Worthless

Winter had begun. 

The season every kid loved. They could play with snow, build a snowman; maybe a lot of snowmans, playing snowball fight. There were a lot of interesting things a kid could do during winter. 

However, it wasn't just the kids who enjoyed winter. Adults did too. Even though winter was meant to be busy with all the upcoming social events like Christmas, winter was still loved. 

The joy and happiness radiated from everyone in the Zariya Town. The smile that broke out of their lips when they observed the warm clouds that puffed out of their mouth. 

The streets were filled with their happy laughter and giddiness to prepare for Christmas. Children ran around tirelessly, weaving through the long legs, cheering and shouting. Everyone was busy with their own task to accomplish, young or old, Omegas or Alphas. 

The town was always bustling during these times, however, there was one place that was especially crowded. There, in the downtown, was a newly open store that was swarmed by the townspeople. 

The Tricky Treats. 

Jian Yu blinked and scrunched his nose at the bright neon sign of the candy shop. Why would one put such a bright neon sign in the broad daylight? That aside, this place had been buzzing since this morning. 

Dr. Liam had finally opened his dream confiserie. The silver-head beta wanted to applaud him for it. He had opened the store at the right time. Contrary to its name, it didn't only sell sweets but also pastries. 

Children came running when they saw the cute designs of the pastries. They looked like they had been crafted by heaven itself, the elegance they carried was absolute. The designs and shapes looked simple, but Jian Yu knew otherwise, similar to how Mozart had composed his music. 

The confiserie was supported and sponsored by the Zero Company. It had provided a huge grand opening for it to attract a lot of customers. 

Besides working as a family doctor, Dr. Liam was also a close friend of Zero Family. 

Jian Yu sighed and leaned against one of the street lamps as he watched the crowds. His lips involuntarily jerked at the sight of the children. They looked so happy, problem-free. 

If he had a kid, he would do anything to make his kid happy. He would pamper his child a lot, spoil his kid crazy and give all his love. He wondered what his future kids might look like-- 

--stop. What the hell were you thinking about? 

Jian Yu almost choked on his saliva and felt his face heated up. 'Yea, what was I thinking about?'

He palmed his cheeks, trying to cool his face down. He smacked them a few times as if trying to wake himself up, earning him weird looks from passerby and customers, some even pulled their kids away from him. 'Stop dreaming!' 

Think about something else! 

What else? What else? Murder? Yes, let's talk about murder. 

At the Cathedral. The silver-head beta crossed his arms and acted nonchalantly. Talking about murder… It had been a week. 

Inspector Han should just call him back. It wasn't like he was doing anything here. Lady Clement seemed to make her ultimate mission to disappear from his sight every time they went to the town. Like right now. 

Speaking of which, where was she again? 

The Beta glanced around, hoping to get a glimpse of her and he did. Her position was a bit too far that he had to squint his eyes. Narrowing his obsidian eyes, he caught her leaning with her arms crossed at the opposite side of the store. 

Due to the huge crowd, Jian Yu couldn't see clearly but he was sure about one thing. Her mouth was moving as if she was talking to someone, except there was no one beside her or anything. 

So who was she talking to? 

XXX

"It has been 3 days…" Derek took a deep breath and exhaled dramatically. 

Han eyed at him sideways before glancing at Lynn. His eyes as if asking Lynn if there was something wrong with Derek but Lynn kept on averting his gaze. 

"It has been a week, you dumbass," Han said as he crouched down to examine a newly found corpse. 

"We haven't caught the previous one and another corpse had showed up?" Lynn rubbed his brows, trying to ease the headache from forming. 

Han examined the body. A woman, an Omega. Long golden hair. 

A torned up midsection and a long slit at the side of her throat. 

Similar. 

"Once is an accident. Twice, a coincidence. Three times, a pattern…" Han mumbled softly.

"Are you saying this is a serial killing?" Lynn asked, making Han jump in surprise. Looked like Lynn heard him loud and clear. 

Han nodded almost slowly. "Well, it was just my speculation, but the wounds are exactly the same." 

"Once is an accident. Twice, a coincidence. Three times, a pattern," Han heard Derek said. "My friend, how did you come up with such marvelous words?" 

Han coughed and pretended to adjust his collar. "I… Read books." 

"I own all kinds of books in Zariya, built the biggest library for the school-- I am awesome, I know it-- even the Oh-Almighty-me had never read such beautiful words from any of the books," Derek said. "So, please do tell, which book did you read it from?" 

Derek's eyes sparkled so brightly as he anticipated Han's answer. No way in hell was he going to tell. This was the only ȧsset he had. Everyone knew Inspector Han as an intelligent man. He couldn't have his secret leaked! 

Besides, without these books, his brain was only on pair with Derek. 

"Take the body to the mortuary, you know what to do," Han hurriedly averted his gaze from Derek, speaking to Lynn before leaving hastily. 

'Oh my, that was close,' Han breathed out on relief once he reached home. 

For once in his lifetime, he gotta thank his stupid brother Hwak for sending him books. Now he needed to scrap his storeroom to find where he had stuffed the books Hwak sent him before. 

What was that detective book his brother said was so good again? 

Something that started with C. He was sure there were D and L as well. Maybe an O too. 

Canon Docile? 

It didn't sound right though.