CHAPTER 14
The rain fell like shattered glass against the city lights, a blur of silver and sorrow spilling through the streets. The hour was late, the roads nearly empty, except for one figure slumped on the flooded pavement—Jiang Ren, soaked through.
General Li Xuefang stopped a few paces away, her boots sinking into shallow pools as the water rippled around her. Her aides stood back silently, recognizing that look in her eyes—the quiet command that meant no interference.
She moved forward, crouching beside him.
General Li: You'll catch your death sitting here.
She said evenly. Her voice was steady, the kind that could silence a room.
Jiang tilted his head, rain sliding down his face like tears he would never admit to shedding.
Jiang Ren: You don't have to save me, General. I'm not one of your soldiers.
Li Xuefang's gaze remained fixed on him, unreadable.
General Li: No. But you are still under my watch.
He laughed bitterly, the sound rough and fragile.
Jiang Ren: Your watch… or your command?
General Li remained quiet.
He tried to rise, failed, and dropped back to his knees. The puddle around him rippled with his fall.
Jiang Ren: (Muttered) You think strength is all about control? But it isn't. It's knowing when to let go.
Her expression didn't change.
General Li: And have you? Have you let go of your fear?
Jiang looked up at her, eyes clouded but searching. The rain fell harder, hammering against their shoulders.
Jiang Ren: (Whispered) You don't understand.
General Li: You're right. But I don't need to.
Before he could argue again, his body swayed forward, heavy and spent. Li caught him instinctively, steadying his weight against her. For a brief, strange heartbeat, his head rested against her chest, his breath warm even through the chill of the storm.
She sighed, adjusted her grip, and with effortless strength, lifted him—one arm beneath his knees, the other behind his back. The soaked fabric of his clothes clung to her coat, but she didn't seem to care.
Her aides watched in silence as their commander—the same woman who had led a division through fire—carried a drunken painter through the rain like something fragile and precious.
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By dawn, the mansion was quiet again.
Jiang stirred awake, blinking against the soft light. His head throbbed, his memory blurred. Then he realized where he was—his own bed—and the steady warmth beneath his cheek.
Li Xuefang lied by him. Her arm still beneath him as if she hadn't moved all night. Her uniform jacket was gone, and her bare shoulders caught the faint morning glow.
Jiang Ren: [Is... Is this a dream?]
So he thought. He gazed at her in mystery.
Jiang Ren:[(Softly) How can someone as hot as this be so empty?]
Li Xuefang's smooth nose attracted his attention.
Jiang Ren: (Muttered) Will you disregard me after you get what you want from me?
As his hand unconsciously moved to touch her nose, Li Xuefang awoke. Jiang Ren froze, blushing furiously. She didn't flinch. He sat up in an instant, but all she did was to nonchalantly get down from his bed.
Jiang Ren: Ahem! What are you doing here?
General Li: (Silent).
Jiang Ren: D–Did you stay with me all night?
General Li: You hugged me, refusing to let go.
Jiang Ren: 😳 H–H–Hugged? Ahem! Did I do anything last ni...
General Li: You called me "Mother".
Then, her eyes fell on him.
Jiang Ren: M... M... What? B...
General Li: According to Intel, you are highly tolerant to alcohol. However, that didn't seem to be the case last night. How come?
Jiang Ren: Why do you care?
General Li: (Direct) I do not.
The room went totally silent.
General Li: (Cool) Though, let me warn for the last time...
Li Xuefang picked her jacket, and bent forward at Jiang Ren's face.
General Li: Keep to yourself and don't get me distracted.
She stood aright and left with a flash thought.
General Li: [You were never part of the plan, Jiang Ren. Neither will you be.]
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