Chapter Five: One Lie Across the City

The next day, Zhao's case was reopened. Gu's name reached the top trend, then became that of a delivery rider who did not exist. Tang's replay turned into a documentary about doves. Only thousands of screenshots continued through private messages. Lu visited his mother in the hospital. She accepted the apple he had peeled and asked politely, “Young man, are you the new orderly?” The knife cut his fingertip. He felt nothing. His mother had forgotten his face and his voice. Wen stood silently outside. Without turning, Lu extended his bleeding hand behind him. She took it.