Chapter 4 – Jump if You’ve Got the Guts

The thirty-nine-degree water washed over his limbs and bones, a pervasive comfort that gradually dissolved the exhaustion clinging to Pei Yu after the rainy night’s terrors.

Just moments ago, Shen Xingchen had led him—blindfolded—into the car and driven him all the way to his apartment building, only then showing a shred of mercy by untying his bonds. After that, not another word was spoken; the youth had simply offered a shimmering smile and blown him a kiss through the window before tearing away in that Passat, leaving a trail of splashing water in his wake.

It was a bizarre kidnapping by an utterly nonsensical kidnapper.

The first thing he did upon entering his home was take a hot shower. The night had involved far too much unnecessary physical contact with a stranger, a thought that made his skin crawl the moment he recalled it. The communication styles of the living truly did not suit him.

“…Yan Lang was also involved in the Jiang Tianxiao case seven years ago…”

The sound of the water was clear and cold, yet those words acted like a curse, swirling through Pei Yu’s mind, refused to be banished.

He knew his mentor, Yan Lang, had applied for medical retirement seven years ago. At the time, Pei Yu was only a sophomore at the police academy and knew nothing of any hidden agendas. 

Yan Lang had merely told him things like “I’m tired, I can’t do it anymore,” offered a few instructions, and then bowed out gracefully, vanishing from the public eye. The final thing he did before disappearing was recommend Pei Yu to the Municipal Bureau, effectively securing his future.

Pei Yu had not disappointed. From his days as an intern, he had immersed himself in the autopsy room day and night. By graduation, he had passed every assessment and stayed on at the Bureau, picking up the willow-leaf scalpel to carry on his mentor’s legacy.

To him, Yan Lang was a benefactor who had recognized his talent and a guardian who had looked after him for over a decade, treating him like a son. He was unwilling—and unable—to let his trust in his mentor be shaken by a few dubious words from a stranger.

But… but.

“…Everyone harbors secrets, Brother Pei.”

He hadn’t been entirely without suspicion regarding Yan Lang’s abrupt withdrawal. During his studies, his mentor often told him that a forensic doctor’s duty was to speak the final words for the deceased. Steel blade in hand, feet treading between the yin and the yang, traversing light and dark, facing life and death head-on. They were the people closest to the truth. 

To burn with passion at one’s post until the very last moment of service—that was the destiny of an exceptional forensic doctor.

Those past teachings still rang in his ears, yet Yan Lang himself had so abruptly brought that destiny to a halt. Moreover, it happened shortly after the Jiang Tianxiao case.

Those obsidian-colored pupils surfaced in his mind again, light rippling within them like the thick fog along the banks of the Styx. At the thought, Pei Yu’s heart stirred slightly. He shook his damp black hair and stepped out of the bathroom, pulling on a thin shirt.

As he looked up, a jarring splash of red caught his eye on the mirror.

Amidst the warm steam filling the room, a large red number “10” sprawled across the glass, its lines jagged and aggressive. At the edges, a few droplets of water, unable to bear the weight, meandered downward in streaks that looked like diluted blood—or perhaps stubborn tear tracks.

Pei Yu walked over, scraped a bit of the red substance with his finger, and brought it close for inspection.

Limewater, glue, phenolphthalein powder.

A second later, he glanced at the foggy, steam-covered mirror and let out a cold snort in his heart. What an overconfident Shen Xingchen—to try and show off such junior high chemistry skills in front of him.

However, he finally understood what the man meant by “I’ll give you the chance of ten digits.”

“…The files regarding the Jiang Tianxiao case are in the Major Crimes section of your Bureau’s archives…”

Considering this, Pei Yu took a deep breath and made a silent decision.

———

The next morning, the rain had cleared and the spring sun was bright.

“…Jump! Go on, jump!”

“…You don’t dare, do you? Jump if you’ve got the guts! All these people are waiting to see, hahaha…”

“…Are you going to jump or not… I’m in a hurry to get to work…”

“…Have a heart, people! It’s so high, she’ll die!”

“Jump! Jump! Give us a jump!…”

…

Passing by a residential building near the Bureau, this was the scene Pei Yu encountered. A figure stood on the edge of the rooftop, swaying precariously, caught in the final moments of hesitation. Judging by the silhouette and the long hair whipped by the wind, it appeared to be a young woman.

A crowd of onlookers had already gathered below, craning their necks and pointing. Many were even shouting, urging her to hurry up and jump so as not to waste their time.

Amidst the bustling crowd, only one young man in a hoodie was screaming “Don’t jump!” at the top of his lungs, waving his hands frantically at the sky, pacing back and forth in a desperate panic.

“Brother Pei!” Hearing a loud shout, Pei Yu turned to see Dou Hua, dressed in his light blue police uniform, running toward him from the other side of the crowd. He was clutching a jianbing guozi¹Jianbing guozi is a popular Chinese street food crepe, originating in Tianjin, featuring a thin savory pancake cooked with eggs, crispy fried dough (baocui or youtiao), and sauces., his face etched with anxiety, sweat already beading on his forehead. He was clearly at a loss.

“Follow me up.”

Pei Yu dropped the command and turned to sprint toward the building.

Dou Hua responded immediately, instinctively shoving his breakfast into the arms of a bewildered old man standing nearby before racing after him.

Sixth floor, twenty meters high. Pei Yu calculated silently—jumping would mean death or permanent disability.

By the time they reached the roof, the heckling from the crowd below had reached a fever pitch, rising in wave after wave. The young woman’s footing became increasingly unstable; as if infected by the crowd’s fervor, she took a trembling step forward.

Her figure looked frail and desolate, like a stray withered leaf swept up by a gale, appearing ready to plunge from the edge at any moment.

At the critical juncture.

In the next second.

“No—! Brother Pei—!”

Following Dou Hua’s heart-wrenching scream, Pei Yu lunged toward the woman, pulling her back with all his strength. However, due to his own momentum, he couldn’t stop himself and vanished over the edge of the roof.

Below, the scene was like cold water poured into a vat of boiling oil, erupting into a chorus of gasps.

“Brother Pei—don’t die—!” The young officer’s voice was thick with tears, filled with despair and helplessness. He ran forward a few steps, grabbing the woman and dragging her back.

Soon, a few onlookers ran onto the roof. Seeing people arrive, Dou Hua let go of the woman and stumbled toward the edge.

“Brother Pei— Brother Pei— Waaaah—”

The distorted roar, soaked in tears, crashed into the eardrums with immense tragedy. It was truly a sound to break the hearts of those who heard it.

“If you keep screaming, you’ll vibrate me right off.”

A low, husky voice spoke. In his shock, Dou Hua forgot to wail. He looked down; Pei Yu was hanging precariously from the edge of the roof, his fingers gripping the concrete ledge as he looked up at Dou Hua with resignation.

“…Waaaah, Brother Pei… you scared me to death…”

Dou Hua let out a massive sigh of relief, collapsing onto the ground, unable to stop his sobbing.

Looking at that youthful face, streaked with tears and snot and eyes red with panic, Pei Yu sighed inwardly. A young officer in the field for less than half a year was still just a child; his courage had room to grow. It was understandable, perfectly understandable.

Except… could he stop crying and actually give him a hand?

Pei Yu pursed his lips helplessly, intending to climb up himself. Unexpectedly, his hand slipped and his body shifted, threatening another fall, which triggered another outcry from below.

“Hey— grab onto me!”

A voice appeared just in time, seizing Pei Yu’s arm and clothing.

Dou Hua finally snapped to his senses. Without even wiping his tears, he leaned forward to help haul Pei Yu up.

“Thanks.”

Once back in the safety of the rooftop, Pei Yu offered his gratitude. He looked up to find that the person before him was the same young man in the hoodie who had been frantic at the bottom of the building.

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  Jianbing guozi is a popular Chinese street food crepe, originating in Tianjin, featuring a thin savory pancake cooked with eggs, crispy fried dough (baocui or youtiao), and sauces.