Chapter 152: Handshake

Jiang Huan maintained a remarkably stable emotional state, eating and drinking as usual and even going on dates with Xie Congzhou.

However, because their dates required a protective escort nearby, hand-holding was about as far as they could go. Fortunately, both of them were somewhat clumsy at romance, and Xie Congzhou exercised the utmost self-control, so they managed to avoid any dramatic public spectacles.

After about a week of this routine, Jiang Huan and Lü Pengchun's affair finally reached a conclusion.

She was required to shake hands and make peace with Lü Pengchun and make a few public appearances to dispel rumors and signal to the outside world that certain stories were false.

Incredulous, Jiang Huan almost experienced a bout of rebellion.

Fortunately, she quickly reasoned things out: since the authorities hadn't taken any coercive measures against her over the past week, there must be a specific reason behind this arrangement.

Xie Congzhou gently stroked Jiang Huan's hair. "Since you want to go, then go. Remember, if necessary, you can eliminate her, and I will handle the aftermath. As long as you are safe and sound."

He had maintained this attitude from the very beginning.

When Xie Congzhou chose to save this land, he hadn't done so blindly. He had cultivated a vast amount of toxic vines and thorns; if he were subjected to treatment beyond his acceptable limits, the entire capital would be completely enveloped by these poisonous growths.

Previously, it was only because Jiang Huan repeatedly assured him she was completely fine, combined with her own means of self-preservation, that Xie Congzhou refrained from playing this final card. Had Jiang Huan given even a slight nod or a different attitude, Lü Pengchun might have been dead and buried without a trace long ago.

Yet, even knowing Jiang Huan's extraordinary nature, he still insisted that the accompanying staff keep a video feed active, essentially live-streaming Jiang Huan's meeting with Lü Pengchun.

Jiang Huan chuckled, though she didn't stop him. She pressed a quick kiss to Xie Congzhou's cheek—about as bold an expression of affection as she dared in public. "Wait for me to come back, and I'll treat you to something good."

Xie Congzhou grinned, wearing a look of eager anticipation.

A female employee passing by frowned. Previously, Xie Congzhou treated all female colleagues with the aloof detachment of an unfeeling robot; she hadn't expected him to be such a secret softie in front of the person he truly loved.

And as for that Jiang Huan—she looked like an unbothered badass, yet the way she spoke sounded remarkably like someone who had never memorized classical poetry.

In other words, she had plenty of casual charm.

She probably never knew, nor would she ever believe, that Xie Congzhou, smiling with such radiant anticipation, was actually wondering whether they should have boiled fish or Australian lobster for dinner.

Or perhaps a long table full of street snacks.

Nor would she know that Jiang Huan's promise of "something good" was meant in the most literal sense possible.

The car carrying Jiang Huan arrived at its destination. True to his word, the accompanying young woman opened the video feed and gave Jiang Huan a heads-up beforehand. Noticing that Jiang Huan's hair was slightly messy, she even handed her a comb. "Miss Jiang, would you like to fix your hair? Never lose face, even if you lose the argument."

Ah, a neat little pun.

Jiang Huan appreciated all cute people, especially cute girls. Taking the comb, she tidied her hairstyle, put on a radiant smile, and stepped out of the car.

Well, consider it a little bonus welfare for her "loyal fans" watching the "livestream."

Once inside the venue, a crowd of people holding cameras was already waiting.

In a society gradually recovering to its pre-apocalyptic state, media was inevitable, and media always came with a barrage of cameras and microphones.

Jiang Huan was guided to the primary seat, with Lü Pengchun seated right beside her.

The other party smiled and shook hands with Jiang Huan. The moment their hands met, Jiang Huan instantly sensed something was amiss.

She immediately glanced at the staff member standing near Lü Pengchun and, seeing the person nod slightly in return, gathered her composure. She deliberately played along with the narrative they had constructed, performing the role of a warm and cooperative partner to Lü Pengchun in front of everyone.

It wasn't until all the media personnel had left that Jiang Huan finally voiced her suspicion, turning directly to Lü Pengchun and asking, "Who are you?"

Lü Pengchun showed no trace of panic; instead, he cast an approving look at Jiang Huan. "Miss Jiang is truly extraordinary, blessed with eyes like torches."

He didn't mind being seen through at all.

With genuine curiosity, he asked how she knew he wasn't the real Lü Pengchun, especially since he was certain no one had tipped her off beforehand.

After all, shouldn't she feel nothing but aversion toward him, rather than paying him enough close attention to notice?

"Your hands," Jiang Huan said. "Your face might be replicated, but the details of your hands betrayed you."

The man glanced down at his palms. "Oh-ho~ It seems I need to cut back on my training; my hands are covered in calluses."

Chuckling with self-deprecating humor, he introduced himself as Xiao Lin.

Impersonating Lü Pengchun this time was an order from his superiors.

Curious, Jiang Huan looked at his face. "Do you two look very similar?"

"Our bone structures match; the surface skin is a mix of prosthetics and makeup, and the temperament is imitated. Though the time was too short, I haven't quite mastered the essence yet." He pointed to certain areas of his face, and Jiang Huan asked if she could touch it.

She was genuinely curious: had modern technological levels really advanced to the point where makeup alone could completely replicate someone else's appearance?

Before the apocalypse, she was just an ordinary citizen and had never encountered anything of the sort.

"Go ahead, please feel free." Xiao Lin was quite easygoing, inviting Jiang Huan to inspect him hands-on.

The accompanying female staff member coughed lightly, as if reminding Jiang Huan that her devoted fan base was currently watching.

Jiang Huan laughed out loud and addressed the camera directly, "I'm just looking, I won't do anything else."

Having kept his microphone muted the entire time, Xie Congzhou could only respond with a helpless smile as he watched Jiang Huan reach out to touch another man's face, meticulously examining it.

Having satisfied her curiosity, Jiang Huan withdrew her hand, genuinely interested in the technology. It could come in quite handy when one needed to avoid showing their face.

If this technology became fully mature...

Sensing Jiang Huan's interest, Xiao Lin not only offered to let her tour his makeup studio if she had free time, but also left her his communication code.

People like them, working for the state on missions that weren't always entirely public, had access to dedicated base stations for contact. In other words, Jiang Huan's communication device could reach him directly.

Just before leaving, Xiao Lin suddenly remarked, "I'm quite good at makeup, sister."

He then pointed to the phone held by the female staff member.

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Huan understood instantly, casting a knowing, half-smiling glance at the camera.

On the other end of the feed, Xie Congzhou was completely baffled. Why did dropping the word "sister" cause both girls to exchange strange smiles and suddenly look so chummy with that guy?

What was this—some kind of new internet slang?

Poor Xie Congzhou had been wholeheartedly devoted to farming both before and after the apocalypse, completely out of touch with the endless wave of internet buzzwords. At this stage, the only slang he still understood was "YYDS."

Xie Congzhou's bewilderment lasted quite a long time. It wasn't until Jiang Huan was reassigned to the front lines that she leaned over, laughing against his ear, to explain what that particular use of "sister" usually implied.

Xie Congzhou immediately broke into a brilliant smile. "Given the chance, I'd love to chat with that 'sister' of yours."

Jiang Huan almost choked on a mouthful of blood.

Wait, that wasn't an invitation for you to become a "sister" too!

Otherwise, who was going to be out here having a one-of-a-kind romance with her?