Chapter 27: Dr. Zhao, you didn't take any money, did you?

"Doctor, I would like to ask how long it takes to get the results here."

Zhao Qiang cast an extra glance at the doctor; it seemed this was the person Liu Ruyan had arranged.

"Since our equipment here is not quite the same as that of a forensic appraisal center, it will take about two days." The bespectacled doctor explained with a calm expression.

"Two days?" Zhao Qiang smiled with a hidden meaning. The engagement banquet was in exactly three days, so the timing was just right.

"What is your surname, Doctor?" Zhao Qiang asked. Before the male doctor could answer, Liu Shuangshuang could no longer sit still.

"Zhao Qiang, just get it done! Why are you wasting time here?" Liu Shuangshuang stomped her feet in anxiety. "My sister still needs to go back to finish her postpartum recovery!"

"Why are you in such a rush? Can’t I even ask a question?" Zhao Qiang looked at Liu Shuangshuang with amusement. He wasn't even in a hurry, yet the whole family seemed terrified that he wouldn't go through with the paternity test. It was as if they had dug a giant pit and he was lingering at the edge, refusing to jump in. It was only natural that the Liu family was anxious.

"My surname is Zhao," the doctor replied.

"We share the same surname; what a coincidence. You aren't going to take any bribes, are you?" Zhao Qiang shifted his tone, his gaze fixed intently on the doctor.

"Mr. Zhao, don't joke around. In our profession, we wouldn't dare mess around; it could land us in jail." The doctor’s eyelids twitched, but his face remained impassive.

"Don't be nervous, I'm just teasing you," Zhao Qiang laughed heartily. That was certainly a high-sounding justification.

"Zhao Qiang, why are you joking with the doctor like that?" Liu Ruyan’s expression grew increasingly ugly, assuming Zhao Qiang was just talking nonsense.

"I’m just making a joke. What, do you two know each other?" Zhao Qiang looked at Liu Ruyan with a smirk. The way she reacted, it was highly likely she knew the man.

"Samples, right? What do you need?" Zhao Qiang asked.

"Anything will do—saliva, blood, hair, we need a bit of each."

"Fine!" Zhao Qiang agreed readily, without a trace of hesitation. He would cooperate—he would cooperate fully.

Soon, the samples from Zhao Qiang and the child were collected. Leaving the DNA testing room, Zhao Qiang turned to leave without a second thought. Why stay here? To take care of Zhang Zihao’s mistress and child? It was utterly ridiculous.

"Alright, since it’s done, I’ll be going now," Zhao Qiang said in a flat tone, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

"You're leaving just like that? You aren't going to look after the mother?" Li Fengying snapped viciously, her expression suggesting she would like to tear him apart.

"The report isn't out yet. We'll talk when it is," Zhao Qiang said coldly, devoid of any emotion. He walked away directly. Li Fengying tried to say something, but Liu Ruyan held her back.

"Let him go. Once the paternity test report comes out, I’ll make him regret this," Liu Ruyan said through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with rage and resentment.

Su Yao whispered, "Ruyan, is everything arranged?"

"Don't worry, it's all set. Zhao Qiang wanted a paternity test? I’ll give him one!" Liu Ruyan’s lips curled into a smug smile. "But from now on, I will make him work like a beast of burden for me!"

Liu Ruyan clenched her fists. Being forced to take a paternity test in public was a profound humiliation. Even if the children weren't Zhao Qiang’s, she could not swallow this insult. She silently vowed to take revenge.

"Daughter, once the report is out, just divorce this loser!" Li Fengying urged eagerly. "That way, no one will doubt the identity of the two children, and our family won't have to be the target of gossip anymore."

"Mom, isn't it better to have him work like a slave for our Liu family?" A calculating look flashed in Liu Ruyan’s eyes. She didn't want to let Zhao Qiang off that easily; that would be too kind to him.

"Why divorce?" Liu Ruyan continued. "Besides, my two children still need a father. If we divorce and he finds out about Zihao one day, what then?" Liu Ruyan frowned, looking worried. "He would definitely make a huge scene. Isn't it better to make him work overtime to earn money for the children's formula? That way, he won't have any time to think about anything else!"

Liu Ruyan smiled craftily, as if everything were under her control. Once the report was in, Zhao Qiang would have nothing left to say. He would have to obey her and become a tool for the Liu family to command, she thought triumphantly.

After leaving the hospital, Zhao Qiang headed straight to the police station without looking back. After some hesitation, he finally picked up his phone and called Gao Lan. Thinking it over, she was the only one who could help him with this. As a police officer, she had the authority; all he needed to do was file a report.

"What? You actually went for a paternity test?" Gao Lan asked on the other end, surprised that he had really gone through with it.

"Yes. I am one hundred percent sure the children aren't mine, but I'm afraid Liu Ruyan might tamper with the results!" Zhao Qiang urgently expressed his concerns, implying he wanted Gao Lan’s help.

"And how do you want me to help you?" Gao Lan asked curiously, a hint of confusion in her beautiful eyes.

"Don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything illegal," Zhao Qiang quickly explained. "You just need to help me investigate it privately to ensure that Dr. Zhao doesn't pull any tricks!"

Zhao Qiang explained in detail, and Gao Lan began to hesitate.

"Gao Lan, for the sake of the times I helped you in the past, help me out this once. We can call it even," Zhao Qiang tried to persuade her; otherwise, things would be troublesome.

"When have you ever helped me?" Gao Lan retorted.

"I gave you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation so many times, how can you deny it..." Zhao Qiang said righteously.

"Don't you dare bring that up!" Gao Lan stomped her feet, her face turning bright red instantly.

"Why can't I mention it? It's not a secret; didn't the whole class know about it?" Zhao Qiang didn't see why it couldn't be talked about; he was saving her life fair and square.

Gao Lan bit her lip, furious. "Zhao Qiang, you just wanted to take advantage of me!"

"Gao Lan, what are you talking about?" Zhao Qiang frowned. "Was I wrong to give you CPR? You weren't feeling well, your breathing was labored, and as your desk mate, I was just helping you."

"You..." Gao Lan was speechless.

"Just go back, I'll help you," Gao Lan said. Suddenly, she felt dizzy, the scene before her began to blur, and she looked as if she were about to collapse.

Zhao Qiang thought it was her dust allergy acting up again. He quickly checked the surroundings, but found no dust. Never mind, save the person first. He was very familiar with the procedure: chest compressions, followed by mouth-to-mouth. They were old classmates; he couldn't just stand by and watch her die.

"Zhao Qiang, what are you doing?" Just as Zhao Qiang knelt down to perform CPR, Gao Lan’s eyes snapped open.

"You're awake! I'm saving you! Aren't you allergic to dust?" Because that had been the case in the past, Zhao Qiang had assumed it was the same now.

"Who said I'm allergic to dust? I was cured after graduating high school," Gao Lan said indignantly.

"Ah, is that so?" Zhao Qiang was stunned.

"What else?" Gao Lan rolled her eyes at him.

Just then, a female officer walked out to take out the trash and was stunned to silence by the ambiguous position of the two.

"Gao Lan, you two..."

"Damei, don't misunderstand..." Gao Lan felt like she wanted to die. Her face flushed deep red as she hurriedly tried to explain.

But the officer named Damei quickly said, "I saw nothing. Please continue. But I have to say, Gao Lan, you're still on duty; don't let anyone else see." Damei pointed at the surveillance camera in the corner before hurrying back into the station.

"Get up already!" Gao Lan shoved Zhao Qiang away, glaring at him.

"I didn't mean to, I wanted to save you," Zhao Qiang said with an innocent look. He had good intentions, after all—who could have known?

"Save my foot! You just wanted to take advantage of me," Gao Lan said angrily.