Chapter 1: Returned from the Dead?

“Hello, viewers!”
“Welcome to the nationwide variety show ‘Reopening Old Cases’, proudly sponsored by Jia Shaobao Hot Tea!”
“I am your host, Lin Bing!”

It was two o’clock in the afternoon.
The country’s most popular variety show was airing live.
A host, dressed in a crisp professional outfit with a sweet and confident demeanor, faced the camera.
Each smile she offered precisely stirred the audience’s excitement.
“I believe everyone is already familiar with our program.”
“Our mission is to perfectly simulate unsolved cases from the past, presenting them to all enthusiasts across the nation for deduction!”
“We adhere to objectivity, and, with approval from relevant authorities, we even use real crime scenes and evidence to achieve perfect restoration!”

Recently, this show had unleashed a nationwide detective craze.
The cases featured grew ever more enigmatic.
The prize for solving each case was a staggering one million yuan.
In no time, passionate mystery lovers from everywhere flocked to participate.
Initially, the show’s producers only meant to use unsolved cases as a unique gimmick to draw attention.
Yet the outcome far exceeded their expectations.
Once launched, the hidden ‘super sleuths’ emerged like mushrooms after rain.
Whether they came for the thrill of mysterious cases or the lure of the prize,
every single one of the previous dozen episodes had been successfully solved by contestants.

“After intense competition in the past episodes, our ‘Detective Star’ leaderboard now features ten outstanding contestants!”
Lin Bing spoke excitedly.
“Their ranking is based on the amount of prize money won!”
“Currently, the top spot is held by Mr. Sanada Gouichiro from Sakura Country, who has accumulated an astonishing seven million yuan in winnings!”
“To all those with detective skills—what are you waiting for?”
“Show your abilities! The million-yuan prize is waiting for you!”

Instantly, the live chat exploded.
“What the heck! The top detective is from Sakura Country?”
“Is there a deduction master here? Hurry up and knock that guy off the top!”
“Forget it! My electric scooter was stolen yesterday—I still don’t know which bastard took it! How can ordinary people solve cases like these?”

Lin Bing glanced at the rapidly scrolling barrage of comments, her lips curving with amusement.
She cleared her throat and announced loudly: “Alright! Without further ado, let’s move directly to this episode’s case introduction!”

As her words faded, the live camera abruptly shifted.
The host’s sweet face vanished, replaced by a desolate expanse of wilderness.
In the midst of the wasteland stood a dilapidated rural house, isolated and battered.
Its mottled walls were overgrown with dense weeds.
Clearly, this house had been abandoned for years.

“Over a year ago, during a routine police patrol, this nearly forgotten abandoned house was discovered by chance.”
Lin Bing’s voice grew solemn.
“When they opened the door, a shocking scene awaited them—a skeleton lay silently inside!”

“Through DNA technology and detailed forensic analysis, it was concluded: the person had died in this secluded house, isolated from the world, for eleven full years.”
“Subsequent DNA comparison revealed, to the police’s horror, that the deceased was the very young and promising entrepreneur who disappeared mysteriously eleven years ago—one of the co-founders of the now-renowned Xiangdong Group, Mr. Luo Xiangdong.”
“At the time, Mr. Luo’s disappearance caused quite a stir in society.”
“Sadly, despite extensive police investment, his whereabouts were never found.”
“Who could have guessed he would die in a lonely, deserted house, far from any village or shop?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are here at the very scene of discovery!”
Lin Bing’s voice soared again.
“This is the actual crime scene where the skeleton was found!”
“Our broadcast truck is parked outside this house full of mysteries!”
“Now, let’s formally introduce the contestants for this episode!”

Her words barely ended before the scene switched again.
This time, the camera moved to the spacious, well-lit interior of the broadcast truck.
“The three contestants this round are ranked fourth, sixth, and seventh on the ‘Detective Star’ leaderboard!”
“Will they pull off another miracle and solve this eleven-year-old cold case? Let’s wait and see!”

The chat buzzed anew.
“Come on, place your bets! I bet fifty cents this case won’t get solved!”
“Bet your big head! If these masters can’t solve it, is that Sakura guy supposed to do it? I’m betting they will crack it!”
“Can you stop talking about betting all the time? You’re teaching my rowdy kid bad habits!”

The live chat remained as lively as ever.
The view shifted again, now beside the contestants.
Lin Bing’s professional smile beamed as she introduced, “Besides our excellent contestants, today we have a very special guest!”
“This is Captain Yan Zheng, from our city’s detective squad! Welcome!”

The camera focused on a middle-aged man in a dark blue uniform.
His square face was serious, unsmiling.
Captain Yan Zheng’s presence was purely for supervisory purposes.
He knew the production crew too well—anything for ratings, and he feared they might mess around and end up damaging the precious crime scene instead of solving the case.
Of course, his appearance also signaled official support for the program.
Captain Yan Zheng tried to squeeze out what he believed was a friendly smile, though it looked rather stiff, and nodded to the camera.

The scene then shifted once more.
A gentle, elegant middle-aged woman appeared on screen.
She wore a simple long dress, her every gesture exuding refined grace.
Though around forty, time seemed to have left little mark on her, her charm still captivating.
“Today, we’re also honored to welcome Mr. Luo Xiangdong’s widow, Ms. Liu Hong!”
“Ms. Liu Hong is here to witness the investigation process firsthand, hoping to bring comfort to her late husband’s soul.”
“Wow! Such a beautiful lady!”
“Amazing, what poise! Auntie, I don’t want to work hard anymore!”

Sure enough, the presence of this elegant lady immediately drew out a wave of hidden admirers from the live chat.

The show’s ratings quietly climbed another notch.
“OK! All guests and contestants have been introduced!”
Lin Bing glanced at her cue cards, her voice swelling with excitement.
“Let’s not waste any more time! We’ll count down from five—contestants, get ready to enter and begin today’s investigation journey!”
“Five!”
“Four!”
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
............

As the host counted down, the broadcast displayed a clear view inside the dilapidated house.
The room was empty, devoid of furniture.
Walls and floors were covered with square tiles, now stained and filthy.
Where the tiles met, dark green moss thrived.
A decaying, ruined atmosphere filled the air.

On the wall hung a solitary wooden-framed photograph.
The frame was faded, its corners showing signs of rot.
The photo within, ravaged by years of dampness, was heavily mildewed.
The image was so blurred, it was impossible to tell what had been captured.

But what drew the most attention was the center of the room.
There lay a “body.”
The production team had hired an actor to play the late Luo Xiangdong.
He wore the style of trousers from that year, topped by a white shirt.
His hair was parted in the middle, a fashionable look at the time.
The scene and the atmosphere together perfectly conjured the eerie feeling of a classic locked-room murder.
The suspense was at its peak.
Lin Bing’s countdown was complete.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the contestants to rush in, unravel the mystery with brilliant deduction, and finally reveal the truth.

But then—
At that very moment, with all eyes watching—
The “body,” which had been lying still on the floor, suddenly, without warning, sat up with a jerk!
“This…”
Lin Bing’s lips trembled.
The word “begin” stuck in her throat, unable to escape.
“Is… is the corpse coming back to life?”