âBoom!â
A loud explosion.
Just as heâs running toward the crowd but before he could make contact with anyone, the clownâs body turns into a gigantic fireball. His broken body pieces are thrown up into the air and fall down like rain again. The phone on the table crackles and then loses connection. Many people have fallen onto the ground due to the force of the explosion. Everybodyâs expression is full of fright.
Han Chen, Cold Face, and Chatterbox are expressionless. Su Mian, on the other hand, closes her eyes and then reopens them.
She doesnât remember the past. But this is the most brutal murder that she has witnessed as far as she can remember.
Not only the victim is murdered, his hopes are shattered. Not only did he dress him up as a clown to ridicule, he had him be laughed at by others, stepping on his dignity. In the end, he let him die in front of everybody, bringing the most frightening thing to humanity.
A.
So this is the real, cruel, and ruthless A.
As if to prove the emotions in her heart, Chatterbox says suddenly beside her, âWhat is this? Whatâs on the ground?â
At a distance, the clown has already been blown up into pieces. The police officers are trying their best to keep things in order. And at a nearby area, Chatterbox points to the ground. Itâs where the man was standing originally. Thereâs actually a mark on the ground. No one noticed it before since the clown was stepping on it.
The mark is simple. Itâs written in red and in capitalsâââAâ.
âLook here!â Cold Face says out loud.
Itâs another monitor thatâs rather far away. Nothing strange was happening before and it didnât capture their attention.
Itâs a pathway entrance to a commercial area.
On the right side of the entrance, thereâs a small white stage set up. A banner hangs on top of it which says that itâs for promoting a certain wax museum. The wax museum has started promoting themselves in secondary cities, so this type of promotion isnât out of the ordinary.
There are five wax figures on the stage.
But at this moment, there are quite a few people crowding around pointing and chatting at the one on the far left, which is a wax figure of a middle-aged gentleman. A worker in an employee uniform runs onto the stage and to the wax figure. He seems to be in shock as he turns around and runs off the stage immediately.
âZoom in!â Han Chen says.
The image gets closer. This time, the Black Shield Team can see clearly that the wax figure isnât any famous person they know or anybody they would know. But the reason why he is attracting othersâ attention is that there seems to be red liquid slowly flowing out of his eyes.
It looks as if itâs fresh blood.
No, it has to be fresh blood.
A strong feeling of intuition knocks onto Su Mianâs heart.
She blurts out, âThe second person!â
An extremely serious and respectable on the surface but repressive and twisted on the inside. He hopes to dress up his victims like a star on stage. Itâs the second serial killer!
Heâs even more twisted. He has actually turned someone into a wax figure!
The blood from the wax figureâs eyes is dripping faster and faster. Gradually, a puddle of blood accumulates around his feet. The spectators are also in shock. Just like the reaction from the explosion scene: retreat and continue to watch the scene.
âSeal off the area immediately!â Han Chen orders.
At this very moment, something strange happens.
With the small puddle of blood expanding, the stageâs white cloth is actually changing color. On the white cloth, a certain red colored shape is slowly being drawn out.
âItâs a chemical reaction!â Chatterbox says almost losing his voice, âThe cloth must have been dipped with something beforehand! Itâs now having a reaction with the blood!â
Gradually, the shape is becoming clearer and clearer.
On the white colored stage, its contours are elegant and intricate.
Itâs a letter written in calligraphyâââLâ.
Su Mianâs mind goes blank.
L.
It feels unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time. Itâs the second person, L.
There are alreadyâ¦â¦two victims.
The main office is already full of chatters. All of the officers have now seen these two crime scenes. Qin Wen Long walks in quickly with other leaders. Every one of their faces looks pale. Xu Si Bai has also come after learning the news. He frowns as he focuses his eyes on the events happening on the screen.
Itâs not that their methods of killing others are crueler than any others, nor that their methods are highly skilled. But theyâve already committed two murders that have brought even more fright and mental torture than any other serial killers that Su Mian has ever seen or heard of.
So then, what about the third person?
She turns her head and sees that Han Chenâs
eyes have returned to that TV networkâs recording site.
And as if they can sense it, Cold Face and the others also turn to look.
The TV broadcast has already been put on hold, but they can still watch whatâs going on at the sceneââthis is what Han Chen requested before. They can see that the local officers have already taken control of the scene. The audience is making their way out, the few mermaids are climbing out of the tank looking rather unpleased. And two staff members from the network are currently talking to the officers. Two forensic investigators with their gloves on are in the process of climbing up to the tank to take a closer look at whatâs inside.
Suddenly.
The thick layer of sand at the bottom of the tank moves. The two forensic investigators are both stunned and donât dare to go in yet.
âThereâs a situation!â
Someone shouts.
Everybody at the scene turns their heads.
The Black Shield Team is also staring at it.
And then, a person comes out from beneath the sand.
As if itâs being guided by something, it rises slowly and vertically.
Itâs a woman.
Itâs a long-haired young woman in a mermaid bikini whose face has already turned pale from being in the water for too long. Her arms are spread apart while her head is hanging down. She looks as if sheâs asleep but hugging the water with her arms out at the same time. And at the chest area of where her heart is, blood seems to be seeping through.
âItâs Xiao Tong!â the other mermaids outside of the tank shout at the same time. Their screams fill up the whole place.
âLeave the area!â the officers at the scene shouts.
âThereâs a string!â Chatterbox says almost right up against the monitor. He points at the rippling water, âThe killer has set up a device. Not sure when it was triggered but Leader, what you saw before must have been the string!â
Han Chen doesnât say anything. His eyes are still fixed on the deceased mermaid girl.
And Su Mian seems to feel stuffed inside.
Itâs because the dead body, young girl, deviceâ¦â¦she can imagine what is about to happenâ¦â¦
âZzzzzâââ a muffled sound coming from the water. The Black Shield Team might not be able to hear it from the monitor, but the people at the scene can hear it loud and clear as well as see it too.
Itâs because the girlâs corpse opens its eyes suddenly. Thereâs blood dripping from her eyelids; they can see the silver colored thread sewed on the top, indicating that this is also being controlled by a device.
And then, a bloody hole appears in her chest area.
A piece ofâ¦â¦indistinguishable flesh flings out just like that.
Everybody at the scene is in shock.
But the next thing that happens is even more frighteningââ
The corpse continues to float in the water as blood permeates the whole tank. Some of the fishes in the tank continue to swim around while a group of them are surrounding the heart that has just come out. They start to eat it.
Gradually, the water in the tank turns into a faint red color. And on the glass that is in direct view of the camera, a red letter begins to appear.
The Black Shield Team, Qin Wen Long, Xu Si Bai, and all of the other criminal investigatorsâ¦â¦are staring at the letter.
The third letterââ
âRâ.
â¦â¦
I am A.
Your humble L.
Call me R.
Every day and night, life and death.
We no longer have any beliefs.
We are happier than pain and suffering.
The never to be forgotten S,
We are here for you.
__________
Mini Side Story: The Story of Buying C
Since the seven-member organization case hasnât come to an end yet, itâs not a suitable time to have kids. On a certain day, Han Chen decides to go buy a certain must-have item. Since the work of a criminal investigator is rather busy, itâs already late night when he goes to buy it. The supermarket is already closed, so he finds a not-too-shabby looking pharmacy store. The store clerk is a young man whoâs wearing a white lab coat while playing games on his phone. Seeing him come, he puts the phone down immediately, âWhat do you want to buy, handsome?â
Han Chen tilts his chin a bit with both hands in his pockets, âCondoms.â
Such a cool, handsome and stylish looking man is here to buy condoms, so of course, the young man needs to serve him well. He immediately smiles and asks, âBig brother, which brand would you like then? Durex is on sale right now. $30 for 2 boxes and comes with a free pregnancy test. Itâs a great deal!â
Who do you think Han Chen is? Heâs mature and dependable at work but he has the temper of a young master. Young Master Han is a bit conceited when buying these things. He sweeps his eyes across the price tags, âYouâre recommending this one? You can go, Iâll pick myself.â
The young man realizes that
that heâs made a mistake. He tries to remedy the situation right away, âThere are better ones! There are better ones! Our best store itemâââ He holds up a shiny gold colored box of Okamoto 003.
Han Chen doesnât actually know anything about condoms. Even if he did, itâs been erased along with his other memories. But now that he sees a box of Okamoto 003, he somehow feels a sense of familiarity. Therefore, he smiles, âIâll take that.â
The young man is a silly guy. Seeing that a customer has taken his recommendation and is buying the storeâs most expensive box of condoms, he canât help feeling elated and starts to praise, âBig Brother, our store is high-end, elegant and classy. Okamoto has the most complete selection. You canât even get it from the supermarket. We have large, standard, and small. Which size would you like?â
Although Han Chen has no recollection, this isnât something that he needs to confirm with memory.
âLarge. Two boxes.â
The young man reveals an envious, shocking, yet understanding expression. He bags the boxes for him and sees him off to the exit as if itâs his idol.
And thenâ¦â¦
The two boxes are done very soon. Afterall, 20 is just 4 sets of tally marks (clusters of five).
Tonight, Han Chen and Su Mian are on their way home from work. Han Chen stops the car when they pass by the pharmacy store. He tells Su Mian to wait in the car, but just as heâs about to get out, his phone rings. Itâs the chief calling.
No matter how aloof Han Chen is, he wouldnât take the chiefâs call while buying condoms at the same time. Therefore, he continues sitting in the car while taking the call. Itâs already very late at night but the chief still isnât done talking. Seeing that the store clerk has come out of the front door and is about to close, Han Chen fetches his wallet, hands it over to Su Mian and gestures for her to go buy it.
He wants her, to, go, buy, condoms!!!!
Su Mian shakes her head furiously. Itâs so embarrassing to go buy condoms in the middle of the night as a girl. The store clerk will definitely think: there are no more condoms at home, the guy is lying on the bed waiting while she goes out to buy some more. She must be a very thirsty and lowly woman! Holy s.hit!
But thereâs no way that she would be able to fight against Han Chen. His eyebrows donât even budge as he continues talking on the phone with a serious face while his other arm reaches over and opens the door for her. He pushes her out, throws the wallet at her and closes the door!
Su Mian stares at the clerk at the front of the store. The young man doesnât see Han Chen in the car. He smiles at this beautiful woman who has appeared in the middle of the night, âWhat would you like to buy, beautiful?â
Su Mian bites on her lip and says as if she has nothing to lose, âCondoms!â She turns her head and walks inside.
The young man is a little shocked.
Oh man, how come this tone of voice sounds so familiar? Itâs cool, handsome, and swift. Itâs just that the beautyâs expression looks a little depressed.
The young man asks at the counter, âWhat brand would you like?â
Although Su Mian doesnât know anything about condoms, she knows which ones she uses, so she answers crisply, âOkamoto 003.â
The young man is delighted. These condoms are expensive. He grabs her a box immediately. Su Mian recalls how quickly they ran out last time so she shakes her head, âIâm afraid itâs not enough.â
The young man is shocked again. He canât help feeling that this big sister is very fierce.
âSoâ¦â¦how many boxes?â
Su Mian realizes that she was a bit too bold just now, so her face blushes. She braces herself and answers, âIâll take four boxes for now.â She thinks to herself that 4 boxes are just 8 sets of tally marks, so she feels much better.
âWe have Okamoto in small, large, and standard size. Big Sister, which size do you need?â the young man asks.
Su Mian really doesnât know the answer to this. Every time Han Chen grabs them, she only sees the brand name on the box. She never leans over and pays special attention to what size they are. Furthermore, she has only seen Han Chenâsâ¦â¦she has no concept of size.
She turns her head and sees that Han Chen is still on the phone.
These things are expensive, so Su Mian definitely doesnât want to buy the wrong ones. She thinks for a second and says bracing herself again, âHow many centimeters is the large? How many centimeters is the medium? Definitely wonât be the small one.â
Itâs the first time that the young man has come across such a direct female customer. A beautiful one to add to it. The young manâs face turns red for no reason. Therefore, the two of them hold up the three boxes and reads through them until they finally find the section outlining the measurements.
Su Mian recalls her memory with her face red. She points to one of the boxes, âIt should be this size. Mmâ¦â¦it has to be this one! This is the one.â
The beauty is shy and captivating, yet carrying a hint
a hint of proudness in her expression. The young man recites in his heart depressingly: large. His girlfriend is so pretty, cute, and considerate. Whoâs this lucky guy? Itâs too much!
Tonightâ¦â¦
Han Chen notices that Su Mian seems to be especially anxious after climbing into bed. She grins as she helps him take off his clothes and encourages him, âHurry and grab the condom! Hurry!â Her expression says she wants to take credit.
But Han Chen really canât understand what to take credit for from buying condoms.
And thenâ¦â¦he finally puts it on. Su Mianâs first reaction isnât to lie down and give her body to him. Instead, she claps her hands loudly, âWoohoo! My guess was perfect! It fits just right!â
Han Chen is speechless, ââ¦â¦â
He lowers his body and presses himself against her. He bites her ear as a form of punishment and says, âSo it turns out that you never knewâ¦â¦â
Yet he has always served her so satisfyingly. This woman has never realized how great her husband is.
Mini Side Story: Whistle Story
Ever since she started wearing the gold whistle on her neck, whenever Su Mian sees Han Chen, she canât help but feel like âwith the whistle in hand, the world is mineâ kind of control. The second night after receiving the whistle, the freshness of it hasnât gone down yet, so the following conversation happensââ
âHan Chen,â she leans against his shoulder and says smiling, âLook, from now on whenever I blow on the whistle, youâll come running to me. The moment I blow on it, youâll come. This feelingâ¦â¦is like an owner and a pet kind of relationship, isnât it?â
Han Chen has one arm on her shoulder while holding the remote control with his other. Hearing her speak, he answers without turning his head, âI didnât hear you clearly. What did you say?â
Just when Su Mian is about to repeat herself, she realizes suddenly and senses the threat in his tone.
Oh s.hit! Theyâve been well together for so long, yet heâs still so unruly!
Itâs never too late for revenge. Su Mian shuts her mouth obediently. She holds onto the gold whistle on her neck and spins it.
After a while, Han Chen goes to take a shower.
An idea springs into Su Mianâs mind. She hops off the couch, runs to the wall outside of the bathroom, squats and listens.
The sound of water stops very soon. She suspects that he must have soaked his body once and is now covered in soap. She stands up, holds the whistle and blows on itââ
The bathroom door swings open immediately. Han Chen, with his head covered in soap but still as handsome as always, lifts his solemn and damp eyes to look at her.
Su Mian smiles feeling pleased, âOh, it was an accident. My hand slipped. Go back in and shower. Go shower.â
Just as she turns around and is about to walk away, Han Chen takes a step forward, stepping out of the bathroom barefooted, pulls her arm and drags her insideâ¦â¦Therefore, the first time Su Mian blows on the whistle, the result is her being ravagedâ¦â¦
After being âforcedâ to take a shower, Su Mian curls herself on the couch. Due to being ravaged, sheâs full of anger right now. Han Chen, on the other hand, feels completely satisfied. He sits beside her and his whole body is carrying a sense of laziness and sexiness.
Han Chen later goes down to throw out the garbage. She dashes to the front door. She estimates that he is about halfway, four floors down (he usually takes the stairs as a form of exercise).
She holds up the whistle and blows on itââ
Su Mian is sure that he isnât going to come. She just wants to tease him. Afterall, theyâve already fooled around once tonight. But who knew that right after the sound of the whistle, rushing footsteps come. In a blink of an eye, Han Chen has already made it. His one hand is on the railing as he stares at her with his pair of dark brown eyes.
Su Mian still has the whistle in her mouth as she asks feeling a bit stunned, ââ¦â¦Whyâ¦â¦did you still believe it?â
Han Chen walks over and pulls the whistle out of her mouth, âIâm afraid of you crying wolf.â
Although youâre reckless, if danger does come, what should you do?
Su Mian feels regret in her heart. She hugs him immediately, âI wonât play with it anymore.â
At night, Su Mian is acting especially gentle, considerate, and is apologetic. Han Chen lets her serve him and please him. Su Mian thought that this would make up for everything but on the morning of the next dayâ¦â¦
When she wakes up, Han Chen takes the gold whistle back from her.
âWhy?â she protests, âI already promised that I wonât play with it.â
Han Chen answers, âItâs nothing. I suddenly thought of another way.â
He hangs the whistle on his neck.
Su Mian is puzzled, âHuh?â
In the endâ¦â¦
Han Chen is sitting at his desk. Su Mian is just about to go into the kitchen to grab some snacks, but the moment she takes a step out of the study roomââ
Whee~Wheeââ
The whistle sounds.
Su Mianâs body freezes. She turns around, âWhat is it?â
Han Chen answers without lifting his head, âDonât leave my sight.â
âBut I want to grab some snacks.â
He takes a look at her, âEndure it. I need you to keep our promise.â
Su Mian is speechless, ââ¦â¦â is speechless, ââ¦â¦â Heâs too much! Heâs taking revenge.
A while later.
Han Chenâs phone in the living room rings.
But he doesnât budge.
Su Mian glances at him. Why isnât he going to pick it up?
At this moment, she suddenly sees Han Chen holding up the whistle and blowing on it.
Whee~Wheeââ
He says indifferently, âGo get it for me.â
Su Mian, ââ¦â¦â
She grabs onto his arm, âBig Brother, the whistle isnât supposed to be used like this! Iâm (self-deprecating) wrong, okay? I will never dare to blow on it without a reason. Please give it back to me, please.â
Han Chen smiles.
He then points to his neck, gesturing for her to take it off.
Su Mian puts the gold whistle on her neck again. Seeing his smiling face, she pretends to spit at him, but she canât help but think in her heart: I wish that I will never need to use this whistle.
And as Han Chen looks at her, he thinks to himself: I wish that this whistle will never need to be used.
Mini Side Story: Chatterboxâs Love History
In contrast to Han Chen and Su Mian being a couple, the other three members of the Black Shield Team are single. But among them, Chatterbox is the most depressed. Because different from Cold Face, whoâs not good with interacting with women, and Xiao Zhuan, who canât attract women at all, he has had a couple of girlfriends in these few years. But in the end, they all split up with up. Furthermore, the reason for them breaking up with him is really too upsetting!
First girlfriend; three-month relationship.
During the breakup, she said, âChatterbox, everything about you is great, itâs just thatâ¦â¦youâre way too talkative. Your work is so busy, so every week, you can only be with me for half a day to a day. Sometimes, I donât even see you for ten days or even half a month straight. But once we see each other, you talk non-stop. You just keep talking, talking, and talking. Stuff like oh s.hit, and whether or not the weather is great. You even have to point it out if the color of my scarf is not right. If thereâs a person not crossing the street properly, you have to run over and lecture the personâ¦â¦Iâm sorry, I reallyâ¦â¦I think that itâs better for a man to be more composed and quiet. Letâs just be friends.â
Chatterbox was dumbfounded. Of course, their love wasnât deep, so he wasnât too sad. But after this first defeat, he still didnât realize his own problem. He believed that it was the girl who was strange. Which woman doesnât like a man whoâs caring and humorous, right?
Therefore, his second girlfriend, they were in a relationship for a month.
It was the exact same girlfriend. Chatterbox was dumped again!
Dumped!
He thought about the pain and finally admitted that he was too talkative. Perhaps women do not like it. He decided that when he meets his next girlfriend, he would definitely try his hardest to be a quiet pretty boy.
Finally, he was in a relationship for half a year with his third girlfriend.
They still broke up in the end!
This girlfriend was a rather fierce female officer, big sister. During the breakup, she said without holding back, âChatterbox, youâre quite a good looking guy, youâre kind, and you have great skills in your profession. I originally wanted to get married to you. But I feel that thereâs something very wrong with you! During work, youâre energetic and you chit-chat and smile with your team, but once youâre with me, you seem to have no interest to chat. Whatâs even more unacceptable is that only when weâre in bed that you would keep talking, talking, and talking. You would talk about this and talk about that. Could it be that this is the only thing that youâre interested in? Anyhow, Iâve mistaken you.â
Chatterbox was completely shocked.
He admitted that he got a little excited when they slept together. But donât the books say that during sex, men should be more gentle and considerate, so they should ask them how they feel and stuff? And he was less talkative during other times because he wanted his girlfriend to like him, okay?
So being talkative didnât work, but being non-talkative didnât work either. Chatterbox is completely perplexed.
A certain night at the Black Shield Teamâs office.
Su Mian has gone to the washroom and isnât around. The office is left with the four men. After feeling perplexed for the whole day, Chatterbox canât keep it in himself any longer, so he pokes Cold Face beside him, âHey, Cold Face, my girlfriend said I talked too much and broke up with me again. Sigh. I want to ask you, when you get busy in bed with your ex-girlfriend in the past, do you also not talk at all?â
This is quite a shocking question to be asked so frankly. Han Chen and Xiao Zhuan both look toward them. Cold Face is a nice guy deep down inside. Although he thinks that this is a stupid question, seeing how Chatterbox has just broken up with another girlfriend, he answers kindly, âNo talking. Canât keep up.â
Chatterbox feels his heart shake. Han Chen speaks up in support suddenly, âMm. Canât keep up.â
Chatterbox is speechless, ââ¦â¦â
Fâk! Why do their words seem to carry a hint of superiority?
Xiao Zhuan is speechless, ââ¦â¦â
This is too much! Iâmâ¦â¦Iâm stillâ¦â¦a you know.
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