At three o'clock in the morning, forensic doctor Shen Mo ran into his roommate Jiang Du disposing of a black garbage bag in the corridor. A dark red liquid oozed from the bottom of the bag—exactly the same blood stains from the fingernails of the victim she dissected open that day.
She didn't call the police. She is a medical examiner and knows better than anyone what having no evidence means.
They continued to share a room, continued to have breakfast, and continued to pass each other in the corridor at three in the morning. The note said "be quieter next time" and she replied "mind your own business".
Until she found a silver hairpin in the kitchen - it was a birthday gift she gave to her missing sister Shen Nian seven years ago. There is a scratch on the back of the pearl, made by her own hands.
In Jiang Du's room, the entire wall was carved with small water droplets. She carved it for seven years.
The latest victim of the serial dismemberment case also had the same symbol painted on his pocket.
A forensic doctor. A suspect's roommate. A sister who has disappeared for seven years.
Who is the murderer? Who is atonement? Who lives for whom?
A good book