Chapter 7: The Director's Request

As she walked over, Zhao Jianguo smiled and said to Lu Chengfeng, "Yan is my goddaughter. Her father was once the best forensic doctor in our bureau, and back when I was the captain of the criminal investigation division, he was my partner."

"My, how time flies. Yan has grown up so much, and I have grown old. Chengfeng, the previous criminal investigation captain took great care of Yan before he retired, and now that you have taken over..."

"I have a humble request: please take good care of her, especially when we are out investigating scenes. You must keep her safe; she must never be harmed."

"Let me share something else with you: Yan is the next head of the forensic department. She is not only the most outstanding young forensic doctor in our city, but she is also highly regarded at the provincial level."

Lu Chengfeng wore an appreciative look as he proactively reached out his hand toward Shu Yan.

"Director Shu, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please look after me in the future. I am a rather straightforward person, so if I say anything wrong, please point it out directly."

Shu Yan extended her hand and shook his briefly. For that fleeting second, she felt a jolt of electricity travel to her palm.

Zhao Jianguo smiled at Lu Chengfeng, saying, "Yan has a calm and reserved personality. Being a young woman, she is shy—you should be the one to take more initiative."

Shu Yan felt a wave of irritation; Zhao Jianguo’s words sounded so strange, almost as if he were a matchmaker trying to tie a red string between them.

Lu Chengfeng played along. "Very well, Chief. Rest assured, I will take the initiative to communicate more with Director Shu." He emphasized the word "communicate."

Shu Yan’s face flushed uncontrollably. She quickly said, "Chief, I have work to attend to. I will hand over the analysis report to the task force as soon as possible, so everyone can get off work early."

"Director Shu, wait a moment," Lu Chengfeng suddenly called out.

Shu Yan had no choice but to stop. Lu Chengfeng walked over to her, phone in hand. "Let's add each other on social media. Once the report is finished, please send it directly to me. Thank you for your hard work."

Shu Yan hesitated for a moment before opening her phone to add him. She said coolly, "I will try my best to get it to you by three this afternoon so I don't hold up your time."

Lu Chengfeng replied, "It's no problem. I have other work to attend to first. You can take your time; there is no need to rush."

Shu Yan said nothing more and walked away. Zhao Jianguo stepped forward and patted Lu Chengfeng on the shoulder.

He lowered his voice. "Yan's personality is just like that. It’s not directed at you; it has to do with things that happened in her family."

Lu Chengfeng was curious. "What happened to her family? You mentioned earlier that her father was also a forensic doctor—did he pass away?"

Zhao Jianguo shook his head. "You’ll find out sooner or later; it’s no secret here in Lichee City. Ten years ago, Yan’s father went missing on his way to work and remains untraced to this day."

"We never gave up the investigation, but because surveillance cameras weren't as prevalent back then, we didn't find any useful clues. There is something else, too."

"Yan’s mother was devastated by the event and suffered a mental breakdown. Yan had to send her to a sanitarium, where she has been for the past ten years. She is still there now."

"So, it hasn't been easy for Yan. When her father’s accident happened, she was still in college. A twenty-year-old girl suddenly became the head of the household, holding everything together."

Lu Chengfeng had never imagined that Shu Yan’s background was so arduous. No wonder she was so composed and mature; that was the detachment of someone who had weathered storms and suffering. Thinking of the mocking words he had directed at her outside the restroom, Lu Chengfeng felt deeply regretful.

In reality, what she had said was the most rational approach. In an organization like theirs, both being heads of their respective teams, they truly needed to be cautious. Moreover, she was a woman. A girl's reputation was paramount; if rumors of that nature spread, it would surely invite criticism. He had only thought of himself and failed to consider things from her perspective. It was truly inexcusable.

Back in her office, Shu Yan threw herself into her work. She stayed busy until three in the afternoon, the time she had promised Lu Chengfeng. She sent the report, and a minute later, he replied.

Lu Chengfeng: *Read. Excellent work. Thank you for your efforts. Go home and get some rest; we can discuss further on Monday.*

Shu Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She was exhausted and in dire need of sleep. She had already sent Gao Yi and the two interns home. After tidying up and locking the office, she hailed a taxi and headed home. Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at the apartment she was still paying off. She went straight to her bedroom and collapsed onto the bed.

She didn't know how long she had slept until she felt someone shaking her shoulder and woke up with a start. She saw her best friend, Li Jiaojiao, standing right there.

Shu Yan yawned and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Li Jiaojiao pouted. "Don't ask! I called you ten times and no one answered. You scared me to death. I asked Gao Yi and found out you went to a crime scene this morning."

"He said you told them to go home and that you stayed behind to write the report. I tried your office phone, but no one answered. I was afraid something had happened to you, so I rushed over to check."

"Luckily, you were just sleeping like a log. How could you be so exhausted? Did you not sleep last night?"

At this, Shu Yan’s face turned bright red. "Don't even mention it—it's all your fault!"

Li Jiaojiao sensed something unusual and grabbed Shu Yan’s hand. "What happened last night?"

Shu Yan rubbed her eyes. "I'm so thirsty."

Li Jiaojiao pulled her up. "Then eat and drink while you talk. I brought milk tea, fried chicken, and pizza."

Shu Yan got up. "What's this? An apology for standing me up last night?"

Li Jiaojiao laughed. "Uh-huh, I had no choice! Every time there's a holiday, there's a pile of fender-benders. I'm telling you, the biggest regret of my life is becoming an injury assessor at the forensic outpatient clinic."

"If I had known I’d always be working overtime on holidays, I would have stayed at the bureau to fight alongside you."

Shu Yan smiled. "But you don't like dead bodies."

Li Jiaojiao wailed, "At least dead bodies don't bite me! Let me tell you, the injured person I processed last night was an old lady. She wasn't happy with my assessment and actually lunged at me to bite me. She was scarier than a dog!"

Shu Yan was shocked. "How could someone be so outrageous? What about her family? Didn't they do anything?"

Li Jiaojiao replied, "Birds of a feather flock together—her family was just like her... Hey, wait, we're supposed to be talking about what happened to you last night. Don't change the subject!"

Shu Yan sat on her black leather sofa, took the milk tea her friend handed her, and took a deep sip through the straw. She then recounted what had happened the previous night.

After hearing the story, Li Jiaojiao was incredibly excited. She gripped Shu Yan’s hand and pressed, "Did you exchange contact information? You could consider developing it further, or even just use him as a tool to satisfy your physical needs!"

Shu Yan pursed her lips and stared at her friend. "I wasn't finished. I ran into him again when I went to the scene this morning."

Li Jiaojiao paused, stunned. "What a coincidence? He wouldn't happen to be a relative of the deceased, would he?"