WHCTIL - 42

He turned her around to face him. Qin Tang hugged his neck: “I mean it, your life is mine.”

Jiang Chuan looked down at her, his gaze deep.

Qin Tang gazed at him softly and directly, with an unknown firmness that made him feel bitter for a moment. His Adam’s apple rolled a few times, and finally, he lowered his head to kiss her forehead, chuckling softly: “Didn’t I already say? If I have to die, I’ll die on you.”

The blush on Qin Tang’s face hadn’t faded. She gently rubbed her head against his shoulder and obediently said: “Okay.”

Anything was fine as long as he kept her in his heart. Whatever decision he made, as long as she was the first person he thought of, that was enough.

“Okay?” He smiled, his voice hoarse, “That’s what you said.”

The next second, he flipped over and pressed on top of her, lowering his head to kiss her.

Qin Tang immediately wriggled her body, “Uncomfortable...”

Jiang Chuan looked at her, pinching her earlobe, “Where’s uncomfortable? Didn’t you sound quite delicate just now?”

Qin Tang blushed, “My whole body feels uncomfortable.”

An intense session of lovemaking. After the climax, her body ached and felt weak, and she had sweated all over, making her feel uncomfortable in every way.

Jiang Chuan held her.

Qin Tang could feel his rough body hair rubbing against her lower abdomen. She tensed up as she looked at him. After a while, Jiang Chuan got out of bed, put on a sleeveless shirt and black pants, found a towel to wrap her in, and lifted her up horizontally: “Let’s go wash up.”

Opening the door, moonlight poured in.

Qin Tang was in his arms, and as she looked up, she saw the moon.

The moonlight was so beautiful tonight. He carried her outside, bathing in the moonlight, and she suddenly felt shy. Her slender, smooth legs swayed lightly, her toes curled up, and she softly urged him: “Hurry up...”

It would be embarrassing if someone saw them.

Jiang Chuan chuckled softly, “What are you afraid of? There’s no one here.”

She urged him anxiously: “What if there is someone...”

He didn’t move. Qin Tang urged him: “Hurry up...”

Her voice was very low, afraid of being heard.

Jiang Chuan complied with her wishes, taking big steps, and quickly carried her into the bathroom.

Normally, Qin Tang didn’t think the bathroom was small, but with Jiang Chuan’s tall and robust body pressed against her, the space suddenly felt cramped. He turned on the shower, letting the water wash over her. His body was very hot, while her back was pressed against the cold tiles, the contrast between hot and cold made her uncomfortable.

After a while, he fixed the showerhead, “Are you feeling better?”

Qin Tang nodded: “Mm...”

He repeated, “Are you feeling better?”

Suddenly, something brushed against her body. Qin Tang realized and looked down.

Through the mist of water, that thing was still erect. She hadn’t looked at it carefully before and hesitated for a few seconds. Slowly, her hand reached out, grasping it fully. It twitched suddenly, startling her, and she quickly let go. Jiang Chuan panted heavily, lowering his head to bite her ear, lifting her up and pressing her against the wall, hooking her legs around his waist.

Qin Tang hooked her feet, tightening them, her gaze as soft as water, like a gentle little animal.

Jiang Chuan gritted his teeth, how could he endure this?

The sound of water splashing covered all other sounds.

...

Jiang Chuan carried her back. She snuggled in his arms, hugging him, closing her eyes, and quickly falling asleep.

Jiang Chuan brushed aside the stray strands of hair from her forehead, tucking them behind her ear, pinching her earlobe, and staring at her.

Physical satisfaction, mental emptiness.

For the first time in thirty years, he had this feeling.

After a long while, he got out of bed, reached for the pack of cigarettes on the cabinet, and walked out of the room.

Leaning on the railing, he smoked two cigarettes.

Just as he was about to light a third, he thought for a moment and put it back, smirking to himself. What was he competing with a dead person for? He knew what Qin Tang wanted, and he knew what he wanted.

He would give it to her. She was his woman, and sooner or later, everything in her mind would be about him.

Back in bed, Qin Tang seemed to sense his warmth and moved closer to him.

Jiang Chuan pinched her earlobe, pulling her closer, and turned off the light.

...

When Qin Tang woke up in the morning, Jiang Chuan was already gone.

Her phone and camera were neatly placed on the table. She picked up her phone to check the time; it was already past ten o’clock.

She quickly lifted the blanket, and with a slight movement of her body, she felt a pain as if she had been crushed.

She sat on the bed in a daze for a while. She really did it; she really did it with Jiang Chuan.

Flying from Beijing to Xi’an, she really went through with it.

Qin Tang lowered her head and looked at the tattoo on her right hand.

“Chen Jingsheng, does getting a tattoo hurt a lot? I’m a bit scared...”

“Then let me take you to the plastic surgery hospital to check it out?”

“The plastic surgery hospital can’t fully fix it. I... I’ll think about it...”

“Chen Jingsheng, let’s go. I’m not afraid of the pain.”

...

Four years ago, she wanted to trade herself for Chen Jingsheng.

But Chen Jingsheng refused.

...

Four years later, she traded herself for Jiang Chuan.

She lowered her head, her fingers touching his sheets, his pillow, his blanket. She clearly remembered everything from last night.

She wasn’t acting on impulse.

Biting her lip, she put on her clothes, tidied her hair, and looked down at the messy sheets and the obvious dark red stain. Her ears turned slightly red. After some thought, she decided to leave it for Jiang Chuan to handle.

Holding her phone and camera, she walked to the door, quietly opening the crack. Aqi and Xiaobai were organizing packages in the yard, and there was still a truck parked in the courtyard.

How was she going to get back?

After some thought, she adjusted her skirt, crouched low, and sneaked towards the other end of the corridor.

Halfway there, she suddenly noticed a pair of men’s shoes in front of her.

She froze for a moment, then looked up.

Jiang Chuan looked at her with amusement: “Are you playing hide-and-seek?”

Qin Tang: “...”

She glanced at the nearby staircase, slowly stood up, and casually glanced into the yard. No one noticed them. Without looking at him, she walked past him towards her room.

Jiang Chuan licked the corner of his mouth, glanced back, and chuckled softly.

Qin Tang lingered in the room for quite a while before going downstairs, her stomach growling with hunger.

Sister Gui had already returned with the breakfast cart. She went over and asked, “Sister Gui, are there any buns left?”

Xiaocheng said, “Yes, early this morning Brother Jiang told us to set aside a portion, which is kept warm in the steamer. I’ll go get it for you.”

He diligently ran off to the kitchen.

Qin Tang smiled, ate two buns, drank a glass of milk, and went to the yard to help.

Aqi smiled brightly, “Sister Qin Tang, you’re finally up. It’s rare to see you sleep in late. I thought you might be sick.”

Qin Tang felt unusually embarrassed, “Mm.” She smiled faintly.

Xiaobai patted his stomach, “I woke up early this morning and only had two buns. I don’t know what we’re having for lunch, but I’m already hungry.”

“Sister Gui has already bought the groceries. I saw some fish.”

“I’ll go help in the kitchen so we can eat sooner.”

The two girls talked endlessly about food. Qin Tang listened quietly. When she raised her eyes, she saw a tall, mature, and sexy woman walk into the yard.

Qin Tang froze. Why was Lu Sha here?

Lu Sha also froze upon seeing her, quickly realizing who it was, and smiled as she approached, “Miss Qin, I didn’t expect to see you here too. Did you arrive last night?”

Qin Tang immediately understood that Lu Sha had arrived at Yi Station earlier than her, though she didn’t know exactly how much earlier.

Qin Tang smiled faintly, “Mm.”

Lu Sha smiled, “Last night there was a late engagement, so I didn’t come back. I didn’t expect to run into a familiar face today.”

Aqi wiped her hands and smiled as she watched them, “Sister Qin Tang, so you know Sister Lu Sha.”

“Mm,” Qin Tang said, “We’ve worked together.”

“Oh,” Aqi smiled, “I’ll tell Sister Gui to cook more rice.”

Xiaobai, “I’ll help.”

Only Qin Tang and Lu Sha remained in the yard. Lu Sha smiled, “I’ll go upstairs to change clothes.”

Qin Tang nodded and didn’t say anything.

After a while, she felt a gaze from behind her. Turning around, she saw Jiang Chuan standing at the living room entrance, looking at her.

Qin Tang glared at him and turned back coldly, sitting back down on the small stool. With both hands, she forcefully tore open the package wrapping. Xiaocheng darted in front of her, “Sister Qin Tang, you don’t need to do this work. Go rest.”

Qin Tang looked up at him and directly asked, “When did Lu Sha arrive?”

It had been a while since then, and Xiaocheng had somewhat forgotten. He struggled to recall, suddenly slapping his thigh and saying, “The second day after Brother Jiang returned.”

The second day after he returned...

Qin Tang, “Is that so?”

Xiaocheng, “Yes, I should be correct.”

Qin Tang, “I see.”

He had told her not to come, yet his ex-girlfriend followed soon after.

When she came last night, he even got angry.

Qin Tang bit her lip and remained silent for a long time.

Lunch was soon ready, and Sister Gui called everyone to eat. There was an empty seat next to Jiang Chuan. Lü An tactfully didn’t sit there. Qin Tang glanced at it and sat next to Aqi. Lu Sha smiled and took the seat.

Lu Sha looked at Qin Tang, “Qin Tang, you’re here for the auction, right?”

Qin Tang, “Mm.”

Jiang Chuan sipped water and glanced at her.

Lu Sha smiled, “There are still a few days until the auction. I didn’t think you’d come so early.”

Qin Tang’s expression was calm, “I stayed at Yi Station for a while previously. I had some matters to attend to and also wanted to visit Sister Gui and Aqi.”

Sister Gui and Aqi couldn’t help but smile, feeling very pleased.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lu Sha glanced at Jiang Chuan, who calmly continued eating.

The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly became somewhat strange. Lü An felt this meal was utterly frustrating, quickly wolfed down a few bites, and said, “Aqi, go buy some fruit later.”

Aqi nodded, “Okay.”

Qin Tang said, “I’ll go with you later.”

Aqi smiled, “Alright.”

Xiaobai, “I’ll go too.”

Aqi, “Alright, let’s all go together.”

After the meal, Jiang Chuan wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Qin Tang, but the girl didn’t give him a glance. She went upstairs to fetch her bag and left with Aqi to buy fruit.

Lu Sha noticed that Qin Tang was staying in a room on the west side of the second floor. She looked at Jiang Chuan and smiled, “What? Haven’t caught up yet?”

Jiang Chuan glanced at her, “Interesting?”

Lu Sha’s expression didn’t change as she lit a cigarette and slowly puffed on it, “Just can’t accept it.”

Jiang Chuan’s face remained calm, “Your inability to accept it is completely unnecessary. She’s different from you.”

Lu Sha’s face slightly changed.

Jiang Chuan had already walked away, getting into the car with Lü An to head to the transportation company.

On the way, he called Qin Tang, but she hung up on him.

Jiang Chuan leaned back in his seat and slowly smiled. He didn’t expect this girl to be so jealous.