CHAPTER 346: IS 331 TOO INDULGENT WITH YOU?

Tian Sangsang’s eyes narrowed slightly. Letting her out so easily? Could it be some kind of conspiracy? She walked forward in a daze; outside, it was already dusk, and the sunlight was dim and murky. She suddenly straightened her posture and stood frozen in place.

Jiang Jinghuai was bathed in the dim light of the setting sun, his tall and imposing figure casually leaning against one of the corridor’s columns, a cigarette in his mouth. He looked... just like a gang boss, exuding an insufferable roguish aura.

"Let’s go." Upon seeing her step out, he gave her a deep, meaningful glance.

He stopped again, reached up to adjust his cigarette, and exhaled a swirl of smoke.

For some reason, at that moment, he looked somewhat dejected. Tian Sangsang trailed after him, overwhelmed by a rush of emotions—bitterness, among others. She had gone through so much humiliation inside and was desperate for someone to talk to. But this person should certainly not be Jiang Jinghuai. He wasn’t the type to listen.

"Did you do something?"

"Hmm?"

She asserted firmly, "You must have done something. Otherwise, those people would never have let me go."

"What do you hope I did?" His gaze locked onto her, cold and distant, as his lips twisted into a sardonic smirk.

"Oh, right, I was overthinking." She dropped her gaze, crestfallen.

Jiang Jinghuai glanced at her in surprise.

"Have I been too good to you, making you act so brazenly?" His tone was like muttering to himself, followed by a scoffing sound. That voice, which she hadn’t heard in days, now struck her as even deeper and more alluring.

Yes, you should treat me worse. She secretly grumbled to herself. Beat me, scold me...

"Why are you standing there like an idiot? Let’s head home," he said.

"Oh."

"Seriously, I’m starving." He cursed under his breath and then raised an eyebrow at her. "Your skills, your worth."

Tian Sangsang pursed her lips and smiled, but immediately felt annoyed. Looking up, she noticed Jiang Jinghuai was staring straight at her. Glaring back, she snapped, "What are you looking at?" She instantly pulled a small wooden pocket mirror out of her bag and started checking herself from every angle. "Do I look ugly? Nope. Even while inside, I made sure to clean up every day."

"It’s not that. You just seem skinnier now." He thought absentmindedly, the texture when touching her skin likely wasn’t as good as it used to be.

Tian Sangsang continued to glare at him, feeling inexplicably frustrated. What does he mean by "skinnier"?

**

As for Meng Shuyan, the little guy had been feeling quite gloomy, forced by reality to become a melancholy little boy.

That day, after his parents had a huge fight, his mom left the house and never came back.

But listen, little man, your mom didn’t *never* come back; it’s just that she hasn’t come back *yet.*

Good thing Tian Sangsang didn’t hear that line. Otherwise, she might’ve grabbed a noodle and whipped him with it. This kid, how could he talk like that?

Since then, little Meng Shuyan had been sleeping with his dad at night for the past few days. His dad had been incredibly gentle, even patting his chest lightly to lull him to sleep. But still, his dad’s embrace was firm, and his tone, though tender, remained authoritative—it could never compare to his mother’s soft gentleness.

Feeling sad, the little guy tossed and turned on the bed, rolling over and over, all the while crying his eyes out.

He wanted a mom he could cuddle with, one he could act spoiled around.

Besides, the plain food every day—simple fare cooked by the canteen aunties—tasted nothing like his mother’s cooking!

Finally, his dad promised him, swore even, that he would bring his mom back home no matter what.

Fine, go bring her back—and start by having her cook a meal.

Enduring the heartache and bodily discomfort, the little Meng Shuyan let his tears flood uncontrollably the moment he saw his mom walk in with his dad. Like a little cannonball, he rushed forward to hug her leg, crying out, "Mom! Mom! Mom!"

"Son." Tian Sangsang picked him up, remarking, "Shout at mommy’s face, not at her legs."

"Mom," the little guy sniffled and wiped his tears.

She ruffled his hair. "Aww, what a good boy."

"Mom, I’m so hungry."

"You certainly look famished. Let’s make sure to feed you well."

At the dining table, the dishes were colorful, aromatic, and flavorful, featuring everything from creatures that flew in the sky to those that walked on land or swam in the water. Pigeon soup, kung pao chicken, shredded pork with garlic sauce, mapo tofu, fragrant jasmine rice, jade-green cabbage, fried fish... and so on.

While Meng Shuyan was still battling a drumstick, Tian Sangsang added a piece of meat to his plate.

With a concerned look, she muttered, "Hey, Jiang, Zhao Chun has gone back, right?"

"Otherwise?" Jiang Jinghuai chewed and swallowed his rice slowly and gracefully before lifting his gaze for a cool reply.

"And what about Ji Yao’er?"

"The same day you were detained, she ran off."

"Huh?"

"Never came back," Jiang Jinghuai added nonchalantly.

"Why?" She couldn’t understand. "Was it because she was afraid of punishment? That doesn’t sound like Ji Yao’er at all. Besides, Lu Chi is her brother-in-law—it doesn’t make sense for her to not rely on him. Why would she run away?"

"Tian Sangsang." Jiang Jinghuai’s cold voice carried an unmistakable note of warning as he spoke icily. "Stop indulging in your curiosity. Eat your meal and behave yourself. Still want to go back inside? If you don’t settle down, I’ll deal with you myself."

Meng Shuyan nearly bit his tongue.

"Humph." Tian Sangsang shot him a resentful glare. So what if his eyes were deep and dreamy? Hers were clear and bright!

Still, she backed off, too scared to challenge him further. She remembered those dehumanizing days too well and didn’t dare stir up trouble. What’s more, Jiang Jinghuai wasn’t one to let things slide. When his temper flared, he was genuinely terrifying. Thinking about his beast-like strength that night, she couldn’t help but feel fear once again.

After dinner, Tian Sangsang obediently went downstairs for a look but was promptly surrounded by a group of military wives. No shortage of spectators eager to watch the show, quick to judge when they weren’t the ones suffering.

Fortunately, some among them recognized the gravity of the situation. There were even a few who believed in her and comforted her, which warmed her heart. All in all, since she was ultimately released, it proved her innocence with Zhao Chun, and everyone accepted that.

The matter of her detainment seemed to quietly pass without sparking much controversy. Instead, everyone’s attention shifted to Ji Yao’er’s disappearance.

**

"So that’s how things are." Tian Sangsang walked side by side with Guan Kunling, as though they were taking a stroll or out to process their thoughts. "I used to always tell you that we live in an era of freedom, where everyone is equal. But after what happened that day, I realize... people can’t live too unrestrained. Furthermore..."

Guan Kunling grabbed her hand, her expression icy and severe. "Sangsang, just say the word, and I’ll handle them for you. No one will ever know it was me."

Tian Sangsang let out a helpless chuckle and teased, "There you go, being silly again." Sure, she harbored resentment, but to kill Hua Jun and the others over such trifles? That was something she wouldn’t dare do, nor ever consider.

Guan Kunling’s cold demeanor momentarily faltered, revealing a shred of frustration. On the surface, she seemed to have integrated with the times, but deep down, she still harbored an instinct to kill without hesitation.

"There must be more to this," she said after a moment of silence, turning to Tian Sangsang for confirmation. "Could it be Lu Chi?"

"Hmm?" Tian Sangsang was startled but then decisively dismissed the idea. "Lu Chi? No, that’s unlikely. He’s a soldier, and Ji Yao’er is his own relative. Why would he secretly send in a report? That would be shooting himself in the foot."

Guan Kunling shook her head slightly. "It’s not about the report. I just think this might be connected to Lu Chi."

"This..." Tian Sangsang mulled it over but remained skeptical. "You seem to have a bias against Lu Chi. Is it because he keeps going to you with nonexistent illnesses?"