Chapter 89: Tao Yueyue’s Recovery

Chen Shi woke up in a hospital bed, surrounded by flowers. The scent was overwhelming, and amidst the flowers, Lin Dongxue’s cheerful face greeted him. Seeing him awake, she reached out with a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, smiling, “Awake, our hero?”

“If you weren’t going to take me home, you could’ve at least not left me in a flower shop.”

“Stop it. These are all flowers sent by everyone—our team, the victims’ families, even some from the chief. You’ve got quite the reputation.”

“None from you?”

“Why should I give you flowers? You haven’t given me any!”

Chen Shi plucked a flower and handed it to her, winking. Lin Dongxue blushed slightly, saying, “Get lost, I don’t want it. You’re so lazy.”

“Fine, I’ll keep it for myself… How’s the case?”

“It’s already been reviewed. Want to hear about it?”

“I already asked before.”

“Except for the lottery part, your deductions were spot on. It’s unbelievable that An Xu was actually bribed.”

“Money can make the devil turn millstones.”

“That guy is ruined. He spent the past few days indulging in vices and got hooked on drugs thanks to An Xu. He said he’d been poor his whole life and enjoyed seven days of luxury. Even being executed is worth it… I can’t understand how someone who seemed so idealistic and conscientious could fall so quickly.”

“A sociologist once said, the world may be awful, but if you swapped the rich and the poor, it might only get worse… Maybe he was inherently good but never faced temptation, like how over-fertilized plants rot.”

“The lottery is truly no good!”

“Depends on who wins it. If it were me, my character wouldn’t change.”

“Ha! I don’t believe that!”

Chen Shi suddenly sat up. “Where’s my car?”

“Don’t worry, it’s being repaired. It’ll be good as new in a few days.”

“I hate lying around wrapped up like a mummy. Get a nurse to take off some of these bandages.”

“But the doctor said…”

“Don’t believe doctors.”

Lin Dongxue had no choice but to find a doctor. After an examination, the doctor decided Chen Shi could recuperate at home and removed some of the bandages. Chen Shi got dressed, ready to pay the medical bills, but Lin Dongxue said, “No need, the team has already paid for you.”

“Seems getting injured was worth it this time.”

“My brother asked me to tell you, next time, no solo actions. If you die, who’s going to be responsible?”

Just then, Chen Shi’s phone rang. As he listened, his eyes widened. Lin Dongxue thought something bad had happened to his family, but after the call, Chen Shi picked her up, spun her around, and shouted, “Great news!”

He dashed out like a madman, leaving Lin Dongxue calling after him, feeling a mix of exasperation and… enjoyment from being picked up like that.

Half an hour later, Chen Shi arrived at another hospital in the city. Holding Tao Yueyue’s hand, he kept asking the doctor, “You mean her illness won’t relapse, right?”

The doctor replied, “Yes, her levels have significantly decreased. Such improvement is due to her young age and early detection and treatment. But regular check-ups are still necessary, and don’t forget the medication.”

“Thank you so much,” Chen Shi said, looking at Tao Yueyue. “Yueyue, what do you want to eat?”

“Uncle Chen, I want beef noodles.”

“Let’s go!”

As they walked out, the doctor called after them, “Hey, during recovery, avoid spicy and greasy foods.”

Outside, breathing in the fresh air and seeing the familiar scenery, Tao Yueyue felt elated, though one thing still bothered her.

She touched her bald head, saying, “All my hair is gone. I look like a nun.”

“Look what Uncle Chen got for you!” Chen Shi pulled out a yellow knitted hat with fake braids.

Tao Yueyue put it on happily, “Thank you, Uncle Chen.”

“Let’s go eat.”

“Why aren’t you driving today? Did you sell your car to pay for my treatment?”

“It’s being repaired. The doctor said treatment for such a little person like you is half price.”

“Liar. I heard them. It cost a lot… Uncle Chen, I’ll repay you when I grow up.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you to grow up.” Chen Shi playfully tapped her nose.

As they crossed the street, Chen Shi carried Tao Yueyue in his arms. Her weight hadn’t increased much over the years of illness.

Holding the little girl, Chen Shi’s thoughts drifted back to years ago when five-year-old Tao Yueyue had silently sat in a closet, witnessing her mother’s murder. She was the only eyewitness in the Zhou Xiao case, her existence kept secret. She was a key player in turning the tide.

When she fell ill with cancer, Chen Shi had felt abandoned by fate. He had done everything to save her, and now his efforts had paid off.

It seemed people never stay unlucky or lucky forever. Perhaps, as some mystics say, a person’s fortune is constant.

Tao Yueyue’s recovery might be a turning point, he thought. But living as Chen Shi for so long, he had almost forgotten his past identity as Song Lang. When all this ended, which identity would he choose?

“Uncle Chen, where will I live now?” Tao Yueyue asked.

“You’ll stay with me!”

“Won’t Auntie be upset?”

“There’s no Auntie. Soon, you’ll be back in school. You’ve missed a lot of lessons.”

Tao Yueyue pouted, “But I don’t want to go to school.”

“That’s not an option!”

The case quietly concluded. Late that night, the office was empty, except for the lights in the tech team’s room.

Peng Sijue held a blood sample taken from Chen Shi’s car crash. Nervously, he clenched and unclenched his fists as the machine processed the sample. The hum of the equipment stopped, and the DNA information slowly appeared on the computer. Two profiles matched perfectly, the screen displaying a 100% match.

Peng Sijue stared in disbelief, his fists clenching tighter. “Song Lang, it’s really you! It’s really you!” Tears welled up in his eyes.