Chapter 153: The Arrival

Translator: Lonelytree

Jiang Tao arrived when Chen Dafu was arguing about the vegetables with the other old men.

Even though Jiang Tao was not a local, the few seniors at Uncle Chen’s place were powerful individuals at Xing Yin County. Jiang Tao knew them, and they knew Jiang Tao.

Jiang Tao was a naturally aloof person. He was calm and rational in his work. He was exceptionally serious at work, as he analyzed every trace of evidence so the case could be solved. He was cold-hearted and impartial at work. He was called the iron-faced King of Hell by the people in Xing Yin County.

In any case, the seniors admired Jiang Tao’s work principles.

“Chief Jiang, nice to see you here!” Yuan Hongjun said with a smile.

Jiang Tao said expressionlessly, “Uncle Yuan, Uncle Chu, Uncle Li, Uncle Zhang!”

The other seniors replied cheerfully, “Chief Jiang, did you just get off work?”

“Yes,” Jiang Tao replied. Then, he walked to the opposite side of Xiao Lingyu and sat down. He smiled and greeted Xiao Lingyu, “I’m sorry for being late, Lingyu.”

Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “You’re a busy person. Unlike me, I’m unemployed. I understand.” She poured a cup of tea for Jiang Tao.

The seniors were surprised to see Jiang Tao was so familiar with Xiao Lingyu. They were not surprised that the two knew each other, but the frost on Jiang Tao’s face was replaced by warmth and kindness. They had never seen Jiang Tao be so gentle around a woman before. They were shocked.

Qian Aiguo asked curiously, “Chief Jiang, is this girl your girlfriend?”

Jiang Tao shook his head and said, “No, she’s just a friend.” He wanted them to move further, but he could not muster up the courage to say anything. He was merciless around criminals, but he was a coward before Xiao Lingyu. He was afraid. What would he do if Xiao Lingyu rejected him? They might not even be friends anymore. Therefore, that fear kept them as normal friends.

Of course, there was another reason. Uncle Chen and Auntie Chen had helped him send out the feelers. Xiao Lingyu was clearly not interested in him. Her rejection was clear.

Even though he was disappointed, he was okay with the current state of their relationship. Furthermore, there was no telling what might happen in the future. Perhaps after they got to know each other, they might get closer. At least that was Jiang Tao’s plan.

However, Jiang Tao didn’t expect a meteorite would slam his plan into pieces. That meteorite was a baby. Sometimes, a duo was not meant to be together.

When Xiao Lingyu heard Jiang Tao say they were just normal friends, she sighed secretly in relief. She was really worried that Jiang Tao would claim her as his girlfriend in front of the elders. She would correct him and make him lose face. That wouldn’t be good for either of them.

Even though Jiang Yao hadn’t expressed it explicitly, based on what Auntie and Uncle Chen said, Xiao Lingyu knew his intention. She also hoped that Auntie and Uncle Chen would help relay her intention back to him.

Jiang Tao was a good person. Xiao Lingyu couldn’t be with him because she was not worthy!

She had slept with a strange man, and it was very likely that she had a baby in her stomach. This time, she would not give up on her child. Xiao Lingyu believed that not many men would help her raise a child who didn’t belong to them.

Therefore, for the sake of Xiao Tong, she had to reject all her pursuers, even if they were as wonderful as Jiang Tao.

Qian Aiguo asked again, “Are you sure you’re just normal friends?”

“Yes, they are!” Uncle Chen came to their rescue when they saw the hint of embarrassment on Xiao Lingyu and Jiang Tao’s faces. “You antiques! Do you think we’re in feudal China where a woman and a man have to be husband and wife since they’re sitting together? In today’s age, there are plenty of platonic relationships!”

The other seniors knew what Chen Dafu was doing so they stopped pressing. They chatted among themselves and stopped bothering Jiang Tao and Xiao Lingyu.

Uncle Chen cooked three dishes for Jiang Tao and Xiao Lingyu and gave them a bottle of light wine.

“Uncle Chen, Brother Jiang still has to go to work. He shouldn’t drink.” Xiao Lingyu said.

“It’s okay. I can drink a little. It won’t affect anything,” Jiang Tao smiled.

Uncle Chen chimed in, “Tao Zi has a good tolerance for alcohol. A little drink shouldn’t affect his work. However, he can’t drink and drive. Lingyu can drive him to the station instead.”

Xiao Lingyu nodded, “Alright!” Xiao Lingyu raised her glass. “Brother Jiang, let me toast to you! Thank you for helping me!”

Jiang Tao raised his eyebrows and asked, “Lingyu, do you know how to drink?”

Xiao Lingyu smiled and shook her head. “I’m really not a drinker, but since you have done me a favor, a toast is the least I can do.”

Jiang Tao frowned slightly and reached out to take her glass. He said, “If you don’t know how to drink, then don’t drink. Plus, I still need you to drive me back to work. You can’t get drunk.”

Xiao Lingyu put down her hand and sighed, “Alright then.”

Xiao Lingyu picked up her chopsticks and picked a piece of fish. However, when the piece of fish reached her mouth, she felt nauseous.

Xiao Lingyu was excited. ‘Could it be? It must be!’ Xiao Lingyu calculated the date in her mind. Xiao Lingyu moved her hands to her stomach. ‘Xiao Tong, mommy has waited so long for you.’

Xiao Lingyu had been worried because she was afraid of the butterfly effect. Zhao Wenman, her father, Chen Ran all had different endings after her rebirth. She was worried that Xiao Tong wouldn’t come because of what she did. But he was there after all.

‘Xiao Tong, thank you!’ Xiao Lingyu gently stroked her stomach and said gratefully, “I will treat you so much better this time.”

So what if Xiao Tong had an unknown father? As long as his mother was strong enough, no one would dare bully him. In the future, Xiao Lingyu would see if anyone dared to call him a bastard. Since Mother Xiao could challenge these people with a knife, why couldn’t she?

“Lingyu, what’s wrong?” Jiang Tao noticed the daze on Xiao Lingyu’s face, and he asked with concern, “Are you alright?”

Xiao Lingyu nodded. “I’m fine.” She put down the fish and picked the vegetables instead. Her crops were good for pregnant women, and they could help their appetites. It was why her vegetables were so famous among pregnant women.

After she had the vegetables, she didn’t feel like vomiting anymore.

Xiao Lingyu was excited, moved, and happy because of Xiao Tong’s imminent arrival. Her appetite soared and she ate three bowls of rice in one go.

This confused Jiang Tao. He had eaten with Xiao Lingyu a few times in the past. Xiao Lingyu normally only ate one or a half bowls of rice. Jiang Tao was shocked that she had suddenly finished three bowls.

Jiang Tao smiled, “Lingyu, you have a good appetite today!”

Xiao Lingyu burped and smiled embarrassedly, “I usually can’t eat so much, but I’m really hungry today.”

After they finished eating, Jiang Tao looked at his watch and said, “Lingyu, I have to go to work.”

“Alright, let’s go!” Xiao Lingyu nodded. The two got up and prepared to leave.

The few seniors were anxious when they saw this. Qian Aiguo snatched a piece of vegetables and called out to her, “Girl, are you leaving already?”

Xiao Lingyu nodded and said, “Yes.”

“But you haven’t promised if you’d sell your vegetables to us yet.” Qian Aiguo reminded.

Xiao Lingyu thought about it and began, “Unc…” Then she stopped herself, “Sirs…” She was influenced by Jiang Tao and went ahead to call them uncles.

“I don’t like the term, Sir. Call me Grandpa. You’re almost the same age as Qian Yifan, so you can call me Grandpa Qian!” Qian Aiguo waved his hand and said.

“…” Xiao Lingyu said, “Grandpa Qian, I really don’t have any extra vegetables. At most, I can only give you one or two catties.”

Qian Aiguo and Yuan Hongjun were disappointed, but it was better than nothing.

“Can’t you give us more?” Qian Aiguo said unwillingly.

“Sorry!” Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said.

“Girl, then sell your vegetables to us.” Uncle Li and Uncle Zhang said, “We haven’t bought your vegetables before. The others have the chance to try them daily. How dare they ask you for extras? They are too greedy.” The old seniors complained, “Girl, since you have a limited stock, then don’t give them extra but sell them to us. Don’t mind them.”

“Li Jianhua, what do you mean?” Qian Aiguo asked in a loud voice, “First come, first served! My family knew the girl first, so we should have priority!”

Li Jianhua said disdainfully, “When have you ever followed that rule? You are the person who likes to cut in line the most, so aren’t you ashamed to bring that up? Girl, don’t listen to them. Don’t feel forced. Just sell them to us.”

Qian Aiguo said, “Girl, my family is your regular. You have to consider that, right?”

Everyone, “…”

Xiao Lingyu, “…”

She was an ant crushed between the fights of elephants. ‘Can’t you seniors not bully a junior like me? No matter what I do, I’ll be at fault.’

Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “I’m very grateful that grandpas like my vegetables. However, I have limited stock. Other than serving the Gu Family Hotel, I really don’t have much left. But I’ll try my best to satisfy everyone.” Xiao Lingyu gave a vague answer before adding, “I will deliver vegetables to Gu Family Hotel daily. Grandpas, can you go to the hotel to pick up the stuff in the future?”

“Yes, that’s no problem!” The few old men agreed.

Xiao Lingyu nodded. Xiao Lingyu secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Xiao Lingyu and Jiang Tao left.

In the car, Xiao Lingyu felt the need to clarify things. It was not good to drag things out. Moreover, with the arrival of Xiao Tong, many things would be more complicated.

“Brother Jiang, a good man like you will find a wonderful woman to match you.” Xiao Lingyu said seriously, “I am not good enough for you.”

Jiang Tao was stunned when he heard this. Then, he became flustered. Jiang Tao opened his mouth to say, “But you are good enough!”

“You may not know this, but I… I was…” Xiao Lingyu felt it was a crude thing to do, but she had to make a decision. If she dragged it out, it would only make things worse. It would only hurt them in the long run. “I was drugged and framed. I slept with an unknown man, and I might even have a child in my stomach. If that’s true, I’ve decided to keep this child. I’ve already decided to stay single.”

Jiang Tao was astonished. He never thought Xiao Lingyu had such a dark past. No wonder Xiao Lingyu had been openly and subtly rejecting him. She believed she was not worthy of him.

Xiao Lingyu said again, “Brother Jiang, I am glad to be your friend, but it is impossible for us to take another step further. However, if your impression of me changes and you can’t even be my friend anymore, I won’t blame you. We can be strangers.”

Jiang Tao was still caught in disbelief. His mouth opened and closed, wanting to say something, but no sound came out from his throat.

Xiao Lingyu looked at the man. She nodded with understanding. “Brother Jiang, I get it. From now on, we’ll… be strangers.” Her eyes revealed some disappointment.

If it was possible, she really did not want to Lose Jiang Tao as a friend, not because of his background but his personality.

But if he thought low of her… then forget it.

Xiao Lingyu drove away, and Jiang Tao finally snapped out of it. Xiao Lingyu misunderstood him. She took his shock as frustration and disgust. He didn’t mean that, so why would she take it that way?

Jiang Tao wanted to chase after her to explain, but his subordinate gave him a call. They found an important clue about the headless murder case at the Gantang vegetable market.

Jiang Tao thought to himself, ‘I’ll need to explain myself the next time we meet.’