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Psst! We're moving!
Qin Tang returned to the room to pack her things. There wasn’t much to organize, so she finished in just a few minutes.
Jiang Chuan stood downstairs for a while, smoked a cigarette, and then went upstairs to find Qin Tang.
Qin Tang was sitting on the edge of the bed. “Has Xiaocheng returned yet?”
Jiang Chuan walked over. “No.”
Qin Tang thought about last night’s car accident and grew worried. “Do you think Xiaocheng will be in any danger?”
“No,” Jiang Chuan reassured her. “Xiaocheng has nothing to do with this matter. They wouldn’t waste their energy targeting him.”
“So that’s why you didn’t agree to drive her?”
“Not exactly.” Jiang Chuan glanced at her. “It wasn’t necessary. Even if I had gone, you wouldn’t have been happy.”
Qin Tang smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.
The sound of a car horn came from downstairs.
Xiaocheng had returned.
Aqi asked: “Did you eat yet?”
Xiaocheng: “No, Sister Lu Sha invited me to eat, but I was afraid Brother Jiang would need the car urgently, so I rushed back.”
Aqi: “Perfect. Aunt Gui left some food for you in the kitchen. It’s still warm. Go eat quickly.”
Jiang Chuan pulled Qin Tang up, picked up her suitcase with one hand, and said: “Let’s go.”
Qin Tang nodded. “Mm.”
Xiaocheng was squatting by the corridor, eating from a large bowl. When he saw them coming downstairs, he quickly stood up and fished out the car keys from his pocket, handing them to Jiang Chuan. “Brother Jiang, here you go.”
Jiang Chuan took the keys.
With two people leaving today, Yi Station felt much quieter. However, given Qin Tang and Jiang Chuan’s current relationship, no one was worried. Xiaocheng grinned mischievously. “Sister Qin Tang, when are you coming back next time?”
Qin Tang thought for a moment. “It shouldn’t be too long.”
Xiaocheng smiled. “That’s good. But even if you’re busy, it’s fine. Brother Jiang can always go see you.”
Jiang Chuan shot him a glance, and Xiaocheng immediately shut up.
Qin Tang looked at them. “I’m leaving now. Goodbye.”
Jiang Chuan placed her suitcase in the car, and Qin Tang got in. She glanced out the window—Aqi was waving goodbye with Xiaobai. Qin Tang raised her hand and waved back twice.
As the car drove off, Jiang Chuan asked: “If you’re tired, take a nap.”
Qin Tang shook her head, keeping her eyes on the rearview mirror. “I’m not tired.”
The accident last night had come suddenly. If it weren’t for Jiang Chuan’s quick reflexes and Cao Yan blocking the impact from behind, they wouldn’t have escaped with such minor injuries. She didn’t dare sleep and kept watching the rearview mirror and the road ahead.
Jiang Chuan reached over and ruffled her hair. “I’m keeping an eye out. You can rest.”
Qin Tang still shook her head. “I’m really not tired.”
Jiang Chuan didn’t push further but remained more vigilant than usual. It was broad daylight now, and they were already in a monitored area. No matter how bold their enemies were, they wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
Qin Tang asked: “Why was Cao Yan here last night?”
Jiang Chuan: “He’s been keeping tabs on Jiang Kun’s movements. Last night, he happened to be tailing someone and ended up helping us by coincidence.”
“Were those people sent by Jiang Kun last night?”
“Mm.”
Qin Tang leaned back against the seat, feeling the situation grow increasingly complicated. Jiang Chuan’s position was becoming more dangerous. After a brief silence, she said: “I thought it was Zhao Qianhe.”
Jiang Chuan kept his eyes on the road ahead. “No, Zhao Qianhe isn’t focused on settling old scores with me right now.”
Zhao Qianhe had recently been released from prison and made a trip to Yunnan. Now, he was focused on making money to rebuild his power. He held some incriminating evidence against Jiang Kun, forcing Jiang Kun to give him certain benefits. Though they hadn’t met directly, their interactions were frequent.
As for why Jiang Kun wanted to kill him, it was likely because Zhao Qianhe had let slip that he knew something.
Jiang Kun couldn’t touch Zhao Qianhe at the moment, so he targeted those around him instead. Whether it was intentional or accidental, eliminating potential threats first was his priority.
For the first time in years, Jiang Kun had lost his composure and started showing cracks in his facade.
Combined with the issues in the An Yi Foundation’s accounts—something Jiang Kun had never messed up before—there were now only two possibilities:
1. There was an internal issue within the An Yi Foundation, but someone intervened, leaving behind that half-sheet of accounts.
2. Someone close to Jiang Kun deliberately leaked information, working both sides.
Perhaps both scenarios were true.
Jiang Chuan laid out all the pros and cons for Qin Tang, preparing her mentally. “Remember, once you return, don’t trust anyone easily.”
Qin Tang turned to look at him and said: “Alright.”
Upon arriving at the airport, Cao Sheng was already waiting in the terminal. Jiang Chuan didn’t meet him but went to check Qin Tang in for her flight. With some time to spare, they found a spot to sit. Qin Tang fiddled with her camera, then suddenly raised it to point at Jiang Chuan.
Jiang Chuan’s profile was turned away; he neither looked back nor stopped her.
She pressed the shutter.
Qin Tang lowered the camera and looked at the photo.
Jiang Chuan turned his head and smiled faintly. “Didn’t you dislike taking pictures of me?”
He remembered how, when she first arrived, every time he accidentally entered her frame, she silently turned the camera away.
Qin Tang didn’t deny it. “Back then, I didn’t like you.”
Jiang Chuan stared at her and smiled. “And now?”
Qin Tang looked up at him but didn’t answer.
The question was rhetorical.
Time was up. Qin Tang stood up and looked at Jiang Chuan. “Don’t see me off anymore.”
She pulled her suitcase closer. Jiang Chuan gazed at her for a moment. “Call me when you arrive.”
“Mm.” Qin Tang nodded, paused briefly, then hugged him tightly. “Be careful,” she whispered softly.
Jiang Chuan held her tightly in return. “Alright.”
---
Beijing.
Qin Tang exited the airport, and He Cong’an, who had arrived half an hour earlier, was already waiting outside. He glanced at the man behind Qin Tang and furrowed his brows slightly.
Cao Sheng glanced at him, exchanged a look with Qin Tang, then turned and walked away.
He Cong’an came over to take her luggage and looked at Cao Sheng’s retreating figure. “Who was that?”
Qin Tang didn’t answer but instead asked, “How did you know I was coming back?”
He Cong’an: “I asked your mom.”
Qin Tang: “My car is still at the airport.”
“I’ve already arranged for my assistant to drive it back for you.” He Cong’an handed her the car keys. “It’s parked in your garage.”
Qin Tang’s expression turned cold as she frowned at him.
He Cong’an chuckled. “Don’t look at me like that. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”
Qin Tang: “I’ll eat at home.”
“Your mom is filming out of town and won’t be back until tomorrow. Let’s eat nearby and then you can rest early.” He Cong’an pushed her into the car, leaning on the doorframe as he bent down to look at her. “I have something to tell you.”
Qin Tang glanced at him and pulled the seatbelt across her chest, fastening it.
He Cong’an smiled and walked around the front of the car to get into the driver’s seat.
Qin Tang was feeling tired and leaned against the window to rest. He Cong’an glanced at her. “Sleep if you want. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Suddenly, Qin Tang sat up straight and pulled out her phone to send a text to Jiang Chuan.
[I’ve arrived. A friend picked me up.]
Jiang Chuan replied quickly with just one word:
[Okay.]
Qin Tang stared at that single character for a few seconds, then slipped her phone back into her bag and closed her eyes, drifting off into a light sleep.
He Cong’an gently woke her. “Tang Tang, we’re here.”
Qin Tang stirred awake, rubbing her eyes. She turned to look out the window and unbuckled her seatbelt.
“It’s late. Let’s eat nearby and then you can go home to rest early,” He Cong’an suggested.
Qin Tang didn’t object and followed him inside.
As the dishes were served, Qin Tang asked, “What did you want to tell me?”
He Cong’an poured her a glass of water. “Not urgent. We’ll talk after dinner.”
Qin Tang didn’t press further, and they chatted casually. When the topic turned to Zhou Qi, He Cong’an said, “That kid has been getting tutoring lately and has been staying home quietly. His dad wants to send him abroad for school, but he refuses.”
Qin Tang paused. “You can’t force him. He’s an adult now and has his own ideas.”
“Mm. But he doesn’t want to go to school either.”
“I’ll talk to him later.”
He Cong’an smirked. “You care more about him than about Qin Yue.”
Qin Yue was Qin Tang’s younger brother, four years her junior, studying abroad. During the summer, he was busy with some research project and hadn’t been home for over half a year. Qin Tang said, “He has his own plans. My parents don’t interfere, so why should I?”
He Cong’an chuckled. “It’s rare for Zhou Qi to listen to you.”
Ever since he was young, Zhou Qi had adored Qin Tang. Even in his teens, he liked following her around. When he found out that Qin Tang was with Chen Jingsheng, he was upset for a while. After five years of silence, his feelings had matured.
The other day, when He Cong’an visited him, Zhou Qi brought up Chen Jingsheng and Qin Tang again. He Cong’an patted his shoulder. “What? Still into Tang Tang?”
Zhou Qi angrily slapped his hand away. “Don’t talk nonsense!”
Thinking back, during his teenage years, Zhou Qi had secretly harbored feelings for Qin Tang. Now, somewhat dejected, he admitted, “I’m already two years younger than her, and after sleeping for five years, it feels like I’m seven years younger. She sees me more as a younger brother. I know I’m not mature or stable enough to match her, so I won’t think about it anymore. Just don’t tell her.”
He Cong’an looked at him. “You seem to have thought this through.”
Zhou Qi glared at him but eventually said, “She must have been devastated by Chen Jingsheng’s death. I’ve heard about what happened these past few years. She’s changed a lot.”
He Cong’an nodded faintly. “Mm.”
Zhou Qi added, “She deserves better.”
Better?
He Cong’an glanced at Qin Tang. Jiang Chuan wasn’t necessarily better. Moreover, Jiang Chuan couldn’t escape responsibility for the accident from years ago.
Qin Tang set down her chopsticks. “I’m done eating.”
He Cong’an, who had little appetite, also put down his utensils and called for the waiter to settle the bill. “I’ll take you home.”
He Cong’an dropped her off at her building. Qin Tang said, “I’ll head upstairs.”
“Wait.” He Cong’an stopped her.
Qin Tang turned to look at him and smiled faintly. “What is it? You’ve been hesitating all evening. That’s not like you.”
Indeed, it wasn’t like him.
He Cong’an rubbed his fingers together and stared at her. “Are you really with Jiang Chuan?”
Qin Tang: “Yes.”
He Cong’an pressed his lips tightly together and, after a few seconds, asked, “Do your parents know?”
Qin Tang fell silent. After a moment, she said, “No. I’ll tell them after some time.”
Once the case was resolved, she would explain everything to her family.
He Cong’an: “Do you think you truly understand him?”
Qin Tang recalled the bank card Jiang Chuan had given her and the recent cases he’d been handling. “Yes.”
Her tone was calm but firm.
He Cong’an frowned. “Are you sure? Do you know what he used to do? What his real name is?”
Qin Tang furrowed her brows, displeased. “Did you investigate him?”
“Yes.” He Cong’an didn’t deny it. “It took a lot of effort to uncover the truth.”
Qin Tang’s expression turned icy. “He Cong’an, what are you trying to do?”
He Cong’an looked at her calmly. “Do you know the name of the person driving the other car in that accident years ago?”
She didn’t know. Her parents had handled all the follow-up matters. All she knew was that the driver’s surname was Lu.
He Cong’an: “His surname is Lu.”
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