Chapter Sixty-Nine: An Unexpected Turn

The final decision from the Public Security Bureau came down half a month later. During this time, my injuries had healed quickly; even the more serious fractures were mending well, and whenever I moved around a little, I felt there was little cause for concern. By the usual hospital protocol, I should have been discharged a week ago, but for reasons unknown, the hospital insisted I remain in bed.

Over the past month, I witnessed many inexplicable and even unreasonable things. For example, I tried to apply for discharge, accepting that my next stop would be the police station. I had no complaints about that, since I knew some things were inescapable; you can hide for a while, but not for a lifetime. Yet, when I approached the duty director to bring up the matter, he surprisingly urged me strongly against it.

“There are so many patients who need this hospital bed, and my injuries are almost healed. Why can’t I be discharged?” I had considered whether this was the police's doing, but quickly dismissed the idea. The police were eager to solve the case; they would have preferred I left the hospital sooner so they could bring me in for questioning.

“Sorry, sir, this is an executive decision from hospital management. If you have questions, please speak to the director. I really don’t have the authority to do otherwise.”

And so I continued to be “confined” to the hospital, a situation I still cannot make sense of. The second strange thing was even more baffling. I considered my relationship with Li Huixin—the half-baked police officer assigned to my case—to be at least cordial recently. But for some unknown reason, she began treating me coldly whenever she came to the hospital; her contemptuous glances made me break out in a cold sweat. Had I really committed some heinous crime to deserve this daily silent treatment?

“Come on, I call you ‘sis’ out of respect. Even if I’m a suspect, I still have rights, don’t I? Every day you either glare at me or despise me; when you do speak, it’s all sarcasm and mockery… I really don’t know what I’ve done to offend you so badly. Care to enlighten me?” Seeing Li Huixin’s sour face, I felt a headache coming on. If it weren’t for her uniform, I suspected she’d have given me a beating by now.

Li Huixin scoffed, not even bothering to look at me directly. “I used to think you were a real man, willing to take responsibility for your actions. Now it seems that’s not the case. Don’t think you’re untouchable just because you have connections. Heaven knows, the law is impartial—take care of yourself!”

I was left utterly confused after her lecture. What was she going on about? Heaven knows? I’ve always considered myself a decent person—helping old ladies cross the street since childhood, never cheating or harming anyone. What was the meaning of this cryptic remark?

“Wait, what exactly do you mean by ‘having connections’? What connections do I have? I neither steal nor rob; I own up to what I do. What am I relying on?” I was a little annoyed. Life had been vexing enough lately—Sister Wen’s bar was in an uncertain state, and I hadn’t heard from Luoqing in a long time. My mood was a mix of irritation and even deeper disappointment.

“Not worth my time.” With that, Li Huixin left the room, leaving only Zhang Chuang and me staring at each other.

“Is your girlfriend, um… on her period or something? She’s been in a foul mood lately,” I asked Zhang Chuang, scratching my head.

Zhang Chuang and I got along well—we shared a fondness for music. He used to play folk guitar and sing back in high school. I applauded him for it; folk music was becoming rarer as people pursued louder, simpler trends. Such pure and meaningful music was all the more precious now.

“Bro, you can’t really blame Huixin…” Zhang Chuang sighed. “Her words might be harsh, but there’s some truth to them. She and I are basically handling your assault case around the clock. I’ve seen the evidence and surveillance footage your sister provided—we know the facts better than anyone. Sure, it was Qi Tian who started it and his actions were vile. But you really did go too far in the end. Qi Tian suffered serious injuries, so you’re not entirely blameless, are you?” He paused, then continued, “But then your ‘special connections’ kicked in, and you got off scot-free. It’s hard for us young officers who dream of fairness and integrity to stomach that.”

“But what I want to know is, what exactly are these ‘connections’ you’re talking about? Is someone helping me behind the scenes?” I racked my brain, but couldn’t think of anyone I knew with ties to the police.

“You mean you really don’t know?” Zhang Chuang eyed me, as if searching for signs I might be lying.

“Of course I don’t. If I did, why would I be asking you? I’ve been stuck in this hospital, not allowed to leave, no phone, no computer, not even a newspaper. How could I possibly know what’s going on outside?” I couldn’t help but worry for Zhang Chuang’s future in law enforcement—if his reasoning was this weak, how far could he really go?

“Yeah, you’re right.” Zhang Chuang nodded, leaving me exasperated. Just get to the point already!

“If you really don’t know, then I shouldn’t say more. If there’s something I’m not supposed to reveal, it wouldn’t be worth the trouble,” he said thoughtfully, propping his chin on his hand.

“Useless!” I grumbled.

“Well, if I’m of no use, I’ll take my leave,” he replied, flashing a mischievous grin as he spread his hands.

“Go find your weird girlfriend!” I waved him off impatiently.

After Zhang Chuang left, I sat on the hospital bed in frustration, staring at the bustling street outside, full of questions. Who was helping me?

The decision from the Public Security Bureau came as suddenly and quietly as the breakfast I ate each morning in bed. I put on my clothes and left the ward. Outside, Li Huixin and Zhang Chuang were waiting, apparently for some time.

“If you’re ready, let’s go,” they said.

It wasn’t my first time in a police car, but this was by far the calmest I’d ever felt. I was being released without charges—just the thought filled me with giddy relief. There might be things going on that I didn’t know about, but did it really matter? The world is troubled only because fools trouble themselves.

Accompanied by Zhang Chuang and Li Huixin, I walked into the city’s Public Security Bureau. Everything went smoothly. I completed the paperwork and was finally given back my phone after a month apart. I had never longed for my phone more—it was no longer just a device, but the anchor of my yearning.

“Is there any battery left?” I asked.

“Yes, you can use it right away,” came the reply.

“Thank you so much!”

I unlocked my phone and immediately searched for Luoqing’s number. After a moment’s hesitation, I dialed. For some reason, I felt nervous about reaching out to her first—was it because our relationship had changed?

The ringing filled me with anticipation. I had never wanted so badly to hear Luoqing’s unique and proud voice.

At last, the call connected.

“Miss Luo, guess who this is?” I asked cheerfully.

But my hopes were dashed. The voice on the other end was not hers. After a brief pause, the person responded slowly, “Chen?”

I stared in disbelief. That was clearly Shiyu’s voice! I quickly glanced at the screen—yes, the caller ID said “Miss Luo.”

“Shiyu?”

“Yes.” Her voice was as gentle as ever. “Chen, are you all right?”

“Yes. I just got the notice that I’ve been exonerated. I’m at the Public Security Bureau now, about to head home.” But I was puzzled—why did Shiyu have Luoqing’s phone? Where was Luoqing?

“That’s good,” Shiyu said, and I could finally hear a trace of joy in her tone.

“Shiyu, why do you have Luoqing’s phone?” I asked softly.

“Her phone recorded the events at the time. It’s an important piece of evidence. That girl contacted me and asked me to deliver the phone to the local police to help ease the pressure on you.”

“I see…”

Guilt gnawed at me. When the incident happened, Shiyu hadn’t known at first. In those sleepless, miserable nights at the hospital, she was the first person I thought of when I needed comfort, because no matter what trouble I was in, Shiyu would help me out. Yet after a month of hardship, she still hadn’t appeared by my side. The feeling was difficult to bear, a sense of being abandoned I couldn’t shake, though I knew it was unreasonable. I could only endure it.

“Shiyu, is Luoqing all right?” I finally voiced the question that weighed most on my heart.

“She… she’s fine, don’t worry.” Shiyu’s words were hesitant, which only increased my unease.

“She’s busy with something lately, so you probably won’t be able to reach her for a while… But don’t worry, she’s fine—I can promise you that.” Shiyu must have sensed my doubts and hastily added.

“Oh…” There was so much I wanted to say, so many questions to ask, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t get the words out. After all, if Luoqing wanted to see me, she would have done so already. Why else would she keep her distance now?

“Chen… if you have time tonight, let’s have dinner. Think of it as a welcome-back celebration,” Shiyu said gently, in a way I couldn’t refuse.

“All right.”

“Eight o’clock, at the usual place.”