoon, Jiang Ya received several calls. The first couple were from people who’d just heard Yu Shuang was sick, but soon, the calls kept coming—likely spreading among friends. Most just asked about her condition and the hospital before hanging up.

Work matters had been relayed to Tan Xiao, who handled third-party contacts, and Yu Shuang had forwarded everything to her directly.

By evening, Jiang Ya hesitated about staying overnight, but Yu Shuang shooed her away.

“I’m not used to sharing a room. Go home and rest—you can bring me breakfast tomorrow.”

Only after ensuring Yu Shuang was settled did Jiang Ya leave, and it was already late.

On the way back, she finally had time to check her group chats and reply to the friends who’d been tagging her about yesterday’s events.

Just as she stepped through her front door, another call came in. Jiang Ya answered without thinking, only to hear a familiar voice.

It was the gentleman she’d met at the mansion on her first day in the capital—Yu Shuang’s ex-fiancé, the one who seemed to have some unresolved history with her.

“Hello, I’m not Ms. Yu. She is indeed hospitalized—a lung infection with complications from high fever, but her temperature is under control now.”

There was a brief pause on the other end. “Who is this?”

“Oh, I’m a student Ms. Yu sponsors.”

“You’ve been staying at her place? Not at school?”

“…I rent off-campus. I just come back on weekends. Ms. Yu says the meals the housekeeper makes are more nutritious than takeout.”

The call ended.

Abruptly.

Weird.

By the time Jiang Ya finished freshening up, the same number called again.

Fine, she hadn’t meant to memorize it—she’d just glanced at it earlier and remembered.

“Hello, sir, is there anything else you need?”

“The hospital and room number where Yu Shuang is staying—could you text them to me?”

Jiang Ya agreed, and the call disconnected once more.

The next day, Jiang Ya packed breakfast and lunch to bring to Yu Shuang. Starting from mid-morning, the ward saw a steady stream of visitors.

At noon, Jiang Ya took a nap on the accompanying bed.

Later, she went home to pick up the dinner the housekeeper had prepared.

On her return trip, she’d just set down the two insulated containers when He Minqian—the man from yesterday’s call—unexpectedly showed up.

In his hands was a large, exquisitely wrapped bouquet of flowers.

They looked expensive.

Jiang Ya: “…”

Yu Shuang, feeling slightly better today, tilted her head in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you were sick, so I thought I’d drop by since I was in the area.”

Yu Shuang burst into laughter. “This place is in the complete opposite direction of the He Corporation headquarters. Really, Young Master He? That’s your idea of ‘in the area’?”

He Minqian’s expression stiffened slightly, and he replied gruffly, “I was at a branch office today.”

“Which branch is around here? Name one, I’d love to hear it.”

Jiang Ya: “…” She got it—he had come specifically to see her.

Instead of answering, He Minqian glanced at the medicine bottle and changed the subject. “Where should I put the flowers?”

“Give them to Xiao Ya.”

Jiang Ya reached out to take them, but He Minqian didn’t hand them over. “Just tell me where to put them, I’ll do it.”

“On the balcony.”

To her surprise, He Minqian actually walked over and placed them there.

Jiang Ya: “…”

After an awkward silence, Yu Shuang sent Jiang Ya out to buy something. Reluctantly, she left.

Knowing Yu Shuang was trying to get rid of her, Jiang Ya quickly finished her errand and returned. Instead of going back into the hospital room, she sat on the bench outside, catching her breath and straining to listen.

The door was slightly ajar, and neither of them bothered to lower their voices.

He Minqian spoke first. “Your assistant told me you took a red-eye flight back to the country after working nonstop for over ten hours. You were supposed to rest when you got back, but then you got called to this kid’s school instead.”

Jiang Ya froze.

That had been the original plan?

She was sharp and had always kept track of Yu Shuang’s schedule. Now that He Minqian mentioned it, she pieced together the timeline—it was true.

A wave of guilt suddenly washed over her, drowning her in regret.

She traced circles on the wooden bench with her finger, her gaze darkening, her chest tight.

He Minqian’s tone was serious, but Yu Shuang sounded displeased. “Why is she telling you everything? Is she your assistant or mine?”

“…Well, I was the one who connected you with her in the first place. We still have some personal ties.”

“Then I’ll have to remind her about boundaries later.”

“…”

Realizing he had said too much, He Minqian dropped the subject.

Yu Shuang pressed on. “What’s wrong with going to the school? What are you trying to say?”

He Minqian sighed. “You’re just her sponsor, not her legal guardian. You don’t have to go this far.”

Outside, Jiang Ya bit her lip, mentally adding this to her grudge list. She perked up her ears, eager to hear how Yu Shuang would respond.

Yu Shuang didn’t answer directly. “I was the one who brought her to the capital.”

“So you feel responsible for everything?”

“And what’s with that tone?” Yu Shuang retorted. “Don’t forget, I wasn’t familiar with domestic charity projects back then. I wasn’t even planning to get involved until you introduced me to her and helped draft the sponsorship contract. When the city kept calling me about the problem, I didn’t even come after you—that was already me being generous!”

Jiang Ya was stunned. She hadn’t known about this backstory.

He Minqian had heard about the contract termination much later, long after Yu Shuang had resolved everything.

His voice softened. “I’m not blaming you. I just meant that you’re already swamped with company matters…”

Yu Shuang cut him off. “Thanks. And if your memory is still intact, you’d remember exactly why I’ve been buried in company work lately.”

“…”

Because their engagement had been called off.

The He family had pressured the Yu family, and Yu Shuang had been caught in the crossfire.

He Minqian fell completely silent.

After a long pause, he murmured, “I’m sorry.”

Yu Shuang raised a hand. “Stop. I don’t want to hear it. I’m not accusing you of anything.”

This had been her choice, after all.

She had known the risks—and she accepted the consequences.

“I mean, you shouldn’t judge Jiang Ya either. The kid has been taking good care of me these past couple of days.”

Jiang Ya’s heart instantly softened with a bittersweet ache.

He Minqian asked, “Didn’t the school call you in because she got into a fight and they needed to notify her guardian?”

Seeing He Minqian’s serious expression, Yu Shuang chuckled. “So they told you about that too? Seems like my assistant needs a little reprimanding.”

“It was a misunderstanding. It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“…Didn’t it escalate all the way to court?”

Yu Shuang was genuinely surprised this time. He Minqian turned his head away, uncomfortable under her gaze. “It wasn’t your assistant who told me.”

“I know. I haven’t told her yet.”

“My assistant looked into the fight at the high school and followed the trail. That’s how I found out… The kid you’re sponsoring isn’t exactly a pushover.”

Jiang Ya clenched her jaw.

Grudge, grudge, grudge.

But Yu Shuang’s response took her by surprise. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“What?”

“Not being a pushover is good. The kind get bullied. If I could be a little more ruthless, I wouldn’t be in such a passive position now.”

He Minqian gave her a helpless look. “You and her are different.”

Yu Shuang: “We are different. I not only have the Yu family behind me, but at the very least, I have Ms. Wen as a safety net. Even if I’m not on the Wen family’s trust list, the inheritance Ms. Wen leaves me would be enough for me to live lavishly for the rest of my life.”

“But you have to understand, not everyone has the privilege of being kind.”

He Minqian: “…”

Yu Shuang: “Besides, being slandered isn’t the victim’s fault. What did she do wrong?”

Her tone was casual.

No different from asking what was for breakfast or lunch—completely unruffled.

Yet it was precisely this casualness that truly reflected the speaker’s unwavering belief in her words.

What did she do wrong?

Miss Yu didn’t think it was her fault.

Not at all.

Bang.

It felt like Jiang Ya’s heart had been shot.

A bullseye.

Setting off waves of uncontrollable palpitations.

Impossible to suppress.

And impossible to calm again.

Miss Yu.

Miss Yu…

Jiang Ya silently repeated the name.

Like a private incantation meant only for her.

She hugged her knees, curling up on the long chair, burying her face in them. Her chest felt tight, her eyes warm.