Chapter 46 Misunderstanding “Are you trying to force me to my death?”

After the New Year, the temperature had clearly begun to rise, the ice and snow melting, gradually showing signs of spring, but Han Rao felt a bone-chilling cold, a heart-piercing chill.

On set, the director was holding a walkie-talkie, directing the next scene, and the whistling cold wind carried his voice to Han Rao’s ears.

The walkie-talkie crackled, and the woman, startled, instantly regained her composure. Bracing herself on the back of the chair, she immediately and anxiously asked how Han Ting’s grandmother was.

Han Ting said, “Grandma is in surgery, and it should be ending soon. Sister, don’t worry, the doctor said it’s nothing serious, and the success rate of the surgery is quite high.”

Holding her phone, Han Rao’s thin costume fluttered in the wind. She knew Han Ting was most likely comforting her.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have bombarded her with calls all morning. She knew they were all afraid she wouldn’t get to see her grandmother one last time.

She herself was also afraid.

Su Zhiyu had indeed suffered from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in recent years due to her old age. Two years ago, she had a cerebral thrombosis. She was sitting on the sofa in broad daylight, unable to get up. She called Xu Lianqiu, saying that she couldn’t control her legs and feet, and insisted on getting up, only to fall directly and take a tumble.

Her family sent her to the hospital for examination, and the doctor said it was fortunate that it was only a capillary blockage. She urgently took two pills under her tongue and was on an IV for half a month before she recovered.

The doctor advised her not to stop taking her medication, to watch her diet, and to exercise moderately.

Su Zhiyu did all of these things very well. The old lady not only ate very lightly, but also insisted on getting up early every day to take a walk in the community, looking energetic.

Perhaps Su Zhiyu was too healthy, which led Han Rao and the others to overlook her medical history in the past two years, neglecting to observe her and not taking her for physical examinations, resulting in today’s situation.

Han Rao felt quite guilty, thinking she had been too inhuman these past few years. When she had no acting jobs, she didn’t dare go home, fearing her family would ask too many questions. Now that she had acting jobs, she was busy to death and had even less time to go home.

Han Rao took a deep breath to steady her emotions and said to Han Ting, “I’ll ask for leave and go home right away.”

After hanging up the phone, she immediately asked the director for leave and explained the situation. The director was quite humane; not only did he not rush her to come back to filming, but he also comforted her with a few words. After thanking him, Han Rao immediately bought a ticket and then took a taxi to the high-speed rail station.

Han Rao didn’t even have time to remove her makeup; she just went to the dressing room to change her clothes and left. Because she had bought a ticket for the earliest train, she was afraid of being late and missing it, and then having to wait again.

She couldn’t wait.

Han Rao had never felt the journey from Hengdian to Suzhou was so long. In the past, she would lie on a chair and sleep, and soon she would arrive. But today, she only felt that time was stretched infinitely long.

She wore a mask and sunglasses. Beneath the sunglasses, tears streamed down her cheeks, dampening the mask and smudging her makeup.

Han Rao told herself to be calm, strong, and composed. She was a person with strong psychological resilience, and crying wouldn’t solve anything. But the heavy psychological pressure still overwhelmed her. Silently shedding tears was perhaps the only way to relieve the pressure.

Just as Han Rao was in agony, her phone suddenly rang again. She immediately took it out to look, both fearing it was Han Ting calling to tell her bad news, and hoping it was Han Ting telling her the good news of a successful surgery.

But in the end, it wasn’t Han Ting.

Han Rao looked at the three words “Zhao Jichuan” in the备注 and felt her vision blurred by tears, his name becoming hazy. She didn’t know why he was looking for her now, but she wasn’t in the mood to deal with him.

Han Rao raised her hand and touched those three words. She actually really wanted to answer the call and chat with him for a bit, or just listen to him say a few words, as long as it could ease her uneasy mood.

But in the end, she still didn’t answer.

Grandma’s matter was a family matter, and she didn’t want him to know. He was a cold and indifferent person who usually kept his distance from things that didn’t concern him. He probably wouldn’t understand her fear and worry. Moreover, even if he knew, he wouldn’t be able to help her, and it would only add to her troubles.

So, Han Rao gritted her teeth and turned off the screen, turning her head to look at the scenery flashing past the window.

In late winter, spring was yet to arrive, and the vast land outside the window was still desolate and lonely.

Finally, the call was hung up by Zhao Jichuan, and the world instantly fell silent.

Han Rao heard her own sigh.

The next second, her phone rang again, breaking the silence once more.

Han Rao blinked, her long eyelashes wet with tears, making it difficult for her to open her eyes.

But the phone’s ringing seemed like a fatal and oppressive催促, making her anxious.

She remembered missing many calls that morning, so she didn’t make it back in time to accompany her grandmother. Her grandmother was still in the operating room, and she hadn’t seen the doctor with her own eyes or heard the doctor say it was just a minor surgery, so she was very uneasy and flustered.

But at this moment, she was also afraid that Zhao Jichuan would call so persistently, afraid that he also had some urgent matter, and that she would regret missing it just like before. So she pressed her finger on the screen and answered the call.

“Hello.”

Han Rao let out a breath, followed by a hiccup. She clutched her phone with both hands, not daring to say another word, fearing that she would break down and cry uncontrollably the next second.

Zhao Jichuan could tell that she was probably crying, and silently suppressing her sobs. Her throat was a little hoarse, and her voice was unsteady when she spoke, making it seem as if she was trembling.

“Raorao…”

The man had just opened his mouth, wanting to comfort her, but Han Rao cut him off.

She asked him directly, “Is there something urgent? If not, hang up. I’m a bit busy right now and don’t have time.”

She suppressed her crumbling emotions, trying to make those two sentences sound as calm as possible.

But after being filtered by electromagnetic waves, the sound reached Zhao Jichuan’s ears with a hint of detachment and distance.

The man froze, the comforting words he had prepared beforehand now stuck in his throat.

He suddenly felt “at a loss for words” because her attitude was very poor, and her tone was very dismissive of him, making him feel that she was annoyed with him.

And, most tragically, Han Rao had no desire whatsoever to confide in him.

They had been together for so long, experiencing everything from petty squabbles to major storms. He thought he was at least her boyfriend, someone she could trust when she was sad, a harbor she could rely on.

But the truth told him that these were all his own fantasies, his wishful thinking.

Han Rao, that woman, had a heart harder than stone, pushing him out of her protective circle, even bristling with thorns to drive him away.

A wave of irritation surged between the man’s brows. He even wanted to light a cigarette, but remembering that smoking was prohibited at the airport, he held back.

Sun Hao stood beside him, watching the wind ruffle the man’s hair. He saw him stunned for a long time before he spoke, “It’s nothing serious,

You go ahead and be busy.”

“Bye-bye.” Han Rao immediately hung up the phone.

Sun Hao pulled his black overcoat tighter, keenly sensing Zhao Jichuan’s emotional change. Although Sun Hao didn’t hear what Han Rao said on the phone, he was good at reading people and understood Zhao Jichuan. He could guess that President Zhao probably hit a wall with Miss Han.

Sun Hao remembered Zhao Jichuan’s busy figure after taking a call this morning, and suddenly felt a little unworthy for him.

He had put so much effort into Han Rao, practically breaking many of his own rules, yet Han Rao remained as cold as ice, showing no appreciation whatsoever, which was truly disheartening.

Perhaps it was because he was an outsider and felt sad, so Sun Hao put himself in Zhao Jichuan’s shoes and asked him, “Are we still going to the hospital now?”

Zhao Jichuan hesitated for two seconds, “Arrange for the car to go. Let’s go to Suzhou to find a doctor and understand the situation.”

They had just landed in Wuxi, and it was at least a forty-minute drive to Suzhou.

“Okay.”

Zhao Jichuan turned and left after speaking. Sun Hao looked at his somewhat lonely back and sighed.

He thought Zhao Jichuan would return to Beicheng in a fit of pique, after all, he had never received such a thankless treatment before.

But Zhao Jichuan actually endured it, eagerly offering his warm face to someone’s cold shoulder.

Sun Hao shook his head, jogging a few steps to catch up with the man.

He turned his head to examine Zhao Jichuan’s profile, thinking, so President Zhao has no bottom line when he falls in love, and can even deceive himself.

What a strange thing.

　　-

When Han Rao arrived at the hospital, Su Zhiyu had already finished her surgery and been transferred to a ward.

On her way there, Han Ting gave her the good news, telling her that her grandmother’s surgery was very successful.

Su Zhiyu underwent a PCI (1) procedure, which is considered a minimally invasive surgery. It involves inserting a catheter through a puncture to implant a stent into a narrowed or blocked coronary artery, thereby restoring blood flow and ensuring normal circulation.

The doctor said that after the surgery, she would need to stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours for observation. Once surgical complications and other symptoms were ruled out, she could go home to recover.

When Han Rao walked into the ward, Su Zhiyu was awake.

She lived in a high-end ward, where the environment was excellent and exceptionally quiet, as if isolated from the hospital’s hustle and bustle. As Han Rao pushed the door open and entered, the people inside immediately noticed her return and successively looked up.

Han Rao saw Xu Lianqiu sitting on the chair beside the bed, while Han Ting and the old ** were sitting on the black sofa. Han Ting had probably been busy all morning and was too tired, resting his head on the back of the sofa.

Han Rao narrowed her eyes, looking at Old Han. Although Xu Lianqiu and Old Han had little contact over the years, the connection had never truly been broken because of Han Rao. Every New Year and holiday, Han Ting would bring some supplements when he went to Xu Lianqiu’s house to join the fun. Everyone knew these things were bought by Old Han.

Han Rao sighed, her grandmother’s illness had brought her parents, who had been “at odds” for many years, together.

Su Zhiyu saw Han Rao come in and immediately waved to her. Xu Lianqiu saw this and let out a soft “hiss,” telling her not to move so much.

Su Zhiyu forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing, everything’s fine now.”

She was quite carefree.

Han Rao walked to the bed and looked at her grandmother.

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she always felt that her grandmother had aged a lot since their last meeting, and she looked very tired with a poor complexion. When her grandmother was young, she was particularly fond of beauty. Even with a head of silver hair in her old age, she would still perm it to be a refined old lady.

But now, her hair was messy, and she was wearing a loose blue and white striped hospital gown.

Han Rao squatted down, leaned into Su Zhiyu’s arms, “Grandma.”

Su Zhiyu reached out and touched her cheek, smiling, “You’re so old and still crying. You’ve cried yourself ugly. What will you do if someone takes a picture of you like this, you big star?”

Han Rao cried for a long time on the high-speed train, her makeup, done by the crew, smudged from crying. Her lower eyeliner was blurred, making her look like a little calico cat.

“I don’t want to be a celebrity; I just want to be with you,” Han Rao said softly.

This was the first time she felt the pain that the acting profession brought her. Even when she was bullied by Lin Siliang and Su Wan before, she had never felt wronged because of this profession.

Su Zhiyu grabbed her hand, “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m old and confused, are you going to be confused with me too?”

Han Rao fell silent, because she found her grandmother’s hands to be particularly rough, even somewhat withered, with thin, protruding veins that were not clearly visible.

Han Rao clutched those hands, and especially comparing them to her own soft, delicate hands, she felt even more that her grandmother was truly old.

Han Rao nestled in her arms, “I don’t want to, I just want to stay with you.”

Su Zhiyu glanced at Xu Lianqiu and said with feigned disdain, “Quickly rein in your daughter. She’s so old, yet still acting like a spoiled brat.”

Han Rao was amused by her and got up to squeeze her hand.

It was rare for the whole family to be together, and Su Zhiyu was actually quite happy, especially when she saw Han Rao’s father peel an orange for her mother.

Su Zhiyu was getting on in years and understood her daughter’s temperament. She didn’t expect the two to remarry, knowing it was impossible. But she still sincerely hoped they could get along harmoniously and happily; that was more important than anything.

Su Zhiyu lay for a while, her energy growing, and she began to vividly recount the process of her illness today.

After breakfast this morning, Su Zhiyu went for her usual stroll in a nearby park. She actually felt a tightness in her chest on the way, but didn’t take it seriously, attributing it to the recent bad weather and her sensitive respiratory system.

As a result, while doing square dancing with her old sisters, she felt unwell, couldn’t bear it, and immediately lay down on the ground.

“I’m telling you, the King of Hell never intended to take me!” Su Zhiyu said with a chuckle, “It just so happened that there was a doctor playing with her child in the park, and she saw me at a glance. She understood that I couldn’t be moved carelessly with my condition, so she adjusted my posture and called 120. Otherwise, I bet my unreliable old sisters, seeing me fall, would definitely shake me and jostle me, and then I might really kick the bucket!”

Han Rao was terrified to hear this, wondering how Su Zhiyu could say such things so calmly.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve reached a certain age and have come to terms with everything? Do I believe that surviving a serious illness means good fortune will follow? Do I think that every extra day I live is a bonus?

Su Zhiyu suddenly thought of something, and grabbed Han Rao’s hand again, mysteriously patting the back of her hand, “And I’m telling you, A-Ying, why didn’t you tell your family when you got a boyfriend?”

Han Rao’s temples throbbed violently. How did the conversation turn to her? Also, when did she get a boyfriend?

Zhao Jichuan?

Han Rao immediately looked at Han Ting, who quickly shook his head, indicating that he was not the one who spilled the beans.

What’s going on?

Han Rao only felt a headache, and then heard Su Zhiyu say, “I like this grandson-in-law. He’s handsome, has good temperament, and speaks gently and cultivatedly.”

Han Rao was completely bewildered, her heart sinking to the bottom. She tugged at her dry lips and looked at Han Ting as if seeking help.

Han Ting frowned and recounted what had happened.

It turned out that right after Su Zhiyu’s surgery, Zhao Jichuan brought Sun Hao to visit the old lady, buying her many tonics, which were now piled beside the sofa. He also arranged a high-class ward and professional caregivers for her.

Su Zhiyu had never met him and asked whose friend he was. Zhao Jichuan said he was Han Rao’s, “Han Rao is filming and can’t rush back immediately, so she entrusted me to come and see you.”

Su Zhiyu didn’t believe this nonsense. The old lady, nearly eighty, was shrewd and saw through the trick at a glance. She asked, “I’ve never heard A-Ying mention a friend like you.”

Zhao Jichuan was speechless. Han Ting quickly added, “Grandma, this is my sister’s friend from Beicheng.”

She kept Han Rao’s instructions in mind, not to tell her family that Zhao Jichuan was her boyfriend. Although she found it strange, after all, her boyfriend had already come to their house.

“Are they friends, or boyfriends?” Su Zhiyu wrinkled her nose, and pointed at Zhao Jichuan and Han Ting with her finger.

Han Ting pretended to scratch his hair to avoid the question, while Zhao Jichuan openly said, “He’s my boyfriend.”

“You haven’t eaten as much rice as I have salt, and you still want to fool this old lady!” Su Zhiyu chuckled. She had just finished surgery but didn’t rest, insisting on asking Zhao Jichuan a few questions before letting him go.

Han Rao was holding an orange, peeling it vigorously as she listened, feeling a sense of despair engulfing her.

How could things have turned out like this? Why is Zhao Jichuan so annoying, always showing up in front of her family?

Now, not only Han Ting knew about him, but her father, mother, and grandmother all knew.

How is this going to end?

How should she

How was she going to explain to her family that she was actually Zhao Jichuan’s mistress?

If they really knew, they would definitely be disappointed in her. Given Xu Lianqiu’s temper, she might even slap her twice and scold her for doing such a cheap and self-disrespecting thing.

She now had to hide it from four people.

One wrong step, and I’m afraid I’ll be dragged into hell.

Han Rao felt a palpitation, her fingers digging into the orange flesh, juice dripping down her fingers onto her pants.

Su Zhiyu pursed her lips and smiled, “I think this Xiao Zhao is pretty good. Didn’t you say he runs a company? That’s really impressive! Someone like that is worthy of you.”

Su Zhiyu gave a thumbs up.

Han Rao forced a smile and then asked Han Ting, “How did he know Grandma was sick?”

Han Ting cleared his throat, “Well, your phone wasn’t getting through, right? I thought maybe you two were together, so I called brother-in-law. He saw I was anxious and asked a couple more questions, so I told him. Sister, let me tell you, brother-in-law he…”

Han Rao really wanted to throw the orange in her hand at his head.

Han Ting’s words were interrupted by the usually quiet Old Han, “So, Xiao Ting knew your sister had a boyfriend a long time ago?”

Han Ting coughed twice again, scratched his hair, lowered his head, and softly “hmm”-ed, “Not that long ago.”

Han Ting actually had a pretty good impression of Zhao Jichuan, his brother-in-law. Firstly, Zhao Jichuan passed his test during their drinking session that day, and he was very satisfied. Secondly, because during the time Han Rao was filming, he had spent a lot of time eating and having fun with Zhao Jichuan.

Initially, Zhao Jichuan was just fulfilling his promise from that day, treating him to a Spanish meal. Then came the second time, and the third.

Although Han Ting would tell him, “Don’t think these things can buy me off. If you dare to bully my sister, I’ll make sure you regret it,” in reality, he admired his brother-in-law immensely.

Successful men are not only attractive to women but can also earn the admiration of inexperienced university students.

Han Rao looked at Han Ting, really wanting to scold him, but then felt he hadn’t done anything wrong.

All the coincidences today stemmed from her not answering the phone.

It was her own doing.

Han Rao closed her eyes and continued to peel the orange with her head down, wondering what to do.

It seemed her family was now full of curiosity about this man named Zhao Jichuan, her nominal “boyfriend.”

What should she do?

After all, the truth would eventually come out.

As Han Rao was deep in thought, two rhythmic knocks on the door roused her.

It was Zhao Jichuan.

The man wore a black overcoat, hands in his pockets, and politely greeted the elders upon entering, calling them “Grandma,” “Uncle,” and “Auntie,” and wishing them well.

He said, “I knew Raorao was probably back, so I came to check.”

As his words fell, the man’s gaze landed on Han Rao. He was right; she had indeed cried a lot, her makeup smudged, and her eyes red and swollen.

Han Rao felt her heart clench, as various terrifying possibilities swirled in her mind.

Her family welcomed Zhao Jichuan warmly, especially Su Zhiyu, who arranged for him to sit next to Han Rao.

But they didn’t understand Zhao Jichuan at all; they only knew him as a well-dressed gentleman on the surface, completely unaware of his despicable and evil side.

Han Rao even wondered, had she done something unforgivable? Or had she offended him again for some reason?

Why did he resort to his old tricks again, appearing before her family? Why did he repeatedly test her limits?

She admitted that she had been very reckless lately, not listening to him, scolding him, hitting him, and kicking him.

So he wants to use new leverage to threaten her, is that it?

Han Rao didn’t know why, but she kept thinking the worst.

Perhaps she was born a staunch pessimist.

It was also possible that she felt too guilty about her relationship with him.

Han Rao felt Zhao Jichuan sit beside her, the sofa sinking slightly. He calmly pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

Han Rao didn’t take it. He pulled her wrist, chatted with her family, and wiped the juice from her hands.

Han Rao was terrified, her hands and feet ice cold.

She couldn’t take it anymore, not for another second. Every word they spoke felt like a slow torture to her heart.

Han Rao suddenly said, “I’m so tired.”

Sure enough, Su Zhiyu immediately said, “Go back and rest, and take Xiao Zhao with you.”

Han Rao immediately pulled Zhao Jichuan out.

The moment the ward door closed, she felt like she could breathe again. So she immediately let go of his hand, rubbing her hands together as she quickly walked forward.

Zhao Jichuan strode after her, took her hand, and comforted her, saying, “It’s okay, the doctor said Grandma is fine. As long as she takes care of herself, Grandma will definitely live a long life.”

He wasn’t actually good at or bothered with saying flattering words, but to make her happy, he spoke with a touch of sincerity, and his tone was exceptionally earnest.

Han Rao took a deep breath, didn’t say a word, and endured it, enduring until she sat in the car with him, entering a private, enclosed space with only the two of them.

Zhao Jichuan backed the car out of the parking space, gripping the steering wheel as he asked her, “To my place, or do you want to go home? Let’s go to my place. It’s closer to the hospital, and you can get some sleep before coming back. I’ll drive you then.”

Han Rao frowned at him, no longer able to hear his words, all the suppressed emotions suddenly erupting at that moment.

She said in despair, “Zhao Jichuan, are you trying to force me to my death by doing this today?”