Early winter had arrived.

Xiangcheng was experiencing continuous overcast rain, the sun rarely seen. Yet the city’s residents were remarkably cold-resistant—despite dropping temperatures, many still wore light clothing, so accustomed to it they barely felt the cold.

You Mingxu was one of them.

In the morning, light rain dampened the streets. She stepped off the bus wearing only a loose long suit jacket and slim-fit pants, which emphasized her graceful figure. However, her expression was equally stark—an icy countenance that kept people at a distance. Passersby only dared glances at this cold beauty with her forbidding air, almost none brave enough to approach.

At the police station, she hastily ate breakfast, clocked in, and attended the weekly meeting where she and Xu Mengshan summarized the major Huaicheng case. No one mentioned Fan Jia’s name—neither the Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation who couldn’t bear to, nor Ding Xiongwei who refused to. Fan Jia’s usual seat remained empty, right next to You Mingxu and Xu Mengshan.

Following Chen Zhaoci’s death and capture, the police announced the resolution of the Huaicheng serial cases, causing intense public reaction. Despite repeated policy regulations and bans, illegal campus loan companies with criminal undertones still spread like a gray net over university campuses. The related sex crime rings made people’s blood run cold.

The butcher’s son, living at society’s bottom, had been influenced by one of these sex crime rings—whose members included former campus loan victims turned university students. Through this exposure, along with his father and Chen Zhaoci, he began his journey of serial killing.

Chen Zhaoci, as an overlapping member of both groups, had attempted to frame others and escape, but the police had followed the trail and captured all the criminals in one sweep.

By then, the victims had reached five: Liu Yisha, Zhao Feier, and three single women.

The number of university student victims was countless, impossible to tally.

—

After the meeting, Ding Xiongwei called You Mingxu to his office.

Actually, from their first encounter today, Ding Xiongwei had sensed something different about his capable subordinate. Previously she had been fierce and vigorous, full of life. Today, though still maintaining her imposing manner, when she sat in the chair, she carried an air of languor and indifference.

Such changes only came after experiencing significant events. Ding Xiongwei understood perfectly—he’d gone through it himself. Every outstanding criminal investigator went through this process of having their bones broken and reformed, the pain buried deep within those fractured bones, gradually tempering into a more subtle yet more intimidating presence.

Feeling somewhat sympathetic, Ding Xiongwei unusually made a cup of tea and placed it before You Mingxu. She accepted without ceremony: “Thanks, Chief.” After taking a small sip, she said, “It seems the higher-ups have suppressed the Gu Tiancheng matter.”

Ding Xiongwei said, “That’s why I called you here. I’ve read your report. This person likely has extensive connections. The higher-ups want to investigate quietly first.”

You Mingxu: “Count me in.”

Ding Xiongwei nodded: “Take a few days off first. The higher-ups need to study how to proceed. We’ll call you when needed.”

“Alright.”

Ding Xiongwei gave her a sharp, penetrating look: “Before Gu Tiancheng escaped, he said quite a bit. Do you think it was intentional or not?”

You Mingxu answered: “Given his personality, his words are usually half-truth, half-lies. He’s both malicious and unable to control himself.”

“Oh?” Ding Xiongwei’s tone turned to tease, “Then in your opinion, which parts were true and which were false?”

You Mingxu met her superior’s wolf-like gaze directly: “In my view, there might be truth to hidden aspects of Gu Tiancheng’s case and the youth exchange murders. It’s probably also true that he and whoever’s behind him have other motives. But trying to smear Yin Feng—that’s false. He hates me for catching him, so he’s deliberately trying to create discord between Yin Feng and me.”

Even Ding Xiongwei was taken aback by You Mingxu’s brazen protectiveness. He decided to be direct: “You are together with that kid?”

You Mingxu gave him a sidelong glance, thinking how inappropriate his comment was. Making it sound as if she were some kind of predator.

Yin Feng… aside from his pure personality, how was he like a kid anymore?

Her lips curved unconsciously.

Sharp-eyed, Ding Xiongwei found it almost unbearable to watch his usually ice-cold subordinate secretly swooning like this. He waved his hand: “Enough! Back to business!”

You Mingxu said coolly: “You asked first. To be frank, we’re very happy together. He’s my boyfriend now, so you and the others should show him some respect when you see him.”

Ding Xiongwei shot her a tiger-like glare but conceded, saying: “Fine. That said, I don’t believe Gu Tiancheng’s words either. I trust Yin Feng is clean. However, Gu Tiancheng wouldn’t mention him without reason. His encounter with you and Gu Tiancheng in Tibet was indeed too coincidental. He might have some hidden clues about him—you should keep that in mind.”

You Mingxu was quiet for a moment, then nodded and said: “Yin Feng once mentioned remembering people watching and following him before, making him feel strongly threatened. Perhaps for some reason, he became a target for criminals. Maybe his attack and capture by Gu Tiancheng in Tibet was planned, not random. But he still can’t remember anything. You don’t need to tell me—I’ll keep a close watch on him.”

Ding Xiongwei thought for a moment and said: “Protect him well. Whether before or after his memory loss, he’s someone worth protecting.”

You Mingxu smiled.

“Old Ding,” You Mingxu’s tone grew serious, “Do you think there is a highly intelligent criminal organization behind Gu Tiancheng? If so, what’s their purpose? Why haven’t we discovered them before?”

Ding Xiongwei took a sip of tea and answered: “Actually, during meetings with the higher-ups these past few days, someone asked this question. Gu Tiancheng must have had accomplices to escape from the river. But does it rise to the level of organized crime? My judgment—yes. While you were recovering from your injury in Huaicheng, Luo Ping and the others found some clues.”

“What clues?”

“Besides Zhao Feier and Liu Yisha, the Deng father and son took three women from the streets who were never discovered. I found it suspicious then—even if they were economically disadvantaged, unremarkable single women, how could they disappear in succession without anyone reporting it? Later we discovered that after each disappearance, someone had taken care of the aftermath: sending messages to family reporting safety, telling friends they were traveling, even buying train tickets to create false trails. At first, we suspected Chen Zhaoci, but Deng Yao confessed he knew nothing about this and was certain Chen Zhaoci wasn’t involved. He had captured the women, but Chen Zhaoci didn’t handle any of it.”