Xiang Rong looked up at the bright moon hanging over the countryside, noticeably cleaner and clearer than in the city. Beneath the full moon lay undulating black mountains, crouched like sleeping beasts. The prosperous township lay in a distant valley, home to countless strangers whose lives had nothing to do with his.

His home had once been quite nice. Nestled against the mountains with a water source nearby, right beside a main road. He remembered how Xiang Muhua used to love playing around the house as a child, joining in with village children and newcomers alike.

But the world changed so quickly. So quickly that now, he was the only one left in this home.

As the township flourished and new roads were built, this area had almost been abandoned. The familiar neighbors had moved away, one family after another.

The children’s mother had long since remarried, working with her new husband in Hangzhou. A few months ago, Xiang Rong had gone to Hangzhou to see her from afar, and she seemed to be doing well. That put his mind at ease.

Six years had passed.

The child buried beneath the house would be nothing but bones now. Unrecognizable. He couldn’t identify them, and neither could this young man in his custody.

Even when Liu Ruyu and Li Biran met a few months ago, they hadn’t recognized each other from their brief encounter in this village. They certainly wouldn’t have recognized Xiang Muhua.

Zhou Shaoling, the unconscious youth in his hands, was still out cold. Luring a 19-year-old had been effortless for Xiang Rong. He carried Zhou Shaoling into the courtyard, straight into the house, and locked the door.

He lit a soft oil lamp – even if cars passed on the road, they wouldn’t notice anything amiss in this old country house. Xiang Rong placed the body on the ground, securing his limbs with iron chains to ensure he couldn’t escape. He glanced out the window – the night was still deep, still long.

He took out a bottle of erguotou from the cabinet, poured two cups, drank one himself, and poured the other on the ground. Then he lit a cigarette, sat at the table, and watched the young man sprawled on the cold floor.

There was still some regret. With Li Biran and Liu Ruyu, he had only manipulated them into sending themselves to prison. He couldn’t torture and kill them personally like the first one or this one. But back then, Li Biran and Liu Ruyu were already headed down a dark path. Xiang Rong had reserved the best two seats in the internet café for them, installed listening devices, and detected their murderous impulses. Somehow, Xiang Rong felt more satisfied watching them murder than he would have felt killing them directly.

Moreover, that person had told him: “Watching your enemies destroy themselves, become alienated from everyone, lose their families, and find no peace – isn’t that better than killing them yourself? You can always finish them after they’re released.”

Xiang Rong felt those words resonated deeply within him.

The drug came from that person – perhaps some new synthetic drug. Slipped unknowingly into the two boys’ drinks. The dose was small, just enough to make them more excitable and emotionally volatile. It would become undetectable shortly after.

He often chatted with them, sharing his life experiences, his struggles with elders, and tales of vengeance. He told them about a youth he’d known who had personally attacked his school enemy, saying it only meant a few years in juvenile detention, proof of true manhood… and so on.

Over several months, he followed the instructions he’d been given: close observation, subtle influence, psychological suggestion, physical weakening… But the crucial final step had been the boys’ own choice. They were the ones who wanted to kill.

Just as they had killed his son years ago.

…

Xiang Rong’s gaze returned to Zhou Shaoling, watching him sprawled like a dead dog on the floor. His mind drifted to years ago when he and his wife had sought out those children, just wanting to know exactly how their son had died. They weren’t even looking for trouble. But Zhou Shaoling had been hidden behind his parents, their faces showing no sympathy or understanding – only coldness, disgust, and avoidance.

“Your son drowned while playing in the water – why are you bothering our children?”

“Get away! Leave! How can you harass a child? Are you even human?”

…

Their children were children, but wasn’t his child a child too? Years of business dealings had given Xiang Rong enough social experience to notice the children’s shifty eyes. But their parents and the police had stopped him.

Only Liu Ruyu had no parents present. But his aunts and uncles had been more vicious than anyone, simultaneously beating Liu Ruyu for causing trouble while hurling abuse at Xiang Rong and his wife.

…

So many years had passed, and Xiang Rong’s feelings about those times had dulled. Now, these actions felt more like completing a ritual. After all, this was the last one.

The last family he would destroy.

He got up and scooped some cold water, splashing it on Zhou Shaoling to wake him. Zhou Shaoling shuddered awake, saw his surroundings, and froze in terror: “Brother Xiang? Brother Xiang… what are you doing? How have I offended you?”

They had only met briefly years ago, and Xiang Rong’s appearance and demeanor had changed significantly. He had also deliberately concealed his identity while getting close to Zhou Shaoling, who had only been 13 at the time and couldn’t recognize him now.

Xiang Rong didn’t answer, only turning to look at the black and white memorial photo on the wall.

Zhou Shaoling tremblingly followed his gaze, saw the childish face in the photo, and suddenly remembered something, his whole body beginning to shake: “You’re… you’re… his father!”

Xiang Rong stood up, crouched in front of him, gripped his chin, and sealed his mouth with thick tape. Zhou Shaoling could no longer make any sound beyond muffled moans, which was all Xiang Rong wanted to hear.

Then Xiang Rong opened the black bag, laying items one by one on the table. When Zhou Shaoling saw the knives, his eyes bulged, tears streaming down his face as he struggled desperately, but how could he break free from iron chains? Everything proceeded in complete silence, Xiang Rong’s expression remaining calm as he first picked up the electric drill, plugged it in and walked to Zhou Shaoling. He removed Zhou Shaoling’s shoes, exposing the pampered white skin of his feet. Xiang Rong sneered, raising the drill.

If it had been up to Yin Feng, they might have waited another five minutes, until after Xiang Rong had drilled a few holes in Zhou Shaoling’s feet, before making the arrest. But how could two police officers do that? As soon as they saw Xiang Rong about to act, with both suspect and evidence in place, they immediately leaped through the window and rushed at him.

Yin Feng followed behind them, climbing through the window. Though his movements weren’t as agile and fierce as theirs, they were clean and efficient. By the time he landed, Xu Mengshan had already wrested the drill from Xiang Rong’s hands and pinned him to the ground. You Mingxu unfastened the chains, saying, “It’s alright! We’re the police!” Zhou Shaoling immediately threw himself at her, sobbing uncontrollably…

Yin Feng didn’t know why his eyes wandered there, but he saw how the kid Zhou Shaoling’s face was pressed against You Mingxu’s chest. He froze, realizing his brows had already furrowed tightly. He quickly turned to examine other parts of the room, a thought flashing through his mind: She is quite dense! A female police officer, embraced by both her partner and victims – anyone who wanted to be her boyfriend would end up with green hair.