Dawn of Life

Half an hour later, she replied with a bill. Lin Yue opened it and saw a hospital bill for over 3500 yuan. While she was wondering what was going on, the other person sent another message: "This is the medical bill for this afternoon. Please transfer it to me. I won't ask you for the other expenses, such as nutrition fees or lost wages."

Lin Yue stared at her phone, her brows furrowed. A strong intuition told her, "This woman must have taken someone else's advice and is trying to scam me." She recalled that the woman had only a minor abrasion on her leg, and she had stood up and walked straight away, saying she was also going to the hospital to get her back checked. Therefore, Lin Yue couldn't help but suspect that the woman had included her other medical tests in the bill.

Thinking of this, Lin Yue replied firmly, "Send me the doctor's diagnosis. If you can't prove that the charges on this bill were caused by me hitting you, I won't give you the money."

Lin Yue told her parents at the dinner table about the news. Lin Haifeng didn't know what had happened, so Liu Cuiying explained it to him. In the end, the two of them concluded: "You should just block her."

Lin Yue's mind was in a mess. She said, "I'm full. You guys eat and go to bed early. Don't worry." Then she went back to her room. She needed to calm down. 3500 yuan was not a small amount for her. If it was really her responsibility, she would take responsibility, but if not, she didn't want to be taken advantage of.

So she took out her phone and started arguing with her via WeChat. Perhaps sensing her unwillingness to pay, the other party began to speak harshly: "I didn't hold it against you because you said your child had a fever. Now you're denying it and running away. I'm calling the police, and you'll be detained. You should think about saving face for your child."

Lin Yue's stomach ached with anger upon seeing the message, accompanied by chest tightness. The oxygen in the room seemed insufficient, and breathing became difficult. This woman had not only threatened her but also cursed Xiao Yu. She sat on the edge of the bed, gripping her phone tightly with one hand and furiously twisting the corner of her clothes with the other, repeatedly telling herself, "Stay calm."

Lin Yue started searching on Xiaohongshu: "What happens if you block the other party after a car accident?" and "What is the definition of fleeing the scene of a traffic accident?" She read through many bloggers' posts and the most liked comments, finally managing to piece together some clues. After putting down her phone, she felt much more relaxed.

She sent the other party a message: "I will call the police tomorrow and let the traffic police and insurance company determine liability." Then she put her phone on airplane mode, washed up, and went to bed. She felt that it was always better to be cautious. If she transferred the money to the other party and they came back for it later, what would she do? It was better to leave professional matters to professionals.

The next morning, after waking up and turning on her phone, Lin Yue received a barrage of messages from the other party, claiming that she had already called the police and that it was entirely Lin Yue's fault. Lin Yue ignored her and instead dialed 110 (the police emergency number) to explain the situation. The traffic police officer said he had also received a call reporting the incident, and the time and location matched.

Lin Yue said, "That should be the same accident. I'm the car owner. What's the next procedure? I want to get it done as soon as possible this afternoon, since I can't take time off work tomorrow."

Ten minutes later, the traffic police called again: "I've arranged for the other party to come to the traffic police station at 2 PM to handle the matter. I'll send you the time and address via text message later."

Before leaving home, Lin Yue told her parents about what had happened. When Liu Cuiying heard that she was going to the police station that afternoon to deal with the accident, a worried look appeared in her eyes, and she said, "It's pitiful for you to go alone, without anyone to accompany you."

Lin Yue offered a few words of comfort and then hurriedly left. Because the right-side rearview mirror had been knocked off by a shared bicycle and wasn't very clear after being reinstalled, she called a Didi (ride-hailing service). Just as she got in the car, her WeChat call rang: "We made plans to go to the movies this afternoon! I've already left. I'll pick you up at your apartment complex entrance in a bit, okay?" Xiao Feng's cheerful voice came through the phone.

Lin Yue frowned slightly and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I might have to go to the traffic police station first. I hit someone with my car last night, and I need to deal with it."

Xiao Feng immediately said, "Are you alright? Give me your address, I'm almost at your house, I'll go with you."

Lin Yue reflexively refused, unconsciously raising her voice slightly as she said, "No need, no need. It's near my house. Why don't you take a walk around? I'll contact you later when I'm done." She felt she could handle this matter entirely on her own.

Xiao Feng insisted, so Lin Yue copied the traffic police's text message and sent it to him.

Lin Yue and the girl entered the traffic police station almost one after the other. Next to the girl sat a man with a slightly mean face, about 25 years old, who looked like her boyfriend.

Just as the traffic police were about to ask questions, her boyfriend impatiently switched to "wife-protecting mode," glaring at Lin Yue before shouting, "She's clearly trying to flee! My girlfriend's medical expenses, nutritional supplements, and lost wages are all her responsibility!"

Lin Yue had prepared herself mentally before coming, so although her heart was churning, she appeared calm on the surface. She looked directly into the other person's eyes and said coldly, "We can check the surveillance footage first. I did get out of the car immediately to inquire about her situation, and I even added her on WeChat."

"That's right, whether you flee or not isn't up to you, and the insurance company will handle the expenses." Lin Yue heard a familiar voice, turned around incredulously, and saw a face that she found extremely repulsive. Gao Ming stood behind her like a ghost.

Lin Yue stared at him as if she'd seen a ghost, and asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?"

"Your mom called me and said she was worried because you hit someone, so she asked me to come and check on you." This was the first time Gao Ming hadn't spoken with such a strong tone since the divorce.

Upon hearing this, the traffic policeman looked up and his gaze fell on Gao Ming, who had just arrived. "This matter is not complicated. The surveillance cameras along this section of the road are very clear. Such a small matter is not enough to warrant a hit-and-run." After saying that, he invited them to go to the computer to check the surveillance footage.

Lin Yue took a big step forward and blocked Gao Ming's path, glaring at him impatiently. Gao Ming, feeling slighted, silently stood behind the others.

When Liu Cuiying called Gao Ming today, he hesitated for a long time, but after hearing how serious Liu Cuiying's words were, he realized that he was always concerned about his image and didn't want to be seen as heartless and ungrateful. In addition, he had recently had a disagreement with Ma Hongli, so he decided to come.

With the retrieval of surveillance footage and the intervention of the insurance company, the matter was quickly and properly resolved.

Because the young woman was riding in the motor vehicle lane, and her bicycle was considered a vulnerable vehicle on the road, both parties were held equally responsible (50% each). Lin Yue's vehicle was covered by mandatory traffic accident liability insurance, and all related costs were borne by the insurance company. The insurance company's claims adjuster will collect evidence and calculate all compensation expenses from the other party.

Lin Yue heard from the traffic police that the insurance premium would increase by several tens of yuan in the second year. She thought the outcome was very good, straightforward and efficient, and there would be no further trouble or worries.

Afterwards, Lin Yue, her face grim, walked past Gao Ming and headed straight for the door. She was walking so fast that she almost bumped into someone's chest as she exited. She stopped and looked up to see a similarly grim face.

Lin Yue then remembered her phone call with Xiao Feng half an hour earlier. And so, the awkward trio bumped into each other at the door.