Chapter 42: Got you!

Jiang Ran blinked as the wind from the window poured in.

Shivering, her gaze drifted back to Gu Ge’s porcelain-white face.

Gu Ge reached out with a meaningful look and pressed her hand over Jiang Ran’s.

Like touching a sensitive mimosa plant, Jiang Ran’s body instinctively recoiled.

With a gentle tug, Gu Ge pulled her back, forcing Jiang Ran to meet her eyes.

Her restless hand wandered up from beneath the hem of Jiang Ran’s top, only coming to rest once it was pressed against Jiang Ran’s own porcelain-white hand.

Her fingers stepped across the soft skin as if treading through deep snow, pressing down until Jiang Ran’s snowy-white hand flushed a faint red.

“Sister Gu Ge… what… what are you doing?”

Jiang Ran’s hand felt itchy; she wanted to pull away, but Gu Ge’s fingers were entwined with hers like clinging vines, tracing every contour of her palm.

Gu Ge pursed her lips, her expression growing expectant.

With a slight curl of her lips, her other hand gripped Jiang Ran’s shoulder.

“I’m seeking Ran-ran’s permission, of course. Would you like to switch to a more intimate form of address? For example… a family-style nickname?”

“A family-style nickname?”

Jiang Ran lifted her head in confusion.

Gu Ge continued, “Yes. Like a game—I’ll play the mother, and you’ll be the daughter. How about it?”

“Eh?”

—Wu?

What… what kind of strange request is this!

Jiang Ran’s eyes widened in bewilderment.

Seeing Gu Ge’s eyes crinkle even further into a smile, Gu Ge reached out and pressed her fingers against Jiang Ran’s temples.

“Yes, it’s just a game. Want to play? My doctor once told me that trying to immerse oneself in a family atmosphere can relieve physical fatigue. I happen to be feeling unwell today, Ran-ran. I want to try this ‘therapy.'”

Jiang Ran’s body shook instinctively; the hair on her arms stood on end.

“Is that for real? I’ve never heard of that. You can’t rely on psychology when you’re sick; you have to take medicine.”

Gu Ge shook her head.

“Medicine can’t fix everything. It only makes you forget the pain momentarily. When you realize the pain is still there, it only hurts more.”

Jiang Ran bit her lip.

“I don’t think so. Sister Gu Ge, you really need to take your medicine properly. If something goes wrong with a heart condition, it can be fatal. And have you even been following doctor’s orders? Look at you—taking meds and drinking alcohol? You almost died at home, do you know that?”

Gu Ge tucked a long lock of hair back, letting out a laugh as refreshing as a spring breeze.

“Is that so? I didn’t realize you cared about me so much. It’s so good to know you, Ran-ran. If you really want me to feel better, then play this game with me.”

“I quite liked playing house when I was little. Back then, there was no one to play with me, so I’d set a doll across from the coffee table. I would play the mother, and she was the daughter. And now, you are…”

Gu Ge trailed off, looking at Jiang Ran with a smile.

“I’m what? Why did you stop mid-sentence?”

“A different kind of existence. So, Ran-ran, can you grant your sister this one wish?”

Jiang Ran pursed her lips.

“You… you want me to call you ‘Mom’? You’re only a few years older than me. What woman likes being called old?”

Jiang Ran scratched her head, looking perplexed.

She had never encountered a request like this.

In her experience, if you called a girl “old,” she’d see red in a heartbeat.

Who would actively seek to be called old?

“I’m not like them. On the contrary, I’m very willing to take care of you, Ran-ran. This title… you could say it’s a form of recognition from me.”

Gu Ge cupped Jiang Ran’s face with her fingers.

“Look at us—we both have these similarly flawed bodies. God carved a small hole in both our hearts. Two people who were meant to perish one after another have walked toward each other. Doesn’t that hint that we should be even closer?”

The night wind slipped into the room, and the moonlight draped softly over Gu Ge’s face.

Her expression was tender, the light filtering through her eyelashes to cast long shadows.

“That may be true, but I feel like this is just running away. I… I might like being alone, but I’m not completely cutting off social contact…”

“Did I say I’d stop you from socializing? Or…”

Gu Ge spoke teasingly, the shadows in her eyes shifting.

With every word, her body trembled slightly, her brows filled with a suppressed excitement.

“Do you prefer being treated that way, Ran-ran? Do you like the idea of your sister trapping you in this room, only speaking to you, only cooking for you, and only buying clothes for the two of us to wear?”

“No! Not at all! Stop making things up. I stopped playing these boring ‘house’ games when I was eight.”

“Is that so? Then, Ran-ran, won’t you play with your sister just this once? I can give you money, or satisfy whatever desires you have. Aren’t you afraid of your mother coming to cause trouble? You could stay here with me instead.”

“I could support you through university. Even after you graduate, I know many colleagues who could introduce you to jobs.”

“Then… wouldn’t I be troubling you forever…”

“Yes, and I wouldn’t mind that at all. Or, you could be a bit more selfish.”

Gu Ge took Jiang Ran’s hand and pulled her into her embrace.

Through the hospital gown, Jiang Ran could hear a clear heartbeat.

Thump—

Thump—

She looked up, her gaze locking with Gu Ge’s.

“So, Ran-ran, let’s play the game~”

Jiang Ran tried to back away, only to find that Gu Ge’s strength was surprisingly formidable.

She was held fast in Gu Ge’s arms; resisting would take a massive effort.

“Sister Gu Ge, I’m tired. I want to sleep. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

“Is that so? Come, I’ll make room for you.”

Gu Ge pulled back her blanket, revealing a space beside her.

“This is a single bed, I’m not sleeping there.”

“Ran-ran, are you afraid of me?”

Gu Ge pressed her hands onto Jiang Ran’s shoulders, her tone more urgent than before.

“Yes. You’re being very strange to me. I’m scared.”

“Really? Then why don’t we continue that game from earlier, Ran-ran…”

Gu Ge draped her arm around Jiang Ran’s neck, her anticipation palpable.

She hummed a light tune, her eyes gazing out the window without focus.

“Why… why are you still so obsessed with that game?”

“Because I want to hear you talk more. Your voice is very beautiful.”

“But I’m talking right now, aren’t I? You’re so weird.”

“No. I want to hear Ran-ran say things you’d only say to me. Share some secrets… say something spoiled, the way you would to family.”

Jiang Ran waved her hands, refusing decisively.

“No. I can’t do that.”

“Is that so? It’s alright, Ran-ran, I won’t force you. Come here, let me hold you while we sleep.”

“Wait! I haven’t showered today, I’m dirty. I can’t get you dirty, Sister Gu Ge.”

Gu Ge tapped her lip with her finger, her eyes filled with unabashed cunning.

“Then I can only keep longing for you to spend more time with me. I’m already terminally ill; I have nothing left to fear.”

Jiang Ran struggled to lift her head.

The look in Gu Ge’s eyes made her chest feel tight.

She spoke with a tremble:

“Then… if I play along for a second, will you promise to let me sleep?”

“Of course. I’m very much looking forward to playing with you.”

Jiang Ran felt incredibly embarrassed.

As a “pure college boy” (in her past life/identity), she shouldn’t have been making such a girly expression, but she was genuinely exasperated by Gu Ge’s shamelessness.

A layer of mist seemed to cling to her face, her cheeks so flushed they looked like they’d leak water if pinched.

She opened her pink lips and whispered softly:

“Ma… Mama…”