Chapter 273

Matters of life and death are serious; I'm not in the mood to joke with you.

Translation: "Matters of life and death are no joking matter; I'm not in the mood to joke with you."

Matters of life and death are serious; I'm not in the mood to joke with you.

Gao Peng's expression was grim, his composure equally spot-on, and the sorrow of losing a loved one showed on his face.

Translation: "Gao Peng's voice and appearance were heavy; his expression management was equally spot-on, and the grief of losing a relative floated across his face."

We need to keep meaning: "Gao Peng looked solemn, his expression perfectly conveying the sorrow of losing a loved one." But must include all info: his voice and appearance heavy, expression management spot-on, the grief floated on his face. Let's craft: "Gao Peng's voice and demeanor were heavy; his expression was perfectly controlled, and the sorrow of losing a relative showed on his face."

Lin Dongfan and Qi Ting exchanged a glance.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan and Qi Ting exchanged a glance, looking at each other."

Following the principle that in life we want to see the person, in death we want to see the corpse.

Translation: "Following the principle that in life one must see the person, in death one must see the corpse."

Qi Ting tactfully said to Gao Peng: "Secretary Gao, Gao Lu is suspected of a series of serious crimes; I hope you can understand. Regardless of whether she is dead or alive, we need to go in and see."

Translation: "Qi Ting tactfully said to Gao Peng: 'Secretary Gao, Gao Lu is suspected of a series of serious crimes; I hope you can understand. Regardless of whether she is dead or alive, we need to go in and see.'"

"She's in the room; come in."

Translation: "'She's in the room; come in.'"

All of this was clearly within Gao Peng's expectations.

Translation: "All of this was clearly within Gao Peng's expectations."

Gao Peng led the group into the room.

Translation: "Gao Peng led the group inside."

When they pushed open Gao Lu's door, she lay motionless on the bed, with a half‑empty bottle of medicine left on the bedside table.

Translation: "When they pushed open Gao Lu's door, she lay motionless on the bed, with a half‑empty bottle of medicine left on the bedside table."

Qi Ting felt Gao Lu's carotid artery.

Translation: "Qi Ting reached out and felt Gao Lu's carotid artery."

He then lifted her eyelids.

Translation: "He then lifted her eyelids."

He carefully observed the pupil response.

Translation: "He carefully observed the pupil response."

Finally, Qi Ting shook his head regretfully at Lin Dongfan, speechless, indicating that Gao Lu had indeed committed suicide and showed no signs of life.

Translation: "Finally, Qi Ting shook his head regretfully at Lin Dongfan, at a loss for words, indicating that Gao Lu had indeed committed suicide and showed no signs of life."

Lin Dongfan picked up the bottle on the nightstand, examined it, and wondered aloud: "Barbiturate nerve‑inhibiting capsules? What is this medicine used for?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan picked up the bottle on the bedside table and examined it, doubting: 'Barbital nerve‑inhibiting capsule? What is this drug used for?'"

The label did not state its therapeutic function.

Translation: "The bottle did not list its therapeutic function."

Gao Peng explained solemnly: "It's an imported special‑effect drug with sedative and hypnotic properties. She's been taking it for Along time mainly to treat insomnia. But if taken in excess, its side effects are far worse than domestic sleeping pills. I never imagined she would use it to kill herself. I came here intending to press her to turn herself in; when I entered the room, I saw she had stopped breathing."

Translation: "Gao Peng said with a sorrowful tone: 'This is an imported special‑effect drug with sedative and hypnotic effects. She has been taking it for Along time, mainly to treat insomnia. But if taken in excess, its side effects are far greater than those of domestic sleeping pills. I never imagined she would kill herself this way. I came here intending to press her to turn herself in; upon entering the room, I saw she had stopped breathing.'"

By then, Gao Peng's eyes were already glistening with tears.

Translation: "By this point, tears welled up in Gao Peng's eyes."

Anyone who saw it could not doubt it.

Translation: "Anyone seeing this would have no doubt."

Qi Ting comforted him: "Secretary Gao, please accept my condolences." Seeing a box of tissues on the bedside cabinet, he pulled out two and handed them to Gao Peng.

Translation: "Qi Ting comforted: 'Secretary Gao, please accept my condolences.' Seeing a box of tissues on the bedside cabinet, he pulled out two and handed them to Gao Peng."

Gao Peng gently wiped the tears from his eyes.

Translation: "Gao Peng gently wiped the tears from his eyes."

He then said sadly: "I've already called the funeral home; they'll be here shortly. I hope everyone will give me a little leeway, not disturb her further, and let her depart peacefully."

Translation: "He added sorrowfully: 'I've already called the funeral home; they'll be here shortly. I hope you can give me a little face and not disturb her further, letting her depart in peace.'"

In other words, since she's already dead, there's no need for an autopsy.

Translation: "The implication was that since she was already dead, there was no need for an autopsy."

Qi Ting glanced at Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "Qi Ting glanced at Lin Dongfan."

Silently, he seemed to be asking Lin Dongfan for his opinion.

Translation: "Silently, he seemed to be asking Lin Dongfan for his opinion."

Lin Dongfan frowned, his eyes fixed on the deceased Gao Lu labeled "Peaceful Passing," and asked a poignant question: "Secretary Gao, you discovered Gao Lu's suicide—why didn't you first call 110?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan furrowed his brows, his eyes fixed on the peacefully deceased Gao Lu, and posed a pointed question: 'Secretary Gao, when you discovered Gao Lu's suicide, why didn't you first call 120?'"

"When I arrived, she was already dead."

Translation: "'When I arrived, she was already dead.'"

Gao Peng adopted a low‑spirited demeanor.

Translation: "Gao Peng put on a look of low spirits."

He added: "I had already called 110 earlier and reported the situation. The hospital said it was too late to resuscitate, with no chance of rescue, and advised sending her straight to the funeral home."

Translation: "He added: 'I had already called 120 earlier and reported the situation. The hospital said it was too late to rescue, with no chance of saving her, and advised sending her directly to the funeral home.'"

Saying this, Gao Peng sat down beside the bed.

Translation: "Saying this, Gao Peng sat down beside the bed."

Gripping Gao Lu's hand, he felt a wave of remorse: "I should have realized that pressing her to turn herself in might drive her to do something foolish. Now that she's cold, nothing I say helps—this is my negligence. I focused only on getting her to surrender and overlooked her psychological limits…"

Translation: "Gripping Gao Lu's hand, he felt a wave of sorrow: 'I should have realized that if I pressed her to turn herself in, she might well do something foolish. Now that she's cold, nothing I say helps; this is my negligence. Earlier I only thought about making her surrender, overlooking her psychological endurance…'"

Again and again, Gao Peng had stressed three times that he had urged her to surrender.

Translation: "Again and again, Gao Peng had repeatedly emphasized three times—forcing her to turn herself in."

Even in his grief, he did not forget to bolster his political image.

Translation: "Even in grief, he did not forget to build his political image."

But Lin Dongfan remained doubtful, bent down and rolled up Gao Lu's sleeve—a move that instantly angered Gao Peng.

Translation: "But Lin Dongfan still looked doubtful; he bent down and rolled up Gao Lu's sleeve, an action that instantly angered Gao Peng."

Gao Peng stared coldly and demanded: "Section Chief Lin, men and women should be separate—what you're doing is inappropriate!"

Translation: "Gao Peng stared coldly and demanded: 'Section Chief Lin, isn't it improper for a man to do that to a woman?!'"

"Secretary Gao, you're overthinking; I have no intention of molesting her." Lin Dongfan then pressed his finger against Gao Lu's arm to observe the skin's reaction.

Translation: "'Secretary Gao, you're overthinking; I have no intention of misconduct.' Saying this, Lin Dongfan pressed his finger against Gao Lu's arm and carefully observed the skin's reaction."

A moment later.

Translation: "After a moment."

He saw that the pressed area showed a slow return of blood.

Translation: "Seeing that the pressed spot showed signs of slow blood return,"

Lin Dongfan couldn't help but smile and advise: "Secretary Gao, I suggest we not send her to the funeral home but to the hospital instead. This is a matter of life and death—we can't be hasty."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan couldn't help but smile and advise: 'Secretary Gao, I suggest we not send her to the funeral home but to the hospital instead. This is a matter of life and death; we cannot be hasty.'"

"Lin Dongfan! What do you mean?" Gao Peng's face darkened instantly.

Translation: "'Lin Dongfan! What do you mean?' Gao Peng's face darkened instantly."

Lin Dongfan explained calmly: "After death, blood circulation stops; pressing the skin leaves a pale imprint, and capillaries do not show any blood return."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan explained calmly: 'After death, blood circulation stops; pressing the skin leaves a pale imprint from pressure, and capillaries show no blood return.'"

Having said that, he saw Gao Peng seeming to want to rebut.

Translation: "Having said that, he saw Gao Peng seeming to want to rebut."

Lin Dongfan then emphasized: "Of course, someone who has just died may sometimes show a faint blood‑return reaction, but that's merely a post‑mortem artifact, not a true physiological response. The key is that we cannot tell whether this is such an artifact or a genuine reaction. Err on the side of caution, I believe we should send Gao Lu to the hospital for a full examination. This is a human life—we can't just toss her into the crematorium."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan then solemnly added: 'Of course, someone who has just died may also show a faint blood‑return reaction, but that is a post‑mortem false reaction, not a genuine physiological one. The key is that we cannot now tell whether this is a false or genuine reaction. Out of caution, I believe we should send Gao Lu to the hospital for a full examination. This is a human life; we cannot lightly send her to the crematorium.'"

「！！！」

Translation: "!!!"

Lin Dongfan's words left Gao Peng choking with rage.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan's words left Gao Peng choking with rage."

He felt like flipping the table!

Translation: "He felt like flipping the table!"

What made Gao Peng even more upset was that this couldn't be reasoned with; they were acting on the principle that life comes first, genuinely trying to "save" your sister—how could you refuse?

Translation: "What made Gao Peng even more distraught was that there was no way to argue—people, upholding the principle that life is supreme, were kindly trying to 'save' your sister; how could you refuse?"

It's utterly infuriating!

Translation: "It's utterly hateful!"

Lin Dongfan, you bastard, you're clearly just looking for trouble!

Translation: "That bastard Lin Dongfan is clearly looking for trouble!"

Damn it, a law‑school graduate is now playing forensic‑medicine tricks! Law and forensic medicine may share the "law" character, but they have no relation whatsoever.

Translation: "Damn it, a person with a law degree is actually playing forensic tricks! Law and forensics may share the 'fa' syllable, but they have no relation whatsoever."

Gao Peng, holding back his anger, retorted: "Lin Dongfan, do you really think you're a forensic expert? Your opinions are just wishful thinking and aren't scientific."

Translation: "Gao Peng swallowed his anger and retorted: 'Lin Dongfan, do you really think you're a forensic expert? All your talk is just your wishful thinking; it's not scientific.'"

"Which part of what I said contradicts scientific common sense? Tell me, I'm all ears." Lin Dongfan gave a faint smile.

Translation: "'Which point of mine contradicts scientific common sense? Tell me, I'm open to learning.' Lin Dongfan smiled faintly."

Gao Peng gritted his teeth: "You've had a grudge against my sister—that's all in the past. Now that she's dead, you won't let her rest, twisting her corpse this way and that! Don't you think that's excessive? As a Party cadre, you should rein in that narrow‑minded vengefulness."

Translation: "Gao Peng gritted his teeth in anger: 'You've had a grudge against my sister; that's all in the past. Now that she's dead, you still won't let her be, torturing her corpse in every way possible! Don't you think that's excessive? As a Party cadre, you'd better rein in that narrow‑minded vengefulness.'"

"Secretary Gao, I don't want to hear that."

Translation: "'Secretary Gao, I don't like hearing that.'"

Lin Dongfan replied calmly: "I'm worried your sister died unjustly and I want to protect her right to life—how does that become a petty revenge tactic? Don't you want your sister to live?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan calmly replied: 'I'm worried your sister died unjustly and want to protect her right to life; how does that become a narrow‑minded revenge tactic in your eyes? Don't you want your sister to live?'"

「！！！」

Translation: "!!!"

Faced with Lin Dongfan's confident arguments, Gao Peng was momentarily lost for words.

Translation: "Faced with Lin Dongfan's confident arguments, Gao Peng was momentarily speechless."

Lin Dongfan then told Qi Ting: "Qi Ting, don't just stand there—if she needs to go to the hospital, send her. Secretary Gao already said we're Party cadres; we can't engage in such reckless endangerment of life."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan then said to Qi Ting: 'Qi Ting, don't just stand there—if we ought to send her to the hospital, we should. Secretary Gao has already said we are Party cadres; we cannot engage in such reckless endangerment of life.'"

He's all talk, and Lin Dongfan has never lost an argument.

Translation: "In empty talk, Lin Dongfan has never lost."

Qi Ting looked at Gao Peng, furious yet unable to rebut, and felt a growing suspicion—Gao Lu's death was indeed highly suspicious.

Translation: "Qi Ting looked at Gao Peng's furious yet helpless expression, and doubts rose in his mind; he felt Gao Lu's death was indeed suspicious."

The key is that the Lin Family young master has already ordered, and Gao Lu must be sent to the hospital.

Today we can only humiliate Gao Peng.

Just do whatever needs to be done.

Chief Qi steadied himself, then ordered Yang Qing beside him: "Call a few people in, carry Gao Lu to the hospital for a full check-up."

"Impudent!"

Gao Peng suddenly let out an angry roar.

He roared at Chief Qi without pause: "I'm a Provincial Party Standing Committee member—has my word become useless? This is utterly absurd! As the chief of the Provincial Public Security Department, you actually take orders from a mere Section Chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau! What are you trying to do? Speak! Do you have some leverage over Lin Dongfan?"

"Secretary Gao, I'm also puzzled." Chief Qi countered: "Sending Gao Lu to the hospital is also putting the people's lives and property safety first; why are you stopping us?"

"You're harming my sister's corpse!" Gao Peng shouted, righteous and indignant.

Lin Dongfan, unable to hold back any longer, declared: "Secretary Gao, the Anti-Corruption Bureau is now jointly handling the case with the Provincial Department; there's no question of who commands whom. I advise you to show restraint! If you keep obstructing and refusing to step aside, don't blame me for not giving you face. Obstructing official duties, even if you're a Provincial Party Standing Committee member, I'll still arrest you without hesitation!"