WHCTIL - 51

Jiang Chuan met Cao Sheng at a breakfast shop tucked away in an alley. At the table sat another man—a man in his early forties, with a dignified appearance and sharp eyes. It was Han Cheng, the captain who had first welcomed Jiang Chuan into the police force years ago. Now, he was the bureau chief. 

Cao Sheng waved him over: “Over here.” 

Jiang Chuan walked over, looked at the man, and greeted him respectfully: “Chief Han.” 

Han Cheng gestured with his hand: “Enough formalities. Sit down and talk.” 

Jiang Chuan sat across from them. This breakfast shop was run by the parents of a colleague from the team. Chairs were set up outside, and since the morning air was pleasant, most customers preferred sitting outdoors. Only the three of them sat inside, which made it rather quiet. 

It had been several years since Jiang Chuan last saw Han Cheng. 

During his first year in the police force, Han Cheng had patted his shoulder and said: “Young man, you look pretty sturdy!” 

Now, Han Cheng sized him up and patted his shoulder again, just like before: “You’ve grown even sturdier.” 

Jiang Chuan smiled faintly: “Not bad.” 

Back when his police credentials were revoked, he had felt resentment and sought help from others. But as time passed, after so many years, looking back now, it didn’t seem as serious as he once thought. Even without the police force, he still had to live. 

Han Cheng and Cao Sheng had always felt guilty about not being able to protect him back then. 

When Cao Sheng approached him, Jiang Chuan had said: “I have no lingering wishes. I’m not like I was back then, always thinking about returning. Right now, I just want you to catch Jiang Kun as soon as possible. It would ease my mind and give Lin Hao some closure.” 

Later, when Qin Tang arrived, Cao Sheng asked if he wanted to join this operation. 

In truth, whether Qin Tang had come or not, if given the chance, he would have joined without hesitation. 

But now that she was here… 

He valued his life even more. 

That girl appeared calm on the surface, but deep down, she feared losing the people she loved most. 

Han Cheng looked at him and asked: “I heard that Qin Tang is staying at Yi Station?” 

Jiang Chuan replied: “Mm. She’s the head of a public welfare foundation and came here for something.” 

Han Cheng sighed: “Never expected that after all these years, you two would meet again. Does she know about that incident?” 

Fate was truly unpredictable. 

Jiang Chuan remained silent, his gaze gradually dimming. “After the mission is complete, I’ll explain everything to her.” 

Han Cheng, speaking as an elder, patted his shoulder earnestly: “That incident wasn’t entirely your fault. Mistakes during missions are forgivable. Stop dwelling on it. After this matter is resolved, I’ll apply to higher-ups.” 

“It’s all in the past,” Jiang Chuan said indifferently. 

“You don’t want to return?” Han Cheng asked, slightly surprised. 

Jiang Chuan said nothing. 

Cao Sheng interjected: “Has Yi Station been affected these past few days?” 

Jiang Chuan: “No.” 

Cao Sheng nodded. After finishing breakfast with Han Cheng, the three of them stepped outside and got into the car.

Han Cheng said: “This time, it’s a joint operation between two teams. The other team is led by Chen. They have someone undercover close to Jiang Kun, but we don’t know who exactly. We’ve agreed that the two teams won’t interfere with each other. If you happen to cross paths, avoid friendly fire and proceed cautiously.” 

Jiang Chuan had a vague suspicion in his mind. 

Cao Sheng added: “Last night, under the cover of the auction and Jiang Kun, Zhao Qianhe definitely conducted an illicit transaction. Jiang Kun not only knew about it but also provided cover. However, based on Jiang Kun’s recent activities, he rarely gets directly involved in such transactions anymore.” 

Jiang Chuan: “Jiang Kun wouldn’t do something as risky as this unless Zhao Qianhe or Zhao Qianhe’s trading partner threatened him.” 

Han Cheng smiled—a smile filled with confidence and determination. 

“Alright, you’ve already figured it out. Our top priority now is to keep a close watch on Zhao Qianhe. This time, we absolutely cannot let Jiang Kun slip away like last time when we only caught Zhao Qianhe.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled faintly, his gaze drifting toward the window. 

His thoughts wandered further and further. 

... 

Before leaving, Cao Sheng reminded him: “Be careful.” 

Jiang Chuan nodded and turned to leave. 

He went to the transport company, where Lü An was already there. Only one vehicle remained in the garage—this car was specially reserved for delivering supplies to the mountainous areas tomorrow. 

Lü An was giving instructions to the driver. When he saw Jiang Chuan, he waved the driver off and walked over. “Business has been good lately, and we’ve been getting more orders. Should we buy two more vehicles?” 

They did have some money at the moment. 

The other party had claimed 870,000 yuan after the car accident, which Qin Tang had covered for them. 

Their vehicles weren’t fully insured, but they still received partial compensation. 

Jiang Chuan pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took a few puffs, and flicked the ash. “Let’s wait until next year. Consider it a debt I owe you. Use this money to repay Qin Tang first.” 

Lü An knew Jiang Chuan didn’t want to owe his woman money. “What’s this talk of owing? But that amount isn’t enough to pay her back completely.” 

Jiang Chuan: “I still have some funds left. I’ll gather them up—it should be enough.” 

Lü An chuckled: “Actually, since you’re already in this relationship with her, it’s fine to delay repayment. Isn’t that money supposed to be your dowry?” 

Jiang Chuan laughed: “We can always earn more.” 

Over the years, the money he earned wasn’t much, but it wasn’t little either. It would suffice for an ordinary girl, but Qin Tang was different. Her cameras, lenses, bags, and watches—all were luxury items. If he wanted to give her gifts, it would indeed be challenging. 

However… 

If she was willing… 

He’d give her everything he had. 

The two chatted for a while. Jiang Chuan checked the time. “I should head back.” 

He had gone too far last night and wondered how Qin Tang was doing. 

Lü An squinted mischievously and teased: “You really should go check on her. When I left this morning, she hadn’t gotten up yet.” 

Jiang Chuan frowned. Lü An quickly added: “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop! You can rest assured—it was just me who heard it.” 

At dawn, those sounds—both pitiful and deeply seductive—had come from Jiang Chuan’s room. At first, Lü An thought it was his imagination, but upon hearing it again, he realized what was going on. 

Jiang Chuan hadn’t intended for anyone to overhear, and he felt slightly irritated. He threw the cigarette butt to the ground, stomped it out, and said: “Don’t mention it in front of her.” 

“Alright, alright. I understand. I know better than to joke around about such things with a lady.” 

Jiang Chuan left and bought some cold noodles for Qin Tang along the way. 

She loved that dish. 

When he returned to Yi Station, it was exactly noon. 

Aqi and Xiaobai were about to go upstairs to wake Qin Tang, as Aunt Gui was almost done preparing lunch. 

Jiang Chuan stopped them: “Stay here. I’ll go call her.” 

He headed toward the staircase. Aqi and Xiaobai exchanged glances. Xiaobai said: “Brother Jiang is going upstairs anyway. Let’s go help in the kitchen.” 

The courtyard emptied. 

Only Heihu patrolled around. 

Jiang Chuan pushed open the door. The curtains in the room were tightly drawn. 

It was dim, intimate, and the lingering scent of passion hung in the air. 

Under the covers, a lump rose, and a long, pale leg peeked out, its toes curling slightly. 

He closed the door and walked over. 

Qin Tang was sound asleep, her bare shoulders covered in marks. Her curled lashes lay still, her skin glowing white, and the bluish-gray circles under her eyes were clearly visible. Jiang Chuan felt a pang of guilt. He bent down and reached out to touch her face. 

As soon as his hand made contact, she instinctively shrank her neck. 

Jiang Chuan froze mid-air, then smiled helplessly. 

He placed the food on the table, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently pulled her into his arms. Qin Tang stirred, finally opening her eyes. Seeing him, she looked momentarily confused. After a while, she remembered the intense battle from the previous night, and her body stiffened: “You… when did you come back?” 

Her voice was hoarse, tinged with soft allure. 

Jiang Chuan slipped his hand under the blanket, and she quickly tried to evade him. As she moved her legs, pain immediately furrowed her brows. Her body felt as if it had been dismantled, especially below. The pain was comparable to her first time. 

Jiang Chuan held her down: “Don’t move. I’m not made of steel. I won’t touch you. Let me check.” 

Qin Tang stopped resisting and allowed him to touch the tender spot near her inner thigh. 

He ran his hands along her thighs and calves, gently massaging with just the right amount of pressure. Qin Tang squinted her eyes and let out soft moans. “A hot bath would be better than this massage.” 

Jiang Chuan leaned close to her ear: “Want to go to a hotel?” 

Qin Tang opened her eyes, which were wet and shimmering. He was looking at her, smirking slightly. “Do you want to go?” 

She felt a flutter in her heart. 

Biting her lip, she nodded: “Yes.” 

Jiang Chuan gave her fluffy hair a light squeeze and smiled faintly. “Then get up, eat something, and I’ll take you out this afternoon.” 

Qin Tang: “Do you have time?” 

Jiang Chuan: “Yes.” 

Since she came here, he hadn’t spent much time with her. He could spare an afternoon and evening. 

Qin Tang shifted slightly, her expression changing again. She glared at him: “You’ve practically turned me into a cripple!”

Jiang Chuan chuckled softly. “Your stamina is too poor. You need to exercise more in the future.” 

Qin Tang: “...” 

She thought her stamina was pretty good. 

Jiang Chuan went to fetch her clothes and ruffled her hair into a mess. “Do you want me to help you dress?” 

Qin Tang grabbed the dress. “No, go away.” 

Jiang Chuan pulled over a chair and sat beside her, pulling out his cigarette pack. Watching her slow movements, he reminded her: “I brought you something to eat.” 

“What?” 

“Cold noodles.” 

Her eyes lit up slightly. “Oh.” 

Jiang Chuan flicked the ash off his cigarette and heard someone calling from downstairs—Aunt Gui had finished preparing the meal. 

Qin Tang had just gotten out of bed and saw the cold noodles on the table. “You go downstairs and eat. I won’t come down. I’ll just eat the cold noodles.” 

Jiang Chuan knew she felt embarrassed and didn’t push her. He stood up and said: “Alright.” 

As he walked to the door, he glanced back. Qin Tang was sitting on the bed, her complexion not looking too good, but she looked at him and said: “Go quickly, don’t keep them waiting.” 

It wouldn’t look good for her to go downstairs in this state. If they saw her coming out of Jiang Chuan’s room, it would be even worse. 

She needed to wash her face, brush her teeth, and freshen up—it would take at least 20 minutes. 

Jiang Chuan found her attitude quite endearing and enjoyed her current demeanor. He smiled. “Eat something and rest for a while. We’ll go out this afternoon.” 

Qin Tang didn’t say anything and bent down to look for her slippers. 

After putting them on, she looked up—he was still there. 

Jiang Chuan chuckled softly, closed the door, and left. 

Qin Tang walked to the window, pulled open the curtains, and the sunlight poured in beautifully. 

They had all the time in the world. 

Not extravagant at all. 

He went downstairs alone. Aqi asked: “Where’s Sister Qin Tang?” 

Jiang Chuan pulled over a chair and sat down. “Don’t worry about her. She doesn’t feel like eating today.” 

Aqi: “Ah? Then what will she eat?” 

Jiang Chuan: “I’m going out this afternoon, and she’s coming with me.”