ALL NOVEL Chapter 74
~Brought to you by Cafe No. 20~
On the evening of February 17, 3021, Lu Hao was reading to Ling Hua’an when the sound of “beep beep” came from outside the door, followed by the door being opened and Jiang Chengyan walking in.
Lu Hao quickly greeted, “Chengyan-ge, you’re back.”
Jiang Chengyan said with a smile while taking off his jacket, “En, when did you get here?”
“Early this morning.” Lu Hao asked curiously, “Chengyan-ge, I heard from my brother that there’s a murder case in Yihe apartment. Did the case go well?”
Jiang Chengyan glanced at Ling Hua’an and said, “It has basically can be determined as a homicide. We still investigated it, and there’s no progress for the time being.”
Ling Hua’an raised his eyebrows and asked, “It has been stated that he was killed?”
“En, during the autopsy, Su Ke found that the wound on the deceased’s wrist was weird, which is not usual in common suicide cases. It’s still not confirmed whether it is a homicide or not. It depends on the results of the drug test tomorrow.”
Jiang Chengyan walked to the sofa, and Lu Hao gave up his spot and sat opposite Ling Hua’an. Jiang Chengyan hesitated for a moment. Although he felt a little embarrassed, he still sat next to Ling Hua’an.
Ling Hua’an naturally wrapped his arms around his waist and asked, “What would Captain Jiang want to eat at night?”
Seeing Lu Hao smiling like an aunt, Jiang Chengyan felt slightly uncomfortable. He patted Ling Hua’an’s hand and signaled that there was someone here, but Ling Hua’an didn’t plan to back up. Jiang Chengyan had no choice but to say, “today is the first day of the new year. I didn’t eat the dumplings in the morning. I thought maybe I should eat the dumplings for dinner.”
Translated by Cafe No. 20 – cafeno20.wordpress.com
“Meat or vegetable?”
“Anything is fine. What kind of stuffing does Lu Hao like to eat?” Jiang Chengyan looked at Lu Hao.
“Sanxian Dumpling1, I think? I have eaten the meat one at home for the past two days and feel tired. I see shrimp in the refrigerator, plus some mushrooms, eggs, and leeks. The stuffing will be perfect.”
“Okay, then, let’s start making it now. Captain Jiang, you didn’t sleep all night yesterday. Eat early so that you can rest early.”
Lu Hao looked at Jiang Chengyan and teased, “hehe, Chengyan-ge, I feel sorry for you.”
Jiang Chengyan’s face became hot, he glanced at Ling Hua’an, and said uncomfortably, “Well, I’m going to pick the leeks. ”
Watching Jiang Chengyan go to the kitchen, Lu Hao sat back beside Ling Hua’an and whispered, “Ge, just now Chengyan-ge blushed. It doesn’t seem to say anything. Is he so in love?”
Ling Hua’an reached out, ruffled Lu Hao’s hair, and said jokingly, “Oh, you actually found out. Do you think I should kill to silence someone?”
“Ge, you’ve changed. I’m not the first in your heart now, woohoo.” Lu Hao roared on purpose so that Jiang Chengyan could hear it and pretended to cry twice.
Ling Hua’an has indeed changed a lot. Although the former Ling Hua’an was gentle, his nature was aloof. Except for the few people he cared about, his treatment of others always made people feel alienated. Now he has a few more fireworks, making him feel much warmer. Although Lu Hao felt a little sour in his heart, he was still very happy that Ling Hua’an could have such a change.
Jiang Chengyan’s face feels so hot, but the corners of his mouth keep rising. He took out the leeks in the refrigerator and plucked them up one by one.
“Your performance is a little fake. Use more effort when you act again in the future.” Ling Hua’an got up and walked to the kitchen.
Lu Hao was stunned for a moment, then whispered in a low voice, “You treat me as a tool!”
The three of them talked and laughed together while making dumplings. In less than an hour, the hot dumplings were on the table. It only took two and a half hours to eat and clean up the dishes. And before eight o’clock, Ling Hua’an dragged Jiang Chengyan into the room.
Translated by Cafe No. 20 – cafeno20.wordpress.com
Thinking about the smile on Lu Hao’s face just now, Jiang Chengyan was a little embarrassed and said, “Hua’an, it’s not good for us to be like this.”
Ling Hua’an took Jiang Chengyan to the bedside and said with a smile, “There’s nothing wrong. Captain Jiang has been tired all day. Rest early; otherwise, you will be exhausted, or I will feel bad.”
Jiang Chengyan sat down and said, “Then you go out to accompany Lu Hao. It’s not easy for him to come here. Also, it’s not good for us to just hang out like this.”
“But I want to accompany Captain Jiang, don’t you want to?” Ling Hua’an put his arm around his waist.
Jiang Chengyan couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth and say honestly, “I want to.”
“CaptainJiang is a criminal investigator, so honest.” Ling Hua’an pulled the quilt away and said, “Go to sleep. You’re tired.”
Jiang Chengyan felt so happy he quickly kissed Ling Hua’an on the lips before, got into the quilt, and said, “then I’ll sleep first.”
Ling Hua’an raised the corner of his mouth, got into bed slowly, leaned on Jiang Chengyan, and said, “Captain Jiang, it’s not right for you to try to run away after taking advantage.”
Looking at their ambiguous postures, Jiang Chengyan’s face heated up, and he retorted, “where? Who am I taking advantage of? Do you have evidence?”
“Since Captain Jiang said so, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Looking at Ling Hua’an, who was getting closer and closer, Jiang Chengyan’s heart was racing, and he blushed and said, “You…what can you do to become rude?”
“Captain Jiang will know right away.”
“…”
“Oh…”
Pushing Ling Hua’an, who was lying on the bed, Jiang Chengyan hesitated to ask, “Hua’an, you…won’t you continue?”
Ling Hua’an replied, “Idiot, you haven’t rested all day and night. How can I ask you at this time? Don’t move. Let me hold you for a while.”
Jiang Chengyan raised the corner of his mouth, relaxing his body, and said, “Hua’an, I love you.”
“I love you too.” Ling Hua’an moved to adjust his position to make Jiang Chengtan sleep more comfortably. He kissed his forehead and said, “Sleep well. I will accompany you.”
Hearing Jiang Chengyan’s steady breathing, Ling Hua’an smiled and fell asleep after a while.
Lu Hao, who was left aside, took his mobile phone and sent a VX to Yan Yu, “Yan Yu-ge, what are you doing? I’m so bored.”
Translated by Cafe No. 20 – cafeno20.wordpress.com
“I’m working on documents.”
“Yan Yu-ge, why are you still working on the first day of the New Year?”
“If I don’t work, what else can I do?”
Looking at the text on the phone, Lu Hao felt uncomfortable and said, “Yan Yu-ge, I am homeless now. Can you take me in for one night?”
“Where’s your brother?”
“My brother is inconvenient now. Anyway, can you take me in?”
Lu Hao waited for a while, and just when he thought Yan Yu would reply, his phone rang suddenly, “Okay, where are you? I’ll pick you up.”
Lu Hao was happy and thought for a while before replying, “I’m in my brother’s apartment.”
“En. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Okay.”
Lu Hao watched TV absentmindedly for a while before packing his things and going downstairs. After waiting at the community entrance for less than five minutes, Yan Yu arrived, and Lu Hao got into the car without saying a word.
Yan Yu looked in the direction of Ling Hua’an’s home and said, “I’m going on a business trip the day after tomorrow, so I can only take you in for one day.”
“Business trip? Where to?”
“M country.”
Lu Hao’s eyes lit up, and he said hurriedly, “I haven’t been to M Country before. Yan Yu-ge, can you take me with you?”
Yan Yu slowly started the car and said, “I’m going on a business trip, not to play.”
“Yan Yu-ge, just take me there. Ge couldn’t accompany me. It’s too boring at home.”
Seeing Yan Yu being silent, Lu Hao felt a little annoyed and said, “Yan Yu-ge, are you alright?”
After a while of silence, Yan Yu let out his breath and said, “I’m fine. If your brother agrees, I’ll take you there.”
Lu Hao said excitedly, “Okay, thank you, Yan Yu-ge.”
Early the following day, Ling Hua’an got up and came to the guest room only to find that Lu Hao was gone. He returned to the bedroom and planned to call Lu Hao with his mobile phone, but Jiang Chengyan woke up in time.
“Hua’an, good morning.”
The first time he woke up, he could see his beloved one. Jiang Chengyan felt very peaceful.
“It’s still early, sleep a little more. I’ll call you when it’s time.”
Jiang Chengyan picked up his phone and looked at it, saying, “It’s seven o’clock. I’ve slept for eleven hours, if I sleep again, I’ll become a pig.”
Ling Hua’an laughed lightly and said, “Pigs are good. They are good to feed, and they can also ‘be eaten’.”Ling Hua’an deliberately accentuated the word ‘be eaten’. No matter how slow Jiang Chengyan was, he could understand what he meant. His face heated up and snapped, “What an immodesty!”
Translated by Cafe No. 20 – cafeno20.wordpress.com
Ling Hua’an smiled and said, “Captain Jiang, help me find my phone and give Lu Hao a call.”
“Lu Hao? Isn’t he at home?” Jiang Chengyan asked strangely while looking for his phone
“I went to the guest room just now, and he wasn’t there. With his habit of sleeping late, this is very unusual and he should have left last night.”
“The phone is here. Huh, there’s an unread voice, it’s from Lu Hao.” Jiang Chengyan clicked on the voice, turned on the speaker again, and said, “Hua’an, listen.”
“Ge, I have a deep understanding of the sorrow of the light bulb2. I have eaten enough dog food, so I went to Yan Yu-ge’s house. Don’t worry.”
“He sent it 8.15 last night.” Jiang Chengyan looked at the time when the voice message was received.
“Did Yan Yu send a message?”
“Yes, I was about to say it. I’ll show it to you. “Jiang Chengyan clicked on Yan Yu’s voice message too.
“Hua’an, Lu Hao is here with me, don’t worry.”
“This brat! Forget it, just let him be with Yan Yu. Captain Jiang, what do you want for breakfast, I’ll make it.”
“Some porridge and a little pickle to clear your stomach.”
“En, okay.”
The two boiled porridge together, and Jiang Chengyan made some pickles under the guidance of Ling Hua’an. Although the food was simple, they were very satisfied.
“What’s Captain Jiang’s plan today?”
“Today, I’m going to visit Sun Ting’s house.” Unlike before, Jiang Chengyan answered almost his every question about the cast.
Ling Hua’an frowned slightly and said, “Captain Jiang, I will accompany you today.”
Jiang Chengyan was stunned, then said, “are you afraid that female ghosts will haunt me?”
“The amulet I gave you is not just a beautiful thing. Such a ghost can’t get into you. I just want to find out. I’m curious how Sun Ting can be surrounded by ghosts without being affected at all.”
Jiang Chengyan didn’t hesitate and said, “Okay, then I’ll give Chen Miao a call later.”
The two did not delay, went out together, and drove straight to the Hongxin Community where Sun Ting lived. Based on the address on the information, they soon arrived at Sun Ting’s door. Jiang Chengyan stepped forward and knocked on the door and heard some answer from the inside, “Coming, coming, who is it?”
Jiang Chengyan replied, “Miss Sun, I’m from the criminal investigation team and came over for a visit.”
The door of the room was opened and Sun Ting appeared in the doorway. She looked at Jiang Chengyan, but her eyes were on Ling Hua’an and said, “Mr. Ling? Are you also a police officer?”
Ling Hua’an looked in Sun Ting’s direction, only to see the female ghost’s blood-red eyes staring at him coldly. He said as if nothing had happened, “I heard the Captain mention that something happened to Miss Sun, so I just wanted to come and have a look. It’s a bit presumptuous. Does it bother you?”
“No, it’s not a bother. Then, Mr. Ling, Officer Jiang, please come in.”
Jiang Chengyan helped Ling Hua’an to enter the house. When she passed the female ghost, she suddenly stretched out her hands and pierced Ling Hua’an’s throat with sharp nails.
~~~
- 3 ingredients for the stuffing, for example here. ↺
- unwanted third guest/third wheel ↺