Chapter 3

“Hello.” Lu Chongjin’s voice was calm and even, light as a drifting cloud.

But the hand he held trembled violently. Tang Hewei couldn’t stop himself from shivering, his knees nearly giving out beneath the overwhelming, god-of-death aura radiating from the man before him.

Watching his pitiful state, Tang Yajun laughed inwardly. Serves him right.

She reached out lightly, placing her hand over Lu Chongjin’s. Just as her fingers were about to brush against Tang Hewei’s, Lu Chongjin wordlessly caught her wrist. With the faintest pull, she almost toppled straight into his lap.

Remembering his injuries, Tang Yajun hurriedly pressed her other hand against his shoulder for support, barely steadying herself.

Lu Chongjin’s breath tightened, his gaze sinking into unfathomable depths as it met hers.

Meanwhile, Tang Hewei took the chance to bolt, fleeing in a panic. Cui Shan immediately followed after him.

Still, Lu Chongjin kept hold of Tang Yajun’s hand, and she let him, standing quietly at his side.

Liu Yane, having calmed her younger daughter, stepped out of the house.
“Where is that scoundrel Tang Hewei? How could you let him run off so easily? I’ll report him to the police, accuse him of indecency!”

Tang Liyong cleared his throat. He too understood the heart of the matter now, but it wasn’t appropriate to make a scene in front of his son-in-law.

Lu Chongjin’s tone was indifferent.
“People like him need to be taught a lesson. My men will seize him later and hand him over to Father-in-law.”

With that, he finally released Tang Yajun’s hand.

She moved behind him and pushed his wheelchair out.

From behind came a delicate voice:
“Brother-in-law!”

Tang Yajun pretended not to hear and quickened her pace. At her side, Lu Chongjin let out a quiet chuckle.

But in her heart, Tang Yajun was uneasy. At first, Liu Yane hadn’t cared one bit about her marriage into the Lu family. So why, after meeting her new son-in-law, had she begun arranging secret meetings between Tang Hewei and the original Yajun? The reason was clear now.

The Tang family was a blended household. Tang Yaning was Liu Yane’s daughter from her first marriage, later given the Tang surname.

Tang Liyong himself had a son and a daughter of his own. The eldest, Tang Yashan, had been sent down to the countryside in Yunnan-Guizhou, while the daughter, Tang Yajun, had married into the city.

She strode ahead with firm steps as Lu Chongjin’s soldiers lifted his wheelchair into the jeep.

The vehicle had already been modified for him—the backseat perfectly fitted to hold the chair.

Tang Yajun climbed in beside him. Remembering the original owner had come by bicycle, she said, “My bike’s still here.”

Cui Shan, starting the engine, replied, “Someone’s already been sent to ride it back for you.”

The car rolled a few meters, and Tang Yajun saw Tang Hewei—bruised and battered—thrown onto the ground outside her family’s gate.

On the ride back, she stared out at the retreating scenery, her mind drifting to her elder brother.

According to the original’s memories, Tang Yashan doted on his little sister endlessly. Between father and son, they had spoiled her into a reckless, willful girl.

But now it was nearly August—the peak of sweltering summer. In her previous life, Yashan had been bitten by a venomous snake while laboring in the woods, dying of poisoning.

By her count, the time was drawing close.

Her brow furrowed. I can’t just stand by this time.

Beside her, Lu Chongjin watched her silent frown, frustration rising in his chest.

“Still thinking about him?” he asked, voice tight.

Lost in thought over how to save her brother, Tang Yajun barely caught his words. She murmured a distracted, “Mm.”

“Stop the car!”

His roar jolted her out of her reverie. She turned to find his face stormy, fists clenched on his knees, veins bulging beneath the skin.

So close, she could even see the vein throbbing at his temple.

“Get out!” His voice was thunderous.

Tang Yajun blinked, baffled. What illness has gotten into him now?

“Out!” he barked again.

The force of his shout made her flinch.

Exasperated, she snapped back, “Who wants to ride in your lousy car anyway? If you hadn’t insisted on coming to fetch me, I wouldn’t be here!”

She flung the door open, jumped out, and slammed it shut with a deafening bang.

Before she could even glance back, the jeep had driven off.

Tang Yajun stamped her foot in fury. Her kick struck a rock, sending pain shooting up her leg. She hissed, clutching her calf.

Inside the car, Cui Shan kept a steady pace. Watching her hopping angrily in the rearview mirror, he spoke carefully.
“Sir, it’s already dark. Isn’t it unsafe to leave Madam alone on the road?”

“Then you stay with her!” Lu Chongjin’s reply was like ice, cold enough to freeze.

Cui Shan shut his mouth instantly.

He truly couldn’t grasp the young general’s temper. They had rushed day and night to return home, only for him to hear Madam had gone back to her parents’ house alone. He had ordered gifts prepared, chased after her in person—yet now, after all that, he wouldn’t even let her ride back in the car.

This deserted countryside road would take her at least half an hour to walk back.

Hands on her hips, Tang Yajun stood in the middle of the empty fields, weighing her options.

She considered fetching an electric scooter from her research institute’s space. The place was massive, with staff constantly shuttling between buildings—so each researcher had been assigned an electric scooter for convenience.

She was just about to make it appear when the rattling of a bicycle bell rang from behind.

It was the driver from earlier, pedaling the bicycle she’d left.

Tang Yajun waved both hands, running up to him as if greeting a savior.
“What’s your name? Could you give me a lift?”

Startled, he braked at once.
“My name’s Ma Ming. You can just call me Xiao Ma.”

She nodded, climbed onto the back seat, and—without thinking—rested her hands on his waist.

Ma Ming froze, stiff as a board.

Wiping sweat from her forehead, Tang Yajun frowned at his awkwardness, then realized why. Quickly, she shifted her hand to grip the edge of the seat instead.

Only then did Xiao Ma start pedaling again. Out of caution, he didn’t ride too fast, afraid she might fall. They rode like that for ten minutes or so.

Excited, he called back, “Look! Up ahead—that’s the general’s car. He must be waiting for you.”

But Tang Yajun’s anger hadn’t cooled. Her voice was frosty.
“Don’t mind him. Just keep going.”

Xiao Ma lowered his head and obediently pedaled harder.

From where he waited, Cui Shan had been watching the road closely.

At last, he saw Tang Yajun appear—seated on the back of Xiao Ma’s bike.

He hesitated about waking his commander, who was resting with his eyes closed.

Then he saw it: Xiao Ma pumping the pedals furiously, steering straight past their jeep. Both he and Tang Yajun turned their faces deliberately the other way, pretending not to notice the vehicle at all.

Cui Shan clicked his tongue under his breath. This is going to be tricky.