That persistent idea, the one about taking Chen Yujia to Jia University for a look around, kept nagging at me, even though I couldn't pinpoint why it mattered.

I stood by the main gate of Jia University, waiting for less than ten minutes, when a domestic sedan drove up and settled perfectly within the dedicated parking lines just outside the campus. It was then I saw Chen Yujia for the second time.

He was still the picture of scholarly demeanor, which somehow resonated uncannily with Jia University itself, as if someone of his type were inherently suited to an academy like this, making his choice to set up his practice in a busy downtown area all the more baffling.

Before coming, I had meticulously considered the previous visit to Jia University and found three major points of suspicion: First, the photograph tucked under Li Yalian's pillow—the person pictured was the head of the Student Union’s Arts Department, hugely popular among the female students. Second, the girl I encountered in the hallway named Shi Yingjie; she was in the same year as Li Yalian, but in the next class, and their relationship wasn't particularly amicable, yet her reaction upon hearing of Li Yalian’s murder was extremely intense. The third point, naturally, was Li Yalian herself.

Of these three points, the last one was a dead end for immediate investigation, but the first two offered avenues for action. Chen Yujia, as a psychological expert, possessed a deep understanding of people, so I believed having him talk to the two involved individuals might significantly aid the case's resolution.

I briefly recounted the general outline of our previous investigation. Chen Yujia nodded slightly, signaling understanding, his deep eyes possessing an almost magical quality. He glanced toward Jia University, seeming to feel a mixture of long-lost familiarity and palpable weariness.

Last time, we had investigated through Huang Yang, the counselor for the Communications Engineering department where Li Yalian studied. However, she proved to be a poor guide, always over-protecting her students from disturbance, yet seemingly forgetting the need to see justice done for the deceased student.

I led Chen Yujia directly to the dormitory where Li Yalian had lived. From a distance, we spotted the dorm supervisor by the entrance, intently focused on knitting. This time, without Huang Yang leading the way, I wasn't sure if she would allow us entry.

"Don't you see the sign: 'No Boys Beyond This Point'?" The supervisor’s tone was that of a heavenly general guarding the South Gate, and this place was undoubtedly a paradise for certain male fantasies.

I pulled out my badge. "Police. We need to inquire about a few things."

But the supervisor was exceptionally diligent this time. She stated, "Who are you looking for? I'll call her down."

What she said was reasonable; after all, this was a girls' dormitory, rife with privacy concerns. Two grown men roaming around inside was indeed inappropriate. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was acting under someone's instruction, hence the deliberate strictness.

Could Huang Yang have instructed her to do this?

If so, was Huang Yang motivated by protecting the living students from disturbance, or by preventing the deceased girl from achieving justice?

"We're looking for Shi Yingjie in Room 402. Could you please ask her to come down?"

Just as my suspicions were mounting, Chen Yujia spoke up very politely. He carried himself like a handsome senior student on campus, possessing both great warmth and a subtle power of persuasion.

The supervisor seemed swayed by his manner, breaking into a warm smile. "Wait just a moment, I'll call her right away."

The supervisor, with her impressively sturdy waist, turned and headed upstairs. I chuckled. "You must have frequented places like this often in the past."

Unexpectedly, Chen Yujia didn't object. "Indeed. Those were days worth remembering, though they are gone forever now."

His words in the empty corridor made me slightly uneasy. I glanced back at the sapphire-blue mirror, relieved to see only the two of us reflected.

A short while later, the supervisor brought Shi Yingjie down—a very delicate-looking girl with two long pigtails resting over her shoulders.

Following our plan, Chen Yujia would take the lead this time, and I was merely an attentive listener. So, I stepped back slightly, yielding the front position to him.

Chen Yujia moved forward with practiced ease. "Miss Shi, we need to understand a few things. Could you assist us?"

His tone was like a spring breeze, impossible to refuse, and coupled with his naturally elegant and handsome bearing, it was enough to captivate a young girl like Shi Yingjie.

The conversation proceeded in a remarkably pleasant atmosphere. The three of us sat on the lawn beside the sports field, chatting as if catching up over domestic matters. Those topics steeped in conspiracy and bloodshed took on a different flavor when spoken by Chen Yujia.

I remained a quiet observer, tempted several times to interrupt, as most of Chen Yujia's questions seemed utterly disconnected from the case—mere trifles of everyday life.

The lengthy conversation finally concluded. Chen Yujia politely escorted Shi Yingjie back to her dorm, while I stayed in a corner of the field, incessantly pulling up tufts of green grass.

"What in the hell did you even ask her?"

The moment we stepped off campus, I couldn't hold back my shout.

Chen Yujia showed no sign of annoyance, responding calmly, "This girl won't provide us with any more information. Questioning her further would be pointless."

"You think she's deliberately hiding something too?"

"More than that. It seems she is protecting someone, or perhaps something, deep within her heart."

My anger was quickly dispersed by his words. I looked at him with an expression blending eagerness and warning: Don't lie to me, or you’ll regret it severely!

"When I walked her back just now, I observed closely the environment where you saw the deceased. Did you notice how that dormitory building is surrounded by trees, and you saw the body precisely in the space between two floors? Since it was a sunny day, the interplay of sunlight, the green of the foliage, and the black of the shadows could easily cause visual distortion."

"Impossible. I trust my eyes."

Chen Yujia smiled faintly, then swiftly waved his hand in front of my face. "How many of my fingers were straight just now?"

I flinched. "What is this? That was too fast."

Chen Yujia replied, "Exactly. You’ve hit on the very point I want to make. There is a definite correlation between time, imagination, and vision. You might have seen a woman whose appearance closely resembled the deceased. At that moment, you didn't see her face, giving you time to imagine her as the victim. Then, when she looked up, her face naturally became the one you envisioned. Furthermore, it's highly probable that woman's features bore some similarity to the victim’s. Coupled with the surrounding light effects, it’s hardly surprising you perceived her as the deceased."

His reasoning was indeed sound, compelling belief, and I began to feel a flicker of appreciation for this scholarly-looking fellow, even though I preferred to believe he was mistaken.

"You should investigate that teacher, Huang Yang. She might not be the killer, but she certainly possesses information that will help solve the case."

The thought of that teacher, living perpetually in darkness and shadow, sent a chill through me, and my doubts began to spread.

I delegated the next phase of the investigation to Zhang Jiewei. He was a master of both criminal investigation and technical forensics; sending him was the most appropriate move. This guy intended to usurp my position, but little did he know I'd welcome it. If he scored a major breakthrough, I would strongly recommend him to Boss Jiang.

After bidding farewell to Chen Yujia, I returned to the precinct. The moment I stabilized my car in the yard, I spotted a slick, pale figure skulking guiltily behind a pillar—it was Gao Jianning.

Just as I was about to step out and demand an explanation, a clear, bright figure emerged from the station entrance, quickly descending the steps. Gao Jianning darted away from behind the pillar, took a wide detour, and then approached the steps from below, panting heavily.

I smirked. So the kid had a crush. But to use such an ancient cliché—he should be ashamed. It seemed computers were only good for games; when it came to the real thing, a fast shooter like myself was superior.

However, Gao Jianning had put considerable effort into his staging. First, he hurried up the steps with his head bowed. Then, three steps away from his 'goddess,' Feng Siyan, he suddenly looked up with an expression of feigned surprise.

But tragedy struck precisely then. As the surprised Gao Jianning prepared to utter some line like, "What a coincidence," Feng Siyan abruptly turned her head toward Ding Qingyuan, who was beside her:

"Later, you can go find Gu Hengming. Record everything he says, no matter what it is, use the recorder..."

Gao Jianning maintained that shocked expression until Feng Siyan swept past him. He remained frozen, like a statue.

"Hey, kid, drool's nearly dripping onto the floor. Looks like you’re having a leisurely time—you must have completed the task I assigned you." I clapped him hard on the shoulder.

Gao Jianning snapped back to reality, seeing me as if I were a ghost, and bolted inside with a yelp. I looked back at Feng Siyan. Given the commotion, she must have noticed, yet she pretended to be oblivious. Could she be the legendary Ice Queen?

Back in the office, I thoroughly dressed down Gao Jianning, threatening to break up the budding romance if he failed to locate the sender of the emails. This threat worked immediately. Gao Jianning, who usually talked back for every word I said, didn't utter a peep of protest, settling down obediently in front of his computer, his fingers rapidly clacking the keys.

Watching others work is certainly a satisfying pastime. I sat down, took a couple of sips of tea, and wondered if I should ask Xiao Xuan out for dinner tonight when the little weasel, Xiao Cuo, snuck in looking secretive.

The moment I saw him, my good mood vanished. I felt as if something spectral was circling above my head.

Xiao Cuo leaned in conspiratorially, snatched my teacup, and gulped down the rest in one go. Then, smacking his lips, he declared, "Latest news: Hong Yang’s team found a breakthrough at Gu Hengming's place."

I suddenly remembered what Feng Siyan had told Ding Qingyuan at the gate about finding Gu Hengming. So they had already found the weak spot. That bastard, stealing a march on me! Even worse, that fellow Gu Hengming dared to lie to me.

I slammed the desk hard and barked, "Spit it out, don't waste time!"

Xiao Cuo grinned slyly. "You’re starting to sound like Boss Jiang."

I didn't have time for games. I grabbed him by the collar. "Tell me!"

Xiao Cuo wasn't afraid of ghosts, so he certainly wasn't afraid of me. He maintained his nonchalant air. "Just heard: Hong Yang somehow discovered that Gu Hengming has long maintained clandestine dealings with some very wealthy tycoons—the kind involving transactions using his female models."

Gao Jianning instantly looked up, his interest piqued. I roared, "Get back to your work!"

Xiao Cuo licked his lips. "Perhaps Ou Jinglan got caught up in that mess and couldn't bear it, trying to resist the evil forces, which led to her being silenced. Of course, that’s just my speculation. Only they will know exactly what they found."

I sank back into my chair, my brain operating at the speed of a computer CPU. I quickly reached a conclusion—impossible!

The reason was simple: Ou Jinglan's case is linked with Li Yalian's. If Ou Jinglan's death resulted from the above reasons, Li Yalian's death could not be explained. She was just a student; she couldn't possibly be involved.

Then my heart gave a violent leap. Could it be that Li Yalian wasn't dead?

Hypothesizing that she wasn't dead would mean Ou Jinglan’s death could be considered separately. But I couldn't discard the certainty of her death based on one dubious 'sighting,' unless someone else had fabricated it!

Everything began to spin like a vortex in a rapid current, every minute connection being pulled into fine threads, then tightly binding my mind. Faster and tighter, more intricate than a silkworm cocoon, wrapping me until I could barely breathe.

I shot a sinister glance at Gao Jianning. Suddenly, I perceived a faint, dark mist clinging to his body, making him slightly indistinct. Though he is my cousin and we grew up together, I hadn't seen him much since high school graduation. That period is when human character shifts most violently. What kind of person he is now, nobody knows—including me.

The trajectory of life habitually moves from the unknown toward the known. I prided myself on having a stable mindset, not one that would be easily distracted by Gao Jianning’s untimely behavior. The entire case was riddled with doubts, yet concrete clues were nonexistent; there was only the occasional fragmented shard.

The frantic searching over the past few days had left me utterly exhausted. I really felt I should follow through on that casual joke I’d made earlier: giving myself a facial mask to nourish my skin. Otherwise, showing up at the station tomorrow would turn me into a national treasure, providing Xiao Cuo with more material for his jokes.

I drove the precinct car to the base of my apartment building. The red lights along the way seemed particularly glaring, making me see countless crimson shadows of blood. The sharp, drizzling rain tapped softly against the windshield, while the black windshield wipers resembled blooming dahlias.

From what I knew, black flowers in the world are extremely rare—only seven are known to humanity, and each represents countless unsolved scientific mysteries. The Dahlia case from many years ago—why the killer favored dahlias—remains unexplained to this day. My thoughts drifted back to Ou Jinglan's body: the incision on her nipple, the malevolent dahlia inserted there.

Cold sweat broke out on my back. I sensed something deeply aberrant. On the window wiped by the blade, another black reflection appeared. It wasn't entirely clear, but the reflection was facing me directly, a pale face fixed with dark, staring pupils.

Simultaneously, I felt a blast of cold wind assault me from behind. In panic, I whipped my head around, only to discover that the window had inexplicably slid down a slight crack, and those ominous, dark winds were pouring in from that gap.

"Strange. The air conditioning has been on in the car. Shouldn't the windows automatically seal shut every time I get in?" I thought, my scalp tingling, as I closed the window and checked it several more times to ensure a complete seal before stopping. Then, I flipped on the interior light, and the pale shadow on the glass immediately vanished.

I reached the ground floor of my building just after midnight. The security guard on duty was sound asleep. It took several sweeps of the headlights to rouse the young man, who looked barely twenty but possessed a sullen expression and was extremely unfriendly: "Sir, please try to come back earlier in the future. After midnight, the complex restricts entry and exit."

I’ve lived in this complex for several years and am well aware of its unofficial rules. So, I offered an awkward smile. "Right, I’ll try to be back earlier, but I’m not late today—it’s exactly 11:50!"

I demonstratively showed him my watch and drove smoothly into the garage. The garage had an elevator that went directly to my floor, and the entrance was always illuminated. Thinking I could finally get a good night’s sleep, I jumped out of the car, shut the door casually, and stepped into the elevator.

Ever since returning from Chen Yujia’s private psychological clinic, I had begun to harbor serious doubts about my own sanity, frequently forgetting whether I myself was a pervert. Thankfully, I felt completely normal in the elevator. As it ascended, I didn't fall into the previous state of "infinite loop."

I usually kept my apartment key and my phone in my pockets, resulting in four rather large pockets on my person. I retrieved the key, unlocked the door, and deliberately checked the time: exactly midnight.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The main computer casing was still humming low, like faint cries. Just as I dragged myself onto the bed out of sheer exhaustion, the monitor suddenly flickered to life, accompanied by a series of notification sounds.

An email had arrived!

I painfully hauled myself out of bed. Standing before the computer, I confirmed it: the machine had received a message. Opening it, I felt as if a heavy blow had landed squarely on my forehead—a sensation of suffocation, oppression, and profound unease, like standing at the edge of an abyss.

Li Yalian's image reappeared before my eyes: the pale face, the deep pupils. After a moment of mental struggle, my hands were slick with cold sweat. Just as I was about to close the message, I noticed a string of highly peculiar characters. In terms of linguistic mastery, while I wouldn't claim expertise, my drill instructor back in school had taught me how to categorize text.

Regrettably, I searched through every script I could recall from memory, but I could not decipher what they represented.

I specifically copied the strange characters, printed them out, and then shut down the email. When I held the printed document, my hairs involuntarily shot straight up.

The signature at the bottom of the email plunged me into utter bewilderment and terror.

"Sender: Wang Lei. Time: Midnight sharp!"

I clearly remembered driving past the ground floor at 11:50, arriving home at 12:00, and specifically checking the time as I unlocked the door. Yet, this email was sent to myself from myself, at precisely midnight—an impossible event.

How could I send an email to myself while unlocking my door, and what possible meaning could it hold? Was this, as Chen Yujia suggested, merely an illusion, was I truly psychologically damaged?

I pinched my thigh hard, confirming I was wide awake. The whirring of the computer confirmed the clarity of my rational mind.

I rushed into the bathroom and splashed cold water onto my muscles and nerves. By the time I was fully sobered, I was back in the room. The diagram next to the printer remained, as did the email backup.

All these bizarre, law-defying occurrences had dragged me into an abyss. I struggled desperately to escape the immediate predicament and the terror of the unknown, yet found absolutely no starting point for liberation.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

My pores sprung wide open at the sound of the knocking.

I summoned my courage and approached the door. Although the first time I looked through the peephole, I saw a pair of eyes as deep and ghostly as a phantom’s, this didn't stop me from looking out again. But this time, I saw nothing.

A massive, dark shadow was cast upon the door. As I withdrew my gaze from the peephole, my entire field of vision was engulfed by a vast darkness, the sight dominated by that huge black silhouette on the door.

"Who are you?"

My spine chilled profoundly. I spun around in sheer panic.

"Hehe, you’re not even welcoming me?" Lan Jinxuan stood in my room, observing me calmly. Her complexion was pale, and under the light, she gave me a powerful illusion. I blurted out, "Li Yalian!"

"I think you’ve gone mad. Look properly, Senior Officer. I am Lan Jinxuan!" Lan Jinxuan admonished with a touch of dissatisfaction.

At the dead of night, a beautiful woman appearing like a wraith in my room made me doubt my own eyes. Yet, the Lan Jinxuan before me was real, completely without artifice.

For some inexplicable reason, seeing Lan Jinxuan's beautiful face always made me connect her, consciously or not, with Li Yalian. To be honest, the two women did share some similarities. But I was certain they were two different people, because Lan Jinxuan was alive, and Li Yalian was gone.

"So late, how did you get into my house? You don't have a key. Why didn't I see you just now?" Although we had always been close, we weren't close enough to the point of casually cohabiting.

Xiao Xuan looked at me with an innocent and bewildered expression that instantly melted my heart: "That's strange, your bedroom door wasn't closed... Didn't you email me asking me to come over? I just went to the restroom, and when I came out, I saw you lurking by the door."

"Me?" I stared at Xiao Xuan in astonishment, "When did I ever email you?"

"At eleven fifty, the night before last!"

I was bewildered.

The night before last was precisely when I discovered the anonymous email. At the same time I received that anonymous email, I hadn't considered that Xiao Xuan had received one too. And the sender was me.

"I just got an email too; if you don't believe me, we can go check right now!" I deliberately took Lan Jinxuan's hand. Her small hand was soft and warm, causing an unrest in my heart. I reopened the backup drive and clicked on the familiar folder—it was empty.

"Haha, I knew you were just teasing me. How could two people receive an email from one of us at the exact same time? That's completely impossible!" Lan Jinxuan's doubt made me feel a bit sad, but I quickly regained my composure.

"Whether you believe it or not, this really happened, and it just happened right next to me. Just past midnight, I actually received an email sent from myself."

Xiao Xuan looked at my expression. Having worked in criminal investigation for so long, she naturally knew that when people lie, there are subtle differences in their facial expressions—those minute details could reveal whether someone was telling the truth or not. Xiao Xuan clearly didn't notice any subtle movements on my face.

"Could it really be like that? Sending emails to two people simultaneously?" Xiao Xuan muttered to herself.

I glanced at the clock; it was already past one. So, uncharacteristically gentlemanly, I said to Xiao Xuan, "It's so late; I'm afraid your parents are already asleep. I can't have you sleeping at the precinct either, and I wouldn't feel at ease leaving you alone. You should sleep in my ** tonight; I can just take the sofa* for one night."

A faint blush still seemed to linger on Xiao Xuan's face, but I wasn't in the mood right now. I didn't even have the desire to take advantage of the beautiful woman. Everything happening felt like a massive conspiracy enveloping me.

After Xiao Xuan went into my bedroom, I didn't sleep. Instead, I stood by the living room window, watching the moonlight outside, and a profound chill radiated from the depths of my soul. I kept questioning myself: What was going on?

Suddenly, my vision blurred. When I opened my eyes, I found myself trapped in a room that resembled a medieval lord's castle. The enormous chandelier was actually lit with candles.

With a loud crash, something came through the window. I didn't know where I was and felt terrified, afraid that a legion of ghosts would surge out of the darkness.

I walked toward the window. Each step on the floorboards caused a creak, creak sound beneath my feet. When I reached the bottom of the window to close it, I suddenly saw a dark shadow reflected in the glass, less than half a meter behind me.

I spun around instantly, only to find nothing there, just the massive chandelier swaying back and forth in the wind, emitting an extremely discordant sound.

I looked up; a woman seemed to be sitting atop the chandelier, clad in a black cloak. Just as I was about to ask who she was, the shadow suddenly turned its head.

I instantly scrambled backward onto the floor, pointing at the chandelier, and shouted, "You! Are you human or ghost!"

That face—I knew it too well. Li Yalian...

"Lazybones, lazybones, wake up." Just then, I suddenly left that place. Seeing the sun already outside the window, I let out a deep sigh of relief. It was just a dream, but the dream felt so real, as if I had truly experienced it.

I rubbed my drowsy eyes and looked at Xiao Xuan. The last vestiges of sleep vanished instantly. Xiao Xuan was wearing my clothes; what looked like her lingerie was faintly visible underneath. My nose nearly betrayed me with an unexpected trickle of blood. I quickly sat up.

"Xiao Xuan, what are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?"

"You're the one to talk! It’s not my fault your place doesn't have any nightgowns, so I had to wear your clothes!"

"Hurry up, stop dawdling, or we’ll be late."

I checked the time—it was already past eight. We were late, but as long as Elder Jiang didn't notice, it would be fine. Saying that, I quickly finished washing up, pulled Xiao Xuan into the car, and sped toward the precinct. We hit several red lights on the way, but I chuckled, turned on the siren, and just blew right through them. Anyone seeing us might have thought we were on some special mission. Xiao Xuan did caution me to do such things less often in the future, which made me feel a bit sheepish.

Moments later, we arrived at the precinct. As soon as I pushed open the door to the Special Operations Office, I sensed the atmosphere was different from usual, but I couldn't pinpoint how. Xiao Cuo and Gao Jianning looked at me with questioning eyes, while Zhang Jiewei remained cold, as usual.

Xiao Xuan stepped forward, smiling, "What's wrong with everyone today? Did something important happen?"

I had assumed everyone had discovered Xiao Xuan stayed over at my place last night and was now ready to mete out justice. But it wasn't what I expected; Gao Jianning didn't even mock me as usual. Things were definitely unusual.

The tension in the entire Special Operations Office felt suffocating. Finally, unable to bear the strained atmosphere any longer, I asked, "What exactly is going on? Why are you all looking at me like that!"

Click, click, click.

The electric fan in the office, which had been abandoned for a long time, suddenly started spinning on its own, making the hairs on my arms stand up.

"Brother, you really don't know computers?"

Hearing this, I was puzzled. Who doesn't know about computers nowadays? Every household has one, whether it’s good or bad. I replied, "Of course, it seems like most people know a little bit these days."

"No, Brother, I don't mean that. I understand those things. I mean, have you never studied computer technology before?"

Hearing Gao Jianning's question, my face was full of confusion. I didn't know what he was getting at. I glanced at the others and asked, "If you have something to say, just tell me directly. Stop beating around the bush like this."

Xiao Cuo couldn't hold back anymore and interjected, "Brother Lei, Gao Jianning just tracked down the email's sending address."

"Quick, tell me! Who was it?" I asked very excitedly.

"Brother, I bypassed the firewall he set up and eventually traced it to the server. Through the clues left on the server, I locked onto the IP address of the computer that sent the email. Normally, one IP address isn't enough to confirm who sent it, but coincidentally, that address is one I personally set up for your computer—it won't change easily like a regular IP address, and no one could have stolen it," Gao Jianning said, glaring at me coldly.

"What?" I exclaimed in surprise.

Everyone in the room looked at me with suspicion, as if they thought I was playing a prank. I looked over at Xiao Xuan; she had also taken a step aside and was looking at me the same way. I suddenly felt that no one could believe me—even Xiao Xuan was starting to doubt me.

I didn't offer any explanation. I asked Xiao Xuan, "Don't you even believe me?"

"I can't be sure. Because I also received an email from you yesterday. I can choose not to believe what others say, but I can't ignore what my own eyes see," Xiao Xuan's voice sounded distant and fleeting.

Just then, Boss Jiang, who hadn't appeared until now, suddenly pushed the door open and stood before everyone. Boss Jiang spoke in an undeniable voice, "Stop suspecting each other. Wang Lei is innocent. He absolutely did not do this. I stake my reputation on it."

As soon as Boss Jiang finished speaking, he left as silently as he arrived, as if he had never been there. I watched my superior's retreating figure, filled with gratitude yet deeply puzzled. The awkward atmosphere in the office eased slightly. Everyone remained busy, leaving only me, staring blankly at the door that was constantly being opened and closed...