Chapter 37: Why Can’t I Interfere

The car that hit the man stopped immediately, and the driver, panicking, said, “It wasn’t my fault; he ran out in front of me.”

Chen Shi replied, “It’s not your fault, don’t worry! Wait here for the traffic police to handle it. I’ll take him to the hospital.”

“Okay…” the driver said nervously, “He’s not dead, is he?”

Chen Shi checked the fugitive’s pulse, then picked him up and carried him to the car. He shouted, “Open the back door,” and then placed the man in the back seat.

Lin Dongxue smelled the blood and frowned at the sight of the fugitive’s bloody head.

At that moment, a police officer approached the car and asked, “What’s going on?”

Chen Shi got back into the driver’s seat and said, “He got hit by a car while trying to escape. I’m taking him to the hospital now; you handle the scene.”

“Wait, who are you?”

Lin Dongxue said, “I’m with the Criminal Police, in the same team as Xu Xiaodong. We’ve already informed our superiors.”

“Alright, alright.”

Chen Shi started the car, and Lin Dongxue sighed, “How did it come to this?”

“He had bad luck.”

Chen Shi called Lin Qiupu and said, “I have good news and bad news.”

“Stop with the suspense!” Lin Qiupu’s voice was filled with urgency.

“We caught the guy, but he got hit by a car while escaping and is now unconscious. I’m taking him to the hospital.”

“Which hospital?”

“Hold on a second.” Chen Shi glanced at the GPS and replied, “The nearest one is Baihua Hospital.”

“I’ll be there soon!”

At the hospital, Lin Qiupu and another officer arrived ahead of them. Chen Shi carried the fugitive out of the car and placed him on a gurney. Lin Qiupu gestured to the accompanying officer, who went to take the fugitive’s fingerprints and saliva for identification.

Lin Qiupu, not taking any chances, prepared to handcuff the fugitive to the gurney. The doctor said, “Officer, no need to be so cautious. We’ll be administering anesthesia soon. He won’t be able to run. We’ve operated on prisoners before without any issues.”

Reassured by this, Lin Qiupu agreed.

As the fugitive was wheeled into the emergency room, Lin Qiupu glanced at Lin Dongxue sitting in the car and then at Chen Shi. He demanded, “Why are you two together? Give me a reasonable explanation!”

“We were at a concert.”

“A concert? Who allowed that?”

Chen Shi laughed, “Does that need anyone’s permission? Captain Lin, are you a control freak?”

Lin Qiupu, furious, shouted, “She’s my sister! Why can’t I interfere? I’ve repeatedly told you not to get too close to her. What are your intentions?”

Chen Shi calmly brushed aside Lin Qiupu’s finger, which was pointing at his nose, and said, “Captain Lin, you, an educated adult, think that’s a logical argument? Even if she were your daughter, you wouldn’t have the right to interfere. And once again, we were just at a concert. Whatever you think is your business! I’m leaving now. Remember to reimburse me for the car repairs.”

Lin Qiupu yelled, “Stop right there!”

A doctor came over with a surgery consent form, “Please sign this.”

Lin Qiupu signed the form and asked about the patient’s condition. When he turned back, Chen Shi had already driven away, leaving Lin Qiupu seething.

In the car, Chen Shi asked, “Want to go back to the concert?”

“Forget it, take me home,” Lin Dongxue said, looking a bit upset.

“What’s wrong? Annoyed that your brother controls you?”

Lin Dongxue pointed at Chen Shi, “I warn you, if you dare say ‘he’s doing it for your own good,’ I’ll flip out!”

“He is doing it for your own good…” Chen Shi said intentionally, watching Lin Dongxue’s reaction. “I’ve always thought that phrase is a fallacy, mixing motives and outcomes. But some things become a habit over time. If you didn’t rely on your brother so much when you were younger, would you be in this situation now? Don’t always blame others; think about your own actions too.”

“Yes, yes, I should reflect! I did rely on him a lot when I was young. We were orphans, living with our aunt. How could I not rely on him? But I’m grown up now, and he still controls me. It’s so annoying.”

“I believe freedom and rights are earned gradually. Refuse a few more times and let him get used to your independence.”

Lin Dongxue stared at Chen Shi, who said, “Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?”

“When it’s just us, and you talk like this, it feels like you have ulterior motives.”

“Depends on how you define good and bad motives.”

“Hmph, you think you can fool me? I know you’re thinking something bad right now.”

The roads were quiet, and soft music played in the car. The peaceful atmosphere made Lin Dongxue suddenly realize the suggestive nature of their conversation, and her face flushed red.

If it were someone else, Chen Shi wouldn’t mind taking things further, but he didn’t want to get too close to Lin Dongxue, so he changed the subject, “Missed the concert, are you disappointed?”

“Being a cop means work comes first.”

Soon, Chen Shi parked outside Lin Dongxue’s apartment complex. She had no shoes, so Chen Shi suggested, “Want me to carry you?”

“Don’t take advantage of me!” Lin Dongxue huffed.

“Give me your keys. I’ll go get a pair of shoes for you.”

After some thought, Lin Dongxue handed him the keys, “Unit 1, Apartment 403. Don’t touch my stuff. The shoes are on the shoe rack.”

Chen Shi found the apartment and turned on the lights. The place was a mess, with leftover food containers piled in the trash and freshly laundered clothes on the sofa.

He took off his shoes and walked in. The bedroom was cozy and neat, with the bed made and stuffed animals on it, giving off a pleasant scent. The kitchen, however, was almost empty, and the dishes seemed unused, indicating how busy Lin Dongxue was.

Chen Shi grabbed a pair of sneakers and went back down. Lin Dongxue was on the phone, sounding impatient. It was obvious who she was talking to.

“My business is none of your concern… So what if you’re my brother? Are you going to control me for life?… We’re right outside my apartment!”

Chen Shi was about to hand her the shoes when he noticed she was too engrossed in the call. He knelt down, pulled her foot, and put on the sneakers. He then removed her sandals and replaced them with the sneakers.

“Hang up. Stop calling me!” Lin Dongxue ended the call and saw Chen Shi tying her shoelaces, her face turning red, “What are you doing?”

“Stay still!”

Chen Shi quickly tied her laces. He did it in an unusual way, with the knot to the side, which looked odd but interesting after a while.

After tying the laces, Lin Dongxue’s face was as red as an apple. Chen Shi stood up and said, “Alright, you can go up now.”

“Aren’t you coming in for a bit?” Lin Dongxue asked, realizing she might have made a mistake by inviting him, fearing he might take advantage.

“No, it’s late. Me going to your place? It wouldn’t look good.” Chen Shi smiled.