Chapter Fifty: Delayed—Still Here

Xin Gan walked a few steps and suddenly stopped, turning back to look at him. She pressed her lips together, hesitated, on the verge of saying something but holding back.

Cheng Jiu looked at her and asked, "What is it?"

"When I get back, I'll tell my family about us first."

Cheng Jiu raised his eyebrows, his expression unreadable.

Xin Gan's heart pounded, but she wanted to lay out her plan for him, to align their stories in advance.

"I'm the one who initiated the break-off. If my family wants to blame someone, just say it was my decision, that I wanted to call off the engagement. It has nothing to do with you. I'll make it clear to them, and I won't trouble you. Afterward, I won’t bother you again."

Xin Gan took the responsibility upon herself, wanting him to rest assured. After all, she was the one who first brought up ending the engagement, and someone had to bear the blame.

Whether or not Cheng Jiu agreed, she had already decided to come clean to both families.

Cheng Jiu let out a cold laugh, offering no response, instead asking, "Are you that eager to cut ties with me?"

Xin Gan didn't reveal her true intentions to him, nor did she want to at this moment. So she found an excuse. "It's my own issue. I just don't want to marry so soon."

Cheng Jiu said nothing more, his gaze shifting away from her, looking into the distance. He simply replied, "Alright, go on inside."

Before leaving, Xin Gan thanked him for driving her to the airport.

Cheng Jiu still didn't reply. He got into his car, sat for a while, lit a cigarette, and stared at his phone for a bit longer.

Several minutes later, he drove away.

Xin Gan entered the airport, collected her ticket, went through security, and sat in the departure lounge, feeling somewhat detached from reality. She couldn't believe Cheng Jiu had done nothing to stop her from leaving.

She still didn't know how she would explain things to her family once she returned.

As for Cheng Jiu, she knew she could never give him an answer that would satisfy him.

But so be it—there was no turning back now.

Cheng Jiu calculated the time of Xin Gan's flight. As the minutes ticked by, he smoked several cigarettes but wasn't in a hurry to leave. Even after night had fully fallen, he remained in the airport's parking lot, not knowing who he was stubbornly waiting for.

Xin Gan had boarded her flight. She didn't stay—she truly left.

Even if Cheng Jiu had wanted to keep her, he would never have said it aloud. A man like him would never lower his head, would never beg without reservation. If she wanted to leave, he would let her go. He wouldn't stop her.

Still, there was an uncomfortable feeling in his chest, something he'd never experienced before.

Cheng Jiu had always considered himself immune to setbacks over women, but this time, he was powerless with Xin Gan. Besides, his backbone in life had never been about women; he had far more important things to do and responsibilities on his shoulders that would never allow him to be truly free.

...

Jiang Yang had gathered almost all the information and quietly reported his findings to Jiang Tang.

"There was an explosion at a station in a small town not long ago. Miss Xin happened to be there. She saved a local boy at the station—his family died in the blast. She even took the child back to the inn and cared for him for a few days. Later, Xiao Shi and Brother Jiu found the boy's relatives, and together they sent him home."

"Explosion?" Jiang Tang asked.

"Yes, that one from a while back," Jiang Yang replied.

Jiang Tang pressed, "Did something happen to them on the way?"

"Yes. At first, Xiao Shi didn't want to say, but later he told us they were attacked by Fishhead's men on the way back. There was gunfire, but they weren't hurt—just a close call."

Jiang Tang gritted her teeth. "Wasn't Fishhead already caught? His men still dare show their faces?"

"That's why the search for those people has intensified recently. For now, there are no further leads."

Jiang Tang nodded. "Alright, thank you. I understand."

It was quite late. Jiang Tang checked her watch. "Is Cheng Jiu still at the station today?"

"I saw Brother Jiu drive out this afternoon," Jiang Yang hesitated, "I think he went to the inn to see Miss Xin."

Jiang Tang sneered, her hand unconsciously clenching into a fist.

Jiang Yang understood her feelings and offered a few comforting words before returning to the dormitory.

It was late, and everyone was in bed. Xiao Shi, who slept on the bunk above, was woken by Jiang Yang's return and asked sleepily, "Where did you go? Why are you back so late?"

"Just ran five kilometers at the training field."

"Impressive, really. I can't keep up with you. I'm going to sleep." Xiao Shi turned over and drifted off again.

Bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, Jiang Yang watched Xiao Shi's sleeping back for a moment, then leaned over and patted him. "Are you close with Miss Xin?"

Half asleep, Xiao Shi mumbled, "We're alright. Why?"

"Do you think she and Brother Jiu are a good match?"

"Of course. She's his fiancée, after all..."

Jiang Yang replied with a vague sound, wanting to ask more, but Xiao Shi, growing impatient, grunted and buried himself in his blanket, quickly falling into deep sleep.

Unable to get the answers he wanted, Jiang Yang could only force himself to sleep.

...

Cheng Jiu couldn't sleep all night. He returned to the station, took a cold shower, and lay in bed for a long time without dozing off.

Near dawn, he called He Chuan. He Chuan, woken up, was about to lose his temper but calmed down immediately upon hearing Cheng Jiu's voice. "Why are you calling me so late?"

Cheng Jiu replied coolly, "It's almost dawn."

"Dawn? Man, I just fell asleep! I worked overtime till three or four in the morning, finally got home and just fell asleep, and now your call wakes me up. What's going on?!"

Standing by the window, Cheng Jiu smoked, watching the pale belly of dawn rise over the horizon. "Help me find out exactly what happened between Xin Gan and He Cheng in the past."

He Chuan fell silent at the mention. He turned over, sounding troubled. "How am I supposed to find that out? Only the people involved would know. He Cheng won't tell me, and I can't just go ask Xin Gan, can I?"

Cheng Jiu didn't reply, silently smoking.

He Chuan felt a little uneasy. "I really don't think anything happened between them. I told you last time—Xin Gan hasn't dated anyone these years abroad. If she and He Cheng really had something going on, there would have been rumors, but I never heard a thing."

Cheng Jiu understood, but what bothered him was Xin Gan herself. Her reason for calling off the engagement was too flimsy—he didn't fully believe it and wanted to get to the bottom of things. Of course, asking Xin Gan directly was pointless; she would never tell him.

This woman seemed gentle and easygoing, but she was more guarded than anyone.

She hadn't been here long before noticing Jiang Tang's feelings for him, and had even asked him outright about his relationship with Jiang Tang.

Cheng Jiu said nothing. Suddenly, He Chuan seemed to realize something, his mind clearing. He asked uncertainly, "Wait a minute... No way. Are you actually serious about her?"

Cheng Jiu didn't deny it, though he didn't admit it either. Even though He Chuan was a friend, when it came to matters of the heart, he couldn't explain himself clearly.

He Chuan said, "I thought something was off when you asked me to look into Xin Gan. I remember your attitude was completely different when you first found out about this engagement. What's going on?"

Cheng Jiu finished his cigarette, exhaled, and said, "Will you ask or not?"

"I'll ask, of course! When it's about a brother's happiness, I don't even care about my own family."

"Thank you." Cheng Jiu recalled that Xin Gan had flown back to Yong City the night before. "If possible, keep an eye on her for me."

He Chuan was surprised. "Xin Gan went back? Wasn't she fine with you? Why did she leave?"

"She wants to call off the engagement."

He Chuan was stunned into silence. He scratched his head, at a loss for words. "And what about you?"

He remembered that Cheng Jiu had once considered breaking off the engagement himself, but after a stern talking-to from Old Master Cheng, he'd dropped the idea.

Who would have thought Xin Gan herself would have the same thought.

Cheng Jiu frowned. "Impossible."

...

At seven in the morning, just after Cheng Jiu finished breakfast in the canteen, he received an order from his superiors for a mission. Xiao Shi, Jiang Yang, and three others were to join as well.

Cheng Jiu hadn’t slept at all the previous night but didn’t feel the least bit tired—his stamina was remarkable. Still, he closed his eyes to rest for a while in the car.

They’d received word that Fishhead’s men had appeared at a nearby hotel. With Fishhead in custody, his men were running wild, leaderless and desperate, resorting to robbery and assault. Among them was Ji Bai, the target of this particular mission.

Xiao Shi noticed that Cheng Jiu was especially severe today, not saying a single unnecessary word, radiating an intimidating aura. He didn’t dare speak out of turn. When Cheng Jiu finished briefing them, Jiang Yang leaned over and quietly asked Xiao Shi, "What’s up with Brother Jiu today? He seems especially on edge."

"I don’t know what’s wrong with him either," Xiao Shi replied. "If you don’t know, who would?"

Before they could say more, Cheng Jiu glanced over, and both immediately fell silent.

Off duty, Cheng Jiu didn’t care what they talked about, but during a mission, he was always strict, never allowing anyone to take an operation lightly.

...

Meanwhile, Xin Gan was still stranded at the airport. Her flight had been canceled due to weather the previous night, with no word yet on when it would depart. The airline had no updates.

She’d spent the night at the airport and was exhausted, dozing in a chair for a while. When she woke, she texted Shen Ruxin to say her flight was delayed, and she couldn’t leave today.

Before she could finish the message, her phone died.

She tried to charge it with her power bank, but even that was low on battery. Sighing at her bad luck, she decided to check with the airline staff before making further plans.

Unable to reach Xin Gan and worried about urgent matters at home, Shen Ruxin grew increasingly anxious. She didn’t want to worry Xin Gan’s mother, but after thinking it over, decided to ask Cheng Jiu for help, since she had his number. She called him directly.

Shen Ruxin had no idea what Cheng Jiu was busy with. When he answered, she quickly explained who she was and said, "Xin Gan’s phone is dead and I can’t reach her. Her flight last night was canceled due to bad weather, and I have no idea how she is now. Can you help me find her?"

Worried he might refuse, given how big Beiyu was and that Xin Gan was alone, she was deeply uneasy. In her panic, she forgot that Xin Gan had lived abroad alone for years.

Cheng Jiu asked, "How long has she been unreachable?"

"Almost an hour. Even if she was charging somewhere, the phone should have some power by now, but it’s still off. I’m really worried something happened to her."

Shen Ruxin’s concern was not unfounded. Better safe than sorry. She’d rather bother Cheng Jiu than risk the family falling into grief if something truly happened.

Cheng Jiu agreed immediately. "Alright. I understand."

Just then, Shen Ruxin heard gunshots on his end. Thinking she’d misheard, she was still processing when Cheng Jiu said, "Sorry, I have something urgent. I have to go."

Shen Ruxin paced anxiously at home. Keke woke up and came looking for her. "Auntie? Mommy, where’s Auntie? Why hasn’t she come back?"

"Keke, Auntie’s flight was delayed. She won’t be back so soon."

Keke pouted, aggrieved. "Mommy, you’re lying! Auntie promised she’d be back today. She lied again!"

Shen Ruxin’s heart was in turmoil—worried for Xin Gan, and trying to comfort Keke. Her head was spinning.

All she could do was pin her hopes on Cheng Jiu. She prayed nothing would go wrong.

...

The airport still had no updates, saying flights would only resume once the weather cleared up. Xin Gan, exhausted from a sleepless night, felt her face breaking out in an allergic reaction. She refunded her ticket and checked into a nearby hotel to rest.

The hotels near the airport were much better than those in the town—this one was officially rated four stars, with excellent facilities.

As soon as she entered, Xin Gan plugged in her phone to charge and went to wash her face and apply medication.

Once her phone could power on, she immediately called Shen Ruxin. As soon as Shen Ruxin heard her voice, she sighed in relief. "You scared me to death! I thought something happened to you."

"I'm fine. My phone died because I forgot to fully charge my power bank last night."

"Where are you now?"

"In a hotel near the airport. My flight was canceled, and I don’t know when I can leave—maybe not until tomorrow afternoon."

The weather in Beiyu was notoriously unpredictable. Not only were flights to Yong City canceled, but flights from other places into Beiyu were also affected.

"Be careful out there," Shen Ruxin said. "I just saw a news story about a girl being scammed while traveling alone. Xin Xin, whatever happens, your safety is the most important thing. Be vigilant."

"Don’t worry, cousin. I’ll take care of myself."

Shen Ruxin sighed and took a drink of water. "By the way, did Cheng Jiu try to find you?"

"Why would he?"

"I couldn’t reach you this morning and was worried, so I called him to ask for help."

Xin Gan paused, then said, "My phone just turned on. I didn’t get any calls from him. I’ll let him know I’m safe."

Shen Ruxin agreed.

Xin Gan hesitated a long time before dialing Cheng Jiu’s number. It rang, but was hung up.

She was momentarily stunned, running through countless possible reasons in her mind. Thinking she should explain anyway, she tried a second time, but was rejected again.

Maybe he was busy.

With that in mind, Xin Gan sent him a text message.

...

At the North District Hospital, Jiang Yang, holding Cheng Jiu’s phone, debated whether to call back. He saw Xin Gan’s name on the caller ID and understood immediately. He’d already hung up on her calls, but read her text and realized she was stuck in Beiyu due to a canceled flight.

He quickly told Jiang Tang, who replied she’d come to the hospital immediately.

Xiao Shi, noticing Jiang Yang dazing out, patted his shoulder. "What are you doing? Is Brother Jiu awake yet?"

Jiang Yang jumped, snapping out of it and hiding the phone behind his back. "No, nothing. You startled me."

"You look awfully guilty. I'm asking if Brother Jiu is awake."

"Not yet. The doctor hasn’t come out."

Xiao Shi’s eyes were red. "It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t chased Ji Bai alone, Brother Jiu wouldn’t have gotten hurt protecting me."

"It’s not your fault. Who could’ve predicted this?" Jiang Yang consoled him.

That morning, as they closed in to capture Ji Bai, they were ambushed. Fishhead’s man Ji Bai was no pushover—he’d evaded capture for so long for a reason. He was cunning, vigilant, and capable.

There were plenty of them on the mission, and reinforcements had arrived, but it wasn’t enough. Ji Bai still managed to escape.

Xiao Shi was filled with guilt, unsure when Cheng Jiu would regain consciousness.

Jiang Yang didn’t immediately return Cheng Jiu’s phone. Once Jiang Tang arrived at the hospital, he quietly handed it to her. "Brother Jiu isn’t awake yet. Xin Gan texted—she seems to be leaving Beiyu."

"Leaving Beiyu?" Jiang Tang asked, her concern for Cheng Jiu momentarily set aside.

"Yes. She said her flight was canceled and she’s staying at a hotel near the airport."

Jiang Tang nodded. "Alright. Pretend you don’t know anything about this, and that you never saw the message."

"Got it."

"Is Cheng Jiu awake? What did the doctor say? How is he?"

Jiang Yang sighed. "Still unconscious. We don’t know his condition yet. Xiao Shi is still keeping watch outside the ward. I slipped out on the pretense of going to the bathroom. When we go in, let’s enter separately so Xiao Shi doesn’t get suspicious."

Jiang Tang, unable to hide her anxiety, agreed.

News of Cheng Jiu’s hospitalization soon reached the senior leadership. When the director came to visit, Cheng Jiu still hadn’t woken.

The director was anxious—he’d personally promoted Cheng Jiu and didn’t want anything to happen to him.

After consulting the doctor, he was told there was no serious injury—just a head impact causing sudden unconsciousness. He’d need to be observed for a few days, but should be able to leave if nothing else happened.

Xin Gan, meanwhile, knew nothing about Cheng Jiu’s condition.

Cheng Jiu woke that evening. The first person he saw was Jiang Tang. He froze, his face turning cold. "What are you doing here?"