54. You Wouldn’t Harm Jiang Yan

Jiang Yan woke up early, not wanting to disturb Lin Xingzi.

Outside, the sky was still dim, with faint light seeping into the bedroom from the corner of the curtains, illuminating the messy kiss marks on her exposed shoulder. His breathing was calm and gentle, his sleeping face clean and docile. Jiang Yan thought for a moment, then took off his wedding ring from his ring finger and placed it on the table before leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Li Qing had prepared breakfast and told Jiang Yan to eat before he left. “The porridge has been cooling for ten minutes. Drink it in a few mouthfuls; you don’t lack these few minutes.”

“Mom, you’ve worked hard.”

“We’re all family, no need to be polite. I even saw a WeChat message from Lin Xingzi this morning, telling me to wake her up and teach her how to make you breakfast. Oh, she’s never stepped foot in a kitchen since she was little. Even after getting married, you’ve always taken care of her. How would she know how to cook?”

After showering last night, Lin Xingzi had been on her phone for a while. Jiang Yan hadn’t noticed she was messaging Li Qing.

“Eat more. It’s still early. Your dad said you gather at eight,” Li Qing handed Jiang Yan a steamed bun.

She had understood Lin Xudong for decades, so she wouldn’t be harsh on her son-in-law. For someone in police work, a hot meal was a luxury. At least they had spent New Year’s together at home.

“Mom, let Jiang Jiang stay here for a while. I’m not at ease with her being alone.”

“You just focus on your work. Lin Xingzi has me and your dad, and Li Yao is also at the company lately. If she misbehaves, I’ll take care of her.”

Lin Xudong walked Jiang Yan downstairs, not as a leader, but as a father.

He had aged considerably after his illness.

Jiang Yan had always been more willing to believe that Lin Xudong stood on the side of justice. Even if he had gone astray, he hoped he could find his way back.

“Dad, Jiang Jiang made a wish on New Year’s Eve. The first was for her beloved father to be healthy, safe, and for everything to go smoothly.”

How could Lin Xudong not understand the meaning behind those words? Jiang Yan’s gaze was firm. Lin Xudong averted his eyes, stiffly patting his shoulder, only saying, “Be careful.”

________________________________________

Lin Xingzi suddenly woke up to a brightly lit room. It was 9:30 AM; Jiang Yan had long since departed.

She grabbed a handful of hair in frustration, then flopped back onto the bed.

After washing up, she saw the ring on the bedside table, picked it up, threaded it onto her necklace, and put it on.

She stopped taking medicine after her fever subsided. Besides Lin Sang, Lin Ke, and Li Yao, she didn’t have many close relatives. In previous years, most of the New Year callers were Lin Xudong’s colleagues. This year, due to Lin Xudong’s ill health, all visits were declined, and the house was quiet.

Lin Sang’s previously arranged marriage suddenly fell apart.

Lin Xingzi couldn’t stay idle. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, she went to work. Living at home meant waking up half an hour earlier every day, and the commute was heavily congested. Li Qing was surprised she didn’t complain.

Because Lin Xingzi wasn’t sleeping well, she had a strange sense of unease. Instead of overthinking, it was better to get up and do something to distract herself.

Half a month after Jiang Yan left, Ji Qiuchi found Lin Xingzi.

She was terribly thin, her neck’s bruises visible even with a scarf. The injuries on the back of her hands looked like cigarette burns. Lin Xingzi felt that if she stayed with Zhan Tianxiong for one more day, her life would be at stake.

“Xingzi, I can’t stay long. The bodyguards will catch up in five minutes. Let’s make it quick.”

She took something from her bag and handed it to Lin Xingzi. “This is Zhan Tianxiong’s ledger of drug transactions from the past five years.”

Someone might be watching not far away, so no matter how shocked and heavy-hearted Lin Xingzi felt, she had to remain outwardly calm. “Why don’t you give it to the police? Only they can protect you now.”

Ji Qiuchi shook her head. “Now is not the time. Zhan Tianxiong has ways to clear his name. He already suspects me. This thing can’t stay with me anymore. Xingzi, give the ledger to Jiang Yan. Your dad absolutely cannot know about this.”

That last sentence nearly made Lin Xingzi drop the coffee cup in her hand. “What do you mean?”

“You’ll know,” Ji Qiuchi stood up, putting her hat and sunglasses back on. “You’re Lin Xudong’s daughter, which makes you very dangerous to me, but I choose to trust you, because you wouldn’t harm Jiang Yan.”

Lin Xingzi sat in the cafe for half an hour, her hands and feet ice cold.

By the time Zhan Yan arrived, it was already dark.

He immediately asked why Ji Qiuchi would seek out Lin Xingzi.

“To show me goodwill, to explain that she and Jiang Yan are just from the same hometown and have no other relationship, and to compensate me for my watch,” Lin Xingzi answered slowly.

The watch box was still on the table.

Zhan Yan’s eyes narrowed. His gaze shifted from the watch box to Lin Xingzi’s face, scrutinizing her every expression. “When did she owe you anything?”

Lin Xingzi grew impatient. “When she hit my car that time, weren’t you there?”

Zhan Yan smiled. “A watch bought with her money, aren’t you disgusted?”

“Yes, I am. So tell her to take it back. Where’s your girlfriend?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Do you have so many girlfriends that you can’t even tell which one you took out on which day? Or are you going to stick up for her?”

“You’re wrong, I don’t have a girlfriend. Aren’t I still waiting in line for you to get a divorce?” He lit a cigarette, his smile radiating a noble roguishness. “I’ve taught Fang Ling a lesson. She won’t bother you again.”

Lin Xingzi was unenthusiastic. “That’s for the best.”

“Want to grab a meal together?”

“Have you no shame? Your girlfriend publicly made me fall into a pool, and you still want to eat with me.”

“My dear princess, I told you she’s not my girlfriend. Alright, alright, don’t be angry. You don’t have to keep this watch either. After dinner, I’ll go buy you a new one.”

“...”