WHCTIL - 56

Qin Tang seemed to be getting into the groove, drinking several glasses in succession. Jiang Chuan reminded her: “You’ll get drunk if you keep going.” 

He knew she was competing with Lu Sha. From her expression, it was clear she didn’t enjoy beer—there was no need to force herself. Moderation was key. 

Qin Tang glanced at him and set the glass down. 

In truth, her alcohol tolerance was pretty good. A few beers wouldn’t get her drunk. 

Lu Sha’s phone rang. She glanced at it, stood up, and walked aside to answer the call. 

Jiang Chuan leaned closer. “What else do you want to eat?” 

Qin Tang said: “Corn.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled and placed an ear of corn on the grill, brushing it with oil. Qin Tang looked at his hand and only then noticed that his left arm had been cut by glass—it was slightly swollen and bleeding. 

Because of the accident, Qin Tang had developed a significant fear of car crashes. Earlier, she had been truly terrified. Seeing him act as usual and hearing him say he was fine, she assumed he hadn’t been injured. 

Jiang Chuan noticed her gaze and smiled faintly. “It’s nothing—just a small scratch.” 

Qin Tang didn’t say anything and lowered her head to eat the lamb in her plate. 

Lu Sha’s phone call lasted a long time. 

When Qin Tang was nibbling on her grilled corn, Lu Sha returned. 

Everyone was chatting, laughing, eating, and drinking under the moonlight, creating a lively atmosphere. When Xiaocheng saw Lu Sha return, he quickly placed a few skewers of grilled meat and an ear of corn on a plate for her. “Sister Lu Sha, try what I’ve grilled.” 

Lu Sha: “Is this corn burnt?” 

Xiaocheng scratched his head awkwardly. “Only Brother Jiang’s corn looks good—I’m not very skilled…” 

Lu Sha glanced at the corn cob in Qin Tang’s hand, her face expressionless. 

Xiaobai scratched her leg and complained: “Why do mosquitoes always bite me? Are you all okay?” She extended her leg, revealing several red bites on her fair skin. Xiaocheng glanced at it and said: “It’s because your skin is so white. Mosquitoes love biting people like you.” 

Xiaobai pouted and looked at Qin Tang. “Sister Qin Tang, did you get bitten?” 

If we’re talking about pale skin, Qin Tang’s was the fairest. 

Qin Tang glanced at the mosquito coil by her feet. “No.” 

Lü An noticed it too. The men in their group had tough skin, so mosquitoes rarely bit them. They usually didn’t bother with mosquito coils. This one had been brought by Aunt Gui earlier, but no one paid attention—they were too busy grilling food, and no one thought to light it. 

Jiang Chuan had noticed it as soon as he sat down. While lighting his cigarette, he casually lit the coil and placed it by Qin Tang’s feet. 

Lü An distributed the remaining coils. “Here’s some mosquito coils.” 

Xiaobai quickly grabbed one and lit it. “Great!” 

After finishing her corn, Qin Tang looked at Jiang Chuan. “Do you want another one?” 

She shook her head. “I’m full.” After taking a sip of her drink, she stood up. “I want to go upstairs and rest.” 

Jiang Chuan tossed away his bamboo skewer and stood up as well. “I’ll accompany you upstairs.” 

“There’s still so much food here. Aren’t you guys going to eat?” 

“Yeah, there’s plenty left!” 

Qin Tang said: “You all eat.” 

Everyone figured they had just been through a car accident. Though they weren’t seriously injured, it must have been exhausting. So, they told her to rest well. 

As the two walked side by side, Xiaocheng blurted out in confusion: “Did Brother Jiang just say he’d accompany her?” 

Lü An snorted but didn’t say anything. What a bunch of fools. 

Aqi pouted. “So what if he said ‘accompany’?” 

Everyone turned their gazes toward the second floor. 

Once Qin Tang reached the blind spot of the staircase, she pulled his hand over to inspect it. “Are there any other injuries?” 

Jiang Chuan looked down at her. “On my body.” 

“On your body where?” 

He pinched her chin and chuckled softly. “Go back to the room, and I’ll show you after taking off my clothes.” 

Qin Tang nodded. “Alright.” 

Jiang Chuan raised an eyebrow, but Qin Tang was already walking ahead. “Hurry up.” 

Jiang Chuan watched her for a moment, then followed with a smile. Qin Tang didn’t care about the eyes downstairs and turned left directly toward his room. 

The group in the courtyard stared wide-eyed, their jaws practically dropping. 

What was going on? 

Jiang Chuan didn’t spare them a glance. He took two large strides ahead of her and opened the door. 

The two entered the room. 

... 

“Sister Qin Tang just went into Brother Jiang’s room, right? I didn’t see wrong?” Xiaocheng’s mouth hung open the widest. 

“Yes, you’re not blind,” Aqi snapped at him. She had feelings for Jiang Chuan and was naturally more sensitive than the others. She had noticed Jiang Chuan’s change in attitude toward Qin Tang a few days ago, but she hadn’t expected Qin Tang to reciprocate. Her gaze shifted and suddenly met Lu Sha’s eyes. Lu Sha’s eyes were icy cold, startling Aqi, who quickly averted her gaze. 

Lu Sha’s expression turned cold as she picked up her beer and drained it in one gulp. 

Xiaobai innocently said: “Maybe they have something to talk about.” 

Lü An shot her a glance. How naive. 

... 

After closing the door, Qin Tang immediately started pulling at his clothes. Jiang Chuan chuckled softly and cooperatively removed his T-shirt. Qin Tang immediately saw the bruises on his chest—a large patch of purple and blue. She looked up at him, her lips pressed tightly together, and put down the first-aid medicine she had brought from the hospital. 

Jiang Chuan held her hand. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry—it’s just a bump.” 

Qin Tang looked at him. “Go take a shower. We’ll apply the medicine afterward.” 

“Together?” 

Qin Tang: “... Everyone’s still downstairs.” 

Jiang Chuan pinched her earlobe. “You go first. I need to make a phone call.” 

Qin Tang thought for a moment and set the items down. “Alright, hurry up.”

She left. 

The prying eyes in the courtyard were still watching her, but she didn’t care. She went back to her room to grab some things and then headed to take a shower. After finishing, she put her things away and walked toward Jiang Chuan’s room. Just as she reached the door, her phone rang—it was her mother calling. Qin Tang suddenly remembered that by this time, she should have already landed. 

Hesitating for a moment, she prepared her explanation before answering the call. 

“Mom, something came up tonight, so I didn’t get on the plane. I forgot to tell you.” 

Her mother asked: “What happened?” 

Qin Tang spoke while walking. “Nothing important. Don’t worry… I’m not sure when I’ll be back yet…” She pushed open the door and saw Jiang Chuan resting in a chair. “Mm, I’ll call you before I return. Don’t worry… Alright, Mom, goodbye.” 

Jiang Chuan waved her over. Qin Tang walked up to him. “Go take a shower quickly.” 

He smiled faintly and went to shower. 

Men shower quickly, and Jiang Chuan returned soon after. 

The gossiping eyes in the courtyard were still glued to them. Both of them had taken showers and gone into the same room—this was clearly leading to something big! 

Xiaobai’s face turned red, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at the others. 

Now everyone understood: Jiang Chuan and Qin Tang were together. 

Xiaocheng chuckled a few times but noticed no one else was laughing. Feeling awkward, he coughed lightly. “Well, they probably have something to discuss. Don’t think too much about it.” 

Lü An shot him a glance. “You talk too much. Go grill some beef skewers.” 

Reluctantly, Xiaocheng started grilling beef. “Brother Lü, now that Brother Jiang and Sister Qin Tang are together, are you jealous? You haven’t had a girlfriend in a long time…” 

Lü An: “…” 

Lü An kicked the chair Xiaocheng was sitting on, causing him to fall backward onto the ground. He scrambled up, apologizing hurriedly: “I was just talking nonsense. Don’t be mad!” Then, as if remembering something, he quickly added, “Since Brother Jiang and Sister Qin Tang are together, does that mean the 870,000 yuan doesn’t need to be repaid? Let Brother Jiang work harder instead, hehehe…” 

Lü An smirked. “Why don’t you say that in front of Brother Jiang and see if he beats you up?”