The winter wind howled across the Military District.
Inside a quiet office, a middle-aged man in a military uniform sat behind a heavy wooden desk, reviewing stacks of documents.
His face was stern.
Years of command had carved deep lines into his features.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Come in."
A young officer entered, carrying a sealed envelope.
"Commander, this was delivered anonymously."
The commander frowned.
"No sender?"
"No, sir."
The officer placed the envelope on the desk before leaving.
Silence returned.
The commander stared at the envelope for several moments before slowly opening it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
The handwriting was neat.
Almost too neat.
He began reading.
«To the man searching for the truth,
The woman named Kelly from Qinghe Village is not the person you believe she is.
She is known throughout the village as a vicious stepmother.
She beats three innocent children.
She starves them.
She has no kindness in her heart.
If you continue your investigation, you will only bring shame upon yourself.
Some truths are better left buried.»
The room fell silent.
The commander read the letter again.
Then a third time.
His expression never changed.
Finally, he folded the paper and placed it back inside the envelope.
He pressed the call bell.
Moments later, the young officer returned.
"Sir?"
The commander slid the letter across the desk.
"Have this investigated."
"Immediately."
The officer looked surprised.
"Should we arrest the woman?"
The commander shook his head.
"No."
He stood and walked toward the window.
Snow drifted silently outside.
"Anonymous letters are often written by people with something to hide."
He looked into the distance.
"I want the truth."
The officer saluted.
"Understood."
"Send someone who won't attract attention."
"No uniforms."
"No official documents."
"Let them observe quietly."
"Yes, sir."
The officer left.
The office became silent once more.
The commander picked up an old jade fragment from his desk.
For a brief moment, his eyes softened.
Then he closed his hand around it.
Far away, in Qinghe Village...
Kelly had no idea that someone had just begun investigating her.
She was busy preparing dinner.
The smell of pork stew filled the small house.
Lu Chuan sat beside the stove, eagerly watching the pot.
"Stepmother," he asked softly.
"Can we eat now?"
Kelly laughed.
"Not yet."
The little boy pouted, making Lu Tuan chuckle.
Even Lu Cheng's lips curved into a faint smile.
The warm atmosphere filled the tiny home.
Outside the courtyard, however...
A stranger stood beneath an old tree.
His clothes were plain.
His expression unreadable.
He quietly watched the Lu family through the falling snow.
Then he opened a small notebook and wrote a single sentence.
'Day One. The anonymous letter does not match what I have seen.'
He closed the notebook.
Turned.
And disappeared into the darkness.