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Cao Yan was puzzled and glanced back, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Chuan took a deep breath and murmured, “I saw her.”
“Who?”
“Qin Tang. She’s surrounded by the crowd.”
Cao Yan froze, craning his neck to look. Where? He didn’t see her, only hearing a girl nagging about compensation for her phone, stubbornly refusing to let go. Someone nearby commented, “I saw you bump into her yourself. Is this a scam?”
Tsk tsk, these days, scamming methods were getting more and more creative.
Jiang Chuan stood still, his jaw tightly clenched, eyes fixed on the scene. Cao Yan noticed and asked, “Should we send someone over to help?”
Over there, Lü An spoke up, “Young lady, there are no cameras here. But if you believe you’re right, we can call the police. If the police determine it’s our fault, I’ll compensate you for the phone.”
Jiang Chuan slowly averted his gaze and walked ahead, “No need.”
With Lü An there, Qin Tang wouldn’t be bullied.
Cao Yan licked his lips and said nothing further.
Behind them—
The girl panicked upon hearing about calling the police. Her phone was actually already broken, and a friend had given her a nasty idea to scam wealthy people. They had tried it several times, succeeding each time, even if they didn’t get five thousand yuan, they still got one or two thousand.
Qin Tang looked like a rich girl, the perfect target, but unexpectedly, she had a tough attitude.
Moreover, Lü An was tall and muscular. With three men and two women, they wouldn’t gain any advantage. Yet, unwilling to give up, they persisted, tears welling up in their eyes.
Qin Tang pulled out her phone silently.
One of the taller men saw her dialing to report the incident and immediately pressed her hand down, annoyed, “Forget it, forget it. We’re unlucky today. Let’s go.” As he left, the others followed.
Qin Tang kept a cold expression throughout.
The group quickly disappeared from sight. Lü An smiled and addressed the onlookers, “New methods of scams are emerging; everyone should be careful.”
Lü An took the bag from Qin Tang’s hand, “Are you alright?”
Qin Tang replied, “I’m fine, let’s go.”
They returned to their seats. The food had already been served. Aqi and Xiao Bai were chatting animatedly, cursing those people. Qin Tang showed no emotion. Lü An chuckled, “Alright, let’s finish eating quickly and rest early. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
Xiao Bai: “Oh.”
…
On the way back, Qin Tang felt something was off. She looked back several times but didn’t notice anything unusual.
Jiang Chuan followed behind her, hidden in the dim alley across from the inn, watching her enter. He leaned against the wall, staring at the opposite side. After a while, he pulled out his cigarette case.
Qin Tang returned to the upper floor, standing by the window looking down. Her gaze lingered at the dim entrance of the alley—black mountaineering shoes, black trouser cuffs, long and broad hands hanging down, lightly flicking the tip of the cigarette, the ember glowing. Her heartbeat suddenly quickened.
The cigarette butt burned out, and the shadow turned around.
Qin Tang’s heart felt squeezed, as if something was about to burst forth. She bit her lip hard and abruptly turned around.
Qin Tang rushed out of the inn’s main door and ran to the alley entrance.
The figure was already gone.
Her shoulders slumped, her eyes feeling dry, frantically looking left and right, her feet moving forward without stopping.
At the corner, she caught a glimpse of that familiar figure.
Qin Tang suddenly lunged forward. Jiang Chuan turned around in that instant, surprise flashing in his eyes. She had already thrown herself into his arms. He was momentarily stunned, but his body instinctively caught her, holding her tightly.
His grip was strong. Qin Tang smelled the familiar scent, her body trembling slightly, her fingers digging into his back.
She looked up, and Jiang Chuan immediately bent down to kiss her lips. This kiss was incredibly intense, his tongue plunging in, sucking and entwining with hers without restraint. It was as if he wanted to devour her. Qin Tang’s body went limp, moaning softly, gradually unable to resist.
After a long while, Jiang Chuan released her, his dark, bright eyes gazing down at her.
Qin Tang’s eyes were moist, her lips red, her gaze soft and direct. Suddenly, she smiled at him.
Jiang Chuan licked his lips and bent down to give her another firm kiss. He smiled too.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Jiang Chuan felt an impulse. Qin Tang understood, swaying her hips, and stood on her tiptoes.
Jiang Chuan closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the urge, pressing her still, hoarsely saying, “Don’t move.”
Qin Tang obediently stopped. She knew it wasn’t appropriate now.
“When did you see me?” she asked.
“At the food stall.”
Qin Tang understood—the commotion caused by the scam. She looked up at him, “Where are you going next?”
Jiang Chuan said, “I don’t know yet.”
Lu Sha still refused to talk. Cao Sheng had already returned with his men, but it was all for nothing. Jiang Kun was nowhere to be found. Everyone was restless and frustrated, especially him.
“Why are you wearing my clothes?”
“It’s warm.”
He chuckled softly.
Qin Tang was silent for a few seconds, then asked, “Can I follow you?”
Before he could answer, she pressed again, “Can I?”
Jiang Chuan looked into her eyes. Qin Tang looked at him and said, “I don’t want to be separated from you.”
She always had a bad premonition deep inside and was very afraid.
“There are many of you, right? If I follow you, I won’t make noise or cause trouble. When you go out, I’ll wait for you to return. Is that not okay either?”
She spoke in quick succession. Jiang Chuan’s chest tightened, making it impossible for him to utter a refusal.
After waiting for a while, she didn’t receive his reply.
Qin Tang understood. She bit her lip, lowered her head, and said, “I understand. I’ll wait in Xi’an...”
Jiang Chuan immediately grabbed her chin and lifted it, “Alright.”
Jiang Chuan took Qin Tang away.
Cao Yan saw this, was momentarily surprised, then quickly understood. He greeted Qin Tang, knowing she had come with Lü An to deliver supplies to Ji County. He pointed inside and said to Jiang Chuan, “Lu Sha still refuses to talk. You need to think of something.”
Throughout the journey, Lu Sha’s demands weren’t high, but they were somewhat excessive. She only listened to Jiang Chuan.
Qin Tang immediately looked up. Jiang Chuan patted her head, “Lu Sha is related to the case.”
Qin Tang said, “I know. I didn’t know she was here too.”
“I’ll go in and take a look.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
Qin Tang let go of him and sat down nearby.
Jiang Chuan walked forward and pushed open one of the doors.
Cao Yan sat opposite Qin Tang, crossing his legs, and said, “He just said he was going out to check, but I didn’t expect him to bring you back.”
Qin Tang’s tone was serious, “Will I interfere with you guys?”
Cao Yan laughed, “It’s fine. With Lu Sha here, having one more person like you doesn’t matter.”
It was just that there might be some danger.
Qin Tang nodded, “That’s good then.”
The room was heavy with the smell of smoke. Lu Sha leaned against the headboard smoking, several cigarette butts in the ashtray. She looked at Jiang Chuan and smiled, “A wasted effort?”
Jiang Chuan sat opposite her and said, “If you refuse to speak, tomorrow morning someone will escort you back. This is your last chance.”
Lu Sha laughed aloud, “Because I’m useless now?”
Jiang Chuan looked at her indifferently, tacitly agreeing.
An hour of stalemate passed.
Jiang Chuan stood up, no longer looking at her, and turned toward the door, his hand gripping the doorknob—
“He’s in Ji County.”
Jiang Chuan turned back. Lu Sha stubbed out her cigarette and walked toward him, her face ashen, saying, “I only know he went to Ji County. I don’t know the exact location. I know Boss Fan conducts many drug transactions via waterways because it’s safer. All the money in Jiang Kun’s accounts has been frozen, but you also know, that amount isn’t much to him. I don’t know where he hides his money, but I guess they might be near the Yellow River.”
Jiang Chuan’s jaw tightened.
Lu Sha stood before him, “I’ve told you everything I know. Whether you catch them or not depends on your luck.”
“They will be caught.”
Jiang Chuan dropped a sentence, quickly opened the door, and called Cao Yan over, “Let’s go to Ji County.”
He called Cao Sheng to inform him.
Cao Sheng said, “You guys go ahead first. Be careful.”
There weren’t many people left in Yulin. Including Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan, there were only eight people in total.
Qin Tang walked up to him. Jiang Chuan squeezed her hand, “You’ll come with us to Ji County tonight and wait for Lü An in Ji County tomorrow.”
Qin Tang bit her lip, “Mm.”
Lu Sha walked to the door, saw Qin Tang holding the camera, and her face instantly turned pale.
She looked up at Jiang Chuan, “And me?”
Jiang Chuan glanced at her, “Someone will take you back to Xi’an.”
Lu Sha glared at him fiercely, but her voice was panicked, “Is this what you call the last chance?”
Now that she had revealed Jiang Kun’s whereabouts, she was of no value anymore, right?
Jiang Chuan didn’t say anything further, busy making arrangements and preparing to leave as soon as possible.
Qin Tang never looked at her once, following Jiang Chuan as they left. Lu Sha was handcuffed, put together with the two men, and escorted onto the car to be sent back to Xi’an.
…
The car sped through the night.
Cao Yan drove while Jiang Chuan and Qin Tang sat in the back seat, saying nothing. Jiang Chuan held her close, her hand enveloped in his palm.
Even before setting out, Jiang Chuan had already sent someone to investigate. Before arriving, he received a call.
“Brother Jiang, on the Great Canyon side, you need to hurry, or it’ll be too late.”
Jiang Chuan straightened up, “What’s the situation now?”
“I heard gunshots earlier. There are boats over there.”
Jiang Chuan’s expression darkened, “Keep an eye on it for me. I’m coming over immediately.”
After hanging up, Jiang Chuan immediately called Cao Sheng.
Cao Yan was excited, “Did you find them?”
Jiang Chuan: “If we’re not mistaken, it’s them.”
Cao Yan glanced at Qin Tang through the rearview mirror. Qin Tang tightened her grip on Jiang Chuan’s hand, “I’ll go with you. I’ll find a place to hide and won’t hold you back.”
Jiang Chuan flatly refused, “No.”
Cao Yan thought for a moment and said, “We don’t have time to delay.”
Qin Tang turned around, looking directly at Jiang Chuan, “I don’t want to hold you back. Let’s go.”
Even if something unfortunate happens,
it would still be her choice.
She didn’t want to be separated from him, especially at this moment.
Cao Yan glanced at her, and soon they reached the fork in the road. He gritted his teeth and drove the car into the intersection.
There was no turning back.
…
The night was darker than ink.
Darker than the night was the black market transaction. Jiang Kun coldly stared at Zhao Qianhe and looked at Fan Yi, “Didn’t you say he was dead? I thought you always kept your word.”
Zhao Qianhe sneered, looking disdainfully at Jiang Kun, “Boss Jiang, the police are after you now. We’re taking this risk to save you, yet you talk so much nonsense.”
Fan Yi laughed, “After tonight, we’ll all be on the same boat. There’s no need to push things to the extreme unless necessary.”
Jiang Kun’s face was icy. After a few seconds, he sneered, “You’re right.”
In the next second, he pulled out his gun and swiftly fired a shot at Zhao Qianhe’s chest—”Bang!” Zhao Qianhe’s eyes widened in disbelief, looking at him, then down at the blood gushing from his chest. Unable to support himself, he fell to his knees and weakly bowed his head.
Zhao Feng went over to check his breath and shook his head at Jiang Kun.
Jiang Kun blew on the gun muzzle and laughed, “It’s been years since I last used a gun, but my aim is still pretty good.”
Fan Yi’s expression darkened slightly when the gunshot rang out, but he quickly regained his composure and said indifferently, “Consider this my welcome gift to you.”
“Thanks,” Jiang Kun snorted coldly.
“The money?”
Jiang Kun walked ahead, “Bring your men and follow me to get it.”
Fan Yi chuckled, “Are you sure the police can’t find this place?”
Jiang Kun was fearless, “They might find it, but not tonight.”
He had always been cautious, planning his escape route years ago. The police? They had already gone to another hideout. By the time they found this place, he would be long gone.
The temple.
The basement, after navigating through numerous traps, finally opened.
Fan Yi stared at the towering stacks of boxes, his eyes lighting up, and immediately signaled his men, “Go check it out.”
The boxes were opened—cash, gold, antiques...
Everyone’s eyes sparkled. Who would have thought Jiang Kun had hidden so much wealth?
This was truly a mountain of gold and silver!
Jiang Kun looked at Fan Yi, calmly saying, “How’s my sincerity? Killing one Zhao Qianhe isn’t excessive, right?”
Fan Yi laughed, “Forget one Zhao Qianhe; even a hundred of them are yours to deal with as you please.”
Fan Yi ordered, “Don’t dawdle, start moving it quickly!”
Zhao Feng stacked the boxes, walked out of the basement, his expression darkening.
…
Jiang Chuan had Cao Yan park the car halfway up the cliffside. Surrounded by dense forest and towering pines, the downward path was very rugged. A little further ahead, they could see the Yellow River flowing through the deep valley below.
Jiang Chuan briefly embraced Qin Tang, his voice low, “Wait for me here.”
Qin Tang’s eyes reddened slightly, biting her lip without speaking, afraid of distracting him, only nodding at him.
Jiang Chuan looked at her and quickly turned away.
A few figures disappeared into the woods.
Qin Tang stood on the cliffside, the night wind desolate, her body trembling slightly as she clutched the camera tightly.
Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan walked along the Yellow Riverbank when suddenly several “bangs” echoed. Both their expressions changed, and they quickly moved forward.
“Boss! Someone has invaded!”
“Are they dead?”
“Dead.”
Fan Yi looked at Jiang Kun, “You fucking said this place was safe! How could there be people?!”
Jiang Kun hadn’t expected anyone to find this place either. They had chosen to act at night, thinking everything was foolproof. He was momentarily flustered for a few seconds but quickly calmed down, “Maybe it’s just some nearby villagers.”
“Hurry up and move the stuff! Retreat!” Fan Yi shouted.
Hidden in the woods, Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan exchanged glances. Jiang Chuan told the people behind him, “Be careful, don’t expose yourselves.”
Jiang Chuan clenched his fists tightly, his eyes bloodshot: “I’ll go check it out.”
Cao Yan gritted his teeth and followed behind Jiang Chuan.
They found the corpse. Jiang Chuan turned the body over, frowned, and then sighed in relief, “It’s not the person I’m looking for.”
He checked again, “No breath left.”
The people were moving things.
“Let’s go take a look.”
…
Fan Yi: “There’s no time for the water route. Have someone bring the car over, we’ll hide for now.”
Jiang Kun: “No, the land route is even more dangerous.”
Fan Yi cursed loudly: “You don’t have a choice now! If we delay any longer, we’ll all die here! I have my own plans.”
Everyone started moving the goods upward.
Jiang Chuan watched the direction they were heading, his heart suddenly tightening—Qin Tang was up there!
He quickly ran forward. Cao Yan grabbed him: “What are you doing!”
This would easily expose them.
Jiang Chuan’s jaw tightened to the limit, “She’s up there!”
Cao Yan hesitated for a moment, then let go, “I’ll go with you.”
Qin Tang sat quietly in the car when beams of light shone from behind. She turned to look, quickly got out of the car, and walked down to find a hiding place.
Several cars stopped behind her.
“Notify the boss, our car is here, tell them to hurry up.”
“Whose car is this? Is it Jiang Kun’s?”
“Go check.”
Not the police!
Qin Tang panicked and ran quickly. Halfway through, she heard voices ahead. Her face turned pale, and she quickly hid in the woods to the left, crouching behind a rock, breathing heavily.
When the noise behind her subsided, Qin Tang carefully moved forward, holding her camera tightly.
Ahead, two figures suddenly appeared.
Qin Tang let go of her camera, her hands frantically feeling around on the ground. She grabbed a stone, held it tightly with both hands, and hid behind it, her body trembling violently.
At this moment, she finally felt fear.
She was terrified.
Jiang Chuan knew Qin Tang had some cleverness but still felt utterly hopeless. He had to get to her before those people did. He moved extremely fast, almost leaving Cao Yan behind. Jiang Chuan kept his eyes fixed ahead, gripping his gun tightly.
Qin Tang held her breath, waiting for the footsteps to approach. She immediately raised the stone high, ready to strike.
Jiang Chuan caught sight of that snow-white arm, his expression brightening as he quickly grabbed her hand. The stone rolled out of her grasp, hitting his knee. He winced in pain but quickly pulled her into his arms, panting heavily.
Qin Tang smelled his familiar scent and froze momentarily. Jiang Chuan whispered near her ear, suppressing his voice: “Tang Tang.”
Qin Tang’s tense emotions instantly collapsed. Her eyes reddened, and she hugged him tightly, urgently whispering: “There are many people and cars up there. I don’t know what they’re transporting.”
Jiang Chuan touched her face, “I know. Follow me now.”
Qin Tang nodded, “Mm.”
“There’s a pair of handcuffs in the car!”
A faint voice echoed. Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan exchanged glances, their expressions changing, “Let’s go!”
“What time is it now?”
“A little past four in the morning.”
It would still be over an hour before Cao Sheng’s men arrived. They had to find a way to stall them.
The three of them hid and moved forward cautiously.
Along the way, Jiang Chuan observed where they could hide someone. He wanted to conceal Qin Tang.
Qin Tang remained unusually calm, her feet never stopping as she followed him.
Cao Yan stood up, using the higher vantage point to look ahead: “They’re moving the stuff out from the temple.”
Jiang Chuan: “Let’s go check it out.”
They had just walked a short distance.
“Bang bang bang…”
The consecutive gunshots completely shattered the night’s silence.
“Someone has intruded!”
Jiang Chuan’s hand instantly tightened, gripping Qin Tang so hard it hurt. She clung to his arm, “I’m not afraid.”
Qin Tang knew he must be filled with regret at this moment, regretting bringing her along, fearing he couldn’t protect her.
She understood everything.
“I’m not afraid.”
She repeated it again.
“And I don’t regret it either.”
The first time he had covered her body, telling her not to regret it, she said she didn’t.
At this moment, it was the same. No matter the outcome, she didn’t regret it.
Cao Yan listened, feeling quite distressed. He took a deep breath and looked ahead: “Let’s go check. Maybe our people were exposed.”
…
The entire forest was no longer peaceful.
Everyone drew their guns, cautiously responding. Fan Yi and Jiang Kun were still at the entrance of the basement. Fan Yi coldly ordered: “Retreat!”
One of his subordinates asked: “What about the stuff? There’s still half left.”
Fan Yi angrily shouted: “What’s more important, money or life?! Hurry up and leave!”
It was too late.
Suddenly, an explosion erupted ahead. Several people hit the ground as a loud boom echoed, flames shooting high.
Jiang Chuan covered Qin Tang’s ears.
Cao Yan looked at the destroyed road ahead and smiled faintly.
Fan Yi had brought a handgun. Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan had seized it earlier, and unexpectedly, it came in handy.
Amidst the flying dust and debris, Jiang Kun climbed to his feet and looked at Zhao Feng: “Go check it out.”
Zhao Feng, holding a gun, led over ten subordinates and slowly moved forward.
Fan Yi’s face turned completely black, glaring furiously at Jiang Kun, “What the hell have you gotten us into?!”
Jiang Kun’s expression remained calm, but his eyes were exceptionally dark and sharp, “This is not the time to argue. As you said, we’re all ants on the same boat now, bound together in life or death. I don’t have as many men as you do, so this time, I’ll rely on you. As for the money, I still have more, which I’ll give you next time.”
Who knew if they’d even live long enough to spend that money?
Jiang Chuan and Cao Yan were preparing to evacuate with Qin Tang.
Ahead, a blood-soaked man staggered toward them. Jiang Chuan squinted, his expression slightly changing, “It’s one of ours.”
Cao Yan immediately went to assist him. The man was drenched in blood, barely alive, “They have many men… the underground vault is full of money and gold… Fan Yi… Fan Yi is also there…”
Fan Yi.
The major drug lord the anti-drug police had been trying to capture for so long.
“And... Zhao...”
His words trailed off as he collapsed.
Cao Yan quickly supported him, checking his pulse. “He’s still breathing...”
Jiang Chuan took Qin Tang with him while Cao Yan dragged their injured colleague forward.
…
“There’s blood here. Let’s chase them.”
A group of over ten men armed with guns came rushing from behind.
Zhao Feng walked in the middle.
…
They were already close to the Yellow River.
Cao Yan said to Jiang Chuan, “We should split into two groups—it’ll be safer that way.”
Jiang Chuan nodded, “Alright. Be careful.”
The two groups separated.
Jiang Chuan and Qin Tang were nearing the riverbank when suddenly a man appeared, raising his gun. Jiang Chuan swiftly tackled Qin Tang to the ground. She immediately clung to him, and he rolled her over once as bullets chased after them.
The two rolled into the shallow water.
Jiang Chuan drew his gun and fired at the man.
The gunshot attracted Zhao Feng and his group.
This was near the riverbank, where aside from rocks, there were almost no places to hide.
Jiang Chuan led Qin Tang forward. As they passed by the fallen man, Qin Tang bent down, picked up the gun, and held it tightly.
Zhao Feng and his men arrived.
“Bang bang bang—”
Jiang Chuan pushed Qin Tang behind a rock. He didn’t have time to dodge and was grazed by a bullet, blood seeping from his shoulder.
Over ten guns were aimed at them, slowly closing in.
Jiang Chuan hid behind the rock, firing more than ten shots, taking down a few men.
Qin Tang gripped the gun tightly, panting heavily.
Jiang Chuan turned around, touched her face, and whispered, “Stay hidden here. Don’t come out.”
Qin Tang bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears, and nodded, “Okay. Be careful.”
Jiang Chuan seized the moment and rolled out.
Gunfire erupted all around. Qin Tang watched as bullets struck the ground, narrowly missing Jiang Chuan’s body.
With every gunshot, her body trembled.
Only when he hid behind another rock did her trembling stop.
Zhao Feng and his men gradually approached. Their target was Jiang Chuan, and no one was distracted enough to deal with her. Qin Tang was safe for now.
She stayed hidden, watching as Jiang Chuan, drenched and covered in mud, crouched behind the rock like an eagle, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Qin Tang picked up her camera, her hands shaking as she pointed it at him.
“Bang—”
Jiang Chuan fired a shot, and someone fell.
Six people remained beside Zhao Feng.
“Damn it!” someone cursed.
“Surround them!”
Qin Tang lowered her camera with trembling hands and tightened her grip on the gun.
A chaotic volley of gunfire ensued.
Three more men fell. Someone attacked from behind. Jiang Chuan turned and fired, ducking to evade. But he couldn’t dodge in time and was hit in the shoulder. A dark gun barrel once again pointed at him.
Jiang Chuan dropped to the ground to avoid the shot.
“Bang—”
“Bang bang—”
Three gunshots rang out.
One was fired by Qin Tang.
Her hand went numb from the recoil, her heart pounding in her throat as she watched the man fall before her.
Jiang Chuan’s gaze met hers, silently saying: Good job.
The other two shots were fired by Zhao Feng. Two men behind him fell, staring at him in disbelief, “You…”
Aside from Zhao Feng, everyone else had fallen.
Qin Tang raised her gun. She had killed a man. Her hand was numb, and so was her heart. Just as she was about to shoot Zhao Feng, Jiang Chuan lunged forward, “Don’t move—he’s one of us.”
Footsteps echoed from behind as another group of people arrived.
Zhao Feng had been shot in the arm. He looked at Jiang Chuan, “Find a place to hide.”
Jiang Chuan looked at him, “Be careful.”
“Our people are almost here. Get her out of here.”
“Mm.”
He held Qin Tang close and moved forward.
But… where could they hide?
…
“Brother Zhao, where are they?”
“They ran off.” Zhao Feng sat on the ground, clutching his arm. “Search ahead.”
“Check behind every rock!”
Jiang Chuan held Qin Tang, hiding in the river. The muddy waters of the Yellow River washed away the blood from his shoulder.
Footsteps approached.
Qin Tang’s face turned pale as she stared at the blood on his shoulder, pressing her hand against it.
The blood was washed clean.
“Could they be in the water?”
Qin Tang looked up at Jiang Chuan. His expression was grim, his jaw tight. He lowered his gaze to her, took a deep breath, and pulled her underwater, pressing her against the rocky riverbed.
Their limbs entwined, Qin Tang clung to him tightly, her lips sealed shut.
Bubbles rose from their ears and noses.
“Anything over there?”
“Nothing.”
“What about in the river?”
“It’s been too long. If they were in the water, they’d be dead by now.”
Underwater, Qin Tang’s face grew paler. She swallowed some water, but Jiang Chuan pinched her chin and pressed his lips to hers, giving her air.
“Bang—” A splash erupted on the surface.
Qin Tang’s body trembled. Jiang Chuan held her tightly with his arms and legs, sealing her lips with his own.
After several gunshots on the surface, silence returned.
Jiang Chuan surfaced with Qin Tang. Her face and lips were pale as she collapsed on his shoulder. Both gasped heavily, gulping in air.
After a moment, Jiang Chuan rested his forehead against hers and cupped her chin, “Are you alright?”
Qin Tang felt weak but nodded, “Mm.”
Jiang Chuan held her and turned to look at the opposite bank of the river.
After assessing the situation, he looked at her, “How far can you swim?”
Qin Tang was a strong swimmer, but she wasn’t sure about her stamina now.
Jiang Chuan said, “I’ll take you to the other side.”
Qin Tang bit her lip, regaining a hint of color, “Okay.”
The mighty Yellow River stretched endlessly.
In the chilly October autumn, the river water was icy cold. Qin Tang’s body shivered, her limbs growing stiff as Jiang Chuan guarded her from behind.
They swam like two fish drifting through the Yellow River.
The horizon was pale gray.
A streak of red clouds appeared at the edge of the sky; soon, the sun would rise.
Qin Tang struggled desperately. With only a third of the distance left, her face contorted in pain as her body sank, her strength failing her.
Jiang Chuan dived underwater and pulled her up, gasping for breath. “Can you hold on to me?”
Qin Tang’s face was as pale as snow. Her hands instinctively clung to him, weakly replying, “Yes.”
Occasional gunshots echoed from the opposite bank.
Jiang Chuan helped Qin Tang crawl onto the shore, laying her flat. He supported himself on either side of her, looking down as water dripped from his forehead, hair tips, and chin onto her. He wiped his face, removed his soaked clothes, wrung them out, and gently wiped her face.
Qin Tang breathed faintly, opening her eyes to look at him.
Jiang Chuan leaned down, kissing her lips until they regained a hint of color before pulling away.
Qin Tang struggled to sit up, her eyes fixed on him. Her hand reached for his shoulder—his wound had been submerged so long that it no longer bled, leaving only a bloody hole. “Does it hurt?”
Jiang Chuan took her hand. “It hurts, but it’s not deep. I’ll be fine.”
He pulled her into his lap, brushing her hair back from her forehead.
Both were drenched. Jiang Chuan held her close.
“Listen to me.”
Qin Tang knelt before him, tears welling in her eyes. “Mm.”
Jiang Chuan pointed to the mountain path. “Go up this road and follow it straight to the village. Ask the villagers for help—they’ll take you to the county town. Wait for me there.”
A breeze swept by.
Qin Tang’s body trembled, tears flowing uncontrollably. “You’ll come back, right?”
“Yes, I’ll definitely come back.”
“Don’t cry.” He wiped her tears, cupped her face with both hands, and kissed her eyes. “I’ll come back to have two children with you.”
Qin Tang bit her lip, tears streaming down as she obediently nodded. “Okay, one boy and one girl.”
Jiang Chuan pulled her to her feet, gazing deeply into her eyes. He bent down once more, kissing her lips tenderly.
He let her go, gently pushing her forward. “Go.”
Qin Tang turned back, tears brimming in her eyes, unwilling to move.
Jiang Chuan’s eyes also grew moist. He swallowed hard, looked away, then faced her again, now composed, a faint smile on his lips. “Be good. Keep walking forward, don’t look back.”
Qin Tang clutched her camera and gun, turned around, and took slow steps forward.
She didn’t dare to look back.
“Plop.”
She knew Jiang Chuan had jumped back into the Yellow River. She knew he would return.
Qin Tang walked slowly, climbing the slope, gripping a branch to steady herself. Just as she stabilized her footing, a muffled gunshot rang out behind her.
Her expression changed abruptly, and she frantically turned around.
In the distance, she saw blood spreading through the Yellow River.
There was no sign of anyone in the river.
Three figures stood on the shore.
Qin Tang’s face turned ashen, her heart dying in an instant.
Gunfire continued.
She went mad, running down the slope, falling clumsily, scrambling to her feet without care, and rushing forward.
She reached the riverbank.
Suddenly, a head emerged from the water. She froze.
The next moment, Jiang Chuan fired several shots in quick succession. The three men collapsed into the river, their blood staining the Yellow River red.
Qin Tang couldn’t tell whose blood it was.
Jiang Chuan climbed onto the shore, looking across. Qin Tang’s heart came alive again. She wiped away her tears, straining to see his face, but the distance was too great. She couldn’t make out his features, yet she understood the meaning behind his gaze.
Qin Tang bit her lip and moved forward.
This time, she didn’t look back.
She climbed the slope as dawn broke.
From afar, the temple bell tolled—calm, stable, serene.
Qin Tang stopped in her tracks, tilting her head toward the light of dawn. Her face serene, she prayed devoutly:
Buddha, if you can hear me,
Please, protect him.
Protect all the warriors bearing heavy burdens.
Grant them lifelong peace.
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