Chapter 1: Targeted by a Serial Killer

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"Recently, the perpetrator of six serial murders has struck again. All the victims were women, and the method matches previous cases: the victims are first drugged unconscious, then their throats are slit. All show signs of assault. According to the clues the police currently have..."

Inside the pet clinic.

The girl at the front desk picked up the remote and turned off the television.

"Six cases just this month, and they still haven't caught the killer. It's terrifying."

She turned to look at the girl on the other side of the counter, who was balancing the accounts. "Sang Ye, are you heading home alone again tonight? This murderer is too scary. Why don't you ask a friend to pick you up?"

The girl called Sang Ye looked up, revealing a fair and delicate face. "No need, my home is nearby. You go home first once you're done."

The other girl tidied up the counter, said goodbye to Sang Ye, and left.

Once she was gone, Sang Ye finished the day's accounts, double-checked the appointments for tomorrow, and made sure all the clinic's doors and windows were secure. Only then did she turn off the lights and lock up.

Her home was less than a kilometer from the clinic, about a ten-minute walk, and the route was well-lit, so she wasn't worried.

Because there had been several surgeries that day, Sang Ye was leaving work later than usual—it was nearly eleven at night.

After crossing the main road, she had to pass through a small park popular with retirees for exercise. It was usually bustling, but at this hour, it was deserted. The lights, however, were still bright.

Suddenly, a rustling came from the bushes nearby.

Sang Ye's heart leapt; she couldn't help but recall the serial murders her assistant Yao Yao had mentioned.

But the next second, a white cat darted from the bushes, shaking off the leaves it had picked up on its fur.

The cat was rather dirty, its fur matted, but it was adorable. Sang Ye hadn't seen this cat before—was it new to the area?

A smile appeared on her lips.

She had kept her pet clinic running all this time because of her love for animals.

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Her grandfather had been the city's zoo keeper, and ever since childhood, she had often accompanied him to the zoo.

Perhaps because of a lifetime spent with animals, she possessed a natural affinity for them.

So, even though the clinic's business was average, she chose to keep it open.

Sang Ye noticed the little white cat was thin and quickly rummaged through her bag for some freeze-dried treats and cat sticks—things she usually carried for strays. She tore them open, crouched down, and gently coaxed the cat, "Kitty, come eat. You must be starving."

At the sound of her voice, the white cat arched its back in fear and leapt aside, its fur bristling. But soon it caught the scent of the treats and stared at Sang Ye, as if assessing her threat level.

After a moment, it slowly relaxed and, step by cautious step, approached her.

It sniffed the freeze-dried food, then licked it. Its round eyes immediately lit up. "So tasty, so delicious! Is she the kind, pretty lady the others talked about?"

Sang Ye started in shock—she heard a voice?

But when she looked around, she saw no one.

Judging by the words, could it have come from the little white cat before her?

But how could a cat speak human language?

Sang Ye shook her head, wondering if she was hallucinating from exhaustion after so many surgeries.

She looked down to find the white cat had already eaten all the treats.

Feeling sorry for it, she took out some dried fish and handed it over. Watching the cat eat so hungrily, she couldn't help but reach out and stroke its fur. "Don't rush, eat slowly. You'll choke if you eat too fast."

"Mmm, this dried fish is delicious too..."

Hearing the voice again, Sang Ye could no longer remain calm.

She could really hear the cat speaking!

To test her wild assumption, Sang Ye continued stroking the cat's head and asked, "Do you like dried fish or the freeze-dried treats better?"

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"Meow, of course the dried fish!"

The white cat's response made it impossible for Sang Ye to contain her excitement.

After so many years with animals, she could finally understand their thoughts!

She didn't know why she could hear them, but to her, it was a blessing.

No longer would she have to guess when operating on the clinic's animals.

The little white cat ate its fill at last, licking its mouth contentedly, then grooming its fur. "Wow, I haven't been this full in ages."

Sang Ye couldn't help but ask, "Will you come back tomorrow? I'll bring more dried fish."

She was still basking in the joy of understanding the little cat's thoughts when, in the next instant, she was stunned by what the cat said.

"Tomorrow? You'd better not come. The murderer who's been dumping bodies has his eye on you!"

Sang Ye's affectionate smile froze instantly at those words.

Serial killer... dumping bodies...

As those words echoed in her mind, her heart seemed to skip a beat.

Had she really caught the attention of the killer from the news?

In the silent night, Sang Ye's chest heaved as she listened to the thunderous pounding of her own heart—thump, thump, thump...

In that moment, she felt as if a pair of eyes were watching her from behind, sending a sudden chill through her entire body.