Chapter 202: Peeking at the Truth
Stepping out of the new apartment, it was just past two in the afternoon. Jiang Yao had a sudden whim to go to Zhong Jing’s office to play games. Naturally, Zhong Jing had no objections.
It was a day to unwind, and it would be best if the other party played until they were nauseous, so they wouldn’t bother running all the way to Longquan Mountain to keep her company.
The massive computer desk, which occupied much of the view, had several computers, each serving different functions. Zhong Jing quickly set up two computer stations.
Juice, fries, and other snacks filled the gaps on the desk, and the two started playing happily.
“Haha! Finally won a round!”
As dinner time approached, their gaming session finally bore fruit. If they didn’t win another round, it seemed they would be stuck in the office all day.
Jiang Yao jumped up from in front of the computer, bursting into cheerful laughter, and casually glanced over at the space next to her, only to see Zhong Jing grinning as he lit a cigarette.
“Zhong Jing, move aside, I want a bag of fries!”
Her gaze landed on the coffee cup just to the right of Zhong Jing. Jiang Yao, pretending to be excited, stretched her arm and reached towards the space on Zhong Jing’s left.
“Hey, be careful, the coffee!”
The angle felt awkward, or perhaps she lost control of her body’s center of gravity; Jiang Yao’s elbow accidentally bumped into the coffee cup, and Zhong Jing hurriedly reached out to block it.
The reaction, however, was half a beat too slow. The coffee cup tipped over, soaking Zhong Jing from the abdomen down—quite a mess. Jiang Yao’s long-sleeved shirt also got splattered from elbow to hem.
“Luckily, I have spare clothes… You just keep playing, or watch some anime. I’m going to take a shower and change clothes. Later I’ll drive you home, you can change too, then we’ll go have dinner.”
Zhong Jing shrugged helplessly, pulling off his tie and heading toward the small sitting room on the side. Though small, it was well-equipped, and the bathroom had shower facilities.
With the door to the small sitting room closed, Jiang Yao’s heartbeat quickened. She immediately sat down at Zhong Jing’s computer and grabbed the phone he had left on the desk.
She quickly entered his unlock password, which she had memorized from observing him several times that day. After skimming through social media conversations between him and Wan Yue, as well as Jiang Yan, she revealed a disappointed expression a minute later.
All the exchanges were extremely simple, with no valuable information. It seemed that truly important content was communicated face-to-face.
In her ears, she faintly heard the sound of running water from the small sitting room. Jiang Yao’s eyes darted around as she quickly grabbed the mouse from Zhong Jing’s computer, switched to the desktop, and began searching through the hard drive.
Finally, a compressed file labeled “health check” appeared before her.
She tried to double-click it, but a prompt for a password popped up.
Without any hesitation, Jiang Yao pulled a data cable from her skirt pocket, connected it to the computer, and copied the compressed file to her phone…
The file was large, several gigabytes in size, and the transfer speed was slow.
“Almost done, shut down the computer, we’re getting ready to leave.”
Zhong Jing’s voice came from the small sitting room, where he seemed to be changing clothes and was about to come out any moment.
“Faster… Hurry!”
Jiang Yao’s gaze flicked between the sitting room door and the computer screen as her hands trembled, and she kept muttering in her throat to rush.
Finally, the file transfer completed. Jiang Yao yanked out the data cable, stuffed her phone back into her skirt pocket, and pressed the shutdown button.
“Don’t you want to leave yet?”
Walking over to Jiang Yao’s side, Zhong Jing happened to see the computer screen go black while Jiang Yao was dripping with sweat.
“I’m a bit hot…”
Jiang Yao looked up, wiping the sweat from her forehead, smiling awkwardly.
“Hot?”
Zhong Jing turned to glance at the windowsill, realizing that the window was open, and it was still only late March, so the indoor temperature was barely over ten degrees. He felt confused.
“I have poor circulation, and you know that!”
Jiang Yao tugged at her skirt, deliberately exposing the coffee-stained area, seriously saying, “Let’s go, I should go home to wash up and change clothes.”
…
More than a month had passed since she had last been home, and as they walked into the small courtyard, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.
The fallen leaves of winter and the new leaves of spring filled the small front yard, and fresh blades of grass sprouted everywhere. Even the small stone table in the courtyard still had the empty can Jiang Yao drank last time, which had yet to be cleaned up.
Fortunately, all the windows were tightly shut, so there was no visible dust inside. Everything was still orderly, which Jiang Yan had meticulously arranged.
“I’ll go change clothes. You can watch TV in the living room. There’s Coke and mineral water in the fridge; help yourself.”
Before Zhong Jing could sit down, Jiang Yao swiftly walked towards her bedroom without looking back, locked the door, and drew the curtains tightly.
Seeing the closed door, Zhong Jing smiled and carelessly walked out of the living room, intending to step outside to smoke.
Inside her room, Jiang Yao quickly turned on her computer, connected her phone, and transferred the previously “borrowed” compressed file to her computer.
She double-clicked the compressed file and stared at the password input box, starting to bite her nails.
“It’s definitely the health report me and my sister had done last time. Can’t believe it’s even encrypted… Who’s it protecting against?”
“The password is his birthday? He never told me…”
“His phone number… no!”
“One two three four five six… wrong!”
“Pinyin of his name… not that either.”
Minutes passed, and Jiang Yao was about to go crazy. She kept staring at the password input box on the screen, her mind racing with countless thoughts.
Unwilling to give up, in a moment of frustration, she typed in a string of numbers almost randomly.
Success!
“He actually used my birthday as the password… Heh, what a jerk!”
At first, Jiang Yao was taken aback, but then she felt dizzy with joy and quickly unzipped the file.
A few minutes later, a mass of medical test files, photos, and data sheets lay before her, leaving Jiang Yao bewildered.
“I don’t understand… Why are there two sets of medical records? Huh, and there’s a folder with the name ‘Kujimi Haruna’?”
Information she could and couldn’t comprehend filled her eyes. As time passed, Jiang Yao, trembling, slowly backed away from the computer desk, retreating several steps until she finally sat on her bed.
“Am I really the queen? Will I turn into a monster in the future?”
Jiang Yao raised her palm in front of her, staring blankly. After a few seconds, her gaze shifted to her own body and slowly moved to her lower abdomen.
“No wonder they hid this from me… No wonder my sister stopped caring about my playing with Zhong Jing… No wonder they found excuses to isolate me at the Hyacinth Villa.”
Jiang Yao covered her face with her palm, blocking all her expressions.
“Still not ready?”
It had already been over thirty minutes since they entered the house. In the living room, Zhong Jing had smoked three cigarettes, but the bedroom door remained tightly shut, with no sounds coming from within.
“Jiang Yao?”
Zhong Jing walked to the door of the second bedroom and gently knocked.
“What’s the rush? Shaping eyebrows and tying hair take time!”
The door opened, and Jiang Yao stood before Zhong Jing in a brand new casual dress, with an annoyed expression, still adjusting her hair behind her head, her carefully styled brows catching Zhong Jing’s eye.
“It’s just dinner and a movie; it’s not necessary to take that long.”
Seeing Jiang Yao recreate the classic Asuna hairstyle, Zhong Jing laughed.
“You used to love me like this; now you think it doesn’t look good?”
Jiang Yao stared at Zhong Jing with a strange expression, a cold smile tugging at her lips.
“It’s alright.”
Zhong Jing rubbed his nose and said.
After their gazes met.
In Northern Myanmar, Old Street.
Meng Ta was quite capable. The only regret was his mixed bloodline and somewhat cold, rigid personality, but other than that, Guo Hao felt quite at ease. Many of the tasks over the past few days, which were coordinated with Chairman Yin, were entrusted to Meng Ta.
In the evening, Meng Huai drove back with two large packages, which were reportedly rewards from Chairman Yin. The packaging was peculiar, resembling military supplies, and they were heavy, weighing about a ton combined.
These were the supplies Meng Huai had applied for from the Strategic Task Support Center days ago. Previously, he had only taken a military laser pointer from them, while the rest had been hidden outdoors.
Now that the situation was settled and almost all blame had been put on Chairman Yin, it was only logical that this batch of supplies would be handed over to Guo Hao and others.
When the packages were opened, even Guo Hao was stunned. They were filled with a dense array of weapons and ammunition. The quality and craftsmanship were certainly not comparable to the imitation goods from the Eastern Commercial Underground Workshops; everything was original military-grade equipment.
Especially after pulling out a shocking amount of rare blood, blood clan anesthetics, and painkillers, even Guo Hao, who had seen the world, couldn’t help but gasp.
These supplies were worth tens of millions in the blood clan world and could even be considered priceless in Hua Nation.
It seemed that Chairman Yin and Dark Arrow had a rather unusual relationship; no wonder he could orchestrate a trap for people like Nawa at a critical moment. Guo Hao and Xiao Hai exchanged knowing glances, affirming their conclusions.
Jiang Yan, who was recuperating in the room, learned about Meng Huai’s surprising haul through the embellished accounts of Xiao Guo and Xiao Lian. She made no comments throughout, simply listening quietly with a neutral expression.
The infusion of rare blood had improved Jiang Yan’s condition. This extravagant treatment made the onlookers Xiao Guo and Xiao Lian feel a pinch, but Meng Huai clearly rarely considered the feelings of others.
After dismissing the two female knights, Meng Huai pulled out a small tablet from his pocket and carefully studied tomorrow’s return route at the bedside.
“Aren’t you afraid of exposing yourself by giving those to Luo and the others since you got them from Dark Arrow?”
Jiang Yan quietly inquired as she focused on the map Meng Huai had spread across her blanket.
Every year, Dark Arrow supplied various materials to the secret forces in Myanmar, but it was practically futile; who knows how many weapons and ammunition ended up being sold in the black market? With Chairman Yin endorsing this batch of supplies, there was no issue.
Meng Huai casually replied without lifting his head, sketching on the high-precision military tactical satellite map on his tablet.
“Does Chairman Yin know your identity?”
Jiang Yan felt a bit tense and reached out to touch Meng Huai’s arm.
“No. He thinks I’m Guo Hao’s person, assuming that Guo Hao has ties to Dark Arrow, and Guo Hao believes he has found a backer in Dark Arrow. Everyone thinks they are the smartest and keeps a mutual understanding.”
Meng Huai continued, closing the tablet and grabbing some fruit from the bedside, ready to peel it for Jiang Yan.
“What is your actual mission?”
After a few seconds, Jiang Yan quietly muttered.
“To monitor the smuggling situation along the southwestern border, including the Luo family, Black Dragon Society, and the Hidden Alliance, and to suppress or decapitate key targets among the blood clan.”
Meng Huai hesitated briefly, avoiding Jiang Yan’s gaze as he continued to peel the fruit.
Meng Huai was particularly poor at lying. What he had just said was certainly not his real mission, at least not entirely… Watching the cold, feminine profile of Meng Huai, Jiang Yan felt a mix of emotions.
The room fell into a brief silence.
Meng Huai, why can you execute missions for the blood clan while other Dark Arrow members who were blood-tainted can only flee? Are you… different from them?
Jiang Yan blurted out, her hands gripping tightly onto the blanket.
A tense mood mingled with a trace of melancholy.
The fruit knife in Meng Huai’s hand stopped. After several seconds, he quietly spoke, “I don’t know…”
“Then, are the previous members of Dark Arrow in the Hyacinth also traitors in your eyes?”
Jiang Yan’s anxiety grew; her complexion paled again, which she had just managed to normalize.
Wan Jie, Zheng Shaolin?
Meng Huai glanced at Jiang Yan, gently patting her hand and shaking his head, “No, they are all right in my eyes.”
“Jiang Yan, your understanding of Dark Arrow is still too limited. I don’t kill innocent people at random; I just want to find the murderer who killed my mother…”
And, Xia Ying and Gu Qin.
Meng Huai did not speak the last half of that sentence but merely smiled, handing the peeled fruit to Jiang Yan.
“What if you find them?”
Thinking about Kujimi Haruna, Jiang Yan quickly lowered her voice, “Kujimi Haruna must know who it is; she’s on the same side as the Hyacinth now! You can let Wan Jie help you!”
“I think Wan Jie doesn’t fully trust me yet… Moreover, the relationship between the Fujiwara family and Hua Nation is very complicated. I can only find a way myself.”
After saying this, Meng Huai closed his eyes, seemingly making a certain decision.
“Meng Huai?”
After noticing that Meng Huai’s expression seemed a bit strange, Jiang Yan reached out to touch his face.
Meng Huai opened his eyes and suddenly embraced Jiang Yan, his voice low and deep: “Jiang Yan, wait for me to finish my mission and take my revenge, and then let’s go to a place where no one can find us, okay…”
Jiang Yan’s body trembled, and slowly, she wrapped her arms around Meng Huai’s back, gently patting without saying a word.
“You continue to rest; I’ll go downstairs to bring you some food, and before you sleep, I’ll give you another blood transfusion.”
Seeing that Jiang Yan didn’t respond, Meng Huai felt a bit disappointed, but his expression remained unchanged as he left the room with long strides.
Meng Huai is a completely different kind of being from us; is this his lucky side? How could I possibly leave with him? I still need to protect Xiao Yao, resolve the truth and the crisis surrounding me.
But what he just said must have been sincere… Watching Meng Huai’s receding figure, Jiang Yan felt her thoughts spiral again.
A fresh wave of pain throbbed in her lower abdomen, causing Jiang Yan to curl up and let out a low groan.
……
……
In a certain old cultural preservation alley in District J of City C.
The night was already very late, and Jiang Yao was still sitting in front of the computer, carefully reviewing the health check data she had stolen from Zhong Jing, including a confidential document provided by Kujimi Haruna.
“Wan Jie was cautious and made some adjustments with Jin Ye to swap the names on my and my sister’s health check records… If I’m the queen, then my sister is safe.”
With a cold face, Jiang Yao permanently deleted all the documents, then lay down on the bed, covering her face with the quilt.
Jiang Yao felt a headache; the sensation of learning the truth was truly unpleasant.
The phone rang; it was Zhong Jing.
“Have you packed your clothes? Don’t play too late tonight; I’ll pick you up to return to the Hyacinth Villa tomorrow morning.”
“Oh.”
She had just spoken with her master on the phone, and Jiang Yan was returning to the country tomorrow evening.
“Mm.”
Jiang Yao was clearly distracted, even causing Zhong Jing on the other end to feel puzzled.
My period is about to start; I’m feeling a bit unwell. I’ll sleep now. Come to pick me up tomorrow noon, and you should also get some rest.
Jiang Yao主动挂了电话, not even wanting to take a shower, she just wrapped herself up in the quilt.
……
In the office, Zhong Jing held his phone, a bitter expression on his face.
On the computer screen, the recent browsing and file opening records clearly showed a certain compressed file, the operation time matching the moment he went to the small sitting room to take a shower this afternoon.
Sigh… Zhong Jing sighed deeply, shaking his head repeatedly.
No wonder her behavior seemed a bit odd today; even during dinner, she was absent-minded.
The phone lying on the desk suddenly popped up a message notification from social media, from Yao Yao.
Yao Yao: Sorry, Zhong Jing, I know about what you all have been hiding from me.
Yao Yao: I don’t blame you for hiding it; please don’t blame me for peeking at your computer. We’re even now, right?
Yao Yao: You, Wan Jie, and my sister have all been trying to find a solution, right?
Yao Yao: Zhong Jing, why did you use my birthday as the password?
Yao Yao: Zhong Jing, I’m scared!
Messages kept popping up over the next few minutes, making Zhong Jing feel increasingly uneasy. After the latest message, the phone fell silent.
Zhong Jing silently read through every message on the phone screen, feeling an impulse rise within him.
He closed the computer, grabbed the jacket draped over the side, and intended to head to Yao’s house. But just as the computer screen faded to black, Zhong Jing’s body halted once more.
Master, are you awake? Jiang Yao has learned about her situation from my computer…
He dialed Wan Yue for a video call, briefly recounting the day’s events.
She would find out sooner or later; he just didn’t expect her to take the initiative to investigate… That being said, don’t treat her like a child anymore. I’ll handle the follow-up.
Wan Yue, holding a cigarette, showed no particular emotion, remaining calm.
Master, is Jiang Yao really the queen? Is there any other way?
Zhong Jing’s face looked grim.
What are you hoping for? Is it important if she’s the queen? If she’s not the queen, does that mean no one will covet her? As for other ways, yes, getting her pregnant will work; are you willing to do it?
On the screen, Wan Yue suddenly laughed, teasingly repeating what she had said to Jiang Yan last time.
Zhong Jing rubbed his nose and avoided the nonexistent gaze, feeling embarrassed.
And don’t overthink it. Who is the real queen is still uncertain. With the Wang family protecting her in secret, they’re not in any immediate danger. You should quickly discuss with Kujimi Haruna how to eliminate that Fujiwara Kiyoyama. There’s an even more important person waiting to be dealt with.
I heard this guy is in possession of a batch of Frankenstein serum from the previous Tianzhong family and has been secretly colluding with the Engel family; this is a leverage that should be utilized well.
Wan Yue’s tone turned serious, which energized Zhong Jing.
……
Inside a small inn in the old town.
After slightly opening a crack in the curtains, Tu Wei Jun lowered the binoculars and let out a sigh.
This reconnaissance operation to the south had concluded, and the secret task of checking Meng Huai’s whereabouts had also reached a conclusion. It has been confirmed that the tall young man at Yun Tian Entertainment Center was indeed the target he was sent to track.
However, the mysterious blood clan woman who had been with Meng Huai had been almost invisible these past few days, leaving no way to ascertain her true identity.
He took out a specialized tablet from his bag, connected to a secure satellite communication network, and accessed a secret email account.
Opening a strange email, he copied a link from it that was clearly for an overseas website, pasted it into the browser, modified a few letters, and began the slow loading process.
After several seconds, a simple page popped up.
Eliminate Meng Huai at the earliest opportunity.
From Y Province’s B City, it had been over twenty days. Regardless of the coincidences in between, Meng Huai’s whereabouts had been confirmed. Yet, Tu Wei Jun felt somewhat astonished by the latest directive to eliminate Meng Huai.
He disconnected from the satellite network and cleared all operating traces on his device. After a brief contemplation, he pulled out a suitcase-sized box from under the bed.
Inside lay a sniper rifle disassembled into parts, quietly resting within, matte black paint glinting with a chilling murderous intent.
