Chapter 473 - The “Leftover” Bachelor (1/2)
That single sentence covered everything.
Everyone had their own stance toward an issue or problem.
There were people who were really concerned, and there were also those who were there for the gossip. Some were simply there to see if they could benefit from it…
“Sis-in-law,” said Bai Muchuan, “if there’s anything that you need help with, please don’t hesitate to look for us, Tu Liang will always be a member of Serious Crime Division One…”
Shen Wenjing smiled politely. “I will.”
Although she said she would, just one look and they already knew that she wouldn’t do that.
“If you’re worried that you might disturb his work, you can look for me too. I’m always free since my time is more flexible. I’m usually at home, so I can certainly make time for you. If you need help or just wanted to talk, you can look for me.”
Shen Wenjing gave her a sincere smile. “Okay.”
Both of them exchanged their contacts.
After that, Bai Muchuan took out a sum of money he had prepared long ago to Shen Wenjing…
Just like the last time, Shen Wenjing refused to accept the money.
Bai Muchuan took a deep breath. “Sis-in-law, this sum of money… is what I owed Tu Liang.”
“You owed him?”
Obviously, she did not believe that.
Hence, Bai Muchuan told her what happened on that fateful day—that Tu Liang had gone on that mission on behalf of him.
“If you refused to accept this, I… really can’t get over it. Take it as you’re doing me a favor, is that alright with you?”
Shen Wenjing looked at him then took the money from his hands. The next moment, she smiled and puffed a sigh.
“Old Tu’s departure made me see through life and death, as well as all the bad and the good of people.”
Shen Wenjing’s sigh became a puff of white vapor that quickly dissipated in the cold air.
“Actually, I really wanted to know where one would go when one died? Can he still see me and our child? Will he know what kind of life we are leading now?”
“Sis-in-law…” Xiang Wan’s voice sounded as if she was about to cry.
Shen Wenjing glanced at her and showed a bitter smile. While she brushed her hair back behind her ear, she also lowered her head to wipe her tears away.
“I’m sorry for letting you two see me rambling on like this. I have been thinking about all these weird things about living and death. I know very well what I should do though. This is fate! When one passed on, it spells an end to everything and there’s nothing left after that. So, Captain Bai, don’t blame yourself and do get over it soon.”
“Thank you, sis-in-law…”
…
When they left the neighborhood, Shen Wenjing stood at the guard post.
Xiang Wan and Bai Muchuan waved goodbye to her and walked to their car. Both of them remained quiet for quite a while.
Compared to people who were suffering in real pain, those who groan without experiencing what real pain felt like… was too insignificant.
“Just be safe and well. That’s the most important thing.”
“Mm… and stay healthy.”
Both of them held each other’s hands.
Xiang Wan leaned her head on Bai Muchuan’s shoulder and she would occasionally cuddle against him, as though she was a pet waiting to be petted. Maybe she felt that by doing so, she could find strength from him… Since she seemed especially adorable and obedient, he squeezed her hand, let go, and put his arm around her to let her lean on him when Bai Muchuan gave a sidelong glance at her.
“Xiang Wan, tell me something…”
“Eh?” Xiang Wan looked at him. “What is it?”
“Say you love me.”
“…”
Xiang Wan thought she had heard wrongly.
“Huh?”
Bai Muchuan looked at her seriously.
“… I want to hear it.”
The corners of her eyes raised upwards inquisitively when she looked at him for a moment. She concluded that he didn’t seem to be joking, and she suddenly halted her steps.
Standing in less than a meter away from the SUV, she looked at Bai Muchuan face to face. Then she stood on tiptoe, as she was trying to look at him at the same eye level.
“I love you, Bai Muchuan. I love you a lot.”
“Good!” Bai Muchuan ruffled the back of her head and winked at her. “You can ask for a reward.”
Xiang Wan puckered her lips and leaned in for a kiss. “A kiss…”
“Uh…” Bai Muchuan laughed then suddenly cupped her face and kissed her.
Xiang Wan did not close her eyes.
She was looking at the sky, the floating clouds… She was thinking about what Shen Wenjing had said.
When a person passed on, it means an end to their relationship.
So, to stay together, one should strive to live well.
…
Bai Muchuan had arranged beforehand on their schedule for that day. After leaving Tu Liang’s place, Bai Muchuan drove directly to the hospital.
The detective from Jin City, who was Captain Zhang’s mentor, was Mr. Luo Senior. He had transferred to the Jingdu Hospital for two days already. Originally, the hope for securing a transfer to that hospital was very little since there was limited space. Bai Muchuan had really helped them out big time on this. Thus, his son, Mr. Luo Junior, was very grateful towards him. When he knew that he was coming, he waited for him at the entrance of the hospital.
When they met, they shook hands and greeted each other.
Bai Muchuan asked, “How’s your dad doing?”
“He’s doing well. It’s all because of Captain Bai… We are so lucky to have you helping us out…”
“No problem. That’s what I should do!”
Mr. Luo Senior’s full name was Luo Zizhang. His son was Luo Sheng, who worked as a teacher in a secondary school. He donned a pair of black-framed glasses, and he was of a thin stature. While they chatted, he led them upstairs to his father’s ward.
“If you were to come yesterday, I don’t think my dad could talk with you. His condition was terrible earlier. All of us thought… Aye, so, we still owed it all to you, Captain Bai.”
Bai Muchuan just returned a smile.
While they walked to the ward, Xiang Wan saw a tabby cat outside the ward.
It was resting under the chairs outside the ward, but with a swish, it ran out of sight when it saw them approaching.
This startled Xiang Wan, and she ended up halting her steps.
Bai Muchuan held her shoulders. “What’s up?”
Xiang Wan: “I saw a cat.”
Bai Muchuan replied, “You must be missing Blackie, right?”
“Mm.” Xiang Wan nodded and smiled.
Luo Sheng looked, but he didn’t see any cat. Nevertheless, he continued the topic. “There are quite a number of cats in the hospital. Occasionally, there would be sounds of cats mewling at night too…”
“There are too many stray cats nowadays that it’s getting out of hand…”
Before he could finish saying that sentence, the door to the ward suddenly opened, and Luo Sheng’s wife ran out.
“Doctor, doctor! Come quickly… my father’s not doing well… not well at all…”
Luo Sheng was shocked and dashed into the ward.
The doctor and nurses also came quickly to the ward. Mr. Luo Senior’s ECG monitor was now a straight line.
After an emergency resuscitation effort, they still couldn’t revive him.
“…”
A heavy atmosphere filled the ward.
Mr. Luo Senior had passed away a minute before Bai Muchuan arrived at the hospital.
It was so unexpected. When the attending doctor did a check, he said that it was a normal phenomenon for patients like him. Of course, that explanation couldn’t convince Luo Sheng and his wife. Luo Sheng’s wife claimed that Mr. Luo Senior was still in good condition in the morning and even drank a bowl of soup. He also said a lot of things to them. They insisted that there could be a problem with the hospital’s treatment… When the doctor heard this, he blamed them for feeding the old man food even though they instructed against it, and they didn’t follow the doctor’s advice at all.
“…”