Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part2 (1/2)

Illusions, Lies, Truth Volume 2: Human Doll Contract Part Two

Original novel in Chinese by: 御 我 (Yu Wo)

Chapter 1: The Busy Patient Part 2—Brother-in-Law's Job—translated by Raylight (proofread by Trespa.s.serby; C/E edited by lucathia)

The neighbors…

Jiang Ziya remembered how Yu Shu had told him to burn Xiao Xue, and his heart sank. He had indeed promised Yu Shu earlier, and had even a.s.sured Lu Yang that he would coax Xiao Xue out. However, as things stood, there was absolutely no way he could just sit around and watch Xiao Xue get burned to death!

Jiang Ziya patted Xiao Xue's back and rea.s.sured her, ”Don't be scared. I'll protect you. No one will be able to get to you.”

Xiao Xue abruptly raised her head, staring at Jiang Ziya in a daze.

”It's just that I need to go to school in the daytime, so I won't be able to take care of you then, and I can't bring you to school either.” Jiang Ziya felt a little distressed. Though Jiang Yu was at home, it was hard to guarantee that Yu Shu wouldn't pull a trick of some kind. For example, she could distract Jiang Yu herself, and have House Keeper sneak in and kill Xiao Xue.

Both of Xiao Xue's eyes sparkled as she answered, ”I can do that. I can go to school with Gēge.”

Huh? Jiang Ziya felt perplexed as he asked, ”Then, what do we do when Sis can't find you?”

”I can make a fake subst.i.tute and leave it at home.” Xiao Xue seemed extremely happy as she said, ”With Jiang Jiang around, there won't be any problems!”

That doesn't sound too bad… Like h.e.l.l!

Jiang Ziya remembered Lu Yang.

Looking at Jiang Ziya's expression, Xiao Xue shyly asked, ”Does Gēge not want to bring me to school?”

”It's not that I don't want to.” Jiang Ziya had a troubled face as he answered, ”There's a cla.s.smate at school who is also planning to deal with you. You've seen him before. He's the one we went to save last time.”

At this point, Jiang Ziya felt that it was fortunate that Lu Yang seemed to be busy these last few days. He had only visited him once or twice at the start of his hospitalization. Afterwards, he had resorted to giving concerned calls, which prevented face-to-face meetings between Xiao Xue and him.

Xiao Xue pouted as she grumbled, ”I went to save him, but he still wants to kill me?”

Yeah, Xiao Xue has saved Lu Yang before. Will that change Lu Yang's mind about killing her? Jiang Ziya felt uncertain, finding it difficult to read Lu Yang on that.

Lu Yang seemed very insistent on eliminating Xiao Xue, but Jiang Ziya felt that Lu Yang wasn't an ungrateful person who would kill his savior. When these two conflicting points collided, what exactly would Lu Yang do?

Jiang Ziya felt a giant headache looming. There was Yu Shu at home and Lu Yang at school, and though they were both his neighbor and friend respectively, why did he feel as though he was surrounded by enemies?

”Xiao Xue, could you stay in the hospital today? Like how you just said, make a subst.i.tute to follow Sis home.”

Xiao Xue nodded her head, her joy evident.

In the very least, let's get through tonight first. Jiang Ziya thought with an ostrich mentality.

Not long after, Jiang Yu came back with Jiang Jiang. Xiao Xue immediately pulled Jiang Jiang to the side to speak in hushed whispers, but their actions went unnoticed by their mother, who was currently busy taking care of Jiang Ziya. She served him dinner and brought out the soup, giving the two little girls freedom to go play on their own beside her.

”I bought some bread as well for your late night snack. If you get hungry at night, don't just snack on potato chips. Eat some bread first to fill your stomach.”

Jiang Ziya nodded and agreed to that. It was just an excuse anyways. In fact, he could go to the convenience store himself to grab a late night snack too. He had only injured one shoulder, which made it a little inconvenient to move that arm. It was not like he had gone ”completely malfunctional.”

”Is Jiěfu working overtime again?”

Every time his brother-in-law had to work overtime, Jiang Ziya felt very useless. Even on the days that he got off on time, he would often work at home on his computer. However, at least he could go home and see his wife and daughters.

”He didn't call back to inform me!” Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment, then didn't seem too bothered as she replied, ”Perhaps he knew that I would be at the hospital, so he didn't mention it. Come, let's eat.”

She placed the food in front of Jiang Ziya using the small table, and then took out two portions for her daughters, who then sat at the sofa to the side. Only then did Jiang Yu turn to serve herself a portion of food.

As they ate, Jiang Ziya casually tried to find a conversation topic. ”Sis, do you know what Jiěfu is working as?”

”An a.s.sistant to the boss. The kind that has to do a bit of everything, and has to help receive cases.”

So as expected, I haven't been showing enough concern? To think that I don't even know what my brother-in-law does. Jiang Ziya felt a bit shamed.

”A boss of what kind of company?” He decided to make an effort to get to know his brother-in-law a little better.

Jiang Yu didn't seem to know either, for she started guessing, ”Maybe interior design? I frequently hear him say that he's going somewhere to look at houses.”

”Did Jiěfu not tell you the details?” Jiang Ziya felt a little shocked at that. He didn't know his brother-in-law's job, fine. But his sis was his wife after all. How could she not know?

”Before, I didn't really dare to ask him, afraid that it wasn't a good job and that it would turn awkward if I asked. I was thinking of waiting until things settled down. Maybe he would get a better job, and then I could ask him about it bit by bit.”

Jiang Ziya understood. At the time, his brother-in-law had been forced to quit his job as a teacher, but he had to financially support both him and his sister. Thus, it hadn't been possible for him to pick his job at will. Perhaps he had just chosen one based on whatever was available. Jiang Yu's thoughts on this were really meticulous and thoughtful.

”In another two years, I'll graduate and be able to start working,” Jiang Ziya said, melancholic. He wished he could graduate right this moment.

However, Jiang Yu was not happy to hear that. She frowned, stared at him, and said, ”What are you always worrying about that for? Your jiěfu is currently doing well at work, and we don't have any problems making ends meet. Just obediently go and study. Your jiěfu is even hoping for you to continue your studies further!”

Jiang Ziya, however, did not feel that optimistic. There was still the mortgage to pay, as well as the two little girls to raise. In a few more years, they would be going to kindergarten. Nowadays, the cost of sending children to kindergarten was abnormally pricy.

”Don't worry.” Jiang Yu looked at her own little brother anxiously. ”Your jiěfu and I are both hoping that you will enjoy your university life!”

”I am.” Jiang Ziya sincerely replied, ”I'm very serious in my studies. Sis, it's not like you don't know how good my grades are.”

”I don't mean your studies.” Jiang Yu blinked, and said, ”Promise me that you'll enter a club, okay?”

This… Jiang Ziya found it a little difficult, and he said, ”I have work at Jiu Ge after cla.s.s, so I don't really have time for clubs.”

”Then find a club that doesn't take up much time. That's good too. Go out more and get to know a few more people.”

Faced with Jiang Yu's eager eyes, sparkling in hope, Jiang Ziya could only admit defeat. He agreed, ”Okay, I'll go and see if there are any clubs that can match my schedule.”

He decided to find a club in which whether he went or not made no difference, and become a member in name only. He could also conveniently drag Lu Yang with him, and when needed, the two of them could cover each other's attendance. Though, most of the time, Lu Yang would be the one helping to cover his attendance.

”Sis, why don't you call Jiěfu and ask him when he's getting off work? The nurse told me that I can leave the hospital after the doctor gives me a checkup tomorrow. Jiěfu can come and pick you up, and you can take some of these things back with you. I'll just head back on my own tomorrow.”

Jiang Yu answered ”Sure” and instantly called him, but the call did not go through even after a while. She frowned.

Jiang Ziya was a little surprised at that and asked, ”He didn't pick up?”

Although his brother-in-law was busy with work, it didn't seem to be a job in which he couldn't receive calls in the middle of work. Thus, there usually weren't any situations in which they couldn't contact him.

”Let's wait a bit then. Perhaps he's in the middle of a meeting or something.” Jiang Yu seemed a little perplexed as she said so, having never encountered such a situation before. Not only did Jiang Qibing neglect to inform them by phone that he would be working overtime, he also couldn't be reached.

Jiang Ziya quickly nodded his head in agreement.

What they did not expect was that this ”wait a bit” would result in them waiting past eight PM, and he was still unreachable. It wouldn't be a big deal if his phone was turned off, or perhaps his phone was out of battery. However, the call was obviously ringing, just that no one was picking up.

”Sis, do you have the contact number of Jiěfu's workplace?”

”No.” She started to panic, having never run into this situation before.

”Sis, why don't you go home and take a look first. Maybe Jiěfu's at home, just that he forgot his cell phone in the office?”

Jiang Ziya simply could not think of any other reason, though he was quite puzzled. It was already very late, so Jiěfu ought to have called by now. Maybe he was too tired and fell asleep? Ziya felt that this was also fairly possible.

”All right, I'll be going back now.” Jiang Yu instantly nodded and said, ”If he's at home, we'll drive back here to carry back the stuff. Don't worry about your jiěfu. Such a big person couldn't possibly disappear.”

Although her words were directed at Jiang Ziya, it seemed more like she was consoling herself.

Once he heard the word ”disappear,” Jiang Ziya suddenly felt a little uneasy. It seemed like he had been hearing that word all day.

”Gēge, I'll be going back with Mommy!” Xiao Xue suddenly said.

Jiang Ziya froze and looked at her. Does this mean that she isn't going to use a subst.i.tute to go back with Jiang Yu?

”You're not staying to keep me company?” Jiang Ziya intentionally asked in a joking manner, in order to avoid Jiang Yu's suspicion.

Once Jiang Yu heard that, she frowned, disapproving of the way Jiang Ziya had said it. If Xiao Xue were to throw a tantrum to stay, it would be troublesome.

Thankfully, Xiao Xue shook her head hard while answering, ”No.”

Jiang Ziya could only let the three of them leave. However, the uneasy feeling became stronger and stronger. If only I could follow them back, he thought.

He waited for them to give him a reply from home, anxious to the point that he couldn't even study. He also heard the sobs of the woman from the bed beside him.

The man in the patient bed next to him gently comforted, ”Okay, I was in the wrong. 'Cause my feet hurt terribly and I was holding in my bladder, so I was a bit bad-tempered. You really can't find your little brother?”

The woman sobbed as she said, ”It's been several days, but they haven't even found a single trace of him.”

Hearing that, Jiang Ziya was shocked. He felt as though he were listening to his sister's cries. If his brother-in-law really were to go missing…

”How could this be? Your little brother isn't a stupid guy. He wouldn't just go missing out of nowhere!”

”That's right. Such a big person, how could he go missing just like that…”

At this point, Jiang Ziya was contemplating sneaking home, but the phone rang. He quickly took the call.

”Ziya, your jiěfu isn't at home, and he still isn't picking up.” Jiang Yu's voice sounded extremely panicky, though not to the point of tears.

Although Jiang Ziya also felt a little nervous, the situation didn't allow for him to panic along with her. He tried his best to say in a calm tone, ”Sis, do you know the address of Jiěfu's company? Search for a business card or something.”

”Oh, right. Okay, I'll go look for it.”

Shuffling and flipping sounds came over the phone, but Jiang Ziya didn't hang up. Occasionally, he would remind his sister of possible locations to search. At the same time, he decided that once the matter was over, he would definitely ask his brother-in-law about his work properly, and memorize all the company details like address and phone number and whatnot.

”I found it!” Jiang Yu excitedly shouted. ”There's a profile of the company, and the address and phone number are in it. I'll call them and check first.”

Hearing that, Jiang Ziya heaved a sigh of relief. However, as he waited, he was greeted with bad news.

”Ziya, no one in the company is picking up. Right now, I only hear the answering machine saying 'Work hours have ended for the day. Please call again tomorrow.' I'm going to go over and take a look.”

Jiang Ziya quickly answered, ”Sis, stay at home and take care of Jiang Jiang and Xiao Xue. I'll go over and take a look.”

”What? You can't, you're still injured!”

However, it was almost ten P.M. There was no way Jiang Ziya could watch on as his sister brought two little girls to run around at night. It was too dangerous.

”My injuries won't be a problem. I'm just going to take a taxi there to take a look.”

”But—”

Jiang Ziya quickly cut in, ”I'll get Lu Yang to come along with me. Don't worry.”

”How can I not be worried? I mean, you even mysteriously got hit by a stray bullet.” Jiang Yu spoke softly in a worried tone. However, she too knew that it was inconvenient to bring around two children, so she could only agree. ”All right, but be careful. Carry your cell phone on you, and be careful not to worsen your injuries. If there's any news, remember to call and tell me.”

Jiang Ziya agreed to her requests point by point. Then, the moment he hung up, he changed into outdoor clothes and called Lu Yang. Thankfully, he picked up the call; otherwise, Ziya would really have to start wondering if disappearing acts were the current trend and everyone had to do it at least once.

”Your brother-in-law is missing?” Lu Yang exclaimed in shock. ”Are you planning to go to his office to look for him? But I can't leave right now. Could you wait for me for an hour?”

”Forget it. I'll just go over and take a look by myself. I'm just going to the company.”

Already, Jiang Ziya could hear weird sounds coming over the phone. It sounded just like the sound effects of weapons clas.h.i.+ng in movies. From time to time, he could hear some strange sounds, like the sound of a fist connecting with flesh through a punch…

To ask someone to go ”hand in hand” to find his brother-in-law while that someone was fighting for his life…. No matter how Ziya thought about it, he felt that it would be a jerk move.

”Then, give me the address. I'll finish up as soon I can, and then go and meet you later.”

Jiang Ziya was on the verge of refusing his offer, but rethought his decision. After all, he didn't know the current situation on his brother-in-law's side, and he was currently an injured person with only one usable arm. It was simply unwise to reject Lu Yang's help.

After giving him the address, he reminded him, ”Give me a call before you come over. Who knows, maybe my brother-in-law is just working overtime. Don't waste your time coming over if that's the case.”

Lu Yang gave a ”Mhn” sound in agreement, and then hung up even without saying bye.

Jiang Ziya was now regretting his decision to call him. Why did he feel like there was now one more person for him to worry about? He hoped that Lu Yang would not rush and become careless as a result. To think that he would go and vanquish demons while he still had two ”donuts” around his arms… He really was a person who made others worry.

Jiang Ziya tiptoed his way out of the hospital. On his way out, he was afraid of encountering any pa.s.sionate nurses who would stop him, but thankfully nothing of that sort happened.

Once he was out of the hospital, he immediately hopped in a taxi and headed straight to the office.

The taxi driver was a middle-aged man who was extremely talkative. Seeing how one of Jiang Ziya's arms was still wrapped in bandages, he asked a lot of questions in concern. The moment he heard that it was caused by a stray bullet, he immediately started cursing that the security in Taiwan was too bad.

”Seeing that you are that unlucky, you are heading to the right place.” The taxi driver nodded his head and commented, ”I heard that they're really effective! I've brought many customers over before.”

Effective? Jiang Ziya felt that the word choice sounded ominous and quickly asked, ”What kind of company is the place I'm heading to?”