Chapter Four: The Testimony of Silence

Pain struck Lin Wan's temple. For one instant she saw a rain-soaked hospital corridor and Chenzhou, his hands covered in blood, forcing the ash-white book into hers. Don't write. Whoever comes out won't be the person who went in. The vision vanished. A tiny audio card lay at the bottom of the file. Tang Li borrowed a reader. Beneath static came the fall of steel beams, then Lin Wan's younger voice, sobbing: “He went back for that man. He promised to return, but I heard it break.” Another woman asked, “Who?” “Chenzhou.” A shrill tone cut the recording. When sound returned, Lin Wan's voice was eerily calm: “Zhou Xubai will live, and four years from now, he will love me.” Tang Li paused it. “You didn't write that for Zhou Xubai.”