Chapter 278 62: The Faded Beauty

For a moment, Jiang Ran was speechless.

This card had truly put him in a checkmate.

Honestly, he really didn't want to accompany this Cheng Mengxue to Jingshan Bamboo Public Cemetery.

He didn't want to go, for any and every reason.

But…

Back at the birthday party, he had indeed made a promise. He'd agreed to honor the bet, acknowledging the validity of this "Designated Dare" card at any time.

What's more, he still had a "Designated Truth" card of his own, which he was waiting for the right moment to use.

If he refused Cheng Mengxue now, wouldn't that mean his own card would also become invalid?

That wouldn't do.

He was saving that card for something important.

Helpless, he could only force a smile and agree.

"Fine. Like you said, a bet's a bet."

"But by the same token, when I decide to use my 'Designated Truth' card, you have to honor our agreement, too."

"Although agreements like this tend to only bind honorable people, I hope there's some spirit of the contract between us."

"Of course, no problem," Cheng Mengxue agreed immediately.

"Since we made a promise, of course we have to keep our word."

"Alright."

Jiang Ran spread his hands.

"When are you planning to go? What's the itinerary?"

Hmm…

Cheng Mengxue crossed her arms and thought for a moment.

"On the 30th, we both still have classes. If we head to Hang City after class, the schedule will be a little too tight."

"It's a rare holiday, and we can treat it as a trip. I don't want to be so rushed. How about we leave on October 1st after we wake up?"

"That way, after we get to Hang City on October 1st, we can find a place to hang out and relax. Then we can go to Jingshan Bamboo Public Cemetery the next morning."

"Generally speaking, don't people usually visit graves in the morning? It's quieter then, and there are fewer people."

Jiang Ran was amused by this arrangement.

"You can't be serious. Are you really planning to visit your own grave? I thought you were just curious and wanted to take a look."

"However…"

Inwardly, Jiang Ran quickly calculated.

'This seems like a great opportunity for me to carry out my plan.'

'Leaving a day later, on October 1st, is actually pretty good.'

This would give him enough time to prepare, to communicate thoroughly with Officer Liu of the East Sea City Public Security Bureau and set up an ambush in advance.

He had two main considerations—

1. Naturally, his own safety.

There's no such thing as being too careful when it comes to safety. It was better to be cautious.

He was truly puzzled. Why, out of the blue, would she suggest going to Jingshan Bamboo Public Cemetery to see a tombstone?

The whole thing was just bizarre.

2. He could take this opportunity to execute his verification plan.

He had already told Xu Yan that he was looking for a chance to run a final verification test on Cheng Mengxue.

Once it was confirmed with 100% certainty that she was a fake, the East Sea police could arrest her immediately and follow the clues to unmask the true mastermind.

99.99% and 100%—while not a huge numerical difference, they were worlds apart in nature.

99.99% was, in the end, still just suspicion.

But 100% was solid, confirmed proof.

Jingshan Bamboo Public Cemetery…

'It really is a good place.'

It was far from the city, allowing the East Sea police to set up an ambush in advance. If everything went smoothly, they could catch the enemy completely by surprise without even tipping them off.

"But… you have a point."

Jiang Ran smiled faintly.

"Since we've decided to make this a relaxing trip, let's not be in a rush. It's better if we take our time and enjoy it."

"It's just that we're too familiar with Hang City. If you ask me what's fun to do there, I really can't think of anything. At most, we could wander through a mall or see a movie."

"Or… do you have a plan? Is there anywhere in Hang City you want to go?"

Cheng Mengxue turned and leaned against the railing again, watching the setting sun as it sank below the horizon.

"Hang City Paradise."

She said suddenly, "You know, even though we grew up in Hang City, we've never actually been to Hang City Paradise, have we?"

Jiang Ran nodded.

"That's true. Even though Hang City Paradise is a very famous amusement park in the Yangtze River Delta Region, locals are naturally disenchanted with their own attractions… It's like how many people from Tai'an have never climbed Taishan Mountain."

"But now that you mention it, I remember you really wanted to drag me there when we were kids. But since I wasn't interested in amusement parks at all, we never ended up going."

"Why did you suddenly think of that? If you want to go to an amusement park, the Disneyland here in East Sea is obviously more fun… Well, okay, I haven't been to Disney either, but I've heard online that it's pretty good."

Now that Cheng Mengxue had brought it up, Jiang Ran did indeed remember.

When they were children, Hang City Paradise, a comprehensive theme park, was quite famous. Every year, many tourists from all over the country flocked to it.

It was said to have many thrilling rides and was considered second to none at the time.

But later, as more and more large amusement parks were built across the country, Hang City Paradise lost its competitive edge. If Cheng Mengxue hadn't suddenly mentioned it, Jiang Ran would have completely forgotten about this "tear of a bygone era."

Cheng Mengxue did seem to be very interested in amusement parks like this. Jiang Ran remembered her mentioning it several times in elementary school, suggesting they go to Hang City Paradise together during a break, but they never did.

However, in response to Jiang Ran's Disneyland suggestion, Cheng Mengxue just shook her head.

"Since we wanted to go to Hang City Paradise when we were kids but never made it, why not take this opportunity to go now?"

"There's a saying: 'To buy osmanthus wine and travel together again, is never the same as when we were young.' Visiting now that we're older can be our way of... making up for a childhood regret."

…

That evening, Jiang Ran returned to his dorm to find Fang Ze packing a suitcase.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Ran asked, puzzled.

"I'm planning to go back to the United States for the National Day holiday."

Fang Ze replied, "I thought I might be able to pick up my brother's trail here at East Sea University. But then Teacher Yan was killed, and it turned out the murderer wasn't my brother."

"I can't just let him be. I might as well use this holiday to go back to the States and try to figure something out, see if I can contact him. Otherwise… I just can't rest easy."

Jiang Ran watched Fang Ze place his clothes into the suitcase one by one, saying nothing.

'What a pair of ill-fated brothers.'

Especially Fang Ze. On one hand, he had to bear the psychological pressure of his brother being a criminal; on the other, he wanted to catch him as soon as possible so he could mend his ways and get back on the right path.

"How do you plan to find your brother?" Jiang Ran asked.

"I don't know."

Fang Ze shook his head. "Honestly, I'm just grasping at straws, but I can't just stay here and do nothing."

"The world is so big, with so many countries. I have no idea where my brother is hiding."

"It's very possible we'll just keep missing each other. When I'm in the Dragon Country, he's in the United States. When I go back to the United States, he'll probably run back to the Dragon Country. Sigh…"

Fang Ze let out a long, helpless sigh.

Jiang Ran closed his eyes.

He recalled the words spoken by the Assassin, Fang Yang, in the Future Prison of 2045.

He remembered…

The Assassin had indeed described the process of his capture:

"After I killed Zhou Xiong, I hid abroad. I never returned to the country, and I never again attended the regular meetings of the Regrets Mutual Aid Association."

"Later, it wasn't until I was arrested in Los Angeles and deported back to my country that I set foot on Dragon Country soil again."

Yes.

That was exactly what the Assassin had said.

"Why don't you try looking in Los Angeles?"

Hearing this, Fang Ze looked up.

"Why Los Angeles?"

Jiang Ran shrugged.

"I can't say for sure. Call it a gut feeling. You know, Los Angeles has the feel of a city of crime, doesn't it? It seems like all the criminals in the United States like to flock there."

"Haha, been playing too much GTA?"

Fang Ze didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He continued packing his suitcase. "The map in GTA V is based on Los Angeles, called Los Santos in the game. But…"

His hands, busy packing, paused as he thought carefully.

"But you have a point. Since I'd be searching aimlessly no matter where I go, I might as well try my luck in Los Angeles. I hope your words bring me good fortune."

"What about you, Jiang Ran? The National Day holiday is so long. Where are you planning to go? Or are you just staying at school?"

"I'm going back to Hang City."

Jiang Ran lay on his bed and plugged his phone in to charge. "Xiaoxue said she wants to go back to Hang City for a bit, and she asked me to go with her."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Fang Ze clicked his tongue. "You're really a busy man, aren't you? First one, then the other. Aren't you tired of juggling so many women?"

WHOOSH.

Jiang Ran shot up from his bed in a sit-up.

"You seem to have a really deep misunderstanding of me. I'm not the kind of 'American boy' you're thinking of."

"That's not what an 'American boy' is like."

Fang Ze zipped up his suitcase. "You're a 'Japanese boy.'"

"…"

Jiang Ran was completely speechless. He looked at the exchange student from across the ocean with a concerned gaze.

"Fang Ze."

"Huh?" Fang Ze looked up.

Jiang Ran spoke earnestly, "Please, I'm begging you, watch something wholesome for a change."

After that, Jiang Ran also grabbed his backpack and quickly packed a few things.

He picked up the glass bottle containing the letter and the "Designated Truth" card, placing them in his backpack first.

The success of this National Day trip with Cheng Mengxue would depend on these two items.

…

…

…

[September 29, 2025. Weather: Overcast.]

[The date of the divine punishment has been set. It will be the morning of October 2nd, at Jingshan Bamboo Public Cemetery in Hang City.

Things went more smoothly than I imagined. Jiang Ran took the bait immediately.

The Priest told me to choose a remote location with a wide, open view.

Jingshan Bamboo Public Cemetery is the perfect, unrivaled location.

The cemetery is far from the city and sparsely populated. Plus, by using the excuse of visiting a grave to go in the morning, it will be safe and covert.

I don't even need to do it myself. The Priest has arranged for a sniper to lie in ambush in a nearby tall building.

I just have to lead Jiang Ran to a high, exposed spot, and the sniper can open fire, ending his sinful life.

Coincidentally, Cheng Mengxue's tombstone is located at the highest point of the cemetery with the most open view. As soon as I lead Jiang Ran up the steps, my mission will be complete.

I am so excited right now, so happy.

A righteous judgment and the mending of a life's regret can arrive at the same time. This is heaven's greatest gift to me.

Even though I have paid a great price and sacrificed so much, I am willing. It is worth it.

Little brother, your big sister is coming to get you.

Countless painful days and nights, all spent waiting for this day when my efforts would finally bear fruit.

Let this story end in Hang City.

Hang City.

Hang City.

Hang City.

The place where I was born, where I grew up, where I died.

And yet… I've never been there once.]

…

CLICK.

Cheng Mengxue closed her diary and locked it in a drawer.

Then she capped her pen.

And turned off her desk lamp.

"Huh?"

Just then, her roommate climbed down the ladder from the top bunk, looking at her in surprise.

"Xiao-Xiaoxue, what's wrong?"

"Hm?"

Cheng Mengxue was confused.

"I'm fine. What's the matter?"

"You…"

Her roommate stared, dumbfounded, and pointed at her face.

"Why are you crying?"

"Haha, how could I be? What are you talking about?"

Cheng Mengxue laughed.

'How could I possibly be crying? My roommate must be seeing things.'

Habitually, she raised her right hand to touch her cheek.

In that instant… she froze.

Wet.

Warm.

She pulled her hand away and stared at the crystal-clear, wet traces on her palm, wondering where they had come from.

'What… what's going on?'

'Where did these tears come from?!'

She scrambled to her feet and looked at the mirror on the wall.

In the mirror, a girl with tears streaming down her face was staring back at her.

It was a…

Familiar face.

Unfamiliar face.

Sorrowful face.