Chapter 4

17.

The moon sank westward. Dawn began.

I opened the café and was changing the flowers when Shen An and Meng Wei came in together.

“Both of you at once. What a rare sight.”

I smiled.

During my four years with Zhuang Xinyue, I had unconsciously watched every movement and expression. That habit later persuaded my handler to spare my life.

“It's my birthday,” Meng Wei said. “My mentor offered to take me somewhere nice. I thought, where better than your café?”

I pressed my lips together, then quickly smiled and wished him a happy birthday.

We had cake.

I set a small one before him and said it was on me.

Naturally, they invited me to join them.

Shen An was serious and quiet as ever.

Meng Wei tried topic after topic. His mentor rarely answered.

Eventually, they mentioned the case.

I joined in.

“Still no arrest? Officer Meng said you had a lead.”

Shen An glared at him.

“You seem very interested in the details, Ms. Zhuang.”

However harmless I made myself appear, he never warmed to me.

Perhaps a policeman's intuition had told him something.

“It's a serial murder case. Of course I'm frightened. I heard the footprints suggest a man. I don't know much about it, but some women have large feet too.”

I deliberately stamped my feet.

His face darkened.

“I understand your concern as a member of the public. But this isn't a guessing game. Our forensic colleagues analyze the traces. If you have time to spare, I suggest you spend it improving your business.”

The atmosphere grew awkward, despite Meng Wei's attempts to ease it.

I shrugged and prodded further.

“Of course. You're the famous officer who dismantled a major criminal organization. I'm sure you'll solve it.”

Then I got up and left.

I could feel my emotions slipping further out of control.

Perhaps I didn't have much time left.

18.

That loss of control made me open the order system earlier than planned.

Unexpectedly, I found a very interesting request.

A young woman.

She had defied her family to stay with her boyfriend for five years.

He still wouldn't propose.

She had even had seven abortions for him and lost the ability to have children. She hadn't dared tell her family.

He had promised never to leave her.

A few days earlier, she saw him holding another woman as they entered a hotel.

Now she was lost.

She wanted him dead, but couldn't bear it.

So she wanted me to choose.

Kill him.

Or kill her.

I found it interesting, traced her IP address, and prepared to accept.

The result stopped me.

Meng Wei's home.

He had once mentioned a younger sister.

Quiet to the point of gloom, he said.

Not close to him.

Dating a useless man who kept the whole family worried.

I tapped the table and instantly formed a wonderful plan.

I coaxed her, saying I could help her and her boyfriend stay together forever.

Sure enough, she asked:

“How?”

“If you die together for love, won't you be together forever? No betrayal. No separation. No worldly restrictions. Forever and ever. Just the two of you.”

She said he wouldn't agree.

I laughed at her innocence and promised that the moment I heard she was dead, I would send him to join her.

She hesitated.

Smiling, I shared the interesting things I had found.

No reply.

The next day, Meng Wei took leave.

19.

I put a temporary-closure notice on the café door and began preparing my final plan.

When news of his sister's death arrived, I stood on a nearby rooftop, watching Meng Wei sob outside the café.

It felt wonderful.

I took out my phone and sent him a few things.

As expected, he left in a fury.

That night, his sister's boyfriend died.

Ruptured spleen. Beaten to death.

The scene evidence and neighbors' statements pointed at Meng Wei.

He was taken to the bureau for questioning.

I wondered how Shen An felt.

I felt quite good.

“Something's happened to Meng Wei. Didn't you know?”

After arranging everything, I returned to the café and found Shen An.

Of course, I wasn't foolish enough to think he'd come for coffee.

“Why tell me? I don't work for your bureau.”

“You don't seem surprised.”

I smiled and ignored him.

“Where were you the night Wang Zhi died?”

“If you suspect me, you need grounds. This isn't the station. I'm under no obligation to answer.”

His hawk's eyes stayed on me.

“I don't believe I told you who Wang Zhi was.”

I set my keys down heavily.

“Shen An, if you have evidence, arrest me. Stop playing word games.”

He stared coldly.

“I'll find it.”

Would he?

Unfortunately, he wouldn't get the chance.

20.

The day Meng Wei was released on bail, he came straight to me.

Saved me some trouble.

“Xinyue, my mentor told me… I don't believe him. You didn't know any of the victims. How could it be you? He's just oversensitive. Everything points to a man. It can't be you. If it were, they'd have detained you already. Or you'd have run.

“You didn't even know Wang Zhi. How could you frame me? You have no motive.”

Grief still showed on his face.

Perhaps he was mourning his sister.

His eyes reminded me a little of the way Zhuang Xinyue once looked at me.

Full of feelings I couldn't understand.

I watched him without expression.

Being trusted felt good, naturally.

But the greater pleasure was in playing with people.

“Can we talk in the car? Too many people here. It's hard to explain.”

He followed without hesitation.

So stupid.

Too stupid to be a policeman.

21.

When he woke, his hands and feet were bound. I had thrown him onto the back seat.

His reddened eyes fixed on me. Gagged, he couldn't speak.

I watched the mirror instead of him.

“You like Zhuang Xinyue, don't you?

“Unfortunately, she died seven years ago.”

He made muffled sounds, seemingly unable to understand.

I turned.

“My real name is Shen Qingyuan. You may never have heard it.

“Your mentor certainly has.”

Shen An's son.

Shen Qingyuan.