"I just want to ask one thing—where was Sakurako two nights ago?" I cut off the Japanese woman mid-sentence.
"You really are a gentleman who only cares about Sakurako." Kisaki Ayaka bit her lip, her tone teasing. "She was here the whole night. Didn't leave the bar."
"That's impossible. I saw her that night."
"Oh?" She raised a brow. "And where exactly did you see her?"
"It was at—"
I couldn't say it. New Hu High School was a name tangled up in too much. Too many things I couldn't explain.
"Can't tell me, huh?" Kisaki Ayaka clicked her heels and walked up beside me. She reached out to touch Sakurako's face, but the girl pulled away without hesitation. "You see? This kid doesn't let anyone get close. Not even her own mother."
And it was true. Sakurako was withdrawn, totally unwilling to communicate.
That was how she was the first time I saw her at New Hu High. She hadn't spoken a word—until Xiumu suggested killing her, and I pretended to take her away for protection. Only then did she whisper her first words to me.
"My husband died young," Kisaki Ayaka said quietly. "After he passed, Sakurako became like this. I took her to see countless therapists. Some said she's autistic. Others claimed she has underdeveloped emotional faculties. One even claimed he could hypnotize her into her dreams—but when Sakurako woke up, he was the one who went insane."
There was a bitter smile on her beautiful face.
"I really did want to give her a normal, happy childhood… but I couldn't."
She lit another slim cigarette, barefoot on the cold floor.
"On the third anniversary of my husband's death, an elder from the Dream clan said this was a curse. Every fifty years, one child is born with the ability to see things others can't in their dreams. I begged him to help Sakurako. He said nothing—just told us to leave Japan and try our luck in Huaxia. That was three years ago."
Kisaki Ayaka's tone grew heavier.
"Sakurako's condition has only worsened. At first, she would still speak to me sometimes… but it's been months since I last heard her voice. I'm her mother, but I've become a stranger."
Underneath her seductive exterior was the heart of a helpless parent.
"You're the only person I've seen her willingly touch," she said seriously. "You said you two met before. So I figure… it must've been in a dream, right? Judging from how she looks at you, I'd say you treated her well."
"In a dream?"
I kept a straight face, but inside, I knew for certain—New Hu High School wasn't a dream, and Sakurako wasn't some ordinary sleepwalker.
"You might not believe this, but whenever Sakurako falls asleep, she sees terrifying things. She's lived in one long nightmare. That's why she's so numb now."
"As her mother, I can't even reach her. I can only watch her suffer. It's agony—both physically and mentally."
Her hand slid across my chest, slowly downward.
"My request is simple," she said, her voice smoky and low. "All I want is for Sakurako to smile like a normal kid. I'd give up anything for that."
Without realizing it, sweat was beading on my forehead. That blue fox-tail tattoo between her breasts almost seemed alive, its beady eyes flashing with cunning.
"So?" she purred. "How do you plan to help me?"
Dealing with her felt no easier than facing the Yuanchen curse. From the moment I stepped into the room, she'd controlled the tempo of the game.
"Sakurako's a poor girl," she said, now composed. "She won't let anyone near her—except you. So I hope, if you have time, you'll come by and keep her company."
"That's it?"
"What else would it be?" She sat on the bed, slipped back into her high heels, and added with a playful tilt of her head: "Whatever you two do in your dreams, no one will ever know. Just… take it easy on her, okay? She's still a child."
I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Every word from this woman felt like a mental landmine, impossible to argue with.
"I'm willing to help. But I have a question for you first."
I put Sakurako aside for now and cut to the chase.
"Huang Guanxing from Qianding Pharmaceuticals died in a drunk driving crash a few days ago. From what I've heard, he left from this bar that very night. And I know you two exchanged messages on WeChat shortly before it happened."
"You think a lonely single mother with a kid could be a murderer?"
"Until we catch the real killer, anyone's a suspect. I'm agreeing to help you, but I hope you'll also answer me honestly. Did Huang Guanxing behave strangely that night?"
Kisaki Ayaka thought for a moment.
"He came here late with his little girlfriend. They fought several times—no idea what about. I clearly remember him slapping her across the face."
"Was he drunk?"
"No. He was sober. Only ordered a glass of juice while he was here."
"What time did he leave?"
"Around midnight. Took his girlfriend to a Home Inn motel."
The crash happened at around 5 a.m. That left a five-hour gap. Kisaki Ayaka was most likely in the clear.
"Well, if that's all, I should get back to work. A single mom can't afford gossip—spending too much time with a man like you, people will talk."
She said that with a straight face, as if she hadn't just stretched her body across the bed trying to seduce me five minutes ago.
I pushed open the door. But before I reached the bar area, a drunken fat guy stumbled up to me.
"Where's your boss, huh? I heard she's hotter than a succubus. It's my birthday, dammit—get her out here to sing for me!"
"Sorry, sir. The boss is in a meeting with a client. No visitors allowed."
"Cut the bullshit! What kind of business meeting happens behind closed doors, huh? Move!" He shoved past me, charging toward the back.
"Captain Shi, what's the rush?" Kisaki Ayaka leaned lazily against the doorframe, cigarette in hand, her voice honey-smooth.
The fat man froze when he saw her. His eyes went wide, and drool literally slid down his chin.
"Damn… you're a stunner. Come on, it's my birthday! I'll pay you well—just one song in my private room. Hell, I'll tip double if you warm up my lap too."
"You're putting me in a tough spot." She pouted sweetly and gently took my hand again, like a schoolgirl. "I'm already spoken for tonight. Maybe you can ask him if he's willing to share me for a few minutes?"
"Spoken for? By this pretty boy?" Shi Youfu reeked of booze. He glared at me, eyes full of contempt. "Listen, kid. I work for Jiangjin Group. I am someone. I'm taking her—got a problem with that?"
"You're really asking for trouble." I stretched my sore fingers free from her hand. "Shi Youfu, you're nothing but a glorified doorman for Jiangjin Group, and you dare call yourself somebody?"
"Watch your damn mouth. It's my birthday. I don't wanna see blood."
"Jiangjin Group sure has a consistent tone."
This guy was the one who'd ordered the attack on my shop.
"I'm taking the lady, pretty boy."
He saw me let go of her hand and thought I'd backed down. His greasy face lit up. "Hey, this your daughter? Already a little looker. Why not bring her along too—make it a party?"
"Disgusting."
I walked past him, grabbed the half-empty bottle of Royal Salute off the bar.
"Boss lady," I said, "I've heard imported Royal Salute bottles are super tough—supposed to bounce off concrete without breaking. What do you think—yours real or fake?"
Shi Youfu lunged for her. She didn't flinch—just took a drag from her cigarette.
"Of course it's real. If you don't believe me, test it yourself."
"Gladly." I smiled, grabbed Shi Youfu by the collar.
He was too drunk to see it coming. "What the hell do you think you're—"
"Didn't your mom teach you not to curse so much? Or how to be a civilized dog?" I smiled even wider. "You're Shi Youfu, the head of security at Jiangjin Group, right?"
"That's right. And you've got three seconds to let go or suffer the cons—"
"No need for three."
I raised the bottle and smashed it against his half-bald head.
CRACK!
Glass shards sprayed through the air. Brown liquor mixed with bright red blood as Shi Youfu hit the floor, eyes wide in shock.
Tossing the broken bottle aside, I muttered, "Women lie. You said that was real Royal Salute—turns out it breaks just fine."
The bar erupted into chaos. Guys poured out of the private rooms.
I flashed Kisaki Ayaka an apologetic smile and pulled out my phone.
"Hey, Ergou? Got a job for you tonight."