Shi Qianxi suddenly fell silent.
"So there’s really no such thing as stealing love, but still, thank you for your concern."
Jiang Chen calmly thanked her, still quite polite.
"So, are you and Cao Jinse really involved?"
"Would you believe if I said no?"
Shi Qianxi shook her head without hesitation.
"Since you already have the only answer in your heart, what’s the point of asking this question? I’m about to go to Kyoto, why don’t you co with and ask her directly?"
"Do you think I don’t dare?"
Jiang Chen shook his head, "You’re Shi Qianxi, what wouldn’t you dare to do? Then make your schedule..."
"Did I say I was going?"
Jiang Chen was slightly stunned.
Shi Qianxi turned her head, her long hair smooth and flowing, almost brushed against Jiang Chen’s face, but fortunately, he stepped back in ti.
Without turning back, Shi Qianxi walked forward, leaving a sentence lingering in the air.
"Let tell you, when it cos to dice, even ten of her couldn’t beat !"
An innate competitiveness and stubbornness.
Jiang Chen stood in place, his face twitching, wanting to laugh but holding it back with difficulty.
————
"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."
The crisp chirping of birds ford a 360-degree surround sound.
This most renowned cetery in Kyoto and even the whole country was shrouded in a veil-like morning mist. Inside the blue-brick walls, two rows of robust oil pines opened a dark green canopy, turning the winding walkways into deep tunnels, with sporadic February orchids peeking out from the stone steps cracks, their purple and white petals trembling with dew, like scattering fragnts of wind-blown wreaths.
The reddish-brown resting mountain-top columbarium stood high, with flying eaves lifting a few wisps of drifting clouds. Copper door rings polished bright by the years, while the scent of sandalwood and white chrysanthemums mingled between the porch columns, and the array of tombstones spread over the gentle slope, with the marble surfaces reflecting the morning light, like countless half-open ancient books, engraved with magnificent Chapters from different tis.
In the old western district, a few century-old ginkgo trees sprouted pale yellow new leaves. Jiang Chen paused before a horizontal tombstone and gently placed a bouquet of fresh white lilies, bending over. As the wind rose, the sound of pines swept across the cetery, startling three or five gray magpies.
"You’re a bit late."
Beside him, Cao Jinse watched the magpies fly past a morial wall engraved with a five-pointed star.
Jiang Chen, having gotten up very early, straightened up, "Didn’t you tell not to co?"
"In front of the deceased, don’t talk nonsense."
As if ti had turned back, Cao Jinse beca solemn and serious as before.
From beginning to end, until the old Fang finally rested in peace, she never inford Jiang Chen of any related information, which already reflected her stance.
Often, attitudes don’t need to be explicitly stated.
"Let’s go, lest we get seen by soone."
Jiang Chen straightened up.
"Coming so early just to lay a bouquet?"
"What else?"
Jiang Chen retorted.
Cao Jinse pursed her lips, silently looking at him.
"Let’s go. If the Fang Family finds out, it’ll only complicate matters."
After glancing at the tombstone, Cao Jinse followed him away.
"I heard Fang Jun plans to join the military?"
Jiang Chen asked.
"How did you know."
"Is this so state secret?"
Jiang Chen’s tone was relaxed.
"Your information is well-inford."
Cao Jinse acknowledged.
"Fang Jun finally finding his way back is the best relief for the old Fang."
"Aren’t you worried Fang Jun might just be using this as a diversion to later seek revenge on you when the ti is right?"
Jiang Chen didn’t laugh, nor was he tense. Like this cetery, calm and peaceful.
"I wasn’t afraid of him before, and I’m not afraid of him now."
So bold.
So proud.
Yet leaving no room for argunt.
The future trajectory of the Fang Family is already set, not likely to collapse overnight, but it will certainly head downhill, unable to contend even during the old Fang’s peak monts, let alone in the future.
"Have you seen Fang Jun since he got out?"
"I have."
Cao Jinse said, "He’s changed a lot from how I rember him."
"Thinking of joining the army, and even heading to Sichuan and Shu, shows he’s truly enlightened."
"You even know where he’s enlisting?"
"Is there a need to make a fuss?" Jiang Chen countered.
"You’re really proud of yourself."
Cao Jinse pouted childishly.
Jiang Chen raised a smile, the morning sun passing the ancient courtyard walls, penetrating layer upon layer, casting a dappled light and shadow.
"The dead might not know everything is empty, but regret not seeing Jiu Zhou united. When the army northwards settles the Central Plains, do not forget to tell your ancestors at the family祭. Young Master Fang going forth, it’s a long journey."
Cao Jinse furrowed her brows, turned her head, finally unable to resist.
"Who told you this?"
Jiang Chen ceased his mystique.
"Wang Heting."
Cao Jinse was enlightened, "You’re on such good terms with him?"
"Not really, he and Liuli are friends. When returning from Kyoto and stopping at the East Sea, we t once."
"Among the younger generation, Wang Heting is indeed outstanding, with no obvious weak points in any aspect."
Jiang Chen agreed, although Wang Heting surely belongs to the southern faction, unrelated to Kyoto, but Cao Jinse’s evaluation was very objective.
Shen Zhou’s younger generation of "trendsetters," Jiang Chen had already t a few, and should be considered a representative figure.
For instance, the often talked about North-Yuan South-Ye.
Compared to the single-minded tiger fool, and the eccentric Young Prince, Colonel Wang is obviously a well-rounded player.
"Did you et his sister?"
"I did, and even had a fight."
"A fight?"
Cao Jinse was astonished, stopping under a century-old ginkgo tree.
"Yes."
Jiang Chen nodded.
Cao Jinse’s expression was peculiar, "Did you win or lose?"
Without saying guess, Jiang Chen sighed silently, slightly regretful, "Narrow defeat."
...
Well, narrow defeat.
"Really?"
For this outco, Cao Jinse seed doubtful, "Really?"
"Is she really a Major General?"
Jiang Chen sought confirmation.
"Yes."
"And served as an instructor for special forces?"
Boss Jiang’s competitiveness isn’t weak either.
"I’m not sure about that."
Also.
That’s classified military information.
"Losing to such a formidable person, it’s not shaful, right."
He muttered.
"More than not shaful, it’s entirely honorable, you know. Do you know what a woman reaching this rank at her age represents? Did you really narrowly lose?"
"Would I need to brag about losing to her?"
"If you could really hold your own against her, every Sharp Knife Camp in the military would probably storm to recruit you, can you really fight that well?"
Jiang Chen smiled nonchalantly, "Being imperceptibly influenced, just look at those around ."
Cao Jinse chuckled.
"Underestimated you."
"Those bodybuilders just look muscular, real security doesn’t rely on appearance."
"What do you an?"
"It ans—don’t judge by appearance."
Jiang Chen continued walking.
Cao Jinse pouted again, stepping to catch up.
The cetery is such a mysterious place, easily making one feel eerie, hence scared. Yet sotis, it can bring inner peace and calm.
"Not going to see your family?"
At the edge where they’d descend the mountain, Jiang Chen suddenly spoke.
Cao Jinse was taken aback.
"I can wait for you."
Jiang Chen added.
Why wait.
Can’t you just go together?
Cao Jinse glanced at him, "That would be so embarrassing."
"No matter, the air here is so good, just think of it as health maintenance."
Jiang Chen said naturally.
Cao Jinse smiled, "No need."
"I can also accompany you."
Jiang Chen continued.
Cao Jinse looked at him, silent.
Jiang Chen didn’t laugh, steady and calm.
"Going empty-handed? That’s nice."
Cao Jinse turned, continuing down the mountain.
Jiang Chen imdiately followed.
"A problem easily solved, whether it’s flowers or grass, there’s plenty here, pick so at will, better than buying from a florist."
"You’re really unwilling to spend a penny, huh."
Cao Jinse hit the nail on the head.
The two walked on, becoming smaller in the distance.
Wildflowers and weeds swayed gently, covering the hills, thriving endlessly.
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