Chapter 36: Late at Night
When they returned home, it was already nearly two o’clock.
The quiet residential complex was silent, only the dim yellow streetlights on both sides and the starry sky above.
Xu Qing walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, while Jiang He steadily followed behind, neither rushing nor slowing down, with no sound of footsteps at all.
Even though they were walking together, Xu Qing felt as if he was the only one walking, like those times in the past when he had stayed out late partying and came home drunk by himself.
This feeling was uncomfortable.
"Can you walk a bit faster and come over here?" he spoke up, "You’re acting like a tagalong."
"I'm not a tagalong."
"Then come over here and you won't be."
The corridor was already visible ahead, only a few steps away. Jiang He took two steps forward and walked beside him. They walked side by side for less than a minute before reaching the door.Opening the door and turning on the lights, Xu Qing collapsed onto the couch, turned his head to look at Jiang He, and shifted his butt a little to give her some space.
"What did they say at the police station?"
"I’m your sister, in high school, went for a birthday."
"And then?"
"That’s it." Jiang He shook her head, "They asked other things, but I didn’t speak."
Xu Qing understood why Qin Hao had called her a bit dim, laughing, "You really are… clever."
Going to the police station this early caught him off guard, and he was worried that something had gone wrong. But now, it seemed Jiang He was adjusting well here.
"This place’s authorities don’t seem so scary."
Jiang He thought about the people she had met, that short, dark-faced man grinning like a fool, trying to act like her brother.
"Of course it’s not scary, as long as you don’t show your violent side, there’s nothing to worry about. After staying there for a while, they even provide food and drink. Anyway, go shower and sleep," Xu Qing lay lazily on the couch, uninterested in moving. "Today wasn’t so bad."
Thinking it over, he hadn’t lost the fight, and after taking Jiang He for a little tour of the police station, everything had gone well, except for the time wasted.
The key thing was Jiang He’s behavior…
"Did you notice that you’re really relying on me now? You listen to everything I say. That guy insulted you, and you just took it." Xu Qing grinned as he spoke to Jiang He, who was turning to grab clothes.
"I don’t understand much, it’s only natural." Jiang He replied.
"Are you that obedient? You’re not afraid I’ll sell you?"
"You wouldn’t."
Jiang He paused and added, "You’re a good person."
She ate his food, used his things, and received his help. If she didn’t trust him or listen to his advice, she might as well leave and wander the world on her own.
Before fully understanding and integrating into this world, the only person who could help and was willing to help her was Xu Qing.
"I went and fought and ended up in the station, but I’m still a good person... don’t let my dad find out, or I’ll get another lecture on political thinking." Xu Qing sat up and pulled out his phone to send a message to Qin Hao.
If Qin Hao told his father, Xu Wenbin would find out by tomorrow.
"He didn’t touch my face." Jiang He thought for a moment and clarified.
"I know. If he had touched you, you would’ve knocked him down, he wouldn’t even be able to stand up," Xu Qing smirked.
"..."
"Didn’t we look like kids playing house when we fought?" Xu Qing asked, scratching his nose.
Jiang He didn’t reply, but her expression made it clear—was that even a fight?
"This is how it is here… In the future, if, and I mean if, some jerk annoys you to the point where you can’t take it, just use this much force, don’t hurt anyone, just make them feel pain, or you’ll end up in jail."
"Why did you hit him?"
"Because he’s a jerk. When you encounter jerks, you beat them up."
Xu Qing reclined on the couch, speaking slowly, "There are a lot of jerks in this world, not just now. You probably have them there too. Like some people who want to wear nice clothes or brand-name shoes but can’t afford them, and when they see you wearing them, they get upset and start giving you passive-aggressive comments... They only act like that to people they know. If it’s someone way out of their league, they just accept it, thinking it’s right for those people to be richer than them. But when someone close to them is doing better, they can’t stand it... That’s a mentally disturbed person."
Jiang He thought about it before begrudgingly understanding, "That kind of thing really happens?"
"Ha, yeah, it happens. Beat the bastard up." Xu Qing laughed, "I can’t stand two types of people: those who are passive-aggressive and lickspittles. And this guy’s both."
"What’s a lickspittle?"
"They’re either well-off or bound to die. You’ll understand later."
"... I’m going to shower." Jiang He shook her head.
"Mm, go ahead."
As Xu Qing listened to the sound of running water in the bathroom, he slowly closed his eyes, resting on the couch.
It was actually nice having someone to talk to at home. If only after the shower, they could both lie down together and fall asleep in each other’s arms...
He suddenly snapped awake, blinking at the ceiling.
Where did that strange thought come from?
When Jiang He came out after her shower, her face was flushed with the warmth of the steam, drops of water dripping from her hair. As she grabbed the blow dryer and looked at him, Xu Qing found it hard to stay calm.
"Dry your hair yourself. I’m going to shower now."
Trying to control his thoughts, he pretended to wave his hand dismissively and hurried into the bathroom to find his pajamas.
The steam mixed with the scent of body wash.
Xu Qing slapped his head, throwing away the chaotic thoughts, fighting against his primal instincts.
This was too much to handle.
...
Jiang He struggled to dry her hair with the blow dryer. Though she wasn’t used to it yet, it was certainly a good tool, drying her hair quickly.
"I see a lot of girls with short hair on the street. Is it common to shave your head where you’re from?" she asked as Xu Qing came out of the bathroom.
"Hairstyles are a personal choice. If you like, you can shave it all off," Xu Qing replied casually. After a moment, he added, "Are you thinking of cutting it?"
"Just asking."
Jiang He did find short hair convenient—it didn’t take much effort to wash or blow dry. But her long-held beliefs made it hard for her to accept, so she would wait and see in the future.
"Don’t cut it! Long, black, straight hair looks so good..." Xu Qing stopped in his tracks and turned back, "Let me help you. When blow-drying, you have to keep moving it to dry it evenly..."
Jiang He obediently sat down on the chair. As she listened to Xu Qing rambling, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "It’s normal for men to blow women’s hair here, right?"
"... Normal, very normal," Xu Qing reassured himself in his mind.
Late night.
At two in the morning.
The lights were still on in the living room, the sound of the blow dryer buzzing as hot air blew out. Neither of them spoke, and the room was filled with a strange atmosphere.
Both of them sensed it, and the atmosphere grew more awkward, but neither said a word, continuing to pretend that everything was normal.
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