Returning home, Su Xiaoxi locked the door and checked every room to confirm no one had entered. She booted up her computer, determined to take another look at the suspicious photo from last night.
Zooming in, enhancing contrast, adjusting brightness—after a series of edits, the corner of the silver briefcase in the center of the photo became slightly clearer. A label seemed to be affixed to the case, with partial text visible.
*"'K-7...3'? What is this?"* Su Xiaoxi frowned in thought. *"I'll revisit that alley during lunch break tomorrow. Maybe I can find more clues."*
She saved the processed photo to an encrypted folder and shut down her computer. Just before bed, her phone buzzed with a notification.
A text from an unknown number:
**「Lock your doors and windows tonight. Don't answer for strangers.—L」**
Su Xiaoxi stared at the abrupt warning, puzzling over it, until it hit her—*"L"* could stand for Lin Yi. How did he get her number? And why send such a message?
Too many questions swirled in her mind, but exhaustion eventually overpowered curiosity. She fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of silver briefcases, blurred labels, and a pair of hawk-like eyes that never stopped watching her.
The moment the lunch bell rang, Su Xiaoxi grabbed her bag and slipped out of the office. She hadn't told anyone her plan—especially not Lin Yi. That cryptic text had left her restless all night, and this morning, Lin Yi had studied her with that probing gaze of his, as if he could read her thoughts.
After crossing three blocks, she found the dim alley. In daylight, it looked utterly ordinary—a few garbage bags piled near the walls, dried puddles staining the ground. She took a steadying breath and stepped inside.
*"This should be the spot..."* she murmured, crouching where she'd taken the photo and comparing angles with her phone.
The location where the silver briefcase had been in the photo was now empty. Su Xiaoxi knelt, inspecting the ground closely, and noticed traces of a suspicious white powder. She dabbed a fingertip in it and sniffed—no discernible scent.
*"Looking for this?"*
A hoarse male voice spoke behind her. Su Xiaoxi's blood turned to ice. Slowly, she turned to see a tall man in a black mask blocking the alley's entrance—holding a silver briefcase.