Chapter 2: The Wasted Season of Youth

The father of the deceased was the owner of a listed company that manufactured electrical appliances; her mother was a full-time homemaker. Judging from the nature of the kidnapping, it was likely orchestrated by someone familiar with their family. After all, the ransom amount matched their financial status perfectly.

“Think back—do you have any enemies or grudges?”

Once the police had finished processing the scene, they immediately began interviewing the victim’s family. The deceased, named Xu Kexin, was fifteen years old and attended an elite private school. Her father, Xu Li, fifty-four, was a wealthy businessman worth over a hundred million. Her mother, Liu Jiahui, forty-two, was a full-time wealthy wife.

“I run a company, so naturally there are many rivals. But to call any of them enemies—that might be going too far,” Xu Li answered, his grief still raw, his voice low.

“Has anything unusual happened at your company lately? I mean regarding personnel,” Su Tianmu asked, trusting his instincts that the search should begin within the company ranks.

It was a large business, mainly producing household appliances, with over four thousand employees and a well-structured, multi-departmental organization.

“There are ten people on our board, but most are elderly and retired. Day-to-day affairs of the company are handled by me alone...” Xu Li gave a brief introduction.

“What a pity, truly! Such a young life snuffed out, and from such a loving family, with devoted parents,” Xia Wuyou murmured to herself, haunted by the image of those wide, unblinking eyes she had seen by the riverbank.

Indeed, the world was full of tragedies. Xia Wuyou thought of her own origins and let out a sigh.

“Hey! What are you thinking about now?” came Fina’s shrill voice beside her.

“Ah!” Xia Wuyou hurriedly moved her coffee cup, grabbed a few napkins, and frantically wiped the coffee that had spilled all over the table.

“Wait—are you crying?” Fina suddenly noticed the tears on Xia Wuyou’s cheeks, surprised.

“No, am I?” She reached up to touch her face, only to realize she was already in tears.

Was she thinking about her own parents? Once, she too had a happy family, beloved father and mother... The more Xia Wuyou remembered, the more sorrow overwhelmed her, and she sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Fina was at a loss, but just then, Su Tianmu arrived, looking for Xia Wuyou.

“What happened? Did you scald your hand?” Su Tianmu asked anxiously, checking her hand for injuries.

“And who’s this?” Fina wondered aloud. It was the first time she had seen such a handsome police officer; her eyes sparkled.

Su Tianmu was rarely seen in uniform, but today the fitted attire accentuated his lean waist and broad shoulders. Despite his nervous demeanor, his striking, rugged features were undiminished.

Xia Wuyou reached over to wipe the drool threatening to escape Fina’s lips and introduced him, “This is Officer Su, my partner.”

Then she turned to Su Tianmu, “This is my colleague, Fina.”

Su Tianmu didn’t even glance at Fina; his attention was fixed solely on Xia Wuyou.

He scolded her, “How could you be so careless? Even pouring hot water gets you burned—did you leave your brain at home this morning?”

The outburst startled even Xia Wuyou.

Fina watched the two, puzzled, feeling her presence was almost a mistake.

“So, why are you here? Is something wrong?” Xia Wuyou asked, surprised.

“Oh, nothing really. I just happened to be nearby. We had a ceremony for an event close to your company, and once it ended, I thought I’d check on you.” Su Tianmu helped Xia Wuyou to her feet. After confirming she was fine, he finally let go.

“That kidnapping case hasn’t progressed. I wanted to ask—what impression did you get when you saw the victim that day? We really need a breakthrough.”

Su Tianmu never wasted a moment.

Xia Wuyou glanced at Fina, signaling her to leave—there was nothing more for her here. Once Fina reluctantly walked away, Xia Wuyou felt at ease to speak.

“I actually wanted to say something that day, but I wasn’t sure.”

Xia Wuyou wiped her face, unconcerned about her ruined makeup, and went on, “I keep feeling that it was someone familiar. The spirit gave me a sense of disbelief—as if someone she knew well committed an unimaginable act.”

Su Tianmu nodded, “That’s what I think too. The murderer is probably from within the company, likely someone close to her father.”

If that was the case, starting with the company staff was the right direction.

“By the way, you look rather good in uniform today,” Xia Wuyou suddenly remarked, noticing for the first time how handsome Su Tianmu truly was.

His face reddened at her words, shyly replying, “This is always how I look—you just never noticed before.”

Indeed, even the most stoic man could have charming moments, though perhaps only around certain people.

After sending Su Tianmu off, Xia Wuyou returned to her office.

Fina, who had been waiting, quickly came up and teased, “Come on, when did you hide such a handsome fellow?”

Xia Wuyou glanced at Fina’s exaggerated expression and responded with feigned coolness, “Hmph! I simply keep a low profile; my charm is subtle.”

Fina struggled to suppress her laughter, nearly bursting from the effort.

“So that’s how it is! Boss Xia, when will you introduce me to such premium resources? I’m desperate for talent!”

Fina struck a pose of worship.

“Sure! It depends on my mood,” Xia Wuyou replied, and both of them couldn’t keep up the act any longer, breaking into hearty laughter.

In truth, Su Tianmu had come to seek Xia Wuyou’s opinion, hoping to confirm his intuition.

Though Xia Wuyou spoke lightly, she still carried the lingering feeling from the day she found the body—a suffocating sense of uncertainty and terror that had haunted her ever since.

Perhaps it was the abrupt loss of such a young life. The victim’s longing and regret, her reluctance to leave, had found their expression through Xia Wuyou, who possessed the gift of communicating with spirits.