SFTD -Chapter 203 An All-Out Brawl

April 6, 2015

The sound of the alarm clock woke Zhou Hai.

He moved his left foot, the cast having been removed two days earlier, yet it still felt strange. Human adaptability really was terrifying.

He slowly got up, washed up, and had breakfast. Just then, a series of car horns sounded from downstairs. Lu Xi leaned over the balcony to look and, as expected, saw Xu Biao leaning against the car, repeatedly honking the horn. The moment he spotted Lu Xi poking her head out, he hurriedly waved.

“Teacher Xixi, can you call Hai Zi downstairs already?”

Zhou Hai put on a trench coat and was about to leave when Lu Xi handed him his briefcase before wrapping her arms around him from behind.

“Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t stand too long, and especially don’t squat down. Remember what Doctor He said!”

Zhou Hai couldn’t help laughing, his shoulders trembling slightly. Turning around, he pulled Lu Xi into his arms.

“When your parents come back, let’s discuss the wedding.”

Lu Xi lifted her chin. “Does that count as a proposal? Hmph! That’s way too careless. And way too simple.”

Zhou Hai shrugged. “Well, there’s no ring and no flowers… but I can give myself to you.”

Lu Xi raised her face to look at him. In those dark eyes, she could see only her own reflection. The sincerity there moved her deeply, and she nodded.

“Let’s wait until my parents come back and meet you first.”

Zhou Hai froze, then nervously wrapped an arm around her waist.

“You don’t want to marry me? You’ve hugged me, touched me, looked at me, and now you’re going to act irresponsibly like this?”

That string of words nearly made Lu Xi stumble.

Was this really the always-serious forensic doctor Zhou Hai?

She pinched the soft flesh at his waist and deliberately put on a stern expression.

“You’re mine. That’s beyond question. But my parents still need to inspect the goods when they get back. If they’re not satisfied, they’ll reject the delivery.”

This time it was Zhou Hai who went dumbstruck, his expression instantly turning nervous.

“Do your parents… like my type? Should I prepare something?”

Another car horn sounded outside. Lu Xi opened the door and pushed Zhou Hai out.

“Go to work properly. If your leg gets overworked and affects your recovery, I’m returning the goods.”

Then she shut the door.

Smiling, Zhou Hai headed downstairs. Xu Biao had already opened the passenger-side door for him.

“Hai Zi, can your family cut down on the lovey-dovey routine before work in the morning? My god, saying goodbye took fifteen minutes! Once we hit Anshan Road, traffic’s gonna clog us up so bad we’ll get kidney inflammation, and you’re still dawdling around like this.”

Xu Biao kept rambling nonstop, only to realize Zhou Hai was simply sitting in the passenger seat, looking out the window with a faint smile, not responding at all.

In an instant, all his complaints dissolved into nothingness.

This guy hadn’t listened to a single word he said!

Shaking his head, Xu Biao released the handbrake and slowly started the car.

…

The two soon arrived at the center, but today the courtyard was already packed with cars. Xu Biao looked bewildered.

“Why are there so many cars this early in the morning? Don’t tell me we’re late?”

Zhou Hai raised his wrist to check the time.

7:55.

That definitely wasn’t late.

The moment they got out of the car, they saw several people arguing in the lobby. A familiar figure had grabbed a man by the collar with both hands, lifting him completely off the ground and pinning him against the wall.

That slender back made it obvious who it was without even guessing—Chu Menghan.

And the one whose collar she was gripping was actually Ding Zhiming from Group One.

For a man to be treated like this was utterly humiliating. Ding Zhiming no longer cared about appearances and struggled frantically, trying to break free from Chu Menghan’s hold.

“What’s wrong with you, woman?!”

“There are no women here. I’m a police officer, and you’re a forensic examiner. I told your group to process the crime scene carefully instead of wrapping it up carelessly, and now that you’re back, you’re dragging your feet over the autopsy and insisting on waiting for Zhao Xinli!”

Ding Zhiming looked utterly wronged.

“I already explained it to you. Team Leader Liu’s blood pressure has been high these past two days and he’s undergoing treatment. Team Two’s Leader Zhou broke his leg, Team Four is handling petition-related cases, and Zhao Xinli from Team Three is the only one really skilled at autopsies.”

“Aren’t you a forensic examiner?”

“I am, but I’m better at laboratory analysis work. Autopsies aren’t my specialty!”

A police officer beside Chu Menghan hung up the phone.

“Boss, Forensic Doctor Zhao went to Mocheng City. He won’t be back anytime soon. Should we wait, or have the forensic examiner from Team Four do it?”

Chu Menghan yanked off her cap and, with a forceful movement of her arm, dragged Ding Zhiming closer.

“You heard that. Zhao Xinli isn’t coming back. I’m making this clear today—you will perform the autopsy. If you make mistakes or delay the investigation, there’ll be plenty of places for us to settle this. I don’t care whether Team Leader Liu is sick or not—that’s your problem. I want results, understand?”

A burst of footsteps came from the staircase.

Director Pang, who had rushed over after hearing the commotion, smoothed down his windblown hair with one hand while making a calming gesture toward Chu Menghan with the other.

“Captain Chu, don’t get angry. I’ll think of a solution!”

Chu Menghan shot him a glance and was just about to unleash indiscriminate verbal attacks when a voice sounded from behind her.

“Where’s the body?”

Blocked by Chu Menghan, Director Pang couldn’t see who it was, but the moment he heard that incredibly reassuring voice, he nearly cried with joy. He hurriedly pointed past Chu Menghan.

“Quick, let go! Forensic Doctor Zhou is here!”

Of course Chu Menghan had heard him. Although she still didn’t release Ding Zhiming’s collar, her expression softened considerably.

At the entire center, there were only a handful of people capable of handling crime scenes now. This Ding Zhiming wasn’t even as capable as Fengzi, yet because Group One was responsible for homicide scenes, she couldn’t bypass them. That was why she had intentionally made such a huge scene—even taking Fengzi along would’ve been better than bringing this useless fool.

Xu Biao had already walked up beside Chu Menghan and flashed his trademark grin.

“Well now, Beauty Chu, working out this early? Damn, what amazing physical fitness. So lifting people instead of dumbbells is the latest trend now? So what’s the plan? Are we heading to the scene, or straight to the autopsy?”

Only then did Chu Menghan toss Ding Zhiming aside, though the cold glint in the corner of her eye made him shudder all over.

“Director Pang, I’d still rather work with Team Two.”

Director Pang beamed.

“Of course, of course! You’ve worked with Team Two many times already. I have no objections, none at all!”

As he spoke, he smoothly positioned himself between Ding Zhiming and Chu Menghan.

Only then did Chu Menghan turn around and gesture toward the people behind her.

“Unload the vehicle and send everything to Autopsy Room Number One for Forensic Doctor Zhou and the others.”

After speaking, she turned back to Ding Zhiming.

“I’ll remember you.”

Then she quickly followed after Zhou Hai and the others, leaving the crowd behind collectively letting out long breaths, as if they had just survived a disaster.

Director Pang poked the dumbfounded Ding Zhiming.

“You too. Why did you have to butt heads with her? Don’t you know even Old Liu treats her with leniency? Next time you want to get yourself killed, go do it outside. Don’t make me clean up your mess.”

Ding Zhiming knew Director Pang had only helped him out of respect for Team Leader Liu, so he immediately put on a flattering expression.

“Thank you for helping me out, Director. I’m really not good at autopsies. Usually Team Leader Liu handles them in our group, so…”

Director Pang waved him off.

“Enough explanations. Everyone disperse.”

The crowd gradually scattered.

Director Pang looked toward Autopsy Room Number One and slowly shook his head before turning and heading upstairs.

Zhou Hai might not be likable. His personality could irritate people even more the more they looked at him.

But when it came to ability, the entire center truly couldn’t find another all-rounder like him.

The center’s budget had increased dramatically because of him, not to mention the city bureau’s trust in him.

Looks like I need to reevaluate Zhou Hai’s position.

Director Pang narrowed his eyes and quickened his pace.