Chapter Nine: The Murderer in the Academy (I)

Back at the police station, after reviewing all the files, she realized this was a true mystery. No wonder the cases this man handled were so different from hers—this was certainly troublesome. A seventeen-year-old girl had died inexplicably at school, yet no one in the academy knew who the killer was, or even who the suspects might be.

The person who called the police was her mathematics teacher. According to his account, when he found the girl, she was covered in blood, her clothes torn and battered, as though she had just suffered an assault. It was during the school holidays, so no suspects had been found. The security cameras on campus had also been deliberately destroyed.

The only details known were the location and time the girl was found; her time of death was still uncertain. Her family could not be reached either. Could it be that her entire family had fallen victim as well?

Mo Lan had always believed that other people's school days must be pure and beautiful. Because her own experiences were so different, she assumed others lived happy, idyllic lives, especially when she saw those young faces always adorned with serene smiles.

Of course, there were others like her, living in deep shadows—not everyone dwelled in the light. This girl, perhaps, simply lacked the means to protect herself. Should Mo Lan be grateful that she had not ended up like that, or that she possessed the skills to defend herself?

“How’s it going? Any leads yet?” An Feng, who had been sitting quietly at his desk, appeared suddenly and startled Mo Lan. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed anyone approaching.

“Has the girl’s body been examined? Any fingerprints nearby? Anything else? Have you been to the scene? If not, I think we should head out now.” Mo Lan asked the most basic questions, carefully observing the man’s expression. She was here to learn, and even the subtlest facial cues could be telling.

“You’re quite meticulous when you investigate, but sometimes your mind seems to wander,” An Feng remarked—not with criticism or mockery, but with genuine curiosity.

“I—” Mo Lan was suddenly tempted to snap at him. Couldn’t he give her a little face in front of everyone? But never mind; the case was more important. She just rolled her eyes at him, letting the matter drop.

An Feng’s facial muscles twitched, as if he was struggling not to laugh—or perhaps wanted to laugh even more openly.

Xiao Qi came along as well, taking a seat in the back, which seemed a little strange. The officers in the rear were just ordinary policemen and played no critical role, so they took a separate car. Was Xiao Qi someone special? She didn’t seem particularly proud, but her bearing was undeniably unique.

Perhaps everyone who worked under Captain An Feng was an expert in their own right.

Mo Lan was well aware of her own position, so she paid close attention to those around her, no longer as naturally oblivious as before. Maybe she really did need to learn how to deal with people, to face those false and calculating faces.

The academy itself was deserted—students had already left for holiday. Stepping onto the grounds now, a chill crept over her, as if the place really was haunted by the demons of legend. The biting wind only added to the sense of unease; it truly felt like a realm of ghosts.

The area was cordoned off, but from a distance, Mo Lan spotted a girl in white by the fence, peering anxiously inside. The girl held a bouquet of white roses in her hands.

To be so brazen at a crime scene—was she simply naïve, or was there something more to her? Mo Lan wondered.

The girl paced nervously, face pale, as if waiting for someone and dreading their arrival at the same time.

Mo Lan tapped a nearby officer on the shoulder, giving him a meaningful look to bring the girl over. He was inexperienced, but after a second glance, he understood.

An Feng ignored them all, walking straight into the crime scene, lost in thought as if reconstructing the events in his mind.

The girl looked terrified at the sight of the police, as if she wanted to flee. But how could a young girl outrun an officer? She hadn’t taken more than a few steps before she was brought back, looking utterly panicked. Her eyes darted about, sweat beading on her brow—a clear sign of guilt.

She had stumbled as she tried to run, and by the time she was brought over, her bouquet was in disarray, several blooms crushed. Her dress was soiled, her hair a tangled mess—as if those few frantic steps had plunged her into hell.

She pressed her lips together tightly as if to keep herself from speaking, but her eyes pleaded to be heard. She trembled violently, barely able to stand; had the officer not supported her, she might have collapsed on the spot.

“Why did you bring me here? I have things to do—can I please... please leave?” The girl still tried to get away, her words so frantic they tumbled over each other. She knew these people were police, but all she wanted was to escape.

“We’re the police. Please cooperate with our investigation. We mean you no harm; we just want to uncover the truth, so there’s no need to be so nervous,” the officer said kindly, reminding himself she was just a girl of sixteen or seventeen.

“I...” The girl continued to tremble, clutching the roses even tighter.

She was clearly suspicious—so nervous she’d lost all awareness of her situation. The others paid her little attention; what mattered most now was observing the master detective at work.

Mo Lan did not interrogate the girl directly but watched An Feng as he moved about, examining the scene with an intensity that changed with every glance.

The other officers understood not to disturb him, standing quietly by as everyone watched An Feng’s every move.

Xiao Qi rolled her eyes at the girl, who seemed on the verge of calling out but dared not utter a sound—a bit melodramatic, really. She wasn’t exactly unpleasant, just scared and uneasy.

When An Feng finally seemed to have grasped something and returned to the group, he also took note of the anxious girl.

But the routine questioning was left to Mo Lan. An Feng went about his tasks while Mo Lan stayed behind to deal with the girl.