WHCTIL - 66

Jiang Chuan took Qin Tang to visit Yizhan. Heihu (Black Tiger) was still there and excitedly leaped toward them as soon as he saw the two. Qin Tang liked Heihu and bent down to pat its head, saying a few words: “Heihu has grown stronger, definitely heavier than last time.”

Aqi and Xiaocheng stood nearby, smiling at her. Aqi was happy to see her and said, “Sister Qin Tang, you’re finally back.”

Xiaocheng grinned, “Sister Qin Tang, you don’t know—when you weren’t here, Brother Jiang never came back.”

Indeed, Jiang Chuan hadn’t been at Yizhan recently. Partly because of his mission, and partly because he didn’t want to affect Yizhan. Even when he was in Xi’an, he avoided returning to Yizhan. Now that Jiang Kun and others were busy trying to escape and couldn’t focus on them, he brought Qin Tang back.

Qin Tang looked at them and smiled, “I’ll come by whenever I’m not busy.”

Aqi said, “Sister Qin Tang, I think your skin has become even fairer.”

Qin Tang laughed, “Is that so?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Gui Sao heard the voices and came out from the living room. She was about to go to the market to buy ingredients for dinner and was delighted to see Qin Tang: “Tang Tang, are you staying for dinner tonight?”

Jiang Chuan looked down at her. After thinking for a moment, Qin Tang replied, “Maybe next time. I have something to do today.”

Xiaocheng asked, “Then how long are you staying this time?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Xiaocheng pondered—she probably wouldn’t leave so soon.

Aqi went with Gui Sao to buy groceries.

Qin Tang and Jiang Chuan went upstairs. She asked, “Has anyone come to Yizhan recently?”

“There have been visitors, but I wasn’t here. I discussed it with Lü An, and during this period, Yizhan isn’t accepting outsiders,” Jiang Chuan explained.

“Oh.”

“You don’t want to eat here?”

Qin Tang stood on a step higher than him, her gaze almost level with his, and looked at him, “You know how to cook, right?”

Jiang Chuan smiled, “Do you want me to cook for you?”

She nodded.

Jiang Chuan asked, “Do you know how to cook?”

Qin Tang replied, “I can fry steak, make salad, and boil instant noodles.”

Jiang Chuan raised an eyebrow—exactly what he expected.

Qin Tang rested her hands on his shoulders and said, “Next time you go to Beijing, I’ll fry steak for you.”

“Alright.”

Qin Tang turned and continued upstairs. Jiang Chuan stared at her back, lightly chuckled, and reached out to hold her hand.

Qin Tang curled her finger around his thumb.

At five o’clock, Lü An returned.

Jiang Chuan stood on the second-floor porch and saw a girl get out of the car with him.

Lü An said, “Why did you come here alone?”

Xiao Bai smiled, “I was out playing with friends nearby and thought I’d drop by. I missed you all.”

Lü An snorted, “Are you here to freeload dinner?”

Xiao Bai laughed, “Yes, yes…”

“And how will you get home tonight?”

“I can sleep with Aqi. Anyway, it’s the weekend tomorrow.”

Lü An wanted to say something more but paused when he noticed Jiang Chuan smoking by the railing.

Qin Tang pushed open the door and asked, “Shouldn’t we be leaving now?”

Jiang Chuan took one last drag of his cigarette, turned to look at her, stubbed it out, and said, “Mm, I need to talk to Lü An about something. We’ll leave shortly.”

The two went downstairs.

Lü An looked at them and smiled, “You have time today?”

Qin Tang nodded. Jiang Chuan kept his hands in his pockets and walked a few steps away. Lü An knew he had something to say and followed him.

They walked outside the courtyard.

Jiang Chuan turned around, “I might have to leave tonight. When Qin Tang comes to Yizhan, please keep an eye on her for me.”

Lü An fell silent for a few seconds, “It’s dangerous this time, isn’t it?”

“Mm.”

Lü An was silent again, sighed, “Be careful. Don’t forget you still have Uncle Lu and Qin Tang, especially Qin Tang. She’s still young—I hope you both stay safe.”

Don’t ruin her life.

Jiang Chuan’s throat tightened, unsure how to respond. When facing Qin Tang, he could confidently promise to be careful and protect himself.

Now, without seeing her eyes, he couldn’t guarantee it.

The two had grown up together, and at this moment, Lü An felt a lump in his throat too.

Jiang Chuan leaned against the doorframe, looking into the courtyard. Qin Tang was watching him, her slender white fingers holding a cigarette. She didn’t smoke much to begin with, and after Zhou Qi woke up, she had smoked even less.

Their eyes met.

Qin Tang lowered her gaze, brought the cigarette to her lips, and turned away, no longer looking at him.

Jiang Chuan said, “If I don’t come back…” He paused for a moment and looked at Lü An. “Do me a favor—take Qin Tang back to my hometown to visit.”

Lü An fell silent.

Jiang Chuan patted his shoulder. Lü An spoke from behind, “Don’t count on me. If you want her to go, you’d better stay alive and take her yourself.”

Jiang Chuan stopped in his tracks, “Mm.”

He walked into the courtyard, leaned against the car door, and called out, “Qin Tang.”

Qin Tang came out of the living room, “Are we leaving?”

He nodded.

She walked toward him.

…

The ribs were simmering in the pot, bubbling and releasing steam.

It had been years since Jiang Chuan last cooked. The last time was when he made noodles for her at Yizhan.

Qin Tang helped him by washing vegetables, plucking leaves, and cleaning tomatoes. When she handed him a tomato, he naturally took it and began chopping. With nothing left to do, Qin Tang stood by and watched him cut the vegetables.

After a while, she asked, “Have you ever cooked for anyone else? A woman?”

Jiang Chuan stared at the meat on the cutting board and smiled, “No.”

He glanced at her, “What about you?”

“I’ve cooked for my parents, grandparents, and younger brother—fried steak.”

“Did it taste good?”

“They said it was delicious.”

Jiang Chuan took the pot to wash it. The kitchen was small, and as he turned around, his chest brushed against hers. Qin Tang didn’t move, just tilted her head to look at him.

Jiang Chuan’s gaze darkened as he asked, “Are we still eating?”

“Yes.” She turned her face away, no longer looking at him.

“Then take a step back.”

Qin Tang obediently stepped back slightly.

After a while, she ran to the room to grab her camera and started taking pictures of him.

Jiang Chuan glanced back, “What’s there to photograph in the kitchen?”

Qin Tang didn’t respond, took a few shots, and then placed the camera on the table, its lens aimed at the kitchen.

Jiang Chuan stir-fried three dishes, finishing in half an hour.

Qin Tang served two bowls of rice, and Jiang Chuan brought out two bowls of rib soup, placing one in front of her.

Just as Jiang Chuan was about to sit down, his phone rang.

The sudden ringtone shattered the warmth of the moment. Qin Tang gripped her chopsticks tightly, raising her head to look at him. Jiang Chuan also looked at her, quickly pulling out his phone. His expression turned serious as he answered the call. Cao Sheng, panting, said, “Jiang Kun escaped. Damn, he’s so cunning. How could he escape like that? Hurry over—we’re moving out.”

Jiang Chuan replied gravely, “I’m coming right now.”

Qin Tang tightened her grip on the chopsticks, her slender white fingers stiff, maintaining the posture of looking up at him for a long time without moving.

She had heard every word Cao Sheng said.

After hanging up, Jiang Chuan looked down at her. After a few seconds, he bent down and cupped her face.

His hands had just touched the hot soup bowl—they were scorching.

Burning her skin.

Qin Tang’s eyes immediately reddened.

Jiang Chuan leaned down, kissing her lips softly and murmured, “Tang Tang, I have to go.”

Her lips trembled slightly as he bit them, sucking fiercely before straightening up quickly.

She grabbed his hand and whispered, “Can’t you eat before you go?”

He was silent for a few seconds, “I’m sorry.”

Qin Tang bit her lip. After half a minute, she let go of his hand.

Jiang Chuan picked up his gun, walked to the door, and turned to look at her. Qin Tang had already regained her composure, her moist eyes watching him. She moved the camera on the table, suddenly ran over, hugged his neck, and kissed his lips lightly.

Jiang Chuan immediately wrapped his arms around her waist. Qin Tang stood on her tiptoes, tilting her face upward. He kissed her fiercely, urgently, and passionately.

For a long time, he released her.

Neither of them said a word, just gazed at each other as if trying to see into each other’s souls.

With a hard heart, Jiang Chuan turned and left.

Qin Tang watched him leave, standing at the door for a while.

She returned to the dining table, looking at the spread of food and the two sets of bowls and chopsticks.

He hadn’t eaten a single bite.

Qin Tang averted her gaze and picked up the camera.

The camera had been recording the entire time.

She faced the lens and softly said, “I’ll wait for you to come back.”

…

The police had long set up surveillance. As soon as Jiang Kun made a move, they sprang into action.

Jiang Kun hadn’t left the country but had booked an international flight. The airport was heavily guarded, yet Jiang Kun never showed up. Instead, he set a trap, sending someone disguised as him to drive to the airport.

By the time the police realized they had captured the wrong person, it was too late.

Jiang Chuan went to meet up with Cao Yan. Without wasting words, Cao Yan said, “Let’s go. My brother and his team have already moved out ahead of us.”

Jiang Chuan took the car keys, “I’ll drive.”

Cao Yan nodded, and both got into the car.

“Let’s stop somewhere first,” Jiang Chuan said.

“Where?”

“To find Lu Sha. Didn’t you say Jiang Kun and Lu Sha were seen heading to the airport together? Jiang Kun was a decoy, and Lu Sha hasn’t been caught yet—she must still be hiding.” Jiang Chuan drove the car out, “Lu Sha might know where Jiang Kun is.”

Cao Yan frowned, “That woman could be anywhere.”

Jiang Chuan didn’t respond, driving the car at breakneck speed.

…

Lu Sha was in a miserable state. Her high heels had fallen off, and her feet were bloody from running. She didn’t care, running and hiding as fast as she could.

She had thought Jiang Kun would take her with him.

She was too naive.

Jiang Kun had only kept her around because she was useful—using her to distract the police.

And then, ordering his men to kill her.

Lu Sha hid in a pile of weeds, her face pale, listening to the approaching footsteps. Fear consumed her completely.

About ten meters ahead.

Two men, guns in hand, slowly approached.

“We just saw her. Where did she go?”

“That woman has some tricks. She actually tried to snatch my gun just now.”

“She’s got guts, or she wouldn’t have been able to stay by Kun Ge’s side for so many years. But unfortunately, women are troublesome. Kun Ge said to take her somewhere out of the way and deal with her.”

“Shh—”

Lu Sha carefully buried herself deeper into the pile of weeds, barely daring to breathe.

The two men cautiously exchanged glances and slowly backed away.

Two cold barrels pressed against the backs of their heads, and they immediately raised their hands, not daring to move.

Jiang Chuan disarmed them and stared at them coldly.

Cao Yan asked, “Where’s Lu Sha?”

They remained silent.

Jiang Chuan acted, pressing the gun harder against one man’s forehead. “Talk.”

The man immediately begged for mercy in fear, “I don’t know! That woman’s no ordinary person. She seduced us and then attacked when we weren’t paying attention. She escaped after that...”

Cao Yan and Jiang Chuan exchanged a glance.

Jiang Chuan narrowed his eyes and looked toward the patch of swaying grass ahead.

Lu Sha recognized Jiang Chuan’s voice and clutched the grass tightly in her hands.

She absolutely couldn’t let him see her like this—so disheveled. She didn’t want to be captured by him either.

If it came to that, she would rather have been shot earlier.

Cao Yan followed Jiang Chuan’s gaze.