Manipulate My Heart [操纵我心] [GL]

Chapter 2

Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, suicide

Shao Xinyan once again entered a familiar old building with only stairs and no elevator. This was her fifth visit to Liao Zilong's home this year, and each time she came, she felt something different. In the past, she had just been visiting her favourite colleague; they would share a home-cooked meal together in his home. Today, though, her mental state was completely different.

How could it have possibly been the same?

Liao Zilong had killed himself.

The city she lived in seemed to have been infected with some sort of disease. The suicide rates were increasing every day. Her hands were tied, even though she was a police officer. After all, suicide wasn't murder; no one could control another person's thoughts, nor could they manipulate someone into taking their own life.

The suicide rates had been so high recently. It made Shao Xinyan skeptical. She couldn't shake the feeling that something about these deaths was just off, but she had yet to uncover any evidence to explain the unfolding events. She had just tallked to Liao Zilong a few days before his death; he wasn't someone who would commit suicide.

And so she made the decision to investigate on her own.

She knocked on his front door. Before she'd finished knocking the third time, the door swung open. Liao Zilong's mother's aged face emerged in the doorway. Recognising Shao Xinyan, the corners of her mouth lifted.

"Ahh, it's you, Xinyan. Please, come in."

"Hello, Auntie."

(T/N: Auntie here does not denote actual blood relation)

Liao Zilong's mother welcomed Shao Xinyuan in and then went to the kitchen to bring out some hot tea. As soon as Shao Xinyan sat down, she saw the black and white portrait of Liao Zilong placed on the kitchen table, and she felt a stab of pain pierce through her.

The two sat in silence, not knowing what to say. Shao Xinyan ended up being the one to break the silence.

"Auntie, I know these past few days have been tough. I'm actually here today because I want to figure out what happened to Zilong in the days before his death." Shao Xinyan placed the teacup back on the table and continued, "You two spent all your time together. Did he act unusual in the days leading up to his death?"

"Ah... do the police need this information? Zilong, he..."

Talking about her only son after he had met the fate he did would've made anyone uncomfortable — and now it was being investigated like a murder. It wasn't hard for Shao Xinyan to empathise with Liao Zilong's mother's distress.

But she wasn't here as a police officer. She didn't know if she should divulge her working theory to his mother or not.

"Auntie, don't worry. I'm not here today on behalf of the police; I'm here as a friend."

"Oh, I see... I was so worried, haha..." Liao Zilong's mother chuckled and the expression on her face eased, though a hint of reserve lingered. She scratched the back of her head, thinking back. "I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. He went to work, came home, had dinner, slept, and seemed happy."

"Do you think your son was the type of person to commit suicide?"

"Impossible. He never mentioned anything like that to me. He has a wonderful personality. He's never shown any signs of depression. I don't understand what led him to go down that path."

Liao Zilong's mother shared a similar theory with her: Liao Zilong wasn't the type of person who would commit suicide.

Shao Xinyan hesistated for a few seconds before speaking. "Auntie, I don't think your son committed suicide."