Chapter Forty-Six: Unable to Respond
After Cheng Hui left, He Chuan called the housekeeper to clean the sofa, worried that He Cheng would come home and see the shoe prints and have a fit about cleanliness.
Just a few minutes later, He Chuan received a call from Cheng Jiu. With a faint, inexplicable smile, He Chuan picked up and teased, “Hui Hui just left and now you’re calling. You siblings must have plotted to take turns tormenting me.”
Cheng Jiu wasn’t in the mood for jokes and got straight to the point, “She’s just started her holiday, and I’m not in Yongcheng. Keep an eye on her.”
The elders in the Cheng family spoiled Cheng Hui and had no real intention of controlling her. The only one she listened to was Cheng Jiu, but he wasn’t around. Luckily, there was He Chuan, so Cheng Jiu asked him to watch over her, especially now that the exams were done and the long holiday had begun—who knows what she might get up to.
He Chuan laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ve watched her grow up. I’ll do my best to take care of her.” Then, changing the subject, he asked, “How are things between you and Xin Gan?”
Cheng Jiu avoided the question, “I’ve got something to deal with here. I’ll call you later.”
He hung up. Xiao Shi couldn’t help but chime in, “Nine, you have a sister?”
Cheng Jiu didn’t respond, gazing out the window.
Xin Gan quietly shifted her posture, sore from sleeping in the car. She had a vague idea of Cheng Jiu’s family situation—he had a much younger sister, presumably the Cheng Hui he’d just mentioned on the phone. Beyond that, she knew little.
They returned to the guesthouse after nine that night.
Xiao Shi greeted her warmly, “Miss Xin, you’ve worked hard, good night.”
Xin Gan replied, “Thank you, you too.”
After a moment’s hesitation, her gaze lingered on Cheng Jiu, who stood beside the car. It was only a few seconds, but she still thanked him.
Cheng Jiu was cold, “Mm. No need.”
Xin Gan said nothing more and went inside.
Once her figure disappeared around the corner, Cheng Jiu lit a cigarette and got into the driver’s seat, Xiao Shi beside him.
He had dropped Xin Gan at the guesthouse first, then drove back to the team. Not long after, Jiang Tang came looking for him.
Late at night, Jiang Tang invited him to stroll around the training grounds, saying she had something to discuss.
Cheng Jiu hadn’t even changed clothes yet. After considering, he agreed.
The training grounds were nearly empty, moonlight pale, and their shadows stretched long.
Jiang Tang started, “How long have we known each other?”
Cheng Jiu licked his lips and thought for a moment, “I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember, but I do. I noticed you back when you first came to Beiyu, when you were nothing.”
Tonight, Jiang Tang wore a water-blue dress. There were few women in the team, especially young and beautiful ones. When she donned that dress today, everyone complimented her, and someone even joked she must be going out with Cheng Jiu.
Most people in the team assumed she and Cheng Jiu were a couple—it was a tacit understanding. She’d always stayed at his side; she could have transferred for a better opportunity but refused, and everyone knew the reason: it was for Cheng Jiu.
He could not possibly be unaware, but he never gave Jiang Tang any official status.
Cheng Jiu tugged at the corner of his mouth but said nothing.
Jiang Tang continued, “Forget it, let’s not talk about that. I asked the higher-ups, you haven’t had any tasks these past two days. Where did you go?”
Cheng Jiu didn’t look at her, smoking in silence. Instead, he asked, “What do you want?”
“Nothing really, just wanted to check. My father’s birthday is coming up. What are you planning to get him this year? Want me to help deliver the gift?”
“No need,” Cheng Jiu flicked his cigarette ash.
Jiang Tang responded, “Really? I thought you’d be too busy to prepare a present.”
Cheng Jiu said, “I’ve prepared something.”
After his reply, Jiang Tang’s smile froze, the atmosphere awkward and tense. He was clearly brushing her off, his mind elsewhere. She tried to find topics, but received only cold, indifferent answers.
Jiang Tang said, “I feel like you didn’t talk to me like this before Miss Xin arrived.”
She laid everything out, speaking plainly.
Cheng Jiu paused, finally looked at her, and said, “What are you trying to say?”
Jiang Tang smiled again, her gaze settling on him, “Before Xin Gan came, you wouldn’t have been so dismissive with me. Your tone and expression were different. Cheng Jiu, what is your relationship with Xin Gan? Can you tell me?”
Cheng Jiu didn’t respond immediately. He finished his cigarette before saying, “Jiang Tang, I need to make this clear to you. I’ve always regarded you as a comrade, no differently than Xiao Shi or the others. If I’ve ever done anything to give you the wrong impression, I’ll be more careful in the future.”
Jiang Tang was stunned as he finished. Her smile faded, and she stared at him.
“As for Xin Gan, she is my fiancée.”
Jiang Tang recovered, her brows furrowed in confusion, her fingers trembling at her side. She forced herself to stay calm, taking a deep breath. “Fiancée? Why have you never mentioned her?”
Cheng Jiu replied, “It’s not too late to say it now.”
“So, Cheng Jiu, what about me? You can’t be unaware of my feelings for you.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t reciprocate.”
Jiang Tang’s tone grew urgent, wanting to say more, but Cheng Jiu’s phone rang, breaking the tension between them.
He checked the caller—it was He Chuan. Before he could speak, Jiang Tang said, “Go ahead, answer it. It’s fine.”
Cheng Jiu stepped away to take the call.
On the other end, He Chuan joked, “Is it a good time to talk now?”
Cheng Jiu replied, “Go ahead.”
“You asked me about Xin Gan before. I forgot to mention something. I’ve thought about it, and saying this might offend someone, but I have no choice. You’re my brother, and this concerns my own brother, so I feel I should warn you in advance.”
Cheng Jiu was silent for a moment, “He Cheng?”
A memory flashed—when Xin Gan was sleeping in the car, she’d muttered a name in her dreams.
He Chuan said, “I saw Xin Gan’s photo as the lock screen on my brother’s phone.”