Lin Han felt indebted to Zhang Cheng Rui Xue and wanted me to help. I didn't want to at first, but seeing Lin Han's expectant, sparkling eyes, I reluctantly agreed.
The case was named "Temporal Passage," and it was transferred to the criminal psychology department because it didn't resemble a case at all; it was more like a supernatural event. The incident occurred in a residential complex within the Beijing Industrial Zone. Between two adjacent complexes, there was a narrow passage. The sides of the passage were brick walls, and all the buildings facing the walls had no windows.
This wall was erected due to a dispute between two developers over land division. They built a two-meter-high red brick wall on the north-south axis in front of their respective complexes. Because the edge buildings of the two complexes were too close, the east and west walls had no windows by design. Buildings without windows were difficult to sell, which was likely the consequence of the developers' stalemate. Because of them, even from the north-facing windows on upper floors, it was difficult to see the details of the narrow passage. From its position, the passage entered from the complex's street entrance and exited into an unsold plot of undeveloped land. It snaked through dozens of buildings, spanning about two thousand meters, a walk that could take fifteen minutes at a brisk pace.
The two complexes had been handed over for six or seven years, and the developers had moved on to pursue ventures elsewhere. Yet, this alley remained, and at some point, it acquired the name "Temporal Passage."
...
About half a month ago, a case was transferred to the criminal psychology department. A missing person was found at the other end of the "Temporal Passage," with his memory frozen two months prior. This missing man insisted he had time-traveled and requested scientists conduct experiments on him.
This plot, reminiscent of an American movie, left the investigating officers speechless. Reality wasn't like the movies; they didn't have scientists studying time travel. The police could simply dismiss the man. However, a problem arose.
During the search for the man, the police found some ecstasy pills on him. The man adamantly claimed he had never seen such things and didn't know who put them in his home. The police, however, did not agree. They determined that the man was using the "Temporal Passage" as a pretense, feigning madness to evade charges of selling ecstasy (drugs). The officer in charge of the case applied to his superiors for a definitive ruling from the authoritative criminal psychology department. As long as it was proven that the man had no mental issues, he would be prosecuted for drug trafficking.
...
I was particularly puzzled and couldn't help but ask Zhang Cheng Rui Xue, "This is a matter within your professional purview. Why do you need my help?"
"The man has mental issues."
"Of course he has issues! If he time-traveled, how could his mind be right?"
"But I don't think so. Apart from talking about time travel, he's otherwise completely normal. I used a polygraph on him, and he wasn't lying."
"If he wasn't lying, what could be the situation? I don't understand."
"First, he's genuinely not lying, but he's insane. I have to write a report to prove he has mental issues. Second, he fooled the polygraph."
From my brief interactions with Zhang Cheng Rui Xue, I understood her character: she detested evil. It seemed she firmly believed this man was a criminal and didn't want to write the report.
"Zhang Cheng Rui Xue, may I offer a suggestion? Can't we proceed according to protocol?"
"If that were the case, why would I ask you to come? I know this is a setup, and a schemer like you can definitely break it. Moreover, I know someone else will also arrive from two months ago."
Zhang Cheng Rui Xue's words left me amused and exasperated: "How can there be time travel in this world?"
"There is now. I can prove it."
"How?"
...
According to the information Zhang Cheng Rui Xue had, there was a man named Lan Jie, who had just graduated from university. He was two years younger than me. After graduation, Lan Jie did not follow his parents' instructions to return to his hometown and stayed in Beijing to work. He underestimated the city and struggled to make ends meet, almost unable to pay his rent.
It was then that someone offered Lan Jie ten thousand yuan to go to the "Temporal Passage." Lan Jie felt it was risky but couldn't let go of the money. He called a classmate and jokingly said that if he disappeared, they would see each other in two months, as he would have time-traveled to the future.
After receiving the money, as agreed, Lan Jie arrived at the "Temporal Passage" at night. During the transaction, the person who gave Lan Jie the money provided a camera and a tripod. Lan Jie set up the tripod according to the instructions and turned on the camera. He also enlisted the help of an elderly resident from the complex.
"Young man, stop messing around. Not long ago, some reckless fellow went into this alley and never came out. His family and the police have been here several times, but they couldn't find him."
Lan Jie chuckled, "Nonsense. I just saw two construction workers pushing carts in there."
The old man was surprised, "The construction here ended years ago. Where would construction workers come from?"
"Hey, never mind that. Just watch the camera for me. I'll be back in half an hour, and I'll give you fifty yuan. Don't think about running off with the camera; I know which building you live in."
Lan Jie didn't trust the old man, which angered him greatly.
...
This passage wasn't long; it took about fifteen minutes to walk through. Half an hour should have been enough for Lan Jie to make a round trip. However, after an hour, the old man still hadn't seen Lan Jie.
Two hours passed, still no sign.
The old man called 110, reporting someone had entered an alley from which there was no return. After inquiring, the police deemed the old man's complaint unreasonable and did not dispatch officers. In his helplessness, the old man took the camera home.
A few days later, Lan Jie's classmate reported him missing. The police investigated the 110 call, found the old man, and brought the camera to the police station.
...
While investigating the case of the man who claimed to have time-traveled, Zhang Cheng Rui Xue noticed this related case. Observing the time of Lan Jie's disappearance, Zhang Cheng Rui Xue had a sudden inspiration: if time travel were real, would Lan Jie reappear two months later?
After hearing all the backstory, I looked at Zhang Cheng Rui Xue with a hint of fear: "Are you sure your mind is okay?"
Zhang Cheng Rui Xue, who had maintained a gentle demeanor, became angry this time: "Tang Nan, don't you know you're being very impolite?"
"Is this not a matter of politeness? Who would believe such a thing?"
"Teacher Wang Ren believes it. She's not in Beijing and suggested you and I witness this supernatural phenomenon together."
...
When Li Wenwen appeared, I suspected Zhang Cheng Rui Xue was up to something. I wasn't sure if Teacher Wang Ren was an ally or an enemy. If I refused, I would miss an opportunity to understand the setup. In that case, it was best to accept the situation and see what trick Zhang Cheng Rui Xue was playing.
...
"Zhang Cheng Rui Xue, I'm helping you this time because you helped Lin Han, and I'm returning a favor. After this is over, I'll have nothing to do with you. I hope you won't bother me again."
My words were rather harsh, and it was clear Zhang Cheng Rui Xue was deeply uncomfortable, but she was composed and managed to suppress it.
"Let's go. Today, you'll follow my plan."
"Fine!"
I parted ways with Lin Han for the time being and, with Zhang Cheng Rui Xue, drove her private car to the "Temporal Passage."
At the entrance of this alley, there were still shops on both sides. On the left was a general store, and on the right was a fast-food joint selling dumplings, noodles, and rice dishes. Between the two shops, there were railings about two to three meters wide, and then one could see the side of the brick wall and the seemingly endless, deep "Temporal Passage."
Upon arrival, we parked the car and went to the alley entrance. It was sealed with tape and had a large "demolish" sign. We asked at the adjacent shop and learned that there had been two disappearances. The property management of both complexes decided to pay to have the temporarily erected brick wall removed and replaced with a low wall and fencing similar to the complexes.
"What's the plan?"
"Lan Jie went in at night, so he'll likely come out at night. I plan to walk through this small alley first to scout the path. If this path is okay, when work ends, I'll have colleagues watch the entrance, and you and I will wait for Lan Jie at the exit."
"You shouldn't go in. Let me. What if I time-travel?"
This was my attempt at a joke, but Zhang Cheng Rui Xue didn't laugh. I could tell she was extremely nervous, genuinely wanting to prove something.
To prove that time travel exists in this world? Hmph, preposterous.
...
Zhang Cheng Rui Xue waited for me here while I walked through the "Temporal Passage."
Entering the alley, it was a bit dark even in the daytime. I looked up at the sliver of sky and took a deep breath, then walked forward. The path underfoot was smooth, with dark red bricks on either side. After walking for a while, the feeling was one of mechanically and monotonously moving forward. Gradually, looking ahead and behind, everything became the same red brick. It felt as though this alley would truly go on forever, without end.