Plunder-Chapter 198: Not Close Enough

That night, they made love multiple times.

It was as if they were making up for all the times they had missed before.

Later, when Qiao En was so tired that her legs were weak and she had no energy left, Zhou Jin’an finally stopped.

She couldn’t move, only wanting to fall into a deep sleep.

He got up to shower, then brought hot water and gently wiped Qiao En’s body while she was deep asleep.

The moisturized Qiao En’s face was flushed, like a ripened red apple.

Zhou Jin’an couldn’t resist and kissed her cherry lips once more.

In her drowsy state, Qiao En whimpered a few times, turned over, and fell into an even deeper sleep.

After doing all this, Zhou Jin’an lay down beside Qiao En again.

It was already three in the morning, and he had no desire to sleep.

He leaned against the headboard, supported his chin with one hand, and quietly watched Qiao En as she slept.

Her features were delicate, with large eyes, a small nose, and long eyelashes that cast crescent shadows on her eyelids.

He affectionately pinched her small nose gently, very gingerly, fearing he would wake her from her sleep.

She was his wife, the woman he was destined to protect with his life.

The more he loved her, the more his heart ached for her.

And in her deep sleep, Qiao En returned to that nightmare she feared the most.

The van swayed precariously on the cliff’s edge; she clutched the seat, frantically banging on the windows for help.

Just then, a motorcycle raced toward them, a man in black with a helmet rammed the back of the van with his motorcycle.

Then, the van completely lost its balance and rolled down the slope.

"Zhou Jin’an, save me!"

Zhou Jin’an was about to nod off when Qiao En suddenly cried out from her nightmare.

Her head was covered in sweat, and her usually calm eyes now showed unmistakable terror.

"I’m here, I’m right here—don’t be afraid," he reassured her.

He immediately opened his arms and embraced Qiao En.

She stared with wide eyes.

"It’s okay, it’s just a dream, don’t be afraid, my dear."

He gently patted Qiao En’s back.

Her emotions began to calm down a bit.

"You scared me to death; I thought I was still in the van," Qiao En said in a weak voice.

That nightmare had haunted her for a very long time, and she wanted to forget it, but she just couldn’t.

Zhou Jin’an’s brows were tightly knitted; he was extremely distressed but didn’t know how to comfort Qiao En.

"I won’t let those things happen again; I will protect you and our child," he reassured her in a whisper close to her ear.

Qiao En clung tightly to Zhou Jin’an’s arm; only by holding onto him could the terror inside her dissipate somewhat.

"Do you remember what the van driver looked like?" Zhou Jin’an asked.

Qiao En shook her head.

The van was arranged by Detective Wu, but the driver was switched just before departure.

Who the switched driver was, nobody had seen his face.

He wore a black baseball cap and a face mask, covering himself thoroughly.

At the time, Qiao En was only focused on escaping and never suspected the driver’s identity.

"Do you remember seeing any suspicious people that day?" Zhou Jin’an asked again.

The investigation into the van driver had been ongoing for eight months and was still continuing, but that person seemed to have vanished into thin air, never to be seen again.

The people sent out by Cheng Lu were professionals at tracking, yet they were also helpless.

Qiao En had always been reluctant to recall that day’s events.

But now, she closed her eyes, letting the painful memories slowly resurface.

"I think I saw someone. When the van was about to fall off the cliff, someone on a motorcycle came by; he was the one who rammed the van."

"Do you remember what that person looked like?" Zhou Jin’an asked, his expression suddenly tense.

"He was wearing a helmet; I couldn’t see his face, but I remember his eyes—they had a murderous look, and I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before," Qiao En recalled while closing her eyes; images from her dream floated up in her mind.

Those eyes were like torches, and the mere thought of them made her shudder.

Qiao En’s mind flashed with countless pairs of eyes, but not a single one overlapped with those eyes.

Seeing her tense expression, Zhou Jin’an couldn’t bear it.

"Don’t think about it anymore. No matter who he is, I will definitely find him. It’s almost dawn; let’s sleep a bit more," he said.

He took Qiao En into his arms, patting her shoulder like comforting a child.

She nestled against Zhou Jin’an’s chest, her hands wrapped around his waist.

His embrace held a magic, and in that haven, all her fears vanished.

She fell back into a deep sleep.

Zhou Jin’an reached for his phone and sent a message to Cheng Lu.

"Book two tickets to Yun Mountain."

He wanted to take Qiao En out to clear her mind on an impromptu trip. After being with him for so long, he had never taken her out.

At the beginning of their time together, she had told him how much she loved the tranquility of Yun Mountain.

Back then, he had just noted it but had never accompanied her there.

Now, he didn’t want to wait anymore.

He thought of something else and sent another message.

"I’ll be away for a few days. Don’t contact me unless it’s urgent. Keep looking into the car accident."

By the time Qiao En woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

Sister Rong had already packed their things, and the driver was waiting in the courtyard.

"Are we really going out? Why so sudden?" she asked.

Learning that Zhou Jin’an was taking her to Yun Mountain, Qiao En was both surprised and thrilled, yet it felt unexpected.

Zhou Jin’an lightly scraped her petite nose and said, "Hurry up, wash up and change. Let’s go on a spontaneous trip!"

For two people accustomed to planned schedules, a spontaneous trip was filled with adventure.

But Qiao En was willing to try.

She quickly finished washing up, and when she came downstairs, a lavish brunch was already prepared on the dining table.

"Mom, why don’t you come with us?" she invited.

Auntie Jiang hurriedly declined, "I already have plans. You two are on vacation; I don’t want to be a third wheel."

Zhou Jin’an wrapped his arms around Qiao En from behind, "Mom mentioned a few days ago that she wanted to visit Gu Yuan, and Xu Cong will be on summer break in a few days."

"Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything. Mom won’t be troubled. When we return in a few days, Mom will come to stay with Xu Cong," he assured.

Zhou Jin’an commenced their adventurous journey with Qiao En, while Sister Rong accompanied Auntie Jiang back to Gu Yuan. The two cars left Chu Garden simultaneously, heading in different directions.

"Happy?" he asked.

In the back seat, Zhou Jin’an clasped Qiao En’s hand, treating her with utmost care throughout the trip.

"Why are you taking me to Yun Mountain?" Qiao En asked, nestled in Zhou Jin’an’s arms, driven by curiosity.

She had never been to Yun Mountain and her longing was only sparked by an article she had read. She faintly remembered that she had never mentioned this to anyone.

"It’s a secret," he teased.

Qiao En forgot, and Zhou Jin’an didn’t burst her bubble.

He deliberately played coy. "I heard Yun Mountain has beautiful scenery and few people. Once there, I want us to enjoy an undisturbed world for two."

Though his words were ordinary, no more than a common sweet nothing between a couple, Qiao En sensed an unusual implication in them.

"Mr. Zhou, you’re becoming more and more like a banana," she remarked.

It was a joke she’d seen online describing men who are different inside and out in that particular matter.

Qiao En hadn’t expected that Zhou Jin’an, who previously upheld an old cadre’s demeanor, would also surf the internet secretly.

"No, I’ve mutated. Now I’m a mango," he declared.

The atmosphere inside the car turned exceedingly amorous, and Qiao En sensed a certain dangerous aura.

The big mango had now transformed into a big bad wolf, eager to devour Qiao En wholly.

The partition of the car silently slid down, enclosing them in a completely sealed space.

"Mr. Zhou, eating too much might cause bloating," she said.

Qiao En placed her hand over Zhou Jin’an’s lips to stop his kisses.

He playfully captured her fingers in his mouth, "Doubting my digestion capabilities?"

Qiao En dared not doubt, for he knew the password to her body well. He could unlock it anytime he wished.

The Maybach heading towards Yun Mountain cruised smoothly, yet the car body rocked uncontrollably... rocking and rocking...