Everyone moved towards moniter as static crawled across the screen in broken white lines before disappearing for a second, only to return again with a low electronic hiss. Qin Yue's eyes narrowed as she watched the image struggle to stabilize. "Nobody touch the computer!" Han Yi said quietly. One of the officers stopped himself from reaching toward the keyboard. "Understood." Qin Yue looked around the underground room, then back at the screen. "This was prepared before we even arrived." Han Yi nodded once. "Which means they knew we'd find this place." His eyes remained fixed on the monitor. They knew about the hidden room... They knew about the computers and they even knew we'd be standing here at this exact moment... That realization bothered him more than the video itself.
The screen suddenly went completely black. For two seconds, nothing happened. Then a image appeared in the center. In image there was person sitting in front of the camera. His body was barely visible in the darkness, and his face remained completely hidden by deep shadow.Qin Yue leaned slightly closer. "Can you identify him?" One of the officers shook his head. "No. The image is being filtered." Han Yi's eyes narrowed. "Not just the image." And suddenly sound came from speakers. "Captain Han..." The voice sounded neither young nor old. Its pitch shifted unnaturally between words, making it impossible to determine who was speaking. The figure leaned forward on the screen. "Congratulations."
Qin Yue's fingers tightened around her pistol. The man continued, "You finally reached the place I wanted you to find." One officer glanced nervously at Han Yi. "Captain!" Han Yi raised one hand, silently telling him to stay quiet. The figure on the monitor seemed almost amused by their silence. "You searched the warehouse." With voice faint chuckle followed. "You found the hidden room." The camera briefly shifted, showing the photographs covering the walls behind the detectives.
Qin Yue's expression changed when she realized the recording was showing them exactly what they had just discovered. "He's showing us the room..." she whispered. Han Yi nodded slightly. "He's reminding us that he knows what we're looking at." The figure continued speaking. "You followed the vehicle." "You found the factory." "You found the room beneath it." "And now..." The figure paused. "...you're probably wondering how much I already knew." Han Yi finally spoke toward the monitor. "You knew we'd come here."
The figure stayed silent for a moment before laughed. "Of course." Han Yi's expression didn't change. "Then you also know I'm going to find you." The figure's head tilted slightly. "Perhaps." Qin Yue looked at Han Yi, surprised by how calmly he was speaking to someone who had deliberately led them into an underground surveillance room. The man on the screen continued, "But you're still making the same mistake." Han Yi narrowed his eyes. "What mistake?" The figure leaned slightly closer to the camera. "You're asking the wrong question."
Qin Yue slowly glanced at the photograph of Jun Wei still displayed on one of the screens beside them. The voice continued, "You keep searching for where Jun wei is." The man's voice became quieter. "You keep following vehicles." "You search buildings." "You examine cameras." "You chase every little clue I leave behind." A soft chuckle escaped him. "But you haven't stopped to ask yourself something much more important." Han Yi's gaze hardened. "Then ask it for us." The figure became completely still. For several seconds, only static could be heard. Then he slowly said, "Why..." A pause. "...was he taken?" Qin Yue's eyes widened slightly. One of the officers looked at another in confusion. "Taken?" he whispered. "We already knew he was kidnapped."
Qin Yue shook her head slowly. "No...That's not what he means." Han Yi understood it too. The difference between where and why suddenly felt big. The entire investigation had been built around finding Jun Wei's location, but the people behind it had never behaved like ordinary kidnappers. They had left clues instead of hiding them... They had sent photographs instead of demands... They had warned the investigators instead of simply threatening them and they had even created an entire underground room filled with information about the people surrounding Jun Wei. They don't want us to find him, Han Yi thought. They want us to understand something... He looked directly at the shadowed figure on the screen. "If you wanted us to know why he was taken... you could simply tell us."
The figure laughed softly. "Could I?" Han Yi's eyes narrowed. "You could." "But then you wouldn't believe me." Qin Yue stepped forward. "Then give us evidence." The figure turned his head toward the camera. "Evidence?" He laughed again. "Captain Han has spent his entire career trusting evidence." His voice became colder. "So let me give you something you can verify yourself." Han Yi's expression hardened. "What?" The screen suddenly glitched as figure disappeared for a second before returning. "Ask the people closest to Jun Wei..." The distorted voice slowed deliberately. "...what they remember about the night he disappeared."
Qin Yue frowned. "Why?" The figure's voice dropped into an whispered tone. "Because one of them..." The screen abruptly froze. "...is lying." The monitor went black.Qin Yue stared at the blank screen in disbelief. "Who is lying?" Han Yi looked toward the wall of photographs. "That's what we're going to find out." One of the officers swallowed hard. "Captain... do you think the video was talking about someone close to Jun Wei?" Han Yi didn't answer his eyes moved from Jun Wei's photograph... to Suo Ran's... then Cai Lang's... and finally Lian Ziho's.If one of them is lying... then this case isn't only about finding a missing child.It's about discovering what Jun Wei knew before he disappeared.
Meanwhile at convenience store Zheng Rui kept staring at the image on the monitor for several seconds before suddenly reaching toward the keyboard. "Wait." Uncle Chen's hand stopped above the mouse. "What?" Zheng Rui pointed at the screen. "Go back a few seconds." Uncle Chen dragged the timeline backward.The hooded figure appeared again, walking back toward the van after leaving the riverbank.Zheng Rui watched carefully. "Slow it down." Uncle Chen reduced the playback speed. The figure lifted one hand while walking, and for a brief moment, the glove on his right hand slipped lower and his fingers became visible.
Zheng Rui's eyes narrowed. "Stop." The footage froze. "Zoom in." Uncle Chen enlarged the image and picture became grainy, but something on the man's finger slowly became visible. A dark metal ring caught the faint light from the streetlamp. It had a strange design carved across its surface, almost like two narrow wings meeting at the center. Lian Ziho leaned closer to the monitor. "Wait..." Zheng Rui turned toward him. "What?" Lian ziho didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the ring. Something about it felt familiar. He trying to place where he had seen it before. Where have I seen that?...His brows tightened. "I've seen that ring before."
Zheng Rui immediately turned toward him. "Where?" Lian ziho opened his mouth but no answer came. He stared at the screen again, trying to force the memory to surface. "I..." He rubbed his temple. "I don't know." Zheng Rui leaned closer. "Think carefully." Lian ziho closed his eyes for a moment. "I've definitely seen it." "Someone was wearing it." "I remember the ring..." He paused, frustrated with himself. "...but I can't remember the person." Zheng Rui studied his expression. "Was it recently?" Lian ziho shook his head slowly. "I don't think so." "Then when?" "I don't know. It's like..." He stared at the blurred image again. "...I remember seeing it, but everything around it is missing."
Zheng Rui's eyes narrowed. "Could it be someone connected to Jun Wei?" Lian ziho hesitated. "Maybe." "Or Suo Ran?" Lian ziho's expression changed slightly at the name. "I don't know." Zheng Rui noticed the hesitation but didn't push him immediately. Instead, he turned back toward the monitor and carefully studied the ring. "We need a clearer image." Uncle Chen shook his head. "That's the best this camera can give you." Zheng Rui frowned. "Can you check the other camera?" Uncle Chen looked at the system. "There are two cameras facing the road, but the second one only catches the side of the vehicles." "Check it anyway."
Uncle Chen opened the second recording. The same van appeared from another angle, but the image was even darker. Lian ziho stood behind Zheng Rui, still trying to remember where he had seen the ring. The harder he tried, the more distant the memory seemed. Why can't I remember?...He clenched his hand slowly.
Elsewhere convoy continued toward River District Node 04,with Cai Lang's car moving through the crowded streets while the remaining cars followed closely behind.The city was still busy despite the late hour,and the constant sound of horns filled the road. Cai Lang sat in the back seat with his eyes fixed on the city map displayed on the tablet. His fingers occasionally tapped against the edge of the device as he calculated the remaining distance."How far?"he asked quietly.
The driver glanced at the navigation screen. "About Fifty minutes,Boss."The secretary checked the route on his own tablet."Traffic should clear after the next intersection."Cai Lang gave a slight nod."Keep moving."For several minutes,everything went smoothly. Then the traffic ahead suddenly slowed.The brake lights of dozens of vehicles appeared one after another until the entire road came to a complete stop.The driver pressed the brake."Traffic jam."The secretary looked through the windshield."There's an accident ahead."Cai Lang lifted his eyes toward the road."How bad?"The driver checked the navigation system."Very bad.The main road is completely blocked."
The secretary quickly searched for another route."There's a smaller road about two kilometers behind us.It connects to the western outskirts."Cai Lang looked at the map for a moment."How much longer?"The secretary calculated quickly."Maybe ten minutes extra."Cai Lang nodded once."Take it." The driver immediately turned the car around.The rest of the convoy followed.As they left the crowded highway,the noise of the city gradually faded.
The new road became narrower and darker and streetlights appeared only occasionally, and large sections of the road were dark.A few vehicles passed them,but there was almost no traffic compared with the main highway.The secretary glanced at the screen."This road is almost empty."Cai Lang looked through the window at the dark surroundings."That's why it's faster."
The vehicle continued forward.For several minutes,nothing unusual happened.The road stretched ahead through the outskirts, with warehouses and empty plots appearing between patches of darkness.Everything seemed normal.Until Cai Lang heard it. Tick...Tick...Tick...His eyes slowly moved toward the floor.The sound was faint.Almost hidden beneath the hum of the engine.He remained still for several seconds.Tick... Tick...Tick...His expression changed slightly.
The secretary noticed him."Boss?"Cai Lang raised one hand."Stop the car."The driver looked into the rearview mirror."Boss?"Cai Lang's voice became firmer."Stop."
The driver immediately pressed the brakes.The car slowed and came to a complete stop.The convoy behind them stopped as well.The secretary looked confused."What happened?"He checked the navigation screen."We're few minutes from River District Node 04."Cai Lang didn't answer.He listened.Tick...Tick...Tick...The sound was still there.His eyes narrowed. "Turn off the engine."The driver immediately switched it off.The sudden silence made the ticking much clearer.Tick...Tick...Tick...The secretary's face changed."What is that?"
Cai Lang opened the door."I don't know yet."The secretary immediately grabbed his arm."Boss,wait."Cai Lang looked back at him."Stay here."The secretary shook his head."You're going outside alone?"Cai Lang pulled his arm free."If something is attached to this car,I need to see it before anyone touches anything."He stepped out of the car.
The road was almost completely empty only few cars were visible far ahead.
Cai Lang walked around the car,listening carefully.Tick...Tick...Tick...He crouched near the front of the car.The sound seemed slightly louder there.He moved toward the side but there was nothing.Then he suddenly stopped he noticed ticking was coming from under the car.Cai Lang slowly lowered himself and looked underneath the chassis.For a moment,he didn't move. He saw small electronic device had been fixed beneath the car.A digital display glowed faintly in the darkness.The numbers were changing.Tick...Tick...Tick...
Cai Lang's expression became completely still.The secretary stepped out despite his earlier warning."Boss,what did you..."He stopped when he saw Cai Lang's face."What is it?"Cai Lang slowly stood."Get everyone away from the here."The secretary frowned. "Why?"Cai Lang looked directly at him. "There's a bomb under the car." The secretary's face immediately went pale. "What?"The driver instantly opened his door,but Cai Lang shouted sharply."Don't move!"The driver froze.Cai Lang pointed toward the other cars."Nobody approaches us."
The secretary stared at the device beneath the vehicle."How much time?"Cai Lang looked at the digital display.The timer showed 37:12.His eyes narrowed.The secretary swallowed."Thirty-seven minutes?"Cai Lang nodded slowly."Thirty-seven minutes."The secretary's expression became tense."That's why the traffic jam..." Cai Lang looked toward the road behind them.The blocked highway, forced detour and empty road.And now...the bomb.They hadn't simply been delayed.They had been redirected....he thought."They wanted us on this road."
The secretary looked at him."Boss..."Cai Lang's jaw tightened."Someone knew exactly which route we would take."He looked again at the ticking device."And they gave us enough time to discover it."The secretary stared at him in confusion."If they wanted to kill us,why give us thirty-seven minutes?"Cai Lang's expression hardened. "Because the bomb isn't meant to explode here."The secretary's eyes widened. "Then..."Cai Lang looked toward the city lights in the distance."They want us to carry it somewhere."The secretary finally understood."River District Node 04..."Cai Lang nodded once."Exactly."The secretary immediately shook his head."Then we should leave the car immediately."
Cai Lang looked at the bomb again."No."The secretary stared at him."Boss?"Cai Lang's eyes became sharp."If we leave this car here,the person who planted it will know we discovered it."He turned toward the driver. "You."The driver immediately straightened. "Yes,Boss?"Cai Lang pointed toward the road leading away from the city."Take this car away from the city."The driver froze."But the bomb..."Cai Lang interrupted him."Keep moving."
The secretary looked at him sharply. "Boss, you can't seriously mean..."Cai Lang turned toward him."I'm not going to let this thing reach anyone.Take the car as far away from the city as possible."The secretary's expression tightened."And you?"Cai Lang looked toward the other vehicles."I'll follow in another car."The driver hesitated."Boss, what if the timer..."Cai Lang looked at the glowing numbers."You have thirty-seven minutes."He paused."That's enough."The driver swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Boss."
The secretary immediately moved toward the other car,but before getting inside,he looked back at Cai Lang."Boss..."Cai Lang turned."Are you sure?"Cai Lang's gaze remained fixed on the dark road ahead. "No."The secretary stared at him.Cai Lang's expression didn't change."But I'm sure of one thing."He looked toward the distant city lights." They are one of us know every detail."
The car slowly moved forward,then accelerated down the empty road,leaving the city farther and farther behind.Cai Lang watched until its taillights became smaller in the darkness.His secretary stood beside him,still staring after the car."Boss..."Cai Lang quietly replied,"Call the demolition team."The secretary immediately took out his phone."Yes."Cai Lang looked toward the direction of River District Node 04.His expression became colder."And find out who knew we were coming."He paused for a moment."Because now..."His eyes narrowed."...this isn't just about Jun Wei anymore."
Back to warehouse monitor suddenly flickered again before anyone could move away from it.The black screen vanished,and a grainy security recording appeared. Everyone in the underground room turned toward the monitor.Qin Yue took a step closer."That 's Warehouse Seventeen."she whispered.Han Yi's expression hardened. "Play it."The officer quickly adjusted the controls and increased the volume and footage showed the familiar warehouse entrance under the glow of a single street lamp.
The van appeared first,rolling into view and stopping near the loading area.A few seconds passed,nothing happened.Then the rear doors opened and several masked men stepped out.Qin Yue's breathing became noticeably slower."There..." she whispered.Han Yi didn't respond.The men moved around the van.One opened the rear compartment while another stood watch. Then someone inside the van was pulled forward.Qin Yue's eyes widened."That's Jun Wei." Jun wei's hands restrained as the masked men quickly moved him toward the waiting SUV."They're transferring him,"one officer said quietly.
Han Yi's jaw tightened."They're too calm!" Qin Yue murmured.Han Yi nodded slowly. "Because they already knew exactly what they were doing."On the screen,the SUV's rear door remained open as two masked men carefully placed Jun Wei inside. Another man stood several steps away, watching the entire operation.Then a second figure entered the camera's view. The person wasn't wearing the same clothing as the others.He walked slowly toward them, his face remained outside the camera's angle.He stopped beside the SUV and spoke to the masked men.
Qin Yue leaned closer."Can we increase the image?"The officers immediately began working."I'll try."The footage became brighter,but the man's face remained hidden by the darkness and camera angle.Qin Yue frowned."Move the frame forward."The officer advanced the footage one frame at a time.The unknown man raised one hand and gave several short instructions.The masked men immediately followed them without hesitation.
The SUV doors closed and unknown man stepped backward.The vehicle started moving and disappeared beyond the warehouse gate.The remaining men followed moments later.The footage continued for several seconds before the screen returned to an empty warehouse.Qin Yue slowly exhaled."That's it?"The officer nodded."That's everything from that camera."She looked frustrated."Can you enhance the man's face?"
The officer tried again.He adjusted the brightness,sharpened the image,and enlarged the frame,but the result only made the footage more distorted."I'm sorry."He shook his head."There's not enough information.The face is completely outside the useful angle."Qin Yue clenched her jaw."Of course it is."One officer muttered, "Someone planned the camera position too."Han Yi didn't answer.He wasn't looking at the man's face anymore.His attention had shifted downward.He replayed the final few seconds."Stop."
The officer froze the footage.Han Yi stepped closer to the monitor."Zoom in on his left hand."Qin Yue looked at him in confusion. "His hand?"Han Yi nodded."Yes."The officer enlarged the image until the pixels began breaking apart.The unknown man's face became even less recognizable,but his left hand was now visible.The sleeve had shifted slightly as he gave an instruction.Something metallic caught the light.A small silver object was attached to his hand.It looked like an arrow-shaped piece of metal,sleek and unusually distinctive.
Qin Yue frowned."A ring?"Han Yi shook his head."No."He leaned closer."Look at the shape."The officer sharpened the frame one more time and silver arrow became clearer.It wasn't simply jewelry.It appeared to be a small silver arrow-shaped emblem attached to a dark band around his finger.Qin Yue stared at it."That's distinctive."Han Yi's eyes remained fixed on the screen.Where have I seen that before?...
He narrowed his eyes slightly,trying remember,but his mind only gave him scattered fragments. He remembered dark corridor and man's hand resting against a black car door.And that same silver arrow catching the light for a brief second.No... that's not possible...His fingers tightened against the edge of the table.I know this symbol...Another fragment appeared.Where in dim light of room, folder open beneath a desk lamp.A photograph with the corner burned away.And beside it,a small silver arrow drawn in black ink.
Why would someone draw the same symbol on a photograph?...Han Yi's breathing became slower as he tried to follow the memory,but it kept slipping away.I saw it before...He was certain of that now.Not in a newspaper.Not in a random case file but somewhere much closer....His eyes remained fixed on the frozen image.Was it during an investigation?...He searched through the cases he had handled over the years,but none of them matched the feeling crawling beneath his skin.No...there was something else...A voice suddenly echoed through his memory."If you see the arrow again...don't follow it." Han Yi's pupils tightened.Who said that to me?...He tried to remember the face,but once again there was nothing.The face was completely blurred,as though someone had deliberately wiped it from his mind.Why can't I remember the person?...His jaw tightened.And why do I remember the warning so clearly...
For a moment,another image surfaced where younger version of himself standing beside a rain-covered police car.His coat was soaked and hand was bleeding.There was someone standing across the road, watching him from beneath umbrella.Then the silver arrow appeared again.Was that the same person?..If it was...then this isn't a new symbol...His gaze shifted toward the masked man on the screen.It's something that has been following me for years...And if they're showing it to me now...they know I remember...Han Yi released his grip on the table.But why would they want me to remember?...He stared at the man's hand for another long moment.
The image replayed.The man raised his hand and silver arrow flashed beneath the warehouse light.Then the recording stopped again.Han Yi remained silent.Qin Yue noticed immediately."Captain?"He didn't answer."Han Yi?"Qin Yue stepped closer. "You recognized it."Han Yi slowly looked away from the monitor."I've seen that before."Qin Yue's expression sharpened. "Where?"
Han Yi remained quiet for several seconds. He looked back at the frozen image of the silver arrow.Qin Yue watched his expression carefully. "You know something."Han Yi finally looked at her."I know the symbol."She waited. "And?""I just don't know why it's here."One of the officers stepped closer. "Captain,what does the arrow mean?"Han Yi looked at the frozen screen again."That's the problem!"he said quietly."The last time I saw that symbol..."He paused.His eyes narrowed. "...the person wearing it was supposed to be dead."