The next morning at dawn, Jiang Xiangyang instructed San Bao to drive to Fei Hong Bang’s headquarters. San Bao was puzzled; they had limited weapons, just the eight-round 54-style pistol San Bao carried. Wasn’t this a suicide mission?
In the rearview mirror, Jiang Xiangyang appeared calm, looking out at the scenery with complete confidence. San Bao’s heart settled; after years of following him, he knew Jiang Xiangyang never acted without a plan.
Upon arriving at Fei Hong Bang’s headquarters, they drove in without being stopped. After getting out, Jiang Xiangyang strode into the villa, kicked open a thick red wooden door on the second floor, and startled the sleeping person inside. Gao Mingwei reached under the pillow, but a silver weapon pierced his eye, causing him to fall from the bed, clutching his eye and screaming.
Jiang Xiangyang’s eyes froze as they swept across the large bed. A woman’s curled body lay beneath a white bedsheet, her delicate skin marred by hideous blue and purple bruises. Jiang Xiangyang could imagine how Gao Mingwei had ravaged her in recent days. The woman’s swollen, tightly closed red eyes filled him with guilt.
Jiang Xingyao’s arms and legs were tightly bound with a black cloth rope, the blood stains around the bindings piercing Jiang Xiangyang’s heart. He stepped forward, wrapping the girl in a thick cotton quilt and ordering Sanbao to take Gao Mingwei back.
Holding the girl in his arms, Jiang Xiangyang was deeply troubled by her desperate expression.
Jiang Xingyao lay quietly, her eyes wide open and hollow, her clear pupils like a stagnant pool—neither sad nor happy, resentful nor hateful. This calmness made Jiang Xiangyang loathe himself. He held her tightly, warming her cold skin inch by inch with his lips.
After some time, Jiang Xingyao slowly awakened, a tear rolling from her eye.
Jiang Xiangyang gently wiped it away, but her tears flowed more intensely. Her lips trembled slightly: “Brother Xiangyang, I’m so dirty, so dirty.”
I want to take a bath, I want to take a bath.”
He comforted her: “Don’t be afraid, Xingyao. I’ll take you to take a bath. I’ll always be with you.”
The man pressed the woman’s face against his chest as a storm rose in his heart.
