Dandan and "Dandan"

Liu Chang'an and Li Hongfang emerged from the burial chamber. Her car was parked across the river by the mountain. The moonless night was cold and still, the wind mingling with the sound of waves slapping the shore. The two leaped across the river, and the sash of the woman in Liu Chang'an's arms was splashed with water. Looking down at her, he saw that her snow-white face seemed to have regained a hint of color.

Heartbeat and breathing—these two simple signs used to determine whether an ordinary person was alive or dead—were not suited to this kind of special life-form.

If there was a heartbeat and breathing, it was probably alive.

If there was no heartbeat and no breathing, that did not necessarily mean it was dead.

Liu Chang'an did not try to save her with saliva or blood. After all, her identity was unknown, and he had no particular feelings or memories connected to her.

But he still had to try something. Once they returned, he would find Shangguan Dandan and have her try using her coffin. After all, they were both women from coffins.

Li Hongfang carried the gold-thread jade burial suit and Wang Mang's carved head. The two drove into the city overnight. Fortunately, there had been no major case that day requiring police to guard the traffic checkpoints through the night. Otherwise, things would have been rather troublesome.

Of course, Li Hongfang would be the one troubled. In such a situation, Liu Chang'an could just play dead—the kind with no heartbeat or breathing.

As for forcing his way through checkpoints or resisting inspections, Liu Chang'an would never do such things. They did not accord with the core socialist values.

Thinking these teasing, pointless thoughts, Li Hongfang drove Liu Chang'an into the residential compound.

The corridor's