Chapter 8: Shu Yan Did Not Want to Be a Burden to Lu Chengfeng

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Shu Yan laughed helplessly. “No, reality is even more thrilling than you imagine. He’s the new squad leader.”

Li Jiao Jiao nearly spit out the milk tea she was drinking.

She forced herself to swallow, coughing several times before exclaiming, “What a coincidence! So then? Did he recognize you? He must have—he’s in reconnaissance, the best at recognizing people, especially since you spent that unforgettable night together.”

The corner of Shu Yan’s mouth twitched. “Don’t get excited. I told him to pretend last night never happened.”

“Ah…” Li Jiao Jiao was disappointed.

“Why? Didn’t you say he’s tall and handsome, exactly your type? It’s rare for you to meet a good-looking guy you fancy. Why not seize the chance?”

Shu Yan replied, “How? He’s a colleague from the same unit. If everyone finds out about our reckless night, what will they think of us? Besides, he’s the leader of their department.”

Li Jiao Jiao disagreed, “What’s wrong with dating a colleague? There’s no rule against it in the bureau. Aren’t there plenty of couples from different departments?”

Shu Yan forced a bitter smile. “You know my family situation. My father is still missing, and my mother is the way she is, still in the nursing home. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”

Li Jiao Jiao felt a pang of sympathy. “I’ve wanted to ask you this for a while: if your father is never found, will you never get married?”

“I think that if someone truly loves you, they will accept all of you,” she said with a forced lightness.

“You talk about me, but your aunt has introduced so many blind dates to you. Why don’t you go meet them? You don’t want to get married either, right?”

Li Jiao Jiao argued her point.

“I’m different. I don’t want to get married because I don’t want to end up like my mother, spending her whole life as a housekeeper, filled with resentment.”

Shu Yan teased, “Just find a rich guy and hire a few nannies.”

Li Jiao Jiao laughed, “There aren’t that many rich people, and even if there were, they might not fancy me. Unless I get plastic surgery to look like you, then I’d strut around every day.”

Shu Yan grabbed a fried chicken leg and stuffed it into her best friend’s mouth. “Stop talking nonsense. I’m not as perfect as you say.”

Li Jiao Jiao bit into the chicken leg and continued, “Why are all you beautiful people so insecure? If I looked like you, I’d wake up laughing from dreams. Be a little more confident, will you?”

Shu Yan said, “To me, a person is just a shell. No matter how beautiful the shell, it will age and die one day. When that day comes, lying in the mortuary, it’s just a corpse.”

Li Jiao Jiao shook her head. “That’s why I say I don’t like the dead. You deal with death every day, and your mindset has become so negative. What you say is true, but while we’re alive…”

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“…we should be happier, living day by day. Just like last night—you met someone you liked and went for it. Whatever the future holds for you two, at least last night you were happy.”

“Don’t you agree?”

Shu Yan smiled and said, “You’re right too.”

Li Jiao Jiao said, “Since you agree, be brave and start dating him. I support you!”

Shu Yan replied, “You haven’t even met him yet, and you want me to date him?”

Li Jiao Jiao said, “Is a meeting even necessary? Isn’t he the only one who catches your eye? Otherwise, my brother has liked you for years, but you never gave him a chance. And Liu Xun, that stubborn guy, likes you too.”

“I think my brother and Liu Xun are pretty decent men, yet neither caught your attention. So this squad leader must be better than both, right?”

In Shu Yan’s mind flashed the tall figure and handsome, rugged face of Lu Chengfeng. “He does look pretty good.”

“That’s settled then. You just think too much. Start dating him first,” Li Jiao Jiao said, suddenly stopping.

“Did he use protection last night? If not, did you take the morning-after pill today? Last night wasn’t your safe period, right?”

Shu Yan suddenly remembered she had forgotten the most important thing.

“Good thing you reminded me.”

She quickly took out her phone and ordered a box of emergency contraceptive pills.

She had been too dazed last night to think about using protection.

Half an hour later, the medicine arrived. Shu Yan took it immediately and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Jiao Jiao examined the instructions on the box. “What time did you go to the hotel last night? It’s nine o’clock now.”

Shu Yan frowned, thinking. “About this time.”

Li Jiao Jiao said, “Then it’s been exactly twelve hours. How many times did you do it last night?”

Shu Yan blushed. “Five or six times…”

Li Jiao Jiao smiled knowingly. “He’s really impressive. You should consider it. The instructions say the earlier you take it, the better. It must be within forty-eight hours.”

“And it’s not 100% effective—you could still be in the unlucky one percent.”

Shu Yan frowned. “I can’t be that unlucky, can I?”

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Li Jiao Jiao laughed casually. “If you get pregnant, just have the baby. You get six months maternity leave—perfect for a break.”

Shu Yan was conflicted. “You talk as if having a baby is that simple. Unwed and pregnant, and I’d have to take care of the baby on my own. What happens after my maternity leave?”

Li Jiao Jiao said, “Come on, if it’s his child, he’ll have to take responsibility. You won’t raise the kid alone.”

Shu Yan smiled helplessly. “The more you say, the more ridiculous it sounds. Stop it. You should go home; it’s late.”

Li Jiao Jiao moved closer and hugged Shu Yan. “No, I’m staying here tonight.”

Shu Yan pushed her friend away. “Don’t worry your mom. Besides, I have to get up early tomorrow to visit my mom at the nursing home.”

Li Jiao Jiao said disappointedly, “Alright, next time then.”

After seeing her friend off, Shu Yan cleaned up the trash from their meal and returned to her bedroom to sleep.

She was someone who could sleep deeply—a whole day and night if exhausted from overtime.

Meanwhile, at the bureau, Lu Chengfeng had just finished organizing all the case materials he had gathered.

He glanced at his watch—9:30 p.m.

After a moment’s thought, he picked up his phone and called a friend. “Where are you? I’m done.”

A weak voice came from the other end.

“Finally done. I have a fever, dizziness, sore throat, and I’m hungry. When you come back, get me some medicine and food.”

Lu Chengfeng asked, “How old are you? Don’t you know to go to the hospital if you’re sick? Your home is local; why not go there? Doesn’t your nanny cook for you?”

Shi Wei complained, “I’m afraid my mom will push me to go on blind dates and get married again. Hurry back and remember to bring medicine and food. You haven’t eaten either, right? Get something for yourself too. The fridge at home is empty.”

“Got it,” Lu Chengfeng said, feeling helpless.

After hanging up, he ordered a ride via app and went downstairs to wait.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the outskirts of Shi Wei’s residential complex.