WHCTIL - 54

Qin Tang silently gazed at him, turned off the computer, and returned to his embrace, leaning quietly against him. 

“I’ll wait for you.” 

Jiang Chuan stroked her face and said: “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” 

Qin Tang leaned closer, but something tucked into his waist pressed against her. She froze, reached out to touch it, and Jiang Chuan grabbed her hand. “Don’t touch that.” 

Qin Tang felt its shape and looked up at him. “A gun?” 

Jiang Chuan nodded. “Mm. Don’t mess with it—it might hurt you.” 

Qin Tang withdrew her hand and smiled faintly. “It’s not that serious. I’ve been to a shooting range before—with friends—and fired live rounds. I know how to use a gun.”

She hesitated for a moment, wanting to mention Chen Jingsheng, but back then, there had been other friends around as well. 

In those years, she had tried everything thrilling—racing cars, surfing, bungee jumping, and even firing live rounds at shooting ranges. 

Jiang Chuan understood. He looked down at her for a while, then pulled the gun from his waist and placed it in her hand. 

Qin Tang’s palm felt hot as she gently gripped it. 

If only human lives could be so easily held in one’s hands. 

She handed the gun back to him and softly said: “Keep it safe.” 

Jiang Chuan tucked the gun away and lifted her fully onto his lap. Her reverence for life surpassed all else. She feared separation, and above all, she feared death. All her concerns, he understood—perhaps no one in this world understood that feeling better than him. 

He also knew how much courage it took for her to choose to be with him. Jiang Chuan didn’t know how to give her a sense of security at this moment. After all, anything could happen. 

Police officers, armed police, detectives, firefighters, anti-drug agents—who could say who might sacrifice their life the next moment? 

Jiang Chuan lowered his head and gently stroked her slender, soft waist. 

Qin Tang pressed her hand over his, her expression calm. “When I go back, you need to keep your distance from Lu Sha. Don’t let her take advantage of you, and don’t flirt with her.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled softly, cupped her face, and kissed her lips. Just as he was about to deepen the kiss, a faint sound came from outside the door. He tensed and turned his head sharply toward the entrance. Qin Tang, sitting on his lap, met his gaze, instantly calming herself. She climbed off his lap and moved to the side. 

Jiang Chuan positioned her behind him, pointing to the side of the bed, signaling her to hide there. 

Qin Tang put on her shoes and tiptoed over, glancing back at him. 

Jiang Chuan turned off the lights. 

The commotion outside suddenly stopped. Then, a voice like that of a drunken man slurred: “This door… why won’t it open? Strange… I remember it opened just fine this afternoon!” 

“Damn it! Why won’t it open?! I’m going to complain!” 

“I’m going to file a complaint!” 

“I’m going to sue this hotel!” 

Qin Tang moved behind Jiang Chuan. He grasped her hand tightly, his expression calm but vigilant, not letting his guard down for a moment. 

Outside the door— 

Someone reminded the drunkard: “Are you sure you’re at the right room?” 

The hotel manager arrived hurriedly, checked the room card, and said: “Sir, you’ve got the wrong room. Your room is next door.” 

The drunkard refused to believe it: “Is that so? Hmm? Let me see…” 

The hotel manager sighed helplessly: “It’s true. Please check carefully.” 

The drunkard: “Then whose room is this? I want to change rooms!” 

The hotel manager: “This room is occupied.” 

Jiang Chuan narrowed his eyes, his hand gripping the doorknob. He opened the door slightly. The people outside were momentarily stunned. Someone said: “There are people inside? With all that noise earlier, I thought no one was here.” 

Jiang Chuan scanned the group outside—seven people in total. Besides the hotel manager, there was a seemingly intimate couple and four tall men whose muscular builds were hidden beneath their clothes. His expression remained calm as he coldly said: “Are you done making a scene?” 

The hotel manager quickly apologized: “We’re very sorry, sir. This is the hotel’s fault. I’ll resolve it immediately and send you a gift later to express our apologies. If you’d like to change rooms, we can arrange that for you.” 

Qin Tang traced a few lines on Jiang Chuan’s palm. 

Jiang Chuan restrained her restless hand and replied: “No need.” 

He calmly closed the door. 

As soon as the door shut, his expression darkened. 

Qin Tang also found it strange. She listened carefully and confirmed that the drunkard had entered his room and the others had dispersed. 

Jiang Chuan led her back to the couch. Qin Tang asked: “Were those people deliberate?” 

“Mm,” he murmured softly. 

“Why?” Qin Tang didn’t quite understand. If they had come prepared, they must have known which room they were staying in. Why make such a big fuss? 

Jiang Chuan: “They couldn’t act directly in the hotel. They wanted to provoke me into leaving.” 

After all, this was a five-star hotel with comprehensive facilities. If something major happened, it would be easy to attract attention. Acting here wouldn’t be wise. Luring him out and ambushing him elsewhere would be more convenient and efficient. 

Qin Tang asked: “Was their target you or me?” 

Jiang Chuan looked down at her and said: “Me.” 

Qin Tang fell silent. To ease her worries, Jiang Chuan explained briefly: “Don’t be afraid. I’m not alone. Cao Yan is also staying in this hotel. If anything happens, he’ll come to assist. There are also people stationed outside by Cao Sheng.” 

After a long pause, she looked up at him: “If that’s the case, then I won’t leave.” 

Jiang Chuan immediately frowned and decisively said: “No.” 

Qin Tang stared at him firmly. “If their target isn’t me, then I won’t be in danger. I don’t want to leave.” 

Jiang Chuan gripped her chin and raised it, leveling their gazes. “I’ll say it again—no.” 

Qin Tang pushed his hand away, but he held her tighter. She glared at him, biting her lip, and suddenly burst out: “Fine, I’ll leave, but after I finish my business, I’ll come back. Jiang Chuan, I know exactly how dangerous this operation is. Since the day I met you, you’ve been targeted several times. You want me to wait quietly in Beijing—I can’t do that.” 

Her eyes gradually grew moist. “What if I wait and you never come back?” 

What had Chen Jingsheng said to her back then? 

“Tang Tang, after this competition ends, whatever you want, wherever you want to go, whatever you want me to do—it’s all yours.” 

“Wait for me—” 

No one understood her—the torment of waiting, every minute and second filled with dread. 

Who knew what might happen the next moment? 

Qin Tang didn’t want to endure that kind of waiting again. 

Jiang Chuan raised his hand and gently stroked her hair. She hadn’t shed tears, but her eyes shimmered like water, brimming with emotion. 

He kissed her lips silently, deeply, and with restraint. 

Qin Tang clung to his neck, kissing him back fiercely. 

After a long while, Jiang Chuan released her, both of them breathless. He controlled his tone: “I’m not Chen Jingsheng. I won’t let you experience that kind of feeling again. Trust me, okay?”