Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Driver Is the Boss

“Body odor!”
“Nonsense, I don’t smell anything,” Blackskin replied, genuinely curious.
“Jiang Xiwen…” Overwhelmed by grievance and fear, and now slandered by Jiang Xiwen, she was so angry she didn’t know what to say. She failed to understand Jiang Xiwen’s motive for mocking her, instead glaring at him with burning hatred.

Jiang Xiwen ignored her, speaking earnestly, “It’s true, but it’s winter now. Besides, Yang Guifei had body odor too, but she was still a great beauty.”

Seeing Zhang Ya’s heartbroken expression, Jiang Xiwen worried his words might leave a psychological scar on the young girl, so he invoked Yang Guifei as a comparison.

It seemed his words had some effect; Zhang Ya’s brows relaxed for half a second before furrowing tightly again.

“Blackskin, enough nonsense. Let’s get to business!” The drift driver got out of the car, his voice deep and powerful, commanding respect without anger.

Jiang Xiwen glanced over and finally got a clear look at the driver boss’s face—resolute, decisive, a heroic visage. That was Jiang Xiwen’s impression. Yet the face seemed familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he'd seen it.

There was no time for Jiang Xiwen to ponder further. Blackskin nodded repeatedly at the driver boss and, grumbling and cursing, dragged Jiang Xiwen, shoving him toward the clay brick house.

Old Seven hoisted Zhang Ya and strode after them, quickly overtaking Blackskin.

Zhang Ya bit her lower lip tightly, closed her eyes, and remained silent. Her inner terror grew with every jolt of Old Seven’s footsteps.

“Hey, I can hop on my own, Blackskin. No need to push,” Jiang Xiwen said with a playful grin. “My family’s got no money. If it weren’t for being classmates with this girl and just happening to run into her on the street, I wouldn’t be involved at all.”

Blackskin patted Jiang Xiwen’s shoulder. “Kid, cut the crap. Behave yourself, and when it’s over, we’ll let you go.”

“You can rest assured, Blackskin. I’ve always been honest. Once you let me go, I promise today’s events will disappear from my mind.”

“Kid, you’re pretty savvy, huh. Didn’t think the privileged sons from Second High would be so sensible,” Blackskin replied.

“Blackskin, don’t tease me. My family’s just ordinary folks. If you want to kidnap someone, go find a millionaire’s daughter… By the way, this girl’s family is pretty mysterious. Since she’s my classmate, could it be she’s worth billions?” Jiang Xiwen deliberately tried to coax information out of Blackskin.

“Bull, I’m not that stupid. We’re doing this on orders from above…” Blackskin’s complaint was immediately cut off by the driver boss: “Blackskin, one more word and I’ll cripple you!”

His voice was still deep and powerful, but this time carried a chill.

The effect on Blackskin was like a thunderbolt. He fell silent, pushing Jiang Xiwen hard. Jiang Xiwen, nearly falling, remembered Wang Wu’s basic training to steady his stance. He leaned forward with a few sidesteps and stood firm. Worried Blackskin might notice, he quickly said, “Blackskin, I’ll keep quiet. No need to trouble you—I can walk myself.”

No one noticed that, at the back, the driver boss’s usually impassive face showed a brief flicker of surprise when he saw Jiang Xiwen steady himself.

Jiang Xiwen, I hate you! She’s so terrified, and you’re still joking with these thugs—what a little scoundrel. Zhang Ya cursed in her heart, not realizing that Jiang Xiwen’s chatter was actually easing her fear.

But now, under the dying light of the setting sun, in the deserted outskirts, only the sound of footsteps could be heard. The suffocating chill pressed in, making it hard to breathe.

Jiang Xiwen noticed Zhang Ya’s pale face, eyes closed, and spoke again, “Seventh Brother, you might kill her if you keep carrying her like that. She’s got some illness—she’s fainted several times before and vomits yellow bile. It’s pretty nasty, so be careful.”

Old Seven frowned and steadied his pace, apparently believing Jiang Xiwen’s words.

“If you’re slandering me, Jiang Xiwen, I’ll never forgive you!” Zhang Ya finally couldn’t bear the grievance and cried out.

Blackskin opened his mouth, wearing a sly grin, wanting to say something, but when he saw the driver boss, he quickly adjusted his expression to look severe and silent.

After shouting a few times, Zhang Ya actually felt much better, and some color returned to her face.

Having finished teasing Old Seven, Jiang Xiwen turned to probe the heroic-faced driver boss. “Driver brother, you’re awfully quiet. Even gangsters don’t have to keep such a dark face.”

“Kid, if you want to die, keep talking. Our boss has taken several lives,” Blackskin threatened, borrowing the boss’s authority.

Damn, a thug like Blackskin ought to go home and plant sweet potatoes. Jiang Xiwen secretly found it amusing. Who brags about killing people? Most would avoid such talk.

The driver boss didn’t reply. His cold gaze swept over Jiang Xiwen, making him distinctly uncomfortable. Jiang Xiwen recalled that in his novels, he’d once described a look: only men who’d killed on the battlefield possessed such eyes. Before, it was just imagination, but now he was sure—this was exactly that look.

Jiang Xiwen didn’t look away, enduring the discomfort and keeping his expression as calm as possible.

The driver boss snorted coldly, his demeanor returning to its usual indifference.

Hell, who’s afraid of whom? Jiang Xiwen snorted back, turned away, and hopped forward with his bound feet. He knew they wouldn’t kill him—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been allowed to chatter so much.

This kid—the driver boss’s lips curled slightly at Jiang Xiwen’s reaction.

Before long, the four entered the clay brick house. It was empty except for one corner, where a pile of soft, torn foam was laid out, next to a few bottles of white spirits and some cold cooked food.

Jiang Xiwen and Zhang Ya were thrown onto the foam, facing each other again, though without physical contact. Zhang Ya snorted, turning her head away.

Blackskin couldn’t help but laugh. “Two brats, how old are you—acting like a married couple. The world’s going downhill. Back in my day, I didn’t start chasing girls until I was sixteen.”