Romance Variety Show: The aloof and beautiful fourth female lead is always coveted.

(Note that this is an "if" scenario, not a continuation of the main story.)

(Ling Yan's "what if" side story setting: He dated Bai Nianchu for 3 years and was married for 4 years. This is a fictionalized account of a clingy, insecure, and self-conscious husband. PS: Please do not apply the character settings or professions to reality! Purely fictional!)

Ling Yan graduated from the forensic medicine major at J School at the age of 22 and started working as a forensic doctor at the city's GA Department Identification Center. From 22 to 25, she solved a series of difficult cases with her strong professional skills and won commendations for meritorious service. From 25 to 28, she was promoted to deputy head of the forensic medicine department and participated in the analysis of criminal investigation scenes. At the age of 29, she was transferred to the position of deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade, responsible for leading the team to handle major criminal cases, and daily leading the team to conduct investigations, interrogations and surveillance.

Talented individuals who transition from forensic pathology to criminal investigation are extremely rare, let alone those who frequently solve cold cases and successfully transition to leading teams. Anyone who meets Ling Yan must praise him as "young and promising."

What surprised his colleagues and subordinates even more was that Deputy Captain Ling, who was always impartial and incorruptible in handling cases, actually had a wife who was as beautiful as an angel at home.

This story begins with a team-building dinner.

The colleagues in the department have developed a close relationship, almost like family, through spending so much time together. Whenever a major case is solved or there is a holiday celebration, the unit organizes a dinner party, inviting everyone to bring their wives, children, or partners to eat and chat.

Everyone in the team has brought their families along, except for Ling Yan, who has never brought them along.

It was only after the team leader persuaded him not to be so aloof that Ling Yan finally brought his wife to the dinner party.

The results are predictable.

Several newcomers in the team couldn't take their eyes off her, their admiring gazes frequently drifting towards Deputy Team Leader Ling's wife.

They were so young, they had never seen such a beautiful woman before.

Not only are her features exquisite and her skin fair and delicate, but her eyes are also as black and lustrous as obsidian immersed in water. When you meet her gaze, it's hard not to freeze in place.

The newcomers initially only had pure respect for Vice Captain Ling.

But at this moment, a bittersweet feeling also lingered in their hearts.

They weren't envious of Ling Yan becoming a deputy squad leader at such a young age; after all, it was the result of talent and hard work. But having such a beautiful wife... wasn't it all just luck?!

What happened at the dinner table afterwards left everyone speechless.

Deputy Captain Ling, who usually has a cold face and an intimidating aura, and who can break down a suspect's psychological defenses after a few rounds of questioning in the interrogation room... was now slightly hunched over, carefully peeling shrimp for his wife.

Even though his fingers were oily, he didn't care at all. He put all the peeled shrimp into Bai Nianchu's bowl and asked her in a low voice if it was enough for her.

Ling Yan vividly remembered that his wife had a low alcohol tolerance, so he wouldn't let her touch a drop of alcohol and always placed lukewarm tea in front of her.

Throughout the meal, everyone was surprised to discover—

Deputy Captain Ling's gaze almost never left his wife.

When his subordinates came over to offer him a toast, he raised his glass in response, but his gaze drifted back to his own. When his wife heard some interesting topics and her eyebrows curved slightly, Ling Yan also smiled.

This was an expression that the entire team had never seen on his face before.

To put it nicely, it's a "loving husband" persona.

To put it bluntly... it somehow feels a bit like flattery.

After the dinner party, no matter how his colleagues tried to subtly inquire, he kept his wife hidden away and never brought her out again.

Even though some people in the team only meant to admire him, Ling Yan still felt uncomfortable.

He and Bai Nianchu had already gone through many trials from dating to marriage.

His wife has never lacked suitors, but he withstood the pressure from a group of men eyeing her and resolutely chose to be with her.

How could we possibly give anyone even the slightest chance?

*

One evening, Ling Yan returned home from get off work.

When he opened the door, he found the house empty.

The living room was dark, with no lights on, and there was no trace of Bai Nianchu anywhere.

Standing in this darkness, Ling Yan felt as if his entire being, from spirit to soul, had been drained.

Sometimes, darkness and loneliness can crush a person in an instant.

He stood frozen in place, his head and back drooping, as if abandoned by the whole world.

Countless negative emotions, like layers of black mud, enveloped him, and Ling Yan was overwhelmed with sorrow—

Is his wife tired of him?

Is it because you think he got off work too late and went to someone else's house?

Do you feel like you married the wrong person?

Does that mean... you don't want him anymore?

Ling Yan became increasingly upset as he thought about it.

He didn't even change his shoes, just stood there in the entryway, silently waiting for that figure that might never return.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of the door lock turning suddenly rang out.

Bai Nianchu pushed open the door and came in, carrying a cake box in her hand.

She saw the man standing motionless in the darkness, paused for a moment, then frowned: "What's wrong? I just went out to get something, and you're acting like I'm dead?"

Ling Yan didn't say anything, but his eyes instantly reddened.

Having shed his youthful naiveté and immaturity, his current appearance is even more alluring.

His extremely alluring and handsome appearance gave him an eerie feeling, almost like a male ghost.

Especially after opening the door, in the dim light.

Men who know their advantage is their good looks are very difficult to deal with—when they're being blamed, their eyelashes droop, their eyelids droop, and they act innocent, as if they're about to cry. You wait for them to argue, but they look hurt and ask you not to hate them, that it's all their fault. Once you feel sorry for their downcast appearance, you're completely led by them.

Bai Nianchu sighed, turned on the light, placed the cake on the table, walked back, and cupped his face in her hands: "It's your birthday today. I just went out to get the cake. What are you thinking about?"

"...You can't say the word 'death.'" Ling Yan lowered his head, buried his face in her neck, and whispered, "I thought you didn't want me anymore, wife."

Bai Nianchu lowered her eyelashes, ran her fingers through his hair, and comforted him with a caress, just like before.

He's almost 30 years old, but he still has the same insecurity as a 22-year-old. He goes crazy if he can't see her.

Never mind. Bai Nianchu thought to herself.

Isn't it pitiful to see a kitten that feels insecure?

She ruffled his hair: "Come and make a wish."

Ling Yan responded sullenly and followed her to open the package and insert the candles.

But before closing his eyes, he suddenly stopped: "Can I not make a wish upon it?"

Bai Nianchu: "?"

Ling Yan said in a hoarse voice, "I want to ask my wife for permission."

"Honey...can you grant me one wish?"

Bai Nianchu: "What?"

Ling Yan: "Help me record some audio."

Ling Yan pulled a small tape recorder from his person, looked into her eyes, and said, word by word:

"Say you love me, say you'll never leave me."

"I'll save my wife's voice on a recorder. That way... I can listen to it when she's not around."

Perhaps only by hearing these sounds could he feel less afraid.

"Okay," Bai Nianchu agreed, almost indulgently, "Give it to me."

With each instance of indulgence, even she occasionally found herself incredulous at how low her standards were for Ling Yan.

Record the audio and hand the little thing back.

Ling Yan took the tape recorder with both hands, as devoutly and carefully as a believer in worship.

Later, whenever Bai Nianchu was not home, or when he was away on business, working overtime, or missing her terribly, Ling Yan would press the recorder and play Bai Nianchu's voice over and over again.

[Ling Yan, I love you.]

I will never leave you.

[Ling Yan, I love you.]

I will never leave you.

[Ling Yan, I love you.]

[......]

"Wife, I love you too."