“What’s the matter?” Xu Changxia glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before asking in a hushed tone.
“How do you want to handle Zhou Yun’s situation? Settle privately? Or let the Lin family press charges and have her detained?” Jiang Yao’s expression grew increasingly stern.
Xu Changxia’s smile faded slightly, her face stiffening.
She had already guessed that Zhou Yun’s offense must be serious, which was why Deputy Officer Lu had come to seek Jiang Yao’s advice.
“But you need to consider the implications carefully. Detaining Zhou Yun or having her imprisoned could affect your future,” Jiang Yao continued. “If you still plan to take the college entrance exam, your job assignment after graduation will inevitably be compromised.”
Jiang Yao wanted to hear Xu Changxia’s own opinion, so he hadn’t taken immediate action.
Xu Changxia watched him quietly without responding.
A few months ago, she had failed the college entrance exam by over twenty points.
Xu Cheng was already looking into arrangements for her to retake the exam. She was determined to get into university—she hadn’t retaken the exams in her previous life, but in this one, she had to seize this chance to start anew!
“I want to go to university,” she replied to Jiang Yao earnestly. “I must get in next year.”
For her own future, and to avoid bringing shame to Jiang Yao.
“Alright.” Jiang Yao paused before responding softly.
She clearly had ambition.
However, he had assumed that, given her temperament, she would fight Zhou Yun relentlessly at any cost.
For some reason, he felt slightly disappointed.
“I’ll go to the Public Security Bureau and have this settled privately,” he said.
“No!” Xu Changxia grabbed his arm as he turned to leave. “That’s not what I meant!”
Jiang Yao looked back at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
“I mean, I will definitely get into university! But whether Zhou Yun goes to jail has nothing to do with me. She’s not my immediate relative, so it won’t affect my job assignment much!” Xu Changxia declared firmly, enunciating each word clearly.
“Please, don’t go to the Public Security Bureau.”
In truth, Xu Changxia had already made up her mind during the fight in the Xu family courtyard.
She would never let Zhou Yun and her son Xu Luyuan off easily in this lifetime—she refused to let these scumbags ruin her future!
The kickback scheme at the Television Factory must have been tip-off from that good-for-nothing Xu Luyuan to Zhou Yun.
The police would surely uncover Xu Luyuan’s involvement. If both mother and son ended up sentenced for this, all the better!
Plus, with Third Uncle also implicated—if he suffered any lasting effects from this, she would never forgive them!
“Handle this strictly by the book. Let Xiaolin’s Mom deal with it as she sees fit, so no one can use this against you later. Don’t let my family drag you down,” she added after a pause.
“No matter how much Da Jiu pleads with you, don’t soften. Just tell him it’s my decision!”
Jiang Yao was taken aback.
Although he had sensed tension between Zhou Yun and Xu Changxia, he hadn’t expected her to be so resolute and clear-headed.
Moreover, her latter remark clearly indicated she wanted to build a life with him.
Last night… had he really misunderstood her?
Noticing the softening in Jiang Yao’s gaze, Xu Changxia released his arm and instead took his hand, whispering, “I’m a little hungry…”
Every meeting with Jiang Yao felt like one less chance to see him again, and she truly didn’t want to waste their precious time together because of Zhou Yun.
At this moment, her dewy almond-shaped eyes were fixed on Jiang Yao, carrying a hint of grievance. For some reason, his heart softened instantly.
“Also, I need to find a place to wash up first…” Xu Changxia’s voice grew even softer as she spoke.
Embarrassed, her cheeks flushed pink. She pressed her lips together, her bright eyes fixed intently on Jiang Yao. Though silent, her gaze conveyed more than words ever could.
Jiang Yao looked at her, and his body tensed inexplicably.
“Really hungry?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, but I’m covered in blood. If I go to a restaurant like this, I’ll scare people,” Xu Changxia whispered in reply.
She had already replenished Jiang Yao once this morning, so he probably wasn’t hungry yet and surely had energy to spare. It wouldn’t hurt to make the most of their time before eating…
Jiang Yao’s gaze on her deepened.
After a few seconds of silence, he said, “Go to my dorm first and have something to eat. There’s a bathroom inside with hot water and clean towels.”
Last night, Jiang Yao had clearly stated that she shouldn’t visit him at the Troops unless it was urgent.
Yet today, he had taken the initiative to invite her over.
Whether or not he had understood her underlying meaning, this was already significant progress!
Though inwardly delighted, Xu Changxia maintained a calm facade, nodding obediently. “Alright, I’ll head over first.”
“Wait in the car for a bit. The driver will be here soon,” Jiang Yao added.
Not wanting to delay him further, Xu Changxia turned and walked toward the parking area.
…
Half an hour later, in Jiang Yao’s dorm.
Xu Changxia watched as the driver brought food from the canteen and placed it on the table. “Miss Xu, you can just leave the dishes here after you finish.”
“Mm,” Xu Changxia nodded, watching the driver leave.
She stood up to close the door and took a careful look around Jiang Yao’s dorm.
It was a single room, sparsely furnished but meticulously organized—much like the impression Jiang Yao himself gave: clean and efficient.
The bathroom was also spotless, and the entire dorm had no unpleasant odors.
She had originally intended to tidy up for him, but after looking around, there was nothing that needed doing.
After a moment’s thought, she took two lunchboxes Jiang Yao had left on the table, poured hot water into them, and placed the food containers brought by the driver inside to keep warm. Then she drew the curtains and removed her soiled clothes.
Her hands and body were stained with dried blood, and the discomfort of being unclean was hard to ignore.
It took three thorough washes with clean water before the scent of blood was completely gone.
The bathroom was warm and steamy. She casually wrapped herself in one of Jiang Yao’s large towels and, while at it, washed a set of his military uniform that had been left unwashed in the corner.
Outside, Jiang Yao had just opened the door when he heard the sound of running water from inside.
He stood still, hesitating for a few seconds.
It was lunch break, and footsteps echoed in the hallway. Quietly, he closed the door behind him.
The bathroom door was slightly ajar. As he entered, he saw Xu Changxia standing at the sink, washing clothes.
She was sideways to the door, unclothed, wrapped only in a large towel that reached halfway down her thighs. Her delicate, well-proportioned figure was fully visible under the soft yellow glow of the light.
He froze for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly, only for his peripheral vision to catch her smooth, slender shoulders exposed to the air and the full curve of her chest.
He instinctively took a deep breath and averted his gaze.
Xu Changxia faintly heard some noise outside. Turning her head, she happened to meet Jiang Yao's gaze.
"Brother Jiang Yao, you're back so soon!" she exclaimed in surprise, then pursed her lips into a sweet smile. "I kept your meal warm on the table!"
As she spoke, she finished hanging Jiang Yao's clothes to dry, wiped her hands clean, and walked toward him.
"You haven't eaten yet?" Jiang Yao glanced down at the table, noticing the lunchbox didn't appear to have been opened.
"Not yet." Xu Changxia approached him, reached past his arm, and retrieved the still-warm lunchbox.
Having just bathed and washed her hair, her movements released a clean, pleasant scent of soap into the air, mingled with her own naturally warm, sweet fragrance. It drifted faintly toward him, seeping into his embrace and his heart.
In his twenty-six years of life, aside from last night, this was Jiang Yao's first time being so intimately close to a girl.
"Let's eat together." Xu Changxia opened the lunchbox and was about to turn around when a slightly warm, large hand grasped her slender elbow.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked in a low voice behind her.
His breath brushed against her ear, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible huskiness.
Xu Changxia's body stiffened slightly.
The heat from his palm seemed to brand itself directly onto her heart, making her shiver uncontrollably.