Chapter 102: Endless Tenderness
Late at night, just before midnight, Zhong Jing chose to work late at her office.
On one hand, with the year-end approaching, some data regarding the annual operation of the hyacinth industry needed to be summarized. On the other hand, a significant action involving the hyacinth was about to commence, requiring considerable financial mobilization.
Various data kept pouring in, with rows of densely packed tables, causing Zhong Jing to be completely focused, fearing even the slightest decimal point might be incorrect. Finally, with the last data imported, the automatically calculated box displayed a number that made the young man let out a slight breath of relief.
It was estimated that the net profit of the hyacinth industry under Zhong Jing’s control for the entire year of 2019 was expected to reach 190 million, marking an increase of about 7% compared to the previous year, which was comparable to some baron families.
He cracked his knuckles, feeling some relief from the muscular tension in his body. A satisfied smile appeared at the corners of Zhong Jing’s mouth as he turned his head to glance at Tsuruya Haruka, who sat quietly in the corner on the sofa, absorbed in a comic book.
The Japanese girl wore a simple yet delicate winter dress, appearing more down-to-earth compared to her previously haughty and rejecting noblewoman attire.
She had just returned from Japan to City C two days ago, and Tsuruya Haruka immediately moved into Zhong Jing’s home, even stating that she would stay every day from now on instead of just visiting on weekends, which delighted Zhong’s mother greatly.
This was the first time Zhong Jing noticed her engrossed in a comic book, and he thought, can you really sit for several hours like this without getting bored…
Zhong Jing contemplated for a moment, walked to the water dispenser, brewed a cup of steamy fruit juice, and pushed the bottle of mineral water on the small table in front of Tsuruya Haruka aside: “Here, you’re on your period these days; in our country, you should drink something warm.”
How does Jing-kun remember so well?
Tsuruya Haruka’s face flushed a deep red as she recalled a month ago when she had her first intense confrontation with Zhong Jing. She had also just been on her period at that time and, in a tumult of emotions, had gotten into a verbal conflict with him.
“Jing-kun, you’re actually very gentle.”
Carefully holding the fruit juice, a warmth she had never felt before surged in Tsuruya Haruka’s heart, and she looked up with a smile at the tall young man in front of her.
“Am I gentle? Well, I suppose so; I have many little tricks for winning women’s favor.”
Zhong Jing nonchalantly sat down next to Tsuruya Haruka, picked up an original Japanese comic near her, flipped through a few pages, and chuckled, “Starting to catch up on the two-dimensional culture from Dr. Slump? You really are starting from scratch.”
Not minding his teasing, Tsuruya Haruka smiled and turned to face Zhong Jing: “Jing-kun, since you’ve delved into the world of vampires, why not become one yourself?”
“Heh, then why doesn’t your grandfather, that old man from the Tsuruya Consortium, become a vampire?”
Zhong Jing immediately countered. He was already over sixty, and probably wouldn’t survive the transformation. Besides, he had his responsibilities…
“Jing-kun, not everyone is qualified to receive the first embrace of the Fujiwara family.”
Tsuruya Haruka replied somewhat proudly.
“Exactly! I have my own plans, and not every vampire is worthy of my loyalty.”
Zhong Jing brazenly added, splaying his arms and lounging on the sofa, even using one arm to rest behind Tsuruya Haruka due to the small size of the couch.
“Oh really? But I’ve noticed that Jing-kun is very loyal to the hyacinth and to Lord Wanyue.”
Tsuruya Haruka paused, not quite understanding his implication.
“When I was very young, my family didn’t have anyone to play with, so I particularly enjoyed playing house alone. My mom gave me a lot of pocket money, and I seduced other neighborhood kids to play ‘bad guys’ with me. Later, when I met my master, I discovered that I could participate in a game of being a ‘bad guy’ that could go on for many years and didn’t cost me anything.”
At this point, Zhong Jing deliberately paused, noticing that Tsuruya Haruka was completely focused on him.
“I love hearing Jing-kun’s childhood stories!”
Tsuruya Haruka rarely showed such a girlish expression; her face slightly flushed, and she smiled sweetly.
“Alright… then I gradually grew up and realized that what I was playing was actually a terrifying game that I could never share with others and couldn’t quit midway. Moreover, it once again proved that if something is free, it’s often the most costly.”
“This game is exciting and stimulating, but it demands my family, my time, my life, and even my will. The only things left in the realm of ordinary people are this body and personality. Should I really spend my last resources on this game?”
The world of ordinary people, compared to the vampire world, may be ignorant but is still wonderful; there are plenty of good and bad experiences I haven’t finished yet. Why should I give up halfway? So, becoming a vampire, maybe in the next life!
After Zhong Jing finished, he crossed his arms before his chest, propped his legs up carelessly on the table, his face displaying a rare calmness.
He is different from me; he bears the pressure of two worlds, so he has to find many women to dilute that fear? As she quietly observed Zhong Jing’s face, Tsuruya Haruka seemed to think deeply.
“Jing-kun…”
“Yes?”
“Please come to Japan with me for a few months… Right now, China is dangerous, and so are you. You can try to avoid certain matters.”
“Not going! My master and the hyacinth need me now! If you have any thoughts, you can talk to my master… I’ve invested enough cost in this game; I want to see how it ends.”
Zhong Jing decisively shook his head without a hint of hesitation.
“Then… Jing-kun, please take this.”
Tsuruya Haruka revealed a hint of disappointment, hesitated for a moment, then took out a piece of paper slightly larger than a banknote from her small handbag, holding it out to Zhong Jing with both hands: “This is my pocket money; I hope it can help you.”
A twenty million US dollar foreign exchange check!?
Zhong Jing glanced at it, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.
A few years ago, this would have been nearly the annual income of the hyacinth!
“What you’re doing is, as we say in China, like pouring water on a married daughter. Are you sure your current actions do not go against the will of the Fujiwara family?”
Zhong Jing placed the check on the table, lit a cigarette, and looked at Tsuruya Haruka’s face with interest, his tone beginning to tease: “Miss Tsuruya, if you really plan to help me, you can tell me clearly what the Fujiwara family and the Engel family want, and what the people in the country targeting the Wang family plan to do.”
“You shouldn’t know; isn’t it better to remain an outsider? Moreover, this is a deal between me and Lord Wanyue.”
Tsuruya Haruka shook her head resolutely. The Fujiwara family merely wanted to establish closer commercial ties with China to counterbalance the control of the North American James family over Japan. But the Engel family was different; we were just in it for mutual benefit…
“Closer commercial ties? Isn’t it because of this country’s huge market and a larger vampire population?”
He still remembered the analysis Wanyue had shared with him regarding the Fujiwara family’s plans to deepen their layout in China, and he was more aware of the role his father and himself might play in the future.
Tsuruya Haruka shuddered slightly, lowering her head, speechless.
So, you must know many secrets, which makes it impossible for you to obtain true freedom.
Zhong Jing smiled as he uncrossed his legs from the table, stood up, “Alright, let’s stop the games and head back.”
“Jing-kun!”
Suddenly, Tsuruya Haruka hugged Zhong Jing from behind, her whole body slightly trembling, her voice also shaking: “Can you pretend to like me, just like I pretend to like you…?”
So this twenty million dollars is my appearance fee for this performance?
Zhong Jing avoided her hands clasped in front of him, turned around, and gently played with her hair, his mind conjuring up some bizarre images.
Dingling dong~ dingling dong~~~
Zhong Jing’s phone vibrated with a ringtone from his pocket.
He glanced at the number and laughed as he answered, “Hello, senior, long time no see!”
“Wah… Zhong Jing, I’ve broken up… I feel so terrible…”
A muffled voice, laced with tears, came through the phone.
Zhong Jing was taken aback, slowly looking at the Japanese girl beside him. A few seconds later, he lifted the phone back to his ear: “Senior, have you been drinking? Where are you… wait for me, in about half an hour; don’t go out, it’s easy to catch a cold!”
“I’m sorry, Miss Tsuruya, suddenly something came up; I can’t take you home. Just take a taxi. And be careful, don’t take a hot bath in the next few days; I know you Japanese like hot baths.”
Zhong Jing quickly grabbed his coat and scarf, tidying himself up while shoving the foreign exchange check into his pocket and casually saying, “This money, I’ll borrow from you; I’ll pay you back in… a couple of years.”
Vampires have great hearing… another woman needing your comfort?
Tsuruya Haruka’s expression grew somewhat awkward, her lips biting down tightly.
At least you’ve already had a warm beverage; she’s still crying.
After he finished speaking, Zhong Jing walked toward the door. Glancing back to see she hadn’t followed, he turned around, took Tsuruya Haruka’s hand, and led her out the door.
Sigh… Jing-kun, you truly are very gentle with women, and there’s more than enough to go around…
As she was led toward the elevator, Tsuruya Haruka whispered under her breath, a voice only she could hear.
…
Although the Gold River Club publicly announced renovations, it still maintained round-the-clock patrols under a secondary alert state, especially at night.
Zhao Peng and Xiao Ai, who had been tacitly regarded as a couple, were naturally paired together for duty and were currently passing the time in the lobby playing chess.
For the two individuals, each secretly harboring feelings for someone else, this was the perfect opportunity for a high-end interaction filled with glances and subtle exchanges.
“Zhao Ge, Xiao Ai Jie… Xiao Ping has been acting a bit odd these days, rarely talking to anyone.”
A young male servant approached Xiao Ai’s side, discreetly pointing to a girl who seemed lost in thought in a distant corner.
Zhao Peng slightly tilted his head to look, then lowered it again, pondering for a moment. His expression remained neutral as he spoke in a calm tone: “Got it. She probably encountered a growth bottleneck, feeling down… Just don’t disturb her.”
The male servant grinned and quietly retreated.
“Peng Ge, I heard from Xiao Ling that Xiao Ping’s boyfriend spent a large sum of her money on a business deal recently…”
Xiao Ai hesitated, lowering her voice: “If this is related, we need to ask her properly; should I probe her a bit?”
Zhao Peng paused his chess piece in midair, then gently shook his head: “Not long ago, I had Xiao Ling privately investigate that guy. Except for his job, he rarely socializes, and his personal life is clean… Xiao Ping is actually a very strong-willed person; asking her directly might not yield results, and if any misunderstandings arise, it would hurt relationships.”
“Hmm? You really understand us women?”
Seeing no one around, Xiao Ai gently pinched Zhao Peng’s hand, showing a bit of teasing: “You’re such a blockhead, how do you know a guy isn’t doing something behind a woman’s back? After all, a day has twenty-four hours… and we don’t even know what Xiao Ping does after work or on her days off.”
Zhao Peng felt a bit flush as he hurriedly picked up some water to shield his somewhat awkward face.
“Now that Xiao Ling is taking over for Zheng Shaolin at the hyacinth courtyard, once this commotion passes, I’ll have her pay attention again. But it’s best not to let Xiao Ping know; after all, everyone has their own privacy… Xiao Ping has been with us for over ten years; although her qualifications aren’t high, her internal relationships are good, and she is somewhat influential within the hyacinth.”
Zhao Peng thought for a moment and decided to put this issue aside for now. At least it wouldn’t directly touch Zhou Ping’s privacy.
“By the way, Peng Ge… are you really at ease with the daytime operation plan for Xiao Yan and the others? Didn’t we always conduct operations at night before? The risks of daytime exposure are too high.”
Without specific problems ahead, there was no need to dig deeply into any member’s personal matters; Xiao Ai had no choice but to change the topic back to yesterday’s action meeting results, feeling a bit worried.
“Aside from her plan, I really can’t think of any way to wipe out two Black Dragon Society nests in one night.”
“Jiang Yan said something yesterday that I thought was very correct: Always choose the enemy’s weakest moment, rather than the time that would be most beneficial to yourself.”
Zhao Peng chuckled, dropped his chess piece, and conceded: “We have become accustomed to the night, thinking it’s the safest and most concealed world for vampires, but the enemy thinks so too. Jiang Yan’s idea, though bold, is also the most unpredictable for the opponent.”
“The Black Dragon Society’s location in P District has these characteristics, so I support Jiang Yan’s plan. Moreover, I trust Miss Wan’s judgment.”
Xiao Ai paused, pondering Zhao Peng’s words, increasingly feeling that Jiang Yan harbored uncommon secrets. If Miss Wan’s name came into play, that was the greatest endorsement of trust.
…
After one o’clock, the calendar had turned to a new day.
In a certain cultural alley in J District, a small courtyard.
The living room’s television was playing a youth soap opera, and Jiang Yan was oblivious to any scenes on the screen, focusing solely on maintaining her weapon.
Two MP5SD submachine guns rested on the dining table, a disassembled handgun, and a few boxes of special bullets scattered across the surface, giving an intense atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the two young girls in the room.
“Help me disassemble that submachine gun; all the parts must be maintained. Also, there’s a pump-action shotgun in that corner box; you should familiarize yourself with it since you probably haven’t used one before.”
Feeling like she was the only one busy while Jiang Yan was preoccupied with the TV, Jiang Yan continued to work, not even glancing toward her.
“Is there something good on… Hurry up and disassemble and maintain these weapons; we’ll need them the day after tomorrow.”
Jiang Yan glanced at the television, sighed, shifted a bit closer to Jiang Yao, and firmly patted her shoulder.
“She obviously doesn’t like him… and yet she kisses him. Isn’t that insincere… Huh!? Fine, I’ll get to it now!”
Staring intently at the screen showing romantic gestures, her eyes sparkled with confusion and curiosity. It wasn’t until a strong grip on her shoulder brought her back to reality that Jiang Yao snapped out of it.
She awkwardly agreed, then grabbed the submachine gun on the dining table, starting to disassemble it quite distractedly, stealing glances up at the screen from time to time.
“You usually don’t watch these kinds of shows? Focus more!”
After looking at Jiang Yao who was trying to multitask, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but grin and grabbed the remote to turn off the TV, forcibly re-focusing her attention.
“Um, just bored… Sis, this kind of weapon is quite rare domestically.”
Having been pulled back from her distraction, now thinking about her actual responsibilities, Jiang Yao picked up the MP5SD submachine gun in her hands, fiddling with the bolt while clicking her tongue in surprise.
“The hyacinth doesn’t have much close combat firepower; I could only find these from Uncle Liang. They’re in fairly good condition, though they have too few bullets.”
Jiang Yan picked up another MP5SD submachine gun, detached the magazine, checked for wear inside it, and couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
“Sis, are you really okay facing four by yourself? We can go together!”
Looking at the weapon in her hands, Jiang Yao recalled the operational details Jiang Yan had previously explained, feeling a bit uneasy. It was only when they were alone that she dared to express her doubts.
“Don’t worry; with the Black Blood Clan’s demeanor, they won’t fight hard unless they have no choice. So one against one must work; otherwise, it’s easy for them to escape.”
“Like that time with Wan Qiaoli, who took drugs and became a genuine lunatic… but she lost her structure, which made it easier to handle.”
Having gone over Huang Gu’s drone reconnaissance video and the blueprint of the motel, I’ve scrutinized it all. Just guard that alley behind; that’s their only escape route. Tomorrow, I’ve arranged to meet Miss Su and check the site again.
After a few seconds of exploring, Jiang Yan finally began disassembling the MP5SD submachine gun, her expression calm.
For someone whose destiny was almost set in stone as the next leader of the Dark Arrow Xuanjia Squad, Jiang Yao naturally believed in her explanation.
For over half an hour, the two ceased chatting and fully dedicated themselves to cleaning and assembling all the weapons, the room resonating with the sound of parts grinding against each other. Until Jiang Yao yawned and returned to her room to sleep, Jiang Yan was still checking the ammunition.
Not sure how long had passed, perhaps sensing Jiang Yao was already asleep, Jiang Yan finally pulled her gaze away from the weapons and ammunition on the table.
Turning on the TV, she muted the volume entirely.
That melodramatic youth romance soap opera was still playing, but this time it wasn’t filled with ambiguity and intimacy; instead, the male and female leads were arguing, hurling insults at each other, tears streaming down their faces.
Watching the scenes, Jiang Yan sighed softly after a few seconds and silently turned it off.
