Under the soft light of a desk lamp, You Mingxu sat alone in her office, reviewing the case files.

Though she had seen her share of brutal cases, when she looked at the crime scene photos from the serial murders nineteen years ago, she still felt nauseated.

Five attacks, five victims, four dead and one wounded. Yu Ruixue had sacrificed herself in the final case, saving that last victim.

The crimes occurred over roughly six months. The perpetrator stalked and attacked single women late at night. In that era, surveillance cameras were scarce, and despite rapid economic development, the city had many vacant lots, wastelands, and construction sites.

The killer would drag victims to secluded areas, sexually assault them, strangle them to death, then mutilate their bodies and take certain parts as trophies. You Mingxu examined several photos before exhaling deeply, feeling deeply disturbed.

Some victims were only in their twenties, single women; others were in their thirties, married with children. Some children, only one or two years old at the time, lost their mothers.

The killer was named Xu Baping, a man in his twenties.

Police found his fingerprints and DNA at two crime scenes, and witnesses spotted him at one crime scene.

Another compelling piece of evidence came from a bank branch’s security camera, which captured him stalking one of the victims.

However, when police confirmed the prime suspect’s identity and moved to arrest him, he had already fled to the countryside. Police issued a warrant and mobilized significant forces to search for him.

About ten days later, Yu Ruixue’s team discovered Xu Baping’s whereabouts. But what happened when backup arrived shocked everyone.

Scene evidence showed that Yu Ruixue and another officer engaged in a violent struggle with Xu Baping. Yu Ruixue died at the scene, and the other officer was severely injured. However, a rural woman and her daughter survived. According to their testimony, Xu Baping was extremely agitated, refused to admit guilt, and attempted to take the mother and daughter hostage. Yu Ruixue sacrificed herself to save them. Xu Baping escaped.

But by then, he had reached his end.

Two days later, police found Xu Baping in the mountains.

He was already dead.

And it was a horrifically disfigured corpse.

He had been skinned alive.

The serial murder case was considered solved.

But Xu Baping’s murder remained unsolved all these years. Police couldn’t find a suspect with both motive and opportunity. The victims’ families were all cleared—they had motives but lacked time and capability. So this case within a case remained unresolved.

You Mingxu closed the file and sat in silence for a while.

The evidence was substantial; Xu Baping was almost certainly the serial killer.

She also knew who had tortured and killed Xu Baping—that person had admitted it himself.

Now, Yin Chen was on the run, and that person’s whereabouts were unknown, possibly dead or suffering somewhere.

However, after reviewing all personnel involved in the case, You Mingxu found no leads connected to Yin Chen.

Could it be that Yin Chen had no connection to this case?

Then how did he know her mother, and why was he “hanging around” her?

Too much time had passed, and her mother had lived such a solitary life—investigating would not be easy.

You Mingxu frowned in thought before setting down the files. Rome wasn’t built in a day; she would have to take it slow.

She checked the time—just past nine p.m., earlier than usual these days.

After some consideration, she texted Yin Feng: “Are you asleep?”

About a minute or two later, after she had tidied her desk, she received his reply: “No. What are you doing?”

Though she’d been too busy to mind his silence these past days, it had bothered her somewhat. Seeing his message now softened her heart, and she decided to make a video call.

Given how far their relationship had progressed, waiting through the “dong-dong-dong” dial tone made her feel oddly self-conscious.

He answered.

The screen showed a ceiling, a hospital bed, bandages, and a hospital gown. Yin Feng sat on the bed, gazing at her quietly.

You Mingxu remained silent for a moment, studying him carefully. His color looked better, and his hair was clean, though his face was still thin. Because of the bandages that needed changing, he wore only a hospital gown draped over his shoulders, exposing his shoulders and chest.

His eyes remained the same—dark and deep, without a trace of gentleness or charm, seemingly examining her as well.

Before she could speak, he said: “You’ve lost weight.”

You Mingxu paused, then said: “It’s been very busy lately. You can sit up now?”

Yin Feng snorted coldly: “I could sit up a week ago.”

You Mingxu stared at him for a moment before saying flatly: “Impressive.”

He replied smoothly: “Of course!”

You Mingxu couldn’t help but smile, her eyes twinkling.

Yin Feng watched her for a while without smiling, shifting to recline more comfortably, appearing somewhat languid.

He asked: “What have you been busy with?”

You Mingxu gave him a general overview of her recent work, and remembering the case files she’d just reviewed, shared that as well.

After some thought, Yin Feng said: “Scan me a copy.”

“Alright,” You Mingxu said, “The case from back then seems quite clear, but I wonder… where do you think Yin Chen came from?”

Yin Feng replied: “He was only in his early twenties then, fresh out of university, seven or eight years younger than… Auntie. In my memory, he was fairly normal then, though not doing well. He wouldn’t have had the ability to create the Punisher organization at that time. I think perhaps something related to Auntie happened, and that case had a major psychological impact or even traumatized him. That’s why he can’t let it go even now, and his views on good and evil, revenge and punishment, might have started taking shape then.”

You Mingxu had similar feelings—there must be more to the story. She even wondered if her mother’s death in the line of duty had led Yin Chen to lose faith in the justice system and decide to become a punisher.

Of course, these were just thoughts.

Yin Feng asked: “What are your plans?”

You Mingxu shook her head: “It’s difficult to investigate. I’ll think of something else. If Yin Chen does reappear as you said, it would be best to start with him.”

“Mm.”

They both fell silent for a moment. You Mingxu felt she had nothing more to say and said: “Well, get some rest early. Call me if you need anything.”

He stared at her, his eyes unreadable.

You Mingxu: “What is it?”

He was silent for a few seconds before saying: “What’s the rush?” A mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

You Mingxu: “…I’m not rushing. Just planning to go home after work.”