Chapter 53: Support and Exhaustion

Jiang Tang said, "Then I don't really understand what Commander Meng means. Are you planning to transfer me?"

Commander Meng stood up from his chair, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke earnestly, "Xiao Jiang, you've been here quite a while. Setting aside our superior-subordinate relationship, you're about the same age as my daughter. I see you as half a daughter myself. I truly hope for a better future for you, which is why I wanted to offer you this opportunity."

"I appreciate Commander Meng's kindness, but I don't want to leave the district yet. I want to stay. I'm attached to this land—I don't want to go."

Commander Meng stared at her for several minutes, then sighed, a hint of disappointment in his tone. "You're being unreasonable. I'm offering you a chance, yet you won't take it?"

His voice grew stern, shaking his head at her repeatedly.

Jiang Tang asked, "Commander Meng, did you hear something?"

Commander Meng didn't deny it. "I've heard a bit."

"So it’s really because of Cheng Jiu that you want to transfer me," Jiang Tang said softly, guessing his intent even though he hadn’t spelled it out.

Commander Meng pondered for a moment. "I won't deny there's some connection, but it's more about your future prospects. If you don't want this opportunity, that's your choice."

"Commander Meng, are you pitying me?" Jiang Tang's eyes reddened as she stubbornly continued, "Everyone around me knows how I feel about Cheng Jiu. Over these years, I've had chances to leave, but I stayed. My reason is simple—because Cheng Jiu is here."

"If you see me as half a daughter, then let me speak from the heart. I love him. I want to stay. I don't want to go."

"Cheng Jiu has a girlfriend now."

"I know, but I can't let it go."

"Jiang Tang, this isn't child's play. If I approve their marriage and you interfere, you'll be the third party. You could lose your job. We won't allow such things here—the district has its own discipline, which must be strictly followed!"

...

Commander Meng was genuinely angry, frustrated that Jiang Tang couldn't see the situation clearly and was disregarding district discipline. He warned her repeatedly not to cause trouble, or she'd have to bear the consequences herself.

Jiang Tang later learned from Jiang Yang that Xin Gan hadn't left Beiyu; she was living in the family compound, in Cheng Jiu's house.

Shi Ten hadn't left yet. He spotted Jiang Tang standing at a distance and hurried to tell Cheng Jiu, saying, "Brother Nine, Jiang Tang is watching you from over there."

Cheng Jiu followed Shi Ten's gaze and saw Jiang Tang. She looked back and walked over to them, stopping in front of both. "Running this late?"

Shi Ten said, "We're about to head back."

Jiang Tang smiled slightly. "Tomorrow's Saturday, right? No plans? Let me treat you both to a late-night snack. How about it?"

Shi Ten couldn't resist a late-night snack and nodded eagerly, then asked Cheng Jiu, "Brother Nine, will you come?"

Cheng Jiu was as aloof as ever. "No, you two go ahead."

Jiang Tang looked at him. "Is it that we can't even be friends anymore? I'm inviting you, yet you refuse."

The atmosphere grew awkward. Shi Ten felt embarrassed, immediately regretting his quick agreement. He'd forgotten about Jiang Tang's feelings.

Cheng Jiu said, "It's not that. I just have something to do."

"What is it? Going to see Xin Gan?"

Cheng Jiu looked at Jiang Tang, as if conceding, "Xin Gan isn't used to the climate—she's feeling unwell. I'm going to check on her."

"She's unwell? I'd like to visit too, if it's convenient."

Cheng Jiu replied, "No need. It's late—not convenient."

"Alright then, I won’t insist. She's more important."

Shi Ten cautiously stepped back, eyes looking away, not daring to watch them.

Cheng Jiu acknowledged her and left.

Jiang Tang felt uneasy, but quickly pulled herself together and said to Shi Ten, "Cheng Jiu won’t join us. Looks like it'll just be us two."

Suddenly, Shi Ten didn't want a snack anymore.

...

Xin Gan had spent the day indoors. The sun outside was strong and she had allergies, so she avoided the sunlight, resting inside except for meals in the cafeteria, summoned by Cheng’s father.

She applied anti-inflammatory ointment to her face and turned off the lights to sleep.

She had no idea that Cheng Jiu, at that moment, was downstairs in the yard smoking by the big tree, the glow of his cigarette flickering and fading. He didn’t know how many he'd smoked. Only when he saw the lights upstairs turn off did he leave.

Cheng’s father called, asking him to come over.

When they met, Cheng’s father made tea for him. "These are tea sets and leaves I got from Commander Meng—his prized collection. Taste it."

Commander Meng wasn’t from Beiyu; his ancestral home was a small southern city famous for tea, so he loved it.

Cheng’s father couldn’t handle strong tea, especially at night, so he brewed only a little.

Cheng Jiu didn’t respond, fiddling with his phone, waiting for his father to continue.

"Commander Meng is from Zhou City. Locals drink tea from childhood. I visited after retiring, and found their conversations and business always accompanied by tea. I drank tea from morning till night—it was too much for my stomach. I complained to Commander Meng, and he laughed at me for years."

Cheng Jiu's expression was calm, not without emotion, but also without any visible reaction. He and his father never had much to talk about, so sitting together now felt awkward for both.

Cheng’s father talked on, and Cheng Jiu barely responded, finally provoking his father to kick his leg. "Don’t sit there like a mute—I’m talking to you."

Cheng Jiu finally reacted. "What do you want to talk about? I’m listening."

"So you’re here to listen to a solo act, then?"

Cheng Jiu’s lips twitched in a faint smile.

"Tell me honestly, what are your plans?"

"What plans?"

"When will you register your marriage? Your grandfather is urging us. Once it’s confirmed, he’ll be at ease."

Cheng Jiu stretched his legs, frowning.

Cheng’s father understood from his expression. "All these years and you still can’t handle girls. It’s embarrassing for me to talk about you."

Cheng Jiu glanced at his father, as if answering back.

Cheng’s father said, "You know, I told you long ago to get to know Xin Gan, but you wouldn’t listen. Who’s to blame now?"

Cheng Jiu grew annoyed, ruffling his hair. "You’re no help. You might as well go back."

Cheng’s father was raising his cup, nearly choking on his tea, coughing. "You’re sending me away already? All those years raising you wasted."

...

That night, half-awake, Xin Gan was disturbed by a phone call. She reached for her phone without checking the caller ID and answered, her voice soft and sleepy. A man laughed on the other end.

"Sleeping already at eleven thirty, Xin Xin?"

Her drowsiness vanished instantly. Hearing that voice, she sat up, cold sweat creeping down her back. She wanted to hang up, but He Cheng’s voice came again, ghostly.

"Xin Xin, if you hang up on me again, I’ll visit your house tomorrow."

Xin Gan clutched her blanket, sitting against the wall, calling his name with a warning. "He Cheng, what are you trying to do?"

He Cheng chatted as if nothing were wrong. "Sleeping so early?"

"It’s late. If you have something to say, just say it."

She heard a lighter click on his end—no other sound, as if he were somewhere very quiet. It was late, and he’d called from a new number, catching her off guard.

He Cheng took his time. "Guess where I am?"

"I can’t guess."

"Downstairs at your place. Aunt Xin just went out to take out the trash. I saw your room’s light turn off. Xin Xin, where are you?"

Xin Gan felt he was asking on purpose, pressed her lips together, and said, "I’m not at home. Don’t go to my house."

"Then where are you?"

...

Xin Gan’s breathing grew uneven. After a pause, she said, "In Beiyu."

"Why go so far away?"

"Looking for someone."

"Who?"

"He Cheng, this has nothing to do with you."

He Cheng’s tone was deliberate. "Why can’t I know?"

Xin Gan clenched her hands, fingernails digging into her palms until it hurt. She let go and said, "My fiancé. Is that enough?"

"Cheng Jiu, right?"

"Yes."

He Cheng bit his back teeth. "So you left the country without a word for him?"

Xin Gan said, "It really has nothing to do with you."

"Xin Xin, so stubborn—because you’ve found someone to back you up?"

Xin Gan didn’t want to talk to him, but couldn’t hang up. She feared he’d cause trouble at her house. When He Cheng lost control, he was like a madman—too extreme. That’s why she’d lost to him before.

Xin Gan got up, turned on the lights, and went to the living room for water. "He Cheng, I’m begging you. Let me go, please?"

"That’s what I should say. Xin Xin, come home. Don’t go to Beiyu, don’t look for Cheng Jiu. Come back to Yong City, and we’ll go to London together. I’ll listen to you from now on. If you want me at school, I’ll go. If you don’t want me around other girls, I won’t. Come with me."

Xin Gan was silent, drinking a glass of water and setting it down. "No."

"Why not?"

"No reason. He Cheng, stop being ridiculous." Every conversation with him drained her. "It’s late, I need to sleep. You should go home too. I’m hanging up."

She hung up and switched off her phone, afraid He Cheng would call again.

He Cheng didn’t get angry at being hung up on; he stared at the upstairs window from afar. She wasn't home, and he knew it. He wouldn’t cause trouble at her house—that was between them.

He Cheng drank late at night, then drove home. Madam He was waiting for him. Seeing her son stagger in, reeking of alcohol, she scolded him. He immediately put on a surly face, so she softened her tone. "I’m just worried about you. If you keep drinking and driving, what will the family do if something happens?"

He Cheng sprawled on the sofa, impatiently waving away the water Madam He brought him.

Madam He, out of patience, coaxed him gently. "What’s wrong today? Bad mood? Who upset you? Tell your mother."

He Cheng flared at her tone. "Don’t talk to me like I’m three years old."

Madam He felt a mix of emotions. "But you’ll always be my child."

"Stop saying things that disgust me. Get lost, you’re too noisy."

Madam He, yelled at, stood helplessly aside.

The housekeeper hurried over, guiding Madam He upstairs to sit, where she sobbed, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. She confided to the housekeeper, "Why has He Cheng become like this? I’ve given him everything, pocket money behind his father’s back, never let him want for anything. I’ve never been so generous to the eldest. Why doesn’t he see how good we are to him, treating us like enemies?"

The housekeeper didn’t know how to comfort her, gently patting her shoulder.

...

He Chuan was home too. Hearing noise downstairs, he went down and saw He Cheng sprawled on the sofa, nearly unconscious. He asked, "Where’s Mom?"

"Don’t know," He Cheng muttered, not fully asleep, annoyed.

He Chuan wasn’t intimidated by his brother. He walked over and kicked He Cheng’s outstretched leg. "Move your leg—it’s blocking the way."

He Cheng snapped, "Can’t you walk around?"

He Chuan smirked coldly. "Drunk again, acting up? Don’t try that with me—I won’t coddle you like Mom."

He Cheng was wary of He Chuan; the two brothers had fought since childhood. He Chuan was older, taller, stronger, so He Cheng was no match. He’d always been cautious about crossing him, so now, warned, he obediently moved his leg.

He Chuan poured himself a glass of water. "Where’ve you been, reeking of booze? Don’t lie here, go to your room."

...

He Cheng suddenly sat up, staring at his brother. "Are you close with Cheng Jiu?"

He Chuan was suspicious. "Why?"

"I have something to ask."

"You know we’re friends."

He Cheng’s face was gloomy. Of course he knew, which made him more irritable. He’d always known Xin Gan was engaged, but hadn’t realized her fiancé was Cheng Jiu—it was during a summer visit home years ago, overhearing the elders.

He Cheng ruffled his hair. "Has Cheng Jiu ever dated anyone?"

"Why do you care?"

"Forget it."

He Chuan smiled knowingly. "He Cheng, don’t think I can’t guess what’s on your mind. Listen, Cheng Jiu is my friend, Xin Gan is his fiancée. I won’t let my own brother ruin my friend’s relationship. Their marriage was arranged by both families. Don’t be a homewrecker—it would disgrace us."

He Cheng wasn’t sure he’d taken this to heart; instead, he muttered, "Who’s really the homewrecker isn’t certain yet."

...

He Chuan entered the dining room and saw Madam He wiping her tears. He frowned. "Mom, why do this?"

Madam He felt ashamed hearing his voice and asked, "Where’s He Cheng?"

"He’s upstairs in his room."

"He only listens to you. As his mother, he ignores everything I say."

He Chuan shrugged. "Don’t take it to heart. His attitude’s your doing—you spoiled him. I never got that treatment."

Madam He felt even more guilty. "It’s my fault for not treating you both equally."

"Let’s not talk about it. He’s in his room now, you should rest and stop crying."

Madam He nodded, stood, then after a moment said, "Chuan, He Cheng just returned and has nothing to do. That’s not good. Maybe let him work in the company, so you can keep an eye on him. Only you can manage him."

He Chuan's expression was unreadable. "Alright, I’ll talk to him when he sobers up tomorrow."

Madam He finally smiled. "Thank you."

"Come, I’ll take you to your room."

...

Xin Gan’s mood was a mess thanks to He Cheng. She barely slept, sitting on the sofa with the lights on all night.

She wanted to shake him off, but He Cheng wouldn't let her go—always clinging to her.

When daylight came, she dozed off on the sofa, only to be woken half an hour later by knocking.

Groggy, she opened the door and found Cheng’s father outside. "Xin Gan, come, let’s have tea together."

"Ah," Xin Gan replied.

"What's wrong? Not up yet?"

"I’m up, I’ll brush my teeth and wash now."

"I’ll wait downstairs."

Cheng’s father went downstairs.

Tea, as Cheng’s father meant, was with Commander Meng.

The two elders chatted about topics Xin Gan couldn’t join, so she sat aside pouring tea, behaving quietly and politely.

They were in Commander Meng’s office.

Commander Meng and Cheng’s father joked and laughed, sometimes steering the conversation to Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan, mentioning their wedding.

Xin Gan grew sleepy, dozing off. Because of her allergies she couldn’t drink tea, so she wore thick black-rimmed glasses, letting her bangs cover her cheeks to hide her poor complexion.

After some time, Commander Meng suggested breakfast in the cafeteria, and Cheng’s father agreed, bringing Xin Gan along.

Xin Gan wore a denim jacket over a tank top—it would get hot at noon, but was still chilly.

It was Saturday, a day off, so the cafeteria was quiet. They found seats, and soon Jiang Tang arrived, followed by Cheng Jiu.

Cheng Jiu immediately spotted his father and Xin Gan. Before he could approach, Cheng’s father beckoned him over, so he had no choice but to go.

Jiang Tang saw Commander Meng and wanted to approach, but then noticed the senior sitting beside him—his appearance and attire suggested he was Cheng Jiu’s father. She also saw Xin Gan across the table, and her face darkened.

She hadn’t expected that to be Cheng Jiu’s father—just guessed. With Xin Gan there, she couldn’t describe how she felt: jealousy, resentment.

It was deeply unpleasant.

Cheng Jiu sat beside Xin Gan, noticing her glasses and poor spirits.

"Got plans today?" Cheng’s father asked Cheng Jiu.

"No," Cheng Jiu replied.

"Take Xin Gan to see a doctor. The rash on her face hasn’t cleared up. Don’t let it drag on or it’ll get worse."

Xin Gan instinctively wanted to refuse, but swallowed her words.

Cheng Jiu agreed.

Commander Meng chimed in, "By the way, young lady, have you been sightseeing since you arrived?"

Xin Gan answered, "Not really."

"That’s a shame. Tomorrow’s still a holiday—let Cheng Jiu take you out. Beiyu’s natural scenery is beautiful: the Lamo Grasslands, Gu Xi Lake, Rainbow Beach—all wonderful places."