Whoever Falls in Love First is the Dog - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: “Now You Can Have Your Own Chauffeur Too.”

Shen Mengke’s guilt didn’t ease until Shu Yun was out of the emergency room.

It was a heart condition—triggered by many possible causes—not necessarily Shen Mengke’s fault. But the fact that it happened at her home made her feel responsible.

Only when Mrs. Shu spoke up and told her to go home did Shen Mengke feel slightly relieved. Mrs. Shu thanked her for saving Shu Yun and didn’t intend to hold anyone accountable at this time.

She had known about Shen Mengke before Shu Yun went abroad. Shu Yun had mentioned her often, and as her daughter liked this girl, Mrs. Shu wouldn’t possibly pick on her while her daughter lay critically ill.

By the time the two left the hospital, it was already deep into the night. Shen Mengke hadn’t eaten all day, and the anxiety had drained her. She was completely exhausted.

She looked at Chen Yanxing and said weakly, “I’m so hungry~”

Her voice was faint and had a hint of a whine. Though Shu Yun was the one in the hospital bed, Shen Mengke herself felt miserable.

She had planned to pack up and then get something to eat—but now, nothing was packed, and she hadn’t had a bite all day.

Chen Yanxing chuckled, “I’ll get the car. Wait for me.”

Shen Mengke nodded. Her stomach hurt from hunger, and she could barely stand straight.

She squatted by the hospital entrance, watching people come and go, then buried her face in her arms.

She felt dizzy, even blacked out for a moment, until Chen Yanxing’s voice snapped her back. “Hey, crying from hunger?”

Shen Mengke took a deep breath and slowly raised her head.

Her face was pale—almost as pale as Shu Yun’s in the hospital bed. Startled, Chen Yanxing quickly walked over. “What’s wrong?”

“Stomachache,” Shen Mengke replied as she leaned on Chen Yanxing to stand up. “I need to eat something.”

“You look terrible. Want to go back and get checked?”

Shen Mengke shook her head. “Eating will help.”

Since she insisted, Chen Yanxing didn’t press further. She helped her into the car and even buckled her seatbelt for her.

They didn’t go far—just to a nearby restaurant that looked decent.

Chen Yanxing first ordered a bowl of yam porridge for her, followed by a few light dishes. She herself hadn’t eaten much either—after dropping Shen Mengke off last night, she returned to her old rental, only to be awakened a few hours later by a call saying Xia Lingxuan’s surgery was happening, and they hoped she would come.

The surgery had been scheduled six months ago. Shen Jingli had helped find a specialist for Xia Lingxuan’s leg, and the operation was supposed to take place a week ago—but it was postponed due to Chen Yanxing’s situation.

It felt a bit like emotional blackmail, but they were bl00d relatives, and Chen Yanxing didn’t mind making the trip. She quickly ate something and headed to the hospital—only to find the surgery lasted unusually long and went late into the night.

By now, it was probably over.

Seeing that Shen Mengke looked a bit better, Chen Yanxing asked, “What happened today?”

Shen Mengke leaned back in her chair. The pain had eased a little. She sighed. “I went home to pack, and she was there. We argued a bit, and then… this happened.”

Chen Yanxing had suspected something unpleasant had occurred between them—otherwise, Shen Mengke wouldn’t have looked so guilty earlier.

“It might not be your fault—”

“It is my fault,” Shen Mengke interrupted firmly.

She looked up and met Chen Yanxing’s eyes. “It was me. I provoked her all last night. And today…”

“It’s not your fault,” Chen Yanxing said again, more firmly this time.

Shen Mengke looked at her, about to argue, but Chen Yanxing cut in again. “It’s not your fault.”

Shen Mengke stared at her—serious, resolute, stubborn.

She couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing. “Okay, okay. It’s not my fault.”

Chen Yanxing chuckled too. Watching her smile, Shen Mengke felt a strange pang. It had been so long since someone had looked her in the eye and firmly told her: “It’s not your fault.”

People always said adults should make their own decisions. But some people simply struggle to decide. In an adult’s world, asking for help felt shameful. But if someone offered a helping hand—why not take it?

Shen Mengke smiled silently. Her stomach had calmed down. She grabbed a bun, took a bite, and asked, “How’s Auntie?”

“Don’t know. The surgery wasn’t done yet when I left.”

“Huh?” Shen Mengke looked up at her. “And you just left like that?”

“What else? She had plenty of people with her. You only had me.”

Shen Mengke smiled and didn’t press further.

Of course she was touched—she wasn’t made of stone. But their relationship was so awkward now. She didn’t know what kind of concern this was from Chen Yanxing.

So she didn’t ask. And Chen Yanxing didn’t explain. Both of them pretending not to understand the obvious.

After eating, Chen Yanxing planned to return to the hospital. She offered to take Shen Mengke home, but she declined. “I slept all day. I’m not sleepy. I’ll go with you to check on Auntie.”

Chen Yanxing gave her a teasing glance. “You forgot how you looked in front of my mom?”

That brought back some embarrassing memories. Shen Mengke blushed, recalling her awkward acting that day. “Does Fronstar offer acting lessons? I think I need more training.”

Chen Yanxing laughed softly. “It’s late. Things are still hectic after surgery. Let’s wait a few days until she’s stable. I’ll take you then.”

Shen Mengke thought it over and nodded. “Then just drop me at Huayuan. I’ll finish packing.”

On the road, Shen Mengke turned to watch Chen Yanxing drive.

It was late. The streets were quiet. Streetlights passed through the windshield, casting light and shadow across Chen Yanxing’s face.

In the dark, as she looked at her alternatingly illuminated eyes, Shen Mengke suddenly said, “I was thinking… maybe I should learn to drive too.”

“Not many people can’t drive nowadays. You never thought about learning?”

“Hmm…” Shen Mengke sat upright, looking ahead. Her voice low, she said, “No. I was scared.”

“Of accidents?”

“Yeah. My aunt—she and her one-year-old daughter… died in a car crash. She pushed me out in time.” Shen Mengke’s eyelashes lowered. “She had a tough pregnancy, almost miscarried several times. My grandma told me that in the delivery room, my aunt’s screams…”

Shen Mengke struggled, unable to finish the memory. “She finally gave birth to a beautiful girl—finally ready to enjoy life—and then…”

She took a deep breath and looked back at Chen Yanxing. “So I’m afraid. Afraid I’ll die in a crash. Afraid someone else will die because of me.”

She gave a faint smile. “And back then I was so proud. I thought if I ever made it big, I’d have my own chauffeur. Then I wouldn’t have to learn.”

Chen Yanxing smiled. “Well, now you can have your own chauffeur.”

“Huh?”

At that moment, the car stopped at a red light. The glowing red numbers counted down. Chen Yanxing turned to her and said, “Me. Your assistant. Also your chauffeur.”

Shen Mengke blinked. Honestly, she had almost forgotten that Chen Yanxing still held the title of her assistant.

She pursed her lips and asked curiously, “Do you really need money that badly?”

“Yep.”

“Oh… Well, you’ll be disappointed. Your boss is broke too.”

Chen Yanxing laughed and kept driving. “Then let’s work hard together.”

Shen Mengke stared at her profile, unable to figure out what she was playing at. First the powerful Chen family, then the wealthy Xia family—if anyone wasn’t short on money, it was her.

Maybe she just wanted to play. And if the princess wants to play, what can a commoner like her do but go along with it?

Chen Yanxing had wanted to help Shen Mengke pack and drive her home, but Shen Mengke had no intention of finishing it all tonight.

When Chen Yanxing heard she planned to stay the night at Huayuan, she wasn’t thrilled—but didn’t say much. As she left, she only said, “Then I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

Shen Mengke sensed her mood shift. But she didn’t understand—her issues with Shu Yun never involved anyone else. What was she upset about?

She didn’t move out of Huayuan right away. The next morning, she visited Shu Yun in the hospital.

Shu Yun was awake. Aside from being weak and needing to avoid emotional strain, she was okay.

When Shen Mengke came in with fruit, Mrs. Shu didn’t say much—just greeted her and stepped out.

Once the door closed, Shen Mengke set the fruit down and turned around.

Shu Yun smiled. “Sit.”

“Sis…” Shen Mengke sat at the bedside, awkward.

“Did I scare you?” Shu Yun still looked at her gently. Maybe because of her illness, her voice was softer, like a feather brushing against Shen Mengke’s heart.

Shen Mengke nodded and shook her head, eyes misty. “You scared me to death,” she whispered.

Shu Yun leaned back against the pillow, tilted her head slightly, and smiled. “Sorry.”

She was the one sick, the one who nearly died. Yet she was the one apologizing.

Shen Mengke looked away, holding back tears. “So… what was it?”

“Heart condition. Nothing too serious.”

“Heart… condition…” Shen Mengke murmured. She looked up. “Six years ago too?”

Shu Yun hesitated, then lightly shook her head. “Not exactly. But it’s all fine now. Don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

They sat in silence, looking at each other. Then Shen Mengke looked away again. When had they run out of things to say?

“Mengke,” Shu Yun suddenly called her name.

“Hmm?” Shen Mengke instinctively looked up.

“Wenxin—do it with me? I came back just to work on a project with you.”

“Okay.”

Silence fell again. Shu Yun looked at her lowered eyes and suddenly laughed softly.

Shen Mengke looked at her, puzzled. Shu Yun said with a smile, “I thought you’d never speak to me again.”

Shen Mengke sighed. “I wanted to… but you know me. I can’t.”