After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 30.2

Just after seven in the morning, a Rolls-Royce Phantom silently glided into a parking space outside the hospital.

In June, the city was oppressively hot, though the heat was subtle, yet the noise was overwhelming.

Unlike the deep mountains, the gentle breeze here carried the scent of exhaust fumes and dust. Even the loudest sounds in the mountains were crisp and clear, the air fragrant with pine, cypress, and fir.

Aunt Wan parked the car and, her hand still on the steering wheel, hesitated before asking, “Miss Lan didn’t inform us she was hospitalized. Visiting her unannounced would be impolite. Perhaps we should call ahead first?”

In the back seat, Tan You’s pale, weary face was bathed in the soft morning light. Her eyes were closed, and the sharp profile of her face was accentuated by the blue light-blocking glasses she wore.

“There’s no need,” she replied.

She didn’t want to tell Aunt Wan that after repeatedly sending “true love” emojis to no avail, she had tried calling Lan Jingli, only to be met with a cold, mechanical voice repeatedly announcing that the line was busy.

After searching Google and Baidu for hours, she had finally concluded that her number had been blocked.

“But it’s still impolite,” Aunt Wan murmured, her voice barely audible. Tan You had been acting somewhat uncharacteristically lately.

First, her meticulously maintained routine of over a decade had been disrupted by all-nighters at work. Then, she had spaced out during a senior management meeting.

These incidents were minor, almost trivial, but as someone who had been by Tan You’s side for years, Aunt Wan knew they were significant.

As for the specific problem, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

*********

The public hospital was bustling with activity, already packed by 7 a.m. When Tan You arrived at Lan Jingli’s room, the girl was still sound asleep in bed.

Morning light streamed through the slightly ajar curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow. A thin layer of light fell across Lan Jingli’s pale, youthful face, revealing an indescribable beauty.

Tan You stood quietly by the bed, holding six bright red and adorable wax apples. Her ink-black eyes, clear as water, remained fixed on Lan Jingli without wavering.

A thirst that had long lain dormant within her suddenly surged forth, making her already pale complexion appear even more fragile.

In truth, Tan You had never seen Lan Jingli asleep. Despite their many intimate encounters, they had never shared a pillow.

Now, she realized that Lan Jingli looked remarkably docile and peaceful in her sleep. But due to her illness, her brows remained furrowed, and her usually vibrant lips had lost much of their color.

Tan You’s originally detached and solemn expression gradually softened, replaced by an unconscious tenderness.

Her movements were slow and gentle as she gazed at Lan Jingli. Her slender, pale fingers lightly brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across the girl’s cheek.

Lan Jingli’s dark, thick eyelashes framed her vivid eyes, making her features striking. Tan You tentatively touched her forehead, relieved to find she wasn’t feverish.

Tucking the blanket around her, Tan You felt Lan Jingli, still half-conscious in her illness, nuzzle her hand with unconscious dependence. A subtle smile curved Tan You’s lips as memories of their last intimate encounter flooded her mind.

The tactile sensations, the visual feast, and that indescribable pleasure…

She remembered how her body had burned with desire, her mind hazy with arousal. Lan Jingli’s fingertips had casually brushed her lips, then slipped deeper between the soft flesh, teasing the tip of her tongue.

Each kiss had been utterly satisfying, lingering, tender, and exquisitely gentle.

Just recalling these moments made Tan You’s breath quicken, her eyes misting over with a hazy intoxication. Her slender fingers crept up Lan Jingli’s pale neck, yearning to draw her closer.

Until… Tan You’s gaze fell upon a vase of roses on the wooden cabinet.

Black Magic Roses, their petals deep and velvety, layered upon layered like silk. Fresh morning dew still clung to their fragrant, intoxicating blooms.

Tan You knew the flower’s symbolism well: tenderness and love, representing the courage and determination of love.

“The courage and determination of love…” Tan You repeated inwardly, letting out a soft scoff.

She barely needed to think to guess who had sent them.

A moment later, she noticed a pale pink card nestled among the vibrant, dew-kissed petals. It read: “Get well soon, Jingli!” and was signed:

With love, Wen Fei.

A strange emotion surged through her, jolting Tan You awake. She stared fixedly at Lan Jingli and the bouquet.

Still half-asleep, Lan Jingli caught the familiar, clean, and refreshing scent of greenery.

When she finally managed to pry open her heavy eyelids, she saw Tan You, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, staring intently at… the roses. The woman’s pale, slender hands were impeccably clean, devoid of any jewelry.

Lan Jingli’s voice was hoarse and cold, radiating a chilling distance. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re sick. I was worried.”

“Thank you,” Lan Jingli replied stiffly.

“Li Li, remember you said you wanted to try rose apples? I picked some myself and brought them for you.”

“Rose apples…” Lan Jingli’s thoughts moved sluggishly. She stared at the bright red fruit for several moments before the memory slowly surfaced.

She had seen the rose apple tree at the mountain villa in December. Even in the warm, humid greenhouse, the white-green blossoms had bloomed profusely, their delicate stamens scattering like rain with every breeze.

Back then, she and Tan You had been strolling together, promising to taste the rose apples’ full, rose-like fragrance when they ripened.

But now it was June—the season had long passed.

“Do you want to try one now? I brought breakfast. I’ll feed you a little, then you can have a rose apple.”

Lan Jingli gazed at Tan You, her eyes filled with confusion.

She had always believed she was nothing more than dust, a burden, a nuisance, a plaything, or mud clinging to the sole of Tan You’s shoe—something to be avoided at all costs.

So what was this now?

Had the pet wandered too far and finally needed to be coaxed back with food?

“Thank you for visiting, but there’s no need,” she said calmly, her expression serene, as if her heart held only the weary resignation of being pursued, without a trace of lingering emotion. “I thought we made things clear that day.”

“Li Li, I don’t need your gratitude.”

After a moment of confusion, Lan Jingli realized Tan You was responding to her words from that day:

“I hope we never see each other again after this. If you can do that, I’ll be grateful.”

In this moment, perhaps because of the IV drip, her mind was unusually clear. She spoke slowly and deliberately:

“Tan You, our connection wasn’t as deep as I imagined. It was only a year, and we spent less than a month together in total.”

It had all been her own naive delusion, a reckless belief that love was an unstoppable force.

But what she’d mistaken for love was nothing more than foolish infatuation. She’d charged blindly forward, only to collide with the cold, unyielding core of Tan You’s being. The impact had been brutal, piercing her heart and tearing through her bones, leaving bl00d splattered everywhere.

Fortunately, she was working hard to heal her wounds, and the process was progressing well.

Tan You’s gaze flickered between Lan Jingli and the bouquet of Black Magic Roses, her eyes half-lidded as she murmured, “Whatever you want, I’ll give you anything I can.”

She had believed that if she gave Lan Jingli enough time, the girl would obediently fall into line.

Tan You knew she didn’t love Lan Jingli, but in certain ways, only Lan Jingli suited her.

“Tan You,” Lan Jingli scoffed, “didn’t you say you wanted to play for keeps?”

The elegant, aloof woman stood silently by the bed, the fiery red roses beside her blazing like flames. Her striking beauty and deep, enigmatic eyes gave her an almost supernatural allure, like an elusive ghost.

Just then, a joyful voice rang out from the doorway.

“Youyou, you came to see me so soon?” Wei Xueyin’s face lit up with delight. Tan You had been so busy lately that they hadn’t had time to discuss their engagement plans or even meet, leaving Wei Xueyin deeply frustrated.

She stood bathed in the soft light, her expression radiating pure joy. But as she stepped closer and saw Lan Jingli on the bed, her smile froze on her face.

“Lan Jingli, what are you doing here?”

Seeing the look of utter alarm on Wei Xueyin’s face, Lan Jingli couldn’t help but smile. She drawled lazily, “This is a hospital, after all. Anyone who’s sick can come here.”

Wei Xueyin was speechless, only managing a weak, “Ah,” utterly deflated.

Watching Tan You stand by the bedside, radiating concern like a devoted lover visiting their sick partner, Wei Xueyin’s anger and unease simmered, growing increasingly unbearable.

Finally, Wei Xueyin, her voice brimming with hope, blurted out, “Youyou, you’re here for me, right? You just got the wrong room, didn’t you?”

Since Wei Xueyin’s arrival, Tan You’s brow had been subtly furrowed. Hearing such an absurd question, she initially wanted to dismiss it outright. But then her gaze fell on the rose petal, and she changed her mind.

Before this moment, Tan You had never told a lie in her life, let alone such a childish one.

“Mm, I accidentally came to the wrong room.”

Wei Xueyin let out a long sigh of relief, reaching out to take Tan You’s hand. “Youyou, let’s go then. I’m being discharged today. There’s a new French restaurant that just opened—want to try it out together?”

“Mm,” Tan You replied casually, glancing down at Lan Jingli with a condescending look. She tried to discern any flicker of emotion on the woman’s face, but her efforts were futile, revealing only Lan Jingli’s impassive indifference.

“Let’s go, let’s go. There’s nothing good about staying in the hospital. I saw another pair of matching rings the other day—I’ll show them to you later and see if you like them.”

The dense morning fog had completely dissipated under the clear morning light, illuminating the hospital room as if exposing the shadows lurking in everyone’s hearts.

Tan You’s jade-like complexion, cool and refined, glowed with a snow-like radiance in the sunlight.

“Xueyin, you go ahead. I have something else to take care of first.”

Wei Xueyin stepped forward, wanting to confront Tan You, but she lacked the courage and the right to do so. She could only nod mutely.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you downstairs. You… hurry up.” She shot Lan Jingli one last resentful glare, unable to understand why this woman was still appearing before Tan You.

Or why Tan You would still seek out Lan Jingli.

Lan Jingli’s IV drip had finished. She rang for a nurse to remove the needle. Throughout the process, Tan You remained silently by her side, drawing frequent glances from the young nurse on duty, who marveled inwardly at the woman’s cold yet striking beauty.

*******

Moments later, the quiet outside the hospital room was broken by the sound of three approaching sets of footsteps. Wei Yixi led the way, her voice preceding her arrival.

“Jingli, look! I brought Wen Fei and Chen Jiayang to see you. Aren’t you happy? They said they want to take you to the amusement park and then have roast whole lamb…”

Before Lan Jingli could respond, Tan You’s calm voice cut in.

“There’s no need, thank you for your kindness. It’s best not to eat anything too greasy while you’re sick. I’ll have the chef prepare a nutritious meal for her.”

Wen Fei, who had been looking down, startled at the sudden interruption. “Chairman Tan, what are you doing here again?”

Chen Jiayang, dressed in full punk attire, was even more direct, deliberately muttering to herself, “It seems our A’Jing isn’t exactly thrilled to see Chairman Tan.”

The room fell into a silence so profound that the sound of everyone’s heartbeats seemed to fill the air.

The three newcomers politely greeted Chairman Tan, offering a perfunctory acknowledgment. Tan You, however, remained composed, showing no embarrassment at being caught.

“Hello,” she replied calmly.

Wei Yixi chuckled awkwardly, attempting to smooth things over by asking about Lan Jingli’s condition.

“How are you feeling? What did the doctor say?”

“Much better. They prescribed some antiviral cold medicine. I just need to take it for a few days.”

The room fell silent again. Wei Yixi felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, a lump in her throat, haunted by a ghost. Tan You’s gaze was too deep, too cold, making her even more confused about what was really going on.

Why would someone who’s already engaged come to their ex’s hospital room? Is there something wrong with her?

Is she putting on this gentle, beautiful act to keep Lan Jingli on the hook, or is she secretly plotting something?

Is this still the same Chairman Tan who always kept to herself, mysterious and unpredictable, and notoriously cold-hearted?

Wei Yixi wondered if Tan You’s rare public appearances had led to exaggerated rumors.

Wen Fei pointed to the roses on the bedside table and asked without thinking, “If I order these online, would you like them? I even added a card.”

Tan You watched as Lan Jingli gave her the first genuine, radiant smile of the day. She replied naturally, “I love them. They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“You have to remember to get me flowers too,” Wen Fei emphasized.

“Of course,” Tan You replied.

Chen Jiayang popped a strawberry-flavored bubblegum into her mouth and, without waiting for permission, fed one to Lan Jingli. “Doesn’t eating something sweet make you feel alive again, instead of like you’ve bumped into a ghost?”

Wei Yixi glanced at Tan You’s expression, deeply suspecting Chen Jiayang was implying Tan You was the ghost.

“Here’s that strawberry candy you wanted earlier,” Lan Jingli said, remembering Chen Jiayang mentioning she’d bought some and put them in her pocket. She handed them over.

“Wow, you’re so sweet!” Chen Jiayang shook the box of candy, making it jingle. “I might just fall in love with you.”

As this banter continued, everyone was overwhelmed by Tan You’s increasingly icy and murderous aura. Their minds went blank, forgetting what they had wanted to say.

Only Lan Jingli remained unfazed, humming their duet love song with Wen Fei as she packed her things.

Once she was ready to leave, she politely smiled at Tan You, who was still blocking the way, and said, “Excuse me.”

Her voice was icy. “Tan You, I’m saying this again: I hope we can part amicably. I wish us both greater happiness.”

Yet Tan You gently took Lan Jingli’s hand once more, her cold, elegant composure like a white jade Guanyin statue, serene and aloof amidst the swirling chaos of the mortal world.

She leaned closer to Lan Jingli, her rose-tinted lips parting slightly, releasing a pervasive, musky-floral fragrance that filled the air.

“Li Li, it’s not that simple.”