Chapter 116: The Arrival of Gong Tianhao

Translator: Lonelytree

“Lingyu, so you live here?” Jiang Tao followed Xiao Lingyu to the alley and looked at the single-story courtyard. “And this house is…”

“I rented this place.” Xiao Lingyu explained, “I rented this place to keep my stock. Grandma Song, the landlady, is a very nice person and offers me cheap rent. I love the environment here.”

However, Jiang Tao frowned. “But this place is remote. It’s better in the day, but it’s unsafe at night. Moreover, you have to get up early to set up your business. It’s so dangerous if you’re targeted.”

Xiao Lingyu was stunned before she burst out laughing. “There are rumors that Xing Yin County’s Police Chief is a cold and heartless person, but now, he’s acting like a worried mother. If others find out about this, their jaws will drop.”

Jiang Tao was stunned before he said self-deprecatingly, “I don’t even know I can act so motherly.”

Xiao Lingyu took out two bags of vegetables from the warehouse and handed them to Jiang Tao. “Chief Jiang, please give the bigger bag to Uncle Chen. The smaller one is for you!”

Jiang Tao wanted to decline. He didn’t want to take her stock. If he did, she’d have less income.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to decline.” Xiao Lingyu stopped him. “Chief Jiang, my crops are really delicious. You won’t resist coming back for more once you try them. My produce is not ordinary. You won’t get to taste them anytime soon if you miss this chance!” Xiao Lingyu was not boasting. She was merely telling the truth.

Jiang Tao relented. “Thank you then! Where are you going next? I’ll drive you!”

Xiao Lingyu shook her head. “Chief Jiang, I can’t take up more of your time. You must have many things to do. I’m just going to Number One High School to look for my little brother.”

“Number One High School? That’s on the way back to the station. I’ll drive you!” Jiang Tao said.

Xiao Lingyu thought about it and said, “Thank you so much, Chief Jiang!”

Jiang Tao frowned and then added, “Lingyu, we’re friends now. You can call me Brother Jiang or Brother Tao!”

“Okay!” Xiao Lingyu replied, “Brother Jiang, wait for me a moment!” She returned to the warehouse and came out carrying a bag filled with tomatoes and cucumbers.

When Jiang Tao and Xiao Lingyu arrived at the school gate, Jiang Tao received a call. Jiang Tao stopped the car to answer the call. “Tianhao! This is a rare surprise! What? You’re at Xing Yin County? You should have told me that earlier! Okay, we’ll talk when we meet later!”

Xiao Lingyu walked away to find Xiao Lingye. She waved at Jiang Tao, and he waved back.

Jiang Tao got back into his back and drove to the best hotel in Xing Yin County–Lakeside Hotel.

“Tianhao, what brings you to our little nape of the woods? This is not a place for a young master like yourself!” Jiang Tao teased his friend once he entered the room.

Gong Tianhao, dressed in a white robe, sat lazily on the sofa with a glass of red wine in his hand. He shook it twice and said coldly, “You’re the eldest young master of the Jiang Family. Since you’re here, why can’t I?”

Jiang Tao curled his lips. “Everyone says I’m hard to approach. That’s because they haven’t met you.”

Gong Tianhao didn’t answer. He took a sip of red wine and asked, “You’ve been here for three years already. When do you plan to go back? You said you’ll go back after completing your training here for three years.”

Jiang Tao did say that. The Jiang Family at the capital was already preparing for his return. Jiang Tao knew that but…

He said, “I still have something to do here. I won’t be going back temporarily!”

Gong Tianhao frowned slightly and said, “Did something happen? If I’m not mistaken, there’s nothing in this small town that should hold you back.”

“It’s not that.” Jiang Tao shook his head. “It’s some personal matters.” Jiang Tao thought of something, and his mouth twitched to reveal a slight smile.

‘Wait a minute…’ Gong Tianhao narrowed his eyes and pointed out sharply, “Personal matters? Have you found a girlfriend?”

Jiang Tao didn’t expect his friend to be so sharp. He admitted it. “I have indeed taken fancy to a girl. I am pursuing her!”

“Oh? A girl in this small town can grab your fancy?” Gong Tianhao’s face turned up with a playful grin. “This is interesting. Which young lady is so lucky to have attracted the interest of Young Master Jiang?”

Jiang Tao smiled wryly. “Tianhao, stop teasing me. Sadly, the girl only thinks of me as her normal friend.”

“What?” Li Yuanhang, who was also in the room, was shocked. “Young Master Jiang, does she not know you’re the police chief? Plus, Young Master Jiang is handsome, young, and accomplished. Why would she turn you down?”

Gong Tianhao stared at Jiang Tao and had the same question.

“I don’t know either!” Jiang Tao confessed to his two good friends. “I met her for the first time when we were trying to take down a human trafficking gang.”

“Is she also a police officer?” Li Yuanhang gasped, “Or she’s part of the human trafficking gang? Young Master Jiang fell in love with a human trafficker at first sight, but since you’re separated by the line of the law, you have to bear the pain and can’t get too close to her?!”

Jiang Tao didn’t know what to say. He sighed, “Li Yuanhang, what are you talking about? She is not a human trafficker, okay? In fact, she is the Ming Family’s great benefactor. If not for her, the Ming Family’s young master might not have been found.”

Once the Ming Family was mentioned, Gong Tianhao and Li Yuanhang turned serious.

Gong Tianhao focused his gaze. “You mean…”

Li Yuanhang added, “The girl you’re interested in is the one who helped save the young master of the Ming Family?”

“Yes!” Jiang Tao nodded.

“Who is this woman?” Li Yuanhang was curious. “She is so sharp and courageous.” The rescue of Young Master Ming was not made public. However, the other powerful families knew about it. It was how Li Yuanhang and Gong Tianhao knew that a young woman had saved the Ming Family’s boy.

Jiang Tao said, “She is just an ordinary girl. She was once the top scorer in Xing Yin County. But, now she’s a vegetable vendor.” His lips curved when he said this.

“What? A vegetable vendor?” Li Yuanhang was stunned. “She’s a country bumpkin?”

Jiang Tao was dissatisfied with the comment. He said sternly, “She’s not a country bumpkin!” Then he added, “Or at least, she’s not an ordinary country bumpkin!”

Li Yuanhang rolled his eyes and conceded, “Fine, she’s not an ordinary country bumpkin!” Then, he added with interest. “Now, I want to see this girl in person. She can make the great Young Master Jiang, who normally avoids the opposite gender, falls for her at first sight!”

Young Master Jiang ignored him. He turned to Gong Tianhao. “Tianhao, why did you suddenly come here?”

Gong Tianhao said, “I need to find a place for my grandfather to recuperate.”

“Have you found it?” Jiang Tao asked. He did know about the things within the Gong Family. Gong Tianhao wanted to clean out the trash from the family, but Old Master Gong was too soft-hearted. Therefore, Gong Tianhao had no choice but to leave them be for now.

“Yes, Taoyuan Village!” Gong Tianhao replied.

“What? Taoyuan Village?” Jiang Tao was a little surprised.

Li Yuanhang explained, “Yes, we have investigated many places. Taoyuan Village fits our bill the best. It’s why we’ve come to take a look in person. Young Master Jiang, is there a problem?” After all, Jiang Tao was the county’s police chief. When Li Yuanhang heard his surprised gasp, he thought there was something wrong with Taoyuan Village.

Jiang Tao clarified. “No, Taoyuan Village is perfect for the old master to recover. The place has a wonderful natural feel to it. The villagers there are kind. Incidentally, Xiao Lingyu is also from Taoyuan Village.”

Gong Tianhao raised his eyebrows, and the corner of his mouth rose slightly. “That’s the girl you like?”

Jiang Tao nodded.

“That’s great!” Li Yuanhang said happily, “Perhaps we can ask the girl to help look after Old Master Gong!”

Jiang Tao said, “That’s not a bad idea. The girl is kind-hearted and gentle. I believe old master will like her too!”

At that moment, Jiang Tao had no idea how much Old Master Gong would like Xiao Lingyu. He liked her so much he wanted her to be his granddaughter-in-law. He became Jiang Tao’s biggest obstacle in his pursuit of Xiao Lingyu.

Jiang Tao lived to regret this decision. Why did he agree to ask Xiao Lingyu to look after Old Master Gong? However, love couldn’t be forced. Jiang Tao had to live with it.

“Are you here for that?” Jiang Tao asked.

“Yes.” Gong Tianhao nodded. “But I’m also here to see you. We haven’t seen each other for years already. I want to know how you’re doing. It seems like you have a good life here.”

Jiang Tao scratched the back of his head with embarrassment. “Let’s stop this interrogation on me. What about you? Have you found someone that strikes your fancy?”

Gong Tianhao was instantly reminded of that fiery night. However, he also remembered how he was used by the same woman. He said faintly, “No.”

Jiang Tao noticed the subtle changes to Gong Tianhao’s expression. He raised his eyebrows and then looked at Li Yuanhang. Jiang Tao shot a gaze at Li Yuanhang that asked, ‘Did something happen between Gong Tianhao and a woman?’

Li Yuanhang nodded.

Jiang Tao didn’t ask for more details after that.