Reservoir Dogs chapter 30

 Be careful next time

After checking out of the hospital, the two returned home.

Jiang Chengyuan didn’t look too good, and Xiao Zhou simply followed beside him, not saying a word. He still couldn’t understand why Jiang Chengyuan had been so willing to sacrifice himself this time, risking his life to save him.

Upon entering the house, Jiang Chengyuan struggled to unbutton his clothes with one hand. Both were covered in mud, which had already solidified on their bodies and clothes, making movement uncomfortable.

It wasn’t easy with just one hand, and the buttons were clogged with mud, refusing to come undone.

Frowning deeply, he grew increasingly impatient, but the more agitated he became, the less able he was to handle such delicate tasks.

“Don’t pull,” he was about to forcefully tear them open when Xiao Zhou walked over and stood in front of him, helping to undo the buttons.

Jiang Chengyuan’s hand paused, then dropped to his side.

Fingers moved over the fabric of his shirt, undoing each button one by one. They stood close together, from Jiang Chengyuan’s angle, he could see Xiao Zhou’s lowered eyelashes and the straight bridge of his nose, a smear of black mud on his cheek, visible wounds on his exposed skin.

The shirt undone, it hung on his right arm, wrapped in bandages. Xiao Zhou turned to find scissors to cut the fabric and remove it.

Jiang Chengyuan stood bare-chested, revealing a strong male physique, defined abdominal muscles and a v shaped waistline, disappearing into black trousers.

Xiao Zhou noticed some old scars on his body that he hadn’t noticed before, partially healed with faint traces remaining. Some injuries were still severe, with red raised scars, especially on his forearm. Even after healing, the severity of the situation was evident.

Jiang Chengyuan noticed Xiao Zhou staring at his scars, initially displeased, but then he relaxed. “Scary, huh?” His voice was low, hoarse from a sleepless night.

Xiao Zhou just looked at the S-shaped scar on his chest and said, “This is from open-heart surgery.”

Jiang Chengyuan nodded, suddenly grabbing his hand, tracing the protruding texture of the scar with Xiao Zhou’s fingertips. Then he said, “Seven years ago, after I left the courtroom, I was surrounded, and when I broke free, someone drove a car and rammed into me from behind.”

Xiao Zhou’s fingers instinctively curled up, but he couldn’t pull away.

“I’m handling a case at the time. There was a dispute between the parties involved and the staff of the arcade. After being beaten, one of them was seriously injured and fell into a coma. Two arcade staff members died after being taken to the hospital. The prosecutor’s office filed charges of intentional homicide with the intermediate court,” Jiang Chengyuan said. “The arcade, which was the scene of the crime, was cleaned up afterwards, and all traces were erased. Witnesses had repeatedly changed their testimony, leading to a lot of interference.”

“The father of the defendant approached me, hoping I could help defend his son. After reviewing the case files, I assured him that his son would not be sentenced to death, as there were issues with the factual findings in the first trial.”

Xiao Zhou frowned, not sure why he was bringing this up.

Jiang Chengyuan continued in a calm tone, “There were indeed many angles to contest in that case. For instance, the defendant’s girlfriend could attest that he went to the arcade not to extort money but to retrieve his phone containing her nude photos. Furthermore, the defendant went alone and was hospitalized with multiple severe injuries, including fractured ribs from a steel pipe, and the folding knife used in the fatal stabbing was a decorative item on his keychain, which doesn’t prove intent to carry a weapon, thus negating premeditation.  Moreover, death sentences in our country are harsh and not easily carried out. Therefore, I was confident about this case.”

“During the trial, however, his girlfriend refused to testify and contradicted the defendant, stating the nude photos were consensual, and that the arcade owner had been harassing her. It was even alleged that the defendant had accumulated substantial gambling debts and, while intoxicated, had boasted about making money.”

“After a second appeal and review by the high court, which took six months in total, I kept trying to communicate with the court to understand the progress. But on the eve of that year’s Spring Festival, the defendant was still sentenced and executed on the same day.”

“Three days after the execution, his father gathered a group of people to cause trouble at my office. I didn’t pursue it because I felt it wasn’t his fault; it was my own overconfidence. The greatest harm is this hope followed by disappointment. So, he hated me, perhaps even more than those who imprisoned his son. The day after this, as I left the court, he drove his car into me.”

“I lay in the hospital for a month. Soon after, people from the prosecutor’s office came to ask if I would be willing to issue a letter of forgiveness, mentioning that the father had voluntarily surrendered and expressed regret.”

At this point, Jiang Chengyuan paused. “If it were you, what would you do?”

Xiao Zhou was stunned upon hearing this, feeling a mix of emotions. After a while, he shook his head. “I don’t think I could forgive.”

Jiang Chengyuan said, “I initially felt the same way. But in the end, I signed it.” Jiang Chengyuan wiped some mud from Xiao Zhou’s face as he spoke. “Because this incident taught me a lesson: never attempt to play God for others. God is selfless and omnipotent, worthy only of supplication, not gratitude. And God does not allow failure. If failed, one would be condemned to hell.”

Jiang Chengyuan looked at him, his eyes suddenly cold. “Actually, you shouldn’t assume that I would definitely come looking for you. If I hadn’t done so, what would you have done?”

Xiao Zhou began to understand Jiang Chengyuan’s meaning. Although sending the location to him was accidental, it was indeed a cry for help.

However, saying such things with a haggard, bloodshot look wasn’t convincing. If Jiang Chengyuan had said these things before the incident, claiming it had nothing to do with him regardless of what happened, Xiao Zhou would have thought he was truly heartless. But now, it seemed he was not only passionate but also somewhat kind. This made him appear quite contradictory.

Xiao Zhou looked at the scar that snaked across his chest. Even just hearing the description, he felt morally that the defendant didn’t deserve death. The boundary between right and wrong was so blurred. What constituted a fair sentence, and what constituted excessive punishment? Who had the ability to make the final judgment of justice? Was there a truly universal standard for the fairness and justice protected by law, or was it merely cunning craftsmanship, clever logic, or grand eloquence from different perspectives?

There was an urge for Xiao Zhou to touch that scar with his hand. He could feel the pulse frequency when he moved it slightly to the side, near the heart. “So, what was the final judgment for that father?”

His fingertips were cold. Jiang Chengyuan replied, “Three years probation.”

Xiao Zhou withdrew his hand and nodded. “This wasn’t your fault. You did your best.”

Jiang Chengyuan’s expression turned strange. He suddenly grabbed Xiao Zhou’s wrist. “Do you really understand what I’m saying?”

Xiao Zhou nodded, looking up at him calmly. “Thank you this time. I’ll remember.”

Jiang Chengyuan stared at him for a moment, then looked away.

Xiao Zhou’s gaze was sincere, genuinely thanking him because he had saved him. In his eyes, the guard and vigilance he had shown before had weakened, now appearing relaxed and even pleased. Jiang Chengyuan couldn’t understand what he found so pleasing.

Knowing Xiao Zhou was in danger, Jiang Chengyuan realized he was worried. This fear and concern stemmed not only from the possibility of watching a life disappear before his eyes but also from some other emotions. Perhaps it was because Xiao Zhou had already become involved in his life, and he had known and shared some unique feelings with him, which made Xiao Zhou special. He couldn’t bear to watch him die indifferently, like raising a puppy for a while; if it got sick, he would go to great lengths to treat it, feeling reluctant to see its wet, painful eyes.

Jiang Chengyuan’s thoughts were somewhat chaotic. He lowered his gaze and scanned Xiao Zhou’s cracked, colorless lips and black eyes, noticing the exhaustion seeping through. Yet, seeing him alive and focused on him felt reassuring.

A faint pheromone emanated from Xiao Zhou, reminiscent of seawater. Jiang Chengyuan realized that every boy probably had dreams of being a pirate in their childhood, owning their ship, braving the stormy seas.

With a sigh, he softened his tone, pulling Xiao Zhou into his embrace. Feeling the dampness of his clothes against his chest, he could sense his heartbeat rhythmically pulsating. “Be more careful next time.”

Xiao Zhou’s back stiffened momentarily, then relaxed as he suddenly remarked, “Actually, you smell really good now.”

“What?” Jiang Chengyuan asked.

Xiao Zhou leaned against his shoulder. “Not as intense as before, more like a rich fragrance.”

Jiang Chengyuan smiled, pulling Xiao Zhou back slightly and lifting his chin, asking softly, “Can you do me a favor?”

Xiao Zhou raised his eyes.

“My hands are injured, and I need to wash my hair.”

Though phrased as a question, it carried a commanding certainty.

Xiao Zhou hesitated.

Jiang Chengyuan continued, “Not happy about it? But it’s your fault I’m like this now, isn’t it?”

He wasn’t wrong, and after a moment’s thought, Xiao Zhou relented.

As he watched him enter the bathroom, Jiang Chengyuan suddenly began to think. This person was indeed quite easy to manipulate. Direct force didn’t work well, but a softer approach made him compliant, especially when feeling guilty or upset. Jiang Chengyuan suddenly felt disgusted with himself, always exploiting that vulnerability.