Unable to Fall in Love Syndrome - Chapter 27

Chapter 27 – Sunny Side Up Fairy Tale 06

After saying all that, she noticed Zuo Yi staring at her intently.

She raised her hand to touch her face, puzzled. “Is… is there something on my face?”

Zuo Yi took a deep breath, his expression serious as he asked, “No, I just want to know what he said to you earlier.”

Qiao Shan answered truthfully, relaying Ying Shengnan’s words to him without missing a single one.

Zuo Yi nodded, still composed, and then asked, “Qiao Shan, shouldn’t your focus be on the fact that I’m pursuing you?”

This caught Qiao Shan off guard. She blinked, taking a moment to process it, then patted his shoulder with her hand, her face full of mock sorrow. “I know Ying Shengnan’s been pressuring you too much. I get it—my mom does the same thing, nagging me all the time to find a boyfriend. So the two of us… We’re in the same boat, fellow sufferers at the ends of the earth.”

With that, she slapped his shoulder again and looked up at the hospital corridor. “Come on, let’s go up and see Wenwen. Jian Shizhang should be arriving soon, too.”

Qiao Shan strode ahead, with Zuo Yi following closely behind, staring at the back of her head. He had the urge to yank her back, scoop her up, and carry her over his shoulder, marching right up there for all to see.

Hmm… he was a bit angry.

Wenwen was lying in bed reading a comic book, while Guo Fei sat nearby peeling an apple. When they entered, Guo Fei stood up and gestured for them to sit wherever they liked. Wenwen set down her comic and greeted them. “Hi, Uncle Zuo! Hi, Mommy Qiao! Mommy Qiao, Daddy Xiao just left—did you see him?”

Qiao Shan: “Xiao Jia was here too?”

Guo Fei nodded. “Yeah, he saw you two coming up from the window and left first.”

That guy… good that he left; saves the awkwardness.

Two days ago, Qiao Shan had already discussed a plan with Wenwen. She gave Wenwen a knowing look, and the little girl caught on immediately, sighing in an adult-like tone. “Ah, Mommy, I want to hear you play the piano.”

Guo Fei was carefully peeling the apple and didn’t look up as she asked, “Where’s there a piano in the hospital? Don’t be silly. Wait until you’re discharged, and Mommy will play for you every day.”

Qiao Shan seized the opportunity to interject. “If I remember correctly, there’s a piano in the inpatient building out back. The hospital bought it for patients to pass the time. Why not go there?”

Guo Fei wasn’t sure what they were up to and gently asked her daughter, “Do you really want to hear Mommy play? What do you want to hear?”

Wenwen thought for a moment with her head down, then looked up. “Hmm… I want to hear Mommy play ‘Insects Flying,’ and it’d be even better as an erhu-piano duet.” The little girl turned to Zuo Yi. “Uncle Zuo, do you know how to play the erhu?”

Zuo Yi instinctively stepped back, holding his hands up in defense. “No, I don’t.”

Qiao Shan looked at the usually serious Zuo Yi, remembering the erhu sounds he’d produced that night—like slaughtering a cow—and her shoulders started shaking uncontrollably. She couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

The other three in the room turned to look at her. Zuo Yi dropped his defensive pose, stood up straight, and with a darkened face, whispered, “I know what you’re laughing about. How long are you planning to laugh about that?”

Qiao Shan snorted with laughter. “Your erhu playing is a joke that’ll keep me laughing for a year, hahaha…”

Just as Qiao Shan’s laughter subsided, Jian Shizhang knocked and walked in. He casually placed some fruit on the table, then turned and smiled at Wenwen. “Wenwen, how have you been these past few days in the hospital? Are you listening to the doctors? Being good?”

Wenwen nodded. “I’m being good! Uncle Idol, I’m super, super good! Oh, Uncle Idol, you came at just the right time—I want to hear an erhu-piano duet! Mommy on piano, you on erhu, okay?”

Guo Fei’s expression changed noticeably. She gripped the fruit knife tightly and said, “No, Wenwen. Mr. Jian is so busy; how could he perform just for you? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It’s no problem—I have time. If the little one wants to hear it, I can play a few tunes.” Jian Shizhang’s smile was gentle.

Wenwen clapped happily, her voice soft and sweet. “Yay! Thank you, Uncle Idol!”

Qiao Shan pulled Guo Fei aside and whispered, “Kids rarely make requests like this—just indulge her. Put aside your grudges with Mr. Jian for now, okay?”

Guo Fei hesitated, and Qiao Shan added, “Miss Guo, you have to understand that Wenwen’s battle with her illness has been so tough. Why not do something to make the child happy?”

Guo Fei looked at Jian Shizhang and said in a polite tone, “Then, we’ll trouble Mr. Jian.”

Jian Shizhang nodded slightly. “You’re welcome. It’s what I should do.”

There was a music store across from the hospital, so Jian Shizhang rented an erhu there. In the spacious lounge, a few patients sat nearby watching. Zuo Yi held Wenwen, standing with Qiao Shan off to the side.

Guo Fei opened the piano lid on the tripod stand, tested a few notes, and once satisfied, nodded slightly to Jian Shizhang. His erhu was ready, and as the crisp prelude to “Insects Flying” began, Jian Shizhang joined in with a few low, mournful notes. At just the right moment, he paused, his gaze fixed on Guo Fei’s profile, never wavering.

Wenwen sang along to Guo Fei’s piano accompaniment, her tender child’s voice softly crooning: “The dark sky hangs low, bright stars follow along, insects fly, insects fly, who are you missing…”

The whole world seemed to quiet down, with the melodious piano and pure child’s voice.

As the first half ended and the piano notes dwindled to the last few keys, Guo Fei looked up at Jian Shizhang.

The erhu connected seamlessly, the inner strings steady and robust, the outer strings high and bright, blending yin and yang into a melody that was like weeping and lamenting. Jian Shizhang infused “Insects Flying” with an unspoken sorrow, and as Guo Fei watched him, her eyes reddened from the tune he played.

This scene felt like it was straight out of six years ago.

Back then, she was his piano teacher. Knowing he could play the erhu, she’d pestered him to do an instrumental duet.

The piece they played wasn’t “Insects Flying”; it was “Never Lose, Never Forget.” Their coordination was incredibly tacit, and the emotional impact of the duet was beyond words. Yet that impact was something they’d never forget for the rest of their lives.

Guo Fei ran out of the lounge with red eyes.

Qiao Shan shot Jian Shizhang a look and urged, “What are you standing there for? Go after her!”

Jian Shizhang snapped out of it, set down the erhu, and hurried after her.

Once they were both gone, Wenwen hugged Zuo Yi’s neck and asked, “Uncle Zuo, do you think those two can end up together? Mommy was crying just now—why was she crying?”

Qiao Shan made up a reason. “Your mommy might have been too emotional? Wenwen, these things can’t be rushed. For two people to be together, they need to build affection first.”

Wenwen pouted and whispered, “My teacher said that haste makes waste. But Mommy Qiao, I’m scared—I’m afraid I won’t live to see the day they get together.”

Qiao Shan glanced toward the door and caught a glimpse of Jian Shizhang’s coat hem. According to the plan, Guo Fei should be out there, too, right now.

She then asked Wenwen, “What if your Uncle Idol and your mommy don’t end up together in the end? Would you be sad?”

Wenwen covered her heart with her small hands. “Mommy Qiao, I can feel that Uncle Idol really, really likes my mommy. The way he looks at her is different, so I think after I’m gone, he can take good care of her. When I’m up in heaven, I’ll protect them. Maybe I can negotiate with Grandpa God to let me be reborn in Mommy’s tummy? Then, Uncle Idol would be my daddy, right?”

Qiao Shan had guessed right—Guo Fei was indeed outside.

As a mother hearing her daughter’s words, she finally couldn’t hold back, and tears streamed down her face. She went to the bathroom to wash her face, and when she came out, Jian Shizhang was still waiting at the door.

Jian Shizhang said to her, “Feifei, whether you agree or not, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you and our child.”

Guo Fei turned her back to him, silent for a moment before asking, “Jian Shi, if you had a chance to do it over, would you still make me abort Wenwen back then?”

Jian Shizhang looked at her and said, “If I could travel back to that time, I wouldn’t. I’d protect you both properly because I know how hard these years have been for you, and I know how adorable Wenwen is. But from the perspective of six years ago, I still would have advised you to abort, because back then, I loved you more, and I didn’t want an unborn child to hold you back. Feifei, some decisions can’t be undone once made, so heaven has tormented me all these years. I thought the child was gone, and I’ve had nightmares nearly every night, waking up in agony with your face in my mind. Since fate has brought us together again, why not try starting over? Pretend we’ve never met before. I’m not Jian Shi—I’m Jian Shizhang, a middle-aged bachelor with no dating history. Jian Shizhang.”

Guo Fei remained silent. Half an hour later, she finally looked up at him. “Jian Shizhang, are you willing to be my child’s stepfather and sign a five-year marriage agreement with me? After five years, we’ll divorce and go our separate ways. During those five years, I’ll cover the household expenses, and your responsibility will be to take care of Wenwen.”

Jian Shizhang: “Mrs. Jian, I am willing.”

Guo Fei’s face showed no smile; she just nodded. “Alright then. Tomorrow, I’ll have my assistant prepare the marriage agreement.”

Jian Shizhang watched as Guo Fei walked away, finally breathing a sigh of relief. No matter what, he’d won the first battle.

In five years, he absolutely wouldn’t divorce. No way—not even if it killed him.

Till death do us part.

Qiao Shan and Zuo Yi were sitting by the bed playing cat’s cradle with Wenwen when Guo Fei walked in with Jian Shizhang. She cleared her throat and said, “I have something to tell everyone—about me and Jian Shizhang.”

Wenwen stopped playing and held her breath, watching them.

Guo Fei announced, “Jian Shizhang and I plan to get married. We’ll get the certificate next week, and as for the wedding, we’ll hold it after Wenwen is discharged.”

Qiao Shan’s jaw nearly dropped in shock. This speed… it was way too fast!

She hadn’t even implemented the second plan yet!

Wenwen was also surprised, stammering, “Mommy? Am I dreaming?”

Jian Shizhang bent down and gently asked the little girl, “Wenwen, don’t you want me to be your daddy?”

Happiness came so suddenly that Wenwen joyfully called out, “Daddy!”

Guo Fei: “…”

Jian Shizhang laughed out loud. Bl00d really was thicker than water—even without knowing the truth, there was a wondrous bond pulling them together.

*

With Jian Shizhang and Guo Fei’s matter settled for now, Qiao Shan opened the marriage database on her phone and moved them from the database to the “Couples Under Observation” section.

Qiao Shan walked forward with her head down, staring at her phone. The long-legged Zuo Yi reminded her, “Don’t look at your phone while walking. Wait for me at the entrance—I’ll go get the car.”

“Okay, got it.” Qiao Shan muttered, “You’re just like my mom.”

As she put away her phone, she remembered her mom’s birthday was coming up soon. She’d have to go back home and face the third aunts and sixth grandmas. Qiao Shan rubbed her forehead, already dreading it, when a pleasant male voice floated down from above.

“Qiao Shan.”

She looked up to find Xiao Jia standing right in front of her, out of nowhere.

Qiao Shan was a bit surprised. “You… didn’t you leave a long time ago? Why are you still at the hospital?”

Xiao Jia smiled. “I’ve been waiting for you for two hours, and you finally came down.” His smile was as gentle as ever.

Xiao Jia said, “Qiao Shan, let’s make up. Auntie’s birthday is coming up soon.”

“Have we ever fought?” Qiao Shan evaded.

No, they actually hadn’t fought at all.

Xiao Jia’s lips curved into a smile. “Yeah, what I mean is, I’ve figured it out. My feelings for you aren’t that kind of like—it’s more like something beyond sibling affection, but not romantic love. When I see you getting close to Zuo Yi, from a brother’s perspective, I just feel like you’re being taken advantage of by some pig. You get what I’m saying?”

Qiao Shan shook her head, then nodded. “I get it. You’ve finally thought it through?” Some of her awkwardness lifted, and she sighed. “Right? We grew up together and know each other so well—how could you have those kinds of feelings for me? No worries, it’s not too late to sort it out now. Are you going back for my mom’s birthday, too?”

Xiao Jia: “Yeah, Auntie called me yesterday and asked me to pick you up so we can go together.”

The barrier in her heart melted away because of Xiao Jia’s white lie.

Qiao Shan felt relieved, but Xiao Jia’s heart grew heavier from the weight of the lie. He pulled out her favorite nougat candy from his pocket, and like a child, she snatched it from his hand, quickly unwrapping it and popping it into her mouth.

The burden that had been pressing on her these days finally lifted, and Qiao Shan felt the clouds above her head part, revealing clear skies. Even the air seemed fresher.

Seeing her nibble on the nougat, Xiao Jia reached out tentatively to ruffle her hair. Qiao Shan instinctively wanted to dodge, but remembering what he’d just said, she accepted it like before.

Just then, Zuo Yi drove up. As soon as he got out, he saw the scene. He walked over, casually pulling Qiao Shan behind him, and asked with feigned surprise, “Auntie’s birthday? When?”

Qiao Shan blinked. “What does it have to do with you? Next Monday.”

Zuo Yi: “Oh, perfect. I have to go to Mingyang City next week anyway—I can go with you.”

Qiao Shan glanced at Xiao Jia, then at Zuo Yi, thinking that bringing Zuo Yi along might ward off a lot of nagging from the aunts.

She pulled Zuo Yi aside, motioned for him to bend down, and whispered in his ear, “Zuo Yi, let’s make a deal. Tell your big brother that your girlfriend is me. I’ll tell my mom that my boyfriend is you. That way, we can both avoid a ton of nagging. What do you say?”

Zuo Yi asked her, “How long would this last?”

Qiao Shan glanced back at Xiao Jia and whispered, “Until I find a boyfriend or you find a girlfriend. How about that?”

Zuo Yi’s face darkened.

This ungrateful little wolf—still thinking about finding another man? All the meals he’d fed her these days, wasted!

Even Dudu rubbed against his leg every day—how was she worse than a dog?

Zuo Yi glanced at her, his gaze unfriendly. “Sure, no problem.”

Then he’d just make sure she never found a boyfriend for the rest of her life.

That afternoon, Zuo Yi posted a Moments update on his social circle:

“I’ll fight you to the bitter end.”

Ying Shengnan liked it, Qiao Shan liked it, Jian Shizhang liked it, and Guo Fei liked it.

Jian Shizhang commented: “You’re really regressing with age, getting more childish.”

Ying Shengnan commented, “Who are you fighting to the bitter end with? Use that energy to chase a girl instead, okay? Okay? Okay? I’m calling you big bro!”

Qiao Shan replied to Ying Shengnan: “Old beast, don’t corrupt my boyfriend!”