They had set off from Feng City early that morning. After arriving in Dongye City, they first had a nonsensical argument, after which Ling Lie went to the Bi residence alone to search for clues. Ji Chenjiao sulked on the way to and from the airport before talking himself out of it. Next, he went to the municipal bureau to see an old acquaintance. Back in the car, the wildcat declared his sovereignty over the human. The day had been eventful and splendid. The only flaw was that just after Ling Lie finished kissing him, his stomach started to growl.

They hadn’t eaten for the better part of the day.

Before Ji Chenjiao could speak, Ling Lie cut in, “That was your stomach.”

Hearing this blatant excuse, Ji Chenjiao didn’t get angry at all. In fact, a smile hung on his lips. He was in a good mood now and wouldn’t bicker with the little blame-shifter.

Both had been to Dongye City more than once, and they quickly found a reputable restaurant known for its cold rabbit dish. During the meal, Ling Lie ate with great gusto. Ji Chenjiao took a moment to think about what they should do later. After all, they had kissed, breaking through that final barrier. From now on, the relationship between him and Ling Lie would no longer be that of ordinary colleagues.

But when Ling Lie had finished the last of his dessert, Ji Chenjiao asked with feigned indifference, “What should we do later?”

Ling Lie said, “Oh, I want to go back to the hotel.”

Ji Chenjiao’s eyebrows rose slightly. So soon?

He saw Ling Lie’s sincere eyes look over. “I want to discuss with you…”

The mysteries of life?

Ling Lie: “The clues in Bi Jiang’s case.”

Ji Chenjiao: “…” He had been too presumptuous.

Ji Chenjiao cleared his throat and took a tactical sip of water, only to find his cup of herbal tea was already empty. He had to resort to a tactical cough instead.

That made two coughs in a row.

Ling Lie observed him and passed over his own half-full glass. “Captain Ji, what were you just thinking about?”

Still calling me Captain Ji after we’ve kissed? Ji Chenjiao was a little dissatisfied. He drank Ling Lie’s tea. “Hmm? I wasn’t thinking about anything. Discuss the case? We should. That’s what we came here for.”

Ling Lie said, “You were thinking about discussing the mysteries of life.”

Ji Chenjiao was thankful he had swallowed the tea before Ling Lie spoke, or he would have sprayed it everywhere.

Composing himself, Ji Chenjiao said disingenuously, “No, I wasn’t. I also want to discuss the case.”

Before paying, Ling Lie also ordered a large portion of beef skewers to go, which he carried in a swinging bag. They had arrived early, avoiding the evening rush. Now, a brilliant sunset painted the sky outside the restaurant, and the benches were already filled with waiting customers.

The hotel they had booked was just across the street. The two of them were hit by the scorching evening breeze and had intended to take a slow stroll over, but halfway there, the heat made them both scurry as if on hot coals, and they zipped into the hotel lobby.

While Ji Chenjiao was checking in at the front desk, Ling Lie wandered around and suddenly saw a “familiar face” on an advertising screen—his mother in name, Yu Qin.

Ling Lie stopped, hands in his pockets, his face slightly upturned. The light from the screen reflected in his eyes, like something falling into a deep pool, quickly absorbed. In this unnoticed corner, his expression gradually turned serious.

Ji Chenjiao had booked the hotel. Seeing Yu Qin, Ling Lie realized this was a business hotel under the Yu Group. No wonder it was playing an advertisement for its own leader.

Looking at the impressive and heroic-looking Yu Qin, Ling Lie couldn’t help but fall into a haze of memories.

Yu Qin was a woman with sharp features. Even when she was young, there was little softness about her. She wasn’t a conventionally beautiful woman, but from past to present, her style had always suited her perfectly. It was no wonder she was praised by the business world as a woman of great charisma.

When Ling Lie was a child, he arrived at the Lily of the Valley Welfare Home alone. Half a year later, he was personally brought to the Yu family by Yu Qianming. Yu Qianming said to Yu Qin, who had been grieving for years over her lost young son, “This is Yu Ge.”

Yu Ge, Yu Qin’s biological son whom she had brought back from L Country, had mysteriously disappeared.

Ling Lie knew he wasn’t some Yu Ge. The two adults before him also seemed to know he was just an imitation, but Yu Qin still walked over, knelt down, and held him tightly, her voice trembling, “Xiao Ge, you’re finally back.”

For many years after, in a corner of the vast Yu family, an absurd drama continued to play out. He and Yu Qin knew they weren’t family, yet they tacitly played the roles of a loving mother and a filial son. As a young boy, he didn’t understand why Yu Qin didn’t expose Yu Qianming’s lie. To this day, he had never deeply pondered the reason.

Because he wasn’t interested.

As for mother-son affection, it seemed to be a show for outsiders. He and Yu Qin rarely even saw each other. The Yu family had been in business for decades and was a veritable commercial titan. This generation was helmed by Yu Qianming, but Yu Qin’s power had been rising steadily over the years.

When he was little, he didn’t know what Yu Qin was busy with. Thinking back now, wasn’t it just a power struggle?

Rumor had it that Yu Qianming was critically ill, and the Yu family’s power structure was about to be reshuffled. If Yu Qianming died, the one to take over would likely be the currently prominent Yu Qin. But this was surely not the outcome Yu Qianming wanted to see. Familial affection was weak in large families. Ling Lie couldn’t remember Yu Qianming doing anything to care for Yu Qin, other than finding him, the fake Yu Ge, for her.

But Yu Qianming did often show concern for him. As a child with weak reasoning skills, he had foolishly wondered if he might be Yu Qianming’s son.

After he became an adult, the incident with Wei Liang happened, and the special operations team extended an olive branch to him. He had long grown tired of living under a stranger’s name and used this opportunity to formally break away from the Yu family.

The fake Yu Ge left, and surprisingly, Yu Qin didn’t ask any questions, as if a shackle had finally been removed. It was Yu Qianming who strongly disapproved, but his mind was set, and Yu Qianming was unwilling to get involved with the police.

Over the years, he had avoided contact with the Yu family and had never returned to that maze-like, deserted old mansion. He occasionally saw news about the Yu Group on TV but had no strong feelings.

But now, studying Yu Qin, he traced her features and expression in his mind and suddenly felt she was so unfamiliar, as if they had never played the part of mother and son.

Of course, he knew where this abnormal sense of focus came from. It was because of the “Miss Alice” that Bi Xuelan had mentioned.

When he was a child, in the third-floor corridor of Yu Qin’s villa in the old mansion, there hung a portrait. The girl in the painting was sweet and innocent, wearing a white princess dress. Though only fifteen or sixteen, she had curled her hair like an adult and wore a diamond tiara askew in her hair. She sat on a European-style swing, the wind lifting her hair and skirt. She looked like the happiest princess in the world.

That was the young Yu Qin. Below the oil painting was the title: Princess Alice.

Yu Qin was Miss Alice.

Ji Chenjiao walked over with the room cards. The ad screen was now showing the Yu Group’s investment achievements abroad. Seeing Ling Lie staring motionlessly at the screen as if his soul had been sucked away, Ji Chenjiao frowned and nudged him. “Snap out of it.”

Ling Lie did indeed snap back to reality.

The two entered the elevator, which was also playing a segment on the Yu Group’s overseas business. Ling Lie watched with great interest and was about to take out his beef skewers to eat.

Ji Chenjiao slapped his hand away, feeling something was off.

On Fengchao Island, the two had shared a king-sized bed. This time, he had booked a standard room. As soon as they entered, Ling Lie started eating again, as if he hadn’t had enough just now. Ji Chenjiao adjusted the air conditioner and went to shower first. When he came out, he saw Ling Lie watching TV. It was more news about the Yu family.

Ji Chenjiao suspected Ling Lie might be feeling nostalgic, but the way Ling Lie had spoken about the Yu family last time didn’t seem like he had any affection for them.

Ji Chenjiao took a few skewers and tried them. They tasted only of seasoning, and the beef was probably fake. He was about to tell Ling Lie to stop eating when Ling Lie let out a burp. “It won’t kill me, it won’t kill me.”

Ji Chenjiao watched TV with him. Weren’t they supposed to be discussing life’s… no, the case? “Alright, let’s start. What did the Bi family say today?”

Ling Lie quickly turned to Ji Chenjiao. The TV was still analyzing the Yu Group’s overseas expansion strategy.

Ling Lie rummaged through his bag, took out the notebook he shared with Ji Chenjiao, and quickly sketched out a timeline. “Bi Jiang was seventeen when he went to L Country. He went to a small town called Zha’an. He worked in road construction, building houses, and mining. The local security situation was terrible, with frequent gang wars. The rich, however, lived a life of debauchery and needed a lot of security guards. With some training, anyone could become a guard. Bi Jiang’s side job was being a security guard.”

Ling Lie continued to write and draw in the notebook. “Bi Jiang stayed in L Country for four years and was twenty-one when he returned. He repeatedly mentioned a woman to his sister, Bi Xuelan—Miss Alice. It seems they met at a party for the rich. Or perhaps they never really met; maybe Bi Jiang, as a security guard, just fell in love with Miss Alice at first sight.”

Ling Lie looked up at Ji Chenjiao. “The Yu family has a portrait of the young Yu Qin. The painting’s title is Princess Alice.”

Ji Chenjiao’s expression immediately turned serious. “Bi Jiang knew Yu Qin?”

“Didn’t we discuss this in Feng’an County? It was illogical for Yu Qin to be sent to study in L Country in her early teens. L Country was unstable, not a good place for advanced studies, and she was so young at the time,” Ling Lie said. “Did she go voluntarily? Whether she did or not, the motive of the person who sent her was very impure.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Considering it from the angle of a wealthy family’s internal strife, someone wanted her to perish there?”

Ling Lie: “The Yu family has many side branches, but the only ones who could legitimately inherit the family business were Yu Qianming—the one who took me from the welfare home—and Yu Qin.”

Ji Chenjiao thought for a moment. “Yu Qianming wanted to get rid of his own sister? Wait, how old was Yu Qin when Bi Jiang met Miss Alice?”

“Bi Xuelan said Bi Jiang started mentioning Miss Alice a year after he arrived in L Country. He was eighteen then. I calculated it; Yu Qin should have been seventeen. Bi Jiang returned to the country at twenty-one, still obsessed with Miss Alice. In the same year, a nineteen-year-old Yu Qin gave birth to a son. Three years later, when Yu Qin returned to the country, she was twenty-two. The year she turned twenty-four, her son, Yu Ge, was lost. A little over two years after that, I became the fake Yu Ge.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Then who is Yu Ge’s biological father?”

Ling Lie shook his head. “I’ve never heard anyone in the Yu family mention it.”

After a moment of silence, Ling Lie added, “I just checked the history of the Yu Group’s overseas business development. They went to L Country thirty-five years ago.”

Ji Chenjiao was slightly surprised. “A place like that…”

“Yes, war-torn and unstable. But it’s also convenient for war profiteering,” Ling Lie said. “On the surface, they built mansions for the rich and repaired highways. Behind the scenes, I estimate they did a lot of arms dealing. In that case, sending Yu Qin to ‘supervise’ would make sense. She was a symbol representing the Yu family. The Yu Group’s permanent base was also in Zha’an Town. Yu Qin must have frequently interacted with the local upper class. At one of these banquets, she met Bi Jiang, who was working as a security guard to earn money.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Bi Jiang could be the father of Yu Qin’s child.”

Ling Lie: “But according to his family’s recollection, the way he mentioned Yu Qin didn’t sound like they had ever been close. Yu Qin was like an unattainable goddess to him.”

“What about rape? The timing of Yu Qin giving birth doesn’t conflict with Bi Jiang’s return,” Ji Chenjiao said. “That gives a motive for why Bi Jiang had to die.”

Ling Lie paced as if digesting his food. “I don’t think so. Yu Qin seemed to love the lost child very much. And the entire Yu family didn’t try to hide the child’s existence. The official reason Yu Qianming brought me, the fake Yu Ge, back was to make Yu Qin believe the real Yu Ge had returned. Of course, Yu Qin was smart. She didn’t believe it, but she pretended to.”

Ji Chenjiao said, “I remember you mentioned last time that you had a kinship test done?”

“We did, but Yu Qianming had it done in a foreign country. All he brought back was a paper report, which could have been easily forged.” At that time, DNA technology was not widespread in the country, not even widely used in criminal investigations, let alone by civilians. Ling Lie added, “A smart person like Yu Qin didn’t raise any questions about the report and just accepted it.”

They were both quiet for a while. Ji Chenjiao said, “Whether Yu Ge was Bi Jiang’s son or not, Bi Jiang’s death could still be related to Yu Qin and the Yu family. The Yu family was involved in some shady dealings in L Country, and Bi Jiang happened to know about it? This fits our previous theory. And now there’s the missing police officer from Feng City, Yin Hanshan. His disappearance might also be related to Bi Jiang’s case.”

Ling Lie lay down, his hands behind his head. “I want to go see Yu Qin.”

Ji Chenjiao raised an eyebrow. “When?”

Ling Lie: “As soon as I wake up.”

---

Xiayu County, Xiarong City.

The Rongmei Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center had expanded with a new campus last year and began admitting patients with psychological and mental illnesses at the beginning of this year. Due to the center’s excellent reputation, this service quickly took off.

Jiang Yunduo, twenty years old, got out of a spacious minivan, immediately drawing the attention of those around her. She quickly lowered her head, pulling her baseball cap down low.

People stared at her because she was very tall. A girl of one meter ninety, completely covered up on a hot day, was naturally conspicuous.

A middle-aged woman also got out of the car, took her hand, and led her towards the south campus.

Since the new campus was built, the rehabilitation center was divided into a north and south campus. The south campus was the old one, for patients needing regular rehabilitation. The north campus dealt with psychological therapy.

Jiang Yunduo was a volleyball player who had entered the provincial team early. She was outstanding and hardworking, but three months ago, she tore a ligament during a match. After surgery and painful rehab, although she could take care of herself, returning to the court was a distant prospect.

She had started playing volleyball at a young age. If she couldn’t play anymore, it would be a devastating blow.

Her coach, who treated her like a daughter, was also very anxious. Having heard that the Rongmei Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center was the best in the city and even the province, she had insisted on bringing Jiang Yunduo to try.

There were many people in the outpatient building, but unlike a typical hospital, the environment here was more comfortable and spacious, ensuring everyone had a seat.

Jiang Yunduo was depressed because of her injury and kept her head down, not speaking. Her coach, however, started chatting with the person next to her.

“We also heard this place was good and came from far away! Don’t look down on it just because it’s not public. Do public hospitals have service this good?”

The coach didn’t know who was behind the rehabilitation center and asked, “So who built it?”

“Hah! You don’t know? The Yu Group!”

“The Yu Group? The one in real estate?”

“Yes, yes! I heard they don’t even make money from this rehab center. It’s meant to be for public welfare, to share the country’s burden in medical rehabilitation. These big corporations really have a sense of responsibility!”

The coach deeply agreed, and several others joined the discussion.

“But why build it in a county town? Wouldn’t it be more convenient in the city?”

“The land in the city is expensive! Every inch is gold. For the same money, it’s much more spacious here!”

“It’s not just about the money. Did you know? This place used to be a general market, selling everything. Then, for some reason, it burned down, and many people died. It was unlucky. They had someone do a feng shui reading, and they said a building needed to be built to suppress it. Who would want to build something like that? It had to be the Yu Group, with their deep pockets. They’re not afraid of anything!”

When it came to feng shui, everyone became more interested. But Jiang Yunduo found it dull. She knew about the Yu Group and had seen the news on TV about Chairman Yu being bedridden. If this was their own rehabilitation center, and the best in the province, why didn’t Chairman Yu come here for his own recovery?

Soon, it was Jiang Yunduo’s turn. After a consultation, the doctor wrote a prescription and told them to go to the north campus to be admitted for dual physical and psychological treatment.

The coach was older and had a prejudice against mental illnesses. She was unwilling to go. “Our Yunduo doesn’t have a mental illness!”

The doctor explained that Jiang Yunduo was traumatized by her injury, and part of the reason she couldn’t get back on the court was psychological. Treating both together would be more conducive to her recovery.

Jiang Yunduo and her coach went to the north campus and completed the admission process. She was in a three-person ward, her bed near the door.

During the day, there was nothing unusual about the building. At night, Jiang Yunduo had trouble sleeping in a new bed. Still awake in the early hours of the morning, she got up quietly, wanting to take a walk outside.

The corridor was lit by emergency lights. There wasn’t a single person. The greenish glow made Jiang Yunduo uncomfortable. She quickened her pace, wanting to get to the nurse’s station faster.

But the corridor, which wasn’t supposed to be long, suddenly seemed to have no end. The ghastly green light spread out before her. The more she walked, the farther away the end of the corridor seemed.

Suddenly, she saw a white shadow float past the end of the corridor, where it connected to the nurse’s station. She was so scared she stopped in her tracks, not daring to go any further.

Just then, a breath came from the back of her neck. Something was blowing on her!

She was frozen like a stone, completely unable to turn around, unable to even scream. Only when she felt the presence behind her disappear did she turn around with extreme slowness.

There was nothing behind her.

She hurried back to her room and buried herself under the covers. Her heart pounded violently in her ears. It took a long time for it to calm down.

She felt suffocated and pulled the blanket off her head. At that moment, her pupils contracted abruptly.

Because right in front of her, very close, a ghastly white face was hovering.

---

The Yu Group’s old headquarters and mansion were in Cangyuan City. To expand their business in the south, they had long since spent a huge sum to build a new headquarters in Dongye City. With Yu Qianming critically ill for the past year and his faction crumbling, it was Yu Qin who mostly presided over the new headquarters.

It wasn’t easy to meet the second-in-command of a major corporation. Moreover, Ling Lie had left the Yu family for ten years and even changed his name. He couldn’t just flash his face to get past the assistants and secretaries.

The next morning, Ji Chenjiao went to the municipal bureau again. Ling Lie, trying to avoid Ming Shu, lurked outside sneakily, wearing sunglasses. Ji Chenjiao explained to Xiao Yu’an that the case they were investigating might be connected to the Yu Group. Xiao Yu’an frowned. Cases involving large corporations were always tricky for local police. But Xiao Yu’an quickly issued a document for assistance in the investigation. “If you encounter any difficulties you can’t resolve, you can come to me.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Thank you, Director Xiao.”

At 10:30 AM, Yu Qin arrived at the headquarters building in a black business suit, her face stern, her stride like the wind. Her secretary hurried over. “President Qin, two police officers said they’d like to see you.”

Yu Qin stopped. “Police?”

The secretary quickly handed a tablet to Yu Qin. It was playing a live feed from the VIP lounge. Two young men appeared on the screen. One was sitting upright, the other was curiously walking around, looking at things.

When she saw the young man with his hair tied back, Yu Qin’s brow suddenly furrowed.

The secretary said awkwardly, “They’re police from out of town, but they have a document from the municipal bureau. President Qin, it seems it wouldn’t be good not to see them.”

Yu Qin said, “Bring them to my office.”

The secretary hurried to do as she was told.

Yu Qin’s office had excellent lighting. It was spacious and tidy, and because it was sparsely furnished, it had an air of grandeur and style.

The rising elevator carried Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie. Yu Qin stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city below, her eyes somewhat sinister.

But when a knock came at the door, she put on a different face. Affection and gentleness appeared in her eyes. She put on her glasses. “Come in.”

The secretary showed the two in and left. Only Ling Lie, Ji Chenjiao, and Yu Qin remained in the office.

Yu Qin walked over, the sound of her high heels swallowed by the carpet. She extended a hand to Ling Lie, polite yet distant. “Xiao Ge, it’s been a long time.”

Ji Chenjiao glanced at Ling Lie. The lines of Ling Lie’s jaw twitched almost imperceptibly. He seemed a little uncomfortable. The woman in front of him had, after all, once played the role of his mother. Reuniting after ten years, even though he had been through a lot, it was hard to be completely indifferent.

Ji Chenjiao was glad he was there with Ling Lie.

After a brief daze, Ling Lie quickly returned to normal and shook Yu Qin’s hand. “President Qin, good morning.”

Yu Qin smiled gently. “Who did you learn that title from?”

Ling Lie: “I saw it on the news.”

Yu Qin nodded, her gaze shifting to Ji Chenjiao. “And this is…”

Ling Lie: “My colleague, Xiao Ji.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

Yu Qin was a busy woman. The pleasantries were brief, and it seemed there wasn’t much to catch up on with Ling Lie. After sitting down, she got straight to the point. “What case involves me or the Group?”

Ling Lie said, “It’s not that serious. We just wanted to take up some of your time to talk about what happened when you were in L Country.”

Surprise flickered in Yu Qin’s eyes. “L Country? That was when I was…”

Ling Lie: “When you were in your late teens and early twenties.”

Yu Qin was puzzled. “What do you want to know?”