In an abandoned factory on the southern outskirts of Shangjing City, we found Huang Qinghao's body.

The air hung thick with a faint scent of blood and rust.

Under the glow of Ouyang Earth's phone, Huang Qinghao lay stiffly on the ground. A clear gunshot wound marked his forehead, his eyes still open, unable to close in time.

Members of the Jiangnan Gang and Black Dragon Society had completely encircled the factory. The boy who led us here sobbed uncontrollably, while most others averted their eyes, unwilling to face the corpse.

Huang Yingdie gripped my arm tightly, as if I were her last anchor in that moment.

"I never expected Shangjing City to be in such chaos," Ouyang Earth murmured.

Donning gloves, he deftly closed Huang Qinghao's eyelids and sighed. "Did he have any enemies in daily life?"

A Jiangnan Gang member replied, "No. Brother Qinghao only had minor scuffles. The worst was with Sister Yi Yao, but he never meant real harm—just a lesson, like before."

Ouyang Earth turned to the first witness. "Stop crying. Did he die after you arrived or before?"

"A-after I came... I saw him lying here. It was strange... I checked... then ran..."

"I see."

Standing, Ouyang Earth pulled out his phone. "Hello, this is 017. A shooting occurred here. Bring your team—I have my location on."

After hanging up, he scanned the factory perimeter. His gaze lingered three seconds on a nearby hill. "You're young now, but remember this: while some sulk over toys or lost games, others lose the right to live."

His unspoken words were clear—stay out of trouble; your futures are long.

I understood deeply. On life's path, you meet such people often.

Shangjing City's wages rank low nationally. 2000 yuan here equals a month's salary; elsewhere, it's a week's fast-food pay.

Most despairing? When hardworking folks share earnings online, netizens mock: "Impossible! I earned more waiting tables in high school. You're a student—you're just lazy."

Here, people stress over medical bills while sick; there, others fret over pocket money.

In silence, I approached Ouyang Earth examining the body. "Any findings?"

He shook his head. "A small sniper rifle. The killer was trained. No footprints or evidence. This case is messy."

"Yi Yao, guess," Card Brother said, patting my shoulder. Calm despite the death, he smiled mysteriously. "After Huang Qinghao's death, who's most implicated?"

"Who's most implicated?" I thought. "Me?"

"Hahaha, girls' minds baffle me," he chuckled. "You clashed with him, but killing him to stir trouble? Unnecessary. And a sniper? Overkill."

"Hmm," Ouyang Earth nodded. "A brawl death and a sniper kill are different crimes. One's personal; the other..."

Lu Kai, silent until now, snapped, "Stop riddling! Who was the shot for? Huang Qinghao was flawed, but he's Jiangnan Gang. Don't let him die confused!"

Ouyang Earth looked up. "Luo Wei."

Card Brother grinned. "Same as me."

"Spit it out!" Lu Kai yelled.

"Simple," Card Brother produced a playing card. "In Dou Dizhu, if two farmers fight, who benefits?"

Lu Kai paused. "The landlord?"

"Right. Now, in an entertainment city: two farmers play Dou Dizhu, fight, then one's shot dead. Who suffers?"

Ouyang Earth finished, "The owner—when deaths happen, citizens panic and distrust leaders."

"Yes," Card Brother said, glancing at Xiaodie beside me. "This is reality. Kidnappings, red-light districts, then shootings—panic spreads. If news leaks about the mayor's corruption causing economic slump..."

I felt sweat seep from Xiaodie's palms on my arm.

"This enemy never cared about us small gangs. His goal? Destroy Shangjing City—and Mayor Huang Zhiqiang."

"You're students. Don't touch this level. Luo Wei, take them home."

Seeing our fear, Ouyang Earth waved us off. "It's for your good. Knowing too much brings trouble."

"Haha, still cautious, Earth?"

"I must be. This city's chaos surprised me... Go. My team's coming—I can't explain kids here."

...

Card Brother drove Xiaodie and me home. She silently gripped my arm the whole ride.

Only when exiting did she bow to him. "Thank you."

"Stay calm, Xiaodie. Life has partings and deaths," he said. Unusually serious in his suit, he looked like a noble under the night. "Sleep well. Tomorrow's Saturday—shop, game with friends. Safe in the city center."

"Mm."

Xiaodie didn't commit, but her shaky tone betrayed panic.

"Yi Yao, I leave her to you."

With an encouraging look, the resigned Card Brother closed the car door.

Watching the taillights fade under the gate lamp, I turned. "Let's go."

"Yi Yao."

On the dim neighborhood path, Xiaodie spoke softly.

"I'm here."

Clutching my arm tighter, she asked tearfully, "Aren't you scared?"

"Scared of what?"

"A real person... just died... I hated him, but not like this..."

"Fear of death, or fear of this city?"

"I..."

"Xiaodie, death finds us all. Fearing it wastes today. Live well while you can."

Witnessing death was cruel for teens.

"Why so calm, Yi Yao?" She looked up. "Why say such things so flatly?"

Because I was used to it.

Classmates, relatives—I'd seen their fates. From the future, I'd watched this city change for over a decade. Greater sorrows had hardened me; your panics no longer troubled me.

But I couldn't tell her.

I was from another timeline, surviving only by borrowing my sister's body in this world.

"Maybe I'm just thick-skinned."

With that vague reply, we entered her home.

"That's enough. Bathe, sleep. School tomorrow."

Grabbing car keys from the coffee table, I turned to leave—but she grabbed my arm again.

"Don't..."

Xiaodie looked drained, voice weak. "Don't go..."

"Safe in the city. Be good."

"Stay..."

"What?"

Head lowered, she whispered, "Stay with me... please..."

Her fear was raw.

"Won't your dad return tonight?"

She shook her head.

"Tomorrow's classes?"

Another shake.

"Defeated by you."

Sighing, I kicked off my half-changed shoes. Surveying the messy living room, I asked, "Where do I sleep?"

She pointed upstairs. "With me."