It might have felt like several centuries, or perhaps just a minute or two, when Jiang Yan felt she could no longer breathe. Jiang Wu finally released his grip.

Jiang Yan collapsed into the car seat, gasping for air, her eyes filled with fury.

Jiang Wu’s hand trembled slightly.

He lit a cigarette for himself: “Xiao Yan, don’t blame your brother. Sometimes I simply can’t control myself. One moment I’m human, the next I might turn into a demon… The devil wants to break free, and if I can’t catch Pan Bohua, I’ll harm those around me!”

Jiang Yan tried to speak, but as soon as she inhaled, her throat burned with pain, causing her to cough incessantly.

“Even… even if you kill Third Brother Pan, the demon locked inside you won’t disappear. You were already out of control before Third Brother Pan injured you!”

If he hadn’t lost control, how could he have done such terrible things?

If even half of what was recorded in that document was true, Jiang Wu’s terrifying brutality exceeded ordinary imagination.

Wasn’t Pan Bohua’s angry retaliation due to the horrific crimes her cousin had committed?

Jiang Wu blamed everything on Pan Bohua, but Jiang Yan knew that wasn’t the truth.

The cause and effect were wrong!

Jiang Wu suddenly smiled, “My dear sister, so you were the one who took that document.”

Jiang Yan’s face remained expressionless.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. What document?”

“Stop pretending. How would you know about my loss of control without reading the document? Xiao Yan, oh Xiao Yan, you didn’t give the document to Zhou Cheng, did you? Do you know why despite your lifelong efforts, the family never fully valued you, always placing you behind me? It’s because of your gender. Women are naturally prone to emotional decisions. You’re so foolish… Don’t resent this assessment. If you help outsiders against me, you’re opposing the entire Jiang family. How can the family trust you when you disregard them? Xiao Yan, you still have much to learn.”

When Jiang Yan tried to exit the car, Jiang Wu locked the doors.

“Don’t be afraid. I can still control it now. Brother accidentally hurt you earlier, so let me treat you to a meal as an apology.”

Demon and caring cousin – Jiang Wu switched between these two faces effortlessly.

Jiang Yan clutched her throat; just speaking one sentence made her throat burn like fire.

Jiang Wu knew!

He must have long suspected she took the document, and this visit was to confirm it.

Of course, she wouldn’t admit it, but Jiang Wu had already decided she had taken it.

One moment Jiang Wu was choking her, the next he was all smiles and courteous. Jiang Yan wondered if this road led to the underworld – clearly, Jiang Wu intended to find a deserted place to kill her. What did it matter that the academy sentry saw her leave with Jiang Wu? Even if Jiang Wu killed her, the Jiang family would cover up the truth. The family couldn’t have such a scandal, just as they had covered up Jiang Wu’s previous actions!

Naturally, Jiang Yan wouldn’t wait passively for death. She needed to find an opportunity for a decisive strike.

Though Jiang Wu’s foot was lame, his hand skills weren’t diminished, and he likely carried a gun. Jiang Yan knew she’d only have one chance.

She tensed her entire body in preparation, planning to strike first when Jiang Wu stopped the car!

But to Jiang Yan’s surprise, Jiang Wu drove to a reservoir.

Several buildings stood beside the reservoir, partially hidden by walls and lush trees, making it quite a secluded spot.

Jiang Wu drove straight in, and someone rushed up enthusiastically. Jiang Yan suddenly relaxed: no matter how crazy Jiang Wu was, he wouldn’t harm her in front of others. Unless he killed all witnesses, which was impossible – this wasn’t the chaotic frontlines or Jinling where the Jiang family held power. In North Hebei Province, the Jiang family could not cover up major crimes for Jiang Wu.

Jiang Wu parked the car. “Let’s go. A friend recommended this place. The fish dishes here are quite good, and you can fish by the reservoir.”

Despite his limp, driving such a car earned him enthusiastic treatment from the resort staff – no one would underestimate Jiang Wu.

Jiang Yan smiled sarcastically. Who would believe now that Jiang Wu had nearly killed her moments ago?

The resort staff followed, explaining, “Our mountain resort has been open for many years. Our specialty is fish dishes, all caught fresh from the reservoir. Guests can fish themselves. Besides reservoir fish, we have wild game from the mountains. If fishing becomes boring, you can even fire a few shots in the back mountains…”

Jiang Yan’s steps faltered.

She spotted another familiar car ahead.

– Xia Xiaolan’s car! Jiang Wu had deliberately brought her here!

Jiang Yan’s internal alarm blared. She wasn’t worried about Xia Xiaolan; she was concerned for Zhou Cheng.

Jiang Wu knew she had taken the document and would show it to Zhou Cheng… Jiang Yan tensed completely. Despite his leg impediment, Jiang Wu’s walking motion was peculiar, limping on one foot with a pronounced body sway. Under his thin coat, Jiang Yan could see the outline of a holster.

Jiang Wu was armed!

How could a civilian officer be authorized to carry a gun? The family must be insane to indulge Jiang Wu to this extent!

Jiang Yan felt both puzzled and frightened – was it family indulgence, or had they lost control over Jiang Wu?

She stepped forward to walk beside him:

“Why did we come here?”

Jiang Wu gave her a puzzled look, “As I said, the fish here is good.”

Purple-red marks had appeared on Jiang Yan’s slender neck, the fingerprints visible. Jiang Wu’s voice carried a hint of apology: “Does it hurt? I’ll have someone bring ice to apply, and you can have some fish soup later.”

See what a caring cousin he was.

How would outsiders suspect that Jiang Yan’s neck injuries were caused by Jiang Wu’s strangling?

Jiang Yan didn’t believe a word of Jiang Wu’s explanation.

Jiang Wu must have known Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan were here!

As she thought this, a window by the reservoir opened, and a fishing rod extended out, followed by Zhou Cheng’s voice:

“Do you know how to fish?”

“I’m like Jiang Taigong fishing – willing to wait for fish to take the bait. Maybe some silly fish will swim right up!”

The window opened wider, revealing Xia Xiaolan’s pretty face, her gaze meeting the Jiang siblings’.

Xia Xiaolan looked at Jiang Wu and Jiang Yan, particularly noting Jiang Yan’s neck, and chuckled while holding the fishing rod: “I thought I heard wrong, but it is you two. What a small world! Are you also here for the fish?”

Zhou Cheng pulled her back, silently warning her to stay away from the madman Jiang Wu.

Xia Xiaolan pointed at her neck, “If you’re here to eat fish, what happened to Jiang Yan’s neck?”

The handprints were visible, with bruising and swelling evident. Any more force would have crushed Jiang Yan’s throat.

If Xia Xiaolan had noticed this, Zhou Cheng’s observation would only be more detailed.

– That madman Jiang Wu, Jiang Yan was his cousin, yet he would harm even her!

Zhou Cheng pushed the window open wider, “Since we’ve met by chance, Jiang Yan, come join us.”

Jiang Yan hadn’t felt this emotional when being strangled, but now her eyes grew hot with tears. Zhou Cheng still cared about her, he wouldn’t ignore her when she was hurt! Jiang Yan shook her head:

“No need, you and Xiaolan rarely get to meet, I won’t disturb you.”

But Jiang Wu ignored her, letting out a cold laugh and limping into Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan’s private room.