"Who did you run off with? What happened to your solemn promise to protect her for life? Where is that now?"
Chen Dongyang was utterly speechless. With a heavy expression, he glanced at Tiantian and paused for a few seconds.
"Could you do me a favor and look after her for two days? Just two days, and I promise I'll be back after that."
Chen Jiaojiao gasped on the phone.
"No way, Chen Dongyang? I didn't believe her at first. You're not exactly a good man, but I didn't think you'd be so irresponsible... Have you really changed your mind? Who are you with now? We're on the verge of a crisis here, and you're still in the mood for a fling? How can I have a brother like you!"
Tiantian wasn't stupid. She could guess what was happening on the other end of the line from his hesitant demeanor and one-sided conversation.
So, seeing Chen Dongyang's reluctance to speak, she took the initiative to speak.
"Did something happen? If it's that bad, we can just go back. It's not like we absolutely have to go on vacation."
"No," Chen Dongyang was firm.
"I promised you a week, and I must keep that promise. No matter what, I need to spend two days executing our plan."
"Sis, don't ask too many questions for now. I'll give you a proper explanation when I get back. Just help me look after her for two days, I'm begging you."
Chen Jiaojiao heard the female voice on the other end and was utterly exasperated, letting out a cold laugh.
"I must have owed you in my past life, Chen Dongyang, you scumbag! Fine, since I'm your unlucky sister, I'll help you out for two more days."
"Let's be clear beforehand. If anything irreversible happens, don't blame me when I get back. Our sibling bond ends here after these two days. I won't get involved in your messes anymore, so get lost and stay far away."
With that, Chen Jiaojiao hung up the phone first.
Chen Dongyang sat back on the bed, staring blankly at the floor for a few seconds. He then lay down beside Tiantian, took her hand, and placed it on his face.
"Tiantian, I'm sorry..."
Seeing his heavy and exhausted appearance, Tiantian's heart ached.
They had overestimated themselves, thinking they were as carefree as they imagined. But when faced with separation, their words couldn't express the sorrow and loss in their hearts.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, don't say silly things."
At this point, she could only pretend to be strong, using a carefree attitude to lessen his pain.
"Don't say sorry, I'm willing. You don't owe me anything."
"I don't want to be distracted by thoughts of you for these two days. Doubao needs you, let's go back."
Since neither of them could sleep with their hearts heavy, they decided to set off for Nancheng that very night.
No one was in the mood to talk during the journey.
Chen Longyang gripped her hand tightly as he drove, wishing the road would never end, that it would stretch on forever. He didn't want to be separated from Tiantian.
It was strange, he thought. He'd had so many relationships before, and breakups had never felt like this. How could it be that after just two months, he was finding it hard to breathe?
Despite his reluctance, they eventually reached their destination.
Zeng Hui was very agitated, demanding medicine and threatening to jump off the building. Chen Jiaojiao, afraid something might happen, stayed at the hospital to keep a close eye on her.
After sending Chen Dongyang the address, she waited by the entrance of the inpatient department.
When she saw him walking towards her, holding hands with a slender girl, her mind exploded.
She couldn't believe her eyes. She looked again and again, until Tiantian finally greeted her.
"Auntie Jiaojiao."
Their hands were still clasped. Chen Jiaojiao wasn't oblivious; she was momentarily stunned. Realizing what had happened, she raised her hand and slapped Chen Dongyang across the face.
"You scoundrel! Are you not causing enough trouble? You've set your sights on her? Do you even know who she is? Chen Dongyang, are you trying to die?"
She put all her might into the slap, leaving five red finger marks on Chen Dongyang's face.
Tiantian was terrified and quickly reached out to cover his face.
"Auntie Jiaojiao, what are you doing?"
Chen Jiaojiao then looked at her with renewed anger.
"Tiantian, you're not surprised to see me, are you? You knew about my relationship with him all along?"
"You... Do you know what kind of relationship Chen Dongyang has with the woman lying upstairs? Are you stupid?"
"Although he's somewhat attractive, he's not suitable for you! Your parents look down on people like him, and he can't give you the life you want. There are plenty of eligible young men in Nancheng, why are you doing this?"
Ever since she found out his sister was Chen Jiaojiao, Tiantian had been prepared for this moment.
Although this was the first time Chen Jiaojiao had scolded her since childhood, she felt it was justified and didn't argue back.
She just looked at Chen Dongyang with concern again.
"Auntie Jiaojiao, I've grown up and I'm not a child anymore. I know what I'm doing. Chen Dongyang didn't lie to me or harm me, so please don't get so worked up."
Seeing her look so concerned for him, it was clear she was deeply in love.
Chen Jiaojiao was not only speechless but also felt a sense of dread.
Her good-for-nothing brother had harmed Zhan Beijue's beloved daughter!
If they were just casually playing around, it would be one thing, but it was clearly not the case now.
He was making Zhan Beijue's daughter a third party, and losing out to such a crazy woman. She couldn't bear to think about it. If Jiang Nan Fang found out, how could she face her as a friend?
Sighing, she calmed herself down and decided to try and persuade Tiantian.
"Tiantian, let him go and come here. Auntie has a few words for you."
Tiantian knew exactly what she was going to say without even thinking – it would be about analyzing the pros and cons, and urging her to leave Chen Dongyang as soon as possible.
So, she didn't let go and didn't go with Chen Jiaojiao.
"I know what you want to say, and I know what you're worried about. There's no need, Auntie Jiaojiao. We're not in the relationship you think we are."
"I'm only taking him this far. I won't go upstairs, and I won't have any contact with him in the future, nor will I let my parents know. Please don't worry."
What? Chen Jiaojiao couldn't understand them anymore.
"You two aren't in the relationship I think you are? So, you both know it's impossible, but you're just casually playing around?"
"Jiang Jingtian, if I'm not mistaken, this is your first love. Are you really being so casual about playing with your first love?"
Everything she said was correct, and Tiantian agreed, "You can understand it that way."
Chen Jiaojiao was so angry she started to laugh.
"I used to always say that your parents protected you and Ge too much, that no child of that age is kept so confined. Now I finally understand. They shouldn't have let you out. You're too naive, Tiantian."
Tiantian disagreed with this statement.
"He didn't deceive me out of money, nor did he deceive me for sex. It was all my own willingness. It has nothing to do with whether I'm naive or not."
Chen Jiaojiao was speechless again.
"You two are just caught up in the moment, thinking your love is superior to everything else. If you don't want to listen to what I say, then I won't say anything more. Just keep it in your hearts."