Chapter 37.1: Qian Heng, will you die if you let me be moved?!

Except for the small episode of co-renting with Qian Heng, Cheng Yao’s work had been progressing smoothly lately. Bao Rui had found the hospital records of Chen Qingmei’s prenatal check-ups, and sure enough, Dong Shan had filled out information and even signed his name.

With a signature in hand, things became much easier—it was just a matter of applying for a handwriting analysis. Additionally, Bao Rui had obtained surveillance footage of Dong Shan and Chen Qingmei constantly appearing together, along with various other corroborating details. Combined with a DNA paternity test, this formed a complete chain of evidence.

And as if the heavens were lending a hand, the DNA test using Chen Qingmei’s umbilical cord blood had not posed any risk to the fetus. The test was completed smoothly.

“The report is out. The child in Chen Qingmei’s womb belongs to the same paternal lineage as Old Master Dong.”

Although this was a huge breakthrough for the case, Cheng Yao felt a strange complexity in her heart.

People always said, “Look up and you will see—heaven spares no one.” But more often than not, Cheng Yao found that such words were just self-consolation. Many of those who lived well and prospered weren’t good people at all.

Take Chen Qingmei, for example—she was a textbook example of refined self-interest. Selfish, shrewd, fully aware of the rules of a patriarchal society. She had molded herself into a form that catered to the male gaze—delicate, soft, as if she couldn’t survive without a man. Gentle, docile, obedient. But deep down, she was sharper than anyone. She didn’t lower herself because she lacked independent thought or was willing to be a man’s appendage. On the contrary, she knew exactly what she wanted and how to achieve it.

She probably didn’t love Dong Shan, just as she didn’t love the blood-related child in her womb.

She was never a sacrificial offering or a dependent in this patriarchal society—she was a beneficiary of female utilitarianism.

What struck Cheng Yao even more was that after the paternity test, Chen Qingmei didn’t leave alone.

That day, it was raining. While waiting for a taxi, Cheng Yao saw a man around Chen Qingmei’s age walking toward her with an umbrella.

“How can you be so careless? Next time, stand further inside—you’re getting drenched. You’re still pregnant. What if you catch a cold?”

The man had ordinary features, but the way he looked at Chen Qingmei—with such focused attention—made him glow.

A person with love in their eyes always looks more radiant.

He had only one umbrella, yet he carefully shielded Chen Qingmei with one arm. The umbrella tilted almost entirely over her, leaving his left side completely exposed to the rain.

Chen Qingmei gazed weakly at him, then leaned into his arms. “Xie Ming, if only I had met you earlier.”

The man, called Xie Ming, blushed shyly. “Meeting now isn’t too late. You had too much hardship before, so when Dong Shan treated you a little kindly, you mistook gratitude for love. But you never expected that his so-called ‘single’ status was a lie—he never even divorced his wife. Now you’re in this mess because of him… In the future, I will protect you.”

There was a hint of moisture in Chen Qingmei’s eyes. “But… but now everyone is calling me a homewrecker, a vixen who seduced Dong Shan, a shameless woman.”

“They don’t know the truth. I don’t care what others say about you,” Xie Ming said gently. “You shouldn’t care about those nasty comments either. People generalize too easily, and public opinion is easily misled. As long as I believe in you, that’s enough. Someone as timid as you could never do such things.”

…

The two exchanged a few more words before leaving hand in hand. As their figures disappeared beneath the shared umbrella, still chatting, Cheng Yao could no longer hear them.

How long had it been since Dong Shan’s death? Yet she had already found her next fresh “host.”

This man might not be wealthy, but with the unborn child as a bargaining chip, Chen Qingmei could secure more wealth than she could ever spend in a lifetime. She no longer had to worry about money. She could now find an honest man who suited her taste—one who would genuinely love, protect, and believe in her. Like any other girl her age, she could finally experience a proper, mutual romance.

So pragmatic. Yet so flawless.

Perhaps in this world, the shameless and those without limits really do live better?

Is it true that evildoers prosper while the good die forgotten?

…

Apart from the small episode of co-renting with Qian Heng, Cheng Yao’s work had been progressing smoothly lately. Bao Rui had managed to track down the hospital records of Chen Qingmei’s prenatal check-ups, and sure enough, Dong Shan had filled in his information and even signed his name.

With a signature in place, the next step was simple—applying for a handwriting authentication. On top of that, Bao Rui had also obtained surveillance footage showing Dong Shan and Chen Qingmei entering and leaving places together, practically inseparable. Combined with other minor supporting evidence, all that remained to complete the chain of evidence was a DNA paternity test.

As if fate was lending a hand, the umbilical cord blood DNA test did not pose any risk to the fetus, and the paternity test was completed without a hitch.

“The report confirms that the child Chen Qingmei is carrying shares the same paternal lineage as Mr. Dong.”

While this was a major victory for the case, Cheng Yao couldn’t help but feel a sense of complexity in her heart.

People always say, “Look up, and the heavens will see all; no one escapes fate.” But more often than not, Cheng Yao realized those words were just self-consolation. Many who thrive and prosper aren’t necessarily good people.

Take Chen Qingmei, for example. She was the epitome of a refined and calculated self-interest. Selfish and astute, she understood the rules of a patriarchal society. She molded herself into the ideal aesthetic for male preference—delicate, fragile, appearing as if she couldn’t survive without a man. She was gentle, obedient, and demure. Yet, deep down, she knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it.

She likely didn’t love Dong Shan. She probably didn’t even love the child in her womb.

She was never a victim or a dependent in this patriarchal society—she was a beneficiary of female opportunism.

What struck Cheng Yao even more was that after completing the paternity test, Chen Qingmei didn’t leave alone.

It was raining that day. As Cheng Yao waited for a taxi, she noticed a man around Chen Qingmei’s age approaching her with an umbrella.

“How could you be so careless? Next time, stand inside. You’re getting drenched. What if you catch a cold while pregnant?”

The man looked unremarkable, but the way he gazed at Chen Qingmei with such undivided attention made him seem radiant.

When a person looks at someone with love in their eyes, they always appear a little more dazzling.

He had only one umbrella, yet he carefully shielded her with one arm, tilting the umbrella almost entirely over her head, leaving the left side of his body completely exposed to the rain.

Chen Qingmei gazed at him weakly before leaning into his embrace. “Xie Ming, if only I had met you earlier.”

The man called Xie Ming blushed shyly. “It’s not too late now. You had a tough past, so when you met Dong Shan, you mistook gratitude for love just because he showed you a little kindness. But who knew he was lying about being single? He never even divorced his wife, and now you’re in this situation… But from now on, I’ll take care of you.”

Chen Qingmei’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “But… but now everyone calls me a homewrecker, a vixen who seduced Dong Shan, a shameless woman.”

“They don’t know the truth. I don’t care what others say about you.” Xie Ming smiled warmly. “Don’t pay attention to those harsh words. People love to make sweeping judgments, and public opinion is easily misled. As long as I believe in you, that’s enough. You’re such a timid person—how could you ever do something like that?”

…

They exchanged a few more words before leaving hand in hand, disappearing under the umbrella as they walked away. Whatever they were saying, Cheng Yao could no longer hear.

Dong Shan had barely been dead for long, yet she had already secured her next “host.”

This man might not be wealthy, but with the unborn child as a bargaining chip, Chen Qingmei was set to inherit an unimaginable fortune. Money would no longer be a concern. She could now choose someone who truly suited her—a simple, honest man who would wholeheartedly love, protect, and believe in her. Just like any other woman her age, she could now embark on a genuine, affectionate relationship.

So pragmatic, yet utterly flawless.

Maybe in this world, those who are shameless and lack a moral bottom line actually live better lives. That old saying—”Those who commit crimes wear golden belts, while those who build bridges die in poverty”—might just be true after all.