It was already the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, with only five days left until the New Year.
Huatai Electric officially announced its holiday schedule for today.
Jiang Nan Fang had also finalized the bid documents, successfully getting Huatai into the final review.
She was now on paid leave.
Returning home alone, with no work and no one to accompany her, she suddenly felt so lonely.
For the past six years, although she was busy every day making a living, sometimes not even having time to celebrate the New Year,
With her child chattering by her side, life always felt sweet.
Now, with more time, less pressure, and a large sum of money in her pocket to spend as she pleased, she couldn't be happy anymore.
She repeatedly scrolled through photos of her child on her phone, recalling past happy moments, and huddled on the sofa, crying until her eyes ached.
It was already past two in the morning, and Jiang Nan Fang, dizzy from crying, had no sleep.
Realizing that if she continued like this, she would fall back into the same cycle as a month ago, becoming a lifeless shell of a person due to excessive sorrow.
She forced herself to get up, go downstairs, and walk to the nearest convenience store to buy a case of beer and a bottle of baijiu.
She wanted to drink, to drink a lot, to lull herself to sleep.
If she slept, time would pass faster.
If she slept, her mind would stop thinking.
If she slept, she wouldn't feel lonely.
She had no desire to go out or talk to anyone; it would be good to just sleep through this holiday.
After finishing three cans of beer and a bottle of baijiu, without even showering, Jiang Nan Fang stumbled into her room, leaning against the wall.
She pulled the quilt over her head and finally fell into a drowsy sleep.
She slept for two days and two nights.
During these two days, Jiang Nan Fang barely ate.
She woke up to drink, and after drinking, she slept.
As she had hoped, in her daze, she didn't feel lonely.
Around four in the afternoon on the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month, driven by the urge to relieve herself, Jiang Nan Fang finally left her bedroom.
She first went to the bathroom, then felt an empty ache in her stomach. She came out to find her phone to check the time and perhaps find something to eat.
As soon as she picked up her phone, she received a WeChat message.
Opening it, she saw it was from Ke Teng.
He had just finished filming today and had a week's holiday, inviting her to travel with him.
Jiang Nan Fang did not reply to his message.
Because she saw a message from Ah Zhong in her chat list as well.
It was from yesterday.
He had asked if Jiang Nan Fang was free and if she could visit President Zhan at the hospital.
Zhan Bei Jue had been rescued, but he was extremely irritable, not letting anyone near his room, and refusing to eat or drink. Ah Zhong was worried he might have an accident if he continued like this.
Although it was yesterday's message and she hadn't replied for a day, making it unnecessary to reply now.
Jiang Nan Fang still inexplicably replied to Ah Zhong immediately.
"You and Mrs. Zhan can't persuade him, so what use would my visit be?"
She thought Ah Zhong would be busy and wouldn't see the message for a while.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Jiang Nan Fang sent her reply, Ah Zhong messaged back.
"I trust my intuition, you coming won't be a problem. President Zhan listens to you."
"Mrs. Zhan did say some unpleasant things that day, and I apologize for not being able to help you."
"But I always believe what she said was wrong. I know President Zhan well, Miss Jiang, Mrs. Zhan definitely does not represent his feelings, so please don't take it to heart."
"Anyway, it's the holiday now, and you're idle at home. Consider it repaying a small favor to President Zhan by coming to see him."
"I'm really afraid something will happen if he continues like this. Please, I'm begging you."
Anyone would be moved by such earnest and sincere pleading.
Especially since it was Ah Zhong, whom Jiang Nan Fang had always had a good impression of.
Besides, Zhan Bei Jue had been injured for her this time, so it felt a bit wrong not to visit him.
Jiang Nan Fang wavered.
But she wouldn't admit it verbally.
"I'll let you know when I'm in a better mood."
Putting down her phone, she grabbed her clothes and sniffed them, smelling of alcohol.
Jiang Nan Fang first went to the bathroom to wash up, then came out to change her clothes.
These past few days, due to drinking and sleeping excessively, her eyes were a bit swollen, and her complexion wasn't good either.
She even inexplicably put on a little makeup before grabbing her bag and driving to the hospital.
Ah Zhong hadn't told her the room number, but Zhan Bei Jue's name was not difficult to inquire about.
Jiang Nan Fang easily found the VIP ward entrance.
Stepping out of the elevator and entering the corridor, she immediately saw two people who looked like nannies standing outside the ward.
Inside, there was the sound of porcelain shattering and Zhan Bei Jue's furious roars.
"Get out! I'm not eating! I don't want to see anyone, don't bother me! All of you get out, stay away from me!"
Hadn't his injuries just healed? How did he have so much energy? Yelling and smashing things?
Jiang Nan Fang approached the ward entrance with a curious mind.
Just then, Ah Zhong came out from inside.
Their eyes met, and seeing Jiang Nan Fang arrive, Ah Zhong's joy was evident.
"Miss Jiang, you're here!"
Jiang Nan Fang smiled and asked, "What's going on? Who made him so angry?"
"It's nothing, nothing," Ah Zhong said excitedly.
"He accidentally knocked something over. I'll clean it up."
After speaking, he made a gesture to the two people outside the door.
They nodded at Jiang Nan Fang and turned to leave.
He then ushered Jiang Nan Fang into the room.
"Sorry, the floor is a bit dirty. You go in first, I'll get something to clean with right away. You can talk to President Zhan first."
"President Zhan, look, Miss Jiang is here!"
Jiang Nan Fang entered and looked at the hospital bed.
Zhan Bei Jue was wearing his usual hospital gown, his face pale, his lips as dry as land that hadn't been watered for centuries, cracked and creased.
He leaned against the headboard, looking extremely tired, appearing gravely ill.
Even in such a state, he still had the strength to yell at people?
Jiang Nan Fang walked over and said teasingly, "Where are you injured? I heard you were seriously hurt a few days ago, are you feeling better now?"
Seeing her, Zhan Bei Jue was excited but maintained a poker face.
He even arrogantly closed his eyelids and said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang. I won't die for now."
"You're always so busy, how did you find time to come today?"
Jiang Nan Fang wasn't foolish; she could tell he was blaming her.
'I took such a big hit for you, and now you're only coming to see me. How heartless.'
'This scoundrel? Still in the mood to be sarcastic at a time like this?'
"Why are your lips so dry? Are you thirsty? Shall I pour you a glass of water?"
Just then, Ah Zhong came in with a mop. Hearing Jiang Nan Fang's words, he said pitifully.
"President Zhan woke up yesterday morning, and he hasn't had a single drop of water since he woke up."
"The doctor said his injuries don't affect his eating, but he absolutely refuses to eat."
"Look, Mrs. Zhan just had someone send over chicken soup, and he threw it away without even smelling it. Miss Jiang, please try and persuade him."
Zhan Bei Jue lifted his eyelids and glared at Ah Zhong with extreme disdain.
"You talk too much. What does my eating have to do with you? Now you dare to boss me around? You've turned against me."