DSMIS CH70

Chapter 70: Main Story Finale

The collision sent an acute, throbbing ache straight through Jiang Lin’s chin. He swiftly caught the flustered Director Shen by the waist, steadying his footing before calling out:

“Come in.”

The officer stepped through the door:

“Captain Jiang, please sign off on the duty roster.”

The person who entered looked vaguely familiar to Shen Xing, though he couldn’t quite place where he had seen him before. Jiang Lin pulled a pen from the penholder on his desk, signed his name at the bottom, and handed the clipboard back to Zou Mingming:

“Once your shift wraps up in a bit, head home early so you can make it back in time for New Year’s Eve dinner.”

“Understood, Captain Jiang!”

Only after the officer left did Jiang Lin raise a hand to massage his aching chin. Shen Xing felt a bit sheepish, reaching out to gently touch the spot:

“Does it hurt badly?”

“It’s fine. Didn’t knock it off.”

“Why did he look so familiar? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”

Jiang Lin smiled:

“You’ve seen him at my place.”

Enlightenment dawned on Shen Xing:

“Oh! That’s the young officer who was assigned to provide close personal protection at your apartment that time.”

“Mm. Was Director Shen jealous back then?”

“Where do you get off being this full of yourself?”

Shortly past 5:00 PM, Shen Xing reheated the food his mother had packed in the microwave:

“These two dishes were personally cooked by your mother-in-law. Don’t turn your nose up at them.”

Jiang Lin didn’t bother arguing with him over claiming verbal seniority, and the two shared their New Year’s Eve dinner together in the office.

“I actually prepared a bottle of vintage red wine, but obviously we can’t touch it today.”

Jiang Lin stroked his hair:

“Tomorrow. I’ll drink with you at home tomorrow.”

At 8:00 PM, Shen Xing brought up the Spring Festival Gala on his phone. The festive music and cheerful banter, carrying the distinctive essence of the Lunar New Year, drifted from the small speaker, suddenly infusing the austere, solemn office with a touch of holiday warmth. Shen Xing and Jiang Lin sat side by side on the sofa watching the show. Jiang Lin turned his head:

“Does it feel a bit boring?”

Shen Xing leaned sideways, resting his head directly on Jiang Lin’s shoulder:

“Compared to last year, maybe a little. This time last year, I was bustling around that tiny kitchen. I started prepping those dishes past seven, mixed the dumpling filling in advance, and threw my entire heart into making sure you got a magnificent meal.”

Both of them recalled the New Year they had spent together in an unfamiliar border county. Jiang Lin pictured Director Shen carrying the thermal containers through the bustling crowds:

“You were wearing that brick-red windbreaker I bought you that day. You stood out so vividly in the crowd. When you said you were bringing me dinner, I spent the entire day anticipating it, wondering what kind of delicacies Director Shen would whip up. Back then, I thought to myself that even if it turned out completely unpalatable, I would swallow every single bite.”

Shen Xing tilted his head, taking in Captain Jiang’s chiseled profile, and lunged forward to nip playfully at his earlobe:

“Hmph. Look who underestimated me! What a pity I barely got two bites of that feast, and we didn’t even get to see the fireworks. But if I had to do it all over again, I’d still want last year’s New Year’s Eve to be in Fulan County.”

Both men thought of the emergency surgery Shen Xing had performed that night. If Shen Xing hadn’t been stationed in Fulan County, that ten-year-old boy would have lost all chance of having his severed arm reattached.

“Director Shen accumulated boundless karmic merit this day last year.”

Shen Xing laughed softly:

“Looking back, celebrating the New Year in a small county town was pretty wonderful. At least they allowed fireworks. When I was a kid, the thing I looked forward to most was going to the street stalls with my grandfather to buy fireworks and firecrackers. I’d start anticipating it a month before the holiday and visit the stalls multiple times. Have you ever set off ‘double-kick’ firecrackers? When I was little, I’d plant them in the snowbanks and light them one by one.”

“I did. When I played with double-kicks, I used to launch them straight from my bare hands.”

“Badass.”

They bantered back and forth against the background music of the Gala until nearly 9:00 PM, when Captain Jiang went downstairs carrying pre-ordered holiday goods and braised delicacies to visit the subordinates on duty tonight, returning upstairs past 10:00 PM.

Approaching midnight, Shen Xing brought out the small electric hot pot his mother had packed, retrieving the dumplings from the thermal container:

“They’ve flattened a little.”

Jiang Lin didn’t mind in the slightest:

“It’s fine. As long as there’s a wrapper and filling, it’s good food. I’ll boil the water.”

Shen Xing set out the soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil his mother had prepared, mixing two dipping bowls. The water on Jiang Lin’s side came to a rolling boil, and before long, the plump dumplings floated to the surface. Accompanied by the midnight countdown chiming from the Gala broadcast, the steaming dumplings were lifted from the pot. Though their appearance couldn’t rival freshly wrapped ones, they were dumplings with wrapper and filling all the same.

Shen Xing popped open two cans of Coke:

“Captain Jiang, Happy New Year.”

“Director Shen, Happy New Year.”

They raised their cans and clinked them together, a moment Shen Xing captured with a quick photo on his phone. In the snapshot, two hands gripping bright red Coca-Cola cans touched in a festive toast.

Just as Shen Xing put his phone away, Jiang Lin swiftly hooked an arm around his neck, leaning in to press a tender kiss to his lips.

During tonight’s shift, Captain Jiang wasn’t merely serving as a ceremonial figurehead. During the latter half of the night, two emergency incident reports were escalated to him, requiring his direct intervention.

Although Shen Xing was a veteran at pulling all-nighters, having indulged in too many dumplings earlier, a heavy drowsiness began to pull at him. Jiang Lin unfolded the spare cot kept in the office, setting out a pillow and a duvet:

“If you’re sleepy, lie down for a bit. There’s a toiletry kit in the cabinet, and the shower room is at the end of the hall. The access card is on the desk—just swipe it to enter. I need to head downstairs to handle things.”

Shen Xing yawned and waved his hand lazily:

“Got it. Go ahead, I’m fine.”

He watched Captain Jiang step out the door in his tailored uniform. For some reason, Captain Jiang looked exceptionally handsome right now. Perhaps being a leader came with a natural charisma bonus? His boyfriend was the top chief!

Unable to fight off the heavy pull of sleep, Shen Xing dug out Jiang Lin’s toiletry kit, took a hot shower, returned to change into the spare pajamas Jiang Lin kept in the office, and crashed straight onto the cot.

Being the head chief wasn’t easy; Jiang Lin’s intervention kept him tied up for the entire remainder of the night. By the time he returned to the office, it was already 6:00 AM.

He pushed the door open with quiet steps. Director Shen was fast asleep on his small cot. In an instant, Jiang Lin remembered the night in Fulan County when Heibao had helped bust the drug trafficker—Shen Xing had slept in his office just like this.

He walked over on light feet, leaning down to press a soft kiss to the corner of Shen Xing’s lips. Shen Xing stirred groggily, that familiar, comforting scent prompting him to lean in instinctively, looping his arms around Jiang Lin’s neck, his voice thick with sleep:

“You’re back? What time is it?”

Seeing him so soft and drowsy, Jiang Lin pulled him into his arms:

“Mm. Just six in the morning. Sleep a little longer.”

Shen Xing rubbed his face, trying to clear the cobwebs. Jiang Lin hadn’t slept a wink all night, faint red veins lacing his eyes. Shen Xing propped himself up:

“Can you clock off now?”

“Yeah. We can go.”

“Then let’s go home. Home to sleep.”

The morning of New Year’s Day was spent catching up on sleep at home.

Jiang Lin didn’t wake up until the afternoon. Shen Xing was already propped against the headboard browsing on his phone. Seeing him stir, Shen Xing reached over to playfully tug at Captain Jiang’s hair:

“Captain Jiang, my mom invited you over for dinner tonight. What do you think? Going?”

The lingering dregs of sleep were blasted away in a single breath. Jiang Lin sat bolt upright:

“To your place? Does this count as meeting the parents?”

“Mm, pretty much. Not like I have experience with this either.”

Jiang Lin couldn’t possibly sleep now. He scrambled out of bed, frantic to prepare gifts:

“Why didn’t you mention it sooner? What do your mom and family like? I haven’t prepped any gifts in advance!”

“My family doesn’t have that many formalities. Just show up.”

Jiang Lin genuinely wanted to pull him over and swat his backside. Just showing up—how could that ever be acceptable?!

Shen Xing, who had been thoroughly enjoying the rare sight of Captain Jiang in a flustered scramble, wilted completely an hour later. The doorbell rang, and opening the door, he was met with the sight of Jiang Lin’s parents standing on the welcome mat.

If there was anyone Shen Xing dreaded facing right now, it was Captain Jiang’s parents. Remembering his past two mortifying encounters with Mother Jiang, his scalp prickled with embarrassment:

“Uncle, Auntie, please, please come in!”

Stepping inside, Shen Xing realized something was amiss. Both Mother Jiang and Father Jiang were carrying armfuls of high-end gift bags. He was utterly baffled. By all tradition, on the first day of the New Year, the younger generation was supposed to visit the elders with gifts—why had the script flipped?

Jiang Lin emerged from the bedroom. Mother Jiang hurried forward, thrusting the bags into his hands while delivering a rapid-fire inventory:

“This box is bird’s nest, and this box is donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao)—both are for Xiao Shen’s mother. These four boxes of sea cucumbers and the two bottles of Kweichow Moutai are for Xiao Shen’s grandparents. And remember: on your first formal visit, you must have a sweet tongue, understand?!”

Her son had messaged earlier saying Xiao Shen’s mother had invited him over for dinner and asking what gifts were appropriate. Mother Jiang hadn’t been able to sit still. Knowing gift selection was hardly her son’s forte, she had personally raided their home collection, packed everything up, and rushed over without delay.

Shen Xing watched wide-eyed as Mother Jiang subjected Captain Jiang to a thirty-minute intensive masterclass on “Son-in-Law First Visit Etiquette.”

An hour later, the two stood outside Shen Xing’s mother’s apartment. Shen Xing turned to look at the man beside him. Jiang Lin took a deep breath:

“I’m ready. Knock on the door.”

Initially, Shen Xing had treated it as just a casual meal, but after Mother Jiang’s relentless lecture and seeing the obvious tension radiating from the man beside him, he couldn’t help but feel a touch nervous himself.

Although Shen Xing had shown his family photos of Captain Jiang beforehand, when Jiang Lin stepped through the door—tall, upright, with striking, flawless bone structure—Mother Shen was still taken aback. The photos her son had shown her were so handsome she had assumed they were heavily filtered; she never expected her son had actually opted for absolute realism.

Only… why did her son look noticeably shorter than him? This differed slightly from what she had envisioned. Her… her son couldn’t possibly be the one on the bottom, could he?

No one knew a mother better than her son. Shen Xing guessed what was running through her head the second he caught her expression. To bypass any awkward topics, he hurriedly ushered Jiang Lin to greet his maternal grandparents.

While there was a slight divergence regarding gender, Captain Jiang’s dignified presence, respected profession, and refined, polite speech made him the absolute archetype of another family’s accomplished child in the eyes of the elderly. After two rounds of Chinese chess, Shen Xing’s grandfather was thoroughly enamored with his grandson’s boyfriend, insisting on having a drink during the meal.

Jiang Lin cracked open one of the bottles of Moutai he had brought, matching Shen Xing’s grandfather for two generous cups.

By the time they stepped out of Shen Xing’s family home, it was past 8:00 PM. The moment the door shut, Shen Xing asked anxiously:

“How are you holding up? Did you drink too much? Does your stomach hurt?”

In all the time they had known each other, he had only ever seen Jiang Lin sip champagne or draft beer; he had never seen him touch 53-degree hard baijiu.

Jiang Lin didn’t flush when drinking; rather, his complexion grew paler the more alcohol he consumed. Seeing him standing there somewhat blankly, Shen Xing waved a hand in front of his eyes:

“Drank too much?”

Jiang Lin caught his hand. His palm was burning hot. Worried he was running a fever, Shen Xing moved to feel his forehead, only for his wrist to be caught. Jiang Lin leaned in, wrapping his arms around him, smelling faintly of fine liquor. He raised a hand to ruffle Shen Xing’s hair until it was a complete bird’s nest:

“Did you really drink too much?”

“Your family approved.”

Jiang Lin’s eyes were shining brightly. Shen Xing found it both endearing and amusing:

“Yes, they approved. After all, Captain Jiang’s presentation is impeccable.”

Jiang Lin dipped his head to kiss him, then strode toward the car. Seeing him pull open the driver’s door, Shen Xing hurried over:

“You’ve been drinking, you can’t drive!”

Before he could pull him away, Jiang Lin didn’t get inside. Instead, he reached into the vehicle, retrieving an object he had hidden away, tucking it behind his back. His face was noticeably redder than when they had left the apartment, yet his gaze was intensely, unswervingly locked onto Shen Xing.

For some reason, Shen Xing’s heart began to pound, his breathing hitching. Just as he was about to speak, he clearly saw what Jiang Lin was holding: a small, royal-blue velvet box.

Jiang Lin took a step back, opening a sliver of space between them, and slowly sank onto one knee before him:

“I originally planned to bring this out on the Lantern Festival when I took you outside the city to set off fireworks. But today, I truly couldn’t hold it in any longer. I… I’m not good with eloquent speeches. Shen Xing, I love you. For every day that lies ahead, I want to spend it with you. If you are willing, may I put this ring on your finger?”

Shen Xing had truly never imagined this twist. His breathing turned ragged, his cheeks flushed with heat, and a vast, overwhelming surge of emotion filled his chest to bursting, rendering him temporarily speechless. Jiang Lin’s heart was hammering against his ribs, his palms damp with nervous sweat. He felt more terrified in this single moment than when staring down armed felons in the line of duty.

Until the person before him, eyes brimming with glistening tears, gave a firm nod, uttering the single word Jiang Lin wanted to hear most in this world:

“Yes.”

A brilliant, breathtaking smile broke across Jiang Lin’s face, reaching deep into his eyes. He took Director Shen’s extended hand, sliding the simple 18k white gold band smoothly onto his ring finger.

A modest, unadorned ring, yet in that moment, it shone brightly enough to dazzle both of their eyes. After admiring his finger for a second, Shen Xing swiftly lifted the matching band from the velvet box, taking Jiang Lin’s hand and sliding the other ring onto his finger. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to Captain Jiang’s ringed hand, blinking his feline eyes with a roguish grin:

“Alright! The ceremony is complete—time to be sent to the bridal chamber!”

Jiang Lin laughed:

“Deal. Returning to the bridal chamber right now.”

As Jiang Lin stood up, his injured left leg buckled slightly under the sudden weight. Shen Xing reflexively threw his arms around him, bracing him as he stood, grumbling under his breath:

“Why are you kneeling when your leg is injured?! Don’t go ruining our wedding night!”

Jiang Lin clasped him tightly against his chest, capturing his lips in a fierce, devouring kiss, their burning breath mingling in the winter chill:

“Rest assured, Director Shen. Even if my leg were broken clean through, it wouldn’t stop me from consummating our wedding night.”

(End of Main Story)