Roses in Flames

Ye Yuntang walked towards the stage, her seaweed-like curly hair hanging down, her waist slender and delicate, her back view looking graceful and elegant.

A collective gasp filled the auditorium.

"This stunningly beautiful woman is a forensic pathologist? That's incredible!"

"Hey beautiful, can I have your contact information?"

Amidst the continuous laughter, Ye Yuntang kept her eyes straight ahead as she walked onto the stage in her high heels.

Once on stage, Shen Yan gentlemanly moved the piano stool aside, his eyes behind his glasses carrying a gentle expression. "Finally, I've found an opportunity to make up for the regrets of my university days. Still, 'Lake Baikal'?"

Ye Yuntang nodded, placing her slender white fingertips on the piano keys. "I'll try my best not to make any mistakes."

The two sat side by side, bathed in warm light, creating a soft and beautiful scene.

Shen Yan played the prelude first, the ethereal sound of the zither flowing, and Ye Yuntang immediately followed.

The four hands move in harmony, creating a smooth and lingering melody.

When the interlude came on, Shen Yan turned his head to look at Ye Yuntang, who happened to look up at the same time. Their eyes met, and a faint smile appeared in their eyes.

I never expected that after several years, we would still have such a good understanding.

The tranquil and beautiful scene made the audience lower their voices.

Xiao Wei held her phone and kept taking pictures of the men and women on stage.

"Sister Yuntang and Forensic Doctor Shen are really in perfect sync, they play so beautifully." Cheng Lei looked completely absorbed in the music.

Song Che nodded. "They're not only highly skilled in their professional knowledge, but they're also incredibly talented."

Xiao Lin's dark eyes were deep and unfathomable, his facial features were taut, and his large hands, placed on his knees, unconsciously clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

He ignored the commotion and chatter around him, his dark, narrow eyes fixed on the man and woman playing the piano together on stage, emanating a chilling aura.

As the music faded, its lingering melody was followed by thunderous applause from the audience.

"Junior, shall we go for a walk by the lake after the indoor activities are over?" Shen Yan extended an invitation before stepping off the stage.

Ye Yuntang nodded, "No problem."

Back in her seat, Xiao Wei excitedly handed over her phone. "Sister Yun Tang, I took so many photos of you and Forensic Doctor Shen. The two of you playing the piano together looked absolutely amazing."

After glancing at the photo, Ye Yuntang said to Xiao Wei, "Don't misunderstand, my senior and I are just friends and alumni."

Xiao Wei blinked. "Sister Yun Tang, you don't think I'll be jealous, do you? I admit, I do like Dr. Shen's looks, but that's just liking an idol, not wanting to possess him. After watching you play the piano, I've decided to become your number one CP fan from now on."

Ye Yuntang rubbed her forehead. "Don't go around shipping couples like that."

The next program will begin soon.

Ye Yuntang and Xiao Wei stopped joking and focused on watching the program.

The program featured a solo ethnic dance performed by Su Qingran.

Su Qingran wore a light blue ethnic-style long dress, her long hair loosely tied into a bun, and her face was covered with exquisite makeup, making her look gentle and lively.

As the music started, she began to dance.

Her dance steps were light and graceful, her movements delicate and beautiful; as she twirled, her skirt swayed like a lotus flower, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

"Su Qingran dances so beautifully," Xiao Wei said.

Ye Yuntang nodded, "Indeed, her limbs are so flexible."

Xiao Wei nudged Ye Yuntang's arm. "Look at Cheng Lei and the others, their eyes are practically glued to them."

Ye Yuntang looked towards the people from the criminal investigation department.

Cheng Lei and Song Che stared intently at the stage, while Xiao Lin looked down at his phone. The light from the phone fell on his cold and resolute profile, making him appear somewhat enigmatic.

While dancing, Su Qingran's gaze would unconsciously drift towards Xiao Lin in the audience.

She tried her best to show herself, hoping to let Xiao Lin see her outstanding side.

But he kept his head down and didn't look at the stage once.

It seemed that her performance was utterly insignificant and didn't meet his standards.

Su Qingran was in a daze, her dance steps were off by half a beat, and she suddenly twisted her ankle and fell to the ground.

She tried to stand up, but a sharp pain shot through her ankle.

Her eyelashes trembled, and her face turned pale.

"Su Qingran has fallen!" Cheng Lei exclaimed.

The members of the criminal investigation team all looked at Xiao Lin.

Su Qingran took the initiative to sit next to Xiao Lin on the bus, which definitely means she has feelings for him; everyone knows it perfectly well.

Director Shao patted Xiao Lin on the shoulder, "Hurry up and go up on stage to carry Su Qingran down."

Xiao Lin lowered his brows. "Director Shao, I reiterate, don't play matchmaker."

After saying that, he kicked Cheng Lei and said, "You and Song Che go up on stage and help Su Qingran down."

Cheng Lei glanced at Xiao Lin's expression and knew he wouldn't go on stage, so he quickly stood up. "Yes, boss."

Seeing this, Director Shao was somewhat angry at his son's lack of ambition, saying, "You can't even seize an opportunity when it comes your way."

Xiao Lin pursed his thin lips and remained silent, glancing out of the corner of his eye in Ye Yuntang's direction.

Ye Yuntang was replying to Shen Yan's message with her head down and did not notice Xiao Lin's movements.

"Sigh, Su Qingran probably really wanted Captain Xiao to help her up, but Cheng Lei and Song Che ran over to help her, one supporting her left arm and the other her right, like escorting a prisoner. They're so clueless about romance."

Ye Yuntang looked up and glanced at the stage.

Just as Xiao Wei said, Cheng Lei and Song Che, those two hotheads, have absolutely no charm.

"Xiao Wei, my senior brother asked me to go for a walk. Do you want to come along?" Ye Yuntang winked at Xiao Wei. "I want to find a chance to set you two up."

Xiao Wei quickly waved her hand.

The forensic doctor Shen invited Sister Yuntang to perform on stage, presumably because he has feelings for her.

She decided not to get involved.

……

After leaving the auditorium, Ye Yuntang found Shen Yan by the artificial lake in the villa.

Shen Yan was carrying an exquisite pastry box.

Shen Yan handed the pastry box to Ye Yuntang, "I remember when you were in college, you liked to eat coconut custard lava pastries. Before we left today, I bought a box in the city and brought it with me."

Ye Yuntang's beautiful eyes lit up with a delighted smile. "Thank you."

The two walked along the lakeside. Shen Yan looked down at Ye Yuntang and asked, "I heard you got divorced?"

He glanced at her fingertips but didn't see the ring.

Ye Yuntang nodded, "Yes, we're divorced."

Shen Yan didn't ask too many questions, and the two chatted about professional matters for a while.

Ye Yuntang, "Regarding the unidentified skeleton in Ningcheng, did you determine the skull fracture based on the impacted tissue?"

Shen Yan nodded, "Yes, and blood clots in the bone plate diploic area and the bleeding halo along the fracture line are also key."

Ye Yuntang nodded thoughtfully, "I've learned something."

Shen Yan smiled warmly, "You've grown a lot in the past two years too."

Ye Yuntang extended his hand to Shen Yan, "In the future, I will need your guidance, senior brother."

Shen Yan reached out and gently shook his hand, his smile warm. "Let's learn from each other."

The social event was not over yet, and Ye Yuntang did not return to the auditorium.

She was about to go back to her hotel room to rest for a while.

As I stepped out of the elevator and walked towards the room door, I saw a tall, aloof figure standing there.

It's Xiao Lin.