Original Suspense Novel: 《ℬ𝓁𝒾𝓏𝓏𝒶𝓇𝒹 ℳ𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓇》 EP46

"Mr. Chen Mo: I am one of the hostages held by the criminals you were negotiating with today. You don't know me, but I know you. When we were kids in Fog Valley, we used to play together under the banyan tree. You probably don't remember because they gave you medicine the day they took you away. I want to tell you – you don't need to blame yourself. My dying here today is my own choice. For eighteen years, I've been wondering if we could have all grown up properly if that incident hadn't happened back then. But I can't find the answer. You were the only child among us who was sent away. I'm glad you survived. Please don't come back. Ayue" There was no signature at the end of the letter, but the name "Ayue" seemed deliberately chosen as a childhood nickname. Chen Mo placed the letter in his palm; it was as light as a fallen leaf. His eyes felt hot, but he didn't let tears fall. He took a deep breath, folded the letter, and carefully put it back into the envelope. "...Thank you, Lin Jing," he said, his voice hoarser than he expected. Lin Jing turned her face away, not looking at him. "I just thought you should know." "So," Fang Guodong broke the brief silence, "that 'criminal' wasn't random. He chose Ayue as a hostage deliberately. He knew she was from Fog Valley, and he knew she knew Chen Mo." "Yes," Lin Jing said, "but that criminal is dead, shot by Commander Fang on the spot. We can't question him." "Unless—" Old Zhou suddenly interjected, his voice low. "That 'criminal' wasn't alone. Someone was behind him. Otherwise, how would he have known about Ayue..." (To be continued)