The Scheming Ex-Husband's Courtship-Chapter 653 - 566: Unexpectedly

Nan Zhan has always been proud of his self-control,

"Alright." Jian Si suddenly raised her head and smiled at him briefly, "Don’t get the wound wet during your shower; I’ll change the bandage for you tomorrow."

Facing her clear, watery eyes, the improper desire rising from his heart was gradually suppressed, yet his face still maintained an unflustered expression: "Thank you."

"You’re welcome." Jian Si picked up the folder she had brought earlier, "I have summarized several suspicions."

Nan Zhan was completely back in work mode, "Let’s hear them."

Jian Si spoke her piece all at once, then nervously looked towards Nan Zhan.

All this time, she had always been following his orders. This was the first time she had made her own judgments and conducted her investigation based on the testimony of the witnesses. While this excited her, it also left her a bit terrified, fearing that her analysis was inadequate or her approach was wrong, which could provoke his ridicule.

After a moment of silence, amidst Jian Si’s nervousness, Nan Zhan suddenly raised his hand and placed it on top of her head, gently patting and rubbing it as he would with Zhengzheng: "Very good, well done."

"Really? You think my analysis is all correct?"

"All correct, and the direction is right too." Nan Zhan affirmed, "Keep it up."

Jian Si felt encouraged and her confidence surged. Soon, she remembered something else, "What are those stones you brought back for?"

"They have their use, but you’ll find out tomorrow."

Nan Zhan checked his watch, "Hungry, right? Let’s go eat."

The hotel owner had recommended a restaurant not far away; it was about a ten minute walk.

The small town under the cover of night had gradually quieted down, the streets busy only with people hurrying home, and occasionally some tourists taking a stroll.

Unlike the bustling big cities, there was hardly any nightlife here, but the moon was especially bright, hanging like a mirror against the pitch-black sky.

Nan Zhan and Jian Si walked side by side, maintaining a half-meter distance between them. His strides were long, so he had to slow down to make it easier for her to keep up.

On the ground, a long and a short shadow were reflected, slowly shifting with the light of the street lamps.

The two of them didn’t talk much along the way; Nan Zhan smoked as they walked, squishing the cigarette in the trash when they reached the small restaurant.

The small restaurant was fairly clean. The dishes were Hengshan County specialties—country style dishes, fresh-run chicken, freshly picked cucumbers and tomatoes from the yard, and even the beverages were homemade Sour Jujube Wine by the owner.

"This wine is sweet, but don’t overindulge, it has a strong aftereffect." The enthusiastic proprietress cautioned them while pouring the wine.

Jian Si took a sip from her glass, tasting the sweet, crisp flavor filled with the wild aroma of sour jujubes, with just a hint of alcohol that truly felt more like a beverage than a drink.

Hot dishes were served, and Jian Si, who hadn’t eaten lunch, dug in without reservation, truly feeling hungry.

After leaving the restaurant, the two still chose to walk back.

Although the proprietress had cautioned them before, Jian Si was still so fond of the sweet taste of the Sour Jujube Wine that she couldn’t resist having a small glass, and now, with the hot evening breeze, her face and neck had turned a bit red.

She was not accustomed to drinking and now fully felt the aftereffect.

Hot! Burning!

But she tried hard not to show it, lest Nan Zhan tease her.

The quiet street was not wide, and the streetlight shone with a dim yellow light.

Suddenly, a frantic ringing of a bicycle bell came from behind; Jian Si was startled and didn’t respond in time, but Nan Zhan swiftly pulled her towards him, and a bicycle unsteadily rode past her.

In the town, there is only one road for all vehicles, not distinguishing between motorized and bicycles, and bicycles usually travel alongside pedestrians. Being from a big city, she was not yet accustomed to sharing the sidewalk with vehicles.

Jian Si was a bit dazed initially, and being suddenly pulled by Nan Zhan, she leaned against his chest, feeling dizzy.

"City folks are really open." Someone riding past chuckled, their words trailing off with their bike.

Jian Si abruptly came to her senses, hurriedly stepping to the side and away from his firm, broad embrace.

The front of Nan Zhan’s chest felt cold; it was because she had moved away from him. He glanced at her flushed face and said calmly, "Let’s go."

This time, he walked on the outside of the sidewalk, letting her walk on the inside.

Passing a supermarket, Jian Si bought a bottle of chilled mineral water.

"We’re meeting the driver responsible for the accident tomorrow, sleep early." Standing in the narrow corridor, their rooms faced each other, almost just a turn away.

"Okay, goodnight." Despite thinking about the feeling of leaning against his chest, which always seemed solid and stable like his usual impression on her, she knew he was emotionally distant, cold, and out of reach.

"Goodnight."

Jian Si turned around first, taking out her room card to open the door.