Chapter 26: Gossip Can Save Lives

“Mmm…” Jiang Xiwen was a little embarrassed as well, wanting to move his lips away, but the two of them were wedged tightly in the narrow gap beneath the seats, unable even to open their mouths, let alone move. Yet, with just that slight movement, he really did shift a little, and an overwhelming sensation of pleasure surged through him—a jolt of electricity spreading from the meeting of their four lips to every corner of his body.

“Mmm…” Zhang Ya's face grew even redder as he moved, her eyes fluttering open for a split second before squeezing shut again, her brows furrowed in a way that was heartbreakingly charming. She tried to lean her body away, pursing her lips to minimize their contact as much as possible. There was a bit of space below, forcing Jiang Xiwen's weight to tilt forward, pressing him even more heavily against Zhang Ya.

If only she could move her hands, Zhang Ya thought, she would have strangled Jiang Xiwen then and there. But now, all she could do was curse this wretched scoundrel in her heart, her body twisting incessantly—though the more she struggled, the more their lips brushed repeatedly together, until she dared not move at all.

Her first kiss—was it really being stolen by this bastard? Was this what a first kiss was supposed to feel like? An unfamiliar sensation slipped between her lips and teeth, rushing straight to her mind. Zhang Ya quickly tried to rid herself of those thoughts, but tears began sliding down her tightly closed eyes without her realizing it. She felt utterly wronged; never in her life had she suffered such humiliation, and it was all at the hands of this hypocrite, a petty ruffian who usually pretended to be so honest and meek.

The salty tears slipped to her lips. Jiang Xiwen moistened his dry lips, cursing inwardly: Damn it, at this rate, they're forcing a gentleman like me to become a scoundrel. Her lips are so soft, it's… just too damn good...

A soft whimper escaped, and Zhang Ya's brows began to relax.

Jiang Xiwen too found himself lost in the sensation—so this was what a first kiss felt like...

Suddenly, with a lurch, the van bounced, throwing Jiang Xiwen upward. When he landed, he was pressed even more closely against Zhang Ya, their bodies twisted awkwardly like shrimps. Their mouths still touched, but the feeling from before was gone.

Why was it like this? Zhang Ya's tears would not stop.

“Damn it, if this driver loves drifting so much, why doesn’t he become a racecar driver!” Jiang Xiwen fumed. He’d finally gotten a taste of being a scoundrel, and just as he was savoring it, the moment was ruined. Curse that Old Seven, Blackie, and that bastard driver.

If only it were Su Lai beneath me now, he thought, I wouldn’t mind this position, no matter how uncomfortable. I’d gladly endure it.

He’s a scoundrel—a scoundrel! Zhang Ya’s mind was a blank, refusing to dwell on the sensation just now, cursing him silently, crying without a sound. Jiang Xiwen, meanwhile, let his thoughts run wild. The kidnappers were silent, and until they got off the van, there was little chance for escape.

Half an hour later, after another sharp turn, the van finally stopped. Jiang Xiwen and Zhang Ya were finally able to separate.

Zhang Ya slowly opened her eyes, ignoring her aches, and fixed Jiang Xiwen with a glare, grinding her teeth as she hissed, “You bastard, you’re too much.”

To her, Jiang Xiwen seemed more detestable than the kidnappers themselves. She had forgotten that he was only there because he’d jumped onto the van to save her.

“Listen, Zhang Ya, with your attitude, who’d ever want you? If I could’ve moved, I’d have kicked you off me ages ago,” Jiang Xiwen snapped back. He wasn’t really speaking to her, but rather to the lecherous Blackie. The moment the van stopped, at least seven plans flashed through his mind; he dismissed six immediately, leaving only the last as remotely workable.

A hacker’s mind is not only agile but logical, able to quickly and clearly assess every possibility in any situation. Jiang Xiwen put that skill to use now, and it couldn’t have been more apt.

“Jiang Xiwen, you’re too much!” Zhang Ya burst into tears again.

Jiang Xiwen snorted coldly. “With all those tears, why don’t you go to Hollywood and be an actress? If it weren’t for you, I’d never have ended up in this hellhole. You’re a rich girl—hurry up and have your father pay our ransom.”

“What are you two arguing about? Get out!” Old Seven said impatiently, pushing and shoving them out of the van. Zhang Ya, light as a feather, was practically thrown out. Jiang Xiwen, quick-witted, let out a loud “Ouch!” and stumbled on purpose, falling right in front of Zhang Ya, quietly positioning himself as her cushion.

As Zhang Ya landed, she fell face-first—her lips once again meeting Jiang Xiwen’s. She let out a startled cry, rolled to the side, and her cheeks flushed furiously.

Truly, good deeds are rewarded—even as a human cushion, he was kissed by a beauty. Since his rebirth, Jiang Xiwen felt he’d gained new insight into life’s philosophy.

Before Zhang Ya could say a word, he continued with his seventh plan, spitting several times and grumbling, “Class monitor, don’t you brush your teeth? Your breath stinks! No wonder it was so unbearable in the van—if it had lasted a moment longer, I’d have suffocated.”

“You’re the one who stinks, you scoundrel!” Zhang Ya finally couldn’t hold back, snapping back at him.

The van had stopped in the outskirts; no one was around. As Jiang Xiwen talked to Zhang Ya, his eyes stealthily swept the area. Several hundred meters away stood a lone mud-brick house.

Old Seven got out first, followed by Blackie, who grinned, “What are you two kids bickering about? Hey, boy, is this girl really as unbearable as you say? Tsk tsk, don’t you know how to treat a beauty with tenderness?”

“You…” Bound hand and foot, Zhang Ya managed to straighten her body, wanting to retort, but at the sight of Blackie’s leering grin, she shuddered and fell silent.

Blackie turned to Zhang Ya, grinning as he strode over. “I want to see if you’re really as terrible as this guy says, little missy.”

“Brother Blackie, you just don’t know. At school, she’s notorious—no one can stand her! Don’t be fooled by that smooth little face; she’s got…” Jiang Xiwen deliberately lowered his voice, feigning secrecy.

Blackie stopped, curious. “Got what?”

Old Seven, too, though silent, looked on expectantly.

Curiosity killed the cat, Jiang Xiwen thought. Even gossip can save lives.