Gathering the Dark [Crime Investigation]

Fifteen years ago, eleven-year-old Song Le watched with her own eyes as her father's body was dissected a second time. The Y-shaped incision was carved into her heart, leaving a scar that never healed. Fifteen years later, having earned her doctorate in criminal psychology with a focus on psychopathology, she turned down a lucrative offer from the M Country's FBI and returned to the place where it had all happened. The archive room was piled high with case files containing information on tens of thousands of suspects from that time. Even reading at a glance, Song Le could never get through them all quickly. Just as she was at a loss, the archive room door swung open, and gentle moonlight poured across the floor. The newcomer was tall and slender, with tousled hair just barely covering his forehead. Standing with his back to the light, his features lost in shadow, he asked in a hoarse voice, “You came back. Why didn’t you tell me?” Song Le looked up slightly and saw the turmoil in his eyes. She curved her lips into a faint smile. “I knew you’d come looking for me.” The man stepped inside, his dark silhouette completely enveloping her. “Now that you’re back, are you staying?” “I’m staying.” Song Le turned to meet his gaze. “I still like it here. The winters over there are too cold.” The turmoil in his eyes surged even more fiercely. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. After a moment’s silence, he said, “Then stay here. There’s warmth here.” Not long after... Song Le roared, “Zhou Yunqi, you bastard! Where the hell is this warmth? I look at corpses every day, and I’m practically covered in livor mortis!” Zhou Yunqi chuckled softly and pulled her into his arms in full view of everyone. His hold was firm, and Song Le struggled in vain. Zhou Yunqi pressed her head against his chest and whispered, “Silly. The warmth is right here.”