Chapter 42: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Chapter 42: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Ye Changsheng was held at the police station, where an officer kept urging him to confess to the crime.

But he would never admit to something he didn't do.

"Look, kid, just sign the papers. It’ll make things easier for everyone."

Ye Changsheng: "I didn't hit him. He hurt himself. You should take Li Deshu to the hospital to get his head checked instead of trying to persuade me here."

"Kid, that’s ridiculous. Who would hurt themselves?"

Ye Changsheng: "Like I said, I didn’t do it, and I won’t sign."

"Then we’ll just have to keep you here. You can't leave until this case is closed. Let me tell you, the victim's family is wealthy in our town. You’re not going to get off easy if you cross them."

Ye Changsheng looked up, "You’re working with them."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... don’t go making accusations. We’re honest officers, serving the people. Everything I’ve said is for your benefit."

Ye Changsheng said coldly, "I don’t need your help!"

"You..."

The man was about to say more when the door to the detention room opened.

"Ye Changsheng, you’re cleared to go."

The man turned in surprise, "How is he being let go?"

How would he explain this to the Li family?

"The chief himself ordered it. Comrade Ye Changsheng did not assault Li Deshu. The Li family made a false accusation and will face consequences for filing a false report."

The man: "..."

Ye Changsheng was released.

Ye Changyuan was waiting at the entrance.

He had followed Ye Xiaoxiao's instructions to find someone, and after some conversation, he found himself here to pick up Ye Changsheng.

"Brother Yuan!"

Ye Changyuan: "Wow, you’re actually out!"

Ye Changsheng: "Do you know why they suddenly let me go... Did my parents bribe Li Deshu or something?"

Ye Changyuan waved his hand: "No, no, let’s just get home first. I'll tell you when we get there."

Ye Changyuan didn't mention that Ye Xiaoxiao hadn't returned home yet. The officer she reached out to seemed to be someone they had met a few times before.

But he felt that asking for help would come at a cost; people don’t just do favors for free.

Afraid that Ye Changsheng might go confront someone right away, he decided to keep it under wraps, just as Ye Xiaoxiao had told him.

Ye Changsheng: "Alright, let’s just head home for now."

...

"I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

In the pharmacy, Lu Hanchuan looked around and then raised an eyebrow at Ye Xiaoxiao.

He seemed a bit smug.

What was he so smug about? Ye Xiaoxiao couldn't understand his train of thought.

She felt things were getting out of control. Could it really be because she wasn't following the plot, frequently interacting with Li Deshu, the "ex-husband" from the original book?

"Sorry to trouble you again. I'll find a way to thank you properly in the future."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't have her guard up much against Lu Hanchuan because, although he was impressive, he was a marginal character in the book.

There was no mention of him having any close relationship with the main characters in the book.

Someone like him should be easy to befriend.

Lu Hanchuan said calmly, "No need to stand on ceremony. We're from the same compound; we should help each other out."

Ye Xiaoxiao felt she might not fully understand the current compound culture.

I didn't expect it to be so tight-knit.

Song Guangjing stood at the door, secretly observing the two.

His apprentice had good taste; this young man looked quite decent.

Lu Hanchuan: "Did you learn your medical skills here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I already knew a little, but Master Song saw my potential and was willing to teach me."

Lu Hanchuan nodded: "That's great. Are you planning to study medicine in the future?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I plan to apply for the Traditional Chinese Medicine major at Jinghua University."

Lu Hanchuan's mind wandered slightly.

So, in a few months, she'd be returning to the capital.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What's so funny?"

Lu Hanchuan changed the subject, "You just said you'd find a way to thank me. Well, here's your chance."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

You just said we're from the same compound, so no need to be polite, and now you're seizing the opportunity?

You military compound folks are really sneaky.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What is it...?"

Lu Hanchuan glanced at the old man hiding by the back door.

"Let's find somewhere quiet to talk."

Song Guangjing: "..."

Ye Xiaoxiao followed his gaze and nodded, "Alright."

The two walked side by side out of the medicine shop and found a quiet spot at the state-run restaurant in town.

State-run restaurants aren't as popular as they once were. With the rise of private small eateries, business here has become even worse.

It wasn't mealtime, so the restaurant was empty except for them.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Just say what's on your mind. I can't think of anything you might lack."

Lu Hanchuan poured her a cup of hot water.

Ye Xiaoxiao took it.

Lu Hanchuan spoke unhurriedly, "Actually, there are a few things I'm missing, like... a girlfriend."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Cough, cough..."

She looked up, utterly shocked.

"You're kidding, right? You need a girlfriend? And even if you do, what does that have to do with me?"

Lu Hanchuan: "I know you were Xu Jianwen's fiancée..."

Ye Xiaoxiao reached out her hand to stop him, "Ex-fiancée."

Lu Hanchuan chuckled lightly, "Alright... ex-fiancée. Now that the Hao family has found their biological daughter, your position must be quite awkward.

And you still want to study at Jinghua University. Have you thought about what you might face in the future?"

Ye Xiaoxiao had, of course, thought about it. After his analysis, she suddenly felt that finding a boyfriend might not be such a bad idea.

She looked at Lu Hanchuan.

He's handsome.

He comes from a good family.

He's got it all.

But Ye Xiaoxiao was clear-headed; Lu Hanchuan couldn't really be interested in her, could he?

The aura of the unattainable is intimidating.

"Of course I've thought about it; I just won't meet him."

Lu Hanchuan reminded her, "Xu Jianwen is at Jinghua University too."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

"You said you need a girlfriend; why did you think of me?"

Lu Hanchuan's gaze was tender, softening his usual arrogance, "Well... I'm a few years older than you, but not by much. Lately, my grandparents have been pushing me to get married; they've ordered me to bring a girlfriend home."

Ye Xiaoxiao finally understood.

She got it.

Is the pressure to marry now as intense as it will be in a decade, when the tactics will be endless?

Some people, to deal with their parents' pressure to marry, are even willing to pay to rent a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You mean you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?"

Lu Hanchuan's tone rose: "Pretend?"

Ye Xiaoxiao exclaimed: "Yes, you need a girlfriend to handle your family's expectations, and I need a boyfriend to prove that I have no romantic interest in Xu Jianwen.

This way, both the Hao family and the Xu family can be at ease.

We can solve both our problems."

Lu Hanchuan: "If that's how you see it."