77: Chapter 77 My Father-in-Law's Visit

Tongan City First People's Hospital, intensive care unit.

Zhao Yang leaned against the headboard, his left arm in a sling.

He ate fruit while keeping an eye on the door.

Zheng Beichen sat on a stool beside the bed, teasing with a smile:

"Stop looking. Officer Jiang has a big meeting at the bureau this morning, she might not come."

"Look at you, gazing so longingly. How affectionate." Gao Yan was peeling an orange for Zhao Yang.

Her airy words carried a hint of citrus sourness.

At the critical moment, Zhao Yang had risked his life to save her, which had deeply touched her heart.

The decisiveness and heroism Zhao Yang showed when he pushed her away were deeply imprinted in her mind.

For the past few days, Zhao Yang's image had been lingering in Gao Yan's thoughts and heart.

The wound on Zhao Yang's forehead had scabbed over; fortunately, his brain wasn't damaged, just a severe concussion.

He had slept for three whole days, mainly because his nerves had been stretched too thin and he was exhausted from this period.

Zhao Yang was wide awake now, and he smiled at the two people by his bed:

"Don't believe it if you want, but Jiang Nan will be here in a moment."

Not long after, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor.

From the spacing and rhythm of the footsteps, Zhao Yang had already determined that it must be Jiang Nan.

The ward door opened, and Jiang Nan appeared in a crisp, sharp 99-style autumn service uniform, wearing a brimmed cap, looking exceptionally spirited.

Zhao Yang watched, mesmerized, unable to take his eyes off her.

When Jiang Nan walked up to him, he clicked his tongue and praised:

"Not bad, you've added a star."

Jiang Nan reached out to smooth her brand-new shoulder epaulets, a trace of guilt appearing on her face:

"Zhao Yang, actually, all of this is thanks to you."

She sat on the edge of the bed, looked at Zhao Yang affectionately, and then shifted her gaze to Zheng Beichen and Gao Yan.

"There's been a major reshuffle in the Tongan police system this time. Luo Jinghui, the head of the Provincial Criminal Investigation Detachment, has been appointed as the Deputy Mayor of Tongan City and concurrently as the Chief of the Municipal Bureau."

"Chief He from our Special Investigation Team is staying in Tongan to serve as the Executive Deputy Chief of the Municipal Bureau."

"Except for the Xiushan Branch, all branch chiefs have been replaced. Du Chenguang from the Xiushan Criminal Investigation Detachment has been promoted to Chief of the Linjiang Branch."

"He has already arranged for people to replace Jiang Peng and Zhang Bin to ensure Sun Dehai's safety."

At this point, Zhao Yang interrupted and asked:

"And what about you being a Second-Class Police Superintendent, what's that about?"

Jiang Nan's cheeks flushed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed:

"I am now the Captain of the Technical Brigade of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, so my police rank has been adjusted up by one level."

"What about Captain Xu?" Zhao Yang pressed.

"He is now the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, and he said he wants to treat you to a meal once you've recovered."

Having said that, Jiang Nan pursed her lips, a smile on her face.

"What about He Ping?"

"He's the Captain at the Xiushan Branch, still doing criminal investigation work."

Zhao Yang raised his right hand and gently patted his thigh:

"So you see, one must persist in justice. Everything everyone does, the organization isn't blind to it."

"Oh, getting philosophical now!" Zheng Beichen curled his lip at Zhao Yang.

He immediately turned his face: "Gao Yan, look at this guy. Ever since his wife arrived, can we even get a word in?"

Gao Yan put down the orange, "Shall we go then?"

"Exactly, I bet someone has found us to be an eyesore for a while now." Zheng Beichen stood up.

Zhao Yang chuckled: "Take care on your way out, I won't see you off."

Zheng Beichen stepped out of the room but poked his head back in, lowering his voice to Jiang Nan:

"Captain Jiang, this guy is a master at playing the victim, don't let him fool you. Last night he snuck some spiced beef, he was quite agile, nothing like someone with a concussion."

"Zheng Beichen!" Zhao Yang grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

The door was already closed, and the ward finally quieted down.

Jiang Nan took off her police cap, placed it gently on the bedside table, and turned to look at Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang immediately wiped the playful look off his face, his brows furrowing.

A pained expression, pitiable to behold.

"Act, keep acting, don't forget I'm a forensic doctor!"

Jiang Nan held back her laughter, her voice turning cool.

"It really hurts." Zhao Yang answered sincerely.

Jiang Nan didn't speak, looking down at the scabbed wound on his forehead.

She slowly leaned in, blew on it gently, and asked softly:

"Does it still hurt?"

"Hehe, it doesn't hurt anymore." Zhao Yang held her hand and placed it against his cheek.

Jiang Nan didn't pull away.

The autumn sun slanted in from outside the window, spreading a layer of warm gold across the white bedding.

Footsteps came and went in the corridor, all separated by the door, the curtain, and this fleeting, quiet sanctuary.

Jiang Nan let him hold her hand, using her other hand to tuck in the corner of his blanket.

"Du Chenguang has arranged for four criminal police officers to secretly guard that building. Master Sun has been contacting old coworkers these past few days and has already found seven people willing to testify."

Zhao Yang let out a breath, only then truly relaxing.

Jiang Nan looked at him and suddenly said:

"That day in the alley, that push you gave Gao Yan..."

"Hmm?" Zhao Yang raised an eyebrow.

"You were quite decisive with that push."

Zhao Yang blinked, slowly sensing a different flavor in her words.

He looked at Jiang Nan seriously: "At that time, the car was coming straight at both of us. I'm a man, this is the responsibility I should take."

Jiang Nan didn't respond, her gaze falling on the hand he was holding.

After a few seconds of silence, she said softly:

"It's right to be brave and righteous. But you..." She paused, her voice even softer, "Don't treat your own life like it doesn't matter."

He turned her hand over, palm facing up, and then interlaced his fingers with hers.

"I'll remember that. Because from now on, neither of us is alone anymore."

Jiang Nan's eyelashes fluttered slightly; she didn't pull her hand back, nor did she speak.

The sunlight outside the window quietly moved past the foot of the bed, across the floor, and toward the door.

Just then, footsteps sounded in the corridor.

Outside the ward, a familiar male voice spoke with a touch of teasing amusement:

"Old Jiang, Xiao Nan has good taste, she's set her sights on my most prized disciple."

Another male voice rang out, deep and steady, yet clearly carrying a complex emotion.

Between the lines was the heartache of seeing one's own cabbage being rooted up by a pig:

"What does it matter if she likes him? She has to get past me first!"

Inside the ward, Jiang Nan sat up straight abruptly.

Zhao Yang was also stunned.

Lu Zheng laughed: "Past you? Don't you usually claim not to interfere with your children's freedom in relationships?"

"That's just talk." Jiang Yunheng's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"Easy for you to say. If your daughter were to be whisked away by some punk, just try it?"

Lu Zheng didn't speak.

A moment later, he said faintly: "My daughter is only nine."

Inside the ward, Jiang Nan's face turned bright red.

She shot a quick glance at Zhao Yang, then quickly averted her gaze, not knowing where to put her hands.

Zhao Yang remained in his position against the headboard, not moving.

Honestly, he had never seen Jiang Nan so flustered and uneasy before.

That voice outside the door—Jiang Yunheng.

Standing Committee Member of the Tongan Municipal Committee, Secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Jiang Nan's father.

Jiang Nan had never revealed her relationship to her father.

Now, this layer of paper had been completely pierced through by Lu Zheng's simple words.

Knock, knock, a knock on the door sounded.

Jiang Nan stood up abruptly, the legs of the chair scraping across the floor, making a harsh sound.

She took a deep breath and went over to open the door.

"Secretary Jiang... Director Lu."

Jiang Yunheng stopped, his face tight:

"Xiao Nan, what did you call me?"