Lu Linjiang clearly did not believe him. Jiang Langmin shrugged with an air of indifference. "It was merely for the sake of chivalry."
"Wouldn't it have been more chivalrous to actually bring the milk tea back to her?"
"There were too many people," Jiang Langmin said. "I waited in line for a while, but the place was packed three layers deep, not to mention all the delivery drivers. I didn't feel like waiting, so I came back early."
"And then you gave the receipt to Martina? Wait, after all that, she never went to pick it up?" Jiang Langmin suddenly looked as if he had just realized something. "My apologies. I explained the situation with the slip of paper to her when I got back, so I assumed everything that happened afterward had nothing to do with me."
Lu Linjiang remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on Jiang Langmin as he recalled the things Jiang Cheng had said before. Jiang Langmin met his eyes with calm composure, showing no sign of backing down.
"I see. It appears Mr. Jiang is planning to go abroad. However, given that there are significant points of suspicion in this case, I must ask you to remain in the country for a period of time to cooperate with the investigation."
To Lu Linjiang’s surprise, Jiang Langmin made no attempt to decline. "Very well. A life is at stake, after all; it’s only right. I’ll just have to let Jiang Cheng know so he can cancel my ticket."
The mere mention of Jiang Cheng stoked the embers of Lu Linjiang’s irritation. The sight of the two of them appearing one after the other with their suitcases earlier had been an eyesore. The only reason he hadn't lashed out was that his professional discipline had suppressed it, but that didn't mean he could simply swallow his resentment.
Lu Linjiang politely showed Jiang Langmin out of the room, trailing behind him until they found Jiang Cheng huddled in a corner of the reception hall. Seeing Jiang Langmin approach, Jiang Cheng assumed they were ready to leave. He tucked his phone away with one hand and handed Jiang Langmin’s suitcase over with the other. "Can we go now? I’ll call a car."
"Captain Lu has requested that I stay behind to cooperate with the investigation. I’ll have to return to the institute a bit later. Could you let them know for me? I haven't been back in a while, so I'm not sure who's in charge right now."
Jiang Cheng’s face filled with confusion. "Cooperate with the investigation? What investigation?"
Jiang Langmin turned his head to look at Lu Linjiang, who was standing behind him. He raised an eyebrow provocatively before saying, "Captain Lu seems to think I have something to do with Martina’s death, so I must stay."
Lu Linjiang frowned in displeasure. While Jiang Langmin’s words were technically true, saying them in front of Jiang Cheng made Lu Linjiang suspect he was intentionally stirring up trouble. Jiang Cheng’s return to Sius was clearly an attempt to prove he had the strength to stay there. Given Jiang Langmin’s status at the institute, he would have been a significant source of support for Jiang Cheng.
Now, Jiang Langmin was unabashedly pinning the blame for his absence on Lu Linjiang. If Jiang Cheng encountered difficulties upon his return to Sius... considering how much Jiang Cheng valued the institute, Lu Linjiang felt it was hard to say whether he would become the target of Jiang Cheng’s misplaced anger.
Jiang Cheng followed Jiang Langmin’s gaze to Lu Linjiang. "I see. In that case, I’ll head back first. The institute has already pressed me once; it wouldn't be appropriate to delay any further."
Jiang Langmin nodded helplessly. "Regarding the paper, you are the first author. I’ve already made that clear, so no one should have any doubts on that point. As for anything else, if you run into trouble, you can contact me. I’ll find a way to smooth things over for you." Jiang Langmin patted him on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. I believe as long as you have that paper, there won't be any problems. Oh, right, let me take—"
Jiang Langmin was about to offer to take Jiang Cheng to the airport, but Lu Linjiang interrupted him. "I’ll take you to the airport," Lu Linjiang said. "I have a car; it’s more convenient."
"I’ll go," Jiang Langmin insisted. "I have to refund my ticket anyway."
"Yang Bo!" Lu Linjiang looked up and caught Yang Bo, who was lurking nearby. "Help Mr. Jiang refund his ticket. He’s staying behind to help us with the case, after all. See if the airport can minimize the cancellation fee." Without waiting for Jiang Langmin’s reaction, Lu Linjiang snatched the suitcase from Jiang Cheng’s hand and pushed it toward the door.
Yang Bo moved quickly to intercept Jiang Langmin. "Mr. Jiang, please come with me," he said politely. "This might be the only bit of privilege we have here; please, don't be a stranger."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng also advised, "If it can be refunded here, then don't make a special trip to the airport." He glanced at Lu Linjiang, who had already stepped outside. "I’m leaving then. I’ll contact you once I reach Sweden."
Jiang Cheng hurried out to catch up, and Lu Linjiang was waiting for him a short distance away. After they had driven for a while, Lu Linjiang spoke up as if he had just remembered something. "Oh, no. It’s rare for you to come by, and I forgot to give you the keys."
Jiang Cheng glanced at him. "...Keep them for now. We’re already on the elevated highway; turning back now would probably mean getting stuck in traffic."
Lu Linjiang had no intention of turning back in the first place. He comfortably dropped his act and said, "Alright. Or, once you get to Sweden, give me your address and I can mail them to you."
Jiang Cheng remained silent, seemingly reserved about the suggestion. Lu Linjiang added, "By the way, will Jiang Langmin not returning affect your affairs at Sius?"
"It doesn't matter. This was always my own business. Whether I stay or not depends on my own merit."
"A little help never hurts. I’ll clear up the points of suspicion regarding Martina as soon as possible."
Jiang Cheng finally turned his head to look at him. "Do you know that when you say there are 'some points of suspicion,' it usually means the doubts are actually quite massive?"
Lu Linjiang: "..."
Jiang Cheng let out a small laugh. "I don't know why Senior Brother Jiang would be involved in Martina’s death, but that’s within your professional expertise. Since you feel it’s necessary for him to cooperate with the investigation, then it must be necessary. However..." Jiang Cheng paused, then spoke honestly. "To be truthful, it’s hard for me to imagine Senior Brother Jiang being connected to something like this."
Seeing that Lu Linjiang looked ready to speak, he quickly interrupted. "It’s fine, you don't need to explain. What I just said was only an analysis from my personal perspective. As for the specifics, I naturally lack your professional insight."
Lu Linjiang kept a neutral expression, but internally, he wanted to laugh out loud. Despite all of Jiang Langmin’s calculated schemes, it seemed he didn't hold that much weight in Jiang Cheng’s heart.
"I was actually very worried just now that keeping Jiang Langmin here would hinder your work at Sius," Lu Linjiang said, suppressing his amusement as he sought confirmation once more.
Jiang Cheng thought for a moment. "I can't say it has absolutely no impact. But personally, I don't want that kind of influence anyway."
Lu Linjiang: "...What do you mean?"
"Even though I originally entered Sius through Professor Tao’s connections, I was at least able to catch the professor's eye through my own strength and passed the exams to stay. I don't know why Sius suddenly has doubts about me, but I still want to stay based on my own abilities. I don't want anyone or any third-party force to be involved in this." Jiang Cheng looked out the window at the skyscrapers receding into the distance. "This is the skill I’ll rely on for the rest of my life. I don't believe I can't do it well."
The current Lu Linjiang was no longer surprised by such confidence from Jiang Cheng. "If you succeed, remember to send me a message."
"...Alright."
Lu Linjiang lingered at the airport until Jiang Cheng’s flight took off. Standing by the curtain wall in the terminal, he watched a plane slowly ascend, remembering the last phone call he had made to Jiang Cheng three years ago. For a moment, he was overwhelmed with emotion. Back then, he never would have dreamed that their positions would one day be so reversed.
But if he were to speak of regret, Lu Linjiang asked himself, his only regret was not cutting ties with the previous Jiang Cheng sooner. If he had done it earlier, perhaps the current Jiang Cheng would have already established himself at Sius long ago.
Looking at the darkening sky outside, Lu Linjiang couldn't help but scoff at himself. He suddenly realized that in some aspects, Jiang Cheng had always been a step ahead of him. "Living in the moment" was an easy phrase to say, but in all these years, Jiang Cheng was the only person Lu Linjiang had met who truly lived by it.
The lights flickered on. Lu Linjiang rubbed his chin and murmured, "You’d better work hard."
***
Jiang Langmin carried his luggage back to his apartment in the city center. Only after the door was shut did he completely shed his mask. His entire aura turned terrifyingly dark. He opened the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass. He swirled the amber liquid in the glass but did not take a drink for a long time.
Each floor here consisted of a single residence. To create a sense of openness, the perimeter was made of glass curtain walls, offering an exceptional view that captured nearly half the city. Jiang Langmin slowly paced around, holding his glass, and easily located the general direction of Micro-University. He raised his glass in a toasting gesture toward the distance, finally took a small sip, and uttered two words: "You fool!"
