HBWnovel Chapter 38.2
Chapter 38.2
On the bench were several room-temperature drinks that weren’t there before; it appeared Yue Qingci had purchased them during Jiang Xiaochuan’s brief absence.
“Well, if there’s no need for official formalities, why don’t you and I sit down and have a calm conversation?” Yue Qingci sat with a slightly slouched posture, his hands hanging low, and the golden whistle swaying close to the ground.
He and Yue Qingci truly needed to have a thorough conversation.
Though Jiang Xiaochuan wasn’t sure what they would discuss or how to broach the topic, he trusted they could navigate the conversation. Unafraid, he sighed and settled where Jiang Encheng had been seated earlier.
Several drinks separated them.
Yue Qingci had bought a variety, perhaps uncertain of Jiang Xiaochuan’s preferences. In truth, he wasn’t particularly interested in these room-temperature beverages. He favored boiled water, occasionally enjoying tea for a drink. After ascending to the governorship, he refrained from drinking green tea alone. Despite developing a preference for mint-flavored drinks over the years, plain water remained his favorite. Yet, Yue Qingci hadn’t provided plain water.
Naturally, he reached for the mint water, inserted a straw, and took a sip.
Yue Qingci’s eyes flickered. He extended his hand, curled his fingers, and hesitated.
Thinking Yue Qingci was too far away, Jiang Xiaochuan handed him the can of black coffee nearby.
Yue Qingci accepted it, examined it for a moment, and actually smiled with an ambiguous meaning. “You just grabbed what I like. Brother Xiaochuan is really good.”
Jiang Xiaochuan didn’t mind; he knew that Yue Qingci taste was straightforward. In response, he casually remarked, “Just a stroke of luck, nothing more.”
Something felt truly different. Yue Qingci pulled the tab and took a sip, realizing the pleasantness of sitting here leisurely without pondering complicated matters. Two individuals of relatively modest status shared a bench with some distance between them, sipping inexpensive drinks. Though not exactly consistent, it felt like a normal occurrence that they could genuinely accept.
Puzzled, he never comprehended this issue in his previous life. Speaking of which, how much did he truly understand in his past life?
“They’re involved in some unsavory activities. The older generation in the family has always opposed such practices bordering on betrayal. Consequently, Yue Fan is discontented with certain family members.” Yue Qingci suddenly felt he might have divulged too much today, but he had to share more; he needed Jiang Xiaochuan’s assistance, knowing he possessed more knowledge than Jiang Xiaochuan.
All he could say was Jiang Xiaochuan’s current position was quite unique. As a deputy mayor, it was uncommon to oversee both public security and the economy simultaneously. Although Chengzhou was in disarray, various forces were intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish the head from the tail. However, everything was happening in the shadows, so it shouldn’t be exaggerated. In essence, many matters were connected to Jiang Xiaochuan’s current responsibilities. If something occurred, it likely passed through Jiang Xiaochuan’s hands.
Jiang Xiaochuan kept his gaze on the rusty bullet casing in Yue Qingci’s hand and suddenly said, “Can you show it to me?”
Yue Qingci hesitated for a moment but handed it to him, saying, “My parents gave it to me, saying it was a keepsake.”
Jiang Xiaochuan naturally wanted to know the story behind it but noticed that Yue Qingci didn’t want to share, so he refrained from asking. Although he wasn’t aware of bullet casings in his previous life, Yue Qingci seemed to treat it seriously.
He immersed himself in examining the cartridge case. It wasn’t very long, just a shell, lightweight to hold. The gunpowder inside was gone. It was an old-fashioned bullet, designed for a long-range combat heavy machine gun. Being repurposed as a whistle made it extraordinary.
Jiang Xiaochuan ran his fingers over the rust stains and returned the cartridge case, saying, “It seems like a very commemorative item.”
No wonder Jiang Encheng appeared to appreciate it too.
When Yue Qingci realized, before he could speak, Jiang Xiaochuan said, “Speaking of cooperation, it’s a matter of mutual use. Comrade Yue Qingci must offer a price that excites me before I can agree.”
“The Rong Family Club’s case. The details behind it.” Yue Qingci uttered this brief sentence and then scrutinized him with a deep look for a while. He opened his mouth to say something but ultimately chose to remain silent. Clearly, it was challenging to express the details. It depended on whether Jiang Xiaochuan found it compelling.
Frowning, Jiang Xiaochuan thought for a while, and then his heart skipped a beat. Why did Yue Qingci believe that the details behind Rong Family Club’s case could impress him?