It was raining in the mountains late into the night.
Mu Qiqi and Feng Shanshan were staying in a simple room, because that was all that location could offer.
Feng Shanshan did not like the dampness, and so tried to chat up Mu Qiqi. “Aren’t you worried that Old Sheng would try something against your family?”
“I’m not. Whatever he tries would never work anyway.” Mu Qiqi said drowsily, only wanting a good rest—the bumpy four-hour ride up to the mountains was already too tiring.
However, even before they could turn the lights off, someone called out, “We’ve got another body. Forensics, hurry up.”
It was a border between Jianchuan and another city, which was why there was a joint operation.
Mu Qiqi and Feng Shanshan promptly leaped to their feet. The police were already gathered outside their door, and everyone was holding black umbrellas as they headed toward the scene where the dead body was found.
The corpse was very fresh since it was found in a mountain cave, and she must have died just before night, with barely many livor mortis forming over it.
The forensics team was about to further examine the corpse when a townsfolk came running to stop them. “Don’t touch them, it’s bad luck. You’d get targeted by evil stuff.”
Having experienced much obstruction in the years he had handled various cases, the professor simply had the forensic teams pull back along with Mu Qiqi, while having the police calm him down.
As expected, the police were all veterans at it, and eventually managed to convince the townsfolk away.
“Do you guys smell something… unique? It stings the nose.”
Mu Qiqi asked the others as she stood in front of the cavern.
The professor promptly turned to the corpse. they had been in perfect condition just now, but was now slowly decomposing.
Mu Qiqi looked up and found something dripping down from the cavern without stopping.
The professor held everyone else back, saying, “Acid.”
“That’s why the corpse is demonized.”
“It’s artificially made… but why would it drip down from above?”
Everyone traded looks. Either way, they had to examine the corpse now and bring any evidence back to their lab to study.
“Looks like we’re not getting any rest tonight!”
***
Sheng Xiao returned from work only to find that his little one was not at home.
Their bedroom suddenly felt vast, empty, and unusually quiet. Just because his little one around, he felt rather… concerned.
After all, what was he fighting for?
Was it not for his little one?
With the skies pouring, he wondered if his little one was safe.
***
“The victim is female and in her early twenties. Her heigh was one-six-two cm and her weight forty-five kg.”
“Time of death is estimated between six to seven pm. There are no signs of contusions, drowning or rape, no strangling marks on the neck. Now testing for natural death or poison.”
“The police are checking the family backgrounds.”
“Still, it is a little spooky for her to wear a red dress in the middle of the night.” One of the police said, suddenly feeling a chill. “And after half the face melted away from the acid, it really feels like one of those violent ghost movies.”
“You’re staying the night with the corpse I guess. None of you are getting away if she really becomes a ghost.”
Ignoring the police’s nonsense, the professor turned towards Mu Qiqi and Feng Shanshan instead. “Any ideas, you two?”
“I think we could find out what taboo or myths the residents nearby have. Regional culture could help us get some clues.” Mu Qiqi said—between the victim’s red dress, the man from town who shouted not to touch the corpse, Mu Qiqi had the feeling that those could be vital information.
“I wonder if everyone noticed that there are few women around here…” Feng Shanshan voiced her own suspicions as well. “The two bodies before we came, along with the third we found are all women in the prime of their youth.”
The professor nodded at that. “Alright, got it. You two should go rest—there’s more work tomorrow.”
Mu Qiqi and Feng Shanshan shared a glance before heading back to their room.
Even so, the corpse was at the same facility, and one must say that the red dress brought goosebumps just thinking about it.
Both girls lay on their beds but could not fall asleep.
Tossing around, Mu Qiqi took out her phone. She wanted to message Sheng Xiao, but he should be asleep at this hour.
Even so, as if some supernatural force was at work, Mu Qiqi pressed sent for the message she was about to delete.
Still, the only content in the message was ‘Xiao Xiao’.
Sighing, Mu Qiqi was about to remove the message when Sheng Xiao’s reply came instantly. “What is it? Why aren’t you asleep, brat?”
“I have to study a corpse. Care to tell me why you’re up so late?”
“Not used to having nothing between my arms… it’s too quiet here without your snores.”
“You’re the snorer.” Mu Qiqi retorted in indignation. “The corpse tonight was wearing a red dress and just next door… I’m a little scared.”
“Why aren’t you afraid back when you’re at home, then?”
“Because you’re beside me.” Mu Qiqi answered seriously. “Now that I’m out here, I realized that I feel safe and courageous because you are with me.”
“Silly thing. I’ll put on a handsfree when I’m working then. You won’t be afraid with my voice.”
“No need. It’ll upset me if you stay up all night.” Mu Qiqi quickly stopped him.
However, Sheng Xiao’s call already came.
Taking out her headphones from her bag and putting them on, Mu Qiqi really got to hear his voice.
“Well, you know how much you can’t bear to be away from me now, could you? Are you going to leave me from now on?”
“I have to if there’s a case!”
“I won’t care if you get scared in the future, then.”
Hmph! Who would believe that?
On that night, Mu Qiqi did not know how she had fallen asleep. She just knew that she felt safe just by hearing Sheng Xiao’s voice, and that she would not fear even if the skies collapse. Demons and ghosts and whatnot were not getting near her.
The next morning, however, Mu Qiqi awoke with a start.
The girl’s parents had hurried to the facility after the rain, demanding that they be allowed to take their daughter’s corpse and forbade the forensic doctors from doing an autopsy.
However, with the cause of death being inconclusive and before the police could decide if it was suicide or murder, they were already in a dispute with the parents.
They were crying and arguing, almost attempting to off themselves by knocking their heads on the boulders near the road—the police simply could not do their work.
“You two are the only two girls here amongst all the officers around. Go on, try to persuade them.” The professor told Mu Qiqi and Feng Shanshan.