‘Big sisters said the killer chose beautiful women to kill,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘Because of my looks and I have you, I’m not scared.’


  Hao Yan Che pinched Yuan Gun Gun’s face. He was in a good mood because she felt safe having him.

  ‘The killers’ victims died pitifully,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  Yuan Gun Gun put the chopsticks down. She felt sad for the victims.

  Hao Yan Che picked up the chopsticks and put food in Yuan Gun Gun’s mouth.

  Yuan Gun Gun chewed. She thought about what Qi Tu said so she considered going to the temple to pray for world peace. She could also pray that Hao Yan Che would always be in a good mood, and for him to let her eat ice-cream seven days a week.

  At twenty-five past ten at night, Yuan Gun Gun heard a woman’s screams and fell out of bed. Hao Yan Che carried Yuan Gun Gun back to bed.

  ‘Che……’ Yuan Gun Gun called.

  Hao Yan Che stroked Yuan Gun Gun’s back.

  ‘Don’t be scared,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘It’s only sounds of someone playing.’


  Yuan Gun Gun hugged Hao Yan Che. She couldn’t stop shaking.

  ‘Che, I’m scared,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  ‘You’re safe,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘I’m here with you. I won’t let anything happen to you.’


  Yuan Gun Gun looked at Hao Yan Che’s calm eyes. She stopped shaking. But she cried for the victim.

  Hao Yan Che kissed the tears on Yuan Gun Gun’s face.

  ‘Look how scary I am,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘If you’re not scared of me then there’s nothing for you to be scare of.’


  ‘The killer is scarier than you,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  Hao Yan Che gently kissed Yuan Gun Gun’s cut lips from her fall.

  ‘Che……’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  Hao Yan Che licked the blood from Yuan Gun Gun’s lips.

  ‘Che…… my head feels dizzy,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  ‘Sleep,’ Hao Yan Che said.

  ‘I can’t sleep,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  ‘I’m here with you,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘Sleep.’


  ‘Um,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

  Yuan Gun Gun closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

  Hao Yan Che let go of Yuan Gun Gun. He got out of bed, dressed and made a phone call.

  Later Yi Tu entered the master bedroom to see Hao Yan Che.

  ‘Investigate the addresses of the victims,’ Hao Yan Che said.

  Yi Tu noticed a familiar photo on one of Hao Yan Che’s laptops under the listing of the killer’s future victims.

  ‘Isn’t that a photo of Gun Gun……’ Yi Tu asked.

  ‘Go investigate,’ Hao Yan Che said.

  ‘Yes young master,’ Yi Tu said.

  Yi Tu carried the laptop, and left the room.

  Hao Yan Che looked at the bed. Yuan Gun Gun was sleeping soundly. His fingers tapped the table. He wanted to find out the killer’s identity and motive.

  A while later, Yi Tu returned to the master bedroom looking solemn.

  ‘What did you find out?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

  ‘Young master, have you heard about the details of the recent spree killings?’ Yi Tu asked.

  ‘Get to the point,’ Hao Yan Che said.

  ‘The IP address of the uploaded victims’ photos is the same as the bedroom next door,’ Yi Tu said.

  ‘Don’t alarm anyone here,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘Investigate the killer’s identity.’


  ‘But young master……’ Yi Tu said.

  Yi Tu saw Hao Yan Che’s warning and swallowed his words.

  ‘Yes young master,’ Yi Tu said.

  Yi Tu bowed and left the master bedroom.

  ***