Duan Hai, reticent and stern, drove his Mercedes through the dark night, the headlights stretching the road infinitely before them. In the backseat, Guo Xiaopeng reclined with closed eyes, while Liu Mei nestled beside him.
Streetlights flickered across Guo Xiaopeng's serene face. Liu Mei looked up at him and softly asked, "Shall we go home?"
Guo Xiaopeng, eyes still closed, replied, "No, to Xishan."
"I miss you," Liu Mei's voice was tender.
Guo Xiaopeng responded perfunctorily, "I miss you too." Opening his eyes, he added, "But you know my rule: mother first."
Liu Mei's voice carried a note of complaint, "Can't the rule be changed?"
"No," Guo Xiaopeng's voice turned cold.
Duan Hai turned down the volume of the car stereo, the sorrowful voice of a female singer wafting through the car. They drove into the villa district, shadows of trees dancing along the slope, and stopped before a solitary house. Guo Xiaopeng instructed Duan Hai, "Take Ms. Liu back to her apartment," then exited the car without a word to Liu Mei. The Mercedes made a quick turn and sped away. Guo Xiaopeng, without looking back, climbed the steps to the house. Tears welled up in Liu Mei's eyes as the car vanished into the night.
Guo Xiaopeng tiptoed up the stairs and entered a dimly lit bedroom with a slightly ajar door. "Is that you, Peng'er?" his mother's soft, pleasant voice called out.
"Yes, Mom," Guo Xiaopeng crouched beside the sofa.
His mother, who had been watching TV, sat up and faced him, "Did you just get back?"
"Yes," he replied, carefully observing her face. Despite the lines etched by time, her face retained a trace of its former charm. She gently stroked his face, her fingers conveying deep affection. Tears glistened at the corners of Guo Xiaopeng's eyes.
Pulling him to sit beside her, she asked, "Did you visit our old home?"
"Yes, I did. I even took some photos for you." Guo Xiaopeng showed her the pictures. His mother, looking at them, sighed, "Truly, everything changes while we remain the same."
He produced a laser disc, "I transferred all your old performances and recordings to this disc. Shall we watch it?"
His mother nodded, lost in thought. Guo Xiaopeng inserted the disc into the DVD player. The room filled with the gentle melodies of the Yue opera "The Butterfly Lovers," showcasing his mother's younger self.
As she was absorbed in the memories, Guo Xiaopeng fetched a basin of warm water to wash her feet. Eyes closed, she murmured, "The tapes never sounded this good. Are you trying to fool me?"
Guo Xiaopeng, fighting back emotion, reassured her, "It's your own voice. I just did some technical enhancements."
She leaned back weakly, eyes closed, tears silently streaming down her lined face. The music, mournful and poignant, echoed their life's joys and sorrows. Guo Xiaopeng's heart ached, and tears flowed freely.
Liu Mei, returning to her opulent, solitary suite, felt an immense loneliness. She slowly undressed and stepped into the shower. Warm water sprayed silently over her delicate skin. With eyes closed, she wept, biting her lip until blood stained her teeth. A profound sense of despair welled up, spreading throughout her body. She suddenly threw herself at the mist-covered mirror, clearing a spot to reveal her beautiful face. Staring at her reflection, tears fell anew, and she cursed, "Guo Xiaopeng, you cold-hearted beast!"
Wrapped in a towel, Liu Mei stepped out of the bathroom, only to freeze in shock. Yang Chun sat on the sofa by the floor lamp, his eyes cold and mocking.
Her soul seemed to leave her body, and she screamed. Yang Chun pointed to the bed and commanded, "Sit down, Ms. Liu." Liu Mei, almost unconsciously, obeyed and sat on the edge of the bed.
Yang Chun sneered, "Ms. Liu, you're as beautiful as they say. No wonder my brother was so bewitched."
Liu Mei's tension eased slightly, "You're not Yang Qiu?"
Yang Chun's eyebrows shot up, "Nonsense! You should know exactly where Yang Qiu is!"
Trembling, Liu Mei asked, "Then who are you?"
Yang Chun stood abruptly, "One more word, and I'll tear you apart!" He took a deep drag on his cigar and slowly approached, blowing thick smoke into her face, "Tell me, how did you kill my brother?"
"You... you're Yang Chun!" Liu Mei's fear peaked, making her body tremble uncontrollably. "No... it wasn't me. I didn't kill your brother!"
With a sharp slap, Yang Chun knocked her onto the bed, "Lying whore! I'll ruin you!" He tore away her towel and pinned her down, her voluptuous breasts quivering. He hesitated momentarily.
Taking advantage of this brief pause, Liu Mei screamed and struggled, seeking help. Yang Chun grabbed her hair and snarled, "I've investigated thoroughly. It was you who lured my brother to Villa No. 8, and then had him killed. You'll pay for it today! How do you want to die?"
Facing imminent death, Liu Mei's calm returned, "Kill me however you want..." She suddenly turned hysterical, "I'm going to die at the hands of you bastards sooner or later! Kill me!" Her sudden fury stunned Yang Chun, leaving him momentarily speechless. She roared like a beast, "Scared? Coward!" She flipped and pinned him down. Yang Chun, recovering, overpowered her and grabbed her throat. Liu Mei twisted her head, a low moan escaping her throat...
"Bang!" The door burst open, and Li Xinjian and Qiang Min stormed in with guns drawn, "Don't move!" Liu Mei, shocked, clutched a blanket to cover herself. Yang Chun, facing the guns, froze.
Li Xinjian ordered Qiang Min, "Cuff him!"
Qiang Min efficiently handcuffed Yang Chun. Liu Mei, wrapped in the blanket, spoke calmly, "Captain Li, you misunderstand."
Li Xinjian, puzzled, looked at her. Liu Mei licked her dry lips, "You came in so suddenly that I didn't have time to introduce you to my boyfriend, Yang Chun." Qiang Min reflexively asked, "Boyfriend?" Liu Mei, fully composed, confirmed, "Yes, we've been in love for years. He just returned from abroad. Reuniting isn't a crime, is it?"
Yang Chun quickly added, "Yes, that's right."
Ignoring him, Li Xinjian stared at Liu Mei, "Reuniting to the point of murder?"
Liu Mei's eyes glinted, "Don't you know? It's a trendy way to make love." Qiang Min pushed Yang Chun, "Captain Li, let's take him to the station first." Liu Mei, serious, said, "Captain Li, you have no search warrant, no arrest warrant, and no detention order. This is my private residence. We're in a lawful society!"
Li Xinjian coldly responded, "We have the right to intervene and arrest if we catch a suspect in the act. Procedures will follow." He turned to Yang Chun, "Mr. Yang, you're under arrest for attempted rape and murder. Take him away!"
Qiang Min dragged Yang Chun out.
Liu Mei, clutching the blanket, shouted, "This is an abuse of power!"
Li Xinjian turned back, his face full of disgust, his eyes sparking like lightning...