Qin Guan listened to Xu Ruyi's explanation while struggling to contain the frantic pounding of his heart. This was the first time Xu Ruyi had ever lied in her life.
He knew her too well - ever since their first meeting at her home during high school, Qin Guan had seen through her completely. This girl was the kind who grew up in an affluent family, carefree and innocent, transparently simple to her core. She simply didn't know how to lie. During their dating years, whenever she told harmless little white lies, her face would instantly flush crimson. Now was no exception - while claiming she'd fallen down the stairs out of clumsiness, those two vivid red patches on her cheeks betrayed her completely.
"I...I didn't call my friend either. Qingqing already thinks I shouldn't have quit my job to become a stay-at-home mom. If she saw I can't even walk downstairs without injuring myself, she'd definitely criticize me again! Even with close friends, I don't want them seeing how useless I've become..." She shrugged with forced nonchalance, her face still burning with telltale redness that screamed to Qin Guan - the story about Tianfu Hotel, old friend Yang Qingqing, and the fall were all fabricated!
The problem was this lie was too crude - did she think she could fool the police with this childish tale? Yet Qin Guan couldn't intervene.
Having finished her account, Xu Ruyi addressed the two officers with feigned sincerity: "That's what really happened. I fell down the stairs myself. I didn't have any conflicts with anyone." Her cheeks remained flushed throughout.
"When I insisted on driving home, I was actually doing fine at first. Really, I obeyed all traffic lights and regulations. Later, maybe I lost too much blood and got dizzy..."
"By the time I reached the neighborhood, I was probably about to faint. Mistaking the accelerator for the brake, I crashed into the flower bed and bench. I'll take full responsibility and compensate the property damage." Sitting propped up on the hospital bed, her "earnest" performance continued.
The officer pressed: "Are you absolutely certain? You fell by yourself? No altercations?" Only after Xu Ruyi repeatedly nodded did he close his notebook.
"Alright, if that's the case, there's no issue." His sharp gaze swept across everyone in the room. When his eyes met Qin Guan's, the latter's heart skipped a beat. Though the officers maintained expressionless faces, Qin Guan clearly detected their hidden doubts and probing suspicions.
"Ruyi, I'm so sorry for putting you through this." After seeing the officers out, Qin Guan closed the hospital room door and approached the bed with remorseful eyes - the act was over, now was time for truth.
All pretense vanished from Xu Ruyi's face. Turning away, the anger and anguish she'd been suppressing surged forth. Auntie Feng tactfully took Little Pear out, leaving the couple alone.
The moment had come.
Staring at Xu Ruyi's cold, indifferent pallor, Qin Guan understood - rather than confronting her about the clumsy lie, he needed to stabilize her. He must pull her to his side at all costs, making her follow his lead. No police involvement. Let his past affair and Qi Min's disappearance fade quietly with time.
"I know you're protecting our family and Little Pear, safeguarding my reputation. I understand everything..." When Xu Ruyi didn't rebuff him, Qin Guan seized the opportunity to sit by her bedside, gently grasping her hand. Her silence meant softening.
Women were ultimately soft-hearted. Offer enough comfort and emotional appeasement, and they'd relent without principles. This was why women could never truly contend with men.
Qin Guan was clever enough to see through Xu Ruyi's intentions. Like many betrayed wives, after enduring physical and emotional wounds, she'd still chosen the rational compromise - standing by her husband. Denying conflicts with the mistress, denying the other woman's existence, enduring pain and humiliation to preserve the family's integrity. What women called "enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens" or being a "virtuous wife and mother."
Though not the wisest approach, Qin Guan felt genuine gratitude. After surviving Qi Min's schemes, Xu Ruyi's move felt like salvation - like a prodigal son narrowly escaping damnation, turning to find home's lantern still glowing warmly.
Real tears streamed down Qin Guan's face as he kissed Xu Ruyi's hand. "I was wrong, so terribly wrong. I can't believe I was such a fool...yet you forgave me." Her choice to lie meant forgiveness.
"Believe me, family means everything to you, and to me too. You know I grew up without one - I crave a complete, warm home more than anyone." His weeping intensified as he subtly shifted blame onto Qi Min. "I already have you and Little Pear, yet still succumbed to temptation..."
These originally planned tears for pre-interrogation persuasion now served the same purpose. Today, Qin Guan would settle this completely.