chapter 6

Chapter 6

My father killed a family of five and fled. He returned to his wife and children with an unchanged expression, continuing his calm life.

He disguised himself well, so my mother and I, just like that, inexplicably became the family of a murderer.

Then, when I was seventeen, he left again without a word.

This was not only an emotional blow to us, but also a substantial setback.

When a direct relative commits a serious crime, the impact is severe. My dream of becoming a police officer was shattered because of this.

Later, I didn’t apply to the police academy. Instead, I went to a regular university of science and engineering, majoring in bioengineering. Afterwards, I studied, graduated, worked-everything proceeded in an orderly fashion, and I became just another face in the crowd.

After my father disappeared in 1997, he never appeared again. The family massacre case also remained unsolved.

The case’s attention faded with time, but the police did not give up. My father was listed as a fugitive and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

My family was already shattered. My mother fell ill and passed away after I graduated from university. My brother has been away for years and never returned. I moved to the city where I now live, leaving our old home vacant.

After graduation, I worked for several years at a microbiology research institute. My daily life was monotonous; apart from writing novels, I kept reptiles as pets. In 2009, I met my true love, Shan Jing. We got married, and life continued in its quiet way.

Until 2011, when the police discovered a skeleton in a remote river valley in my hometown’s mountains.