Ice skates forward, regardless of east or west.

1

Consciousness emerges from the anesthetized depths of the sea.

Gu Xidong opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by pure white walls, ceiling, and floor.

The light source comes from the wall itself, and is a cool, uniform white.

He moved his fingers.

His hands and feet were free, but a monitoring device was fitted on his left knee.

The screen displays normal vital signs, with the note: "Neural activity monitoring - baseline stable."

He sat up.

The room is about four meters square, and apart from the medical bed and monitor, there is only a ventilation opening in the corner.

The door is on the opposite side, with only one recognition panel.

He got out of bed and walked to the door.

A blue light swept across his face, displaying the words "Unauthorized" in red.

He knocked on the door and said to the air, "Ye Shen, I know you're watching."

Three seconds later, the walls vibrated, and sounds came from all directions:

"Sharp observation, Mr. Gu. There are 128 microphones and 76 cameras in the room. Your heart rate is 74, indicating mild tension."

Gu Xidong leaned against the door: "Where is Ling Wuwen?"

"Next door, 3.7 meters away. She and the fetus are both fine." Ye Shen paused.

"Do you want to see her?"

A transparent area on the wall lit up, showing Ling Wuwen sitting on the bed in the white room, with an electrode patch attached to his abdomen.

She looked this way and mouthed, "I'm fine."

Gu Xidong raised his hand and pressed it against the screen. Ling Wuwen also raised his hand, palms facing each other.

"A heartwarming scene," Ye Shen said.

"But let's get down to business. The evidence you showed on the ice, it came from Raven, right? He hacked into the ISU database. But I dealt with those records three years ago; he only got copies, so their authenticity is questionable."

"So you're going to destroy the original evidence?"

"No, I need to confirm you don't have any other backups. I've already retrieved the projector, but the 'Frostblade' scan shows you had a data synchronization before the crash. Who was the receiver?"

The wall display switches to a data stream interface, highlighting one line:

"Data packet transmission complete - Receiver: [Encrypted] - Transmission time: 1 minute and 17 seconds before the ice rink collapsed."

"It's not Raven; I know his address. This recipient is using an older NATO encryption protocol," Ye Shen said.

"After investigation, I identified one person."

The image changes to an archival photo: white hair, dark suit, medals on his chest.

Ivan Petrovich, former chief referee of the International Skating Union.

"Pelovic worked as a cryptanalyst at NATO in his youth. After retiring, he entered the sports world and climbed to the position of chief referee. Everyone thought he was fair, until—"

The screen changed to a bank statement, with several new lines added:

"Payee: Ivan Petrovich. Amount: 200,000 euros. Date: The day after the accident. Note: Hush money."

"He also received money and signed an 'accident' report. But he backed up the original data, hid it with military encryption, and waited for an opportunity to gain greater benefits."

The scene cuts to Gu Xidong's face.

"You found him, or he found you. Deal: he gives you the evidence, you go public for him. That way he can both clear his name and become a hero. Perfect plan."

Gu Xidong remained silent.

"But you missed one thing," Ye Shen said in a low voice.

"Petrovic only backed up the financial evidence. What can truly convict him is the physical evidence."

The wall then switched again, displaying a pair of ice skates.

2

The black ice skates lay on the evidence table, with Gu Xidong's initials embroidered on the uppers.

A close-up shot shows the inside of the ankle brace on the left foot—a rectangular indentation, two centimeters long and one millimeter deep.

"Your partner's skates from three years ago. They were tampered with before being stored away."

The image then transforms into a 3D scanned model.

The inner lining of the fixing belt was peeled off, exposing the carbon fiber support plate, and the recessed area corresponds to local structural deformation.

"Uneven resin was injected during manufacturing, resulting in some areas being 30% harder than the standard. This doesn't hinder normal skating, but when landing a triple Axel, the extra-hard areas will alter the transmission of force."

Model simulation of jumping and falling on ice:

The force was abnormally distributed the moment the right foot touched the ice, directing the impact to the outside of the ankle. Result: Ligament tear, fall.

"This is the truth behind the 'accident'. A pair of tampered ice skates can become a weapon under certain circumstances."

Gu Xidong stared at the ice and snow.

He remembered the way his partner's right foot twisted. He never doubted Bingxue.

"Who moved it?"

"Chen Guodong. He was the supplier of that batch of ice skates. During manufacturing, he arranged for uneven resin to be injected into three random pairs of skates. Even if an investigation were conducted afterward, it would be classified as a 'production batch defect,' not intentional targeting."

Why?

"Because your partner was collecting evidence of Chen Guodong manipulating youth competitions. She planned to reveal it after the competition, but Chen Guodong struck first."

The scene cuts back to Ling Wuwen's room.

She placed her right hand on her abdomen and gently stroked her belly with her index finger.

Short, short, short. Long, long, long. Short, short, short.

Morse code: SOS.

But her eyes said, "Keep stalling."

Gu Xidong turned back to the wall: "Why are you telling me this? This evidence is against you."

"Because they are incomplete. The ice skates are just the weapon; the mastermind is someone else," Ye Shen said.

"The person behind Chen Guodong is the one who truly wants your partner to disappear."

The scene then cuts to a silhouette from behind, wearing an International Skating Union uniform.

In the blink of an eye—Andrei Sokolov, Vice Chairman of the Technical Committee.

"Sokolov. Among the evidence your partner collected were records of him accepting bribes from Eastern European black market gambling syndicates. The syndicate manipulated matches; Sokolov provided inside information, and Chen Guodong carried it out. A complete industry chain."

Gu Xidong recalled that Sokolov was waiting in the equipment room with a tranquilizer gun.

"You cooperated with him, knowing he was the murderer."

"The cooperation was temporary. I needed him to control the technical committee, and he needed me to clean up his name. It was a win-win situation. But now, he has lost his value."

The scene switched to live monitoring: Sokolov hurriedly deleted files in the room, sweat beading on his forehead.

"He was clearing away evidence, but he didn't know the surveillance cameras were recording all along."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened, and two men in black entered, stun-gunning Sokolov and confiscating his computer.

"He's finished. I have evidence of murder, bribery, and match-fixing. Combined with Chen Guodong's testimony, it's enough to sentence him to thirty years."

Gu Xidong looked at the unconscious Sokolov and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Release this evidence. As a witness, tell the world that Sokolov and Chen Guodong murdered your partner. You spent three years collecting evidence, and finally the truth came to light."

"cost?"

"Admit that the accusations against me on the ice are delusions stemming from your psychological trauma. The fabricated rigging was an act of revenge in collusion with Petrovich. Issue a public apology and undergo psychological treatment."

Gu Xidong chuckled dryly: "Exchange lies for truth."

"To exchange the truth of one person for the justice of two," Ye Shen corrected.

"Sokolov and Chen Guodong are punished, and your partner is exonerated. You leave safely with your family, with a new identity, a new life, and enough money. You're rid of all this forever."

The scene cuts back to Ling Wuwen. She traces her abdomen with her hand, shaking her head with a resolute look in her eyes.

Don't agree.

Gu Xidong looked at her, then turned to the wall: "What if I refuse?"

"Sokolov and the evidence will disappear together. Your partner will forever bear the label of 'accident,' and you—" Ye Shen paused, "will become a mental patient unable to accept reality. A 'medical malpractice' will occur during treatment."

silence.

Gu Xidong walked to the bedside and sat down.

The monitor beeped, and my heart rate rose to 86.

"I need time to think about it."

"Thirty minutes. Then Sokolov is transferred. Before that, I need to give a reply."

The sound disappeared, and the walls returned to their white state.

Gu Xidong looked down at his hands; his palms were calloused and his knuckles were injured.

These hands have held a partner, embraced a daughter, gripped a gun, and held evidence.

Now we need to sign a deal.

He wrote on the sheets with his finger: "Does Petrovich have any backups?"

He looked up at Ling Wuwen's room.

She saw it and raised her hand in a gesturing motion.

Short, long, short. Short, short. Long, short, long.

Morse code: "YES."

There are also backups.

where is it?

She continued paddling.

Long, short. Short, short, short. Long—

The lights flickered and then went out.

3

Darkness. Emergency lights are off, ventilation has stopped.

The monitor screen cast a distorted shadow in the dim light.

The footsteps outside the door were numerous, then stopped.

Red light on the panel: "System malfunction. Forced access control deactivated."

The door slid open, revealing a raven standing in another white room.

His combat uniform was scratched, and he held a tablet with the screen displaying: "Follow me. Now."

"Where is Ling Wuwen?"

The raven refers to the neighbor.

The door opened, and Ling Wuwen stood in the doorway, the electrode wires already unplugged.

She nodded and quickly gestured in sign language: "The power outage was caused by Petrovich. Cut off the backup power; we have nine minutes to evacuate."

"Sokolov?"

"They were taken away by Interpol. Ye Shen's men exchanged fire with them, and we infiltrated during the chaos," Raven whispered.

"But Ye Shen has already left, taking the core data with him. This place is just a front; the real research facilities are elsewhere."

Gu Xidong walked out of the room.

The pain in his left knee returned, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. Raven handed him a syringe: "Short-acting painkiller, forty minutes."

He received the injection, and the pain temporarily subsided.

The three of them walked through the room into a narrow passage.

There were no lights; Raven turned on his flashlight. The walls were rough, the floor was wet, and the air smelled musty mixed with disinfectant.

"The old underground air-raid shelter has been converted into a temporary facility by Ye Shen. The real 'White Room' is 15 kilometers away."

Turn the corner, and you'll see an upward staircase.

Moonlight shines from the top.

"Up there's a riverbank; there will be a boat to pick you up. Ling Wuwen and the child go to a safer spot first; you and I will stay here."

Gu Xidong stopped: "What are you staying for?"

"Petrovic provided a final backup." Raven pulled up the file.

"It's not financial evidence, it's video footage."

The screen plays surveillance footage, timestamp: three years ago, on the night of the accident, backstage at the ice rink.

The dialogue between Chen Guodong and Sokolov is clearly visible in the footage:

"Are those shoes taken care of?"

"Alright. The resin injection point is on the inside, so it won't be noticeable."

"Did you simulate the impact data from falling ice?"

"It's been simulated. When landing a triple Axel, a shift in force can tear the ankle ligaments. At best, it's a serious injury that leads to retirement; at worst... it depends on luck."

"Being a little unlucky is better. Dead men tell no tales."

Sokolov nodded: "Understood."

The recording has ended.

"Petrovic's last resort. He recorded the conversation and made three copies. One for us, one for Interpol, and the last one—" Raven looked at Siddon, "he demands it be handed over to you personally."

"Why are you giving it to me?"

He said, "You have the right to decide how to use it."

Moonlight streamed down from the top of the stairs.

Gu Xidong looked up at the exit.

Where is freedom? A safe, peaceful, painless life. Once you get up there, it's all over.

Ye Shen goes on the run, Sokolov goes to prison, Chen Guodong goes bankrupt, and the truth about their partnership is revealed.

Revenge complete.

Redemption is complete.

He can rest now.

He stepped onto the stairs.

A sharp pain when bending your left knee is a warning sign—the injury is still there even after pain relief.

These knees can no longer withstand the jumps of figure skating.

He stopped and turned around.

"Raven, what will happen once Interpol gets the video evidence?"

"The investigation and prosecution will proceed according to procedure, but the process could take one or two years. Ye Shen has ample time to destroy evidence or create a new 'accident'."

Gu Xidong looked at Ling Wuwen.

She stood halfway up the stairs, moonlight illuminating her face, her eyes filled with worry.

Press your hand on your abdomen, and you'll feel the baby's movements as light as a butterfly's wing.

Lip reading: "It's your decision. I support you."

Gu Xidong nodded.

He walked back to the passageway and took the tablet from Raven. He swiped to find the video file and clicked on it.

Select playback mode.

"Live stream to the main screen of the Moscow Arena, simultaneously broadcast globally."

Raven pressed his hand down: "Think it through. Once it's public, Ye Shen will hunt us down at all costs, hunt down the child, hunt down everyone involved."

"I know."

"We can wait for Interpol—"

"I've waited three years," Gu Xidong interrupted.

"Our partner waited three years. All those they destroyed waited even longer. Justice should not wait any longer."

He looked at Ling Wuwen.

"You take the child. Ravens will escort you. I'll go to the stadium."

"What are you going to do?"

"The performance is finished," Gu Xidong said.

"There's only one last act left in 'Black Swan.' I want to stand on the ice and present the evidence to the whole world. That's my partner's stage; it's time to end it there."

Ling Wuwen walked down the stairs and stood in front of him.

She raised her hand and touched the scar on his cheek.

"You will die. Ye Shen's men will defend the stadium."

"I know."

"The child needs a father."

"Children need a father who can look them in the eye and say, 'I did my best.'"

Gu Xidong held her hand, "instead of spending the rest of his life thinking 'what if' about what happened back then."

She remained silent, then tiptoed to kiss him.

The kiss was short and light, salty and bitter with tears.

"Come back alive," she said. "Otherwise, I'll come after you in heaven or hell."

Gu Xidong nodded.

Turning around, I walked deeper into the passageway—not towards the stairs, but towards a fork in the road leading to the underground pipe network, which led to the darkness beneath the city.

The raven brought the key.

"There are motorcycles at the third drainage outlet on the riverbank. The tank is full, and the navigation is set to the fastest route to the stadium."

Gu Xidong took the keys without turning around.

The figure disappeared into the darkness.

Ling Wuwen stood still, moonlight streaming down his back, casting a long shadow. He pressed his hand against his abdomen, feeling the baby's movements as light as a butterfly's wing.

The raven whispered, "Let's go. The ship is waiting."

She glanced one last time in the direction where Gu Xidong had disappeared.

He turned and went upstairs.

The moonlight grew brighter.