In the afternoon, your immediate boss, Director Zheng, also called to express his sympathy and asked about your injuries. He wanted to know if they were severe. Ji Qiuhuan didn't know what Jiang Zhan had said earlier in the morning, so he simply replied that it wasn't a big deal and acknowledged with a soft "mmhmm".

Lao Zheng once again mentioned that the successful busting of this inter-provincial child trafficking case is a significant accomplishment. The higher-ups want to reward him for it, allowing him to rest and focus on recuperation without worrying about work. Moreover, when hearing that Jiqiuhan did not mention his injuries at all in their conversation, the elderly leader was deeply moved and decided to give him a full week off directly!

After hanging up the phone, Ji Qiuhan fell silent for a while.

I can't take a day off on ordinary days. How could I act like I don't need money now?

Jiang Zhan sat on the sofa, absentmindedly watching financial news. He had a look of confusion on his face as he turned his head to reprimand him, saying, "It's better this way. Take advantage of these few days to rest properly. Every time I see those dark circles under your eyes, it makes me furious."

Ji Qiuhancoldly glanced at him and said, "What? Can't stand it? Do you want Mr. Jiang to beat you up again?"

Jiang Zhan awkwardly touched his nose and said, "... Stop fighting, stop fighting. I'll take care of him, I'll take care of him."

Ji Qiuhan ignored him and took out his phone to check the WeChat group. Although there were only seven people, his screen was still filled with messages:

"Ji Dui, you've worked hard! Get well soon! [Coffee]"

"Ji-ge, we heard from Lao Zheng that you're staying in a hospital. Are you okay? [Heart]! [Heart]! [Heart]! Your complexion looked really bad yesterday, Ji-ge, so make sure to rest well! Don't worry about the work report, Xiao Ba will take care of it!"

"You're just a little brat [roll one's eyes]. Ji-ge, rest assured, we'll wait for your return!" "Ji Dui, be discreet! Don't end up like last time, being chased by the nurses from the hospital to the bureau!"

"Coach Ji, you can keep my phone number: 137※※※※※."

After sweeping through, Ji Qiuhán responded with a simple "Hmm."

After a moment's pause, he sent another big red packet, instantly causing a wave of excitement in the group.

Just as they had settled down, the doorbell rang.

The young man at the door appeared very youthful. Upon seeing that it was him opening the door, a faint crease could barely be detected between Yi Qian's elegant eyebrows. However, it quickly returned to normal, and he politely greeted:

"Hello, Mr. Ji."

Ji Qiuhan had met him a few times; he was the secretary, Yi Qian, who always followed Jiang Zhan.

Yi Qian stepped into the living room with an anxious expression and said, "Bro, what happened? Is it serious?"

Jiang Zhan shook his hand wrapped in bandages and said, "What about Wei Wei, that big-mouthed guy... and Zhou Yu?"

He's arrived, Brother Yu is downstairs.

Jiang Zhan still had some matters to attend to in the afternoon. Before leaving, he said to Ji Qiuhan, "If you're tired, take a nap. I'll bring you dinner tonight."

After Jiang Zhan left, Ji Qiuhan poured herself a cup of coffee and walked to the window. The chill outside was gradually fading, and a faint layer of cold mist gathered along the edge of the glass.

Downstairs, there was a pitch-black matte Maybach parked. A man wearing a black shirt leaned against the door, smoking. Ji Qiuhan felt a sense of familiarity. When she finally realized it, wasn't that Jiang Zhan's demeanor? It was about seventy to eighty percent similar.

The man saw Jiang Zhan and took a step forward, saying a few words, as if he even looked up and glanced towards the window.

Before eight o'clock in the evening, Jiang Zhan returned.

The black and white patterned marble dining table was meticulously designed, and upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a style from a Swedish niche brand. As Dai Yiqian arranged the seventh takeout box neatly on the table, Ji Qiuhan's temple twitched twice, finally unable to hold back any longer.

"Why did you buy so much when there are only three people eating? Hasn't your teacher taught you that wasting is shameful?"

Jiang Zhan immediately glanced to the side.

"A-Qian, who allowed you to order so much? Hasn't the teacher taught you that wastefulness is shameful?"

Yi Qian: "...??"

But under the gaze of his older brother, Yi Qian still chose to take the blame immediately, saying, "I will definitely be more careful next time, bro."

A private kitchen restaurant that looks very exquisite, even the takeout maintains an excellent taste. As soon as the lid of the stewed Abalone with Golden Rice is lifted, the enticing aroma fills the air. This is the dish that Ji Qiuhuan mentioned tasted good last time.

Just...

Ji Qiuhan's gaze fell upon the wooden chair.

Ignoring the implication in his eyes, Jiang Zhan casually picked up a cushion from the sofa and placed it on the chair for him.

The cold air of late autumn permeated, and at that moment, he had the impulse to throw a cushion at the face of the instigator.

Throughout the whole process, Yi Qian did not once lift his head, focusing attentively on arranging the dishes and utensils.

During the meal, Jiang Zhan noticed that his appetite was mediocre. Ignoring his desperate hints once again, Jiang Zhan calmly helped him with his food, occasionally giving orders: "Are you planning to become an immortal with such little food? Eat this bamboo shoot and finish this bowl of soup."

Wen Lang, a clean-cut young man, remained focused on his meal, with his eyes fixed on his plate and his mind at peace.

Ji Qiuhan retreated from the battlefield in defeat,

After a strangely tense dinner, where both big shots were injured, Yi Qian conscientiously cleaned up the dining table.

After dinner, Ji Qiuhuan stood on the semi-open balcony. Downstairs, there was a busy flow of cars with bright lights. In the fading winter, they resembled clusters of newly ignited fire within the city's veins.

Jiang Zhan walked in with a coat and draped it over him. Just as he took out a cigarette box, Jiqiu Han snatched one away from him.

If we talk about Jiqiu Han's bad temper, it is evident at this moment. When he doesn't want to smell the scent of smoke, no one should even think about smoking a cigarette. But when he wants to smoke, you have to obediently light it for him.

Jiang Zhan helplessly held the burning torch and approached the person.

Who knows that Ji Qiuhuan didn't take it, he slightly lowered his head, lit the cigarette under Jiang Zhan's flame. The bright spark ignited from the cigarette, casting a faint orange glow on his cold-white face under the night sky, making it impossible for Jiang Zhan to take his eyes off.

Just after taking a puff, Ji Qiuhan couldn't help but frown. He usually only smokes a brand of slim Japanese cigarettes with a mint flavor.

Jiang Zhan's cigarette in his pocket is from Shunzhou in the afternoon. He asks, "Should I go back and fetch it for you?"

"No need,"

Ji Qiuhan looked at him.

Does your hand still hurt? Serves you right for showing off.

In the morning, watching Jiang Zhan fight so fiercely, the swelling reduced after applying medicine, and not even a scratch was left on him. Compared to the wound on Jiang Zhan's palm, it seemed insignificant.

Jiang Zhan knew in his heart that his lover's unpleasant mood tonight was also because of this. He said, "I understand that you're trying to prove yourself, but if something happens to you, I will be the one who suffers in the end."

Slender fingers held a cigarette, and smoke rose in the air. Ji Qiuhuan flicked away some ash.

After a long silence, he finally said,

"Jiang Zhan, I was serious about what I said this morning."

"We have been trying to get along for so long. You should know my temperament. I cannot just wait for you. Any relationship should be based on equality and mutual respect. I can ignore your business matters, but if you disappear for a whole month as my partner, it's better to just end it now. It's better to disappear sooner rather than later."

Ji Qiuhan's voice was as cold as a person being rejected, but Jiang Zhan beside him was actually feeling extremely anxious.

"Don't don't don't... darling, is my apologetic attitude not sincere enough?"

Jiang Zhan hurriedly raised his injured hand in front of Ji Qiuhuan, hoping to gain a shred of sympathy. However, his lover, already irritated by his actions during the afternoon, glanced at him coldly before quickly looking away.

"Hey, ... how about you take a belt and beat me up now? Didn't I mention it to you before I left..."

"...No more explanations, it's my fault, it's my fault. I promise I won't disappear again, okay? I'll be the first one to answer your calls, and the first to reply to your messages. I'll even report to you when I go to the bathroom. Whoever is a second late will be the loser...!"

"Don't you police officers always emphasize the importance of repentance and starting anew?"

Jiang Zhan immediately made a statement, "I request the organization to give me a chance to truly mend my ways!"

Jiang Zhan had deep and handsome eyebrows and eyes. When angry, a trace of fierceness could be faintly seen. However, at this moment, he put aside his pride and coaxed him, more like a carefree and somewhat timid young master.

Ji Qiuhan looked at Jiang Zhan, his eyes were very dark, like a melting winter night. After a while, Ji Qiuhan turned his head slightly.

"Last time."

Jiang Zhan let out a long sigh, saying, "One last time, one last time!"

The downside of looking for a cop is that being questioned feels like being interrogated. Jiang Zhan wanted to ease his mood, so he reached into his pocket but couldn't find his cigarettes. He raised his head and saw that the cigarette box had been sitting on the window sill in front of him the whole time.

"Also,"

Jiang Zhan's hand, holding the lit cigarette, trembled, causing the flames to be extinguished before they could even emerge.

"How did you know whether or not I would come home on that day and what I've been up to?"

Ji Qiuhan squinted his sharp and piercing eyes, and asked:

"Are you sending someone to monitor me?"

"………"

Jiang Zhan suddenly felt that there was no longer any need to mention this point.

When the truth was revealed, or perhaps Jiang Zhan never intended to keep it a secret in the first place. Fang Bei and the others would appear at the right time, it was impossible for them to not give any notice or warning to others. He was learning to show respect.

"...You police officers always love using these exaggerated terms. What do you mean by surveillance? Do we need surveillance between us to maintain trust? It's just... protection."

Seeing his lover confess directly, Ji Qiuhuan was indeed angry and said, "Jiang Zhan, do you even remember that I am a police officer? What do I need you to send people to follow me for?!"

"What's wrong with the police? Don't they need protection?" Not sure what struck a chord with him, Jiang Zhan's tone turned cold, and his temper suddenly flared up.

What else could happen to you? Haven't the lessons from the last incident been profound enough? Do you need me to remind you again?

With this remark, Ji Qiuhuan’s attempt to question further was immediately cut off.

That was last year, not long after they had just gotten together. One day, he was working overtime until late at night, and Jiang Zhan joined him for supper. Little did they know, a group of drug addicts had been following him for several days. He was so preoccupied with a case that he didn't even notice.

That group of people held several syringes filled with pitch-black blood in their hands. They shouted, saying that they caught their boss, and he would never have a good life for the rest of his days.

This must be explained, the combat index of Ji Qiuhan.

He became the team leader of the major crime unit at a young age, mostly relying on his abnormal and formidable mind. Although he was tall and had long legs, his overall frame was thin and lean. He was like a thin blade enclosed in a scabbard, initially relying on absolute sharpness to take the initiative, and later using his keen observational skills to discover weaknesses and exploit vulnerabilities.

But once they encounter bugs in the number of people or an absolute suppression of power, this advantage becomes meaningless. This is also why every time Jiang Zhan wants to teach him a lesson, he has no ability to fight back.

Jiang Zhan came back from answering a phone call outside, only to see his beloved partner being pinned down by a few scumbags, with a syringe almost piercing into their neck. In an instant, his eyes turned red with anger, and he rushed forward, kicking the person so hard that their rib broke.

Fortunately, the place we had dinner that night was the trendy street food stall Ji Qiuhan insisted on going to. It had a kind of Jianghu vibe to it, and nobody called the police. In the end, the few troublemakers who were causing a scene ended up lying on the ground, and Yi Qian — along with his followers — arrived.

Afterwards, Qiuhuan Jihaven had not yet had time to take these little hooligans to the police station in handcuffs, when Jiang Zhan, without saying a word, took them directly to the hospital. Fortunately, no needles were injected, but that night, the hospital corridors were terrifyingly sinister with Jiang Zhan's dark presence.

Later, he didn't know how exactly the matter was resolved, but he never saw those few people again.

So, indeed, the situation did happen.

Ji Qiuhuan's momentum suddenly weakened. He had indeed been careless that time. The consequences would have been unimaginable if something had gone wrong. However...

"Jiang Zhan... The incident last time was just an accident."

Sure, here's the translation: 'Sure enough, he knew it was a sore spot in a man's heart. As soon as it was mentioned, Jiang Zhan's previously charming expression vanished completely.'

"I don't care about any accidents, I only care that you don't encounter any unexpected situations. I will ensure that they keep their distance from you, no one will interfere with you while you're on the job, and your work won't be disrupted."

What about when he goes out? As a detective, can he sit in the office all day reading files?

"Jiang Zhan! Who do you think you are to...!"

Jiang Zhan raised his eyelids and looked at him coldly. Ji Qiuhuan felt a lump in his throat, and changed his words when the words were at the tip of his tongue:

"...I am a criminal investigator...! Could it be that someone was following me when I went out to investigate the case? Am I investigating him or are they investigating me? Don't you find it ridiculous, me..."

But Jiang Zhan's expression had already become impatient, clearly indicating that he didn't want to continue discussing this topic any further.

"You know that this situation won't change, even if you get beaten."

Being struck in the heart by someone's piercing words, Ji Qiuhan's face showed a momentary display of brilliance, making it difficult to discern whether it was anger or embarrassment.

Ever since he discovered that someone from the Jiang household was following him, he knew that Jiang Zhan would not easily back off due to his temperament. He had intended to endure a beating in order to make some demands, considering that Jiang Zhan had always indulged him, especially when he was injured.

But he didn't expect that when it came to this matter, Jiang Zhan's attitude was completely non-negotiable.