Chapter 53: Dreaming of the Father Who Vanished into Thin Air

Lu Chengfeng held his phone, looking at Shu Yan’s message, the corners of his lips curling up uncontrollably.

Being unable to make a public announcement on his Moments made him feel utterly憋屈 (frustrated/suffocated).

However, Shu Yan did not say he was forbidden from telling his friends. He thought of someone.

Shi Wei had spent the entire night at his bar, having just returned home and prepared to sleep.

His phone buzzed.

He wanted to curse, picking up the phone to see which deadbeat was messaging him at the crack of dawn, only to see it was a photo sent by Lu Chengfeng.

A gorgeous marriage certificate.

Shi Wei’s hand trembled, and the phone dropped onto the bed.

He froze for a moment, snatched up the phone, and initiated a video call.

Lu Chengfeng answered instantly: "Just letting you know, you can start preparing the red envelope. Find some time to treat us to dinner, and you're paying."

Shi Wei: "Brother, you're the one getting married, why do I have to give a red envelope and treat you to dinner?"

Lu Chengfeng: "Because you have too much money to spend. My wife and I both work in the public sector, living on fixed salaries. How much could we possibly have?"

Shi Wei: "My wife... you roll that off the tongue so smoothly. No wait, didn't you tell your wife that you bought commercial real estate in Hongcheng for rent, and collect tens of thousands in rent every month?"

Lu Chengfeng: "Why are you sticking your nose into this? Are you treating or not?"

Shi Wei surrendered: "Treating, treating. Dining out, how much can it cost? I'll even pack a big red envelope for you."

Lu Chengfeng: "Not for me, for my wife. Don't get it wrong."

Shi Wei rolled his eyes: "Fine, fine, I'll pack a big red envelope for your wife. Should I also buy you a pair of wedding rings?"

Only then did Lu Chengfeng remember he had completely forgotten about that.

Shi Wei: "You didn't buy wedding rings? Then what perks did you offer Shu Yan? She actually agreed to marry you!"

Lu Chengfeng: "I'm leveraging my child's status for my own standing. Are you jealous?"

Shi Wei: "Jealous my foot! I have no intention of falling into a woman's hands like you. Getting married is impossible. I will absolutely never get married in this lifetime!"

Lu Chengfeng’s expression was indifferent: "I've memorized your words. I'll wait for the day you eat your own words."

Shi Wei chuckled: "You guys decide on the time for dinner. Congratulations, wishing you... Ah, since it's a shotgun wedding, I guess I don't need to wish you a speedy child. I wish you a harmonious union for a hundred years, then."

Lu Chengfeng reminded Shi Wei: "Keep our marriage a secret. My wife doesn't want people at her workplace to know."

Shi Wei: "What? A secret? Your wife's belly is going to grow. Can you keep a lid on something like that?"

Lu Chengfeng: "I meant the fact that she married me is a secret, not that her pregnancy is a secret."

Shi Wei felt his brain's CPU getting fried: "What does that mean? Are you telling me you're an undercover husband?"

Lu Chengfeng shot him a piercing glare: "Nothing else. Remember not to go blabbing about it. I'll contact you once the dinner time is set. You are dismissed."

Shi Wei: "As you wish."

Lu Chengfeng curved his lips and hung up the video call.

Immediately afterward, the desk phone rang, and he snatched it up instantly: "Hello, Lu Chengfeng from the Major Crimes Unit."

Zhao Jianguo’s voice came through: "Chengfeng, the Beicheng precinct has a major case and requested our support. Inform Shu Yan, the two of you lead a team to Beicheng to check it out. Head out immediately, the scene is in the mountains, and it might rain this afternoon."

Bad weather is the greatest fear of outdoor crime scene investigations.

Licheng was a rainy city.

In some months, it rained a few times; in heavier months, it could rain a dozen times or more.

After hanging up with the bureau chief, Lu Chengfeng hurriedly called Shu Yan’s office line to instruct them to prepare.

Shu Yan notified her team members, and everyone grabbed their investigation kits, riding the elevator down together.

Stepping out of the side building’s entrance, a line of vehicles was parked outside.

Shu Yan noticed that the car parked in front of the investigation van was Lu Chengfeng’s.

He was standing by the passenger side, talking to Liu Xun.

Catching sight of her walking out, he motioned for Liu Xun to go ahead and turned to walk toward her.

He intentionally spoke loudly: "Director Shu, ride in my car. I'll brief you on today's case on the way."

Shu Yan paused for a moment, momentarily unsure of how to respond.

"Sister Yan, then you can ride in Captain Lu's car. We'll see you at the scene," Gao Yi said.

Shu Yan nodded at Gao Yi, glanced at Lu Chengfeng, and walked toward his car.

Lu Chengfeng hurried over, snatching the investigation kit from her hand: "I'll put this in the back."

Without a word, Shu Yan opened the passenger door and got inside.

Lu Chengfeng placed the investigation kit in the trunk, grabbed two bottles of mineral water by the way, and walked around to the driver's seat.

He placed the two bottles properly, fastening his seatbelt as he said:
"It's about a two-hour drive. Drink water if you're thirsty, and let me know if you need to use the restroom."

"No need," Shu Yan replied. "I went to the restroom right before coming down."

This was her habit; she always made everyone visit the restroom before heading out.

The vehicle in front started moving, and Lu Chengfeng started his car to follow.

"What's the situation with today's case?" Shu Yan asked.

Lu Chengfeng answered truthfully, "Unclear. Bureau Chief Zhao only said Beicheng requested our support, mentioning it's an outdoor scene and might rain this afternoon, so he told us to hurry."

Shu Yan furrowed her brow slightly, "Don't pull stunts like that next time. People will start to suspect."

Lu Chengfeng smiled, "They won't. This is work."

Shu Yan insisted, "It's still better to keep our distance. My pregnancy won't stay hidden forever; I'll find an opportunity to tell my team."

Lu Chengfeng: "You should tell them so Gao Yi can help share some of the workload. By the way, when is Director Liang coming back?"

Shu Yan sighed, "She was originally scheduled to return this week, but changed her plans at the last minute to attend an academic conference in Jing City."

Lu Chengfeng fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to sleep for a bit? I'll wake you up when we arrive."

Shu Yan: "Alright, I'll close my eyes for a little while. Lately, I always feel drowsy and can't get enough sleep. It must be because of the pregnancy."

Lu Chengfeng felt a pang of sympathy, "This little one really knows how to torment their mother. I'll discipline them once they're out. Adjust your seat so it's more comfortable."

Shu Yan tugged the corner of her lips, adjusted the seat, and found a comfortable position to rest her eyes.

Before long, she drifted off into dreamland.

In her dream, Shu Yan found herself in a pitch-black room, faintly hearing someone calling out to her.

"Yanyan... Yanyan..."

Shu Yan instinctively blurted out, "Dad? Is that you? Where are you? Dad..."

"Yanyan... Dad is right here..."

Overwhelmed with anxiety, Shu Yan groped around in the dim room, "Dad, where are you? Quickly tell me, where are you?"

"Yanyan... Dad is right here. Why can't you see Dad? Dad is right here..."

Shu Yan cried in distress, "Dad... Where are you? Dad..."

"Yanyan... Wife, wake up... Wife." Lu Chengfeng pulled the car over to the roadside, anxiously shaking Shu Yan’s shoulder.

Her face was covered in tears, sobbing as she sleep-talked, searching for her dad.

Lu Chengfeng woke her up.

She remained dazed for a few moments before realizing she had been dreaming.

She hugged Lu Chengfeng and began to sob.

"I dreamed of dad. He was in a pitch-black room where he could see me, but I couldn't see him. Husband, my dad must still be alive. I have a very strong feeling he's still alive."

Hearing Shu Yan call him "husband," Lu Chengfeng’s heart tightened, and a lump formed in his throat.

He gently patted her back, "Alright, don't rush. When we have time, tell me all the details, and we'll figure out a way together to bring dad back."

Shu Yan froze for a second, let go of Lu Chengfeng, and stared at him, "You believe me?"