Chapter 10: Absence

The entire process flowed smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing this, the beauty smiled helplessly and scanned the QR code to make the payment.

With a "beep," the debt was finally settled.

Jiang Zhaoyang let out a long breath, feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

He turned to leave.

Suddenly, he heard the beauty’s voice behind him: "Wait!"

He turned back in surprise. "Is there something else?"

"Are you from Liuli Town?"

Jiang Zhaoyang did not deny it.

"Are you a town official?"

He found it hard to deny.

"You haven’t told me your name yet."

"This?" Jiang Zhaoyang was reluctant to reveal his name. "A name is just a symbol, not important."

"Trying to be a good Samaritan?"

"If not the name, then your phone number—surely that’s okay?" The beauty compromised.

Jiang Zhaoyang still hesitated.

He stammered evasively, "This phone is new, the number was assigned randomly. I don’t even know it."

"You don’t know?" The woman was clearly surprised by his answer.

Her eyebrows rose slightly, revealing a row of delicate teeth like tiny pearls, her smile tinged with playful teasing. "You’re quite funny! You actually don’t know your own phone number?"

Seeing Jiang Zhaoyang’s awkward expression, she shifted her tone to a teasing one. "Do you even know how to use a phone? You’re not telling me you can’t even operate a phone, right?"

At this, Jiang Zhaoyang could no longer evade. "I can, I guess!"

"Alright then, my number is 139XXXX. Just call this number."

Jiang Zhaoyang felt helpless.

He couldn’t outright refuse the woman’s request.

He thought to himself, since the phone wasn’t really his, there was no need to worry too much about what might come next.

No matter. Even if she really called that number later,

How would his colleagues know her?

At most, they’d exchange a few words and then hang up.

There would be no further consequences.

So he picked up the phone and dialed the woman’s number.

The phone rang, and the beauty glanced down at the unfamiliar number on her screen.

A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips.

She said softly, "Okay, I’ve saved this number."

Jiang Zhaoyang breathed a silent sigh of relief. "So, that’s it, then?"

"Yes, that’s it."

"Alright, I’m going now."

"Mm."

Jiang Zhaoyang stepped out of the observation room.

***

Outside the hospital, he emerged into the bustling street.

He waved down a taxi.

Jiang Zhaoyang gave the destination.

Upon hearing it, the driver hit the accelerator immediately.

The taxi sped off like the wind.

Jiang Zhaoyang leaned back in his seat, watching the scenery flash by.

A wave of melancholy welled up within him.

Today had been nothing but bad luck, a string of misfortunes.

Soon, the taxi stopped near the accident site.

Jiang Zhaoyang paid the fare.

He got out and carefully searched along the roadside for his motorcycle.

Finally, in a ditch overgrown with mugwort and reeds, he spotted his familiar bike.

He felt a surge of relief.

If not for the cover of these weeds,

His motorcycle might have been mistaken for abandoned property and taken by passersby.

He hurried over to the bike.

After a careful inspection,

He found only some dirt and scratches, nothing serious.

Jiang Zhaoyang patted the seat with reassurance.

With all his strength, sweat trickling down his face, he pushed the slightly worn motorcycle back onto the road.

He started the engine; it roared to life.

Then he twisted the throttle.

The motorcycle sprang forward like an awakened leopard,

Unleashing a breathtaking burst of power, shooting ahead like an arrow loosed from a bow.

By the time Jiang Zhaoyang’s motorcycle entered the county town, night was falling.

The town’s lights were just beginning to glow, a tapestry of countless warm lights shining in unison.

His motorcycle turned into a quiet alley.

Deep within the alley lay a tranquil residential complex.

His home was nestled in a corner of that complex.

Jiang Zhaoyang carefully parked the motorcycle in the shed and quietly locked it up.

He approached a building,

then climbed the stairs leading home.

Reaching the third floor, he stood before his apartment door.

His finger gently pressed the doorbell.

The door quietly opened.

A woman of about fifty, with a kindly face, appeared in the doorway.

It was his mother, Zhou Jing.

"My son, you’ve finally come back!" she cried with joy, tears streaming down her face.

"Mom! I’m fine," Jiang Zhaoyang comforted her.

He stepped inside and bent down to change into his slippers.

"Son, you must be hungry."

***

After saying that, Zhou Jing went into the kitchen.

Soon, the dining table was laden with delicious dishes.

"Son, eat quickly. I’ve been cooking this for a long time, reheated it three times!"

"All your favorite dishes."

"Look at these braised ribs, such an inviting color, and the steamed fish—I specially picked the freshest one."

"Mom, where’s Dad? Why isn’t he here?" Jiang Zhaoyang asked curiously as he pulled out a chair to sit.

Usually, at this time, his father Jiang Jingzhang would be seated at the head of the table.

The three of them would enjoy dinner together.

But today, his absence was conspicuous.

Zhou Jing forced a faint smile.

Yet her eyes concealed a subtle, hard-to-detect sorrow. "Son, eat first. I’ll tell you later, okay?"

"Why?" Jiang Zhaoyang asked, surprise mingled with confusion.

"Eat!" Zhou Jing changed the subject.

She gently picked up a chicken drumstick with her chopsticks,

carefully placing it into Jiang Zhaoyang’s bowl.

He did not press further; hunger drove him to eat voraciously.

At the table, only the clinking of utensils and occasional chewing sounds filled the air.

When he finished, Jiang Zhaoyang patted his belly in satisfaction and looked at Zhou Jing.

A questioning look in his eyes: "Mom, now can you tell me?"

Zhou Jing’s face instantly darkened.

"Son, you have to brace yourself."

"Mom knows this will be a blow to you."

"But we must face it."

"What?" Jiang Zhaoyang’s heart sank sharply.

"Your father… he has been placed under investigation and is subject to disciplinary measures!"

Jiang Zhaoyang was utterly shocked.

He jumped up from his chair as if struck by lightning.

"This can’t be true!" he exclaimed.

His father, Jiang Jingzhang, was the director of the County Education Bureau.

The county education chief wielded immense influence, one of the most powerful officials in town.

There were six thousand teachers under his jurisdiction,

making up half of the local government payroll.

People seeking favors came and went in endless streams.

Those bringing gifts formed long lines.

Yet Jiang Zhaoyang had never seen his father accept any bribes or gifts.

Whenever he heard rumors of officials taking bribes,

He could only picture his father’s stern, upright face.

He could never reconcile those tales of corruption with the man he knew.

How could his father violate disciplinary rules and be put under investigation?

Jiang Zhaoyang was at a loss to understand.