After drifting in and out of sleep for over two hours, I woke up nearing ten o'clock, though I felt significantly better. I vaulted off the bed, shook my head vigorously, scattering every distracting thought from my mind, and told myself: You are not a murderer. You must avenge Xiao Cuo. That is the only thing you need to do and think about right now!

After repeating that three times in succession, my emotions stabilized. Just as I was about to leave, Gao Jianning’s call came through.

His voice was brimming with excitement: “Brother Lei, the data is cracked! The D in D12 stands for the World Trade Center. Twelve is the storage locker number, and 3769 is the unlocking code.”

I frowned. “How can you be so sure it’s the World Trade Center? Are you certain there’s no mistake?”

“How could there be? There are very few geographical names in An'yin City starting with the letter D—only twenty-one. Among those twenty-one, three are commercial addresses. Of those three, only two have customer storage lockers, and only the World Trade Center uses box numbers starting with a ‘1’ and requires a code to open.”

Hearing his thorough explanation, I knew he was correct. Gao Jianning then added, “It was ridiculously simple. If I hadn’t overcomplicated things before, I would have cracked it ages ago.”

“You always complicate the simple.”

Gao Jianning paused, then asked, “What do you mean?”

“Swift victory. Understand?”

“Not quite.”

“Then figure it out yourself. I don't have time for small talk.”

“Oh, you definitely have time, hehe.” The sound of Gao Jianning’s laugh on the other end was sickeningly syrupy.

The guy had essentially reverted to his old self. He and Feng Siyan were at the final stage; just one simple date would complete that long process of knowing each other, allowing them to step onto the wide avenue of love. Consequently, his old, unpleasant demeanor was beginning to resurface.

It seemed I’d have to resort to a bit of verbal force. “Hold on, what do you mean by that? Spit it out, or I’ll be back at the office dealing with you immediately!”

“Sorry, I’m currently out.”

Out? What kind of stunt was this brat pulling?

Suddenly, it hit me: he must be on his way to the World Trade Center. This annoying scamp dared to act on his own initiative—he was clearly tired of living. If I didn't exert some control, he would likely become arrogant and overbearing again, just like before.

However, I wasn't worried. I had already changed one digit of the code. When he discovered he couldn’t open it but wouldn't know if the location was wrong or the code was wrong, he would naturally call me. Then, I could take my time giving him a thorough dressing-down.

I left my apartment, planning to stop by the precinct first. Otherwise, that stiff-necked stick-in-the-mud Zhang Jiewei would have something to criticize me for. I preferred to avoid confrontation when possible. Besides, the police station was on the way from my place to the World Trade Center, so it was just a quick stop.

When I reached the office, Gao Jianning was indeed absent. The kid was fast, but no matter how fast he ran, he’d have to return to this den eventually. I wasn't going to be powerless against him.

I was about to drive straight to the World Trade Center when Elder Jiang suddenly appeared, demanding an update on the case progress. It seemed he was locked in a contest with Fu Zhen, determined to solve the case before them. If I failed to deliver, the consequences would be severe.

Elder Jiang hadn't been idle either. He had done considerable groundwork; for instance, regarding the black metallic object found at the arson scene in the archives, he had managed to invite a top expert for analysis. This expert was an appraisal specialist from Beijing who happened to be in town for a conference, and Elder Jiang had badgered him relentlessly to come over. New results should be forthcoming soon.

I also voiced my suspicions about Wang Xuyang, which Elder Jiang agreed to. He ordered a covert surveillance operation on Wang Xuyang and told me to stay clear of that matter, saying he would arrange separate personnel. This confirmed my belief that Elder Jiang definitely commanded a secret contingent—the people who were supposed to be stationed at the Special Investigations Office.

Finally, Elder Jiang slammed the door and left. I stretched languidly and rushed out of the precinct, driving toward the World Trade Center.

Less than a kilometer into the drive, my eyebrows suddenly twitched. A long time has passed since Gao Jianning left for the center, but why hasn't he called? Did he crack the password too?

No, something feels off. If Gao Jianning had found the wrong password and then cracked a new one, he would have told me instantly just to show off how smart he is. But he hasn't...

My heart leaped into my throat. I frantically pulled out my phone and called him. The line rang and rang, but no one picked up.

Panic set in. I immediately called the precinct, and Feng Siyan answered. She informed me that Gao Jianning had left the office over two hours ago—enough time for a round trip.

I hung up dazedly, an inexplicable wave of anxiety washing over me.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Gao Jianning. A jolt of surprise, relief, and annoyance hit me simultaneously. This miserable idiot made me worry for nothing! I snatched the phone and launched into a torrent of curses: “Are you trying to get yourself killed, kid? Why didn’t you answer your phone earlier?”

Then, a strange voice cut in from the other end: “Who are you to him?”

A strange voice, yet a familiar resonance. A bad premonition suddenly crystallized into something tangible.

My voice trembled slightly. “I’m his cousin. I work at the municipal bureau. Where is he now, please?”

“I see. Then I’ll be direct. He was in a traffic accident and is deceased. His body is at the People’s Hospital. Please notify his family to come and make arrangements...”

The traffic officer’s voice drilled into my ear like an ancient spell, locking me in place, stripping me of the strength to struggle.

Suddenly, I slapped myself hard, trying to shake myself awake from the nightmare. But the intense pain only clarified that this was no dream.

No, this can’t be happening. It must be Gao Jianning playing some sick joke!

I roared into the phone, “Gao Jianning, stop messing around with me! Show your damn face now!”

“Comrade, please calm down. Hurry and notify his next of kin to come to the People’s Hospital.”

I felt as if I’d been struck by a heavy blow and nearly collapsed. Steadying myself, I asked, “Are you certain the phone belonged to the deceased?”

“Yes. I was about to contact his family, and when I checked his phone, I saw a missed call, so I dialed back first...”

A massive, irresistible tide of grief rushed over me, drowning me instantly, sinking me to the bottom before a single wave could break the surface.

I couldn't bring myself to call his aunt immediately. Gao Jianning was her only son. I truly didn't know how I could face her sorrow. I decided to go to the People’s Hospital first, to see the body with my own eyes before making any decision.

En route to the hospital, I called Elder Jiang. Upon hearing the news, he became frantic, ordering me to confirm the situation at the hospital immediately.

I arrived at the People’s Hospital, ascertained the location of the morgue, and headed straight there. Outside the morgue, I met the traffic officer from the phone call. After confirming my identity, he sighed heavily. “Go in and see for yourself. It’s terrible; brace yourself. The driver who caused the accident has been detained, so you can focus on the arrangements now.”

I didn't dare ask more questions. I pushed open the morgue door. A wave of cold air washed over me, making my already chilled limbs numb, accompanied by a slight tingling sensation.

The dense smell of blood made me dizzy. I almost couldn't bear to look, but I forced myself to the examination table. When I looked down, my chest constricted, and I nearly fainted on the spot.

There, on the table, lay a fresh corpse—severed cleanly in half at the waist, connected by only a thin strip of flesh. Glistening white intestines spilled out, along with various unidentifiable colored masses.

The face was smeared with blood and grime as the doctor worked to clean it, but I recognized him instantly: it was my cousin—Gao Jianning!

I stumbled forward, collapsing against the table, tears silently streaming down my face...

Two decades of time flashed through my mind in that instant, yet everything was perfectly clear. It was all like an illusion, fading quickly; the flower of life must eventually return to darkness. But why so suddenly? Why so unbearably?

I sank into overwhelming self-recrimination. If I hadn't made him decipher those two sets of data, he wouldn't have ended up like this. I caused his death. I caused it!

My mind descended into chaos. Xiao Xuan died because of me; Xiao Cuo died because of me; now Gao Jianning was dead because of me too. These successive, ruthless blows shattered my capacity to endure. I collapsed there, inert, devoid of expression or sound, like a dead man, yet my weak heart was undergoing unprecedented torture and devastation.

Why didn’t I die instead? I am the one who deserves to die!

Suddenly, I shrieked, sounding like a complete madman.

Just then, the door was violently kicked open. A figure rushed in, stopped abruptly before the examination table, and then softly crumpled to the floor.

In my frenzy, I saw that the person collapsed was Feng Siyan. But I didn't go to comfort her, because someone like me was unworthy of comforting anyone. They all died because of me; I ruined everyone!

Gao Jianning was finally laid to rest, but the atmosphere at the Special Investigations Office became heavy, almost sorrowful. Those left alive had lost their dearest loved ones and best friends. We watched them depart, powerless to intervene.

The powerless have no recourse but sorrow.

I couldn't see the point in staying here anymore; I had already decided to resign. I had even drafted the report; as soon as Xiao Cuo's case was cracked, I would submit it immediately.

As for what I would do after resigning, I had no plan. I just needed to leave this place, this site of grief. I was like an injured child desperately needing a sanctuary to heal. Perhaps I would return after the wounds closed, or perhaps I would vanish from sight forever. But none of that mattered to me now; I had already lost what was most important. What else was there to care about?

I dared not look at Feng Siyan. Though she never showed anything on her face, I could feel her hatred for me.

Not just her—everyone in the office hated me, because I was truly a person deserving of hatred.

After several days of dejection, I resolved to go to the World Trade Center and open that locker to see what was inside.

Even though Gao Jianning's death felt like an accident, I had encountered too many accidents lately, most of which ultimately turned out to be murders. I hoped this wasn't the case, but I had to confirm it myself. I needed to see what was in that box—to see if it was worth a human life!

The World Trade Center was a large mall in An'yin City, equipped with relatively modern facilities. Its storage lockers operated on a code system and could be rented long-term.

Locker number 12 was tucked away at the very back of the first row. I stood silently before it, extended my fingers, and pressed 3749. With a crisp click, the door popped open. I slowly pulled the door wide; a small wooden box rested inside, resembling a miniature coffin.

For some reason, my fingers trembled, as if it truly were a coffin holding a rotten, hideous corpse that would jump out and bite me the moment I opened it.

I gritted my teeth, reached in, and took the wooden box. I tucked it into my pocket and hurried away. Once I reached a crowded area outside, I took the box out and flipped open the lid.

There was no corpse inside, only a small, silver-gray USB drive.

Looking at the drive, I mused: What secrets did Qi Wan record here? Was it a long confession, or perhaps accounts of strange occurrences I had never heard of, linked to someone specific?

She had gone to great lengths to hide the card among the leaves of the jacaranda tree—it must have been a monumental secret. But if the secret was so important, why didn't she memorize the code herself, instead of hiding it on a card?

Did she know she was going to die? Did she know I would go to the flower shop and discover them?

Everything remained unknown, but I would know in just over an hour. I returned to my car, activated the police lights, and sped off.

The entire drive, I felt intensely nervous yet excited. I didn't know what I was about to see, but I was certain that whatever a woman who died so bizarrely left behind would be unforgettable.

Finally, I parked the car in my residential complex’s designated spot and rushed upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time. My eagerness to know what was on the USB drive was so great that I didn't have time to wait for the elevator.

I burst onto my floor, flung the door open, and plugged the USB drive into the computer...

Opening the drive revealed only one folder. Inside the folder were six video files, numbered sequentially in Arabic numerals, and another folder.

I clicked on video number 1. The screen opened, but it was pitch black—I couldn't see anything.

I frowned. Was this all Qi Wan left behind?

I hit fast-forward, and shortly a spot of light flashed. I stopped immediately. It was a circle of light—a flashlight beam.

A person was walking forward in the darkness, the beam of the flashlight swaying constantly, making it impossible to discern anything on the roadside. After about ten minutes, the beam stopped moving. The person raised the flashlight upward, illuminating an object in front of them.

My scalp prickled. It was a grave.

What was this person doing at a grave in the middle of the night? Was it someone Qi Wan knew?

Suddenly, the flashlight clicked off, and the screen returned to darkness. But then, the sound of a shovel digging into dirt echoed through the air.

What was this guy doing? Was he desecrating a tomb?

After some time, the flashlight illuminated the scene again. The grave had been dug out from the rear, revealing a rotted coffin.

The person struck the coffin hard twice with the shovel. The already decayed wood crumbled significantly, exposing the stark white bones within.

This bastard! Actually doing such a vile thing! I prayed I wouldn't see his face, or I would certainly drag him out.

Still, I was puzzled. Why would Qi Wan record this? Was this perhaps her ancestral grave?

The person carefully lifted the bones out, one by one, placing them into a plastic bag. Then, he hastily covered the disturbed earth and returned the way he came.

The footage cut abruptly, switching to another scene: A person stood before an electric grinding machine—the kind used in rural areas to mill corn. The light was dim, but I could see clearly enough, although the person was facing away from me, so I couldn't see his face.

The person crouched down. A pile of scattered bones lay on the ground; it was the grave robber from before!

What on earth was this guy planning?

Just as I was falling into suspicious speculation, the person turned toward me, and I froze in shock!

This can't be. How could I be doing this?

No, no, it must be a hallucination. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. The 'me' in the video was staring right at me.

In that moment, my mind went blank, utterly bewildered by this incredibly bizarre event.

But the person on screen was me, unmistakably. I couldn't possibly not recognize myself!

The video cut off again, switching to the next scene. My heart constricted sharply, and a terrifying question struck me: Why would 'I' dig up bones and grind them into powder?

My fear materialized:

Another man appeared in a room, slumped lifelessly, his mouth gagged with cloth, his hands and feet bound. Beside him lay a basin and a small meat grinder.

Then, 'I' suddenly appeared, holding a sharp knife. 'I' stepped forward and drew a circle around the man’s throat. Blood poured out like water, flowing into the basin...

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to watch that scene further, because I recognized the man: he was Ji Chenglin, the victim from Wangli Lane on Changqing Road!