“Oh yeah!” The young man’s steps were unsteady as he walked, carrying himself with a hint of wild rebelliousness. Gu Tiancheng got out to help him fold his bicycle and secure it to the car roof.

The boy plopped into the back seat with a contented sigh. The car continued into the darkness ahead.

For a while, no one spoke. The young man typed rapidly on his phone, sending voice messages. You Mingxu heard him telling several people that he’d finally gotten a ride, with a handsome guy and beautiful girl, no less. He made no effort to be discreet despite the subjects of his messages sitting right in front of him.

After a while, he leaned forward and introduced himself: “I’m Ming Tao, a senior in college, graduating soon. That’s why I’m taking this dream trip to Tibet. I’ve been traveling for three days now.”

“You Mingxu.”

“Gu Tiancheng.”

Ming-Tao looked at them both and smiled, saying, “You aren’t a couple—you don’t interact like one.”

Surprisingly, Gu Tiancheng responded this time, asking, “How should couples… interact?”

Ming Tao answered, “More intimately, of course. When I travel with my girlfriend, she’s practically hanging off me. Very clingy. But this sister here seems to have a cooler personality. Still, it shouldn’t be like this—see how even though she’s sitting next to you, her body’s slightly angled away, maintaining distance. You two haven’t exchanged many glances either, and your conversation has been very polite, formal question-and-answer style. So you aren’t a couple. Don’t tell me you’re hookups?”

Gu Tiancheng: “…”

You Mingxu: “…”

Ming-Tao seemed to think he’d made a great joke and laughed exaggeratedly. Then he suddenly stopped, reverting to his casual demeanor.

You Mingxu thought to herself that this person liked to perform.

She said, “Looks like you’re quite observant?”

Ming Tao chuckled, “More than just observant. To be honest, I’m quite accomplished in psychology and behavioral analysis. Do you know about behavioral analysis? It’s a method used in criminal psychology—have you seen ‘Criminal Minds’? It’s about concluding people’s behavior. I’ve studied several shows and read many foreign serial killer cases. I often analyze people around me and those I meet on the road. I find it fascinating.”

You Mingxu smiled silently.

But Gu Tiancheng said coolly, “I don’t know much about that criminal psychology you mentioned. I don’t watch American shows either. But I don’t think it’s as impressive as you make it sound. You first guessed we were a couple, then guessed…” he paused: “that other relationship, with all that analysis. You just needed to notice there was only one bicycle on the roof, and from its height, knew it belonged to a woman. If we were a couple or friends who’d planned to travel together, why would we bring just one bicycle?”

Ming Tao’s eyes widened.

You Mingxu glanced at Gu Tiancheng, saying softly, “Not bad… just like Sherlock Holmes.”

Gu Tiancheng smiled faintly: “That’s an exaggeration. It’s just normal deduction.”

Ming-Tao thrust himself forward, clasping his hands: “Master, I bow to you!”

This time even Gu Tiancheng was amused, glancing at the lively, humorous young man in the rearview mirror. Ming-Tao then said to You Mingxu, “So you’re hitchhiking too—we’re companions in misfortune, let’s shake on it.” He extended his hand, but You Mingxu didn’t want to shake it. When she turned, she caught his eyes behind his bangs again, gleaming with that ambiguous smile. She gave his hand a quick pat, saying, “No need for formalities, just sit properly.”

Ming-Tao smiled, looking her up and down a few times, then leaned back, legs bouncing slightly, appearing quite content.

Ahead, there was still no sign of habitation. There were one or two small houses, but they were dark and dilapidated, apparently abandoned dwellings.

The car pressed on.

All three fell silent for a while, making the radio music particularly noticeable.

Ming-Tao suddenly said, “Why listen to this? Let’s hear some news. Have you heard about that serial killer who’s been moving along the highways, killing people one by one?”

The car fell silent for a moment.

You Mingxu’s voice was slightly tense: “What serial killer? I haven’t heard about this, what happened?”

Gu Tiancheng also said, “Haven’t heard. Tell us about it.”

Ming Tao looked somewhat pleased, saying, “You don’t know about this? Lucky you met me then. Well, the news only reported a bit, very low-key. But I know all about it—” his tone suddenly dropped, speaking slowly near their ears: “This killer murdered two people in Xiangcheng, Hunan. The police couldn’t catch them, don’t even know if they’re male or female, young or old—impressive, right? Then they fled to Tibet, killing two more along the highways. You might wonder how they know it’s the same killer.

Serial killers always have signature behaviors. The police must have connected the cases through certain consistent patterns. He targets young, beautiful girls. Like Miss You.”

You Mingxu showed no sign of fear, but Gu Tiancheng said, “Don’t scare her.”

Ming-Tao glanced at them both, muttering, “Getting intimate after all? But think about it—isn’t it thrilling? We’re traveling on this road, and that serial killer might be heading in the same direction. Maybe you’ve even passed them on the road. Hey, Miss You, are you scared?”

Now even You Mingxu found him somewhat annoying. Instead of answering, she asked, “Are you scared?”

Ming-Tao smiled faintly: “Of course not. I hope to meet the serial killers—they only kill young girls, not me. Unfortunately, I haven’t met anyone who fits the profile on this journey.”

Gu Tiancheng asked, “You know what they look like?”

Ming Tao answered, “Of course not. But I understand serial killers. If I met one, I’d recognize them. I’d analyze their behavioral evidence.”

Gu Tiancheng laughed, turning to say, “Then do I look like one?”

Ming-Tao froze, and before he could respond, You Mingxu also turned around, a faint smile on her lips: “Didn’t you say no one knows if they’re male or female? Ming-Tao, what about me—do I look like one?”

Two attractive faces looked at Ming Tao with enigmatic smiles, their expressions unreadable. Ming-Tao sat stunned for a while, then suddenly clapped and burst out laughing, saying, “Interesting, interesting! Three strangers in one car, not knowing if we’ll meet the serial killer, or if the killer might be among us. Hey, I’m the same, you know. After telling you so much about the serial killer, what about me—do I look like one?”