Two days before the engagent
Tang Wan was in the courtyard, watering the green plants with a pink watering can, while talking to Jiang Jinsang on the phone via a Bluetooth headset. An engagent was not as complicated as a marriage; there weren’t so many troubleso things, so she was relatively free.
It was said that there had been snow in Beijing a few days ago, but Pingjiang had already experienced spring rains, with flowers blooming across half the city.
"Will Mr. Shen and his family co with you?" Tang Wan had also invited Shen Zhixian to her engagent.
"Yes." As the engagent was approaching, Jiang Jinsang seed radiant and rejuvenated.
"Have you been following the doctor’s advice lately, taking supplents and exercising..."
Ever since Jiang Jinsang agreed to have the surgery, Tang Wan had returned to Pingjiang and nagged him about his als three tis a day like a mother. Qi Zeyan even joked that he might end up marrying a mother.
"Yes, you lately..."
Jiang Jinsang hadn’t finished speaking when Tang Wan’s phone vibrated. A call from Beijing interrupted, "Brother, I need to take this call."
"Hello—"
"Miss Tang, we are from the Hexi Police Station in Beijing. You’re not currently in Beijing, right..."
"Yes."
It was nothing other than the case involving Jiang Shuyan, and there were so details they needed to confirm with her.
"... She beca free from life-threatening danger last night, but her legs are basically disabled. The doctor said even with good rehabilitation, she won’t be able to walk like a normal person. In the worst-case scenario, she will need a wheelchair for mobility and will be disabled for life."
Tang Wan held the watering can in her hands and continued to water the plants without saying a word.
"This morning we went to the hospital room to question her, but she was quite agitated and uncooperative with the investigation."
Her reaction was expected; Jiang Shuyan was a proud person, and given her young age and the disability of her legs, she must find it difficult to accept.
"Her family would like to discuss compensation with you, to seek leniency for her. They will probably contact you soon..."
"I understand."
"No problem, I heard you are getting engaged. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
...
After hanging up the phone, Tang Wan continued her long chat with Jiang Jinsang.
"Whose call was it?" Jiang Jinsang sat by the window, basking in the sunlight. There had been a heavy snow a few days ago, and although it had lted, the temperatures had dropped a few degrees more than usual. He was covered with a thin blanket over his knees.
"It was from the police station, still about Jiang Shuyan."
"Any problems?"
"Just the sa old issues..."
"That’s good then."
Jiang Jinsang was poking at the shell of Lord Wansui.
Lord Wansui was lazily munching on dried shrimp, completely ignoring him.
Can’t you see I’m eating? Stop bothering !
It slowly moved its body, but because it was too slow, Jiang Jinsang caught it and pulled it back, repeatedly, which made Jinsang chuckle quietly and call it, "Silly tortoise."
Lord Wansui: ...
After Tang Wan hung up the phone, she tidied up the flowers and plants in the courtyard a bit, then heard footsteps outside, followed by Shen Shuci appearing.
"Aunt."
"Jiang Zhaolin is here."
Tang Wan’s brow furrowed, and she hurriedly wiped the dust off her hands. "What is he doing here?"
Since the incident with Jiang Shuyan, she hadn’t seen Jiang Zhaolin again.
"I’m not sure, but your brother-in-law is hosting him."
"Are grandpa, and my grandparents..."
"They went to the small park for a walk and haven’t returned yet."
"Let’s go and see."
**
At the Tang family’s front hall, Tang Yunxian sat opposite Jiang Zhaolin. Outside, the spring was mild and warm, and Hua i was chirping under the corridor, yet the atmosphere inside was slightly eerie.
"Mr. Jiang." The housemaid served him tea and then stood aside, watching quietly.
"Have so tea." Mr. Tang Yunxian was polite and seed very amiable. He looked up and greeted Jiang Zhaolin with a smile. Yet, as he lowered his eyes to drink the tea, there was a shadow in his eyes that would not disperse.
"Thank you."
During the ti it took to drink tea, Tang Wan had already arrived from the East Courtyard, "Dad, Uncle Jiang."
Her address to Jiang Zhaolin was still very polite, but in her heart, she could no longer see him as an ordinary uncle. She was the first person who had dared to point at his nose and scold him by na.
"Sit." Tang Yunxian patted the spot beside him.
After Tang Wan sat down, Shen Shuci casually found a spot to watch the drama.
Jiang Zhaolin hadn’t begun to speak when Tang Yunxian started, "My daughter’s engagent is the day after tomorrow. If Mr. Jiang is here to offer congratulations, it seems a bit too early."
Tang Wan had already noticed the pile of gifts on the table beside her, likely brought by him.
"I might not be available on the day itself, so I took the opportunity to co over today since I was free," Jiang Zhaolin looked at Tang Wan. "Congratulations."
"Thank you."
She had just received the phone call from the police station, and then Jiang Zhaolin had suddenly shown up from far away; she could guess the purpose of his visit.
...
anwhile, in the Jiang family’s residence in Beijing
Jiang Jinsang was still teasing the tortoise, Lord Wansui, who retracted into his shell, refusing to deal with him, yet Jinsang still continued poking.
"Sir—" Jiang Cuo knocked and entered the room, "Jiang Zhaolin has gone to Pingjiang."
"He must be trying to gain leniency for Jiang Shuyan. I wonder how the Tang family will handle it. You and Miss Tang are about to get engaged, and many people are keeping an eye on it."
Jiang Jinsang glanced at his watch. "At this hour, grandfather and my grandfathers should have gone out for a walk. He really knows how to pick the ti."
He had lived with the Tang family for a long ti, and the elderly were very regular in their routines: tai chi in the morning and chess in the afternoon.
"Seems like it..."
"You can go now; I need to make a phone call."
Jiang Cuo walked out of the room, puzzled, and it took him a while to realize.
Jiang Zhaolin must have tid his visit to the Tang family to avoid the two old gentlen. Given their temperants, and considering the incident with Cui Yu, where it was said that Mr. Shen of the Shen family had frightened a group of unruly reporters into silence, if Jiang Zhaolin really ran into them...
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