Before leaving the hotel, Zhen Nuan went to see Ji Fala.
Ji Fala’s tempers always came and went quickly. Even though someone had died at the wedding and reporters were chasing stories about Shen Zetian’s past, she seemed unaffected—cheerfully eating alone in the buffet restaurant while the Shen family faced a public relations storm.
Seeing that she was fine, Zhen Nuan prepared to leave for work.
But Ji Fala quickly pulled her back. “Sister Nuannuan, it’s so late, eat before you leave.” She brought her a plate and filled it with dishes Zhen Nuan loved.
Zhen Nuan smiled. “You still remember.”
“We like the same things,” Ji Fala said, blinking playfully.
Before Zhen Nuan went abroad, Ji Fala had still been a child with a quick temper and a dislike for strangers. Years later, she hadn’t changed much. Surrounded by doting brothers, she never really had to grow up.
As they ate, Ji Fala grew curious about Zhen Nuan’s work and began asking questions—especially about the female scar examiner.
“Are you talking about Guan Xiaoyu?” Zhen Nuan asked.
“Fish? There’s an animal in the name?”
“How did she offend you?” Zhen Nuan asked, sipping her soup with a faint smile.
Ji Fala stirred her spoon impatiently, the sound sharp against the bowl. Finally, she said bluntly, “Why is he protecting that fish? His new love? Why are there so many women in the Public Security Bureau? Aren’t relationships between superiors and subordinates forbidden?”
“Guan Xiaoyu is from the Crime Technology Lab, but she’s not on the official payroll.” Zhen Nuan raised her eyelids slightly. “Him? You mean Yan…” She hesitated, unable to say his full name. “…Captain.”
“That bastard!” Ji Fala’s face flushed with anger. “He was injured so badly before, and he carried me through the forest for so long. I didn’t expect him to turn against me now.”
“You know each other?”
“I’d recognize him even if he turned to ash.”
Zhen Nuan looked puzzled. “You sound so bitter and resentful.”
“It’s not hatred. It’s… complicated.” Ji Fala frowned. “He saved my life once, but he doesn’t even remember me.”
“Maybe you recognized the wrong person?”
“It’s him,” Ji Fala said with certainty.
“Under what circumstances did he save you?”
Ji Fala’s expression softened into confusion. She had been seriously ill ten years ago, with a high fever that erased parts of her memory.
But she remembered fragments—flames, chaos, crying voices. A wounded young man carried her through the fire, giving her water and feeding her fruit along the way.
“I don’t remember everything,” Ji Fala said softly. “Just that there was fire, and people were crying. If it really happened, I’ll remember it all someday. But I know people called him ‘Little Fire’. Sister Nuannuan, what’s his name?”
“…Yan Han,” Zhen Nuan replied after a pause.
“Yan Han?” Ji Fala frowned. “Han, with the fire character?”
“Yes.”
“Yan Han…” she murmured, then her eyes widened. “I’ve heard of him. There was news about him in Yucheng. He was quite famous.”
“What happened?”
“His girlfriend,” Ji Fala said quietly. “She was chopped up and fed to dogs. People said it was revenge.”
Zhen Nuan choked on her soup and coughed repeatedly, pulling out a tissue.
“Are you scared?” Ji Fala asked, patting her back. “He must’ve made enemies. That’s probably why she died.”
“Someone killed his girlfriend out of revenge?”
“Yes. She disappeared, and he searched for her for years. Then one day, someone walking their dog by the river found bones and pieces of flesh. The forensic experts worked for weeks before confirming it was her. The papers said her name was Xia Shi.”
Zhen Nuan felt a cold shiver run through her. Thinking of Yan Han’s faint smile, she suddenly felt uneasy.
“How tragic,” she whispered.
Ji Fala’s tone softened, her chopsticks moving idly over her rice. “I saw her on TV once. She seemed like such a nice person.”
“Xia Shi?”
“Yes, Xia for summer, Shi for time. She was a student at Yucheng Medical University, doing her internship at the city hospital.”
“She sounds like a good girl,” Zhen Nuan said gently.
“I don’t know why, but I never forgot her. The news said she helped a stranger who fainted on the road, but she was kidnapped instead. It caused a huge uproar. Our teachers told us to always be cautious.”
“Was the murderer ever found?”
Ji Fala shook her head.
Zhen Nuan frowned. “After all these years?”
Before she could ask more, a calm male voice came from behind. “You two, shall I take you out for dinner?”
“Brother!” Ji Fala turned around happily.
Ji Chen, the second-largest shareholder of Huasheng Group, walked toward them. He had lost his father at sixteen, and though the company fell under Shen family control, he managed to hold his ground with Shen Yi’s help.
He gently rubbed Ji Fala’s head and smiled at Zhen Nuan. “The food here isn’t great. Shall we go somewhere else?”
Zhen Nuan waved her hand. “No need. I’m full, and I still have work to do.”
“Already busy after just starting work?” Ji Chen laughed. “Capable people really have it tough.”
“No, I just have to learn fast,” Zhen Nuan said, feeling embarrassed.
After dinner, Zhen Nuan got up to leave, but Ji Fala took off her scarf and wrapped it around her. “Don’t catch a cold. I’ll send you another one later,” she said with a smile. “Use this one to blackmail Brother Shen Yi for something nice.”
Ji Chen stood up. “It’s cold. I’ll drive you.”
Zhen Nuan nodded.
Years ago, Ji Ting’s sudden death had forced Ji Chen to grow up overnight. With Shen Yi’s support, he took over his father’s connections and shares. Unlike Shen Zetian, Ji Chen’s calm nature and lack of scandals made him stand out. Handsome but private, the twenty-five-year-old had never dated anyone.
Ji Fala often said proudly, “My brother is the best man in the world.”
When they reached the gate, Zhen Nuan waved goodbye and walked toward the Crime Technology Laboratory.
In the dark, its windows glowed brightly—each light a sign of sleepless work.
Most forensic doctors in China worked between police bureaus and funeral homes, but Yucheng’s Bureau had set up its own autopsy lab. It saved many late-night trips to the suburbs.
As Zhen Nuan entered the building, she saw Lin Huamei, the deputy director of C-Lab, hurrying out with her team.
Lin Huamei’s presence always made young staff nervous. Strict and precise, she was a well-known expert in anthropology and dentistry. Zhen Nuan quickly stepped aside, bowing slightly.
Lin didn’t notice her, and after the group left, Zhen Nuan exhaled in relief.
The security guard nearby commented, “Teacher Lin’s heading out on another business trip.”
“What happened?” Zhen Nuan asked.
“There’s been a civilian plane crash.”
Zhen Nuan nodded. For such disasters, anthropologists were crucial to identify fragmented remains.
Everyone was busy tonight. She went upstairs.
The elevator doors opened to a white corridor, silent and still like a frozen river. Rows of closed doors hid equipment and evidence.
Zhen Nuan wasn’t afraid.
The ninth floor was for pathology—her area. Professor Zheng was away in Hong Kong, so this case would be her first independent task.
She stepped into the autopsy room and turned on the light.
The body of Jiang Xiao, still wearing her wedding dress, lay on the table.
Zhen Nuan’s eyes widened. The lab was modern, gleaming with advanced equipment. Her heart fluttered with determination. A three-month trial period—I must stay.
After washing her hands, she stood before the body. The sterile light reflected off the silver walls. She put on gloves and a cap, then pressed the camera switch.
A soft chime echoed.
Forty-nine small screens lit up on the wall, displaying the body from every angle—head, torso, hands, and feet.
Zhen Nuan stared at the setup, whispering, “Wow.”
She explored briefly—checking cameras, recorders, and tools—then began her report.
“November 1, 20XX. Autopsy Room No. 3, Yucheng Crime Technology Laboratory. Examiner: Zhen Nuan. Deceased: Jiang Xiao…”
She paused for a moment. “Step 1: Height, 163 cm. Weight, 45 kg. Fully dressed.”
She carefully documented every trace on the wedding dress, then removed and sealed each mark and fiber.
As she worked, she suddenly froze.
She realized she was alone.
C-Lab rules required at least two people during an autopsy. She had been too excited to remember.
If Yan Han found out, he would surely scold her.
Thinking of him, her gaze fell on the white belt he had given her.
Quietly, she removed her gloves, gathered the evidence bags, and walked out of the room.
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