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Several police cars flashed their red and blue lights, sirens blaring as they raced through half of Pingjiang City. Ordinary citizens only knew something had happened tonight, assuming it was a surprise raid on entertainment venues, unaware of the real situation.
However, when Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang returned to the old house, they found the front hall lit. The old man, in his pajamas and wrapped in a coat, stood under the veranda, teasing Hua Mei with a stick.
The bird was evidently exhausted, barely responding to being poked.
"Back already?" Old Master Tang turned his head to look at the two of them.
"Why are you still up this late?" Tang Wan smiled lightly.
"Something big happened in Pingjiang. I've received many calls; how could I sleep?" The old man set down the bird-taming stick and raised his hand to pull his coat tighter.
Pingjiang wasn't large; for such a big event, the old man must have caught wind early.
"Grandpa, did someone come to you and say something..."
Tang Wan hadn't even finished her sentence when the old man cut her off, "I wonder why you two are still together this late?"
"Hmm?" Tang Wan paused, "Oh—well..."
"We happened to be together when I got the call," Jiang Jinsang explained.
"You two spent the whole evening together, huh?" The old man chuckled mischievously. "Just chatting?"
"Ahem—" Tang Wan coughed, signaling her grandfather to watch his words.
"Alright, it's getting late. Go and rest. We'll talk about whatever's needed tomorrow."
"I'll escort you." Tang Wan now hesitated to be alone with Jiang Jinsang.
On the way to escort the old man back to his room, Tang Wan tentatively spoke up, "Grandpa, actually tonight..."
"As long as we're acting with a clear conscience, we need not overthink things. The Tang Family isn't easily intimidated. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don't blame me for embarrassing them."
"I understand."
"Before going to sleep tonight, turn off your phone. I suspect you'll be harassed by quite a few people later or early tomorrow."
"Alright."
...
Meanwhile, Jiang Jinsang didn't return to his room but instead stood in the courtyard, idly fiddling with a potted plant.
To be precise, he was tugging at the leaves.
Despite sweeping through half of Pingjiang City tonight, he didn't seem pleased.
Jiang Cuo stood nearby, vividly describing the night's events.
"...Sir, no sooner said than done, just as we heard the screams inside, we rushed in and rescued Miss Tang in time." His mouth was dry from talking, but Jiang Jinsang showed no reaction, making him feel awkward.
Jiang Cuo nudged the person beside him with his foot, "Jiang Jiu, say something. Wasn't it like that?"
"Mm." He nodded, "I kicked the door."
Jiang Cuo: "..."
"But it wasn't us who saved Miss Tang. She must know some self-defense; she nearly twisted the scum's arm off. Beauty, wisdom, and combat power in one."
Jiang Jinsang raised an eyebrow, "I'll give you a raise."
"Thank you, sir."
Jiang Cuo: "..."
Shameless flattery.
Too bad someone was wearing sunglasses, or else he would have poked his eyes out. What a schemer.
"But after the police arrived, Miss Tang didn't have to worry about anything; I handled the rest," Jiang Cuo quickly claimed credit.
Jiang Jiu simply said, "The police were called by the boss. It's our duty to protect Miss Tang and keep her worry-free."
Jiang Cuo was so angry his teeth itched, and at that moment, footsteps echoed from afar—it seemed Tang Wan was returning. The two of them immediately retreated obediently.
As they left together, Jiang Cuo kicked him in frustration, "Can you shut up for once? You make it sound like I'm an idiot."
"You don't think you are?"
"..."
"At the bar, you acted pretty well after the police arrived."
Damn it, that was genuine emotion. You're the one acting!
...
After accompanying the old man back to his room and returning, a quarter of an hour had passed. Tang Wan assumed Jiang Jinsang had gone to bed. Upon entering the courtyard, she was startled by the shadow of someone under the veranda.
Jiang Jinsang looked up at her, "Back?"
"Fifth Master, it's so late, and you're not returning to your room to sleep?"
"Waiting for you."
Tang Wan's heart skipped a beat. She hesitated, as she couldn't back down now. As soon as she took two steps into the courtyard, Jiang Jinsang came to meet her.
The night was deep, and the moonlight slanted down, casting a thin halo on him. With his pale skin and a touch of red on his lips, he looked almost ethereal, like a demon.
As they got closer, the night breeze was chilly, and the silence around them was so profound they could hear a pin drop. Tang Wan could almost hear her own heart pounding like a drum.
Her chest tightened, the thudding echoing as if antlers were butting inside.
"Fifth Master..." Tang Wan's voice was soft and tiny, barely escaping her throat.
Jiang Jinsang seemed to hear indistinctly. He bent closer until their eyes were nearly level.
Their gazes met, his eyes deep, with the surrounding lights reflecting as if flames were flickering...
Heating one's heart to a burning temperature.
"What did you say?" His voice was as gentle as ever.
"Why are you waiting for me? It's late; your health isn't good. You should sleep early and wake up early."
"Worried about me?"
Tang Wan just wanted an excuse to get him to leave quickly. But since he asked, all she could do was nod.
His lips curled slightly, "Is it so difficult to come to my room?"
Tang Wan was mortified. So it was about that after all...
"Next time, don't let your friend do that. If you don't want to come, just tell me directly. I only want to offer you some help to lighten your workload, not add to your burdens."
Tang Wan felt even more awkward. He was genuinely trying to help, yet she was always wary of him.
"Then I'll return to my room. You should rest soon. It's quite cold outside; don't catch a cold."
"Mm, good night." Tang Wan awkwardly smiled. Once she returned to her room and closed the door, she exhaled deeply in relief.
Just a few minutes later, there was a sudden knock on the door, startling her into another jump.
"Miss Tang? Are you there? It's Jiang Cuo."
"Yes." Tang Wan hurriedly put on a robe and answered the door. He held the Qing History Book she previously took to Jiang Jinsang's room.
"Sir asked me to bring this to you; have a good rest." Jiang Cuo smiled, eyes squinting like a fox, somewhat adorably.
Tang Wan took the book, closed the door, and bit her lip.
Was he angry?
But if something like this happened to her, she would probably feel uncomfortable too.
Lying on her bed, Tang Wan sighed helplessly. She still had a ton of questions to ask him. Now, what should she do? She didn't even know what he liked, making it impossible to please him.
At that moment, her phone vibrated. Seeing the caller ID made her even angrier, "… What's wrong with you? I asked you to call me, and you're only contacting me at ten?"
In response, came a laugh, "Sis, ten is early for me. I'm a night owl; until one or two in the morning, that time is early. You didn't give me a specific time to call. What happened? Did I interrupt something good for you two?"
"…"
At this moment, Tang Wan just wanted to smack her friend—such a fake friend.
**
On the other end
After Jiang Cuo returned to the room, Jiang Jinsang was on the phone with his older brother. Once he hung up, Jiang Cuo stepped forward, "Sir, I delivered the book. She didn't say anything and seemed normal."
"Mm."
"Now that you've returned the book, will Miss Tang still come over?" Jiang Cuo was puzzled.
Jiang Jinsang merely caressed the phone, "She will come to me voluntarily."
After leaving the room, Jiang Cuo spotted Jiang Jiu scrutinizing a potted plant.
It was the same plant Jiang Jinsang plucked earlier, now balding.
"Hey, you said Miss Tang is that skilled. If she were to be with our boss, and she bullied him, wouldn't he be at a disadvantage...?"
Jiang Jiu raised an eyebrow, "From what you said, the boss treats her very specially. With his temperament, if Miss Tang really laid hands on him, he'd just lie down and welcome her misbehavior."
"..."
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