Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder. 38

Zhan's Pov.

I sat in the living room, waiting for Wang. He had called earlier, saying he was on his way, so I left my room quietly, not wanting to wake Ji Li.

When Wang walked in, he didn't look happy. My chest tightened. Was he already missing Lusi?

"What happened?" I asked as I patted the couch, letting him sit beside me.

He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I... I don't know what happened last night, but I think I had sex with Lusi."

My body stiffened. Heat rushed to my face, but I forced myself to stay calm. My voice was lower than I intended when I spoke. "What do you mean?"

He explained everything, how he had woken up naked, how Lusi had told him they had been together, but he didn't remember any of it.

I didn't know what to say. Was I upset? Yes. Was I jealous? Yes. But for some reason, I knew he wasn't lying.

I picked up my phone and quickly messaged Dre. I told him what happened, and his reply came in seconds.

She must have drugged him.

I frowned. He didn't eat or drink anything. He was fine when he got home from dinner. I text back.

Maybe she made him sniff it, Dre replied.

I turned my phone toward Wang, and he cursed under his breath.

I stayed quiet, studying him. He looked frustrated, and guilty, like the weight of the world was crushing him. Without thinking, I pulled him into a hug.

"It's okay, baby," I whispered.

He leaned into me, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist. "Just a few more days," he whispered.

I smiled softly, thinking about it. Just a few more days and we'll leave this godforsaken place.

Two days later, our passports arrived.

I sat on the bed, staring at the small blue booklet in my hands. It felt unreal. Ji Li sat beside me, gripping his passport like it might disappear if he let go.

"We're leaving?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," I said, my heart pounding. "We are."

A message popped up on my phone.

Wang: I'm outside.

I grabbed Ji Li's hand, and we rushed out. Wang stood next to his bike, arms crossed, waiting. When he saw me, his eyes flickered to the passports in my hand.

"They're here?" he asked.

I nodded, passing them to him. He flipped through them, checking each one. When he finished, he exhaled deeply. "Everything's in order."

Ji Li clung to my sleeve. "What about Grandma?"

I hesitated. We hadn't told her yet. The thought made my chest tighten.

"We'll talk to her," Wang said firmly. "She deserves to know."

I nodded. "Yeah, we will."

Wang handed the passports back. "Dre finished setting up your account."

"Thank you, Wang," I said, meaning it.

He just nodded. Then, after a moment, he pulled me into a tight hug. His hand cradled the back of my head, and I closed my eyes, melting into him.