Chapter 40: You dare to show up at my house? Are you not afraid that I might kill you?

"What, am I not allowed to come over?" Gao Lan said with a sweet smile.

Today, Gao Lan wasn't in her police uniform, but dressed in casual attire. Her curvaceous figure and long, fair legs made her look completely different from when she was at work—much more feminine.

After thanking Auntie Zhu, Zhao Qiang pulled Gao Lan into the house.

"Zhao Qiang, what's wrong with you? Acting so sneaky, like a thief!" Gao Lan was amused, her face glowing like a peach blossom.

"You don't know, that Auntie Zhu is a gossip. If she sees us, she'll definitely make up all sorts of stories." Zhao Qiang explained hurriedly, feeling doomed; by tomorrow, the whole residential complex would have a new piece of drama to talk about. In fact, if Auntie Zhu put in the effort, the entire neighborhood would know by tonight.

Gao Lan had come to update Zhao Qiang on the matter he had entrusted to her. She and her colleagues had gone to the hospital to investigate the DNA testing records. They had indeed discovered that the doctor surnamed Zhao was involved in wrongdoing; he had already been detained and was currently under interrogation at the police station.

"Thank you so much. You could have just told me over the phone, why did you have to come in person?" Zhao Qiang thanked her repeatedly. With this, it would be impossible for Liu Ruyan to fake the paternity test.

"I did you such a huge favor, and you’re just going to thank me with words?" Gao Lan said. "I'm off tomorrow. Take me out for a meal!"

Just then, He Fen heard Gao Lan's voice from inside and hurried out.

"Auntie."

He Fen, who had just lost her grandson, beamed the moment she saw Gao Lan, her anger momentarily forgotten.

"My dear, you're here! Come and sit down." He Fen greeted her warmly. Since the Liu family couldn't be relied upon, she needed to find a good girl for her son. She hadn't expected someone to show up at their door already; surely, this girl must have feelings for her son.

"Auntie, I just came to tell Zhao Qiang something. I'll be leaving soon." Gao Lan felt a bit embarrassed; she had come on purpose, and saying she was leaving soon was just a polite formality.

But He Fen wouldn't hear of it and grabbed her hand. "Child, it's not easy to have you visit, and you've come at the perfect time. We've cooked, stay and eat with us!" The more He Fen looked at Gao Lan, the more she liked her. This time, she was certain she wouldn't misjudge someone.

"Gao Lan, my mother isn't in a good state of mind. Please, help me out here," Zhao Qiang whispered.

Only then did Gao Lan realize the situation regarding the two children. He Fen even showed her the test report. Looking at the proof of no biological connection, a faint smile appeared on Gao Lan's lips.

"Auntie, your cooking is delicious!"

"If you like it, eat more! Once you and Zhao Qiang get married, Auntie will cook for you every day!" He Fen said, her face full of joy as she was already imagining her son's future with Gao Lan.

Gao Lan blushed, looking shy.

Zhao Qiang coughed loudly and said helplessly, "Mom, don't talk nonsense. Gao Lan and I have nothing going on. She was just passing by, and you’re the one who forced her to stay."

He Fen glared at her dense son. She had come all the way to their house; she obviously had feelings for him. No wonder he had been led around by the nose by Liu Ruyan—he was completely clueless.

"Gao Lan, Auntie promises you, once my Zhao Qiang divorces Liu Ruyan, we definitely won't be wanting those two children. When you two are together, there won't be any pressure," He Fen said, holding Gao Lan’s hand affectionately.

"Auntie, what are you saying?" Gao Lan asked, playing dumb. After all, she was a young woman, and with his whole family watching, if she admitted she liked Zhao Qiang, it would be too embarrassing.

"Alright, Auntie won't tease you anymore. Tell me about your life as a policewoman. I wanted to be a police officer when I was young—it’s so impressive." He Fen was secretly hoping to hold a grandchild soon.

Seeing that his mother was recovering well, Zhao Qiang decided not to argue further. It seemed he would need Gao Lan’s help to act out a little charade to distract the two elders.

Just then, the door was knocked upon again. Zhao Qiang frowned, a bad premonition washing over him. He opened the door to find uninvited guests: Li Fengying and Liu Shuangshuang—the Liu family again. Li Fengying was even wearing a mask, terrified that someone in the complex might recognize her.

"Why did it take you so long to open the door!" Li Fengying complained.

"Why are you here?" Zhao Qiang furrowed his brows, his face full of impatience. He couldn't believe Li Fengying actually had the audacity to sneak over here. She was truly shameless.

Zhao Qiang stood in the doorway, blocking their path. This was his parents' home; he wouldn't let Li Fengying come in and cause trouble.

Liu Shuangshuang put her hands on her hips and said aggressively, "Why can't my mother and I come? You and my eldest sister are still married. Why can't we visit our in-laws?" Because of the incident with Liu Ruyan, Liu Shuangshuang had taken a few days off work to look after her sister. Taking care of her niece had made Li Fengying increasingly furious—it should have been He Fen’s responsibility. Why should she have to do it? She hadn't even had time to play mahjong. She had called He Fen and Zhao Hai to tell them to come to the hospital, only to find that she had been blocked. Although the official test results from the hospital hadn't been released yet, Li Fengying couldn't swallow her pride. That was why she had dragged her daughter here to see what this family was up to.

"I'm sorry, but until the paternity test results are out, our two families should keep some distance," Zhao Qiang said. He knew that the Liu family wouldn't accept the private test they had conducted. He had to wait for the results of the test he and Liu Ruyan were taking with the children tomorrow; only then would this family be forced to shut up.

"Leave now, before you force me to lose my temper." Zhao Qiang, too lazy to engage with Li Fengying, slammed the door shut.

"Qiangzi, who was at the door?" He Fen asked.

"Nobody, just a junk collector." Zhao Qiang didn't want his mother to see the Liu family and risk her health.

But no sooner had he spoken than the door was knocked on again, this time even harder, loud enough for the neighbors to hear.

"Zhao Qiang, open the door! Make your mother come to the hospital to take care of my daughter, or I'm not leaving today!" Li Fengying knew that Liu Ruyan had already "handled" the paternity test, so she felt emboldened.

"Is that Li Fengying? Just in time, I want to have a word with her!" He Fen was incensed that they had the nerve to show up at her door.

"Mom, don't let the neighbors laugh at us. I'll go chase them away," Zhao Qiang said, clenching his fists. It seemed he was going to have to use force today.

As soon as Zhao Qiang opened the door, Li Fengying and Liu Shuangshuang charged inside.

"Oh, look at this! He Fen, Zhao Hai, you’re all here eating and drinking well, while leaving my daughter alone in the hospital to fend for herself. Do you have any conscience at all?" Li Fengying shouted.

"Exactly! My eldest sister still has to look after two children. Do you have any idea how exhausting that is?" Liu Shuangshuang chimed in.

"Li Fengying, don't think we're pushovers! You actually dare to show up here!" He Fen was a kind-hearted person, but she wasn't without a temper. She had tolerated them in the past for the sake of the pregnancy, but now that it was proven the children weren't the Zhao family's, there was no need to be polite.

"Why wouldn't I dare? Your family is being irresponsible, and you won't even let me speak about it?" Li Fengying pulled up a chair for herself and Liu Shuangshuang, acting as if she were at home. "You made all this good food and didn't even invite us. Your family is truly selfish."