She's Crazy, I Love Her - Chapter 20

He Wen brought coffee.

Chi Yue thanked him, took a sip, and felt the sharp bitterness, tempered by ice, jolt her weary nerves awake.

Noticing her slightly pale complexion and furrowed brow, He Wen couldn’t help but ask, “Are you alright?”

Chi Yue shook her head.

“Don’t you like Americano?” He Wen asked.

“It’s okay,” Chi Yue paused, then smiled at his concerned expression. “It’s just a bit too bitter.”

He Wen nodded in understanding. “I’ll bring you something else next time.”

“No need,” Chi Yue replied. “It’s fine. It’s actually helping me stay alert.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” He Wen insisted. “President Qi doesn’t like coffee either. I usually order her fruit tea or milk tea.”

Chi Yue paused, surprised. “Oh.”

The mention of “President Qi” brought a brief silence between them. The medical environment at Sicheng First Hospital was worlds apart from Meihe. The hospital ward corridors were vast, the air conditioning set too low, and the strong disinfectant smell mingled with a chilling cold.

He Wen’s gaze lingered on the glass door before finally settling on Chi Yue.

Having transferred her grandfather to this hospital just yesterday, Chi Yue had stayed by his bedside all night, her body now carrying a faint weariness.

He Wen remained silent, and Chi Yue lowered her head slightly, a strand of hair falling beside her ear, the tip curling around her sharp chin.

“The old man’s condition has stabilized. He just needs some rest. Don’t worry too much,” He Wen said softly.

Chi Yue hummed in acknowledgment.

Realizing his words sounded hollow, He Wen quickly changed the subject. “Oh, I wanted to give you a heads-up. Director Zeng Chuling has been confirmed as the new director for Hua Fangfei. They’re also replacing the male lead, and Huang Chen is currently the top choice. The company is already coordinating his schedule.”

Chi Yue was stunned by both names, unable to process the information for a long moment.

He Wen continued, “Whether Huang Chen takes the role or not, Director Zeng is definitely on board. She’ll probably join the crew next week.”

“Next week? That’s so soon!” Chi Yue exclaimed in disbelief. “I thought they’d scrapped the project entirely.”

He Wen chuckled. “With all the money invested, they’re bound to make some noise.”

Chi Yue remained skeptical. If they could secure someone like Zeng Chuling, it hardly seemed like they were just aiming to “make some noise.”

After a moment’s thought, Chi Yue asked, “Will the script be heavily revised?”

“Probably not. The original author is still on set,” He Wen said, noticing her tension. “Don’t worry, Director Zeng is actually quite approachable, not as fierce as the rumors make him out to be.”

“I just…” Chi Yue paused, still puzzled. “I just never imagined it would be Director Zeng.”

He Wen hadn’t expected it either. Director Zeng’s previous project was a critically acclaimed historical drama that had earned a 9.1 rating. His sudden decision to take on Hua Fangfei felt like a collision between dimensions.

He Wen cleared his throat, avoiding the question. “I’ll arrange for another caregiver to stay at the hospital. Don’t worry too much. If you’re free this afternoon, go home and rest. You need to recover your energy.”

Chi Yue nodded absently, her brow still furrowed.

Then He Wen pulled a paper bag from his bag.

“What’s this?” Chi Yue asked.

He Wen didn’t look at her. “President Qi asked me to give it to you.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

Chi Yue took the bag but didn’t open it immediately, letting it dangle from her fingers at her side.

She said nothing, her expression barely changing.

Yet He Wen suddenly felt a heavy weight in her chest, pressing down uncomfortably. She forced herself to look away from Chi Yue, asked about the elderly man’s condition for a while, and made some small talk about work.

By the time He Wen left, it was nearly eleven o’clock. The sun was blazing outside, yet she forgot to open her umbrella despite the hospital ward being over three hundred meters from the parking lot.

She felt somewhat dazed, unsure of what she was doing.

Back when she graduated from university, would she ever have imagined herself doing this kind of work one day?

At noon, He Hongmei arrived with the caregiver He Wen had hired, making the private room feel cramped.

After lunch, the entire floor—patients, doctors, and nurses alike—entered a brief rest period. Chi Yue took her phone to the hallway.

After a moment’s hesitation, she remembered it was a workday and wondered if Qi You might be taking a lunch break.

But she dialed anyway.

The call connected quickly. Chi Yue moved her lips slightly. “President Qi.”

Qi You’s voice came through, cool and detached. “Mm.”

“This is Chi Yue,” she continued without pausing. “Thank you for arranging my grandmother’s transfer.”

“How is she now?” Qi You asked.

“Out of danger,” Chi Yue replied, “but she still needs to be hospitalized for observation.”

“Good,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue pursed her lips. “Assistant He came this morning and mentioned the drama series.”

“You’re the female lead,” Qi You said. “This series is guaranteed to be a hit. No need to thank me.”

Her words were so crisp and resolute that Chi Yue was momentarily at a loss for a response.

Then Qi You said, “I’ll pick you up after work.”

The abrupt change of topic left Chi Yue stunned for a moment. Her immediate reaction was, “I… the doctor is coming for a consultation this afternoon. I… today—”

Qi You interrupted, “Tomorrow works too.”

Chi Yue opened her mouth to protest.

Qi You, rarely patient, asked, “Miss Chi, are you free tomorrow?”

Chi Yue had no choice but to reply, “Yes.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at your apartment tomorrow for lunch,” Qi You said.

“Okay,” Chi Yue replied.

Qi You paused, then asked, “Did you receive the necklace?”

“Yes, I did,” Chi Yue confirmed.

“Good,” Qi You said.

The conversation ended abruptly, and they hung up.

Ignoring the grime on the hospital steps, Chi Yue sat in the corridor for a while, clutching her phone.

That evening, Chi Yue returned to her apartment. With her grandmother being cared for by a nurse and He Hongmei at the hospital, there was no need for her to stay there constantly.

After a restless night, she woke up early the next morning. After showering, she opened her closet to choose an outfit.

Lunch with Qi You wouldn’t be at some casual fast-food joint. Ignoring her jeans and T-shirts, Chi Yue tried on several dresses.

Then there was her hair, makeup, perfume—

And the necklace.

Not the Rose Flame, but the one Qi You had left at the hotel during their first meeting.

The snake’s head, crafted from diamonds, featured two emerald eyes that glowed with an eerie light. The lifelike details even included faint vertical pupils that seemed to shift with the light, exuding a chilling, luxurious aura.

The snake’s head stared back at her from the mirror.

Chi Yue met its gaze for a moment before lowering her eyes and pressing her fingers against the delicate clasp.

As noon approached, Chi Yue descended the stairs to find Qi You’s car already parked in front of the apartment building.

Qi You remained in the driver’s seat, only lowering the window a crack.

Chi Yue hurried around to the other side of the car, opened the door, and greeted, “President Qi.”

Qi You turned to look at her.

Due to the demands of her profession, Chi Yue appeared even more slender than most women. Perhaps to complement her figure or to conceal it, she wore a dark green floor-length dress. The fitted bodice accentuated her delicate shoulders and back, while her skin glowed with an extraordinary, translucent whiteness.

Qi You’s gaze lingered briefly on the necklace around her neck before meeting her eyes.

“It’s beautiful. It suits you perfectly.”

Chi Yue murmured, “Thank you.”

Qi You withdrew his gaze and started the car.

The day was bright and sunny, with a clear blue sky. It was the middle of a weekday, yet the roads were unusually empty, as if the entire city were sealed behind glass, shimmering under the intense sunlight.

Qi You didn’t specify their destination, and Chi Yue didn’t ask.

They drove straight to the restaurant.

Qi You placed the thick menu in front of her. “Choose whatever you’d like,” she said.

The restaurant was on the fifty-seventh floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the sprawling metropolis. The tables were few and far between, the atmosphere quiet and serene. Compared to the cramped car, this public space allowed Chi Yue to breathe a little easier.

After studying the menu for a moment, Chi Yue opted for the safe choice: steak.

“Would you like some wine?” Qi You asked.

“Aren’t you driving?” Chi Yue replied. “Better not, then.”

Qi You nodded. “How about two orange juices?” Her voice lifted slightly at the end, making it a question.

Chi Yue’s tone softened in response. “Sounds good.”

The waiter took their menus and left.

Chi Yue gripped her glass, took a sip of water, and gazed out the window.

“Zeng Chuling joins the production on the twentieth,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue finally turned to look at Qi You.

“You should be free for the next few days,” Qi You added.

Unsure of what Qi You meant, Chi Yue paused before replying, “It’s still uncertain. The production team changed directors, so I might need to meet with the new director or head to Hengdian early. If neither is necessary, I’ll review the script and visit my grandmother in the hospital.”

Qi You hummed in acknowledgment. “You’re very close to your grandmother,” she observed.

“My grandmother raised me from a young age,” Chi Yue said.

The casual conversation eased Chi Yue’s tension. She slowly relaxed her grip on the glass, no longer taking frequent sips of water.

The waiter quickly brought their dishes.

“How does it taste?” Qi You asked.

Chi Yue swallowed her mouthful of food and replied, “It’s delicious. The steak is very tender.”

Qi You hummed in satisfaction before lowering her head to eat her own meal.

Chi Yue wasn’t particularly picky about food, but she had to admit that Qi You had chosen an excellent restaurant.

The delicious meal further lowered her guard. Between sips of orange juice, Chi Yue discreetly observed Qi You.

Qi You was dressed casually today, wearing a hazy blue V-neck linen shirt with fine wrinkles that gave it a soft, relaxed look, making her seem less aloof.

She ate quietly, making barely a sound. Even sitting at the same table, the only noise was the faint clinking of silverware against the porcelain plates.

She ate very little, almost too little.

Chi Yue asked, “Don’t you like it?”

Qi You replied flatly, “I’m not very hungry.”

“Oh,” Chi Yue said. After a moment’s thought, she ventured, “You still have work later. You should eat more.”

At this, Qi You looked up, her sharp knife pausing mid-air, its tip resting against the pristine white plate.

“I don’t have work this afternoon,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue froze, startled.

“We’re going to Wind Lotus Mountain Villa this afternoon,” Qi You said.

She tilted her head, her dark eyes fixed on Chi Yue. “Miss Chi, you’re free these days, aren’t you?”

Chi Yue felt as if those eyes had bitten her deeply.

The two women left the restaurant, descended the stairs, and made their way to the underground parking garage.

Qi You thoughtfully opened the car door for Chi Yue.

The private car sped out of the garage, emerging into the still-blazing sunlight, hot enough to scorch skin.

But the car’s tinted windows blocked the heat, leaving Chi Yue’s fingertips perpetually cold.

After driving for over three hours, they left the bustling metropolis behind and entered lush, verdant mountains. The sun disappeared from view earlier than usual, swallowed by the towering peaks and dense forests as the car ventured deeper, the remaining light gradually devoured by the encroaching shadows.

They stopped outside a villa.

A woman approached. “Miss Qi.”

Qi You handed her the car keys and turned to Chi Yue. “Let’s go inside.”

Chi Yue glanced at her, her gaze tinged with fear.

The villa, built in the style of a manor, faced east, with the sun already sinking behind the mountains.

As dusk approached, the shadows of the peaks crept forward like clockwork, pressing down heavily on the villa. Under the encroaching darkness, the massive structure suddenly transformed into a lurking monster, poised to open its bl00d-red maw and devour anyone who dared approach.

Skinning them alive.

Qi You’s hand settled on Chi Yue’s waist, giving her a gentle nudge.