Chapter 3 – Incident

How could roses be associated with a murderer?

But someone had done just that.

When the first heavy snow of winter arrived, a shocking rose murder case occurred in Xue City. At the Old Locust Tree Field of Xue City University, the Lovers’ Monument in Xue City Park, and the Shepherd Girl Statue in Xue City Square, blood-soaked roses were scattered one after another.

These were all public spaces in Xue City with massive daily foot traffic. This showed how brazen and arrogant the killer was, completely disregarding the law.

The case caused panic in Xue City and drew intense scrutiny from the police. Though people were still shaken, they couldn’t help but speculate curiously about the killer’s identity during idle chatter.

The police took the case seriously. Director Lu Anchi of the Public Security Bureau deemed it a vicious premeditated murder and quickly formed a task force to comb through the city’s surveillance network. Yet, the killer seemed intimately familiar with the police’s monitoring range—no traces were left behind.

The investigation soon reached a deadlock.

The only lead came from forensic analysis, which confirmed that the blood on the roses all belonged to the same person.

In other words, so far, there was only one victim.

Public discontent grew as the case remained unresolved, putting immense pressure on the police, who harbored deep hatred for this cunning killer lurking in the shadows.

But against all expectations, as winter drew to a close and the last snow fell, a gaunt figure appeared at the police station’s entrance.

“My name is Yan Ru.” The young man stood under the fluorescent light, backlit, the harsh white glow spilling from his face onto the seated officer on duty.

Before the officer could even ask what this pale yet delicately handsome youth wanted, he spoke again, his tone unhurried but horrifying.

“I am the Rose Killer. I’m here to turn myself in.”

I returned to the train car where I had come from.

The noise hadn’t stopped, as if it were pre-recorded background music.

The child was still eating oranges messily. In the short time I’d been gone, a pile of orange peels had accumulated on the floor, and there was even a dark, unidentified stain on my seat.

My facial muscles twitched, and I turned away, unable to bear looking any longer.

What should have been a half-day journey had no clear arrival time due to the train’s suspension. Yet, none of the passengers seemed concerned, each absorbed in their own activities.

I didn’t know how long the suspension would last, but if I had to spend the night on the train, I didn’t want to sleep hunched over that tiny table.

With that thought, I stood by the aisle, waiting for an attendant to pass by.

Soon, a familiar gray-uniformed figure appeared at the end of the car.

Him again? Were there really so few attendants on this train?

I waved him over anyway.

The male attendant hurried over, his face bright with a smile. “It’s you! So you’re in this car. How can I help you?”

I said, “I’d like to upgrade to a sleeper berth. After sitting for so long, it’d be nice to lie down and rest.”

The attendant nodded eagerly. “I know there are clean, available berths in another car. Follow me.”

I followed him through several hard-seat cars before arriving at the sleeper section.

Though still cramped, the sleeper car was far more comfortable than the hard seats. Bunk beds lined both sides, three levels high, each equipped with standard white bedding.

Crude, but better than sleeping slumped over a table.

Perhaps because the journey was short, most berths were empty. The few occupied ones had passengers sitting or lying down, paying no attention to our arrival.

The attendant led me to a neatly made, unused berth and turned to me. “Here you go. This one hasn’t been booked for the entire trip, so it’s still clean.”

Pleased, I smiled politely. “Thank you so much!”

The attendant rubbed his nose sheepishly. “Just doing my job. Rest well—I won’t disturb you further.”

I hung my backpack on the wall hook, shook out the blanket, and settled comfortably against the bed.

No snoring, no loud conversations, and most importantly—no orange-eating child!

Bliss.

I let out a deep sigh of relief, only then noticing that the berth across from me was already occupied. A white blanket formed a rounded hump, but the person lay flat, and the small table between us blocked my view of their face.

Glancing down, I saw a red-and-green woven bag stuffed full beneath the opposite berth. Though I couldn’t see its contents, the shape and bulge suggested clothes.

Two pairs of shoes sat at the edge of the berth: one placed neatly in the center, likely belonging to the lower bunk passenger. They were cheap knockoff sneakers but clean and aligned perfectly.

The other pair, sneakers with crushed-down heels, were at the foot of the bed, looking like absurd slip-ons.

Looking up, I saw a thick-knuckled hand dangling from the top bunk, fingers idly tapping the air.

I turned away, drew back the curtain, and was greeted by the “scenery” outside. Night had fallen, and the train seemed to have stopped in some remote area—no lights in sight, just darkness thick enough to swallow a monster whole.

Only a few glowing fireflies flickered in the distance, drifting like ghostly will-o’-the-wisps.

The car gradually quieted as passengers settled in for the night. I unfolded my blanket and lay down.

Rolling onto my side to face the opposite berth, I was startled to find the occupant staring right back at me.

Without the table in the way, I could see my “roommate” clearly.

It was Yan Ru!

What an absurd coincidence!

Yan Ru lay stiffly on the narrow bunk, blanket pulled up to his chin, covering his outdated navy polo shirt—or “old man shirt,” as it’d be called on anyone else. His posture was so rigid he might as well have been knocked unconscious.

His sharp nose bridge, full forehead, and chiseled profile stood out even more in repose.

I couldn’t picture him setting up a stall with that face.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Yan Ru opened his eyes and turned toward me.

We locked eyes unexpectedly.

His dark pupils flickered with surprise, thick brows furrowing slightly—likely not expecting someone to appear out of thin air beside him.

“What a coincidence,” I said with a smile.

It sounded like a terrible pickup line even to my ears.

Yan Ru didn’t smile. “It’s you,” he said flatly before closing his eyes and turning away without ceremony.

The awkwardness was palpable. I rolled over, facing the wall.

When I woke again, it was to a loud thud.

“Thump!”

Sunlight streamed through the window but was blocked by a tall figure. I squinted sleepily, sitting up to glare at the intruder.

The man by the window was muscular, wearing a black tank top stretched taut over his frame. His build was natural, not the exaggerated gym-rat type. A buzz cut, thick fingers, and tanned skin completed the “don’t mess with me” look.

Well, then.

To my surprise, his voice wasn’t the menacing growl I expected but carried a youthful brightness. “Sorry about that—slipped on my way down.”

He must have been the one in the top bunk.

I forced a polite smile. “No problem.”

Yan Ru was already up, sitting by the window, silently gazing outside. After a night’s sleep, his hair remained impeccably neat.

The top-bunk passenger rubbed his round head, humming cheerfully as he shoved his feet into the crushed sneakers and headed for the bathroom.

The train remained motionless, no signs of moving. Outside, dense trees stretched beneath a vast sky.

I spoke up. “What rotten luck, stranded for so long. At this rate, I could’ve walked to Xue City by now.”

Yan Ru said, “As long as we arrive safely, a slower journey isn’t bad.”

“You’re a businessman—do you take this route often for shipments or inspections? Does this happen a lot?”

Yan Ru frowned, lashes lowering to veil his eyes.

“Ah… maybe. I also…”

His voice was too soft. I leaned in. “What? Say that again?”

I only meant to hear him better, but I hadn’t expected him to suddenly look up.

As our eyes met, I belatedly realized how close we were—close enough to hear his breath, to see my reflection in his pupils.

Yan Ru froze, clearly not anticipating my sudden proximity.

The air thickened.

Why did this feel awkward?

Was I being too forward? We’d known each other less than a day! But I just wanted to hear him clearly. We’re both men—what’s the big deal?

As my thoughts spiraled, an announcement saved me. I retreated to my berth.

“Attention, passengers in Car 12. A valuable item has been reported missing. Please check your belongings. If found, notify an attendant immediately. Thank you.”

Car 12?

That’s this car.