You’re here.

My theory is that all these victims died because they participated in the creation of the “Fang Lin” transgender corpse.

Once I voiced this, even I found the explanation logical—almost as if it were the truth.

All my speculations eventually converged on a question that had plagued me for a long time: what was the real purpose behind making this transgender corpse? What secret so unspeakable was hidden within this body, that after its creation, those involved in its making died one after another?

While I pondered this, Jin Ze spoke up. “Your reasoning makes sense, but many of the details don’t hold up under scrutiny. Take the simplest point: after Forensic Doctor Zheng Wei died, incredibly difficult murders still occurred. This means the killer is himself a surgical expert. If he could perform the surgeries himself, why involve Zheng Wei at all?”

I nodded. “Hmm, maybe all the stitching and such were done by the killer himself; Zheng Wei only did the cosmetic surgery. Perhaps the killer wasn’t skilled at plastic surgery and needed Zheng Wei’s help. Afterward, he killed Zheng Wei to cover up the truth.”

Jin Ze looked at me, paused, then continued, “Assuming you’re right, then who do you think is the mastermind behind all this?”

I thought for a moment, then analyzed, “The transgender body ultimately turned into my girlfriend Fang Lin. And I caught Fang Lin hiding in my house, smiling so eerily. So, the only person I can think of is Fang Lin herself. I really don’t want to believe it, but she is the most suspicious. But if you think about it, it still doesn’t make sense. How could a woman commit so many murders? She must have an accomplice. I suspect the person who’s been spying from the ceiling in my house—that’s Fang Lin’s helper.”

Jin Ze continued watching me, as if weighing my words. Soon, he asked, “Following your logic, why would Fang Lin create a transgender corpse that looks almost identical to herself?”

His question stumped me, as it was also my greatest confusion.

But since he asked, I shared my thoughts. “To be honest, sometimes I wish I had another me. If I really had one, he could handle my tasks while I enjoyed myself. But that’s impossible. Even if someone looked exactly like me, he wouldn’t necessarily obey me. But if there was some kind of deal—say, I needed to do something extremely dangerous, where I might die—naturally, I wouldn’t want to risk it myself. So maybe I could trick this lookalike into doing it, letting him die in my place. I think that might be why Chen Mengying had surgery—to become Fang Lin’s double. But since this double ended up as a transgender corpse, that undermines my theory. Honestly, I can’t make heads or tails of it now.”

As soon as I finished, Jin Ze gave me a look, signaling for me to stop. He called me outside to a secluded corner—probably to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

Then Jin Ze said, “Chen Mu, I think you’re close to the truth, but you’ve got it exactly reversed. Based on what you said, and using my own analysis of the perpetrator’s psychology, I can reach a conclusion—one that might be even more outrageous than you imagine.”

I was taken aback and immediately asked him what his conclusion was.

Jin Ze didn’t hold back. He said, “There’s something you overlooked in your analysis: you never mentioned the corpse oil perfume. Yet every victim used this sinister cosmetic. When we collected DNA from Chen Mengying’s parents, we found corpse oil perfume in her room. This must be a crucial clue. I’d boldly speculate that the corpse oil perfume is a symbol, the emblem of a malevolent organization. Let’s call this organization S. If we assume S exists, then all the victims were members of S. Your girlfriend Fang Lin would be one too, possibly with a high rank. You said the peeping eye was the killer and in league with Fang Lin. But in reality, he is indeed the killer, but not Fang Lin’s ally. In fact, Fang Lin is his target. This deranged killer is launching a furious vendetta against the S organization!”

Jin Ze’s words made my heart leap. I had to admit, his analysis was sharper than mine, so I listened intently.

He continued, “The killer’s revenge probably started with Fang Lin, since she might hold a high position in S. After killing Fang Lin, he discovered she wasn’t the real Fang Lin, but the surgically altered Chen Mengying. This shows Fang Lin’s cunning, and confirms her importance in S. So, Chen Mengying was just Fang Lin’s scapegoat. Fang Lin herself must be formidable, not so easily killed. You can see that from the footage you secretly filmed last night—she appeared in your house and slipped out the window with ease. She must be highly trained.”

While I admired Jin Ze’s deductions, a doubt arose: “Wait, if Fang Lin is so capable, why would she date someone insignificant like me? And the peeping killer—if he killed the wrong person, why cut off the fake Fang Lin’s head and sew it onto Liu Yang’s body? Why contact me, lure me to see the corpse, and tell me my girlfriend was actually male? What was his goal in all this? How did I get caught in the crossfire between these two twisted sides?”

As soon as I finished, Jin Ze squinted at me, as if trying to see through me, to discover why I had become a target.

Soon, he said, “Let’s go back a month. I think S realized the killer was seeking revenge, so they created the fake Fang Lin, Chen Mengying. With S’s power, they wouldn’t just sit and wait to be slaughtered. They’d want to discover who the executioner was. Fang Lin probably became your girlfriend not out of love, but because you were somehow connected to the killer. That’s also why she never truly got close to you—she was only trying to uncover a secret, or find something, not because she liked you.”

Hearing this, I was suddenly heartbroken. But I believed Jin Ze—so that’s why Fang Lin always kept me at arm’s length.

Jin Ze continued, “The killer didn’t stop his rampage against S after killing the fake Fang Lin. He went on to murder Liu Yang, Zheng Wei, Zhang Wentong, and drove Chen Jing to suicide. As for the killer, after dispatching the fake Fang Lin, he turned her into a transgender corpse and tricked you into seeing it, telling you your girlfriend was a man—he must have had his reasons. I think he wanted to manipulate you into doing something. Again, Chen Mu, there must be a secret within you—one that both S and the killer are after. That’s why their battle has reached your home. You’ve become the key to solving this case. I imagine Chief Fang realized this too, which is why he’s taken special care of you. You’re the most crucial part of this puzzle.”

Suddenly, everything became clearer. If not just the killer and the police, but an evil group like S is involved, then it all makes sense. The killer is powerful, but there are things he can’t do alone, so he’s guiding the police to help him execute this vengeful plan against S. No wonder he keeps leaving clues. He’s a brilliant, peerless, high-IQ madman.

At that moment, my phone buzzed in my pocket—a message on QQ from the peeper.

He wrote: Looks like you’re finally catching on, though much slower than I expected. Not bad, though. Anyway, Chen Mengying’s head has served its purpose. As usual, Chen Mu, mail it out. Oh, and don’t forget to sew the peeled scalp back on before you send it.

Seeing this, I shuddered. Damn, this peeper knows our every move.

I hurriedly showed Jin Ze the message. He read it, his expression grave—clearly, he was facing a truly formidable opponent.

Fearing the peeper might start killing again, Jin Ze quickly had Miaomiao sew Chen Mengying’s scalp back on. Then I accompanied him to send the head by courier. This time, Fang Qinghe personally led a team to follow the parcel, hoping to apprehend the maniac who would sign for it in my name.

After mailing the package, I sat in Jin Ze’s car. He suddenly asked, “Chen Mu, do you remember that set of sketches? Looking back, the killer had already told us the truth. In the middle sketch, Chen Mengying’s head is severed, her face skin flayed and placed aside. The last one shows Fang Lin grinning eerily. Those drawings were clues—Chen Mengying was surgically altered, turned into the transgender corpse. We just didn’t realize it. The killer was right—we really are too weak. But I swear, I’ll catch him myself!”

I nodded at Jin Ze, “Yeah, you can do it. To be able to untangle such a chaotic case—you and the killer are on the same level! Dealing with people like you is terrifying.”

As soon as I spoke, Jin Ze started the car and said, “Since the killer wanted to use those sketches to hint at Fang Lin’s secret, there must be things he wants us to know. He won’t just end it here. He’s sure to leave us more clues. Come, let’s go back to Fang Lin’s place. After the transgender corpse was taken away, we never searched her home. Maybe we’ll find something new.”

Soon we arrived at Fang Lin’s apartment complex. Jin Ze had brought the keys from the police station. Technically, it wasn’t legal, but since Fang Lin’s family couldn’t be reached, and the case was of utmost importance, the police had kept her house sealed and held onto the keys.

Just as we reached Fang Lin’s door, my phone buzzed again.

When I looked at the message, a chill ran down my spine—my whole body went cold.

It was a text from the late Zhang Wentong: You’re here. I’ve been waiting for you a long time.