Chapter Four: Two Blood Samples in a Silver Bell

The bell rang once. Its resin split, releasing two blood-thin films. Zhiwei sealed them in evidence tubes and pried out the final rivet. They escaped through the service gap as the nitrogen valve opened fully. Linchuan ran to her, asking whether she was hurt. Zhiwei saw his lips move but could no longer identify the sound as his. She was not deaf. Waves, sirens, and Yutang's breathing remained clear. Only Linchuan's voice had become sound behind uncaptioned glass. COMMISSION COLLECTED: EVERY MEMORY OF GU LINCHUAN'S VOICE. “I'm fine,” she said. “Send the samples.” The rush report arrived at dawn. The first sample belonged to Minglan and established Zhiwei as her daughter. The second matched Yutang.