Chapter 185: Hot Springs

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Jiang Junlin emerged from the brightly lit Hualan Bank and immediately spotted Ji Chi waiting by the roadside. Ji Chi was sitting in a sports car, his posture lazy yet captivating everyone’s gaze.

In recent months, Ji Chi had made a prominent mark in the financial circles of City A. Young, handsome, and exceptionally capable, he was parachuted into the Asian division of Black Hawk, a move that was widely discussed in the financial world.

Due to the frequent collaborations between Hualan and Black Hawk recently, with much back and forth, almost all the top executives were familiar with him.

“Mr. Jiang, you’ve worked late again. It’s already 9:30,” Zhang Qiang, leading the security team behind him, said.

Jiang Junlin stepped aside and said, “You all can head home first, don’t follow me.”

“Understood!”

Jiang Junlin was still dressed in the attire of an urban elite, while Ji Chi appeared more casual. With a V-neck short T-shirt, a leather jacket, and jeans, he looked like a college student. Jiang Junlin found this style of Ji Chi strangely familiar and couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

“Do 1 look good in this outfit?” Ji Chi asked. “Do you find it familiar?”

It did seem somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen it before.

After returning to the country, Ji Chi had adapted to local customs, wearing three-piece suits and working on the financial street. With a youthful and tender face, he had to pay extra attention to his clothing to match his position. “Not working today?” Jiang Junlin inquired.

“I am working!” Ji Chi drove leisurely, as the rush hour had passed. The traffic in City A was still concerning, especially on the elevated bridges, causing heavy congestion. Ji Chi said, “Since coming back to the country, I’ve been wearing suits all the time. It’s gotten a bit tiresome. I’m trying a different style.”

This style wouldn’t really fit in the financial district, Jiang Junlin thought. He also remembered that Ji Chi rarely wore suits when he was abroad. A sudden realization struck him, and he remembered where he had seen this outfit before.

It was the night when he and Ji Chi had reunited… Jiang Junlin’s throat tightened, and he stole another glance at Ji Chi. Ji Chi’s lips curved into a half-smile, and in the confined space of the car, an ambiguous yet dangerous atmosphere lingered.

Interrupting his memories, Jiang Junlin shifted the topic. “Why did you want to meet me?”

Ji Chi chuckled and said, “Work’s over, wanted to treat Mr. Jiang to a late-night snack as a thank you for saving me.”

“Where did the idea of saving come from?”

“That day, you tipped me off to avoid national security and even came to pick me up personally. Isn’t that considered saving me?” Ji Chi’s slight dimple appeared, and though Jiang Junlin could see a faint mist in his eyes, he maintained his smile.

Ji Chi always had a friendly demeanor, greeting everyone with a smile. He smiled when angry, smiled when happy. He could play the role of both grandson and father, bending and stretching as needed. With exceptional intelligence, dealing with him required full attention.

“Just a small favor,” Jiang Junlin replied indifferently, looking out of the window. For the first time, he found the congestion on the elevated bridge annoying. Ji Chi’s outfit seemed to remind him of something unpleasant, something he didn’t want to remember.

The car arrived at a hot spring hotel, where the late-night snacks were ready. The restaurant staff were familiar with Jiang Junlin’s preferences. However, Ji Chi didn’t indulge him; he insisted on ordering the same dishes. Two separate sets of late-night snacks were ordered.

The indoor air was warm, dispelling the autumn chill. Ji Chi took off his coat and hung it casually on a rack. The wide V-neck of his tight-fitting T-shirt revealed his slim figure. He appeared thin, not particularly sturdy, yet exuded a strong aura.

“Mr. Jiang has been working late a lot recently. Does Hualan Bank have a lot of projects? If I recall correctly, the busiest projects should be wrapping up,” Ji Chi inquired.

“There’s a lot to do by the end of the year,” Jiang Junlin responded nonchalantly.

“Understood, favors go both ways,” Ji Chi sipped his drink. “Since you’re so well-informed, Mr. Jiang, could you share some information about the missing gold from national security with me? Maybe sell me a clue?”

The indoor temperature was slightly warm. Jiang Junlin unbuttoned his cuffs, rolled up his sleeves, revealing an attractive wrist. “National security information is highly classified. What information could I possibly have to sell you? Chen Liangdong himself is investigating. If you want to know, ask Ziyu.” “Ziyu’s lips are sealed tight. Can’t get much out of him,” Ji Chi chuckled. “I thought maybe your information network might have some leads. After all, several hundred kilograms of gold mysteriously vanished at sea. There must be some trace left behind.”

Jiang Junlin picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks, tasted it, and found it a bit tough. He put it back on the plate with a hint of distaste. He said, “This batch of gold has serial numbers. To circulate it, you’d need to reprocess it, distribute it—quite a hassle. You should keep an eye on the gold black market and processing plants. Clues will surface eventually.”

“The black market and processing plants have been under surveillance for a while,” Ji Chi said, frustrated. “Chen Rushi has scolded me three times already. It’s truly unfair.”

“He’s doing business with the underworld and embezzled the gold. Why is he blaming you?”

“Higher-ups can crush you even if they’re just one level above.” Ji Chi’s tone was half-serious, half-playful. “It’s not easy to make a living under his thumb.”

Jiang Junlin poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip. The plum wine of deep autumn had an excellent flavor. Ji Chi’s gaze hadn’t left Jiang Junlin’s face throughout the conversation.

“Brother, have mercy on me,” Ji Chi’s voice became soft, dripping with a subtle charm.

Truly flexible and adaptable!

Jiang Junlin was amused by his words. Ji Chi’s fleeting smile made his ears redden. Jiang Junlin quite enjoyed seeing that smile. He wanted to use a printer to capture Jiang Junlin’s smile and hang it by his bedside.

“You won’t be the one to take the blame for this matter,” Jiang Junlin said calmly. “Pei Qiuying has arrived in City A. She’s more anxious than you are.” “Those who were captured were all Pei Qiuying’s people. She’s new in her position and her subordinates have already made a fatal mistake, damaging her reputation. If I were her, I would use this batch of gold to make amends with the M Bank.” Ji Chi asked playfully, “Does Mr. Jiang know Pei Qiuying?” “Hualan and the underworld have been cooperating for decades. We’re familiar,” Jiang Junlin said, throwing a bombshell. “There was even a betrothal.”

“What did you say?” Ji Chi coldly smiled, his tone turning icy.

“Ten years ago, my father and the Pei family arranged a betrothal. It was just a verbal agreement, and we hadn’t exchanged tokens. But then Pei’s uncle got into trouble, and the betrothal was called off.”

Ji Chi’s breathing seemed to tighten and then relax. “Ten years ago… you were almost of age, and your family arranged a betrothal. You didn’t object?” “Matters of marriage, I don’t mind,” Jiang Junlin’s voice was so indifferent it sounded ruthless. He added with meaning, “It’s all the same, whoever I marry.” “What an ‘it’s all the same’ attitude!” Ji Chi laughed. “Give it a try.”

Jiang Junlin lowered his head, concealing the smile at the corner of his lips. It was as if he hadn’t noticed Ji Chi’s darkened expression.

Ji Chi was momentarily diverted by Jiang Junlin’s mention of his past engagement with Pei Qiuying. He didn’t continue probing about the gold, and their conversation dipped to a chilly level.

Jiang Junlin loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button with one hand. With a smile, he asked Ji Chi, a man who had been notably restrained, had an inexplicable allure emerged? “Ji Chi, now that you’re here, would you like to go to the hot springs?”

Ji Chi gazed at him with a smile that wasn’t entirely a smile. “Is Mr. Jiang inviting me?”

Jiang Junlin finished his plum wine in one gulp. There was a hint of desire behind his gold-rimmed glasses. It was alluring. “Consider it a stress-reliever.”

Ji Chi was speechless..

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