Naijuan was dejected.

She didn’t want to stay shamefully indoors—at times like this, it was best to go out for a change of scenery.

She was about to call Bihao when suddenly the doorbell rang urgently and someone shouted outside: “Miss Wu Naijuan, we’re police—please answer the door immediately.”

What was this about?

Naijuan opened the door in amazement—two uniformed policewomen stood at the entrance.

One said, “You’re Wu Naijuan. Thank goodness we found you.”

“Miss Wu, please come with us immediately to save someone.”

Naijuan was dumbfounded. What kind of program was this?

“Miss Wu, time is critical. We’ll explain in the police car.”

Naijuan grabbed a jacket and hurried out with them.

In the car, the police said to Naijuan, “Miss Wu, do you remember Zhao Lin Zirou?”

Naijuan couldn’t recall for a moment.

The policewoman sighed, “Her husband was our colleague who recently died in the line of duty—”

Naijuan exclaimed, “I know this lady—she’s pregnant with a posthumous child.”

“Exactly her.”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“She’s sitting on the eighteenth-floor rooftop, could jump down any moment.”

“What?”

“Miss Wu, she specifically asked to see you one last time, to say a few words to you.”

“She’s still pregnant?”

The policewoman’s eyes moistened, “She’s heavily pregnant, ready to give birth any time. We suspect the pressure is too great, so she wants to end her life.”

Naijuan’s eyes also filled with tears.

“Being human is not easy.”

Everyone choked up.

“Miss Wu, please do your best.”

Naijuan suddenly felt like a load of bricks was pressing on her shoulders, making her breathless.

The car arrived at a residential building. Fortunately, it was still early—passersby hadn’t noticed the drama unfolding. Naijuan followed the police straight to the rooftop.

She saw Zhao Lin Zirou sitting on the railing. One slight lean forward and mother and child would be smashed to pieces.

Naijuan felt her mouth dry.

The negotiation expert approached, “Miss Wu? Lin Zirou’s emotions are abnormally stable—she seems determined to die.”

Naijuan moved closer, “Mrs. Zhao, you asked for me?”

Zhao Lin Zirou turned around and swayed—Naijuan broke out in cold sweat.

She showed a slight smile, “Miss Wu, hello.”

Naijuan said gently, “Early morning—have you eaten breakfast? Whatever you want to say, tell me slowly.”

Someone behind handed over two bottles of nutritional milk.

Naijuan gently placed one beside Lin Zirou and drank the other herself.

Only now did Naijuan understand what “unable to swallow” meant.

Lin Zirou was extremely thin and haggard, making her protruding belly even more prominent.

Naijuan asked, “The due date is near?”

Lin Zirou lowered her head, “Yes, it was supposed to be these one or two days.”

“Where’s your mother?”

“The police just took her away. She was wailing hysterically, disturbing everyone.”

Naijuan smiled, “Most old-fashioned women get easily excited—when things happen, they just scream without speaking properly.”

“She’s always hoped I’d start over. She doesn’t support me having this child.”

Naijuan smiled, “Having children doesn’t need anyone’s support. You have a profession and income—you have enough ability to handle everything.”

“But I feel lonely and scared.”

“Who isn’t afraid of life-and-death situations? Believe me, I have a friend who invited all her sisters for a last supper before her cesarean section.”

“Your friend is really interesting. I wish I’d met you earlier.”

“Zirou, it’s not too late now.”

“Miss Wu, you must think I like to make scenes.”

“I wouldn’t think that. People don’t cry without being hurt. Who would willingly play the ugly role? You’re just stuck in a mental trap. Come, I’ll find someone to accompany you to the delivery room.”

Shrill female wailing came from nearby.

Lin Zirou said, “That’s my mother—she cries like that constantly.”

“It’s indeed disturbing, but there’s no need to punish her. Just stay away from her.”

Lin Zirou turned to look at the street below, her body swaying again.

Naijuan felt her legs aching. The wind was strong on the rooftop, chilling her hands and feet.

“Zirou, come down.”

“Miss Wu, thank you for coming. After talking with you, I feel much better.”

She moved.

Naijuan didn’t know where her courage came from—she leaped forward and tightly wrapped her arms around Lin Zirou, pulling her back.

The police on both sides saw this and rushed to help.

In the violent pulling, Lin Zirou’s arm was dislocated, and she cried out in pain, but her body fell onto the rooftop’s brick floor—safe!

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as medical personnel rushed over.

Then they saw that Lin Zirou’s lower body was covered in blood.

Reporters caught wind and rushed to the rooftop to film.

In the chaos, Naijuan took off her jacket and covered Lin Zirou’s head.

She held her hand, “You’re safe now, Zirou. I’ll accompany you to the hospital.”

She pushed away reporters, protecting the pregnant woman as they left.

Someone reached out trying to lift the jacket from Zirou’s head to photograph her, but was scolded by police: “You’ll face the same situation someday.”

The reporter retorted defiantly: “The public has the right to know.”

In the ambulance, the nurse said, “Miss, something’s wrong with your left arm. Oh my, the bone is broken.”

Only when she mentioned it did Naijuan feel heart-piercing pain. Her vision darkened, and she lost consciousness.

When she regained consciousness, the doctor was busy taking X-rays and applying a cast. She kept asking, “How is Lin Zirou?”

“Emergency cesarean section needed—she’s in the operating room now.”

Only then did Naijuan shed tears.

“Huh,” the young doctor said, “does it hurt? Applying a cast shouldn’t hurt.”

Naijuan was covered in dirt, disheveled, with scratches on her face, yet reporters still wouldn’t leave her alone.

Naijuan remained silent, ignoring the reporters. Someone asked her, “Miss Wu, you’re a hero—tell us about the rescue process.”

She walked into the doctor’s restroom with her head lowered.

The doctor told her, “It’s a baby girl—mother and daughter are safe.”

Naijuan nodded.

Lin Zirou’s mother and sisters also came.

They thanked Naijuan.

Naijuan said, “Please take good care of mother and daughter.”

The aunt seemed enlightened: “Yes, yes.”

The nurse brought the baby in with a smile, “Come meet grandma and aunts, and this brave aunt.”

Everyone leaned in to see the infant. She weighed just over five pounds, with a delicate little face very much like her mother’s. Her grandmother’s heart softened and she held her tightly.

The nurse said, “Miss Wu, her mother asks you to name her.”

Naijuan said without hesitation: “Call her Zhao Xinran.”

Everyone said it was good.

The nurse said, “Miss Wu, you’re also injured—please go home and rest.”

Naijuan nodded.

Back home, she couldn’t bathe properly—with only one functional hand and a cast on the other, she could only sit on a small stool and scrub herself section by section with a sponge, exhausting herself.

She sat silently on the sofa watching the TV news.

The reporters had used long-distance filming, capturing her leaping forward and desperately embracing Lin Zirou. Even she hadn’t known how dangerous it was at the time—Zirou’s lower body had already fallen over the railing and nearly pulled Naijuan down too. Fortunately, the police were quick-eyed and fast-handed, grasping each woman’s leg in a split second and pulling them both back from death’s door.

Naijuan was stunned.

Too dangerous.

At this moment, her whole body ached, and she closed her eyes to rest from exhaustion.

Suddenly, she heard someone calling her.

“Who?” Naijuan opened her eyes.

“It’s me, Miss Wu. I came specially to thank you.”

She saw a man standing backlit by the long balcony window—she couldn’t see his features.

A stranger had somehow entered her house, but Naijuan felt only surprise, not fear.

She seemed to know who he was.

“Don’t be polite—that was my duty.”

“The child is lovely. I’ve seen her. The name is also pleasant to hear.”

“Please bless Xinran to be intelligent and healthy, and encourage Zirou to have courage and patience.”

“Miss Wu, good people receive good rewards.”

Naijuan smiled, “Thank you.”

“Miss Wu, the person who truly loves you will use a tree branch to strike your head.”

“What?”

Naijuan was about to ask more when suddenly she heard the urgent doorbell ringing. Naijuan’s eyes widened.

The red sun was rising—it had been a dream.

Bihao’s voice rang outside the door, “Naijuan, are you alright?”

Naijuan opened the door, saying in surprise, “Why didn’t you call first?”

Bihao exclaimed, “Oh my, your face! Oh no, your hand! You look like a wounded soldier. I saw everything on TV news.”

Bihao cut up the fruit she brought and fed it to her.

She combed Naijuan’s hair and examined her scratches. “After scabbing, you might need laser scar removal.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Come stay at my place for a few days—eat better, and we can chat.”

Naijuan was surprised, “I have to work tomorrow.”

Bihao stood up, “You old spinsters love pretending to be devoted to work. Actually, besides a lousy job, you have nothing, yet you’re so self-important, thinking you’re indispensable—bah.”

Naijuan agreed meekly, “Thank you for the instruction, thank you for the instruction.”

“Naijuan, that scene just now was extremely dangerous. Please, don’t be so brave next time, okay?”

“Saving people was urgent—anyone would have done the same.”

Bihao opened a box of colored markers and signed her name on Naijuan’s cast as a memento.

“Many friends express admiration and hope to meet you. They asked me to introduce them.”

Naijuan cupped her hands in thanks, “I’m unworthy.”

Bihao’s voice was gentle, “Naijuan, you’ve saved another person—including me, that’s the second one.”

Naijuan smiled, “Enough talk—go make two cups of coffee.”

Soon, Bihao came out carrying coffee, “Ma Liwen asked to borrow money from me again.”

“Mrs. Ma, between husband and wife, it’s not called borrowing.”

“He’s giving money to his sister and brother-in-law to buy an apartment.”

Naijuan smiled. Everyone owed their debts. Some brothers-in-law helped younger brothers-in-law, then younger sisters-in-law, giving buildings and cars. Some brothers-in-law reached out asking for money.

Naijuan asked, “Can you afford it?”

Bihao answered, “The amount isn’t large, I just feel unwilling.”

“If you can afford it, don’t be unhappy—consider it entertainment expenses.”

“Naijuan, you’re humorous.”

“Yes, I’m open-minded. Otherwise, consider it charity—doing good starts at home. If you anger your in-laws first, then go worship Buddha, it’s too late.”

“Listening to you is better than reading for ten years.”

Naijuan smiled, “Grievances have sources, debts have owners—previous life’s debts are repaid in this life.”

“This kind of thinking seems unscientific.”

“It’s the only way to console oneself—this is Chinese wisdom.”

“But I’m gradually getting tired of Ma Liwen’s freeloading and endless demands.”

“Then leave him, go back to the social market to reselect suitable candidates, fall in love, marry—do it again.”

“How tiring.”

“Right, and you’d have to compete with women five to seven years younger. No matter how good your conditions, when they put on backless dresses, they just look better than you.”

“Worthy of an expert—when discussing male-female issues, you hit the nail on the head.”

“I could show you office files. Joys and sorrows, sorrows and partings—everything boils down to the same thing. What I manage is a Department of Infatuation.”

Bihao looked at her, “You’re very sentimental today.”

“Go back and cherish the person before you.”

Bihao nodded, “There’s chicken porridge in the kitchen—just heat it.”

That night, Naijuan had to prop up her pillow to sleep.

The next day, she went to work on time.

Director Jiang led colleagues out to applaud and welcome her.

She received many warm emails of concern, including care from Xie Shufen.

Her assistant came in saying, “You have an appointment with Mr. Li today.”

“Mr. Li—which Mr. Li?”

“It’s me.”

Qingxin turned and suddenly got excited, “Oh, it’s you, Mr. Li! I saw you on the TV news. You’re both heroes, Mr. Li bravely caught the sex predator, Miss Wu bravely saved the pregnant woman—”

Naijuan pleaded with her, “Qingxin, go answer the phone.”

She invited Li Zhizhong into the office. “What are you here for?”

He lowered his head, “To apologize.”

“No need.”

“Rest assured, this is my last appearance before you. What I want to say is, I’ve explained your identity to Li Jialiang and told him you’re also a community center volunteer, not deliberately spying.”

“You don’t need to lie to cover for me anymore—I won’t be grateful.”

Li Zhizhong was surprised, “Someone as reasonable and considerate as you—I didn’t expect you’d also have a stubborn side.”

“You fooled me.”

“I also know my sin is unforgivable.”

He stood up and left dejectedly.

His white shirt and khaki pants, like his face, suddenly drooped, no longer having their former spirit.

Naijuan wanted to call him back, but as Bihao said, she was unwilling. The physician cannot heal herself.

Naijuan watched the wounded him leave.

Next came a couple surnamed Wu seeking counseling.

The man already had a new love and had unilaterally filed for divorce.

The woman refused to give up and pestered endlessly.

Naijuan spoke from experience: “A person’s most precious thing is self-respect. Mrs. Wu, you’ve been hugging your husband’s legs and crying for some time. He’s unmoved, and the court will soon declare your marriage invalid. Why remain obsessed?”

Mrs. Wu had beautiful features but a confused expression.

“If he wants to leave you, he has his reasons. It’s not that you’re not good enough, but that someone else suits him better. A writer once said that even love that brings tears will pass—this shows people are most forgetful. You must let go.”

The woman was moved by Naijuan’s sincerity and shed tears.

Naijuan smiled, “Years later, you’ll only shudder: What? For that person, that matter, I wasted the best years of my life—regret will be too late.”

Mrs. Wu still mumbled, “Without him, I have nothing.”

“Nonsense!” Naijuan rebuked directly, “How long have you known him? Just a few years. Your life is long. Don’t you have hands, feet, parents, siblings, friends, colleagues? You have a passport, savings, diplomas—you possess so much.”

The woman was amazed, wiped away tears, “No one ever talked to me like this.”

“Quickly sign and let him go. Don’t harm others and yourself.”

Mr. Wu sat listening to Naijuan speak, suddenly felt ashamed, and lowered his head without speaking.

Naijuan mocked him: “Old is inferior to new, in a few years new becomes old, then renew again, tirelessly, until human and material resources reach their limits.”

He remained silent.

“Mrs. Wu, if you persist in your delusion, don’t come for counseling anymore.”

She stood up, her knees hitting the tea table without feeling pain.

She suddenly asked, “Miss Wu, what’s your greatest spiritual trauma?”

Naijuan answered without hesitation: “My parents’ death—I wanted to die from grief.”

Mrs. Wu nodded, “You’re right.” She looked at her husband, “Wu Ziqian, I’ll go to the lawyer immediately to sign. You don’t need to wait anymore.”

Naijuan was dejected.

In this matter, everyone was a loser, including the mediator.

Mrs. Wu left first. Mr. Wu seemed to have more problems.

Naijuan reminded him, “You have five minutes left.”

“To be honest, Miss Wu, my girlfriend Peiyu and I have growing differences.”

“Is that so?”

“She’s active and playful. Whenever there’s a three-day holiday, she wants to fly somewhere for travel. It’s like fatigue bombing—I really can’t stand it.”

“After being together long time, the novelty wears off and you see the true face. A movie star at home, after removing makeup, yawning, going to the bathroom—just an ordinary person.”

Mr. Wu sighed.

“Want to go back?”

“No, I can only continue forward.”

“Remember, men also have reputations.”

“I understand.”

He left, his figure shorter and smaller than when he entered.

Naijuan shook her head. This person, just because he had the right to choose, caused such great physical and mental trauma to the other party. If he later discovered his final choice wasn’t as good as the original, who knows what would happen?

Qingxin was organizing files and records. Naijuan took a large basket of gifts during lunch to visit Lin Zirou at the hospital.

Zirou had tubes attached to her wrist, but her spirits were fairly good.

She said softly, “Mother and sisters all came.”

Naijuan said, “Look what I brought you.”

She handed over comfortable towels, bathrobes, slippers, and various scented bath products.

Zirou smiled while pressing her wound.

“Why no baby supplies?”

Naijuan answered, “Mothers are also important.”

The nurse made an exception to bring the infant out for Naijuan to see.

Seeing the newborn’s face slightly larger than a pear, Naijuan felt heartbroken. She took her and, like all adults, talked to the little bundle in baby talk: “Oh, how are you, little Xinran? In life, you don’t need to care about fame, profit, gains, and losses. Health and happiness are most important. You don’t have to succeed, but do your best.”

While lecturing, the baby suddenly spat up, vomiting on Naijuan’s sleeve.

Naijuan laughed.

The nurse immediately took little Xinran away.

Naijuan said, “I should go too—you need rest.”

“Miss Wu, you seem troubled.”

Huh, she could tell.

Naijuan touched her face. “Do I look ashen?”

“Miss Wu, I never thought you’d also have worries.”

“Zirou, may I ask your advice? Help me analyze.”

Lin Zirou was startled. “Miss Wu, what qualifications do I have to help solve your problems?”

Naijuan said, “Remember, you’re a teacher.”

Zirou said sincerely, “Speaking about it might make you feel better.”

Naijuan sat down again, covered her face with both hands, and rubbed her temples.

Lin Zirou was so surprised she temporarily forgot her wound pain.

What was wrong with the wise and mighty Miss Wu today?

“Miss Wu, what’s the matter?”

Naijuan sighed deeply.

Naijuan kept scratching her head, wanting to speak but hesitating.

After a long time, she finally said, “I seem to like someone.”

Lin Zirou said, “That’s good—you certainly should have a boyfriend who loves you.”

“But this person shouldn’t be someone I like. His appearance, personality—everything’s wrong.”

Lin Zirou said, “Oh, then you should trust your feelings.”

“But what about reason?”

Lin Zirou answered this way: “If women had reason, would they marry and have children? Think about it—managing a whole household is so strenuous and complicated, pregnancy and childbirth are so painful and dangerous. Sigh, it’s all because of a lack of reason that we forge ahead bravely, sacrificing to the end.”

“Oh, Zirou, you speak so well.”

Naijuan held her hand, knowing she had regained her sanity and would undoubtedly raise the child well.

“Miss Wu, trust your heart.”

Naijuan nodded, said a few more words, then took her leave.

Walking to the hospital entrance, seeing the redbud flowers blooming by the stone steps, drooping from branches, she suddenly remembered the dream prophecy: The person who truly loves you will use a tree branch to strike your head.

What did this mean?

She looked around.

No, Li Zhizhong was no longer following her.

He was also angry—after confessing and not receiving forgiveness, he vowed to disappear forever.

Naijuan returned dejectedly to the office.

The cast on her hand made her irritable. An afternoon of lengthy meetings made her stuffy. After the meeting, she drove alone to the mountaintop. Suddenly, fog descended, and she turned on the car radio to hear people confiding relationship problems to the host.

“—thought it was a lifetime thing. Even though of children’s names. Who knew we were fated but not destined?”

“Hmm, don’t be too sad.”

“Wasted so much time and tears for nothing.”

“Then let’s have everyone listen to a song.”

A female singer sang mournfully: “I wasted these years and ruined these tears…”

Naijuan tilted her head.

Then she felt someone approaching her car.

She instinctively thought it was Li Zhizhong.

Looking up, a figure appeared in the fog—it was a policeman.

“Miss, heavy fog—not safe alone. Please go home.”

Naijuan could only nod and drive away.

Halfway home, Bihao called.

“Naijuan, come eat at my house.”

There was noisy chatter on the other end—it seemed like many guests.

Naijuan answered, “I’m haggard and unsuitable for meeting people.”

“Everyone wants to meet the hero and hear about heroic deeds.”

“Bihao, I want to rest.”

“Then I won’t force you.”

Back home, Naijuan replied to several emails.

Li Zhizhong seemed to have disappeared—no word at all.

I wasn’t used to it.