WHCTIL - 38

People often visited the volunteer station—students during holidays, and occasionally couples with children looking to experience life there. 

The comings and goings were a bit chaotic, but most of them were kind-hearted individuals. 

A beautiful woman? The only beautiful woman who had visited recently was Qin Tang. 

As if sensing something, Jiang Chuan looked up. 

Lu Sha was standing on the second-floor corridor, leaning against the railing as she looked down at him. Her red lips curved into a smile. 

Jiang Chuan met her gaze calmly for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Xiao Cheng followed his line of sight to Lu Sha, scratching his head. “Since Sister Qin Tang isn’t coming back, I let her stay in that room. It’s clean and has good lighting.” 

Jiang Chuan glanced at him coolly. “Did I say she wasn’t coming back?” 

Xiao Cheng opened his mouth, but A Qi interjected, “You did! You said so yesterday.” 

Jiang Chuan’s voice turned icy. “Did I say she would never come back?” 

Xiao Cheng and A Qi shivered involuntarily, unsure why the atmosphere had suddenly grown tense. 

They stood awkwardly, and Xiao Cheng hesitantly asked, “Should I arrange another room for her?” 

“No need,” Jiang Chuan replied curtly. 

He strode into the living room. 

Aunt Gui called out, “Time to eat!” 

Lu Sha had already descended the stairs. Xiao Cheng smiled at her. “Sister Lu Sha, it’s time to eat.” 

Lu Sha asked, “Can’t I stay in that room?” 

Xiao Cheng quickly shook his head. “No, no, you can stay there. It’s fine.” 

Lu Sha smiled. “Good.” 

Before Jiang Chuan left, Qin Tang had been the extra person at the dinner table. After he went out and returned, Lu Sha had taken her place. Lü An glanced between the two of them. He had known Jiang Chuan for a long time and was the only one at the table who understood the relationship between Lu Sha and Jiang Chuan. 

What was this woman doing here? 

Trying to reconcile? 

A Qi glanced at Lu Sha and whispered, “Do you like the food?” 

A Qi thought Lu Sha was similar to Qin Tang—beautiful, wealthy, and considered a “rich, white beauty” by others. Their lifestyles were different from theirs, yet Qin Tang didn’t complain about the simple meals. She wondered if Lu Sha would be picky. 

Lu Sha smiled. “It’s delicious! Aunt Gui is a great cook. Maybe I’ll learn from you sometime.” 

Aunt Gui was flattered, blushing slightly. “I’m glad you like it. This is all I know how to make…” 

---

After dinner. 

A Qi and Aunt Gui cleared the table and went to the kitchen to wash dishes. Aunt Gui said, “I thought this young lady would be hard to please, but she’s actually quite easygoing, just like Miss Qin. They both seem difficult to approach, but they’re actually very nice.” 

A Qi washed the dishes while glancing outside. In a low voice, she said, “I think Sister Qin Tang is better.” 

Aunt Gui chuckled. “She really is. She’s beautiful and considerate.” 

A Qi added, “I think Sister Lu Sha likes Brother Jiang. During dinner, I saw her stealing glances at him. Sister Qin Tang never did that…” 

She felt a little unhappy. 

She couldn’t shake the feeling that Lu Sha was the type of woman who might knock on Jiang Chuan’s door late at night. 

Aunt Gui stopped smiling. “A Qi, don’t set your heart on Jiang Chuan. He doesn’t have feelings for you.” 

A Qi froze, lowering her head. In a small, dejected voice, she said, “I know…” 

Aunt Gui patted her head. “Xiao Cheng is a good guy.” 

A Qi glared. “I don’t like him. He’s not handsome.” 

“You silly girl… Handsomeness doesn’t put food on the table.” 

“It does.” 

---

Jiang Chuan stood in the courtyard, smoking. Lü An lowered his voice and asked, “Why is she here?” 

Jiang Chuan narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know.” 

Lü An glanced back at the woman sitting outside the living room. “I think… this isn’t simple. Be careful.” 

Jiang Chuan flicked the ash off his cigarette. “If anything happens, tell Xiao Cheng and the others to leave first.” 

“I understand.” 

There was no other choice. 

Footsteps sounded behind them. Lü An glanced back, then turned and walked away. 

Jiang Chuan slightly turned his head, exhaling a puff of smoke. “Why are you here?” 

Lu Sha looked at him. “What do you think?” 

Jiang Chuan didn’t respond. After finishing his cigarette, he tossed the butt and stubbed it out with his foot. 

“Do you really have someone in your heart?” 

“Mm.” 

“Qin Tang?” 

Jiang Chuan remained impassive, glancing at her. “That’s none of your business.” 

“You and her aren’t suited for each other.” 

“Is that so?” 

“You must think so too deep down.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled softly. “I don’t think that way.” 

His smile slowly faded. “At least I’m more suited to her than I ever was to you.” 

He had repeatedly spoken to her without an ounce of sentiment. Lu Sha’s face finally showed a hint of discomfort. “You’ve… become even more boring.” 

Jiang Chuan turned around, sneering. “What? If you’re upset, you can leave.” 

Lu Sha’s expression had already returned to calmness. She smiled faintly. “I won’t leave.” 

“You know this place doesn’t tolerate idlers. Either work or donate money and supplies.” He stared at her. “Which will it be?” 

“I want…” Lu Sha stepped closer, pressing herself against him. “To keep you company. Is that okay?” 

Jiang Chuan still smiled. “What do you think?” 

Lu Sha looked at his insincere smile and slowly retracted her own. 

Jiang Chuan turned and walked away. 

---

Lu Sha stayed for a while and eventually donated a large sum of money along with a truckload of supplies, which Lü An and Xiao Cheng delivered to the mountainous areas. 

Lu Sha sat on the first-floor corridor, a laptop on her knees as her fingers flew across the keyboard. 

A Qi sat on a small stool in the courtyard, discreetly observing her. 

Last night, she had seen Lu Sha knock on Jiang Chuan’s door—but… he hadn’t let her in. 

She had been here for half a month now, and last night wasn’t the first time she’d tried… A Qi tore open a package angrily. Lu Sha seemed to sense her gaze and suddenly looked up. A Qi quickly lowered her head, feeling uneasy for some reason. 

Though Lu Sha’s gaze wasn’t cold, A Qi still felt uncomfortable.

Lu Sha smiled faintly and closed her laptop. 

She walked over to A Qi, smiling. “A Qi, let’s go shopping.” 

A Qi looked up in surprise. “But... but I have to look after the house.” 

Lü An had taken half of the people away, and Jiang Chuan was usually out during the day. With Lu Sha inviting her to go shopping, only Aunt Gui would be left at home. 

Lu Sha glanced around the courtyard and smiled. “There’s nothing valuable here, and Aunt Gui is still around, isn’t she?” 

“But... but...” A Qi hesitated. She hadn’t been shopping for a long time—her last outing was over half a month ago, when she had wandered through the nearby night market with Bai. 

Lu Sha smiled and pulled her up. “Come on, just for a little while. I’ll treat you to dinner.” 

A Qi still hesitated. “Brother Jiang told me to watch the house.” 

Lu Sha turned back, smiling. “I’m going to change my clothes. If you want to come, wash your face and change into something nice.” 

A Qi watched her graceful figure walk away, rubbed her hands together nervously, and then ran to the kitchen to find Aunt Gui. “Aunt Gui, I want to go out and play for a bit.” 

Aunt Gui was kneading dough. “Huh? Who are you going with?” 

“With... with Sister Lu Sha.” 

“Oh...” Aunt Gui said. “If you’re going with her, you can only look, not buy anything, alright?” 

A Qi bit her lip. “I just want to look. I won’t buy anything.” 

Aunt Gui chuckled. “Then go ahead.” 

A Qi grinned widely. “Alright, I’m leaving!” 

A Qi changed into a pretty dress and even sprayed on the perfume Qin Tang had given her. Feeling a little shy, she stood downstairs waiting for Lu Sha. 

Lu Sha walked up to her and raised an eyebrow. “You clean up nicely.” 

A Qi smiled. Lu Sha said, “Did you put on perfume?” 

Chanel—it wasn’t something A Qi could afford. 

A Qi nodded. “Mm, it was a gift from Sister Qin Tang.” 

Lu Sha looked at her and said, “Let’s go.” 

---

Jiang Chuan held a small identification card in his hand. The man in the photo was in his early twenties, wearing a uniform. He was young, handsome, and exuded a heroic aura. 

That was eight or nine years ago, when he had first joined the police force and taken this ID photo. 

At 25, his police credentials were revoked. This ID became the only memento he had left. Occasionally, he would take it out to look at it—it was the only thing that proved he had once been a police officer. 

Jiang Chuan placed the ID into a file folder, wrote down an address, and handed it to Cao Yan. “Help me send this out.” 

Cao Yan glanced at it. “What is it?” 

“Something important. Someone will appreciate it.” Jiang Chuan smiled faintly, a hint of helplessness in his tone. “Someone’s been watching me these past few days. I’m afraid it might get intercepted if I send it myself. Do me a favor.” 

Sending it to her would make her happy. 

Cao Yan weighed the item in his hand—it was light, almost weightless. 

“Alright.” 

“What about the thing I asked you to check?” 

Cao Yan grew serious. “Lu Sha started working as an auctioneer five years ago. Coincidentally, every auction she hosted had attendees from Kunlun Group, and they always bid on items—expensive ones.” 

Jiang Chuan pressed his tongue against his teeth and leaned back in his chair. “What kind of auctions?” 

Cao Yan replied, “Some were private, some corporate, and there were also charity auctions. However, private auctions are harder to investigate because some participants have special statuses—we can’t touch them.” 

Jiang Chuan didn’t ask further. These matters were being handled by the police, and he trusted them. 

His only hope was to get Jiang Kun behind bars as soon as possible. 

Cao Yan sighed. “This case involves a lot of influential people. You can’t touch some of them. We’ll have to confront Jiang Kun head-on and find solid evidence.” 

Jiang Chuan lit a cigarette and remained silent. 

Cao Yan kicked his chair. “Damn it, say something!” 

Jiang Chuan stood up. “It’s better if I don’t interfere too much. It’s your police matter now.” 

He turned and walked away. 

Cao Yan frowned. What did he mean by “interfering too much”? And “your police matter”... Had Jiang Chuan forgotten that he used to be a cop? 

Upon reflection, Cao Yan realized Jiang Chuan was probably worried about affecting Cao Sheng. Allowing Jiang Chuan to participate in this case had required Cao Sheng to bend some rules. After this case was resolved, Cao Sheng would surely be promoted. 

“Wait a minute, let’s grab a drink?” 

Jiang Chuan turned back. “Alright.” 

He was feeling frustrated. Ever since he returned, Qin Tang hadn’t contacted him. He had called her several times, but she hadn’t answered. 

Eventually, he stopped calling altogether. 

Jiang Chuan knew she was being stubborn with him. He had initially been worried that something might happen to her, but fortunately, Cao Sheng had arranged for someone to keep an eye on her. Any developments would reach him. 

He owed her peace of mind. 

Jiang Chuan glanced down at the item in Cao Yan’s hand. “Take care of this first.” 

Cao Yan: “What’s worrying you? It’s almost dark. I’ll send it out first thing tomorrow morning.” 

Jiang Chuan didn’t move. “Handle it now.” 

“This urgent?” 

“Mm, it’s for peace of mind.”