Jiang Yang had been keeping a close eye on the hospital surgery's progress. Even if Ye Qingwei didn't take the initiative to call him, he would find a way to get her over here.
The Apocalypse was coming anyway. Once morality collapsed, if Ye Qingwei still refused, he could just force himself on her.
He would take her first and worry about the rest later.
As for what came after?
Feelings could grow over time!
Ye Fan, Ye Fan, you were right. I really had come with an ulterior motive.
Your little green-tea darling would work part-time for me, and I would raise your sister until she was fair and plump too!
A wicked smile appeared on Jiang Yang's face. Just then, his phone rang.
He answered it, and a pleasant, gentle voice came through.
"Hello, is... is this Big Brother Jiang? I... I'm Ye Qingwei."
"I'm willing to join your company. If you have time, could we meet and discuss it in person...?"
Inside Linjiang Hospital, Ye Qingwei called Jiang Yang as soon as she left the operating room.
She had a strange illness. Her entire body was weak, and her pair of pale, slender legs had no sensation at all. It was simply a terrible waste.
The crucial thing was that if she didn't receive treatment, it was only a matter of time before the illness took her life.
There were so few people worldwide who had suffered from this disease that they could be counted on one hand.
Her surgery this time had been a great success.
In short, her life had been saved.
Next, all she had to do was wait for the Apocalypse to arrive. Given Ye Qingwei's current condition, it wouldn't be impossible for the sensation in her legs to return immediately.
"Qingwei, I found a summer job. Ten thousand a month. I need to move things today, so I'm leaving first. I'll come see you another day."
Ye Fan walked over and looked at his sister. For an instant, she felt somewhat unfamiliar to him, as though they would never be able to return to how things had been before.
Especially after seeing her call Jiang Yang, he felt deeply unhappy, even jealous, but there was nothing he could do.
"Mm, go ahead, Brother. Don't work too hard. Apologize to Sister Tang Ya."
Ye Qingwei knew Ye Fan was doing it for her sake, which made her want to seize the opportunity Jiang Yang had given her even more. That way, Ye Fan wouldn't have to keep worrying about her.
That evening, Jiang Yang invited Ye Qingwei to dinner at the most luxurious Five Seasons Hotel in the city. At the time, Ye Qingwei still needed a wheelchair.
Jiang Yang patiently pushed Ye Qingwei over to her seat.
The surroundings were glittering and magnificent, awash in dazzling lights and luxury.
Where had Ye Qingwei ever seen such a scene before? Back when she could still walk, even eating at a restaurant was a luxury.
For a moment, overcome by inferiority and shyness, the girl lowered her little head and curled up into herself. Her face flushed scarlet as she handed Jiang Yang a sheet of manuscript paper and said softly, "Big... Big Brother Jiang, this is a new song I wrote recently. Take a look..."
Jiang Yang patted her shoulder and smiled. "Qingwei, relax. You call me Big Brother Jiang, so just treat me as your brother. There's no need to be so restrained."
"Mm-hmm." Ye Qingwei nodded happily.
She didn't reject that kind of physical contact. On the contrary, it made her relax quite a bit.
Although Ye Fan treated her very well.
He had never seemed as dependable as Jiang Yang, though. At least in terms of appearance, there was far too much difference.
Though Ye Qingwei didn't place much importance on looks, people were visual creatures, especially once a relationship began to warm up.
Jiang Yang picked up the song Ye Qingwei had written and looked at it.
It was all about courage...
I love you walking alone through dark passageways
I love your strong appearance
I love how you faced despair
And refused to shed a tear
I love your tattered armor
Yet you dared to challenge fate's gun
I love how you're so much like me
Our flaws are all the same
Holy shit, wasn't this "Lone Warrior"?
Could it be that "Lone Warrior" in this world had been written by this girl? Novels and reality were different, after all. Details like this wouldn't be written down.
Still, this didn't seem to be the final version of "Lone Warrior." Hehe, heaven really was helping me!
"Not bad." Jiang Yang propped up his chin and nodded with feigned satisfaction. "Qingwei really is a talented woman!"
"Not at all." After receiving Jiang Yang's praise, Ye Qingwei lowered her blushing little head again.
Jiang Yang continued, "However, I have a few rough suggestions. Qingwei, what do you think about revising it like this...?"
With that, Jiang Yang revised it according to the final version of "Lone Warrior"—
I love you walking alone through dark alleys
I love the way you refuse to kneel
I love how you confronted despair
And refused to shed a tear
I love your tattered clothes
Yet you dared to challenge fate's gun
I love how you're so much like me
Our scars are all the same
When Ye Qingwei saw Jiang Yang's changes, her little mouth fell open. First came shock, followed by an unprecedented joy!
She had never been quite satisfied with this song.
For the moment, she hadn't been able to understand exactly where the problem lay.
Now, after Big Brother Jiang's guidance, everything suddenly became clear.
Sure enough, Big Brother Jiang understood me!
"Big Brother Jiang, you're amazing!"
"Aren't you studying finance?"
For a moment, Ye Qingwei stared at Jiang Yang, light shining in her eyes.
"To tell you the truth, I like music."
"Actually, I don't just like music. I like many things."
"But I have no choice. I still have to inherit the family business."
At that point, Jiang Yang couldn't help sighing.
"Many people think I'm rich and can do whatever I want every day, but my life is actually very busy and dull. I have to manage the family business and attend all sorts of social functions."
"You might not believe this, but sometimes I'm even forced to date girls I don't like. Sigh..."
"Your song really resonated with me. Ever since I was old enough to understand, I've been required to do things my peers could hardly imagine. While everyone else was dating and playing games, my dad forced me to sit in on all kinds of meetings every day. Hmph, he called it learning by exposure."
After hearing this, Ye Qingwei looked at him with deep concern and said sympathetically, "So Big Brother Jiang has it so hard and has so many troubles... Maybe... maybe because of your status, they... they gossip about you..."
As she spoke, Ye Qingwei lowered her head.
She thought insecurely.
Could she... could she be one of the girls Big Brother Jiang didn't like...?
Big Brother Jiang only appreciated the music she created. He didn't like a useless person like her at all...
Who was Jiang Yang?
He quickly noticed Ye Qingwei's insecurity.
Jiang Yang immediately seized the opportunity. He reached out, pinched her chin, gently lifted it, and leaned toward her cherry-red lips.
"Many people have never truly understood me. You said I understand you, but I actually hope you can understand me too..."
Their posture was extremely intimate. Ye Qingwei's face burned red as Jiang Yang seized the moment and brushed his lips against hers, then immediately pulled away. He stopped at just the right point, showing great restraint. He expressed his fondness and appreciation without being greedy.
Ye Qingwei's beautiful eyes trembled sharply, and her cheeks flushed crimson. Amid her flustered shock, she revealed the shy expression of a young girl experiencing first love.
Jiang Yang secretly laughed. This isn't manipulation on my part. I just want to make a young girl in the bloom of youth more confident.
Before you continue