Chapter Sixty-Four: Jiang Yang Feigns Illness (Part 1)

The next morning, Jiang Yang called the human resources department, claiming he had a rather severe fever and could not come to work. He specifically asked them to pass the message along to President Wang.

Just after hanging up, he received a message from Xia Bingbing: "Senior Brother, are you at the company? I'll be passing by your area later and wanted to drop by to see you at noon."

Staying at home now, he certainly could not let Xia Bingbing come over, so he had no choice but to lie to her: "I've got a fever today, so I didn't go to the company."

"What? You have a fever? Just wait there, I'm coming right over to see you!"

Jiang Yang's eyes widened in panic, and he hurriedly called her back: "Bingbing, this fever came on suddenly; it might be the flu, so you really shouldn't come over. It would be terrible if I passed it to you."

"It's fine, I'll just wear a mask. Haven't you gone to the hospital yet? I'll accompany you there in a little while."

"Wait, don't you still have to record your song? I'll come see you tomorrow for your birthday, you don't need to come..."

"You don't need to tell me all that. Just wait, I'm almost there." With that, Xia Bingbing hung up the phone.

Jiang Yang was dumbfounded. If she came over now and happened to run into Ruolan, what would he do?

Yet it was too late now. He had already informed HR of his leave and specifically asked them to notify President Wang. At this moment, he found himself praying that Ruolan would not show up at a time like this.

Otherwise, taking a leave to stay at home with his junior sister—if Ruolan arrived and saw this scene, how would she react?

No, he didn't know if Ruolan was coming or not, but under no circumstances could he let the two of them meet.

A flash of inspiration struck him, and he texted Bingbing: "I've gone to the nearby district hospital for a check-up; I'm not at home."

Bingbing immediately replied: "Great, I'll come straight to the hospital to find you then."

"See you at the hospital shortly."

He quickly tidied up and prepared to head to the nearby district hospital. While classified as a secondary general hospital and not very large, it had all the necessary equipment, and the crowds were usually sparse.

Furthermore, it was very close to his apartment—just right across the street.

As soon as he arrived at the hospital, his phone rang. It was Ruolan calling.

Answering the call, she asked anxiously, "Are you sick?"

"I just feel a bit unwell, probably the flu. I don't think it's a big deal though, maybe I should just go back to work." Jiang Yang now felt that returning to work was the best option; no matter what, it was better than having Bingbing and her bump into each other here.

"If you're feeling unwell, lie at home. Why go to work and pass it to your colleagues? I'm coming over right now." Ruolan scolded him and effectively issued notice of her impending arrival on the battlefield.

A warmth flooded Jiang Yang's heart. She truly still cared about him. That made it even more crucial that she and Bingbing did not cross paths, for the collision of two such forces was something he could not endure.

Fortunately, he was prepared. Ruolan still had a full hour to get from the company to his location. With a clever maneuver utilizing the hospital, he could ensure the two of them missed each other completely.

Just as he finished registering at the reception desk, Xia Bingbing arrived, dressed in a yellow athletic jacket.

There weren't many people in the waiting area, and she spotted Jiang Yang instantly. She trotted over, sat down beside him, and asked with concern, "Senior Brother, are you alright?"

Jiang Yang feigned deep misery, frowning as he said, "I just woke up today feeling exhausted, a bit chills-prone, and running a fever..."

Xia Bingbing reached out with a worried little hand and pressed it against his forehead. "Oh, it really does feel like you have a high fever."

Jiang Yang's mouth twitched. I'm completely fine—how on earth can you tell I have a fever just by touching me?

At that moment, his number was called, and Xia Bingbing solicitously supported him into the consultation room.

When the doctor asked about his symptoms, Jiang Yang exaggerated his condition, claiming he was so dizzy and lightheaded that he couldn't even stand steadily.

"That severe? But you look like you're in a decent color."

"Yet I really am terribly dizzy. Doctor, what do you think is going on?"

The doctor took his temperature and briefly checked his symptoms. "Young man, this doesn't look like the flu to me. Go get a few tests done first; if nothing's wrong, just go home and sleep it off."

Hearing this, Xia Bingbing looked delighted. "Then let's go get the tests done. If nothing is wrong, we'll just follow the doctor's advice and go back to rest."

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Yang said, "Doctor, could you perhaps order a brain CT scan for me?"

Both the doctor and Xia Bingbing stared in shock. "A brain CT scan?"

"Yes, my dizziness is severe. What if I have a brain tumor or something?"

Adjusting his glasses, the doctor said, "Based on your symptoms, it really doesn't look like it."

"What if? It's just a test, and if nothing's wrong, it'll give me peace of mind."

Helplessly, the doctor replied, "Alright, if you insist, I'll write you an order. CT scans are free right now, no waiting required, and the results will be ready in half an hour."

Hearing this, a look of involuntary triumph appeared on Jiang Yang's face. That should be enough time.

Meanwhile, hearing Jiang Yang suspect he might have a brain tumor turned Xia Bingbing's pretty face completely pale, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Leaving the consultation room, Xia Bingbing asked worriedly, "Senior Brother, when did it get this bad? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Jiang Yang waved a hand. "It's probably like the doctor said, nothing too serious. I'm a bit tired; let's get the checks done so I can go back and rest. Could you wait here for me and pick up the report when it's ready?"

"Of course. Or should I help you back? I'm afraid you'll get dizzy crossing the street..." Xia Bingbing was genuinely worried; he looked so frail he couldn't even manage staying in the hospital, making his condition seem quite grave.

"It's fine, it's just a few steps. We'll come back to the doctor once the results are out." Jiang Yang had to extricate himself quickly; Ruolan would be arriving soon.

Xia Bingbing accompanied him through the CT scan and blood tests. Fortunately, the hospital wasn't busy, and they completed all the examinations in under forty minutes.

Jiang Yang asked Bingbing to stay behind to collect the report for him while he slipped out of the hospital and jogged all the way back to his apartment, terrified of missing the window of Ruolan's arrival.

The moment he stepped inside the apartment, the door clicked open. It was Ruolan.

Jiang Yang stared at her in utter astonishment. "You... why do you still have the key?"

"Didn't you give it to me?" Ruolan asked as she closed the door behind her, walking over to check on him. "How are you feeling?"

"I was just a bit uncomfortable this morning, but I'm much better now." Jiang Yang began calculating the time; he probably had only twenty minutes before Bingbing got the report and came back.

Ruolan bit her lip and asked, "Are you really okay? Did you sneak off to see the doctor by yourself?"