On this weekend evening, in the courtyard, Ji Qiuhan leaned against a wicker chair covered with a soft lamb blanket. The weather had begun to show signs of gradually warming up. He was wearing a white sweater that he rarely wore, with a slightly lower neckline, revealing his fair and delicate collarbone sparkling faintly.

He focused on the criminal psychology literature on the screen, tapping away on the silver keyboard with his slender fingers.

Before long, he picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip. In an instant, his brows furrowed tightly.

What kind of stomach-nourishing tea is this?

"Are you sure it wasn't brewed from the dregs of medicine that has been simmering for two hundred years?"

Ji Qiuhan really struggled to suppress the urge to spit it out, so he asked someone to replace it with Pu'er tea.

In the meantime, over at the V.K Group, they seemed to be extremely cautious in selecting new partners to collaborate with. The negotiations had been going on for almost half a year. However, the representative Mr. W, who was in charge of the Asian region, whether acting on his own or following someone else's instructions, remained behind the scenes the entire time. He only sent his "assistant" Qiniet to handle the discussions, as if constantly testing Jiang Zhan and his team's sincerity.

The scheduled business meeting was once again delayed, but Jiang Zhan remained calm. He merely gazed at the beautiful scenery outside the skyscraper, idly tracing his fingertips along the edge of the teacup. He then turned his head slightly to speak to Zhou Yu.

After waiting for a while, I decided to entrust it to Zhou Yu and took the last flight back with Yi Qian to have dinner with someone.

Jiang Zhan arrived in the evening. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Ji Qiuhán sitting quietly on the rattan chair. Due to the "operational mistake" during the last apprehension of a suspect at the train station, he was temporarily suspended from police duty and sent to S University's Law School to give a lecture on criminal psychology.

Jiang Zhan saw Ji Qiuhuan look up at him, and the hostility that was present in their conversation just now instantly dissipated a lot.

The obedient servant, Yi Qian, quietly departed, leaving the spacious courtyard in a state of tranquility.

Ji Qiuhan was somewhat surprised to see Jiang Zhan come back.

"Why did you come back? Wasn't it said that the matter was a bit tricky?"

"Restricted by talented individuals, "Jiang Zhan sat down beside him and popped a piece of fruit into his mouth, smiling ambiguously.

"Do you think your man looks like someone who's controlled by others? Besides, you have Zhou Yu by your side."

"Zhou Yu?"

Ji Qiuhan remembered the man he had seen by the window earlier.

"Mm, back in my hometown..." Jiang Zhan pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his wording. "The comrades from back home."

"Tsk, he's not as easygoing as me... I'll introduce you guys another day."

I couldn't tell that you have a good temper. It's just that it's no wonder there's a slight similarity in the atmosphere. But when Jiqiuhan remembered what kind of atmosphere Jiang Zhan had cultivated on the battlefield, he couldn't help but frown.

"...Comrade? So, his side job is also involved in illegal activities? ... Maybe it's better if I don't get to know him. I'm afraid I'll end up with handcuffs on."

If someone else dared to say such words in front of Jiang Zhan, they would definitely be thrown into the Pacific Ocean to feed the sharks in the next second. However, when Ji Qiuhan spoke, Jiang Zhan just smiled and even said something in agreement.

"What is meant by 'yellow, gambling, and drugs'? I have no interest in anything 'yellow'..."

Indeed, the profits are significantly smaller compared to the last two.

Ji Qiuhan said in a deep voice, "Jiang Zhan."

The man, on the other hand, wore a defeated expression.

"...I know, I know. You don't like to listen but still insist on asking... Li Jiang is going to be listed in the United States recently. What needs to be withdrawn will be withdrawn, what needs to be cleaned will be cleaned. It's just that a few overseas connections still need some time..."

Jiang Zhan's statement is extremely tactful. It not only clearly indicates the general direction but also avoids touching upon Ji Qiuhan's bottom line with ambiguous wording.

In fact, he rarely asks Jiang Zhan about work-related matters. Firstly, when he is with Jiang Zhan, they rarely bring it up, and even if there are any issues, it never reaches his ears. Secondly, Jiang Zhan sometimes gives him an impression of being unfathomable.

Take his publicly known Lijiang Group for example. In recent years, they have shown a strong momentum in the real estate industry, successfully acquiring a series of hotel and resort projects, clearly indicating their intention to expand rapidly. However, the most crucial part is that the group has been featured twice in the official media outlets, which can be seen as a testament to Jiang Zhan's capabilities.

Ji Qiuhuan said, "Pay attention, the company's listing requires auditing of the financial data from the past three years, and most importantly, it will face strict tax scrutiny."

The auditing firm was contracted from overseas, and Jiang Zhan knew what he was worried about.

I fed a piece of dragon fruit to Ji Qiuhan, but he seemed indifferent: "What's there to fear? I'm even afraid that they'll finish their investigation and present me with a 'Tax Advance Award.' I might not have the time to go collect it."

"......"

Ji Qiuhan really admires this person's ability to flatter themselves.

Speaking of Jiang Zhan, he probably doesn't want to mention this again. Ji Qiuhan was busy working on his thesis while Jiang Zhan fed him fruit. He even ate a few pieces himself, until the plate of fruit was empty. Privately, Jiang Zhan couldn't help but think how great it would be if Ji Qiuhan could continue to have days of "sabbatical leave" like this.

The evening sunlight warmed the green courtyard. Jiang Zhan simply closed his eyes and rested for a while. When he felt thirsty later on, he discovered two teapots still on the table.

One of them is a cool and refreshing stomach-nourishing tea.

"Is Wei Lao's prescription not tasty?"

It's hard to summarize how bad the taste is.

"...you can try it yourself."

Jiang Zhan indeed picked up the half-empty cup and took a sip.

"...It still tastes as terrible as ever. I can't believe you managed to swallow this for the past few days."

Ji Qiuhan was busy checking his WeChat messages from the political bureau, absentmindedly saying, "Jiang Zong is truly formidable, I can't stomach it."

Sure! Here's the translation:

"Sure enough, as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized it instantly, and the next second, his phone was snatched away."

"So what? Haven't you taken a sip of water in these past few days?"

"It's not that...," Just now, he only took a sip, but compared to that, Ji Qiuhuan was more concerned about his phone in Jiang Zhan's hands. He hadn't had a chance to close the chat window from earlier.

Unfortunately, Jiang Zhan also noticed.

He received a WeChat message from Lao Zheng informing him that his "suspension" was over and he should return to the team.

Li Ju helped you suppress the bomb incident. The result of the investigation from above is that you won't be promoted within the next three years. Your rapid promotion has already made others envious. You're too young; slowing down will also be beneficial for you. However, if you dare to take action without my permission again, disregarding the consequences, I will make you join the new police training class and learn what it means to obey orders from superiors!

"Come to work early tomorrow; there are mountains of cases piling up at the bureau!"

When Jiang Zhan saw Jiang Zhan narrowing his eyes dangerously at the screen, Ji Qiuhan awkwardly pulled up the thin blanket and cleared his throat twice.

"Um, I'm going to take a stroll in the garden..."

Jiang Zhan's face was even darker than the medicine tea in his hand. "Stand over there! First, tell me what's going on with this bomb?!"

Ji Qiuhan maintained a distance of two steps and instead wore a surprised expression on his face.

"...Don't you know yet? I thought you knew a long time ago... But you dare to hit me so hard without even knowing about the bomb?"

Jiang Zhan was so infuriated that he felt like he could crush the words in his mouth.

"...Ji Qiuhan!!"

What a disaster from the heavens.

He was caught and received a thorough beating with thirty belt lashes. It was Jiang Zhan who "understood" that he had to reduce the number deliberately by half for his return to the police station tomorrow. In the end, his buttocks were twisted and swollen, forcing him to promise: if he dared to hide anything from him again, his buttocks would be whipped until they were completely battered - such a humiliating vow.

The key is, Ji Qiuhán also had the belt that went around his waist, the new spring collection from Stefano Ricci, a luxurious one that cost nearly as much as the combined salaries of an average family of three.

A few days ago, the person who attacked him was still hugging him on the couch, affectionately asking how he liked that style and whether they should buy a matching set. Damn it, at this moment, he just wanted to set that belt and that crappy magazine on fire!

The thirty leather belts were not light, but they were by no means heavy. The meaning of punishment was more about daring not to do it again. Ji Qiuhan had originally thought that Jiang Zhan was considering his work tomorrow, but he never expected that the hardships were yet to come.

Qi Qiuhan stood beside the dining table, a faint pain radiating from behind him. He pursed his good-looking thin lips, feeling a sense of resistance. It was unclear whether it was because he felt uncomfortable looking at the chair without any cushioning or because he felt uncomfortable looking at the oversized bowl of pitch-black medicinal soup in front of him.

"Do I... have to drink it?" he desperately struggled.

Jiang Zhan cast a calm glance at him.

"You can also choose to drink standing up or sitting down."

They each took a seat or stood, with Jiang Zhan still brimming with the aura from his recent display of violence. Sitting there, he exuded a sense of intimidation. However, Jì Qiūhán didn't want to appear afraid of him. Grinding his teeth, he reluctantly pulled out a chair and sat down.

Although the swollen and warm buttocks were not seriously injured, when subjected to pressure again, even if he endured it, he couldn't help but frown in pain. He originally thought Jiang Zhan would feel sorry for him, but who knew that he remained silent.

According to Ji Qiuhuan's temper, he would definitely gulp down the Chinese medicine in one go, then throw away the bowl and coldly wait for Jiang Zhan to appease him.

But now... just the smell alone makes him want to vomit.

Sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy, he can't stand bitterness the most.

As a result, the brain of the top student spun at 180 miles per hour, and Ji Qiuhan finally found a compromise to clearly express his resistance.

"... Jiang Zhan, according to Article 24 of the Administrative Penalty Law, one matter shall not receive double penalties..."

Obviously a big failure.

Jiang Zhan couldn't be bothered with his delaying tactics. The longer the medicine cooled, the weaker its efficacy became. Impatiently, he tapped his knuckles on the table.

"If you don't drink now, later I'll make you sit down and recite the entire legal code from beginning to end before you can have another drink."

"……!"

Ji Qiuhuan took a deep breath. He was an adult, not her son! How could she punish him in such a childish way? Besides, his swollen buttocks were already causing him enough pain to break into a sweat just from sitting down for a while!

However... Ji Qiuhan secretly glanced at the man's expression, and he indeed did not doubt Jiang Zhan's ability to act during his outburst.

The brief and intense inner struggle concluded.

Ji Qiuhuan sighed and picked up the bowl, his expression while drinking the medicine resembling that of a hero sacrificing his arm.

"...To make you drink medicine is as difficult as sending you into battle, if you refuse to drink the stomach nourishing tea, then don't complain about the bitterness. What does your stomach say in the medical examination report? Don't you have any sense of it? From now on, follow the prescription and drink a bowl a day. I'll be watching you drink."

Speaking of the physical examination that happened recently, Ji Qiuhuan also had a headache.

Not long after arriving in Rongtai, Jiang Zhan took him to a physical examination. The purpose was obviously related to gastrointestinal issues. They went to a private hospital, where a detailed set of examinations was conducted. The results of the examination were also obtained quite quickly.

When he came out, Jiang Zhan was in the middle of talking to the doctor. Catching sight of him, a vindictive glare almost caused him to be struck down then and there.

He went back and received a few slaps "pa pa pa", although it wasn't too painful since it was only hand slaps, but the old wounds had not fully healed yet! Moreover, he really didn't want to recall the embarrassment of being held down and slapped on the legs for a second time.

His stomach is partly a sequelae of that incident in childhood, partly due to the later overload of cases and busy schedule, irregular diet, and so on. Anyway, it's a long-standing accumulated old problem. It's not like he did something after he got together with Jiang Zhan, so why would he be punished?

But unfortunately, he couldn't resist, and for the first time in his life, Zhen Jiqiu felt a sense of heartache and sadness.

Jiang Zhan had no idea what was on his mind, but when he saw the distressed expression on his lover's face, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. He reached out and pinched his cheeks, saying, "Why are you acting like a little child, afraid of the taste of medicine? Well?"

Ji Qiuhan sat up straight and pushed away his hand, saying, "Get up, don't pinch the child's face."

The typically indifferent face now displayed a wide range of expressions in just a moment - a mix of annoyance, anger that dared not be voiced, and regret. Jiang Zhan felt it was particularly adorable, and in a great mood, he hugged the person, kissed their forehead, and headed straight to the bedroom.

"It's getting late, I need to coax my child to sleep."

In the bedroom, close the door.

Jiang Zhan changed to coax him onto the bed.