Bang bang bang the knocking rang out.
Su Wan quietly pulled the door ajar and saw Zhou Meiling pounding on the door of Room 203.
Who is it?
It was not a man’s voice.
Zhou Meiling’s raised hand froze mid strike then she clenched her fist and banged even harder.
Open up Liu Xiumei open this door right now!
Faint rustling came from inside the room.
Moments later the door was pulled inward leaving a narrow gap.
Liu Xiumei stood behind it hair disheveled dress rumpled and askew. A flush had yet to fade from her face.
At the sight of Zhou Meiling whose face was stony with rage guilt and panic flitted across her eyes.
Sister Zhou what are you doing here?
What am I doing here? Zhou Meiling shoved the door wide open and stormed inside.
At once she spotted the man sitting on the edge of the bed. Her husband the man she had shared every day with looking flustered gaze darting away too afraid to meet her eyes.
On her way here she had been worried about him wondering what trouble he had run into. At the guesthouse she had told the attendant she was looking for her husband in Room 203 only to be told the registered guest was named Liu Xiumei.
Woman’s intuition had given her a terrible premonition yet she had clung to one last shred of hope praying she was just imagining things. But now…
Fury erupted within her. She spun to face Liu Xiumei voice sharp and biting:
You heartless woman how could I have been so blind as to call you my friend? All these years when your inexperience and weak standing made you a target who looked out for you at every turn? When people at the hospital opposed your promotion to head nurse who begged my husband to pave the way for you? And look where that way led straight into my husband’s bed!
I treated you like my own sister believing you would know gratitude. Instead you called me Sister Zhou to my face while sneaking behind my back to seduce him!
Liu Xiumei you ungrateful wretch how could you be so shameless!
Her voice was shrill and piercing. Neighbors from nearby rooms had already poked their heads out gathering to watch the spectacle. Su Wan stood among them observing everything with cold clarity.
Liu Xiumei’s face turned pale then flushed red. She reached out frantically grabbing Zhou Meiling’s arm.
Sister Zhou it is not what you think! Brother Zhijun and I just happened to run into each other we were just chatting!
That is right Meiling you are misunderstanding this. Yang Zhijun stepped to her side keeping his voice low and steady. There are too many people watching. Let us go home and talk this over.
Eyes blazing Zhou Meiling pushed him away. Her hand rose and fell a sharp resounding slap struck Liu Xiumei’s cheek.
Chatting? Locked behind closed doors at midday both of you half undressed? That is what you call chatting!
Liu Xiumei stung with pain burning with shame and indignation. She stamped her foot preparing to flee but Su Wan stepped forward seized her wrist and delivered two more stinging slaps.
You despicable creature! Not only did you betray a friend you are utterly wicked! Four years ago you used your position to steal my son. My baby barely born not even fed was snatched away by you! Liu Xiumei give me back my son!
Her outburst silenced the crowd for an instant then murmurs swelled even louder. No one had expected a domestic squabble to unearth a child abduction case.
Liu Xiumei reeled staring at Su Wan in shock. Who… who are you? Do not you dare spread lies!
Do not play innocent Liu Xiumei. Your cousin Lin Wenchuan has told me everything. I would not be here otherwise!
Lin Wenchuan… Liu Xiumei paled. It dawned on her this woman burning with hatred was Su Wan. Her own cousin had betrayed her secret!
Su Wan read the panic in her eyes. Suppressing her own desperation and rage she turned to the onlookers. Comrades this woman is a child trafficker please someone call the police!
No police! Liu Xiumei cried out and Zhou Meiling and Yang Zhijun shouted the same.
Su Wan’s gaze swept over the three of them cold as ice. Just moments ago Zhou Meiling would have gladly torn Liu Xiumei apart now she stood aligned with her.
Dr. Zhou Liu Xiumei is obviously afraid because she is guilty. Why are you stopping me? Su Wan pressed on. After what she has done with your husband do not you want her to face justice?
Zhou Meiling had felt a surge of satisfaction seeing Liu Xiumei struck but Su Wan’s words now filled her with dread. This woman had come for her child…
It is… it is a private family matter Zhou Meiling stammered. There is no need to involve the authorities.
Su Wan gave a cold smile her gaze turning piercing. Family matter? Or were you in on it too when my son was taken from me the moment he was born?
Zhou Meiling flinched. Do not dare speak such nonsense! I would never do such a thing!
You had better think carefully before you answer Su Wan warned. From what I have heard the three of you are far too close. Is this a gang? Did you and Liu Xiumei take the babies using your positions while your husband sold them?
Yang Zhijun already distraught at being caught red handed turned livid. How dare you slander us? What trafficking? You are asking for a beating! He loomed over her fists clenched threatening to strike.
Before Su Wan could reply a man’s voice cut through the air sharp cold commanding. Angry now? I suggest you watch your tone and speak with respect.
Su Wan knew that voice without turning around Lu Linzhou. She glanced back and saw him pushing through the crowd tall broad shouldered carrying the imposing presence of a career soldier. Even the murmurs died down.
Commander Lu… what brings you here?
A report was filed alleging immoral conduct here and suspected child abduction Lu Linzhou said glancing at the group. I was at the nearby police station discussing the trafficking case from this morning’s train so I came along to see if this might be connected.
Wang Bing standing in the crowd thought to himself As if that is coincidence… The commander had been worried about Comrade Su Wan knowing she would go to the hospital. He had gone to the station to keep watch. Wang Bing had shadowed her instead and seeing what unfolded called Lu Linzhou to report just in case she needed rescuing.
Now then the accompanying officer said sternly addressing Yang Zhijun and the others. Explain your relationship with one another.
All three looked terrified. Yang Zhijun spoke first:
Officer I admit I made a mistake the kind any man might make. But I was led on! She is the one who pursued me! He pointed an accusing finger at Liu Xiumei shifting all blame onto her. And I swear I had nothing to do with taking children! That was them not me!