Chapter Seventy-Six: The Return of the Man in Black

Hao Yingjun said, “Otherwise, it must be fishing, or having killed fish before.”

Zhang Yiwen replied, “Please don’t say that. I’m a devout Buddhist. How could I possibly do such things?”

Hao Yingjun shot Zhang Yiwen a peculiar look, glancing pointedly at the mahjong tiles and the money on the table. If he’s a Buddhist, who would believe it? Wang Zixuan, unruffled, sipped her tea as she watched the two of them banter. Just then, Xiao Deng entered, bringing Xiao Deng with him.

Xiao Deng announced, “The perpetrator was extremely calm and professional. The escape route was meticulously planned. This is the work of a classic assassin.”

Wang Zixuan slapped the table and stood up, glaring at Xiao Deng.

Wang Zixuan said, “We’ve already investigated most of it, and now you remember? Why are you even here?”

Xiao Deng answered, “Sister, I just wanted to come and help.”

Wang Zixuan ordered, “Go back and investigate the files. Find every detail on the suspect and make the arrest as soon as possible.”

The other three shouted their assent and hurried after Wang Zixuan. Once they returned, they were plunged into a frenzy of activity.

Meanwhile, Wan’er had been so shaken by recent events that she spent her days in a daze, barely able to focus even in class, listless and drained. When night fell and school was over, her nerves grew tauter still. That lunatic yesterday had told her to report to work today. Should she go or not? Forget it, she thought, as if nothing happened. She would just go home and sleep. She was exhausted, but as soon as she fell asleep, she was seized by nightmares again.

She dreamt she was five years old once more.

But this time she could see—she saw her family joyously heading out for an excursion. While they were driving, a meteor fell from the sky and struck their car. Her family all died. Why was she the only one who survived? Her eyes suddenly ached, plunging her back into darkness. There was not a shred of sunlight; it was as if the whole world was born in shadow.

She was sent to the orphanage, bullied by other children, despised and looked down upon. Until one person brought light into her life. From that moment on, she could see again—though she saw more than others. For instance, ghosts—some even rather cute. But most were terrifying. In her dream, she wanted to see who it was that had given her this sight, but try as she might, she couldn’t recall whether it was a man or a woman.

Then a figure in black appeared, slowly approaching Wan’er.

The person in black spoke, “Do you want to know how your parents and brother died? Do you want to know how your eyes were cured?”

Wan’er was silent, frightened and anxious, staring at the black-clad figure.

The figure didn’t care about her reaction. With a sweeping gesture, she saw the image of a woman swirling in the sky. Another flick of the hand, and a meteor tore across the heavens, striking her family’s car. The silhouette of the person who brought her light at the orphanage was also that same person. Wan’er suddenly remembered something and jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat.

Wan’er gasped, “Could it really be her? Why—why would she kill my whole family, then give me the eyes to see the world...?”

The more Wan’er spoke, the more agitated she became, until she finally broke down in sobs. At that moment, a figure in black slowly materialized beside her.

The figure in black said, “That woman is a demon. She wants nothing more than to see you suffer all your life, to see you live in fear and regret. Can you really forgive her? Don’t you want revenge? Pull yourself together. If you wish, I can help you fulfill your desire.”

Wan’er wept even harder. Then, from somewhere, a voice sounded, leaving both figures momentarily stunned.

Wang Zixuan’s voice rang out, “I knew you’d come to stir up trouble again.”