Reservoir Dogs chapter 37
Liang Hanqing
With the doctor’s signed form, he went to the Clemency Court for registration and officially obtained his identification card.
Xiao Zhou tightly held onto that card, staring at it intently. Embedded in the soft flesh of his palm, he didn’t loosen his grip. He was overjoyed—finally, he was free.
His happiness was evident, and Jiang Chengyuan could see it. He couldn’t help but smile, his eyes crinkling. “First time seeing you so happy like this. So, what do you want to do? Anything special?”
The two walked down the grand steps of the Clemency Court together. The sunlight was generous and bright, casting a glistening golden path.
Looking ahead, Xiao Zhou had to squint his eyes against the dazzling light. The road ahead was crisscrossed with too many choices waiting for him to make.
Turning to Jiang Chengyuan, the man was relaxed and leisurely, trailing half a step behind. Though he asked a question, he didn’t rush for an answer.
With so many choices, he suddenly didn’t know what to do.
Seeing Xiao Zhou silent, Jiang Chengyuan naturally walked up, taking his hand. “Let’s go. Since today’s your holiday, let’s do something holiday-worthy. You haven’t really enjoyed yourself since coming out, right?”
Jiang Chengyuan took him to a Mexican restaurant. Mexican cuisine represented spicy sauces and high calories, something Xiao Zhou hadn’t had in a long time.
He had originally thought Jiang Chengyuan preferred health-conscious eating, willing to pay a hefty sum for high-end vegetarian restaurants with natural organic vegetables, no oil, salt, or sugar. But Jiang Chengyuan actually enjoyed spontaneity, not adhering strictly to dining etiquette, and indulging in unhealthy yet delicious dishes for sensory pleasure.
After leaving the restaurant, Jiang Chengyuan, in high spirits, took him to see a movie—a cheerful American blockbuster.
Five years later, experiencing the feeling of sitting in a theater and watching a movie, the large screen, surround sound, and realistic 3D scenes captivated him, even if the plot was uninspiring.
After the movie, Xiao Zhou was still immersed in the virtual world of the film. He talked about the spectacular scenes of skyscrapers crashing, and Jiang Chengyuan listened and occasionally smiled at him, his smile carrying his usual arrogance and tolerance, still dangerously handsome enough to make hearts skip a beat.
In the square, they were accosted by a flower-selling girl. She was articulate and observant, following Jiang Chengyuan persistently. “Uncle, uncle, buy a flower, the freshest roses.”
Soon, Jiang Chengyuan surrendered and bought ten roses, their bright red petals burning in his hands. He played with the petals and then handed the flowers to Xiao Zhou.
Xiao Zhou looked strangely at the lonely flowers. “You’re unexpectedly soft-hearted.”
Arching an eyebrow, Jiang Chengyuan replied, “Why argue with a little girl? A small amount of money can make her very happy. It’s simple happiness.”
Xiao Zhou pursed his lips and finally accepted them. “If everyone thought like you, all the beggars in the world would be happy.”
“It’s strange. You can empathize deeply with Xu Juan but criticize a flower-selling girl. Are you denying the act of buying flowers or receiving them?”
Xiao Zhou’s eyelashes fluttered. “You’re speaking in riddles.”
Jiang Chengyuan smiled, “If you could be as easily pleased as the little girl with two roses, I’d be much happier.”
Xiao Zhou clasped his hands together. “You seem to be in a good mood today?”
“Do I?”
“Why did you suddenly take me to do these things?”
Jiang Chengyuan said, “I think today should be a memorable day for you,” plucking a rose from Xiao Zhou’s hand and tapping it against Xiao Zhou’s, mimicking a toast gesture. “I’m trying to give you a good memory.”
Xiao Zhou’s fingertip brushed against a flower stem, which still had some untrimmed thorns. He felt a prick, but upon closer inspection, there were no marks on his hand.
On the way back, Xiao Zhou was driving.
The neon lights on both sides of the road formed beautiful bands of light. Jiang Chengyuan leaned against the passenger seat with his eyes closed, and those lights and shadows fell on his face, creating a contrast of light and shade that enhanced his features.
After parking in the garage, Xiao Zhou turned his head to look at him for a while, then lifted a finger and gently touched the sleeping man’s face.
An indescribable strong sensation surged in Xiao Zhou’s heart, warm like tepid water flowing in his chest.
Jiang Chengyuan was a very rational person, a qualified lawyer, naturally eloquent, with a broad understanding, and never resorted to shouting or violence. Xiao Zhou knew Jiang Chengyuan was angry at the hospital, but he handled everything calmly and even-handedly, entrusting Xiao Zhou to conclude the matter. No matter how chaotic he might become, Jiang Chengyuan could always provide assurance. This was the role of a lawyer—to instill complete trust and reliance in their clients, and to tidy up a mess.
Reliance? Was he relying on him?
Xiao Zhou’s expression suddenly changed, his finger retreated, and he leaned back slightly.
Upon further thought, seeking Jiang Chengyuan’s company at the hospital was to avoid an impending awkward situation. These days, witnessing Jiang Chengyuan’s professionalism and competence, it was easy to be convinced and unconsciously surrender to him. If things could be resolved effortlessly and perfectly, why insist on facing it alone?
This was an ominous sign; he stood on a floating ice floe that could melt and fragment at any moment, mistakenly thinking he had found solid ground. Perhaps when he sank and drowned, he wouldn’t even know where he had gone wrong.
His identity did not allow him to have such dependence; he should adjust his position properly. Just as Jiang Chengyuan had said when they first met, he disliked trouble or fragile relationships based on emotions; Value and interests were the only chips that would never deceive people.
Only pheromones and this omega identity were his true worth.
He took a deep breath and looked forward again.
Because Jiang Chengyuan helped settle Zhou Jun’s affairs, Jiang Heng, chairman of Wansheng Group, appreciated him and arranged a dinner through Ji Yang as an intermediary. Apart from a few key figures, several other lawyers from the group accompanied them.
At the dinner table, cups clinked as they toasted. Jiang Heng, in his fifties, was still vigorous and had a booming voice. The purpose of this dinner was obvious: Jiang Heng had previously strongly invited Jiang Chengyuan to be the chief legal advisor of Wansheng Group, offering a very generous compensation package. Jiang Chengyuan’s attitude was vague and ambiguous, so Jiang Heng wanted to clarify things during this dinner.
After some half-truths and half-lies during the negotiations, the matter was finally settled.
Ji Yang made a gesture, and everyone at the table stood up to toast.
As they chatted, someone at the table mentioned the high-profile corruption case that had been making waves recently. It happened to be handled by Jiang Chengyuan’s firm. The last trial didn’t result in an immediate verdict, and it was said that because of this case, the presiding judge and his colleagues in the court were in a very awkward and delicate situation.
“When a case has reached this stage, it’s clear how it should be judged, but he insists on listening to that lawyer, not giving face to the other judges. Isn’t he asking for trouble?”
“I heard that the defense strategy was advised by Lawyer Jiang himself. That young judge was completely played.”
Ji Yang glanced at Jiang Chengyuan and then said, “It’s not fair to say he was played; that’s just his personality.”
Jiang Chengyuan lowered his eyes and casually rotated the cup in his hand.
At this moment, a waiter came in with dishes, the door wide open, coincidentally just as the opposite private room was finishing up. A group of people came out in single file and stood in the corridor.
Both sides met eyes and recognized each other as acquaintances. Lawyers and judges, pretending not to know each other in public while privately maintaining decent relations—after all, the legal community was small, and after countless lawsuits, they would inevitably cross paths, so why act like enemies?
“Isn’t that Judge Liang?”
“Speak of the devil, here he is.” Several lawyers had already gone out to greet them and invited them in.
The people who had originally been standing in the corridor entered the private room. Looking up, the person was dressed casually, with a delicate and handsome appearance, a slim figure, and a hint of misty aura around his brows and eyes, like distant mountains veiled in light mist. In ink and brush, he resembled a traditional Chinese painting full of charm; though light in touch, he exuded a unique elegance.
Amidst the flattery and familiar greetings echoing throughout the room, Liang Hanqing’s gaze passed coldly over the heads of everyone in the private room, straight to Jiang Chengyuan.
“We meet again.”
This time, they couldn’t avoid each other.
Jiang Chengyuan took a cigarette and smiled faintly at him. “Long time no see.”
Liang Hanqing fixedly stared at him, then slowly returned the smile. “Indeed, it’s been seven years, Ge.”
Author’s note:
The corruption case mentioned earlier is the one Lin Shen and Jiang Chengyuan discussed. The details of what happened there have been explained clearly enough, so there’s no need to repeat it here.