After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 30

“That’s the whole story. I came straight from the banquet and still have some urgent matters to attend to. I’ll be leaving now.” Sang Shiyue finished recounting the evening’s events, nodded to Jian Chenyu, and left the hospital room.

It had to be said, Sang Shiyue understood Sang Shi’an perfectly.

A thousand lectures from Sang Shiyue about family discipline wouldn’t have been as effective as this single retelling of her “glorious deeds” in front of Jian Chenyu. Unable to control her himself, he simply tossed her to someone else.

Even without Jian Chenyu saying a word, this brief recitation was enough to humiliate Sang Shi’an and teach her a lasting lesson.

The hospital room door closed with a soft click, the sound of the latch falling into place unusually distinct.

After hearing Jian Zhiyan’s theory about the accident, Sang Shi’an had spent the past day and night consumed by the urge to confront Jian Zhenyang, that scoundrel. When she saw Sang Shiyue at the police station, she felt guilty and wronged, like a child who had lost a fight and ran home to tattle.

But when she faced Jian Chenyu, she felt only shame and remorse.

Her pointed ears grew increasingly red as her brother recounted the story, now burning hot. Her inner anxiety had nowhere to go. When Sang Shiyue had asked her for the reason, she could truthfully answer, but she would never admit it to Jian Chenyu.

Jian Chenyu, a lesbian, even tried to trick my brother into marrying her to steal our family’s wealth. I’m certainly not going to defend her.

Yet Sang Shi’an had done exactly that.

Before Jian Chenyu could speak, Sang Shi’an turned to flee. “I have class early tomorrow, so I’m going back to sleep. I’ll come back at noon tomorrow to give…”

“An’an,” Jian Chenyu called out gently, stopping her. “Come here.”

Sang Shi’an hesitated, then slowly shuffled over to stand by the hospital bed. “What do you want?”

Her voice sounded impatient, but the upward lilt made it sound more like she was pouting.

Jian Chenyu beckoned again. “I have something for you. Come closer.”

Reluctantly, Sang Shi’an took a few more steps until she was right beside Jian Chenyu. “What is it?”

Her eyes darted nervously, her voice hurried and anxious—classic signs of guilt, just like when she was a child. Jian Chenyu quietly observed her for a moment, then tugged Sang Shi’an’s hand, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Sang Shi’an stumbled onto the hospital bed. “What are you doing?”

Sensing the slight tremor in Sang Shi’an’s shoulders, Jian Chenyu tightened her embrace and whispered, “Thank you.”

Sang Shi’an froze, realizing Jian Chenyu was thanking her for what she had done that night. She replied generously, “It’s nothing. I was just ridding the world of evil. Those two students in the ICU—”

Jian Chenyu interrupted her. “Thank you, An’an, for protecting me.”

Her voice was so soft, and their faces were so close, that the sensation of her lips moving against the nerves around Sang Shi’an’s ear was vividly transmitted. Sang Shi’an’s words trailed off at her lips, her left ear suddenly itching fiercely.

A tingling, numbing sensation spread through her ear, which had already been warm. Now it burned hotter, draining all her strength to argue. She could only murmur, “Mm.”

“It’s been so long since anyone protected me like this,” Jian Chenyu whispered again, her voice echoing with a hint of loneliness in the vast hospital room.

Sang Shi’an had always enjoyed the feeling of being cherished by her family. As the youngest member, she naturally gave Sang Shiyue’s phone number to the police tonight, confident that he would handle everything.

It was a deep-rooted sense of reliance and trust.

But when Jian Chenyu said, “It’s been so long since anyone has protected me like this,” Sang Shi’an suddenly wanted to argue.

She quickly remembered Jian Chenyu’s complicated family structure. Although Jian Chenyu was their only daughter, her parents always prioritized the interests of the larger family. As a result, Jian Zhenyang still held the position of CEO, and even the younger members of the Jian Family dared to vie for power and profit.

And then there were Sang Shiyue’s words when she obtained evidence of Jian Zhenyang’s tampering with the laboratory: “The Jian Family will never provide evidence.”

To maintain family harmony and protect the company’s reputation, they would never expose the truth.

So, despite only suffering minor injuries, Jian Chenyu, like the other innocent students caught in the crossfire, would be denied the justice she deserved.

Even though she knew who the culprit was.

Sang Shi’an lowered her gaze to Jian Chenyu’s hospital gown, suddenly noticing how frail her shoulders looked. She was just a girl in her early twenties, not the invincible, self-assured woman she usually appeared to be.

Coupled with Jian Chenyu’s vulnerable admission, “No one has protected me in a long time,” Sang Shi’an bit her lip, feeling a sudden ache in her nose.

If Jian Chenyu is this pitiful…

Then… then I’ll let her hug me a little longer.

She gently patted Jian Chenyu’s shoulder twice and said, “I got Jian Zhenyang’s confession about the lab incident recorded. But my brother said the Jian Family probably won’t hand over the evidence to the school. We can only use it as leverage. I’ll send you a copy of the recording—use it as you see fit.”

Jian Chenyu murmured a soft acknowledgment.

Sang Shi’an continued, “You wouldn’t believe it—Jian Zhenyang’s head is a mess! My brother pinned him down and punched him so many times. He won’t be able to show his face in public for at least three months, let alone negotiate any deals.”

Jian Chenyu responded with another soft murmur, her chin pressed against Sang Shi’an’s shoulder, rubbing against it almost imperceptibly.

Sang Shi’an felt a slight itch, assuming it was just a stray strand of hair. After a moment’s thought, she offered another theory: “After going home yesterday, I realized Jian Zhenyang probably didn’t want to kill you. The timing of the light fixture falling was too unpredictable. Could he have realized you were investigating him? Like what your assistant mentioned about the backdoor listing? Maybe he deliberately created this trouble to distract you?”

“Yes,” Jian Chenyu confirmed.

Sang Shi’an had only been speculating, but she was astonished to have guessed correctly. “Am I actually analyzing business strategies now?” she exclaimed in surprise.

Jian Chenyu chuckled softly. “That’s right. Analyzing business strategies and helping Older Sister stand up for herself—An’an is so impressive.”

Her words were barely a whisper, brushing against Sang Shi’an’s ear. A wave of heat surged from her cheeks, spreading through her entire body, threatening to melt her completely.

Yet Jian Chenyu’s embrace held her captive, leaving her nowhere to escape, nowhere to hide.

Finally realizing she couldn’t endure this any longer, Sang Shi’an pushed against Jian Chenyu. “Jian Chenyu—”

“Hmm?” Jian Chenyu responded.

“Have you hugged enough?” Sang Shi’an finally snapped, unable to bear the heat any longer. She twisted her shoulders, freeing herself from Jian Chenyu’s embrace.

She had been about to tease Jian Chenyu for acting even more childish than herself, but when she looked up, those pale amber eyes met hers, their gaze clear and gentle, leaving Sang Shi’an’s mind blank.

“I…”

Sang Shi’an turned her head and pulled out her phone, speaking rapidly, “I’ll send you the recording.”

“No rush,” Jian Chenyu called after her. “I can’t use my phone these next few days anyway.”

Sang Shi’an remembered: the day she had brought Jian Chenyu lunch along with her SIM card, she had rushed off after hearing about Jian Zhenyang’s situation, leaving the SIM card in her other bag.

“Then I’ll bring it tomorrow.”

“The school sent notice that anyone who wants to return can be discharged tomorrow, so there’s no need for you to make a special trip.” Jian Chenyu paused for a moment, thoughtful. “Don’t leave yet. Your brother specifically brought you here. Shouldn’t I give you a little lecture?”

Sang Shi’an’s eyes widened in indignation, and she shoved Jian Chenyu’s left shoulder. “I went out of my way to teach those guys a lesson for you tonight, and you’re going to lecture me? Jian Chenyu, can’t you be reasonable?”

Jian Chenyu seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood tonight. She grabbed Sang Shi’an’s hand, stopping her from pushing her away, and chuckled softly, “So An’an came to stand up for me after all?”

Sang Shi’an finally realized the flaw in her words, her face flushing with embarrassment and anger. “I did it for those seniors in the ICU! Can’t I just do the right thing?”

Jian Chenyu couldn’t help but laugh. “The students next door are going to wake up from all this noise.”

“College students don’t go to bed this early,” Sang Shi’an retorted.

“True, but it’s already 10:30. Just stay here tonight, okay? The hospital has discharged us, and I plan to go back to campus for classes tomorrow morning. But my SIM card is still with you, so I can’t use my phone for payments. It’ll be really inconvenient if I need to buy anything or call a taxi,” Jian Chenyu explained. “I’m so glad you came tonight.”

Sang Shi’an felt a mix of agreement and unease. “So you’re keeping me here not to give me a lecture?”

Jian Chenyu: ……

Summoning every ounce of patience she possessed, Jian Chenyu asked, “You helped me. Why would I blame you?”

“What about my brother?” Sang Shi’an pressed.

“I won’t put you in a difficult position,” Jian Chenyu assured her.

Relieved to have settled one worry, Sang Shi’an grabbed a disposable toiletries kit and headed to the small bathroom. When she returned, she realized the hospital room only had a standard single bed, barely 1.2 meters wide.

Sang Shi’an’s reaction time was notoriously slow, and she only now belatedly felt a wave of awkwardness. Clutching her unhung coat, she stood stiffly by the bed, feeling utterly out of place.

When Jian Chenyu finished arranging the blankets and beckoned her over, Sang Shi’an instinctively took a half-step back. Jian Chenyu grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed.

“What are you doing?” Jian Chenyu’s gaze held a hint of exasperation. “How old are you? Still playing hide-and-seek before bed?”

“I… I toss and turn in my sleep. I might accidentally hit you,” Sang Shi’an stammered. Since their reunion, they had only shared a bed once, and that was in Jian Chenyu’s spacious two-meter-wide bed after Sang Shi’an had been drinking.

This hospital bed was entirely different—barely enough room for them to lie side-by-side. Even a slight movement from her could brush against Jian Chenyu.

Without hesitation, Jian Chenyu pressed Sang Shi’an’s shoulders down onto the bed and quickly tucked the blankets around them both. “It’s fine. My injury is on my right shoulder. Just sleep on my left side.”

The hospital room lights were turned off, leaving only a sliver of moonlight filtering through the window. Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Sang Shi’an stiffly turned her head to look at Jian Chenyu. She found Jian Chenyu already asleep, her long lashes resting gently on her eyelids, creating an aura of serene warmth.

Sang Shi’an shifted slightly, trying to scoot back to give Jian Chenyu more space on the bed, hoping to avoid accidentally pressing against her in her sleep.

An inch, two inches.

On her third attempt to move, Jian Chenyu turned sideways, reached out, and hooked her arm around Sang Shi’an’s waist, pulling her back and forcefully shrinking the hard-won distance into negative space.

“The bed’s small. Be careful not to fall off,” Jian Chenyu murmured.

Jian Chenyu was holding her with her right arm—the injured side. Sang Shi’an froze, mumbling a couple of indistinct replies.

They were now lying face-to-face, pressed so close that Sang Shi’an could almost hear Jian Chenyu’s heartbeat.

The warmth inside the blanket grew steadily, and Sang Shi’an’s face flushed hotter. She wanted to pull away, but she dared not move, fearing she might hurt Jian Chenyu’s injured arm.

After a few minutes, Sang Shi’an’s hand, which had given up struggling, began to feel numb under the pressure. She tried to move it downward, shifting it with excruciating slowness until she felt an exceptionally soft sensation against the back of her hand.

At first, Sang Shi’an didn’t react, assuming it was just a pillow on Jian Chenyu’s bed. Thinking she was being helpful, she tried to move the object aside.

But when her fingertips brushed against the fabric, she felt the warmth beneath. Sang Shi’an gasped, her ears flushing with heat as she stared blankly at Jian Chenyu, who had opened her eyes and was looking back at her.

In lesbian culture, would this be considered a flirtatious gesture? she suddenly wondered.

No, no, Sang Shi’an thought. This would be considered flirtatious with any girl.

What should I say? Apologize?

Would that seem too deliberate?

But saying nothing at all feels wrong too.

Awkwardly, she said to Jian Chenyu, “I thought it was a pillow. No wonder it’s so soft.”

Completely at a loss with Sang Shi’an, Jian Chenyu covered her eyes with her hand. Her voice strained, she whispered, “Just go to sleep.”