Volume 1: Absolutely No Same Parallel Universe Chapter 14: Pretending to be Ill to Pass the Test (Part 2)

  I was originally made to feel embarrassed by my own nickname, secretly suppressing the urge to laugh, when suddenly I caught a glimpse of Ling Yi out of the corner of my eye and felt a jolt. I looked up at him in surprise, only to see him staring blankly at me with an inexplicable mix of emotions in his eyes.

  Is it because I pretended to be too similar, reminding him of Gu Qingying? This person is so lacking in self-control. The others in the house also clearly felt his strangeness and their eyes all turned to look at him. I glared at him angrily and hastily spoke up: "Yelang, I'm feeling much better today." The implication being that since he saw me getting better, there was no need to be so shocked.

  As expected, everyone withdrew their gaze and only heard Shangguan Yan chuckle: "Big brother has been absent-minded these past few days. It seems this little girl isn't faking her illness. Alright, since you're recovering, I won't blame you, sister."

  Although she now regards me as Gu Qingying, I still can't help but like her. I held her hand and said: "Yan sister, why are you in a hurry to leave? Why not stay for a few more days until Xiao Ying recovers, and then accompany sister?"

  "If you're still with me when I'm better, someone will have to die." Yu Yan smiled slyly.

  "My sister always teases me." I really didn't know what to say, the previous persuasion was because I saw them packing their luggage today. But after all, I'm not Gu Qingying, if I keep saying this, I'll eventually be exposed. I couldn't help but cast a pleading glance at Ling Yi.

  He and Chu Yunming sat down at the round table, and Jin Niang poured them tea. His gaze was still fixed on me, seeing my pleading expression, he hesitated for a moment, then smiled: "Yunming doesn't even manage your family's swallow, be careful I'll drive you out tonight."

  Jin Niang also chimed in with a smile: "Yes, this time back, it's about time for Master to settle the marriage between Second Master and Miss Yan."

  Shangguan Yan didn't laugh at or scold Jin Niang, but Zhu Yunming smiled and said: "If you want to leave, you have to finish drinking the wine that Big Brother has prepared for tonight before leaving. Unfortunately, Xiao Ying can't participate, it's really a thousand pities."

  Zhuo Jingming and Shangguan Yan were a perfect match, one was elegant and refined, the other was bright and lively. I secretly admired them, then looked at Ling Yi who was smiling beside me, he really looked good when he smiled, his facial features seemed too cold and stern when he wasn't smiling, but now they softened greatly.

  Maybe he felt my gaze, his eyes met mine, and for a moment, he was dazed. I was startled, quickly looked away, my face feeling hot. What am I doing? Why do I want to sneak a peek at him? I hummed in my heart, if you want to look at a handsome guy, just do it openly. When I looked up again, he had already withdrawn his gaze and continued chatting with Chu Yunming, I felt disappointed and pouted.

  Shangguan Yan said seriously: "Xiao Ying was fine on her wedding day, how could she suddenly fall ill?"

  I was stunned, and Ling Yi was still talking to Chu Yunming with a calm expression. I secretly admired his composure and hastily said: "It's all because of my weak body, probably due to the exhaustion along the way, plus the unfamiliar environment, so I got sick."

  "The doctor said that the young lady has contracted wind and cold from outside, and also has internal heat accumulation. As a result of the conflict between cold and heat, her body cannot be balanced inside and out, so she fell ill. However, it's not serious, and after taking two more doses of medicine, she will basically recover."

  I nodded hastily: "Letting Brother Chu and Sister Yan worry is my fault."

  Shangguan Yan scolded: "Foolish girl, what's wrong with you? Can't even blame yourself for catching a cold."

  "Sister." I paused, my heart aching. These words weren't something I was saying for Gu Qingying's sake, but for my own. Growing up in my uncle's household, no matter what was right or wrong, it was always my fault. I had long gotten used to taking the blame for others' mistakes and enduring it, learning not to let it become a torment.

  My eyes are red, and something hot is surging up. For the first time, someone understands me like this, even though she's not facing the real me, but I feel like these words are for me.

  "Silly girl, you cry so much that your nose is all red. Be careful or you'll look ugly." Upper Official Yan cooed softly to me.

  "Sister." I called out again, my nose stuffy, my voice muffled. I couldn't express anything more, so I just softly called out to her.

  Chu Yunming chuckled softly and said, "Xiao Ying, when did you become so prone to tears? In my memory, especially in recent years, I've never seen Xiao Ying cry before."

  Jin Niang's expression suddenly became somewhat stiff, she silently handed me a silk handkerchief, I covered my nose, shocked, could it be that Gu Qingying never cries? How would I know. Besides, I wasn't intentionally crying just now.

  The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward, and Chu Yunming's words left me speechless. Ling Yi suddenly smiled, looking at me with a gentle face: "Qingying is reluctant to part with you, right?"

  I hastily nodded and gave a nasal "uh-huh" twice.

  Shangguan Yan smiled and said: "We should now call Xiaoying 'Big Sister', with Big Brother around, I'm afraid Big Sister will soon forget about us."

  Chu Yunming faintly frowned and said: "Yanzi is poor, waiting for a meeting will make Xiaoying cry again."

  I smiled awkwardly, and the whole room also laughed lightly. My heart felt relieved. Actually, what Chu Yunming said earlier was just an unintentional remark, but it made three people in this room with different thoughts have different expressions. It's the same with being a person. When you pay too much attention to something, you will often be blinded by your own guilty conscience. What am I worried about now? My current body, my current identity is Gu Qingying.

  I looked at Shangguan Yan and Chu Xunming with a smile: "Brother Chu and Sister Yan, have you packed your luggage? The journey is long, if there's anything lacking, be sure to tell me."

  Shangguan Yan smiled and said: "Xiaoying doesn't need to worry, everything is taken care of by big brother. Little sister should focus on recovering from her illness, and come back to see us when you're feeling better."

  I remembered Jin Niang saying that Ling Yi would return to Feng Ming country every year, so I nodded and said: "Alright, sister, don't worry, I'll definitely get better soon and go back to see you guys."

  Chu Ming suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke up: "Before we left, Father asked us to remind you again and again not to worry about home. Now, does Xiao Ying have any messages or letters for Father that we can take back to reassure him?"

  I was stunned, facing Chu Yunming and Shangguan Yan I could still use pretending to be ill to gloss over it, but as for Gu Qingying's father, the Taishi of Fengming Country, what could I say to him? A letter? I hadn't even seen what the writing looked like in this time and space, although speaking with them was unimpeded, I couldn't possibly fabricate a single letter.

  What to do? These thoughts flashed through my mind, and I quickly came up with an idea. "I... cough, cough, cough..." I covered my mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief and coughed with all my might.

  The room suddenly became chaotic, Shangguan Yan rushed forward to support me, Jin Niang hurriedly went to the table to pour water, while Ling Yi took a swift step forward and sat down beside the bed, embracing me in his arms and gently stroking my back.

  I waved my hand to push away the water that Jin Niang handed over, and the other hand was still covering my mouth and nose, coughing non-stop, coughing until my eyes were red, my temples were swollen, coughing until my whole body was shaking, coughing until the air in my lungs was slowly leaving, a faint pain, I myself couldn't tell whether it was real or fake coughing anymore, only feeling being lightly held in Ling Yue's arms, my head leaning on his shoulder, one of his hands gently stroking my back, very warm, very comfortable.

  It's hilarious to act like this, but suddenly I felt a pang of sadness in my heart, and the coughing gradually stopped. I gasped for air, slowly moving backwards. Ling Yi didn't let go of me, only saying lightly: "After preparing the letter for Father, I'll hand it over to you."

  His voice was soft, but it carried an air of authority that brooked no argument. Chu Yunming felt a little embarrassed and stood up, saying: "Xiao Ying is still ill, so we won't disturb her too much."

  Shangguan Yan also stood up and bid farewell: "Xiaoying take good care of your illness, sister is leaving first."

  I looked at her apologetically and nodded. In my heart, I was silently saying: "Sorry, I deceived you all, but for self-protection, I had to do this, really sorry"

  Ling Yi didn't say anything to them, but instead looked at me gently with his head down and softly asked, "Are you feeling better?"

  I nodded silently, Ling Yi's acting skills were enough to win an award in my era. I couldn't find the right words to respond, but saw him take the water from Jin Niang's hand and gently offer it to my lips.

  I didn't dare to refuse in public, so I could only take it with one hand. The slightly warm tea water moistened my dry throat. Ling Yi's arm was still wrapped around mine and hadn't loosened. All I heard him say was: "You all go to the main hall first, the wine and dinner should be ready, I'll come later."

  The two of them responded lightly and walked out. I felt a pang of guilt in my heart, thinking that this dinner party would likely be ruined by my performance, making the atmosphere awkward. I quickly called out to them, clearing my throat: "Chu Gege, Yan Jiejie, you must drink a little more, Xiao Ying can't keep you company, so it's like taking Xiao Ying's place, okay?"

  I looked up at Ling Yi, meeting his calm eyes. I gazed at him with a hint of pleading in my own eyes. He was taken aback for a moment, and his eyes seemed to hold something more. Suddenly, he burst out laughing, released me, and said loudly: "Junming, Yanzhi, let's go together! Tonight, we'll get drunk and forget our worries!"

  He turned around and looked at me deeply, patted Chu Yunming's shoulder and left. Shangguan Yanzheng smiled: "Xiaoying, take good care of your illness, sister will drink that glass of wine for you too." After finishing speaking, she also turned around and walked away.

  I let out a sigh and leaned back against the headboard. Jin Niang closed the door and turned around to come back, I looked at her with a smile, somewhat tired.

  Jin Niang sat down at the head of the bed and hesitated for a moment before saying: "Miss, it's really hard on you."

  "I said calmly: 'Don't mention those things anymore, it's already dinner time, and we haven't eaten anything yet.'"

  Jin Niang then came to herself and also got up and left. I looked at the gradually darkening sky outside the window, and a sense of melancholy arose in my heart.