The scene shifts once more to her, illuminated by dim light that accentuates the intricate emotions flickering in her eyes—a tapestry of fear for the past and resignation towards the present. She murmurs, "His every step seemed orchestrated with precision, flawless in its execution. Yet, upon awakening from that nightmarish slumber, the memories of his actions towards me dissipated like morning mist, leaving behind only a haunting blur and profound fear. He lingers within me, an intangible specter, ever-present, a constant reminder of a past I wish to forget."
The host's voice, warm and resolute, inquires, "What prompted you to confide in your friends with such a burdensome secret?"
She responds with a wry smile, "Solitude, perhaps. I had hoped that, as those who have shared this ordeal, they would comprehend and stand by me. Ironically, two of them have fallen victim to this very nightmare, and I, in turn, have been cast as the culprit in their eyes." Her tone is laced with a poignant blend of bitterness and bewilderment.
"Why do they lay such an unfair burden of blame upon you?" the host inquires, genuinely perplexed.
She exhales deeply, her gaze filled with a sense of powerlessness. "They perceive that if only I had detected the looming danger sooner or exercised greater caution, the entire sequence of events could have been averted. However, the reality is that we are all victims in this unfortunate tale, and none of us could have anticipated such calamity descending upon our lives."
The host's face hardens as he speaks with a deepening sense of indignation. "As an impartial observer, I find it outrageous and unjust. You are not accountable for the mistakes of others, nor should you be subjected to such unwarranted accusations. True companionship dictates that one stands by their friend's side during times of distress, not abandon them in their weakest moments."
She nods in agreement, yet a subtle uncertainty remains etched in her eyes. "I too once held such ideals, but the harsh realities of life have chilled my optimism. They argue that by venturing into the nightclub, we willingly embraced the potential for trouble and should thus be prepared to face its consequences. Yet, all we sought was the simple pleasures of freedom and joy. Is that truly a crime?"
At that precise moment, the room was enveloped in darkness as the overhead lights suddenly flickered out, her silhouette vanishing into the abyss of night. The host rose to his feet, resolute in his stance, addressing the camera with unwavering conviction. "The ordeal she faces is not an isolated agony; rather, it echoes the plight of every victim I've interviewed, who, upon summoning the courage to speak out, have been met with a deluge of societal miscomprehension and blame. Imagine, dear viewers, if this were your cherished family member or dearest friend. How would you feel? Following this commercial break, we embark on a journey to hear from our first victim to publicly register a complaint. Join us as we listen intently to her narrative. For now, please allow yourself a brief respite during the advertisements; we shall return shortly."
As the host's poignant words echoed in the air, the TV screen gradually dimmed, yet the spark of justice and empathy for the victims ignited within the hearts of each and every viewer. The advertisements commenced, while in a secluded corner of the metropolis, the occupant of Room 3F switched off the television and retreated to the bed. But mere moments later, the television screen abruptly illuminated, jolting the occupant awake with a start. There, etched on the screen once more, was the name "Li Haoyu," staring back at them from a wanted poster.
The scene seamlessly transitioned to the words "Case No. 1," and with a deliberate click of a mouse cursor, the screen expanded to fill the entire frame. The film's prologue unfolded, showcasing a woman holding a photograph from a company gathering, her finger tracing the contours of a man encircled in red marker, a symbol of her accusation.
She emphatically stated, "Memorize this face." Drawing the photograph nearer to the lens, she warned, "His name is Li Haoyu. Should you happen upon this visage in a nightclub, make haste to retreat as far as your legs can carry you."
She delicately placed the photograph aside and unfolded the intricate police report, where the words 'sexual assault' shone like a beacon amidst the dense text.
"I've taken the courageous step of filing a report with the authorities, and I've been informed that I'm currently the sole individual to have done so. Yet, I am deeply convinced that my story is not an isolated one; there must be others who have suffered in silence. To ascertain whether any of you watching this video have also endured such a trauma, I will now provide a means for you to come forward. Firstly..."
She took a deep, steadying breath before proceeding.
With eyes shut tight, she sought to clear her mind of all distractions. A moment of profound stillness ensued.
"Pay close attention as I recite the following three numbers, and upon completion, open your eyes. Three... Two... One..."
The video abruptly halted, and a message ascended from the bottom of the screen.
"To date, this video has garnered over 2.3 million views, leading to 150 reports filed with the police."
The scene shifted back to the studio setting, where two sofas were strategically positioned. On the left, facing away from the camera's gaze, sat the host. To his right, the woman from the video, now identified as 'Victim No. 1,' awaited her turn to speak.
The host spoke with a measured tone, "Let me begin by expressing my profound admiration for your bravery, which has ignited a powerful movement, rallying hundreds to stand together against injustice. The applause in this studio is a testament to that." He paused as the applause gradually faded, replaced by a solemn silence.
She shook her head slightly, her gaze fraught with intricate emotions. "Please, do not applaud my decision lightly. If I could rewind time, I might have chosen a more cautious path. My impulsive actions may have inadvertently allowed a true monster to evade the long arm of the law, a thought that haunts my nights."
Taking the photograph she proffered, the host's attention was drawn to the scene of a company gathering, where he inquired softly, "Is that you standing by Li Haoyu's side in this photograph?"
A nod accompanied by a fleeting expression of complex sentiments acknowledged his question. "Indeed, Li Haoyu and I were colleagues in the same company, he being my immediate supervisor."
Prompted further, she delved into her memories, "My first impression of him was that he seemed shy and polite, a stark contrast to the seductive and exhilarating atmosphere of the nightclub where we first met. His dissonance somehow instilled a sense of unwarranted reassurance within me, which, in hindsight, was part of my misjudgment. However," she corrected herself, "it's important to note that our paths crossed in the nightclub before I joined the company, months apart. That hiatus nearly erased the unease of that evening from my memory, only to resurface when we encountered each other again."
Her tone shifted abruptly as she posed a profound question, "Host, do you subscribe to the belief that 'evil cannot overcome good'? In the narrative of my experiences, it feels as though I was the unwitting catalyst who lifted the veil on a world of darkness."
The host's eyes betrayed a flicker of intrigue. "Your inquiry prompts deep contemplation. What then, sparked your suspicions and ultimately confirmed his true colors? And why do you pose this question?"
Drawing a steadying breath, she responded with unwavering conviction, "I am of the firm belief that every criminal leaves behind a chink in their armor for justice to exploit, akin to a hidden bug waiting to be uncovered. In my tale, I am the accidental trigger, a chance encounter in a nightclub that led me to become his subordinate and, ultimately, to cross paths with him again in the southern branch of our company."
The host persisted with a keen interest, "At the very moment you laid eyes on him, did recognition dawn immediately?"
She responded with a gentle shake of her head, "No, it never crossed my mind. Yet, on my inaugural day at the office, my curiosity got the better of me, and I inquired if we had crossed paths before. His denial was seamless, his demeanor unflinching. He was, indeed, a master of deception."
The host delved deeper, "And when did the pieces finally fall into place, connecting him with the enigmatic figure from the nightclub? I recall a previous victim who, upon watching your video, was jogged into remembering that fateful night. Can you enlighten us on how you uncovered this pivotal clue?"
With a resigned sigh, she began, "It was a matter of subtle details, discrepancies that surfaced gradually amidst our routine interactions. I noticed a stark disparity between the man I encountered that night and the one I knew professionally. Once I embarked on the path of uncovering evidence, there was no turning back."
Just as she prepared to divulge further, the host's attention abruptly shifted, glancing over her shoulder towards the producer. A silent exchange of glances passed between them, and the producer, with a stern expression, made a subtle gesture, signaling a halt to the interview. Without delay, the producer hastened to the side, answering a phone call that visibly agitated her. Clearly, this was no ordinary call, demanding immediate attention.
The departure of the producer altered the tenor of the studio, transforming it into a hushed arena where all eyes were riveted on the phone, waiting with bated breath for whatever might unfold next.