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Her Mask
墨書 Inktalez
I never imagined I would become a missing persons detective.
That morning, I was sorting through the files of recent missing person cases in my office.
The cup of cold American coffee on my desk still emitted a faint bitter aroma.
“Miss Lin, you have a visitor,” came the voice of Assistant Xiao Wang from outside the door.
I glanced at the wall clock; it was only eight-thirty.
Visitors at this hour usually brought unusual requests.
“Come in,” I said, closing the folder and gesturing for Xiao Wang to let the visitor in.
A well-dressed middle-aged woman entered, appearing to be around fifty, her makeup meticulously applied to the point of excess.
She clutched a red velvet jewelry box tightly in her hands, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
“I am Zhou Huifang,” she said as she sat down in the chair across from me. “I would like to ask for your help in finding someone.”
“What are the specifics?” I habitually took out my recording pen.
“My daughter, Zhou Yu.” She opened the jewelry box and pulled out a photograph.
“She has been missing for exactly three months.”
The photo depicted a young girl in her early twenties, dressed in a dance outfit, striking a graceful pose.
I noticed a uniquely shaped ring on her right hand’s ring finger.
“What about the police…?” I asked tentatively.
“They said they couldn’t find any clues.” Zhou Huifang’s voice trembled slightly.
"But I know she is still alive. Every fifteenth of the month, I receive a package."
She took out three small boxes from her bag and neatly arranged them on the table.
I opened the first box, and inside was a puzzle piece with the words "Mom, I am fine" written on the back.
The second box contained another puzzle piece, with "Don't look for me" written on the back.
The third box held a puzzle piece that read "This is my choice" on its back.
"Are you sure these writings belong to Zhou Yu?" I examined the handwriting closely.
"Absolutely," Zhou Huifang nodded. "And these puzzle pieces... when put together, they form the dress that Zhou Yu wore during her last performance."
I picked up the magnifying glass from the table and scrutinized the edges of the puzzle pieces.
Each piece had been meticulously cut, with smooth and even edges, clearly not ordinary puzzle pieces.
"You mentioned she was a dancer?" I pressed further.
"She used to be," Zhou Huifang's expression suddenly turned pained. "Until that accident last year..."
"What accident?"
"A fire," Zhou Huifang took a deep breath.
"When the theater caught fire, she was backstage preparing for her performance. Although she was rescued, but..."
I waited for her to continue.
"Her face was burned. After a whole year of reconstructive surgeries, the result was..." Zhou Huifang suddenly stopped speaking.
At that moment, my phone vibrated.
A message from an unfamiliar number appeared: "If you take this case, you're asking for trouble."
I looked up at Zhou Huifang. "What did you say the result of the surgery was?"
"The doctor said they did their best, but..." Her voice trailed off, growing quieter.
"The day after the surgery, Zhou Yu disappeared. The only thing left in the hospital room was a note: 'Mom, I'm sorry.'"
I contemplated the three pieces of the puzzle on the table.
"I receive a package on the fifteenth of every month, which means I'll get the fourth package in three days?"
"Yes," Zhou Huifang said urgently. "I want to ask you to help me find her. No matter what she has become, she is still my daughter."
Just as I was about to respond, the office lights flickered a few times and then went out completely.
"Don't panic; it might just be a power trip," I reassured her as I stood up to check.
At that moment, I heard Zhou Huifang gasp sharply.
In the darkness, I noticed that a fourth piece of the puzzle had mysteriously appeared on the desk, glowing faintly.
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