Wang Bing thought for a moment. “I do not believe so. But I have only been assigned to Commander Lu for two years so I would not know about events before then”
Only two years He would indeed have no knowledge of what happened five years ago. Su Wan fleetingly looked disappointed but quickly composed herself. “It must have been my mistake. All of you carry yourselves with such upright bearing”
Wang Bing nodded but inwardly smiled to himself. She was praising the commander Surely she felt the same way about him. It seemed they were well matched. Yet he also knew she had recently divorced and had a young daughter. If they were to be together people would talk. He wondered whether his commander was prepared to face such whispers.
Su Wan paid no mind to his thoughts. She set aside questions about Lu Linzhou and focused entirely on what lay ahead. As they neared the hospital she asked him to stop around the corner so she would not draw attention.
“Shall I wait here for you” Wang Bing asked.
“There is no need. Please return and thank Commander Lu for me”
Wang Bing did not leave. He had been given clear instructions to watch over her discreetly. It was obvious his commander held her very dear.
Su Wan entered the hospital and made her way to the Maternity Department where she spotted Li Cuilan. They had spoken on the train and Li Cuilan had mentioned covering a shift for an absent colleague.
“Li Jie” Su Wan called softly.
Li Cuilan looked up. “Do I know you”
Su Wan smiled and whispered. “It is me Su Wan the plainly dressed woman who helped catch the trafficker this morning”
Li Cuilan stared in astonishment. “You look so different” She led her to a quiet corner.
“It is truly me”
Li Cuilan shook her head in wonder. “Liu Xiumei is here but she has just asked for leave saying she must go home urgently. I suspect she is meeting Zhou Meiling husband again”
Su Wan eyes brightened. That was exactly what she hoped for. “Will you be here this afternoon”
“I will”
“And Doctor Zhou Meiling”
“She has surgery scheduled so she will be here too. Why”
Su Wan smiled. “I need a small favour from you. Could you keep an eye on Doctor Zhou for me I may telephone and ask for her”
“What are you planning” Li Cuilan asked curiously.
“You will see”
Just then Liu Xiumei emerged from the changing room. She was dressed carefully in a pale beige blouse red skirt and polished black shoes with her hair neatly arranged. She was clearly expecting to meet someone.
“I am leaving now” Liu Xiumei said.
Su Wan quietly took her leave and followed at a distance. They reached the bus stop boarded the same bus and rode until the vehicle reached the entrance to a state farm on the outskirts of the city. Liu Xiumei got off and walked toward the farm guest house. Li Cuilan suspicion was correct. This was where they met. Far from colleagues and with looser registration procedures it was the perfect place for an affair.
Su Wan waited briefly then entered. “Do you have rooms available”
“Yes. How many”
“One please”
She registered and glanced at the ledger. Liu Xiumei was in Room 203. “I would prefer a room on the second floor”
She was handed the key to Room 206 directly opposite 203. Once inside she left the door slightly ajar so she could clearly see the corridor.
About five minutes later a man stepped out of Room 205. He was neatly dressed and appeared respectable. After checking that no one was about he walked to Room 203 and gave a quiet cough. The door opened immediately and Liu Xiumei pulled him inside.
Su Wan saw everything. She listened briefly confirming they were alone and occupied then quietly hurried downstairs to the nearby supply and marketing cooperative which had a public telephone.
“Please connect me to the main switchboard of the Peoples Hospital” she told the operator. “And then to the Maternity Department nurses station”
When the line connected she spoke quickly. “Li Jie it is me. Please go to Doctor Zhou Meiling immediately and tell her to come to Room 203 at the State Farm Guest House on the outskirts of the city. Tell her her husband is in trouble and to come quickly”
“Is Liu Xiumei there too” Li Cuilan asked.
“Yes” Su Wan replied. After paying for the call she consulted the leather folder Lu Linzhou had given her where both names and contact details were listed. He had been exceptionally thorough. She telephoned Liu Xiumei husband workplace and delivered the same message saying his wife needed him urgently at the same location.
Having done both she returned to Room 206 and waited. About twenty minutes later footsteps were heard approaching along the corridor.