Ling’ai received four sutures on her face. After the stitching was done, a piece of gauze was applied.

“The wound on your shoulder is nothing serious.” Director Liu prescribed some medicine to promote blood circulation and reduce bruising. “Go home and apply the medication on schedule. Try to keep it as dry as possible.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Ling’ai bowed gratefully to Director Liu.

“Think nothing of it — it’s what I’m here for.”

Ling’ai smiled, then gently bit her lower lip and looked at Zheng Yun with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Zheng Yun saw through her thoughts immediately and said, “Turn left out the door and keep walking.”

“Right.” Ling’ai nodded happily and went to use the restroom.

Once she had gone, Director Liu leaned back in his chair in a casual, relaxed posture. “What’s the story with this girl?”

“She’s from Di Guo.”

“From Di Guo? I really couldn’t tell — she speaks with a perfectly authentic Shun Cheng accent.”

“She came to Xin Guo with her father when she was young and has lived here ever since. She knows this country well.” Zheng Yun sat down, and Director Liu passed him a cigarette.

After both men had lit their cigarettes, Director Liu raised an eyebrow. “Are you interested in this girl?”

“She was hurt because of me.”

“So then what — you plan to marry her?”

Zheng Yun took a drag, gave him a cool sidelong look, and said, “You’re a doctor who loves to mind other people’s business.”

“I have to take responsibility for my patients.” Director Liu chuckled. In front of others, he was a highly respected expert, but in front of Zheng Yun, his true nature always came through.

“Her father is someone even Commander Hui would seek to cultivate.” Zheng Yun seemed to be thinking of something, his tone measured. Then his expression grew more serious. “Please do your best to fade her scar as much as possible. Young women care about their appearance. Just because she puts on a brave face doesn’t mean she doesn’t care.”

“Rest assured — that’s what I’m here for.”

While they were speaking, Ling’ai had already returned.

Zheng Yun picked up the medicine. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

At the entrance of Ling’ai’s home, Zheng Yun placed the medicine in her hands. “This ointment is to be applied to your back three times a day. Before applying it, knead it open and warm it with the heat of your palm first. The gauze on your face should be changed in a couple of days — I’ll come pick you up and take you to the hospital. For now, manage as best you can. Don’t let it get wet. Just use a damp cloth to wipe the area.”

Listening to his quiet instructions, warmth stirred in Ling’ai’s heart, and she found herself answering softly, “I’ll remember.”

Zheng Yun gave a small nod. “Off you go.”

Ling’ai walked to the gate, then couldn’t help looking back. She found Zheng Yun still standing there. Unable to stop herself, she smiled and waved at him. He had no particular expression on his face, but he responded — raising his hand and giving it a small, gentle wave.

Ling’ai broke into a grin and stepped cheerfully through the gate.

What she had not expected, however, was that Hui Cun would be home. As she returned to her room, she walked straight into Hui Cun and Nagase standing in the courtyard talking.

“Ai’zi?” Hui Cun saw her and smiled warmly. “Weren’t you at school today? Why are you back?”

Ling’ai quickly swept her hair to the side to cover the bandaged wound. “The teacher sent me out on an errand, so I came back early.”

“I heard you had a dissection class today. How was it — were you frightened?” Hui Cun walked over and asked with concern.

“A little, but not too bad.” Ling’ai said with confidence: “I should adapt quickly.”

“To think Ling’ai is cut out for forensic medicine.” Nagase laughed as well. “In our country of Di Guo, we don’t even have this field of study. Ling’ai, study hard. In time, you can go back home and bring it there.”

“I’ve only scratched the surface — I wouldn’t dare speak of bringing anything anywhere.” Ling’ai smiled. “You’re in the middle of something important — I’ll go back to my room.”

“Go on.” Hui Cun waved her away with fond indulgence. “Rest well.”

Hui Cun had only this one precious daughter. His wife had passed away early, and the girl had been raised almost entirely by his own hand. For her sake, Hui Cun had never remarried, afraid that she might come to suffer.

Watching Ling’ai’s retreating figure, Nagase said, “Sir, I can’t shake the feeling that Ling’ai is keeping something from us.”

“Children grow up. They will always have their own concerns. There’s no need to fuss over it.” Hui Cun dismissed this with an easy smile.

“Sir, I wonder what your intentions are for Ling’ai’s marriage?”

Hui Cun paused, as though he had not yet given the matter thought. He looked at Nagase and asked with a smile: “Nagase, I know you have feelings for Ai’zi.”

Nagase did not shy from the question at all, and replied openly, “I have liked her since we were children.”

“I have no particular requirements for Ai’zi’s marriage. All I ask is that she is happy, and that the person treats her well.” Hui Cun said earnestly: “She is my only daughter. I do not wish for her to become a sacrifice in any struggle. Her happiness matters more than anything.”

“Sir, I promise I will make Ling’ai happy. I will spend my whole life treating her well.”

Hui Cun patted Nagase on the shoulder. “Swearing an oath to me is useless. You have to make Ling’ai like you.”

“I understand.” Nagase nodded.

Ling’ai had barely sat down when a knock came at her door. Afraid of exposing the wound on her face, she did not rush to open it, and instead called out, “Who is it?”

“Ling’ai, it’s me.”

“Nagase-ge?” Ling’ai instinctively smoothed her hair over the side of her face. “Is something the matter?”

“Yesterday I had someone buy you two packets of coffee.”

Ling’ai went over and opened the door. Nagase held out what he was carrying. “It’s the flavor you like.”

“Thank you, Nagase-ge.” Ling’ai quickly took it from him.

Nagase noticed she had no intention of inviting him inside, and a faint sadness crossed his heart. “Where did you go today? You seem a little off.”

“The school received a body today — it was supposed to be used for a teaching dissection, but during the procedure the teacher discovered it was a homicide. So the teacher sent me to the Military Police Division, and I was delayed there for a while.” Ling’ai automatically left out everything about going out with Zheng Yun.

“Ah, I see.” Nagase smiled. “Then get some rest.”

“All right, Nagase-ge.”

After Nagase left, Ling’ai quickly shut her door.

She walked to her dressing table, sat down, and held a mirror up to study her face carefully. Though the position was not very obvious — almost at the base of the ear — she would have to keep it covered with her hair from now on.

No girl is without vanity, and Ling’ai was disheartened to see her wound. But when she thought about how she had taken the blow for Zheng Yun, she felt the scar somehow wasn’t so ugly anymore.

For the person you love, anything is worth doing.

Thinking this, Ling’ai felt happy again. She threw herself onto her bed and let her mind wander freely.

She thought of the anxious, tender expression on Zheng Yun’s face today, of the warmth and breadth of his chest as he held her.

As she thought about it all, she couldn’t help pressing both hands over her reddening face.

Whether Zheng Yun had done all this out of guilt or something else, it was more than enough for her. More than enough.

While Ling’ai was thinking of Zheng Yun, Zheng Yun had just finished processing the Cheng Qingsong case.

“Zheng Shu-shi, let’s go drinking.” Bai Jin clapped him on the shoulder. “Your treat.”

“Sure.”

Bai Jin had not expected Zheng Yun to agree so quickly. He actually paused. “Good grief — is this some kind of trick?”

Zheng Yun rarely went out for drinks after work, and even when he did, it took Bai Jin a great deal of coaxing. Agreeing with just one word was nearly unheard of.

The two went to a small tavern and ordered some dishes to go with their drinks.

Night had fallen. There were few tables of customers in the tavern, and the shop attendant sat on a stool, staring into the distance.

“Old Zheng, do you have something weighing on you?” Bai Jin leaned in curiously as he watched him pour wine into his cup.

Zheng Yun took a sip and looked at him. “Are you an expert in matters of the heart?”

It was unclear why he was asking this. Bai Jin immediately patted his chest. “Absolutely.”

Zheng Yun gave a short, scornful laugh. “And yet this so-called expert in love doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”

“That’s because I don’t want one. If I wanted to find one, it would be effortless.” Bai Jin raised his handsome brows. “From ninety-nine to barely walking, everyone falls before this gentleman’s charms.”

“You mean you’ve talked them all into submission with your nonsense?”

“Ah, what do you know? A free spirit like me — I just want to wander the world without ties or burdens. Marriage doesn’t suit me.” Bai Jin downed his cup in one go. “It’s you though, Old Zheng. You should find a girl and get married already. You can’t stay single forever. Look at our Brother Seven — before he got married, he was as cold as an iron-faced demon. Now in front of his wife, he’s like an obedient little child.”

Zheng Yun nearly choked on a mouthful of wine. “You’ve got some nerve. If Brother Seven knew, he’d knock your head flat.”

“Ha! I’m only stating facts. Even if Brother Seven knew, he’d have no way to refute them.” Bai Jin refilled Zheng Yun’s cup. “Old Zheng, what do you think of Ling’ai?”

The words had barely left his mouth when he saw Zheng Yun’s expression tighten, his brows drawing together as he stared silently at his cup.

“You said before that she comes from a good family, but I don’t think any of that matters. When Sister-in-law was with Shi Guang, they were still engaged — didn’t Brother Seven still manage to overcome every obstacle and marry her in the end? Where there’s a will, there’s a way. As long as you feel she’s worth it, just go for it. Win or lose, at least you tried. No regrets — right?”

Zheng Yun said, “Today, when Hu Cuihua attacked me from behind, she stepped in front of the blow for me. The wound near her right ear needed four sutures.”

Bai Jin swallowed a mouthful of wine hard. “That — that’s not disfiguring her?”

“The wound isn’t on her face itself, but it’ll have to be covered by her hair.”

“That girl Ling’ai, she really…” His eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked thoughtful. “I think Ling’ai likes you.”

—