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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter One Hundred Eighteen: Interrogation
Jiang He couldn't remember how he got back into the Jeep. When he came to his senses, the sky outside had already darkened, and a streak of red on the distant mountains suggested that the evening news was about to begin.
Old Ma still sat beside him, while Shaoshan drove in front, with the battered Chen Zhao Zhou in the passenger seat. Chen Zhao Zhou was tied up like a pretzel; to prevent him from suddenly attacking, the soldiers had bound him to the seat. He had woken up during the journey, staring blankly out at the rapidly retreating scenery without saying a word.
"Hey? You're awake?" Shaoshan whistled cheerfully, catching sight of Jiang He sitting up in the rearview mirror and greeting him with a grin.
Jiang He wasn't restrained by handcuffs or ropes; Shaoshan treated him just like before. He could smoke, drink water, and eat, but he couldn't touch any weapons. Old Ma didn't say much, only whispered a few words into Shaoshan's ear. Jiang He felt panicked at that moment, contemplating shooting this smiling tiger. However, as soon as he pulled out his gun, it was confiscated by Shaoshan. Shaoshan's face was still stained with Zheng Qiutong's blood as he smiled and took back the gun, putting his arm around Jiang He's shoulder as they walked back to the parking area outside Brick Wall.
Shaoshan and Old Ma got into the car with him. They lit cigarettes inside while outside the car were sounds of gunfire and heart-wrenching cries that lasted only for a short while. Soon after, those soldiers returned; the Jeep and trucks turned around and left. The last image of Nantang Township that lingered in Jiang He's mind was a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Throughout the journey, only Shaoshan was cheerfully whistling away, full of confidence as he managed to whistle half a tune in one breath. The songs he whistled were all old ones—Sweet Honey, Good Days, When Your Hair Brushes Against My Steel Gun. Although Jiang He didn’t pay much attention, the melody seemed to have grown legs and crept into his ears.
"I'm awake." Jiang He hadn’t actually been sleeping; he couldn’t be bothered to explain. Rubbing his swollen face, he asked, "Got any cigarettes?"
Without turning his head, Shaoshan tossed him a pack and a lighter while pointing towards Desolate Long Road. "Brother, I keep my promises. If I say I'll take you back to Defense Zone, I will take you back to Defense Zone. What are you thinking about?"
"What do you plan to do next?" Jiang He wasn’t sure what to say. He cracked open the window slightly; the cool night breeze rushed into the cabin, sweeping away the lingering smoke.
"Want to know?" Shaoshan slowed down the car and smiled. "Then first tell me why you think I would kill you."
"Why else? Am I not just a fool leading you around? What other use do I have?" Jiang He took a deep breath and suddenly realized that his fear had diminished significantly.
"You underestimate yourself too much." Shaoshan shook his finger at Chen Zhao Zhou, who was in a vegetative state beside them. "You’ve seen him before, right?"
"I have."
"Have you seen Cheng Long?"
"I've seen them."
"Who do you think is more impressive, them or me?"
"…"
"Hmm? Go ahead, say it. It's okay to speak your mind."
"You... you're impressive."
Shaoshan chuckled twice, clearly pleased. "I'll take that as a sincere compliment... You know, when I was still a rookie, our Chen Jun Cao said I should go back home and raise pigs, that staying in the army was a waste of resources. To him, my presence was dragging down the entire company."
"He's not wrong," Jiang He blurted out almost reflexively. After he said it, he paused for a moment before laughing.
Shaoshan fell silent for a while and sighed. "You little rascal, I thought you were quite clever, but it turns out you're just a blockhead."
"You misjudged me," Jiang He could guess what he was getting at, but he had no interest in deciphering it. He didn't know how far the so-called Defense Zone was; he just knew it wouldn't be anything like what he had imagined before.
Old Ma seemed to have fallen asleep, having not participated in their conversation at all, his breathing steady.
" Jiang He, let me be straightforward with you," Shaoshan flicked away his cigarette butt and glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "I like you. Stick with me from now on."
"I have a girlfriend," Jiang He replied calmly. The co-pilot, Chen Zhao Zhou, suddenly burst into laughter, his voice tinged with a hint of tears, clearly amused.
Shaoshan ignored the two's banter and said seriously, "Don't be too quick to refuse. Don't you want to know how I'll handle you? This is your chance. Think it over seriously; we’ll arrive in an hour, and you need to give me an answer before then."
"Stick with you? What's in it for me?" Jiang He fiddled with his lighter, asking casually.
"Benefits? Not dying isn't the greatest advantage?" Shaoshan said matter-of-factly. "What do you want? Money? Women?"
"I don't know. If you want me to be your lackey, you must have something to offer, right?"
"Alright, how about keeping your girlfriend alive?" Shaoshan seemed to genuinely consider it. After a moment, he added, "If you stick with me, you'll be safe and won't have to worry about food and drink. Once this is all over, I can help you apply for a promotion."
"Why me?" Jiang He asked, curiosity piqued as he stared intently at Shaoshan's eyes through the rearview mirror, hoping to glean something from them.
"Fate," Shaoshan replied smoothly. "Didn’t I say that night? I’m the mountain, you’re the river. If you were a girl, you'd be my sister, but since you're a guy, you can only be my little brother."
"…"
Jiang He wanted to seriously ask, "Are you sick?" but he didn't dare. He had a vague feeling that this guy might really be unwell, and quite severely at that. There was a wild gleam in his eyes that was unsettling.
The cabin fell silent again as the Jeep sped ahead, with the truck closely pursuing from behind. The two vehicles raced down the empty road, disappearing into the thick darkness.
An hour later, both cars entered Technology Park, passing through the eerily quiet premises before stopping in front of an electric gate.
Shaoshan honked twice. Moments later, two soldiers carrying rifles emerged from inside. They squeezed through a low side gate to check Shaoshan's credentials before manually opening the electric gate.
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