Bedtime stories
The grayish-purple clouds blurred the twinkling stars, and the spring breeze stirred the curtains, bringing in a touch of cool moisture into the room.
Achoo! Qingcheng covered her nose with one hand, while groping for the blanket behind her on the sofa with the other. Gao Junxiao watched his wife's back with a smirk, deliberately sticking his sleeve out. Just as Qingcheng clenched her fist, Gao Junxiao pulled her into his arms.
He asked with a smile, "Huahua, do you think my embrace is warmer, or the blanket?"
A cold snort almost escaped from Qingcheng's nostrils, filled with deep contempt. She forcefully pulled out the thin blanket that Gao Junxiao had been pressing down on, tied it in a knot at her chest like a cape, and expressed her answer with her actions.
It doesn't matter. He's figured it out. Face is just a burden in front of his wife. Can he ever be as embarrassed as he was last night? No way!
On the contrary, once he admits it, he can do whatever he feels comfortable with. He can proudly shout, "I'm not pretending anymore!" He's all about being blatant.
Just smelling Qingcheng's delicate fragrance makes my weariness disappear, leaving me feeling light and warm, even beneath my skin and in my bones. Indeed, the land of gentle pleasures is a graveyard for heroes.
Perhaps because Gao Junxiao's posture while sniffing the fragrance was truly unseemly, Qingcheng glanced at him sideways, quickly separated the two of them with a cushion, and asked the two thieves about it.
Oh, these two are professional assassins recruited from out of town. Gao Junxiao's mind flashed to two bloody figures. After accepting the job, the two assassins rushed to Shanghai. One tampered with Ms. Xia's car, and the other went to kidnap the old man. However, he was unfamiliar with the road conditions and took the wrong turn when he kidnapped the old man.
However, by a twist of fate, the assassin saw Ms. Xia's car drive by with a woman inside. In his haste, without time for careful planning, he could only move the old man to the passenger seat, shift into second gear, and jump out to cause an accident. Ironically, the old man survived because his seatbelt wasn't fastened.
What's most infuriating is that the two of them have an incredibly strong work ethic; once they've taken the money, they're determined to get rid of their target, which led to the second murder at the hospital.
As for what to do with the assassin, he pursed his lips, not caring much. He left it all to Lu Xian anyway. He was more concerned about his wife. She had a heavy look of weariness on her face, and it was clear that she hadn't been sleeping well lately. She was usually the type to fall asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Was she tired from worrying about the old man lately?
The fragrance in the air faded as Qingcheng moved, and Gao Junxiao instantly felt like he had lost tens of thousands of dollars. While explaining that the mastermind behind the two was not the principal, he quietly pulled away the cushion.
The old man joined the group that was supposed to save the foreign devils, but only because of Madam Sun's sake, to help her solve her problems. He had no direct conflict of interest with the mastermind.
"You already know who the mastermind behind the murder of the old man?" Kiyosumi asked, looking at him with a questioning gaze while holding her pillow.
Nodding, Gao Junxiao rested his arm on the back of the sofa, beckoned with his finger, and waited patiently for Qingcheng to become curious and come over.
A moment later, Qingcheng shifted her position a few times, and the fragrance lingering around her nose became even stronger. Gao Junxiao's mood improved as well. He whispered a name in Qingcheng's ear, and Qingcheng immediately realized who it was.
These days, the worst thing is someone who seems to be on your side and protects you in every way, but actually protects the wrong things and ends up attracting a bunch of shady "friends" for you.
In an effort to rescue the "Nougat" couple, Madam Sun spearheaded a protest campaign that lasted for several months, with almost every prominent figure from China and abroad participating.
Even if the principal wanted to kill someone to cover it up, he wouldn't dare to do it in front of everyone. He might offend the foreigners and the party elders. He wanted to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
However, Chief of the General Staff Shi and President Xi Jinping were natural enemies. During the Central Plains War, he secretly telegraphed the Guangxi clique to seek peace, and also used President Xi Jinping's name to suppress the Northwest clique. All of these actions seemed to be helping President Xi Jinping play the game of diplomacy.
In fact, the principal never used his own name to suppress other factions. Instead, he cleverly used pretexts to make the old warlords fight each other, letting them wear each other down. Everyone knew that the Northwest Army was fierce, but they would do anything for money. The Chief of the General Staff insisted on going head-to-head, which resulted in many casualties.
As for seeking peace, that's utter nonsense. Those who are stubborn should be beaten into submission. The Guangxi clique has been powerful for a long time; if Principal were willing to swallow his pride, he would have done so long ago.
The result was that the Northwest Clique was unruly and looked down upon by the Guangxi Clique, while Yan Xishan of the Shanxi Clique quietly made a fortune in arms dealing, with a significant portion of the dirty money likely ending up in the pocket of the Chief of the General Staff.
The matter was brought up by the principal's henchmen, and the two of them engaged in a long period of feigned politeness. However, Chief of Staff Shi had been an official for many years and was also the head of the Whampoa Military Academy. His prestige was no less than that of the principal, and the principal could not do anything to him. He could only gradually sideline him.
“We can’t choose the Chief of the General Staff’s disciple, so the principal is desperately in need of talent without factions. And the Chief of the General Staff definitely doesn’t want you to join. Getting rid of the old man can get rid of both you and the principal at the same time—killing three birds with one stone.” Qingcheng understood immediately.
"When gods fight, innocent bystanders suffer," Gao Junxiao remarked.
"Let them fight among themselves. You're part of the Central Army; if you want to advance, you'll have to surrender eventually. The best way for your father-in-law to escape is to withdraw from that committee on the grounds of poor health. We have test results proving his physical condition at the time, as well as the killer's testimony; getting him exonerated shouldn't be a problem," Qingcheng suggested clearly and logically.
Gao Junxiao had certainly thought of this idea, but unfortunately, the old man was hard to persuade! After all, he wasn't even born when the old man raised the flag of rebellion.
Murder would only fuel the old man's temper and make him more determined to support Madam Sun. That's why Gao Junxiao is still keeping it a secret from his parents, letting them think that they were affected by their son.
"Whether you can persuade him or not depends on your eloquence. An old horse in its stall still aspires to gallop a thousand miles. The old man is too idle. Why don't you find him something to do in the future?" Qingcheng said earnestly.
"Then hurry up and have a child for him to take care of." Gao Junxiao had barely finished speaking when...
Ah~~ The sharp pain in his thigh came on fiercely. Gao Junxiao touched the wound and asked Qingcheng in a wronged tone why she pinched him.
"Did you wake up from your sleepwalking?" Kiyosumi asked sternly. "Don't be all smiles when we're talking about serious business."
"I thought we were on a date, but it turns out we're talking about serious business." Gao Junxiao turned slightly towards his wife, his hand seemingly moving along her back as if it had a mind of its own. He ground his teeth together, his face almost breaking down.
Just as Gao Junxiao was hoping for more physical contact...
Ring ring—
Hey, why did the phone call have to come at this crucial moment? Gao Junxiao put his arm around his wife and leaned closer to the receiver. He wanted to know who was being so tactless.
The person on the other end of the phone was a woman. Her voice sounded somewhat familiar, but I couldn't quite place her. She wanted to invite Qingcheng out to play mahjong, and her cousin, who was also there, was also coming.
"Didn't you realize my wife was tired? Who cares about cousins? Even if the King of Heaven himself came, it wouldn't make a difference." While Qingcheng was replying, Gao Junxiao leaned over and whispered, "She's busy!"
*Smack!* Qingcheng slapped his hip hard. Gao Junxiao gasped, "Wow!" The force was incredible.
Then she explained to the person on the other end of the phone that there was no man there, and that she was listening to a radio drama with a male announcer's voice. The story was about a man who was so noisy that his neighbor cut out his tongue and he bled to death.
What kind of bedtime horror story is this! He chuckled, only to be kicked mercilessly in the waist again. That's some serious kick, it's just tickling, but when those clear, scarlet eyes swept over him, he instantly felt a chill.
"Never mind, let's wait a bit," Gao Junxiao thought patiently. He picked up a magazine from the table and started flipping through it. However, after waiting for quite a while, the magazine was worn out, but the other end still showed no sign of hanging up.
"This is never going to end!" Suddenly turning around, Gao Junxiao found pink lips floating in front of him, their refreshing minty scent wafting towards his nose as they opened and closed, warm, tingling, and slightly itchy.
Not only was her body itchy, but her heart was itching even more. The air froze for a few seconds before Gao Junxiao leaned in and kissed those alluring lips. A warm sensation instantly spread across her lips. The abrupt action startled Qingcheng, making her eyelids twitch. She stared at him in disbelief.
However, Kiyosumi quickly recovered, pushed his face away, and calmly told him that she had finished showering and had no plans to go out, and that they could meet again next time.
Yes, she's busy, hang up quickly! Gao Junxiao thought to himself anxiously, but how could a phone call between women be so easy to end?
On the other end of the line, a different woman answered, seemingly her cousin. Qingcheng comforted her cousin, telling her to trust her husband and that even if she saw long hair, it didn't mean anything; at most, it was just some wildflowers.
Let's talk things out. Men can't help being casual acquaintances; women come and go. A wife is the pillar of the family. Just let it go once the money is back. Turn a blind eye to prevent him from bringing his mistress back, which would be even more awkward.
A soft sobbing sound came from the other end, and Qingcheng responded with "Mmm," saying, "Please don't fight. Everyone has their struggles. If he scratches his face, will he look good at work? No, he won't. He should learn from the older women how to get along as a couple."
Something's not right, Gao Junxiao sensed. Was she trying to persuade someone or stirring things up? I never expected you to be this kind of woman.
On second thought, Gao Junxiao felt a bitter taste in his mouth, as if he had swallowed a snake's gall. She was so concerned about other people's husbands who were philandering. Why didn't she spare some attention to care for her own husband?
With bitterness rising in his stomach, Gao Junxiao narrowed his eyes slightly, an idea forming in his mind. He imitated the announcer's speaking speed and tone, and played the weather forecast in Qingcheng's ear.
Tomorrow, our city will experience rain during the day, with heavy rainfall. The high temperature will be 23 degrees Celsius, and the low temperature will be 11 degrees Celsius. The weather will be cool and comfortable in the morning and evening, so please remember to bring an umbrella when you go out, or perhaps a gentle kiss; your thoughtful husband will shield you from the wind and rain...
Unable to bear the affected tone of her voice, Qingcheng covered his mouth with her fingertips, which seemed a little rougher than usual. Gao Junxiao's attention was immediately drawn to his wife's intimacy. His back pressed tightly against the beauty's exquisite curves, making his chest feel a little stuffy, but he also enjoyed the feeling. He simply gave up struggling and lay down on Qingcheng's lap like a boneless octopus.
Finally, Qingcheng hung up the phone. Instead of rushing over wildly as expected, she expressionlessly touched his forehead and said, "What's wrong with you? Did you take the wrong medicine, or did someone switch your brain?"
He slightly raised his face and noticed that Qingcheng's chin was becoming increasingly pointed, and her thin cheeks were slightly sunken. Gao Junxiao grabbed her wrist and compared it to his own; it was indeed thinner than before. He felt even more pity for her: "I didn't take the wrong medicine, and I didn't switch the body. I just saw that you were too tired and couldn't bear to let you go out and play mahjong all night. Staying up late is bad for your health, and you still have to strategize."
Under the lamplight, Qingcheng gave a small, curved smile, a hint of sadness barely visible in it. But by the time Gao Junxiao wanted to confirm it again, it had vanished, as if it had never been there.
"Who needs to strategize? With you, Commander Gao, around, I don't need to use my brain at all. I just need to stay home, drink coffee, and then, when you're in a good mood, say, 'Commander Gao, if you become rich and powerful, don't forget me,'" Qingcheng said in a high-pitched, coquettish voice.
The flattering tone amused Gao Junxiao: "Hahaha, if you were to work with me, I'd think it's beneath you to be the chief of staff. You should be given to that... never mind, I won't say it, it's taboo."
His evasive remarks annoyed Qingcheng, who ruffled his hair and muttered angrily, "How annoying! He only said half of what he meant; I won't be able to sleep tonight."
If you can't sleep, that's okay. Gao Junxiao took the opportunity to say that he could stay and help Qingcheng fall asleep, and all services would be free as long as Qingcheng agreed.
Suddenly, the world spun around him, and Gao Junxiao lost his balance and fell to the ground. He rubbed his head and complained that Qingcheng wanted to murder her husband, so why did she push him?
"Free things are the most expensive. Get lost, I need to rest." Kiyosumi waved him away, looking very impatient.
"Hey, why don't you understand my joke?" Gao Junxiao thought to himself about the unpredictable woman, but he quickly got up and wrapped his arms around Qingcheng, determined to stay a little longer.
"You still have reservations about me, which clearly shows you don't trust me." Kiyosumi pouted and struggled a few times.
Nestled against Qingcheng's neck, Gao Junxiao adjusted to a comfortable position and whispered in her ear, "Let's joke around in private, but please, please, please don't let it get out. Otherwise, I'll have to say, 'Miss He, Gou Fugui, go get me. If you're too late, my family won't even see me alive.'"
Caught off guard, Qingcheng lightly pecked the corner of his mouth, as if giving some kind of seal of guarantee. Gao Junxiao asked softly with satisfaction, "Have you ever heard of a military system in the Soviet Union called a political commissar?"
In an instant, Kiyosumi was put on pause; her glass-like eyes trembled slightly, and even her breathing ceased.
After staring at her for a few seconds, Gao Junxiao continued to explain that he had heard that the discipline of the old Russian army was very poor, but since it was reorganized into the Red Army, the Soviets had assigned political commissars to them in order to reform the troops' ideology and style. With two leaders, those troops not only did not become chaotic, but their combat effectiveness increased greatly.
Because political commissars always charge ahead in battle, they set an excellent example. When they return to build up the team's ideology, everyone will believe them. Moreover, political commissars are mostly intellectuals, and they have more knowledge and experience than their grassroots commanders. They can often make forward-looking strategic plans.
Taking a deep breath of the delicate fragrance from the nape of her neck, Gao Junxiao tightened his arms and slowly uttered, "I feel like you are my political commissar."
Qingcheng suddenly turned around, her smiling gaze seemingly probing. At such close range, Gao Junxiao surprisingly didn't have any impure thoughts, calmly letting a strange feeling slowly ferment.
"Dream on. The political commissar wasn't appointed by the commander." Qingcheng tapped his nose, her pupils clear and transparent. "Silly boy, don't wear the red hat casually. The team leader is keeping a close eye on you. Don't let him find fault with you. We still have to live to be a hundred."
Hearing that he was part of her future, Gao Junxiao said sweetly, "I know, are you kidding? Anyway, this system is so much more advanced than the Party Affairs Section's spies. Those dog spies can't do anything but sabotage."
“Actually, the political commissar isn’t the most important thing. What’s important is that the troops have a clear ideology, that the soldiers know why they are fighting and for whom they are fighting, so that they can exert their greatest fighting power.” Qingcheng softly clung to him and rubbed against his chest.
"It's tough. They just want a bunch of brainless butchers and a set of machetes without intelligence, because it's hard to manage a team with ideas." Gao Junxiao stroked Qingcheng's fluffy head, his mind churning.
Suddenly, Qingcheng, who had already closed her eyes, blurted out: "It's easier to manage someone if they have ideas."
"How did you know?" Gao Junxiao asked.
"I'm smart." Qingcheng murmured softly, which soon turned into even breathing.
Hehe, so unmodest! Gao Junxiao smiled and kissed her dark hair, then gently picked her up and carried her back to the bedroom. The beauty didn't react.
As soon as his head touched the pillow, Qingcheng curled up like a shrimp, a shadow falling over his fair face. His defenseless appearance made people want to protect him, but the lingering worry between his brows proved that he hadn't misjudged.
"It's alright, I'm here," Gao Junxiao said silently, pressing his forehead against hers. As if sensing his feelings, Qingcheng's brows relaxed.
Seeing that she was sleeping soundly, Gao Junxiao tiptoed to cover Qingcheng with the blanket, leaned against her side, and gradually became lost in thought.
For several days in a row, it rained continuously, the ground was covered with puddles of all sizes, the air was damp, and even the moon in the sky was soaked.
Clang!
With a loud crash of iron bars, a man with his clothes half-open strode into the four-story villa. In the conference room on the first floor, several men in black peeked out, but upon realizing it was a colleague, they reluctantly went back to continue examining the evidence.
Just as the man was sitting in the living room sulking, Chen Jian came down the stairs and greeted him warmly, even pouring him a glass of foreign liquor.
He gulped down the drink, and his expression softened slightly. He grabbed Chen Jian as if he were grasping at a lifeline, complaining that his wife had lost her mind, saying he was having an affair and insisting on a divorce.
She goes out to earn money, working herself to the bone, but instead, she spends all her time playing mahjong, neglecting her children and doing no housework. It must be some gossipy old women she's recently associated with who's corrupting her.
"Your sister-in-law doesn't gamble anymore, does she? You can check her accounts when you have time," Shen Jian calmly analyzed.
"No, she only rubs very small amounts. She just likes to gossip with those old women." He got excited and cursed loudly, "If I find out which damned gossip has corrupted Weiwei, I'll shoot her dead."
"Isn't it because you were caught on Fourth Road before? Your body can no longer provide her with safety," Chen Jian said with a smile, exposing his lie.
"I was more wronged than Dou E in that matter. I was so drunk I blacked out, and those bastards forced prostitutes on me. Xiao Shen, you're a man too. You should know that when you're really drunk, you don't have the ability to do anything reckless." The man tilted his head back to stop the tears from falling.
“Brother, you know I never go to places where I might do something reckless.” Chen Jian changed the subject and suggested, “You two fell in love on your own, which is much more difficult than for couples who don’t have feelings for each other. Here’s what you should do: buy some expensive gifts beforehand to apologize properly, then find a fancy hotel for your wife to stay in for one night. Couples who fight in bed make up in bed, right?”
"Thank you, I'll go back and give it a try. My child is so young, I don't want a divorce." The man nodded, then inquired about the progress of the investigation, a confident smile on Chen Jian's face.
Cloth shoes are usually handmade by female family members, but the cloth shoes that were left behind had their sizes.
Based on this, they identified a finished shoe store located on the outskirts of the shantytown. The owner would resell substandard goods from clothing factories to the residents of the shantytown. Only acquaintances knew the address, and the prices were extremely low.
“There would definitely be a lot of people buying like that, and the shantytowns are a mixed bag, so it would be hard to find out the specific people,” the man asserted.
“Yes, but we can pinpoint the area where that gang is active, right in the shantytown. Our people are already deployed around there. He lost his shoes, so he'll have to buy a new pair sooner or later,” Chen Jian said confidently.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while before parting ways. Chen Jian continued examining the evidence, while the man went upstairs to work overtime. He skillfully opened the honeycomb box on the table, and the red and green LEDs ticked repeatedly until the pointer reached zero. After adjusting the frequency, the man silently put on his headphones.
In the ocean of radio waves, every beep is like a loud fencing sound in the dark night, a duel between the transmitter and the listener.
Beep beep, beep beep beep, beep, beep, thud...
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