Chapter 37: Shu Yan Feels Nauseous and Unwell

Shu Yan was scooped up by Lu Chengfeng and hoisted over his shoulder. He strode quickly toward her bedroom. He threw her onto the bed and leaned over her... Shu Yan knew that it was too late to take Lu Chengfeng to the hospital; she could only use her body to help him purge the drug. Under the influence of the substance, Lu Chengfeng completely let go of his inhibitions. Shu Yan was tossed about by him six or seven times throughout the night. It wasn't until around five in the morning that Lu Chengfeng finally stopped. Both of them were exhausted and drifted into a deep sleep.

When they woke up, it was already afternoon. As Shu Yan opened her eyes, she was startled to see Lu Chengfeng kneeling by her bedside. He was wearing only his underwear, his torso bare.

"What are you doing?" Shu Yan blurted out instinctively.

Lu Chengfeng wore an expression of deep apology. "I am truly sorry about what happened last night."

Shu Yan's face flushed slightly. She turned her head away, refusing to look at his muscular physique. "Don't you think it's a bit late to be saying that now?" Once the deed was done, there was no undoing it.

Lu Chengfeng hesitated. "Yanyan, please give me a chance. Let me take responsibility, will you?"

Hearing this, Shu Yan turned back to glare at him. "Don't tell me you drugged yourself last night? And then lied to me, saying Shi Wei did it, just to make me pity you?"

Lu Chengfeng had not expected such a thought from her. He looked aggrieved. "Do you think so little of me?"

Shu Yan curled her lips, remaining silent for a few seconds. "Don't ever mention 'taking responsibility' again. I don't need you to take responsibility. Don't think for a moment that last night changes anything. Nothing is possible between us—it wasn't in the past, and it won't be in the future."

Lu Chengfeng stared at her steadily. After a while, he replied, "I understand. I am very sorry."

Shu Yan rejected his offer to cook for her and sent him away. After he left, she stood at the bedroom door, looking at the tangled mess of bedding, a sharp, throbbing pain in her head. After dazing off for a while, she ordered takeout on her phone, leaving a note for it to be left at the door. She then stripped the sheets and duvet cover to wash them, replacing them with a clean set. Afterward, she went to the bathroom.

It was only while showering that she noticed the numerous hickeys on her body, a reminder of how intense the battle had been the night before. The mere thought of those indescribable scenes made her throat feel dry again. She shook her head violently, trying to cast Lu Chengfeng’s image from her mind and prevent herself from sinking any deeper.

Meanwhile, Lu Chengfeng left Shu Yan’s place and drove home to find Shi Wei. Shi Wei had stayed up all night and was still asleep.

He was suddenly dragged out of his bed, followed immediately by heavy fists landing on his body. He shrieked in pain, begging for mercy repeatedly: "Stop, Old Lu, calm down! I was wrong, I was really wrong! I just wanted to help you..."

In reality, Lu Chengfeng was only using a fraction of his strength. If he had truly intended to beat Shi Wei, the latter wouldn't have even had the chance to beg. After a few more blows, Lu Chengfeng kicked Shi Wei in the rear and warned him: "If this happens again, I’ll take your life. And we won't be brothers anymore!"

Hearing this, Shi Wei scrambled to hug Lu Chengfeng’s leg. "Old Lu, I really know I was wrong. I’ll never do it again."

Lu Chengfeng kicked him off, ignored him, and headed to the bathroom. Shi Wei was filled with regret, racking his brain for ways to appease Lu Chengfeng.

Half an hour later, Lu Chengfeng emerged from the bathroom to find Shi Wei kneeling on a computer keyboard with a durian balanced on his head. He knit his brows and said, "I think you're the one who needs to see a psychiatrist."

Shi Wei wore a mournful expression. "You can hit me or scold me, just don't say we aren't brothers anymore."

Lu Chengfeng ignored him, changed his clothes, grabbed his car keys, and left for the office to work overtime. Being at home with Shi Wei only fueled his anger. If Shu Yan hadn't lived nearby last night, he dared not imagine what might have happened. He could no longer trust this fool, Shi Wei; for all he knew, he’d dig another hole for him to fall into one day.

After Shu Yan finished her shower, the laundry was done. She pulled everything out of the washing machine to hang it up, then returned to the living room and picked a movie to watch while she ate her takeout. It was fortunate that things had been relatively peaceful lately; she should cherish such days. However, her appetite had been poor for some time, and she hadn't been interested in any food. But the sour and spicy rice noodles she had just ordered actually smelled quite good to her now. She ate more than half the bowl in one go.

That night, Shu Yan went to bed early. She was exhausted and, before drifting off, cursed Lu Chengfeng in her mind.

She didn't know how long she had been asleep before her phone rang. She instinctively grabbed the phone from the nightstand and answered, "Hello, this is Shu Yan from the Forensic Center."

Lu Chengfeng’s deep voice came through. "There's a case. It's very tricky."

Shu Yan instantly sobered up. "I'll head to the bureau immediately."

Lu Chengfeng: "I'm heading to the scene first. You take the investigation vehicle."

Shu Yan: "Understood."

After hanging up, Shu Yan called Gao Yi and the two interns. She then jumped out of bed, rushed to the bathroom to quickly brush her teeth and wash her face, and tied her hair back. Back in the bedroom, she opened the wardrobe, took out her police uniform, and put it on. Once dressed, she grabbed her phone and bag, put on her shoes, and headed to the elevator.

Only after she stepped out of the building did she realize the sun hadn't risen yet. She had been in such a rush that she hadn't checked the time. She didn't dwell on it, jogging to the entrance of the residential complex, hailing a taxi, and giving the destination.

The driver noticed her uniform and heard she was heading to the Municipal Bureau, so he probed, "Officer, is there a case?"

Shu Yan replied with a serious expression, "I'm sorry, sir, but the bureau has strict regulations regarding confidentiality."

The driver nodded. "I understand. I'll drive a bit faster for you then."

Shu Yan: "Thank you, but safety first. Let's prioritize that."

The driver: "Don't worry, I've been driving for twenty years."

Ten minutes later, Shu Yan arrived at the bureau, paid via QR code, and hurried to her office. The other team members arrived shortly after. They grabbed their forensic kits and hurried downstairs to board the investigation vehicle for the crime scene.

The scene was located in the east, about a ten-minute drive from the bureau, in a new residential complex that had only begun hosting residents last year, so the occupancy rate was low. When the vehicle reached the entrance, a security guard ran over to guide the driver to a reserved parking spot.

Shu Yan stepped out and saw several police cars already at the scene. A sense of unease rose in her heart. Police tape had already been set up, cordoning off one of the residential buildings. A crowd had gathered at the perimeter, pointing and whispering.

As she approached the cordon, Shu Yan was hit by a strong, metallic scent of blood that made her feel nauseated. She quickly told the team to put on their gear—hats, masks, gloves, and shoe covers; nothing could be left out. Once she put on her mask, she felt slightly better. She showed her badge to the SWAT officer on duty and headed toward the building entrance.

Lu Chengfeng saw them and walked over quickly. He warned, "Everyone, brace yourselves. The situation at the scene is gruesome."

Hearing this, Shu Yan’s stomach churned again. She fought back the discomfort and stepped toward the scene. She had only reached a point two meters away when she froze, and then stomach acid surged toward her throat. She quickly ran to the side, grabbed an empty evidence bag, pulled off her mask, and began to retch.