67. Real Death and Fake Death

Jun Lengche stayed in the hospital for another week. It was not until he could move around slowly that he booked a flight back to City G. He had lent his camper to the local government to serve as a mobile medical unit for treating critically ill patients.

Even though he was recovering very well, Tong Zhenzhen still cared for him meticulously as if he were gravely ill, holding onto him even when they walked.

During those days in the hospital, she had rushed around constantly, taking care of him personally. She served him tea and water, wiped his body, changed his clothes, and even emptied his urinal with her own hands.

The first time she assisted him with urination, her face had blushed as red as an apple, and she had not dared to let her eyes wander.

Even he, despite his usual frosty demeanor and profession as a doctor, had been a bit bashful and blushedrarerthan usual.

In the end, Julie could no longer stand watching and remarked that since she and he were already husband and wife, there was nothing to be shy about. Only then did the two of them begin to act naturally around each other.

Husband and wife—the term made Tong Zhenzhen suddenly realize that she seemed to truly care for him from the bottom of her heart. She did not even know when it had started.

Yet, after experiencing the earthquake, she and he were like a true married couple sharing weal and woe. At the juncture of life and death, what mattered most was the other person's survival.

This feeling was actually quite wonderful, because in this world, she finally had someone she could completely rely on, Tong Zhenzhen thought secretly in her heart.

Though she would sometimes still think of her mother's vengeance, a second thought of Jun Lengche's risk to his life to save her, coupled with his unhealed injuries, caused her to push that notion down.

Having escaped death, she only wanted to accompany him well. Everything else could wait.

Tong Zhenzhen did not know that in private, Jun Lengche had told Li Ming that he was extremely grateful for the earthquake, as it had shattered the barriers between them.

Upon returning to City G, Julie announced that she wanted to move into Li Ming's residence to properly cultivate their relationship. Seeing her good friend gaze at Li Ming with eyes full of love, Tong Zhenzhen was thrilled that their progress was going smoothly, and naturally she would not act as a stumbling block, cheerfully wishing her friend instant success.

Tong Zhenzhen drove her friend and Li Ming back first, and only then drove back to their home with Jun Lengche.

The moment she unlocked the door, she had the feeling for the very first time of truly returning to her own place—peaceful and familiar.

After helping him sit down on the sofa, she walked over to the balcony door, pulled back the curtains, and the warm winter sun streamed in, casting an exceptionally comforting warmth upon her face.

"It's wonderful." She closed her eyes, opened her arms wide, and welcomed the sunlight.

"Yes, it is wonderful." A low, gentle voice enveloped her as he stepped up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, bent down, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

His crisp, clean scent enveloped her, just like him.

She leaned back slightly against his chest.

Both could hear the beating of each other's hearts. Time seemed to stand still; everything was so serene and beautiful.

He raised his head, planting a light kiss on her earlobe, and then on her cheek.

The gentle kiss felt like a passing feather, laden with his love.

She turned around, her face flushed like a peach, her eyes shimmering like springtime waters. She hooked her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and met his lips, taking the initiative to kiss him for the very first time. Clumsily, she sucked on his lips, tentatively extending the tip of her tongue to search for his.

He froze for a fraction of a second, before his eyes lit up, the expression on his face as brilliant and dazzling as a clear sky after a long period of gloom. He guided her, turning the kiss into something profoundly sweet.

The deeper the kiss, the more profound their affection grew. The two of them were like a pair of swans intertwined in love, fusing closely together...

In the days that followed, during the extended leave Jun Lengche took for his injuries, the two of them got along harmoniously.

That night, he slept embracing her. She curled up like a cat greedy for warmth, pulling her legs inward and shrinking into his arms.

He stroked her hair affectionately.

These past few days, she had thoroughly relished the harmony between them, yet deep within her heart lingered an unshakeable shadow. She did not know when it had begun, but she had grown to care deeply about him, eagerly yearning to see him shed his habitual aloofness and turn warm and approachable.

Even so, her mother's vengeance remained like a thorn, piercing her heart from time to time.

"Little girl, why are you frowning again?" His fingers gently stroked the space between her brows.

She opened her eyes and pouted.

This tiny gesture earned her a light, dragonfly-kiss on the lips.

"When you're with me, frowning is forbidden." He licked her lips, feigning gentle reproach.

Looking at his tender and affectionate visage, she felt an inexplicable panic, terrified that all of this might be nothing more than an illusion. Even if she deliberately avoided it, her mother's death remained a stark reality. Did that mean she had to let it go?

In fact, a few days ago, she had recalled that right before he lost consciousness during the earthquake, he had mentioned her mother. Did he know something?

Yet, subconsciously, she was also terrified to find out.

It was driving her crazy with worry.

"Jun..." After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke up tentatively. She had only uttered a single syllable before he sealed her lips with his index finger.

"Why aren't you calling me Cheche anymore?" He arched an eyebrow, pretending to be angry.

A few days prior, while they were frolicking and teasing each other, she had sickeningly called him "Cheche" just to bug him.

And how did he react? He had picked her up and spanked her, declaring it a punishment.

Since her physical strength was no match for his, she could only rely on her tongue, endlessly chanting "Cheche, Cheche."

Initially, he had rejected such a cheesy nickname. However, she insisted it was her term of endearment for him—unique and exclusive, and strictly forbidden for anyone else to use.

Hearing her put it that way, he accepted it gladly, though he stipulated that she could only call him that in private.

As a trade-off, however, she had to call him "Hubby" in public, because he claimed they were going to grow old together.

Hmph, what a petty and calculating guy. Her lips had puffed out high at the time, yet her heart had been dripping with sweetness.

A lifetime with one and only one partner—wasn't that every woman's pursuit?

As for this intimate moniker, from initially teasing him, she gradually poured her genuine feelings into it.

Perhaps among lovers, being cheesy is synonymous with fun.

"Cheche," she smiled, then furrowed her brow again, "Last time, right before you passed out, you mentioned my mother. What were you trying to say back then?"

Hearing her inquiry, his expression turned solemn, giving her a bad premonition.

"Girl, I think," he paused, glanced at her, and then said slowly, "I think your mother might not be dead."

"What?!" She cried out in shock, flipping herself upright. "My mother isn't dead? How is that possible?!"

He sat up as well, stroking her lustrous hair. "Girl, after we met, I made a special trip back to the place where you and your mother used to live."

"Why did you go there? To investigate me?" She remembered then that he indeed hadn't come to see her for a few days. Could he have gone to investigate her? He was such a cautious man, after all. The thought felt like a wooden splinter piercing her heart, leaving her deeply uncomfortable.

He tapped the tip of her nose lightly. "What are you thinking? I wanted to understand you better because there were four whole years between us where our lives had no intersection. Besides, I wanted to pay my respects to your mother and tell her that I'm going to take care of you and treat you well."

So that was it. Realizing she had been petty, she felt a bit embarrassed. However, she was now burning to know why he believed her mother might still be alive.

"Then you must have seen my mother's grave. What makes you think she didn't..." She couldn't bear to say the word "die." In truth, deep down in her heart, she had always desperately hoped her mother was still alive.

"Girl, that day when I went to the cemetery, I caught the retreating figure of a woman leaving. So I asked the caretaker, and he said this woman comes all the time." He cast a sympathetic look at her.

"Maybe... it was Julie." She dared not easily believe the fact that her mother was alive, terrified of experiencing disappointment all over again.

He shook his head. "It wasn't her. To find out the truth, I asked the cemetery keeper to take a picture the next time that woman came."

"Did he get a picture?!" she asked anxiously.

He nodded. "He managed to get one, but she was wearing a veil."

"Where's the photo?!" She grabbed his hand. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I wanted to investigate thoroughly before telling you. I was afraid you'd get hurt," he said after careful consideration.

Hurt? Her mother being alive was something she would celebrate; how could she possibly get hurt? She looked at him in utter bewilderment.

"If your mother didn't die, why would she lie to you?" Seeing the blank expression on her face, he had no choice but to voice his own apprehensions.

Indeed, why would her mother lie to her? His words sent a chill through her heart. Why would her mother go into hiding?

It felt as though a basin of ice-cold water had been poured over her from head to toe, instantly extinguishing the surge of joy sparked by the news that her mother might still be alive.

How could this be? The mother she had depended on for mutual survival—how could she cause her such excruciating pain?

"Girl, don't rush. I will find out the truth for you." Seeing her heartbroken expression, he knew she was hurting. He pulled her into his embrace. In this world, no one could easily endure betrayal by a loved one.

She clutched his waist tightly, like a drowning person clutching a straw, her shoulders trembling as she sobbed softly.

He stroked her back and sighed deeply. Why was his girl's life so full of trials and tribulations?

After a long while, she slowly composed herself.

"Cheche, would you ever lie to me?" She sniffled, raised her head, and asked him earnestly, the red mole between her brows glowing with captivating brilliance.

He cupped her face in his hands, gazed at her sincerely, and shook his head solemnly. Then, he lowered his head and gently sucked away the lingering tears on her face.

"You're not allowed to lie to me, you hear?" she insisted with the stubbornness of a child.

"Mm." He made his promise, lingering on her lips, parting her teeth gently, and sealing it with a passionate kiss.

The temperature between their lips and teeth rose, and the room seemed to overflow with the sweetness of spring...

The next day, Tong Zhenzhen looked at the photograph. Even though the woman wore a black veil, she recognized her at a glance—it was her mother.

Her mother really wasn't dead! While this realization filled her with sorrow, it also brought a sense of liberation. Since her mother was alive, seeking revenge lost its purpose. This meant she could finally face her true feelings and love Jun Lengche with a relaxed heart.

As for her mother, she believed Jun Lengche would surely uncover the truth for her. She felt certain her mother must have had unspeakable circumstances. No matter what, she refused to believe her mother had deliberately deceived her.

Tong Zhenzhen thought that from then on, she could shake off her string of bad luck. But would life truly let her off so easily?