Chapter 39: Experiment Plan
On August 11th, Sunday, it was again the scheduled day off for Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao.
Since returning home from work in the early morning two days ago, Jiang Yan had been in a strange mood, like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.
This visible change made Jiang Yao finally tone it down a little; she didn’t dare play games too much during work hours.
However, when faced with the rare day off, Jiang Yao reverted to her old ways, sitting by the computer and playing until past three in the morning before heading to bed, then sleeping in until after noon. The military life routine that once reigned over her had dissipated at an astonishing speed, leaving no trace behind.
In her wrinkled nightgown, Jiang Yao didn’t even wear slippers as she floated into the bathroom to wash up, still looking like she hadn’t fully woken up.
“Your internal affairs have really gone downhill.”
Jiang Yan walked to the bathroom door and sighed deeply.
“We’re just ordinary folks now, not in the military anymore. Come on, can you stop making your life so rigid?”
Jiang Yao spoke with toothpaste foam in her mouth, unfazed.
“Rigid? Having a regular and tidy life isn’t a bad thing.”
Jiang Yan was at a loss for words, pointing to a corner of the bathroom: “Look at that basin over there. Do you see it? Your underwear and undergarments from the past few days are piled up right there. Can’t you just wash them after your shower?”
Jiang Yao glanced over, her face slightly reddening, but her lips remained stubborn: “I get off work so late every day, what can I do? If anything, just remind me more often…”
This time, Jiang Yan was even angrier, pointing at Jiang Yao’s crumpled nightgown: “Oh, it’s my fault for not reminding you? Surely you can feel what you’re wearing, right? How many days has it been since you changed? This is summer! You have to at least manage yourself!”
Perhaps certain emotions had already accumulated for a long time, and the atmosphere reached a point where both sides had to clash. Jiang Yao finally impatiently slammed down her toothbrush cup, frowning tightly: “You’re a real regular army veteran, whereas I just got drafted. How can I be compared to you!?”
Saying this, she turned around, angrily tying her hair into a ponytail: “Stop forcing your standards on me, alright? I’ve turned into a female vampire—I’m neither human nor ghost. Who am I managing this for?!”
“Even if my basin is piled high, I’ve never asked you to wash it for me!”
As soon as this sharp retort left her mouth, Jiang Yao regretted it, her face flushed as she turned her head away and fell silent.
Jiang Yan was stunned for a moment, lingering for several seconds before slowly stepping back out of the bathroom.
Lunch was awkward, with both of them not speaking.
Jiang Yan’s cooking skills had made great progress over the past few months, but a table full of delicious food did not bring about the expected atmosphere.
After the meal, feeling that her earlier attitude had indeed been a bit excessive, Jiang Yao, for once, actively took on the task of washing the dishes, while Jiang Yan returned to the living room to maintain her firearms.
On the coffee table, parts of the VSSM sniper rifle and handgun were neatly arranged and categorized, each component having been meticulously wiped down.
As her hands flew about, the parts on the table gradually diminished, and the complete firearm began to take shape under the focused expression of the black-haired girl.
Jiang Yao stood at the doorway, staring blankly at Jiang Yan and the weapons on the table, feeling as if she had returned to the arms maintenance area of the Xuanjia Brigade.
“Finished? Come here, I want to ask you something.”
With the last part in place, Jiang Yan pulled the gun’s bolt and squeezed the trigger, the handgun emitting a crisp sound. She set the weapon down and gestured to the seat beside her.
Jiang Yao sluggishly moved her feet, lackadaisically sitting down while also picking up the VSSM sniper rifle from the coffee table to play with.
“You and Zhong Jing have gotten really close lately, even sending him photos.”
Jiang Yan lightly bit her lip and finally voiced the frustrations that had been bottled up for days.
“Uh… did you snoop on my chat records?”
Jiang Yao stiffened her hand playing with the weapon, abruptly turning her head with a look of astonishment.
“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done that, but don’t you feel anything off with Zhong Jing being so blatant?”
Jiang Yan’s face turned slightly red, her expression and tone increasingly uncomfortable: “As for his character, I can’t speak, but I have heard some opinions about him. I’m just worried…”
“Is this what you mean?”
Jiang Yao pulled out her phone, navigated a few times, and showed the screen to Jiang Yan.
There were several photos taken in the club, especially one that prominently featured a JK outfit. In the shot, the innocent and beautiful JK uniform perfectly complemented the girl’s graceful figure and flowing light golden hair.
The timing and angle of the snapshots were excellent, capturing the girl who was focusing on fixing her golden ponytail, naturally biting on a hairband, her expression serious yet with a hint of playfulness.
“This was secretly taken by Sister Xiao Ping, and she sent it to me, saying it’s the natural COSPLAY effect of a main character from a certain anime. By the way, you haven’t seen that anime, have you? I recommend it…”
Jiang Yao seemed quite fond of this photo, even displaying a proud expression.
“Then why did you send it to Zhong Jing?”
Jiang Yan still felt strange about it.
“We’re both into anime, right? When talking about that series, he said maybe only I could replicate the main character’s look worldwide, so I just had to show off my original effect without having to COSPLAY from head to toe!”
At this point, Jiang Yao’s enthusiasm was completely ignited. She even opened a certain site and clicked on a bunch of COSPLAY photos mimicking that character: “This is the two-dimensional culture! Hey, brother, oh no, I mean sister, look at these people, don’t their hair look fake? Am I not totally killing it compared to them?”
It seemed like Xiao Yao was indeed very into the two-dimensional world, and their chats contained nothing particularly special, focusing mainly on anime and games. Was it me who was overthinking things?
Staring blankly at the girl who was so earnestly pleased with herself, Jiang Yan suddenly found it hard to understand.
Perhaps her childhood cleft lip and finger fusions gave her a kind of obsessive craving for self-perfection that was beyond common understanding…
Looking at Jiang Yao’s clear and beautiful big eyes, filled with untainted joy, Jiang Yan’s emotions gradually calmed down.
“Zhong Jing—his relationship with Wan Jie is not simple; it runs deep; he’s not one of us, so be careful.”
With the conversation reaching this point, although it was not something Jiang Yan could entirely process at once, she felt it was all she could say.
“You talk about living a normal life, but your normal may not be the same as mine. Brother, at the beginning, you kept emphasizing the need to be natural, to return to ordinary life. I’ve always thought you were the one who was abnormal. The unnatural one is you.”
As Jiang Yao murmured, she pulled at a loose thread on her jeans.
Putting away the handgun on the table, Jiang Yan quietly observed Jiang Yao, feeling a bit uneasy inside, while responding in a nonchalant tone: “Where am I abnormal or unnatural?”
Jiang Yao got up and slowly moved towards the bedroom, casually saying, “You force me to call you sister in public, and I’ve gotten somewhat used to it, but I gradually feel that you haven’t become my sister at all; you’re starting to feel more like my mom.”
A sofa cushion came flying followed by a plastic fruit platter, then a half-empty bottle of mineral water… the golden-haired girl tightly shut her bedroom door, delighting in the series of knocks on the door with a mischievous smile.
…
…
The reality of existence in this world had been legally erased as a result of the martyr identity’s designation. However, after a brief moment of melancholy, both Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao felt somewhat relieved.
As long as the timing was right, they would go to the W District Children’s Welfare Institute to volunteer—this was a consensus between the two. It was not only a commitment to their memories from the past but also a chance to see the elderly director who felt like family.
The online volunteer registration process went smoothly, and today was their first day volunteering.
To prepare for any physical labor, both girls changed into comfortable, fresh outfits—T-shirts paired with denim shorts and sneakers.
The naturally beautiful sister duo attracted a lot of attention on the subway, becoming quite a sight.
Whether someone was secretly taking photos of them on the subway, they didn’t know. But Jiang Yao did indeed experience an unwanted advance in the crowded carriage.
The hand that had touched her buttocks and thigh made Jiang Yao explode with anger. A swift turn followed by a shoulder throw caused chaos in the carriage.
All around, various phones were aimed at the unexpectedly ferocious golden-haired girl.
Putting on a show like this in such a crowded area was almost guaranteed to trend locally.
In about ten minutes, a video titled “Little Fairy Suspects Strange Man’s Malintent, Decides to Strike First” would likely surface, or perhaps something like “The Rising Attack of a Beautiful Girl, One Hit Kill on a Creepy Guy,” whatever could come up to make opposition.
Upon arriving at the W District Children’s Welfare Institute, Jiang Yao’s expression of disgust and anger had yet to dissipate.
In the public affairs reception room, during registration, through the window, Jiang Yan spotted several young orphans from the welfare institute playing under the shadow of an old tree by the small playground.
That old tree, its age unknown, remained as sturdy and lush as ever, having once been Jiang Yan’s favorite playground during childhood. Countless times, she playfully climbed to its forked branches while Jiang Yao watched enviously.
Today, their volunteering duties involved keeping those kids entertained indoors, as the person in charge of public affairs at the welfare institute believed two delicate girls probably couldn’t handle heavy labor under the hot sun.
Unfortunately, it was the weekend, and they did not see the kind-hearted Director Jiang Chunhua.
On this hot summer day, inside the air-conditioned activity room, Jiang Yan was surrounded by about a dozen lively little kids. Meanwhile, Jiang Yao was in another building, accompanying another group of disabled children.
She didn’t remember being this rambunctious as a child; why was it exhausting her so much now when faced with kids just a few years old?
Jiang Yan felt like a mother hen, having to constantly protect these energetic little rascals, never able to relax for a moment. Any moment of inattention could result in a terrifying action from one of them that might frighten her half to death.
“… Thanks to the military leadership for their support of our welfare institute! Sigh, it really is a timely boon. The current hardware conditions are still based on foundations laid fifty years ago. It’s truly difficult to create an environment that distinctly separates normal children from disabled ones…”
“I remember several times, the welfare institute wanted to find a new location to build a new facility, but the reports submitted have gone unanswered…”
Voices from the corridor reached them as a young couple entered the children’s activity room, accompanied by one of the mid-level leaders of the welfare institute.
Jiang Yan was calming down a little girl who was only about three or four years old when she unexpectedly saw a very familiar face, causing her to freeze as she instinctively straightened up while holding the little girl.
Today, Meng Huai was dressed in a leisure suit, tall and stable, while Han Xiao beside him looked beautiful in a floral dress, standing gracefully. They appeared before Jiang Yan as if they were a couple out for a stroll.
“You are…”
Meng Huai felt that this girl looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t place it for a moment.
“You are that police officer?”
Jiang Yan instantly became alert, her mind racing to find an appropriate mislabel, knowing that the fully armed Xuanjia Brigade that night had more resembled a police special forces team.
“Ah, yes, I remember now, from that shop in District J.”
Meng Huai finally matched her memory, displaying a polite smile while evading the rambunctious children running around.
It was rare to see Meng in such a relaxed demeanor. Aside from when he was with veteran Jiang Yan, he was usually viewed as a serious and dull person by most. The sight of him crouching down to pet the children made Jiang Yan smile unconsciously.
“What’s up, an acquaintance?”
Han Xiao stepped over, giving Jiang Yan an up-and-down look, with a hint of awe in her eyes before quickly restoring her calm, warm smile: “Meng Huai, you continue to chat; I’ll go with Director Qiu to check other floors.”
Without responding, Meng Huai just turned back to watch Han Xiao leave, and his expression softened a bit.
“My surname is Meng, from Inner Mongolia’s Meng. Actually, I’m not a policeman… I hope I didn’t disturb you last time; I remember there was another person with you…”
“Yeah, that was my sister, over in the disabled children’s activity room.”
Jiang Yan, still cradling the little girl, sat down on a bench, her gaze fixed on Meng Huai’s leisure suit, feeling somewhat out of place.
“Since the street office started drug control work, business on that street has been poor. Now my sister and I are working at a hotel. When I saw the news introducing this place on TV, I decided to volunteer.”
“Yeah, this place is indeed one of the few pure spaces.”
Observing the increasing number of children around them, combined with Jiang Yan’s gaze, Meng Huai’s expression grew a bit uneasy, as if he wasn’t accustomed to chatting with a strange girl in such an innocent environment.
Naturally, there was also a high likelihood that even in other places, Meng Huai didn’t know how to converse with girls.
“Meng, are you also volunteering today?”
Jiang Yan found it somewhat incongruous to see the leader of a covert unit suddenly show up here dressed casually.
“There’s some military-civilian cooperative public affairs. Currently, the W District Children’s Welfare Institute is the model unit for military support in the city. When some minor economic difficulties arose, my superiors sent me to check it out.”
As their interaction with the children progressed, Meng Huai gradually relaxed, his demeanor and movements becoming more laid-back, reminiscent of his easygoing chats with Xia Yan in the past. He explained the reason for his visit to the welfare institute with Han Xiao.
“Difficulties? Financial issues? Wasn’t there news that the old director donated six million all at once?”
Jiang Yan was taken aback, sensing something was off.
“Perhaps just renovating the dormitory and adjusting the staff salaries would remove much of the burden… and if the Women’s Federation and the Rehabilitation Federation take away some funds under various pretexts, it’ll be gone… The city has been in arrears on financing for the welfare institute for more than a year or two now.”
“As long as it’s used for the right reasons, that’s what matters.”
Jiang Yan seemed to be thinking more broadly; looking down, she noted that the little girl in her arms had fallen asleep in her comfortable embrace, just like when she had once held a disabled little sister in the welfare institute during junior high.
Gazing at the elegant and pure girl before him, Meng Huai felt an unprecedented sense of genuine calmness. A subtle lingering scent, mixed with a bit of coolness, was soothing.
Especially the tone in which she spoke would unconsciously remind him of another person. Their rhythm of conversation, tone, word choice, and expressions were so similar. The only two differences were their appearances and genders.
“Sorry, but I have to go now; the time’s nearly up.”
As a caregiver entered the welfare institute, Jiang Yan gently placed the little girl back into her arms and stood up to bid farewell politely.
After the girl left, Meng Huai stared at her retreating figure, not moving for a long while.
Right, it seemed he hadn’t asked for her name… Meng Huai finally came back to his senses.
…
…
A few hours later, in a logistics compound, inside the office building.
Meng Huai had reverted back to the stern and formal military image, sitting in a meeting room, jotting down notes on several documents.
“Meng Huai, do you prefer to sleep in your military uniform?”
Han Xiao entered the meeting room, still in casual clothes, lightly tapping on the desk in front of Meng Huai, her tone reflecting dissatisfaction.
“The previous casual clothes were for carrying out missions; now that I’m drafting follow-up plans, it’s also part of the mission. I wear the appropriate attire for the occasion. Besides, it’s not like I’m going on a date with a woman today; is it a problem for me to wear my military uniform?”
Meng Huai frowned slightly, looking up at the beautiful and composed woman who was so different from usual, his tone a bit cooler.
“You!”
Han Xiao’s face turned red as she turned away, her emotions worsening: “You specifically chose a Sunday, and yet you’re like this…”
Hearing this, Meng Huai dropped his pen, crossed his arms, and maintained a nonchalant expression: “I know, Chief Zhen has always wanted to set us up… Your grandfather, your father, the entire Han family has been adhering to a tradition for hundreds of years, insisting that marriages within the Han family must be resolved among people inside it.”
“Meng Huai, what do you mean!? There are numerous people pursuing me within the Dark Arrow—a queue stretching from the Northern Monitoring Zone to the Southern Monitoring Zone. Who do you think you are!?”
Han Xiao exploded with anger, her brows furrowing as she spun around and slapped the documents in front of Meng Huai.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to interfere with Major Han’s lifelong affairs; let’s just talk about business during regular times.”
Meng Huai lowered his head to retrieve the document, clearly indifferent to her current feelings.
Staring at his unyielding and impassive demeanor, Han Xiao felt a strong urge to grab a semi-automatic shotgun and unload it all on him right there.
“I’m telling you, Meng Huai, even if you’re a rich boy disdainful of many, what is there about the Han family that isn’t sufficient? Moreover, if it weren’t for my grandfather and father insisting, I’d be too lazy to…”
Meng Huai hesitated for a moment, meeting Han Xiao’s flushed face with increasingly sharp eyes: “What, the leaders of the Han family have also looked through my personal file? Is that a pass for approval?”
“I, you…”
Han Xiao slumped down weakly, rubbing her forehead and her flushed face, finding it difficult to release the pent-up anger inside her.
“I just read your follow-up plan. My question is, are you really planning to burn down the W District Children’s Welfare Institute once you confirm that Xia Yan and Gu Yao are still in C City? If there’s a mistake in the plan, isn’t the cost too high? Will the headquarters leaders agree?”
No longer bickering with her, Meng Huai pulled out a document and waved it in front of Han Xiao.
Glancing at the materials in his hands, Han Xiao quickly collected her emotions, her expression becoming serious: “Starting next week, several prime time slots on the city’s TV station will feature a documentary series about abandoned disabled children from the W District Children’s Welfare Institute. The content will escalate, and we’ll invite Elder Jiang Chunhua to accept an interview personally.”
“These contents will only appear on the TV and newspapers; various online platforms will only push local content, and the back-end big data will ensure that only people staying in C City for more than seven days will see it!”
“As long as we detect another anonymous donation from Hong Kong after the interview, we can confirm that Xia Yan and the others are indeed in C City!”
Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled with conviction, a reflection of her absolute confidence in her meticulously planned experiment.
Meng Huai listened attentively, begrudgingly acknowledging her innovative and clever imagination, infused with an inkling of respect in his otherwise plain tone: “This constitutes top-tier information control. If the first step of the experiment succeeds, it indeed can confirm that Xia Yan is in C City. After that, you plan to burn down the entire welfare institute, injuring Elder Jiang Chunhua, drawing them out… right?”
Han Xiao didn’t respond, only blinking several times, radiating pride.
“Heh, tell me, would you Han Xiao dare to marry such a devious woman? And would I Meng Huai want to marry her?”
At this point, Han Xiao’s head was practically spewing smoke from rage, and she quickly got up, visibly truly angered.
As she stepped out, Han Xiao suddenly turned back, wearing a look of disdain: “Hmph… Didn’t you always hope to deal with Xia Yan personally? Now you think I’m the most ruthless woman? Oh, is it because of that pure schoolgirl today that you felt something? Ha, men always favor the fresh and young…”
Meng Huai was left staring blankly for several seconds, utterly helpless as he turned his head away, quickly waving his hand, signaling her to “get lost.”
