Qin Yue noticed it immediately and stepped closer. "Captain... what happened?" Han Yi didn't answer right away. He simply handed the phone to her. Qin Yue lowered her eyes and quietly read the message aloud. "If you're looking for Jun Wei... you're already too late." Her fingers tightened around the phone. "What does that even mean?"Before Han Yi could answer, Qin Yue noticed a small attachment beneath the message. "There's a photo." She hesitated for only a second before opening it.
The image slowly filled the screen. Qin Yue's breathing caught in her throat. "Jun Wei." Han Yi stepped beside her and silently looked at the photograph. Jun Wei was sitting on an old chair. A black cloth covered his eyes, and both of his hands were tied behind the backrest with thick plastic restraints. His clothes were slightly dirty, but there wasn't a single visible injury on his face. Although frightened, he appeared physically unharmed. Qin Yue's eyes quickly became red. "He's safe..." She let out a shaky breath. "Captain... he's still safe."
Han Yi didn't respond. His gaze never left the screen. Qin Yue looked at him in confusion. "Did you hear me? Jun Wei is okay! " Han Yi quietly nodded. "I know." His voice remained calm. "Then why don't you look relieved?" Qin Yue asked. Han Yi slowly zoomed in on the photograph. "Because they're not showing us Jun Wei." Qin Yue frowned. "What do you mean?" Han Yi pointed toward the background. "They're showing us where he is."
Qin Yue leaned closer. Behind Jun Wei was a rough gray concrete wall stained by age. To his left stood a heavy industrial steel door with chipped paint around the edges. A faded yellow warning stripe ran diagonally across the floor, ending just beneath the chair. A small red emergency light was mounted high on the wall, and part of an old ventilation pipe could be seen disappearing into the ceiling.
Qin Yue stared at the image for several seconds. "It looks like a warehouse." Han Yi slowly shook his head. "No." "A factory?" "No." "Then what?" Han Yi enlarged another corner of the image. "Look here." Qin Yue narrowed her eyes. A small section of the wall contained the same type of concrete reinforcement used in underground structures. She looked back at the blueprints spread across the table. Then her eyes suddenly widened. "Wait..." Han Yi quietly nodded. "You're seeing it too." Qin Yue compared the photograph with the plans again. "The yellow floor marking..." She placed one finger on the blueprint. "...it's almost identical to the markings used in underground parking service areas." Han Yi looked at the hidden section of the blueprint. "Exactly."
Qin Yue lowered the phone. "You think this picture was taken inside this building?" Han Yi answered carefully. "I don't know yet." "But you suspect it." "Yes." Qin Yue looked back at the photograph. "If they're really hiding him here..." She swallowed slowly. "...why would they send us this?" Han Yi remained silent for a few moments before speaking. "Because they wanted us to notice the background." Qin Yue frowned. "That doesn't make sense. Why would they help us?" Han Yi looked directly at her. "Who said they're helping?" She blinked. "Then what are they doing?" Han Yi slowly locked the phone and placed it back into his pocket. "They're controlling the investigation." Qin Yue remained confused. "I still don't understand." Han Yi rested one hand on the rolled blueprint. "Every clue we've received has arrived exactly when they wanted us to find it. First witness then message and now photograph." He paused briefly before continuing. "We're not discovering evidence anymore." Qin Yue quietly finished his thought. "They're feeding it to us." Han Yi nodded once. "Exactly."
Qin Yue looked from the blueprint to the phone, then back to Han Yi. "So what do we do now?" Han Yi's eyes remained fixed on the hidden section of the underground plans. "We keep asking the same question." Qin Yue looked at him. "Which question?" Han Yi answered quietly, "If they wanted to stop us... they could have disappeared without leaving a single trace." He looked at the photograph of Jun Wei. "So why are they making sure we keep following them?"Qin Yue remained silent for a long moment. She looked down at the photograph once more before speaking. "Maybe they're arrogant." She frowned slightly. "Some criminals enjoy playing games with the police." Han Yi slowly shook his head. "Arrogance leaves mistakes." He tapped the edge of the blueprint with one finger. "Everything we've found so far was left for us intentionally."
Qin Yue crossed her arms. "The witness... the messages... the photograph... even the SUV." Han Yi nodded. "None of those clues were accidents." He looked toward the office door. "Someone has been deciding what we learn... and when we learn it." Qin Yue lowered her eyes thoughtfully. "They're controlling the pace of the investigation." Han Yi answered calmly. "Exactly." He folded the blueprint and placed it neatly back onto the table. "They're always one step ahead because they're choosing where we step next."Xu Lin, who had been quietly listening nearby, finally spoke. "Forgive me for asking..."
Both detectives turned toward her. "If you already know someone is leading you..." She hesitated briefly before continuing. "...why keep following?" Han Yi gave a faint smile. "Because every guide eventually walks home." Xu Lin looked puzzled. Han Yi continued, "The clues may be chosen..." He paused briefly. "...but the person leaving them still exists." Qin Yue's eyes slowly brightened as she understood. "No matter how carefully they plan..." She finished his thought. "...every plan has an owner."
Han Yi nodded once. "Exactly." Just then, Qin Yue lowered her eyes to the photograph again. Something near the bottom corner caught her attention. "Captain." Han Yi looked over. "What is it?" Qin Yue enlarged the photograph with two fingers. "Look at this." Han Yi stepped closer and focused on the area she was pointing at. Near Jun Wei's right foot was a faded white marking painted directly onto the concrete floor. Dust covered most of it, leaving only a few characters visible. *...B2 - S...*
Han Yi narrowed his eyes. "That isn't random." Qin Yue tried enlarging the image again. The picture immediately became blurry. She frowned. "The resolution isn't good enough. I can't make out the rest." Xu Lin quietly stepped forward. "May I see it?" Qin Yue handed her the phone without hesitation. Xu Lin studied the photograph carefully. At first her expression remained calm. Then, almost imperceptibly, her eyes widened. Han Yi noticed it immediately. "You've seen something like this before?" Xu Lin slowly nodded. "Yes." She handed the phone back to Qin Yue before walking toward the blueprints spread across the table. "Those markings look familiar."
Han Yi stepped beside her. "Where?" Xu Lin placed one finger on the underground layout. "Our maintenance corridors beneath Level B2 use painted location codes on the floor." Qin Yue looked at the blueprint, then back at the photograph. "You mean every section is labeled?" Xu Lin nodded. "Exactly. The letters help maintenance staff identify different service zones."
Han Yi quietly asked, "And 'S'?" Xu Lin thought for a moment. "If I'm remembering correctly..." She traced a narrow passage hidden beneath the parking structure. "...'S' usually refers to the service corridor." Qin Yue immediately looked at the western side of the blueprint. Her breathing slowed. "The hidden corridor..." Xu Lin gave a slow nod. "...also begins from Level B2." No one spoke. Han Yi looked from the photograph... to the blueprint... then slowly lowered his eyes toward the floor beneath his feet. His thoughts connected every clue they had collected since Jun Wei disappeared. The anonymous messages. The missing surveillance footage. The black SUV that never left through the main exit. The erased thirty minutes. The hidden corridor. None of them felt separate anymore. They all pointed to the same place.
Han Yi finally broke the silence. His voice was quiet but steady. "We've been searching the entire city..." He rested one hand on the blueprint and looked directly at the hidden section beneath Level B2. "...but what if Jun Wei never left this building?" Qin Yue slowly looked around the office.She quietly looked back at Han Yi. "If you're right..." Her voice became almost a whisper. "...then we've been standing above him this whole time."
Han Yi didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the blueprint spread across the table. His fingers slowly traced the hidden service corridor before stopping near the section marked B2. Several long seconds passed before he finally spoke. "Assumptions solve very few cases." He looked up at Qin Yue. "Evidence does." Qin Yue nodded slowly. "Then we verify it." Han Yi gave a slight nod. "Exactly." Xu Lin looked between the two detectives. "If you're thinking of inspecting the underground service area..." She hesitated before continuing. "...I'll arrange access immediately."
Han Yi gently shook his head. "Not yet." Xu Lin looked puzzled. "Why wait?" Han Yi calmly replied, "Because the moment someone sees us heading underground..." He tapped the blueprint lightly with one finger. "...they'll know we've found the hidden corridor." Qin Yue understood immediately. "And if Jun Wei really is down there..." Han Yi finished her sentence. "...they'll move him before we ever get close."
Xu Lin slowly lowered her eyes. "I hadn't considered that." Han Yi folded the blueprint with deliberate care. "Right now, our advantage is that they still believe we're looking in the wrong place." Qin Yue let out a slow breath. "Then we keep acting like we know less than we actually do." Han Yi nodded once. "That's usually when people become careless."
Just then, Han Yi's phone suddenly vibrated against the table. The sharp sound broke the silence inside the office. All three of them instinctively looked toward it. Han Yi glanced at the screen.Qin Yue's expression immediately became serious. "The same caller?" Han Yi slowly picked up the phone. "Looks like it." Without another word, he pressed the answer button and calmly raised the phone to his ear. "Han Yi speaking."
For a brief moment, only static answered him. Then a distorted mechanical voice slowly echoed through the speaker. "Captain Han..." The voice paused for a second. "...you've been very busy today." Han Yi's expression didn't change. "Where is Jun Wei?" A soft laugh came from the other end. "You really do ask the same question every time." Han Yi replied calmly, "Until I get the answer." The caller chuckled again. "You think you're chasing us."
Han Yi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Aren't I?" The distorted voice answered, "No." Han Yi remained perfectly calm. "Then explain it." The caller ignored the request. Instead, the voice quietly asked, "Captain... have you ever wondered why you're still alive?" Qin Yue noticed Han Yi's expression become slightly more serious. She couldn't hear the conversation, but she knew something had changed. Han Yi answered without hesitation. "If you wanted me dead, I wouldn't be answering this call." The distorted voice laughed softly. "Exactly." Another pause followed. "That's the first correct answer you've given all day."
Han Yi's grip on the phone tightened ever so slightly. "Who are you?" The caller continued as though the question had never been asked. "Every witness you've spoken to..." "...every clue you've found..." "...every step you've taken..." "...we allowed it." Han Yi's voice remained steady. "People who are truly in control don't waste time proving it."
The caller became quiet for several seconds. Then the voice spoke again,"You 're different from the others." Han Yi frowned slightly. "What others?" The distorted voice let out another faint laugh. "The ones who came before you."Qin Yue noticed the subtle change in Han Yi's eyes. "What do you mean... before me?" Han Yi asked. The caller answered with another question. "Captain... how many investigators have looked into Jun Wei's disappearance?"
Han Yi immediately replied, "We're the first official task force." "Official..." The distorted voice repeated the word almost thoughtfully. "...yes." Han Yi's eyes gradually sharpened. "What are you trying to say?" The voice lowered to almost a whisper. "You're not the first person to search for that child." Han Yi's breathing remained calm, but his thoughts accelerated. "Who was here before us?" The caller remained silent. Five long seconds passed. Then answered came through the speaker. "Ask yourself why nobody remembers them." The line disconnected.
Han Yi slowly lowered the phone from his ear. Qin Yue stepped forward immediately. "Captain... what happened?" Han Yi looked at the dark screen for several seconds before locking it. Xu Lin couldn't help asking, "Was it the same person?" Han Yi nodded once. "Yes." Qin Yue searched his face. "What did they want this time?" Han Yi slowly looked out through the office windows at the city below. "They didn't threaten us." Qin Yue frowned. "Then what did they do?" Han Yi remained silent for a brief moment before answering. "...They gave us another question."
Qin Yue looked at him in confusion. "What question?" Han Yi turned back toward her. "They said we're not the first people to investigate Jun Wei's disappearance." The room instantly fell silent. Xu Lin's eyes widened slightly. Qin Yue stared at Han Yi. "What?" Han Yi slowly slipped the phone back into his pocket. "And according to them..." He paused, his gaze growing sharper. "...everyone who came before us has somehow been forgotten."
Qin Yue shook her head."That's impossible." She took a step closer. "Jun Wei has only been missing for a few days. Before us, the case was handled by the local precinct. There wasn't any other investigation." Han Yi remained calm. "That's what the records say." Qin Yue frowned. "Then the caller was lying." Han Yi folded his arms and looked toward the window. "Maybe." He paused for a moment before continuing. "But people usually lie to hide the truth... not to invent unnecessary details."
Xu Lin looked between the two of them. "Could they have meant someone searched for Jun Wei without involving the police?" Han Yi nodded slightly. "That's another possibility." Qin Yue thought for a moment before speaking again. "Family members?" Han Yi slowly shook his head. "If that were the case, the caller wouldn't have said everyone was forgotten." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "He chose those words very carefully." Qin Yue let out a quiet sigh. "The more he talks..." She rubbed her forehead tiredly. "...the less I understand what he actually wants."
Han Yi looked at her and answered calmly. "He wants us thinking about the wrong mystery." Qin Yue raised an eyebrow. "Then what's the right one?" Han Yi's gaze slowly returned to the photograph of Jun Wei lying on the table. "Where this picture was taken." Xu Lin nodded in agreement. "The location matters more than the caller." Han Yi gave a nod. "Exactly. Voices can be disguised." He tapped the photograph with one finger. "Places cannot."
Han Yi slowly slipped the phone back into his pocket. Qin Yue looked down at the photograph once more instead of putting it away. "Something about this picture still feels off." She placed the phone on the table and enlarged the background behind Jun Wei. The image became grainy, but she continued adjusting the brightness and contrast. Han Yi walked over beside her. "Did you find something?" Qin Yue didn't answer immediately. Her eyes scanned every corner of the photograph.Then her finger suddenly stopped. "...Wait."
Han Yi leaned closer. "What is it?" Qin Yue pointed toward the upper-left corner of the image. "There." Han Yi narrowed his eyes. Part of the wall was hidden behind an old rusted cabinet. Most of it was covered by dirt and shadow, but something had been painted there years ago.Only part of it remained visible. A faded gear-shaped symbol. Two worn letters.*...AN...* Qin Yue enlarged the image again. It became blurrier, but the outline of the logo became clearer.
Han Yi stared at it for several seconds. "I've seen that symbol before." Xu Lin stepped closer. "So have I." Han Yi looked at her. "Do you recognize it?" Xu Lin nodded slowly. "It's not a maintenance mark." Qin Yue asked, "Then what is it?" Xu Lin studied the faded symbol again before answering. "It's an old company logo. I remember seeing it years ago." Han Yi quietly asked, "Which company?" Xu Lin frowned slightly as she searched her memory. "I can't remember the full name..." She paused briefly. "...but I'm sure it belonged to an old factory."
Qin Yue picked up her tablet. "Let's check." Her fingers moved quickly across the screen as she searched old corporate records. Several seconds passed before a result appeared. She stared at the display without speaking. Han Yi noticed her expression change. "You found it?" Qin Yue nodded. "Yes." She turned the tablet toward him. On the screen was the exact same faded gear logo.Beneath it were several lines of archived information. *Ansheng Heavy Machinery Factory.*
Han Yi quietly read the report. Qin Yue continued reading aloud. "The factory closed eight years ago after a major industrial fire." She scrolled farther down the page. "Since then..." She paused. "...the entire site has remained abandoned." Xu Lin looked at the address displayed on the screen. "It's outside the city." Han Yi focused on the location. The factory was located in an old industrial district surrounded by empty warehouses, abandoned railway tracks, and overgrown roads. Very few people had any reason to go there anymore.
Han Yi looked back at Jun wei's photograph. Then at the faded factory logo.Then once more at the address then he spoke. "We're going." Qin Yue looked up immediately. "I'll notify the station." Han Yi shook his head. "Not everyone." Qin Yue frowned. "You don't want the whole department?" Han Yi calmly replied, "The more people who know where we're going..." He looked toward the window. "...the greater the chance someone else learns about it first." Qin Yue slowly nodded. "A small tactical team?" "Exactly." Han Yi answered. "People we've worked with before. People we trust."
Qin Yue immediately picked up her phone. "I'll call them myself." She walked toward the door while dialing the first number. "Team Three. Meet at the underground parking area in fifteen minutes.Plain clothes and Unmarked vehicles. Full tactical equipment. No radio chatter unless necessary." She ended the call and looked back at Han Yi. "They'll be ready." Han Yi nodded once. "Good."
Less than twenty minutes later, two black SUVs quietly rolled out of the Lian Group's underground parking garage. No flashing lights and no police markings.Nothing that would attract attention. Han Yi sat in the front passenger seat while Qin Yue drove. Four tactical officers followed behind them in the second vehicle. The city gradually disappeared behind them as the buildings became smaller and the traffic grew lighter. High-rise offices gave way to abandoned warehouses, empty lots, and aging factories. Inside the vehicle, nobody spoke.
Qin Yue kept both hands on the steering wheel,occasionally glancing at the navigation screen before returning her attention to the road ahead. Several minutes passed in complete silence. Finally, Qin Yue spoke softly. "Captain..." Han Yi turned slightly toward her. "What is it?" Qin Yue kept her eyes on the road. "Do you think we'll find Jun Wei?" Han Yi looked out the window."I think..." He watched the distant factory buildings grow larger as the SUV continued forward. "...someone wants us to."
Qin Yue glanced at the navigation before lowering the speed. "Captain... according to the map, the factory is just ahead." Han Yi remained silent. His eyes continuously scanned both sides of the road, carefully studying every rooftop, every broken window, and every abandoned vehicle. After several more seconds, the factory finally appeared beyond the trees. A faded metal sign hung above the entrance. Most of the letters had already rusted away, but the remaining ones were still readable. ANSHENG HEAVY MACHINERY FACTORY.
Qin Yue slowly brought the SUV to a stop. Her brows immediately furrowed. "...The gate's already open." The second SUV quietly stopped behind them, and four tactical officers climbed out without making unnecessary noise. One of them walked over to Han Yi. "Captain, we've checked the surrounding road. There is no vehicle and people." Han Yi's attention never left the entrance. The massive iron gate stood wide open without a chain or lock. There were no signs of forced entry, no broken hinges, and no fresh damage. It looked as though someone had calmly opened it... and simply left it that way.
Qin Yue stepped beside him and lowered her voice. "An abandoned factory with an open gate, no guards, and no lights? This doesn't feel abandoned." Han Yi gave a slight nod. "Because it isn't." One of the officers asked cautiously, "Captain, should we split into two teams and clear the building faster?" Han Yi immediately shook his head. "No. Nobody separates." The officer looked puzzled. "You think they're still inside?" Han Yi slowly drew his handgun and checked the chamber before looking toward the dark warehouse. "I think whoever brought us here already knows exactly where we're standing." Qin Yue released the safety on her pistol and quietly smiled. "So we're walking into someone else's plan." Han Yi calmly replied, "Maybe. That's why nobody improvises. Stay together. Watch each other's backs. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts before your eyes." Every officer nodded. "Understood, Captain."
Without another word, the group slowly entered through the open gate. Qin Yue swept her flashlight across the empty yard before whispering, "Captain... do you hear that?" Han Yi looked at her. "What?" She slowly lowered the flashlight. "Nothing." Han Yi's expression became even more serious. "Exactly." One of the officers quietly muttered, "An abandoned place should never be this quiet." Han Yi answered without looking back. "Because abandoned places don't erase every sound." They reached the warehouse doors. Both steel doors stood half open, revealing nothing but darkness beyond.
Han Yi raised one hand, silently signaling everyone to stop. He listened carefully for several seconds. But there was nothing. Finally, he lowered his hand. "Move." Flashlights immediately cut through the darkness as the team entered. Every step echoed across the vast warehouse. Rusted machines stood frozen beneath hanging chains while dust drifted lazily through the narrow beams of light. Qin Yue searched the floor, then suddenly froze. "Captain..." Han Yi turned immediately. "What did you find?"
Qin Yue pointed toward the center of the warehouse. About twenty meters away, beneath an old industrial lamp, stood a single chair. It was the only object in the middle of room.Han Yi slowly approached, his footsteps echoing through the silence. As he reached the chair, his eyes settled on the thick rope tied around both armrests. He crouched without touching it. "The rope's new." Qin Yue stopped beside him. "Someone tied it recently?" Han Yi nodded slightly. "And cut it loose." One of the officers circled behind the chair. "Captain... over here."
Everyone turned. Resting on the dusty floor was a small blue toy car. One wheel was broken, and dirt covered most of its surface. Qin Yue picked it up using her gloved hand. She stared at it for several long seconds before quietly saying, "This belongs to a child." Han Yi slowly looked around the warehouse again. "Search everything." The officers immediately spread out, moving carefully between the rows of abandoned machines. Minutes passed. Every storage room was checked. Every corner was cleared. Every doorway was inspected. Finally, one officer returned, shaking his head. "Nothing." Another officer approached from the opposite side. "No footprints beyond this room." A third quietly added, "No blood. No signs of a struggle." Qin Yue slowly lowered the toy car. "Jun Wei isn't here."
Hsn Yi quietly murmured, "This isn't a crime scene..." Qin Yue looked at him. "Then what is it?" Han Yi answered without taking his eyes off the chair. "It's a stage." Before anyone could speak again, a burst of static suddenly echoed through the warehouse.
Every officer instantly raised their weapons. Flashlights swung toward the ceiling. Qin Yue's heartbeat quickened. "Where did that come from?" Another crackle echoed through the darkness. Then, high above them, a small speaker attached to one of the rusted steel beams suddenly vibratedand. And familiar distorted voice slowly echoed across the empty warehouse. "Captain Han..."
Han Yi calmly looked upward. The distorted voice continued, "You're one step behind." Qin Yue tightened her grip on her pistol and shouted into the darkness, "Stop hiding! If you're so confident, come out and face us!" Laughter echoed through the warehouse.It wasn't loud.It sounded like entertained. "Officer Qin..." the voice replied calmly, "...if I wanted to meet you..." A brief pause followed. "...we wouldn't be having this conversation through a speaker."
Han Yi finally spoke, "You brought us here." Another laugh echoed overhead. "No, Captain..." The distorted voice lingered for a moment before finishing its sentence. "...you brought yourselves." Then, without warning, every light inside the warehouse switched off at exactly the same moment. Darkness spread everywhere.