Chapter 4: The Police Return, Witnessing Impending Misfortune

Shi Yi stepped aside, inviting the middle-aged man before her into the house.

She walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of plain water.

“Officer, I’m afraid there isn’t any tea in the house, only water,” she said as she gently set the glass on the coffee table. The policeman shook his head, his face creased with a genial smile.

“I’m troubling you,” he replied.

As he spoke, his gaze was drawn to a large memorial portrait nearby. His expression shifted—surprise, a trace of sorrow, and a hint of pity as he looked at Shi Yi.

“Is that your father?”

Shi Yi shook her head, her face expressionless. “That’s my master. I don’t have a father.”

The officer flinched, internally berating himself. Heaven help him—what had he just said? This child had lost her father, and now her master too. How pitiful.

He cleared his throat softly, realizing he’d overstepped, and for a moment seemed at a loss.

Shi Yi sat across from him, her calm eyes fixed on his face. “Officer, what brings you here today?”

He collected himself, recalling his purpose. From an inner pocket, he drew out a photograph and placed it before Shi Yi.

“Child, take a look—do you recognize this person?” There was a hint of hesitation in his voice, and the look he gave Shi Yi became even more complicated.

The first moment he’d seen her, she’d struck him as familiar. He’d spent more than thirty years in the police force. In all that time, those who seemed familiar were either suspects or victims’ families. He wondered which kind the girl before him was.

“I’m sorry to come so abruptly. I just wanted to ask if you know the person in this photo. He was my childhood friend, but he died in an accident many years ago.”

His words were uncertain, and Shi Yi, momentarily stunned, picked up the photo and examined it closely.

In the picture was a young couple. The man, in his twenties, had gentle features and a radiant smile. The woman, also in her prime, held a bouquet of flowers shyly.

They looked into the camera, happiness written on their faces—a pair of lovers caught in the throes of romance.

Shi Yi found it odd; she didn’t understand what the officer meant, and shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Officer. I don’t know this person.”

The policeman showed a trace of disappointment, then carefully retrieved the photo and tucked it back into his wallet. He gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“Forgive me, but you look so much like my old friend at first glance. But that’s impossible... They didn’t leave any children behind... Sorry for taking up your time.”

Though his face was tinged with regret, he quickly composed himself. Rising, he extended a hand to Shi Yi.

“You’ve been a great help today. Thanks to you, we caught those human traffickers. There should be a reward, and I’ve already applied to the community. It will be issued soon.”

“You’re welcome, Officer. If there’s anything else you need me to do, I’m happy to cooperate.” Though the officer’s actions had left Shi Yi a bit baffled, she knew it was the duty of a good citizen to assist the police.

Shi Yi reached out and shook his rough hand.

Suddenly, a flash of light swept before her eyes.

Shi Yi screamed involuntarily and clutched her head. The pain was excruciating—her mind felt as if it were about to explode.

Startled, the officer immediately let go of her hand. “What’s wrong? Are you alright? Should I call an ambulance?”

Shi Yi froze, cold sweat breaking out all over her body. She saw a vision—she saw what was going to happen to this very officer.

In the vision, he was ambushed by a recently released criminal seeking revenge. On his way home from a night shift, he was surrounded and stabbed to death. His body was only discovered the next morning by a street cleaner.

Shi Yi was stunned. The images were so clear. But why hadn’t she seen this the first time she shook the officer’s hand?

[Ding—]

[You have a new task. Please check immediately.]

[Prevent the criminal from killing the policeman. Complete the task to extend your life by one year.]

As the officer, flustered, reached for his phone to call emergency services, Shi Yi gently stopped him, her voice weak.

“No need, Officer. I don’t need to go to the hospital. I just need to rest for a moment.”

He hesitated, looking at her pale face. “Are you sure? You don’t look well…”

“Really, I’ll be fine after a short rest.”

Forcing a faint smile, Shi Yi slumped into the corner of the sofa. The officer took her glass, filled it with water, and brought it over, still visibly concerned.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to call an ambulance?”

Shi Yi waved him off. “It’s nothing—probably just low blood sugar. I’ll be fine if I have something sweet.”

Hearing this, the officer quickly reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and offered it to her.

Shi Yi, surprised by his thoughtfulness, accepted the candy and ate it. She hadn’t expected someone who looked so rough and robust to carry sweets around.

“My daughter has low blood sugar too, so I’ve gotten used to keeping candy on me,” he explained.

Shi Yi nodded in understanding. His daughter was lucky, she thought.

After eating the candy, color returned to her lips. The officer finally relaxed as he saw her recover and prepared to leave.

Just as he was about to go, Shi Yi suddenly grabbed his arm. Now that she’d seen his impending misfortune, she couldn’t stand by and do nothing. But how could she warn him? If she told him everything outright—or claimed she could tell fortunes—he’d never believe her. Worse, he might think she was mentally unstable.

The thought made her head ache.

“What’s wrong? Are you still feeling unwell? Maybe you should go to the hospital after all,” the officer said, seeing the distress on her face as she hesitated, and pulled out his phone again.

Shi Yi stopped him. “No, Officer, really, I’m fine. I just need to rest. It’s just…”

She faltered. The officer looked at her, concerned. “Just what?”

Shi Yi considered her words. Saving a life was an act of immense merit—she had to warn him, somehow.

She bit her lip and spoke with resolve. “Officer, I saw on the news recently that a group of criminals is about to be released…”

As she spoke, her brow furrowed deeply.

The officer, hearing this, assumed Shi Yi was simply afraid these released criminals might reoffend.