Chapter 167: Taking the Blame?

2023-10-26 Author: Zi Tao

His hand unconsciously moved to the spot on his ribs where it hurt, then quickly dropped back down.

He didn’t want Chu Xuan to worry.

He didn’t cry out in pain, just brushed it off lightly. “I’m not hurt. Don’t worry!”

Doctor Zhang was sitting right across from Mu Chenze, and immediately saw where he was hurting.

“Young man, don’t try to tough it out. Your ribs are obviously hurting, but you still won’t admit it. If your ribs are broken and you don’t get treated in time, and something like a rib puncturing your lung happens, a small problem can turn into a big one. Let me take a look.”

Mu Chenze was about to refuse, but Chu Xuan’s concerned voice cut in. “He has to take a look. Otherwise I won’t be at ease. Dr. Zhang, please check him right here!”

As soon as Chu Xuan spoke, Mu Chenze immediately became obedient.

He lifted his shirt, revealing his stab-proof vest, and Dr. Zhang helped him pull it up.

There was a bruise on his left ribs.

After examining him, Dr. Zhang concluded that it was a mild rib contusion, not broken, but he’d need at least three days of bed rest and some Chinese herbal pills.

Dr. Zhang was definitely playing matchmaker, deliberately telling Chu Xuan, “Mu Chenze ignored his own pain and carried you to the ER in time. Otherwise, you’d have been out until this time tomorrow. You really ought to thank him.”

Actually, Dr. Zhang could tell there was something going on between Mu Chenze and Chu Xuan.

He didn’t mind putting in a few good words for Mu Chenze.

Chu Xuan rubbed her face with both hands, trying to perk herself up. “I really should thank him. Dr. Zhang, I should thank you too! If you hadn’t prescribed me medicine and helped me get my health back, and helped me lose weight, Mu Chenze wouldn’t have been able to carry me today.”

That made both Mu Chenze and Dr. Zhang chuckle.

Though Mu Chenze was holding his injured side as he laughed.

Dr. Zhang quickly stopped him. “Mu Chenze, hold in your laughter. The more you laugh, the more it’ll hurt.”

Mu Chenze could already feel the pain getting worse, so he immediately stifled his laughter.

Dr. Zhang went to the pharmacy to prepare the herbal pills for Mu Chenze.

Now, only Mu Chenze and Chu Xuan were left in the exam room.

Mu Chenze took the opportunity to briefly tell Chu Xuan about Liang Shi and Feng Chunhua getting arrested.

Since they had to hurry to the city public security office to give their statements, Chu Xuan and Mu Chenze didn’t stay at the hospital. Mu Chenze quickly hired a car and driver to take them into the city.

The herbal pills were left with Dr. Zhang for now; they’d pick them up on the way back.

On the way, since the driver was there, they didn’t say much.

When they arrived at the city public security office, Mu Chenze paid the driver, and only after watching the car leave did he start talking to Chu Xuan.

“You really called it. Feng Chunhua really did risk everything to try and rescue Liang Shi. She even brought a knife and attacked Min Yi. How did you know she’d do that?”

Yesterday, Feng Fool’s parents had gone to Feng Chunhua’s house, coaxed Feng Fool away, and Feng Chunhua, afraid he’d come back, didn’t dare stay home. She hired a carriage and hid out in the county hospital in Chu Zhi’s ward. Since she had money, she figured she might as well get admitted and treat her injured leg.

Chu Xuan had long had enough of Feng Chunhua.

Today, Chu Xuan had someone tip off Feng Chunhua at just the right time, telling her that Chu Xuan was planning to set a trap for Liang Shi in a secluded alley near the county market.

Feng Chunhua rushed in like a moth to a flame.

This time, she’d be going down with Liang Shi.

Chu Xuan smiled calmly. “Just a gut feeling. Liang Shi is about the same age as Feng Chunhua, so he’s definitely not her eldest son. I have a feeling they’re a couple. And I also think her eldest son is still alive, and he’s probably not Chu Dashan’s son, but Liang Shi’s. Otherwise, Liang Shi’s actions don’t make sense.”

By rights, Chu Xuan and Liang Shi had no real grudge, so Liang Shi shouldn’t have tried to harm her again and again, but he did.

Chu Xuan did have a grudge with Feng Chunhua, but Feng Chunhua was old and unattractive—Liang Shi definitely wouldn’t go after Chu Xuan just for her sake.

So there was only one possibility: Chu Xuan was standing in the way of Liang Shi or his son’s interests, so they wanted her gone.

Mu Chenze said softly, “I’ll make sure to tell Min Yi your deductions word for word. It’ll help him interrogate Liang Shi and Feng Chunhua.”

Chu Xuan’s gaze fell on his injured side, her heart aching. “Your ribs still hurt. Try not to talk too much. I’ll tell him myself.”

It felt nice to be fussed over by Chu Xuan, and Mu Chenze couldn’t help but smile. “Alright then! But I have to stay by your side.”

Chu Xuan was a bit exasperated. “Your classmate isn’t a tiger—he’s not going to eat me, is he?”

Mu Chenze’s lips curled up. “He’s not a tiger, but he is a single man. With me there, I can remind him at all times that you’re already taken.”

Chu Xuan blushed. “Who’s taken? I haven’t agreed to be your girlfriend yet!”

“The moment Liang Shi was arrested, you became my girlfriend. Don’t argue with me—I’m injured, my ribs hurt…”

Thinking of how he got hurt, Chu Xuan could only surrender. “Fine, I won’t argue with you.”

They’d negotiate again once he was healed.

“Help me up. My ribs hurt so much I can’t stand steady.”

Without hesitation, Chu Xuan reached out to support him.

Together, the two of them walked into Min Yi’s office at the city public security bureau.

When Min Yi saw Mu Chenze half-leaning on Chu Xuan, he couldn’t help but tease, “Back in the county, you were full of energy, carrying Chu Xuan straight to the hospital. How come you look like this now? You’re not just taking advantage of a girl, are you?”

Mu Chenze, holding his ribs, introduced in a low voice, “Xiao Xuan, this is my classmate, Min Yi.”

“He’s definitely not taking advantage of me. He’s really hurt—there’s a medical record to prove it.” Chu Xuan said this with a grateful smile. “Comrade Min, thank you and your colleagues for your help. Otherwise, Mu Chenze and I might not have made it out of that alley today. He was worried I’d been poisoned, so he ignored his own rib injury and rushed me to the hospital. Only after making sure I was okay did he let the doctor check him. Right now, he can’t speak loudly or stand steadily—the doctor said he needs at least three days of bed rest. Once we finish the statement, I’ll take him home to rest. Let me help him to a chair first.”

Min Yi quickly moved a chair over. “Let him sit down. This is partly my fault—I had something urgent come up and couldn’t get to the scene right away.”

Mu Chenze quickly said, “You all got there in time!”

If he hadn’t been hurt, how could he have gotten Chu Xuan’s care?

Once Mu Chenze was settled, Min Yi smiled and said, “After the statement, he’ll need to get a medical assessment for his injuries. Also, his clothes and stab-proof vest need to be kept as evidence. He can wear one of my plainclothes jackets afterward.”

Mu Chenze nodded in agreement and gave Chu Xuan a meaningful look.

Chu Xuan understood, and explained her suspicions about the relationship between Feng Chunhua and Liang Shi, as well as her theory about Feng Chunhua’s eldest son, in detail.

After listening, Min Yi gave Chu Xuan a thumbs-up.

In fact, Min Yi had already discovered that Yuan Tian was Feng Chunhua’s daughter. Now it seemed Yuan Tian might not even be a member of the Yuan family.

Just then, one of Min Yi’s colleagues came in and whispered something in his ear.

Min Yi nodded to show he understood, watched his colleague leave, then spoke again.

“Feng Chunhua is taking all the blame, saying Liang Shi is mentally ill and that she incited him to try to kill Chu Xuan. Liang Shi seems to be in on it—they haven’t even met, but he’s pretending to have a psychotic episode too. Right now, he’s actually eating pieces of his own clothing.”

Mu Chenze suddenly thought of Feng Chunhua’s expert rolling and Liang Shi’s fighting skills. “They’ve definitely had special training.”

That reminded Chu Xuan, “Could they be agents sent from another country?”"