Xu Jialan’s earlobes flushed with a faint pink.
She lowered her head, eating her steamed bun without speaking.
Since yesterday, she had noticed—he had called her “Mrs. Shen” several times.
Mrs. Shen…
At this moment, she was indeed the rightful Mrs. Shen.
…
After breakfast.
Shen Xichuan changed his clothes and drove Xu Jialan to the laboratory.
Xu Jialan glanced at the familiar buildings outside.
Pursing her lips, she turned her gaze to the man beside her.
Shen Xichuan raised an eyebrow slightly. “What’s wrong?”
If Xiao Wu and the others were here, they would probably be astonished.
Such a gentle tone actually came from their captain.
Xu Jialan took a card from her bag—it was the residential access card.
Shen Xichuan’s eyes drifted downward, glancing at the card but not moving.
“You… didn’t you say you were moving to my place? I might be very busy today and won’t have time to accompany you, so you’ll have to move by yourself. This is the access card for the residential complex. I’ll send you the building number, unit number, and the password later,” Xu Jialan said in a clear voice, her tone neither hurried nor slow.
The man lowered his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “Okay.”
He reached out and took the card, idly twirling it between his fingers.
Seeing his gesture, Xu Jialan’s eyes paused for a moment.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and, before getting out of the car, looked at him steadily for a few seconds. “You… be careful.”
The man’s gaze remained fixed on her, a gentle curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
“Mm, I know, Mrs. Shen.”
Hearing those three words, Xu Jialan’s ears couldn’t help but tinge with red.
She tucked the hair beside her ear behind it. “I’ll go now, then. Goodbye.”
With that, she pushed the car door open and got out.
Shen Xichuan didn’t leave immediately. He rolled down the window, tilting his head slightly.
His hand rested lazily on the window frame, his eyes following Xu Jialan as she walked into the laboratory building without looking back.
Only when that graceful figure disappeared into the building did the man slowly withdraw his gaze, start the car, and drive away from the laboratory.
…
Laboratory.
Away from Shen Xichuan’s side, that aloof aura returned to Xu Jialan.
She put on her work badge and walked out of the elevator at a steady pace.
Staff members greeted her politely as they saw her.
“Professor Xu.”
Xu Jialan nodded slightly, passing through various sections before entering her office.
Fang Zhiyun was holding a stack of documents in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
“Good morning, Professor Xu.”
She habitually placed the coffee by Xu Jialan’s side.
Xu Jialan nodded. “Morning.”
“Professor Xu, these are yesterday’s lab reports.”
Fang Zhiyun handed her a file. “From the clothing fibers collected at the crime scene, we detected traces of blood. Through database comparison and DNA analysis, we’ve confirmed the identity of the individual.”
Xu Jialan’s expression remained cool as she opened the file and carefully examined the data.
She nodded. “Aside from the clothing fibers, did we find any DNA samples from a third person among the environmental evidence collected at the scene?”
Fang Zhiyun lowered her head, scrolling through the data on her tablet.
“All evidence has been examined, and no DNA or fingerprints were found to indicate the presence of a third person at the scene.”
Xu Jialan stared at the scanning device’s screen. “The perpetrator likely knew we would collect and analyze evidence from the scene, so they destroyed it in advance.”
Fang Zhiyun’s expression tightened. “If that’s the case, does it mean our laboratory results might have been deliberately manipulated by the killer?”
Xu Jialan’s face also darkened. “Organize all this data and send it to the police immediately.”
“Understood,” Fang Zhiyun responded.
“Prepare all the evidence. I’ll conduct the examination myself.”
“Yes, Professor Xu.”
…
After leaving the laboratory.
Shen Xichuan first returned to Nanhu to pick up two packed suitcases.
Xu Jialan had sent him an address along with several number sequences – building number, unit number, and access codes.
She had provided everything at once.
The man chuckled softly upon reading the message. “Trusting me this much?”
Perhaps buoyed by Xu Jialan’s trust, Shen Xichuan felt genuinely pleased, his expression relaxed and smiling.
After replying to Xu Jialan’s message, he activated the navigation system, started the car, and drove away from Nanhu.
Xu Jialan lived in a place called Star Lake Bay.
The residential complex had quite a pleasant environment – very quiet.
And the security measures were exceptionally strict.
Shen Xichuan glanced at the patrolling security guards as he drove into the underground parking garage.
Xu Jialan owned two parking spaces.
Fortunately, there was an extra one available for Shen Xichuan.
After finding the spot, he parked the car, pulled out both suitcases, swiped the access card, and entered the elevator.
Soon enough, the elevator arrived.
Shen Xichuan approached the apartment door and entered the code.
The lock supported fingerprint access, but since he hadn’t registered his print, he used the passcode instead.
Stepping inside, Shen Xichuan lifted his gaze to survey the space.
The apartment wasn’t particularly large.
But it was certainly spacious enough.
It was evident the owner valued cleanliness – everything was neatly organized.
Compared to the Nanhu residence, the decor here felt more like a home.
At least it carried more warmth.
Shen Xichuan changed into the slippers he had prepared in advance and walked further inside.
He paused outside the study, peering in.
Just as Xu Jialan had mentioned, there was a custom-built bookshelf covering one entire wall.
The man hesitated briefly before stepping inside.
He didn’t touch anything unnecessarily, simply stopping before the bookshelf with his hands in his pockets, scanning the titles.
The collection was indeed diverse – there were books on almost every subject.
Shen Xichuan even noticed that Xu Jialan had kept her high school textbooks, stored on the top shelf.
Something seemed to occur to him, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
After a while, he left the study.
Adjacent to the study were two rooms.
One was the master bedroom, and the other was… a walk-in closet.
The man’s gaze suddenly stilled.
So, there was only one bedroom?
At this realization, he couldn’t help but pinch the bridge of his nose.
…
Xu Jialan remained busy until noon.
She hadn’t originally planned to take a break.
Having been hospitalized for a week previously and taking another day off yesterday.
Much work remained unresolved.
Just as Fang Zhiyun prepared herself for working through the afternoon.
Xu Jialan’s phone suddenly rang.
She paused her work and retrieved her phone.
Fang Zhiyun clearly noticed how Xu Jialan’s expression visibly softened upon seeing the caller ID.
She thought with surprise, could this be the person who had won Xu Jialan’s heart?
Xu Jialan’s voice was gentle. “Hello?”
A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.
“Have you eaten yet?”
Xu Jialan paused, glanced down at the evidence on the table, and replied helplessly, “Not yet.”
The man hesitated for a few seconds before speaking, “I ordered you a meal. Finish eating before continuing your work.”
Xu Jialan opened her mouth, “But I…”
“Be good.”
That single word from Shen Xichuan was enough to make Xu Jialan comply.
“Alright, I understand.”
After chatting briefly, they ended the call.
Shortly after, a staff member came looking for them.
“Professor Xu.”
The staff member jogged in, suddenly stopping in her tracks with a look of shock and curiosity, “Your… your husband’s meal delivery has arrived.”
Fang Zhiyun widened her eyes, “?”