The response Xiao Xuan gave could clarify two things. First, the person's height, and second, that such a person truly existed; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to conjure someone out of thin air. The reason for this is simple: just as I often experience illusions filled with people or objects, those phantoms are always fleeting and unpredictable; you could never accurately describe their physical form with precise data. Since Xiao Xuan could describe him with figures, it proved the person was real, not some imaginary fiend.

As for why she couldn't recall his appearance, it must be because this person never revealed his true face during the days following her kidnapping. Therefore, through her mental sorting, what emerged was merely a shadow.

A person without a face is just like a shadow, their countenance forever hidden in the dark.

“Fat or thin?”

“On the leaner side.”

“Attire?”

“Can’t make it out clearly.” Xiao Xuan shook her head, then suddenly blinked, smiling mischievously: “In the dead of night, how clearly can you see what someone is wearing?”

Xiao Xuan’s smile was like a pair of scissors, cutting open the heavy, somber night, allowing me to suddenly breathe in fresh air from above the canopy, feeling almost buoyant. I couldn't help but drift over to her side. Looking down, I saw Xiao Xuan gazing at me with affection, which instantly brought to mind how I had saved her mouth-to-mouth at Shiliu Bay earlier. Thus, I captured her lips once more, drinking greedily.

Night awakens the deepest desires in humanity, and Xiao Xuan was no exception, especially after enduring such a harrowing night; her emotions were clearly bordering on unrestrained. When my lips met hers, I could feel her tremble, so without hesitation, I pulled her close, gently stroking her body. This was the boldest contact yet, but I felt no reservation; I didn't know what tomorrow held, the only thing I could grasp was the present. Why not fully savor this fleeting youth?

Time paused for us in that moment. I gently undid the clasp of Xiao Xuan's garment, revealing a small patch of snow-white skin. Two proud peaks emerged from the shadows, intensely stimulating my senses. Xiao Xuan’s breath hitched, and her face flushed deeper than the evening clouds, yet there was no sign of rejection. She held me tightly, pressing herself relentlessly against me, as if intent on merging her body with mine.

Finally, we stood utterly exposed to each other. I gently lowered Xiao Xuan onto the **, then kissed every inch of her skin. As she shyly dodged, I slowly pressed down upon her…

The next day, neither of us stirred until nearly noon. Seeing the wreckage of the night before, Xiao Xuan shyly hid under the covers, refusing to emerge, murmuring sweetly, “Bad senior brother, stinky senior brother, I hate you to death.”

Ah, women always speak lies and inversions, even the pure Xiao Xuan. But this is precisely the charm that men find irresistible.

I gently patted the quilt over her, laughing, “Alright, alright, I’m bad and smelly, but our lovely and beautiful Miss Xuanxuan still needs to eat something. You must have been exhausted yesterday.”

Xiao Xuan inside the quilt wailed in protest. After much fussing, she lifted a corner of the blanket, revealing a delicate head, then commanded, “Go out quickly, I need to get dressed.”

Recalling Xiao Xuan’s vibrant, youthful body, a familiar impulse flared within me. Frightened, Xiao Xuan immediately shrank back under the covers, shouting, “Stinky senior brother, shameless! Get out already!”

These were the most beautiful days of my life. Xiao Xuan and I swam freely in our own world, devoid of bloody corpses or vicious criminals—there was only warmth and sweetness.

After lunch, I accompanied Xiao Xuan home. The moment we stepped inside, Mother Lan greeted us with such warmth that it felt like a mother-in-law welcoming her son-in-law, with Xiao Xuan relegated to the role of guest.

I sighed inwardly. If these two elders knew what had transpired these past few days, I couldn’t imagine how frantic they would become. So, this matter must remain buried in the past forever.

Mother Lan chatted with me for a while before turning back to scold Xiao Xuan, “You wretched girl, you’ve been gone for days and haven’t called home once! You worried us sick.”

Xiao Xuan pouted playfully, “It wasn’t anything major, and I’m home now. What are you still worrying about, Mom?”

Before coming, I had told Xiao Xuan that she had been out on assignment for several days and hadn't contacted home. Although Xiao Xuan couldn't recall, she assumed it was temporary memory loss from being unconscious, so she believed my words implicitly.

After enjoying the comfort of home, Xiao Xuan and I spent the afternoon at the amusement park, followed by street food at the night market. To prevent her parents from growing suspicious, I reluctantly saw her home.

But the next day, when I saw Xiao Xuan, I noticed dark circles under her eyes. It took a long questioning session to learn she had suffered from insomnia. As for the reason, she spun a mountain of excuses, but I was one hundred percent certain the little darling hadn't slept because she missed me.

When the day ended, I unceremoniously dragged her back to my place, and surprisingly, she didn't object. And so, we resumed the grand undertaking we had started two days prior, continuing until we drifted into deep sleep amidst tired breaths.

The next day was Monday. Early in the morning, Xiao Xuan got up and began tidying herself in the room, preparing for work. I, however, slipped out quietly, hiding in the stairwell, pulled out my phone, and called Lord Jiang.

“Lord Jiang, this is Wang Lei. I have good news for you.”

“Oh? What good news? Hurry up and tell me.”

Lord Jiang’s tone was gentle, entirely lacking his previous aggressiveness. It seemed he, like others, was completely convinced of my status as a candidate for Shipan Mountain.

“Xiao Xuan is back. I found her at Shiliu Bay…”

“What? Say that again!” Lord Jiang’s emotion was clearly agitated; he almost shouted, interrupting me mid-sentence.

I felt a secret triumph brewing. Now, who would dare treat this young master as merely a candidate? Especially the thought of Zhang Jiewei’s shocked expression upon seeing Xiao Xuan made me ecstatic. Things between Xiao Xuan and me were sealed now; even if you were a genuine second-generation rich kid, Zhang Jiewei had no chance.

“I’ll tell you the rest later.” I played coy. Who told this old fox not to believe me? Let him guess. When the time comes, he'll be begging me to tell him, and then I’ll collect everything I’m owed, with interest.

I coughed twice, then continued, “What I wanted to say is, she’ll be coming to work today. Please instruct Gao Jianning and the others not to press her about her disappearance. She is in a very sensitive state right now; mentioning it could trigger a dangerous reaction. Do not provoke her.”

“Yes, yes, I will certainly handle it!” Lord Jiang, perhaps slightly befuddled by the sudden joyous news, accepted my instruction as a superior’s order. But it felt undeniably satisfying.

“Senior brother, senior brother!”

Xiao Xuan’s voice called from inside the room. I quickly walked back in and said to her, “Just taking out the trash.”

“Why are you still wearing those clothes? Hurry up and change for work.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, I’m on leave now, so I don’t need to go to work.”

“Leave? Why didn't you ever mention it? You’re so sneaky! From now on, you must report everything to me immediately,” Xiao Xuan pouted, looking very serious, embodying the image of a proper homemaker.

I quickly nodded, “As you command, my dear wife!”

“Hehe, who’s your wife? If you don’t behave, I won’t even look at you.”

“This lowly one dares not!”

“Go on, I’m heading to work now. You stay home obediently and wait for me. Don’t go chasing flirtations outside, understood?”

“Mission guaranteed to be accomplished!”

I gave a crisp salute. Xiao Xuan smiled radiantly and left the apartment.

Alone, with nothing to do, I played on the computer for a while, then watched TV. Bored, I was just thinking about stepping out when I suddenly heard a strange set of footsteps.

They sounded strange because the steps were numerous—definitely more than three people. Since moving in, I had never heard such sounds. Everyone on my floor was a single elite, without bad habits, and it was morning; who would be inviting friends over at this hour?

Years of professional experience instantly sharpened my nerves. I dashed to the door in a few strides and peered through the peephole. I saw four people in white coats hurriedly carrying a stretcher down the hallway.

I assumed someone was having a medical emergency; maybe it was the 120 ambulance crew. But then I noticed these four were heading straight for my apartment.

In that instant, I didn't deliberate; my reflexes took over. I bolted to the window, looked down, and saw a white Iweco van parked below, emblazoned with large red letters: “Shipan Mountain Mental Hospital.”

My brain froze, but my hands and feet, guided by another ‘me,’ quickly scrambled onto the window ledge. Then, using the adjacent pipe, I slid down like a mouse escaping a trap. Upon landing, I immediately vaulted over the low ornamental shrubs and swiftly fled the complex.

This entire escape happened before any conscious thought registered. I had no idea what was happening or why, I just reacted reflexively.

After running like a lost lamb to a place I deemed safe, I immediately pulled out my phone and called Lord Jiang.

“Lord Jiang, I encountered a group identifying themselves as staff from the ‘Shipan Mountain Mental Hospital’ at my home. They intended to abduct me. Please dispatch someone to investigate this immediately,” I spoke hurriedly, my anxiety and confusion pouring out.

But Lord Jiang on the other end seemed utterly shocked. He urgently said, “Wang Lei, where are you right now? I’ll send someone to get you immediately.”

“I’m near Qing…”

Just as I was about to reveal my location, a spark flashed: Why wouldn't Lord Jiang tell me to report to the precinct myself, but instead send someone to retrieve me?

I know Lord Jiang; he is certainly not a nanny-type superior. Whatever the situation, his first move is to let you face it alone, and when you're struggling, he’ll leisurely observe, occasionally goading you with words until you explode with righteous anger and complete the task with supreme courage.

Yet, his reaction just now was highly unusual—as unusual as the Shipan Mountain Mental Hospital showing up at my door. When these two anomalies converged, I reached a more startling conclusion: Lord Jiang was the mastermind, or at the very least, complicit!

In that moment, I felt deceit and betrayal approach me like two insidious little villains. They struck silently, catching me completely unprepared, shattering my defenses and leaving me in disarray.

But I refused to believe Lord Jiang would lie to or betray me. I was his subordinate; despite his flaws, he was absolutely a passionate police officer. I was loyal to this profession, loyal to the badge on my cap, and most loyal to Lord Jiang. He had no reason to deceive or betray me.

“Wang Lei, tell me quickly, where are you?” Lord Jiang’s tone grew anxious on the line.

“Lord Jiang,” my voice suddenly turned ice-cold, laced with a deep, mournful sorrow, as if every word had passed through a corpse refrigeration unit before leaving my mouth, “Did you know about this beforehand? Or perhaps, were those people your arrangements?”

Silence followed on the other end for a moment, but I didn't hang up. Even if I knew the line was tapped, I wasn't a criminal; I had nothing to fear. Furthermore, my current location was well-connected; if they really sent someone, I would have already vanished.

Finally, Lord Jiang spoke: “Wang Lei, I order you to report to the precinct immediately. That is an order!”

An order? I belonged to Shipan Mountain now; who could order me?

A surge of resentment rose from my chest. I shouted loudly, “I won’t be coming back! Tell me what’s going on!”

“Fine, since you want to know, I’ll tell you. Your condition is extremely serious. You require immediate, comprehensive treatment, or the consequences will be severe!”

Lord Jiang finally admitted it. I let out a long breath and suddenly laughed: “Hahahaha! Serious? Do you think a severely mentally ill patient could track down a missing female police officer?”

“Wang Lei, you are experiencing advanced hallucinations now.”

Lord Jiang had finally recovered his authoritative stance, speaking with absolute conviction, leaving no room for debate. But I felt a massive shadow looming over me.

Then, Lord Jiang’s voice came through the phone: “Because Lan Jinxuan was never found, and she didn’t come to work today either!”

Lord Jiang’s voice vibrated against my eardrums, and my eardrums felt like the three pivot points on the willow trees at Shiliu Bay, with that huge shadow acting as the heavy weight. When my hearing failed, all the pivot points collapsed. The immense shadow suddenly crashed down, severing all my hope and vitality.

“Wang Lei, Wang Lei, answer me! Tell me where you are, that’s an order!”

Lord Jiang roared into the phone, but I couldn't hear any of it. I just collapsed onto the ground, clutching my head in utter despair. Then, suddenly, I sprang up, dialed Xiao Xuan’s number, and got a switched-off tone!

I could no longer control myself. I screamed toward the heavens, “Why? Why?”

I frantically beat my head. I am not mentally ill, I am not, absolutely not!

Xiao Xuan, where did you go? Why did you leave me alone again?

No, I am not sick! Xiao Xuan really did come back! This entire thing is a conspiracy!

But if Xiao Xuan came back, why did she suddenly vanish? Is Lord Jiang lying to me? What reason or justification would he have to lie to me?

My mind was a chaotic mess, offering no clues, just swirling and spinning until I felt dizzy. Suddenly, one thought surfaced: the finger joint wrapped in white cloth from Shiliu Bay yesterday. I must find it; it will prove I rescued Xiao Xuan!

In my confusion, all I could focus on was that severed joint. I randomly hailed a cab and yelled at the driver, “Quick, quick, Shiliu Bay!”

The driver gave me a strange look, and I suddenly shouted, “Why is it you again!”

It turned out he was the same taxi driver who had taken me to "Lan Guiren" that other day. This world truly was too small; I ran into him again just by turning around. But why did Xiao Xuan disappear the moment I turned around?

“Little brother, running into you again! We truly have fate on our hands,” the taxi driver’s eyes held a cunning glint. While he seemed surprised, he certainly gave the impression that fate wouldn't exempt him from charging full fare.

I was surprised too, but I had no patience for pleasantries now. I just urged him, “Quick, hurry! To Shiliu Bay!”

The car started smoothly, and the driver’s mouth followed suit: “Shiliu Bay? That’s not a good place to go. What are you looking for there?”

“Don’t ask. Just wait for me there. I’ll find something quickly, half an hour at most.” The vehicle’s speed brought a flicker of calm, and my voice was less frantic than before.

“Looking for something? I’ve never seen anyone look for things there before. You’re the first,” the driver said casually while gently turning the steering wheel.

This city's myriad happenings were recorded in the minds of taxi drivers. They’d seen all sorts of oddities, so my strange behavior only piqued moderate curiosity. He just wanted to pry out what I was doing so he could relay the story to the next fare—that was the main order of business for them.

I had no energy for a conversational relay race. I turned my head away: “Don’t worry about it. Just wait for me; it won’t take long.”

“No problem, but by standard practice, waiting over half an hour costs an extra ten yuan. You know that, right?” He never let himself be at a disadvantage.

I nodded, “I know.” Then I fell silent, ignoring whatever elaborate tales he spun.

His driving skills weren't as good as the last driver's, but it wasn’t rush hour, so we soon left the urban area and picked up speed. An hour later, I arrived back at Shiliu Bay.

The last time I was here, it was night, too dark to see clearly. I couldn't recall exactly where the car had stopped, but I remembered that after getting out, there was a patch of low bushes nearby, and beyond that, a thicket of willows.

But looking around now, there was nothing but willow groves and bushes everywhere. Everything looked the same, and for a moment, I couldn't recall the exact spot.