Chapter 99 01

Chapter 99.01

Death is what happens when you add yourself to the world, then subtract you.

—Italo Calvino

--------

The night was as dark as ink, a heavy blanket draped over a mountain forest.

In this tranquil woodland, a natural platform offered a suitable spot for travelers to set up camp, occasionally serving as an overnight resting place.

At this moment, moonlight filtered through the dappled branches and leaves, casting scattered shadows of varying depths upon the ground.

Though night had not yet fully descended, two tents already stood in the campsite—one slightly larger, the other a bit smaller.

With a heart full of trepidation, Wu Yuening lowered her head slightly and cautiously unzipped the larger tent, peering inside.

Within, there were no sleeping bags or typical camping essentials, only an iron basin placed centrally. Charcoal burned inside, crackling softly, its faint glow illuminating her tense, anxious face in the darkness.

Noticing Wu Yuening’s hesitation, the woman beside her softly asked, "Are you scared?"

Her voice was gentle, yet it cut through the silence with remarkable clarity.

Wu Yuening gave a slight shake of her head, then crawled into the tent on all fours. The woman followed closely. Both were clad in hiking gear, carrying the faint chill of the forest's night dew.

They sat close together before the charcoal basin.

The warmth from the charcoal fire gradually dispelled the cold, making the tent cozy and warm. The soft, dim red glow created an eerie yet peaceful atmosphere in the confined space.

Wu Yuening gazed quietly at the woman beside her. They had only met two days ago, but prior to that, in the virtual world of the internet, they had been communicating for two weeks.

She had stumbled into that group chat by chance.

Wu Yuening recalled that the woman before her was named Chen Xiao, with the online ID: Queen of Hearts.

She had stated her age as twenty-six, two years older than Wu Yuening.

Chen Xiao possessed thick, jet-black long hair that cascaded softly over her shoulders. Whenever she gently shook her head, her hair swayed like underwater seaweed.

In stark contrast to Wu Yuening’s ordinary features—a small nose and eyes—Chen Xiao was tall and slender with very fair skin. Her facial features were not conventionally beautiful but strikingly distinctive. The slightly upturned corners of her eyes hinted at an untamed rebelliousness, giving her a unique, captivating allure.

She looked like a dominant older sister figure, yet when she spoke, her voice was soft and gentle, making people naturally want to be near her.

How could someone who seemed so warm and charming also wish to end her life?

Wu Yuening pondered silently, then gently closed her eyes. If they hadn’t met on the eve of ending their lives, she would have loved to draw Chen Xiao a few times.

Ever since entering the forest earlier today, Wu Yuening’s heart had been beating erratically in her chest. These sudden palpitations not only made her chest feel tight but also caused waves of nausea, leaving her extremely uncomfortable.

In contrast, Chen Xiao appeared remarkably calm.

She checked the time and turned to Wu Yuening, saying, "We have thirty minutes left of our lives."

Her voice was so steady it was completely even, as if she were discussing something utterly ordinary.

Wu Yuening nodded lightly, her throat felt tight, as if something were stuck, unable to utter a sound.

Chen Xiao suggested, "Let’s carefully go through our things one more time." As she spoke, she reached into her pocket and took out its contents one by one, placing them in front of her.

Wu Yuening automatically did the same, taking out a few items from her own pocket and lining them up.

Identification, phone, bank card, 10,000 yuan in cash, a note with her phone and bank card passwords, and finally, a handwritten suicide note.

After confirming everything was in order, they returned the items to their pockets.

These were the last traces they'd leave behind in this world as individuals.

The cash was for whoever discovered their bodies—their "burial money"—while the rest was for their families.

A fine sweat broke out on Wu Yuening’s nose, and her heart palpitations grew stronger. Her mind was clouded with doubt; even now, she wasn’t sure if the decision she had made was right or wrong.

The faces of her parents and family kept surfacing in her mind. How would they view her choice?

As if sensing her discomfort, Chen Xiao asked softly, "Do you mind if I put on some music?"

Wu Yuening nodded.

Chen Xiao picked up her phone and turned on speakerphone.

Melodious music instantly filled the tent, the notes as if carrying a kind of magic that eased the tension slightly.

Wu Yuening adjusted her sitting posture, trying to make herself more comfortable.

She took a deep breath. The air that rushed into her nostrils was dry and hot, mixed with the pungent smell of burning charcoal, making her cough several times.

Soon, the carbon monoxide filling the air would silently take their lives.

The man in the other tent faced the same fate.

They were not ordinary backpackers; this was a special meeting between online friends.

They had all joined the same suicide pact group.

Today, the three of them had come here to embrace death.

Wu Yuening quietly lost herself in recollection. When exactly had the thought of death begun to quietly take root in her heart?

She was a freelance illustrator. While creating artworks that people deeply loved, depression shadowed her, tormenting her relentlessly.

Her heart was filled with pain and numbness, and she often found herself crying alone without warning.

At times, it felt as if all her strength had been drained, leaving her lying weakly in bed, unable to eat a single bite the entire day.

Depression not only eroded her mind but also severely affected her body and work.

She began suffering from insomnia, staring at the ceiling all night unable to sleep. Waves of anxiety washed over her, making her restless.

At work, she frequently missed deadlines, and her credibility plummeted. Her once-abundant inspiration seemed to have dried up; she could no longer create beautiful artwork.

She had actively sought medical help, taking the prescribed medications on time, but those drugs didn’t seem to offer much relief for her condition.

Gradually, the word "death" began echoing incessantly in her mind. Each time she thought of it, her body trembled uncontrollably.

The feeling was one of fear, yet tinged with an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

She didn’t know if death could be the release that ended all this suffering.

In her eyes, death was an unknown end, yet also seemed like the only escape from the torment of depression.

She had never mustered the courage to carry out such an act alone—until one accidental occasion when, as if guided by some unseen force, she logged into that app and joined the group.

It was a secret chat group.

There were only a few people in the group, and Wu Yuening received several group rules.

First, the group does not accept minors, only adults with independent thinking capacity, capacity for independent action, and financial independence.

Second, the group will only exist for a period of time until the plan is implemented. If you cannot accept this, please leave the group voluntarily.

Third, you must keep the group’s secret and not disclose it to anyone.

Wu Yuening hadn't made up her mind at first; she was merely driven by curiosity and unease, wanting to see what was being discussed in the group. After all, she could always back out later if she changed her mind.

In the group, she was surprised to discover that there were so many people in the world suffering from pain just like her.

They shared their tragic experiences, troubles, and desire for death.

A user named Queen of Hearts suggested, "Since everyone is afraid of facing death alone, let’s leave this world together. We’ll choose the least painful way. This is something that requires careful consideration—we need to plan everything before and after."

Her words were highly persuasive and inflammatory, and the methods she proposed genuinely seemed to be in everyone’s best interest.

So, Wu Yuening unconsciously followed the steps she outlined.

She visited the family and friends she had always wanted to see but never found the time for.

She spent a comfortable day at home watching her favorite movies.

She ate the fruits and desserts she had been craving.

Under such an initiative, almost as if possessed, when it came time to make a choice after a while, she filled in "Yes" after "Participate?"

But after all, facing death requires immense courage. Others in the group gradually dropped out, leaving only three people: her, Queen of Hearts, and a man with a square as his avatar who went by Mr. Square.

She gave her phone number to Queen of Hearts and soon received a call inviting her to meet.

With a nervous and uneasy heart, she arrived at the meeting place and met the other two.

Among them, the girl was Chen Xiao, and the boy seemed taciturn, always avoiding eye contact. He was fairly good-looking and said his name was Xie Nian.

They had a big meal at a restaurant in the city. She paid two thousand yuan as her share of the expenses.

At a KTV, they sang loudly and then wrote their suicide notes.

While staying at a guesthouse, Wu Yuening, at Xie Nian’s invitation, slept with him. For someone who had always been obedient, this was her first rebellious act. After all, everyone was going to die soon, and virginity no longer seemed important.

They spent two days together, and on the second night, it was time to go through with it.

She set up a farewell message on her account, which would automatically be posted after her death.

Chen Xiao gave her clothes, shoes, and other gear. The three of them set off on a hiking journey like ordinary mountaineers.

In the evening, they finally reached their destination. After a simple dinner, Xie Nian skillfully set up the tent, expertly lit the charcoal with practiced ease, and gave them a charcoal brazier.

Now, only the final step remained...

The music in the tent and the carbon monoxide she inhaled made Wu Yuening feel increasingly drowsy.

Her eyelids grew heavier, her consciousness gradually blurred, and her body went limp.

In these final moments, having someone by her side felt entirely different from facing death alone.

Wu Yuening felt somewhat grateful in her heart for joining this group. The presence of these two people made her death seem less terrifying and lonely.

She lay on Chen Xiao’s lap as Chen Xiao gently stroked her hair, again and again, tenderly caressing her back and whispering, "Good child, sleep. Once you fall asleep, everything will be over."

In a hazy, dream-like state, Wu Yuening felt as though she were about to step into another world.

She vaguely felt herself being gently laid on the ground. The music suddenly stopped, replaced by a low murmuring.

Then, someone began going through her pockets. Her consciousness struggled in the haze but was powerless to resist.

Her body grew colder, her throat felt as if gripped by an invisible hand, unable to make a sound, and her heartbeat grew faster and faster, as if it were about to leap out of her throat.

Is this what it feels like to be near death?

Her mind began flashing through her entire life like a kaleidoscope—past joys and tears, dreams and regrets, all surfacing one by one.

There were so many unfulfilled wishes, so many places she still wanted to visit, so many things she still wanted to do...

Her heart raced more and more violently, as if someone were clenching it, making it twitch uncontrollably. Half-asleep, her body convulsed.

Suddenly, Wu Yuening jolted awake as if from a bad dream. Her eyes flew open, gasping for air, her body convulsing as she turned to vomit.

No one had told her that dying from charcoal burning could be so painful.

Her survival instinct kicked in at this moment. She suddenly desperately wanted to survive, not to end her life so easily.

The tent was pitch black. The charcoal had long burned out, leaving only a pile of cold ashes.

Chen Xiao had left at some point, and Wu Yuening was alone in the tent.

With all her strength, Wu Yuening tremblingly pulled open the tent’s zipper before collapsing weakly to the ground.

Her head felt dizzy and disoriented, the world spinning before her eyes, and for a moment, she couldn’t move.

Vomiting made her feel much better.

After lying there for about ten minutes, she gathered enough strength and slowly got up.

Her first thought was, what about the other two?

Where had Chen Xiao gone?

Had she also had second thoughts, just like her?

Stumbling, Wu Yuening walked to the other, smaller tent where the man named Xie Nian should have been sleeping.

When she tremblingly pulled open the zipper, the sight before her stunned her.

Inside the tent was also only a basin of burned-out charcoal. Beyond that, it was completely empty—there was nothing else.

Wu Yuening was so frightened by the scene that she collapsed in shock. It was even more terrifying and chilling to the bone than seeing a corpse.

No, something was wrong. Things weren’t right.

A suspicion suddenly flashed through Wu Yuening’s mind. She hurriedly reached into her pocket.

Only the suicide note remained quietly inside. Her phone, bank card, ten thousand yuan, and the note with the password were all gone.

In that instant, Wu Yuening felt her blood run cold. She had finally realized a horrible truth.

She'd been tricked!

This was never a suicide pact; the promise to die together was all a lie!

She was the only one who was going to die!

The thought of being fooled churned inside her, rage mingling with fear, making her feel even worse.

Just then, two figures suddenly emerged from the dense forest—Chen Xiao and Xie Nian.

When they saw her, they halted abruptly. Wu Yuening was also stunned, then instinctively turned and scrambled to her feet, starting to run desperately.

The two quickly reacted, giving chase.

They had taken her money and phone, but that wasn’t enough—only her complete death would ensure the secret remained buried forever.

Wu Yuening, still not fully recovered from the poisoning, stumbled and staggered weakly as she fled through the mountain forest.

Dizziness blurred her vision; she fell heavily several times, scraping her knees and palms on stones. Her toes stubbed against a rock, blood streaming down, but she ignored the pain, gritted her teeth, and struggled back up to keep running.

Fortunately, the pitch-black dense forest acted as a natural barrier, blocking the pursuers' view and allowing her to temporarily evade them in her panic.

Gasping for breath, her heart pounding wildly in her chest, adrenaline surged through her, granting her astonishing strength. She managed to sprint a hundred meters in one go.

Suddenly, Wu Yuening came to an abrupt halt, horrified to find she had unknowingly run to the edge of a cliff. One more step, and she would plummet to her death.

At that moment, a dark figure dashed out from her side like a ghost, shoving her hard.

Wu Yuening instantly lost her balance, stumbling uncontrollably toward the cliff’s edge.

In her panic, she instinctively grabbed a small tree growing on the edge, leaving her dangling precariously over the abyss.

Terrified, she looked up and saw that the person who had pushed her was Chen Xiao.

Gone was the gentle demeanor from before; in its place was a chilling ruthlessness.

Moonlight cast a glow on her face, highlighting her excited expression. Her hair like seaweed fluttered wildly in the wind, her pale complexion making her seem like a ghost from hell.

"Help... please, help me, I beg you!" Wu Yuening screamed hoarsely, her voice echoing through the empty valley, choked with tears.

"I am helping you," Chen Xiao said softly under the moonlight, leaning down until her hair almost brushed Wu Yuening’s face. A bright, captivating smile curled her lips—under normal circumstances, Wu Yuening might have marvelled at her beauty. But now, hanging from the cliff and looking up at that smile, she felt only bone-deep terror.

A cold, playful voice, like a demon’s whisper, sounded above her: "Didn’t you want to die anyway?"

Just then, Xie Nian arrived as well.

He seemed to step forward, and for a moment Wu Yuening thought he might pull her up. But she soon realized he was lifting his foot to stomp on her hand.

Despair washed over Wu Yuening.

Chen Xiao stopped Xie Nian: "Don’t leave unnecessary traces. She won’t last much longer."

Xie Nian sniffed, glanced at Wu Yuening, and smiled faintly: "Congratulations on achieving your wish at such a young age. What a pity, though—a body shattered from a fall won’t look pretty. Otherwise, I could’ve ‘taken care’ of you properly. Ah... such a shame."

The thick regret in his tone made Wu Yuening even more certain of her fate.

Yes, she was going to be killed by him, by them!

So the two stood there quietly, looking down at Wu Yuening struggling on the cliff’s edge.

Bathed in the cold moonlight, they resembled two vicious hyenas, watching their prey struggle desperately, succumb to fear and despair, and finally breathe its last.

Afterward, they could devour her flesh and blood, admiring their trophy.

For the prey, it was a grotesque and cruel scene.

No matter how hard she tried to save herself, she had step by step fallen into the trap meticulously set for her, heading toward this predetermined death.

The night wind blew, cold as a knife, piercing through Wu Yuening’s clothes and sending her heart plummeting into despair.

Her hands clung tightly to the tree branch, her nails broken, blood streaming down her arms. The will to survive unleashed extraordinary strength in this frail girl; she held on desperately, refusing to fall into the abyss.

Tears streaming down her face, Wu Yuening trembled and cursed: "You conspired to deceive me! Liars! Devils! Bastards!"

She had once wanted to end her life, but not like this—deceived and manipulated.

And now she had changed her mind, but she was already trapped, powerless, with no chance of survival.

Chen Xiao merely smiled coldly, a bewitching yet frigid grin, like a seductive demon from the wild: "Was our service not attentive enough? We put on quite a show for you—consider it thoughtful end-of-life care. Any last wishes? You still have a chance to say them. Not that they’ll come true, anyway."

Her triumphant, mocking laughter echoed through the quiet forest.

By now, Wu Yuening was beyond fear; her heart was filled with pure hatred for the two. Gnashing her teeth, she spat: "You... you’re so evil! May you die horribly!"

Chen Xiao paid no mind to the feeble curse. She crouched down, her tone icy yet dripping with false pity: "Wouldn’t it have been better to die quietly and comfortably? Why make it so messy? If you fall to your death, you might end up ugly and mangled. Who knows how long it’ll take for anyone to find you?"

Wu Yuening felt her strength fading bit by bit; her body grew heavier, each second of holding on becoming excruciating. Tears streaming, she cried out in despair: "I... even as a ghost, I won’t let you off!"

Her last ounce of strength finally spent, Wu Yuening’s eyes filled with hopelessness.

Her hands let go, and her body instantly became weightless, plummeting downward.

At the moment before impact, she let out a desperate scream, like a thunderclap echoing through the forest.

Yet, the outcome was sealed.

A young life had come to an end.

.

Five days later, afternoon.

Dusk was approaching, casting the entire mountain forest in a dim yellow light.

The scenery was beautiful, if not for the female corpse lying ahead.

Several police officers stood or moved about the woods; not far away, others held police dogs.

The air was thick with a nauseating stench of decay, but He Lin seemed not to notice.

He looked down at the decomposing female corpse. From his angle, he could see the side of her face—a young woman, eyes half-open, pupils discolored.

This disfigured body was the missing female illustrator they had been desperately searching for: Wu Yuening, who had vanished a week ago.

A week earlier, Wu Yuening had mysteriously disappeared, reported missing by her family.

Five days ago, a vague timed post appeared on her social media account, hinting that she intended to leave this world. The post suggested she might end her life, and many accounts shared it, hoping the police would help find her.

As Wu Yuening was somewhat well-known in the illustration community, many people were eager to learn her whereabouts.

After three days of searching, the police had found nothing.

Subsequently, the Missing Persons Investigation Unit took over the investigation and began analyzing the data on Wu Yuening's computer, discovering that she had searched for maps of Xiying Mountain.

He Lin brought Fang Jue to conduct a search after hearing reports that a tent with a charcoal burner had been discovered in the area several days earlier, raising suspicions of a possible charcoal-burning suicide.

Strangely, however, no body was found inside the tent—only some vomit and scattered footprints.

He Lin immediately instructed local police to expand the search area. They brought in seven or eight police dogs and eventually discovered a body believed to be Wu Yuening beneath a hidden cliff.

At this point, medical examiner Yin Xiangrong approached the body and, using gloved hands, turned the female corpse over. The flies covering it buzzed away in a cloud.

He Lin observed carefully. Although the face was swollen, the height and age matched perfectly: "It should be her."

Fang Jue stood to the side, pinching his nose as he took notes.

Yin Xiangrong examined the corpse closely: "The color of the skin and tissue indicates carbon monoxide poisoning before death, though not severe enough to have been fatal. The vomit in the tent was likely left by her. Additionally, the body shows multiple fractures and abrasions consistent with a fall from height."

He specifically lifted the corpse’s hand for a closer look: "There are also some bruises and abrasions that occurred before death. The scratches on her nails and fingers suggest she managed to grab some shrubs at the edge of the cliff but couldn’t pull herself up and ultimately fell."

He Lin pointed to the corpse’s pocket: "There seems to be something inside."

"Fortunately, it hasn’t rained these past few days, and the clothing is somewhat waterproof." Yin Xiangrong carefully retrieved a folded piece of paper from the pocket and unfolded it. "It’s a suicide note."

He Lin continued questioning: "Can the time of death be confirmed?"

Yin Xiangrong observed the degree of decomposition, then used tweezers to pick up several wriggling maggots, measuring their size: "They’re nearly fully grown. Time of death was approximately five days ago."

"That aligns with the timing of her pre-scheduled Weibo post," He Lin remarked before asking, "Was there any ID or a phone on her?"

Yin Xiangrong carefully checked all the pockets of the corpse and shook his head.

Fang Jue, still pinching his nose, reasoned based on the scene: "So, she originally intended to commit suicide by burning charcoal, but for some reason, she became disoriented, stumbled to this cliff, and accidentally fell to her death?" Then he asked He Lin, "Captain He, is this a suicide?"

The presence of a suicide note, antidepressants at her home, and supporting online evidence all pointed to suicidal tendencies.

They had now found the missing person.

If it were suicide, the case could be wrapped up quickly.

But He Lin stood up, looking down at the body. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to see through the body to uncover the hidden truth: "A suicide that took so much effort... or perhaps there’s more to it."