Chapter 338: The Clock of Time

At the hospital, Feng Xiuyun slowly opened her eyes.

Then…

She was immediately met with public displays of affection. A strikingly handsome man was sneaking a kiss on a stunningly beautiful pregnant woman.

And then she witnessed a scene that left her completely dumbfounded. The very same man, whom she had always thought of as sharp and almost inhumanly intelligent, was now squatting beside the pregnant woman with childlike enthusiasm.

He pressed his ear against her belly with a silly grin, as if listening for something.

At this moment, the ever-serious and formidable Xiao Yu looked no different from an excited child.

Was this truly the same officer Xiao Yu she knew?

‘I must have opened my eyes the wrong way.’ 

Feng Xiuyun rubbed them once, then again. Yet the scene before her remained unchanged.

She lay in bed, staring blankly at what seemed to be a sanctuary.

Yes.

The warmth and beauty of the scene before her and the pair were almost too dazzling to be real.

Like a serene, untouched paradise.

“Husband, stop fooling around. Focus on your case. I need to leave after my prenatal checkup. Sister Bai is waiting for me outside.”

The pregnant woman sighed with the helplessness of a young mother. She reached out her elegant, jade-like hand and gently stroked Xiao Yu’s head. The tenderness in her beautiful eyes could melt the coldest heart.

What is love?

True love is knowing that the other person is a fool, yet still fearing that someone might steal them away.

“The baby is moving! Hehe…”

Xiao Yu grinned excitedly, listening intently.

All thoughts of intelligence, identity, or prestige were thrown aside.

At this moment, his world revolved around two things—his unborn child and his wife.

“You only care about the baby. What about me?”

Mu Qingwu playfully pinched his ear, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“How could I not care?” Looking up, Xiao Yu gazed into her radiant face. “Sister isn’t just beautiful to me, she’s just as important as the baby.”

“Oh, really?” Mu Qingwu chuckled softly, tilting her head. “So it was my beauty that won you over in the first place?”

“A woman’s beauty alone isn’t enough to move me.”

Slowly standing up, Xiao Yu put on a serious expression and wrapped his arms around her. 

“She also has to be stupid enough.”

“You—!” Mu Qingwu raised her hand, about to smack him.

“Pfft!”

A burst of laughter erupted from the side.

And suddenly, they remembered they weren’t alone. The affectionate couple turned toward the hospital bed.

In that instant, Feng Xiuyun finally understood the meaning of changing faces.

Xiao Yu’s childish demeanor vanished without a trace. With just a single sharp glance, he made her heart pound wildly.

Meanwhile, the gentle pregnant woman transformed too. Gone was the warmth. In its place, an air of cool elegance, dignity, and the commanding presence of someone accustomed to authority. 

The shift made Feng Xiuyun shiver.

Yet strangely enough, she felt that this was what made them truly a perfect match.

Like a pair destined by the heavens.

“Are you coming home tonight?” Mu Qingwu shifted her gaze back to Xiao Yu.

“Yes.” Xiao Yu nodded. “The case is nearly wrapped up. The remaining work doesn’t require my direct involvement. I can finally take a break.”

The investigation had reached its concluding stage.

Yu Anan had been arrested and was in custody.

Now, the details of the case from five years ago needed thorough examination. Then, there was the brutal murder and dismemberment from three years ago. And most recently, Yu Anan’s latest crime—now completely overturned.

Xiao Yu was no longer needed in these investigations. Zhao Changshan and Zhou Tinghu were handling the rest.

A case of this magnitude was bound to be classified as a major one. Though it wouldn’t qualify for first-class merit, a collective second-class merit was inevitable.

“Come home early.”

Mu Qingwu squeezed his hand before stepping out of the ward.

Bai Ting, who had been waiting outside, gave Xiao Yu a nod before following Mu Qingwu out.

Xiao Yu turned his attention back to the hospital bed, meeting Feng Xiuyun’s gaze.

“I told you I would find the person who hurt your sister.”

“Mm!” Tears welled up in Feng Xiuyun’s eyes as she nodded. “Thank you!”

“No need to thank me.” Xiao Yu smiled faintly before continuing, “You will be sent back to prison.”

“That’s okay.” Feng Xiuyun shook her head, her tears still falling. “As long as my sister—”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Live well.” Xiao Yu’s tone grew serious. “Your sister wouldn’t want you to follow her. That would only break her heart. She’d want you to live, to keep going. Also, because of your involvement in this case and the crucial information you provided, your sentence will be significantly reduced. Originally, you had twelve years remaining, but after deliberation, the Criminal Investigation Brigade has recognized your contributions as major merit. The prison administration has accepted our recommendation for a substantial sentence reduction.”

Just how significant?

Helping solve a five-year-old cold case and connecting it to a dismemberment murder?

Such merit typically warranted a sentence reduction of at least 20% to 50%.

And since the Criminal Investigation Brigade personally recommended it, the base sentence would be reduced by at least 50% or possibly even complete exoneration.

Feng Xiuyun’s crime had never truly been necessary.

All she had done was remove her sister’s ventilator with her own hands.

She had wanted to follow her sister in death.

The judge had understood this, which was why she had only been given fifteen years instead of a life sentence.

Now, with this extraordinary merit, she would most likely be released immediately.

“Mmm.” Feng Xiuyun could only weep.

She cared little about her own fate.

“I’m not here to give you empty encouragement.”

Looking at Feng Xiuyun, Xiao Yu chuckled. 

“Life isn’t always clear skies and sunshine. Sometimes, the rain will pour. But don’t get lost in sorrow. Think about the days filled with laughter. Think about your sister. Who knows, maybe she’s watching over you.”

Feng Xiuyun lifted her head, gazing at the bright sky outside the window.

Tears still streamed down her face, yet her eyes no longer looked lifeless.

In the clouds above… she seemed to see a familiar smile. Her sister’s smile.

Biting her lip, Feng Xiuyun smiled through her tears.

Without disturbing her, Xiao Yu turned and left the ward. He knew that a woman who had once embraced death would one day step out of her sorrow.

Leaving the hospital, Xiao Yu hummed a tune as he walked toward his car.

The clock of time’s passing scene

Begins moving in reverse

Returning to the time and space we once shared

Freeze frame…

Case closed.