Three days later, Gu Jinghan woke up to find Gu Yuanyuan asleep by his bedside. His heart settled immediately; as long as Yuanyuan was safe, everything was fine. “Dad, you’re awake?” Gu Yuanyuan wasn’t deeply asleep; she felt her father move and quickly lifted her head to see his eyes open, overjoyed. Gu Jinghan, seeing her haggard appearance, felt a pang of heartache, “Yuanyuan.” “Great, Dad, you’re finally awake. The doctor said you lost a lot of blood and might not wake up. I was so scared, scared that you might never wake up,” Gu Yuanyuan said, crying. Gu Jinghan, looking at her swollen eyes, felt an intense heartache, “Yuanyuan, don’t cry. Dad promised you he would live, and Dad keeps his word.” “Dad, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been so seriously injured. Dad, I was wrong, I was too willful before. Uncle Lu Fei told me you did try to see me, but Mom wouldn’t let you. Dad, I wrongly blamed you…” Gu Jinghan smiled and consoled her, “Yuanyuan did nothing wrong. It’s Dad’s fault for not being there when you needed him, for not protecting you well, letting you suffer so much. You had every right to blame Dad. But Yuanyuan, Dad has always wanted to tell you, Dad loves you, more than anyone else.” “Dad, I know, I know!” Gu Yuanyuan held her father’s hand against her face, “Dad, I love you too.” Before, she always thought her dad was the worst father in the world. Although he was a hero in many people’s eyes, he was never her hero. Now she understood, her dad was the best dad in the world, her great hero. She was proud to have such a heroic father.
“Uncle Gu, be careful,” Cheng Lin helped Gu Jinghan sit down, gently reminding him. Gu Jinghan laughed, “Xiao Cheng, I’m completely healed now, no need to worry.” It had been over a month, and his injuries had fully healed. “It’s better to be cautious; after all, the doctor said your injury was very serious. Even after recovery, you should take good care,” Cheng Lin said, placing a pillow behind him. Gu Yuanyuan, who was tidying up, also chimed in, “Dad, Cheng Lin is right. Even though you’ve been discharged, you should rest well and not push yourself.” “Okay, I’ll listen to you guys and rest well. Actually, this life where everything is done for me isn’t bad,” Gu Jinghan jokingly said. Gu Yuanyuan and Cheng Lin shared a smile.
“Xiao Cheng, thank you for your hard work these days. If it weren’t for you helping Yuanyuan, she would have had a hard time managing everything by herself. You’re a good kid, and even though Yuanyuan hurt you before, you still helped her without holding a grudge. I’m very grateful to you,” Gu Jinghan said to Cheng Lin when Yuanyuan went to put things away. Cheng Lin looked in the direction Yuanyuan had gone and said, “Uncle, I’ve said it before, I like Yuanyuan and just want to be good to her. No matter how she treats me, I don’t mind, as long as she’s safe.” “You’re the most commendable kid I’ve ever met. If Yuanyuan accepts you, it would be her fortune,” Gu Jinghan said, patting his shoulder. Cheng Lin smiled, “I respect Yuanyuan’s choice.”
Behind the door, Gu Yuanyuan, having heard their conversation, felt her eyes well up. As the sky darkened, Cheng Lin was about to leave, and Gu Yuanyuan went to see him off. At the door, she said, “Cheng Lin, thank you for your help and care these days. I’ve taken your kindness to heart. I was willful and hurt you before, I apologize.” “Yuanyuan, you don’t need to apologize. I did follow you, and you were right to scold me. I don’t blame you. Let’s not bring up the past,” Cheng Lin said with a smile. Gu Yuanyuan took a deep breath, feeling relieved, “Alright, let’s not talk about the past. But, Cheng Lin, would you be willing to date me now?” “Yuanyuan?” Cheng Lin was shocked. Gu Yuanyuan continued, “After this incident, I’ve realized a lot. Life is so fragile, and we should cherish the people we care about while we’re alive. Cheng Lin, you’re someone worth spending my life with. I’ve decided, I want to be with you, to be happy together for a lifetime.” “Yuanyuan, you… you don’t have to feel obligated. Everything I’ve done for you, I did willingly. Don’t think you owe me anything and want to make up for it. I do want to be with you, but I want it to be because you genuinely like me, not out of gratitude or obligation.” Gu Yuanyuan smiled, “Silly, with my personality, how could I settle? If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t be with you.” “You say you like me?” Cheng Lin asked in surprise. Gu Yuanyuan nodded, “When you stood by me, when you risked your life to protect me, when you gave without expecting anything in return, when you cared for me so tenderly, I fell in love with you without even realizing it. It’s not just gratitude or wanting to make up for something; I genuinely want to be with you.” “Yuanyuan, this is wonderful. I’ve finally waited for this day,” Cheng Lin embraced her tightly, almost in tears of joy. Gu Yuanyuan hugged him back, her face glowing with happiness. Watching this from the doorway, Gu Jinghan smiled with joy and relief.
“Chief Zhou, you wanted to see me?” Gu Jinghan entered Zhou Zhennan’s office and greeted the man seated at the desk. Zhou Zhennan waved at him with a smile, “Sit.” Gu Jinghan expressed his gratitude and took a seat. “Is your injury better?” Zhou Zhennan asked with concern. Gu Jinghan replied, “It’s already healed.” “That’s good,” said Zhou Zhennan. “Liu Changmin’s case has been closed. Xue Wenlie and Lu Fei found Liu Changmin’s lair, seized a large amount of drugs, and destroyed the drug manufacturing factory. All the drug dealers have been arrested. You’ve made a significant contribution again, and the provincial office has directly issued an appointment letter, appointing you as the chief of Xincheng Public Security Bureau.” “Chief?” Gu Jinghan was surprised, “If I become the chief, what about you, Chief Zhou?” Zhou Zhennan laughed and said, “With a subordinate like you who performs extraordinary feats, I naturally have great merits too. I’ve been transferred to the provincial office.” “Congratulations, Chief Zhou,” Gu Jinghan said happily. In the original story, the protagonist, driven by rage over his daughter’s issue, went to investigate alone, fell into Liu Changmin’s trap, mistakenly killed an innocent person, was arrested, and later found with a large amount of drugs at his home, resulting in his dismissal and death sentence. Zhou Zhennan, the bureau chief, was also implicated and demoted. Liu Changmin had been at large, manufacturing and selling drugs, causing harm to many. The protagonist felt deeply guilty towards Zhou Zhennan before his death; this time, it could be said that he helped resolve one of the protagonist’s regrets. “It’s all thanks to your efforts; I should thank you. I didn’t expect to get a promotion right before retirement,” Zhou Zhennan said gratefully. He had thought he would retire as a bureau chief at best, but being transferred to the provincial office was an unexpected joy. “Also, Lu Fei has also made a significant contribution this time and has been promoted to deputy chief. Xue Wenlie will take over as the captain of the criminal police squad.” Gu Jinghan was even more delighted and stood up to salute Zhou Zhennan.
