SFTD -Chapter 232 Blood-Stained Wedding Dress

Chu Menghan had left. No one knew exactly when she had gone. When Liu Da came over to inform Zhou Hai and the others, his face was filled with anger.

“That little brat… she comes and goes as she pleases. Her injuries aren’t even healed yet, and she just left like that.”

Xu Biao glanced at Liu Da and grabbed his arm, even checking his pocket, looking puzzled.

“That’s not right. In TV dramas, when someone leaves like this, they usually leave a letter or something explaining things. There’s nothing at all?”

Liu Da pushed away the fat hand.

“Alright, she’s gone. What more do you want? A farewell? Besides, it’s not like you’ll never see her again.”

Hearing this, Zhou Hai paused his movements.

“Temporarily gone?”

Liu Da shook his head.

“I don’t know. Nothing is certain right now. Alright, stop talking about this. Go back and rest properly. Don’t think about the follow-up of this case anymore.”

Xu Biao handed over their final analysis report.

“This is our final conclusion. The only connection between the four victims is two places—Zhongtai Insurance and Dongnan Third People’s Hospital.”

Liu Da took the report from Xu Biao.

“This serial murder case in ‘Migao’ will be temporarily closed here. Dongnan will take over the follow-up. Also, in Changhe Unit, Wang Man has been appointed as the new captain. Let them handle this case.”

---

April 19th, Sunday. Sunny.

A sudden rise in temperature in Dongnan made people wonder if spring had already passed.

Zhou Hai, who had recovered physically, woke up early and drove to pick up Lu Xi for their wedding photoshoot. After much effort, they finally managed to shake off the little girl trailing them, while people Liu Da had sent followed them from a distance.

Along the way, Lu Xi kept nervously biting her lip and fiddling with her clothes. Zhou Hai found her expression both amusing and endearing.

“Xixi, what’s wrong?”

Lu Xi became serious and lightly hit his arm.

“Don’t laugh. I’m nervous. Help me pick the wedding dress later—I really couldn’t choose yesterday. They’re all too beautiful.”

Zhou Hai stopped the car and looked at her tangled expression, then reached out and pinched her cheek. The smooth feeling at his fingertips was pleasant. His hand slowly turned from a pinch into a gentle caress, and Lu Xi tilted her head, leaning her cheek into his palm.

“Idiot. In my eyes, anything you wear looks perfect. I like you. Just you.”

Lu Xi stretched her arms toward him.

“Hug me.”

Zhou Hai smiled indulgently and pulled her into his arms.

“What, haven’t seen me for a few days and you already miss me?”

Lu Xi nodded vigorously in his arms, rubbing her face against his neck to find a comfortable position.

“I want to see you every day, stay with you… can we just live a simple life like this forever?”

Zhou Hai kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then her lips. Seeing her like this made his heart ache a little.

“Xixi, thank you for coming into my life. With you, how could life be ordinary? It will be colorful and full of flavor. Alright, let’s go in. I’m really looking forward to seeing you in a wedding dress.”

Lu Xi stepped out of his embrace and fixed her hair.

“Let’s go.”

They entered “Paris Time Wedding Studio.”

In the spacious lobby, sofas were arranged in a circle. All the staff bowed respectfully in unison:

“Welcome, Mr. Zhou and Miss Lu!”

Lu Xi instinctively held Zhou Hai’s arm tightly as they followed a beautiful staff member inside.

The second floor was for makeup and photography, while the first floor displayed countless wedding dresses. Before even getting close, Lu Xi gasped repeatedly.

“Oh my god… they’re so beautiful!”

Zhou Hai patted her head gently.

“Pick whichever you like. Let’s try them on.”

Lu Xi pulled him toward the display area. The staff followed at a respectful distance without disturbing them. Soon, Lu Xi stopped in front of a white strapless gown placed high on display. Its long train was decorated with organza and crystals, making it look light and dreamy.

“This one is so beautiful!”

A staff member smiled apologetically.

“Miss Lu has good taste. This gown was designed by a French designer. However, it’s not a rental piece for photos—it’s a piece for sale. If you like it, you can try it on to see if it fits.”

Lu Xi looked at it, then glanced at her own chest area and hesitated, tugging Zhou Hai’s arm.

“Forget it… I wasn’t planning to buy it. It looks very expensive.”

Zhou Hai gently pinched her nose, clearly understanding her concern. He leaned close and said softly:

“Go try it. If it fits, we’ll buy it. Besides, my Xixi can definitely carry it. Trust yourself.”

Hearing this, Lu Xi became a little tempted.

“Try it?”

Zhou Hai waved at the staff.

“Please take this dress down. My fiancée wants to try it.”

The moment the word fiancée was spoken, Lu Xi’s face turned bright red. She reached out to pinch his waist, but Zhou Hai flinched—only to realize she had actually hugged him instead. He smiled and patted her back.

“Hurry up. I want to see you in it.”

“Alright.”

The staff led Lu Xi upstairs. Zhou Hai picked out a black and a white suit, changed into the black one, and sat on the sofa flipping through a magazine while waiting.

After some time, Lu Xi came downstairs with the staff. Her long curly hair had been tied up into an elegant bun, with a few playful strands falling over her shoulders. Her lightly made-up face looked bright and lively. Zhou Hai’s breath froze—his heartbeat even skipped a beat.

She was breathtaking.

Lu Xi smiled when she saw him.

“I’m going to change into the wedding dress. Wait for me!”

“Okay.”

Lu Xi went into the fitting room on the first floor with the dress. Zhou Hai sat for a while, but soon became restless.

Time passed.

The staff member came out.

“Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment. Miss Lu will be out soon.”

Zhou Hai put down the magazine and stood in front of the fitting room. He figured Lu Xi didn’t want anyone watching her change, so she must have sent the staff out. He smiled slightly.

Three minutes… five minutes… still no sign of her.

A bad feeling began to rise in Zhou Hai’s chest. He stepped forward and knocked on the door.

“Xixi, do you need help?”

No response.

He pushed the door—it was locked from the inside.

His voice rose sharply.

“Lu Xi! Did you hear me?”

Two staff members rushed over.

Zhou Hai pointed at the door.

“Where is that female staff member? Open the door!”

The woman who had accompanied Lu Xi hurried over and grabbed his arm.

“Mr. Zhou, don’t worry. The door can only be opened from the inside. Miss Lu probably locked it herself. Let’s just wait a little—”

Zhou Hai shoved her hand away and kicked the door hard.

It shook—but didn’t open.

Two nearby men sensed something was wrong and immediately rushed in, slamming their shoulders into the door together. With a loud crash, it finally broke open.

A chair used to block the door shattered on the ground.

Zhou Hai pushed past everyone and rushed inside.

Lu Xi was lying face down on the carpet. The wedding dress beneath her was stained with blood.

On the other side of the fitting room, another door swayed slightly—leading into an unknown dark passage.

“Xixi!”