The darkness was so complete that even the outlines of the machines vanished. For a brief second, nobody moved.Qin Yue instinctively tightened her grip on her pistol and reached for the flashlight attached to her vest. "Everyone stay where you are!" she called out, her voice echoing through the warehouse. One of the officers immediately answered from somewhere to her left. "I'm here!" Another voice came from deeper inside the darkness. "Team Two is in position!"
A third officer spoke with noticeable tension. "Captain, I can't see anything!" Before panic could spread, Han Yi's voice cut through the darkness. "Nobody moves.If you don't know what's in front of you... taking one step is more dangerous than standing still." Qin Yue quickly switched on her flashlight and narrow beam of white light pierced through the darkness. One after another, the officers followed her lead until several beams crisscrossed the warehouse, slowly pushing back the darkness.
Qin Yue exhaled. "They cut the power." Han Yi's flashlight swept across the ceiling before moving toward the surrounding catwalks. He quietly replied, "No..." Qin Yue turned toward him, confused. "What do you mean?" Han Yi lowered the beam toward the concrete floor. "They wanted to separate us." One of the younger officers frowned. "Separate us? But we're all still here."
Han Yi looked at him. "Are we?" The officer instinctively looked around. Every beam created long moving shadows that distorted the old machinery into strange shapes. Even though everyone was only a few meters apart, it suddenly felt as though they were standing much farther away. Qin Yue slowly understood what Han Yi meant. "In the dark..." she murmured. "...everyone starts focusing on their own surroundings instead of the team." Han Yi gave a slight nod. "Fear narrows your attention." He looked at every officer in turn. "Whoever planned this knows that."
Another officer nervously adjusted his grip on his rifle. "Captain... should we regroup?" Han Yi answered immediately. "Yes." He raised his voice just enough for everyone to hear. "Form a circle around the chair. Keep visual contact with the person beside you. Nobody chases anything they think they see. Nobody responds to voices unless you can confirm where they're coming from." "Understood!" officers answered together.
They slowly repositioned themselves, their flashlights overlapping until the center of the warehouse was brightly illuminated. Qin Yue looked around uneasily. "This feels too easy." Han Yi glanced toward her. "Because it is." She frowned. "You think they're still here?" Han Yi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly swept his flashlight across the upper steel walkways suspended high above them.It was empty. He checked the rows of abandoned machinery. It was empty too. He looked toward the far loading doors. Also empty. Yet his expression became even more serious.
Qin Yue noticed it immediately. "What is it?" Han Yi spoke quietly. "Listen." Everyone fell silent. Several long seconds passed then... somewhere in the darkness... *clang.* The sound of metal striking metal echoed from the eastern side of the warehouse. Every flashlight instantly swung toward the noise. One officer quickly raised his rifle. "Movement!" Another officer whispered, "I saw something!" Han Yi didn't even turn his head. "Hold your position."
The younger officer looked confused. "Captain, someone could be escaping!" Han Yi calmly replied, "Or someone wants you to believe that." The officer hesitated. "But what if..." Han Yi interrupted him. "If they wanted to run... they would've done it before the lights went out." Qin Yue kept her flashlight fixed on the darkness. "Then what's making the noise?" Before Han Yi could answer... *Bang!* Another loud metallic crash echoed from the opposite side of the warehouse. This time it came from the west.
One of the officers instinctively turned toward it. "Captain!" Another officer shouted, "There's movement over there too!" Han Yi's expression remained completely calm."No." Qin Yue looked at him. "No?" Han Yi slowly shook his head. "Two different directions and two different sounds." His eyes narrowed slightly. "...Someone is testing our reactions." Qin Yue slowly swept her flashlight across the endless rows of rusted machinery. "To see if we'll panic?" Han Yi gave a faint shake of his head. "No." She looked at him. "Then what?" Han Yi lowered his voice. "To see who gives orders... who follows them... and who breaks first."
One of the officers swallowed nervously. "Captain... are they watching us through cameras?" Han Yi glanced toward the ceiling. Several old surveillance cameras still hung from rusted metal brackets. Most of them were covered in dust, their lenses cracked with age. He quietly replied, "Maybe not these." Qin Yue followed his gaze. "You think they installed new ones?" Han Yi didn't answer. Instead, his flashlight stopped on a small dark object attached beneath one of the steel beams.
Qin Yue noticed it too. "Captain..." Han Yi raised one hand, signaling everyone to stay silent. He carefully focused the flashlight on the object. One of the officers whispered, "Is that...?" Before anyone could move closer, a tiny red light blinked once then disappeared. The object went completely dark. Qin Yue frowned. "A camera?" Han Yi remained expressionless. "Or a transmitter." Another officer immediately asked, "Should I bring it down?" Han Yi calmly shook his head. "No." The officer looked confused. "Why?" Han Yi slowly lowered his flashlight. "If it's active..." He looked toward the darkness surrounding them. "...then someone has already seen everything they wanted to see."
Every officer instinctively tightened their grip on their weapon.Qin Yue quietly stepped closer to Han Yi. "Captain..." She lowered her voice. "What are they trying to do?! I can't understand!" Han Yi answered calmly, "They are disappointed." Qin Yue blinked. "What do you mean?" Han Yi looked toward the empty chair in the center of the warehouse."We've stopped reacting the way they expected."
Just then... *KRRRZZZT* Static suddenly burst through the warehouse once again. Every flashlight immediately swung toward the ceiling and small speaker crackled loudly before a familiar distorted laugh echoed through the darkness.Then the mechanical voice slowly spoke. "Captain Han...Every place you arrive..." A brief pause followed. "...is a place we've already left." Qin Yue looked around instinctively, but saw nothing except endless shadows. Han Yi remained completely still. His face showed no emotion. The voice continued,sounding pleased. "But don't worry..." Another short burst of static interrupted the recording. Then the voice echoed through the warehouse. "...you're getting closer." One of the younger officers finally broke the silence. "Captain..." He looked around uneasily. "...was that a warning?" Han Yi slowly lowered his flashlight. "No." Qin Yue turned toward him. "Then what was it?" Han Yi's eyes remained fixed on the empty chair. His voice was quiet but certain. "An invitation." Qin Yue frowned. "To what?" Han Yi answered without hesitation. "To keep following them."
Meanwhile Lian Ziho looked out of the window for a moment before lowering his gaze to the bracelet in his palm. His thumb slowly brushed across its worn surface. "Do you really think this body has something to do with Jun Wei?" he asked quietly. Zheng Rui kept his eyes on the road. "It wouldn't have Jun Wei's name otherwise." Lian ziho frowned. "Maybe someone wrote it there on purpose." Zheng Rui nodded once. "That's possible." Lian ziho looked at him. "Then why call you?"
Zheng Rui tightened his grip on the steering wheel slightly. "That's what bothers me." Lian ziho frowned deeper. "You think someone wanted us to find it?" "Maybe." "Or maybe someone wanted to see how we'd react." Lian ziho let out a slow breath. "I hate people who play games." Zheng Rui glanced at him briefly before looking back at the road. "Unfortunately, whoever we're dealing with seems to enjoy them."
Lian ziho lowered his head again and stared at the bracelet. "Then whose body is it?" he asked after several seconds. Zheng Rui answered honestly. "That's what we're about to find out." Lian rubbed his forehead tiredly. "I hope..." He stopped speaking. Zheng Rui noticed. "Hope what?" Lian y's fingers tightened around the bracelet. "I hope it isn't someone connected to Jun Wei." Zheng Rui remained silent for a moment before replying quietly. "I hope so too."
The car continued and traffic gradually became lighter as they headed toward the river crossing. Lian ziho looked out of the window again. After several minutes, Zheng Rui glanced at him briefly before breaking the silence. "Did you manage to reach Cai Lang?" Lian ziho let out a tired sigh and shook his head. "No." He pulled out his phone again. "I've been trying for a long time." He unlocked the screen and scrolled to Cai Lang's contact. "Every call failed." Zheng Rui glanced at the phone. "Try again."
Lian ziho nodded and pressed the call button. Both of them waited as the phone attempted to connect. A few seconds later, the automated message played once again.* The number you are trying to reach is unavailable.*The call ended by itself. Lian ziho stared at the screen before lowering the phone onto his lap. "Again." He let out a frustrated breath. "Still unavailable." Zheng Rui kept his eyes on the road. "It isn't like Cai Lang to disappear without telling anyone."
Lian ziho gave a bitter smile. "It's also not like him to ignore work." Zheng Rui nodded quietly. "Especially not something involving Suo ran!" Lian ziho looked at him. "Do you think he disappeared because of suo ran's missing?" Zheng Rui remained silent for several seconds before answering" May be."
Nearly twenty minutes later, flashing red and blue lights appeared ahead. Zheng Rui slowed the car as they approached the riverside. They saw Police vehicles were surrounded the area while yellow tape stretched across the entrance. An ambulance remained parked beside the road with its rear doors still open. Several forensic officers wearing white suits moved around the scene, taking photographs and collecting evidence. Near the riverbank, a body lay beneath a white sheet, its outline barely visible against the damp ground. Lian ziho unconsciously swallowed. "We're too late," he murmured. Zheng Rui parked the car and immediately stepped out.
Lian ziho followed close behind. As they approached the police tape, police officer raised his hand. "This area is restricted." Zheng Rui reached into his jacket and showed his identification. The officer examined it for a moment before nodding. "Go ahead." His eyes shifted toward Lian ziho."He's with me!" Zheng Rui said. The officer stepped aside. "Fine, but don't interfere with the forensic team." They walked beneath the tape and headed toward the body. The smell of wet soil mixed with the faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the air. Lian instinctively slowed his steps. A middle-aged officer carrying a clipboard approached them. He looked exhausted, dark circles visible beneath his eyes after what had clearly been a long night. "You know the victim?" he asked. Zheng Rui shook his head. "Not yet." The officer studied both of them for a second before replying, "Then don't touch anything. The forensic team is still processing the scene." Zheng Rui nodded. "Understood." His eyes moved toward the evidence table nearby. "Can I see the recovered items?"
The officer hesitated briefly before calling over one of the forensic investigators. A transparent evidence bag was handed over. Inside rested a soaked piece of folded paper sealed carefully in plastic. Zheng Rui accepted it with both hands. Lian stepped beside him. Zheng Rui slowly unfolded the paper through the plastic and looked at the faded writing. Only two words remained readable.* Jun Wei.* Nothing else. Lian ziho stared silently for several long seconds before speaking. "That's it?" The officer nodded. "That's all we found."
Zheng Rui frowned. "Nothing on the other side?" "Blank." "Fingerprints?" The officer shook his head. "Rain washed almost everything away." Zheng Rui continued asking, "Footprints?" "Most of them were ruined before we arrived." Lian ziho looked up. "What about witnesses?" The officer let out a tired sigh. "A fisherman heard something around dawn." "Gunshots?" Lian asked immediately. "He couldn't tell." "He only said he heard a loud noise." Zheng Rui looked toward the river. "And the body?" The officer glanced toward the white sheet. "Male." "Estimated age..." He checked his notes. "...late thirties to early forties." Lian ziho frowned. "Not a child." "No." Relief briefly crossed Lian ziho's face before being replaced by another question. "Then why leave Jun Wei's name?" The officer shook his head. "That's exactly what we're trying to figure out."
The officer tucked his notebook under one arm and looked toward the forensic team working near the riverbank. "We searched the area twice," he said. "But there was nothing. No wallet,no phone and no identification." Zheng Rui frowned slightly. "Nothing at all?" The officer shook his head. "Whoever left him here knew exactly what they were doing. They took everything that could identify him." Lian Ziho folded his arms, his eyes fixed on the white sheet covering the body. "What about his clothes?" The officer answered, "He wore ordinary clothes. No company logo. No documents in the pockets. Even the labels were cut off."
Lian ziho looked at him in surprise. "The labels?" "Every single one." the officer replied. "Almost as if someone didn't want us tracing where they were bought." Zheng Rui's expression grew more serious. "That wasn't done in a hurry." "No!" the officer agreed. "It was planned." Lian exchanged a glance with Zheng Rui. "Who goes to that much trouble just to hide someone's identity?" Zheng Rui answered quietly, "Someone with experience." The officer nodded. "That's our impression too." He paused for a moment before continuing. "There's one more thing." Both of them looked at him immediately. "What is it?" Zheng Rui asked.
The officer pointed toward the muddy ground a few meters away from the body. "There were signs that another person was here." Lian stepped closer. "Footprints?" "Partial ones!" the officer replied. "Most of them were washed away by the rain, but we found enough to know the victim wasn't alone." Zheng Rui narrowed his eyes. "Can you tell how many?" The officer hesitated. "At least one." "Maybe two." Lian ziho's jaw tightened. "So somebody brought him here." "That's what it looks like." the officer answered.
Zheng Rui looked toward the slow-moving river. "Any tire marks?" "We found some near the road," the officer said, "but this place gets a lot of traffic. It'll take time to separate them." Lian y let out a frustrated breath. "Everything important gets washed away." The officer gave a tired smile. "Rain is sometimes a criminal's best friend." Zheng Rui remained silent, studying the scene carefully. His gaze slowly swept across the riverbank, the police tape, the muddy footprints, and finally settled on the covered body again. Something about the entire scene felt... wrong.
Lian ziho noticed Zheng Rui staring into the distance. "What are you thinking?" Zheng Rui didn't answer immediately. After several seconds, he quietly said, "This wasn't just dumping a body." Lian frowned. "Then what was it?" Zheng Rui slowly turned toward him. "It was a message." The officer looked between them. "A message?" Zheng Rui nodded once. "Whoever left this body wanted one thing to be found." His eyes dropped to the evidence bag still in his hand. The soaked piece of paper rested inside. Zheng Rui's voice became lower. "They weren't trying to hide that name..." He looked toward the river "...they wanted us to see it."
Lian Ziho looked from the paper to the covered body, his brows slowly knitting together. "Then why?" he asked quietly. "Why drag us all the way here just to show us a name?" Zheng Rui slowly shook his head. "Because they wanted us asking questions instead of looking somewhere else." Lian ziho frowned. "A distraction?" "Maybe." Zheng Rui looked around the riverside, carefully observing every officer, every vehicle, every patch of disturbed ground. "Or maybe they wanted to know who would come." The officer folded his arms. "You think someone was watching this place?" Zheng Rui answered calmly. "If they went through this much effort..." He glanced toward the surrounding buildings. "...they wouldn't leave before seeing the result."
Lian instinctively followed Zheng Rui's gaze and scanned the nearby apartment windows and parked vehicles. He lowered his voice. "You think they're still here?" Zheng Rui nodded almost imperceptibly. "I wouldn't rule it out." Lian unconsciously moved half a step closer to him. "This case keeps getting stranger." Zheng Rui let out a quiet breath. "We're only seeing the surface."
Just then, police officer hurried toward them, pulling one of his gloves off as he approached. His expression was much more serious than before. "Secretary Zheng." Zheng Rui turned immediately. "What happened?" The officer glanced toward another section of the riverbank before lowering his voice. "We found another body." Both Zheng Rui and Lian Ziho froze. Lian frowned in disbelief. "...Another one?" The officer nodded. "One of the search officers found it a few minutes ago."
Zheng Rui's expression immediately changed. "Where?" The forensic officer pointed farther downstream. "About thirty meters from the first body." Lian ziho looked toward the direction the officer was pointing. Several more police officers had already surrounded the area while forensic photographers continued taking pictures. "You think they're connected?" Lian ziho asked quietly. The officer shrugged. "We won't know until we examine it." Zheng Rui nodded once. "Take us there." "This way."
The ground beside the river was even muddier than before. Every step sank slightly into the wet soil left behind by the morning rain. Yellow evidence markers had already been placed around the area while members of the forensic team carefully searched through the reeds. As Zheng Rui stepped over a muddy patch, his foot suddenly slipped and his balance shifted forward without warning. "Zheng Rui!" Lian reacted instantly. He grabbed Zheng Rui's forearm with one hand and pulled him back before he could fall.
Zheng Rui steadied himself after taking two quick steps. For a brief moment neither of them moved. Lian ziho still held his arm tightly. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern obvious in his voice. Zheng Rui looked down at Lian ziho's hand before looking back at him. "...I'm fine." Lian immediately let go and cleared his throat awkwardly. "The ground is worse than it looks." Zheng Rui brushed a little mud from his sleeve and gave a small nod. "Apparently." Lian ziho forced a faint smile. "I'd rather not explain to everyone how the lead investigator became today's third victim." Zheng Rui looked at him for a second before letting out a quiet chuckle. "You have a strange sense of humor." "It worked."
Lian ziho replied with a small shrug. "You smiled." Zheng Rui looked away, the smile disappearing almost as quickly as it appeared. "Don't get used to it." Lian ziho couldn't help smiling himself. "Too late." Even the police officer walking ahead shook his head with an amused smile. "If you two are finished..." he said without turning around, "...the medical examiner is waiting." Lian rubbed the back of his neck. "Right." Zheng Rui adjusted his jacket before continuing forward. "Let's see the second body." The three of them continued toward the newly secured area, their expressions gradually becoming serious again as the white forensic tent came into view ahead.
They continued toward the white sheet where several police officers, forensic investigators and the medical examiner stood waiting. Cameras clicked as another investigator photographed the victim from different angles while a forensic officer carefully collected soil samples beside the body. The medical examiner removed his mask briefly as Zheng Rui approached. "Secretary Zheng." Zheng Rui nodded politely. "Doctor." The doctor looked toward Lian ziho as well before speaking. "We're about to uncover the victim." "Take your time."
Lian ziho unconsciously drew a slow breath. His heartbeat quickened despite knowing the victim was likely a stranger. One of the officers carefully knelt beside the body. "Ready?" he asked. The doctor nodded once. "Go ahead." The officer slowly folded back the white sheet. The victim's face was covered with bruises while dried blood stained the collar of his shirt. His eyes remained closed.
Lian stared for several long seconds before slowly shaking his head. "I've never seen him before." Zheng Rui studied the man's face just as carefully. After another moment, he answered quietly. "Neither have I." The doctor looked toward both of them. "You're certain?" Zheng Rui nodded. "Yes." The officer beside him made another note on his clipboard. "Unknown male remains unidentified." As the forensic team resumed their work, Zheng Rui crouched beside the body without touching it. His eyes moved slowly from the victim's hands to his clothing and finally to his shoes.
Suddenly, his expression changed. "Wait." The nearby officer looked over. "What is it?" Zheng Rui pointed toward the soles of the victim's shoes. "Don't move him yet." The forensic technician immediately stopped. "Did you notice something?" Zheng Rui leaned a little closer. "The mud." The officer frowned. "What about it?" Zheng Rui pointed carefully. "Look at the color."
Everyone lowered their eyes and noticed thick layer of mud clinging to the shoes wasn't the usual dark brown soil covering the riverbank. Instead, it carried a deep reddish color. The forensic officer blinked in surprise. "Red clay." Zheng Rui nodded slowly. "Exactly." The officer looked around the riverside. "But there's no red clay anywhere near this area." Zheng Rui stood up and looked directly at him. "Because he wasn't killed here." The officer's expression became serious. "You sure?" Zheng Rui nodded once more. "Someone transported the body." He pointed again at the shoes. "Whoever dumped him here didn't bother cleaning them."
The forensic officer immediately crouched down again, examining the clay more closely. "He's right." "This soil doesn't match the riverbank." The doctor looked toward the officers. "Bag the shoes separately." "I want a full soil comparison." The officer quickly spoke into his radio. "Evidence team, priority sample." Lian ziho looked at Zheng Rui, surprise evident on his face. "You noticed that from here?" Zheng Rui kept watching the victim's shoes. His expression grew more thoughtful. "Sometimes..." he said quietly, "...it's the smallest detail that tells the biggest lie."
The medical examiner covered the second body once again before stepping away to speak with another forensic investigator. Around them, officers continued moving between the evidence markers while cameras flashed every few seconds and the sound of police radios echoed across the quiet riverside. Lian Ziho remained where he was, his eyes lingering on the white sheet covering the unknown victim. He still couldn't understand why Jun Wei's name had been left beside a stranger. Nothing about the scene made sense.
Zheng Rui stood nearby, silently observing the surrounding area. His gaze swept across the muddy riverbank, the scattered footprints and the cluster of forensic officers searching through the reeds. His instincts kept telling him they hadn't found everything yet. Just then, one of the officers hurried toward them with quick steps. Mud covered the lower half of his uniform, and he was holding a small transparent evidence bag with obvious care. "Secretary Zheng!" he called.
Zheng Rui immediately turned toward him. "What happened?" The officer stopped in front of them and held up the evidence bag. "We found something else." Zheng Rui frowned slightly. "Where?" "Near the second body," the officer answered. "It was buried beneath the mud beside the reeds. One of the forensic technicians noticed a piece of plastic sticking out while collecting soil samples." Zheng Rui accepted the bag carefully. "Has anyone touched it?" The officer shook his head. "No, sir. We photographed it before removing it." Lian ziho instinctively stepped closer. "What is it?"
Zheng Rui slowly lifted the evidence bag toward the light. Both men looked inside at the same time.A small yellow children's whistle rested inside the plastic. It was cracked down one side, covered with dried mud, and the string attached to it had been torn in half. Lian ziho's entire body suddenly stiffened. His eyes widened as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing. His lips parted slightly. "Jun Wei..."