CH 29

He drove to the gate of Ling Hua’an’s community and looked at the stuff in his car. Jiang Chengyan was a little dumbfounded. He forgot that his car could not go in, let alone himself, even two more people wouldn’t be able to take so many things. Looking at the time on his watch, Jiang Chengyan decided to use his own way to go in.

The car slowly drove towards the gate of the community. The security guard at the gate came over and stopped him. “Your car can’t get into the community.”

Jiang Chengyan took out his ID and said, “I’m a police officer, I’m going in to do some business.”

The security guard carefully checked his documents and said with a smile, “It turns out to be a comrade from the criminal investigation team. You came to our community to do business. Did something happen to someone from our community?”

“Normal visit, I hope you don’t make any noise.”

“Understood, understood. I’ll let you go now, so it won’t delay the business of the police comrade.”

The security opened the door and let Jiang Chengyan enter the community. After driving all the way to the downstairs of the unit, he found a place to park the car. Jiang Chengyan started to move things down.

Looking at the things he put down and the rest of the things inside his car, Jiang Chengyan suddenly felt a little funny. He then picked up the ingredients in two shopping bags and a box of history books. And walked towards the door of the unit building.

Ling Hua’an was drawing talismans in the study room when the doorbell rang. His hand paused before standing up and throwing the unfinished paper talisman into the trash can. When drawing symbols, he should not only pay attention to materials but also pay attention to ‘Qi’1. It is best to do it in one go, otherwise, the talisman will hardly work.

Hua’an groped his way to the door. Although separated by a door, he can still sense the familiar scent from Jiang Chengyan. He turned the doorknob and greeted with a smile, “Captain Jiang, you’re here. Come in quickly.”

Jiang Chengyan frowned slightly when he saw this, and couldn’t help to remind him, “Hua’an, your eyes are not good. If someone knocks on the door, you’d better ask who it is before opening the door. So there will be no bad person will take advantage of the situation.”

Ling Hua’an said half-truthfully, “Taking advantage of the situation?  What is Captain Jiang planning to do? ”

Jiang Chengyan was stunned, his face was a little hot, and he said, “I just remind you that there are a lot of bad people now… Well, where is your refrigerator, I’ll put the ingredients in.”

Ling Hua’an didn’t embarrass him any longer. He pointed in the direction of the kitchen, “What did Captain Jiang buy?”

“Fish, shrimp, eggs, meat, and vegetables. I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I bought some of it.” Jiang Chengyan carried his things into the kitchen.

“Why don’t you ask me? If I don’t like to eat or I’m allergic to something, isn’t that a waste?”

Jiang Chengyan paused and then asked, “Hua’an, are you allergic to something?”

“Strawberry. I’m allergic to strawberries, and plum vegetables. I ate it once when I was a kid and almost died.”

Ling Hua’an heard the movement and asked, “What did Captain Jiang throw?”

Jiang Chengyan answered somewhat embarrassed “It’s nothing. By the way, I still have something to bring. So I’ll go out for a while.”

Jiang Chengyan silently picked up the garbage bag and walked out of the kitchen.

“920907.” Ling Hua’an’s voice came from behind.

“What?” Jiang Chengyan turned to look at Ling Hua’an.

“The door passcode.”

Jiang Chengyan was startled, then raised the corner of his mouth, “Okay, I remember.”

Wang Lei, who had been watching, curled his lips, “Laughing like a fool. Laoban, he threw the strawberries he bought into the trash can, and now he’s going to throw it.”

“I know.” Ling Hua’an came to touch the shopping bag, couldn’t help chuckling, and said, “With so many things, does he consider my house a refugee camp?”

“More than that, there is a carton at the door. I don’t know what’s inside.

“Ling Hua’an said curiously, “Carton? How big and where is it? ”

“Just where the boss put the cane. The box is not small, it’s a cube about 50x50x50 in volume. It’s sealed, I can’t see what’s inside.”

Ling Hua’an fumbled and took a utility knife from the toolbox. He came to the door and opened the box. He touched the contents and couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth.

“So many books! Does this have to be read until the Horse Month of the Monkey Year?2 Laoban, I don’t think he’s stupid at all. He’s very skilled. He’ll do anything to chase you!”

Before Ling Hua’an could speak, the sound of ‘dí dí dí’ came from outside followed by the door of the room being pushed open. Ling Hua’an got up, looked at Jiang Chengyan at the door, smiled, and said, “It really cost Captain Jiang.”

Looking at the opened box, Jiang Chengyan’s face became hot. He said in embarrassment, “I don’t have any history books at home, so I went to the bookstore.”

Ling Hua’an said jokingly, “With so many books, is Captain Jiang planning to stay at my house?”

“I… don’t you like history books? I don’t usually go to the bookstore. So, I just bought more. Anyway, the days are still long, so I can read them to you slowly.” After he finished speaking, his face was already red.

“Captain Jiang is right. The days are long. So I will trouble Captain Jiang with these books  in the future.” Ling Hua’an’s smile is getting wider. 

Jiang Chengyan’s mouth twitched happily, “No trouble, I’ll come over and read it to you when I’m free in the future.”

“Then Captain Jiang, go pack that fo. I’ll go put these books in the study.”

“There are a lot of books, and the box is heavy. Just put them here and I’ll help you put them up.”

Ling Hua’an said helplessly, “Captain Jiang, I’m just blind. This weight is nothing to me. The more careful you are, the more I care about how much trouble my disability has caused others.”

Jiang Chengyan was stunned for a moment. He is worried, but he in the end just warns him, “Then be careful yourself, I’ll go to the kitchen now.”

Ling Hua’an squatted down, picked up the box, and walked straight to the study. This is his home, where he has lived for ten years, and no one is more familiar with it than him. Seeing Ling Hua’an entering the study smoothly, Jiang Chengyan couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, he turned and then walked toward the kitchen.

With the help of Wang Lei, Ling Hua’an rearranged the bookshelf, emptying a row to place these history books. Ling Hua’an kept in mind the name and location of each book.

After tidying up the bookshelf, Ling Hua’an put away some special items on the desk in case Jiang Chengyan comes in later and finds out about that. Those police officers usually have standard materialists who won’t believe in the existence of a god or a ghost.

Jiang Chengyan was worried, so he unpacked his things in a hurry before running to the door of the study, intending to listen carefully to what was going on inside. If there is an accident, he can rush in to help. But as soon as he was leaning there, the door was pulled open. His unsteady body fell straight towards Ling Hua’an.

Although Ling Hua’an can’t see, his senses are sharp. He had already noticed that Jiang Chengyan was standing outside the door. And of course, the sudden open door was deliberate. He reached out to hold Jiang Chengyan’s body, then jokingly said, “Captain Jiang, are you throwing your arms around?”

Jiang Chengyan hurriedly stood up straight, embarrassed, and explained, “I wanted to come over to see if I could help, but I didn’t expect you to suddenly open the door and my body didn’t stand firm…”

Ling Hua’an couldn’t help it, he lowered his eyes and asked, “What time is it now?”

Jiang Chengyan was startled. Immediately took out his phone to check it, “10:40, what’s wrong?”

“Then let’s go to the kitchen, it’s time to prepare lunch.”

“Okay. Jiang Chengyan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Hua’an, why don’t you teach me how to cook?”

“That’s fine, but why does Captain Jiang suddenly want to learn?”

“It’s nothing. Just thought if I cook and eat at home it will be cleaner and more hygienic than eating outside.” Jiang Chengyan said while peeking at Ling Hua’an.

“Looking like a thief with a guilty conscience, I can tell that he is lying.” Wang Lei whispered in Ling Hua’an’s ear.

Ling Hua’an pretended to be disappointed. He nodded and said, “I see. I thought Captain Jiang was going to cook it for me.”

“As long as you like it, I can make it for you too.” Jiang Chengyan’s face burned badly.

Ling Hua’an approached Jiang Chengyan and pushed him to the corner of the wall. He pressed his palms against his chest. “Captain Jiang, why is your heart beating so fast, are you sick?”

“No…no.” Looking at Ling Hua’an who was so close,  Jiang Chengyan felt so nervous until forgot to breathe. A sense of suffocation rushed in and made his whole face redden.

“Laoban, if you don’t let go, he’s going to suffocate himself.”

Ling Hua’an stopped teasing him, pulled the distance between them then asked,  “What does Captain Jiang want to eat?”

“I’ll go to the bathroom first.” Jiang Chengyan hurried out of the kitchen. He walked into the bathroom, closed the door then locked it before gasping for breath.

“Look at him.” Wang Lei laughed out loud.

Ling Hua’an looked at Wang Lei and said lightly, “take a day off today. Go out and play by yourself. Later go directly to the store to find me at 8 o’clock in the evening.”

Wang Lei was stunned. He looked in the direction of the bathroom and then looked at Ling Hua’an. He smiled, ” Okay. Then I wish Laoban would get what he wants.”

In the bathroom, Jiang Chengyan breathed slowly. He looked at himself in the mirror, and couldn’t help but say with a bitter smile, “Jiang Chengyang, Jiang Changyan, look at you!”

After washing his face and calming down, Jiang Chengyan opened the door and walked to the kitchen.

Hearing footsteps, Ling Hua’an turned around to look at Jiang Chengyan, “Captain Jiang, what do you want to eat?”

“I bought the fish, you can teach me how to make pickled fish. Last time I heard Lu Hao say that this is your specialty.” Jiang Chengyan paused, “Hua’an stop, call me Captain Jiang. Just call me Chengyan.”

Ling Hua’an followed suit, ” it seems because Chengyan didn’t eat it last time, so he’s holding a little grudge.”

Jiang Chengyan’s heart tightened.  He felt a sense of embarrassment that his mind had been exposed. But he didn’t deny it as quickly as before, just made an honest “En.”

Although his voice was light, Ling Hua’an could hear his response.

This time it was Ling Hua’an’s turn to freeze, he did not expect Jiang Chengyan to react this way.  He quickly reacted and said with a smile, “Then Chengyan takes out the fish. I’ll teach you how to do it.”

“Okay.” Jiang Chengyan opened the refrigerator and took out the fish fillet.

Ling Hua’an took out a basin for washing vegetables from the cabinet and handed it to Jiang Chengyan, “Pour the fish in it and rinse it with water a few times to get rid of the blood stains. After that, put a spoonful of salt in the water, scrub the fish one by one, and wash them until transparent. The fish slices did this way feel better and look more beautiful.”

Hua’an is blind, he always felt nervous as long as he was around. It took him a while to wash the fish fillets in the basin into a transparent state. He let out a long breath, “Hua’an, I’m done. What do I do next?”

“Empty the water first, then add cooking wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, white pepper…”

Jiang Chengyan looked around and couldn’t find the seasoning bottles, so he had to interrupt Ling Hua’an, “Hua’an, where are all these seasonings?”

Ling Hua’an was stunned for a moment, then pointed to the slightly upward position in front of Jiang Chengyan, “It’s all here, there’s a label on it.”

Jiang Chengyan looked at the bottles and cans next to the chopstick cage. His face became hot again. He just looked at the stove and didn’t look up at all.

Aware of Jiang Chengyan’s emotions, Ling Hua’an explained with a smile, “Generally, the seasonings are basically placed near the stove or in the cupboard. Because I’m blind, Yan Yu is afraid that I won’t pay attention and get burned. Also, it will be hard for me to find them in the cabinet, so he made this shelf.”

Jiang Chengyan felt sour when he heard this, he said dryly, “Yan Yu is really cautious.”

A smile flashed in Ling Hua’an’s eyes and he nodded, “Well, he is indeed very cautious. He takes good care of many places that I can’t think of.”

“Your relationship is really enviable. Hua’an, how did you and Yan Yu meet?”

“By chance. I did him a favor and we became friends after that.”

“I see.” Ling Hua’an’s answer made Jiang Chengyan feel even worse. He took a deep breath to calm down, then said, “What seasoning should I put in it? Hua’an says it again.”

“Three tablespoons of cooking wine, three tablespoons of soy sauce, one tablespoon of cornstarch, one tablespoon of white pepper, and then an egg white.”

“Three tablespoons of cooking wine, three tablespoons of soy sauce…” Jiang Chengyan put all the seasoning in the basin, then he took the egg, “Hua’an, do you only need egg white for this?”

Ling Hua’an nodded and said with a smile, “Poke a hole in the egg with a chopstick, flick the hole down, then the egg white will come out. Remember not to pour out the yolk.”

Jiang Chengyan carefully did as he was told. Even though it was his first time, he succeeded. He turned back excitedly and said, “Hua’an, I succeeded. Only egg whites…”

Ling Hua’an was very close to him, so close that only the slightly thin lips were left in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly, drawing a gentle smile. The lips were moist like they had just drunk water. The lip color was somewhat light… they are indescribably beautiful. Jiang Chengyan unconsciously remembered the unintentional kiss a few days ago. His heartbeat, which had been calm just now, began to speed up, along with his breathing also quickened.

Thump, thump, thump

The sound of his heartbeat was heard all the time. Ling Hua’an smiled, “what’s wrong?”

“No…nothing?” Jiang Cheng Yan returned to his senses and immediately looked away. He said incoherently, “That egg yolk, no, egg white… I’ve already put it in, what should I do with the egg yolk?”

Ling Hua’an approached Jiang Chengyan and whispered in his ear, “Chengyan, are you asking what to do next?”

The warm breath swept across the earlobes. The white ears were instantly dyed crimson. Jiang Chengyan subconsciously ducked, and stammered, “Hua…Hua’an, that…can you stand a little further away, I’m afraid  it will get on you.”

“Oh, okay.” Ling Hua’an took a step back.

The temperature behind him disappeared, Jiang Chengyan was relieved, but also a little disappointed. He was just about to ask when suddenly he saw a pair of slender hands passing through his arms and wrapping around him making his back close to a warm chest.

Jiang Chengyan’s body stiffened, subconsciously swallowed his saliva, he asked at loss “Hua’an, what are you… What are you doing?”

Feeling the stiffness of the body in his arms, Ling Hua’an’s smile deepened,  he said casually, “I forgot if you didn’t say so, let me help you tie your apron.”

Jiang Chengyan looked down, and sure enough, he saw Ling Hua’an holding an apron with his right hand. It was just because of their position makes he didn’t see it clearly.

With his hands behind him, a pale blue apron was wrapped around his waist, that warm chest also distanced away. Jiang Chengyan felt a sense of loss in his heart. Noticing the change in his emotions and the expectations in his heart, he could not help but stare and then blushed, cursing his own nasty thoughts.

“Chengyan, Chengyan, what happened to you?”

Ling Hua’an’s slightly puzzled voice came from behind him. Jiang Chengyan only felt more embarrassed and made his face reddened. “Nothing. That…Hua’an, the seasoning is ready, what should we do next?”

“Stir well with chopsticks and let it stand for 20 minutes.”

***

After cooking for nearly two hours the meal is ready. Jiang Chengyan’s heartbeat became the same as a roller coaster. If it weren’t for his strong heart, he might not be able to bear it.

Looking at the three dishes and one soup on the table, Jiang Chengyan was full of a sense of achievement. He picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks and put it in Ling Hua’an’s bowl. Said in full expectation, “Hua’an, try it. How does my pickled fish taste?

Ling Hua’an touched it with his hand to find the position of the bowl. When picking up the bowl and chopsticks. He ate the fish and rice together and chewed it in his mouth. He smiled and said, “It tastes good. You can make it like this the first time you do it. It’s already very good.”

Looking at Ling Hua’an’s movements, Jiang Chengyan only felt a burst of heartache. His eyes couldn’t see. Even when he ate, he could only grope for food, but he developed good cooking skills. How many injuries did he have to suffer to reach this step?

“Hua’an, what do you want to eat, I’ll bring it to you.”

“It’s all right, I’m not picky eaters. I’ll eat whatever you put in.”

Jiang Chengyan was stunned. He always felt that there was an inexplicable light in Ling Hua’an’s eyes, making him feel a little uncomfortable.

During the meal, the two of them hardly spoke. It’s just Jiang Chengyan picking up the food and Ling Hua’an will eat it. That kind of trust made Jiang Chengyan feel an indescribable sense of satisfaction in his heart. Although the two did not communicate, he always felt that the relationship became closer.

After the meal, Ling Hua’an insisted on washing the dishes, Jiang Chengyan could only quickly clean all the knives in the kitchen and gave away the position of the sink to him.

Ling Hua’an said helplessly,  “You will make me feel that I am making trouble unreasonably. ”

“I didn’t mean it like that, I just …… didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Ling Hua’an asked casually, “Chengyan is so gentle and has good conditions in all aspects. What kind of partner do you want to find in the future?”

Jiang Chengyan took a peek at Ling Hua’an, before he glanced away feeling guilty, “In fact, it does not matter, as long as …… as long as my heart is moved, who that person is, and what kind of conditions…it will not be a problem.”

“Then as you say, if that person looks ugly or defective, you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind!” Jiang Chengyan replied without thinking, “As long as the heart is moved, even if that person is a man, I can accept it.”

Ling Hua’an heard the hints in Jiang Chengyan’s words clearly, but pretended to be surprised, “If you really like a man, what if your family doesn’t agree? After all, there is a limited tolerance for men falling in love with men.”

Jiang Chengyan looked at Long Hua’an,  in a serious tone he said, “As long as we love each other, I don’t care about other people’s perspectives. Just like in the previous case, Jiang Changping and Kong Fang were so in love with each other. But because of Jiang Changping’s cowardice, they ended up like that. I don’t want to be like him and regret it until I die. I want to hold on to my own happiness.”

“You’re right. It’s not easy to meet someone you like in the vast sea of people. If you ruin your happiness because of the perspective of others, it’s stupid. If you like it, go after it. Even if there is no result in the end, at least you won’t regret it.”

“En.” Jiang Chengyan looked at Ling Hua’an, he asked hesitantly, “Hua’an, last time you said  that you already have someone you like, have you confessed?”

Ling Hua’an shook his head, “”I am a glass-hearted person and can’t stand rejection from others, so I take it slow. If that person doesn’t take the initiative to speak out, then we’ll continue to remain friends.”

“What if he never realized that you liked him?”

Ling Hua’an turned to look at Jiang Chengyan, “I think what I’ve done is obvious. if he didn’t notice it, it means he doesn’t like me. Then I will give up. After all, it’s just a like. Not developed into love yet.”

“It’s good for you to think that way.” Jiang Chengyan breathed a sigh of relief, praying in his heart that the man would not notice, he completely missing Ling Hua’an’s hint.

Ling Hua’an turned his head and sighed helplessly in his heart. He was speechless about Jiang Chengyan’s emotional intelligence. He had to re-evaluate.

“Chengyan, go to the cabinet above the bathroom and get a pair of gloves, and I’ll clean the sewer.”

“Okay, wait a minute.”

Hearing the footsteps of Jiang Chengyan leaving, Ling Hua’an slightly hooked the corners of his mouth. He held the faucet in both hands, twisted it hard, then pulled it upward. The faucet was pulled down all at once. He turned on the water pipe making water sprout up and splashed all over him.

“Chengyan, Chengyan, come and help.”

Hearing Ling Hua’an’s shout, Jiang Chengyan ran over in a panic. Seeing Ling Hua’an being poured with water, he hurriedly took steps forward, blocking it with his body and carefully shielding him out of the kitchen. After that, he asked with concern, “Hua’an, what’s happened? Are you injured?”

Ling Hua’an shook his head and said with a bitter smile, “I don’t know what happened, the faucet suddenly fell off. Maybe it came loose, you go and turn it off, don’t waste the water.”

“Okay. Stand here, don’t move. I will lock it up.”

Jiang Chengyan rushed into the kitchen and turned off the switch on the faucet. Even if he moved quickly, he could not stop the water flow. Most of his white shirt was wet, and even his pants were not spared. He ignored the mess on his body and reconnected the faucet and tried again. Only when he was sure that it was firm did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Jiang Chengyan came to the living room, but Ling Hua’an was nowhere to be seen. He called out in confusion, “Hua’an… Hua’an…”

“I’m in the bedroom. Wait a minute.”

Following the voice, he came to the door of the bedroom and found that the door was ajar, Jiang Chengyan subconsciously looked in, but hurriedly glanced away and whispered, “Jiang Chengyan, Jiang Chengyan, you are the captain of the criminal investigation team, how can you do such a peeping thing!”

In the bedroom, Ling Hua’an was standing beside the bed with clothes in hand. Hearing the movement at the door, he couldn’t help but feel helpless. He groped and threw the phone on the ground, then let out a soft cry, “Aiya,”

“Hua’an, what are you…” Jiang Chengyan, who heard the movement, hurriedly pushed open the door and came in. Seeing Ling Hua’an who was topless, his words stopped abruptly. With wide shoulders, narrow hips, perfect body proportions, and even eight-pack abs, Jiang Chengyan’s eyes moved down…

“Chengyan, I dropped my phone, picked it up for me while I changed my clothes.”

Jiang Chengyan hurriedly withdrew his gaze and said in panic, “Okay, okay, I’ll pick it up for you.”

Jiang Chengyan lowered his head to the side of the bed to pick up the phone on the floor. When he looked up again, Ling Hua’an had already changed his clothes. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief but was a little disappointed. He shook the messy thoughts in his head, and put the phone in Ling Hua’an’s hand, “Hua’an, here’s your phone.”

Ling Hua’an threw the phone onto the bed casually before reaching out and touching Jiang Chengyan’s clothes, “Chengyan, your clothes are wet too. Go take a shower and change your clothes.”

~~~

The author has something to say:

Happy Winter Solstice everyone, have you all eaten dumplings?