A Marshmallow: Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Curious Baby

"Thank you for coming to pick me up..."  

The rain doesn't seem to be stopping. It was the same gloomy rainy day when she first arrived in Jing City, Gu An added softly, "I want to thank you again."

She tied her long hair into a small bun on top of her head, and her recently trimmed bangs rested just above her eyebrows, leaving her eyes uncovered. She looked clean and innocent, like a freshly born German Shepherd puppy at a police dog base. Occasionally, when he looked at her, she seemed somewhat shy.

Jiang Yan averted his gaze, his brows slightly furrowed in a cold arc, and he casually said, "To serve the people."

It was already midnight when they got home, and the food was ready. There was her favorite pumpkin with egg yolk.

A large paper bag was prominently placed on the coffee table. Gu An sniffed and exclaimed, "Wow, it smells so good!"

In the corner of his eye, he saw Gu Zhen entering the kitchen. She slyly extended a finger and opened the paper bag to take a peek.

Her eyes involuntarily widened, and her small tiger teeth were no longer reserved. Happiness radiated from her.

Green rice cakes, egg yolk pastries, shredded pork crisp, taro pearl wheel cakes... and a cup of milk tea with half a cup of pearls!

Gu An looked up at Jiang Yan and mouthed, "It's all delicious, it's all delicious," her eyes shining with little stars.

Jiang Yan's lips curled slightly, watching as the little girl stretched out her arm to embrace the snacks, like a child who could be easily bribed with candy.

Promising.

He turned and entered the kitchen. The scene of Officer Gu, wearing an apron and cooking, seemed strangely out of place. As he passed by, he put the borrowed book in his arms.

"What's this?"

"I borrowed a book for you."

Gu Zhen froze for a moment. The kitchen faucet was turned on, and Jiang, a mild germophobe, was meticulously washing his hands, even more meticulously than when he washed vegetables.

This young master was known for his spoiled attitude when he first entered the police academy. After becoming a police officer, his temperament had improved considerably. Now, he not only helped his sister but also kindly borrowed books for others.

He truly was...

A tough but tender little angel.

Gu Zhen: "Thank you."

At the corner of Jiang Yan's mouth, there was a hint of a raised, almost imperceptible smile. "You're welcome."

Waiting for Gu Zhen's heart to be moved, he turned over the book cover and was almost blinded by the dazzling large characters:

"The Art of Conversation."

...Thank you, hammer!

•

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival fell during the National Day holiday.

Gu Zhen had already prepared the mooncake fillings in advance—lotus seed, cranberry, custard...and now he was waiting to wrap them in pastry and put them in the oven.

Finally, he could celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with her big brother!

At six in the morning, there was a noise downstairs, and Gu An got up.

Gu Zhen's neatly packed backpack was thrown to the side as he bent over to change shoes to go out.

"Brother, aren't you celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at home?"

She was wearing a fried egg pajama, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"There was a murder case earlier," Gu Zhen, dressed in all black, tucked his police badge into the inside pocket of his shirt. "The informant sent a message; they appeared at their southern family home yesterday."

"On major holidays, buy whatever you want to eat for yourself. Don't worry about money; your brother can afford to raise pigs."

Gu An's eyes were a little warm as she looked down at the small mushrooms on her slippers. "I know, be safe..."

Gu Zhen raised an eyebrow and reached out to smooth the messy bangs she had cut, "I'm leaving."

Jiang Yan went to the office after breakfast. Gu An wrapped mooncake filling in the pastry, watching them crowd in the oven, and the kitchen slowly filled with a sweet fragrance. She sighed quietly.

At six o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Yan returned home and changed into different clothes.

In order to facilitate his duty, he typically wears black tactical gear, a black jacket, and at home, it's either black or white long-sleeved T-shirts, all paired with solid black sport pants.

Today was very different.

A finely textured white shirt, the shoulder line perfectly fitting, black dress pants showcasing his long, straight legs, and an expensive-looking black suit jacket draped casually over his elbow.

He looked handsome and refined, and due to his slender and tall figure, he exuded a sense of youthfulness that was not out of place. Looking at him, he appeared to be an elegant young gentleman.

"I'm going to Grandpa's house," he said, with a half-lowered gaze due to the height difference between them, and his eyelashes were particularly clear. "Lock the door when you're home."

Gu An nodded and handed him a box of freshly baked mooncakes, smiling with curved lips. "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiang Yan gege, and grandpa and grandma too!"

Jiang Yan sat in the car, feeling oddly restless.

Probably because the car's interior was cramped and the air didn't circulate, he reached out to unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt, which he had just fastened, and opened the car window for some fresh air.

The black SUV stopped in front of a private courtyard in the suburbs. The household servants approached. "Young Master is back."

Jiang Yan nodded slightly.

The Jiang family always valued the Mid-Autumn Festival. On this day, without exception, all generations gathered for a reunion dinner.

This was his first Mid-Autumn Festival at home in seven years. When Jiang Yan pushed the door open, the elders were sitting in the main hall, drinking tea and chatting, while the younger ones stood to the side to greet.

Jiang Ning, as a matter of routine, reported her recent academic achievements to the elders and turned around to see Jiang Yan. She cheerfully exclaimed, "Uncle! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"

He was his father's cousin, and the closest in age to her among the elders.

For Jiang Yan, Jiang Ning's fear and admiration were equally strong.

He was extremely intelligent during his school days, skipping two grades in elementary school, consistently ranking in the top three of the entire school. He could have easily entered a competitive program to avoid the hardships of senior year in high school.

Moreover, his background was quite legendary. According to his father, as a child, he was passionate about astrophysics and aspired to be an astronomer.

However, when he was in his teens, he was kidnapped, and during that time, nobody knew what he went through. Just when everyone was concerned about whether he would suffer psychological trauma, he applied directly to the public security department's affiliated institute when choosing his college major.

Many people, when they face adversity, are left with lifelong scars.

But Jiang Yan was different. In the vast world, he was undaunted, resolute, and full of spirit.

"Ning Ning, come help, and put away your phone."

"Mom, just a moment, I'm saying goodbye to my desk mate."

Jiang Ning stuck out her tongue and said, "Isn't it pouring rain outside again? Their power is out, her brother is on a business trip, and she's home alone... I'm really worried about her."

"Is it your new desk mate?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Ning originally wanted to ask Jiang Yan if he knew Gu An's older brother, but when he saw Jiang Yan frowning and sitting on the sofa with an aura that repelled strangers, he was like a jade-faced demon... a jade-faced demon.

She thought she might have been too noisy and quickly decided to keep quiet.

Jiang Yan turned to look outside, and the rain was falling heavily again. The irritability, seemingly from nowhere, expanded infinitely within the sound of the rain.

-

There was a full tray of mooncakes still warm, and Gu An took a few bites, suddenly feeling cramps in her lower abdomen.

Turns out... it was her menstrual cycle.

She curled up into a small ball on the couch, quietly waiting for the pain to pass. She heard Jiang Ning say she had seen her little uncle, and he looked even better and scarier after a few years...

Suddenly, everything was pitch black. The building across the window disappeared in an instant. The wind and rain mixed outside, and in the next second, it felt like a demon was about to break through the window.

The phone still has ten percent of battery.

Gu An and Jiang Ning explained the situation and left the chat, afraid that Gu Zhen might find her.

As for memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival, they don't seem to be too good.

When she was a child, she lived with her grandparents, but later, after her grandparents passed away, she was taken in by her uncle.

Her parents were still alive and happily started new families.

Her biological parents didn't care about her, but her uncle was willing to take care of her, and she was very grateful.

Even if he might... just be interested in the monthly child support.

Calls from Dad, calls from Mom, calls from her brother...

This Mid-Autumn Festival, even though her brother isn't with her, she has a family now.

This thought warms her heart.

She fell asleep in a daze, and the pain in her lower abdomen became distant.

The doorbell rang suddenly, like an illusion in her dream. In her drowsiness, the doorbell sound became clear again.

... Who could it be at this time?

Should she pretend that someone is at home?

"Brother, it seems like we have a visitor!"

Gu An clutched her fists tightly, but the tremor in her voice remained as she shouted, and only after that, she pretended to calm down and asked outside the door, "May I ask who it is?"

The voice outside was cold and aloof, sounding particularly like a young master, "Open the door, it's the police."

Gu An's heart jumped to her throat, and then sank heavily.

The living room had no lights or candles because the pouring rain prevented any starlight from entering through the windows.

Jiang Ya  turned on his phone's built-in flashlight, illuminating a small area in front of him.

"Why did you ring the doorbell?"

Jian Yan remembered the "big brother" she used to bolster her courage, and his voice softened involuntarily, "I didn't want you to be scared when I suddenly open the door."

"Oh..." Gu An winced in pain, unable to straighten her back. "So, how did you come back?"

"I forgot my phone charger," Jiang Yan casually fabricated a reason and pushed a takeout box in front of her. "I also brought some food for you."

He found a candle in the old Jiang family mansion, and the dim, warm light filled the room.

The girl's porcelain-like face was illuminated, and when her eyes met his, the restlessness that had weighed on his heart all night miraculously eased.

"Choose what you like to eat, and discard what you don't like."

He was indeed a pampered young master.

The exquisite desserts in front of her were so delicate that she hesitated to pick up her chopsticks. The dishes with names she couldn't pronounce were so delicious that her eyes widened in amazement.

Gu An squinted contentedly, "Thank you, Brother Jiang Yan."

After Gu An finished eating, she cleaned the food container and neatly packed the remaining food into separate categories. She took a small blanket and curled up in a corner of the sofa.

"Why haven't you gone upstairs to sleep?"

Gu An didn't want to admit that she was afraid of the dark, afraid that if she said it, Jiang Yan would take care of her feelings and wouldn't leave. She just asked softly, "Jiang Yan gege, aren't you leaving?"

Clearly, she was terrified.

Jiang Yan casually replied, "I'll leave once the rain subsides; it'll be easier to drive then."

Gu An couldn't help but squint her eyes, her voice carrying a sweet smile, "Can you tell me about a non-confidential case?"

He was a police officer, and his brother was too, seemingly sacred and untouchable.

She wanted to know.

Jiang Yan, somewhat reluctantly, rubbed his elegant nose bridge.

Sending the child to school, bringing food for the child, and now telling bedtime stories for the child.

The gentle candlelight softened the contours of his side profile, exquisitely enchanting.

"Once upon a time, there was a mentally challenged child who was cared for by his mother for many years."

"Then, did the mentally challenged child's illness get cured? Was he like his peers?"

Jiang Yan coldly shattered her imagination, his voice cool and soothing, "One day, he died. He killed."

Gu An's arm broke out in goosebumps.

Jiang Yan omitted the sensitive details, making it sound more like a fairy tale from another world.

The girl by his side wrapped herself in a small blanket, her eyes fixed on him, not blinking.

"So, is it the mother of the mentally disabled child who killed her own son with her own hands because she was worried that no one would take care of him after she was gone?"

"After killing him, did she then turn herself in to the police?"

"What happened in the end?"

"How was the punishment decided?"

"I don't know."

"The story is finished."

He didn't want to mention the later part.

She would never see the dark side he had witnessed in his lifetime.

This world is far more complex and cruel than she had ever imagined.

As the light came on, Gu An turned to look at him with a reflexive motion.

Those eyes revealed their originally gentle appearance, black and white distinctly with a soft shade, strikingly beautiful, and now they are quietly gazing at her, wondering about something.

He unexpectedly spent the whole night with her.

On this night with no idea when the lights would come on.

On this Mid-Autumn Festival with pouring rain.

Jiang Yan stood up, and his white shirt was no longer as crisp as when he left. He had unbuttoned two buttons on the collar, revealing tantalizing collarbones from her perspective, with a well-defined and sharp neck.

In just a few seconds, he reverted to his usual icy young master appearance, lazily saying, "It's getting late."

Seeing she had no response, he slightly leaned down, and the cold white light illuminated from above. He was slender, pale, wearing a shirt and western trousers, looking restrained and... genteelly dissolute.

And the next moment, the genteelly dissolute guy lightly pinched her nose, with a casual tone and a mischievous gaze.

"Curious baby, you can go to sleep now."

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