CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: BAI YUEGUANG’S STAND-IN

It was already dark by the time she left the police station.

A woman not far away, holding her child, was continuously thanking the man who had saved her and her daughter.

Almost everyone had left, but Jiang Lai had yet to catch a passing taxi.

"If you don’t mind, you can ride in my car."

A man walked over, removed his mask, and smiled gently at Jiang Lai.

Upon first seeing him, Jiang’s eyebrows subtly raised.

"Then I’ll trouble you."

"No trouble at all. You saved my life today, and I still don’t know how to repay you."

"How about with your life?"

Jiang Lai’s sudden remark left the man stunned on the spot, a look of surprise sweeping across his eyes.

"Haha, just kidding. It’s quite fate to run into a fellow countryman in a foreign land."

"Indeed. May I know Miss’s last name and first name?"

"Oh, I’m Jiang Lai, and you?"

"My last name is Xiao, Xiao Jun."

Jiang Lai smiled.

"Sounds a bit familiar."

Xiao Jun’s face stiffened, and before he could think of how to respond, Jiang Lai laughed again and said.

"My ex-boyfriend’s name also had two characters; that’s why it sounds familiar."

"Then Miss Jiang’s ex-boyfriend wasn’t very fortunate."

Discussing this topic, Jiang’s demeanor cooled considerably, and from getting into the car to arriving at the hotel, she hardly spoke.

Xiao Jun dropped her off at the hotel.

"Are you free tomorrow, Miss Jiang?"

"I don’t have much going on these days; do you need anything?"

"I’d like to invite you for a meal."

Jiang Lai thought for a moment and nodded.

"Sure, I’m idle anyway."

"Is Miss Jiang here for travel?"

"For work, but I’ll enjoy some time off afterwards."

Xiao Jun nodded and watched Jiang enter the hotel before turning back to his car.

His assistant handed him a video.

"This is the surveillance playback of the scene. Miss Jiang isn’t ordinary, able to act with such skill and speed. Even a half-second’s hesitation or deviation back then could have cost her life."

Watching the video, the seemingly frail woman fearlessly grabbed the gun pointed at his chest. Even just watching the replay conveyed the suffocating tension he felt at the time.

He hadn’t expected Jiang Lai to become his savior.

He also didn’t expect such vanity in a woman to have this courage and poise.

His decision to stand up and protect the mother and child was assured by a bodyguard in hiding who could take down the robber at any time with a headshot.

But her?

Why would she step out and risk her life to protect this stranger?

"Boss, after facing such a dangerous event during this trip, do you want to cancel the remaining itinerary?"

"No need, just arrange a few more undercover bodyguards to follow along."

The next day, Xiao Jun invited Jiang Lai to a famous restaurant. Facing a lake, the breeze gently warmed by the sun, Xiao Jun, in a white shirt opposite her, appeared elegant and courteous.

In contrast, Jiang Lai donned a red floral strap dress, her thick hair fashioned into alluring waves, playfully teased by the wind.

For the first time, Xiao Jun observed her up close.

He realized she wasn’t quite as others described. Though similar in looks to Mu Chen, her personality was completely different.

Unlike Mu Chen’s orchid-like quietness, Jiang Lai was bright and charming, her smile blooming vividly, drawing glances from men around.

Xiao Jun steadied himself, repeatedly reminding his purpose for being here.

"I truly enjoy the culture and scenery here; if given the chance, I’d love to live here permanently."

Jiang Lai pursed her lips in a smile and quipped.

"After yesterday’s events, still loving this place—you’re quite daring."

His conversation stumbled, caught off guard by her comment. He quickly shifted topics.

"Do you enjoy art exhibitions? I have two tickets for a private artist showcase."

Knowing Jiang had studied art at university, he assumed she’d be interested in the exhibition. Even if not, attending a private exhibition in an artistic hub is a rare and distinguished occasion, likely irresistible to Jiang.

As expected, she arrived at the exhibition’s entrance the next day.

Inside the pristine building lay a long corridor, where Xiao Jun walked silently beside Jiang, appreciating the art.

Being a private collection, few visitors attended, with the owner introducing the artwork’s origins and history.

As the female owner greeted Xiao Jun with a familiar hug and kiss and led them down the corridor.

At a corner, Jiang’s gaze rested on a painting.

Seeing this, Xiao Jun approached, whispering.

"These are privately purchased at high prices from artists, unseen elsewhere. If you like it, feel free to chat with the collector."

Subsequently, Xiao Jun turned to speak in Italian with the owner. Smiling, she approached Jiang warmly asking.

"Do you like this painting?"

Jiang nodded.

"Could you tell me from whom you bought this painting?"

Speaking fluent Italian, indistinguishable from locals, it caught Xiao Jun, intending to translate, momentarily off guard, prompting a retreat in embarrassment.

Upon hearing her proficiency in Italian, the owner directly began explaining the painting’s history.

"Years ago, on a trip to China, my husband purchased this from a young artist. Though not expensive, we cherish it, rejecting multiple purchase offers from exhibition visitors over the years."

Jiang smiled faintly, turning back to the half-length portrait on the wall— a woman in darkness yet radiant, holding a handful of earth, atop which blooms a tiny wildflower, full of life and strength.

Noticing her fixed attention, Xiao Jun hesitated but then stepped forward.

"Do you truly like it?"

"Yes, I do quite a bit."

After the exhibition, they watched the river at a nearby café, when Xiao Jun excused himself for a call. Upon returning, he surprised Jiang with a picture frame in hand.

The frame contained the painting she had just seen in the private exhibition, startling her.

"How did you bring it here?"

"Because you liked it, I pleaded with the couple for them to sell it to me."

Jiang paused in surprise, mirroring Xiao Jun’s anticipation.

Expert in crafting romance and surprises, he perfectly understood what someone like Jiang Lai secretly yearned for.