Chapter 1 — After My Brother Passed Away, I Received a Mysterious Text Message

My Brother Died Suddenly, My Parents Urged Me To Come Home For The Funeral, A Strange Message Warned: Come Back A Little Late, You Will Know The Truth The news of my brother's sudden death came while I was still working overtime at the company. On the phone, my parents cried until their hearts were paralyzed, constantly urging me to immediately buy a ticket to go home. My heart was in turmoil, I hurriedly booked the fastest high-speed train. But just as I was about to walk out the door, a text message from an unknown number made me stunned.

"Your brother did not die unexpectedly, but was murdered. When you return a little later, you will see the whole truth."

I stared at the train ticket information on the phone screen. Trembling fingers pressed the ticket cancellation button. The news of my brother's sudden death came while I was still working overtime. The blue light from the computer screen shone on my numb face. The project manager still stood by, talking endlessly about the customer's requirements. The phone on the table vibrated continuously like a dying heart. I angrily picked it up and saw the words "Mom" on the screen. I listened and went to the tea room. On the other end of the line was not my mother's familiar nagging voice. It was a heart-wrenching cry that I had never heard before.

"Tieu Tinh, your brother is gone!"

My mind immediately went blank.

"Mom, what did you say?"

"Your brother... Chu Duong... is no more!"

Her mother's voice sounded like someone had torn it apart, so choked that she couldn't make a sound. In the background of the call, my father's painful sobbing could be heard.

"Forensics said it was overwork..."

"You passed away last night, your colleagues only discovered this morning."

"Go home quickly, Tieu Tinh. You're the only one left in the house now. Come home quickly!"

Hai tay toi run len. The phone almost fell to the ground. Lam viec qua suc? Those three words kept bumping into my head, but they couldn't be put together into a complete truth. Anh trai toi. People always laugh and say:

"Co anh day ma."

The person who called me last week reminded me to pay attention to my health and not to risk my life at work. Why have you disappeared? I hung up. It feels like the whole world is spinning. A colleague poked his head into the tea room.

"Chu Tinh, what's wrong with you? Your face looks so bad."

I shook my head. Couldn't utter a word. Returning to my seat, before the project manager's surprised eyes, I picked up my bag and stood up.

"Manager, there's something going on at home. I'm taking a leave of absence."

I didn't even hear how he responded, I rushed straight out of the office building. The city's neon lights were so bright that my eyes hurt. I leaned against the cold wall, constantly refreshing the ticket booking app. My fingers were shaking so much that I entered the wrong confirmation code over and over again. Finally, I booked the earliest high-speed train home. Five o'clock in the morning. Con sau tieng nua. I dragged my body as if it had lost its soul back to the rented room. I don't turn on the light. Fall down on the sofa. My mind is a mess like a mess. Tears finally burst. I hugged my knees and cried silently without a sound. Don't know how much time has passed. The phone screen suddenly lit up. Is a message. Sent from an unknown number. I thought it was a spam message so I decided to delete it. But for some reason, I clicked open again. The content is very short.

"Your brother did not suddenly die, but was murdered."

My whole body shook. It feels like being dumped straight in a basin Ice water from head to toe. Right after that, the second message arrived.

"Come back a little late, you'll see the whole truth."

I stared at those two messages. Heart beating madly. Is it a joke? Who would joke about this? But if it's not a joke... Then my brother, Chu Duong... Didn't die suddenly. But murdered. That thought was like a bomb exploding in my head. It dispels all sadness and panic. All that remained was a cold feeling that penetrated to the marrow of my bones. I immediately thought of many things. My brother has a stable job, has a gentle personality, and has never held a grudge against anyone. His health has always been very good, every year he has had a complete general examination. How could such a person die suddenly? Parents only know the initial conclusions of the forensic examination. But this stranger knows "the truth". Even told me to "come back a little late". I looked at the train ticket information on my phone. The words "05:00 departure" appeared especially glaring. If I return now. Caught up in the pain of parents and a crowd of relatives. Busy taking care of his brother's funeral. So the so-called "truth"... Will it forever be hidden? My fingers trembled. I opened the ticket booking app. The screen displays the following message:

"Ticket cancellation successful."

I didn't hesitate at all. Immediately call the police. The phone is quickly connected.

"Hello, hello, this is 110."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.

"Comrade police, I want to report a case."

"I suspect my brother's death... it's not unintentional."

The female operator's voice on the other end of the line still remained professional.

"Ma'am, please calm down and explain the situation clearly."

"Tell me your name, your brother's name, and the reason why you are so suspicious."

I told my name and my brother's.

"My name is Chu Tinh, my brother is Chu Duong."

"The initial conclusion from the company and forensics is that he died because of overwork at the apartment last night."

"But just now I received a text message from an unknown number, saying that my brother was murdered."

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"Miss, do you have any proof?"

"Or do you know who the owner of that phone number is?"

"I do not know."

"And the evidence... does that text count?"

Even my voice carried hesitation. Because I also feel that this report sounds too unbelievable.

"Based on just one text message, it is very difficult for us to create an investigation file."

"Recently, there have been a lot of telecommunication scams. Maybe this is just a cruel joke."

"I advise you to first take care of the funeral arrangements for your loved ones. We will record this phone number and put it under surveillance."

Her tone was extremely mechanical. Apparently she didn't really believe me.

"That's not true."

I interrupted.

"The message also said that if I came home a little late, I would see the truth."

"That means if I immediately return now, there is a possibility that some evidence will be destroyed."

"It's both a warning and a suggestion."

In a state of extreme calm, my mind became unusually clear. I heard the other party seem to be exchanging something with a colleague. More than ten seconds later, the female operator spoke up.

"Miss Chu Tinh, Where are you now?"

"I will forward your information to the police station in charge of the area where the incident occurred. You can go there to take a statement."

"We will also send someone to your brother's residence to conduct a preliminary examination."