52. If You Die, I’ll Find Another Man

Lin Ke rarely saw Jiang Yan, perhaps once a year. Due to the special nature of his job, even pre-arranged plans could change on the day. Clearly, no one was planning on sleeping. Li Qing went back to the kitchen and prepared a few more dishes to go with the drinks. The men, old and young, sat together, drinking and chatting.

Lin Xingzi, feeling drowsy from the medicine and lacking energy, went back to her room to rest.

At midnight, fireworks would be set off. By then, the riverside would likely be crowded. In her youth, she also loved joining the excitement, but now she craved this tranquility more.

The person she loved most and the people who loved her most were just beyond a door, their laughter and conversation faintly audible.

Half-asleep, the massive sound of firecrackers exploded in the night sky. Lin Xingzi woke with a start, got out of bed, and pulled back the curtains. The night was rendered dazzlingly vibrant, with the white snow reflecting the colorful firelight. She thought to herself, next Lunar New Year, she would bring Jiang Yan’s mother over too.

The loud explosions filled her ears, making the sound of the door opening seem insignificant.

A man embraced her from behind, staying with her for twenty minutes as they watched the fireworks, until the world regained its quiet, the fireworks burned out, and night once again enveloped the city.

“Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year,” Lin Xingzi turned to embrace him. It was quiet outside. “Are they all leaving?”

“Yes, the child isn’t used to sleeping in a different bed and kept crying, so they went back.”

“Lin Ke actually let you off,” he had threatened to drink Jiang Yan under the table during New Year’s Eve dinner.

Lin Xingzi had never seen Jiang Yan drunk. Although he didn’t usually drink much, his alcohol tolerance was quite good. Lin Ke, once he got going, wouldn’t stop until he was plastered. She noticed Jiang Yan’s neck was a bit red, and his eyes were slightly hazy.

“Jiang Jiang,” he tightened his arms. Lin Xingzi naturally leaned back against the French window, the man’s voice a low murmur. “I have to leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow... Didn’t you say you had a three-day holiday?”

Just as she had longed for his safe return, he had to leave again before the New Year celebration was even over. Valentine’s Day was in two days. Lin Xingzi had never been in a serious relationship, so she had never celebrated Valentine’s Day.

“My master has a lead. If we delay, the person might escape. We’ll leave tomorrow afternoon. If things go quickly, it’ll be half a month, but if there are delays, it might be longer. The situation is special; I won’t be able to call you, and WeChat won’t be accessible either.”

Under the influence of alcohol, he found it hard to hide his emotions. Fragmented, soft kisses landed on her cheeks and the corners of her lips. Lin Xingzi leaned into his embrace, remaining silent for a long time before letting out a muffled, “...Okay.”

Jiang Yan felt a pang of regret. He should have told her tomorrow; at least she could get a good night’s sleep tonight.

Two tons of drugs hadn’t been transported out. Every day they remained stored, the risk increased. Once seized, the losses would be immeasurable. They would undoubtedly find a way to re-deal, and during the Lunar New Year, security at various checkpoints was relaxed, and most police personnel were on leave, undoubtedly the best timing.

“Are you drunk?”

“No.”

Lin Xingzi heard his answer, then hooked her arms around his neck, pulled his head down, and kissed him, biting his lip.

Six months ago, she could still tolerate it, pretending he didn’t exist, focusing on work and enjoying herself. But now, her state of mind had completely changed, and emotions surged, with nowhere to hide.

“If you die, I’ll find another man. I won’t wait an extra second. Don’t expect me to be a widow for you. If you don’t want your grave to be covered in green grass, then come back safe and sound...”

Her voice trailed off, swallowed by the man’s lips and tongue.

Before this, Jiang Yan had only held her, passively letting her vent, bite, rip off his shirt buttons, and leave teeth marks and scratches on him. Only when she grew tired did he grip her wrists, pressing them against the glass window, lowering his head to bite her lips, his tongue pushing into her mouth—fierce yet tender, transforming the unpromised tomorrow into a physical entanglement.