Just then, Wen-xian brought in a tray of food. She set it down and handed Jiang Chen his chopsticks, smiling warmly at him.
"Husband, I know you like millet porridge and salty pickles…" she murmured.
Jiang Chen sighed in contentment: Having a wife was truly wonderful.
"Eat up, Wen-jie. After breakfast, let's head to Jiangcheng to meet Zhao Liang."
But Wen-xian stretched luxuriously on the bed, eyes half-lidded in a smile. "You go ahead—I need a nap." She pulled the covers over herself, only her snow-white arms emerging to wrap around his neck, enveloping him in her fragrance.
Jiang Chen asked, "You're sleepy? It's only morning."
She slipped a playful hand into his shirt and squeezed affectionately. With a longing sigh, she teased, "Well, you did 'torture' me last night… with your strength and intensity."
His heart melted. "Wen-jie, I'm sorry. I'll be gentler from now on."
She pouted and tapped his forehead: "Silly boy, what woman doesn't want a lover with boundless energy? That's why they sell strong balm in pharmacies!"
Jiang Chen laughed. "Then, if I make you scream tonight, you won't be mad?"
"I'd shout it for you to hear," she replied softly.
He smiled and began eating. After finishing, he left to go to Jiangcheng alone.
He met Zhao Liang at the office building's entrance. They greeted like old friends, chatting eagerly about everything and nothing.
Suddenly, his phone rang. The caller ID was unknown, but the voice was unmistakable—it was Zheng Qiang's, quiet and urgent, punctuated by car horns and street vendor calls.
"Jiang Chen… it's me…"
Jiang Chen tensed, alarmed.
"Zheng Qiang? You escaped? But… Wu Feng was arrested too. How did you avoid it?"
He realized Zheng must be on the run. Someone was probably after him too.
"Where are you now? Do you need me to come?" Jiang Chen asked.
"I can't say. I just want to see you in person."
"All right. Meet me at Chunyang Restaurant, across from the real estate development office in Jiangcheng—second floor."
"Okay," came the hushed reply.
He looked at Zhao Liang, who asked, "Who was that?"
"Zheng Qiang, Wu Feng's associate."
"I thought he'd been arrested."
"He escaped. Let's talk upstairs."
Upstairs in a private room, dishes and drinks already ordered, Zheng Qiang appeared shortly after. He looked disheveled, unshaven, ragged. He hadn't eaten, but when he saw food, he dove in quickly.
Jiang Chen and Zhao Liang watched him eat in silence.
After he finished, he wiped his mouth and said, "Let's get to it."
He explained: After Wu Feng's defeat by the Xu brothers, they turned their wrath on Wu Feng. Realizing they couldn't take him head-on, they contacted Tianle Real Estate Development—Wu Feng's business rival. Together, they framed him for smuggling, leading to both Wu Feng and Zheng being arrested. Wu Feng's health products company was also shut down.
"Sealed off?" Jiang Chen's eyes widened.
"No hope. Next step is auction."
Zheng's eyes reddened and he drank again, voice choked. "The Xu family are ruthless. They've devastated Wu Feng."
Jiang Chen asked, "But you—how did you get away?"
"I escaped."
"After escaping, what's your plan? Do you need help?"
Zheng grabbed Jiang Chen's hands. "Brother… that's enough just to hear. But I don't want your help."
"Why? Aren't we brothers?"
"My case is complicated. Anyone helping me risks being charged. I don't want to involve you. I came because I need to entrust you with something."
"To me?"
"Yes. You're the only one I can trust. I reached out to Wu Feng's other friends—they all stepped away when they heard what happened."
"Since you trust me—tell me. For friends, I'd go through fire."
"Wu Feng's unlikely to get out. His wife's from out of town, with no relatives, and their assets are tied up. Without someone reliable to help her, she'll lose everything. He wants you to look after her."
Jiang Chen remembered seeing her—truly stunning. Probably in her mid-to-late twenties."That… is it feasible?"
"Wu Feng said you're the most trustworthy."
Jiang Chen was moved. "Then yes, Wu Feng's affairs are my affairs."
Zheng handed him a slip of paper with Wu Feng's home address and phone. "Her phone's likely being tapped—don't call. She'll reach out if she needs your help."
"Got it." Jiang Chen put it away. "What about you? You can't live like this."
Zheng shook his head. "I can't stay in Jiangcheng. Too dangerous. I have a friend in another province running a farm. I'll go there. I won't embarrass you. See you."
He got up, saluted deeply. "Brother, on behalf of Wu Feng—thank you."
After sending Zheng away, Jiang Chen sat in silence, drinking heavily. Zhao Liang patted his shoulder.
"Don't brood. Let's go do something to take your mind off it."
Assuming it was a bar or club, Jiang Chen followed him—but the car stopped at an antique auction house in Jiangcheng.
Zhao Liang smiled. "From now on, you can join me in dealing with antiques. It's both scholarly and full of opportunity."