"Xiao Zhou, look at the surveillance footage. This guy got into the taxi and stayed within camera range the whole way. He got off at Fuxin Community’s south gate. He even greeted the security guard there—definitely a resident. Why not go ask around?"
In the police station’s monitoring room, Captain Yang expertly traced the taxi’s route through the cameras.
"Got it. Thanks, Captain Yang!"
"No problem. You’ve helped us before. Consider this a favor returned. Come on, I’ll drive you there."
Technically, Captain Yang could’ve ignored this minor request. But he saw the young man’s genuine urgency. Plus, Zhou was a brave soul who’d acted heroically before. So the warm-hearted captain decided to see it through to the end. After all, he’d become a cop out of pure dedication.
"Really? Thank you so much!"
Zhou Ruiyang hopped into the police car with Captain Yang, heading to Fuxin Community.
As the car started, Zhou checked his phone. It was dead.
"Captain Yang, what time is it?"
"Ten fifty. We’ll arrive right at eleven."
It’d been nearly five hours since Mujin went missing. She should still be safe.
"Hey, I’ve got a question. Why are you so worried about a sparrow? Is it your pet?"
Captain Yang was curious. People reported lost pets to the police, but mostly dogs or cats. Rarely birds.
Zhou froze for a moment. "Yeah, it is."
"You’re truly loyal. Only someone like you would act so bravely," Captain Yang chuckled.
"Haha…" Zhou forced a dry laugh, saying nothing more.
The dark car window mirrored his reflection. Through it, Zhou Ruiyang’s eyes were lost in thought.
Captain Yang’s question triggered a memory.
Knock knock knock—
A middle-aged man was watching TV in bed when loud banging erupted at the door. He slipped on slippers and hurried over.
"Who is it?"
"Me."
"Ah, Brother Zhang! Come in!"
He opened the door. A man in a black trench coat and hat entered, looking older.
"Lao Liu, it’s the dead of night. If you don’t have something good, don’t blame me for flipping out."
"Ah, a real treasure. Something you’ve never seen in your life," Lao Liu said confidently.
"Huh?" Brother Zhang raised an eyebrow. "I’ve traded birds for decades. What haven’t I seen?"
"A talking sparrow. Ever seen one?"
"A sparrow?" Brother Zhang frowned, then laughed. "Impossible. Sparrows can’t talk."
"That’s why I said you’ve never seen one."
Reassured, Lao Liu led him to the living room. He brought out a cage with Mujin inside and set it on the table.
"Believe me, this one talks."
Brother Zhang leaned forward, hands on his knees, examining Mujin. "Lao Liu, don’t joke with me. This is just a regular sparrow. Show me the real goods."
Mujin was confused at first. Now she understood.
This guy was trying to sell her!
And for a high price, claiming she could talk.
"It’s really her. Wait, I’ll make her say something."
Lao Liu opened the cage, grabbed Mujin, and held a small knife to her. "Quick, shout ‘Help!’"
He expected her to squawk immediately. But this time, she refused.
"Shout! Do it now!" Lao Liu waved the knife. Mujin stayed silent.
She wasn’t refusing to survive. But obeying too easily would make her seem too smart. She didn’t want them knowing she had a mind. That’d bring more trouble.
"Lao Liu, are you kidding? Or did you mishear?"
"I… Brother Zhang, trust me! It’s true!"
Brother Zhang waved his hand. "Impossible. No sparrow in the world can—"
Before he finished, Mujin suddenly squawked, "Impossible! Impossible!"
Her voice was different, but she mimicked his accent perfectly.
Brother Zhang froze instantly.
Lao Liu grinned. "She spoke! Finally!"
"How? Sparrows’ anatomy can’t produce human sounds. How is this possible?"
"Don’t worry about that. Just tell me how much she’s worth."
Brother Zhang frowned, silent for a while.
Then he held up five fingers.
"How about this number?"
Captain Yang walked out of the security office. "We’ve got it. The guy is Liu Dacheng, a carpenter. He lives in Unit 1, Apartment 303 here. Let’s go check."
As he finished, his phone rang.
He answered, spoke briefly, and his expression turned grim.
"Sorry, Ruiyang. Something urgent at the station. I have to go back. You go on alone."
"Thanks, Captain Yang!"
Zhou shook his hand and ran into Fuxin Community.
He quickly found Building 1. But the entrance had a security lock. Without a key, he needed to ring the bell.
As Zhou pondered how to enter, someone walked out. He slipped in behind them.
He rushed up to the third floor and banged on door 303.
After a few knocks, the door swung open.
"What now, Brother Zhang? Holy crap—you’re that guy from the park today! What are you doing here?"
Zhou recognized the man instantly. He grabbed Liu Dacheng by the collar. "Where’s the sparrow you caught? Release her now!"
"Ow! What are you talking about? I didn’t catch any sparrow." Liu’s heart skipped. Could that sparrow be his trained one?
"Get out of the way!" Zhou shoved him aside and stormed in.
He searched the apartment but found no sparrow. Not even a chirp.
How could this be?
Wasn’t he the one who took Mujin?
Zhou felt doubt creeping in. Without solid proof, it’s easy to second-guess.
"See? I told you no sparrows here. Just go home."
Zhou ignored him, scanning the room.
Though no birds, there were several empty cages. Droppings and feathers littered them. Some feathers were scattered on the floor.
If no birds, where did the feathers come from?
"Hey kid! Did you hear me? Get out!" Liu roared, grabbing for Zhou.
Zhou dodged, slipping under Liu’s arm.
As Liu stumbled, Zhou dashed into the kitchen, straight to the trash can.
At the sight, Zhou froze.
In the bin lay a sparrow’s corpse. Beneath it, a pile of tiny bird bones.
"You bastard! What the hell—" Liu stormed in, but stopped short at Zhou’s back.
Zhou slowly turned his head.
His eyes were like icy blades, sharp and cold, piercing Liu. It made him shiver.
What’s with this kid? Why so scary all of a sudden?
Zhou narrowed his eyes, lips parting slightly. His voice was icy.
"You ate her?"
