“What is it?” Xu Changxia glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before asking quietly.
“How do you want to handle the Zhou Yun situation? Settle it privately? Or let the Lin family press charges so she gets detained?” Jiang Yao’s expression grew increasingly serious.
Xu Changxia’s face stiffened slightly, her smile fading.
She had guessed earlier that Zhou Yun’s offense must be severe, which was why Deputy Lu couldn’t decide and came to Jiang Yao.
“But you need to think clearly about the implications. Detaining Zhou Yun or sending her to prison will affect your future,” Jiang Yao continued. “If you still want 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 dealt with the matter immediately.
Xu Changxia quietly watched him without speaking.
A few months ago, she had failed the college entrance exam, falling short by over twenty points.
Xu Cheng was already working on arrangements for her to retake the exam. She was determined to get into college. In her previous life, she hadn’t retaken the exam, but this time, she had to seize this chance to start anew!
“I want to take the college entrance exam,” she replied earnestly to Jiang Yao. “I must get into college next year.”
For her own future, and to avoid embarrassing Jiang Yao.
“Alright,” Jiang Yao paused before replying softly.
She seemed like a girl with ambition.
However, he had thought that, given her temperament, she would fight Zhou Yun to the bitter end at any cost.
For some reason, he felt a little disappointed.
“I’ll go to the police station and put in a word. We’ll settle this privately,” he continued.
“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.
“What I mean is, I will definitely get into college! But whether Zhou Yun goes to prison or not has nothing to do with me. She’s not my immediate family, so it won’t affect my job assignment much!” Xu Changxia spoke firmly, each word clear and resolute.
“Please, don’t go to the police station.”
In truth, Xu Changxia had already made up her mind when the fight broke out in the Xu family courtyard.
She would never let Zhou Yun and her son Xu Luyuan off the hook in this lifetime. She absolutely wouldn’t allow these two scoundrels to ruin her future!
The scheme of taking kickbacks at the television factory must have been told to Zhou Yun by that good-for-nothing Xu Luyuan.
The police would surely find out that Xu Luyuan was involved. If both mother and son were sentenced for this, so much the better!
And with Third Uncle also implicated—if he suffered any lasting effects, she would never let them go!
“Handle it by the book. Let Xiaolin’s Mother decide how to deal with it, so no one can use this against you later. Don’t let my family drag you down,” she paused before continuing.
“No matter how much Uncle begs you, don’t soften. Just tell him it’s my decision!”
Jiang Yao was taken aback.
Although he had sensed the animosity between Zhou Yun and Xu Changxia, he hadn’t expected Xu Changxia to be so decisive and clear-headed.
Moreover, the latter part of her words clearly indicated that she wanted to build a life with him.
Last night… had he really misunderstood her?
Seeing Jiang Yao’s gaze soften, Xu Changxia’s hands, which had been gripping his arm, slid down to hold his. She whispered softly, “I’m a little hungry…”
Every meeting with Jiang Yao now was 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 watery 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.
Shyness flushed her cheeks pink. She pursed her small lips, staring intently at Jiang Yao, her eyes sparkling brightly. Though she said nothing, her gaze spoke volumes.
Jiang Yao looked at her, feeling an inexplicable tightness in his body.
“Really hungry?” he asked in a low voice.
“Yes, but I’m covered in blood. If I go to a restaurant like this, I’ll scare people,” Xu Changxia replied softly.
She had already fed Jiang Yao once in the morning, so he probably wasn’t hungry now and surely had some energy left. Making good use of the time before eating wouldn’t be a bad idea…
Jiang Yao’s gaze grew increasingly intense as he stared at her.
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 said not to go to his military unit unless it was urgent.
Today, he was actually inviting her over himself.
Whether he understood her underlying meaning or not, this was already a huge step forward!
Though Xu Changxia was happy inside, she kept her expression calm and obediently nodded, replying, “Alright, I’ll head over first.”
“Wait in the car for a bit. The driver will be here soon,” Jiang Yao added.
Xu Changxia didn’t delay him any further and turned to walk toward the parking area.
…
Half an hour later, Jiang Yao’s dorm.
Xu Changxia watched as the driver brought food from the cafeteria and placed it on the table. “Miss Xu, just leave the dishes here when you’re done.”
“Mm,” Xu Changxia nodded, watching as the driver left.
She stood up, closed the door, and carefully looked around Jiang Yao’s dorm.
It was a single-person dorm, with very few belongings, all neatly arranged—just like the first impression Jiang Yao gave: clean and efficient.
The bathroom was also spotless, and the entire dorm had no unpleasant odors.
She had originally intended to tidy up his room, but after looking around, there wasn’t much that needed cleaning.
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 the driver had brought inside to keep warm. Then, she turned around, drew the curtains, and removed her dirty clothes.
Her hands and body were covered in dried bloodstains, and it felt uncomfortable without washing them off.
She washed three times with clean water before the smell 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 military uniforms he had left in the corner that he hadn’t had time to clean.
Outside the door, Jiang Yao had just opened it when he heard the sound of water from inside.
He stood still, hesitating for a few seconds.
It was lunch break, and footsteps echoed in the hallway. Silently, he closed the door behind him.
The bathroom door was slightly ajar. As soon as he entered, he saw Xu Changxia standing in front of the sink, washing clothes.
She was sideways to the door, not wearing any clothes, only wrapped in a large towel that reached just halfway down her thighs. Her delicate and well-proportioned figure was clearly visible under the hazy yellow light.
He froze for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly, only to catch a glimpse of her smooth, slender shoulders exposed to the air and the full curve of her chest.
He instinctively took a deep breath and turned his gaze elsewhere.
Xu Changxia faintly heard some noise outside. When she turned her head, her eyes met Jiang Yao’s.
“Brother Yao, you’re back so soon!” she exclaimed in surprise, then pursed her lips into a sweet smile. “I kept the food on the table warm for you!”
As she spoke, she finished hanging Jiang Yao’s clothes to dry, wiped her hands clean, and walked over to him.
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Jiang Yao glanced down at the table in front of him and noticed the lunchbox didn’t look like it had been opened.
“Not yet,” Xu Changxia replied as she approached him. Reaching past his arm, she retrieved the still-warm lunchbox.
She had just taken a bath and washed her hair. As she moved, a clean, pleasant scent of soap filled the air, mingling with the faint, warm sweetness that seemed to emanate from her. It drifted toward him, seeping into his embrace and his heart.
In his twenty-six years of life, aside from the previous night, this was the first time Jiang Yao had been in such close contact with a girl.
“Let’s eat together,” Xu Changxia said as she opened the lunchbox. Just as she was about to turn around, a slightly warm, large hand grasped her slender elbow.
“Aren’t you cold?” he asked softly from behind her.
His breath brushed against her ear, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible huskiness.
Xu Changxia stiffened slightly.
The heat from his palm seemed to sear into her heart, making her tremble uncontrollably.