Miss Forensics – Chapter 71
by Little PandaVolume One: First Scroll
Trust
That gaze was also fierce and vicious, as if it wanted to eat her.
When Song Yuhang climbed into the room, the doctor had just left. She rushed to the bedside in a few quick strides, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch Lin Yanโs pale face.
Lin Yan lay quietly, her face as pale as paper. Because she had grown even thinner, her neck looked overly slender and pale, and faint blue veins were visible.
Gauze was wrapped around her shoulder, an IV needle was connected to the back of her hand, and electrode pads for monitoring her basic vital signs were stuck all over the clothes on her chest.
If it werenโt for the mist forming in the oxygen mask and the flickering numbers on the vital signs monitor, she would have almost thought this person was about to leave her.
Song Yuhang pressed her forehead against hers, kneeling on the floor, feeling her faint breath. The stinging in her nose, which she had been trying to suppress from the start, welled up again.
She had always been one to bleed rather than cry, yet in front of Lin Yan, she had exposed her vulnerability time and time again.
Song Yuhang wiped her face, intending to leave, but then she saw Lin Yanโs eyelashes flutter slightly.
Song Yuhang was both nervous and overjoyed, hardly daring to breathe. โLin Yan, Lin Yanโฆโ
She called out softly, gripping Lin Yanโs hand tightly. She didnโt expect her to wake up, but if her body was reacting, did that mean Lin Yan could feel everything she was doing and saying right now?
Lin Yan felt as if she had been in a very long dream, her body sunk in a mire, unable to break free no matter how she struggled.
Until a familiar voice pierced through the chaos, leading her towards the light.
Lin Yan desperately clung to that sliver of warmth, swimming upwards.
Seeing Lin Yan grip her fingers tightly, Song Yuhang was almost moved to tears of joy.
โLin Yanโฆโ She pressed her forehead against hers again, sighing out her name.
Lin Yan slowly opened her eyes. Soโฆ it wasnโt a dream.
She blinked a few times, looking at the familiar face, and tears began to stream down without warning.
Song Yuhang couldnโt bear to see her cry. The moment Lin Yan cried, it felt as if hardened steel had melted into soft tendernessโ1, and her own insides twisted with an agonizing painโ2.
โDonโtโฆ donโt cryโฆ Where does it hurtโฆ Lin Yanโฆ donโt cryโฆ please donโt cryโฆโ She clumsilyโ3 wiped away Lin Yanโs tears, a little flustered like an inexperienced young lad.
Lin Yan wanted to smile, managing a slight curve of her lips before burying her head in Song Yuhangโs shoulder.
Song Yuhang turned to the side, holding her tightly. โItโs okayโฆ itโs okayโฆ Itโs good that youโre awakeโฆ Itโs goodโฆ Youโll get betterโฆ Youโll get better.โ
She patted her gently, now and then, her voice soft. She kissed her forehead again, and when she felt hot tears fall into the crook of her neck, her own eyes grew warm.
She almost wanted to take her away immediately, right then and there, and never be separated again.
Song Yuhang gritted her teeth, barely managing to suppress the impulse surging up from the depths of her blood.
โWhat you went through fourteen years ago, I donโt mind making you go through it again.โ
After the brief joy of their reunion, Lin Yan thought of Lin Youyuanโs words, and her blood ran cold.
Her lips trembled. She moved away from Song Yuhangโs embrace, laboriously raised her hand, pushed against Song Yuhangโs shoulder, and shook her head, urging her to leave.
Song Yuhang shook her head too, lunging forward to hug her tightly again. โIโm not leaving. I wonโt leave. I told you, even if you hit me or yell at me, I wonโt leave. Only death can take me away from you.โ
Lin Yan became agitated, panting slightly. Mist formed on her oxygen mask. Her eyes were red, but her gaze was fierce and vicious.
She couldnโt speak, only kept pushing Song Yuhang away, struggling. As their clothes rubbed, the gauze on her shoulder began to seep blood again, and the IV needle in the back of her hand loosened, blood slowly backing up into the tube.
Song Yuhangโs eyes instantly reddened. She let out a low growl and pressed Lin Yan down firmly. โDonโt move!โ
That gaze was also fierce and vicious, as if wanting to devour her.
Lin Yan froze. Before she could react, the pressure on her face eased; the oxygen mask had been pulled off.
Her pupils constricted. Song Yuhangโs face slowly loomed larger.
โMmphโฆโ
If their last encounter in the abandoned hospital was consensual, then this time it was purely Song Yuhangโs one-sided domination and punishment.
It was too aggressive and invasive.
Lin Yan was completely powerless to resist.
She was taking advantage of Lin Yanโs weakness.
Straining with all her might, Lin Yan finally found an opening and bit down hard.
Song Yuhang winced in pain but still didnโt let go. Only when Lin Yan was truly about to lose her breath did Song Yuhang release her head and pull back.
Both were panting heavily, especially Lin Yan. The corners of her eyes were red, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, looking as if she wanted to kill Song Yuhang.
Her paper-pale face was now tinged with color, especially her lips, which Song Yuhang had made vibrantly alluringโ4 and incredibly beautiful.
Song Yuhang, thoroughly satisfied, wiped the moisture from the corner of her own lips with the back of her hand, and also gently wiped away the trail of saliva from Lin Yanโs.
Lin Yan was mortified and furious. She forced the words out through clenched teeth, โIโllโฆ killโฆ you.โ
Song Yuhang chuckled. She raised her hand, and Lin Yan instinctively closed her eyes, turned her head away, and tensed up.
โWhat are you dodging for? Iโm just covering you with the blanket.โ
She tucked the blanket in for her and lowered the hand where the IV had back-flowed.
โโฆโ If she werenโt so weak and still hooked up to machines, Lin Yan would have jumped up and bashed her head in.
โAngry?โ Song Yuhang was well-versed in the art of taking advantage and then playing innocent. She gently cupped Lin Yanโs face, making her look at her.
Lin Yan held her breath, stubbornly refusing to look.
Song Yuhang chuckled, her gaze falling on Lin Yanโs lips again, still savoring the thrill that their intimate contact had given her.
In that instant, it felt as if her very soul had been shaken.
The police officerโs eyes darkened slightly. Knowing she shouldnโt torment her like this, she still couldnโt resist pressing her fingertips to Lin Yanโs lips, caressing them back and forth.
โI heard everything.โ
Lin Yanโs whole body trembled. She wanted to slap Song Yuhangโs hand away but was also preoccupied with her words. By the time she came to her senses, Song Yuhang had already pinned her hand down, holding it firmly.
Lin Yan gritted her teeth. โIf you heard, then get the hell out.โ
โIf I leave, what will happen to you?โ Song Yuhang sighed, pleased to see the color return to Lin Yanโs lips under her touch.
โWhen you were unconscious, I came every day. Someone, you know, would even cry in her sleep.โ
Lin Yan remembered the button Song Yuhang had placed in her palm, and the little things she had subsequently found by her pillow.
She always had Butler Lin secretly hide them.
A warmth spread through Lin Yanโs heart, but her words were still sharp. โNone of your damn business. I could be crying over any random cat or dog, not you.โ
โOh? Then why didnโt you delete my fingerprint? Did you leave it intentionally for me to trespass and have a secret rendezvous with my lover?โ
She deliberately emphasized the latter half of the sentence.
Lin Yanโs face flushed crimson. She opened her mouth and bit down, her teeth grinding lightly against Song Yuhangโs knuckles, creating a strangely pleasant sensation instead.
She wanted revenge; Song Yuhangโs thoughts werenโt so simple.
She was constantly challenging Lin Yanโs limits, not even sparing her when she was seriously ill.
What just happened had almost made her lose control. Her much-vaunted self-control was utterly worthless in front of Lin Yan.
Did Lin Yan even understand what this meant?
Of course, Lin Yan understood. She was doing it on purpose.
Song Yuhang felt like her lungs were about to explode with anger. Her Adamโs apple bobbed as she cursed under her breath, โF#ck.โ
She almost roughly seized back control.
A spark finally returned to Lin Yanโs eyes. A triumphant curve appeared on her lips, and she tilted her chin up slightly, looking at Song Yuhang.
Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. โYou just wait. Once youโre better, youโre dead meat.โ
โWeโll see whoโs dead meat.โ
Lin Yan didnโt back down. Song Yuhang didnโt bother arguing with her. She poured a glass of warm water from the thermos on the bedside table for Lin Yan to moisten her throat.
She slightly raised the head of the bed so Lin Yan could lie more comfortably.
Song Yuhang held the cup for her, watching her take small sips, and then said, โLin Yan, do you trust me?โ
Lin Yan stiffened and turned her face away, indicating she didnโt want to drink anymore.
Song Yuhang placed the cup on the table and returned to cup Lin Yanโs face.
Their eyes met, each reflecting the otherโs image in their pupils.
โMy name is Song Yuhang, not Chen Chunanโฆโ If it werenโt absolutely necessary, she wouldnโt want to mention this name again, tearing open her already scabbed-over wounds.
Lin Yanโs lips trembled. She looked away, her eyes glistening.
Song Yuhang didnโt let go, still holding her face, making her look at her.
โI can protect myself. I donโt need you to do things โfor my own good.โ You just need to take care of yourself and get well as soon as possible. Leave the rest to me. I will get you out of here, I promise.โ
It was called recuperating, but others werenโt allowed near her, and her phone had been confiscated, completely cutting her off from the outside world. It was, in fact, a form of house arrest.
Every time Song Yuhang thought of this, she couldnโt muster a shred of goodwill towards Lin Yanโs nominal father.
Even though he was Lin Yanโs father.
Seeing Lin Yan didnโt answer, she forced a lighthearted smile and gently patted her cheek.
โBe good. Donโt overthink. Just focus on getting better. The day you can walk on your own will be the day I take you out of here.โ
โIโฆโ That wasnโt what Lin Yan was worried about. She was about to speak when Song Yuhang cut her off.
โI know, youโre worried about me. Youโve fought me before. Do you think a few petty thieves could even get close to me? I can protect myself, and I can protect you. Besides, even if your father holds a high position and great power, with connections in both political and business circles, Iโm still a director-level official at the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Openly, he canโt find any fault with me. Secretly, itโs even more impossible for him to find a chance to make a move against me. On the contrary, do you know what businessmen fear the most?โ
Police, city inspectorsโ5, public security, patrol officers, fire safety inspectionsโฆ showing up every other day for checks. Itโd be endlessly annoying.
Lin Yan gritted her teeth. โGotten smarter, huh? Werenโt you the one who used to disdain these kinds of tricksโ6 the most?โ
Lin Yan, being Lin Yan, besides this point, also sensitively picked up on another key detail in her words.
โHow did you suddenly get promoted by half a rank?โ
Song Yuhang paused, the smile on her face fading slightly, but she concealed it extremely well, not letting Lin Yan see anything amiss.
Now was not the time to tell her about Zhang Jinhaiโs sacrifice. After all, Lin Yan had told them to leave first, and Song Yuhang was afraid she would feel guilty.
โIsnโt it because the case was solved and we performed meritorious service? The Tech Reconโ7 unit got a collective Third-Class Merit, you got one too, and an Advanced Individualโ8 award. Iโll bring you the medal later.โ
โForget it, I donโt want it.โ
Behind every medal of merit lies countless stories of blood and tears, and lives that could never be saved.
Seeing her looking dejected, Song Yuhang lowered the bed again and kissed her forehead. She should leave now, and let Lin Yan rest properly.
Lin Yanโs fingers hooked onto her clothes.
Song Yuhang chuckled, finding it rare to see her act like a petulant young woman. She leaned down slightly and shared another tender moment with her.
โAlright, you should sleep now.โ
Lin Yan bit her lower lip. โYouโฆโ
โIโll come again, and Iโll be careful.โ
Song Yuhang knew what she wanted to say and preemptively soothed her emotions, tucking her in.
โGive me your hand.โ
Song Yuhang didnโt understand but obediently extended her hand.
Lin Yan looked around. She didnโt know if the room was equipped with surveillance cameras or listening devices, so she chose the safest method.
She wrote a phone number in Song Yuhangโs palm, stroke by stroke.
Lin Yan closed Song Yuhangโs palm. โDid you memorize it?โ
Song Yuhang nodded, then took Lin Yanโs hand with her other hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
โDonโt worry.โ
โIf you encounter danger, or need help, go find him. He will help you.โ
Song Yuhang knew this person wasnโt Butler Lin, not Lin Ge, not anyone from the Lin family, but Lin Yanโs own true confidant.
What Lin Yan had given her was unreserved trust.
A warm current surged into Song Yuhangโs chest. She pulled Lin Yan into her arms again. She truly couldnโt bear to leave her for even a second. She kissed her cheek, nuzzling her again and again.
Her fluffy hair brushing against Song Yuhangโs face and neck really resembled some kind of large canine.
Lin Yan chuckled and gently pushed her away. โHurry up and go.โ
Song Yuhang reluctantly got up. โSee you tomorrow.โ
Lin Yan nodded. โMm, see you tomorrow.โ
On the large screen in the surveillance room, someone was shown skillfully bypassing security and climbing over the perimeter wall.
Just a few days ago, she was still crawling through a dog hole.
Lin Youyuan sneered, taking a sip of tea. The enamel lid of his cup clinked faintly against the rim.
His secretary bowed obsequiously. โBoss Lin, should we send someone to teach her a lessonโฆโ
โTeach her what? Sheโs the second-in-command of the municipal bureau, a favorite of the Provincial Public Security Department. Trying to catch the fox only to end up reeking of itโ9.โ
โThenโฆ just let her go in and out of the young missโs room like thisโฆโ
Lin Youyuan picked up his teacup, drained it, and slammed the cup down on the table. The remaining water spilled out, wetting the tablecloth.
โShe has some skill, but sheโs still a bit too green. Weโll just wait and see.โ
The next day, Lin Yan started to eat on her own initiative.
The attending doctor was somewhat incredulous. โItโs a miracle that Miss Lin woke up, and sheโs recovering quite quickly. Iโll go tell Professor Wang and the Old Master. Theyโll be very happy to hear this.โ
Lin Yan smiled indifferently. She could still only eat liquid food, so she sipped the milk in her bowl mouthful by mouthful to get more nutrition.
Whether she ate on her own or cooperated with treatment, it was never for Lin Youyuan, but for another person who genuinely cared for her.
During her recovery, the others in Tech Recon hadnโt been idle either. They were all pushing themselves to improve their physical fitness, spending all their spare time at the training base.
Duan Cheng had transformed from an unskilled young man with mediocre aptitude and average physical fitness into a skilled practitioner who could occasionally exchange a few moves with Song Yuhangโthough he always got beaten badly.
Fang Xin went from initially missing the target with five shots and hitting the outer rings with five, to hitting the target with all ten shots. Although she couldnโt hit the bullseye every time, everyone believed it was just a matter of time.
Even Zheng Chengrui had made remarkable progress with his diet and weight loss, transforming from a fat guy into a not-so-fat guy.
โAlright, thatโs it for today.โ As the referee blew the whistle, Song Yuhang released him, took off her boxing gloves, and stepped over the ropes to leave.
Duan Cheng grimaced as he climbed up from the ground, rubbing his sore jaw and wiping off sweat as he walked down.
Fang Xin handed him a bottle of mineral water. Duan Cheng plopped down beside her, unscrewed the cap, and gulped down the water. A white towel hung around his neck, water droplets trickling down his jaw. His muscle lines were faintly visible under his taekwondo uniform, giving him a bit of a manly air.
โThanks.โ
Duan Cheng downed half the bottle in one go. Turning back, he saw her still looking at him and casually handed the water bottle back.
โHere, you drink.โ
Fang Xin fumed, grabbing the towel and throwing it at him. โWho wants to drink water youโve already drunk from!โ
โHey, no, why were you looking at me then? You kept staring at me, I felt too embarrassed to drink it all, so of course I had to offer it to you. Ladies first, right?โ
Hearing the noisy chatter from that direction, Song Yuhang took her things from the locker, slung her backpack over one shoulder, and casually walked over.
โIโm leaving first.โ
โCaptain Song is going to see Lin-jie againโฆโ
Duan Cheng stood up but was pulled back down by someone. โWill you die if you donโt speak?!โ
Song Yuhang shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. She left the training base, got her car, and drove straight home.
She bought vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, and other things at the convenience store downstairs. As she was about to free a hand to open the door, it opened from the inside.
Mother Song welcomed her in. โWhy did you buy so many groceries again?โ
Song Yuhang smiled, changed into slippers, put her keys down in the entryway, and carried the groceries into the kitchen, placing two large, full bags on the counter.
โDidnโt we agree youโd teach me how to cook?โ
Mother Song beamed. Although she was diligent, she was usually busy with work and rarely had time to cook. It was rare for Song Yuhang to show an interest in cooking, so of course, she had to teach her well.
โAlright, alright, then go wash your hands quickly. You bought crucian carp today, so weโll make crucian carp and tofu soup later.โ
Song Yuhang came out after washing her hands, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, an apron tied around her waist, looking somewhat the part.
โCut it here, yes, yes, that way the fish wonโt have a fishy smell. Scoring it like that helps the flavors absorb better. Marinate it with cooking wine and ginger.โ
Mother Song instructed from the side, and Song Yuhang followed step by step.
Just as she had seared the fish skin until it was slightly crispy, the doorbell rang.
Mother Song ran to open the door. Song Yuhang peeked out halfway from the kitchen.
Ji Jingxing came in, pulling little Xiao Wei along. โQuick, say hello to Grandma.โ
Xiao Wei said in a child-like, sweet voice, โHello, Grandma~โ
Mother Song was overjoyed, hurriedly stuffing a few candies into her pocket. โGood, good, why did you come over today? Usually, you donโt even come when I invite you for dinner.โ
Ji Jingxing smiled. Her gaze met Song Yuhangโs, and Song Yuhang nodded slightly. โJie.โ
A sense of relief washed over Ji Jingxing, and the smile on her face softened.
โItโs Xiao Wei. She was crying and fussing, saying she missed Grandma and wanted Auntie to play with her. Honestly, I think she just didnโt want to do her homework again.โ
Mother Song pulled the child into her arms affectionately. โAiyo, anyway, tomorrow is the weekend. If she doesnโt want to do it today, then donโt. She can do it tomorrow.โ
โQuick, sit down, sit down. Better late than never, as they say. Guess whoโs cooking today?โ
Ji Jingxingโs gaze shifted to Song Yuhang, who was wearing an apron, her shirt sleeves rolled up to her elbows, looking quite dashing and capable. She was currently tasting the soup with a spoon to check the seasoning.
โYuhang, I suppose.โ
โIsnโt that right! Itโs a once-in-a-blue-moon sight. Xiao Wei, youโre in for a treat today~โ
Song Yuhang shook her head. She hadnโt expected them to come. She had planned to save this fish soup for Lin Yan as an extra meal. It seemed she would be visiting Lin Yan later tonight.
Ji Jingxing sat in the living room. Seeing Song Yuhang shake her head, she thought the soup wasnโt good, so she put down her phone, rolled up her sleeves, and walked over.
โWhatโs wrong? Is it too salty or too bland? Let me tryโโ
Before Song Yuhang could stop her, Ji Jingxing took a light sip from the very spot on the spoon Song Yuhang had just used. In the past, Song Yuhang wouldnโt have thought much of it, but ever since becoming intimateโ10 with Lin Yan, it was as if a whole new world had opened up, and Song Yuhang was much more sensitive to such things.
However, that wasnโt the most critical part. The most critical part wasโ
It was hot.
Ji Jingxingโs face flushed red. She coughed, lightly sticking out her tongue. Song Yuhang quickly put down the spoon and poured her a glass of cold water from the counter.
โAiya, Jie, what are you doing?โ
She appropriately maintained a subtle distance from her, not too far, not too close. She handed her the water glass but didnโt place her hand on her back to pat it gently.
Not long ago, when Ji Jingxing had choked on her food, Song Yuhang had carefully patted her back to soothe her.
Since when had the two of them become so distant?
She avoided her like the plague, unwilling to even touch her.
Ji Jingxing forced a smile, took the glass from her, sipped it, and put it down. โItโs nothing. Let me help you.โ
โNo need, Jie. Go play with Xiao Wei.โ
Song Yuhang saw the fleeting disappointment in her eyes and lowered her head to wash vegetables.
Mother Song came in upon hearing the commotion. โWhatโs wrong? Did someone get burned?โ
Ji Jingxing pushed her out. โItโs nothing, Mom. Go watch TV with Xiao Wei. Yuhang and I can manage in the kitchen. Itโs too crowded with more people.โ
โAlright, alright, then you two be careful. Donโt hurt yourselves.โ
The sound of cartoons came from the living room, where one old and one young were engrossed.
Song Yuhang and Ji Jingxing were busy with their own tasks. Song Yuhang didnโt know what to say, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
It was Ji Jingxing who spoke first. โWhy the sudden urge to learn how to cook?โ
Song Yuhang added water to the soup pot. โI canโt always come home and just wait for meals to be served. I want Mom to rest a bit.โ
Ji Jingxing smiled. โWhen your brother was courting me, he also learned to cook first. He claimed it was so I could eat better, but actually, his cooking wasnโt all that great.โ
Song Yuhang knew when Song Yichen was pursuing her; she had even given him the idea. Who knows which melodramaticโ11 TV show or book heโd seen, but heโd slapped his forehead and come up with the terrible idea: โThe way to a womanโs heart is through her stomach.โ
Song Yichen was clumsy and nearly set the kitchen on fire. But fortunately, with sheer sincerity, he managed to stand out among her many suitors.
The day they officially got together, Song Yuhang had only one thought: Good heavens, I finally donโt have to be a guinea pigโ12 anymore.
Thinking of the past, a natural smile appeared on Song Yuhangโs lips. โReally? Then why didnโt you reject him?โ
โYour brother, well, heโs quite silly.โ Ji Jingxing said, turning to look at her while chopping vegetables. โOthers would send gifts and flowers every few days, ask me out for dinner and movies. Only he would wait downstairs at my company, rain or shine. Heโd bring me medicine when I was sick, walk me home late at night, and even fought off a few hooligans who tried to harass me. He was genuinely good to me, this pointโฆโ
She paused. โJust like you.โ
Song Yuhang pressed her lips together, not knowing how to respond. Fortunately, the soup was ready.
She turned off the heat, put on oven mitts, and picked it up. โThe soup is ready. Iโll take it out first.โ
She ate this meal somewhat distractedly, partly worried about Lin Yan, and partly suspicious of Ji Jingxingโs ambiguous attitude.
She found it hard to understand this sister-in-law who had always been gentle and approachable.
Including now.
โYuhang, Iโll clean up. You should take your Jie home. Itโs getting late, and itโs not safe to take a taxi.โ
Ji Jingxing smiled, tying Xiao Weiโs scarf. โItโs okay, Mom. I was happy to have a few drinks with you today. Otherwise, I would have driven home myself. Taking the bus is fine too, itโs not cold yet.โ
Song Yuhang frowned slightly. Wasnโt Ji Jingxing a teetotalerโ13?
โAiyo, how can that be? I canโt bear to let my precious granddaughter suffer by squeezing onto a bus. Anyway, itโs not far, just let Yuhang drive you.โ
Song Yuhang tried to decline. โMom, I still have toโโ
โDidnโt you say you werenโt working overtime tonight? Hurry up, go and come back quickly.โ
Mother Song had already tied a scarf around her neck, placed the car keys in her hand, and ushered the group out the door.
โYour brother isnโt here anymore, so youโre the designated escortโ14. Hurry up, donโt dawdle.โ
Ji Jingxing stood outside the door, smiling at her.
Song Yuhang had no choice but to take Xiao Weiโs hand and lead the way down the stairs, with Ji Jingxing following behind.
โXiao Wei, fasten your seatbelt.โ Song Yuhang glanced back. Ji Jingxing had already opened the passenger door and sat down.
โOkay, Auntie.โ
Hearing the crisp click of the seatbelt, Song Yuhang started the car.
The city lights flowed past her eyes, illuminating her face, making her features appear even more well-defined and sharp.
She and Song Yichen truly were siblings; even the curve of their lips seemed to be cast from the same mold.
Ji Jingxing looked at her with a complicated expression.
โYuhang, I feel like you havenโt been as close to me and Xiao Wei lately.โ
Song Yuhang, of course, noticed her gaze. She turned the steering wheel without looking at her.
โBusy.โ
โYou were busy before too, but you wouldnโt deliberately keep your distance from me. Yuhangโโ
Ji Jingxing wanted to say more, but Song Yuhang had already stepped on the brake, unbuckled her seatbelt, and pushed open the door to get out.
โWeโre here, Saozi.โ
She had reverted to this form of address.
Ji Jingxingโs heart tightened. โWhen no oneโs around, you can call me Jie.โ
Xiao Wei had already fallen asleep in the back seat. Song Yuhang reached in, lifted her out, and said softly, โYou are my Saozi, and Xiao Wei is my biological niece. You are both my closest family. This will never change.โ
Ji Jingxing felt a mix of sourness and bitterness in her heart as she followed her upstairs. โThen what about her? Who is she?โ
Song Yuhang didnโt answer the question directly. When they reached the apartment door, she simply said, โOpen the door.โ
Ji Jingxing opened the door. Song Yuhang carried Xiao Wei inside, placed her on the bed, took off her shoes, and covered her with a blanket before heading out again.
Just as she was about to leave, Ji Jingxing grabbed her arm and asked that question again.
โThen what about her? Who is she?โ
Song Yuhang remained silent.
Ji Jingxing couldnโt sit still. โYou know I work at a law firm and occasionally have contact with your public security department. Do you knowโฆ do you know what they say about you?โ
Song Yuhang looked up at her. โWhat others say has nothing to do with me, does it?โ
โSong Yuhang!โ Ji Jingxing suddenly raised her voice. โItโs one thing for you to be ambiguously involved with a woman, but with a woman whose private life is soโฆ so improperโฆโ
Song Yuhang clenched her fists, her throat tightening. โDonโt talk about her like that. Sheโs not.โ
โFine, even if sheโs not, have you thought about Momโs feelings?โ Ji Jingxing pressed on relentlessly. โHow sad would she be if she knew you were like this?โ
Song Yuhang shook off her hand and walked towards the door without looking back. โAs long as you donโt say anything, Mom wonโt know.โ
โSong Yuhang!โ Ji Jingxingโs voice suddenly became shrill. Then, an arm wrapped tightly around Song Yuhangโs waist from behind.
Her softness pressed against Song Yuhangโs back.
Ji Jingxing trembled slightly, her voice choked with emotion. โYour brother is gone. I only have you by my side now, Yuhang. Donโt leave us. Donโt forget the oath you once made. You said you would protect me and Xiao Wei for a lifetime, be good to us for a lifetime. Does that still count?โ
Ji Jingxing placed her hand over Song Yuhangโs on her arm, tightening her grip. She hadnโt hugged anyone, nor been hugged, for a long time. Her cheeks felt slightly warm as she felt Song Yuhangโs body heat, her softness, the sunny scent on her clothes. The words slipped out naturally.
โYuhang, since you like women, thenโฆ why canโt it be me?โ
LP: Re-translated on May 28, 2025
Footnotes
- ็พ็ ้ผๅ็บ็นๆๆ | bวiliร n gฤng huร wรฉi rร ozhว rรณu | Lit. hundred-times refined steel turns into soft sentiment that wraps around the fingers; an idiom describing someone strong and resolute becoming tender and gentle.
- ไบ่ๅ ญ่ ้ฝๆช็็ผ | wวzร ngliรนfว dลu jiวozhe tรฉng | Lit. all five vital organs and six hollow organs are churning in pain; an idiom describing intense emotional or physical distress, a gut-wrenching feeling.
- ไธๆๅ ซ่ ณ | qฤซ shวu bฤ jiวo | Lit. seven hands and eight feet; an idiom describing people acting in a flustered, confused, or uncoordinated manner.
- ๅฌ่ฑๆฌฒๆปด | jiฤoyร nyรนdฤซ | Lit. lovely and tender enough to make one drool (often for flowers); describes something as being exquisitely alluring or lusciously beautiful.
- ๅ็ฎก | chรฉngguวn | Short for ๅๅธ็ฎก็ๆงๆณไบบๅ (Chรฉngshรฌ Guวnlว Zhรญfว Rรฉnyuรกn), Urban Administrative and Law Enforcement Officers, often translated as city inspectors or bylaw officers.
- ่ฑ่ฑ่ ธๅญ | huฤhuachรกngzi | Lit. flowery intestines; refers to cunning schemes, sly tricks, or a deceitful mind.
- ๆไพฆ | jรฌzhฤn | Abbreviation for ๆๆฏไพฆๆฅ (jรฌshรน zhฤnchรก), meaning Technical Reconnaissance (department/unit).
- ๅ ่ฟไธชไบบ | xiฤnjรฌn gรจrรฉn | Advanced Individual; an honorary title or award for outstanding performance.
- ๆไธๅฐ็็ธๅๅๆนๅพไธ่บซ้ช | zhuฤ bu dร o hรบli fวndร o rฤ de yฤซshฤn sฤo | Lit. trying to catch a fox but ending up covered in its stink; an idiom meaning to fail in an attempt to harm others and instead bring trouble upon oneself or get oneself dirty/implicated.
- ๅฟๅฟๆๆ | qฤซngqฤซngwวwว | Billing and cooing; whispering sweet nothings; refers to lovers being very affectionate and intimate with each other.
- ็่ก | gวuxiฤ | Lit. dogโs blood; slang for overly dramatic, melodramatic, clichรฉ, or far-fetched (often referring to plots in TV shows, movies, or real-life events).
- ๅฐ็ฝ้ผ | xiวo bรกishว | Lit. little white mouse; commonly used to mean guinea pig, someone used for experimentation or as a test subject.
- ๆปด้ ไธๆฒพ | dฤซjiวbรนzhฤn | Not to touch a drop of liquor.
- ๆค่ฑไฝฟ่ | hรนhuฤshวzhฤ | Lit. flower-protecting envoy/messenger; refers to a man who escorts or protects a woman.
my heart is happyyyy ^^
my heart is happyyyy ^^
Yippieeee