66. I Do, Jiang Yan. (End of Main Story)

Lin Sang finally found time to visit the hospital but was blocked by Lin Xingzi at the door. Someone was in the room, and she couldn’t hear clearly through the door.

“Who’s in there?”

“Jiang Yan’s brother.”

“No wonder,” she thought. Lin Xingzi was in a very good mood today, with an uncontrollable smile in her eyes and brows. “It’s been almost ten years. She’s finally made it through the storm and returned home safely. Your mother-in-law must be happier than anyone.”

It would be even better if Lin Xudong were here too, Lin Sang thought to herself.

“Haven’t said it yet. Let’s go home together tonight.”

“Jiang Yan can be discharged?”

“Yes, he’s recovered quite well. It’s better to recuperate at home; the hospital isn’t very convenient. Oh, right, do you know Dr. Qin from the plastic surgery department at Renmin Hospital?”

“Yes, she’s my high school classmate. What’s wrong? Do your company’s artists have a need for that?”

“No, Jiang...” The ward door opened from inside, and Lin Xingzi helped Lin Sang stand up. “Brother.”

Jiang Yi put on his hat before coming out, covering most of his face. His figure was tall and straight. The way he adjusted his hat brim, his knuckles clearly defined, made Lin Sang, even from her angle, sense that this man was extraordinary. His demeanor was different from most current internet celebrities or idol singers. His attire was a bit rough, yet how could someone who had been undercover among drug traffickers for ten years show no signs of weariness? Instead, he exuded a wild masculinity, a hint of mystery. But then again, it wasn’t surprising; Jiang Yan was already outstanding, how bad could someone from the same womb be?

“Are the discharge procedures done?”

“Yes.”

“Then you two go first,” many people were passing by in the corridor. Jiang Yi habitually pulled down his hat brim. “I’m going to see Qiuchi.”

Lin Xingzi waited until he had walked away before continuing their conversation, asking Lin Sang to help schedule an appointment with Dr. Qin from the plastic surgery department. Putting aside Jiang Yi’s ‘life-saving grace,’ he was also Jiang Yan’s biological brother. Lin Xingzi wanted to do something for Jiang Yan’s family.

Her son ‘returned from the dead.’ Jiang’s mother found it unbelievable, thinking she was hallucinating. Only when Jiang Yi knelt before her and called out ‘Mom’ did she truly awaken from her dream, crying and laughing throughout the entire night.

After Lin Xudong surrendered, Li Qing was alone and felt empty and restless. Lin Xingzi, fearing she would overthink, mostly stayed at home. After Jiang Yan settled Jiang Yi and his mother, he returned. Lin Xingzi wasn’t asleep yet, curled up on the sofa, looking at documents. The computer screen had dimmed from inactivity. Her gaze was fixed outside the window, lost in thought.

She was thin, so her five-month pregnancy belly wasn’t very noticeable. Her soft pajamas clung to her skin, outlining her slightly protruding abdomen.

Jiang Yan approached and sat beside her. He took away the laptop, then embraced her from behind. “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m very happy today,” Lin Xingzi leaned back into his embrace. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

Lin Xudong’s verdict was out: eight years in prison.

This was already the best outcome.

She had just showered, and her hair carried a pleasant, faint fragrance, like a certain flower. Jiang Yan gently stroked her lower abdomen, his voice slightly hoarse. “Then how can I make you even happier?”

“You’re asking me?”

Her tone was gentle, Jiang Yan paused for a moment, but as he lowered his head, he saw her eyes full of laughter, cunning and lively, sparkling with a soft glow, as if starlight from the night sky had been crushed and scattered into her eyes.

They gazed at each other for a long time, and the atmosphere gradually grew more intimate. Jiang Yan lowered his head, laughing softly. “Then I’ll have to think hard.”

________________________________________

The former glory of the Zhan Group was gone. Senior management had fled or gone into hiding, finances were frozen, and all its subsidiaries were essentially paralyzed and inoperable. No matter how capable they were, it was beyond salvation.

The vast office was empty except for Zhan Yan.

Countless cigarette butts lay crisscrossed in the ashtray. Chairs were overturned, shattered glass was everywhere, and A4 papers were scattered from his feet all the way to the door.

Jiang Yan presented his identification as required. “Zhan Tianxiong, chairman of Zhan Group, is suspected of drug trafficking. The Haishi Public Security Bureau is investigating relevant personnel according to the law. Mr. Zhan, please come with us.”

Zhan Yan finished his last cigarette, then looked up at the floor-to-ceiling window.

The sunlight was dazzling. He turned around, his bloodshot eyes scanning individual faces, finally settling on Jiang Yan, still as arrogant and disdainful as ever.

People like them, from birth, were placed at the pinnacle of the pyramid, having never tasted ‘defeat.’ The words ‘dignity’ were etched into their bones.

“You win.”

Jiang Yan put handcuffs on him, stating calmly, “It’s not me who won. It’s justice.”

Erhu escorted the man into the police car. They arrived at the police station at 4 PM.

Jiang Yan called Lin Xingzi’s assistant, then went to a shopping mall.

Lin Xingzi easily tired in the heat. Li Yao had long told her to rest at home and return to work after giving birth, but she insisted on staying. She did everything she needed to do. The shareholders who had previously criticized her being parachuted into the company headquarters had intended to make a big deal out of Lin Xudong’s situation, but after this period, they had gained a new understanding of her. Li Yao had taught her much about conducting herself, and she was growing.

“Yes, yes, just arrived downstairs, in the elevator,” the assistant had just finished reporting when he turned around and saw Lin Xingzi, who was supposed to be in the elevator, standing behind him, startling him.

Lin Xingzi took the phone from his hand. The call log showed over a dozen calls between him and Jiang Yan today alone.

“When did you start having such close contact with Jiang Yan behind my back?”

“I... I...”

The assistant looked utterly defeated, hesitant to speak. Lin Xingzi seemed to have guessed something.

Third floor, seventh floor, thirteenth floor...

They arrived.

The door was open. Roses were spread from the elevator entrance to the living room. At around 7 PM, the setting sun was at its reddest, and half the sky outside the living room window was dyed crimson.

And Jiang Yan stood in the afterglow of the sunset, his features somewhat shadowed, his silhouette clearly outlined.

Lin Xingzi watched him take a ring from his pocket, watched him approach, each step feeling as if it landed on her heart.

“So cheesy,” she always said the opposite of what she meant.

“A little,” Jiang Yan smiled, taking her left hand and lifting it. The ring was only a centimeter from her fingertip. “I had nothing when I married you.”

She had married him even when he had nothing.

“Are you proposing again now?”

“Yes.”

“Then shouldn’t you say something? Jiang Yan... are you nervous?”

His ears were a little red, and the hand holding the ring was sweaty.

“More nervous than my first mission. I prepared so many things to say to you, but now I can’t remember a single word. I can only improvise. You know I’m not good at this...” He knelt on one knee, his gaze on Lin Xingzi, a gentle smile in his eyes. “Part of the reason I became a police officer was my family, the other half was you. I wanted to wait for you in the closest place to you, hoping we’d always have a chance to meet again. My master used to say I was lucky. I didn’t know why God let me escape death so many times until you came back.”

“I swear by the police badge on my shoulder that every day of the future, I will be loyal to the country, loyal to you, and loyal to us.”

“So, will the unique Lin Xingzi marry the cheesy Jiang Yan?”

The afterglow of the sunset spilled into the living room, illuminating his features clearly. Lin Xingzi smiled and nodded. “I do, Jiang Yan.”

(End of Main Story)