Feverish Spring Night - Chapter 18

How many of the truest words in the world are spoken under the guise of innocence?
But as Jiang Zhier met the depth in Cheng Jingwei’s eyes—dark as a still pool—she was grateful that she could still cling to that seemingly “innocent” identity.
He should also be grateful that Cantonese lyrics were never as direct and piercing as Mandarin ones.
—
The next morning.
Before dawn broke, Cheng Jingwei had already departed for the airport.
He wore a black knee-length coat over a crisp white shirt, the top button fastened meticulously. His hair was neatly combed, and the gold-rimmed glasses concealed the fatigue from a sleepless night.
Gone was the exhaustion that had weighed on him yesterday. He had once again assumed the bearing of the newly returned successor of Cheng Zhen Group—weathered by hardship, yet commanding every spotlight.
Xu Yin was waiting at the entrance.
He gave a concise update. Several departments had worked through the night, remaining on high alert—especially the technical team, who successfully intercepted a deliberate cyberattack.
Cheng Jingwei nodded. “Go back and tell everyone: if we pull through this crisis, I’ll make sure the reward satisfies every single one of them.”
He had always practiced a modern management style—valuing talent, utilizing it well, and never being stingy with rewards.
Xu Yin, who had worked closely with him abroad, knew this better than anyone. He smiled lightly. “I’ll make sure every colleague hears that.”
Then he added, “Once things stabilize here, I’ll join you overseas.”
“No need. I’m familiar with the situation there—I can handle it. You stay here.” Cheng Jingwei gave a small gesture toward Jiang Zhier’s room. “And help me look after Er’er.”
“…Alright.” Xu Yin didn’t say more.
—
It wasn’t until Jiang Zhier arrived at school that she learned how much damage Cheng Zhen Group had suffered the previous night.
The stock opened at a limit-down plunge. Financial headlines seized the top spots everywhere, and commentators pointed fingers at Cheng Jingwei—evidence, they claimed, that he was far too young and inexperienced to helm a corporation of that size.
He never once appeared publicly, and with no photos of him at the airport, rumors erupted like wildfire—saying he was terrified, that he’d run away, that he’d fled the country.
Cheng Jiayao didn’t come to school either. Someone said his father had dragged him home from the racing club last night.
So, the moment Jiang Zhier stepped onto campus, she became the center of attention.
Jiang Chen—who had been quiet for a while—began acting up again. The moment they crossed paths at the school gate, he sneered and spat sarcasm her way.
Seeing the dark circles beneath Jiang Zhier’s eyes, evidence of a sleepless night, Jiang Chen sneered,
“Regretting it now, aren’t you? I’m telling you—there’s no place for you in the Jiang family anymore. Don’t even think about coming back.”
With Cheng Jingwei still mid-flight to California, burdened with countless pressing issues, the last thing Jiang Zhier wanted was to create trouble. She kept walking, refusing to engage.
But Jiang Chen treated her silence as an invitation. He kept running his mouth behind her.
“Of course you’re not worried. Girls like you… You always find shortcuts. If Cheng Jingwei doesn’t work out, you’ll just find someone else—take off a few clothes, and done.”
Jiang Zhier stopped abruptly.
She turned, her clear, doe-like eyes meeting his.
But they were no longer soft.
No longer timid.
She didn’t say a word.
Yet that single look—cold, sharp—cut straight through him, like a sword aimed at the heart.
The girl standing in front of him was no longer someone he could step on. Whether or not Cheng Jingwei backed her, she was not to be treated lightly again.
He couldn’t understand how she’d changed so drastically in just a few days.
That realization alone made his anger flare—especially after watching her shine onstage at the English Festival.
Her gaze made him falter for a moment—but stubbornly, he resumed barking,
“What are you staring at? Jiang Zhier, how dare you glare at me? My mom said you were born with bad luck! You killed your parents—and now you’ll drag the Cheng family down too!”
His voice was loud, spittle flying—drawing everyone’s attention.
Before, his little pack of followers would isolate and mock her.
She never argued back.
Everyone knew she lived as a dependent, so no one bothered helping her.
But that was the past.
She had already left the Jiang family.
Even if Cheng Zhen Group was in trouble, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse. And the outcome was far from decided—anyone with a brain knew that.
Not to mention, after the English Festival, her school drawer had practically overflowed with boys’ love letters.
Suddenly—
“That’s too far.”
“Seriously, Jiang Chen? Still saying that cursed stuff?”
“Yeah—if she’s so unlucky, how come you aren’t dead yet? Maybe that cheap life of yours is just too stubborn to kill.”
“Hahahaha—can I borrow that mouth for a day?”
“Ignore him, Er’er. A dog’s mouth can’t spit ivory!”
For the first time, Jiang Zhier wasn’t alone.
She stepped closer, looking directly at the naïve and ignorant boy.
“Jiang Chen—whatever else you say, I don’t care. But if you insult my parents again, I won’t tolerate it.”
Jiang Chen’s breath hitched—but he forced out a shaky challenge,
“What can you do to me?”
The girl leaned forward slightly, voice soft yet deadly.
“Try me.”
That one airy line revealed a Jiang Zhier he’d never known.
Eyes widening, he sputtered,
“Jiang Zhier, what rights do you think you have? What confidence did Cheng Jingwei give you? With the Cheng family collapsing, who do you think can protect you?”
She turned away.
“Cheng Jingwei has always given me more than confidence.”
She had texted him earlier, asking if he’d landed safely.
No reply.
He must’ve been busy the moment he got off the plane.
She had a hundred questions—yet saying anything now would only add to his burden. He had no time to reassure her.
After school, she spotted a familiar figure on the way home.
“Uncle Li—stop!”
The car pulled over.
She jumped out and hurried toward Cheng Jiayao, who sat outside a roadside café.
“Brother Jiayao!”
She arrived breathless.
He leaned back in his low camping chair, turning at the sound.
“Why are you here?”
“Just got out of school.” She pointed at the waiting car. “I was passing by. Why weren’t you at school today?”
He smirked.
“Since when do I go every day?”
He seemed in unusually good spirits.
Whether he knew about last night’s call between the brothers—no one could say.
Jiang Zhier pulled out the chair next to him and sat.
The chair was low, making her already petite figure look even smaller.
“You’re already a senior, though,” she said. “College entrance exams are close.”
“Oh—right.” He rolled his eyes. “My dad called me home last night and said he arranged for me to study abroad. He’s already contacted the school.”
“…”
He suddenly frowned, cursing,
“What a mess!”
“He only told you last night?”
“Yeah. My second uncle handles all company matters. What does it have to do with me?”
So, Cheng Gan had kept quiet.
Sending him abroad must be to keep him out of danger.
Until Cheng Jingwei made his move, nothing should be said.
She leaned on her knees, chin in hand.
“That’s actually good. Studying abroad can broaden your horizons.”
“Then you won’t see me as easily anymore,” he said suddenly.
“Huh?”
They barely saw each other even now—but she politely replied,
“Travel is easy these days.”
He pressed his lips together.
“Are you sad?”
“…?”
“I’m devastated.”
“…”
She was stunned into silence.
He changed girlfriends like he changed clothes—and she’d never seen him truly invested in any of them.
“When?”
“Last night,” he said bluntly. “After my dad told me I’d go abroad, I broke up with her. Told her long-distance wouldn’t work. She agreed.”
“…”
“…Then you shouldn’t call yourself heartbroken,” she muttered.
He frowned deeper.
“You think she broke up because of our family’s situation?”
Young Master Cheng had never tasted rejection before. Naturally, he was confused.
“…Probably not. Maybe she just… didn’t want to date you anymore?”
Because honestly, dating Cheng Jiayao seemed pointless.
He glanced sideways, confident.
“Impossible.”
She was speechless.
Then he sighed dramatically.
“Er’er, maybe it was fate that brought you into the Cheng family.”
She blinked.
That jump in logic… what?
“That’s why we’re perfect for each other.”
“…What?”
“Actually, from the first time I saw you at the racing club, I thought you were different. Later at the drum studio—yeah, definitely my type.”
He spoke in such earnest nonsense that she stared, eyes wide.
“But you were raised by my uncle. If we got together, it could turn messy—so I kept quiet.”
What are you even saying…
“But now I get it. We’re meant to be. I’ll talk to my dad. Or my uncle. I’ll wait for you for a year after I graduate. Then we can go abroad together.”
He stood, reaching for her hand.
“Er’er—let’s be together.”
“…………”
This was… beyond absurd.
She’d only wanted to ask if he knew how Cheng Jingwei was doing.
Instead—this.
The moment his fingers brushed the back of her hand, she jerked away, shot to her feet, and fled without a word.
—
Uncle Li thought they were simply discussing family matters currently making headlines. But soon enough, the car door swung open and Jiang Zhier tumbled inside.
She was pale, heart racing, as though she’d been chased by ghosts.
“Uncle Li—drive!”
He stepped on the gas.
“What happened, Er’er?”
She sank into her seat, still shaken.
“N-nothing…”
Why on earth would Cheng Jiayao confess to her?
So sudden.
So ridiculous.
Was… was it a joke?
Or did he actually mean it?
But how could they?
Jiang Zhier had her own selfish fears—if Cheng Jingwei found out about this, how would her feelings for him be seen? Wouldn’t everything she hoped for become impossible?
Because of this, Jiang Zhier lost her appetite at dinner, and Aunt Chu even wondered if she wasn’t feeling well.
Later that night, her mind spun in circles. She couldn’t sleep.
Cheng Jiayao was impulsive. His affections were likely to fade as quickly as they appeared. But what mattered most was that Cheng Jingwei could never find out. If he did… she might never again have the courage to confess her love for him.
Even her feelings now felt tainted with a thin layer of guilt—like loving him was somehow wrong.
The nightlight glowed faintly, dimmer than before, as if the battery needed changing.
Lying awake, eyes wide open, she stared at the ceiling.
She thought about how she could steer Cheng Jiayao back to normal and keep this entire incident a secret from Cheng Jingwei.
In hindsight… she was even a little relieved that he’d be graduating soon and heading abroad. At least then she might be safe.
In the midst of her anxiety, the sudden ring of her phone made her flinch.
She sat up quickly, grabbed her phone, and saw the caller ID—Cheng Jingwei.
All those chaotic thoughts vanished in an instant. He was the only one in her mind now.
“Hello?” Her voice softened. “Second Uncle?”
“You’re still awake? It should be around ten at night in China.”
“I’m not sleepy yet. What time is it there?”
“Seven in the morning.”
They say secret love makes everything feel more dramatic.
At that moment, Jiang Zhier suddenly felt their age gap was like this time difference—stretched so far apart, impossible to bridge.
“Did you just wake up?”
He chuckled, “I stayed up all night.”
“Ah? Then go get some sleep.”
“Consider it jet lag.”
Jiang Zhier let out a small sigh.
Thinking she was simply worried, he reassured her, “It’s nothing serious.”
“Really? Then… when will you come back?”
“Probably another week. There are still a few things to wrap up and investigate, but everything is under control.” He paused, then asked, “How was school today?”
Her heart jumped in guilt. “W-What do you mean?”
“A huge incident happened with the company; the news is everywhere. Did anyone give you a hard time?”
Oh. That’s what he meant.
Cheng Jiayao’s chaos had consumed her so much that she’d forgotten about the unpleasant events earlier.
“No one, just Jiang Chen.”
She lay back down. She hadn’t felt wronged earlier, but his question made her suddenly realize how much she had endured. Her voice became small. “I expected him to mock me… I’m used to it.”
“You don’t need to get used to it, Er’er. You never have to get used to being mistreated.”
Her heart skipped.
“So, listen carefully—within half a month, everything will be resolved. And I will still be your support. As long as I am here, no one will ever wrong you.”
Her cheek sank into the soft blanket.
His words were too good—so good they made her heart melt into something soft and trembling.
She had one impossible desire—to hear them again.
She turned on the speaker and whispered, “Say it again.”
A quiet laugh came from the receiver, as though he knew perfectly well what she wanted. His voice deepened:
“Cheng Jingwei will always be Er’er’s—”
A sudden, loud knock on the front door cut him off.
Jiang Zhier froze.
Who would come visiting so late?
Even though Cheng Jingwei’s home was known to others, everyone respected his desire for privacy. No one ever came by except on special occasions.
And the knocking was… aggressive.
“Someone’s at the door?” he asked.
“Okay… I’ll go take a look.”
“Be careful.”
She slipped out of bed, still holding the phone. When she opened her bedroom door, she saw Aunt Chu already up and answering.
“Young Master? Why are you here so late?”
“Where’s Er’er?”
“She’s asleep already— Oh? Er’er, you’re still up?”
Cheng Jiayao turned toward her.
The living room lighting was dim, and only a warm spill of light from behind her illuminated her figure. She stood rigidly, shocked speechless.
If she hadn’t been so stunned, she would have hung up the phone immediately—or at least stepped back into her room.
But she was frozen in place, wide-eyed, watching him approach.
He strode inside. Rain still clung to his black coat, droplets sliding off the shoulders.
“Er’er.”
Her pulse stumbled. “…Huh?”
“I’ve thought it over. Confessing in the afternoon was too abrupt. So—”
From behind his back, he pulled out a large bouquet of red roses.
“…”
And then he knelt.
Aunt Chu stared. Jiang Zhier instinctively took a step back.
Meanwhile, on the bed in her room, her phone screen still displayed:
Call in progress — Cheng Jingwei
The seconds continued ticking.
Meaning he had heard everything.
Her fingers trembled violently around the device.
Completely oblivious, Cheng Jiayao held out the bouquet higher and declared with burning intensity:
“Er’er, I like you! Please be my girlfriend!”
Her expression must have been one of utter panic, because he quickly added,
“It’s okay if you don’t answer now! I’ll still pursue you. I’ll definitely be with you!”
And then—
Clatter—
She dropped the phone.
The screen landed face-up.
Cheng Jiayao looked down.
His eyes landed on the caller ID.
“…”
Dead silence.
Then—
A smooth, low voice came through the speaker, tinged with careless amusement:
“Er’er. Hand the phone to that little beast.”