"You don't have to say it, I already know. You said you were pregnant; let me confirm it for you!"
As I spoke, I asked her to extend her hand. She questioned what I was doing, but before long, Zhao Simeng knocked on the door and entered. I beckoned her over and said, "You know how to take a pulse, right?"
From the beginning, I had been wanting to confirm whether Shan Yayun was pregnant, so I had Zhao Simeng, who could take pulses, waiting outside.
"Yes," she answered briefly, then sat down and placed both hands on Shan Yayun's wrist.
After taking the pulse, Zhao Simeng smirked and said, "Sorry, but you're not pregnant. You've simply been experiencing irregular periods lately."
"What? How is that possible? I clearly had that kind of relationship with Dr. Xu, and I haven't had my period in two months!"
"Even if you've had that kind of relationship, it doesn't guarantee pregnancy. Don't you know that?" I mocked her.
Zhao Simeng added, "Have you been feeling slight abdominal pain, dizziness, a dry tongue, and discomfort down there at night?"
"How did you know?" Shan Yayun asked, astonished.
"Those are all symptoms of an unstable menstrual cycle," Zhao Simeng explained.
Her words made Shan Yayun blush deeply. At the same time, she said in despair, "No child! Then everything is over for me. No, I'm going to kill myself!"
With that, Shan Yayun attempted to bite her tongue to end her life. I quickly tried to dissuade her, saying, "Don't do anything foolish. If you die, who will prepare the antidote for Dr. Xu? He still needs your medicine to recover!"
Hearing this, Shan Yayun broke into sobs, her body trembling violently. I had no choice but to ask Zhao Simeng to comfort her and then directed some officers to take her to the detention room.
Soon after, Shan Yayun successfully prepared the final antidote. Unexpectedly, after Dr. Xu received the medicine, his whole demeanor changed. I heard that he quit his job and, after Professor Xing Anlü from the medical school got divorced, married her and opened a small pharmacy. From then on, he turned over a new leaf and treated his wife well.
I believe that people in this world often develop compassion after experiencing life-and-death situations. Before her execution, Dr. Xu visited Shan Yayun in the detention center to see her one last time.
That day, Shan Yayun said, "I have never regretted everything I've done for you."
Zhao Simeng and I watched them from a distance.
"You're too naive. I've always maintained a professional relationship with you. Don't you know that?"
"I know. I've heard that you've changed."
"I've done so many wrong things that I've lost count. If it weren't for you, I don't think I would have changed. Thank you," Dr. Xu said, and to our surprise, he began to cry.
Though Shan Yayun never won his love, she completely changed him.
Shan Yayun smiled bitterly and said, "Seeing you like this now actually makes me feel worse. Why couldn't you have had this attitude towards me? Was it because I'm not as beautiful as Professor Xing?"
"It's not that. Xing Anlü and I simply had a lot in common, and she also knows about medicine. But none of that matters anymore. What matters is that, apart from you, she's the woman who spent the longest time with me."
Hearing this, Zhao Simeng beside me remarked, "What is love in this world?"
"That makes people vow life and death," I sighed, finishing her sentence as we walked out of the detention center. This bittersweet love story, though poignant, had finally come to an end.
Back at the station, I resumed my work. My record of meritorious service in Fuming City had greatly improved Director Liu's impression of me. While I was originally the captain of the criminal police team, Director Liu recently suggested promoting me to deputy director. However, I declined, saying I preferred staying in the criminal investigation team.
Two days later, I skipped the celebration banquet. That evening, Zhao Simeng called me and said, "Come to my place; I have something to discuss with you!"
Receiving her call out of the blue surprised me. I wondered what had happened, but knowing she only called for important matters, I agreed and went over.
When I knocked on her door, she opened it immediately. For the first time, I saw her not in her forensic work attire but dressed in casual clothes. She looked particularly youthful and beautiful.
"May I come in?"
"Of course, come in!"
After a brief exchange, she led me into her home.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"Of course, it's about you. It's rare for us to skip Director Liu's celebration banquet. It seems like we're the only two who didn't attend!"
"Oh, I see," I replied, sitting on the sofa. Zhao Simeng opened a tin of cookies and offered me some.
"I've been troubled lately. Didn't my father introduce me to a man before?"
"You mean that rich guy, Gu something?"
"Gu Wenbin. Ever since he saw me, he's been obsessed with me, constantly messaging, calling, and waiting downstairs at my place to ask me out!"
"So, are you interested in him?"
"I hate businessmen like him, full of the stench of money, with no common ground. I only tolerate him because of my father's job," Zhao Simeng said bitterly.
"That sounds troublesome!" I remarked.
"Exactly. He'll probably come again soon. You need to help me deal with him!"
"Act for you again?"
"Yes!"
Oh, great. When did I become Zhao Simeng's shield? But honestly, I felt a bit pleased that she asked me for this favor.
Sure enough, a shout came from downstairs: "My beautiful Zhao, I'm here again! I missed you so much!"
Gu Wenbin's cheesy remarks gave me goosebumps.
As we headed downstairs together, I noticed a Chevrolet parked outside. Another man sat in the driver's seat, bobbing his head and hands as if enjoying rock music.
When Gu Wenbin saw us, he looked annoyed. "Why is he here again?"
"Why can't I be with him? He's my boyfriend!" Zhao Simeng retorted.
"Don't joke, Zhao Simeng. Come on, let's go on a date! Stop hanging out with this broke cop. What can he give you? A fast-food meal or a cheap gem? Hahaha! Probably nothing at all!" Gu Wenbin said smugly, glancing at my outfit disdainfully.
Zhao Simeng immediately puffed up and snapped, "Dream on! I only like He Sheng. Take your filthy money and leave it to those shallow women. Forget about me!"
"But I can give you..." Gu Wenbin started, but suddenly, a loud bang came from his car. The entire vehicle was splattered with blood, filling the windows with red!