Chapter 63: Wasted Talent

The two were being held hostage by the villain, and they had to consider the safety of the hostage.

The man patted Jiang Nian, reminding her, “Little comrade, this man is dangerous. You just kicked him. You should leave now. Stay at home for the next few days and go out less.”

Jiang Nian then noticed the man beside Yan Jin. He had cold, sharp eyes, a high nose bridge, and slightly upturned eyelashes that deepened the contours of his eyes, giving him a hint of coldness and sharpness. Below, half of his face was covered with an unkempt beard, obscuring his true appearance and making him look a little disheveled.

Seeing that Jiang Nian didn’t move, the man thought she was scared and pulled her back.

Just as they were taking a step back, Jiang Nian raised her hand, and a silver needle shot out from her fingertips, faster than anyone expected.

With a clang, the dagger in Ma Liu’s hand fell to the ground. After experiencing a strange, needle-like pain, his entire arm went numb, making him completely unable to control it.

The man beside Jiang Nian was the first to notice this. He charged forward like lightning and immediately subdued Ma Liu.

Yan Jin was a little slower, and his movements were not as agile as the man’s. This was Jiang Nian’s observation as a bystander.

After the saleswoman was released, she was so scared that her legs went weak, and she fell to the ground.

Yan Jin helped her up. “Comrade, are you okay?”

“I’m… I’m fine.” The saleswoman touched her neck, and the next second, she burst into tears, pointing at Ma Liu, who was being subdued by the man. “What kind of person is this? He’s wielding a knife in the street in broad daylight. Did I offend you?”

Yan Jin helped the woman into the supply and marketing cooperative. He looked serious and said, “Comrade, we are deeply sorry for the harm you have suffered today. But we hope you can keep this matter confidential and not disclose it to anyone. Remember, this matter is very serious. I can’t explain it to you in detail, but you absolutely cannot tell anyone. Do you understand?”

The woman seemed to sense something and immediately covered her mouth. “Director Yan, don’t worry. I won’t say anything. Once you leave this door, my mouth will be locked. I won’t reveal a single word. But…” She was still a little worried. “Does this man have accomplices? Will I be retaliated against?”

“Don’t worry about that. Try not to go out for the next few days. The security on the street will be strengthened and patrolled.”

Yan Jin walked out and came to his companion. He looked at Ma Liu, who was still struggling even though he was tied up. “Colonel Song, are we going to take him back to the capital or…”

“Comrade Yan, thank you for your help today. But now that you’re no longer in the army, it’s not convenient for me to talk to you too much.”

“I understand. I was being too talkative.”

It was a coincidence. He was on his way back from a meeting in town when he saw Song Yanbai chasing someone. That’s how they ended up helping each other.

Speaking of Song Yanbai, he was someone Yan Jin looked up to.

They were about the same age, but he had single-handedly ventured into dangerous situations many times. He was already a lieutenant colonel at a young age and was the top fighter in his military district.

And he had once boasted that he wanted to catch up to him, but he didn’t even catch up to his heels. Instead, he had retired early and changed careers.

The two of them took Ma Liu to be detained. Song Yanbai then asked Yan Jin, “By the way, do you know that young man just now?”

Song Yanbai’s sharp eyes held a hint of doubt. The other man’s skills were so extraordinary, and his speed was so fast that he barely saw it. This was not the ability of an ordinary person.

Yan Jin thought carefully and then shook his head. “He shouldn’t be from our Bali Village. I grew up here. I may not know everyone in the surrounding villages, but I at least recognize them when I see them. I’ve never seen this young man before.”

Song Yanbai held the silver needle he had just taken from Ma Liu’s arm. It shimmered in the sunlight.

“This is…”

Even with Yan Jin’s eyesight, he hadn’t seen Jiang Nian’s final strike.

“That young man left this behind. It’s not convenient for me to stay here for long. Later, write down my contact information and help me find that young man. Ask him if he’s willing to join the army. With such strong skills, it’s a shame not to contribute to the country and the people.”

Anyone who could be praised by Song Yanbai couldn’t be ordinary. Yan Jin couldn’t help but take it seriously. “I’ll try my best. But someone this skilled shouldn’t be unknown. If he’s not from here, or if he’s already left, it might be difficult to find him.”

“Let fate decide.” Song Yanbai recalled the smell. “He has… a medicinal smell.”

This smell was the smell of Chinese herbs that had penetrated the body after years of contact. It was not easy to cover up. Song Yanbai had only smelled it on one person before, but that person was an old man.

Jiang Nian didn’t know that she had been noticed.

She had to encounter something every time she went out. It wasn’t a good experience.

Afraid of being watched again, she found a secluded corner and entered her space. She changed her clothes and returned to her true appearance. Then she left the space and walked back.

Winter days are short. It was only five o’clock, and the sky was already getting dark.

She was carrying rice in her left hand and fried dough sticks in her right hand. Her shoulder bag was bulging, clearly containing a lot of things.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Zhang Er quickly greeted her and took the things from her hands.

“My parents brought a chicken. We killed one and made a big pot of chicken soup. We also made pancakes and steamed winter melon and stir-fried spicy potato shreds. We’re waiting for you to come back for dinner.”

Jiang Nian was very satisfied with this state of not having to worry about anything at home. She nodded. “Then let’s eat. I’ll go wash my hands.”

Ye Zhiqiu came out of the kitchen and glared at Zhang Er.

Zhang Er didn’t know what he had done to offend her. He heard her say, “Stay away from my Master in the future. Don’t try to curry favor with her.”

She should have been the one to say those words, but Zhang Er had taken them.

“I didn’t!” Zhang Er didn’t understand. He just felt that Doctor Jiang had done him a great favor, so he wanted to get closer to her.

Of course, this closeness wasn’t the kind of closeness between a man and a woman. It was more like the admiration of the weak for the strong. He thought Jiang Nian was amazing, as if there was nothing she couldn’t do.

During dinner, Jiang Nian thought about what had happened in town today and told them, “You two stay at home for the next few days. Don’t go out if you don’t have to. We have enough firewood at home, so you don’t need to get any more. If you really have nothing to do, read more books and learn more characters. It’s always good for you.”

The man beside Yan Jin today, based on her intuition, was definitely not simple.

Perhaps something big was going to happen. It might not be related to them, or it might be a disaster if they got involved.

The safest thing to do was to stay at home and avoid getting involved in things that didn’t concern them.

Although Ye Zhiqiu and Zhang Er didn’t know why, they obeyed Jiang Nian’s words without question.