WHCTIL - 35

Jiang Chuan also pulled out the other two passengers from the back seat—a girl and a boy, both with youthful faces, appearing to be in their teens. The driver, however, was trapped in the mangled wreckage. Exhausted, Jiang Chuan couldn’t free him. 

The rain began to ease. He rummaged through the wreckage, finding an umbrella and a tarp, which he used to cover the two girls. 

Finally, Jiang Chuan leaned against the dented car, breathing heavily. Every second waiting for rescue felt unbearably long. 

Lin Hao’s death and the unexpected accident left him unprepared. 

His heart felt hollow, his mind blank. 

The fine rain continued to wash over everything. 

Jiang Chuan noticed the girl’s hand, now clean of mud and blood. Her fingers were slender, her pale hand marked with a tattoo. Through the rain, the delicate green leaves and vibrant yellow flower center stood out, surrounded by soft pink petals that faded outward... 

In that scene of relentless rain and muddy earth, the tattoo was the only splash of vivid color. 

After the accident, the other party’s family never approached him. 

He was hospitalized at the time, awaiting disciplinary action from his superiors. In the end, his police credentials were revoked. 

---

Suddenly, his phone rang. 

Jiang Chuan snapped back to reality, his clenched hand slowly relaxing. Rubbing his face with both hands, he pulled the phone from his pocket and quickly answered. 

Cao Sheng asked, “How did it go?” 

Jiang Chuan walked toward the parking lot. “I’m out now. Nothing happened. Look into a man named Chen Yuan—he might have been recruited by Jiang Kun.” He paused, then quietly asked, “Captain, when my police credentials were revoked after that accident… was it really unrelated?” 

Cao Sheng hadn’t expected this question and fell silent for a few seconds. “It was unrelated. That was so long ago, and at the time, I was only the deputy captain. The case was handled by Captain Han. The main responsibility for the accident didn’t lie with you, so the other party didn’t pursue it further.” 

The explanation was the same as what he had been told back then. 

Jiang Chuan didn’t press further. Closing the car door, he smirked bitterly. “I understand.”

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chuan sat in the car, lighting a cigarette and taking a few light drags. Once finished, he extinguished the butt and drove off.

---

The follow-up work for the charity auction was handed over to Old Yuan, so Qin Tang only needed to check in briefly. The auction had been a success, raising over a million yuan more than expected. The surplus funds were temporarily set aside for future planning.

The event dominated news headlines across various platforms. Due to her mother’s fame, Qin Tang was pushed onto the Weibo trending list overnight, gaining countless followers. 

On social media, opinions were divided—charity work often sparked controversy. 

Qin Tang scrolled through the trending topics on Weibo, glancing at her private messages and comments. 

“Why don’t you just donate more since your family is so wealthy? With all the money you earn every year, how many children in impoverished areas could you feed and clothe? Why bother appealing to netizens?” 

“Moral coercion is terrifying. How much someone earns or donates is their own business. Something that started as positive energy always attracts jealous trolls showing off their ignorance.” 

“Our country still has many impoverished and underdeveloped regions. If you’ve followed her Weibo, you’d know. Don’t morally coerce others into doing what you can’t. No one is forcing anyone to act, so please respect everyone who contributes with love.” 

--- 

Qin Tang closed Weibo. She had never paid much attention to online comments. 

No matter how well you did, there would always be people dissatisfied. 

It was impossible to please everyone. 

Across from her, He Cong’an asked, “What, are you affected?” 

Qin Tang shook her head. “No way. I don’t care about those online comments. As long as I know what I’m doing, that’s enough.” 

“You’ve grown up,” He Cong’an chuckled. “I came here specifically because I was worried you’d be affected.” 

Qin Tang rolled her eyes silently and continued editing her photos. 

He Cong’an sensed her good mood today and hesitated before asking, “Is something good happening?” 

Without looking up, Qin Tang replied, “The auction went very well.” 

He Cong’an didn’t press further and smiled. “Let’s have dinner together tonight.” 

“Tonight…” Qin Tang thought for a moment. “No, I can’t.” 

“Why? Do you have plans?” 

Before Qin Tang could answer, Zhou Tong rushed over noisily and whispered in her ear, “Sister Qin, Mr. Jiang… Mr. Jiang is here…” 

Afterward, she winked at He Cong’an across the room. 

In her eyes, Jiang Chuan and He Cong’an were rivals, and their meeting would surely be awkward. Moreover… judging by appearances, He Cong’an wouldn’t stand a chance against Jiang Chuan. 

Qin Tang looked up. Jiang Chuan had already strode in confidently. 

He Cong’an frowned, turning to look. He narrowed his eyes slightly, assuming Jiang Chuan would have at least taken last night’s words to heart. To his surprise, Jiang Chuan hadn’t given up at all. 

Qin Tang was beautiful and excellent in every way, and she had always attracted many suitors throughout her life. 

Jiang Chuan also noticed He Cong’an. His face remained expressionless, but his gaze grew darker. 

He Cong’an turned back to Qin Tang and saw the faint smile tugging at her lips. He froze momentarily. 

Jiang Chuan walked up and sat down across from Qin Tang. “When will you finish?” 

Qin Tang answered, “In about an hour.” 

“I’ll wait for you in the lounge.” He stood up, and as he passed by her, he reached out and lightly pinched her earlobe—not too hard, not too soft. 

Qin Tang’s ears quickly turned red. She wasn’t used to such public displays of affection and looked up flustered. Zhou Tong covered her mouth and slipped away, while He Cong’an stared at her tightly, his lips pressed firmly together. 

He watched Jiang Chuan’s retreating figure and asked, “What’s going on?” 

Qin Tang calmly met his gaze, not denying anything. “It’s exactly what you see.” 

He Cong’an furrowed his brows, unsure how to feel. Even when Qin Tang had been with Chen Jingsheng, he hadn’t felt this uneasy. He had believed their relationship wouldn’t last, and Chen Jingsheng’s tragic accident was unforeseen. Their separation, regardless of whether Chen Jingsheng was good or bad, left an indelible mark on Qin Tang’s life. 

After such an intense romance, she would seek a man who loved her and provided stability. 

Jiang Chuan might love her, but he wasn’t the type to offer peace and quiet. 

“Tang Tang…” He Cong’an’s voice was low and hoarse. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and pulled her outside. 

Qin Tang frowned. “What are you doing…” 

From the lounge, Jiang Chuan witnessed this scene and immediately rushed out. Qin Tang glanced back and shook her head at him. 

Jiang Chuan stood at the doorway, his dark eyes fixed intently on her. 

He watched as she walked out with He Cong’an. 

He Cong’an pulled her outside, his lips tightly pursed as he stared at her. After a long pause, he finally said, “Are you serious?” 

Qin Tang looked at him for a moment and replied, “Yes.” 

“Do you really know him?” 

“I’ll get to know him.” 

“He might be like Chen Jingsheng—dangerous, thrilling—but definitely not someone you can rely on. He…” 

“He’s different. He’s not Chen Jingsheng. He won’t gamble with his life.” She suddenly cut him off, as if breaking a curse, repeating firmly, “He’s different.” 

He Cong’an was left speechless, frustration bubbling within him. After a moment, he said, “Your parents won’t approve.” 

Qin Tang lowered her head. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.” 

Even if it came to that, they would understand. 

He Cong’an finally exhaled deeply. Qin Tang looked up at him. “Stop wasting your time on me.” 

This was almost an annual statement from her. 

He Cong’an replied, “That’s none of your concern.” 

Qin Tang bit her lip. “You should go back first.” 

She avoided looking at He Cong’an and turned to leave. 

---

Jiang Chuan was still standing at the entrance of the lounge, his tall frame leaning against the doorframe. His sharp features were calm but slightly distracted as he stared at the doorway. When he saw her walk in alone, he licked his front teeth. 

Qin Tang locked eyes with him for a few seconds before slowly lowering her head. 

She sat silently at the table for several minutes, then gathered herself and resumed editing her photos.

Jiang Chuan drank two cups of coffee and smoked two cigarettes, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Qin Tang. Her back was straight, her arms pale, and her right hand rested on the mouse, moving it steadily as her index finger clicked repeatedly. The Gesang flower on her ear swayed back and forth in his line of sight.

It dazzled him.

Qin Tang turned off her computer, packed it into her bag, and stood up with the bag slung over her shoulder.

Jiang Chuan extinguished his cigarette, slowly rose to his feet, and walked over to her.

Qin Tang asked naturally, “Where should we eat?”

Jiang Chuan looked down at her. “You decide.”

“Oh,” she nodded. “Right, you’re not familiar with Beijing.”

The two walked out of the An Yi Foundation.

Suddenly, Jiang Chuan grasped her right hand, his rough thumb gently rubbing against it. Qin Tang froze for a moment before tightening her grip on his hand. His palm was dry but calloused, and his fingertips lightly scratched hers. She turned her head and smiled at him. “Your hands are so big.”

Jiang Chuan looked down at her and, after a long pause, chuckled softly. Leaning close to her ear, he murmured, “Is that so? Do you want to try something even bigger?”

Qin Tang’s face flushed red, and she quickly pulled her hand away, walking ahead of him. “Pervert.”

Jiang Chuan watched her retreating figure, his expression slowly sobering.

---

Since the auction ended last night, people now recognized Qin Tang on the street.

To avoid trouble, she chose a quiet restaurant and booked a private room.

After watching her finish eating, Jiang Chuan called over the waiter to settle the bill.

Qin Tang looked at him. “Do you have something to say to me?”

Jiang Chuan walked over and pulled her up by the hand. “I’ll tell you on the way.”

Qin Tang used his strength to stand and followed him out of the restaurant. Walking behind him, she thought for a moment and said, “I already rejected He Cong’an.”

Jiang Chuan stopped in his tracks, turned around, and pulled her closer. “I know you don’t like him.”

“Then why were you so anxious this afternoon?” she countered.

He smirked. “I couldn’t control myself.”

“...”

Jiang Chuan chuckled as he looked at her. “Where do you want to go?”

Qin Tang: “Hmm?”

His fingers slipped into her hair. “Qin Tang, I’m leaving tomorrow night.”

Qin Tang froze, looking up at him. In a soft voice, she said, “So soon...”