Chapter 22: The Desire to Protect Someone

Shi Zhaodi kept her head bowed. She knew that once her mother had made a decision, it was nearly impossible to change her mind. Her mother had always been a woman with a gentle exterior but a core of steel; otherwise, she would never have been able to remain a steady housekeeper for a prestigious family like the Jiangs all these years, nor would she have been able to raise her daughter single-handedly.

She also understood that her mother was making this decision for her own good. Yet, the mere thought of leaving Jiang Hao'en behind filled her with profound sadness.

"Zhaodi, Mom knows you're hurting, but you'll get through it," Mother Shi said, her voice tinged with a helpless, consoling tone.

Shi Zhaodi nodded and walked into the bathroom, clutching her clothes. As she washed her face, she felt a sense of disorientation. The moment she thought about leaving Jiang Hao'en—about the memory of his illness—her tears became uncontrollable.

In the days that followed, Shi Zhaodi continued to attend her classes as usual, but weighed down by her heavy heart, she appeared perpetually melancholy.

"Zhaodi, what’s wrong with you?" Qian Duoduo asked during lunch. She had noticed that Shi Zhaodi had been downcast for the past few days.

"What do you mean?" Shi Zhaodi looked up at her friend.

"You seem very unhappy. Is something bothering you?"

"Duoduo, have you ever moved house before?"

"I have. My father was transferred for work, so our whole family moved with him."

"Was it very difficult?"

"Why? Are you moving?"

"Possibly. My mother intends to quit her job, and when that happens, we'll be moving out of the Jiang residence."

"I see. Does that mean you’ll have to change schools?"

"No, I’ll still be studying here."

"That’s good then! Honestly, moving isn't such a big deal. You just have to adapt to a new environment; you'll get used to it quickly. Don't worry too much."

"But what about your old friends?"

"At first, we wrote letters to keep in touch, but now we basically don't communicate anymore. I just chat with a few of the closer ones on QQ occasionally. It's nothing."

"Oh," Shi Zhaodi replied vaguely. If she left the Jiang family, how would she keep in touch with Jiang Hao'en?

"Zhaodi, I heard that the young master of the Jiang family is very handsome. Is that true?" Qian Duoduo leaned in close, asking in a conspiratorial tone.

"Yes," Shi Zhaodi replied softly. Jiang Hao'en was the most beautiful person she had ever seen.

"Really? It's a pity I've never seen him. Is he better-looking than Zou Kai?"

"They're different types. It's hard to compare."

"I also heard that the young master has had a strange illness since he was a child, which is why he never leaves the house. Is that true?" Qian Duoduo muttered.

"He isn't sick!" Shi Zhaodi retorted, suddenly bristling with anger.

"I was just repeating what I heard. Hey, why are you so agitated? Zhaodi, you're done eating already? Wait for me!" Qian Duoduo, caught off guard, called out as she watched Shi Zhaodi pick up her lunchbox and head toward the collection area.