Chapter 1
Content Warning: This novel contains scenes and themes related to police work, violence, death, and forensic investigations. Readers should be aware that the content may include graphic descriptions, crime scenes, and situations that may be distressing. Please exercise caution and consider your personal comfort levels while reading. It is recommended for mature audiences who can engage with such content. If you find any of these themes distressing, please proceed with discretion or seek alternative reading material that better suits your preferences.
Echoing Dreams
Chu Nan A girl stood in the rain, holding an umbrella, as she gazed at her from a distance of three or five steps away. The rain and mist blurred her features, making them indistinct.
In Lin Yans heart, there was a sudden tightness, afraid that this might be another one of her dreams. She trembled and cautiously extended her hand, filled with uncertainty.
Lin Yan, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and come with me to my place for dinner. The surrounding crowd began to surge forward, pushing her along.
The girl grabbed her wrist and pulled her under her umbrella, using her other hand to adjust the strap of the fallen school bag. Her tone carried a hint of mild reproach.
How many times have I told you? Remember to bring an umbrella on rainy days. Why cant you stop this habit of enjoying the rain? The mid-term exams are coming up soon, what if you catch a cold
The girl kept chattering, incessantly talking without end.
She should have been annoyed, but inexplicably, her eyes welled up with tears, and she reached out to hold the slender, immaculate hand.
The girl was slightly taller than her, and she exerted a little force, looking up with a hint of anticipation. Chu Nan you have you come back?
The girl in the pristine school uniform lowered her gaze as her face remained unchanged, with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
The eyes that should have been filled with countless stars now left two pitch-black, deep holes, from which bloodstains were slowly trickling out.
Against that excessively pale face, the increasingly eerie smile, the touch of the fingertips felt the skin as cold and slippery, reminiscent of the countless corpses she had dissected.
A chill surged up from the soles of her feet.
Lin Yan exclaimed in shock, Chu Nan!
She gasped as she sat up from the bed, lowering her gaze slightly and placing her hand on her forehead, sighing in her heart: Another nightmare.
The page-turning clock on the bedside table emitted a faint glow in the darkness; the hour hand had just passed four oclock in the early morning.
Lin Yan reached out her arm and fumbled on the table until she found a glass, then she pulled open a drawer, but due to the excessive force, things spilled all over the floor.
She picked up a white medicine bottle, poured two pills into her palm, and gulped them down with the lukewarm water that had been sitting in the air-conditioned room overnight.
She drank hurriedly, as if trying to calm some restless agitation.
Water droplets rolled down the owners slender neck, dampening the tight-fitting strap tank top.
She wiped the corners of her lips with her hand, but someone had already stuffed a handkerchief into her palm, saying, Use this to wipe.
This voice is very familiar.
Goosebumps appeared all over Lin Yans body.
She looked at her with a mixture of nervousness and caution, as if afraid of disturbing something, and said, Chu Nan
In that fleeting moment of eye contact, Lin Yans heart leaped to her throat, but she saw the other person smiling as usual, even taking the handkerchief and carefully wiping away the water stains at the corner of her lips.
Another nightmare?
No She subconsciously wanted to refute, but as if compelled by an unseen force, she reached out her hand, as if trying to prove something.
The girl understandingly extended her hand, and Lin Yan hooked her little finger. The touch was warm, tender, carrying the liveliness and vitality of a living person.
Lin Yan clung to her hand tightly, as if grasping a life-saving straw. Her eyes were beautiful, with upturned corners, slender like a phoenixs tail, a straight nose, and in an instant, there was a sense of charm in her appearance, especially now, when her eyes were brimming with tears.
The girl patted the back of her hand, comforting her, Its alright, Im back.
Her tone was as gentle and indulgent as always.
Suddenly, a surge of sourness overwhelmed her, and Lin Yan couldnt bear it any longer. She tightly embraced the person in her arms, Its wonderful, Chu Nan, its wonderful, youre back Chu Nan, I missed you so much all these years where did you go?
I The girl spoke, furrowing her brows in pain, and though they were indoors, her clothes seemed to be slowly getting wet.
I I dont know It hurts so much so much Lin Yan save me save me
A cold sensation came from her neck, and the girls sobbing tore at her heart. Lin Yans fists clenched instantly, and there was a hint of madness in her expression.
Those once indifferent eyes turned blood-red.
Who? Who? Chu Nan, tell me?! Who did this to you?
Its its
Lin Yan shook her shoulders, and the girl suddenly couldnt speak. Her voice was hoarse and obscure, tinged with an eerie quality, like a midnight radio suddenly cut off.
Lin Yan felt a sharp pain in her heart and organs. She gritted her teeth, tasting the metallic tang of blood on her tongue, forcefully holding back the tears that were about to overflow from her eyes.
She gently stroked the girls cheek, feeling the coolness on her fingertips. She thought she was crying, and a sense of pity welled up in her heart. Chu Nan, dont be afraid, tell me. Whoever it is, I wont let them go.
As soon as she finished speaking, the person in front of her suddenly giggled, the voice sharp and cutting, as if someone were using their nails to scratch on a blackboard.
A chilling sensation crawled up her spine like maggots.
Lin Yan suddenly felt like she couldnt catch her breath.
Outside the window, the night was deep and dark, as thick as spilled ink, with the shadows of trees swaying, resembling ghosts.
The fierce wind swept in through the window, causing the faint night light to extinguish in response.
She saw that pair of hands turning into corpse spots, the cold and slippery sensation resembling the oozing of grease, and the decaying blue veins becoming visible.
Because she couldnt breathe, Lin Yans eyes widened, futilely stretching her arm towards her, trying to reach her, Chu Chu Nan
Its its you its you Accompanied by her hoarse and sharp voice, the skin on her face began to peel off inch by inch, soon revealing the white bones. Her eyeballs fell out of their sockets, leaving only two pitch-black deep holes firmly fixed on her.
A nauseating stench of decay overwhelmed her.
No!!! Lin Yan screamed, forcefully pulling her hand away. In that moment, her hand passed through her body and remained suspended in mid-air, leaving a pile of flesh on the bedsheet.
The thick and pungent smell of blood flowed down the bedsheet, staining the luxurious and extravagant wool carpet.
Ding-ling-ling The alarm clock rang like a death knell, and Lin Yan woke up in a cold sweat, flipping over in bed. Outside the window, the morning light had already brightened the sky.
Gentle morning breeze lifted the window curtains, and the clock on the bedside table ticked away quietly and slowly. The aroma of toasted bread wafted up from downstairs.
Lin Yan turned off the alarm clock, looked around, and everything seemed calm and peaceful. It was just an ordinary workday morning.
She pulled back the covers, put on her shoes, and stepped onto the carpet, sinking slightly into it. Lowering her gaze, she saw dark marks still lingering on a dark-colored carpet near the bed, as red as blood.
The faint Adams apple of the woman moved slightly.
Lin Yan closed her eyes, seemingly calming her breath.
After a short while, the butler knocked on the door, Miss, breakfast is ready.
After finishing her morning routine, Lin Yan wrapped herself in a robe and went downstairs. The faint trace of panic that surfaced during last nights nightmare had disappeared without a trace. She now wore her usual lazy expression, exuding an air of nonchalance from the depths of her being.
Wheres the driver?
Waiting outside the door.
The Lin family villa was indeed large, but the young mistress had a bad temper and disliked living with the servants. Therefore, whether it was the butler or other household staff, they all hurriedly rushed over in the early morning to attend to the young mistress before hurrying back.
Despite this, none of them dared to show the slightest hint of negligence on their faces, and they answered with utmost respect.
Lin Yan was quite satisfied with this. Her assistant was also waiting downstairs. When she came down, he quickly stood up from the sofa and bowed slightly, Dr. Lin.
Lin Yan glanced at him, and by his diligent and earnest demeanor, she could tell he had prepared a large stack of materials for todays court session.
From the depths of her heart, she felt annoyed instinctively. Therefore, she didnt nod or respond, let alone invite him to join her for breakfast. The chef had already prepared the meal, and though he was called an assistant and considered a colleague, he was, in reality, nothing more than a servant.
Without nodding, Lin Yan was treated as if she were invisible by the others in the house.
The young man felt embarrassed and at a loss, and from the corner of his eye, he discreetly caught a glimpse of her graceful figure walking through the hall, passing by the beautifully decorated partition, and entering the dining room to take a seat.
Even the sound of a chair was not heard.
The Lin familys chef was skilled in his craft, preparing both Chinese and Western dishes. Though not numerous, each dish was unique, with an exquisite combination of colors, aroma, and taste.
However, she only took a few bites before setting down her spoon. Her appetite was gone, and she pressed a napkin against her lips before giving up on eating.
No one dared to advise her to eat a little more. The butler timely removed the tableware, and Lin Yan stood up and walked towards the cloakroom.
She had a tall figure and could not be considered short among women, but her thinness made her appear somewhat delicate, with a light and graceful gait, like a Persian cat strolling on the luxurious carpet.
As if she had thought of something, Lin Yan suddenly halted her steps, By the way
The old butler dared not show any negligence, Please tell me, Miss.
Get rid of the carpet in my room.
The carpet in her room was just bought from an auction in London last week. It was said to be a diplomatic gift from the Safavid Persian Empire to the Ottoman Turks, with a market value well over a million.
She said to get rid of it as casually as if it was nothing.
The butler had long been accustomed to the young mistresss capricious nature and lavish spending. He bowed and asked, Certainly, Miss. Do you need a new one prepared for you?
No need.
A cold voice came from the cloakroom, which, in reality, was quite spacious, almost equivalent to the size of a bedroom upstairs, filled with clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items collected by Lin Yan from all over the world.
Today, the owner of the cloakroom seemed somewhat indifferent. She casually picked a shirt from the wardrobe, put it on, and fastened the buttons one by one while facing the mirror. The top two buttons were left unfastened, and she flipped the collar just right, revealing a hint of clavicle and a charming touch of spring.
She unscrewed the cap of the lipstick, lightly pursed her lips, and used her little finger to remove any excess color. She slightly lifted her chin while looking in the mirror.
The womans complexion had a pale, sun-deprived tone, yet her lips were a fiery red. Her eyebrows were slightly arched, and the corners of her lips were lightly curled, giving her a hint of arrogance akin to a fashion week model. However, as her eyes gently swayed past, she appeared somewhat flirtatious.
Seductive, yet icy.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Lin Yans lips as she picked up her suit jacket and left the room.
The driver opened the car door for her, and Lin Yan got in. Her assistant followed, holding a stack of materials, and said, Dr. Lin, here are the autopsy reports and other examination materials for todays court session.
A distinctive male sweat mixed with a slight foot odor wafted into her nostrils. Forensic experts noses were always particularly sensitive.
Lin Yan leaned back on the leather seat, originally closing her eyes to relax, but suddenly opened them wide and said, Go to the back.
The Mercedes-Benz sedan was spacious, and the assistant hesitated for a moment, looking at her pristine high-heeled shoes that seemed capable of spotting any smudges on his trousers and his fragile self-esteem.
The young man slowly retreated from the cars compartment, drenched in sweat, and climbed into the rear seat of the Mercedes, not daring to say another word.
Butler.
Yes, Miss. The butler closed the car door for her and sat in the front passenger seat, immediately turning to look at her.
In the afternoon, have another car come to pick me up. Let Liu Ma take this car to buy groceries.
Yes, Miss.
As for you She tapped her valuable quartz watch on her wrist, and sharp and cutting words slowly came out of her mouth.
Are you here so early to be reborn? If you want to be reborn, the autopsy room might be more suitable.
Dressing like this to go to court, arent you afraid of lawyers accusing you of murder?
Each word pierced the young mans self-esteem, leaving him utterly humiliated. He sat in the back seat, clutching the materials tightly, not daring to answer or make a sound.
The car started moving, and fortunately, someone broke the silence, Miss, do you want to listen to the news?
Lin Yan made a hmph sound from her nostrils as her response.
The driver pressed the cars radio, and a sweet voice of the female anchor came out, The prosecution has charged the defendant Mr. Jin with the murder of Miss Li, a female employee working at his KTV, on the night of April 18, 2007, and disposing of the body in the wilderness. The evidence is solid, and he is accused of multiple charges, including the crime of forced prostitution, intentional homicide, and desecration of a corpse, causing a severe social impact. In the first trial, he was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. Mr. Jin appealed against the first judgment. The second trial will be held publicly at 10 am today at the Binhai Provincial High Peoples Court. At that time, Lin Yan, a young forensic scholar from the Institute of Forensic Science and Technology at the Law University, who will serve as a defense witness, will also testify and bring new appraisal results
The female anchor spoke with great passion, emphasizing and modulating her voice. After summarizing the case at double speed, she started talking about her personal background and gossip news.
Lin Yan felt drowsy and barely caught a few phrases, one was about her professional achievements: Speaking of forensic scholars, Professor Lin can be regarded as an outstanding figure among the younger generation. She graduated from the Medical School of Fudan University for her undergraduate degree and pursued her masters and doctorate degrees in the Forensic Medicine Department at Boston University. It is said that she has performed over 5,000 autopsies during her more than ten years of practice, and her experience in forensic autopsy is very rich
The other was about her personal life: As the only daughter of the Lin family, Professor Lins net worth has already exceeded tens of millions. Recently, she has been rumored to be in a hot romance with Zhang Dong, the Chairman of Zhongcheng Group. The media even captured photos of the two kissing on the street. Could it be that good news is on the way?
Zhang Dong?
Which Zhang Dong?
Lin Yan furrowed her eyebrows. There had been too many people she had kissed on the streets, and a myriad of faces flashed through her mind, but she couldnt match any of them with a name.
Miss, do you need The butler turned around and looked at her.
Mm. The arrogant Miss Lin nodded, Which TV station is this?
Daily News, the butler secretly noted down the name.
The car raced past tall buildings and soon entered a shaded area, and the Supreme Court was just ahead, not far from the square.
A considerable crowd had already gathered at the square. With todays trial being public, major media outlets and many members of the public had come to observe. As the Lin familys car arrived, camera flashes incessantly lit up the roadside.
Lin Yan still had that lazy, half-awake look on her face. Go tell them, my recent lover is not that Zhang Zhang whats-his-name?
Zhang Dong.
The butler smoothly filled in.
Oh, right, these media people are so unprofessional. They should rename themselves Yesterdays News instead of Daily News.
She chuckled softly, the sarcasm evident in her voice.
The driver parked the car. Miss, weve arrived.
The butler glanced outside and noticed several activists squatting at the entrance of the courthouse, holding banners. As they saw the car approaching, they became agitated and stood up in groups.
The butler hesitated before speaking, Miss, how about we take you in through the back entrance?
Lin Yan coldly laughed, pushing open the car door. I am not the murderer, so why should I hide or sneak in?
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