Grocery Store No.514

“Captain Jiang, I think we can do something more meaningful, what do you think? ”

Jiang Chengyan’s heart jumped, he glanced away, pretended to be confused, and asked, “What…what meaningful thing?”

A smile flashed in Ling Hua’an’s eyes, “Captain Jiang, today we’re sharing a bed. What do you think we should do?”

Jiang Chengyan’s heartbeat was faster. Although he had thought of what would happen before and had been mentally prepared long ago, when the real thing came, he began to be nervous again. His body stiffened like a stone. He took a deep breath and stammered, “Hua’an, I… I’ll take a shower first, wait for me for a while.”

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Ling Hua’an patted Jiang Chengyan’s stiff back and said helplessly, “What are you afraid of? I’m not a monster. If you don’t want to, I won’t force it…”

Before Ling Hua’an finished speaking, Jiang Chengyan kissed him and said in eagerness, “I want to! Hua’an, I want to give myself to you. It’s just… I’m a little nervous.”

Ling Hua’an kissed him on the lip, “Fool. If you’re not ready, I can wait. I want to grow old together with you and stay with you all my life. There is plenty of time for you to prepare.”

Jiang Chengyan was moved to hug Ling Hua’an. After a moment of hesitation, he asked the question from the bottom of his heart, “Hua’an, why did you choose me? Obviously, Yan Yu is better than me.”

Ling Hua’an raised his eyebrows, pretended to think for a moment. Well, in fact, I also think Yan Yu is better than you. He has more time than you, younger than you, and more attentive than you…”

“Ling Hua’an! “Jiang Chengyan snapped and bit Ling Hua’an’s lips softly.

“Okay, I won’t tease you anymore. Yan Yu is much better than you, but there is one thing he can’t compare to you.”

Jiang Chengyan eagerly asked, “Which point?”

“I like you.” Ling Hua’an said in a serious tone, “Captain Jiang, no matter how good others are, I only like you. So you don’t have to compare yourself or feel uneasy. As long as you don’t change your mind, I will never like others.”

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“Hua’an, I like you too. No, I love you!” Jiang Chengyan took the initiative to kiss Ling Hua’an’s lips, and his stiff body relaxed.

“Captain Jiang, I seem to have told you that if you wear a shirt, you must wear a vest inside.”

“En, yes.”

“Then can Captain Jiang explain why there is nothing in the shirt today? ”

“Because there are only two of us… tonight.”

Ling Hua’an was startled, then chuckled softly,  “Captain Jiang, my eyes are not good. So I have to trouble you to take a bath with me.”

The early morning sun shone in through the gap in the curtains, spreading the warmth that was coveted. Ling Hua’an woke up from his sleep, although it was still dark in front of him, he could clearly feel the temperature of the sun.

He lowered his head and kissed Jiang Chengyan in his arms. The corners of Ling Hua’an’s mouth curled slightly. Although Jiang Chengyan said he was ready, when Ling Hua’an felt his stiff body, he gave up his plan to do him. As he said, their days together are still long, he still has time to wait. He doesn’t want Jiang Chengyan to feel reluctance even the slightest.

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But last night, except for the last step, the two of them had to do what they should do as a couple and do it over and over again. After finally sharing the same bed, it’s not so easy for him to let Jiang Chengyan go. If his eyes can see, he would see the dense hickey marks on Jiang Chengyan’s body. Also the red marks on the inside of his thigh, which were deliberately left by Ling Hua’an, his mark.

Feeling Ling Hua’an’s movements, Jiang Chengyan rubbed against his arms, his sleepy tone asking, “Hua’an, what time is it?”

Ling Hua’an said helplessly, “I’m afraid you have to see it yourself.”

Jiang Chengyan froze, his confused head instantly sobered up, and blamed himself, “Hua’an, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to …”

“Jiang Chengyan, we are a couple. No need to always be so polite, I have long accepted the fact that I am blind and not as fragile as you think. Also, the more careful you guys are, the more you’ll make me feel like I’m causing you trouble, understand?”

Jiang Chengyan responded. He reached out to touch the corners of Ling Hua’an’s eyes and said, “Hua’an, actually your eyes are really pretty. Especially when you smile, it always looks like it sparkles.”

“Captain Jiang’s love words are really pleasing to hear. Do you want a reward?”

“Are you going to give me everything I want? “Jiang Chengyan looked at Ling Hua’an with expectation.

 “As long as I have it, I will give it.”

“Then I want to move over and live with you. Is that okay?” Jiang Chengyan looked at Ling Hua’an anxiously.

Ling Hua’an frowned slightly. He was thinking about how to deal with those ghosts, but Jiang Chengyan seemed to misunderstand what he meant.

When Jiang Chengyan thought that Ling Hua’an did not want to live with him, he felt very sad and lied “Hua’an, I’m sorry for embarrassing you, it doesn’t matter if you don’t want it, really.”

Ling Hua’an was aware of his duplicity and replied, “I was thinking about changing the bed to a bigger one. Since Captain Jiang said ‘It doesn’t matter if I don’t want it’, then forget it.”

When Jiang Chengyan realized that he was wrong he said anxiously, “no, it can’t be counted!”

Ling Hua’an resisted the smile at the bottom of his eyes and said, “didn’t Captain Jiang say it doesn’t matter?”

“It matters! I don’t care anyway, I’ll pack up and move when I go back. If you don’t agree, I’ll… I’ll sleep in front of your house.” Jiang Chengyan simply broke the pot and played as a rascal. Anyway, in front of Ling Hua’an, he didn’t care if he lost his face.

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Ling Hua’an chuckled softly and said, “Captain Jiang, you are clearly playing as a rascal.”

“It’s playing a rascal then. Anyway, it’s too late for you to regret it now. I’m relying on you.” Jiang Chengyan tightened his arms and hugged Ling Hua’an tightly.

Ling Hua’an sighed and said, “That’s right. Captain Jiang, we are lovers. If you have anything to say between us, just say it. There is no need to be duplicitous and wrong yourself, understand?”

Jiang Chengyan was moved. He thought he was pretending very well, but in fact, he had already seen through it. Ling Hua’an always knew himself so well and took care of his feelings so much.

“Hua’an, it’s so good to be with you!”

Ling Hua’an kissed Jiang Chengyan’s forehead and said, “Captain Jiang, there’s something I need to tell you. You might not be able to accept it, please be mentally prepared.”

“What?” Jiang Chengyan looked at Ling Hua’an nervously, “As long as you don’t break up with me, there is nothing I can’t accept.”

Ling Hua’an said helplessly, “Of course not. It’s about your classmate Gao Yuan.”

Jiang Chengyan couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when he heard this.  But he could not help frowning, “Gao Yuan? What’s wrong with him? What happened?”

“Do you remember the resentful ghost Li Nanhang, that I mentioned yesterday?”

“I do. Was his death related to Gao Yuan?” Once related to the case, Jiang Chengyan’s IQ immediately went online and keenly connected the two.

“I didn’t ask much. He just reminded me to keep your distance from him. However, I guess that since Li Nanhang said so, he must know something about Gao Yuan. Maybe it’s related to why Li Nanhang got killed.”

“Gao Yuan…” Jiang Chenhyan frowned tighter. “I had a good relationship with him when we were in college. He is a person full of integrity and uprightness. He is a good policeman, how could he turn black? Could there be any misunderstanding in this?”

“I’m not sure about this, but until the matter is investigated clearly, you’d better not get involved. My dear Captain Jiang, just put down your work and focus on being with me, understand?”

Jiang Chengyan raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, “This is my vacation and it’s not in Huacheng. Even if I want to participate in it, I’m afraid I won’t have a chance. So my dear Ling Laoban, where are you going to play today?”

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“Get up first or I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist doing something.”

Thinking about last night’s indulgence, Jiang Chengyan couldn’t help but blush and felt a  little lost. He hesitated for a moment and asked, “Hua’an, why didn’t you do it with me last night?”

“There will be plenty of time in the future. Captain Jiang, no need to hurry.”

“Who is in a hurry?! “Jiang Chengyan retorted with a blushing face.

Seeing Ling Hua’an silent, Jiang Chengyan’s heart tightened, and he confessed, “I just want to be closer to you. When you don’t want me, I always feel insecure.”

Ling Hua’an was stunned, then said with a bitter smile, “If I had known it was like this, I wouldn’t have had to endure so hard last night. Captain Jiang, I’ll give you a day to prepare. I want you tonight.”

Jiang Chengyan stiffened and responded in a low voice.

The two quickly got up, called Lu Hao and Yan Yu, and went to the restaurant together to have breakfast. After that, they drove to the ancient city of Licheng. This time Ling Hua’an didn’t sleep. Yan Yu drove the car, Jiang Chengyan looked at the road, and Lu Hao sat in the back seat. Without Lu Hao dragging their back1, a group of four people arrived smoothly in the ancient city of Licheng, which used to be a frontier fortress in ancient times. Standing under the city, looking at the countless historical marks carved by swords and guns on the city wall, people often feel blood boiling.

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The ancient city seen by Ling Hua’an is completely different from what ordinary people see. In the eyes of ordinary people, they can see the physical objects standing in front of them. Although they understand what has happened here, they can never imagine what the city has really experienced and how tragic it is. Ling Hua’an’s eyes, what he saw were so many ghosts, densely packed and countless. Their bodies were mutilated, their deaths were horrific. They are wearing the costumes of different dynasties, holding various weapons in their hands, and wandering around the city with dull eyes. The real story was tragic, vivid, and distinct rather than the few cold words in the history books.

Ling Hua’an withdrew his gaze and sighed deeply.

Jiang Chengyan asked curiously, “Hua’an, what’s wrong?”

Ling Hua’an shook his head and said, “It’s nothing, just feeling the heaviness of history.”

Lu Hao looked at the tall city wall and said excitedly, “this is really magnificent! Ge, let’s take a group photo together.” 

The three had no comment. Lu Hao found a friendly tourist to help the four take two group photos in front of the city gate.

The four of them walked slowly through the city, shopping, taking photos, and eating various snacks. They had a good time.

Jiang Chengyan whispered in Ling Hua’an’s ear, “Hua’an we’ve arrived at Lin Family Antiques Shop.”

Ling Hua’an nodded, he looked at Lu Hao and said, “Lu Hao, the snacks we just ate were quite delicious. You and Yan Yu go buy some more.”

“Okay, I also think it’s delicious. Then you guys wait here for a while and we’ll be right back.”

Yan Yu could see Jiang Chengyan’s little move clearly, but he couldn’t say how uncomfortable it was. However, he hid it well and followed Lu Hao behind.

“Come on, let’s go in.”

Footnotes

 In Mandarin Chinese, the phrase 拖后腿 (tuō hòutuǐ) is used in a more literal way of meaning “hold back someone or some animal’s hind (back) legs”. Think of someone trying to move forward and complete a task but being hindered by someone else. ↺