I held the photo frame carefully, studying it. The boy was tall, with pale skin, but his face was blurred and indistinct.
"Besides this photo, he's disappeared from all the others. I don't know why—every time I look through the album, it terrifies me."
"Then why is this one so different?"
The idea that images could vanish from photos sounded unbelievable. If I hadn't once heard the name Xia Chi from the paper doll interviewer, I probably wouldn't have believed Xia Qingzhi's words.
"This family portrait was the last thing my brother gave me before he disappeared. That day, he said a lot of strange things, but I woke up and couldn't remember any of it—only this photo, which I was clutching tightly in my hand."
"So, this is your brother's final keepsake."
If Xia Chi's disappearance were a criminal case, this photo would be one of the few clues I had.
"Have you ever opened the frame?"
"No. I'm afraid I might damage it."
There was nothing obvious from the image itself, but my gut told me the frame probably held a secret.
I asked Xia Qingzhi to find a small screwdriver. Sitting on the floor, I carefully took the frame apart.
"Just as I thought."
On the back of the family photo, six characters were written: "Plum Blossom Brand, Plum Blossom Curse."
"What does that mean?" Xia Qingzhi leaned against me, puzzled.
"Plum blossom?" I instinctively covered my right wrist. At the contract signing ceremony for The Netherworld Live Show, my right hand had been bitten by a strange insect, leaving a plum blossom-shaped wound.
"Could that centipede-like, single-horned bug be the Plum Blossom Curse? Is this how The Netherworld Live Show controls its streamers?"
I wasn't sure if Xia Chi's message was accurate, but at least it gave me a lead.
"Don't mention any of this—writing, information, or photos—to outsiders. And don't go around telling people you have a brother, understand?"
"Why?"
"They're dangerous. Extremely dangerous."
Xia Qingzhi listened intently, her body almost pressing against mine.
"Alright, I'll stay here to take photos and record everything. You go wash up and change—looking dirty like that isn't good."
After urging her to leave, I took pictures of Xia Chi's carvings and the photo. Though we'd never met, I already had a rough impression of Xia Chi's character.
"Did you lead me down this path to take over your role? But why do I have no memory of you?"
I never feared thinking the worst. It was possible Xia Chi and I had known each other long ago.
After gathering evidence, I left the room. The bathroom ran with water as Xia Qingzhi took a shower.
"This girl is too careless. Luckily, she met me—if it had been someone with ill intent…"
Just as I reached the door, the front security door suddenly opened. The sound of a key turning in the lock made my heart leap.
"Could things get any worse?"
The door swung open, revealing a poised woman around forty.
"Hello," I greeted.
No one expects a tired, ragged stranger at their doorstep, least of all her.
Her mouth dropped open, her hand loosened, and a shopping bag fell. Fresh red apples rolled across the hallway.
"Husband! Thief!"
From behind her burst out a man over six feet tall. Neighbors grabbed rolling pins and came out to help.
"Wait! I'm not a thief! I'm Xia Qingzhi's teacher, here for a home visit!"
They paused for a moment, but then Xia's mother's sharp eyes spotted the torn school uniform lying on the sofa.
"This is—" she nearly cried as she picked up the ripped uniform, then gathered Xia Qingzhi's muddy skirt from the bathroom doorway.
"You! You! Beast!"
Anger flared instantly. I had no chance to explain.
"Call the police!"
"Beat him to death!"
Sitting on the ground holding my head, I recalled Lu Xun's words: "With brows furrowed, I defy the scorn of thousands; bowing my head, I gladly serve as a humble ox."
"Don't hit my face."
When I finally sat in the city police station interrogation room, it was over ten minutes later.
"Gao Jian, you come here more often than I clock in for work. Even Old Huang at the door knows you now." Tie Ningxiang held ice packs on my swollen arms. "They hit you hard—your arms look like frozen radishes."
"Senior Sister, I'm already miserable enough. Don't joke around. Easy, that hurts!"
"Serves you right. Who told you to be alone with a kid in one room? If it were me, I'd hit you too." She glanced at Xia Qingzhi, who looked worried and guilty.
"Don't worry, this guy's tough. He can take it. Once your statements are done, you can go home. We've checked the surveillance—won't hassle this weird uncle."
"You can't say 'weird uncle.' I'm doing this out of righteousness!"
"What else do you want? They want to compensate you, but you refuse. You only want a big banner praising you?"
Tie Ningxiang sat beside me, weary from a long day of police work.
"Once they leave, stay here a while longer. I have something to tell you."
"Hey, don't get all friendly on me suddenly—it gives me a bad feeling."
After Xia Qingzhi and her parents left, Tie Ningxiang reverted to her tough cop persona and tossed a stack of files on the desk.
"Forensic results match what you said. Five bodies were found in the shallow pool: the landlord's son's sister, his childhood playmate, two ex-girlfriends, and the boss of his previous workshop. These five strangers share only one link—the landlord's son, Luxing."
"We've basically ruled out the elderly couple as suspects, but can't figure out why they let their son run wild and even helped cover up the crimes."
"Maybe they spoiled him?" I shrugged carelessly.
"Gao Jian, look me in the eye." Tie Ningxiang's expression turned serious. She gripped my shoulders tightly, faces just inches apart.
"I don't know why you went alone to the Anxin Hotel late at night or how you figured out the truth. But this case is more complicated than it looks. Luxing is still on the run, and you're hiding something from me."
So close, I caught the scent of her perfume.
"What could I be hiding? I'm just a small-time shop owner."
"You're lying. We were top in our class—you can't fool me. One day, I'll uncover everything, and you'll regret it."
We stared at each other for a moment. I forced a bitter smile.
"Are you sure you want to know the truth?"
"People's lives are at stake!"
"Alright, then I'll tell you."
"Speak now!" Tie Ningxiang flipped on her recorder and crouched beside me.
"Actually, you look pretty good when you're angry."
Bang!
The interrogation room door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the cold chair.
I admit, for a moment I wanted to tell Tie Ningxiang everything about The Netherworld Live Show and my recent experiences. But it was just a passing impulse.
If one day the livestream fails, maybe disappearing like Xia Chi—quietly and without a trace—would be a decent ending.
"At least peaceful, and no one else gets hurt."
Back at the shop, I collapsed into sleep and didn't wake until the next afternoon.
After some exercise, I went to the bank and exchanged gold bars for cash, then bought a proper suit from a specialty store.
Looking at myself in the fitting room mirror, I tightened my tie.
"Never thought my first formal wear would be for my ex's wedding."
That night, I wandered Ting Tang Road late, then headed home.
"Tomorrow, I say goodbye to everything and start anew."
The morning sun rose as usual. After a good sleep, I finally shook off my exhaustion.
Washing my face, putting on the suit, polishing my shoes, I thought,
"The ex's wedding really is something to look forward to."