After the Divorce, I Went Back to My Hometown, Pregnant and Became the Sheriff - Chapter 19

In contrast to the long nights, winter days were always fleeting.

The golden remnants of the sunset spilled across the kindergarten playground. The air was filled with colorful balloons and the sweet scent of snacks. Jiang Xu stood at the edge of the field, his gaze following Tongtong on the swings.

“Tongtong is exceptionally happy today,” said the teacher in charge of Tongtong’s class.

“Yes,” Jiang Xu nodded in acknowledgment. “He’s been looking forward to this school fair for a long time.”

The teacher looked at the pair playing on the field and offered a kind smile. “Tongtong’s father, I know Tongtong’s mother is usually busy with work, but it’s important not to miss out on a child’s growth. They grow up in the blink of an eye. You can’t get their childhood back. Look at how good it is to spend time like this.”

On the playground, He Xianxing dressed in women’s clothing stood behind Tongtong, gently pushing the swing. He wore a chunky knit sweater over a light-colored long skirt. His chestnut hair was outlined beautifully by the setting sun. Jiang Xu smiled. “You’re right, teacher.”

When the swing eventually slowed to a halt, He Xianxing took out a water bottle and squatted down to give Tongtong a drink. Tongtong’s face was flushed red. He drank too quickly, causing him to cough and sputter. He Xianxing hurried to pat his back, but without warning, Tongtong let out a loud cry and started to wail.

Jiang Xu moved to step forward, but the teacher held him back. “It’s alright,” she explained. “There’s nothing wrong with a child acting a bit spoiled.”

“Spoiled?”

“Yes, look.”

Jiang Xu watched as Tongtong buried his head into He Xianxing’s embrace, resting his red-rimmed eyes against the other man’s shoulder.

“Tongtong… rarely cries like that,” Jiang Xu muttered instinctively.

The teacher laughed. “Tongtong’s father, crying isn’t a bad thing. It’s because he knows he is loved that he can cry so easily over a small matter.”

Jiang Xu lowered his eyes. After a long silence, he replied, “Is that how it works…”

Tongtong had come into this world right after that kidnapping case. At the time, Jiang Xu was suffering immensely. Combined with his long-standing loathing of his Omega identity, his first reaction—and his logic—told him to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible.

In fact, he had gone to the hospital alone. But as he sat on the cold hospital bench, he had hesitated.

Perhaps the child he failed to save in the kidnapping case had found a way to live again in this form. If that were true, could he really strip away a life for a second time?

With those selfish thoughts, Jiang Xu had left the hospital.

From the moment he was born, Tongtong had been exceptionally well-behaved. He rarely cried, spoke very little, and never threw tantrums. It had reached a point where Jiang Xu almost forgot that he was just a child under five years old.

“Because he knows he is loved, he can cry.”

Had he never made Tongtong feel loved? Had that kidnapping case not only destroyed his life but also drained him of his ability to love?

For years, he had spent all his energy running and hiding. In the end, he still couldn’t forget that scene, couldn’t forget his own stupidity, or his own sins. A guilty man did not deserve happiness; naturally, he did not deserve the right to love or be loved.

“Daddy!” The clear voice of a child pulled Jiang Xu back to reality. He smiled and touched Tongtong, who was being held by He Xianxing. “Crybaby,” he said softly.

Embarrassed, Tongtong shouted “Daddy’s mean!” and burrowed his face into the crook of He Xianxing’s neck. Jiang Xu shook his head helplessly and looked at He Xianxing. “Thank you for today. You’ve worked hard.”

He Xianxing smiled dismissively. “Not at all. I had a lot of fun too.”

The two strolled down the long, tree-lined path of the kindergarten. “You’re very good with children,” Jiang Xu remarked. The road was lined with small stalls from the fair. Teachers were busy tidying up the remnants, occasionally offering friendly greetings to the pair.

“Maybe because the things I like are also quite childish?” He Xianxing flashed another bright smile. “Without realizing it, the kids probably see me as one of their own.”

Jiang Xu gave a low laugh, offering a casual compliment. “That is a remarkable talent in itself.”

Winter in G-City was unlike the north; even in late January, the roads were still lined with lush green trees. The fragmented gold of the sunset pierced through the leaves, landing lightly on their shoulders as they walked toward the school exit, chatting idly with the child.

Tongtong was likely tired after a full day of playing and hadn’t made a sound for quite a while while resting on He Xianxing’s shoulder. As they passed a stall, Tongtong suddenly pointed. “Mommy!”

He Xianxing followed the gesture. Tongtong said excitedly, “I want that bear!”

Tongtong was pointing at a plush toy hanging on a stall. Jiang Xu stopped and asked the owner, who was packing up, “Hello, how much for this?”

The owner pulled out a half-packed cardboard box and looked up. “Oh, that? That’s the first prize. It’s not for sale. If the kid likes it, why not buy a ticket and try your luck?”

“How do we play, boss?” He Xianxing’s tone was eager.

The owner produced a colorful toy pistol. “Ten shots. Hit eight balloons on that wall and you get the first prize. What do you say? Want a go?”

Jiang Xu reached for the toy gun, but Tongtong pouted and insisted that “Mommy” should play. “You little…” Jiang Xu couldn’t win the argument. He looked at He Xianxing with hesitation. “Can you do it?”

He remembered He Xianxing mentioning he was afraid of firing guns. He wasn’t sure if a toy gun fell into that category. “If it’s too much, forget it.”

“It’s fine,” He Xianxing took the gun from Jiang Xu’s hand and handed Tongtong over to him. “I want to try.”

He raised his wrist, aligning the sights with the balloons on the wall. His fingertip applied slight pressure, but he hesitated to pull the trigger immediately. It’s just a toy, He Xianxing told himself. The wall of balloons suddenly seemed distant. The colorful spheres bobbed up and down in the evening breeze. He held his breath, feeling a slight dizziness.

“Keep your wrist flatter.” Jiang Xu, holding Tongtong, stepped up behind He Xianxing. The warmth of his breath brushed against the wig by He Xianxing’s ear, making him feel a slight itch.

“The more you look, the easier it is to miss. Just aim for one fixed target.”

He Xianxing glanced at Jiang Xu before looking back at the balloon wall. He pulled the plastic trigger, his wrist dipping less than half an inch during the movement.

“Don’t move.” Jiang Xu reached out with his uninjured hand and propped up He Xianxing’s slender wrist. “Steady.”

At that moment, the pellet fired. With a pop, a balloon on the opposite wall burst.

The silver sequins inside the balloon danced in the wind like shimmering snowflakes. He Xianxing turned his head, and Jiang Xu gave him a slight smile.

He Xianxing’s finger unconsciously traced the depressed trigger. A restless emotion surged in his chest; despite the winter cold, he suddenly felt a wave of heat. He grabbed Jiang Xu’s hand before he could withdraw it. “Aren’t there seven left?” He Xianxing said with a playful smile. “You have to help me finish them, Hubby.”

Jiang Xu laughed in spite of himself. He Xianxing always had the audacity to say such things. He steadied the man’s wrist. The balloons burst in quick succession like fireworks, scattering colorful sequins into the dappled twilight.

On the fifth floor of the Public Security Bureau, Shen Yucheng was looking through the interrogation records for Su Wan, his knuckles rhythmically tapping the desk.

Zhou Lexuan knew very little about Zhang Yongfeng’s dealings and had been released on bail twenty-four hours after being brought in. As for Su Wan, she had a vast amount of gray-market assets; a prison sentence was only a matter of time. However, that wasn’t Shen Yucheng’s ultimate goal. It was highly likely that there were major connections behind Su Wan, yet she remained tight-lipped regarding Zhang Yongfeng. The interrogation had not reached the expected progress.

Shen Yucheng rubbed his aching temples and checked the time before heading downstairs. As he passed Jiang Xu’s office, he glanced inside, only to find the seat empty.

“Looking for Xu-ge, Team Leader Shen?” the officer sitting by the door offered helpfully. “He took the day off today.”

“Took the day off?” Shen Yucheng blinked in confusion. From what he knew, Jiang Xu almost never took leave. “Why?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Shen Yucheng thought for a moment before following up. “What about Inspector He Xianxing?”

“What a coincidence, Inspector He is on leave today too.” The officer looked back down at his phone and laughed. “Hahaha, how is it that everyone you’re looking for is off today?”

By the time the officer looked up again, Shen Yucheng was already gone.

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