Chapter Forty-Two: Deliberate Estrangement

Not only that, she wanted to draw a clear line, to widen the distance between them.

On the way back, Xin Gan's expression remained cold and indifferent, but only toward him; she was still decent with Xiao Shi.

They stopped midway to find a place for lunch. Xin Gan didn't want noodles anymore; after sitting in the car for so long, she still felt uncomfortable. Though not as bad as the first two days, the smell of gasoline made her want to vomit—just nausea and queasiness, nothing more severe.

She felt her adaptability was improving, and fortunately, she wasn't particularly frail.

They rested for a while in a small town at noon. Xin Gan wanted to use the restroom, and after she left for a few minutes, Jiang Yang called, delivering some news to Cheng Jiu. Cheng Jiu's expression shifted slightly and he said, "We'll talk when I get back."

Xiao Shi didn't ask—he probably guessed it had something to do with Yu Tou and his men.

Xin Gan borrowed the restroom in the shop. Looking in the mirror above the sink, she saw her own face, waxen and pale, lips dry and cracked. Though she hadn't tanned much, it was clear her complexion and body were not adjusting well; something was wrong. Her throat felt dry and itchy, making her uncomfortable.

Cheng Jiu had stayed in such places for years. In this respect, she admired his character, but in matters of the heart, she couldn't convince herself.

This time, back at the inn, she planned to make it clear to Cheng Jiu: she would return to Yongcheng. To drag things out any longer would be pointless and fruitless.

Returning to her seat, Xin Gan accepted a bottle of water from Xiao Shi, who said, "I still have some motion sickness pills. Take a few more later."

It was better than nothing.

She thanked him.

Back in the car, Xin Gan took the medicine and continued resting with her eyes closed.

Throughout the journey, she and Cheng Jiu exchanged no words. She was naturally quiet, not inclined to speak, and had no wish to talk with him.

Cheng Jiu was even less the type to initiate conversation. His temperament was infamous within the team—if not for his exceptional ability, perhaps no one would respect him.

Xiao Shi also felt the atmosphere was oddly strained. Recalling Cheng Jiu's attitude toward Xin Gan, he unconsciously touched his nose and glanced at her sleeping face before quietly asking, "Brother Jiu, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," Cheng Jiu replied.

"What happened between you and Miss Xin? She hasn't spoken to you all the way, and when you handed her water at lunch, she didn't even take it."

"You're observant," Cheng Jiu scoffed coldly.

Xiao Shi chuckled and muttered, "Anyone with eyes could see it."

Cheng Jiu's expression remained indifferent. He dodged the question, saying, "Don't talk about this when we get back. It would be bad for her."

Xiao Shi hesitated, "What kind of bad?"

"What do you think?"

Xiao Shi immediately swore, "I know nothing, saw nothing. I'll keep my mouth shut when we get back."

Cheng Jiu lit a cigarette, looking ahead with some impatience. Even Xiao Shi could see Xin Gan's attitude toward him. He wasn't stupid; he understood Xin Gan was determined to break off the engagement. She didn't like him—there was no doubt, not even a hint of fondness.

The engagement had been arranged by both families' elders. He'd never taken it seriously, so he hadn't bothered to learn about the Xin family, nor did he know anything about Xin Gan.

When Xin Gan came to Beiyu, he'd been out on assignment. On the day he returned, Xiao Shi reminded him that a relative was still at the inn, and it wasn't right to leave her unattended.

That was when he remembered Xin Gan had come to Beiyu. Later, he asked his friends in Yongcheng about the Xin family and learned that Xin Gan had spent her years studying abroad all alone.