It wasn't until Chen Yijing's father was taken away that the current situation finally reached a temporary resolution.
"Get some rest now. The authorities will handle the matter, and we just need to cooperate when needed," Xie Han instructed Zhang Chenyan.
She couldn't bear to see Zhang Chenyan so exhausted. Although she had promised to respect his wishes and he had kept his promise to her, as a mother, how could she not be heartbroken seeing her son in such a state?
Before long, Liu Xixi also arrived.
In fact, ever since she spoke those words to Chen Yijing's parents, Liu Xixi had been worried. Unlike Xie Han, she didn't have a clear status to express her concerns, so she stayed in a nearby hotel until she saw the police take Chen Yijing's father away. Only then did she rush upstairs to confirm Zhang Chenyan's safety.
Of course, Zhang Chenyan didn't disappoint them. Initially, he wanted to catch Chen Yijing's father red-handed, exposing him only when he took action. However, to avoid worrying others, he called for help before Chen Yijing's father could do anything substantial.
With the situation under control, Zhang Chenyan could finally relax.
After confirming Zhang Chenyan's safety, Liu Xixi discussed with Xie Han her intention to act as a witness and file a report. She believed that Chen Yijing's parents were working together and, with the father already in custody, his mother still posed a threat. Hence, she decided to file a report to get the accomplice apprehended too.
Xie Han could only admire Liu Xixi's thorough consideration.
However, before Liu Xixi could talk to Zhang Chenyan, she noticed he had already fallen asleep.
After all, Zhang Chenyan had visibly been very tired lately, and any rest he could get was precious.
Soon, Zhang Chenyan received a call from the authorities. They informed him that Chen Yijing's parents were denying everything.
They were highly uncooperative during questioning, either remaining silent, crying, or playing the ignorance card to avoid punishment.
In the past, Zhang Chenyan might have found this difficult to handle, but after dealing with Chen Yijing's parents multiple times, he was now quite experienced.
These two were typical of those who wouldn't admit their wrongdoings unless faced with undeniable evidence.
"I need to go to the police station, and it might take a while," Zhang Chenyan said seriously to Xie Han. "Mom, you should rest here. If anything happens, I'll contact you immediately."
Seeing Xie Han about to speak, Zhang Chenyan quickly added, "I'm going to the police station, it's very safe."
Hearing this, Xie Han felt slightly relieved but still looked reluctant as she watched Zhang Chenyan leave.
"Ma'am, I'm a witness too. I'll go with him. If anything happens, I'll handle it promptly," the intern assured, standing by.
Xie Han nodded, having nothing more to add.
When Zhang Chenyan and the intern arrived at the police station, dawn was breaking.
The officers looked at them with a bit of sympathy. "If these two weren't so stubborn, you wouldn't have to go through this trouble."
"I've dealt with them before, I understand," Zhang Chenyan nodded.
With current regulations against excessive force, these two acted as if they were impervious.
"Can we have a face-to-face confrontation?" Zhang Chenyan asked.
He had ample evidence and wasn't afraid of anything.
The officers nodded. "Of course, but it will be in a designated room with surveillance, and others will be present to take notes."
Naturally, Zhang Chenyan had no objections. "Perfect, we have some evidence to present. It might complement what you already have."
Soon, Zhang Chenyan and the intern were led into a square room.
The room was stark, containing only a long rectangular table and six chairs. Chen Yijing's parents and two officers occupied four of the seats, with the remaining two obviously for Zhang Chenyan and the intern.
The room was simply furnished, but the prominent surveillance cameras reminded everyone of its purpose.
"Please, take a seat. We're ready to begin," one officer said.
The officers were polite to the intern and Zhang Chenyan but turned stern when addressing Chen Yijing's parents.
"Cooperate fully!" the officer demanded.
Chen Yijing's parents remained indifferent, believing that as long as they denied everything, they couldn't be charged.
"On the way here, we discussed that the hospital has already filed a lawsuit. All the evidence and materials have been submitted," Zhang Chenyan began.
"A lawsuit?" Chen Yijing's father's eyes widened. "What grounds do they have to sue? They killed my son, I haven't even sought compensation from them!"
Zhang Chenyan looked at the officers, receiving their nod of approval before playing a video of Chen Yijing's parents causing a scene at the hospital.
In the dimly lit room, the footage almost felt cinematic, despite being simple surveillance recordings.
Halfway through the video, Zhang Chenyan paused it.
"See the patient you knocked over? They reported discomfort and are demanding compensation. The hospital's surveillance clearly captured it, and they've issued an injury report. You might want to consider whether to settle privately or face another lawsuit," Zhang Chenyan explained calmly.
Without waiting for a response, Zhang Chenyan resumed the video.
The footage then showed Chen Yijing's mother's dramatic cries and the tug-of-war between both parties—Chen Yijing's parents accusing the hospital of neglect, while the hospital insisted they had clearly explained the situation but the parents refused to sign the consent form.
The climax featured Zhang Chenyan's damning remarks:
"Because if he dies and agrees to an autopsy, you get a hefty compensation. You want his merits to continue your parasitic lifestyle!"
Then the intern's corroboration:
"Yes, I remember! They repeatedly confirmed with me. When they saw Chen Yijing's consent form, they kept asking if they would get the money if he died!"
Pausing the video again, Zhang Chenyan addressed the group. "Here's a key takeaway. This evidence will be crucial. Next, we'll present the evidence the hospital will use in their lawsuit against you."
"Two million merits!"
This was Chen Yijing's father's initial demand.
"Are you sure you only want two million merits? Once the autopsy is done, you can't ask for more."
This was Zhang Chenyan's "kind" reminder.
"Five million merits!"
This was Chen Yijing's father's second demand.
Zhang Chenyan turned to the officers. "Their lawyer might claim I led them, but the initial demand of two million merits was unprompted. It's clear from the evidence that they intended to extort a hefty sum."
Throughout, Zhang Chenyan avoided engaging directly with Chen Yijing's parents, focusing on presenting evidence.
Before they could speak, Zhang Chenyan continued, "We also have a recording of the conversation between the doctors and his parents before Chen Yijing died."
Another video played.
The doctors' voices were clear and urgent:
"We can't give absolute assurances, but we strongly recommend surgery. It has a high chance of saving Chen Yijing's life."
"Personally, I guarantee that surgery will save him! But time is critical. In five minutes, or even three, I can't make that promise."
"It's a matter of life and death! He's having severe rejection reactions. Surgery is needed immediately! Removing the device will allow recovery."
"The operating room is ready. Just sign the consent, and we can proceed immediately!"
The doctors' words were clear and forceful.
The video also captured the parents' deliberate stalling despite the doctors' urgency, eventually refusing to sign.
Zhang Chenyan had avoided watching this video in detail, fearing he wouldn't control his anger. He thought he had calmed down enough, but seeing it now, his eyes turned red, and his fists clenched.
He had no doubt that if not for the police station setting, he might have acted rashly.
After the video ended, Zhang Chenyan took a deep breath, calming himself before speaking again. "Ignorance is no excuse. The doctors explained clearly. Deny it all you want, but your actions are evidence, and they speak for themselves."
Throughout, Chen Yijing's parents went from disdain to tension, wanting to refute but finding no chance to speak.
"Having covered your involvement with the hospital, proving you caused Chen Yijing's death, let's move to our issue," Zhang Chenyan said, playing another video.
This time, it showed Liu Xixi and Chen Yijing's parents.
It began with the usual cries, suggesting that in their view, tears equaled weakness and victimhood.
"Why did he choose to give everything to strangers? I was young when I had him, suffered so much for him. How could he be so heartless?" Chen Yijing's mother wept.
When Liu Xixi inquired about the beneficiaries, Chen Yijing's father replied, "He left half to a stranger he queued with, the other half to the shelter he stayed at."
Zhang Chenyan paused the video, explaining, "This ties into earlier evidence. You wanted the merits, but since he wasn't dead yet, the autopsy consent wasn't valid. The lawyer couldn't discuss compensation with you. The intern hadn't seen the agreement, only told you about potential compensation. You, not knowing the extent of your actions, wanted his compensation, delaying until he died."
"After his death, you learned from the lawyer that I and the shelter were the beneficiaries," Zhang Chenyan said coldly. "That's your first motive to kill me."
Seeing Chen Yijing's mother about to speak, Zhang Chenyan shushed her. "Shh! Watch the rest. The officers don't need your input now."
Soon, the video showed Liu Xixi's question, "Does he know about the merits left to him?"