Chapter 19 The Dust Settles
1. Final Chapter
The solemn and dignified Criminal Trial Court of Longdu Intermediate People's Court.
The air was as stagnant as a solid mass, making it hard to breathe. The national emblem hung high above looked down coldly, while the wooden benches for the judge, prosecutor, and defense counsel were covered in an old, heavy luster. The gallery was packed, but completely silent, with only the occasional suppressed cough and the subtle sound of paper rubbing against each other. The anger, fear, sadness, and expectation that had been suppressed for too long were now compressed to the extreme, waiting for their final release. Ouyang Lanlan sat in the victim's seat, her hands clasped tightly on her knees, her knuckles turning white from the force. She was wearing a black suit and skirt, which she had chosen especially for today. It was solemn, but also like a layer of armor, trying to cover up the surging emotions in her heart. Her parents were next to her, one on each side, and her mother's hand was tightly holding her arm, conveying a weak but firm support. Lin Jingliang had also come, sitting quietly at the first seat in the gallery behind her, his eyes full of concern.
Her eyes, however, kept darting uncontrollably toward the courtroom entrance and the corners of the gallery. She was searching for a figure, a figure who should have been there. The man who had pulled her back from the abyss of despair, plunged her into a new nightmare together, and ultimately, shoulder to shoulder, sent the demon to hell. But there was no one there. Even after the bailiffs closed the courtroom doors, she still hadn't seen Qin Chuan.
An indescribable sense of loss welled up in her heart, like a tiny ice needle, piercing the calm she had tried so hard to maintain. Did he not want to witness all this with his own eyes, or had he already chosen to leave?
"Everyone stand up!"
The presiding judge's resonant and steady voice broke the suffocating silence. Everyone stood up in unison, as if pulled by invisible strings.
Ouyang Lanlan's heart suddenly contracted, nearly leaping out of her chest. She held her breath as the presiding judge read out the lengthy verdict in a clear, cold voice. Event after event, the time, the place, the means, the consequences... the details she had tried to forget, the tragic experiences of the other victims, were recounted without emotion, like a blunt knife scraping through everyone's nerves.
Huang Qiang stood in the dock, wearing an ill-fitting prison uniform, head bowed, expressionless, as if the trial had nothing to do with him. Only occasionally, when he heard a key detail, would the corner of his mouth twitch ever so slightly, nervously.
Finally, it’s the end.
"The defendant, Huang Qiang, was convicted of intentional homicide and sentenced to death with lifelong deprivation of political rights; convicted of rape and sentenced to death with lifelong deprivation of political rights; convicted of robbery and sentenced to 15 years in prison... The combined sentence for these multiple crimes determines the execution of the death penalty and lifelong deprivation of political rights."
"Bang!"
The gavel fell, and the crisp and decisive sound echoed in the silent courtroom, like the sound of the final judgment, shattering all the pending fears and waiting.
After a moment of dead silence, suppressed cries of relief erupted from the audience. Ouyang Lanlan's mother burst into tears, and her father, eyes red, hugged his wife and daughter tightly. Ouyang Lanlan felt her strength drain away in an instant, her legs giving way, and she could barely stand. A huge, belated sense of relief washed over her like a tsunami, washing away over five years of pent-up fear, humiliation, and anger. Tears welled up uncontrollably, not out of sorrow, but out of catharsis.
She turned and embraced her parents tightly, her body trembling with intense emotion. The next moment, a pair of arms hesitantly, yet firmly, wrapped around her trembling shoulders—it was Lin Jingliang. Tears welled in his eyes, his face a look of genuine relief and excitement. Amidst the overwhelming wave of emotion, Ouyang Lanlan instinctively hugged him back, a reflexive response of a survivor seeking support, a passionate embrace devoid of any distractions.
She didn't notice that in the shadow of an inconspicuous passage at the back of the courtroom, a figure was standing quietly against the wall.
It’s Qin Chuan.
He was dressed in washed-out casual clothes, his figure still straight, but he exuded an indescribable fatigue and a sense of calmness after the dust had settled. He did not enter the courtroom, but chose to stay in a corner to listen to the final verdict.
When the word "death penalty" came, he closed his eyes tightly, his Adam's apple rolling violently, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off him. When he opened his eyes again, he cast a complicated gaze at the group of people hugging each other, and happened to see Ouyang Lanlan and Lin Jingliang hugging each other.
His eyes dimmed slightly, then transformed into a faint, relieved smile. This was all right. The nightmare was over, she was safe, and it was time for a new, normal life. The warmth of the sun should belong to her. And he, the shadow that had always shrouded her, was about to withdraw completely.
He took one last, deep look at the weeping girl, as if to etch this scene into his mind. Then, without hesitation, he turned around and blended silently into the noisy crowd outside the courthouse, leaving no words behind, as if he had never appeared.
Outside the courtroom, the sun glared. Ouyang Lanlan emerged, surrounded by her parents and Lin Jingliang. Media reporters and onlookers immediately surrounded her, flashbulbs crackling and questions pouring in. She instinctively shielded her eyes with her hands, her gaze anxiously searching the crowd.
No. That familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.
The glimmer of light that had just ignited in her eyes gradually dimmed and turned into an inaudible sigh of disappointment. In the end, he was gone.
2. Heart knot
The complete resolution of the Huang Qiang case prompted the Longdu City Public Security Bureau to reexamine and identify the long-standing "12.4" series of rape and murder cases. Although Qin Chuan's initial plan of using the victims as bait was a major error, leading to serious consequences, his persistent pursuit over the following years, coupled with his collaboration with Ouyang Lanlan in Linzhou, ultimately led to the capture of the true culprit, Huang Qiang, playing a decisive and pivotal role.
After deliberation and internal communication by superiors, Qin Chuan's contributions to this case were recognized. His significant meritorious service that year (having solved other major cases) was considered to offset his past disciplinary actions, and his past punishments were no longer pursued. This belated, more formal than substantive "rehabilitation" was delivered to Qin Chuan via a phone call from Wang Yang.
Wang Yang's voice was excited and choked with sobs on the phone: "Brother Chuan! Did you hear that? The bureau has issued a notice! Those damn old guys finally did something human! You're finally relieved!"
Qin Chuan stood in the bustling streets of Longdu, phone in hand, silent for a long moment. The clamor on the other end of the line seemed far away. A knot in his heart? It was as if an invisible hand had gently untied it, like the thorn that had been entangled in his chest for years had finally been removed, leaving behind a hollow yet relieved pain.
"Thanks, brother." He finally just whispered this in a low voice, and his voice was so calm that even he was a little surprised.
After hanging up the phone, he looked up at the gray sky over Longdu. His biggest knot had been untied, but another, deeper, more personal emotion lay unresolved. He chose to quietly withdraw, believing that was the peace she deserved.
Ouyang Lanlan returned to her hometown, a quiet little town not far from Longdu. She quit her job in Linzhou and tried to heal her trauma and start a new life in a familiar environment with her parents. Life seemed to have truly returned to calm, like a lake without ripples.
To her surprise, Lin Jingliang soon showed up in the small town. He'd quit his job in Linzhou, citing the need to expand his family business in Fujian northward. He'd come to investigate the market and take a long vacation. He'd come regularly, bringing fruit and chatting with Ouyang Lanlan's parents with patience and consideration. Ouyang Lanlan's parents were incredibly pleased with this well-off, polite young man, deeply devoted to their daughter, their eyes filled with the promise of a matchmaking relationship.
Ouyang Lanlan was grateful for Lin Jingliang's continued care and tried to accept this seemingly natural relationship. A few months later, with the approval and frequent urging of both parents, she and Lin Jingliang became engaged. After the wedding, she decided to return to his hometown in Fujian with him and take over part of the family business.
The atmosphere at the airport on their farewell was warm yet subtly distant. Ouyang Lanlan's parents, their eyes moist, repeatedly urged Lin Jingliang to take good care of her. Lin Jingliang complied, his arm around Ouyang Lanlan's shoulders, a gentle smile on his face.
No one noticed that behind a huge pillar in the departure hall on the second floor of the airport, Qin Chuan was wearing a baseball cap with the brim pulled down low, like an ordinary passenger, but his eyes were fixed on the figure at the security checkpoint downstairs.
He watched Ouyang Lanlan lower her head slightly, her profile expressionless. He watched Lin Jingliang considerately help her carry her luggage. He watched them finally walk side by side through the security gate and disappear at the end of the corridor.
At that moment, Qin Chuan felt as if his heart was being fiercely grasped by an icy hand, and then suddenly hollowed out. The sounds of the world instantly faded away, leaving only a huge, suffocating roar.
He turned abruptly and practically ran out of the airport. Instead of heading home, he rushed straight to the nearest gym. He needed to let out some steam, to let the extreme exhaustion of his body drown out the sharp pain deep within him.
The heavy barbell was lifted and lowered frantically over and over again, sweat pouring down like rain on the cold equipment. The pain of muscle tearing was clear and intense, yet strangely, it was unable to suppress the images surging in my mind.
The memory of her pale face and the cold words "I don't need your concern!" at the Linzhou night snack stall seemed to ring in my ears...
The moment in the hospital ward flashed before my eyes, when she clutched her arm tightly, digging her nails into the flesh, and pulled off the police buckle...
In the snowy hall of the Criminal Police Division, she softly asked, "Is that the cry of a yellow sparrow?" She replied stiffly, "At this time of year, there are no yellow sparrows in the Northeast."
She huddled in a corner of the cafe, trembling as she said, "I heard that laugh again. I'm sure it was him."
When something fell from the sky, she rushed to his side, crying out: "How are you?! Qin Chuan!"...
I clumsily teased her with my knowledge of micro-expressions: "When being praised, most people will subconsciously blink three times..."
When he placed the police uniform button in her palm, he made the heavy promise: "Seeing it is like seeing me."
She finally strung the buttons into a necklace and put it on her fair neck, the cold metal against her warm skin...
Yadong carried her down the mountain. She asked, "Why are you so persistent?" He replied, "Because I have to keep my promise."
Downstairs in the office building, he drawled out his tone seriously: "Hello - is this Miss Ouyang? Your takeaway is downstairs. Please come down and pick it up~" She deliberately put on a stern face and criticized: "Why are you so slow? I'm almost starving. I'm going to complain to you."...
She asked expectantly, "How about trying it?" He held the bowl of noodles with soybean paste and nodded happily, "It's delicious." "Don't eat it, don't eat it, it's too salty and it hurts your kidneys!" "It's okay, I have a strong taste, it's just right for me."
The voice from the intercom came through the electric current, "Do you want to... go watch the sunrise?" "Miss Ouyang, please take a seat." On the stone wall behind them, a message was illuminated: "Ouyang Lanlan, Qin Chuan VIP Viewing Seats"...
Scene after scene, sentence after sentence, like the sharpest shards, repeatedly sliced his nerves during the intense exercise. He thought he could let go freely, but all his calmness and rationality, in the moment of true loss, were fragile and vulnerable. He simply tortured himself with more frantic training, trying to use the physical pain to numb the unbearable pain in his heart that had long since fallen but had to let go.
3. Absent-minded
Fujian, the Lin family’s old house.
The southern sun is abundant and scorching, and the air is perpetually filled with a unique aroma of seawater and tea. The Lin family, a prestigious local clan, places great importance on their eldest son's marriage, observing every traditional wedding ritual.
Ouyang Lanlan, clad in an exquisite cheongsam, flanked by Lin Jingliang's mother and a group of enthusiastic gossips, shuttled through various preparations. She visited the hotel banquet hall's decor, its vibrant red wedding characters and auspicious dragon and phoenix designs dazzling; tried on elaborate wedding gowns and toast attire, the gold and silver embroidery weighing heavily on her figure; and visited distant relatives she had never met, listening to their completely unfamiliar Hokkien dialect while maintaining a mechanical smile.
Everything around her was lively, festive, and filled with the warmth of everyday life. However, Ouyang Lanlan felt as if she were separated by a layer of transparent glass, unable to truly blend in.
"Lanlan, look at this headdress. It was passed down from Grandma Jingliang. It's made of pure gold. How beautiful!" Mother Lin smiled and put a set of heavy gold jewelry carved with intricate patterns on her head.
Ouyang Lanlan looked at herself in the mirror, adorned with jewels. Suddenly, she seemed to see a cold, national emblem-emblazoned police uniform button pressed against a warm, throbbing neck. She subconsciously raised her hand and gently touched her collarbone, finding it empty.
"Hmm... looks good." She murmured in response, but her eyes were a little vague.
"Bride, try this wedding cake. We made it at home. Is it sweet?" An aunt handed over a piece of pastry.
The sweet taste melted in her mouth, but she was inexplicably reminded of a bowl of cold, spicy noodles on a cold winter night in Longdu, which had made her cry. The burning pain in her throat seemed more real than the sweetness at this moment.
"Sweet..." she said softly, trying to raise the corners of her mouth, but it seemed forced.
At a family dinner, the atmosphere was lively as everyone chatted in accented Mandarin about business and wedding details. Someone jokingly asked, "So the bride is from the north? She'll be our Fujian daughter-in-law from now on! Will she miss home?"
Ouyang Lanlan was gazing out the window at a tall plant with red flowers, lost in thought. Hearing this, she blurted out, "Longdu is too cold..."
As soon as she said this, she froze. A momentary silence fell on the table, and Lin Jingliang's smile froze. Then he quickly tried to smooth things over: "Yes, winters in the north are cold, but it's warm here. Lanlan won't have to suffer from the cold anymore." The atmosphere then brightened up again.
Ouyang Lanlan lowered her head, her nails digging deep into her palms. That wasn't what she meant. Those words were etched in the deepest part of her and that other person's memories, an indelible mark.
Such distractions and misplacements became more and more frequent. While trying on her wedding dress, she would look at the white hem of her dress in the mirror and think of the pale sheets in the Linzhou Hospital ward. When she heard firecrackers, her body would subconsciously tremble slightly, remembering the loud sound of shattering glass. Even when she walked past a hardware store and smelled the odor of motor oil and rust, she would suddenly stop in her tracks, her face instantly pale, and she would be unable to move for a long time.
Lin Jingliang noticed her unusual behavior and considerately helped her avoid many unnecessary social engagements, simply saying she was exhausted and needed to rest. But his eyes grew increasingly filled with worry and loss. He tried to communicate with her, but she always evaded him, saying she was just nervous about the wedding.
Late at night, Ouyang Lanlan lay in her unfamiliar, meticulously decorated bridal chamber, gazing at the festive decorations hanging from the ceiling. She felt a sense of loneliness and loss she'd never experienced before. She stroked the thin chain around her neck, but the pendant was no longer a button. To conform to wedding customs, Lin's mother had gently suggested she replace it with traditional gold jewelry. Her fingers touched the cool gold, but a crucial void lingered within her heart.
Ultimately, what she loved wasn't the man beside her who offered her stability and respect. Nor did she long for the seemingly perfect, bustling life of the south. Her heart, her soul, had long since left behind in the icy north, with a man with a taciturn heart and a sharp gaze, someone who would fight for her and yet also quietly let go.
She couldn't fool herself.
4. Telephone
Qin Chuan opened a small Northeastern iron pot stew restaurant in Longdu. Relying on his family's traditional chicken and mushroom stew, business wasn't booming, but it was enough to make ends meet. Life seemed to have returned to its former calm, but somewhere deep down, there was a missing piece in his heart that could never be filled.
One day, he was checking the previous day's bills at the cash register when his cell phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number from Fujian.
He frowned and picked up the phone: "Hello, who is this?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then a voice that was somewhat familiar, yet unexpected, came from him - Lin Jingliang.
"Mr. Qin Chuan? I'm Lin Jingliang." His voice sounded a little tired, but calm.
Qin Chuan's heart skipped a beat and he clenched his phone tightly: "It's me, Mr. Lin, is there something wrong?" His first reaction was that something had happened to Ouyang Lanlan, and his voice involuntarily tensed.
"Don't worry, Lanlan is fine." Lin Jingliang seemed to hear his concern and immediately said, "She...she has already taken the flight back to Longdu this morning."
"What?" Qin Chuan was stunned and didn't react for a moment.
Lin Jingliang sighed softly on the other end of the phone, a sigh filled with complex emotions, a mixture of relief and deep helplessness. "Qin Chuan, I called to tell you that Lanlan is not happy here at all. I tried my best, and my parents love her very much. We tried to give her everything, but the person in her heart is not me, but you."
Qin Chuan held his breath, his heart beating wildly, almost bursting through his chest.
"I can see that she's always distracted, always forcing herself. She even subconsciously says the wrong thing when she sees something related to the North. She can't forget you." Lin Jingliang's voice was sincere, even with a subtle plea. "Even if she can't be with you, she can't continue this marriage with me against her will. It's unfair to her, and it's torture for me. So, she chose to leave."
"She..." Qin Chuan's throat tightened and he couldn't say a word.
"Qin Chuan," Lin Jingliang's tone became serious, "I told her that happiness depends on one's own efforts. I encouraged her to go back and follow her heart. Now, I encourage you as well. If you still love her, if you still can't let her go, then go and grab her! Don't be like me, who missed her and realized you can't force it. I wish you all the best."
The call was hung up. Qin Chuan remained in the same position as he was answering the call, unable to move for a long time.
A huge, unbelievable ecstasy and a huge panic swept over him at the same time. She was back! She came back for him! But... what should he do? What could he give her? He had almost ruined her life...
His chaotic thoughts were like boiling water. But this time, he didn't hesitate or back down. Lin Jingliang's words were like a final ray of light, dispelling all the haze and inferiority in his heart.
He rushed out the door.
He didn't rush to the airport to block her out; that wasn't her style; she needed some space. He frantically called people, using every connection he could, and finally found out Ouyang Lanlan's flight information and estimated arrival time.
Then he began to make careful preparations. He wanted a ceremony, a ceremony that was solemn enough to make up for all his debts and silence.
The plane landed smoothly at Longdu International Airport. Ouyang Lanlan followed the crowd out of the gate, gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar northern sky. She took a deep breath of the dry, cold air, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart. She didn't tell her parents the specific reason for her return, simply saying she missed home. She had no clear idea of the future, but simply followed her instinct and returned to the land that grounded her soul.
She pushed the luggage cart, lowered her head, and walked towards the airport bus with a heavy heart.
Suddenly, she stopped.
Not far ahead, the bustling crowd of people waiting to welcome someone at the airport seemed to be parted by invisible hands. A figure stood there, standing straight, like a pine tree that never bends in the snow.
It’s Qin Chuan.
He was still wearing the washed-out old jacket, and his face bore traces of weathering, but his eyes were now surprisingly bright, burning with unprecedented tension, anticipation, and a determination to risk everything.
In his hands, there were no flowers, no gifts, only a huge, handwritten cardboard.
On the cardboard, his handwriting, slightly clumsy but extremely serious, was written:
Ouyang Lanlan:
Longdu is still cold.
But I have an old police uniform here, it's warm.
And a warm heart.
Come home with me.
—— Qin Chuan
Simple, direct, even a little crude, it was like a bullet, accurately hitting the softest part of Ouyang Lanlan's heart. In an instant, all the grievances, waiting, hesitation, and fear turned into tears that burst out.
The crowd around laughed and whispered in a friendly manner, and some took out their mobile phones to take pictures.
Qin Chuan's face flushed red, but his eyes were fixed on her without blinking, with the courage to risk everything.
Ouyang Lanlan looked at his clumsy yet sincere expression, crying and laughing. She let go of the luggage cart and walked towards him step by step. Each step felt like stepping on clouds, and like finally stepping on solid ground.
Walking up to him, she raised her tearful face and looked at him.
Qin Chuan's Adam's apple rolled with nervousness. He spoke dryly and hoarsely, "I'm not good at speaking nicely. I'm sorry for making you suffer in the past. I will spend my whole life to repay you. Do you still want me?"
Ouyang Lanlan did not answer, but threw herself into his arms forcefully and fiercely, hugging him tightly with all her strength, as if she wanted to melt into his bones and blood.
Qin Chuan froze for a moment, then a huge ecstasy and the relief of regaining what he had lost overwhelmed him. He suddenly tightened his arms, holding her tightly in his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, closing his eyes, feeling this belated, real warmth.
The hustle and bustle of the airport seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of each other's violent heartbeats, like the most moving piece of music.
5. Qin Tinglan
Five years later, Longdu City.
The early summer afternoon sun was warm and lazy, shining through the clean glass windows into a warm and comfortable home. The air was filled with the faint aroma of food.
A little girl, about four or five years old, with two small pigtails, was standing on tiptoe, curiously rummaging through the drawers of the TV cabinet in the living room. She was a delicate and pretty girl, with eyes and eyebrows that showed both Ouyang Lanlan's delicate beauty and Qin Chuan's heroic spirit, and she was lively and lovely.
"Tinglan! It's time to eat! What are you flipping through?" Ouyang Lanlan came out of the kitchen with soup, an apron tied around her waist, a gentle smile on her face, and shouted to the little girl.
"I'm here, Mom!" the little girl responded crisply, but then she pulled out a wrinkled envelope with frayed edges from the depths of the drawer. She skipped to the dining table, held up the envelope, and asked in a baby voice, "Mom, what's this? It's old."
Ouyang Lanlan put down her soup bowl and her eyes fell on the envelope. Her eyes softened instantly, almost as if tears were about to drip out. She took the envelope, carefully smoothed out the wrinkles on it, and a happy smile played on her lips: "This is a love letter from Dad to Mom."
Qin Chuan, who was drinking tea with Wang Yang and Lao Chen, choked when he heard this. His wheat-colored skin flushed with discomfort, and he muttered in a rough voice, "Ahem... It's all old news. Why bring it up?"
Wang Yang, now the mainstay of the Criminal Investigation Team, was munching on sunflower seeds without a proper image. Upon hearing this, he perked up immediately, making faces and jokingly saying, "Hey! A cheesy letter from a ruthless person? Read it quickly! Let's learn how our brother Qin managed to get his sister-in-law, such a beautiful girl!"
Old Chen's hair is mostly white now, and he has retired to the second line. He drinks tea and watches the excitement with a smile.
Little Tinglan immediately became interested and hugged his mother's legs and said coquettishly: "Read it! Mommy will read it! Listen to what Daddy wrote!"
Ouyang Lanlan glared at Qin Chuan in a reproachful manner, but her eyes were filled with warmth. She carefully pulled out the letter, which had also been rubbed until it was somewhat softened. She cleared her throat and slowly read in a gentle and smiling voice:
Ouyang:
Writing this letter was harder than writing any other bad guy I've ever caught. I tore up several pieces of paper and didn't know where to start.
I used to think that there was no need to say anything, just see what happened. But then I realized, bullshit! If you don't say something, how will others know? Especially to you.
First, I have to say once again, I'm sorry. For that winter in Longdu, for that idiotic decision of mine, and for all the suffering you've endured. I will remember this debt for the rest of my life, and I'll pay it back for the rest of my life.
And then, thank you. Thank you for not really blaming me, thank you for believing in me later, thank you... for letting me get close to you.
I'm Qin Chuan, a clumsy talker with a rough personality. Besides catching bad guys, I don't have many special abilities. I can't say nice things, and I'm probably not romantic enough. I used to think wearing a police uniform was the coolest thing, but now, being with you and being able to protect you is the happiest thing.
I know you've been wronged by me. I also know that in many cases, promises may seem like lies, but every promise I make is sincere. I also hope to protect you for the rest of your life. If you're willing, I'll look for you in the next life.
—— Qin Chuan
This is the "love confession letter" that Qin Chuan had hidden under the box. The content of the letter is simple and straightforward, and some sentences even have rough edges, but every word hits people's hearts, full of Qin Chuan's clumsiness, sincerity and unquestionable responsibility.
Wang Yang was stunned, forgetting to crack his melon seeds. After a long while, he punched Qin Chuan. "Great job, Old Qin! You're so good at hiding your true abilities! This is even more convincing than when we interrogate prisoners and record their confessions! Did your sister-in-law just fall for your 'never-let-go' tactics?"
Old Chen also smiled so hard that his teeth showed, "That's great! Life should be down to earth!"
Although little Tinglan didn't understand much, he thought his father was amazing and clapped his hands, "Dad is great!"
Qin Chuan's old face flushed red. He awkwardly snatched the letter and stuffed it back into his pocket, covering it up with a gruff voice: "Eat your food! Why are you talking so much nonsense!"
Ouyang Lanlan looked at his embarrassment and smiled, her eyes curved with happiness almost overflowing. She bent down, picked up her daughter, and kissed her little face. Around her neck was a thin silver chain. The pendant was the same police uniform button, now even more polished by time.
The sun is shining and the room is full of warmth.
Wang Yang took a sip of tea and looked at little Tinglan running around. Suddenly, he remembered something and asked Qin Chuan, "Oh, by the way, I kept forgetting to ask. You chose a really good name for your precious daughter. Qin Tinglan, it sounds cultured. What does it mean? Both your name and Lanlan's name are in it?"
Qin Chuan looked very proud, and was just about to show off his wife's talent: "Of course, your sister Lan came up with it. She said there's a poem called 'Listening to the waves with my ears, looking up at the rugged mountains'. Mountains and rivers are rolling, and both our names are in it. It has a good meaning."
Old Chen, standing nearby, slowly put down his teacup, revealing the sly smile of a seasoned veteran, and interrupted him, "Come on, Chuanzi, it's still beautiful. Why does this sound like Qin Chuan must always 'listen to Ouyang Lanlan'?"
The smug look on Qin Chuan's face froze instantly, his eyes suddenly widened as he suddenly realized something. He turned to look at Ouyang Lanlan, who was smiling silently beside him: "Holy crap! Is this true? Are educated people so scary?!"
Ouyang Lanlan couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into a giggle, her eyes sparkling with a clever light: "You only realize it now? It's too late! Comrade Qin Chuan, you must be honest and obedient in the future!"
Qin Chuan looked at his wife's sly smile and his daughter's innocent face. The slight "depression" of "being plotted" instantly disappeared, and his heart was filled with huge, full happiness. He hugged his wife and daughter in his arms and smiled like a fool: "Listen! You must listen! Listen for the rest of your life!"
Outside the window, an unknown yellow bird landed on the flower stand on the balcony, making a few clear and melodious chirps, blending into this warm, peaceful and happy time.
(End of the play)
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