Chapter 30: Terror in the Elevator

Shu Yan nodded slightly. "Understood, Director."

Zhao Jianguo did not pursue the topic further, instead asking Lu Chengfeng for a brief report on the Xia Linlin case. Shu Yan ate her fried dough stick on the side, listening in silence. By the time she finished her snack, Lu Chengfeng had concluded his report. Zhao Jianguo instructed Lu Chengfeng to ensure Jiang Xue confessed within the day to close the case as quickly as possible. Lu Chengfeng acknowledged the order and left with Shu Yan. His task for the day was to monitor the interrogation team as they questioned Jiang Xue.

As they stepped into the elevator, Shu Yan deliberately kept her distance, retreating to the opposite corner. Sensing something was amiss, Lu Chengfeng furrowed his brows and glanced at her. When the elevator stopped one floor down, the doors opened to reveal a group of female officers. Upon seeing Lu Chengfeng, they all beamed with surprise, vying to greet him with, "Good morning, Captain Lu," while completely ignoring Shu Yan. Shu Yan lowered her head, hearing Lu Chengfeng respond with a dull, emotionless "Morning."

The group of officers, sensing the mood, fell silent and crowded into the elevator. Lu Chengfeng naturally shifted two steps toward Shu Yan’s corner, appearing to make room for the others. Through their clothes, Shu Yan could feel the warmth radiating from him, causing her breathing to quicken. The elevator began its descent, but after one floor, it suddenly stopped and then began to ascend instead. A chorus of screams erupted from within. Shu Yan’s heart leaped into her throat, yet she was the only one among the women who did not scream. As the elevator jolted, ascending and then plummeting, she was suddenly pulled into an embrace and held tightly. The entire sequence lasted barely a dozen seconds, leaving no time for reaction.

Fortunately, the elevator soon came to a halt and the doors opened automatically. The female officers scrambled out in a panic, still screaming. Lu Chengfeng and Shu Yan were the last to exit. Shu Yan did not know if Lu Chengfeng had been frightened, but her own legs felt like jelly. Security guards rushed over to shut down the elevator. After Lu Chengfeng gave them a brief account of the incident, he turned to ask if Shu Yan was hurt. She shook her head, saying, "I'm fine."

However, she had no desire to set foot in an elevator again. They were on the fourth floor of the main building and needed to descend to return to the annex. Observing Shu Yan’s pale complexion, Lu Chengfeng asked with genuine concern, "Shall we take the stairs?" Shu Yan nodded, allowing him to steady her as they walked.

When the staff at the Forensic Center saw Lu Chengfeng supporting Shu Yan and noticed her poor color, they all rushed to ask what had happened. Lu Chengfeng explained that they had encountered a mechanical failure in the elevator. Everyone remarked on their good fortune, noting that surviving such a calamity was a sign of future blessings; had the elevator plunged all the way to the ground floor, they would have been dead or crippled.

After Lu Chengfeng walked Shu Yan back to her office, his phone rang. It was Zhao Jianguo, calling to ask if they had been involved in the elevator malfunction and if they were injured. Upon learning they were safe, he sighed with relief, promising to have the elevator maintenance team conduct a thorough review. He also asked Lu Chengfeng to help comfort Shu Yan. Although she was a police officer, she was a forensic pathologist, and in Zhao Jianguo's eyes, she was someone delicate; he genuinely cared and worried about her, fearing even a scratch on her finger.

Lu Chengfeng poured Shu Yan a cup of hot water to help settle her nerves. Only after ensuring she was truly alright did he return to his duties. After drinking the water, Shu Yan slowly recovered. Thinking back to how he had pulled her into his arms in the elevator, she had to admit she was deeply moved. Moments of crisis are the true test of human nature.

Near the lunch break, Lu Chengfeng arrived. Stepping into the room, he reported, "Jiang Xue has confessed everything. She lured Xia Linlin to the beach, and when she wasn't paying attention, pushed her into the water and held her under until she stopped struggling. She denies it was premeditated, claiming it was an impulsive act, but regardless of her story, we will have the prosecutor charge her with premeditated murder. Also, we found Xia Linlin’s bag in Jiang Xue’s car; I’ve handed it over to the trace evidence team."

Shu Yan replied, "Understood. I will issue the 'Cause of Death Appraisal' to the court as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your hard work," Lu Chengfeng said with a slight nod. "Shall we go to the cafeteria together? I haven't been there yet. Could Director Shu show me the way?"

Shu Yan frowned slightly. "I'm sure your team members would be more than happy to take you."

A look of disappointment flickered in Lu Chengfeng's eyes. "I feel more comfortable with you, Director Shu."

Shu Yan’s lips twitched.

Lu Chengfeng added, "Fine, I won't force you. I’m afraid of being called overbearing again."

Shu Yan glared at the man before her—was he acting aggrieved? Fine. Given that he had saved her life in the elevator today, she would accompany him to the cafeteria. She picked up her phone, stood up, and headed out, saying, "If you want to eat at the cafeteria, you have to go early, or you'll be stuck in a long line."

Lu Chengfeng’s lips curled into a smile as he followed her. He knew it; Shu Yan was soft-hearted despite her sharp tongue and wouldn't refuse him.

The cafeteria was on the first floor of the annex building. By the time they arrived, many officers were already queuing for food. As they entered, heads turned in their direction—the pair was simply too eye-catching. The male officers envied Lu Chengfeng, while the female officers were jealous of Shu Yan. Yet, they all had to admit that Lu Chengfeng and Shu Yan looked like a perfect match.

Liu Xun and Gao Yi were in line. Liu Xun leaned toward Gao Yi and whispered, "Does Director Shu have a crush on our branch captain?"

Gao Yi shot him a side-eye. "Why don't you ask if your branch captain has a crush on our Director Shu?"

Liu Xun paused. "That's not the point. The point is whether Shu Yan likes Captain Lu."

Gao Yi replied, "What does it matter to you who she likes? Why are you so concerned?"

Liu Xun was left speechless. Gao Yi teased, "I don't know if she likes your captain, but I do know she certainly doesn't like you, Captain Liu. You should give up on that idea; you don't stand a chance."

"Hey," Liu Xun retorted, "do you have a problem with me, Gao Yi?"

"Not at all," Gao Yi said. "I'm just speaking the truth. You know us forensic pathologists—we don't lie."

Liu Xun stayed silent.

Meanwhile, Lu Chengfeng followed Shu Yan like a shadow. First, he helped her get a tray, then they went to the food stations. The cafeteria worker, familiar with Shu Yan’s habits, served her only a single spoonful of rice. Seeing this, Lu Chengfeng asked with confusion, "Is the cafeteria being stingy? Why such a small portion?"

The worker paused, then asked with a smile, "Are you new, handsome?"

"He is the new branch captain of the investigation department, Captain Lu," Shu Yan explained, blushing. She then turned to Lu Chengfeng, "I don't eat much starch. You can have as much as you want; it's unlimited."

Lu Chengfeng frowned as he looked at the rice on her tray. "No wonder you're so thin. I could finish this in two bites."

The worker, sensing the dynamic, smiled brightly. "That's right, Director Shu is too thin. She really should eat more. Director Shu, how about another scoop?"