This time, no matter what treatments they tried or methods they used, the heart monitor showed no fluctuations.
Time of death: declared.
Sun Shaozhen pushed open the doors of the operating room, his heart heavy with grief.
“Elder Sun, how did it go?”
Sun Shaozhen often crossed paths with Li Zhongwen, the captain of the Anti-Drug Brigade.
“I’m sorry, Old Li.”
It wasn’t just Li Zhongwen. The other officers standing outside the operating room all lowered their heads in unison.
Two of them turned away, pounding their fists against the wall.
The operating room and the hallway fell into a profound silence, enveloped in overwhelming sorrow.
There was no need to keep the patient’s identity secret any longer.
Xu Wenyan, an anti-drug police officer.
Before long, major media outlets released the news.
The 24-year-old anti-drug officer Xu Wenyan, while capturing escaped drug traffickers and rescuing hostages, was gravely wounded. Despite all efforts to save him, he ultimately sacrificed his life heroically. Salute to the hero!
As Xu Wenyan was wheeled out of the operating room, the accompanying officers followed close behind. His phone slipped from his pocket during the movement.
Lu Jin’an bent down to pick it up and hurried after the two men ahead. “Excuse me, you dropped this phone.”
The screen lit up at that moment, displaying a text message page with a single unsent message.
【Yi Yi, I won’t be able to marry you after all.】
Status: Failed to send.
Lu Jin’an inadvertently caught sight of the recipient’s phone number—a number etched into his memory.
Gu Nianyi’s mobile number.
The last word he had cried out was “Yi Yi.”
Gu Nianyi’s nickname.
The name of his wife.
Xu Wenyan, Xu Wenyan. Lu Jin’an repeated the name silently in his mind.
It felt strangely familiar somehow. Where had he heard it before?
It lingered on the tip of his tongue, right there in the depths of his memory, but he just couldn’t recall it.
Lu Jin’an had no idea how he made it back to his office.
He truly admired Xu Wenyan.
Whether from the perspective of a doctor or an ordinary citizen, he respected the man deeply.
Even with severe injuries, he had fought on against the criminals.
Old scabs from past wounds, plus fresh ones.
Covered in pain, he had brushed death countless times, staking his life to protect the people.
But Xu Wenyan was his rival in love—even closer to Gu Nianyi, having known her longer and spent more time with her.
In his final moments, his last word had been “Yi Yi.”
Clearly, he loved Gu Nianyi.
Loved her deeply, so very deeply.
A nurse knocked on the door. “Dr. Lu, you haven’t left yet? Could you sign this for me, please?”
Lu Jin’an took the paper. “Sure.”
He signed his name in the bottom right corner of the A4 sheet.
The nurse took a closer look. “Dr. Lu, you signed the wrong name.”
Only then did Lu Jin’an notice—he had written “Xu Wenyan.”
In that instant, it all came back to him. Xu Wenyan was the one from the classmate album who had written “keeping a cool distance,” the one who had sent one thousand and one yuan as wedding gift money.
Gu Nianyi’s high school classmate. The one who had loved her from afar.
So, he had always loved her, never wavering.
That final text, those dying words—they spoke of his lifelong regret.
Should he tell Gu Nianyi?
That a man had called out her name with his last breath.
That someone had loved her his entire life.
Even after arriving home, Lu Jin’an still hadn’t decided whether to tell Gu Nianyi.
Part of him felt like a despicable coward, wanting to bury the truth.
Nian Gao came over and nipped at his pant leg. “Meow, meow.”
Lu Jin’an grabbed some treats from the cabinet. “Here, have some cat strips.”
The man muttered to himself, “Would your mom want to know?”
“You’re just a little cat. How could you possibly understand?”
Nian Gao glanced up at Lu Jin’an, her little brows furrowing in what looked like solemn contemplation, trapped in a loop of confusion.
But she decided to focus on her cat strips instead. Little kittens didn’t meddle in grown-up affairs.
As the end of the workday approached, two men suddenly showed up at the Meteorological Bureau looking for Gu Nianyi. “Hello, we’re here to see Gu Nianyi.”
Hearing that two strangers were asking for her, Gu Nianyi was full of questions but still responded politely. “We can talk in the meeting room.”
She racked her brain but couldn’t recall ever meeting them.
In the small meeting room, the three of them sat facing each other.
Gu Nianyi’s hands fidgeted under the table as she asked, “Do I know you two?”
The taller one, Chen Ziqi, pulled out two police badges. “These are our badges, with our numbers on them. You can call to verify right now if you’d like.”
To be safe, Gu Nianyi did just that and confirmed everything.
Only then did she ask, “What can I do for you?”
The other officer, Shen Ci, said, “Do you know Xu Wenyan?”
Gu Nianyi nodded. The officers’ faces were grave, their expressions solemn.
An ominous feeling welled up in her heart.
“These are the things he left for you before he passed.”
A large envelope appeared on the table. Gu Nianyi couldn’t make out what was inside, but she clearly heard those two words: “before he passed.”
Her ears rang instantly. She couldn’t believe it. How could he be gone already?
Trembling, she asked again, “Before he passed… Did something happen to him?”
Shen Ci pulled up the news article and showed it to her.
Gu Nianyi read every word: 24 years old, sacrificed.
Shen Ci’s voice caught. “Inside are the keys to Unit 1201 in Building 12 at Moon Gazing Bay, and a letter he wrote for you.”
Chen Ziqi slid the envelope toward her. “You’ll understand when you look.”
“We’ll head out now and leave you in peace.”
They couldn’t bring themselves to say “be happy.”
They had seen how much their captain cared for her.
Xu Wenyan’s parents had died serving the country, and to avenge them, he had chosen this path.
Countless times, the person who had pulled him back from the brink was Gu Nianyi.
She didn’t know any of it, and they wouldn’t demand she reciprocate.
Unrequited love was a one-sided affair.
That was something Xu Wenyan often said.
Gu Nianyi slumped in her chair, trying to process the word “sacrificed,” as their conversation drifted into her ears.
It grew fainter as they walked away.
“He was so close—just a little more.”
“I hope the captain doesn’t blame us. He told us not to contact her.”
“I’d almost rather he did blame us for going rogue. At least then he could wake up and chew us out.”
Chen Ziqi and Shen Ci would never forget.
After avenging his parents and dismantling a massive drug ring, the weight on Xu Wenyan’s shoulders had finally lifted. He could live for himself.
He could do what he’d always wanted since high school: confess to her.
On the day he ended his undercover work, he learned the girl he loved was getting married.
He stayed up all night, then decided to see her in her wedding dress.
Just two days ago, he had been thrilled. His undercover days were truly over, and he was transferring back to South City. Finally, he could see the girl he loved.
He thought that silently watching over her would be enough, even from afar.
Even if her happiness came from another man.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor.
Now, he could no longer protect her.
Nor see her again.
Gu Nianyi sat alone in the meeting room, grappling with the sudden news. She touched her cheek—why were there tears?
She cleared her throat and called Lu Jin’an. “Dr. Lu, I’m going to be late getting home tonight.”
Unbeknownst to him, Lu Jin’an had dozed off on the sofa. His voice was hoarse as he picked up on her distress right away. “Have you been crying?”
“Wait for me at the office. I’m on my way.”
Gu Nianyi replied, “No need. I want to be alone for a bit.”
“You know now.” Lu Jin’an said it with certainty.
No need to spell it out—they both knew exactly what he meant.
Gu Nianyi sniffled. “Yeah. You knew already, didn’t you?”
Lu Jin’an pinched the bridge of his nose. “I performed the surgery. I’m sorry, Gu Nianyi. I couldn’t save him.”
Gu Nianyi said, “It’s not your fault.”
Who could she blame?
Fate was unfair. Good people didn’t get good endings.
In the end, Lu Jin’an came to pick up Gu Nianyi anyway. From afar, he saw her frail figure, so slight that a gust of autumn wind could carry her away.
She walked up to him, her eyes red and puffy.
He had known she would cry.
But why was she crying?
Out of friendship from their school days? Regret for a fallen hero?
Or had she once loved him?
Gu Nianyi leaned her head against the car window and said listlessly, “Dr. Lu, I need to go to Moon Gazing Bay.”
Moon Gazing Bay—the complex where she rented her apartment.
It was just a few streets away.
But instead of heading to her building, Gu Nianyi turned toward another section and stopped at Building 12.
She tilted her head up, counting the floors one by one. Unit 1201 was pitch black.
Its owner would never return.
The envelope in her hand felt impossibly heavy.
Gu Nianyi slid the key into the smart lock, which greeted her warmly. “Welcome home.”
She flicked on the lights by the wall and froze in place.
She had some inkling, but she still hadn’t expected this: a brand-new apartment, freshly renovated.
Exactly like the one from her dreams.
A warm cream-colored aesthetic, with a massive floor-to-ceiling window in the living room.
The decor featured plenty of Esther dolls.
On the coffee table sat a bouquet of pink windbell grass, waiting eternally—a flower that loved only once in its lifetime.
And there was a ring box.
Inside gleamed a diamond ring.
Now Gu Nianyi understood what “so close” truly meant.
He had prepared the apartment, the ring, decorated it all to her exact tastes.
Just a little more, and he could have confessed to her.
No wonder Xu Wenyan hadn’t dared step foot in her wedding.
From beginning to end, he had never stopped loving her.
She finally got it—there was no such thing as love without reason. He was the one behind the Weibo follow request too.
But now, her replies would never reach him.
Regret was a normal part of life. After graduation, she never saw him again.
But he had always quietly kept tabs on her.
Gu Nianyi turned around and asked Lu Jin’an, “Dr. Lu, can I have a moment alone?”
Lu Jin’an understood immediately. “Of course. I’ll wait for you outside.”
He left her alone in the house and leaned against the door.
He could hear her crying—for someone else, for another man.
Jealousy, envy, and sorrow flooded his chest.
Gu Nianyi crouched on the floor and pulled the letter from the file folder.
“Gu Nianyi, hello. Do you remember me? Xu Wenyan, the guy who sat behind you in high school.
Sorry to bother you like this—it’s pretty sudden. By the time you read this letter, I probably won’t be around anymore. The feelings I’ve kept buried deep inside can finally come to light.
I can’t even remember when I started liking you. By the time I realized it, the feeling was already there.
I’m writing this to tell you that you’re wonderful. Lots of people like you. Don’t let your parents’ favoritism get you down anymore.
You’re driven and ambitious, but you also know how to appreciate what you have.
The problem is, I’m a coward.
You looked beautiful in your wedding dress.”
Unfortunately, she didn’t belong to him.
Tears streamed down Gu Nianyi’s face as she finished the letter.
How could he call himself a coward? He was the man who had bravely fought off thugs.
She steadied her emotions and glanced around the house one more time. She loved it—every detail of the decor spoke straight to her heart.
This was Xu Wenyan’s gift to the girl he loved.
It was the beautiful life he had dreamed of for her. She would keep it just as it was.
She felt lucky to have been loved by him.
Xu Wenyan had anticipated what Shen Ci and the others might do. He left a sticky note on the entryway wall.
Lu Jin’an spotted it when he closed the door.
He pinched the note between his fingers. It bore just four words.
“Treat her well.”
No name, no signature—but Lu Jin’an knew exactly who it was from. Xu Wenyan’s words, meant for him.
Gu Nianyi gathered herself and shut the door behind her.
Her grief and sadness were plain for anyone to see.
As they walked away, Lu Jin’an turned his head and mouthed silently, “I will, rival.”
In that moment, Xu Wenyan wasn’t a narcotics cop. He was just an ordinary man—a man competing with Lu Jin’an for Gu Nianyi’s heart.
The car sat in the underground garage at Moon Gazing Bay, engine silent for a long while.
The black sedan blended into the dim lighting.
Lu Jin’an tapped the steering wheel lightly, his eyes dark and intense. “Did you ever like him?”
Gu Nianyi had said she wasn’t seeing anyone.
But that was the present tense. It said nothing about the past.
She had cried so heartbrokenly that day, her eyes swollen and red.
Gu Nianyi blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
She had never liked him that way. What she felt was more like gratitude and regret.
He was only twenty-four. They had been classmates for three years.
During her bleak high school days, someone had protected her—someone who had kept her close to his heart.
“I…”
Before Gu Nianyi could finish, Lu Jin’an cut in coolly. “It doesn’t matter. You’re my wife now.”
He unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned across the console, cradled the back of her head in his palm, and—using the faint light—claimed her lips in a fierce, possessive kiss.
Warmth and dominance covered Gu Nianyi’s mouth. Her eyes widened, her lashes fluttering.
Her hands clutched at Lu Jin’an’s shirt, steadying herself so she wouldn’t slump over.
Gu Nianyi couldn’t think straight. The kiss caught her completely off guard—ten times more aggressive than their first.
It invaded her mouth, leaving her tongue tingling and numb.
She had no idea how things had escalated this far. A faint sense of suffocation built up until Lu Jin’an pulled back just enough to suck gently on her lower lip, giving her a moment to breathe.
Then he kissed her again. The tempestuous storm softened into a gentle, lingering rain.
He knew he cared—too much. He was terrified of her answer.
He was jealous. Jealous of a man who had just given his life.
No one could compete with the dead.
Some time later, Lu Jin’an regained his composure. He released Gu Nianyi, started the engine, and drove away from Moon Gazing Bay.
Dim yellow streetlights slanted into the car, illuminating the wrinkles in Lu Jin’an’s collar—traces of their kiss still lingering there.
—
On the day of Xu Wenyan’s funeral, South City basked in brilliant sunshine.
He had always loved clear skies, and even the heavens seemed unwilling to send rain.
Xu Wenyan had left a letter for Li Zhongwen, asking to depart quietly.
The Anti-Drug Brigade honored his wish and skipped the formal farewell ceremony. But word spread through South City, and residents lined the streets spontaneously to see him off.
Gu Nianyi and Lu Jin’an stood among the crowd.
The day after Xu Wenyan died, Gu Nianyi had gone to see him one last time.
He lay there peacefully.
The face that had once been so boyish was now stern and hardened.
The young man who had loved sports would never rise again.
Gu Nianyi paid her silent respects and left without a word.
Ming Yue had told her that after graduation, she once asked Xu Wenyan why he never confessed his feelings.
He said he had no choice in the matter.
He said he had a mission left unfinished.
He said he couldn’t make promises to Gu Nianyi with no end date in sight.
He said he’d be back soon.
He said there was nothing more he could say…
He had broken his word.
Xu Wenyan was laid to rest in the South City Eastern Suburbs Martyrs’ Cemetery.
His tombstone read: Xu Wenyan, age twenty-four, graduate of Public Security University.
He had lived his life for his parents, for his country, for its people.
But never for himself.
He joined the Anti-Drug Brigade at twenty and went undercover, dismantling major drug rings. He seized over a hundred kilograms of narcotics and shut down dozens of labs.
Right up to his final moments, he was still solving cases and saving lives.
In his lifetime, he earned one first-class merit, three second-class merits, and ten third-class ones.
Fearless in the face of death, he protected the people and the nation.
He stood guiltless before his Party and his people.
He had given his life to them.
In her heart, Gu Nianyi whispered, Xu Wenyan, in your next life, live only for yourself.
Xu Wenyan, thank you for loving me.
In his heart, Lu Jin’an thought, Xu Wenyan, I want to compete with you fairly and squarely.
I’ll take good care of her.
Not because you asked me to—but because that’s what I want.
The tombstone was surrounded by white windbell grass, his favorite flower.
Beside it lay a keychain and a diamond ring.
Xu Wenyan dissolved into a gentle breeze.
He would watch over the girl he loved, the country and people he cherished.
He had gone to reunite with his parents in the heavens.
Heaven, be kinder to him next time.
Death wasn’t the end. Forgetting was.
As long as one person remembered him, he lived on.
Gu Nianyi would never forget the man who had loved her so deeply.
Not until her own life ended.