Love Assault - Chapter 25

The jungle night was bitterly cold.

Lin Che and Jian Dan, dressed in thin clothes, huddled together in the darkness, panting. The bruises on their faces and the bl00d at the corners of their lips made the two slender girls look utterly wretched.

Lin Che brandished the knife in her hand. Jian Xiaobai, how many days has it been?

Jian Dan reached up to scratch her shoulder-length hair, her swollen cheeks puffing out as she spat. Six. The old man’s trying to kill us.

Lin Che chuckled softly. This was my mission. Why did you come?

Why did I come? Jian Dan repeated oddly, then grinned. In this world, your only rival is me. If you died, I’d be so bored. So before I kill you myself, I have to make sure you don’t die.

Don’t say things like that, Lin Che shot her a sidelong glance. You’ll make me think you’ve fallen for me. I’m not into your type.

You’re overthinking it. Jian Dan shoved Lin Che’s head. You’re not my type either. As she spoke, she tugged roughly at her hair. Damn, it’s too long. I’m shaving it all off as soon as we get out of here. It’s so annoying!

Lin Che glanced at Jian Dan and said casually, Shaving it all off would look too ugly. Just get a buzz cut. Poor old man—raising a daughter for so many years only to find out she’s a man at heart.

Oh? Jian Dan let go of her hair and shook it out. You make it sound like your mom’s so lucky. She then noticed the bleeding wound on Lin Che’s exposed arm. Your mom’s pretty ruthless. Isn’t she rich? Why make you suffer like this?

My mom? Lin Che chuckled. She’s too straightforward. There are always bad people scheming against me. She’s worried that one day she won’t be able to protect me, and I’ll be killed by those villains.

With all her money, what kind of bodyguard couldn’t she hire? Jian Dan scoffed. Maybe you’re not even her real son.

Lin Che tore off a strip of his shirt and calmly wrapped it around his wound. My mom always says nothing beats having your own skills. I think she’s right.

Hey, Jian Dan reached out and touched Lin Che’s arm. The pain made her grit her teeth and glare at Jian Dan, who grinned mischievously. What kind of girl do you like?

Lin Che shook his head. I don’t know. I don’t have any specific standards. If I like someone, I like them.

Nothing new, Jian Dan scoffed. I like the type with long hair, a great figure, tall with long legs… Oh, you know… She smacked her lips. They must be amazing!

Lin Che rolled his eyes. Get real. Let’s focus on getting out of here alive first. Stop daydreaming.

What’s wrong with daydreaming? I’m telling you, I really like that new girl, A-Fi. Jian Dan tilted her head back, gazing at the stars with a dreamy smile. She’s so delicate and vulnerable, you just want to protect her.

A-Fi? Lin Che turned to look at Jian Dan and burst into laughter. Look at you, all lovesick! I know her. She’s pretty cute, I guess.

Jian Dan’s eyes narrowed, and she grabbed Lin Che by the collar. Don’t you dare get any ideas about her, or we’re through as friends.

What are you even thinking? Saying she’s cute doesn’t mean I have ulterior motives. She’s not my type, okay? Lin Che brushed Jian Dan’s hand away. The old man promised to pay me if we pull this off. Since you’re being so loyal and sticking with me, we’ll get souvenirs when we get the money.

Great, great! Jian Dan clapped her hands. We’ll get a souvenir for A-Fi too!

Pah… Lin Che spat. It’s not even a sure thing yet. What’s the point of giving her a gift? Besides, giving someone something you bought with my money? How sincere is that?

Aiyo… Jian Dan clicked her tongue twice. If I actually win her over, I’d give her myself! Wouldn’t that be sincere enough?

That year, Jian Dan and Lin Che were both fifteen years old.

Jian Dan stood quietly, tears welling in her eyes, gazing at the pendant in her hand. The corners of her trembling lips curved slightly upward. This thing… it’s been fifteen years.

Lin Che gently placed the pendant on the table. I still remember. After the old man beat you half to death, the first thing you said when you woke up was to ask me to take you to buy a souvenir.

I said… Jian Dan seemed to lose her balance, bracing herself against the table and closing her eyes. Tears dripped onto the surface. Our bond… no one can break it. You and I… shining like the sun and moon together.

Yes… Lin Che’s voice trembled slightly. Shining like the sun and moon together… yet forever destined to never appear at the same time. The old man used to say… I’m white, you’re black.

You’re white, I’m black, Jian Dan murmured, repeating the words. If it weren’t for that… A-Fi wouldn’t have gone.

She went to protect you, Lin Che said, swaying as he stood up and steadied himself against Jian Dan’s shoulder. You know she went to protect you.

Then why didn’t you stop her? Jian Dan’s face flushed with anger, her entire body trembling as she struggled to contain her fury. I was unconscious then! Were you unconscious too?!

I still haven’t gotten the full story, Lin Che said, shaking his head wearily. Xiao Bai, I’m just as confused as you are.

Then go ask! Jian Dan shoved Lin Che backward, sending him stumbling several steps until he nearly collapsed into a chair. What are you afraid of, Lin Che? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid Chen Mo will learn about your past? Or that she’ll find out about my relationship with A-Fi? Or that she’ll never speak to you again? You used to be different!

Xiao Bai… Lin Che sighed, shaking his head weakly. You know I’m not that kind of person.

Jian Dan slumped over to the sofa and collapsed onto it, burying her face in her hands. Muffled sobs escaped through her fingers, the faint sounds striking Lin Che’s ears. …I always thought she just wanted to escape me… I thought she didn’t love me anymore… I never imagined it was like this…

When Chen Mo opened the door, she reflexively glanced at the wall clock.

530 AM.

Lin Che stood by the door, looking utterly dejected. He reeked of cigarette smoke, his swollen eyes framed by dark circles. He forced a strained smile and asked if he could come in, completely devoid of his usual radiance.

Chen Mo eyed Lin Che curiously. It was clear he hadn’t slept all night. She stepped aside to let him in and poured him a glass of water. What’s wrong?

Lin Che sat awkwardly on the sofa, cradling the water glass in one hand and gently rubbing it as he watched the steam rise. Chen Mo’s voice sounded muffled, as if coming from inside a jar. He took a sip of water and said with difficulty, I’m sorry for… disturbing you so early.

Chen Mo shrugged. It’s fine. I usually wake up around this time anyway. What brings you here?

Um… Lin Che set down his water glass, his right hand gripping his increasingly cold left hand. He looked at Chen Mo with a conflicted expression. There’s something… I wanted… to ask you about…

Chen Mo nodded, signaling him to continue. But Lin Che fell silent again, leaning back against the sofa with a weary sigh, staring blankly at her.

Chen Mo remained silent, sensing from Lin Che’s demeanor that he was grappling with something deeply troubling. What could possibly trouble the usually so self-assured Lin Che? she found herself wondering, intrigued.

Chen Mo… Lin Che pursed his lips. You said yesterday that we’re… friends now. Right?

Chen Mo nodded. Yes. I did say that.

Then… for the rest of this conversation, could we treat it as a conversation between friends? Regardless of my profession or yours? Would that be alright?

Chen Mo frowned slightly, tugging her robe tighter around herself as she straightened her posture. You seem to be dealing with something unpleasant. Does it involve me?

Yes… Lin Che nodded, then shook his head. And no… He felt unusually conflicted, almost able to predict Chen Mo’s expression and reaction to what he was about to say. His mind was a tangled mess, making it impossible to face her with his usual composure. He glanced up at Chen Mo’s bewildered expression, forced a weak smile that wouldn’t come, and gritted his teeth. I wanted to ask… about the comrade you mentioned yesterday… how… how did he die?

Lin Che’s gaze drifted, but Chen Mo immediately tensed, her eyes narrowing like a cat sensing danger. General Manager Lin, I believe that’s a private matter. You’re not going to tell me you lost sleep over this, are you? I’ve already said… we’re impossible…

You misunderstand… Lin Che quickly looked up, meeting Chen Mo’s gaze earnestly. That’s not what I meant. I admit I’m jealous, or perhaps just curious about your past. Think what you will… He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. But this time, I genuinely just want to know… how your comrade died.

A reason, Chen Mo said, crossing her arms and tilting her chin impatiently. Give me a reason.

Lin Che lowered his head, looking deeply troubled. He pressed a hand to his forehead, muttering to himself, though Chen Mo didn’t interrupt, simply watching him. After a long silence, Lin Che clenched his right fist and rapped it sharply against his forehead, forcing himself to calm down. He lifted his head, his expression resolute, almost heroic, as if facing certain death. …Alright… He reached into his pocket, pulled out a pendant, and laid it open in his palm before Chen Mo. Would this… count as a reason?

Chen Mo’s face suddenly drained of color. Her eyes widened as she stared at the pendant in Lin Che’s hand. She raised her hand to take it, but hesitated halfway, her hand freezing in mid-air, her entire body stiff with shock.

Lin Che placed the pendant on the coffee table and wiped his face wearily. Chen Mo… I want to ask… your comrade… was her name… Xue Wen?