Chapter 14

Wan Xiaoyu texted, “There’s ginger soup on the stove. Have a bowl before bed.”

“Why are you still awake?”

Wan Xiaoyu replied, “Woke up. Heard from colleagues that Li Lan’s body was brought back to the institute.”

Nie Fanxin stared at the screen, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. “Mm. We’ll need a death certificate from you.”

Wan Xiaoyu replied, “Okay. Drink the soup first, then shower and sleep.”

“Good night.” She sent a hug emoji.

Nie Fanxin entered the kitchen. A small lamp glowed over the counter. She lifted the lid of the soup pot. In the dim light, the ginger-colored surface gleamed with three red dates floating on top, warm steam curling upward. She ladled out a bowl and cupped it in her hands, the warmth seeping soothingly into her. Normally she disliked overly hot soup, but now, not minding that it scalded her mouth, she drank it down in a few gulps.

It feels so good to have a sister by my side, she thought, and again her mind drifted to Li Lan and Li Juan. Li Lan had been wrong. Her methods were too extreme. But as she’d written in the letter left in the car: “Without justice, without hope, ten years ago I was a lonely soul lost in the water. Ten years later, I return to where I belong. At least there, my parents are with me.”

January 1, 2050, New Year’s Day. At 7:20 a.m., the alarm clock on the nightstand shook and chimed. A hand reluctantly emerged from the covers to shut it off. There was still work to finish, and rest would have to wait. Nie Fanxin repeated this to herself three times, then opened her eyes and got out of bed.

After washing up and heading downstairs, she found only Nie Zhiyan, Zhao Guoying, and Wan Yi at the dining table.

“Where’s Old Wan?”

Nie Zhiyan set a glass of milk in front of Nie Fanxin. “She didn’t sleep well last night. Wanted to sleep a bit more.”

Zhao Guoying’s lips held a knowing smile. “You spoil her too much. From youth to old age. She’ll be sixty soon and still acts like a child at home.”

Nie Zhiyan’s serene profile showed a soft smile. “Mom, as long as Tongtong is happy, I’m happy.”

“Come, let’s share some sweets.” Nie Fanxin nudged Wan Yi’s shoulder.

“Mm, sweet.” Wan Yi’s brows relaxed, her smile warm.

Lu Zhenglin’s death had drawn sustained media attention. At 9:20 a.m., after a strategy meeting, the police issued a public notice.

“On December 27, 2049, the command center of Bajiao Street Police Station in Nanyun District, Binnan City received a call from sanitation worker Mr. Zhang reporting the discovery of a male body during his shift. After receiving the report, the Nanyun District Public Security Sub-bureau and Bajiao Street Police Station immediately launched an investigation and identified the deceased as Mr. Lu. Municipal and district authorities have prioritized the case, deploying over one hundred officers. Mr. Hu and Ms. Li have been identified as primary suspects. The suspects are currently under criminal detention, and the case is under further investigation.”

At 9:25 a.m., a second notice went out.

“In the course of the investigation into Mr. Lu’s murder, multiple students, both named and anonymous, have alleged sexual harassment by Lu Zhenglin. The Nanyun District Public Security Sub-bureau has contacted the victims and confirmed the allegations. As of now, three students have filed civil claims for compensation against the deceased, Lu Zhenglin.”

At 9:30 a.m., a third notice followed.

“During the murder investigation, authorities uncovered details surrounding the June 6, 2039 suicide of an Aolin Middle School senior, Ms. Li, and its connection to her classmates Mr. Lu, Mr. Wang, and Mr. Hu. The case remains under further investigation.”

Justice had arrived, but too late.

Nie Fanxin had located Li Lan’s rented room: a 32-square-meter studio apartment. The landlord gave them the key. At 9:50 a.m., she and Chen Anyou entered lawfully to search for evidence.

The room was immaculate, with few belongings. The furniture belonged to the landlord, and Li Lan had added nothing. On the desk by the window sat a computer. Nie Fanxin powered it up. No password.

The browser history was entirely case-related: maximum sauna temperatures, human tolerance to heat, fast-acting sedatives…

“Sister Xin, triazolam.” Chen Anyou pulled half a bottle of liquid from under the bed.

Nie Fanxin opened a document on the desktop. “I’m reading this.”

It was Li Lan’s diary.

“June 8, 2039. Grandma went to the school to reclaim my sister’s body, only to be told they’d already cremated it out of concern for her health and mobility. What were they trying to hide?”

“June 9, 2039. Grandma went back to the school to demand answers. Nothing. She tried the media. Nothing.”

“June 10, 2039. Posted on Weibo. The heat kept getting suppressed. Nothing.”

“June 11, 2039. Accidentally logged into my sister’s QQ. The truth seems closer. Contacted a lawyer online. The lawyer said the evidence was insufficient. We don’t know what those three did to her.”

Years of silence followed. Then, on December 17, 2046, a new entry appeared.

“I thought about restoring my identity and spending my grandmother’s remaining years with her. But every time I close my eyes, my sister stands before me covered in blood. She won’t rest, and neither can I… There’s no turning back now. The moment I pushed Wang Gede off that cliff…”

…

Chen Anyou sighed, “It’s tragic. The school bears responsibility too.”

Nie Fanxin hummed softly.

Chen Anyou added, “But killing is still punishable by law. She knew that herself. That’s why…”

Nie Fanxin’s lips pressed thin. “She should have gone to the police. Staying silent or being ignored left her helpless.”

Chen Anyou said, “But insufficient evidence was a real problem. The body had already been cremated.”

“Are an eighteen-year-old’s psychological defenses strong? At that time, Bureau Chief Nie was at the helm of the municipal bureau, and there were four or five experts in criminal psychology. They couldn’t handle three kids?”

Chen Anyou nodded rapidly. “True, true.”

Nie Fanxin drew a deep breath and reached out to close Li Lan’s computer with trembling hands. “Still, she chose the wrong path.”

Leaving Li Lan’s apartment, Chen Anyou returned to the bureau to write his report. Nie Fanxin drove alone toward Lanfeng Residential Compound. At a red light, she noticed a New Year goods shop and pulled into a legal parking spot nearby, then walked over.

The shop was crowded and bustling. Nie Fanxin squeezed in and picked out two large bags of goods. On her way out, she dialed Wan Yi.

Wan Yi’s voice was soft. “Hello?”

“Are you at the institute? Let me pick you up. I need your help.”

Wan Yi’s voice stayed low: “I’m on my way to visit an elder.”

Nie Fanxin thought she was busy. “Is it urgent?”

“Yes. You know her. Li Juan and Li Lan’s grandmother.”

A pang struck Nie Fanxin’s heart, and tears nearly spilled. Is this what they call a meeting of hearts? She called out “Sister,” paused for two seconds, then said in a hoarse voice, “Where are you now?”

“About five minutes away.”

“Wait for me at the compound gate.”

Nie Fanxin wouldn’t go in with Wan Yi since the grandmother knew her face. Instead, she handed the two large bags of New Year goods to Wan Yi. “Can you manage? Are they too heavy?”

Wan Yi also had two boxes she’d brought.

Without waiting for an answer, Nie Fanxin picked up all of it and stepped forward. “I’ll carry them to the door for you.”

Wan Yi smiled softly at Nie Fanxin’s back and caught up. “Give me two of those bags.”