Deep into the night, Mu Zi lay on a seat at the Wutong City Bus Terminal, resting with his eyes closed. For some reason, he loved the feeling of being at the station.
Perhaps because it was a place full of farewells?
Indeed, his life seemed destined for many goodbyes. He recalled a line from a movie about a bird without feet, condemned to fly endlessly throughout its life.
Just like him, a bird destined to fly endlessly...
In his hand, he held a low-end mobile phone purchased from a second-hand store, equipped with a newly acquired mobile SIM card. He gripped the phone tightly, as if holding a lover's hand.
His plan would start with this phone!
After midnight, people are most psychologically vulnerable and sensitive. To conquer someone's psyche, this was the perfect time. Mu Zi was waiting for just this moment. A flawless plan requires precise timing for each step and detail to succeed.
It was 11 PM. He wondered what she, she, and he, he, were doing.
As an orphan, Mu Zi felt a sparse connection to people in his life: Yezi, Lao San, the boss, and the lady boss - just a few individuals.
He had long forgotten his relatives who had lost contact many years ago.
This solitude was somewhat desolate but also liberating.
Setting his alarm, Mu Zi drifted into a light sleep...
Meanwhile, at Ningxiang Pavilion...
The establishment closed early that day, and the eye-catching lotus-shaped neon sign was turned off. The entire place was shrouded in darkness.
The boss, Zhao Datou, and his wife, Ningxiang, didn't return to their upscale residence but stayed in the simple bedroom on the second floor of Ningxiang Pavilion.
In the darkness, they both lay silently as if deep in sleep.
In the compact bedroom, the air was as still as stagnant water. And at this moment, Ningxiang felt like an exhausted fish in this dead water.
She wasn't asleep.
Her husband had returned unexpectedly that day without any warning. She thought he wouldn't be back for at least two more weeks.
But he was different today.
When she got home, he was drunk as a skunk, sleeping like a log, unresponsive to her calls.
Usually, he would wake up within three hours of being drunk, then drink water like a fish. No matter how drunk, he'd sober up instantly. But tonight, it's been nearly six hours, and he's still asleep.
Like... feigning sleep.
Was he avoiding her? Had he discovered her affair with Liu Jie?
Ningxiang peeked at the man beside her.
Fool, don't you know I truly love you?
But loving you is so exhausting.
Loving you while deceiving you. Hating another while pretending to be happy with him.
It's so tiring, I'm exhausted.
But I can't stop.
Because I have no way out.
Forgive me, fool...
Ningxiang sighed quietly and closed her eyes.
A tear slid down her cheek, cold...
Hearing her sigh, Zhao Datou's heart stirred slightly.
He too wasn't asleep. He was pretending, indeed avoiding her. He didn't know what to say to this woman anymore.
He felt like a fish played by a cunning cat.
He squinted in the dim light, stealthily glancing at the beautiful woman beside him.
She had a beauty that could topple any man, and a devilish body.
Despite the physical distance and both wearing oversized pajamas, Zhao Datou could faintly smell her intoxicating scent.
But that scent brought him no desire, only hatred.
This woman, her alluring body, no longer belonged to him, and neither did her heart.
All vows and promises were lies.
She fooled and played him like a cat with a fish.
His dignity, passion, love, all exhausted, leaving only hatred. A hatred that could only end with death.
So, he wouldn't divorce, argue, or expose her.
He had found someone, waiting for their message. No matter the cost, he had no regrets.
She must die...
Zhao Datou turned towards the window. The night was deep, starless.
He thought that even if there were stars, they couldn't be seen in this dazzling city under the neon lights.
Noticing it was past midnight, he closed his eyes, trying to force sleep.
Just then, the vibrating buzz of a text message startled him.
A midnight message...
Could it be from those he had hired?
He quickly grabbed his phone, glanced at his still-sleeping wife, and tiptoed to the next room.
Trembling, he opened the message. It was from an unknown number, reading simply: Zhao?
Zhao Datou, puzzled, replied: Yes.
The response was quick: Ready to act on the target at any time.
Zhao Datou's heart raced. He steadied his breath and replied: Good. What about the money?
The response was swift: Ten thousand.
Zhao Datou's breathing became rapid, his chest heaving. After a few seconds, he replied: Deal.
The next response took longer, nearly ten seconds: Are you sure you want to kill Ning? Are you sure you won't regret it?
Zhao Datou coldly replied: You're talking too much. Just tell me how to pay.
The sender hesitated before replying: We don't want to risk it. We don't want to get dragged down if you regret it later.
Zhao Datou sighed in the darkness, asking himself if he truly wouldn't regret it.
Images of happy times with Ningxiang flashed through his mind – her smiles, her tenderness...
As he was lost in thought and memory, the phone vibrated again.
I have a better deal for you. Interested...?