chapter three

"In the silence of the forest, even the smallest whispers can reveal the loudest truths."

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Zhang Wei and Zhao Ming stepped out of their black car, the forest air carrying a faint chill. Ahead of them, the search team combed through every corner, flashlights sweeping the ground, eyes sharp yet weary.

Zhang Wei approached the leading officer.

"Did you find anyone, or anything nearby?" he asked, his voice calm yet edged with authority.

The officer shook his head, frustration flickering in his eyes.

"We tried very hard, sir, but the gang is clever. They never leave a single clue behind."

Zhao Ming, restless as always, wandered a few steps away, scanning the grass. Suddenly, his sharp gaze caught the glint of metal. He bent down and picked up a cracked phone half-buried in the grass.

"Leader! I found something!"

Zhang Wei turned sharply and strode toward him. His glare was sharp enough to cut through steel.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Wear gloves before touching evidence."

Zhao Ming stuck out his tongue playfully.

"Oops, I forgot."

Suppressing his irritation, Zhang Wei slipped on a pair of black gloves before taking the phone from him. The screen was shattered, unresponsive, its body damaged. He studied it for a moment, then sighed.

"Get this fixed by tomorrow. And tell them-if they delete even a single file, I'll delete them. Got it?"

Zhao Ming straightened, saluting dramatically before tucking the phone into an evidence bag.

"Yes, Leader!" he said with a grin before hurrying off.

Left alone for a moment, Zhang Wei drew in a long breath. The forest felt suffocating, shadows pressing in from all sides. He ran a hand through his hair, the simple motion only amplifying his striking looks-effortlessly handsome even amidst the tension of a crime scene.

Zhang Wei was about to leave when a sudden scream split through the forest. He didn't flinch-his steps steady, his expression unreadable-as he walked toward the sound.

An officer was on the ground, gagging, his flashlight trembling.

The smell hit first. Thick, rotting, suffocating. Zhang Wei slipped on a black mask, his sharp eyes narrowing as he approached.

There she was. A girl's body, brutally disfigured-deep cuts carved into her flesh, her face unrecognizable, as if death itself had tried to erase her identity.

Even hardened officers struggled to look, covering their mouths as they fought back vomit. Zhang Wei crouched closer, scanning every inch, his expression unmoved. No weapons, no traces, no clues. Only silence and the stench of blood.

"Send the body to the lab," he ordered coldly, straightening. "I want every detail. If you get anything, report immediately. I'm leaving for now."

Hands shoved casually into his pockets, Zhang Wei walked away, as though the forest of death had no power over him.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Zi Xuan was on his fourth cup of milk tea, sighing for what felt like the thousandth time that night.

"Hours of running around... and not a single damn clue," he muttered.

Frustration pushed him into a grimy alley. The stench hit instantly-rot, piss, and something unholy.

"Oh my god, it smells like hell's bathroom in here," Zi Xuan gagged, covering his mouth with his sleeve. His brain screamed leave, but his gut whispered this is exactly where trash like them would hide.

So, holding his breath and silently judging his life choices, he pressed on. Thirty minutes of filth, rats, and mental breakdown later-he finally saw them.

A group of boys huddled together, faces twisted, laughter sick, like they needed therapy more than handcuffs. Zi Xuan crouched low, hiding behind a rusted barrel, ears sharp.

"Who's the next target?" one of them asked.

"I heard it's a girl. Little girl. Get ready to grab her at 5 p.m. in **** Park. Meet me at the place." The leader's voice was low, final. Then he left, while the others stayed behind, rambling nonsense and laughing like idiots.

Zi Xuan slipped out as quietly as he came, lungs begging for fresh air. He staggered out of the alley, coughing, almost vomiting. Then, despite himself, a grin spread across his face.

"Disgusting as hell... but worth it."

He gagged again dramatically, spitting on the ground.

"Ugh. I deserve three more milk teas after this."

To be continued "待續"

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