"Dong... dong..."

The sound of a blunt object hitting a head, one after another, was exceptionally clear in the dark night.

I curled up in the corner, covering my mouth tightly, not daring to make a sound.

Five minutes ago, I was working overtime until late at night. Passing through this alley, I saw two people fighting fiercely.

In such a situation, I should have turned around and left, but I recognized one of them—it was my longtime neighbor, Zhou Sicheng.

The other person was wearing a hat and a mask, making his face unrecognizable.

At first, they were just shoving each other, but soon they were fighting to the death. I was secretly alarmed and hesitated whether to call the police, but then the noise stopped.

I sneaked a glance over and saw, under the dim light, that the person was holding something and fiercely smashing Zhou Sicheng's head. Blood splattered all over his face, and sticky liquid trickled down his hand.

I forced myself to keep from screaming, trembling as I texted Jiang Yi, asking him to avoid this alley and come pick me up.

I also thought about calling the police, but this neighborhood is remote, and I didn't know when the police would arrive.

All I could do was run back and silently pray that the person wouldn't notice me.

But I was careless. I forgot that I was wearing high heels, and the person reacted immediately, chasing after me.

I couldn't outrun him. The footsteps behind me were getting closer and closer. I kicked off my high heels and ran barefoot on the road.

"Help! Is anyone there?"

I shouted for help, but the road was empty, and no one appeared.

I turned a corner and hid in a large pile of garbage.

The strong smell of rotten and sour instantly filled my nostrils. I almost threw up, but I didn't dare move. Carefully, I silenced my phone and was about to text Jiang Yi when he called me on video.

I didn't dare answer. The footsteps nearby were getting closer, accompanied by a familiar ringtone. Someone was holding a phone and approaching the garbage pile where I was hiding.

I couldn't help but shrink back.

"Bang—"

He kicked the trash can in front of me.

Jiang Yi! It was Jiang Yi!

Startled and delighted, I hugged him tightly: "You came to pick me up!"

Jiang Yi helplessly patted my head: "So late, why didn't you answer my call and hid in a pile of garbage?"

With that reminder, my barely relaxed nerves immediately tensed: "I saw someone kill Zhou Sicheng, right in that alley. It's dangerous here; we need to go home first!"

"Okay."

Jiang Yi glanced at me without asking more and led me home through another route.

I didn't know if it was my illusion or not, but all the way, Jiang Yi's hand seemed to be trembling slightly.

After we got back, he comforted me a bit before hurrying into the bathroom. I didn't even have time to tell him about the alley incident.

His backpack lay on the bed—the same one I gave him back in college, which he still used today.

The backpack was bulging, stuffed with many things.

My relationship with Jiang Yi was stable; he treated me very well. After five years of dating, he had never said a harsh word to me.

Outside, he was a steady and reliable engineer, but in front of me, he was just a considerate, clingy big boy.

I trusted him completely and had never looked through his phone or backpack.

But now, the bathroom door was tightly closed, with the sound of running water coming from inside.

We were almost getting married. What harm could it do to take a look?

Thinking this, I unzipped the backpack. Inside were some usual changes of clothes, and further in, a blood-stained ashtray.

The bright red bloodstains pricked my eyes, and an inexplicable fear swept over me.

Why would Jiang Yi stuff a blood-stained ashtray in his backpack? Had he fought with someone? No wonder he was acting so strange today...

"Ah Yan, what are you looking at?"

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, leaving only Jiang Yi and me in the room at night.

Jiang Yi stood behind me, one hand around my waist, taking the ashtray with the other: "Ah, you found it. My Ah Yan is so smart."

His tone was cheerful, without a hint of panic. I suppressed the absurd thought in my mind.

"Jiang Yi, did you... get into a fight?"

"Hmm."

Jiang Yi answered so straightforwardly that I felt a bit at a loss.

"So... were you hurt badly? Who was it? Why did you fight?"

"I'm fine. As for Zhou Sicheng..."

Jiang Yi suddenly laughed: "He's probably dead."

He seemed genuinely happy, holding me tighter.

His freshly showered body was warm against mine, like a big, affectionate cat.

But I felt like I was falling into an icy cave.

Zhou Sicheng was dead, and Jiang Yi killed him.

My mind buzzed, and I couldn't say a word.

"Ah Yan, are you not happy?"

"He's dead; no one can stop us from getting married now."

I was stunned.

Jiang Yi whispered in my ear: "

I've calculated the wedding date with a master. The 21st of next month is a good day. Shall we get married then?"

Jiang Yi leisurely discussed the wedding date with me, as if the person dead wasn't a person, but an insignificant ant.

I was stiff all over, countless thoughts tangling into a knot, leaving only one—Jiang Yi had killed someone.

Jiang Yi had killed someone. What should I do?

I had no parents, and my friends were distant. All I had was Jiang Yi, but he had become a murderer.

"Jiang Yi!"

My throat was sore, and I questioned him with red eyes: "You killed him, what am I supposed to do?"

"What am I supposed to do, Jiang Yi?"