Chapter Eighty-Nine: Lifetime Warranty

Liu Jingye gave a wry smile and dialed the number again. “What’s this, Chief Yuan? You get promoted and forget old friends?”

“Quit your nonsense,” Yuan Xiaoying snapped. “Can’t you let me have two quiet days? When you were still a police chief, you asked me for the file on Deputy Director Liang Hong. Now I’ve been promoted, you’ve been promoted right along with me, and now you want the Secretary-General’s file. If I became mayor, would you next be asking about the top leadership compound?”

“If you get into the top leadership compound, I’ll go wipe out the five invading planets,” Liu Jingye said.

“Believe me, I could come over right now and wipe you out first,” Yuan Xiaoying shot back. “Tell me, my lord, what are you up to this time?”

“Didn’t you tell me to punish the wicked, suppress evil, and be a judge of the underworld, carrying out justice on behalf of heaven and clearing harm from the people?”

“The Secretary-General too?” Yuan Xiaoying asked in disbelief. “As far as I know, he and my father have some private acquaintance. When I first came to this city, he was quite considerate of me as well.”

“Oh, so he’s one of ours. Then forget it,” Liu Jingye said at once.

“How can that be?” Yuan Xiaoying said with a strong sense of righteousness. “The prince who breaks the law is no different from the common folk. How could I let it go just because he once looked after me? I’ll get you his file right now. If I have to, I’ll ask my old man. Wait for me; I’ll text you in a bit.”

“Wait, Chief Yuan, there’s something else.” Seeing that she was about to hang up in a hurry, Liu Jingye said quickly, “I’ve never met such a high-ranking official before. Could you do me the honor of having a meal with me?”

“No extravagance. No waste. No being treated, and no treating others,” Yuan Xiaoying said. “We just finished a meeting, and these matters of style and conduct have to be strictly avoided. You want me to make a mistake?”

“With what’s between us, I don’t think dinner counts as a treat,” Liu Jingye said.

“Heh, you devil. Haven’t seen me for a few days and already miss me?” Yuan Xiaoying suddenly changed her tone, becoming alluring and seductive. Liu Jingye realized this girl was outrageously flirtatious on the phone. As long as they were not face to face, it was as if she had broken free of every restraint and could let herself be as she pleased.

Yuan Xiaoying said, “If you want to date me, just say so. I’ve been busy handing over my work lately, so I may not have time. When I do, I’ll come find you.”

“I definitely do want to date you, but dinner is more important,” Liu Jingye said. “My parents came back today. Do you think you could meet them?”

“Huh? Your parents?” Yuan Xiaoying exclaimed. “So soon? I, I’m not ready yet!”

“An ugly daughter-in-law will always have to meet her in-laws sooner or later,” Liu Jingye said. “Besides, you’re not ugly. Just a little small. My mother makes things like chicken breast and pork loin, so she can help you put on some weight.”

“Get lost... who’s your daughter-in-law?” Yuan Xiaoying said shyly, even her curse soft and feeble. “Let’s talk about it later. I’m a little nervous.”

“What are you nervous about? Learn from me. When I married you, I wasn’t nervous at all, and I saw all your relatives in one go,” Liu Jingye said with a bitter smile.

“That’s not the same... back then it was fake. Now...”

“And now what?”

“Now the fake act has become real!” Chief Yuan said coquettishly, like a bashful young girl.

Liu Jingye burst out laughing. “Fine. Then I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

“Then that’s it for now. I’m going to get your file. Be good.”

“Mm, I’ll be good.”

Amid Yuan Xiaoying’s indignant scolding, he ended the call. Liu Jingye let out a long breath. “Ah, that move of advancing to retreat is really dangerous. If she had agreed, I honestly wouldn’t have known what to do. This way, she won’t suddenly show up for a while, and she won’t run into Chen Yuxin either...

What a peach blossom calamity.”

Liu Jingye strolled toward the market supermarket. On the way back, he received a text from Yuan Xiaoying.

“Zhao Xuean, fifty years old, a cadre who worked his way up from the grassroots... This is basically the same as what Chen Yuxin found out. Lover snatched away, wife seduced, dirty money stolen, and his Viagra stopped working. Since he was transferred up from Ningyuan County, his home is in Ningyuan County. His wife comes once a month, sometimes not at all... Is she his wife or his monthly visitor?”

Liu Jingye gave a wry laugh as he muttered to himself, “For now, he’s the only one living in this city. He’s in a government-assigned apartment, no nanny, no life assistant, only a secretary and a driver. He really does look like a clean official.”

“But in these times, every official fears an investigation. As long as you keep digging, there will always be something hidden in the dark. And this is someone who strongly backs Huang Guangzong.”

Liu Jingye was convinced he had to bring down this shield first before he could truly go after Huang Guangzong. And now that Chen Yuxin had returned, compared with Huang Guangzong, the people in power were the truly dangerous ones.

“At the moment, Huang Guangzong is still testing me. If he fails several times and then brings in official pressure, things will become even more troublesome.”

Liu Jingye lowered his voice, already resolved to rid the people of this scourge. But before that, he would need to do a careful investigation himself.

Unknowingly, he returned to the inn. His mother and Chen Yuxin were still busy. On the upper floor, his father had already repaired the window and was now habitually cleaning the room. It had been a while since he had last done such work, and he missed it dearly.

“All right, he’s back. Yuxin, you should stop helping too. You two go talk. I’ll finish frying these last two dishes and then we’ll eat.”

As she spoke, his mother ushered Chen Yuxin out. Liu Jingye and Chen Yuxin looked at each other and both felt awkward.

“Let’s go for a walk,” Liu Jingye said, taking the lead and reaching for Chen Yuxin’s hand.

Chen Yuxin trembled slightly, lowered her head shyly, and gave a soft reply. She let him hold her hand as they slowly walked outside.

Her heart was pounding. Her hand was trembling. And Liu Jingye was no different.

These hands of his had held guns, held knives, and been stained with blood. They had always been cold. Yet at this moment they were wrapped in Chen Yuxin’s tenderness, and no matter how much blood still clung to them, it would be slowly washed away.

The two strolled along the paths between the fields. Wildflowers bloomed in profusion across the open land, and the crops in the farms grew lush and vigorous. It was a scene of peace and quiet that calmed the heart.

“I’m going to make my move,” Liu Jingye said. The words were a little out of place, but he had to say them.

“Against whom?” Chen Yuxin asked simply.

“The Secretary-General,” Liu Jingye said bluntly. “Did you see that red stain in the inn just now? That wasn’t ketchup. It was human blood. They’ve already come looking for me, so I have no choice but to strike back.”

“Ah? That was human blood?” Chen Yuxin was startled. “I just mopped the floor and didn’t realize at all. Where were you hurt?”

“I won’t be hurt every time,” Liu Jingye said with a bitter smile. Still, he was deeply touched that she had first asked whether he was all right instead of questioning the details. “I didn’t expect you to be so diligent. Cooking, mopping... you weren’t just putting on a show to please your future mother-in-law, were you?”

“I’m diligent by nature,” Chen Yuxin said with a sniff. “So what are you planning to do next?”

“Right now this place is dangerous. I want you and my parents to leave for a while. Don’t go to my sister’s place either. I’m afraid they might trace you there. It would be best if you simply signed up for a travel group and went off to have some fun for ten days or half a month. By the time you come back, this should all be settled.”

“No. I’m not leaving,” Chen Yuxin said suddenly, with unusual firmness. “This started because of me, and I’ve already dragged you into it. No matter what, I have to face it with you.”

Liu Jingye had just opened his mouth when she cut him off forcefully. “You don’t need to say any more. I’ve already decided.”

Liu Jingye was slightly stunned. He had not expected such a fierce and stubborn side of her. Chen Yuxin said, “I’ll contact a travel agency in a bit and have your parents leave for a while. They can go south. My hometown is there, and my parents can host them.”

“How does that sound like going to meet the matchmakers and make a proposal?” Liu Jingye laughed.

Chen Yuxin smiled faintly, her face slightly red, but she said nothing and did not deny it. He could not tell whether she was too lazy to respond or silently admitting it.

“In that case, we’ll face it together. But the future is hard to predict, and there may be danger. If anything happens, you have to run. I may not have the spare capacity to look after you,” Liu Jingye warned her in advance.

“Don’t worry. I won’t hold you back,” Chen Yuxin said firmly.

“I hope we can get through this smoothly,” Liu Jingye said. “By then, my parents can go to your home to make the proposal.”

“Are you proposing to me?”

“With the head of a corrupt official as the betrothal gift!”

The two smiled at each other. Whether it was true or not, they would have to survive this life-and-death trial before making any decision.

When they returned to the inn, Liu Jingye’s mother had already prepared a table full of sumptuous dishes, and his father had even brought out his treasured good liquor, something he had never done before. It was all arranged to welcome a daughter-in-law.

Chen Yuxin carried herself gracefully, with a gentle reserve and a touch of bashfulness, like a future daughter-in-law who had already been part of the family for a long time and was now discussing wedding matters.

The old couple were naturally overjoyed. Their son dating a television host, a symbol of the whole city, was like a shepherd boy winning over the Seventh Fairy. They were especially warm toward Chen Yuxin, and before long her bowl was piled high with dishes.

Chen Yuxin said generously, “Oh, Uncle, Auntie, I’ve already told my parents about my situation. They’d very much like to meet you. It’s just that my father’s health isn’t very good, so he can’t travel far.”

“We’ll go there!” Liu Jingye’s father reacted faster than he ever had in his life. He set down his wine cup at once and said, “In this kind of matter, we as the man’s side should take the initiative. When is it convenient for them?”

Chen Yuxin said a little embarrassedly, “I’m my parents’ only daughter, so of course they’d like to know as much as possible about my lifelong affairs. Naturally, they’d also like to get to know you as early as possible, so it’ll be easier to communicate later.”

“Exactly, exactly. That makes sense,” the old man said. “Then we’ll go buy tickets in a bit.”

“There’s no need to be in such a hurry,” Chen Yuxin said with a smile. “You two don’t need to make a special trip for it. It’s just a meeting, a chance to get acquainted. Besides, I still need to observe Liu Jingye for a while. How about this: I’ll find you a travel group. You can go tour my hometown, and my parents can host you there. That way, you’ll meet naturally.”

“That’s best,” the old couple agreed happily.

Seeing how flawlessly Chen Yuxin had arranged everything, Liu Jingye could not help trying to steal a little of the spotlight. He夹ed her a bite of food and smiled. “So if they get along well and the marriage is settled like this, don’t go back on your word.”

Chen Yuxin immediately put on a shy expression and said to his mother, “Auntie, if he ever bullies me in the future, can I return him?”

Neither Liu Jingye nor Chen Yuxin expected his mother to be so humorously direct. She said, “Dear, no returns and no exchanges, but lifetime maintenance included. Let his father give him a proper beating!”