Chapter 19 : Targeted Treatment
“How’re you handling lunch?”
“Handling…?”
“Mm. No cafeteria—just classroom for nap. We figure lunch ourselves.”
Xu Jiu nodded; she knew, but played ignorant transfer.
“You… didn’t bring?”
“Brought. Mom packed before coming. Wondered why—now I know no cafeteria.”
She shrugged sheepishly, pulling an elegant bento from her bag.
“Oh, good. Was gonna offer to buy outside.”
“Eh? That nice?”
“No biggie. Classmates help. Plus future three-year deskmate.”
“Honestly, thought you’d be hard to get along with. Scared when told we’d share.”
“Scared?”
Girl nodded.
Xu Jiu blinked; couldn’t link her look to fear.
Shouldn’t she be the nervous one?
“Don’t misunderstand… had a sick friend before. Close at first, but illness made her unapproachable—random outbursts… left shadow…”
“Oh.”
“Mm…”
“Your fear from stereotypes of people like me… fair. Few with serious illness stay positive—not dwelling on death is cheerful.”
“Xu Jiu… your illness, bad?”
She analyzed till the question.
Blinked, unsure.
“Sorry, inappropriate.”
“…”
“No, don’t mind sharing. Else might think contagious?”
She smiled softly; her “strong mindset” deeply felt.
“No, didn’t think…”
“Not big deal. Would’ve said eventually.”
“Friends should be honest, right?”
Jiang Youyou silent, then complex nod.
“Your privacy—you could keep…”
“Congenital heart disease. Rare type. Needed machines to live pre-treatment.”
“Recent surgery helped, but sequelae—no normal activity. Hence this.”
She leaned back slightly.
“Heart disease… that serious…”
“Mm~”
“Family okay with school? What if emergency?”
“Mm… whatever.”
“Staying home worse. Outside—just careful.”
“…Okay.”
She glanced at reaction.
“Sorry for prying… didn’t expect you’d answer…”
“No issue. Hope not pity respect—want normal treatment.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Youyou nodded apologetically, eyed bento.
“Heat it? Noon—cold bad for body.”
“This… okay?”
“Small thing. Teacher office microwave—just ask.”
“Mm, thanks.”
She handed bento, watching the day-old acquaintance leave.
Being sick: nice perks.
Not one to rely, but society tolerated weakness—differently.
If bad personality, no help.
“Don’t bank on luck.”
“Can’t expect everyone good—remember last life, Xu Jiu.”
Helpless shake; brief light nearly naivete’d her.
Calm: life not constant luck.
Over-fantasy: bruises.
No hope: lost, self-abandon.
Dazed, she checked phone—empty QQ.
New class chance to expand contacts?
Careful vetting—only approved.
“…”
“Give him a spot?”
“Xu You…”
“Like hearing your sister likes someone else…?”
Playful smile, eyes ice-cold.
Plan thought much, but premise: improve sibling ties.
Her resentment stiffened it.
Normal for most siblings… but original wasn’t.
Original clung to brother—Xu Jiu disbelieved at first, then recalled: inherited life.
Some unacceptable to her—not others.
“So he’s confused by me now…”
“No wonder room apology, heh…”
Sudden grasp—clueless before, now clear path.
Cold inner smile; opened Quark, searched island nation sibling anime.
“I’ll make you ultimate siscon, young master.”