WHCTIL - 61

Outside the window, the wind howled and rain lashed against the glass. 

Qin Tang let go of the curtain, which fluttered wildly like a kite cut loose from its string. 

Jiang Chuan stared at the dark night sky, his voice soft. “Mm.” 

Cao Sheng had said that after this case was over, if Jiang Chuan wished, he could return to the team. Qin Tang opened the window again, letting the wind rush in. She asked: “Why didn’t you tell me about your injury?” 

Hearing the sound of the wind, her voice carried a cool edge that sent a shiver down Jiang Chuan’s spine. He rubbed his nose awkwardly. “I didn’t want you to worry.” 

“Are your wounds healed?” 

“Almost. It’s nothing serious.” 

“Next time, you have to tell me.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled, feeling somewhat helpless. “Alright.” 

He knew she was sensitive about such matters, and since the injuries weren’t severe, he hadn’t mentioned them. He wasn’t sure how she found out—perhaps Cao Sheng had let it slip. 

Qin Tang continued questioning him. “Does the wound still hurt?” 

Jiang Chuan moved his arm slightly. “It’s fine now.” 

“Was it a knife wound or a gunshot?” 

“A knife wound.” 

After a brief pause, she asked again: “Where exactly are the wounds?” 

Her tone now resembled an interrogation, leaving Jiang Chuan feeling exasperated. “On my arm and shoulder.” 

“Which arm?” 

The roaring wind distorted her voice, making it alternately louder and softer. When he didn’t respond, he changed the subject: “The wind is strong. Don’t stand by the window.” 

Qin Tang closed the window. “I’ve shut it now.” 

Jiang Chuan chuckled softly. “Do you miss me?” 

Qin Tang turned around, catching sight of the motorcycle model in the closet. Her gaze faltered for a moment. Jiang Chuan waited a few seconds but received no reply. He prompted gently: “Hmm?” 

Qin Tang shifted her gaze. “What about you?” 

Jiang Chuan pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a slow drag. “I miss you so much it hurts.” 

Qin Tang let out a soft laugh. 

She didn’t answer his question, and Jiang Chuan didn’t press further. Instead, he asked: “Did you buy yourself a birthday present?” 

“Yes.” 

“What did you buy?” 

“A bracelet. Cartier.” 

“I’m glad you like it.” 

Qin Tang sat back on the sofa. “You didn’t call me that day because you were injured, right?” 

“...Yes.” Jiang Chuan exhaled a puff of smoke, licking his lips nervously. “Are you mad?” 

“No.” Qin Tang told him, “We’ve already identified the suspect. Cao Sheng should be able to arrest them in a few days. My part of the matter will be resolved soon. When Cao Sheng returns to Xi’an, I’ll go with him.” 

Jiang Chuan frowned. Qin Tang added: “I’ve already discussed this with Cao Sheng. He said it’s fine.” 

Since Cao Sheng, as the team leader, had approved, it meant her safety would be guaranteed. Without consulting Jiang Chuan, Qin Tang had directly coordinated with Cao Sheng. Jiang Chuan wanted to object, but Qin Tang insisted: “I want to go. I have something to say to you.” 

Jiang Chuan tapped his cigarette lightly, his eyes darkening. “Alright.” 

--- 

After hanging up, Jiang Chuan reflected on Qin Tang’s recent unusual behavior, forming some unsettling suspicions in his mind. 

Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang again. 

It was Cao Sheng. 

He glanced at the screen and answered. 

Cao Sheng spoke quickly: “The mole within An Yi Foundation has been identified. Her name is Du Xin. She and Lu Sha were university classmates and have maintained close contact over the past two years. Lu Sha became the auctioneer for the An Yi Charity Auction through Du Xin’s covert recommendation. Du Xin has already confessed.” 

Jiang Chuan straightened up. “Did you arrest her?” 

Cao Sheng: “Lu Sha fled. She’s definitely no longer in Beijing. I’ll finish handling things here and head back.” 

“Other than seeking refuge with Jiang Kun, Lu Sha likely won’t go anywhere else. Do we have enough evidence to issue an arrest warrant for Jiang Kun?” 

For the past few days, Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan had been surveilling Zhao Qianhe. 

Neither Jiang Kun nor Zhao Qianhe would escape. 

They had already gathered substantial evidence. If Cao Sheng’s side also had sufficient proof, they could proceed with the arrests. 

Cao Sheng: “Not yet. The anti-drug squad is still waiting. This isn’t a solo operation. You and Cao Yan need to hold on for a few more days. It’s almost time.” 

Jiang Chuan stubbed out his cigarette. “Understood.” After a moment, he asked, “Does Qin Tang know something?” 

“Have you... run into problems?” 

“No.” 

If Qin Tang truly knew, her silence and lack of confrontation were precisely what unsettled him. 

She was too calm. 

Her calmness felt like the eerie stillness before a storm—the final kindness and tenderness she might be offering him. 

Or perhaps she remained silent to avoid affecting the progress of the case. 

Jiang Chuan grew increasingly agitated by these thoughts. Cao Sheng’s silence only confirmed his suspicions—Qin Tang probably knew about the accident from years ago. 

Jiang Chuan crushed the dry earth beneath his feet. “Did you tell her?” 

Cao Sheng frowned. “No. I don’t know how she found out. I attended her birthday party, and both her parents and Zhou Qi’s parents recognized me. As for what happened afterward, I don’t know. She didn’t ask anything else, only whether your dismissal from the police force was related to her parents.” 

Jiang Chuan’s throat felt dry. “What did you say?” 

“I don’t know the specifics either.” 

“What else did she say?” 

“She asked me which of your names is real.” 

Jiang Chuan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did you tell her everything?” 

Cao Sheng sensed his exhaustion and refrained from elaborating further. “She said she’d wait for you to give her an explanation.” 

Jiang Chuan looked up, gazing absently at the gloomy horizon. “I understand.” 

The call ended. Jiang Chuan stood up. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed several shadowy figures sneaking closer below. His expression hardened, and without time to process his thoughts, he swiftly ran toward the car.

Cao Yan woke up at the sound of footsteps and quickly sat up straight.

Jiang Chuan quickly sat in the passenger seat, “Drive.”

Cao Yan swiftly started the engine, and the car sped off.

Behind them.

The roar of the car engine shattered the tranquility of the deep night.

Cao Yan glanced back, “What’s going on?”

Jiang Chuan said gravely, “We’ve been compromised, let’s go.”

These past few days, he and Cao Yan had been keeping an eye on Zhao Qianhe. Zhao Qianhe’s underground casino had temporarily shut down, but running an underground casino was already enough to land him in jail. However, his crimes didn’t end there. The drug deals he conducted at hotels weren’t something he could have done alone.

Jiang Kun, Zhao Qianhe, and the drug dealers—all of them needed to be taken down; that was their ultimate goal.

Over the years, Jiang Kun had donated nearly a billion yuan in charitable funds. This was just the visible amount; there were also invisible black money being laundered. They couldn’t guess the exact figure, but it was clear that the sum was enormous and definitely linked to drugs.

Jiang Chuan glanced behind.

“Bam—”

A gunshot shattered the glass.

The other side had opened fire.

The car jolted slightly, and Cao Yan’s face changed, “Shit! I thought these guys didn’t use guns before?”

Jiang Chuan pulled out his gun, steadied himself by the window, aimed backward, and fired a shot at the tire.

That car soon became unstable, crashing into the car behind it and flipping over to the side. The car behind didn’t care about the people in the front car and continued the pursuit.

“Bam bam” “Bam” …

Several consecutive shots.

Cao Yan stabilized the swaying car, dodging bullets left and right.

Jiang Chuan ducked back in, slightly panting, “They’re not Zhao Qianhe’s men.”