Chapter 193 Please make your choice
Hu Xiaolei's calm demeanor tensed up with his mother's arrival. He gripped the stair railing tightly and looked warily at Chen Zhenzhu.
The nurse went down the stairs and guided him back up: "Come on, you know the hospital won't harm you."
"Don't let him go!" "Shi Lina" frantically scrambled to her feet, grabbed Hu Xiaolei's wrist, and pulled him down: "Why are you being disobedient? You're not recognizing me as your mother just because you're going out?"
Hu Xiaolei stumbled and almost fell down the stairs. Chen Zhenzhu stepped forward to support him: "Be careful."
"Get out of my way!" Hu Xiaolei suddenly pushed Chen Zhenzhu aside and ran behind Hu Caizhi to hide. "Dad, I want to go home! I want to go home!"
Looking at the chaotic scene, Wu Zhongguo stopped the security guards from coming over: "No need to come over, we are the police."
"Shi Lina" grabbed Hu Xiaolei's wrist again, pulling him away from behind Hu Caizhi, and said angrily, "You're right, you can only go home! Your classmates will beat you, scold you, and insult you when they find out you're the child of a rapist. They'll call you a transvestite and a pervert!"
"Shut up!" Chen Zhenzhu said sternly, "What are you saying to the child? I assure you, what you're describing won't happen, and my colleagues won't go around spreading your personal information!"
Zhao Qiqi has been in the criminal investigation team for quite some time, and she would never publicize the investigator's information.
Seeing the firmness in Shen Zhenzhu's words, Shi Lina's eyes flickered, and she put her hands on her hips and said, "Go and find out for yourselves whether what I said is true or false."
Faced with the shrewish "Shi Lina," Hu Caizhi was at a loss and became henpecked. He meekly said, "Stop making a scene, or let's stop investigating and go home."
Hu Xiaolei, with her eyes and brows slightly reddened, looked just like "Shi Lina." Helplessly, she pried open "Shi Lina's" fingers and whispered, "Mom, let's go home. Stop making a fuss."
These words only made things worse. After saying them, "Shi Lina" came up and slapped Hu Xiaolei across the face: "I'm making a scene? Who am I making a scene for? Isn't it all for you! Whose blood do you think you have in your veins?"
These words silenced Hu Xiaolei instantly.
Hu Caizhi mustered his courage and stopped "Shi Lina" and said, "You should say less in front of the child."
Wu Zhongguo stepped forward with a smile to smooth things over: "We're both parents, so tell me what you need us to address? Of course, I'm not saying my colleague made a mistake at work. Our leader said we should prioritize the children's needs. I was thinking that I also have a son, so it would be good to discuss this with you, since we have something in common to talk about."
Hu Caizhi hurriedly said, "We don't have any demands. We just want to go home. Please don't stop us."
He took Hu Xiaolei's hand and was about to leave when "Shi Lina" saw that Wu Zhongguo seemed more agreeable than Shen Zhenzhu, like a peacemaker. She glanced at Wu Zhongguo with a flippant look and said, "What men say is never true."
Shen Zhenzhu also came over and said in a softer tone, "Sister, I apologize for my bad attitude just now. We can't leave the child's situation like this forever. Since we're in the hospital now and there, let's change the child's documents."
Wu Zhongguo, with his cunning and shrewdness, advised, "You're already fifteen. In a few years, you'll be dating and looking for a wife. Such a fine young man will find a virtuous daughter-in-law to take care of you. We can't let your son be unable to get married because of his gender, can we? Don't you plan to have a grandson in the future?"
These words struck a chord with Shi Lina. She smoothed her hair, smiled politely at Wu Zhongguo, and said, "Brother, you know about my past, so naturally I have to be careful. Sometimes I act impulsively and don't even know what I've done. We women don't have much ability, so we can only argue with our mouths. Please don't take it to heart if what I say is unpleasant to hear."
Wu Zhongguo said with a smile, "It's all easy to talk about. Come, come, sit over here and let's talk."
Shen Zhenzhu realized that "Shi Lina" had approached Wu Zhongguo, a "soft target," and was happy to step aside and listen to her "demands."
"Shi Lina" sat down on a bench in the corridor, calmed down, cleared her throat and said, "Actually, I was also very angry. I don't know who was gossiping and told my two old folks. Before I came, they were threatening to hang themselves at home, saying that their daughter had run away and they were sorry to Lao Hu. I don't remember what happened before. I was just thinking that the child still needs to study. The school is not far from home. How will he study in the future?"
"You mean you want to transfer schools?" Shen Zhenzhu asked.
Hu Xiaolei pursed her lips, a hundred thoughts racing through her mind. How wonderful it would be to switch schools and participate in sports and academic activities as a boy.
Seeing that Chen Zhenzhu was in a bad mood, Shi Lina snorted and said, "Why transfer schools? Pay us for our emotional distress, 20,000 yuan will do."
Hu Xiaolei called out in disappointment, "Mom!"
Shi Lina said to Wu Zhongguo, "Wait a minute, I need to talk to the child for a bit."
"Shi Lina" pulled Hu Xiaolei aside and quickly whispered in his ear, "Don't be silly. If you take the money now, you'll definitely be able to get into high school with your athletic ability when you get back to school."
Hu Xiaolei said, "What if people point and whisper?"
Shi Lina glanced at Hu Caizhi dismissively, touched her empty neck, and said, "People have to learn to be mentally strong, otherwise they won't be able to get by in the future."
After "Shi Lina" finished talking with Hu Xiaolei and returned, Hu Xiaolei went back to Hu Caizhi's side once again. Hu Caizhi looked at him with a face full of heartache.
Wu Zhongguo said to "Shi Lina": "I need to think about this matter."
"Anyway, rumors have already started circulating." "Shi Lina" pushed Hu Xiaolei and said, "If this matter isn't resolved, and my daughter, no, my son, jumps off the school rooftop because of too much pressure, I'll make a scene for you!"
Shen Zhenzhu also became very easy to talk to, nodding and saying, "I understand, elder sister, but the money is not a small amount, I really need to discuss this with my leader."
"Shi Lina" then gave Chen Zhenzhu a slight smile and said lightly, "I know you meant well but made a mistake. Your words have made our whole family lose face. Hey, go ask the leader. By the way, ask for as much as you can. It's public money anyway. I'll give you a kickback for the extra. Come back quickly!"
“I know.” Shen Zhenzhu gave Wu Zhongguo a wink, and the two of them went out down the corridor.
“Sister Pearl, this ‘Shi Lina’ is really shrewd and not easy to deal with. She uses both soft and hard tactics, crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide.” Wu Zhongguo said, his eyes fixed on the exit of the hospital, facing the door.
Shi Lina's confident statements and assertive demand for compensation for emotional distress left Wu Zhongguo puzzled. Could it be that what they were saying was true?
Shen Zhenzhu stood on the street, watching the people coming and going, lost in thought. She recalled every detail of Shi Lina's actions since she arrived at the hospital, hoping to find a loophole in the family's behavior.
Is the truth really consistent with what they say?
Suddenly, a horn sounded from the street. Lu Ye drove back from working overtime in a police car with Xiao Bai and Zhao Qiqi: "Hey, what are you thinking about? I saw you two standing on the curb questioning life from a distance."
Wu Zhongguo didn't let them disturb Shen Zhenzhu's thoughts. He walked to the driver's side window and glanced out: "Are you done over there?"
Lu Ye said, "We rescued three underage children. How's it going? Any progress?"
Xiao Bai, sitting in the back, looked at Chen Zhenzhu's furrowed brows through the car window, rolled down the window and said, "Sister Zhenzhu, I believe in you, keep it up!"
Zhao Qiqi quickly said, "I believe you too!"
Lu Ye laughed and said, "What are you talking about out of the blue?" Then he added, "Captain Chen, throw the doubts to others and keep the trust in yourself."
Chen Zhenzhu was somewhat touched by their unthinking trust and said with a smile, "Come on, I know what I'm doing."
Wu Zhongguo turned around in surprise: "You've figured it out so quickly?"
Ring ring,
Ring ring.
"Almost." Chen Zhenzhu's cell phone rang, and she said to them, "It's Zheng Ge's phone, you guys chat."
Seeing her walk under the tree to chat, Lu Ye said to Wu Zhongguo, "Is it very difficult?"
Wu Zhongguo said, "Actually, it shouldn't be too big. We're just temporarily going around in circles at the entrance of the alley. Now that Sister Pearl has found the way, everything will be much easier."
Lu Ye had no doubt about Shen Zhenzhu's abilities; otherwise, she wouldn't have been promoted so quickly. He was completely convinced: "Alright, it's already autumn. I'm thinking of gaining weight for winter after I finish solving the case."
The walkie-talkie in the car crackled twice, and Xiaobai leaned over, picked it up, and spoke a few words about the case.
Lu Ye said to Wu Zhongguo, "After we leave, we still need to explain the case to Director Liu. He is very concerned about cases involving minors."
After seeing Lu Ye and the others leave, Shen Zhenzhu waved her hand and continued to say to Gu Yanzheng, "...Has Xiao Li made up his mind?"
Gu Yanzheng had a clear stance, considering himself the future son-in-law of the residents of Tiesi New Second Village, and he cared deeply about everyone's affairs. After finishing his mission, he ate a light meal at Sixth Sister's shop, and was showing Xiao Li and Hu Die around a wedding house.
"We haven't found a place yet. Either the kitchen is too small, or we don't like the orientation. But it's okay, we need to be careful about the wedding home. I'll take them to another neighborhood this afternoon when I have time." Gu Yanzheng said casually, then waited a while and asked softly, "How are you? Are you feeling better?"
Shen Zhenzhu glanced back at the hospital entrance, just as "Shi Lina" came out anxiously looking around. She picked up her cell phone and waved it at "Shi Lina," saying, "How did you know I was in a bad mood?"
"Schlina" pointed to her wrist and urged.
Shen Zhenzhu nodded and saw "Shi Lina" turn back.
Gu Yanzheng chuckled briefly on the other end of the phone and said, "You didn't even think I'm old."
Shen Zhenzhu laughed: "I've never thought you were old."
Gu Yanzheng said, "Section Chief Shen is a forgetful person. Whenever he can't find a topic to talk about, he will say that I am old."
Shen Zhenzhu coughed and said, "I feel much better now."
"Then I'm relieved." Gu Yanzheng's tone was unusually gentle, which made Shen Zhenzhu rub her ears.
She seized the opportunity to ask, "After you left, I continued to apply for the introduction of DNA technology within the province, and as a result, the DNA testing laboratory was located in Shenyang..."
These words were enough to make Shen Zhenzhu want to vomit blood. After more than two years of hard work applying, the prize had finally fallen into Liu Yiyang's hands, and Shen City had been very cooperative lately.
Gu Yanzheng smiled and said, "I know about this, and it's normal. Liancheng is surrounded by the sea on three sides, which is not as convenient as the hub of Shenyang. Besides, the Provincial Department's Technical Team is also there. As long as Section Chief Shen continues his diligent application spirit, we will have our own DNA technology laboratory in the future. But speaking of which, do you need to use it?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Yes, I recently got involved in a case where they want to do a paternity test to confirm the child's identity."
"Go for it!" Gu Yanzheng said. "You are the successor of Gu Yanzheng, the dignified head of the Liancheng Criminal Investigation Team Four. Who wouldn't give you some face?"
It would have been better if she hadn't said it, because once she did, Shen Zhenzhu recalled the warm welcome she received from her "brother units".
Shen Zhenzhu couldn't help but sneer: "Let's talk later, I have to go now."
"Hello? Why did you hang up so suddenly?" Gu Yanzheng heard the disconnection sound on the other end of the phone and wondered what he had done to offend Section Chief Shen.
After hanging up the phone, Shen Zhenzhu waved to Wu Zhongguo: "Uncle Wu, I know what to do."
“I don’t think Hu Caizhi is the type of person who easily gives to others. He can even be selfish when dealing with strangers,” Shen Zhenzhu said to Wu Zhongguo as they walked. “But his feelings for Hu Xiaolei are closer than those of an ordinary father and son. He cares for and cherishes Hu Xiaolei from the bottom of his heart.”
Wu Zhongguo said, "I've also noticed that he's even more attentive to Hu Xiaolei than I am to Xiaochuan, tying the shoelaces for such a big kid. So, in that case... ouch..." Wu Zhongguo gasped.
“You’re right.” Shen Zhenzhu slowed her pace, glanced at the hospital entrance, and, not seeing “Shi Lina”, said in a low voice, “I suspect that Hu Xiaolei is actually Hu Caizhi’s biological son.”
Wu Zhongguo glanced at the hospital entrance and said in a low voice, "If we assume it this way, then everything makes sense. But they keep saying that Hu Xiaolei is the son of a 'rapist,' and Hu Xiaolei herself believes it. Is it necessary to scare the child like that?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "There are two possibilities. First, the child is young and easily says the wrong thing, such as revealing that Hu Caizhi is the biological father. Second, Hu Xiaolei was born with a sin, so that the child would be willing to dress as a girl to go to school."
“That’s true. Otherwise, what child of this age could suffer like this? It’s too cruel to the parents.” A few steps away from the hospital gate, Wu Zhongguo stopped and said in a low voice, “If it’s true, this case might be a big one.”
Shen Zhenzhu nodded: "My goal is to find out where the real Shi Lina and the baby girl are. These are two living lives. If I hadn't found anything strange about their family, that would have been fine, but since I've encountered them, I have to find out. If I'm wrong, that's even better. At least they're still alive."
“Absolutely right.” Wu Zhongguo nodded and smiled. “You point that way, and we’ll go that way.”
Chen Zhenzhu smiled and said, "Let's go inside. They must be getting impatient waiting after being left out for so long."
Back at the hospital, "Shi Lina," who was about to come out to urge them, eagerly grabbed Chen Zhenzhu's hand: "Little sister, how are you?"
Shen Zhenzhu said with a troubled expression, "Our leaders won't approve it."
Hu Caizhi sat and chatted with Hu Xiaolei on a wooden chair not far away, glancing over from time to time.
"Shi Lina" asked Wu Zhongguo, who was standing to the side, "You're old, so your words don't carry any weight?"
Wu Zhongguo said, “Even our section chief’s words have no effect, so what use am I? To be honest, you’re in a bit of a predicament. The compensation needs to have a legitimate reason; you can’t just sue all the neighbors for gossip. Besides, if you’re going to sue, you’re not telling us your name. Your current name belongs to someone else, so the court won’t accept the case.”
"Shi Lina" thought for a moment and said, "I vaguely remember my name is 'Lin Si'. But it's your fault, so why can't I sue you?"
"Comrade Lin Si," Shen Zhenzhu addressed her for the time being, and said seriously, "Our leader asked me how we could be sure that you were forced to give birth to this child? We need to verify its authenticity and check the bloodline."
Lin Si glanced at Hu Xiaolei and said warily, "What other checks do we need? Haven't we already done them all?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "You three can each pluck a hair for me, and we have the technology to determine blood relations."
"You think you can tell who the father is just by plucking a single hair? To see if I'm willing?" Lin Si laughed. "Isn't this like a game? I thought it would be a blood test—"
At this point, she covered her mouth to stop herself from continuing, then changed the subject, saying, "Giving away hair will get you compensation? How much compensation? Is it 20,000 yuan?"
“It’s 20,000 yuan, not a penny more. But you won’t lose a penny either,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “I will pluck the hair. If the results show you’re lying, I won’t pay you any money; instead, I’ll lock you up. If I’m wrong, I’ll pay you and publicly apologize to you.”
“I have to say, you’re quite shrewd.” Lin Si, unaware of the “DNA” technology, calmly and even somewhat sarcastically said, “What nonsense? I think you’re just trying to fool me, to see if I’ll admit I’m lying. Let me tell you, I’m not lying, everything I’ve said is the truth.”
"Then do you dare to agree?" Hearing her use of dialect and the repeated use of "I," Shen Zhenzhu judged that she was a self-centered person with a high degree of self-awareness, unable to understand others' feelings and thoughts from their perspective. So she further posed the question to Lin Si, continuing the psychological game with her.
Lin Si hesitated for a moment, then stood up and said, "How dare I make this decision on my own? I'll go ask the child's father."
She went over and discussed the matter with Hu Caizhi in front of Hu Xiaolei.
Shen Zhenzhu watched the expressions on the faces of the family of three from afar. Hu Xiaolei looked puzzled and disappointed. Hu Caizhi kept glancing over to prevent Shen Zhenzhu from eavesdropping on their conversation.
Whenever Lin Si discusses important matters with Hu Caizhi, Hu Caizhi is always timid as a mouse, and this time is no exception.
"Don't miss this opportunity. I don't think we should overthink it. If that old policeman hadn't discovered that Xiaolei was a boy in the restroom, they wouldn't have investigated us. That female policeman was just bluffing me. What do I have to be afraid of?"
Lin Si sneered, "I'm a nine-headed bird; I'll seize any opportunity to make money. Three strands of hair can be exchanged for 20,000 yuan. How many cement bags would you have to carry to save up 20,000 yuan? Doesn't Xiao Lei need money for her schooling and marriage?"
Hu Xiaolei squatted by the bench, her voice low and dejected. "I'm not going to study anymore, and I'm not getting married. I'm going back to get a kitchen knife, I—"
"Say that again?" Lin Si raised her voice, her tone sharp and sarcastic: "If it weren't for you, would I have gotten to this point?"
Hu Xiaolei meekly held her head and stopped talking.
Just as Shen Zhenzhu guessed, his mother had always said that he was the son of a rapist, which made him hate his own blood and feel guilty towards his mother, making him unable to resist.
Having no other choice, Lin Si ran down the corridor, turned the corner, and saw a doctor passing by. She ran over and asked, "Doctor, stop right there, I have something to ask you."
The doctor initially thought she was causing trouble for the medical staff and was on high alert: "What's wrong?"
Lin Si said, "I'm asking you if there's any blood in your hair?"
"What are you saying?" the doctor said, touching his hair. "Is it this strand of hair?"
Lin Si said, "Isn't this it?"
The doctor said, "These are dead cells in the hair shaft. Where did the blood come from? There's no blood."
Lin Si was extremely excited, as if she was certain that Shen Zhenzhu had tricked her.
"Okay, thank you, doctor." Lin Si quickly went back.
Before the doctor could finish speaking, seeing her rushing away, he muttered, "Actually, besides the hair shaft, hair also has hair follicle tissue, and the hair follicle tissue itself contains capillaries..."
Lin Si didn't hear the doctor's words. She ran back and looked at the good-for-nothing father and son, then made a decision: "Hurry up and go get them to pluck out our hairs. With that money, our family will be rich."
Shen Zhenzhu was still observing, her almond-shaped eyes constantly glancing over to take a look.
Wu Zhongguo said vaguely, "I think we can agree; they couldn't possibly know that technology."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Hmm, let's gamble on human desires."
The family of three walked over, and Lin Si said to Shen Zhenzhu with a beaming smile, "Come on, pluck some hairs, as many as you like. It would be even better if you plucked the gray hairs, because the children are growing up and I'm getting old too."
Shen Zhenzhu already knew how to take samples, and after a moment, the hairs of the family of three, each with a hair follicle, were collected separately.
Zhao Qiqi had just returned to the criminal investigation team when he drove over and personally delivered the sample to the DNA testing lab of the provincial technical team.
Outside the hospital, Shen Zhenzhu stood by the car and instructed, "Be very careful."
Zhao Qiqi's trust in Shen Zhenzhu was evident. She smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Zhenzhu, I'll let you know the results as soon as they're out."
Shen Zhenzhu teased Zhao Qiqi, asking, "What if I'm wrong?"
Zhao Qiqi said, "If you're wrong, you're wrong. Sister Pearl is still Sister Pearl."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "What if my judgment was correct?"
Zhao Qiqi blurted out, "That's even better! Sister Pearl is Sister Pearl!"
Shen Zhenzhu didn't laugh out loud, so she pursed her lips and winked at him.
Zhao Qiqi said to Shen Zhenzhu, "The team is very curious about the result, and everyone supports your judgment. The political commissar even said that you're not meddling in other people's business, but that you have the qualities of a police officer. Sigh, why am I telling you all this? I'm leaving, it'll be time for them to go home if it gets too late."
"Okay, drive carefully," Chen Zhenzhu instructed. "Slow down."
"I'm leaving," Zhao Qiqi said.
After Zhao Qiqi left, Lin Si, seeing their imposing presence, swallowed hard at the hospital entrance. Feeling that a bloodless test couldn't prove anything, she shamelessly asked Chen Zhenzhu, "Where's the money?"
"We'll talk about it after the results are out." Chen Zhenzhu wasn't afraid of her changing her mind now, and said casually, "It will take at least three days, and two rounds of testing are needed to determine the final result. You don't think you won't get the money, do you?"
Lin Si was outmaneuvered by Shen Zhenzhu. She gave Shen Zhenzhu a cold look and said fiercely, "Three days. In three days, I'll bring my whole family to the Criminal Investigation Team to collect the money from you. If you don't give me the money, watch those two old folks make a scene for you. They're old, either one of them can give you a hard time."
Shen Zhenzhu comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, sister, we all need to follow procedures in our work. You know the money belongs to the public; we can't just take it casually."
Wu Zhongguo laughed and said, "Try to understand, it's not easy for us to do this job either. If the procedures aren't followed, we'll lose our jobs. I'm so old, I'm not as strong as your old Hu, I'd be left with nothing but the northwest wind on the construction site."
Lin Si smiled, a slight twitch at the corner of her lips.
She glanced at the two men, one tall and one short, waiting in the distance with their shoulders hunched, and thought for a moment not to push too hard. She reluctantly said, "You'd better keep your word, or you'll have to pay for every hair on your head."
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Author's Note: Pearl: Human greed is a signpost leading to a dead end.
***
See you tomorrow, there are 100 red envelopes! [Let me see]
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