Volume One: First Scroll
Day and Night
We are colleagues who spend our days and nights together, and comrades who face life and death side-by-side.
The moment Song Yuhang stepped into the training room, she saw several people gathered around Duan Cheng’s computer.
“What’s wrong?”
Duan Cheng turned around, still shaken, and stammered, “Some… someone replied to my post.”
Lin Yan leaned in for a look. It was an anonymous forum. The user ID of the person who replied to Duan Cheng’s post was just a string of numbers composed of code, and the avatar was a whale.
Song Yuhang glanced at Zheng Chengrui, who immediately opened his laptop to trace the person’s IP address.
“Captain Song, found it. It’s inside an internet cafe in the East District.”
Song Yuhang made a call to the nearby police station.
Half an hour later.
“Officer, it wasn’t me, I’ve really been wronged.” Inside the holding cell, a sloppily dressed man sat in the interrogation chair, handcuffs on his wrists.
“I just… just thought it was fun, purely. Didn’t the newspapers say… someone might actually commit suicide? I just wanted to see which f%cking idiot would be that stupid. Who knew it was you officers setting a trap1, hehe, hehe, really sorry about that.”
The case officer slammed his pen on the table. “Got nothing better to do?!2 This is called disturbing public order, threatening public safety, confusing the public, utterly senseless!”
Shortly after, a criminal investigator came out to report: “Captain Song, we’ve got it all clear. This person is a good-for-nothing petty thug, only has an elementary school education. Hanging out in internet cafes and playing games is fine for him, but writing code and programming is probably beyond him…”
Song Yuhang flipped through two pages of the interrogation record, tossed it on the table, and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. “Alright, lock him up for a few days as a lesson. Make a token gesture and then let him go.”
On the third day since the task force was formed, the case investigation hit a deadlock. Everyone at the police station was exhausted3. Deep into the night, Song Yuhang turned around to see more than half the office slumped over their desks.
She sighed quietly to herself, got up, tiptoed to the wall, turned off the main lights, and prepared to go outside for a smoke.
When she reached the rooftop and felt her pockets, her cigarettes were all soaked soft and wouldn’t light.
Just as she was hesitating, a fair, slender hand reached out in front of her, cigarette pack open. “Here. No Zhonghua, make do with this.”
Song Yuhang smiled, took one, and flicked the lighter several times before it caught. “Not going to rest?”
“You neither,” Lin Yan said, also cupping her hand around the flame to light her cigarette, no longer trying to intimately light hers from Song’s as she might have before.
Watching her action, Song Yuhang felt a sense of loss, but she only said, “You should rest more.”
Lin Yan smiled faintly. “Closing my eyes just means nightmares. Better not to sleep and stay sharper.”
Seeing her standing here, Song Yuhang couldn’t help but think of their conversation in the hallway. She lowered her head and took a deep drag. “Is that question important to you?”
Lin Yan replied coolly, “You should ask yourself, is it important to you?”
“I feel like I’ve grasped something4, but I can’t quite figure it out. Just like this case, it seems close yet I’m completely clueless5.” As Song Yuhang spoke, her brow furrowed slightly. In just a few short days, her eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, dark circles rimmed them, and the corners of her mouth were chapped. Those eyes, usually so full of spirit, had dimmed.
The pressure of cracking the case, the expectations of the deceased, coupled with Lin Yan’s words, became the last straw that breaks the camel’s back6.
Standing here, looking at the city below her, at the woman beside her, Song Yuhang felt only confusion, confusion, and more confusion.
Lin Yan’s lips moved, as if she felt some pity, but she said nothing, stubbing out her cigarette.
Instead, it was Song Yuhang who, seeing her about to leave, turned and said, “Wait for me. Wait until this case is over. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer.”
Truly Song Yuhang, work always comes first.
Lin Yan smiled slightly, turned back, and said, “I won’t be going home lately. I’ll sleep in the duty room.”
Song Yuhang paused, understanding her meaning.
You’re welcome to find me anytime if you have questions. I will also give my all to crack this case.
More importantly, she understood the words Lin Yan wanted to say but didn’t: Even if you can’t answer that question, even if we don’t know what kind of ending awaits us, one thing will never change.
We are colleagues who spend our days and nights together, and comrades who face life and death side-by-side.
Such subtle romance.
Song Yuhang’s heavy heart suddenly cleared, her expression relaxed, the worry fading. Just as Lin Yan was about to step down the stairs, she called out to her again.
“Hey, these cigarettes still aren’t quite right. Next time, treat me to Zhonghua.”
Lin Yan, her back to her, raised her hand and gave her the middle finger.
Song Yuhang grinned, but then saw her wrist flip over, clearly making a gesture of encouragement7.
The police officer could no longer suppress the joy at the corners of her lips. She took two fierce drags, stubbed out the cigarette on the railing, and looked down at the endless stream of traffic8 and brilliant city lights below, the fighting spirit reigniting in her eyes.
“Hey, Lingling9, what’s wrong with you? You were actually late today. Good thing the homeroom teacher came late, otherwise…” After class, her companion affectionately linked arms with her, shaking it gently.
Bai Ling sat at her desk, head down, silent. The usually lively girl was uncharacteristically quiet today.
Her companion called her name a few more times before finally pulling her back to reality.
Bai Ling pulled her hand off her arm. Her smile was somewhat forced and pale. Only then did her companion notice the marks on her face.
“I’m going to the washroom.”
“Hey, Lingling…”
Her companion couldn’t stop her in time. Bai Ling ran out of the classroom, dashed straight to the restroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed water on her face.
People came and went behind her, entering and exiting, talking about topics irrelevant to her, trivial matters, yet she constantly felt a dark, malicious, creepy gaze fixed upon her.
Everything that happened last night left her anguished to the point of wishing for death.
Bai Ling choked back sobs, bracing her hands on the sink as large tears splashed down. “Why… why me… What… what did I do wrong?”
In a daze, she felt someone gently place a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around. It was that familiar stranger, still shrouded in a black robe.
“Bai Ling, look at yourself in the mirror. Are you… still you?”
Bai Ling’s eyes widened as she looked at the completely changed10 girl before her, no longer bearing the purity and innocence of the past.
This girl, whose face was etched with pain, regret, struggle, sorrow, resentment—this wasn’t her, not her.
Bai Ling stumbled back two steps and was caught. That voice came again.
“Bai Ling, do you want to find your true self? Want to go to a place without pain? Come, follow me, follow the steps of the White Whale.”
“Bai Ling, Bai Ling…” Someone urgently shook her shoulder, rescuing her from that ethereal dreamscape.
As if her soul had returned, she turned her head. The homeroom teacher touched her forehead. “What’s wrong with you? Standing here talking to yourself. Class has been going on for a while. If you’re not feeling well, you should ask for leave and go home.”
Bai Ling managed a smile and bowed to the teacher. “Thank you, Teacher. I’m fine. I’ll go back to class now.”
Early in the morning, the Jiangcheng City Bureau held the fourth task force discussion meeting regarding the “White Whale” case.
Feng Jianguo attended as an observer; Song Yuhang presided.
After a brief rest of a few hours, her condition was clearly much better than yesterday. The bloodshot veins in her eyes had faded somewhat. Standing there in her police uniform, she looked sharp and heroic, tall and graceful11.
“Since neither the license plate search nor witness interviews have yielded significant progress, let’s change direction. Let’s consider the suspect’s motive for the crime, and work backward from that to deduce what kind of person might commit such acts, thereby narrowing the scope of our investigation.”
She turned her gaze to the technical investigation team. Lin Yan stood up, handing over a report. “Based on the autopsy findings for He Miao, Fan Lin, and Wu Wei, this person is meticulous and left no traces at the scenes. They are also skilled in psychological suggestion. Furthermore, a certain neurological drug was extracted from the blood of all three victims. I speculate this person may work in a medical-related field, or has past medical experience.”
Song Yuhang nodded, a slight curve touching her lips as she looked at Lin Yan. “Secondly, this person is also a computer expert, capable of writing programs and code. We can boldly hypothesize that their modus operandi12 involves finding suicidal young students online, subjecting them to psychological suggestion, and finally meeting them offline to force their suicide through some method or drug.”
“So, we can roughly outline the following characteristics of the suspect: drives a black Santana, highly educated, proficient in psychology-related knowledge, previously worked in the medical industry, currently unemployed.”
“Possesses certain computer skills, has internet access at home, introverted personality, extremely psychologically abnormal, has certain violent or homicidal tendencies, prefers nighttime activity over daytime.”
“Most serial killers have prior records of animal abuse, bedwetting, or arson. This person is likely no exception, possibly even worse. Their childhood was probably unhappy, planting seeds of hatred in their heart.”
As she said this, she inadvertently glanced at Lin Yan, who was idly twirling a pen in her chair, not looking at her at all.
Song Yuhang turned her face back. “Due to the extended period of continuous crimes, I speculate the person is over thirty years old. The ocean represents tolerance, vastness, the power of life, or mystery. The white whale is at the top of the ocean food chain. I speculate this person may have a special fixation on such things, or perhaps what they pursue, desire, and are obsessed with is related to the ocean and white whales.”
In just one night, she had completely clarified her thoughts and narrowed the scope of the investigation. It was like a shot in the arm13 for the police team; excitement showed on their faces. Even Zhang Jinhai had to sigh in admiration: “Moldable talent, the younger generation is truly formidable14.”
Truly worthy of Director Zhao’s high regard. Feng Jianguo picked up his teacup, took a sip, set it down again, and quietly departed.
He felt assured leaving this case to Song Yuhang.
In just one afternoon, screening through over four thousand black Santana owners, they identified sixty-eight individuals who were highly educated, had psychology or medical backgrounds, had previously worked in the medical industry, knew computer technology, and were around thirty years old. Each was questioned one by one.
From day to night, Song Yuhang didn’t even have time for a sip of water15.
Provincial Capital.
“Didn’t you say this stuff would never appear again?!”
Before them lay three test tubes, emitting a faint blue glow in the darkness.
The person sitting opposite looked at the test tubes, their pupils contracting sharply. They reached out, tore off a piece of tissue paper, wrapped it around one tube, and picked it up.
“Im… impossible… It was destroyed long ago…”
“This was submitted by the Jiangcheng City Bureau. Could it be fake?”
Upon hearing that name, the person opposite trembled all over, their eyes turbulent16. After a long moment, they finally put the test tube back down.
“Things having reached this point, what do you plan to do?”
The man who was asked stood up and walked to the window, bathed in darkness. Outside the window, the city lights were just coming on17, a dazzling display18.
Darkness and light intertwined on him, struggled, and finally, the man took a step back.
“Investigate. Give them the test report, but the samples must remain here.”
“Lin-jie, the fax arrived,” the office assistant19 said. Lin Yan walked over and pulled the papers from the fax machine.
Two thin sheets. She picked up a cup of coffee and read as she walked. Song Yuhang was talking to someone and also heading in this direction.
Neither noticed the other.
By the time Lin Yan snapped back to reality, the coffee in her hand nearly spilled all over herself. Song Yuhang, quick-handed and sharp-eyed, snatched it away while simultaneously reaching out to steady her waist.
“Careful, watch where you’re going.”
Lin Yan braced one hand on Song Yuhang’s shoulder and quickly took two steps back. Seeing no one was looking at her, she smoothed her clothes and snatched the coffee cup back from Song’s hand, annoyed.
“I should be saying that to you.”
Song Yuhang smiled and brushed past her.
She hadn’t taken two steps before Lin Yan turned back, slapping the papers onto her shoulder. “Wait, new discovery.”
“Gamma-hydroxybutyrate?” The unfamiliar name made Song Yuhang pause.
Lin Yan repeated it. “Yes, that’s right. γ-hydroxybutyrate20, a natural substance found in the central nervous system. It can also be artificially synthesized21. It exists in foods and fruits like wine and citrus, and also in small amounts in almost all animals.”
“Medically, gamma-hydroxybutyrate was once used as a sedative to treat mental illnesses such as insomnia, depression, and narcolepsy.”
This was related to her expertise, so Lin Yan naturally spoke fluently22. But what she couldn’t possibly tell Song Yuhang was that the medication she herself took long-term also contained this substance.
At this thought, Lin Yan’s expression turned somewhat gloomy. “Overdosing on this drug can easily be fatal, and…”
She paused. Song Yuhang prompted, “And what?”
“Long-term use leads to drug dependence. Once medication is stopped, it causes withdrawal syndrome similar to drug detox.”
Alarm bells screamed in Song Yuhang’s mind. She gripped the thin sheet of paper, speechless with anger.
Such a vicious method. Dual control over mind and body. It would be strange if they didn’t go mad or seek death.
“So that means, if we trace the source of the drug, we’re not far from the truth.”
Feeling like she had peeled back another layer of the “White Whale’s” mysterious veil, Song Yuhang felt slightly excited, eager to try. She turned and took a couple of steps, then noticed Lin Yan’s unhappy expression, turned back again, squeezed her hand, gripping it tightly, then let go.
“Thanks for your hard work.”
Lin Yan’s gloomy mood seemed to lift slightly at her smile and childish gesture.
The warmth of Song’s hand still lingered in her palm. Lin Yan grabbed a folder and threw it at her. “Get lost! Taking advantage of me again!23“
“Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as GHB. The purification method isn’t complex; a few beakers and distilled water can do it. But you absolutely need its precursor substance, gamma-butyrolactone24.”
This string of chemical names and specialized terminology left the group of rough-around-the-edges25 officers somewhat baffled, exchanging blank looks26.
Lin Yan pressed her forehead. “Fine, let me put it simply. Gamma-butyrolactone is a fragrance27, a common food additive on the market.”
Song Yuhang, sitting in her chair, picked up the paper and simultaneously reached out to ask a colleague for a map. “So that means we just need to search all the food factories, chemical plants, and small workshops within Jiangcheng City, right?”
Lin Yan nodded. “Correct.”
Song Yuhang stood up, folded the map, and tucked it into the breast pocket of her training uniform. She loaded her sidearm28 and slid it into the holster on her lower back.
“Field Team One, move out with me. Target: major food factories, chemical plants, and small workshops in Jiangcheng City.”
“Field Team Two, continue screening potential suspects.”
“Network Security, Video Investigation, Image Analysis, keep digging through videos and checking surveillance. Especially focus on any online posts spreading suicide. Better to bring people in for questioning first than let a single potential suspect slip through.”
“Yes, sir!”
With the order given, all teams prepared to depart.
Lin Yan grabbed her arm. “I want to go with Field Team Two and take a look.”
Song Yuhang frowned. “No—”
“Fang Xin is also there. Why can’t I go?”
Song Yuhang thought about her recklessness last night, still feeling residual fear. But if she didn’t let her go, who knew what kind of trouble she might stir up.
If Lin Yan wasn’t in the bureau, no one could restrain her. Better to let her go with the main group than act alone.
“Three conditions29.”
Lin Yan readily agreed. “Three conditions.”
She gathered her things, preparing to join the field team. But after taking two steps, she turned back, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and leaned close to Song’s ear. “Remember, the # key to find me.”
Warm breath brushed Lin Yan’s ear. She pressed her lips together tightly and directly smashed a folder onto Song’s face. “Get lost!”
Duan Cheng, peeking through the gap between computers, looked up at them. “It’s starting, it’s starting.”
Several people whispered among themselves.
“Let me tell you, let me tell you, that night Forensic Doctor Lin and Captain Song were in the car…”
“In the car what? What happened in the car? Spit it out!”
Several people leaned their chairs back together, tugging at Duan Cheng’s clothes from behind.
Duan Cheng twisted open a Coke bottle, took a few gulps, wiped his mouth, and was just about to spill the beans30 when a shadow fell over him. His words died in his throat.
Song Yuhang stood at the opposite workstation, rubbing her face where it had been hit numb. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She had just walked away when a metal-and-hardwood clipboard came flying through the air, landing squarely on his head.
“Ouch!”
Lin Yan snorted coldly. “If you don’t want that pig tongue anymore, I’ll cut it off.”
Despite her words, a faint blush rose on her usually pale face.
Space Line
When the woman finished buying groceries and reached her front door, police officers happened to be visiting the household next door.
“If needed, please cooperate with our work.”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
The neighbor shook hands with the leading police officer.
The woman didn’t dare look further. She placed the vegetables she bought on the ground and fumbled for keys in her bag to open the door, stabbing at the lock several times without success.
The clinking sound of metal instantly caught Lin Yan’s attention.
“That is…”
“Oh, she’s an old resident of our family compound31. Not a doctor. Her husband died, and the hospital felt sorry for her, having to raise a child, so they let her keep living in the house.”
The woman’s back was stooped; she was no longer young. The hair at her temples looked somewhat gray in the setting sun. Even the hand holding the vegetables and keys trembled slightly.
Lin Yan retracted her gaze, nodded slightly, and said goodbye to the people.
After the woman entered her apartment, she heard the commotion outside gradually fade. As if letting out a huge sigh of relief, she placed the vegetables in the entryway, changed into slippers, and went into the bathroom to wash her hands.
After washing her hands, she pushed open the door to the inner room. A smell of excrement mixed with disinfectant assaulted her nostrils.
The woman pushed open a window in the room, not daring to open it wide, just a crack.
Having done all this, she turned back to help her son, lying in bed, turn over, change his diaper, and clean him up. When everything was tidy, she touched the child’s face, her expression filled with unconcealable grief. She placed his pale, thin little hand back under the covers, tucked him in, and then got up to cook.
Just as she heated the pot, there was a knock on the door. She peeked through the peephole and saw the female police officer she had briefly encountered in the hallway earlier.
The woman opened the door. Lin Yan took out her badge from her pocket. “Police. Need to ask you a few questions.”
LP: Re-translated on April 24, 2025
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