Chà Chà Novel

“I was presumptuous today. I won’t disturb you any longer”, Shang Jianli finally managed to force out a smile. Tears shimmered in his eyes, yet never fell.

“If there’s a chance next time…”

He stopped halfway through. No matter how he tried, the remaining words wouldn’t come.

See you again if there’s a chance?

Would there be a chance?

Ji Shileng’s sister, brother, and Su Ke already stood in his way. Now Qin Si had appeared from who knew where. He had no chance at all.

The trending topics remained high on the interstellar network. Who could see those photographs without remarking on how good Qin Si and Ji Shileng looked?

An instant was so brief, yet so long.

Shang Jianli’s grip loosened slightly. He nearly lost hold of the insulated bag.

The misty, overcast weather was perfect for a bowl of steaming soup.

After Shang Cheng left, the family doctor had come to treat the wound on his hand, repeatedly warning him to keep it dry.

The Ministry of Publicity was in complete chaos, but Shang Jianli still paid it no mind.

He went into the kitchen to wash the ribs, then cut fresh China root into chunks and put it into a pot with the other ingredients.

The first soup Ji Shileng had learned to make was this China-root detox soup. Shang Jianli had taught him.

Shang Jianli had taken a nap with an ice pack on his face. After simmering for more than two hours, the soup bubbled away, filling the air with its fragrance.

Without stopping to have any himself, he filled a bowl, placed it in the insulated bag, and hurried to the hotel.

Why did turning away bring another wave of heartache?

Shang Jianli clenched both hands, using every ounce of strength to stop himself from looking back.

Once he had gone, Qin Si made a phone call.

With Ji Shiyun holding his arm, Ji Shileng couldn’t make a quick escape.

Inside the room, he tossed aside his crutch and prepared to begin his jumping-frog impression.

There wasn’t much space anyway. A few hops would get him wherever he needed to go.

Unexpectedly, Ji Shiyun shut the door behind them.

With his sister there, Ji Shileng behaved himself considerably better and obediently sat down in the wheelchair.

She folded her arms and looked down at him. “Anything you’d like to tell me?”

Ji Shileng blinked at her. “Nothing to report. I haven’t done anything bad lately”

“You’ve always had a mind of your own. I can’t control you anyway”, Ji Shiyun said after studying him for a long while. She sighed. “Thank goodness you came home”

Ji Shileng had just lowered his guard when his sister asked, “Once we’re back, who are you planning to meet first for a matchmaking date?”

His breath caught halfway, and he coughed twice. “Shiyun, is it really that urgent?”

He had honestly thought they were joking.

He was only in his twenties. He was still young.

“I’m not in a hurry. Mom is. Talk to her when we get home”, Ji Shiyun said, deciding not to press him further and make herself unwelcome.

The thought of his mother sent a shiver through Ji Shileng.

He could already imagine what would happen if he refused to go. Wen Qin wouldn’t scold him, but she would stare at him with a look that mingled disappointment, sadness, and so many other emotions.

Who could withstand a look like that?

He certainly couldn’t.

Ji Shileng surrendered. “Fine… I’ll leave everything to Mom”

Ji Shiyun suddenly asked, “How much do you know about the Shang family?”

“Huh?” Ji Shileng shook his head. “Not much. They never liked me very much, and I didn’t enjoy offering myself up for their amusement”

Hearing such words again after several months made Ji Shiyun feel as though a heavy stone had lodged in her chest, leaving her painfully constricted.

She looked away. “That’s good. Keep your distance from those people. Then you won’t get caught up in anything”

“Shiyun, what did you find?”

“An operation that’s been running for years”, Ji Shiyun said without going into detail. “The team is still investigating. It’s been around too long to unravel quickly”

That was why she had given Shang Jianli some time to prepare a response.

“Is the Shang family heading it?”

Instinct told Ji Shileng that once the truth came out, the Shang family would suffer a devastating blow.

“Possibly. We haven’t established that yet”, Ji Shiyun replied, looking around the room. “We’ll discuss the Shang family when we get home. Pack your things first”

“Okay”

Ji Shileng remained seated for a while, narrowing his eyes as he watched the sky through the window.

Without warning, heavy rain began falling outside. The sky had remained silent, offering no hint beforehand.

Ji Shileng watched the rain a little longer before finally getting up to close the window.

The rain had come at an inconvenient time, but fortunately, it wouldn’t affect him.

He was no longer afraid of being drenched, whether by the passing years or the people around him.

Ji Shiyun stepped outside and found Qin Si still waiting by the door.

“Mr. Qin, have you finished packing?”

“Miss Ji, please just call me Qin Si”

Being addressed as Mr. Qin over and over sounded far too distant.

Ji Shiyun smiled and changed the subject. “Have you ever been in a relationship, Mr. Qin?”

“I used to be absorbed in work and never met anyone I liked, so no”

Ji Shiyun had no reason to doubt him. Qin Si and Ji Shifeng were equally renowned workaholics.

“Then, from what you’re saying, you have someone you like now?”

She couldn’t help asking a few more questions. Where Ji Shileng was concerned, she could never quite put her mind at ease.

Qin Si nodded. “I do”

“Was it someone your family introduced…” The words slipped out before Ji Shiyun abruptly stopped. An apologetic expression followed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Qin. I was thinking about Ji Shileng and spoke without thinking”

Qin Si was the only one left in his family.

“It’s all right, Miss Ji. No need to apologize”, Qin Si said, taking no offense. He added frankly, “I think you already know who that person is”

Ji Shiyun looked at him for a few more moments without saying it aloud.

Some things needed time to prove whether they were right.

“Then I won’t keep you any longer, Mr. Qin”

“One moment, Miss Ji. Regarding the Shang family, would you be willing to accept another helping hand?”

Ji Shiyun raised her eyes without speaking.

“I have a few connections in Stegala, and I’ve already obtained some information”, Qin Si said, watching her expression. When it remained unchanged, he continued, “As far as I know, this operation is centered in the Federation and extends into other countries”

Ji Shiyun was inwardly shaken, but her face remained composed. “You seem to be understating things, Mr. Qin. A few connections wouldn’t produce results this quickly”

She had mobilized several groups and spent half a month investigating, only to uncover a few vague leads.

She was certain Qin Si hadn’t been looking into it for long. He had only recently arrived in the Federation.

Yet he had already reached that conclusion.

Qin Si was concealing a great deal.

“But we share the same goal, don’t we?” Qin Si replied with an unconcerned smile. “Every disgusting thing seems determined to latch onto Xiaoshi”

Ji Shiyun agreed with that. “Why not tell Ji Shileng directly?”

If he was trying to win her favor, she wouldn’t be passing word of it to Ji Shileng.

“The matter isn’t settled yet. I’d rather wait until it’s over before telling him the story”