Chapter 33: Internal Strife, the Scent of Indulgence

Jiang Jingming felt the weight on his hands increase slightly. Without a word, he supported the young woman’s back with his other hand, not stopping the massage. Only after he felt her full weight against him did he slowly sit up. He chose to ignore the stabbing pain in his chest.

He laid Sang Yu gently onto the bed and pulled the quilt over her. Her soft, shallow breathing soon followed, and with her eyes tightly shut, it was clear she had fallen asleep. Jiang Jingming stood by the bedside for a long while before gathering up her sketches and settling onto the folding cot.

From this angle, he could see the moon outside the window. It was not a full moon, but a waxing crescent, much like the shape of her eyes when she smiled. Yet, some were destined to have a sleepless night.

...

"Officer, I really do know Sang Yu. We were even engaged before. I am definitely not harassing her." Lu Hao had emphasized this many times already.

Lin Wen’s response remained the same: "Knowing someone unilaterally doesn't count as knowing them. If stopping someone on the street isn't harassment, then what is? Let me tell you, you should be grateful we live in a society governed by law. In the past, you would have been beaten to death long ago."

Song Jiajia glared at Lin Wen. "Did that bitch Sang Yu send you to arrest us?" She recognized Lin Wen; in her previous life, he had always been by Jiang Jingming’s side. After Jiang Jingming died, she had never seen him again.

Lin Wen glanced at Song Jiajia but said nothing.

"Let us out, now!" Song Jiajia roared.

"Don't waste your breath. One of you harassed a married woman, and the other cursed and insulted a national hero. You’d be better off thinking about how to apologize," Lin Wen said calmly. In truth, these weren't grave crimes, but keeping them locked up for a few days to teach them a lesson was well within reason.

"We didn't do anything!" Song Jiajia protested.

"Whether you did or not, we can just ask the onlookers who were there," Lin Wen replied, looking at her. Song Jiajia’s expression darkened.

Lu Hao turned to her. "This is all your fault. What were you spouting off about?" At the time, he had felt Song Jiajia was acting strange, constantly rambling about how Jiang Jingming was about to die. But because Jiang Jingming had married Sang Yu, he felt as if something that belonged to him had been stolen. If Jiang Jingming were to die, he wouldn't have minded, so he had ignored her remarks—leading them to be locked up here.

Hearing his accusation, Song Jiajia became furious. "How is it my fault? Wouldn't things be fine if you hadn't blocked Sang Yu in the first place?"

"I was just saying hello to her! You were the one who ran up and started claiming her husband was dead. Lu Hao, do you even have a heart?" she asked, looking at him with disappointment. Lu Hao felt a pang of guilt under her gaze, but he knew it was her fault to begin with.

Watching them bicker, Lin Wen wore an expression of amusement. Thank heavens, he thought, that his sister-in-law hadn't married a man like this. Look at him—a man who blames a woman the moment things go wrong; what kind of man is that? And thank goodness their captain hadn't married a woman like Song Jiajia, who was clearly a shrew. She was nothing like their sister-in-law, who was beautiful, kind-hearted, and a wonderful cook.

Seeing them continue to point fingers, Lin Wen grew bored. "Stay here and think about it," he said, and walked away, leaving the two of them to continue their squabble.

...

The next day, Sang Yu woke up and realized something was off. She sat up and saw she was in Jiang Jingming’s hospital bed. *Did I sleep here all night?* The massage had been so relaxing that she hadn't been able to help herself. She felt a twinge of annoyance.

"You're awake?" Jiang Jingming walked in, pushing the door open, only to see her sitting on the bed looking vexed. She noticed the thermos in his hand.

"Why didn't you wake me up last night?" Her voice was soft, carrying a faint, unintended hint of coquetry.

Jiang Jingming set the thermos down. "It's fine. You don't need to feel burdened; my injury isn't that serious."

"I'll let it slide this time, but don't do it again," she said earnestly.

"All right, I'll listen to you," he replied. She wondered why his words sounded so doting.

"I'm going to go wash up."

"Mm."

Feeling the atmosphere turn strange, Sang Yu found an excuse to leave the hospital. She thought it would be a good chance to pass a message to Auntie Pang.

As soon as she returned home, before she could even step inside, Auntie Pang called out to her. "Xiao Yu, wait a moment."

"Auntie Pang, what is it?" Sang Yu asked.

"Xiao Yu, last night, three people came to your door looking for you. They didn't look like good people. You need to be careful," Auntie Pang warned.

Three people? She didn't know many people in this world, and certainly none who looked like troublemakers. Could it be Song Jiajia? No, that didn't make sense—Auntie Pang would have recognized her. "Alright, I understand. Thank you, Auntie Pang."

"It's nothing. Just be careful, and if anything happens, remember to tell me," she urged.

Sang Yu nodded. "I know. Thank you, Auntie Pang."

"Don't mention it. How is that boy, Jingming?"

"Brother Jiang is recovering quite well," Sang Yu replied, giving her a brief update. Auntie Pang sighed in relief. "That's good."

After saying goodbye, Sang Yu went to the kitchen to prepare some food. He Xiulan was going to the hospital to see Jiang Jingming, so she would take some for her, and she would make some for Auntie Pang as well.

It was already afternoon by the time she finished. Suddenly, there was a violent pounding at the door. Sang Yu set down her things and opened it. She was met with the sight of Chen Jinlan.

Chen Jinlan looked her up and down, and seeing Sang Yu’s rosy complexion, she felt a wave of irritation. "What were you doing? Taking forever to open the door!"

Her tone was instantly accusatory. Sang Yu stood in the doorway, smiling. "Oh, it’s you, Aunt. What brings you here? Are you here to pay back the money?"

"Pay back what money?" Chen Jinlan retorted.

"Oh, I just assumed you were here to pay me back. After all, you and Uncle still owe me two thousand yuan," Sang Yu said.

Chen Jinlan replied coldly, "In your dreams."

"In that case, Aunt, you should probably leave. I’m quite busy." She made to close the door.

"Wait! What kind of attitude is that? Is this how you treat your elders?" Chen Jinlan’s voice was loud, and neighbors began to peek out to watch.

"What attitude? What kind of attitude do you want me to have?"

"When an elder comes to visit, you don't even let them in or offer them water? Do you have no manners?" Chen Jinlan complained indignantly.

Sang Yu smiled thinly. "Do I have manners? Shouldn't you know that better than anyone, Aunt?"

Chen Jinlan looked into Sang Yu’s eyes. She had always been timid and submissive before, but now, there was something about her that felt unsettlingly intimidating.