Chapter 45 DNA

Chapter 45: DNA

At the end of the hospital corridor, the winter morning light streamed through the glass, casting its glow on Shen Shiyan and Song Xianghan, making them feel lazy and warm.

"The lawyer estimates the sentence to be around fifteen years, with multiple charges combined for sentencing," Song Xianghan said, glancing at a few unread messages on her phone before hesitating. "Can we nail Shen Siwen for sure?"

Shen Shiyan, squinting against the light, lowered his head. "Shen Wenzhou is trying to get him out."

Song Xianghan turned off her phone screen. After all, it was a Shen family matter, and she had no say in it.

"I see." She curved her lips slightly, but there was no smile. "Mengying's been asking me about Shen Siwen."

Since Gao Mengying switched jobs, she had never mentioned the past again. She seemed revitalized, throwing herself into new work and life, with no signs of abnormality except for being a bit clingy with Song Xianghan.

But Shen Shiyan knew she couldn't get over that hurdle. Yet he really wanted to help but couldn't; even if Song Xianghan secretly manipulated the police's influence, it might not be able to go up against Shen Wenzhou's connections.

He rubbed his thumb over the back of his other hand, his Adam's apple moving as he said with difficulty. "Just... be honest with her. If we can't help her, we can't just lie to her."

Song Xianghan nodded with a heavy heart, tapped on the chat that already had three or four new messages, and typed a few words back.

"Song Xianghan: The Shen family wants to get him out."

"Song Xianghan: There's still a chance. Don't overthink it. I'm here."

The reply came quickly.

"Gao Mengying: Is it Little Boss Shen's idea?"

Song Xianghan glanced at Shen Shiyan.

"Song Xianghan: No."

"Gao Mengying: Okay, got it. Thanks, CEO Song."

Song Xianghan thought Gao Mengying was too calm—it didn't seem like a typical reaction. She frowned slightly, handed the phone to Shen Shiyan. "After I'm done with my grandfather's place, I'll go check on her at her home."

After skimming through the messages, Shen Shiyan said, "I'll come too."

Song Xianghan's temple was throbbing badly, and she felt really uneasy.

When she first poached Gao Mengying, Song Xianghan took good care of her, because she always said she didn't feel secure, so Song Xianghan kept her by her side, almost never apart. A few nights when work ran late, Gao Mengying even stayed over at her place. Gao Mengying was too scared to even go into the unfamiliar guest room and slept right next to Song Xianghan.

Over time, Song Xianghan got used to having someone cling to her all the time, and got used to Gao Mengying's soft voice and careful attention in daily life.

She always thought Gao Mengying felt embarrassed and was thanking her this way, so she mentioned it to Gao Mengying several times, telling her not to be so submissive, to live a normal, good life—that helping her was only right, and not to feel guilty.

But every time, Gao Mengying was a bit stubborn. She just said it wasn't to thank her. She just thought Song Xianghan was a good person, so she was good to her.

Shen Wenzhou didn't have many close friends. Around noon, Song Zhigang finally came out of the hospital room. After Song Xianghan took him back, she headed straight to Gao Mengying's home with Shen Shiyan.

Both the Song and Shen families had just had trouble. To avoid any suspicion, Shen Shiyan even said goodbye to Shen Wenzhou before leaving. He and Song Xianghan were working on the deep-sea oil and gas project together, so occasional trips together seemed reasonable.

In the passenger seat, he watched the colorful lights the property management hung on the trees outside the car window, and gently rubbed his forehead.

Soon, Song Xianghan returned, shaking her head at him.

Only Gao Mengying's grandmother was home, bedridden. Seeing Song Xianghan, she gestured and babbled incoherently, saying Gao Mengying had gone out and had been gone for a while.

Song Xianghan's car was still parked downstairs. She opened her call log and dialed the number she had tried several times without answer.

On the third ring, Gao Mengying's trembling voice finally came through. "CEO Song..."

Song Xianghan let out a sigh, her voice still tinged with urgency. "Where are you? I've called so many times and no one answered."

"At home," Gao Mengying replied softly, with faint voices of others in the background.

Song Xianghan gave a cold laugh. "I'm at your place right now."

A long silence followed before Gao Mengying's voice came again. "Yuncheng First Hospital."

Song Xianghan steered with one hand, turning the wheel, the phone still pressed to her ear. "Don't hang up. I'm coming right now."

Neither spoke during the drive. The phone, on speaker, sat on the center console, intermittently transmitting the sound of sobbing.

She drove fast. By the time they reached the hospital, Gao Mengying said she was in Room 401 of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.

Obstetrics and Gynecology?

Both Song Xianghan and Shen Shiyan froze, snapping out of it two seconds later before rushing upstairs.

Despite the year-end, the hospital wasn't empty—patients mixed with those injured in drunken brawls. The obstetrics floor was relatively quiet. When they reached Room 401, they froze again.

Gao Mengying was holding her phone, several examination sheets on her lap, with a female police officer standing beside her.

Song Xianghan sat down next to Gao Mengying, took the sheets from her lap, her fingers trembling as she stared at Gao Mengying's tear-streaked face in disbelief. "You're pregnant?"

Gao Mengying forced a bitter smile through her tears, unable to meet Song Xianghan's eyes, and whispered, "Yeah, almost three months."

Song Xianghan's grip tightened, feeling as if the words were stuck in her throat. She took a few deep breaths before managing to ask, "Is it... Shen Siwen's?"

Gao Mengying didn't answer. A tear fell from her sharp chin, landing cold and wet on Song Xianghan's hand resting on her leg.

It was as good as an admission.

The officer spoke up. "A report was filed this morning. Ms. Gao Mengying claims she was raped by Shen Siwen about three months ago, the same person involved in the gambling case. Are you family?"

Song Xianghan pulled Gao Mengying's hand into hers and nodded at the officer.

"While we sympathize with the victim's situation, the police must inform you that a DNA match cannot serve as direct evidence to convict Shen Siwen of rape. It only confirms that sexual intercourse occurred. The core criterion for rape under the law is whether it violated the woman's will, based on her true intent at the time of the incident, considering the environment, words and actions, and resistance. Since the incident occurred long ago, if the defendant denies it, we'll need more favorable physical or witness evidence for the plaintiff."

The officer stated the cold facts in as gentle a tone as possible.

Gao Mengying leaned against Song Xianghan's shoulder, biting her lower lip, trembling all over.

"Xianghan... I'm... scared..."

Song Xianghan squeezed her hand, then let go. She took off her fur coat and draped it over Gao Mengying's legs, kneeling down. Her high heels tilted her forward slightly as she cupped Gao Mengying's face in both hands, holding her shattered emotions and endless tears.

"When you were at my place, I asked why you hadn't had your period in two months, and you stammered that it was always irregular. You already knew you were pregnant then, didn't you?"

Her voice was gentle, her hands warm.

Gao Mengying couldn't speak, only nodded, biting her lower lip until it bled.