WHCTIL - 48

Before meeting Qin Tang, Jiang Chuan had never thought about whether he was afraid of death. 

Through countless life-and-death situations, his mind was always focused on the mission—how not to get exposed, how to gather clues, and how to survive. 

Of course, he valued his life. 

But he never imagined that one day, there would be someone who feared his death even more than he did. 

When Chen Jingsheng died, Qin Tang was barely 20. That incident cast a huge shadow over her heart. Even after four years, she still couldn’t shake off that fear and worry. 

Every time she panicked, Jiang Chuan felt as if his life was in her hands—he had to stay alive, no matter what, and never leave her behind. 

He let her cling to him and kiss him, his hands resting on her waist. When her emotions gradually calmed, he took the lead, kissing her lips fiercely, sucking and nibbling on her tongue. 

Qin Tang’s body trembled lightly, her eyes half-open, her gaze hazy, yet she kissed him back with equal intensity. 

After a long while, Jiang Chuan finally released her, breathless, his eyes filled with desire. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, and chuckled softly: “This is a hotel. If you want, we can check into a room.” 

Qin Tang hugged his waist, turned her head, and buried it in his shoulder, whispering softly: “No.” 

Jiang Chuan leaned down to bite her flushed earlobe, his warm breath brushing against her skin: “The restroom works too.” 

Qin Tang shivered as if an electric current ran through her body. She cringed her neck to avoid him, her earlier panic dissipating significantly. Her face flushed as she pushed him away: “No.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled and gave her bottom a squeeze. 

Qin Tang let out a soft “Ah” and then quietly nestled back into his embrace. 

She was just scared. Back when she was with Chen Jingsheng, many people didn’t approve of their relationship, thinking they would eventually split. Indeed, they did part ways—forever. 

No one had anticipated such an outcome. 

She didn’t regret it, but she deeply regretted and mourned it. 

The madness in Zhao Qianhe’s eyes just now had suddenly made her uneasy. Sometimes, life wasn’t in one’s own hands. 

Jiang Chuan gently stroked her back. Qin Tang lifted her head, the unease in her eyes now gone, leaving only wet, bright clarity. She simply gazed at him, and Jiang Chuan’s heart softened. He pressed her against the wall and kissed her until the world spun. 

... 

Qin Tang went to the restroom to fix her tousled hair and retouched her lipstick. Her cheeks and earlobes were flushed, making her look especially alluring. 

Jiang Chuan smoked outside, tapping the ash off his cigarette with his fingers. 

When he saw her come out, he pursed his lips tightly and took a few more deep drags. 

Qin Tang said: “I’m going in.” 

Jiang Chuan nodded, then added as an afterthought: “Don’t dance with those men.” 

Qin Tang took two steps closer and asked: “Do you know how to dance?” 

“The kind where you hold the waist and spin in circles?” 

Hold the waist, spin in circles... 

He got the key points right. 

Qin Tang found it amusing—it was the first time she’d heard someone describe ballroom dancing like that. “So, do you know how to dance or not?” 

Jiang Chuan stubbed out his cigarette: “Yes, but I haven’t tried it in years.” 

He learned it before going undercover, during the years when he frequently attended banquets and cocktail parties. 

Qin Tang looked up at him, her tone light: “Did you dance with Lu Sha?” 

Jiang Chuan stared at her for a few seconds and slowly nodded. 

Qin Tang pursed her lips and smiled with narrowed eyes: “She definitely doesn’t dance as well as I do.” 

Jiang Chuan smirked, but before he could say anything, Qin Tang added: “Go eat something. Don’t just wait for me.” 

“I know.” He glanced toward the restroom door. “Go ahead.” 

Qin Tang nodded. 

As she turned around, she spotted Lu Sha walking ahead of her. 

She had once asked Jiang Chuan why he and Lu Sha broke up. 

Jiang Chuan said: “Men can turn bad, and so can women. When paths diverge, you inevitably reach a fork in the road.” 

“Do you miss her?” 

“No.” 

“Not even a little?” 

“Mm.” 

“Really?” 

Jiang Chuan: “Mm. Isn’t there you now?” 

... 

After Qin Tang appeared at the An Yi Foundation charity auction and banquet, many people approached her to make acquaintances. After all, she came from a good family, was beautiful, a famous photographer, and also the head of the An Yi Foundation. 

As soon as she entered the banquet hall, several people came up to chat with her, mostly men. 

Qin Tang’s exterior was aloof, her attitude distant. After a few men hit a wall, they stopped bothering her. 

She enjoyed the ease and freedom, helping herself to food and filling her stomach. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lu Sha chatting happily with two men. Not long after, she turned and entered the dance floor with one of them. 

Qin Tang glanced back, about to turn away— 

“Miss Qin.” 

Qin Tang recognized the voice. Her body stiffened slightly, and she slowly turned around, a smile on her lips: “Mr. Jiang.” 

Jiang Kun walked over holding a glass of wine, looking at her: “Why aren’t you dancing?” 

Qin Tang glanced at him: “Not interested.” 

Jiang Kun noticed her empty hands and casually asked: “No satisfactory items today?” 

It was normal for Qin Tang not to bid at this private auction since it was her first time attending. She carefully observed Jiang Kun’s expression—his face was calm, with a faint smile on his lips. 

After a moment of thought, she nodded: “Mm, it’s my first time at a private auction.” 

Jiang Kun asked: “Is Miss Qin more interested in charity auctions?”

Qin Tang was startled inside, and she carefully replied: “Compared to before, yes, that’s true.” 

Jiang Kun stared at her for a moment and then smiled. 

Qin Tang picked up her glass of red wine, took a small sip, glanced elsewhere, and gave an apologetic smile: “I see someone I know. Excuse me for a moment.” 

With that, she turned and walked away. 

Only when she could no longer feel the oppressive gaze behind her did Qin Tang let out a sigh of relief. Her palms were full of sweat. 

Jiang Kun’s gaze was calm—calmer than Zhao Qianhe’s blatant madness, which made it even more unsettling. 

... 

Jiang Chuan had been sitting in the outer hall the whole time. 

Cao Yan passed by with a woman in his arms, glanced at him, and gestured subtly. 

Jiang Kun was inside. 

Jiang Chuan nodded to acknowledge he understood. 

After a while, he stood up and glanced inside. 

Qin Tang’s hand rested on a man’s shoulder as his hand gripped her waist, spinning her around in the dance floor. Her dress fluttered, making her look dazzlingly radiant. 

Didn’t they agree she wouldn’t dance? 

Jiang Chuan pursed his lips tightly, watched for a moment, then turned and left. 

Outside the hotel building, he looked around. Finding nothing unusual, he headed toward a black car parked by the roadside. 

Cao Sheng was leaning against the driver’s seat smoking. Seeing Jiang Chuan open the door, he tossed the cigarette pack out. 

Jiang Chuan caught it, pulled out a cigarette, bit it between his teeth, lit it, and took a few puffs. Cao Sheng said: “We’ve reviewed the surveillance footage. We were played.” 

Jiang Chuan had already guessed as much: “The private auction was just a cover. Of the five auction items, probably only two were genuinely sold. The other three were used to mask some dirty deals—I’m guessing drugs. This was likely Zhao Qianhe’s idea. He has something on Jiang Kun and is using this auction to help him cover it up.” 

That’s why Jiang Kun had temporarily withdrawn from the auction. 

Cao Sheng sighed: “We still haven’t caught Jiang Kun in the act. We’ll have to keep Zhao Qianhe around as a threat for now.” 

More than one team was involved in this operation. 

Each team had its own mission—one focused on money laundering, the other on drug enforcement. 

To take them all down in one fell swoop, enduring setbacks in the early stages was unavoidable. They’d just have to swallow their frustration. 

Jiang Chuan: “Mm.” 

He finished his cigarette, discussed the next steps, and confirmed the plan. More than half an hour had passed. 

Cao Sheng: “Is that girl Qin Tang still inside?” 

Jiang Chuan estimated it was about time and opened the car door: “I’m leaving first.” 

Back outside the banquet hall, Qin Tang still hadn’t come out, but Jiang Chuan didn’t rush her. 

At ten o’clock, Qin Tang emerged. 

Jiang Chuan stood up and walked over: “Leaving?” 

The banquet hall was still lively. Qin Tang had used the excuse of going to the restroom to leave early. Seeing Jiang Chuan, she let out a sigh of relief and nodded vigorously: “Yes, let’s go. I want to head back.” 

Jiang Chuan glanced inside: “Alright, let’s go.” 

The two took the elevator back to the underground parking lot. After getting into the car, Qin Tang took a light breath: “I saw Jiang Kun earlier. He spoke to me.” 

Jiang Chuan paused, his voice slightly darkening: “What did he say?” 

Qin Tang frowned: “It felt like he was probing me. He asked if I wasn’t interested in private auctions, and I said I wasn’t.” 

“Anything else?” 

“No.” Qin Tang shook her head. “His presence feels very oppressive.” 

Jiang Chuan narrowed his eyes, started the engine, and Qin Tang, resting her chin on her hand, thought for a moment and said: “I think if there’s another charity auction, I’ll probably receive an invitation again.” 

Jiang Chuan freed one hand and patted her head: “Don’t worry. I’ll accompany you.” 

Qin Tang nodded, thought for a moment, and smiled at him: “Let’s head back.” 

The car quickly drove out of the underground parking lot. 

Over an hour later, the black jeep pulled into the courtyard. 

Heihu barked a few times and ran over. Jiang Chuan opened the car door and caught Heihu as it jumped onto him. He patted its head. At this hour, everyone usually went to their rooms, but tonight, they were all gathered in the yard, barbecuing around the grill. 

Xiaocheng came over cheerfully holding a skewer of chicken wings and handed it to Qin Tang: “Sister Qin Tang, here, I grilled this for you.” 

Qin Tang glanced at it and accepted: “Why did you guys decide to barbecue?” 

Xiaocheng explained: “Xiaobai and Xu Peng are going back to school in a few days. Xu Peng suggested we barbecue in the yard, and Brother Lü said he’d treat us. So, we bought a bunch of ingredients. We’ve already eaten most of it.” 

Jiang Chuan raised an eyebrow, walked over, and Aqi immediately handed him a skewer of beef. 

Jiang Chuan hadn’t eaten dinner and was indeed hungry. He quickly finished the skewer, pulled over two chairs, placed them beside him, and called Qin Tang: “Come sit here.” 

Qin Tang obediently walked over and sat beside him. 

Jiang Chuan picked through the food on the plate and quietly asked: “What do you want to eat?” 

Qin Tang glanced over: “Are you grilling?” 

“Mm.” 

“I’ll have corn.” 

“Alright.” 

Jiang Chuan picked the best-looking ear of corn, placed it on the grill, brushed it with oil, and slowly turned it over. 

Xiaobai and Aqi glanced over, especially Aqi. After being at Yi Station for so long, this was the first time she’d seen Jiang Chuan prepare food for a woman. Xiaobai had also grown bolder recently and couldn’t help but say: “Brother Jiang, can you grill one for me too?” 

Corn takes time to cook, and their earlier attempts had been rushed, resulting in burnt and overly salty pieces. 

Aqi quickly raised her hand: “Me too!” 

Jiang Chuan glanced at them, casually grabbed two ears of corn, and tossed them into Xiaocheng’s arms. Xiaocheng, who was eating, scrambled to catch them. 

Jiang Chuan said: “Let Xiaocheng grill them.”