Shi Qianxi murmured in confusion, clearly unable to make sense of it.
"Because when we met, I was still a student, and now, I have graduated."
Jiang Chen’s answer was matter-of-fact, seemingly logical and reasonable.
Shi Qianxi was stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh and cry. Her lips moved,"Your meaning is, in one year’s time, you’ve matured, become a man, that’s it?"
"Don’t you know that a man’s growth doesn’t need a year, a moment is enough."
"Go on with your nonsense!"
Shi Qianxi knew he was about to start spouting nonsense again, and urged him once more to come back soon, then hung up the phone.
Jiang Chen put down his cell phone.
He actually wasn’t joking.
Never mind a year, the less than a month he had spent in Korea had completely changed his mindset.
Back in East Sea, the him who couldn’t help but be terrified watching underground fights had now personally taken several lives, and even those martyrs buried in that forest of steles...
Before sending Pai Daen to Daegu, he had not anticipated this situation; his only purpose had been to bring An Zairong back.
But the world is like that, there is no unchanging script; oftentimes, we have no other choice.
The car revved its engine.
The tires rolled over, splashing trails of water.
The third detention center.
Zou Kezhao sat behind the thick glass.
"An Zairong is dead?"
He looked at the young man who had come to visit for the second time, and asked.
The latter shook his head.
"Then where is he now?"
Zou Kezhao fell silent for a moment, his expression betraying little emotion, "And Miss Lan?"
"Same as you, although the Korean prosecutors consider her more important. She is in the first detention center."
Jiang Chen’s frankness was moving.
This man, who could sit in court handcuffed and shackled without changing his expression, scowled fiercely, clearly somewhat taken aback.
Being in detention, cut off from news, he naturally did not know what had happened outside.
Even though his intellect and shrewdness were exceptional, he was hardly a deity; relying on guesswork alone, how could he fathom everything?
He gripped the handset tightly, his shackles clanging loudly.
"After I saw you that day, Miss Lan and I were surrounded and attacked by scores of people. I managed to escape, but Miss Lan was arrested on the spot by the police."
Jiang Chen stated succinctly.
"An Zairong’s doing?"
"Cui Zaiye’s men. But they acted on a tip from An Zairong."
"Why didn’t you kill him?"
Even separated by thick safety glass, Zou Kezhao’s malevolent gaze was palpable.
"What good would killing him do? He is more valuable alive."
Watching the calm Jiang Chen, Zou Kezhao inhaled silently, restraining the emotions surging within him.
Humans are not plants and trees.
Betrayed by a traitor, how could his heart truly remain undisturbed?
"I’ve visited Miss Lan, offering to get her out, but she refused."
Jiang Chen changed the subject.
Zou Kezhao watched him, as if guessing the other’s purpose.
"What do you need me to do?"
Across the safety glass, Jiang Chen was silent for a moment.
"I need Mr. Zou to confess.
And judging by Jiang Chen’s expression, he didn’t seem to be joking.
Zou Kezhao’s pupils contracted.
"I think Miss Lan’s refusal wasn’t because she didn’t want to come out but because she didn’t want to continue to bear the name of a suspect. Everyone has their pride, which I can understand."
Jiang Chen spoke unhurriedly, "So what I can do is allow Miss Lan to come out in the clear."
Having General Burton take action could indeed solve the problem, but from Lan Peizhi’s standpoint, she might not accept it.
That’s why Jiang Chen had not spoken up at the base.
Zou Kezhao stared at him silently.
"With the situation having escalated to this point, someone has to take the fall, and the primary managers of the Zhushe Society are you and An Zairong. If you confess, this matter can come to an end."
To Zou Kezhao, these two seemingly light words meant a life sentence in an obscure foreign land, and that was assuming Korea didn’t have the death penalty.
"Are you sure An Zairong will cooperate?"
Zou Kezhao countered, as if unclear on the consequences of the proposal for him.
"I’ll handle his side."
Jiang Chen responded calmly, his casual tone carrying an unnerving coldness.
Zou Kezhao didn’t feel chilled, nor did he wonder how one could have such confidence in handling an unpredictable madman.
The fact that he could sit here and discuss these matters was proof enough that this young man, a complete stranger to him, had an unfathomable savvy.
"What about the prosecutors? Will they just let it go and close the case easily?"
Jiang Chen stated flatly, his expression as void as the glass before him, imparting a sense of depth.
Zou Kezhao looked at him and, upon receiving a simple yet affirmative response, did not hesitate or question, answering just as decisively.
That too was just one word.
"I will find a way to get you out afterward."
Zou Kezhao smirked, "My life has always belonged to Miss Lan."
Too often the most treacherous turn out to be the most loyal.
In the lives of these egregiously wicked people, one could unexpectedly see some rare qualities.
It seemed to be an intentional irony of the world.
"Just call me Jiang Chen."
"I don’t know exactly what your relationship is with Miss Lan, but I am grateful for everything you’ve done."