Page 153 of He Is My Bride

Wang Yan seemed to consider her answer very carefully, “I have seen women who are much more masculine in appearance than her. It has indeed been rumored that Wu Hanjun is a homosexual, but I think Wang Guosheng might have been jumping to conclusions. Either way, I don’t care. It does not matter to me personally, and I believe such knowledge could get me killed.”

Hanjun stared Wang Yan down. “Li Ying is a woman. A healthy woman physically eligible for marriage. Do we agree?”

“I fully agree, Mister Wu: there is no doubt that Li Ying is a woman in perfect health, and I will write her a certificate allowing marriage.”

Hanjun nodded. “Very good. If you have any need of assistance in your professional or personal matters, I would take an interest in those needs, within reason, since we are in agreement on so many things. Before I go, you will take those samples and pour them down thetoilet. Flush, then scrub the bowl with hydrogen peroxide, with which you will also clean the tubes and the cup thoroughly. I will watch.”

And Hanjun watched until Wang Yan had done everything as instructed to a satisfying result. There was no way to acquire Li Ying’s DNA from the blood that had been drawn now, or anything from the urine. Only then did Hanjun get up.

“Thank you for your cooperation.” He took his leave and returned to the car.

When Wu Hanjun was gone from her office, Wang Yan sat down and put her head into her hands, sighing in relief. Whatever Hanjun believed she knew, she had said the right things to get herself out of trouble with the fearsome Wu. But the truth was that she knew: Li Ying was, at least by their primary physical sexual characteristics, a male: the toilet in the doctor’s office was fitted with a hidden camera, for directly observing people giving samples for drug tests, and Wang Yan had booted the camera from her computer and watched while Li Ying was in there.

But as far as Wang Yan was concerned, Li Ying was a woman, and in perfect health to marry, and she would write the health certificate accordingly.

Wu Hanjun, Li Ying, I pray for your happiness.She looked at the picture of her and her girlfriend.I pray for the happiness of us all.

Hanjun returned to the car, and Li Ying was so relieved to see him.

“Well?” Li Ying asked.

Hanjun took the gun out, removed the silencer, and placed the weapon back into the glove compartment. “I’ll explain on the way. Are you okay?”

“Not exactly, but I will be.”

Hanjun understandably frowned at him with concern. “You seemed weird when you came out.”

“I had a panic attack. I’ve had them before.”

Hanjun stared, helplessly, not knowing how to respond. “Is there something I can do?”

Li Ying managed a smile. “Tell me, we can still marry, right?”

“Yes, of course, that’s not—! Or did you mean about Wang Yan?”

“Yes, about her, whether you blew her brains up the wall and replaced the blood in the tubes with hers to send to Wang Guosheng, so that she won’t bust us? But I appreciate that you’re not scared of my craziness, haha!”

“You are not crazy,” Hanjun said firmly and put his hand on Li Ying’s cheek, caressing.

Li Ying realized that had probably been an insensitive thing to say, considering Hanjun’s parents had struggled with mental health.

“I’m sorry.” Li Ying put his hand on Hanjun’s and pressed his cheek into his palm, accepting the comfort offered.

“Don’t worry, Hanjun, I’m fine. It doesn’t happen often anymore, I guess right now I just felt… trapped. I couldn’t escape the situation by the time I realized what could happen, and so I… Yeah. But I know how to cope with it. I sort of shut down and go on autopilot until I’m in a safe place, and then I can calm myself down.”

Hanjun nodded. “Do you need anything? Do you want me to go buy you cigarettes?”

“Hanjun, no! No, I’m doing so well! I mean, damn if I didn’t want one right now, but I can manage without, so no, thank you.”

“Okay.” Hanjun seemed sorry for asking, and still troubled.

“Baby…”

Li Ying realized Hanjun probably needed it for himself to be able to dosomethingto help.

Li Ying smiled and put a hand on his thigh. “Could you just take me home? And you could give me a back rub. And some tea. Yeah, I definitely want some tea.”

It was a familiar ritual that would relax and comfort them both.