The emergency room light remained on as Qin Nan sat quietly on the bench outside, waiting.
After a while, his phone rang. Seeing Ye Nianwen's name, he hesitated briefly before answering.
"Hello."
"Um, brother-in-law," Nianwen sounded uncertain, "are you still coming over tonight?"
"Not tonight. Go ahead without us."
After a pause, Qin Nan added, "Tell mom and dad that Sibei isn't feeling well. I'm taking care of her. Once she's better, I'll bring her over to celebrate dad's birthday."
Nianwen acknowledged when suddenly a nurse's voice called out, "Family of Ye Sibei? The family of Ye Sibei needs to sign some forms."
Hearing this, Qin Nan immediately hung up and rushed over. The nurse handed him a stack of forms, briefly explaining the risks before he signed and went to pay.
His phone kept ringing in his pocket, but he ignored it until after payment. When he finally answered, Nianwen's urgent voice came through: "Where are you? What's wrong with my sister?"
After a moment's silence, Qin Nan replied, "Second People's Hospital. Alcohol poisoning with adverse drug reaction."
Nianwen hung up before he could finish. Back home, he grabbed his bag as Zhao Chuchu came out with a plate, asking, "What's wrong? Are you going out?"
"I—" Nianwen's eyes reddened as he lowered his head, trying to sound calm. "My case..."
"Has something happened to Sibei?"
Huang Guifen rushed from the kitchen, staring at Nianwen. When he couldn't respond, her eyes welled up. "I knew it... I just knew!"
"Where is she? Where?"
"Second Hospital..."
"Then why are you standing there?" Huang Guifen dashed back to turn off the stove. "Hurry!"
As the family raced to the hospital, Qin Nan remained on the bench, looking at his phone.
On the screen was an old photo labeled "Nancheng No.2 High School, Class of 2006." Among the crowd, his eyes found a familiar figure—a girl in uniform with a ponytail, smiling brightly and proudly. Behind her stood a taller boy, not looking at the camera but at her, his youthful tenderness still palpable through the image.
He gazed at it until the family arrived breathlessly. Nianwen reached him first, grabbing his shoulders in panic. "How's my sister?"
"Still inside."
Qin Nan pocketed his phone and stood to face Huang Guifen and Ye Ling.
He stepped forward to support Huang Guifen. "Mom."
"Where's Sibei? How is she?" "Still in critical care. Please sit down, don't panic."
After helping Huang Guifen sit, he assisted Ye Ling, who demanded anxiously, "What happened? Why is she in emergency?"
"She drank too much—alcohol poisoning."
Qin Nan kept it vague. Huang Guifen froze while Ye Ling frowned. "Alcohol poisoning? How could a girl drink that much? Why didn't you stop her?"
"Dad," Nianwen intervened, guiding Ye Ling to sit. "Let's wait until she's out first.""That's right, Uncle," Zhao Chuchu quickly stepped forward to support Ye Ling. "Don't worry yet. Once Sister Ye comes out, everything will be clear. Brother Nan is her husband—he wouldn’t harm her."
But the words did little to comfort Ye Ling. He waved his hand, his eyes reddening, and sat down on a chair.
Huang Guifen, however, seemed to know something. She stood up and hurried out into the hallway, finding a secluded spot to silently wipe her tears.
The family waited until nearly eleven o’clock when the patient was finally wheeled out of the emergency room. Everyone crowded around as the doctor, looking weary but not overly concerned, said, "She’s stable. After she wakes up, we’ll monitor her with IV fluids for a few days."
The news eased everyone’s tension. Huang Guifen took a step back, and Zhao Chuchu rushed to steady her.
Ye Sibei was transferred from the emergency room to a general ward. The family, unwilling to leave her side, kept vigil in the room. Some dozed off outside the door, while Huang Guifen stayed by the bed, keeping watch alongside Qin Nan and Ye Nianwen.
By five in the morning, Qin Nan, feeling drowsy, stepped out into the hallway for a cigarette. Standing in the cool dawn breeze, he watched the sun slowly rise until he heard footsteps behind him.
Turning, he saw Ye Nianwen.
"Couldn’t sleep?" Qin Nan asked softly.
Ye Nianwen smiled. "Took a short nap. Just needed to walk around."
"Your family is really something," Qin Nan remarked, cigarette in hand, standing at the edge of the corridor. "You hardly show her any kindness normally, but when something happens, suddenly you’re all full of deep affection. Who’s the act for?"
Ye Nianwen didn’t respond at first. After a long pause, he spoke quietly, "The love is real. But so are some deeply ingrained beliefs. Like my mom—she cares about my sister deeply, but she believes women are meant to live a certain way. She won’t allow my sister to step outside that life, yet she still wants her to be happy."
"Or take me, for example. You might think I advised my sister not to report it to avoid trouble for myself—and maybe that’s part of it. But I also believe that compared to the gossip and turmoil after reporting, not reporting might cause less harm."
"You know, reporting a case like this is just the beginning," Ye Nianwen turned to look at him. "After reporting, she’d have to recount her experience over and over, reliving the most painful moments. She’d face judgment and rumors, and there’s still the possibility of losing the case."
"I’m not afraid of trouble. I just don’t understand—why should she endure all that for just a chance at winning?"
Qin Nan said nothing. He simply watched him as the morning breeze made the ember of his cigarette flicker. Meanwhile, in the ward, Ye Sibei slowly opened her eyes.
She turned her head toward the window, where the sky was just beginning to lighten, then looked back to see Huang Guifen slumped over the bedside.
The sight of Huang Guifen’s graying hair made her eyes sting and her heart tremble.
She didn’t dare wake her, knowing that if Huang Guifen stirred, she might, as she had countless times before, crush the fragile courage Ye Sibei had mustered.
Glancing at the half-empty IV drip, she assessed how she felt.She was weak, but not completely unable to walk. Gritting her teeth, she reached up to turn off the IV drip, yanked the needle from her hand, quietly pulled back the covers, grabbed her phone from the side, got out of bed, and limped past Ye Ling sleeping on a chair and Zhao Chuchu leaning against the wall, struggling to make her way outside.
As dawn's light emerged, Qin Nan thought for a long time before speaking slowly: "When I entered the room yesterday, the place was a mess."
"Liquor bottles everywhere, the air thick with the stench of alcohol and cigarettes. The bedroom had pill boxes scattered about, traces of her vomit all over."
"I could barely recognize it as her."
"Ye Nianwen, why do people need justice?"
Nianwen turned to look at him. Qin Nan smiled: "Because justice is the foundation for people to live well. If a world lacks even the most basic justice, how can anyone believe they can live properly in it?"
"When others can harm her without consequence, when kindness is repaid with cruelty—how can your sister accept such a world?"
"Reporting to the police comes with many difficulties, but at least she's fighting. Giving up might bring temporary peace, but that's precisely where despair takes root."
"But where is there absolute justice..."
"If it existed," Qin Nan interrupted, "what would we need you for? Aren't you lawyers, judges, prosecutors—don't you exist to uphold justice in this world?"
"You, me, Ye Sibei," Qin Nan asked earnestly, "Isn't every decent person in this world fighting their whole lives for justice?"
Nianwen stared blankly at Qin Nan. Just then, Huang Guifen's hysterical screams echoed through the hospital: "Sibei! Sibei!!"
Qin Nan and Nianwen exchanged glances and immediately sprinted toward the ward. They saw Ye Ling and Zhao Chuchu standing behind Huang Guifen as she grabbed a nurse: "Where is she? How could you let her leave? Where is she?!"
"Mom, calm down first."
Nianwen stopped Huang Guifen: "Miss, did you see which way she went?"
"She went down the hallway," the frightened nurse pointed toward the hospital corridor. "She probably wanted to leave the hospital."
"Split up and search," Qin Nan said immediately. "We were at the front door earlier and didn't see her—she must have taken the back exit."
Nianwen nodded. Hearing this, Huang Guifen hurried toward the back entrance.
The family scattered to search all possible hospital exits. Zhao Chuchu reassured the nurse before joining the search.
Ye Sibei's body was frail. She walked in starts and stops. Initially encountering Qin Nan and Nianwen in the hallway forced her to take the back exit.
She didn't want to see anyone now, afraid others might sway her decision or that she'd lose this hard-won courage.
She was going to report the crime.
This time, she would definitely go.
After resting briefly by a flower bed, she pushed herself up. She hadn't gone far when she heard a shout: "Sibei!"
Looking up, she saw Huang Guifen ahead. She turned to flee, but after a few steps, Nianwen appeared in her path, panting heavily as he blocked her: "Sis."
Ye Sibei looked from Huang Guifen to Nianwen. She felt like a trapped animal—nowhere left to run.She gasped for breath as Ye Ling, Zhao Chuchu, and Qin Nan arrived one after another. Huang Guifen strode toward her, scolding as she approached: "What are you running for when you're perfectly fine? If you want to die, just die properly. Why torment me like this?"
As she spoke, she grabbed Ye Sibei's hand and dragged her toward the ward: "Come on, back to your room. Stop this nonsense."
"I won't go..."
With sudden courage she didn't know she had, Ye Sibei trembled and violently shook off Huang Guifen's grip: "I'm not going back!"
"Where else would you go if not back?" Huang Guifen flared up. "Haven't you caused enough trouble? Do you have to torment me to death?"
"That's right."
Ye Ling panted as he stepped forward: "Sibei, stop making a scene. You're not even recovered yet—where do you think you're going?"
"Sis," Zhao Chuchu chimed in, "can't whatever it is wait until you're better? Why the rush?"
Ye Sibei's lips trembled. Surrounded by everyone, Huang Guifen completely lost her temper. She seized Ye Sibei's hand again, dragging her forcefully while shouting: "You don't get to decide whether you're going back or not! You think just because you're grown up you can do whatever you want?! Move it, come with me!"
"I won't go."
Ye Sibei struggled: "I won't go."
"Where else would you go if not back?"
"Yeah, Sis, where exactly are you trying to go?"
"Sibei, listen to your mother..."
"I won't go, I won't go."
She fought desperately as they pulled her forward. Just then, a hand suddenly reached out and grasped Huang Guifen's wrist.
Ye Sibei looked up in shock to see Qin Nan stepping between them, separating Ye Ling and pulling Huang Guifen's hand away.
He placed both hands on Ye Sibei's shoulders, looking at her intently.
"Where do you want to go?"
Ye Sibei's lips quivered. She was afraid to say it, but she knew she had to.
Meeting Qin Nan's gaze, he encouraged her: "Tell them."
He spoke firmly: "Where you want to go."
"I..." Ye Sibei turned to face the confused crowd. Huang Guifen's expression darkened as Ye Sibei looked at them and enunciated each word clearly: "I want to go... to report to the police."
"Report to the police?"
Ye Ling was stunned. Ye Sibei turned to Zhao Chuchu: "On the night of April 9th, I never made it home."
Zhao Chuchu's eyes widened. Ye Sibei raised her hand, addressing everyone: "I was raped."
"Ye Sibei!"
Huang Guifen lunged forward, but Qin Nan blocked her: "Mom, calm down. Let her speak."
"I... want justice for myself."
Having said it, Ye Sibei suddenly felt there was nothing left to fear. She steadied herself, looking at them all: "I'm going to report it to the police."
"Ye Sibei! You're insane! Completely insane!"
Huang Guifen mustered all her strength to shove Qin Nan aside. As Qin Nan moved to intervene again, he caught Ye Sibei's gaze.
Ye Sibei looked at Huang Guifen, her eyes brimming with countless suppressed emotions on the verge of eruption.
Qin Nan froze. Huang Guifen rushed forward, gripping Ye Sibei's shoulders: "Stop talking nonsense. You weren't raped, and you can't report it. We didn't report it then, and we certainly can't report it now."
"Why?"
Ye Sibei asked calmly, just as she had when attempting to report it the first time.
Huang Guifen stared at her in disbelief: "Why? Haven't I told you before? If you report it, how will you face anyone? Have you thought about what people will say about you...""I've thought it through," Ye Sibei interrupted Huang Guifen, staring at her. "They talk about me, and it hurts, but if I endure it and don't report it, does that mean I won’t suffer? Since I’ll suffer either way, why should I be the one to endure?"
"What about me? What about your father? What about Nian Wen and Chu Chu?!"
Huang Guifen grabbed Ye Sibei by the collar. "Have you thought about us? What will people say about you in the future? How will your father and I ever show our faces outside? And Nian Wen and Chu Chu—they’re supposed to get married this year. How can they go through with it after what’s happened to you?"
"How can you be so selfish?!" Huang Guifen shook Ye Sibei violently by the collar. "How can you be this selfish?!"
"Selfish?" Ye Sibei repeated, her voice softening as if she found the accusation absurd. "Am I selfish?"
"You and Dad," emotions surged within her, and for the first time since graduating, Ye Sibei mustered the courage to speak up. She pointed at Ye Ling. "You wanted a son, so you had me and then Nian Wen. You hid me in the countryside for three years without a single visit. When Dad lost his job and the family was so poor we could barely survive, you blamed me for ruining everything. Were you not selfish?"
"You wanted Nian Wen to attend a good school, so you paid the admission fees for him but didn’t spare a single cent for my education. Were you not selfish?"
"After graduation, I found a job in the provincial capital. But you were afraid no one would take care of you in old age, so you went to my workplace crying and making a scene, costing me my job. You forced me back to Nancheng. Were you not selfish?"
"When I got married and worked, you never once asked if I was happy. You never considered whether Qin Nan and I might have conflicts. All you ever did was demand money—money for Nian Wen’s house, money for his wedding. Does he need money, but I don’t?!"
"You call me selfish, but what about you?! What have you ever done for me?! I’ve reached this point, and I’m not asking anything from you. All I want is to seek justice for myself. Is that selfish too?!"
"Yes!"
Huang Guifen screamed hysterically the moment the word left Ye Sibei’s lips. "How are you not selfish? I gave birth to you!"
Tears streamed from Huang Guifen’s aged, clouded eyes as she glared at her daughter. "I raised you! I fed you, clothed you, worried about you every single day. And you say I’ve done nothing for you?"
"Do you think I’m stopping you from reporting this for my sake? Do you think I’m stopping you from divorcing for my sake? Do you think I care about gossip? I’m afraid you won’t be able to endure—"
"Then let me report it!"
Ye Sibei shouted, choking back sobs as she stared at Huang Guifen, her words rapid and fierce. "I’ll tell you—the only reason I’m standing here instead of on a rooftop is because I want to send that man to prison! If I’m not even afraid of death, why would I fear not enduring?! If you truly see me as your daughter, let me do this!"
Huang Guifen froze.
Mother and daughter stood facing each other, tears in their eyes—one stunned and lost, the other furious and anguished.
A mother never seems to recognize her faults, and a child never seems able to fully voice their pain.
Ye Nianwen watched the struggle between them in silence.
He rarely witnessed such scenes firsthand. As a child, whenever Ye Sibei and Huang Guifen argued, he would hide far away. Sometimes, he knew they were fighting because of him—but he and Ye Ling always pretended not to hear.Every time, he would wait until the two had finished arguing before quietly taking a toy to find Ye Sibei, who was hiding and crying in the shadows. He would hand her the toy and comfort her, saying, "Sis, don’t cry. When I grow up, I’ll protect you. I won’t let Mom scold you anymore."
But when he grew up, not only did he fail to keep his promise, but as an adult, his newfound shrewdness made such scenes even harder for him to witness.
Yet when this scene unfolded before him now, he finally realized—Qin Nan was right.
He was spineless. He had arrogantly assumed Ye Sibei wasn’t suffering that much, arrogantly believed those wounds didn’t exist.
He had never stood up to protect his sister, while she had been shielding him from the storm for over twenty years.
He watched them for a long time before speaking hoarsely, "Go ahead."
Everyone turned to look at Ye Nianwen. He sniffled, then turned to Ye Sibei with earnest support in his eyes. "Sis, I’ll go with you to the police station."
Ye Sibei didn’t respond. Tears welled up in her eyes.
The moment she heard Ye Nianwen speak, she suddenly felt a surge of strength—like a child who had been begging for something finally receiving validation.
At last, she understood what she had been fighting for, why she had made such a scene here.
Ye Nianwen walked up to Ye Sibei and bowed deeply.
"I’m sorry."
Hearing those words, Ye Sibei turned her head away. She couldn’t bear to look at him, afraid she might soften again.
Ye Nianwen straightened up and looked at her solemnly. "I was immature before. I knew about a lot of things, sensed them too, but I didn’t dare dwell on them. I thought if I wasn’t the one doing them, I wouldn’t have to feel guilty—that I could just enjoy the benefits my sister gave me while turning a blind eye to her struggles. Every time something happened, I’d instinctively avoid conflict and justify it to myself. But deep down, I knew. Sis, you were right."
Ye Sibei lifted her gaze to meet his. Ye Nianwen held her eyes steadily. "Back when I was in school, my teacher told us that the law is about standing against the world’s evils. That path has never been easy, but someone has to walk it."
"Because the more people take the unfair road, the narrower and harder it becomes. If you don’t fight for your rights, eventually no one will even know what’s right or wrong."
"I didn’t want you to take this path before because I thought it was too painful. But I never asked you if you wanted to walk it. If you’re willing now, then I’ll walk it with you."
"Go report it," Ye Nianwen smiled. "No matter what happens in the end, you’ve done nothing wrong."
"Thank you."
Ye Sibei took a deep breath and repeated with sincerity, "Thank you."
"And about the money," Ye Nianwen added, remembering something. "I’ll take care of the loan payments from now on. I’ll figure it out."
"But you just graduated—" Huang Guifen interjected hastily, but Ye Nianwen cut her off. "Mom, I’m not a child anymore."
Huang Guifen froze. Ye Nianwen turned to Qin Nan. "Brother-in-law, help Sis to the car first. I’ll join you in a bit."
Qin Nan didn’t say much. He reached out and steadied Ye Sibei. She was trembling all over, leaning into him, so he simply hoisted her onto his back.
Pressed against Qin Nan’s warmth, her shaking gradually eased.She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Qin Nan asked softly, "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Are you okay?"
"Fine." Ye Sibei gazed at the sun peeking over the horizon. "There's no better time than this."
Qin Nan carried her to the car, fastened her seatbelt, and draped his coat over her for warmth.
Before long, Ye Nianwen came running back. He had brought a briefcase, a blanket, a cup of sugar-salt water, and a bowl of porridge.
He covered Ye Sibei with the blanket, and after taking a few sips of the sugar-salt water, she snuggled into it.
The car slowly started and headed toward the police station. Ye Nianwen sat in the back, explaining the procedures for filing a report to her.
“I brought all your documents, including your ID. Once we’re inside, just tell them you’re here to report a crime. The most difficult part will be giving your statement—they’ll ask you to recount every detail. Don’t be afraid, just tell them everything.”
Ye Sibei nodded.
By the time they arrived at the station, it was only seven in the morning. Ye Sibei had rested in the passenger seat for a while. As soon as the station doors opened, Qin Nan carried her inside, with Ye Nianwen following closely.
Ye Nianwen rushed around, handling the formalities. After the report was filed according to procedure, Ye Sibei was taken to an interrogation room to give her statement.
Waiting inside, Ye Sibei felt nervous. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, facing complete strangers still frightened her.
She sat there for a while before a man and a woman entered. Ye Sibei looked up and recognized them—Lin Feng and Zhang Yong, the same two officers who had handled her case the first time she reported it.
Zhang Yong walked in first and took a seat, while Lin Feng closed the door behind them.
Once seated, Zhang Yong flipped open a folder and glanced at Ye Sibei. “Oh, you’re back?”
Hearing his teasing tone, Ye Sibei stiffened awkwardly. Lin Feng nudged Zhang Yong and scolded in a low voice, “Shut up.”
She then sat beside him and comforted Ye Sibei warmly. “Miss Ye, don’t be nervous. My partner’s just like this—ignore his nonsense.”
Ye Sibei nodded uneasily. Lin Feng opened a notepad to begin recording, while Zhang Yong twirled a pen. “Still in hospital clothes? Came in such a hurry?”
“I was afraid…” Ye Sibei lowered her head, rubbing her hands unconsciously. “If I waited any longer, I wouldn’t dare come at all.”
Zhang Yong fell silent for a moment before turning to Lin Feng. “Let’s begin.”
Lin Feng looked at Ye Sibei. “Miss Ye, we’ll start by confirming some basic information. Your full name?”
“Ye Sibei.”
“Age?”
“27.”
“Home address?”
“Apartment 503, Building 9, Fuxing Street, Nancheng City.”
“Employer?”
“Fuqiang Real Estate.”
“What brings you to the police station today?”
“I want to report a crime.”
“And the nature of the report?”
“Sexual assault.”
Ye Sibei’s voice was barely audible.
“When and where did the incident occur?”
“I woke up on the morning of April 10th… in the Reed Field near Guantian Village.”
Lin Feng and Zhang Yong already knew most of this. It was only now that they began asking for the details they truly needed.
“Could you describe the entire incident in detail?” Lin Feng’s voice was gentle.
“Okay.”
Ye Sibei avoided looking at Zhang Yong, focusing instead on Lin Feng as she spoke haltingly. “On the night of April 9th, I drank a little…”
“Where? And how much?” Zhang Yong interrupted.
The sudden question made Ye Sibei’s heart race. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind.
Was he suspecting she had used alcohol to seduce someone?
Did he think she deserved it?
“Miss Ye, please be as detailed as possible. Start from that afternoon—the more specifics you provide, the better we can investigate.”
Lin Feng tried to reassure her. Ye Sibei nodded, though her expression had darkened. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, her eyes flickered nervously toward Zhang Yong again.She found it difficult to elaborate on these matters in front of men, yet she couldn't bring herself to refuse. So she began recounting everything from that afternoon when Fan Jiancheng had demanded everyone stay behind.
She narrated every detail she could remember while Lin Feng meticulously recorded each word. Zhang Yong sat nearby, chin propped on his hand, listening and occasionally interjecting with questions.
"When did you first start feeling disoriented?"
"When I got in the car."
"Who was with you in the car?"
"My friend—also my younger brother's girlfriend, Zhao Chuchu—and my supervisor, Fan Jiancheng."
"You seem to trust them?"
"Yes."
"Why do you trust Fan Jiancheng?"
"Because he's a good person. He takes care of everyone, conducts himself properly. Once when someone tried to... take advantage of me, he stepped in. I think he's very upright."
Zhang Yong nodded and gestured for her to continue.
"Not long after getting in the car, maybe the alcohol kicked in, and I lost most of my awareness. When I woke up, I was in a different car. After it was over—"
"Wait." Zhang Yong interrupted. "After what was over?"
Ye Sibei froze. In an instant, memories surged back, draining the color from her face.
Zhang Yong watched her, oblivious, pressing further. "What happened?"
"S-sexual..." Her voice trembled. "Assault."
"Can you be more specific?" Zhang Yong pressed.
Ye Sibei fell silent.
In truth, she understood. Even in the moment it happened, she had clung to this very thought, desperately memorizing every detail—so much so that now, looking back, she could recall many specifics with painful clarity.
These details, these emotions, relentlessly trapped her, making her relive the moment of violation in an instant, over and over.
Yet for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud now.
She couldn't help but wonder what the two men across from her were thinking.
Hearing these details, were they mentally picking her apart? Would they later repeat everything to others?
She steadied herself, pushing aside these intrusive thoughts, and forced herself to continue. "When I woke up, I felt like I was lying on the back seat of a car. My eyes were covered, and beneath me was a leather seat—narrow. He was on top of me, moving."
"When you say 'moving,' do you mean he was touching you, engaging in intercourse, or something else?"
Zhang Yong's tone was devoid of warmth. Ye Sibei clenched her teeth. "Intercourse."
"How long did it last?"
"I don't know."
"How many people were involved?"
"One!" Her reply was swift.
Zhang Yong nodded, one hand propping his chin as he skimmed the case file, the other twirling a pen. "How many positions were used?"
The question made her flush with shame. She lowered her head, voice barely audible. "Two."
"Which were?"
"Him on top of me. Me on my knees."
"Did he speak to you?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
Ye Sibei hesitated. When she didn't respond, Zhang Yong looked up, puzzled. "Hmm?"
"Is... is that important?"
She kept her eyes down. "He disguised his voice. I couldn't tell who it was, but roughly—"
"What did he say?" Zhang Yong cut in.
Ye Sibei didn't answer. The unbearable memories engulfed her, and she trembled slightly.
"Ye Sibei?" Zhang Yong called."He should be somewhat older," she answered irrelevantly, as if completely ignoring Zhang Yong's voice, choosing instead to share what she deemed more useful information. "He has thick body hair, probably not very tall, with chest hair..."
Zhang Yong observed her. Ye Sibei seemed to be staring at the table in front of her, reciting the details she remembered like a memorized script: "He smelled of cigarettes and alcohol, not very muscular..."
"Ye Sibei," Zhang Yong interrupted her, "what did he say?"
"Can I speak to a different officer?"
Ye Sibei finally looked up, her eyes pleading as she turned to Lin Feng. Lin Feng hesitated, glancing at Zhang Yong, who lowered his head without a word. After a moment's thought, Lin Feng finally reassured her, "Miss Ye, even if we switch officers, these are questions that must be asked."
"Must they?"
Ye Sibei repeated the question. Lin Feng avoided her gaze and nodded. "It's all to uncover the truth."
"If it's about the truth," Ye Sibei asked hoarsely, "isn't the information I provided enough?"
Lin Feng didn't respond this time. Zhang Yong looked up at her. "No, it's not."
"Why?" Ye Sibei couldn't understand. "Isn't the most important truth identifying who he is and arresting him?"
"Ye Sibei," Zhang Yong's voice remained steady, "I hope you understand that, for everyone else besides you, what you say may not necessarily be the truth."
Ye Sibei froze. She stared at Zhang Yong, whose gaze held no trace of retreat or pity. He met her eyes calmly. "So, you must tell the truth. Only the truth represents the facts."
"I am telling the truth."
She clenched her fists.
"Then keep going." Zhang Yong held her gaze, unflinching even under her accusatory stare.
The two remained locked in silence for a long time. Finally, Zhang Yong spoke softly, "The truth is only acknowledged when it's spoken and verified. The process is painful, but if you don't speak, the truth will never come to light."
Hearing this, Ye Sibei lowered her head, glancing around as if struggling intensely. After a long pause, she wiped her tears and finally looked back at Zhang Yong.
"He said to me, 'Still pretending?' Then he forced me to kneel and said, 'Scream, or I'll kill you.'"
"And then?" Zhang Yong asked. After a long silence, Ye Sibei spoke again, her voice calm yet tinged with despair and defiance. "I screamed."
The interrogation took a long time. Ye Nianwen and Qin Nan waited in the lobby, sitting side by side on a bench in silence.
After a while, Ye Nianwen spoke first. "Actually, reporting it is just the beginning. Even though my sister prepared herself, you still need to pay attention afterward. During the questioning, they’ll go over the details repeatedly, which can be very distressing for the victim. The past few days—"
"I’ll keep an eye on her from now on."
Qin Nan understood Ye Nianwen’s concerns and cut straight to the point. Ye Nianwen nodded and was about to say more when footsteps approached from the direction of the interrogation room, accompanied by Lin Feng’s voice: "Try not to dwell on it when you get home. We’ll notify you if there’s any news. Team Leader Zhang kept all the records from your last report, so you don’t need to worry too much—"
"Sis!"Hearing Lin Feng's voice, Ye Nianwen quickly stood up and walked over. Ye Sibei had just emerged from around the corner when he reached her. He gave her a once-over and asked cautiously, "Are you okay?"
Ye Sibei shook her head. Her eyes were red, and her mood was noticeably lower than before she went in. Qin Nan, standing behind Ye Nianwen, patted his shoulder after confirming Ye Sibei was mostly unharmed. "Take care of your sister first."
With that, Qin Nan turned to Lin Feng. "Where's Team Leader Zhang?"
"Ah, he's still inside."
Lin Feng pointed toward the interrogation room. Qin Nan nodded and walked in.
When he found Zhang Yong, the team leader was still in the interrogation room, staring blankly at Ye Sibei's statement.
Qin Nan knocked on the door. Zhang Yong looked up and smiled when he saw him.
"What brings you here?"
"Ye Sibei," Qin Nan gestured outside, "is my family."
Zhang Yong froze, then slapped his forehead as if annoyed. "No wonder she suddenly came back to report it. If I'd known she was your wife, I wouldn't have given you those photos."
"By the way, a few days ago, I went to see Ye Sibei's boss, Fan Jiancheng," Qin Nan said, reminding Zhang Yong. "The owner of the Crown car. He admitted to me that they had a relationship."
"Consensual or not?"
Zhang Yong cut straight to the point. Qin Nan hesitated briefly, and Zhang Yong understood. He nodded. "We'll run a biological comparison. Don't worry."
Qin Nan nodded and lowered his voice. "Thank you."
"It's my job."
After sharing the information and quietly expressing his gratitude, Qin Nan headed back.
In the lobby, Ye Sibei was holding a cup, sitting on a bench with Ye Nianwen, waiting.
When Qin Nan walked out, Ye Nianwen stood up. "Brother-in-law."
"Yeah."
Qin Nan nodded. Ye Nianwen glanced at Ye Sibei. "Brother-in-law, take my sister home to rest first. I'll stay to handle some things before heading back to the law firm."
"Alright."
Qin Nan agreed, then looked down at Ye Sibei. "Let's go?"
Ye Sibei nodded and stood up to leave with him.
On the drive back to the hospital, neither spoke. Sensing Ye Sibei's low spirits, Qin Nan hesitated before offering comfort. "It's really okay. They're police—they won't spread anything."
"Are you worried about me?"
Ye Sibei caught his intention and turned to look at him. Qin Nan stayed silent. She turned back to the window.
"Don't worry about me."
Her voice was soft as she watched the morning sunlight filter through the branches, dappling the ground. She rolled down the window and stretched her hand out.
A slightly cool breeze brushed her fingertips. She tilted her head, letting the wind gently tousle her hair.
"I'm happy."
"Even though it hurts, disgusts me, and scares me."
"But finally," Ye Sibei smiled, "I feel like my future isn't just a pile of mud—it's unknown."
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