Miss Forensics – Chapter 53

Volume One: First Scroll

Jealousy

A sharp tongue masking a tender heart.¹

Lin Yan had cried enough.

Song Yuhang’s shoulder was raw too; when the tip of her tongue tasted a hint of blood, Lin Yan released her bite.

Song Yuhang sensitively detected the change in her and gently patted her back. “That hurts a bit. Let me give you the other side to bite.”

Not wanting to seem weak, Lin Yan tugged Song Yuhang’s uniform collar loose and bit down again, but this time, she didn’t use any force.

It was more like grinding her teeth or licking the wound for her.

Little wolf cub.

Be good to her, and she’ll bite you back. When she realizes she was wrong, she won’t say it outright—using a sharp tongue to mask a tender heart.

Song Yuhang’s throat bobbed. This cautious action sparked a flicker of intimate affection in her. She gently cupped the back of Lin Yan’s neck, her knuckles kneading the two cervical vertebrae back and forth as if soothing her emotions, yet her voice was low and husky.

“Let’s go back.”

Back in the room, Lin Yan was still slightly embarrassed, tear tracks staining her face. She let Song Yuhang remove the gauze from her hand and re-bandage it, avoiding her gaze.

Song Yuhang knew this person was feeling awkward about having clung to her and cried so much just now. She looked fearless on the surface, but was actually very thin-skinned.

Tease her slightly, and she was like a cat with its fur standing on end. But that also made her easy to coax.

As she sprinkled medicinal powder onto Lin Yan’s hand, Lin Yan flinched. Song Yuhang grabbed her wrist to wrap the gauze, stopping her from moving. “Luckily, no nerves were damaged. If you could never hold a scalpel again, let’s see if you’d cry then.”

“Who cried?! Who…” Lin Yan instinctively retorted. Song Yuhang patted her own shoulder, pulling up the front of her shirt for Lin Yan to see, stating honestly:

“My shirt’s wet.”

“…” Lin Yan wiped the tear tracks from the corner of her eyes and grabbed a pillow, throwing it at her.

Song Yuhang caught it with one hand, took a step forward, sat on the bed, and pinned her down. “Alright, stop messing around. The medical and sanitary conditions here are too poor. You need to get that hand properly checked when we get back to Jiangcheng.”

She shouldn’t have brought that up. Hearing it made Lin Yan feel even more uncomfortable, especially seeing the gauze wrapped around Song Yuhang’s head. She turned her face away awkwardly. “I’m fine, I’m perfectly okay. But you…”

“Don’t listen to Duan Cheng’s nonsense, it was just grazed by a bullet, broke the skin a little…”

Song Yuhang intended to comfort her, but Lin Yan’s hand suddenly crumpled the bedsheet, her body tensing for an instant.

“You don’t have to…” Don’t have to get involved in this mess, putting yourself in danger.

“I keep my word.” Before she could finish, she was interrupted.

Song Yuhang finished wrapping the gauze for her and carefully secured it with tape.

Lin Yan watched the fuzzy top of Song Yuhang’s head bowed before her. Her lips curved slightly, then quickly flattened again, returning to her usual indifference.

“I’ll allow you to go back on your word this time. I don’t want you making a hasty decision just because you pity me for a moment…”

Song Yuhang smiled, stinging Lin Yan’s eyes. Lin Yan gritted her teeth.

“What are you smiling at?”

But the other woman reached out and pinched her nose again, urging her to relax. The posture and action were too intimate, catching Lin Yan off guard.

By the time she reacted, the tips of her ears had quietly turned red.

“I’m smiling because you think too highly of me. Helping you is one thing. Pursuing fairness and justice is the duty of every criminal police officer. No matter how many years have passed, as long as the murderer hasn’t been brought to justice, I won’t stop hunting them for a single day. That’s reason.”

She paused, looking into Lin Yan’s eyes. “As for emotion… I want to help you, simply because I want to help you. There’s no other reason.”

Lin Yan’s eyes warmed. She bit her lower lip hard and lowered her head. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

She repeated softly, “Justice delayed is justice denied. Sometimes I don’t even know if there’s any point in doing this anymore…”

Song Yuhang shifted, pressing Lin Yan’s head into her embrace. Strangely, she was becoming more and more adept at these things.

Lin Yan didn’t resist her touch, so she stroked her hair intermittently.

“There is. Haven’t you heard it said that a person dies three times? The first time, when your breathing and heartbeat stop, you are declared biologically dead. The second time, when people attend your funeral and the priest announces your passing, you cease to exist in society. The third time is when the last person in the world who remembers you forgets you. Only then are you truly dead, completely disconnected from the universe.”

“Lin Yan, the fact that you still remember is the greatest meaning.”

Perhaps Song Yuhang was too gentle, or perhaps she herself was too fragile.

Lin Yan clutched Song Yuhang’s shirt, wiping her tears onto it.

From elementary school through her combined master’s and doctoral program, she had received the most elite higher education, yet no one had ever taught her how to truly face death. Even after starting her career, facing the bodies of the deceased, her heart was filled with intense, fierce hatred.

Song Yuhang was different. She was both gentle and sharp-edged. She was a whetstone, yet also a treasured sword with its edge concealed, silently striking the softest corner of her heart.

The earlier crying had been a release of pent-up emotions reaching their peak. The crying now was an uninhibited outpouring after relaxing, a remembrance and recollection of the departed.

Song Yuhang gently cupped her face, using her thumbs to wipe away the tears. Having usually seen her arrogant and domineering, this tearful appearance was a once-in-a-century sight, making her feel particularly distressed for her.

“Lin Yan, if one day I also…”

Would you remember me like this too?

Before she could finish, Lin Yan clamped a hand over her mouth, shaking her head, signaling her to stop.

Song Yuhang understood. Her eyes curved into a smile as she captured Lin Yan’s hand, clasping it in her own palm.

Lin Yan froze, tear tracks still glistening at the corners of her eyes, but she had already forgotten to cry. Song Yuhang’s other hand remained on her face, wiping away the last traces of tears.

Song Yuhang’s fingertips had calluses and carried the scent of gunpowder and saltpeter. When they gently brushed against skin, they created a strange, thrilling sensation.

That hand slid down, landing on her lips. She stroked the soft lips back and forth until they gradually grew warm.

Lin Yan’s originally pale lips regained their color, becoming full and luscious.

Song Yuhang’s gaze darkened slightly, her throat moving.

Lin Yan tried to pull back the hand held by Song Yuhang, but couldn’t. A hint of panic flashed in her eyes.

“Song—”

Song Yuhang’s index finger pressed down gently, signaling her not to speak, but the finger on her lips became even more insistent.

Lin Yan’s lips burned, her eyes still holding the lingering moisture of tears.

Without makeup, she possessed a different kind of clean, translucent beauty, like an innocent elf from a dark forest, unfamiliar with the ways of the world.

Song Yuhang was the knight led astray, bewitched into following her step by step, sinking into a swamp of desire.

They gazed at each other silently, as if they had exchanged eyes long ago. The atmosphere began to heat up. Lin Yan unconsciously swallowed, following Song Yuhang’s movements.

Whether it was the fingertip pressing on her lips or their unconsciously deepening breaths, the ambiguous atmosphere was infinitely amplified by the night.

She used to be addicted to the back of her neck; now, it seemed something new had been added.

She felt slightly dazed, her mind a muddle, her body light, her hands unresponsive, much like an addict.

No, this shouldn’t be happening.

While inwardly despising herself, Song Yuhang slowly moved closer.

Lin Yan tilted her head back slightly under her touch, her red lips parted slightly, as if inviting someone to pluck them.

The narrow single bed in the hotel couldn’t bear the weight of two people and emitted a soft creak.

Lin Yan abruptly clenched the bedsheet beneath her.

Song Yuhang’s breath was now inches away.

A knock sounded at the door, startling them both as if from a dream.

Fang Xin: “Captain Song, Captain Song, are you there? I came to grab my things.”

Lin Yan shoved her away forcefully, sitting up and straightening her clothes.

Song Yuhang, caught off guard by the push, twitched her lips and reluctantly went to open the door.

“Yes, yes, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m sleeping in the single room tonight, right? Just came back to get my toiletries.”

As Fang Xin spoke, she entered the room and saw Lin Yan was also there. Her eyes instantly lit up. “Oh ho ho, ho ho ho, Forensic Doctor Lin is here too, great, great…”

“…”

“…”

Song Yuhang had a feeling Lin Yan was about to fly into a rage out of embarrassment. Fang Xin knew when to quit while she was ahead, grabbed her bag, and retreated.

“You two continue, continue, okay? I won’t disturb your… catching up.”

Once outside the door, Fang Xin pulled out her phone and sent a message in their small group chat of three: See, I told you so! Quick, quick, hand over the spicy sticks!!!²

Duan Cheng sent a floor-pounding crying emoji. Zheng Chengrui sent an “Ah, I see” face.

A moment later, a red envelope arrived instantly.³ Fang Xin’s face lit up with joy.

Song Yuhang closed the door, shook her head helplessly, and walked back.

Lin Yan gathered her things and got off the bed. “I… I’m going back.”

“Don’t go. Where would you go back to, in the middle of the night?” Song Yuhang blocked her way. Lin Yan pressed her lips together tightly, her gaze darting around, refusing to look at her.

“Alright, it’s rare to see you acting shy about something like this. Two beds, we’ll sleep separately. Feel better now?” Song Yuhang reached over, took Lin Yan’s bag, placed it on Fang Xin’s bed, and wanted to pinch her nose again, but Lin Yan dodged.

“You’ve been sleeping with Fang Xin these past two days?”

Song Yuhang paused, not understanding what was wrong. “Yeah? Aren’t we the only two female comrades? When traveling for work, of course we should look out for each other.”

Lin Yan ground her teeth. “Wasn’t there a single room?”

Song Yuhang started making the bed for her, knowing she liked things clean. She shook out the bedding thoroughly inside and out and put on a fresh set of sheets and duvet cover.

“Case funds are limited. Don’t waste money.”

Her logic was truly flawless.

Lin Yan couldn’t even find a reason to get angry. She pointed towards the inner bed. “I want to sleep in your bed!”

“…” Right, all that effort wasted.

Resigned, Song Yuhang started taking the bedding off again. Lin Yan tossed her bag onto the bed, lay down inside, and turned her back to her.

Suddenly, inspiration struck Song Yuhang. Could it be… she was jealous?!

At this thought, an irrepressible smile spread across her lips, and even her steps became much lighter.

“Hey, are you jeal—”

Before she reached the bedside, a pillow flew through the air and hit her.

“Get lost!”

“…” Clutching the pillow, Song Yuhang obediently retreated.

There was some rustling in the room; Lin Yan seemed to be searching for something.

Lin Yan quietly pricked up her ears. A moment later, her shoulder was turned, and Song Yuhang held up a brocade box before her eyes as if presenting a treasure, complete with exaggerated sound effects.

“Ta-da! Open it and see.”

Lin Yan paused slightly, sitting up. “This is…”

“Take a look,” Song Yuhang urged. Seeing her hesitate to take it, she pushed the brocade box into her arms again and reached out to turn on the desk lamp.

Puzzled, Lin Yan slowly opened the brocade box under Song Yuhang’s encouraging gaze. She froze instantly, a warm current surging through her heart, making the tip of her nose tingle.

“This is…”

The mechanical baton she had thrown away, the one bent out of shape, had been retrieved.

The shaft must have been recast; otherwise, it couldn’t have been restored to this degree. It had been repainted too, appearing jet-black and glossy in her hand, reflecting a cold metallic sheen under the dim lamplight.

Song Yuhang looked slightly smug. “How is it? Not bad, right? Although it’s imported, luckily I have an old classmate who also works in military tech⁴ and knows a bit about blueprints. So I took it back and tinkered with it for several months…”

She pointed at the mechanical baton. “Look, I even wrapped the handle for you. The soft padding feels comfortable and isn’t slippery. Most importantly, didn’t you say it’s called ‘Sentry’? I engraved the name for you too…”

Lin Yan traced the rough, crooked little characters engraved on the back of the baton. They weren’t neat. Her lips gradually tightened, her grip on the baton clenching.

Song Yuhang watched her expression. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

Lin Yan kept her head down, not looking at her, her voice muffled. “You… why did you pick it back up?”

Song Yuhang scratched her head. “Ah, I saw you carrying it everywhere before, and you used it when we fought. I guessed…”

She looked at her with a hint of cautious probing. “It must be quite important to you, right? It’d be a shame… to lose it.”

What she didn’t say was that something so important, carried constantly, was very likely a gift from Chunan. She didn’t want Lin Yan to lose this sole memento.

Who knew that after hearing this, Lin Yan would burst out laughing, tears still glistening in her eyes, but a genuine smile now gracing her lips.

“They didn’t get your nickname wrong. I carry it with me just because it’s handy to use. There’s no other meaning. It’s just an ordinary mechanical baton. Not… not as important… as you.”

Lin Yan mumbled the last two words indistinctly.

After she finished speaking, Song Yuhang let out a loud “Ah?”, her face filled with shock.

Lin Yan’s lips curved slightly, her ears feeling hot. “But now it is.”

Song Yuhang paused, a gentle smile spreading across her lips too. She subconsciously reached out to ruffle Lin Yan’s hair.

Lin Yan dodged. The mechanical baton in her hand was already extended, snapping straight with a thwack and pressing against Song Yuhang’s throat.

She controlled the distance perfectly, raising an eyebrow slightly, looking down at her. “Don’t move. I’m going to take a shower and sleep now. You’d better behave yourself tonight. Keep your hands to yourself.”

Song Yuhang raised an eyebrow, reaching out to push the tip of the baton away. “Miss Lin, I repaired your beloved item and saved your life multiple times. Isn’t repaying kindness with enmity a bit much?”

Lin Yan’s baton moved with her hand. Song Yuhang retracted the mechanical baton bit by bit, and as she did, the distance between them shortened.

“Then what do you want?” Seeing Song Yuhang’s burning gaze, Lin Yan took a step back. Song Yuhang sat on the bed, holding Lin Yan’s mechanical baton, and gave a sharp tug.

Lin Yan stumbled forward, and heard Song Yuhang whisper in her ear, “Shouldn’t there be some kind of reward?”

“Song Yuhang, don’t push it!” She finally flew into a rage out of embarrassment, shouting her full name. Letting go of the baton, she pushed Song Yuhang’s shoulder, shoving her back onto the bed. She retreated several steps herself, rushed into the bathroom, and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Song Yuhang lay sprawled on the bed, grumbling towards the closed door, “Hey, Lin Yan, can you be reasonable? Who’s really pushing it here…”

She muttered under her breath, “Saving you so many times… in ancient times, wouldn’t they have pledged themselves to me already?”

The answer was the angry sound of the toilet flushing from the bathroom.

Later, it’s unknown which magnanimous entrepreneur donated a large sum of money to the Jiangcheng City Bureau, specifically designated for criminal police travel expenses. From then on, the criminal police officers of Jiangcheng City Bureau enjoyed the happy life of having their own standard room when traveling for cases.

But that’s another story.

As for this night, Lin Yan slept very soundly. She placed the mechanical baton by her pillow, as if touching it gave her a sense of security.

Before turning off the light, Song Yuhang deliberately walked to her bedside, knelt down, and tucked her in tightly. “Sleep now. Don’t think about anything. You’ll still see me when you wake up tomorrow morning.”

Perhaps her words worked. Lin Yan didn’t take sleeping pills, nor did she rely on seeking pleasure with others to exhaust herself. She simply looked into Song Yuhang’s eyes in the darkness, the two gazing at each other quietly for a while, before slowly drifting off to sleep.

Only when Lin Yan had completely sunk into dreamland did Song Yuhang get up and return to her own bed. Staring at the patterns on the ceiling, she started counting sheep. Great, Lin Yan was asleep, but now she herself had insomnia.

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LP: Re-translated on May 06, 2025

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