Having mentally prepared herself, Jiang Wan didn't feel overly embarrassed after being mercilessly rejected by Jiang Cong.
She quickly composed her facial expression, striving to present her most charming self. She casually tucked a wisp of loose hair behind her ear, every gesture exuding allure.
"Jiang Cong, drive safely on your way. I'll go up first," Jiang Wan skillfully tried to close the distance with Jiang Cong through her words.
Jiang Cong nodded indifferently. Then the car window rolled up, the engine started, and the car drove into the hazy night in the distance.
It was not until the car was completely out of sight that Jiang Wan withdrew her longing gaze.
Then she turned around, swaying gracefully on her high - heels and walked upstairs.
In the car, Father Jiang said in frustration, "Congcong, what's wrong with you? Why are you so cold to that girl?"
Jiang Cong focused on driving. Only when they stopped at a red light did he turn his head and expose Father Jiang's intention. "Dad, forced love won't be sweet. Jiang Wan is not my type. Keeping a distance is the most appropriate thing to do."
Caught red - handed by his son, Father Jiang felt a bit embarrassed for a moment. But he still stubbornly said, "Love can be cultivated. You're so outstanding, and the girl is not bad either. A powerful union is what everyone expects."
Jiang Cong felt a headache coming on listening to his father's old - fashioned ideas.
His parents were great in every aspect, but they always adhered to the concept of a well - matched marriage. Just look at the famous ladies they had introduced to him before.
They were like mass - produced products from the same assembly line, every move pre - planned.
They were gentle, generous, and behaved appropriately, but Jiang Cong didn't like this kind of uniformity.
He was rigorous and always maintained a high - level performance at work.
But in life, Jiang Cong wanted more excitement and didn't want to be so conventional.
So, beneath his seemingly ascetic and cold exterior was a heart that was unruly and yearned for passion.
Jiang Cong didn't want to argue with Father Jiang anymore. No matter what he said, Father Jiang would always bring up the fact that he was at the age to get married and start a career.
"Dad," Jiang Cong was wearing a pair of gold - rimmed glasses today, which made him look even more handsome and elegant. "There are only people ready for marriage, not an age for marriage."
Jiang Cong intended to imply to his father that he didn't want to see any more incidents of forced marriage or blind dates.
But Father Jiang misinterpreted his words. A look of sudden realization flashed across his still - handsome face. "You have someone you like?"
It wasn't a question but almost a definite statement, going straight to Jiang Cong's heart.
Jiang Cong was taken aback and instinctively denied it. "Not yet. Don't overthink it."
Father Jiang gave Jiang Cong a suspicious look but had to drop the matter for the time being.
Jiang Cong kept an eye on his father's reaction. When he saw that his father was no longer fixated on the topic, he subtly relaxed.
It wasn't the right time yet. If he showed any signs in front of his father at this moment, given his father's personality, in just a few days, he would track down all the opposite - sex people Jiang Cong had contacted in Beicheng.
Then how could he face Chen Er?
Even the usually calm and composed Jiang Cong had fallen into this common cliche.
After he sorted everything out, he would solemnly tell that girl his feelings.
At this time, Jiang Cong didn't know that God was about to play another huge joke on him.
When he got home, Mother Jiang's eyes turned red when she saw Jiang Cong, who had been away from home for three months. She held his hand and asked about his well - being.
Finally, Father Jiang couldn't stand it anymore. With a straight face, he reminded Mother Jiang that it was getting late and it was time to rest.
Mother Jiang's still - charming face was glistening with tears, looking even more attractive.
Of course, this attractiveness was only in Father Jiang's eyes.
"Congcong, go and rest quickly. You'll have to get up early to go to the police station tomorrow," Mother Jiang said, half - supported by Father Jiang. She turned back worriedly and gave instructions before disappearing around the corner of the stairs with Father Jiang.
Jiang Cong was left alone in the living room.
Jiang Cong poured a glass of red wine and sniffed it under his nose, his expression unfathomable.
After a while, when the clock struck another dull sound, Jiang Cong got up and walked towards his bedroom.
That night, Jiang Cong fell asleep very late.
He couldn't help but miss Chen Er, who was thousands of miles away.
The next day, after a simple wash, Jiang Cong left home.
When he arrived at the police station, there were already people lining up to welcome him. Bo Yan, the captain of the city's criminal investigation team, even rushed forward excitedly and hugged Jiang Cong.
Jiang Cong twitched the corners of his mouth and his forehead was lined with black lines.
This guy was still the same old way.
"I've missed you so much. Why did you come back so late?" Bo Yan stared at Jiang Cong aggrievedly, as if Jiang Cong was Chen Shimei who had abandoned his wife and children.
People around who didn't know the situation looked at them with a hint of interest and complexity.
The cold light in Jiang Cong's eyes shot at Bo Yan mercilessly. He spat out the word "drama queen" and then walked inside, leaving Bo Yan far behind.
Pushing open the familiar office door, Bo Yan said again in a cheeky way, "Look, your things are still in the same place. There were just some minor changes during the renovation last month, but don't worry. Under my supervision, your black - and - white - and - gray style is still as rigid as ever."
Jiang Cong ignored Bo Yan's joking and snorted. "You're smart. Is this case very tricky?"
The implication was that if it wasn't a major case, they wouldn't have urgently called Jiang Cong back.
Bo Yan put away his smiling face and resumed his usual serious expression. He said seriously, "It's really a bit troublesome. The public is very concerned about this case, and the higher - ups have repeatedly emphasized that we must find out the truth as soon as possible and give the public an explanation."
Jiang Cong took the case file that Bo Yan handed over and skimmed through the detailed case records.
The victim, Mo Ziqing, was a big internet celebrity on a live - streaming platform with tens of millions of fans. She was also a well - known emotional blogger.
In the early morning, Mo Ziqing suddenly climbed over the railing on the 20th - floor balcony and fell to her death.
"What did the forensic identification department say?" Jiang Cong's eyes stopped at the words "sleepwalking disorder".
Bo Yan said gravely, "She had drunk a large amount of alcohol before her death. According to our investigation, Mo Ziqing suffered from sleepwalking disorder. At first, we thought she sleepwalked after drinking and accidentally fell off the building. But the gossip suddenly exposed on Weibo has pushed the matter out of control."
Jiang Cong continued to flip through the file and saw the listed relationship chart.