DSMIS CH68

Chapter 68: Mother Shen Might Have Misunderstood Their Positions

Jiang Lin felt as if he were holding a New Year prize pig in his arms, squirming and rooting around incessantly. Left with no choice, he loosened his grip slightly:

“Why are you acting just like Qianjin?”

The instant a sliver of space opened up in Jiang Lin’s embrace, Shen Xing rolled over and sat up:

“Let me see your leg.”

Jiang Lin wrapped an arm around him, chuckling softly:

“Director Shen has been on his feet in surgery for hours on end, and you’re still not behaving?”

“Cut the crap. Did you secretly take painkillers again?”

Not only had Shen Xing been slammed with work this past month, but Jiang Lin working overtime was practically routine. They often only managed to cross paths at home in the dead of night. Every time they met, Jiang Lin acted completely normal, so Shen Xing hadn’t paid enough attention to his old injuries.

Once Director Shen dug his heels in, Captain Jiang was powerless. He had no choice but to let him peel back the duvet and roll up his pant leg. Shen Xing pressed the back of his hand against Jiang Lin’s calf—sure enough, it was icy cold, with distinct swelling visible below the knee. Injuries of this sort were most vulnerable to freezing weather. While winter in Tianjin couldn’t compare to the bitter cold of the Northeast, once the piercing winds kicked up, it was exceedingly hostile to old wounds.

“I’ll massage it for you.”

Shen Xing turned to fetch the medicated oil from the drawer, but Jiang Lin caught his wrist:

“This injury has always been like this—neither better nor worse. You’ve been working around the clock for days; don’t bother massaging it.”

“Promoting blood circulation will make you feel better. I’m a surgeon, staying up this little bit is nothing.”

“As if there aren’t enough doctors dropping dead from sudden cardiac arrest. This leg injury of mine isn’t fatal; it’s not going to kill me.”

Jiang Lin’s tone carried a rare note of impatience. He didn’t want Shen Xing sacrificing his precious rest at such an ungodly hour just to fuss over his body. Shen Xing paused, surprised. Jiang Lin lowered his head slightly, about to apologize, when a warm figure threw itself straight into his chest.

Shen Xing caught him in a tight hug, peppering kisses across his cheek and neck before lightly tickling his waist:

“What are you doing, Captain Jiang? ‘Birds of the same forest flying apart when disaster strikes’? If you keep being this awkward and stubborn over your leg, I’m really going to get mad.”

Freshly showered, Director Shen carried the sweet scent of his new milk body wash. Jiang Lin raised a hand, ruffling his hair and gently kissing his crown:

“I wouldn’t dare. I was just worried you’d be too exhausted. Don’t be mad.”

In the end, Shen Xing massaged Jiang Lin’s leg for ten minutes that night before curling up in Captain Jiang’s arms and falling fast asleep, not forgetting to clamp his own warm legs firmly around Jiang Lin’s chilled limb.

Shen Xing had the day off the next day, but Captain Jiang still had to head out to work. First thing in the morning, Shen Xing reached out in a groggy haze to feel his leg. Chuckling softly, Jiang Lin leaned down and kissed his forehead:

“Doesn’t hurt anymore. Be good, keep sleeping.”

The snowfall outside had stopped, but howling winds had begun to blow. In weather like this, Shen Xing wouldn’t step foot outside unless absolutely necessary. Lounging at home, he ordered a mountain of fresh groceries online, planning to make instant-boiled hot pot when Jiang Lin returned that night. When the ingredients arrived at noon, he sent a photo to Jiang Lin:

Hot pot tonight!

(Dancing bear.jpg)

Great. I should be able to clock off on time. By the way, are you free this weekend?

Should be fine. What’s up?

Xiaohu is being discharged from the rehabilitation center this week. He invited us over to his place for dinner this weekend.

Shen Xing was struck by how quickly time had flown. Counting back, it had been nearly eight months since Liu Xiaohu woke up. Three months ago, he had transferred from the Beijing hospital to Tianjin, undergoing daily physical therapy at a rehabilitation center. Shen Xing had reviewed his medical chart when he first arrived in Tianjin; it had to be said, former police officers had unmatched physical resilience. Coupled with his youth, eight months of rehab had brought his clinical indicators a solid tier above ordinary patients at the same stage.

OK.

Over the weekend, Shen Xing picked up a bouquet of fresh flowers, ordered a fruit basket, and drove over to Liu Xiaohu’s place with Jiang Lin, Heibao, and Qianjin.

Jiang Lin smiled:

“You’re always so thoughtful. I always go empty-handed.”

The apartment was municipal housing arranged by the department. Cao Shulan looked far more vibrant than when Shen Xing had first met her, appearing several years younger. Liu Xiaohu was no longer the emaciated figure who had been confined to a hospital bed; he could walk quite well now, free of the common gait abnormalities often left behind after recovering from a prolonged coma, though he still couldn’t walk long distances.

The moment Heibao crossed the threshold and saw Liu Xiaohu, his tail whipped into a blazing pinwheel, and he charged straight into his arms. For the first time, Liu Xiaohu caught Heibao while standing on his own two feet. He bent down to press a kiss to the dog’s forehead, hugging him tightly and showering him with affectionate petting for a long time. Qianjin tilted his head and watched, then wagged his tail and timidly nudged his way over as well.

Liu Xiaohu had only ever seen his Heibao’s rumored “boyfriend” through video calls; this was his first time meeting him in person. Freeing up a hand, he ruffled the Samoyed’s head. Qianjin immediately narrowed his eyes and rubbed against his palm. Jiang Lin suddenly spoke up:

“Think our Qianjin has what it takes to be a police dog?”

Liu Xiaohu snapped his head up instantly. He looked at Captain Jiang before him, then down at Qianjin, who had his chin tilted up in pure, blissful indulgence, and looked back up with his mind completely blank. Be… be a what now?!

Shen Xing shot Jiang Lin a glare and turned to Liu Xiaohu:

“Don’t listen to his nonsense.”

At noon, Cao Shulan laid out a magnificent table of home-cooked dishes. Liu Xiaohu formally expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Shen Xing, and during the meal, he brought up bureau business with Jiang Lin.

“Chief Song told me you want to return to duty after the New Year?”

Liu Xiaohu nodded:

“Yeah. Chief Song said he’ll reassign me to logistics first, and once I’m fully recovered, I can transfer back to my original post.”

Talking about this, Liu Xiaohu’s eyes sparkled. Having been bedridden for so long, followed by grueling rehabilitation, he had been suffocating with restlessness.

After lunch, they moved to the living room. Heibao lay by Liu Xiaohu’s legs. Qianjin sidled up to him, nuzzling against his neck, and Heibao smoothly rolled over to expose his belly. Liu Xiaohu watched in utter disbelief as the big white furball rested its chin squarely on Heibao’s stomach…

Jiang Lin smiled at the sight:

“Your boy has made quite a name for himself, hasn’t he?”

That evening, Jiang Lin intended to leave Heibao behind to keep Liu Xiaohu company. Liu Xiaohu hugged Heibao, glanced over at Qianjin whose eyes never left the shepherd, and still tried to have Jiang Lin take Heibao home.

Jiang Lin asked:

“Are you sure you don’t want Heibao to stay with you for a few days?”

Liu Xiaohu shook his head with a laugh:

“Heibao is retired now. He deserves a life of his own. Look how clingy they are with each other—if I keep him here, won’t I be the evil mother-in-law tearing the lovebirds apart?”

Shen Xing ruffled Qianjin’s fur:

“It’s fine. Qianjin can be bought off with a single can of wet food. You and Heibao haven’t seen each other in so long; let him keep you company for a couple of days.”

In the end, Jiang Lin left Heibao at Liu Xiaohu’s place. When they walked out, Qianjin looked back every three steps. Heibao also stood in the doorway, watching the two men and one dog leave. Amused, Liu Xiaohu patted the dog’s head:

“Alright, in three days I’ll take you to see your young missy.”

Heibao affectionately nuzzled against his shins.

The weather grew increasingly chilly as another Chinese New Year approached. Shen Xing had been calculating the on-duty roster well in advance. Although he was a deputy director, he genuinely hadn’t been scheduled for shifts on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day this year—only covering second-tier on-call on the third day of the Lunar New Year. That was considered exceptionally good fortune. The instant he saw the roster, he forwarded it to Jiang Lin, followed by a kitten pushing open door.jpg.

However, sending it off, he didn’t hold much hope that Captain Jiang would get time off. After all, Captain Jiang was the number-one chief of the detachment, which differed from a deputy like himself.

In less than five minutes, Captain Jiang’s duty roster pinged back.

Attached was a matching crying bear.jpg meme.

Sure enough, looking at the schedule, Captain Jiang’s name was stamped boldly across the New Year’s Eve shift.

Shen Xing had clinic duty today and clocked off on time. Seeing Jiang Lin upon returning home, he grinned:

“As expected, being the top chief is a whole different ballgame. In our department, the chief takes the New Year’s Eve shift.”

Jiang Lin was cooking in the kitchen and chuckled at the remark:

“Director Shen is jealous?”

Circling the cooking Captain Jiang just like Qianjin circled Heibao, Shen Xing snatched a slice of freshly cut sausage here and a slice of braised beef there, speaking with his mouth half-full:

“Very jealous. But I won’t be seeing another promotion for at least five years.”

His promotion to deputy director had been a lucky break to begin with, and given his young age, another step up was out of the question for the near future.

Lowering a fish into the hot wok, Jiang Lin said:

“Doesn’t matter. Being a deputy means you don’t have to work New Year’s Eve.”

Shen Xing draped himself over his back:

“Can I come over and keep you company on duty on New Year’s Eve?”

Jiang Lin turned his head and kissed him:

“Of course. Every New Year’s Eve, family members are allowed to bring food to officers on shift.”

“You won’t be sent out on street patrol again this year, will you?”

He remembered Jiang Lin patrolling the freezing streets last year. Checking the holiday forecast, an intense cold snap was due, and Jiang Lin’s leg would never handle that.

“No. Police manpower in Tianjin is far more abundant than in Fulan County. Even if backup is needed, the traffic detachment captains would step in first. They won’t draft me for street duty.”

“That’s a relief.”

The holiday ambiance in Tianjin was distinctly different from Fulan County’s. Towering skyscrapers across the CBD were plastered with massive digital New Year banners—a sharp contrast to the cozy, rustic bustle of the county’s winding streets and alleys.

On the final weekend before the Spring Festival, Shen Xing drove Jiang Lin to an upscale mall he frequented. The price tags here weren’t modest. After enjoying a barbecue lunch, Shen Xing nudged Jiang Lin’s shoulder:

“Captain Jiang, how long has it been since you went shopping?”

Jiang Lin rubbed his nose:

“Last time I came here was probably… the year before last?”

“Who’d you come with?”

“My mom.”

Shen Xing grinned, suddenly flashing his phone screen before Captain Jiang. It was a chat thread with his mother. The messages instructed Shen Xing not to be stingy; now that he was someone’s boyfriend, he had to act like one. With the New Year arriving, he needed to take his partner out to buy new clothes and shoes, properly sprucing him up from head to toe for the holidays.

The final message was a bank transfer receipt boasting an eye-catching string of zeroes.

“My imperial mother just disbursed the special funding today, commanding me to buy clothes for you. Come on, Captain Jiang, special funds for designated use—let’s go pick out some clothes for you.”

Looking at the message, Jiang Lin felt a genuine warmth blooming in his heart. It wasn’t because he was getting new clothes, but because Shen Xing’s mother had unequivocally accepted and recognized him.

Though… he had a lingering feeling that Mother Shen had completely misunderstood their positions.

__

Author’s Note:

Mother Shen probably assumes her son is the top.