Written by Ding Mo

Pristine Darkness
Synopsis
She has chosen a path that is different from that of the ordinary person and she has also
fallen in love with a man who is different from that of ten thousand other. Thus even she is
covered in bruises, her heart filled with reassurances. Pain radiates from the bottom of her
heart, but happiness also brims from the bottom of her heart, causing the secluded
Butterfly Killer from the masked gang of killers to emerge……

Darkness is everywhere. To get to the bottom of this painful investigation, he must leave to
uncover the illusions behind the darkness. Justice is like the cold rocks in a deep abyss
beneath the great moon. Yet the clear light has always existed in the dark. If he finally
comes, please close your two tearful eyes in the depths of the night forevermore.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22 – Xie Min’s Story – The White Deer’s Never-ending Cry
Chapter 23 – Yao Yuange’s Story – Dead Soul (part 1) End of Vol. 1
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56 (End of Vol. 2)
Chapter 57 Ke Qian’s Side Story – Mulan Star
Chapter 58 Fi Ziyu & Han Yumeng’s Side Story – One Day (Part 1)
Chapter 59 Fu Ziyu & Han Yumeng’s Side Story – One Day (Part 2)
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95 Fang Qing’s Side Story — Laugh at Me for Being Sentimental (Part 1)
Chapter 96 Fang Qing’s Side Story — Laugh at Me for Being Sentimental (Part 2)
Chapter 97 An Yan’s Side Story – The Honey Peach is in My Hands (Part 1)
Chapter 98 An Yan’s Side Story – The Honey Peach is in My Hands (Part 2) (End of
Vol. 3)
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135 (Final)
Chapter 1
The sun was certainly really intense, making one’s skin burn from the heat.

On a late afternoon in the ancient city, there were few people walking along the
streets. Tong Sheng, a little annoyed, used her hand to block the sunlight while she
stood at the traffic intersection.

Uh … she had gotten lost. As someone with a poor sense of direction, and even
considering she had lost her map and wallet, she had experienced extremely bad
luck today.

She wanted to see which passer-bys looked friendly enough to borrow their mobile
phone so that she could call a friend to bring some money to help her out.

She did not notice a black car, parked not far from the curbside that had been
waiting there for a long time.

Later in the day, there were fewer people on the road. Even the dogs curled up in
the corner asleep.

When the car stopped in front of her, she was surprised. But after seeing the person
who was driving, at first she hesitated. Then she smiled and said, “Oh, it’s you.”

A lone person roamed aimlessly in this city.

That person smiled back and asked, “How are you, my dear? I have been watching
you stand here. Are you waiting for someone?”

Tong Sheng stuck out her tongue. “I lost my wallet, and I even got lost.”

The person opened the door to the back seat for her. “Get in. I’ll take you wherever
you need to go.”

Tong Sheng found this somewhat strange. “How could I make you do something
like that for me?”
However, in the end she got into the car and they happily spoke to one another the
entire trip.

A light wind blew softly through the treetops while patchy shadows fell on the
vehicle. The car windows reflected the smiles on their faces. The air conditioning
was very adequate, making every cell of Tong Sheng’s body feel comfortable and
so lazy that she didn’t feel like doing anything.

The person took a bottle of mineral water out of the car cooler for her. Tong Sheng
happily took it, unscrewing the top off to take a drink.

Later, her eyelids became heavier and heavier. Tong Sheng became aware that
something was wrong, however how could she still open her eyes? She wanted to
grab the hand of the person driving the car, but her hand was immediately flung
off. Vaguely, the car seemed to have entered a very peaceful place. She closed her
eyes.

____

She continued to cry as she crawled on the floor, “Let me go… I am begging you, let
me go… I’ll give you all the money I have.”

[start PG-13]
He put a chain around Tong Sheng’s neck like a dog. She did not wear any clothes
from then on, but did she need to wear anything? He liked seeing girls living
animalistic lives [end]

He was like a royal king and a supreme master.

In comparison, she could only gaze up at the small window overhead day and night
from the basement that cut her off from the outside world.
One night, she sobbed and cried out softly, “Mama, mama ……”
When he heard this, he gently stroked her body silently.
Tong Sheng, don’t cry.

Your mama will never find you.

——
The police department in the ancient city was very big, but the criminal police
squadron was very small, because very few criminal cases occurred in this popular
yet unsophisticated tourist city. If a case occurred, it would definitely be very
serious.

The weather was very hot, and the criminal police squadron’s office was very silent,
like an empty room. All of them were slumped over their tables sleeping. The
cicadas chirped in the courtyard, and the asphalt on the ground seemed as if it was
being melted. On this indolent day, there was only one person who did not sleep at
midday, and was even leaning on his table, wearing headphones as he looked at
his computer.

He was the great team leader of a branch of the criminal police squad, Fang Qing.

Fang Qing, who just turned thirty this year, was born tall and talented. Numerous
people had come to offer him a potential girlfriend in the past. However, he
ruthlessly rejected them all without exceptions. Everything had started precisely a
few years ago after he was dumped by his girlfriend. His life from then on had
become simple and independent.

At the moment, he was sitting in front of a computer, but he wasn’t watching a

romantic action film. He still had some personal integrity from his job; he had
always watched movies by himself at home. He was taking advantage of his lunch
break to watch a new Chinese drama.

He wasn’t just watching a Chinese drama however; he was watching the cuts of all
the scenes with the female lead.

He lit a cigarette as he slightly squinted at all the scenes whenever the female lead
appeared. The actress who had the part of the female lead was Jin Xiaozhe, and
this year she was actually 29 years old. In the entertainment industry, she was
considered a late bloomer*. Who would have known throughout these past few
years, she had become a national female goddess?

 *lit. It takes a long time to make a big pot; fig. A great talent matures slowly;
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Jin Xiaozhe’s skin was very fair. It was so fair it resembled porcelain. She was
extremely pretty when she wore cheongsams. At the moment, she was fighting
against the male lead. The male lead held her waist, and her cheongsam exposed
her white and full legs. Fang Qing’s throat tightened in bursts. That male lead even
pushed her onto the bed and tore up her cheongsam.

“F**k.” Fang Qing softly cursed. He nervously drank a sip of water.

The good part was that the passionate act did not continue. As the two persons
hugged each other on the bed, and spoke eloquent script lines to each other, they
kissed. Fang Qing’s face had already turned black. He immediately shut his
computer and threw his cigarette away, walking out of the office.

Skyscrapers were not allowed to be built in the ancient city Fang Qing currently
resided in. As Fang Qing stood in the hallway, he could see a mountain in the
distance. He loved having such a tranquil hometown, but at the same time, the
ruralness of the town also restricted him from greater opportunities. To this day, he
could still remember Jin Xiaozhe walking towards him, as she said with an
extremely cold tone, “Fang Qing, I cannot stay here. It’s too easy and free. I can see
my future ahead of me in a glance. I want to have a more vibrant life with more
possibilities.”

What had he said at that time? He had even laughed, as he painfully and angrily said
to Jin Xiaozhe, “Alright then. Go charge into life. Just remember, that when it gets
too dirty outside, you can come back. I will wait for you here. When you come back,
we can marry.”

Who knew that after Jin Xiaozhe walked out, she would become famous?

Afterwards, they contacted each other less often, but they did not completely
break off their relationship with each other either.

Last year, he had an opportunity to join the Ministry of Public Security for training
at Beijing. He sent Jin Xiaozhe a short text. Jin Xiaozhe didn’t respond. When it was
midnight, she arrived at the hotel he was staying at. That was the first time he saw
her current extravagant lifestyle with his own eyes. She secretly parked downstairs
in a nanny van, and two bodyguards protected her as she went up the stairs. A
male manager watched him with an extremely complicated expression.

After they finished having sex, he slept, only half-conscious when he realised that
she was about to leave.

He grabbed her with one hand, and asked, “What is our relationship to you?”

She did not answer, and asked him instead, “When will you come to Beijing?” Fang
Qing did not answer.

How was he to respond? Should he say that he had been a criminal police officer for
half of his life, and didn’t even want to resign to go to Beijing? Or should he say he
was already a criminal police officer now. I make 5000 yuan a month, so could I
marry such a huge celebrity like you?

He simply laughed and said, “Why are you so anxious? If you’re anxious, how come
you won’t come back to the ancient city?”

Jin Xiaozhe’s face turned ugly at the time, and left.

He called her again much later and texted her, but she didn’t respond.

As he thought about this, Fang Qing rubbed his hand along his hair, in an extremely
fidgety manner. Actually, recently he had stumbled upon a great opportunity, and
his performance at work had been outstanding. Thus, he had applied to be
transferred to Beijing, and now the application lay in his desk drawer. When could he
find a good opportunity to tell that woman? If he goes now, would it be too late?

He lit another cigarette, remembering Jin Xiaozhe’s enticing and passionate kiss
with the male lead from a moment ago. His body was dry and hot. He grabbed the
cup of tea next to him, and fiercely chugged the cold water down his throat.

“Leader Fang.” A detective ran inside from the staircase.

Fang Qing glanced at the detective’s complexion, and immediately organized his
chaotic thoughts.

Great, there was now a serious case on hand.

Chapter 2

The person who died was male.

He was also a young, refined person with a kind and harmless smile.

Of course, Fang Qing had only gleaned this from the identity card found on the
dead body. As matter of fact, this poor man had been thoroughly mashed up into
pieces, as he lay next to Fang Qing’s feet.

“Fu Wei, 25 years old, native of Gansu. He’s a tourist visiting from Beijing and these
past few days he has been staying at the Yao’s courtyard inn.*” The investigator
reported with a cold and solemn voice.

*TLN: A courtyard inn is like an antiquated inn, where they convert ancient Chinese
buildings or replicate ancient Chinese buildings and make them into inns.

Fang Qing used his hand to block his face from the sun. He picked up the white
cloth covering the body and looked at the body once more. However, he only felt
like cursing in his head, Damn it! He wanted to be transferred to another post, but
such a big case had occurred now. Was God trying to mess with him? But silent
curses were still silent curses. Fang Qing stared into the corpse’s eyes, which
looked crueler than that of an eagle.

“What did the forensic investigator say?” he asked.

“From my initial deductions, I can conclude that the time of death was today in the
early morning between one to three a.m. The murder weapon stabbed his chest.
The majority of the stabs occurred in his abdomen and caused him to bleed to
death. Additionally there are wounds from his wrists being slit, so he probably
grappled with other people. The weapon is a wide and thin blade, ranging from 15-
20 centimeters in length. It is about 8-10 centimeters wide, and the knife will have a
certain weight. Specifically, the material and model number of the weapon will
need to be further investigated…”

“How many cuts were there altogether?” Fang Qing asked.

“… around forty cuts.”

After he finished his examination of the dead body, Fang Qing leaned against a
police car, smoking a cigarette. A young police officer looked at the dead body but
he wasn’t able to stop himself from holding his stomach and throwing up next to
the gutter. Fang Qing’s complexion did not change. He took out another
peppermint and chewed on it to freshen his breath.

The sun was bright. Outside the police cordon region, the area around them was
full of people who would not go away no matter what. Fang Qing slowly inspected
the crowd. Perhaps, the murderer could be in the crowd at that moment.

However, it was only a thought. With such a huge crowd, he couldn’t even tell. Plus,
the murderer wasn’t stupid.

He lifted his head, looking around at the little alley, as he began to outline last
night’s circumstances in his head.

It had rained hard in the latter half of the night. As Fu Wei returned, it should have
been raining. He returned via an isolated path that led to the back of the inn and Fu
Wei was your average guy so it wasn’t weird for him to be taking a shortcut.

In the ancient city, many tourists would stay out until midnight or even stay out all
night. So, Fu Wei hadn’t returned at an abnormal time either.

Even though the rain removed most of the traces, the soil by the dead body was
already immersed in a crimson red color that had penetrated extremely deeply.
Moreover, the dead body showed no evidence of being moved. It could be assumed
that this was the primary crime scene of the murder case.

At one a.m., Fu Wei had walked over to this area and came across the murderer.

Would the murderer hide himself? Or was meeting Fu Wei a coincidence? Both
walls of the alleyway were low and convex so there was no place to hide. So, the
murderer could only stand in the rain and wait for Fu Wei.
Did Fu Wei knew the murderer? If he did, he probably would have stopped walking.
If not, he would have just walked by him.

Then the murderer made his move.

One slash, two slashes, three slashes … twenty slashes! Forty slashes! This person
had slashed into this young man until he was unrecognizable, practically turning
him into a pool of mud!

Fu Wei wasn’t tall, and he was rather skinny. The murderer evidently had not
considered absolute convenience and advantage otherwise Fu Wei’s wrists would
not have traces of being caught in a scuffle. So, the murderer wasn’t a strong and
robust man.

What happened afterwards?

Then the murderer ran away and Fu Wei lay there, his body and the floor covered in
blood, waiting to be found.

Blood.

That’s right, blood.

Fu Wei’s main artery bled. Although the rain had washed off a lot of the blood, the
ground and the walls still had a horrifying amount of blood. Plus, the murderer had
wrestled with him so it was inevitable that his body would be stained with blood as
well.

1 a.m, 2 a.m… Although it was late at night, this was the ancient city, so it wasn’t
that late yet. Every alleyway was a bustling street, and inns were located
everywhere. Where could someone covered in blood and someone who held a
knife in his hand go?

……
Fang Qing suddenly lifted his head and said to two police officers, “Go collect the
surveillance from the surrounding five streets at once! I don’t believe this Sun Tzu
[1] can get out of this situation undetected!”

[1] Sun Tzu- Also known as Sun Wu, he was a general, strategist, and philosopher of
the Spring and Autumn Period. Believed to be the author of the ‘Art of War’

——

It was simply unbelievable that a case like this would happen in a tourist city. Fang
Qing’s boss couldn’t avoid his important meetings, so he gave Fang Qing some
sincere advice and ordered him to solve the case within a week.

Fang Qing didn’t say anything. The next moment, he became as busy as a bee. As
the commanding officer, he had to go in primarily with a strong investigative
direction. Fang Qing was now concentrating his attention on searching for the
‘bloody person’. At the same time, he would have to investigate the victim, Fu Wei,
and his life.

A day later, after enquiries were sent to the Gansu Provincial and Beijing Police
departments, the police received some data after cooperation with the local police.

Fu Wei’s hometown was in a county located below Gansu. His family consisted of
one bedridden mother with his father working to support the household. It was
harder for them to get by, but they were able to afford food and clothes without
much of a problem. When they heard of his death, the whole family grieved. But
because transportation was inconvenient and his father needed to sort out family
logistics, it would take a few days to rush over there.

Two years ago, Fu Wei graduated from Beijing’s Min Sheng University, a National
Key University, majoring in a National Key Discipline*. Then he went to work at an
internet company and was regarded as a young, promising talent. After
investigation, he never had any injustices or enemies. He did not have a girlfriend,
and did not have any emotional disputes. Everyone close to him had been
investigated but no one had the motive to kill.
*TLN: National Key Universities previously referred to universities recognized as
prestigious and which received a high level of support from the central government
of the People’s Republic of China. National Key Disciplines is a list of key disciplines
currently recognized as important and receiving support by the central
government of the People’s Republic of China.

As far as his conduct, the police were able to gain a little more knowledge about
him. According to his dorm mate, “Big Wei was a pretty good person most of the
time. He was a gentle person and never got into disagreements with people. His
shortcomings … he was a little lustful. He played with prostitutes when we were in
college, but it only happened twice. It’s college, so lots of boys have done it. Oh
yeah, he also had an online relationship before. I heard that the girl later suddenly
stopped talking to him, they just broke up.”

His roommates in Beijing all said, “Fu Wei didn’t have any enemies, his income at
the company wasn’t bad, and he didn’t have any financial pressures or disputes.
He saved up his annual leave this year and was going to go to the ancient city,
which was a spontaneous decision. Only a few of his friends knew. He even said he
might be having an affair, so who knows …”

……

Fang Qing investigated Fu Wei’s whereabouts in the ancient city ever since he had
arrived. Besides the inn he resided at and the nightclubs he went to at the city, the
girls he had hit on at the bar and the owners of the restaurants he ate at had all
been questioned as well. Surprisingly, Fu Wei had not created any conflicts with
anyone.

Even the prostitute that he had hired for the past few days had been invited to the
police station and had answered the questions very carefully. “Oh, that young lad
… I remember him. He gave me money and I became his tour guide, going around
the city for a few days.”

The police officer laughed, not wanting to expose her lie.

“There was nothing special, we just had a little sex, and he was always touchy. He
was a little stingy. When it was time to pay, he only paid me fifty yuan. We
encounter these types of customers quite often. Who killed him? That’s too scary
…”

The inn that Fu Wei had been living in was also under investigation. It wasn’t the
tourist season but business wasn’t slow either. There weren’t many guests at the
inn, but there also wasn’t that few. There were a little over ten people living in the
same building Fu Wei was staying at. All had been investigated. None of them had
any connection with Fu Wei.

Even the front desk receptionist had been asked about key details. She was a local,
a little over twenty years old and wasn’t bad looking. She told the police, “He was
pretty charming, always coming back past midnight … Did he take the initiative to
hit on me? Yes, he left me his QQ number. He was very pushy, but at the time, the
aunty who sweeps the floors and the other waitresses laughed at me. However, I
didn’t plan on adding him.”

——

It was late now. Fang Qing and his partner had just sent off the last interviewees.
Fang Qing tiredly massaged his eyebrows, and the two of them lit their cigarettes.

The neighboring monitoring group was still looking and going through the boxes of
camera surveillance recordings. He could guess that by this time their eyeballs
were about to fall out, but they still hadn’t found any traces of the murderer.

Ding. Fang Qing’s phone rang, and he picked it up to look at it. It was a notification
for some entertainment news he was subscribed to: [Jin Xiaozhe to Take the Lead
Female Role in a Large Epic Movie Production. Filming Begins Today.] With a bang,
Fang Qing threw his phone on the table.

“Team leader Fang, this case will not be easy to handle,” his partner said, inhaling
another puff of smoke.

Fang Qing picked up his big mug and took a huge mouthful of his drink.

Was there any point in pointing out the obvious?

In most of the murder cases the police encountered, most murderers killed people
whom they worked with, love and hate being intertwined with love affairs. At
worst, the murderer would be murdering for money. This case that looked to be
simple but, after searching for 24 hours there wasn’t a single lead.

There was no motive or suspect. The surveillance had actually been taken away by
someone. A huge downpour of rain had acted as an exceptionally good shield for
that person.

“Hey, we won’t have encountered that right?” Fang Qing’s partner asked in a low
voice.

Fang Qing was silent.

His partner softly sighed, “If we really have met that, we’ll have stumbled upon
extremely bad luck this time around!”
Chapter 3

Fang Qing thought about it and said, “It seems like it, but not quite.”

“How would you describe it?” His partner asked.

“If the killer had an abnormal mental mindset, he would kill people impulsively,
but the crime scene is too clean. He obviously planned the crime out like a normal
person would. However, it is indeed true that he handled the corpse extremely
crazily, like a perverted person.”

The two of them didn’t speak again. After all, they didn’t have any experience with
this type of murder case.

The night sky got darker and darker before their eyes. The police weren’t made of
steel so Fang Qing gave everyone half a night’s break to go home and rest. Fang
Qing slowly walked out of the police station for a stroll.

The moonlight was very bright. Whenever his heart wasn’t calm, Fang Qing liked to
walk around the ancient city. Furthermore, they were unable to find any leads for
the case. Fang Qing had always followed an old police saying: Once a case has run
into a bottleneck, go back to the crime scene again. Who knows? One may discover
something new.

After walking for a little bit, he walked by the Yao family’s inn. It was a little past
eleven p.m. and the main door of the inn was wide open. As far as he could see,
there really wasn’t anyone in the inn. Fang Qing thought about it and walked
inside.

The Yao’s inn was pretty well known throughout the ancient city. The Yao family
was a very prominent family in the area. Yao Yuange was currently the head of the
household, and he had many inns, restaurants, and factories under his control so
he could be considered a local tycoon. Reportedly, the Yao’s courtyard was an old
residence that was left from the Ming or Qing dynasty. As for the members of the
Yao family, he heard they lived in an old house nearby.
In each of the four corners of the courtyard, there was a stone statue of a beast.
These statues looked very intimidating. The courtyard was big with a garden
behind it, which contained a fish pond and quite a few trees. Fang Qing went into
the garden, and saw a middle aged man standing near the fish pond, feeding the
fish.

Fang Qing recognized him from a glance. He was the Yao family’s boss, Yao Yuange.
He was of a medium stature and was wearing a dark grey Chinese styled outfit.
Fang Qing had seen his profile details. He was forty-eight years old, and he had
taken good care of himself. Based on his first impressions, Yao Yuange looked like
he had just turned forty years old. He had an upright appearance and seemed to
have a cultured and unrestrained temperament.

Fang Qing recognized him but Yao Yuange didn’t seem to recognize him. Yao
Yuange smiled when he saw someone approaching and asked, “You haven’t slept
yet?”

He had most likely mistaken Fang Qing as a guest of the inn.

Fang Qing also smiled and answered the question with another question, “Yep,
couldn’t sleep. You are also staying at the inn?”

Yao Yuange laughed. “I’m the boss of this inn.”

Fang Qing put on a surprised face and said, “How disrespectful of me! This inn is
really nice and the boss runs it very well.” He then started to praise the inn, talking
about how the interior decorations had form and style, how all the plants had
inexplicable charm, and so forth. Yao Yuange smiled as he listened to Fang Qing.

“But …” Fang Qing knitted his brow, “I’ve heard that a guest living in the building
in front of us was murdered a few days ago. The inn’s business has probably been
affected, huh? To be honest, when I heard about it, I got pretty scared.”

Yao Yuange raised his eyebrows and answered, “Who knew that something like this
would happen? The city has never experienced something like this. Don’t get
scared; the murder case happened out on the street, not at our inn. The victim only
just happened to stay at our inn. After that incident happened, I told our staff
members to reinforce our security, and work 24/7 shifts. Compared to other inns,
our inn is the safest. That young man … now that you mention him, I’ve bumped
into him a few times whenever he came back late at night while I was walking
around. I’ve talked to him a little as well. What a pity, he seemed like good person.”

Fang Qing was silent for a moment. Then, he asked, “Boss, do you usually sleep this
late?”

Yuan Yaoge answered, “As people get older, they tend to sleep less. Usually at night
I’ll feed the fish or walk around the inn. It’s become a habit.”

After Fang Qing left the inn, he pulled out his notebook and wrote down all the
details about the conversation he just had. This was another old saying among the
police: The palest ink is better than the best memory. There had been some oral
confessions where there weren’t any peculiarities when interviewing the person,
but after the interview, when they connected this to other clues, they might just
find out something new.

But this Yao Yuange currently didn’t seem very suspicious and didn’t appear to
have any motive to kill someone.

Afterwards Fang Qing went back the to crime scene. There, he got a call from a
police officer.

“Leader Fang, an investigator found a distinct half handprint on a wall around four
meters away from the corpse.”

Fang Qing’s heart became happy. However, he then immediately heard the police
officer say, “The analytical results came out pretty quickly, as the handprint
belongs to the victim.”

After hanging up, Fang Qing stood under a dim streetlight, staring at the empty
spot where the corpse was. He lifted his head again, looking at the wall where the
investigator had found the handprint. Looking at everything from this angle, Fang
Qing could see that the victim had come from this direction, but was only
murdered after he passed the wall.There were some eaves on top of that wall which
obstructed the rain. No wonder the print was preserved. However, this handprint
belonged to the victim, so it didn’t have a high reference value.
Fang Qing looked up and looked around. From here, the main street was a good
distance away. That night, the murderer surely wouldn’t have gone on to the main
street covered in blood. With that being said, it was very likely that he hid in the
nearby houses, or in the nearby inn. If he hid in the houses, then he would have had
to hide from the neighbours. If he hid in the inn, could he have been a guest at the
inn? Unlikely. Who could return to the inn covered in blood? It was more likely that
this person was an employee of the inn.

With several thoughts in his head, he continued to walk around the crime scene.
When he arrived at the first intersection, he noticed that the street lamps on the left
side of the intersection were a lot brighter than the ones on the right. His heart
beat slightly faster, as he then continued to walk towards the right side.

He walked on for about a few dozen meters and came across another fork in the
road. It was already a little past midnight, but there were still some family-owned
restaurants open on the street by his right. Someone was throwing water out, while
another person was sitting at the entrance washing the dishes. As far as Fang Qing
knew, the people living nearby had already been investigated by the police and
they hadn’t seen anything. So, Fang Qing turned onto the street on the left.

He walked on for about ten to twenty minutes. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

In front of him was an abandoned elementary school. There was a tightly

padlocked iron gate at the front. Inside was a small, dark courtyard. If a tourist
passed by, he or she probably wouldn’t notice the school, but all the locals knew
that this elementary school had been abandoned for quite a few years now.
Because the permits for demolition were incomplete, the whole area hadn’t been
touched since.

Fang Qing looked around. The main road wasn’t far but since it was very dark and
the trees camouflaged the school, no one would notice this neglected area. Fang
Qing’s heart suddenly started beating a little quicker. He pulled out a pair of gloves
from his pocket and put them on. He then climbed over the wall, quietly jumping
into the school courtyard.
An old tree that grew in the courtyard, coupled with some low-rise buildings, and
piles of debris everywhere. There was only the dim moonlight. Fang Qing looked up
and saw that across the courtyard there was a corridor, leading to the elementary
school back door. He tiptoed closer to it so that he could look through the narrow
slit in the door and found himself surprised.

It turned out that the back door wasn’t really locked; it just looked that way.
Behind the door was a secluded alley, with not a person to be found. Just a few
buildings ahead was a familiar-looking roof, the roof of the Yao’s courtyard. Fang
Qing’s heart jumped. It seemed he had come across that courtyard again. It wasn’t
even that far away.

On the door handle, there was a dark colored spot. From his pocket, Fang Qing
retrieved a small flashlight and under closer examination, he discovered a
bloodstain.

He put away the flashlight, turned around, and walked back into the building.

The door squeaked as he gently opened the door. Inside, the walls were mottled,
the ground was covered in dust, and there was a pile of tables and chairs in one
corner. Fang Qing turned on the flashlight again and carefully checked every inch
of the ground. In a corner there was a mass of dark brown stains and also a small
circle of drops on the ground. They looked like bloodstains, and were extremely
conspicuous.

Fang Qing used his mouth to hold the flashlight and crouched on the ground, his
heart feeling a little satisfied.

As a matter of fact, he had found it.

There was nowhere to go for someone who was covered in blood. Thus, this person
had found this place early on, changed into his clothes, and then escaped. That
was why the investigators weren’t able to find the “bloodied person” in the security
footage. If he didn’t extract a sample of the fingerprints and footprints visible at
this crime scene, all of his efforts to sniff it out in the first place would have been for
nothing!
He looked down and stared absent-mindedly, when suddenly, he heard a noise. It
sounded like someone was walking on the dead leaves in the courtyard. Fang Qing
became apprehensive and a string of thoughts jumped into his head like bouncing
chess pieces. The murderer handled things very cautiously and was careful when
planning things. That day’s incident happened very suddenly, the murderer was
emotional when he killed the man and was anxious to escape, so he fled as soon as
he could, and changed into different clothes here. But afterwards, maybe he
realized that he had left blood stains here. It was possible he would return to clean
up any traces.

Fang Qing suddenly turned off his flashlight, plunging everything into darkness. He
stood against the wall near the door, waiting for the person to come closer.

The air soundlessly touched one’s skin, bringing a slight chill along with it. Fang
Qing watched the door and waited for a while. Sure enough, he saw the door slowly
open. A tall and thin man walked inside. He was wearing a dark suit and had short
hair. Under the moonlight, at first glance, he was unexpectedly handsome. The
man’s face was expressionless. He just quickly looked around the room and walked
towards the pool of blood stains on the ground.

He crouched down.

Fang Qing was less than half a meter from him.

Fang Qing reacted quickly and abruptly said, “Don’t move!” The man was startled
and immediately began struggling to escape from Fang Qing’s grip. Fang Qing
didn’t think that he would actually have some tricks up his sleeve. Besides his
tricks, the man was also taller than him, so the man quickly escaped.

But he only had a few tricks.

Fang Qing used this opportunity to pull his arm, which turned into a magnificent
shoulder throw and directly threw the man on the ground. He let out a groan.
“What a standard move … police officer?”

Fang Qing coldly smiled. “Who are you? What are you doing here in the middle of
the night?”
“I …” the man unexpectedly smiled, “Seems like your brain is a bit slow. From the
moment I entered through the door to this moment, you still haven’t figured out
I’m here to do the exact same thing that you’re doing.”

This long string of words made Fang Qing’s head a little muddled. He kind of
thought this man was a little odd, but without saying much more, he took out his
handcuffs and with a click, he handcuffed the man. Fang Qing pushed him outside
and said, “We’ll talk when we return to the police station.”

Fang Qing turned on his flashlight but saw the man attentively staring at the
handcuffs with a look of disbelief. Fang Qing’s heart jumped. Previously, he and his
partner had speculated that maybe the criminal was mentally disabled. It seemed
like the man might actually be mentally disabled. He made sure he was extra alert
in case the suspect suddenly went crazy.

Fang Qing called for a few police officers to drive by to pick them up and block off
the crime scene. Luckily on the road, the man was very quiet, with no other
abnormal reactions. As Fang Qing drove, he would occasionally look back at the
man. He was surprised to find that the man’s fingers were tapping on his thighs in a
very relaxed manner.

As a result, the weird thoughts going on inside of Fang Qing’s head grew more
intense.

By the time they returned to the police station, it was already past two a.m. The
officers still on duty heard that their leader had arrested a suspect and were all
excited. However, Fang Qing did not want act rashly or show off. He brought the
man to the interrogation room, calling only upon his partner for assistance. He
then closed the door to begin the interrogation.

A white incandescent light was switched on, illuminating the cold and solemn
interrogation room.

Fang Qing and his partner looked at each other, his partner letting out a slight
cough as he sat down. He handed a cup of hot tea to the man.
The man had been in handcuffs for a while now, and he didn’t look too good. He
took a sip of the tea and said, “These tea leaves are old, they have a little bit of a
musty taste. It does not taste good. The basic supplies that your police department
is given are really bad.”

“Stop speaking rubbish,” Fang Qing growled. “Name?”

The man’s finger tapped on the tea cup. “Bo Jinyan.”

“Age?”

“Twenty eight.”

“Where did you come from?”

“Tong City.”

“Occupation?”

“Ministry of Public Security Criminal Psychology research expert, as well as a

Visiting Professor at the Public Security University.”
Chapter 4

Fang Qing and his partner both lifted their heads at the same time.

“What did you say?” His partner asked.

Bo Jinyan repeated what his position was again. Fang Qing and his partner both
saw that Bo Jinyan had an obvious slight smile on his face. His face looked a little
arrogant and smug.

Fang Qing’s partner was unable to stay calm, as he laughed and said, “You’re a
specialist from the Ministry of Public Security? Hah!”

However, Fang Qing stopped his partner, then looked straight at Bo Jinyan, his two
eyes like torches as he said, “What can you use to verify your identity? I caught you
at the crime scene!”

Bo Jinyan expression become cool. “Haven’t all the documents that I had on me
been confiscated by you guys? Verifying them is your responsibility, not mine.”

From under the table, Fang Qing’s partner took out the basket that contained
everything that was just found and confiscated from Bo Jinyan. An identity card, a
plane ticket from from Beijing to the ancient city dated back three days ago, a
wallet, tissues, gloves, a surgical mask …

“If you really are an expert, why don’t you have your certificate of expertise? Why
don’t you even have a business card?” Fang Qing’s partner asked.

Bo Jinyan let out a laugh. “I’m just simply going out, why would I bring so much
useless stuff?”

From the basket, Fang Qing pulled out an official-looking bright red booklet and
opened it to look inside. “Then why did you bring your marriage certificate along?”

Bo Jinyan calmly did not speak.

However, the interrogation was still cut short and Fang Qing undid the handcuffs
on Bo Jinyan. At the same time, he told his partner to go check on Bo Jinyan’s
identity and said, “If you really are an expert from the Ministry of Public Security,
then we overstepped our boundaries. However, I found you at the crime scene, so
bringing you back here was a right we had as well as our duty.”

Bo Jinyan nodded his head a little. “I understand.” He rubbed his wrists that was
red from the handcuffs. His face was calm and didn’t even seem a little bit angry.

The weird feeling in Fang Qing’s heart appeared again. He really thought that
compared to a normal person, Bo Jinyan just wasn’t behaving appropriately. He
appeared at a time he wasn’t supposed to, not even getting angry when he should
have gotten angry.

A word came to his mind…..

Eccentric*.

T/N: 奇葩 can be translated as prodigy if meant positively, or weirdo if meant

negatively.

In the end, Bo Jinyan picked up the cup of tea again and patiently took a small sip
and then said, “Oh, that’s right. I just forgot to tell you guys that my expert identity
is confidential. With your level of authorization, you guys probably won’t be able to
have access to it. You probably should be able to gain access if you bring it to your
superior’s attention.”

Fang Qing and his partner looked at each other in dismay.

Twenty minutes later.

Fang Qing had no choice but to invite Bo Jinyan into his office to sit, as the sub-
bureau’s chief was now on the way to the station.
“Professor …… Bo, please sit.” Fang Qing sat next to him. He wasn’t a good
conversationalist, not to mention the fact that he was right in front of a big Buddha
like Bo Jinyan*. So after the two sat down, both of them did not say anything.

*T/N: “big Buddha” means that Bo Jinyan is a big celebrity, VIP

After a while, Bo Jinyan suddenly said something. “According to standard

practices, since I have been brought back to the police station by you guys,
shouldn’t I notify my family to come pick me up?”

Fang Qing glanced at him. “Yes, that’s right.”

Bo Jinyan smiled, took the pen from the table, and wrote down a phone number.
“Then please give this phone number a call and ask her to come pick me up.”

“This is?” Fang Qing asked.

“Of course it’s the other owner of the marriage certificate, my wife.”

At this point, Fang Qing finally felt somewhat guilty. He took the woman’s husband
as a suspect and brought him back to the police station in the middle of the night.
Although this was also caused by Bo Jinyan’s behaviour, Fang Qing was actually
scared of facing women when they came to the police station, because they would
always complain and argue noisily. Because of that, he politely smiled and said
“Professor Bo, you can call her yourself.”

Unexpectedly, Bo Jinyan was silent for a moment, his white face blushing.

“If she was willing to pick up my calls, would I need to rely on a passerby to relay a
message?”

Fang Qing: “…”

——
The phone call quickly connected and was picked up by an extremely young and
gentle, female’s voice. Fang Qing originally didn’t want to admit to mistakenly
arresting Bo Jinyan, but Bo Jinyan insisted that Fang Qing tell her “How much
suffering he went through while being arrested,” as he stood next to Fang Qing,
and listened to the conversation. Fang Qing had no choice but to narrate
everything systematically and in full detail. He also had a bit of a headache. He was
only following the directions of the director to welcome this expert – who seemed
to come out of nowhere- until the director came. How did he suddenly turn into a
couples’ relationship mediator?

After the woman finished listening to him talk, as expected, she was very startled,
but also worried. “Is he is currently at your police station? I will come
immediately.”

“Okay,” Fang Qing said hurriedly.

When Fang Qing hung up, Bo Jinyan was already calmly sitting down, unruffled by
everything going on. He had one leg over the other and a faint smile on his face.

Fang Qing watched him, arms crossed.

Wasn’t he a famous expert, who was the best at figuring out the savage mentality
of criminals? Although he had the face of a mature man, why did it seem like all his
emotions were expressed on his face? Right now, you could tell that he was happy,
very happy.

At the moment, Fang Qing noticed that Bo Jinyan was flipping through the
investigation’s evidence book that he held in his hands.

Why would Bo Jinyan be investigating this type of case? They had just discussed it
with him and also had summed it up very clearly with him. Because he
coincidentally also stayed at the Yao’s inn, he had seen the corpse on the streets.
“Because I’ve been bored recently,” so he began to investigate this case. He was
able to find the elementary school and had gone through a process of investigation
similar to Fang Qing.
Even though he wasn’t very happy about Bo Jinyan browsing through his
information, what he said next surprised Fang Qing.

Bo Jinyan looked over the notes one last time, repeating the last sentence of the
notes that summed up the meeting. “……You guys believe, at the time there
wasn’t any clear and valuable clues to solve the case? Heh ……” He raised his
head, looked at Fang Qing, and smiled. “There may not be a lot of information here
but from my perspective, it’s packed with clues.”

——

Jian Yao rushed out from the Yao’s inn’s courtyard and went to the street, getting a
taxi and going straight to the police station.

Jian Yao thought of a few scenarios in her head. Bo Jinyan being the type of person
to continue in his own way and he also liked to pretend to be a murderer or victim.
He went to the crime scene to experience it himself so it would be easy for
someone to misunderstand him.

As to why he got bored in the middle of the night and went to the crime scene? Jian
Yao had a little blush of shame. Could it be because of tonight and how she was still
mad at him?

The night air blew gently through the car windows. Jian Yao gazed at the ancient
city lights, thinking about the past six months, and her and Jinyan’s relationship.

After the big “Flower Cannibal” case had ended, Bo Jinyan had proposed to her.
She thought she needed to prepare for the wedding, but who knew that a few days
after they returned from Beijing, Bo Jinyan would bring her to the Civil Affairs
Bureau and get a marriage license. At that time, Jian Yao was somewhat surprised
because she still hadn’t completely mentally prepared herself to be someone’s
wife. However, when she stood at the Civil Administration’s front door, she saw Bo
Jinyan’s anticipation and his happy gaze. His whole person seemed to glow
because of this. As a result, Jian Yao’s heart softened. He wanted her to be
absolutely clear that this was what she always wanted.

“I do,” she said softly.

Because she agreed, she admired his talent and integrity and she forgave his
willfulness and innocence. She had managed to meet him, out of the millions of
men out there, because of the blessings from her three lifetimes. Even if he gently
frowned at times because he was not able to eat his beloved fish, he would always
shine in her eyes.

But even fish could get mad*.

*T/N: Even though Jian Yao will accept his good and bad characteristics, she has a
bottom line too lol.

During the Flower Cannibal Case, Jian Yao had suffered a good amount and it had
taken her a few months to recover before she could return to work. At that time, Bo
Jinyan had been busy wrapping up the case but had promised her, once he had
free time he would take her for a holiday to relax and to spend time with each
other.

But …

One month later, Jian Yao suggested that they go traveling.

Bo Jinyan said, “Oh! Darling, a series of homicide cases just happened in Hunan.
I’ve already booked our two plane tickets for tonight.”

“Oh, okay,” Jian Yao said.

After two months-

“America has invited me to do lectures about the Flower Cannibal Case. This is so
that we can prevent any similar future cases and thus has a lot of significance. Plus,
I can hand out with my old colleagues and we can reminisce over every detail from
this case. Just thinking about it makes me feel enthusiastic,” Bo Jinyan said.

“Okay, you go then,” Jian Yao said.

After three months-

Bo Jinyan said, “Traveling? Jian Yao, this month my old colleague from the FBI
have published three new books. I have to read them all this month. You have to
keep in mind, that me and my old colleague, will be giving pointers to each other,
which means that the world’s leading criminal psychologists will be giving pointers
to each other. Aren’t you excited?”

Jian Yao: “…”

By then, four months had passed.

A few days ago, Jian Yao brought some information and went to talk to Bo Jinyan.
“Jinyan, I really like this ancient city and right now is the most suitable time of year
for visiting.” At that time, he was hugging her in his lap , excitedly playing with her
hair, but how did he respond?

“You like a whole bunch of fake old buildings, ignorant tourists, and cheap replica
souvenirs?”

Jian Yao: “…”

In the end, he faintly smiled and made the matter worse. “Actually, I can
recommend a better vacation destination. Heilongjiang, near the Chinese and
Russian border, just constructed a new prison with lots of security, it’s outstanding.
And, the prisoners admitted are all serious criminals. If we’re fast enough, we could
be lucky enough to be the first visitors!”

The morning of the second day, Jian Yao packed her luggage, wordlessly going
alone to the ancient city.

……

Suddenly, the taxi already stopped in front of the police station entrance. Jian Yao
got out of the car and there was already a police officer at the entrance, waiting to
bring her in. Jian Yao thought about how she had been ignoring Bo Jinyan these
past few days, and how she had not seen him properly in such a long time. Her
heart suddenly starting beating faster.

Just now, she had hastily picked up the phone but now that she thought about it,
when Bo Jinyan was taken in as a suspect by the police captain, did he suffer a lot?
Although these past months he has been exercising, he even let her touch the small
muscles on his triceps, but according to Jian Yao’s judgement, that little bit of
muscle would not be able to fight against a police officer. Not to mention the police
captain.

As she was thinking about this, they had already arrived in front of a door. A tall
and large man walked out and smiled when he saw her. “You must be Madam
Jian*. I am the ancient city’s police captain, Fang Qing. Thank you for coming at
such a late hour.

*T/N: In China, married women don’t change their last names, but their children take
on their husband’s last names. Later, Jian Yao is referred to as Mrs. Bo (薄太太). 太
太 means married woman. Fang Qing addressed Jian Yao as 简老师 which means
“Teacher” Jian.

Jian Yao hurriedly shook his hand and smiled as well. “Hello, I am the Ministry of
Public Security Criminal Psychology’s Officer Jian Yao, and Bo Jinyan’s wife. I’m
honored to meet you.”

Fang Qing glanced behind him and said, “He’s inside.”

The both of them looked up and looked around. The office wasn’t spacious. It was
three a.m. but the lights inside the office shined like a layer of clear water. Bo
Jinyan’s suit was straight as he stood in front of a whiteboard, his hands behind his
back, habitually tapping his fingertips together. He looked up and read all the
different conclusions written on the whiteboard. The words were tall and straight
and looked clear as water.

Jian Yao watched him from a distance, and suddenly the anger she had for him
disappeared like a cloud of smoke.
Or maybe when he came after her to the ancient city, the anger had disappeared.
But she couldn’t let go of her pride and just forgive him.

She quietly watched his lone figure under the light, suddenly thinking of
something.

Perhaps, in this life, he would always be standing there, lonely. Perhaps, he would
always stand like that until his black hair slowly became white, and his straight back
slowly began to hunch over, but his eyes would stay as clear as always.
Sensing that there was movement behind him, Bo Jinyan turned around. His eyes
swept over Fang Qing and then quickly to Jian Yao. There was about ten meters
between the two people and they stared at each other.

Jian Yao softly called to him. “Jinyan…”

He faintly smiled and said, “Mrs. Bo, I’m doing very well, I’m fine.”
Chapter 5

Every police officer had taken a course on the psychology of committing crimes at
some point when they had been through the police training academy. When
cracking cases in the real world, sometimes they would have to analyze the
thoughts of a criminal and this criminal’s actions as a speculative means to assist
them with the case.

But Fang Qing really had never seen an expert in this field at work before.

For the time being, he decided he would just observe and see how it would go.
Fang Qing and a few other officers exchanged some meaningful glances. However,
that Bo Jinyan lad continued sitting down, as he drank his tea in a calm manner. It
was as if he had experienced too many of these types of scenarios and interacted
with too many police officers like them.

The midnight wind was extremely quiet. As they waited, everything seemed
particularly quiet. Fang Qing noticed that Jian Yao had already seated herself next
to Bo Jinyan and opened her laptop. Bo Jinyan slightly lowered his head and said
something to her. Jian Yao nodded and resumed a focused and indifferent manner
that was no different from that of Bo Jinyan. The way the two of them interacted
suddenly made Fang Qing think of a phrase: A pair of ideal lovers.

In fact, in the past, Fang Qing had also anticipated this type of love, with a sweet
tempered and gentle woman by his side.

However, in the end, the person whom he fell in love with was a cunning hawk.

Fang Qing laughed at himself mockingly.

Then, Bo Jinyan spoke, “This person is someone from the area, and has probably
lived in the area for a very long time. Moreover, the perpetrator has committed this
crime independently, and is more than twenty-years-old.
“He is either someone Fu Wei, the victim, knew, or he is at least someone who
interacted with Fu Wei before in the ancient city.

On the night of the incident, he was wearing a thick jacket which he later
abandoned.

“He possesses the ability to fool a lie detector, as well as a variety of counter-
interrogation techniques. He seems to be quite familiar with the way the police
handle their cases. He may have clashed with the police once because of a different
case. For example, the perpetrator may have been a suspect, or someone related
to the suspect, and undergone a full police investigation.

“He lives no more than a few streets away from the crime scene, and does not have
the prerequisites to live alone.

He is either unemployed or working a lower level job.

He usually handles matters audaciously yet meticulously. His plans are

impenetrable, but his character is extremely depressive with some signs of split
personalities, but in his professional life, he is extremely automated, and this
secret is unknown to all. There must be something in his surroundings that
impacted his life so dramatically that would lead to his long-term pressure that he
stifles inside him.

Your focus should be to find someone who fulfills the requirements that I have just
listed out for you from the people you have already investigated who directly
interacted with Fu Wei once he entered the ancient city. Examine their alibis and
find witnesses. You will be rewarded very soon.”

——

The police officers all went quiet. Fang Qing was also in deep thought.

He had come to some similar conclusions as Bo Jinyan. However, most of Fang

Qing’s reasoning came from the intuition of being an experienced officer, so he
wasn’t as confident as Bo Jinyan.
Bo Jinyan paused, his manner unaffected by the police officers’ silence. In a calm
tone that was neither obsequious nor supercilious, he began to calmly explain,
“When the crime occurred, it was already deep in the night, and there was a heavy
downpour of rain. We all know Fu Wei returned late at night, and the crime scene
did not have any type of shelter. Thus, we know the criminal waited there for him.

A thick jacket was only sufficient enough to conceal a knife 20-30 cm in length.

Fu Wei was killed about four meters away from where he was standing, and he left
half of a palm print. His palm is distinct. He used force on his palm, and the depth
of palm print is even on all sides. Moreover, there is no blood nearby. Thus, this
means this is a mark he left when he was still living. That day, he went to the bar
and drank wine. In the midst of such a heavy downpour, why would he stop
suddenly in the middle of the path and leave a palm print on the wall? This is
because, he saw someone he knew, or at least seen before in the ancient city.

“The other person was not a stranger. If one sees a stranger in the middle of a
raining night, one won’t feel it’s strange. Instead, one would pass by, but he
stopped.

“Fu Wei’s wrists had traces of a struggle. The murderer’s wrist, face, and other
areas that are exposed, may have been injured by Fu Wei by means of scratching or
clawing.

“The murderer was extremely familiar with the surveillance cameras on this path,
the path itself, when the shops close and open, and even the abandoned
elementary school. This means, he has lived here for a period of time. He did not
have any accomplices. If there were two people, taking into account the
murderer’s meticulousness and audacity, he would have executed the case in a
more efficient fashion, and he would not need to run to the elementary school to
change out of his bloody clothes, or leave any traces behind.

“He treated the corpse extremely cruelly, almost losing control, as he slashed at
the corpse more than forty times and the knife met the bone. Moreover, these
actions were not necessarily executed to hide the body’s identity or crucial
distinctive traits. This calm yet angry and restrained yet frenetic manner, originates
from long-term repressed emotions that have led to extreme distortion in his mind.
His life is not going the way he would like it to go. Killing someone in such a crude
and simple manner shows that this is his primal instinct. This type of a person
probably would not get a complicated intellectual job or an interpersonal job in
real life. According to his mental state, he couldn’t do it either.

“After he changed into different clothes at the school, he quickly left. He did not
stay longer because of his caution. If he were to stay, he would have definitely
discovered the bloodstains and cleaned them. However, just now, I asked those on
your team to go through the security footage from up to an hour after the incident
occurred. The person I just described to you – a hasty person with a bag, drenched
hair, and of medium build coming from the direction of the elementary school – did
not appear on the streets, which means that he must live within the vicinity of one
of these streets. Now, you can begin asking questions.”

An officer said, “Professor Bo, I feel you described this person a bit contradictorily.
His plans are meticulous, he is an expert in crime, and he seems like someone who
is cultured. However, he is also very crude, and he even has a menial job …”

Bo Jinyan laughed, “Yes, contradictory. Doesn’t crime come from contradictions

that are unable to be reconciled?”

This sentence made the police officers fall silent as they thought about it. Another
officer asked, “Why are you so sure he wore that thick jacket to conceal the knife?
He could have had a bag for that purpose, and the bag would have also been
somewhere to place his change of clothes.”

“Put the knife in his bag? Do you really think that when the target arrived, he would
first unzip the bag, then take out the knife, then stab the person? Moreover, the
victim could have used the backpack strap as a weapon to counterattack. No,
would our murderer be so dumb?”

After he finished speaking, the police officer’s face went red. Bo Jinyan’s eyes were
bright as he spoke. When Jian Yao softly coughed, he paused and went silent for a
moment. Then, he said to that officer, “I am speaking objectively. I am not mocking
you.”

Officer: “…”
Jian Yao: “…”

“Professor Bo, do you think the murderer is a man or a woman?” Fang Qing
suddenly asked.

Everyone became astonished. Even Jian Yao looked up. Was it a woman? She had
never thought of this possibility.

However, Bo Jinyan gazed at Fang Qing and revealed a smile, “Oh, that’s a good
question. Is ‘he’ a male or a female? As of now, in this case, there has been nothing
that has distinguished him to be either a male or female. However, I think he is a
medium built man or a female with sufficient strength.”

——

When the meeting ended, Bo Jinyan left with Jian Yao. The only people left were
Fang Qing and a few of his colleagues, and they began to ponder Bo Jinyan’s
speculations in the office.

“Leader,” someone asked, “should we find the suspect based on what this
professor has profiled?”

Fang Qing smoked his cigarette and said, “Going uphill is never easy. The boss
wants us to crack the case in a week. Right now, twenty-four hours have already
passed. We have to urge the Forensics Identification Bureau to give us the murder
weapon and the analysis of the traces from the crime scene as soon as possible. As
we continue to find the murder weapon, and monitor the scene, we cannot relax.
Then, we should go off on what Professor Bo told us, and go through the people we
have investigated before again.”

“Leader, we have never completely depended on criminal psychology to crack a

case. What if … we can’t find the suspect based on what he has told us?”

Fang Qing laughed and said, “Can’t find him? Then we’ll just take it as him farting
in our face.”
 ——

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao returned to the Yao family’s inn. They stayed in a room on
the second floor. The moment they entered the room, Bo Jinyan embraced Jian
Yao in a hug.

“Don’t randomly hug me.” Jian Yao resisted, “You haven’t even washed your
hands, and you just went to the crime scene, right?”

Bo Jinyan did not let go, and softly whispered in her ear, “Sh … be quiet. Don’t let
the murderer hear you.”

Jian Yao was startled.

“Fu Wei lived in the Yao’s inn. The murderer clearly knew of his whereabouts. Thus,
the murderer is also perhaps in this inn.”

Jian Yao was taken aback. “Then why didn’t you say it sooner and come back with
me?!”

Bo Jinyan let go of her, and laid down lazily on the bed. “Am I supposed to evade
the suspect too?”

Jian Yao: “…”

Not this logic again.

All right, she had calmed down. Wasn’t this just the suspect of their current murder
case? She walked over and lightly kicked his leg, “Hey, go to the bathroom and
change your shoes and clothes. Then you can lie down.”

Bo Jinyan obediently stood up and walked to the door. He hung up his suit and
stooped down to change into his slippers. Finally, he went to the sink and washed
his face and hands.

Just like what he did at home.

The sun was almost up. They pulled the curtains together and locked the door.
Their only source of light was a gentle old lamp placed at the end of the bed. By
doing so, they had created a safe and intimate small space where they only had
each other. As Bo Jinyan deeply entered her, Jian Yao could feel that he was being
more passionate than usual. Then, she pressed her hands onto his chest, allowing
him to lean on her in the midst of his powerlessness. She did so as he lowered his
head to shower her face and body with his kisses. Actually, Jian Yao had never
talked to Bo Jinyan about how much of an impact these types of actions had on her
heart – and this had nothing to do with its nature. She was touched because
whenever he did these types of small gestures, she could always feel the sincerity
and the affection behind every minute detail.

If every kiss that you receive from your man held a touch of sincerity, then he really
does love you dearly.

After seeing the matter to its conclusion, Bo Jinyan inquired of the feelings of the
other party as usual. “Were you satisfied? Did it feel better than last time?”

Jian Yao gazed back at him in the unclear light. Her eyes seemed like stars that
reflected warmth as she said, “Jinyan, I think that your manliness has reached its
peak in this very moment.”

Bo Jinyan thought about it for a brief moment and surprisingly responded with a
laugh, “Are you praising me, or scolding me?”

Jian Yao was startled, but soon realized what he meant. He was asking whether or
not his behavior was commendable? This rascal. He had developed a bit of EQ lately
ah.

The pair slept until the afternoon. They did not need to worry about the case.
Whenever an action is being made, there will definitely be a reaction to counter it.
Thus, in the evening, the couple took a stroll around the ancient city, eventually
returning to the inn after dining on some of the local specialties.

The evening was still early when the lanterns were first lit. The couple stood in the
hallway of the second floor, observing the scene below in silence. From there, they
could see the faraway ancient wall, and also the lights by the riverbank. The
scenery was extremely quiet and warm. This was also exactly the kind of
atmosphere Jian Yao had expected to experience in her travels – if a cruel murder
case hadn’t happened, it would have all been even more perfect.

“That seems to be the courtyard leading to the living quarters for the boss of the
inn lives.” Jian Yao was pointing outside of the inn, to a nearby courtyard. Actually,
the courtyard she spoke of and the courtyard they were currently residing in were
connected. The other one was smaller, but the trees there were just as dense as the
trees here. The small four sectioned courtyard house with two little floors was
extremely bright, as all the rooms were lit.

“I’ve heard that the entire family lives there – the boss, the boss’s wife, her sister,
their cousins too…” Jian Yao sighed, “Living in such an old building like that should
be quite the pleasant experience. Their family isn’t separated. They have stand-
alone courtyards, with gray roof tiles, white walls, green trees, and an old well …
this slow rhythm of life and the calm way of living must be nice.”

Bo Jinyan looked at her. “I had figured that you would like this type of house. In the
future, we’ll …” He stopped midsentence, giving Jian Yao a slight surprise.

Because in the courtyard across from them, the lights in the rooms that had been
lit suddenly all went off like it had been planned. Everything around them
immediately went silent and dark. The only thing moving was a shadow of the lone
tree in the courtyard that was slightly moving under the moonlight.

Bo Jinyan furrowed his brows.

Jian Yao asked, “What is it?”

“Nothing.” He replied.
Chapter 6

Fang Qing was very worried.

On the surface, it seemed like huge progress had been made with this case, but at
the same time, no headway had been made at all.

Even though the murderer had been extremely cautious, the Forensics
Identification Bureau had still found a indistinct fingerprint of blood on the
elementary school door handle, and the blood was from the victim, Fu Wei. With
this fingerprint, they had enough evidence to convict the murderer.

However, they could not find the murderer.

When they compared this fingerprint to the fingerprints that the police had on
record, they could not match it up. After all, China’s fingerprint coverage records
were currently still limited.

Furthermore, they could not discover the murderer’s motive or his relationship
with Fu Wei at all.

Frankly, Fang Qing had had a gut feeling before, that this case would very likely
become a cold case. Even if they had found a fingerprint in this case, there were
many unresolved cases sitting in the Ministry of Public Security with DNA and
fingerprint evidence.

But with Bo Jinyan’s criminal psychological analysis and his profile, the
circumstances seemed quite different. Fang Qing decided he would rather try and
take his chances with the seemingly obscure solution, than let the case go cold*a
live horse doctor!

*TLN: Originally was “Fang Qing decided he would rather resurrect this dead horse,
and get it alive and kicking”, to emphasize the extent to which he will go to solve
this case.
According to the statistics, after Fu Wei came to the ancient city, he had directly
came in touch with 128 people in total. Among these, about half of them had an
alibi for that night. Then, according to the other factors in the profiling process,
they had eliminated half of those people that obviously did not match those
characteristics. In the end, they still had about 30 people left. These included: the
boss of a small restaurant, the waiters, a few customers from the bar, the taxi
driver, the attendants at the inn, and a few other guests at the inn …

Fang Qing told his subordinates to call these people over to the police station for
questioning again. To prevent tipping anyone off, he did not explain the
circumstances of their questioning, and found an opportunity to take each of their
fingerprints. Then, they checked them one by one.

“How is comparing all the fingerprints coming along?” Fang Qing asked.

An investigator shook his head, “We’re almost finished comparing all the
fingerprints, but none of them match.”

“Have you heard anything from Bo Jinyan?” Fang Qing asked again.

Everyone was silent. One investigator spoke up and said, “Jian Yao called us
previously. She asked for information on the Yao family of the inn.”

Fang Qing asked, “The Yao family inn?”

The investigator nodded, “Besides the owner, Yao Yuange, the only people at home
are a few women. His wife, his sister-in-law, his younger female cousin, and two
women who manage the restaurant.”

Fang Qing heard this and was caught up in contemplation.

An old officer next to him snorted. “I used to be in charge of that section of town.
Actually, there are some rumors about this Yao family …”

A few police officers gave condescending and judgmental laughs. Evidently, they
had all heard this rumor before.
Fang Qing lifted his head, “The victim, Fu Wei stayed in the inn. As for the people he
came into contact with, we have only counted the workers at the reception desk,
the waiters, and some guests in the surrounding rooms … Do you think he would
have met someone from the Yao family?”

None of the investigators could could answer this question.

Fang Qing continued, “This Fu Wei seems ordinary at first glance. However,
according to everyone close to him, he is extremely lustful. All the Yao family in the
back living area are women. This living area is also connected to the inn’s garden. If
Fu Wei met them or one of them, could this have something to do with his
murder?”

Fang Qing simultaneously realized, The back door to the elementary school is
actually not that far from the Yao’s family inn.

The investigation seemed to have a new direction. However, everything was still
only speculation. After Fang Qing thought more about it, he decided to go find Bo
Jinyan.

At this moment, Bo Jinyan was answering a phone call.

It was from An Yan, one of Bo Jinyan’s subordinates, a staff member at a research

lab for criminal psychology. An Yan was just like Bo Jinyan. They were both lacking
EQ and common sense. He was even another IT guy who stayed at home most of
the time.

On the phone, An Yan asked indifferently, “Leader, when will you come back?”

Bo Jinyan responded equally coldly, “After a few days.”

An Yan reported, “A new case of serial robberies and killings recently occurred in
Shanxi. The criminal did not leave any worthwhile clues behind, and he even threw
off about ten police officers. Should we take this case?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Oh.”

While the two people stayed silent, another person spoke from the other end. It
was Bo Jinyan’s good friend Fu Ziyu. He was a famous and highly skilled doctor.
Jian Yao had recently been trying to convince him to join Bo Jinyan’s little team as
a forensic pathologist. He only heard Fu Ziyu’s bright voice say with a laugh, “An
Yan, you really are too indiscreet. Jinyan is eagerly wooing Jian Yao. If he comes
back now, won’t Jian Yao permanently kick him out?”

An Yan uttered, “Oh…”

Bo Jinyan immediately hung up.

Jian Yao was looking at the information available at a nearby table. When she
looked up and saw his expression, she gently asked, “What’s wrong?”

Bo Jinyan calmly shook his head. “Nothing, it’s just two childish single men with
nothing to do.”

Jian Yao’s eyes curved as she laughed.

She brought him a cup of green tea, and stayed beside him as they both looked at
the data for the household residents who resided only several meters away. The
sky was bright, as the light from the sunset floated around the room, and in the
distance, the Yao family’s courtyard seemed peaceful.

Yao Yuange. They had already read through his file at the police station, including
the notes that Fang Qing had taken regarding his conversation with him that night.
There was no need to elaborate.

Yao Yuange’s wife was named Ming Lan, she was 45 years old, and they had been
wed when he had come of age. From the photos, she was a dignified and elegant
wife. Ming Lan was originally a local rich girl; when compared to that of Yao
Yuange, her family’s financial situation fell short only a tiny bit. After she married
him, she did not work outside. Currently, she was helping Yao Yuange manage a
bar by the lake. The two of them had no children.

Ming Yue was Ming Lan’s younger sister. This year, she was 29 years old and also
lived in the Yao home. After she graduated from high school, she began working for
the Yao family. Recently, she had not worked. It seemed Yao Yuange was
supporting his wife’s little sister. Ming Yue had not married, but she had one son.
He was five years old. It was unclear who the birth father was. Judging from the
photos, Ming Yue was not as pretty as her sister. She looked very simple and naive,
and pure and innocent.

Zhang Jufang was Yao Yuange’s younger female cousin from his mother’s side. She
was very thin and pretty. Her skin was white and her eyes were fine. She was 30
years old and was still single. In the past, she had been an actor for a theatre
repertory group, and she was good at singing Peking Opera. She currently lived
with the Yao family, and reportedly was helping her cousin manage the factories,
with most of her time spent leisurely at home.

Zhao Xia and Chen Mei were both restaurant supervisors that Yao Yuange had
promoted. Their posts weren’t high. Zhao Xia had a smooth and round face and she
was already 35 years old. On the other hand, Chen Mei was skinny and shriveled,
and she was 32 years old. She could still be considered pretty. The two people did
not have high educational backgrounds as they had all been born in rural areas.

Reportedly, the two of them had never settled down, and both were still single.
Because the Yao courtyard was closer to the restaurant, they had also begun to
reside there.

The only remaining suspects were the five servants in the courtyard. They were all
middle-aged ladies in their forties and fifties. Sometimes, they would also go to the
front of the inn to help clean.
…
Footsteps sounded, causing Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao to both look up. Fang Qing
walked towards them in the hallway, with a very dark expression.

“Professor Bo, may we chat a bit?”

The moment the three of them entered the room, Fang Qing got straight to the
point. “According to the profile you described, we have already examined about a
hundred people, but we have not matched up the fingerprints yet.”

Bo Jinyan said, “That means the scope of the investigation is not wide enough.”
Fang Qing glanced at the files on the table, “Do you suspect the Yao family may be
related to this case?”
Bo Jinyan only replied, “They should also be included within the scope of the
investigation.”
Chapter 7

They both remained silent for a little while. Jian Yao had brought Fang Qing a cup
of tea. Fang Qing thanked her before slowly taking a sip. “Professor Bo, forgive me
for being blunt, but my colleagues and I have been feeling extremely confounded
ever since you brought up that psychological sketch of the criminal. When we solve
cases, we always follow the clues, and take reasonable steps to find out the
relationship between the victim and the suspect. We carefully examine each and
every aspect of the case, including the motive behind the crime, the events leading
up to the crime, and the different emotions and logic that may have contributed to
a certain decision. We also look into the instruments that were used, the traces left
behind at the crime scene as well as the technique that the criminal had used to
outmaneuver us. This process may be taxing but our police department has always
firmly believed in solving our cases through this process.

“I’ll admit, these types of cases are hard to crack and the deadlines that the Leader
has set for us makes our schedules very tight. We haven’t been able to learn
anything about the relationship between the victim and suspect, or anything about
the suspect’s motive or the suspect’s logic behind all this. Our investigations has
lead us nowhere for the moment. We understand the profiling you’ve given us.
Everything in your profiling process is extremely logical, and it makes one feel as if
they had just peeled away the clouds that were blocking the sun.

“However, the type of sketch that you’ve provided us with doesn’t adhere with our
typical procedures; simply put, it cannot be counted as actual evidence. We’ve all
taken the Psychological Criminal Course in Police Academy before, and I’m pretty
sure that the conclusion you’ve reached is a general verdict based off of the
criminal’s behavior, but it’s nothing but speculation. And now, if I were to put all
my eggs into the basket- if… I mean, if I were to use your sketch and still come up
short, then what shall I do?”

Jian Yao heard what Fang Qing had said, and glanced up to stare at Bo Jinyan. He
was silent for a moment and only smiled faintly.

“You’re not the first person to question the means of criminal psychology,” Bo
Jinyan said, “I presume you’ve heard of Han Chen, he’s a detective who is situated
in Jiangchen. Han Chen works in the criminal investigative field, same as yourself.
He has also dealt with similar prejudices and suspicions- And, by the way, he has
spent five years looking for his wife, whereas I only had to spend one month
looking for Jian Yao. Anyways, I understand your concerns even if you don’t
understand the nature of criminal psychology.”

Fang Qing didn’t get angry. He just smiled as he listened. Jian Yao gave Bo Jinyan
an approving look. After all, he was confronting the questions that were being shot
at him. There wasn’t any sneering or mockery on his part, but only a sincere smile,
as he answered the questions. If this was the him of the past, he would be laughing
in ridicule internally. He has already matured quite a bit, alright?

Sigh…She seemed a bit too biased towards him.

“Criminal psychology and traditional detective work have never had anything
against each other. Neither of which held any superiority over the other at any
given point. It’s just that you guys think that evidence consists of concrete objects
while I think that the evidence lies within how someone conducts themselves.
Moreover, in my profile, did I ever neglect the logic behind the suspect’s criminal
offenses or any concrete evidence?” Bo Jinyan took a sip of tea, and continued
indifferently. “Normally, using traditional criminal investigation means would be
sufficient, but there have inevitably been some cases over the years where no
traces of concrete evidence could be found. The connection between the victim
and the murderer can be blocked by someone, be it an accident or the passing of
time. The same could be said about organized serial killings. Would the perpetrator
go unpunished simply because the detectives are unable to find any incriminating
clues?

“Of course in such an instance, the traditional criminal investigation squad would
be rendered incapable, and specialists in criminal psychology would have to
bravely step forward with their investigations.”

Jian Yao’s heart jumped as Fang Qing’s face suddenly sank.

“My many conjectures are indeed completely based off of psychological

speculation. I will hereby temporarily set aside the misleading cause of the case,
and the erroneous process of the system and take advantage of the criminal’s
behavior to analyze the case, to further eliminate suspects. You guys are in the
middle of an investigation, so I will watch on from a distance. As long as there is
speculation, precise questions will arise. So what we do is riskier than what you
guys take on. It’s not like nothing like this hasn’t happened before. A mistake in the
criminal profiling prevented the criminal investigative team from catching the
criminal. But could it be that because of the possible risks, we shouldn’t take on
the things we are responsible for? Is handing over our authority over the case the
last choice we should resort to? No, there isn’t one capable criminal psychologist
who would give up while they’re still ahead. Even if there is only the tiniest
possibility, we also have to make an effort to make sure that the innocent people
who have died can properly rest in peace.”

Both Jian Yao and Fang Qing were silent. Bo Jinyan took this opportunity to smile
again and speak, “What’s more, from the start of my career to today, I have never
made a single mistake. During my second time meeting An Yan, he had described
that moment to be “the start of my career”.”

Everyone: “…”

“What do you plan to do next?” Fang Qing asked.

Bo Jinyan glanced at the distant courtyard and meaningfully said, “We have
decided to make an informal visit to the Yao family.”

Jian Yao’s eyes widened. “You’re going to intrude on people’s privacy?”

Fang Qing, however, smiled and said, “You guys are on vacation, and you weren’t
born here. Going in by mistake can’t be considered intruding on privacy.”

Jian Yao looked at Bo Jinyan. These were all methods that ruffians like Han Chen
and Fang Qing used. When did her sweet and simple Bo Jinyan learn to do this too?
He had always disdained at the thought of using them, but after being with police
officers all his life, when had he been led astray?

Fang Qing spoke again, “I had met Yao Yuange beforehand and I’ve cross-examined
quite a few of the inn’s staff members. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go.
However, I can go take a look on your behalf.”
“Let’s go then,” Bo Jinyan said, standing up while holding onto Jian Yao’s hand.
“Honey, I’ll show you what a suspect’s house looks like.”

Jian Yao calmly put her hand in Bo Jinyan’s palm.

Fang Qing watched the two of them and thought about how incredibly corny their
actions was, but at the same time, he felt indescribably envious.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao walked in front while Fang Qing followed behind them from
a distance.

Jian Yao asked in a low voice, “I still don’t understand. You want to take a close
look at the Yao family’s house simply because they were within the vicinity of the
crime? You aren’t even going to take a look at any other homes other than this
one.”

Bo Jinyan smiled. “Sure enough, you understand me the most out of everyone.
Actually…” He glanced at Fang Qing behind him, leaned close to her ear, and
whispered to her, “I had also made another discovery yesterday, one that I kept to
myself.”

Jian Yao felt that it was odd. “Why didn’t you bring it up?”

Bo Jinyan smiled. “It’s because those speculations are based off of my intuition.
Fang Qing and the others didn’t pay enough attention to this but in the
investigation notes, there are a few fine details that reveal a hidden pattern in all
this, which means that there’s a connection. This may be exactly what the police
are trying to find. I feel like all of these truths that have been concealed by time and
death, are taunting me with ridiculing laughter.”

That was such an exceptional metaphor. Jian Yao really didn’t understand. “Oh
……”

Bo Jinyan glanced at her, “I have never told anyone about the thoughts that I’m
still unsure of. But, now you’re the exception because I have already considered
you as apart of myself.”
Jian Yao smiled. “Alright.”

The outside of the Yao’s family courtyard had short walls, a garden and a fence.
Because there was a sign outside the courtyard that read “Private Courtyard,
Forbidden Entry to Strangers” which was a distance from a small path so the
guests from the inn generally wouldn’t come over here.

The three of them managed to elude the workers outside, and soon arrived at the
outside of the courtyard. Originally, they could have gotten in by flipping over the
wall, but there was a huge black dog that was stationed just outside the door,
glaring at the intruders like a tiger watching its prey.

No one could have expected that Fang Qing would be the one to make a move at
this moment. They only saw him make a gesture towards the two of them and then
he bent down whilst moving closer towards the hound. He somehow teased the
dog a bit which caused the vicious dog to become quiet and lie down motionlessly
on his stomach.

Bo Jinyan was greatly amazed. Jian Yao also thought that he was very magical.
Fang Qing smiled and said, “I’m used to the fiercest canines in the police
department. They always give me the worst ones to take care of.”

Even after making their way into the Yao’s courtyard, Bo Jinyan was still awed by
Fang Qing, “This Fang Qing is skilled at too many things.”

Jian Yao thought that it was laughable. Fang Qing was acute and tenacious. He had
managed the entire case investigation and he also knows how to flip a person onto
the ground. He never took compliments, but after he teased a dog, he made
someone else stare at him in admiration.

At this time, someone walked out of the the front corridor. His or her appearance
had startled Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan upon clearly seeing that person’s face.
Chapter 8

Of course, it was a servant. She looked around 45 years old, was medium sized, tall
and skinny, and wore plain and simple clothing. She was walking by holding a
broom and didn’t notice that Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao were behind the door in the
middle of the night.

They took notice of her because her fair and clear skin had a fresh bruise.

People who investigated cases always thought meticulously. The deceased Fu Wei
had slits on his wrist and showed traces of a fight. Although they didn’t discover the
killer’s blood or useful DNA at the crime scene, it was very possible that a bruise
was left somewhere on the murderer’s body.

The servant looked very unsophisticated. She swept the courtyard’s dead leaves
for awhile and then left to tidy the corridor outside the rooms. For the time being,
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao watched her from a distance.

Then, a door opened and a tall, skinny, beautiful, but sharp faced girl walked out
from a room. She was wearing a satin top and wide legged pants and had a very
graceful appearance. Jian Yao remembered that she stayed at the Yao’s and that
she was the younger cousin of a former theatrical troupe actress, Zhang Jufang.

“Sweep, you damnable creature!” Zhang Jufeng poked the servant’s forehead, “My
mother is currently sleeping. What are you making so much noise for, you old
bitch? You just don’t want me to sleep!

The servant hung her head.

That hadn’t appeased Zhang Jufeng’s anger, so she grabbed the dustpan next to
her and hit the servant’s face.

Jian Yao’s eyes widened- so this was how she got the wound on her face. This
Zhang Jufeng was also being too extreme but they couldn’t expose themselves
now, so they could only continue to quietly watch from afar. Zhang Jufeng yelled at
her for a moment and then closed the door and went back inside her room. From a
distant glance, the inside of her room was decorated very delicately. There was a
big lacquered wooden bed, a corner sofa, and next to the doorway there was a
European style iron coat rack where there hung a few pieces of men’s clothing.
There was also a few pairs of leather slippers at the doorway.

During this time, another servant holding a lot of vegetables passed through the
courtyard and walked over. The servant was a woman who looked a little over
forty. She saw the servant that had been hit but both of them didn’t say anything; it
seemed as if this was a normal occurrence. Although their ages and appearances
weren’t the same, their depression and unsophistication sense were.

With a creak, the room’s window next to Zhang Jufeng was pushed open. A thin girl
with a delicate and pretty appearance popped her head out. It was Chen Mei, the
inn’s restaurant waitress manager. “I hear scolding everyday, is there an end? Let’s
show a little more ability to do more for this home, even if we have to use up all
your manpower. There is no use in arguing over nonsense! Ms. Tong, go bring me
some food. Why isn’t it here yet? You never listen to what I say. Why is it that you
listen to orders given by others but not by me?” It sounded as if she was scolding
someone, but also sounded like she was talking to herself.

The servant who had previously been hit by Zhang Jufeng said in a low voice,
“Okay.” She didn’t sound angry. She turned around and went towards the kitchen
outside the courtyard. It seemed as though Zhang Jufeng didn’t dare to compete
with Chen Mei. Jian Yao only heard a large clang sound in Zhang Jufeng’s room, as
if something had been smashed to the ground.

Bo Jinyan wrinkled his eyebrows and softly said, “Stupid, arrogant, and filthy.”

Jian Yao didn’t speak and looked up at the misty dark sky. The willow tree
noiselessly hung. In this archaic courtyard, it seemed as if it gave off an old and
rotten smell. When compared to the outside world, it seemed as if this world and
the world outside were two different worlds.

But, this is how some people live right?

It became quiet in the courtyard and the sky was dark now. Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao
walked through it soundlessly. The first big room in the hallway was Ming Lan’s
room. Ming Lan was the legitimate wife of Yao Yuange. Right now, there was no
light coming from her room. Ming Lan’s everyday main job was managing the bar
so she would not be home. Looking through the window, the spacious entryway
had old-fashioned mahogany furniture, a rug spread on the ground, and seemed to
lead to two other rooms. In the back of the house was a large courtyard where
there were two small rooms that was probably used for storage.

The other rooms were probably Ming Yue and Zhao Xia’s. The light from the corner
of the rooms shone through a simple and crude room and onto a few tall and short
beds. These were probably the servant’s room.

Bo Jinyan wandered around with Jian Yao, prepared for someone to accidentally
discover them. However, this really did seem like a lifeless courtyard. They had
been there for around ten minutes now and still no one noticed them.

Then, they finally got to the fishpond behind the courtyard. The servant that they
had just seen get slapped was standing behind the trees and next to her was a
woman with a plump figure. It was the other Yao family restaurant manager, Zhao
Xia.

Zhao Xia’s facial features seemed nicer than Chen Mei’s. Her face was circular and
her eyes revealing helplessness. “She hit you again? Chen Mei again? The Madam?”

The servant dipped her head and said, “4th mistress, I’m okay.”

Zhao Xia sighed. “If you really can’t handle it anymore, then you can go.”

The servant didn’t speak.

Zhao Xia spoke again. “When you’re done working tonight, come to my room. I
have medicine for your wound.”

The servant was a silent for a moment and then said, “That won’t work. What
happens if the boss sees us…”
“The boss won’t be coming to my room tonight. Don’t worry, he won’t hit you
again,” Zhao Xia said.

The servant lowered her head and walked away on the other path. Zhao Xia turned
around and saw Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao. She took a step back, on guard and
surprised. “Who are you people?” she asked.

Bo Jinyan smiled and said, “We are staying in the building in front.” Jian Yao
quickly said, “Sorry for the inconvenience, we got lost. Are you also a guest at this
inn?”

Zhao Xia’s complexion relaxed a little and she pointed to the path ahead of them.
“You guys went the wrong way. This isn’t the inn, this is our family’s private
building. Leave quickly. There is a dog at the entrance so be careful when you go
out.”

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao both thanked her. Zhao Xia was still worried though, so she
personally brought them to the entrance. As expected, the vicious big black dog
was about to bark but was calmed down by Zhao Xia. As Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao
left, Zhao Xia’s eyes followed them, smiling.

During this time, Fang Qing was standing on the inn’s second floor, inside Bo
Jinyan and Jian Yao’s room. With binoculars, he was watching them the whole
time. Next to him was an investigator who had just rushed in. “Fang Qing, we’re
really letting them blindly wander by themselves? They don’t need our
assistance?”

Fang Qing smiled and said, “It will be fine. It’s just a few old ladies. Don’t tell me
they can’t even handle them! Look, aren’t they coming back now?

“From the investigation, all of the suspects’ fingerprint comparisons assigned by

Professor Bo have already been completed” the investigator reported.

Fang Qing turned around to look at him.

“None of them match.”

 ——

The sky was already black. Fang Qing brought Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao to a small
roadside restaurant to eat hot pot in the ancient city.

Holding a bottle of beer, Fang Qing peered at Bo Jinyan and said, “Come on.” Bo
Jinyan distantly shook his head. “I always drink wine.”

Fang Qing smiled and mentioned that this restaurant had its own brand of wine.
After hearing this , Bo Jinyan said, “Thank you, but I’m going to drink water.” Fang
Qing did not respond.

Jian Yao smiled and picked up her cup. “Fang Qing, I’ll drink with you. Let’s open
two bottles.”

Fang Qing raised his eyebrow, surprised by Jian Yao. Bo Jinyan lifted the corner of
his mouth, faintly smiling arrogantly.

They had drunk three rounds, the hot pot was boiling, and everyone seemed to be
finishing up.

“I heard that in the last few years Yao Yuange was falling for a younger female
college student. She even worked for the family and exhibited wine. In the end, she
ended up leaving.”

Bo Jinyan’s eyes turned crisp and clear. “Why do these women feel content with
these type of abnormal and honorless families?”

Fang Qing sarcastically smiled and didn’t respond. Jian Yao knew that because Bo
Jinyan had been abroad, he generally didn’t understand these type of matters. In
fact, earlier when she saw the information, she thought that a rich guy with status,
bringing a whole bunch of girls to live in a courtyard, was a bit weird. She didn’t
think it was actually all true.

“Everyone else are mistresses, and will never be recognized. The legal wife can’t
even tolerate this situation anymore. Their “family” was overt in how all of them
got along. Yao Yuange is a guy that is rich, powerful and has status. He can give
them things that other men can’t, even if they strive for it their whole life. There are
two sides and they chose the side that they wanted. But this type of life…” Jian Yao
said.

“Common people like us don’t understand,” Fang Qing said.

Bo Jinyan held the plastic cup, arrogantly examining the wine and taking a small
sip. Then, tapped the table with his finger and said, “Yao Yuange: one arrogant and
conceited guy. He’s strong, clever, influential, extremely rich, controls every guy
with desires and possessions, and sees women as his belongings. He is very strict
with them but seems to succeed in getting women.”

“Pervert!” Fang Qing scolded, “We’ve always heard rumors, but Yao Yuange only
has a marriage certificate with his wife so the other women are with him of their
own free will so the police have no method of apprehending them.”

Bo Jinyan seemed like he had a thought. “Do those women really get along in
sharing Yao Yuange?”

The one who responded to him was actually Jian Yao. She shook her head and
said, “Not likely. In this world, there isn’t a women who would be willing to share
men with other people. Even though they seem like they get along, inevitably, in
their hearts, they’re suffering and holding back on their resentment.”

Bo Jinyan turned his head towards her with a smile in his eyes.

Jian Yao didn’t notice his glance but looked towards Fang Qing, who was thinking
about what she had said.

That’s right. Suffering, repression, resentment, and deformed love and desire were
things that someone can’t escape from after so many years. It didn’t seem like that
was the case when they saw Zhang Jufang, Chen Mei, and Zhao Xia today.

The profile which Bo Jinyan had suggested suddenly flashed through Jian Yao’s
mind:
A local person, very familiar with the surroundings.

Someone whom Fu Wei possibly had prior contact with.

The Yao household courtyard was not monitored. The night of the crime, it would
not have been difficult to exit without being noticed. However, this was only a
guess because without being there, it would be hard to prove.

They were looking for someone who usually repressed his or her emotions, with
signs of schizophrenia, and yet someone who did not express these feelings while
working. Some situation had to have occurred- something that impacted this
person’s life greatly which would cause long-term stress.

Possibly, the suspect could be a woman, as long as she was strong enough.

Unable to engage in complex or high-level work. Among Yao Yuange’s five wives,
one idled at home, another was, at most, in charge of the accounts, and while the
other two were managers at the restaurant, this was not high-level work. Even the
no. 1 wife Ming Lan, who was supposed to be the boss at the bar . . .she was only
temporarily helping out her man, and had a host of subordinates to do the work.
What work was there for her to actually do?

Looking at it this way, all of them actually fit the profile. Moreover, they were a
better fit than the people who were previously investigated. Could Fu Wei’s killer
be hidden amongst them? Could she and Fu Wei really have had a previous
entanglement which no one knew about?

However, the women of the Yao household and the murder case seemed to be
separated by an insurmountable distance.

Fang Qing said, “Right now, we have no evidence. We summoned them too hastily.
I will find a way to obtain their fingerprints so we can do an initial comparison.”
Chapter 9

Ming Lan parked her Audi in the garage behind the house. As she picked up her bag
and looked up, she saw Zhang Jufang’s room, with its light still on, and she could
vaguely hear bits of chatter and laughter.

Ming Lan gracefully walked toward her own room in her high heels. The courtyard
was very calm and quiet, just the way it had been every day for the past few years.
The room beside hers belonged to her younger sister Ming Yue. Faint sounds
floated out from the room as she taught her son how to read. Zhao Xia was
probably in bed already, her room entirely silent, but because of her husband, she
did not dare close the lights yet.

Music sounded from Chen Mei’s room. Chen Mei was also someone who made her
worry. But Ming Lan did not regret letting her husband marry her. Otherwise, who
would fight against Zhang Jufang for her?

Ming Lan drank some water as the servant, Tong Jie, brought the warmed dinner to
the table. Actually, if one looked at their ages, Tong Jie was not much older than
Ming Lan; only, she hadn’t taken care of herself as well.

Ming Lan ate her meal under the light. When she lifted her head, she saw Tong Jie’s
stooped silhouette. Ming Lan said nastily, “Go away! You made Old Third mad
again today? All of you cause me so much trouble.” As she finished speaking, she
reached out her hand and pinched Tong Jie. Her pinch was pretty harsh, and Tong
Jie let out a moan. Ming Lan then reached out her hand to caress her face. She
smiled, “This face doesn’t look that old, and you’re one of the only servants who
has actually worked here for a long while. You’re just greedy for the wages, eh?
Where else are you going to earn a few thousand a month with no educational
background and your old age?”

The servant lowered her head and began retreating outside. “Missus, I’m going.”

Ming Lan smiled, and didn’t pay any more attention to her.
This night, seemed to last forever.

Ming Lan lay on the bed for a little bit, listening to pop music, then lifted her head
to gaze outside the window. Outside was a quiet and peaceful field, and in it there
was a lone-standing little house. The bright full moon hung in the sky making
everything feel extremely lonely.

Ming Lan suddenly felt her chest tighten with an almost oppressive yet provocative
feeling. She wanted to cry a little, but she felt like her brain was in chaos. She was
45 years old this year, and it had already been two years. Thinking about this made
her feel irritated and after awhile , she ultimately traced her anger to Zhang Jufang.

Thus, she steadily walked out of her room and arrived in front of Zhang Jufang’s
room. Through the door, she could clearly hear Yao Yuange’s and her laughter.

Ming Lan knocked on the door, the corners of her mouth curved in a smile.
“Yuange, there are some things at the bar that I want to talk to you about.”

Yao Yuange responded with a “Sure”, and could be heard getting up. After a little
bit, the door opened. Zhang Jufang would not dare publicly go against her and
could only smile coldly at her. Ming Lan acted as if she didn’t see anything, and
returned to their room with Yao Yuange.

That night, Yao Yuange slept in Chen Mei’s room. Although he was almost 50, his
body was still strong and he had taken good care of it. Thus when the desire arose,
he could still handle these women in bed. It was only when the light in Chen Mei’s
room went out that, according to the rules that Yao Yuange had set, all of the other
rooms could turn off their lights. Yao Yuange felt that this was best because it gave
the image of one big family.

Over the past few nights, the one that slept the best was probably Second Wife
Ming Yue. She held her own son, laying on the large bed, softly and gently telling
him bedtime stories.
She was 20 years old that year when she married Yao Yuange. She was at an
ignorant age, with a personality that had always been naive. At the time, her family
hadn’t been doing so, and their factory was always losing money. She had gone to
her brother-in-law’s factory to work, and in coming and going, had seen him a few
times. She had also developed some feelings towards this mature and stable
brother-in-law, but she didn’t dare have any other thoughts. However later on, it
was her sister who finally brought it up with her. Their parents then sighed and
actually said to her, “Yuange’s properties now are worth no less than a couple of
hundred thousands. You sister hasn’t been able to give birth to any kids, and your
educational background is not high, your looks are not as good as your sister’s, you
don’t have any abilities, and you would probably only be able to marry some
undependable young man. Wouldn’t it be better if…”

Everyone thought this was fine, so Ming Yue also accepted it. The day of the
marriage, Yao Yuange laid out two tables for a feast in his home, but they didn’t
invite any outsiders nor was there a marriage certificate. Her only worry was
whether or not her older sister would be angry.

But at the feasting table, her sister only laughed and said, “Silly younger sister, why
would I be angry?”

Afterwards, there was one time when she saw red and purple welts on Ming Lan’s
arms where she had been hit, but did not dare ask more.

In a flash, so many years had passed.

She seemed to be living well: she didn’t have to go to work, Yuange gave her a lot of
money, he had taken over her family’s factory and saved it, and she had given birth
to his only son. In the future, everything in the family, would it not all be her son’s?

But the one thing that she didn’t predict, was that after her, there would be others.

The more money that Yao Yuange earned, the more power he had in the house. In
the beginning, they only heard that he was often staying over at Zhang Jufang’s
place, but later he actually let her move in.
That day, Ming Yue cried for some reason. But so what? The man was everything in
the family, and she didn’t dare, nor could she fight back.

Later on came Zhao Xia and Chen Mei. The two women worked for him and both
were from the countryside.

Actually, if one thought about it, there was not much difference between any of the
women. They once had nothing, and he gave them everything they wanted: money,
stability, family, a dependable husband. And his only request to them was that they
share him.

But eventually, Yao Yuange didn’t marry anyone else.

No matter how much he played outside, he no longer kept them at his side. He was
probably a little old for that now.

Although Ming Yue was now only 30 years old, now she didn’t fight with the others
for anything, and no longer cared. She only yearned for her son to grow up healthy,
and thus no longer thought about what was going on between the other women.

——

It was on the dawn of the second day that the police came knocking on their door.
A servant went to open the door, and a plainclothes policeman entered along with
a few medical personnel in white lab coats. He politely smiled and said “Hello, we
are from the Dunhuang police department. We need you to cooperate with our
investigation of the murder case that happened a few days ago.”

Chen Mei gently pushed Yao Yuange awake, and said, “Hubby, the police have
come.”

Yao Yuange was curled up in the very middle of the large bed. He opened his eye to
ask, “Why are they here?”

“They said that it has to do with the death of that customer.”

Yao Yuange was quiet for a little bit, then sat up. “Did they say what happened?”

Chen Mei nodded, showing an odd expression “They said that the victim may have
had an infectious disease, so they would like to test everyone in the inn and
disinfect everything.”

“Do they want to enter the courtyard?”

Chen Mei smiled a bit and shook her head, “No need, we can all just go to the
front.”

“Sure,” Yao Yuange nodded, “You go deal with it first, then let the other ladies
follow the police’s instructions. I will come in a little bit.”

Out of all the police officers in Dunhuang, Fang Qing was probably the only one
rogue enough to accomplish such an overt operation. The Yao family had to fill out
a form. Then, the doctors took their temperature, listened to their lungs, and asked
them to use hand sanitizer to disinfect both of their hands. Everyone cooperated,
including Yao Yuange. The officers on duty were also especially friendly, and Yao
Yuange always treated others warmly, so everyone smiled as they shook hands
before they left their fingerprints.

As for the 5 servants in the courtyard, three had gone grocery shopping. To avoid
seeming overly impatient, the police said that they would come back after they
came home, and continue to “disinfect” their home.

Fang Qing ordered his subordinates to hurry and compare the fingerprints. At the
same time, he urged the officers in charge of the weapon, the footprints, and the
links to Fu Wei, to continue to investigate deeply.

——
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao had a duty to help with the case, but now they didn’t have
anything to do. Jian Yao casually asked him, “Are you certain?”, but immediately
after asking, she regretted it.

Sure enough, Bo Jinyan faintly smiled. “My wife’s question is not an easy one to
answer, since I do not know what being “uncertain” feels like.”

“… pretend I said nothing.” said Jian Yao.

The weather in the afternoon was great so Bo Jinyan took her out to enjoy the area.
The sky was high above them, and the clouds were big and broad, with the ancient
city in the distance. The two of them walked halfway around the city along the city
walls. After sweating all over, they ate a small meal in a small store by the city
walls.

Then they went to the lakeside, found a bed of reeds, and rented a few fishing
poles to fish. Bo Jinyan only sat under the shadow of the tree to read, with the air
of a noble scholar. Jian Yao kept a close eye on the surface of the water and when
she saw the fishing float sink, she immediately began reeling in her line. A large
beautiful fish came flying out of the water. She reached out her hand to grab it,
while Bo Jinyan clasped his hands in praise “My Jian Yao is so talented.”

Jian Yao glared at him “Stop talking and come help me catch the fish.”

Bo Jinyan reached out his hand with the intention to catch, but this was not
something that the ingenious detective was good at. The fish was really slippery,
and began jumping in its place. Jian Yao also immediately chucked the fishing rod
to the side and rushed over to help. The tail ridge on the shore was already pretty
narrow. Since Jian Yao wasn’t stable, she almost fell into the water. Bo Jinyan
reacted quickly and immediately caught her, while she caught the fish.

Jian Yao gave a sigh of relief. However, he didn’t let go of her. He only faintly let out
an “oh”. Under the waves of light given off by the setting sun, he lay his head on her
shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Jian Yao sweetly asked.

“Jian Yao, in this moment, I feel so blessed,” he said lowly.

Jian Yao’s heartstrings trembled, and lightly replied, “I feel the same way.”

“Sometimes, I feel like time is flying by too quickly, but other times, I feel like it’s
moving too slowly,” he said, “There is something I don’t understand – people’s
emotions always have highs and lows, peaks and valleys. This is a natural
psychological pattern. When Fu Ziyu and I interact for a long time, I feel vexed. But
why is it that over the last two years, every second that I am with you, I always feel
overwhelmed by my emotions?”

Jian Yao gazed at his handsome young face under the sunlight, and answered,
“Because…”

This ingenious detective who knew everything, but still could not figure out the
mysteries of love.

She tossed the fish onto the muddy ground, lifted her head and kissed him.

Because, you are the world’s one and only Bo Jinyan. Only you, could be like a child
your whole life, to love what you love.

I am so thankful, that I am your love.

When the two returned to the inn, it was already night. Many of the rooms had
already turned off their lights, and the front desk receptionist was relaxedly curled
up in a corner playing on his phone .

Just as they entered the courtyard, Jian Yao received a phone call from Fang Qing.
His voice sounded emotionless.

“The fingerprint-matching results have come out.”

Chapter 10

“None of them match.” Fang Qing said.

Jian Yao was astonished and looked at Bo Jinyan, but he looked calm and he didn’t
say anything.

At this point, Fang Qing didn’t say anything more on the subject, but added, “Jian
Yao, the victim Fu Wei’s family has rushed over; their emotions are very unstable.
You are an expert criminal psychologist and a woman, could you please come help
us placate them?”

Jian Yao immediately agreed, and hung up. Bo Jinyan nodded at her. Jian Yao
pondered for a little bit, then said, “You stay here by yourself- don’t run about.”

Bo Jinyan very indifferently smiled, pointing at his own cheek. Jian Yao stood on
her tip toes and gave him a peck. Only at that point did he respond, “Sure, but I
never run about.”

Jian Yao replied, “… Sure, if you say so.”

Jian Yao quickly went out the door and hailed a taxi, Bo Jinyan slowly climbed the
stairs by himself. Today, the night skies were clear, the weather was cool. He
walked to the second floor, and lifted his head to look at that courtyard. He was
practically blocked by a tree, so nothing out of the ordinary could be seen.

Under most circumstances, Bo Jinyan was very obedient to Jian Yao. After he
returned to his room, locked up the windows and door, Jinyan sat by himself on
the bed in a daze.

However, his brain was spinning at a high speed.

In a different family setting with one husband and multiple wives, there would be
long-term repression and resentment.
Arrogance, possessiveness, addiction to collecting things? Coupled with weak, and
easily-controlled partners, and an ego boosted by money and power.

……

“Fu Wei… is a little lusty. When he was in high school he fooled around with young
girls and dated online.”

“He had saved up his vacation hours… and even said that he hoped that he would
have an affair.”

“He had even left me his QQ ID. At the time, the older ladies that swept the floors and
the other servers laughed at me.”

……

The corpse had endured more than forty stab wounds, with each time, the knife
meeting bone. The face was also cut into a mess. It was incomparable craziness.

Calm yet enraged, restrained yet crazy, it was an extreme psychological distortion
originating from long-term repression.

……

The fresh wounds on the floor-sweeper’s face.

Zhang Junfang raising the dustpan and harshly slamming it down.

The calm and quiet, the almost dead-silent courtyard. The servants remained silent.

Zhao Xia standing beside the fish pond and saying, “The boss won’t go to my room
tonight. Don’t worry, he won’t hit you again.”

……
“Oh.” Bo Jinyan lifted his head and lifted his bare feet from the bed. He walked
over to the window sill, picking up the binoculars that Fang Qing had left behind.

The courtyard was quiet, and the lights turned off.

He looked for a bit, moving the binoculars to look at a different area.

The kitchen.

The kitchen of the inn was shared with the Yao family courtyard. Now that it was
almost 12AM, the light there had long been turned off. It was a very large, lone-
standing building at the back of the inn.

Bo Jinyan felt the blood in his veins boil a little. Every time he was getting close to
the truth, he always had this feeling. He took something out from his bag,
something that he had taken from Fang Qing – a bottle of luminol.

As soon as he pushed open the room to his door, he suddenly stopped because
outside of the building of the kitchen, he saw a dark shadow flash by. He
immediately picked up the binoculars, but saw that there was no one there. Bo
Jinyan immediately thought of how today, the police had gone to the Yao Family
using the excuse of “disinfection” to collect fingerprints. That person had a keen
mind, and also had anti-detection abilities. They probably were already alerted
and would be taking measures.

Bo Jinyan immediately ran downstairs.

He quickly arrived outside of the kitchen. Inside it was pitch black- one could only
see the outline of the counters. The moonlight lightly shone. There were only a few
silent trees around.

Bo Jinyan looked around again, and really did not see the shadow of any person.
Maybe just now, it was only a person passing by.
He pushed the door a little. It wasn’t locked; there was only a wooden board that
seemed to serve as a lock*. Bo Jinyan slipped in sideways, not fully closing the
door.

*Probably what it looks like, but lower tech

Lifting his head to look around, he noted that the room was around twenty metres
squared with a large and long table, a cabinet of bowls, and a sink. Neat and
ordinary. Bo Jinyan’s line of sight first fell by the sink where there were two large
knife racks that held more than a dozen knives. There were kitchen knives, paring
knives, and boning knives. His line of sight moved upward, landing on the few thick
work uniforms hanging on the wall. They must have come from the Yao family
factory, worn by the chefs.

Bo Jinyan picked up the luminol and very carefully picked some specific areas,
then sprayed them.

After quietly waiting for a few minutes, Bo Jinyan lifted his head and smiled.

——

Fu Wei’s father was Fu Dafan, a man already in his 50’s. This time, he came by
himself because his wife was paralysed. Because she had been confined to her bed
for many years now, there was no way for her to be brought here. Thus, he had to
first settle down his family before coming, and by then his son had already been
dead for a couple of days.
He was a technician at a local factory where he had worked his whole life. Right
now he was sitting in the reception room of the police station wearing an almost
worn-out coat, formal trousers, and old leather shoes with both eyes looking
completely red, and at the same time ferocious yet gaunt.

Jian Yao saw the appearance of this elderly father, and also felt aggrieved.
Although they gave him gentle reassurances, who could actually empathise and
heal the pain of losing a child?

Both of Fu Dafan’s hands were in his hair because just now, he had finally seen his
son’s corpse. He was still slightly trembling. He couldn’t understand- how could
his son just be gone?

The child he had brought up with hard work, the son who was mischievous and
smart, that made him proud yet made him miss him. He knew that his son wasn’t
obedient enough. Although the economic situation in their family was ordinary,
since he was young he was never treated shabbily, and was often doted upon more
than children in other families.

Once this son had grown up, he was no longer close to his parents. After entering
university, he rarely returned during winter and summer break, calling rarely other
than for living expenses. After he started working, every time he called they
wouldn’t speak for very long. But this was a child he deeply loved, the only flesh
and blood he had in this world. But as long as they knew he was happy, as parents
they were willing to use everything in exchange for his happiness.

However, he died. Died in such a gruesome and painful fashion, leaving behind
only a pile of blood, flesh, and bones to return to his parents.

Fu Dafan’s tears kept falling in large drops.

Jian Yao quietly said, “Mr. Fu, take care of yourself. We will definitely catch the
criminal.”
Fu Dafan let out a painful howl, suddenly lifting his head to look at her, “The
criminal? I heard that the criminal is a psychopath. I heard them say that! I heard
everyone in the streets say that. But you cops, how could you have let a
psychopath come out and kill people? Why can’t you guys even catch a
psychopath? Why?!”

He suddenly pounced on Jian Yao, and she unconsciously took a few steps
backward. The two officers on the side immediately intercepted him, and held onto
this emotionally distressed father. Jian Yao’s face was slightly pale, but she also
felt bad for him. The officers motioned for her to leave for a bit, and after Jian Yao
saw the pained and forlorn Fu Dafan she immediately turned around and left.

It was night, the trees were silent and the winds had stopped.

Jian Yao stood in the hallway of the police station gazing at the silent mountains
and city.

She thought again about her own father, how even now she could barely
remember his face.

She had probably been five or six years old at the time, and could only faintly
remember her father’s strong shoulders, the shiny, silver police badge, the crisp
police uniform. He held her as he smiled- he would often only get home past
midnight, his body stinking of sweat, but he would never forget to go by her and her
younger sister’s bedside to give them a kiss goodnight. Sometimes, she would be
awakened, reaching her hand out for “Daddy!”, and would see that determined man,
gently smiling at her.

The rims of Jian Yao’s eyes became wet.

The floor full of blood, a broken corpse, the pained moans added to the blurred
scenery that flashed across her eyes. The last memory was her father’s quiet
instructions, “Jian Yao, Daddy is giving you a mission — take your sister and hide in
there. No matter what, do not come out, do not make any sounds.”

……
Everything was the same in the world; there would always be crimes.

There would always be a need for someone to guard the borders of the world of the
ordinary people.

Father was one, Bo Jinyan was one, and she was one as well.

Jian Yao dropped her head, took out her cell phone, and called Bo Jinyan.

After a ring, Bo Jinyan picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hello, my beloved.” Bo Jinyan’s voice was very low.

Jian Yao was startled, the edges of her lips curved upward. Every time he was
excited, he could not help but call her “beloved”. Did this mean that he had already
made some headway in the case?

Indeed, Bo Jinyan lightly laughed, “Guess what your husband has discovered.”

This person… since getting their marriage licence, although he was still not very
romantic, through the little things in his words and actions, he liked to show off
his marriage from time to time. Especially when he was with Fu Ziyu and An Yan, he
would suddenly lightly say something like, “I am already married. You should not
be asking me about these kinds of things, go ask Mrs. Bo.”

Fu Ziyu and An Yan: “……”

Everyone was only trying to ask him where he was going for dinner that night, did
he need to immediately act like a man ready to die for virtue…?

……
Jian Yao laughed as she asked, “Then may I ask what did Mr. Bo discover?” If Jian
Yao knew the situation that Bo Jinyan would be facing next, she definitely would
not be able to laugh at all.

What Bo Jinyan saw was a dark world that glowed lightly of fluorescence.

The wind outside of the window caused the trees to rustle in a gloomy mass. The
kitchen was even darker, like a monster. There were only two places that glowed
with light.

Luminol must be used very cautiously because once it touched blood and
chemically reacted, at the same time it would also affect the follow-up testing of
the blood contents. Thus, Bo Jinyan chose only one area to use the luminol.

In this area, there was a knife. A boning knife that was inserted on the knife rack.

The cooks in the kitchen would of course need to cut through bone and cut meat so
the body of the blade would be contaminated with blood. Once the animal blood
was washed off, it would still leave behind traces of blood, thus once it met
luminol, it would cause a reaction. But it was only for cutting bone and meat, not
for slaughtering. Bo Jinyan believed that there was no chef’s knife that would look
the way that this one looked- with the entire body of the blade, the edges, all
shining with fluorescence. It was to the point that even the entire wooden handle
glowed blue.

It was like it had once been soaked in blood. Like the person who held the knife
had let go of it, and the entire knife had been dyed by the blood spray from the
aorta before then being pulled out.

Bo Jinyan only sprayed one side of the knife, leaving the other for the forensic
personnel.

Although the luminol could not be taken as actual evidence — it would require
additional testing to become evidence — Bo Jinyan could basically ascertain that
this was the murder weapon!
Bo Jinyan quietly looked at it for a long time.

In another area, there hung a few work uniform jackets.

Nearly all of them had only a tiny bit of fluorescence, probably because when the
knives were being used in the kitchen, someone accidentally got blood on it which
no longer washed off. There was only one piece of clothing, where the entire chest
area was completely blue, and it could no longer be washed off.

“Oh.” Bo Jinyan softly sighed.

“…Why are you in the kitchen?” Jian Yao asked from the other end.

Bo Jinyan answered, “Because I think the criminal is right here.

My profile cannot be wrong, the criminal is definitely within the established range.
Sherlock Holmes once said: ‘Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains,
no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” So, after eliminating the people
that the criminal cannot be, the one that remains, must be her.

The women in the Yao family all have long-term, repressed psyches, but in that
courtyard there is another group of people who have also endured long-term
repression. They have been bullied, verbally abused, and treated violently, but for
the high wages from the Yao family, they have to bear it. The women of the Yao
family have taken the deformed pressure that they themselves endure, and
discharged it on those people. Thus, the servant’s situation became even worse.

As per the written testimony of the workers at the inn, the servants in the back
courtyard would also go help out in the inn. Thus, they may have come into contact
with Fu Wei. And as to what triggered “her” murderous intentions, I think it must
have been due to Fu Wei’s lustfulness. It triggered a deeply hidden pain in her
heart.

The identification records claim that the weapon was around 20cm in length and
10cm in width. There were a lot of knives that fit this description , but the
dimensions of the often-used kitchen knife also fit this description. A servant that is
always sweeping and working in the kitchen, if she wanted to kill someone, what
would be the weapon that she would most likely think of and be able to get her
hands on? It would be a tool that she is most familiar with, one that she finds most
convenient, and most comfortable.”

“It can’t be that she left the weapon in the kitchen?” Jian Yao asked out of surprise
because she didn’t know that Bo Jinyan had already found it.

Bo Jinyan quieted for a bit, then coldly chuckled, “A normal person would not, he
would immediately hide or dispose of the weapon. But firstly, if the kitchen
suddenly lost a boning knife, and a murder case happens, it would rouse the
suspicions of others. She is a smart person, knowing that the most dangerous spot
is safest spot. Secondly….” he lifted his eyes to the knife and garment shining with
fluorescence, “If she really hated everything, and left the knife in the kitchen and
continued to use it, wouldn’t it give her a sense of happiness?”

Jian Yao was stunned.

A knife that had been soaked in human blood, that had cut human flesh and was
then used to cook food for the Yao family and for the guests…

She suddenly shuddered, feeling waves of disgust.

Bo Jinyan was on the other end to comfort her, “Don’t worry, these past few days
at the inn, you’ve followed my tastes and probably didn’t eat any meat.”

Jian Yao responded, “…of course not! I’ll immediately let Fang Qing know to bring
in the team!”

“Alright,” Bo Jinyan replied, “I will be he -”

His voice suddenly stopped, and there were hoarse and intermittent sounds of
breathing.
Jian Yao started, “Jinyan? Jinyan!”

There was no response, and then suddenly there was an ear-splitting static noise,
as if the cellphone had fallen on the floor. Afterwards, no matter how many times
she called his phone, no one picked it up.
Chapter 11
Bo Jinyan was struggling.

Rays of soft white moonlight shone down on the kitchen’s worn-out windowsill,
the light swaying to and fro. The girl was keen and ruthless as she strangled him
from behind . Her arms weren’t thick, but the strength that she used wouldn’t lose
to a man. Bo Jinyan was caught off-guard by her sneak attack.

She made no sound, as she tenaciously wrapped her arms around Bo Jinyan
tightly, strangling him, wanting to kill him. The phone in Bo Jinyan’s hand fell. He
smiled coldly, backhanding her face hard.

After she was met with such a big loss, she groaned, but she still wouldn’t let go.
Instead, she began to strangle him tighter. It was clear she didn’t have much
experience because she did not try to use any fighting skills. She completely relied
on her toughness and willpower to kill people. However, Bo Jinyan was much taller
than her, and he was extremely calm. Even though he didn’t have the agility to get
her off of him, he had his brains. When he saw that he couldn’t shake her off, and
she wasn’t flustered in the slightest, he calmed his breathing and fiercely tried to
fling her off, in an attempt to make her crash into a long table.

She crashed into the table extremely fiercely so that even Bo Jinyan’s waist had
suffered from hitting the table. But she was still extremely persistent and still did
not let go. Her two hands were now just clutching at his neck. Bo Jinyan was angry,
and yet he laughed. Now he was able to turn his head around, but when he saw her
grizzled hair he was slightly startled.

“Why?” Bo Jinyan pressed her tightly against the table using his back, while the
two of them panted and said quietly, “Why is there so much despair… And
resentment?”

She did not speak.

Bo Jinyan elbowed her hard in her stomach, finally freeing himself from her. She
lowered her head and smashed it onto his body. Bo Jinyan had some real skill, but
when met with an opponent who didn’t care about her life, he could not gain an
advantage.

In the dark room, the two stared at each other silently.

“What kind of suffering have you gone through?”, Bo Jinyan whispered, “Parents?
Men? Kids?”

She wailed.

Bo Jinyan softly said, “Oh.”

“What kind of harm have people done to you?” This time, with one fluid motion , he
grabbed her hand as she was about to attack him again in the dark, “Abuse? Lies?
Rape? Murder?”

“You don’t know anything…” She said in a shaky voice, “You guys… don’t know a
single thing!”

“No, it’s the exact opposite, I know everything.” Bo Jinyan replied, “My name is Bo
Jinyan. I will not let go of any sins when I encounter them.

She said nothing in the dark. But Bo Jinyan could clearly feel that she was crying.

“You…” He had just began to speak when suddenly she pushed a nearby cabinet
onto him and raced out of the room.

Bo Jinyan pushed away the debris on his body and ran after her. Just then two
waiters came into the hall, and they cried out “Miss Tong, what happened?”

That Miss Tong didn’t reply. She turned and disappeared from view. Bo Jinyan was
hindered by the two waiters but when he finally ran over, he saw the end of a little
path. Miss Tong’s silhouette flashed and disappeared. And at the end of the path,
was the Yao courtyard.

——
After about twenty or so minutes, Jian Yao, Fang Qing and some others arrived at
the inn. Many police car lights flashed under the formerly calm night sky.

Jian Yao had a premonition in her heart that something had gone wrong.

……

Some people whispered quietly:

“Someone died, I overheard that someone died. The police came really quick.”

“I heard that person was killed by the murderer from a few nights ago”

“Quick, pack your stuff- who dares to stay in the inn anymore.”

……

Fang Qing, who led the line, frowned and exchanged glances with Jian Yao. Jian
Yao’s face was paler. She was silent, her head down, looking straight to the front.

It wasn’t hard to find out where the second murder took place. Because right now,
a lot of people were gathered outside of the courtyard where the Yao family lived.
Inside, everything was brightly lit and busy with people, but with the faint sounds
of people crying.

——

In front of their eyes, was the “Fourth Missus” of the Yao family, Zhao Xia’s corpse.
That day, she had been the only person who gave Jian Yao a good impression. She
seemed like a kind-hearted person.

The cops went into Zhao Xia’s brightly lit room. Yao Yuange wore only his pajamas,
as he stood with a wan face and a few bloodstains on his clothing. The legal wife,
Ming Lan, stood beside him, supporting him with one hand, while covering her own
face with the other. The other “concubines” of the Yao family stood outside the
door, every single one of them with a bad look on their faces.
The moment Jian Yao entered, she saw Zhao Xia lying down near the doorway, a
bloody hole on her back. A bloody knife was on the ground next to her, and the
ground was covered in blood.

“What happened?” Fang Qing said this in a low voice as he took Zhao Xia’s pulse to
confirm that she was no longer breathing and was indeed already dead.

“Tong.. Miss Tong barged in and killed her.” Yao Yuange replied.

“What about Bo Jinyan?” Jian Yao quickly asked.

“Jian Yao, I am here.” A voice came from the back. Jian Yao quickly turned around,
and saw Bo Xinyan walking towards her through the crowd. The strands of hair on
his forehead were moist with sweat, and his shirt had drops of blood on it. But his
eyes were still as dark and sharp as always.

Jian Yao’s heart clenched. She had too many questions. But when she saw the
marks on his neck, the words all stopped in her throat. On the contrary, he was
extremely calm, and he grasped her hand, and lowly said, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Bo,
I’m fine.”

Every single time, he always answered like this, but this time Jian Yao couldn’t
laugh.

“The criminal went uphill, in the southwest direction.” Bo Jinyan told Fang Qing
bluntly, “She knew the way very well so I wasn’t able to catch up.”

Fang Qing told his men, “Chase after her!”. The entire police department
immediately went into action. However, the sky was already very dark and the
mountains in the background seemed like dormant monsters. No one knew
whether they would succeed tonight.

The scene became lively very quickly.

Fang Qing brought two veteran criminal police officers along, and they squatted on
the floor to continue investigating the corpse. The inspectors also arrived, and
thus their work began. Yao Yuange was brought to the side to be placated, and also
to prepare him for interrogation. The other family members were also isolated.
They would all have to go through police interrogation.

Zhao Xia, who lay on the floor, had died extremely brutally. A knife had made her
meet a violent end, and it was stabbed straight through her heart. Only the people
at the scene knew what had happened before Bo Jinyan had managed to pursue
the culprit over here.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao looked at Yao Yuange. His face was a little white, and a bit
red, but he didn’t seem to have completely lost his head out of fear either. He
nodded at the police officers in front of him and his eyes were full of both sadness
and anger.

——

“…Dark sky, no lights, unfamiliar paths. After I got to the Yao courtyard, I was
already some ways behind her,” Bo Jinyan said, as he took a sip of his tea.

Fang Qing nodded. “Did you see which room she ran towards?”

“I couldn’t see that clearly. By the time I got there, she was already in a room.”

Bo Jinyan began to recollect the scene at that time.

In the dead of night, when he came the walls outside the courtyard, the trees and
the house blocked his view. Miss Tong’s tracks had already disappeared. He made
the prompt decision to knock at the door, and for a while, no one answered the
door. The evil dog outside the door barked at him crazily. At that moment, he really
had missed Fang Qing a bit. After he thought of a way to deal with the dog, he
slipped into the residence, only seeing that some of the rooms were still bright with
light, while other rooms were pitch dark.

Miss Tong definitely wouldn’t return to her own room- that would practically be
sitting and waiting for death to come to her. Bo Jinyan first went towards the
innermost main room- Yao Yuange’s bedroom as well as Ming Lan’s bedroom,
which was right beside that. If Miss Tong was driven by desperation to recklessly
retaliate, her most likely targets would be the two masters of the house. But who
could have guessed that after he got closer, he saw that Yao Yuange’s door was
shut and everything inside was pitch dark? His heart shivered, as he carefully went
closer and slowly opened the door, discovering that no one was inside.

At that moment, a woman shrieked from Zhao Xia’s room. Bo Jinyan immediately
turned around and saw that the door was pushed open with a bang, as someone
slowly stumbled out of the room. Her face was entirely covered in blood, and from
her figure, he saw that it was Miss Tong.

Bo Jinyan immediately broke into a run.

As he passed by Zhao Xia’s door, he quickly glanced inside, and that scene was
what the police officers would see later. She was on the floor, and Yao Yuange was
standing next to the corpse, his face completely flushed. When he saw Bo Jinyan,
he was shocked. Bo Jinyan softly touched Zhao Xia, finding that she was no longer
breathing. He yelled at Yao Yuange, “Hurry up and call the police and the
ambulance!” After he finished speaking, he ran in the direction in which Miss Tong
had gone.

After he chased her out of the Yao courtyard, he followed her into a small winding
alley. The pitch darkness of the foot of the mountains made him helpless. Miss
Tong’s silhouette flashed, as she ran into the forest, and no more traces of her were
visible. After Bo Jinyan finally caught up, he only saw bits and pieces of clues. There
were many little roads on the mountain and the weeds were as high as a person.
How was he still supposed to find her?

……

Bo Jinyan lifted his head and said, “We’re back to another beginning. If we dig up
her secrets, we will know why she killed people.”
Chapter 12
In the interrogation room, Yao Yuange’s expression had already calmed down, and
he was back to his everyday calm demeanor.

“At about 11 o’clock at night, I was in Ms. Zhao’s room discussing some things. Miss
Tong charged in here suddenly. Zhao Xia asked her what happened, and she went
crazy, pouncing on Zhao Xia.”

Fang Qing asked, “What was your reaction at the time?”

“Me?” Yao Yuange responded, “I wanted to stop her, but Miss Tong wouldn’t listen.
She is very strong, and immediately pushed Zhao Xia onto the ground. I was also a
little bit afraid of her, and wanted to call someone for help. But then she picked up
the fruit knife on the table, and then Ms. Zhao…”

“After she killed her, she wanted to kill me. I was so angry at the time, and fought
with her a little. This injury is from when she used the knife to cut me.” He rolled up
his sleeve, revealing a wound on his arm that was a mess of flesh and blood.

Fang Qing nodded.

“Later, probably because Miss Tong heard that police officer arrive, she ran off.
That is how everything happened.”

Fang Qing thought for a little bit, and asked again, “When she stabbed Zhao Xia,
where were you standing?”

Yao Yuange thought about it before answering, “I can’t remember clearly. I think I
was standing just beside her, a few steps away.”

“After she entered the room, did she say anything?”

Yao Yuange frowned a little. “. . . she said, ‘You people don’t deserve a good death.’
She said she wanted to kill everyone who was rich.”

From the other side of the dark-coloured glass, Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao, and the other
police officers continued to pay attention to the entire interrogation process. An
officer smiled coldly and said “His own concubine was killed right in front of him
but he escaped although he was only a few steps away. What’s more, he only
received some light injuries. He really can bear it.”

After that, Ming Lan, Ming Yue and the rest of the group of women, including the
two other servants in the courtyard, all accepted police interrogation. They all gave
the same statement: the night when Yao Yuange went to Zhao Xia’s room, they
were all getting ready to sleep. They only ran over when they heard the terrifying
screams.

——
Everyone was busy until dawn.

Jian Yao stood in the hallway, gazing at the marble white color of the dawn sky.
Many citizens were gathered by the stairs outside the station. One could imagine,
after tomorrow, this case would cause quite a stir within the ancient city. A
psychotic murderer, running around in the Qing Hills behind the ancient city – how
much panic would this cause among the people?

But, when all is said and done, what would make people panic more – the act of
killing people or human nature?

There was a noise behind her and Bo Jinyan walked out. His shirt was clean and
white, his eyes clear and bright. Other than the horrifying injury revealed by the
circle of bruises around his neck that had already begun turning purple, he
continued to exhibit his usual indifferent and snobbish appearance.

“Does Mrs. Bo not need to go and take a nap for a little while?” he asked, “Losing
sleep will not be good for your delicate skin. Whatever is left is the business of the
police.”

Jian Yao stared at him, “How can I think about going to sleep? You, go and see the
doctor immediately.”

Bo Jinyan felt his neck for a little bit. “Is it very hideous?” Suddenly he became
thoughtful, and smiled a little as he asked, “Is it very . . . manly?”

“Go and see the doctor! Now!”

The medical office was right downstairs. In the clean and quiet room, the doctor
put some medicine on Bo Jinyan’s neck, and ordered him to consume only liquids
for the next few days. He then smeared some medicine on the wounds on his wrist
and waist area, before leaving. At that time, the sun was already up, and the room
was bright and warm. Bo Jinyan rested on the treatment bed with his eyes slightly
closed. Jian Yao sat at the side of the bed. After looking at him for a bit, she reached
out with her hand to lightly touch his neck.

He opened his eyes to look at her.

“Does it hurt?” she asked softly. Really, how did he manage such a calm
expression? She looked at his clearly horrifying wound and thought of that
moment when he was on the phone with her, the sudden hoarseness of his voice
and the sound of something breaking, and her heart experienced continuous
waves of pain and fear.

“A little,” he answered.

Jian Yao’s temper suddenly flared up, and she turned her head away to ignore him.
At first, he was a little startled, but then he tugged on her hand. No reaction. After a
few seconds, he tugged again.

“Mrs. Bo?” he quietly called to her. “You’re angry.”

Wasn’t it obvious?

Jian Yao turned back around and glared at him. “How many times do I have to tell
you, when you meet with danger, don’t rush forward! You yourself have said that
the police should handle everything that requires physical exertion! It doesn’t
require your genius! But why do you still recklessly charge forward every single
time?”

His bright and black pair of eyes gazed at her, and he was quiet for a moment
before saying, “At the time I deduced there was a high possibility that she would
go and destroy the evidence and the weapon. If I had waited until the police came,
it would be too late.”

“But . . .” she couldn’t find any words.

He kept his gaze fixed on her, then reached out his hand to caress her hair, took her
into his arms, and held her. After a while, when her emotions were calm, he gently
and very reasonably told her, “Jian Yao, I think, you should believe in my ability to
deal with emergencies and in my judgement. I’m highly capable in both those
aspects. During the process of solving a case, there will sometimes be danger. But,
has there ever been a time when I didn’t peacefully and safely return to your side?
That is my promise and also something I believe I can do. Don’t worry, in the future,
I will be fine as well.”

“Ok.” Jian Yao was buried in his arms, his fingers on her waist were lightly
scratching her, and the scratching even had a specific tempo. After a while, she
couldn’t hold back her laughter.
——
At this point, major progress had been made on the case. The suspect was
determined to be the 49-year-old servant from the Yao family, Tong Min.

The city police chief had also rushed over, and was meeting with the investigative
team in the auditorium. The police chief asked, “Where is Professor Bo Jinyan?”
Fang Qing replied, “He was injured in the process of chasing the suspect and is in
the medical office. It’s flesh wound, not a big deal, we don’t need to worry about
it.”

The police chief was startled for a bit, then nodded. “All right, then let’s start. Fang
Qing, you report first.”

Fang Qing walked to the front of the stage, looked around, and then began. “For
now, Tong Min is our prime suspect. As we’ve not had much time, we are still
waiting on some primary information, but this is what we’ve gathered from the
information she registered with the Yao family – she is from our city’s Qing Shui
Township, and started working in the city to support herself. She has already lived
in the ancient city for two years. We haven’t been able to contact her family yet,
and the phone number she left doesn’t exist. We have already sent people there.”

Tong Min’s picture appeared on the screen at the front of the auditorium. Although
she wasn’t even 50 yet, she had a head full of white hair, and appeared very elderly.
However, her eyes were particularly piercing. They seemed to be staring out of the
screen straight at you. Below the stage, there was a lot of quiet discussion. This
was a female murderer, and one that was so old and crazed. It was they first time
they had encountered such a murderer.

“We have already found the weapon. Tong Min’s coat, which was hanging in the
kitchen, has tested positive for traces of the blood of the victim, Fu Wei. There is no
doubt that Tong Min is the killer in Fu Wei’s case. In addition, from what we are
able to grasp of the current situation, she is also the prime suspect in the case of
Zhao Xia’s murder last night.

“Why?” asked the police chief. “Why would she want to commit murder? How did
she commit the murder?”

Crime scene photographs of Fu Wei’s murder appeared on the screen. They

included the blood splatter, hand prints, and pictures of the corpse.

Fang Qing said, “This is something that Professor Bo has explained previously – in
the Yao family, Tong Min underwent long-term abuse, and her psyche was already
not very normal. At the same time, we suspect that, before she arrived in the Yao
household, she also endured some psychological trauma. Otherwise, a person’s
character could not have such a large change within just two years.”

“While she was cleaning in the inn, she met Fu Wei. Something about Fu Wei set her
off. At the moment, we suspect it was Fu Wei’s lustful character. Although Tong Min
is schizophrenic, she is also very smart. Thus, she planned this entire elaborate plot
to kill Fu Wei in a cruel manner.”

“Because we entered the Yao home and took the fingerprints of the suspects, she
was probably startled and wanted to retrieve the weapon that she had left in the
kitchen — the boning knife. However, she was intercepted by Professor Bo, tussled
with him and fled.”

“Why would she also want to kill Zhao Xia, who was unrelated?” Someone asked.

Fang Qing answered, “According to the testimony of the only witness, Yao Yuange,
at the time Tong Min had already lost her mind, so she simply rushed in and killed
Zhao Xia.”

The entire crowd was silent. Someone sighed.

“Fang Qing, you must find Tong Min as soon as possible!” the police chief said
sharply. “We can’t let a crazy serial killer run around outside! How can the people
of the ancient city live peacefully! You must capture her within three days!”
——

At the conclusion of the meeting, all the officers left the meeting room with grave
expressions. They had finally determined the prime suspect, and it seemed like
they were making some progress with the case. Of course everyone was happy.
However, to find a person amidst vast and precipitous mountains, a murderer who
has been backed into a corner – how could that be easy?

Fang Qing returned to his seat, and at that moment, the phone rang. He picked it
up to take a look, and froze.

It was the one who had not contacted him for a long time, Jin Xiaozhe.

But they were on the cusp of catching this murderer on the run, how could he talk
to her? Fang Qing thought briefly, and without much hesitation, stuffed the phone
into his pocket. I’ll think about it later.

A police officer at one side suddenly exclaimed, “Where is my notebook?”

Everyone looked towards him.

He went through his desk again, and said anxiously, “Who took it? I put it on my
desk before the meeting. How did it disappear? The details of the entire case were
in there.”

Fang Qing was startled, and asked “When we were having our meeting, who was
still inside the building but not in the auditorium?”

An officer thought about it and answered, “Other than the Yao family, there was
only the victim, Fu Wei’s, father.”

Fang Qing’s face changed colour. “Where are they now?”

“We have already escorted the Yao family home. Fu Wei’s father…. Ah, where is Fu
Dafan, he was just sitting here a minute ago, he had said that he wanted to speak
to use. And now, suddenly, he is gone.”

“Oh, no! Something’s going to happen!” Fang Qing said sharply. “We need to go to
the Yao home immediately!”
Chapter 13
By the time that Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan had arrived upstairs, they watched as Fang
Qing led an emergency response team to action. After having established the
reason for this, Jian Yao said, “We’ll come with you guys.” Bo Jinyan nodded in
agreement.

As they were speeding along in the back of a police car, Jian Yao expression was
extremely tense. Bo Jinyan was able to discern her thoughts from reading her body
language and asked, “Are you worried about that father?”

“Yes.” Jian Yao replied, “He has already lost his son. I would hate to see him getting
into trouble by acting aggressively.”

“Does he remind you of your own father?” Bo Jinyan asked again.

Jian Yao rested her head on his shoulder and remained silent. Bo Jinyan gently
caressed her hair and thought for a moment before coming up with the right words
to say, “You still have me.”

Jian Yao smiled as she replied, “You’re not my dad.”

“I meant . . .” His eyes were shining clearly as he spoke. “In the future, I’ll be a good
father.”

Jian Yao was speechless. Her eyes were rapidly blinking rapidly as she looked at
him l.

The Yao household, as expected, was already in a state of chaos.

The inn was closed, but that wasn’t the only pressing issue at hand. When Fang
Qing and his team entered the premises, the service staff were all in a dither.

Something had happened in the backyard.

After Mr. Fu gave a general glance over the criminal investigator’s notebook, it was
as if he was being possessed by a demon of insanity. He grieved over his son’s bad
fortune, that he had the misfortune of encountering this madwoman and was
killed in such a violent and tragic manner. As he was thinking deeper into the
subject matter, his gaze finally lit upon the description of the Yao household
situation.

If the Yao household had not been mistreating Tong Min in such a manner, she
would not have had to suppress her raging emotions, and she would not have had
to release her anger by killing people. Was that not so?

If Yao Yuange had not taken in so many wives, so much so that those who did not
have his love and favour would vent their spleen on the servants, his son would not
have been involved. Wasn’t that true?

A recipe for sudden and unexpected disaster!

Even if Tong Min were captured, what was the use for? Just what was the point of
it? Mr. Fu was not completely ignorant about the prevailing culture; he knew that
many criminals suffering from mental illness would not be incarcerated, but would
instead be sent to mental hospitals. Then, who was going to suffer so that his son
could rest in peace?

……

If, if they were not rich people, putting on airs and acting recklessly, treating people
like dogs, if it hadn’t been for them . . .

Mr. Fu quietly left the police station and had been tailing the cars transporting the
Yao household back home. Right in front of him was Ming Lan’s Audi A6, its shining
black exterior dazzling to the eyes.

Mr. Fu sat in the back of a taxi, unable to keep his tears from falling, crying so
bitterly that even the old taxi driver was rendered speechless. When they reached
the Yao family inn, he waited until he had witnessed each and every one of them
enter the premises, before following them, armed with the fruit knife he had
purchased a few days prior.

Because of the ongoing case, the Yao household had been sealed off by the police,
but the inside of the inn was still messy, and there were many people about.

Just then, Mr. Fu caught sight of Yao Yuange’s only son, 5 years old, chubby, and
sitting unattended in a corner, crying. When he saw this child, his eyes burned
intensely.

——

The garden behind the Yao household was overgrown with flowers and shrubbery,
with many winding walkways.

The sounds of crying and shouting, footsteps, pleas, roars of fury, all mixed
together.

The criminal investigators had already entered the garden and sent away the Yao
women, leaving behind Yao Yuange and the child’s birth mother, Ming Yue. Mr. Fu
had already taken the child hostage with the knife and was being forced to retreat,
step by step, into a corner of the garden. His face was flushed and distended, and
the hand holding the knife was trembling. His eyes were full of madness yet vacant.

“Let my son go!” Yao Yuange bellowed, “You lunatic! What’s this got to do with me
if your son got himself killed? Just see what’s going to happen if you dare to touch
a hair on his head!”

Ming Yue clung on to him, crying and shouting, “Don’t say anymore! You don’t say
anymore! Sir, if there’s something you want to discuss, please let my son go first,
ok? He’s only a child, only 5 years old!”

The child had already been scared silly, and his face was full of tears.
Mr. Fu spoke with a quivering voice, “Nothing to do with you? If it wasn’t for all of
you . . . if it hadn’t been for all of you, my son would not have been murdered! The
son of a rich person is so extraordinary and precious, you won’t be able to bear it if
I even touch him! My son has died, so you’re going to pay me back with your son!”

Yao Yuange was already furious beyond limit, and yelled, “You’re crazy!” Ming Yue
who had been crying, collapsed on the ground. Both of them were being restrained
by the criminal investigators.

Fang Qing shot the criminal investigators next to him a look, then slowly backed
out of the circle of policemen. He exited the garden, and went around behind the
garden wall.

Jian Yao stepped forward and said, “Uncle Fu, Uncle Fu! Please listen to me and
don’t be rash. What’s you’re doing now is against the law. We will definitely catch
Fu Wei’s killer. However, if Fu Wei’s spirit were here with us right now, he would not
want to see his father spending the rest of his life in prison! Furthermore, there’s
also Auntie, right? If you were to get yourself arrest, who’s going to look after her?
Do you really think Fu Wei would want his Dad and Mum to spend their twilight
years alone, without support? Come, put down the knife first. We know you were
acting on a moment’s impulse, it’s ok. Just put down the knife first.”

These words were effective and pierced straight into Mr. Fu’s heart and stunned
him somewhat. Who knew that when he lifted his head, he would find himself
staring straight into Yao Yuange’s eyes, and the expression within the latter was
frighteningly sinister? Mr. Fu suddenly felt a chill grip his heart, and he burst out, “I
don’t care anymore! So what if I go to prison? My son is already dead. It’s not like
Fu Wei’s mother has long to live anyways, so let her die together with him! Let our
entire family die together! The kid can be buried* with us!”

*陪葬 (pei zang) – to be buried with or next to a dead person; used to describe a
deceased person’s partner, or funerary objects.

Jian Yao’s mind raced, but she couldn’t think of any immediate course of action . It
was at this time that Bo Jinyan spoke out in a cold voice, “You think doing this is a
heroic act? That your son is going to avenged in such a manner? Your son’s killer is
out on the loose somewhere. Yet here you are. You, a man, are exacting your
revenge on a 5-year-old boy. How is this any different from what the murderer has
done? So, you want this child to be another Fu Wei?”

A startled look flashed through Mr. Fu’s eyes. His hands went limp, and drooped
half an inch. At this point, Fang Qing had circled around and positioned himself
behind Mr. Fu on the back wall. He seized the opportunity and, without even a
whisper of sound, jumped on Mr. Fu’s body. He was knocked down, pressed to the
ground, relieved of the knife and handcuffed, all within the spur of action. Despite
his height and build, Mr. Fu never had the chance to resist, and was quickly
subdued. Jian Yao hurriedly stepped forward and picked up the child. Ming Yue,
crying, rushed forward and took the child. With one hand, Fang Qing pulled Mr. Fu
up from the ground and pushed him against the wall. In that moment, he had no
idea what to say to him, and in the end, only quietly said, “Come back with me to
the police station.”

Mr. Fu’s tears gushed down his face.

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan stood quietly at the side.

It was at this time that Yao Yuange abruptly shot forward towards Mr. Fu. He
grabbed Mr. Fu’s collar and raised a fist against him. “Fuck you, you dare to hurt
my son! Damn you, you don’t want to live? Believe it or not, you would never
have been able to leave the ancient city, I would have killed you, you worthless
piece of st! You dare hurt my son, damn you, you hurt my son!”

“Hold it!” Bo Jinyan and Jianyao shouted out in unison. But they were unable to
prevent the first blow, and Mr. Fu sustained a bloody nose. When Yao Yuange raised
his fist to hit him again, Fang Qing restrained his arm in one swift movement and
scolded the man, “Yao Yuange, how dare you hit someone in front of the police!”

Yao Yuange raised his head to glared daggers into him. “Police? Haha, you think the
police some kind of hot s**t in front of me?”
Ming Lan quickly rushed forward and grabbed his hand. Under the watchful eyes of
the criminal investigators, Yao Yuange seemed to realise his gaffe. While
maintaining his silence, he turned and walked away.

The impending third tragedy was finally stopped.

With Mr. Fu in their custody, the criminal investigators headed back to the police
station. Bo Jinyan and Fang Qing traded looks, and seemed to register a flash of
understanding in each other’s eyes.

——

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao returned to the police station. Since the inn was sealed off,
the branch had arranged for them to stay at a nearby guest-house.

At the simply furnished guest-house, Bo Jinyan was leaning on his arms on the bed,
thinking about goodness knows what. Jian Yao, who had just finished packing
away their belongings, sighed. Who would have thought that such a nice vacation
would turn out like this? Full of blood and melancholy.

“Once Tong Min has been placed under arrest, the case will have been solved,
right?” Jian Yao exclaimed. “Then we can go back to Beijing.”

Bo Jinyan simply looked at her wordlessly.

Jian Yao stood in front of the bed with her head lowered. “However, there are still
certain aspects of this case that make me uncomfortable thinking about it.”

Bo Jinyan smiled, then got up and hugged her from behind. Resting his chin on the
softness of her shoulder, as he usually did, he rubbed it against her skin as he said,
“ You deserve to be called . . . Mrs. Bo.”

Jian Yao was startled. “What do you mean?”

Bo Jinyan quietly looked out of the window alongside her. “The situation that night
with Tong Min still makes me feel like that this case still has mysteries to it. It’s not
as simple as a person with a mental illness killing someone. Moreover, with regards
to last night’s case, there are three very clear areas of doubt.”

Jian Yao pondered for a moment before saying, “I can only think of one.”

Bo Jinyan chuckled a bit.

Jian Yao used her face to prod against him gently. “You’re incorrigible*! You’re not
allowed to laugh!”

*屡教不改 (lü jiao bu gai) – lit. not to change, despite repeated admonition

Right at that moment, a knock on the door could be heard. Jian Yao asked loudly,
“Who is it?”

Bo Jinyan said, “Who else could it be? It must be Fang Qing looking for us to
discuss the case.”

Jian Yao opened the door, looked at the person outside, then glanced back at Bo
Jinyan. Seriously, he was about to become a god.

Fang Qing spoke out the moment he crossed the threshold to their room. He said,
right in their faces, “There are two new developments to this case. First of all, we
could not find a match to any of fingerprints that were found on the handle of the
knife which was used to kill Zhao Xia last night. Secondly, Tong Min’s identity card*
is fake.”

(TN In China, several types of identification documents are issued. This is probably
a Resident Identity Card 居民身份证 (ju min shen fen zheng) which all residents in
China over the age of 16 are required to carry.
Chapter 14
Not able to find any other fingerprints?

Jian Yao was slightly startled.

Fang Qing sat down, poured himself a large glass of water, and drank it all in one
gulp. “Even though Tong Min didn’t wear gloves at that time, she didn’t leave any
fingerprints. The fruit knife left in the room should at least have Zhao Xia’s
fingerprints, but there weren’t any. Someone had wiped off the fingerprints, but
there are only two people who would have had that opportunity,” Fang Qing said.

“Tong Min . . . and Yao Yuange,” Jian Yao whispered.

“When I was in the kitchen and accidentally ran into Tong Min, she wasn’t wearing
gloves.” Bo Jinyan glanced at Jian Yao, “We mentioned before, there are three
doubtful points.”

Fang Qing also looked at him.

Bo Jinyan was about to speak, but Fang Qing, with eyes alight, was already talking.
“First, the spot where Zhao Xia fell isn’t right. According to Yao Yuange’s oral
confession, Tong Min – we’ll just call her that for now – once she entered the room,
she pushed Zhao Xia and grabbed the fruit knife, but Zhao Xia had fallen near the
doorway and landed on her back. It’s as if she wasn’t even trying to defend
herself.”

Bo Jinyan’s kept his face emotionless as he muttered, “Ahem.”

Jian Yao smiled and said, “Second, there are gaps in Yao Yuange’s oral confession.
He didn’t have a proper beginning or a conclusion. He started his statement with
extremely specific details and then the details became vague. It’s very possible he
is lying. Plus, what he was saying about Tong Min was weird.”

Bo Jinyan glanced at her with a soft praise in his eyes.

Fang Qing suddenly realised how annoying it was to work with these two people.

Seeing that Jian Yao and Fang Qing weren’t saying anything else, Bo Jinyan smiled
faintly and said, “Third . . . when we in the courtyard, we noticed that Zhao Xia was
actually pretty sympathetic towards Tong Min. Zhao Xia may be the only source of
warmth for Tong Minin the Yao family. Moreover,that night, when I was rushing to
the courtyard, I discovered Yao Yuange’s room door was open. According to the
others’ oral confessions, that night he had already gone to Zhao Xia’s room to
sleep. He always required the family to turn off the lights and close the room doors
in an orderly fashion, so the door couldn’t have been opened by him. Other people
wouldn’t dare to go open it, either. The door was opened by Tong Min – after she
had arrived at the courtyard, the first things she did was to find Yao Yuange. It was
he she wanted to kill. Mrs. Bo, you’re right, Yao Yuange is telling lies.”

“But why did he…” Jian Yao muttered to herself.

“The knife didn’t have any fingerprints and the crime scene only gave us two
suspects. However, that doesn’t constitute proof that Yao Yuange is the murderer.
Furthermore, according to the current situation, Tong Min’s is still the most likely
suspect,” Fang Qing said.

“If the murderer is really Yao Yuange, why would he want to kill his own woman?”
The light in Jian Yao’s eyes dimmed. “What really happened that night?”

“Once we know what Tong Min is hiding, we will know what secrets this family is
hiding,” Bo Jinyan said profoundly.

The three of them were quiet for a moment. The wind whispered lightly through
the window. Everything was calm, but under that calm exterior lurked an
indescribable peril.

“I will immediately send someone to investigate Tong Min’s real identity and have
her entire background thoroughly checked,” Fang Qing declared vehemently as he
stood up.
“There is no need for such trouble.” Bo Jinyan smiled and said, “Mrs. Bo, turn on
your laptop. We will look into her right now.”

Fang Qing and Jian Yao were both stunned. “How will you investigate her? Don’t
tell me you can Baidu her? I’ve sent Tong Min’s picture through the database, she
doesn’t have any record,” Fang Qing said.

(Baidu: Chinese Google)

Bo Jinyan stood up, slowly paced around the room, his long, slender fingers lightly
tapping behind his back. In the end, his smile still held a trace of arrogance,
seemingly expressing his thought: how is it that you mediocre guys still don’t
understand the world of this genius?

He said, “Why would Tong Min, a smart, lonely woman fast approaching 50,
conceal her true identity and tolerate mistreatment from the Yao family by working
as their long term servant?”

“For money? It wouldn’t be necessary for her to commit murder. In addition, Yao
Yuange was very strict regarding the management of money. Pretending to be a
servant for the Yao family in order to mess with money was definitely not a good
method. She didn’t even consider kidnapping Yao Yuange’s son in exchange for
ransom. It wouldn’t have been hard for her to do so, but she didn’t.”

“Because of her feelings? Yao Yuange usually aimed for 20 to 30-year-old women,
and Tong Min clearly was not his type. In terms of looks, she couldn’t really
compare to his other wives, and she was a lot older than Yao Yuange’s first wife. If
they had had relationship disputes in the early years, firstly, it would be impossible
for Yao Yuange to be unaware of such; secondly she wouldn’t need to hide at the
Yao house for so long, she could simply have taken action straightaway.”

“She’s been hiding for so long, it’s certain that she’s doing it to investigate
something. If a woman at this age is willing to suffer so much, and it’s not for
money, nor for feelings, what is the greatest possible reason?”
Fang Qing’s eyes darkened, and Jian Yao muttered in a low voice, “It’s because of . .
.”

Bo Jinyan nodded once. “There is no difference between her and Mr. Fan, who
almost became a murderer yesterday. They did it for their children.”

“Then, how do we ascertain her identity?” Fang Qing asked sombrely.

Bo Jinyan lowered his head and started up the laptop, then accessed the Ministry
of Public Security’s internal database and handed the laptop over to Fang Qing.
“She changed her name and her surname to hide her identity and fool the Yao
family. Since they didn’t even know her face, she didn’t have to change her name
very much. Those who have suffered great loss, and who are alone and without aid,
always hope to retain as much of themselves as possible. Therefore, she may not
have the surname ‘Tong’, especially as people are more sensitive about surnames.
However, there is a high possibility that ‘Min’ is in her name somewhere.”

“Since her child is foremost in her mind, she would naturally want some way to
remember her, and something to hope for. ‘Tong’ is very likely her child’s surname,
or in her child’s name.”

“Her birthdate on her identity card is 12 August, 1967, and this is a fake identity
card she got someone to make for her. The year may be false, but it is highly likely
that the date and the month are true. The year may even be true.”

“As I’ve said before, she has shown some skill in avoiding detection, and is very
practical. There is a high chance that, due to the case, she was in contact with the
police. She might have been a witness, or a suspect, or . . . the victim’s family
member.”

“Please search the database for fatalities, victims or missing persons with ‘Tong’ in
their names. In this person’s family, ‘Min’ should be in the mother’s name, and the
mother’s birthdate should be 12 August. She is the one we know as ‘Tong Min’.
Jian Yao opened her mouth. In the end, she did not speak, and simply looked into
his clear eyes. Fang Qing was silent for a moment, then lowered his head and
started searching the database, the fingers of both hands tapping quickly on the
keyboard.

Bo Jinyan raised his tea cup in a calm and collected manner, and took a sip.

After a while, Fang Qing raised his head and said, “I couldn’t find anyone matching
the criteria with the surname ‘Tong’, or with ‘Tong’ in their name.”

Jian Yao was startled, but Bo Jinyan just looked at him without saying anything.

“However . . .” Fang Qing’s expression became immeasurably grave. He turned the

computer screen towards them and continued, “I found this.”

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao took a look. It was an archived missing persons file.

……

Name: Tong* Sheng.

(TN: The ‘tong’ in the name ‘Tong Min’, and which Bo Jinyan asked Fang Qing to
search for, is the character ‘童’ (which means ‘child’). What Fang Qing has found is
a name with the character ‘佟’ (which means ‘health’). Both characters have the
same sound, ‘tong’. ‘Tong Min’ was indeed thinking about her child when she
changed her name.)

Gender: Female.

Date of Birth: 5 April 1987.

Date of Disappearance: Sept – Oct 2010.

Place of Disappearance: Unknown.

Reason for Disappearance: Unknown.

……

Name: Xie Min.

Gender: Female.

Date of Birth: 12 August 1967.

Relationship to the Victim: Mother-daughter.

——

“Xie Min, female, 49 years old, from Xiangtan in Hunan, formerly a teacher in the
primary school there.” Fang Qing stern voice rang out as he briefed the criminal
investigators in the meeting room. “After checking, she is indeed the ‘Xie Min’ we
are looking for. When her husband died of an illness in 2005, her daughter went to
university in A province, and she lived alone in Xiangtan. After her daughter went
missing in 2010, she resigned from work and disappeared, leaving no trace.”

“The police in A province led the investigation into Tong Sheng’s case. From what
we can understand of the case record, Tong Sheng was in the ancient city on
vacation at that time. After that, there was evidence to show that she had left the
ancient city to holiday in another county. However, the A province police force
searched the county to no avail. They could only classify the case as that of a
missing person, and it has remained unsolved to this day.”

“At present, why Xie Min sought out Yao Yuange, and how the Yao family is
connected to Tong Sheng’s case, is still unknown. However, when we search for Xie
Min on the mountain, we need to have a good understanding of the situation, and
have an accurate grasp of the suspect’s psyche and way of thinking.”
“Xiao Zhang, get two others and join me in quietly investigating Yao Yuange. He is
also a major suspect in the Zhao Xia case.”

——

At noon the same day, in the Yao family courtyard, the atmosphere was silent and
oppressive.

The servants had prepared lunch and placed the food in the dining room. Within
and without the courtyard, all was in chaos, and even the dishes looked as if they
had been prepared in a rush. However, no one cared.

In the end, they all kept to routine and sat down by the table to eat. However, not a
single person spoke. The ladies’ faces were all grey with gloom. Zhao Xia’s chair,
which had originally been at the end of the long table, had already been removed.

Ming Lan’s face was very calm. Her head was bowed, and her movements were
slow as she ate the food and drank soup. Today, even she did not say a word, so
none of the other ladies, who were all watching her, dared to say anything.

Yao Yuange’s face was very tranquil, and his clothes were all neatly arranged, as if
nothing like a murder had occurred the previous night. He ate a small bowl of rice,
then set down his chopsticks and asked, “Has Zhao Xia’s family been notified?”

Ming Lan answered, “Yes, they have.”

Indifferently, Yao Yuange said, “Make sure you handle it well. Don’t give them any
reason to come here and make noise.”

“All right.”

Ming Yue bit her lower lip and asked, in a trembling voice, “Why did big sister Tong
want to murder Zhao Xia? Zhao Xia was the one who treated her the best. Is she
crazy?”
“She’s obviously crazy,” Yao Yuange coolly replied. “And I haven’t even started on
you, you’d better look after your son! I only have that one son, and he was so close
to being harmed today! If a similar situation occurs in future, you, the mother,
don’t think you’ll get off easy!”

Ming Yue muttered her assent, and did not say any more.

“Yeah!” Zhang Jufang seized the opportunity to speak. “You didn’t even look after
your son properly. Ming Yue, this time you were really too negligent. This is such a
heavy responsibility, are you sure you can handle it?”

“You shut up!” Yao Yuange roared. Zhang Jufang’s face changed colour, and she
fell silent. As if his temper had finally been provoked, Yao Yuange icily stated,
“From today onwards, no one is to speak of Zhao Xia’s matter in this household!
And that murderer! Damn it, what kind of f**king small thing!”

After his rant, he got up and returned to the bedroom. He left behind a group of
women, each one with a clouded face, not daring to break the charged
atmosphere.

In reality, what difference was there?

Who was loved more, who was cherished less. Who was given more assets, who
had been given a smaller room. What was the difference?

From the time they stepped into the courtyard, perhaps they loved him, perhaps
they hated him.

However, the emotion that they felt the deepest, under the cold and unfeeling gaze
of that black-hearted, tyrannical man, was the faint sensation of . . . fear.

——
The sky is high up, and the clouds float lazily across. In the mountains, the sun is
very big. The dense woods are so hot and parched that anyone in them seems to
fade away in the heat.

Tong Min – perhaps we should call her Xie Min, now. Her clothes still bear streaks of
dried blood, her face and body are covered in mud. This 50-year-old woman, who
had once lived as an ordinary wife in a quiet, peaceful little town, was now
crouched under a big tree, panting with exhaustion.

She was continually on the run, fleeing. But, she didn’t know how long more she
could flee.

She looked up and squinted against the blinding glare of the sun. On the
mountainside far below, she seemed to make out some movement again. Were the
police conducting another search?

She gritted her teeth, looked at the mud pool next to her and saw that it contained
a small puddle of water. She leaned over and drank a few mouthfuls. Bowing her
head, she got up and headed once again for the deep forest.

She had to run, she definitely had to run, because she could not let herself be
caught at this time.

She thought about how, an hour ago, she had almost turned on her cell phone.

She thought about that night, and what that man had said then.

. . . My name is Bo Jinyan. My life’s mission is to reveal the truth, to right all

injustice, and to execute all criminals.
She wanted to call 110 and look for him. But, in that split second when she had
been about to press the power button on her cell phone, she had hurriedly stopped
herself.

No. She had to find her daughter first, then make the call.
The sunlight grew harsher. Running in the forest, Xie Min suffered a moment of
dizziness.

All that fresh blood, all that anguished wailing, the terror in the dead person’s eyes,
seemed to revolve in her mind. She felt that she had become numb to these
scenes, but, they just kept appearing. They brought with them a sense of
emptiness, yet, also a sense of happiness.

She opened her eyes wide, until they started to hurt. What again appeared before
her were the scenes from the previous night.

Bo Jinyan’s approach, and her panicked flight in the darkness of night. The empty
room, the room full of light, the man and woman embracing.

……

At the end, when Zhao Xia was sprawled on the ground, gasping her last breath,
she had held tightly to Xie Min’s hand and forced herself to speak clearly, though
weakly, “You go and look in the mountains . . .” Then she died.

However, the mountain range in front of her was so vast. Where should she go to
find her Tong Sheng?

Xie Min felt as if her heart were a wasteland on fire, about to be burned to
desolation. She ran into the deep forest without any idea where to go.
Chapter 15

The afternoon sun shone warmly. There were not many people on the streets, just
some cleaners who had gathered under a tree to rest and chat.

A young lady walked over and smiled politely. “Sorry to trouble you, may I know
who is elder sister Zhang Sufen?”

Several of the cleaners looked at her while one of them stood up. “I am. Why are
you looking for me?”

Jian Yao paused for a moment before she smilingly replied, “Auntie, let’s go over
there to talk. It’s hot today, let me first buy all of you some bottles of water.”

She bought enough water to fill a large bag from the nearby newsstand and gave it
to them. These ladies couldn’t figure out why she was treating them so well*, and
felt a bit embarrassed. However, Jian Yao kept smiling at them gently, and invited
Zhang Sufen to walk to the side with her. While they were drinking from their
bottled water, she asked, “Auntie, there’s something I would like to ask you about.
Several years ago, did you work for the Yao family?”

(TN *这些大姐不知道她葫芦里卖的什么药 – literally, they did not know what kind

of medicine she was selling)

Zhang Sufen sipped some water and asked, “Young lady, why are you asking this
question?”

Jian Yao replied, “In recent days, there have been two deaths in the Yao household.
I heard the aunties who help out in the household say that you’d worked there
before, and thought of talking with you to help me understand the situation there.”
In reality, the information on Zhang Sufen and the other household helpers had
been obtained by the police through other channels. Where the investigation into
Yao Yuange was concerned, without proper evidence, there was no need to alarm
anyone. If by any chance, the Tong Sheng case were really connected to him, then
wouldn’t to also be possible that maybe some household helper or insider at that
time might have been his accomplice, or even intimately related to Yao Yuange?

Some comprehension dawned in Zhang Sufen’s eyes. “Are you . . . a reporter?”

Jian Yao smiled without saying anything.

“Yes, I worked there for a year, but I couldn’t carry on,” said Zhang Sufen.

“Why?”

Zhang Sufen was silent for a moment. “That place was no place for anyone to work.
Even though sweeping the streets earns me much less, I feel much more at ease.”

……

“The people in the Yao household cannot be said to be human.”

Jian Yao was silent for a moment before asking, “They mistreat their workers, but
you never thought of making a police report?”

“What’s the use? The Yao family has wealth and power. Even if I were to go so far as
to make a report, what would happen if they later decided to take revenge? Since it
was only a few small injuries, I thought it would be better to just let it go.”

Jian Yao took out a photograph and showed it to her. “Have you ever seen this
young girl?”

Zhang Sufen scrutinized the photograph carefully before shaking her head. “No,
never.”

“Then . . .” Jian Yao threw out an even more daring question. “Did Yao Yuange ever
bring home young girls?”
“No. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen before.”

Jian Yao turned and walked across the street. She caught sight of Bo Jinyan,
wearing a pair of sunglasses, standing by himself under the porch of a building with
both hands in his trouser pockets and looking in her direction.

Let’s not talk about how his tall and upright figure carried with it an air of delicate
sensitivity, nor how, in the midst of the delicate sensitivity, there was a measure of
unfeeling callousness, and how it all worked together to give him a unique
handsomeness that was unlike any other.

She signalled to him by shaking her head slightly.

They and Fang Qing had split into two teams, working separately to look into
people with possible inside information that year. However, so far, they had come
up empty-handed, as no one had seen Tong Sheng.

Bo JInyan held her shoulder tightly, and the two of them headed back.

Jian Yao said, “I’ve discovered that you look very good in sunglasses.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly. “Naturally.”

The corners of Jian Yao’s mouth turned up and she looked up at him, but the
brilliant sunlight behind him was so bright that it hurt her eyes and she had to look
down again.

Bo Jinyan’s hands immediately held the back of her neck. “You don’t wear
sunglasses?”

“It’s not my habit to,” Jian Yao replied. “Previously, with Xun Ran and Jian Xuan,
we would be running around all day under the sun, and it didn’t bother me. I’m
fine.”
(TN 熏然 (Xun Ran) and 简萱 (Jian Xuan) are characters in ‘Love Me if You Dare’.
Xun Ran is Jian Yao’s childhood best friend and a police officer who suffered quite a
lot of trauma in the novel, while JIan Xuan is Jian Yao’s little sister. Thanks to Ting
for the info!)

He looked at her, and made an ambiguous sound.

The view in front of her eyes went dark. He had taken off his sunglasses and placed
them on her head.

“What are you doing?” she laughed. He had taken off his sunglasses to expose a
face so distinctively handsome that it seemed to glow.

“I’m protecting the pair of eyes that I treasure dearly.”

Jian Yao was too lazy to object. She was really tired, as she had worked all through
the night and into the day. She laid her head gently on his shoulder.

On the ancient city’s pedestrian walkways, on both sides, were many small shops.
Jian Yao looked around aimlessly, when her attention was suddenly attracted by
something.

It was a small, nondescript shop, with a cabinet at the doorway displaying hair pins
and ornaments. They were all made of brass, and mostly in the shape of petals.
Some were even inlaid with jade, and were unexpectedly delicately elaborate. She
looked at them for quite a long time before looking away.

However, he had noticed. He stopped walking, and said, with certainty in his voice,
“You like them.”

“No need.” She pulled at his hand. “We still have to investigate this case, and I’ll
have no opportunity to wear such things anyway.”
“Oh,” he laughed, “This little jot of time is not going to affect the investigation.” He
pulled her to the front of the cabinet. The shopkeeper watched them idly, in no
hurry to hawk his wares, and allowed them to peruse the items leisurely.

Jian Yao looked the hair pins one by one, but there were so many to choose from. It
was at this point in time that a bony hand stretched out, took hold of a tasselled
copper hairpin with a carp carved into its tip, as well as acacia flowers the colour of
lotus roots, and presented it to her.

Jian Yao took it.

I like it . . . very much. It’s so beautiful. Moreover, there’s a fish.

On observing her expression, he seemed to understand her feelings. With a smile,

he took out his wallet to pay for the hairpin.

Jian Yao held on to the hairpin but had no where to place it. When she was out on a
case, she didn’t wear any jewellery. Bo Jinyan took it and put it in his trouser
pocket, then whispered by her ear, “When we’re home, wear it for your husband to
see. I think he will consider it perfect.”

Under the shopkeeper’s amused gaze, Jian Yao blushed. “Ok.” This rascal paid no
heed to time or place when he wanted to woo her.

Looking up, one could see the boundless expanse of blue sky, with white clouds
drifting across. This exhausting, tedious, blood-soaked and serious life of a criminal
investigator, had become vivid and quietly beautiful, because of him.

——

At the same time, Fang Qing had taken another criminal investigator with him as
they traversed the ancient city, tracking down leads from several years ago.
The man before him squatted in front of a small eating place, smoking a cigarette
with squinted eyes. “Old Yao, huh? When he struck it big, he maintained very little
contact with his old buddies.”

“Zhao Xia was with him 5 years ago, right?” the criminal investigator asked. “Did
you ever hear if they had enemies?”

“Nope,” the man replied. “His fourth wife was really killed by someone? Tsk tsk . . .
indeed, that’s why men should not be too greedy. One man and 5 wives!”

“Wasn’t it 6 wives?” Fang Qing interjected from the side. “I heard he held a wedding
reception with a young girl a few years ago, and the girl ran away afterwards.”

The man glanced at Fang Qing. “Who’s he?”

The criminal investigator smiled as he replied, “My colleague. Old Zhang, do you
remember anything about the situation with that girl?” He also offered the man a
cigarette.

The man called Old Zhang squinted again, then said, “That girl . . . must have been
6 or 7 years ago. She was pretty elegant, but didn’t say very much, and not much of
a brain, either. At that time, he invited us to the reception, just a few of us, but told
us not to spread the news around. Tsk tsk, a whole table of beautiful women
belonging to him. Not long after that, we didn’t see the girl anymore. Everyone said
she had run away.”

“6 or 7 years?” Fang Qing interrupted once again. “Wasn’t it 5 years ago?”

Old Zhang thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Nope.”

Seizing the opportunity, the criminal investigator fished out Tong Sheng’s picture
and showed it to him. “Was this the girl?”

Old Zhang examined the picture carefully, then shook his head, saying, “No. That
girl wasn’t this pretty. This one is really pretty.”
Fang Qing and the criminal investigator exchanged glances, and remained silent.

They didn’t manage to find out anything else of value, so Fang Qing and the
criminal investigator decided to go back to the station. Suddenly, Fang Qing had an
idea. He walked back to Old Zhang and asked him smilingly, “Can you describe that
girl in a little more detail?”

Old Zhang looked at him and took out his cell phone. “No need to keep talking, I
took a picture back then. I’m not good at anything, but my memory is excellent.
Wait while I look and see if it’s still here.”

——

In the still of the night, Fang Qing sat alone in the office, his ashtray full to the brim
with cigarette butts.

He was once again reviewing the information on the Tong Sheng case, looking for
clues, no matter how tiny*.

*蛛丝马迹 (zhu si ma ji) – literally, spider threads and horse tracks i.e. tiny hints of
a secret/ clues

However, at that time, the police in A Province had already investigated very
thoroughly. Witnesses had seen Tong Sheng buy a bus ticket and leave the ancient
City. The ancient city police had assisted in the investigations back then, but, after
that, they had nothing to do with the case.

He took up his cell phone again and looked at the picture that Old Zhang had sent
to him. It had been hastily taken during the wedding reception, and showed only
one side of the bride’s face. But it was clear that the girl was not Tong Sheng.

He felt his heart lurch.

Not Tong Sheng. Then, who was she?

The thought was like a vine taking root in his heart, drawing him by magic towards
a boundless depth. He tossed away his cigarette butt and turned on the computer.
First, he accessed the missing persons database, then applied the relevant search
conditions, such as age and time of disappearance, then looked through the results
and compared the cases one by one.

Time passed quietly, until the sky was full of stars and the moon, while the city
lights mostly were extinguished.

Fang Qing looked at the picture on the screen.

An unfamiliar name for a girl who strikingly resembled the girl in the picture on his
cell phone.

Name: Tang Lian Lian.

Date of birth: September 16, 1984.

Time of disappearance: April – May 2008.

Location of disappearance: unknown.

Reason for disappearance: unknown.

What followed was relatively detailed case information. Tang Lian Lian had just
graduated a few years prior, and was working in S Province. Both parents were
dead, so she was alone. According to the investigation conducted by the S Province
police after her disappearance, she had resigned and travelled to the ancient city,
where she lived for some time. However, strangely, the report did not mention her
relationship with Yao Yuange. Fang Qing speculated that it might have been
deliberately covered up, or she may have changed her name or surname. However,
there were witnesses and sufficient evidence to prove that she had bought a boat
ticket to a nearby county and left the ancient city. After that, the police failed to
find any trace of her.
Fang Qing stared at the information looked for a while, then felt a sudden chill
enter his body, which he was unable to shake off.
Chapter 16

It was 5 o’clock in the morning. Fang Qing, who had been dozing in the duty room
for a while, got up. After washing his face, he stood in the corridor smoking and
gathering himself.

The distant clouds brightened layer by layer, turning a rosy red. However, the bitter
chill lingered in his chest, seemingly trapped and refusing to go away.

He had a sudden sharp desire to talk to someone.

He took a drag on his cigarette, took out his cell phone and dialled a number.

Someone finally answered after more than 20 rings. The voice on the other end of
the line was slurred, the person obviously having just awoken. “Hello?”

“Hi, what are you doing?” he blurted out, then realised that his voice was especially
gentle.

At the other end, Jin Xiaozhe seemed to have been struck dumb for a second
before she asked, “Why are you calling me? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just that . . .” I’m thinking about you.

“I think you called me the day before yesterday, but I was just leaving the scene of a
crime, and couldn’t pick up in time. Was there anything?” he asked casually.

“Forget it.” Jin Xiaozhe replied.

“Oh.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” Jin Xiaozhe said.
“Jin Xiaozhe, I . . .” he thought about the transfer application that was sitting in his
drawer.

“Next time, don’t call me at this time.” She went on coldly, “I attended an evening
performance yesterday, and only slept at 4 a.m.. I have a shoot at 8 o’clock today.
You have work to do, and so do I.” The line went dead.

Fang Qing stared at the screen of his cell phone, which had just gone black. He
badly wanted to say “f**k you*”, yet was reluctant to actually say the words. The
morning air was cool, but his heart was on fire. He played listlessly with his phone
for a while, unwilling to put it away, before finally replacing it in his trouser pocket.

*T/N literal words used: “我草” (wo cao)

Two people appeared at the top of the stairs. Emerging from the morning mist,
they both had precisely the same bright and calm expressions.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao. Fang Qing had asked them to come over first thing in the
morning.

——

5 missing persons reports lay in front of the 3 people.

First: 2008

Name of Missing Person: Tang Lian Lian

Age at Time of Disappearance: 24 years

Place of Disappearance: After vacationing in the ancient city, she went to visit other
cities and disappeared.

Second: 2010
Name of Missing Person: Tong Sheng

Age at Time of Disappearance: 23 years

Place of Disappearance: After vacationing in the ancient city, she went to visit other
cities and disappeared.

Third: 2012

Name of Missing Person: Zhao Manman

Fourth: 2014

Name of Missing Person: Zhu Fanglin

Fifth: 2015

Name of Missing Person: Ning Qianrui

……

Fang Qing said, “I’ve selected these from the Missing Persons database. The 5
victims were all young women who were quite good-looking. Their cases all share
common features. Firstly, they all travelled alone to holiday in the ancient city.
Secondly, they were all witnessed buying bus or ferry tickets to other cities. Thirdly,
their cases were investigated by the police in different cities and provinces, so their
cases were never linked. However, at least two of them now have a clear
connection to the Yao family. I suspect this is a serial case! A perverted criminal
who specialises in the abduction of young women is hidden in the ancient city!”

Jian Yao bit her lower lip, betraying the sense of unease that bubbled up within
her. Bo Jinyan’s expression became solemn, and while his eyes were cold, they also
seemed to be lit by a handful of black flames. “Let me look at all the details.”

Fang Qing handed them the printouts of the information.

While Jian Yao was examining the information meticulously, line by line, by her
side, Bo Jinyan was reading through the information at fast speed, and circling
point after point with his pen. Jian Yao looked at the information he was
highlighting:

“Introverted.”

“Introverted, not many friends.”

“Both parents deceased.”

“Father died of an illness, mother resides in Hunan.”

“Family financial situation was normal.”

“Family finances were tight.”

……

Finally, he circled the bus stops and harbours mentioned in the 5 cases.

Bo Jinyan raised his head and said, “All the missing persons were of similar ages,
and were also of similar appearance and personality – the criminal’s taste is very
stable. They were all introverted, with limited social interaction, and not
accustomed to the ways of the world. Their family relationships were simple, and
some even had both parents deceased – it would be easier for the criminal to
control them, and would therefore be less likely to catch the attention of the
police. Poor family financial situation, belonging to a disadvantaged group – these
aspects might have satisfied the criminal’s dominant personality. Moreover, the
means by which the women ‘disappeared’ were the same in every case. There were
also regular intervals between the cases. We can combine these cases and
investigate them.
“But . . .” Jian Yao asked, “Why were there witnesses in every case who saw them
leaving the ancient city, thus diverting the line of investigation the police had
taken?”

Bo Jinyan and Fang Qing exchanged glances.

——

Located in the west of the ancient city, Canglang Wharf was both a tourist
attraction and a working passenger terminal. Added to this, the peak season was
approaching, so it was no surprise that the wharf was packed with people.

Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and Fang Qing stood at a distance, wearing sunglasses.
Everyone’s faces showed signs of being in a hurry. They were hurrying to go on
vacation, hurrying to board the ferry, hurrying to leave.

“Oh,” Bo Jinyan lamented, “this is certainly different from how people travel in
foreign countries. It’s so crowded and noisy, what are the odds that the witnesses
actually saw the victims faces clearly?”

Jian Yao’s heart skipped a beat. He meant . . .

Fang Qing also smiled wryly. “The witnesses in two of the missing persons cases
were ticket sellers stationed at the ticket booth. However, there are different ticket
sellers on duty now, so it’s going to take some time before we can find them.”

Bo Jinyan immediately said, “Whoever it was selected the witnesses very well. The
human traffic here is overwhelming, which ensures that the police will be able to
find the exact witnesses they are looking for when they come and investigate.”

The three of then walked towards the ticket booth. After looking for a while, Jian
Yao just stood and stared.
It was because there was no difference between the ticket sellers here as compared
to those in any other tourist attraction. The ticket seller sat behind the window
with an impatient expression on his face, not even looking up once.

“Let’s do an experiment,” said Bo Jinyan.

Fang Qing nodded. “I’ll go get a female police officer.”

Although Jian Yao could more or less guess at their intentions, still . . . they had
only known each other for a few days. How was it possible to have such a deep
mutual understanding?

When did Bo Jinyan’s ability to get along with other men become so good? Surely it
couldn’t be because of marriage that his aura had changed, until . . . he was
incurring the favour of the older criminal investigators?

——

“Hi, I want to buy a ferry ticket to Zhou county.”

“Twenty dollars.”

“Give . . . aiyah!”

On hearing the exclamation, the ticket seller looked up, only to see a girl in a light
blue T-shirt, with a hat and sunglasses. She had her head down and was bending
over to pick up her money from the floor. A small brass bell hung from her red
satchel, tinkling gently.

The ticket seller once again lowered his head.

The girl took her ticket and boarded the boat. The boat was especially crowded,
but she had boarded early and managed to sit near the bow. She kept looking out
at sea. The ferry pilot was separated from her by a pane of glass, and could only see
her silhouette. However, she was constantly in his field of vision.
When they reached Zhou county, she pulled down the brim of her hat and
disembarked, all the while without removing her sunglasses. She even asked the
crew members directions to a hotel. The little bell on her bag tinkled softly.

An hour later.

Tok tok tok. Someone knocked on the glass. The ticket seller raised his head, and a
police identification card was displayed before his eyes. Behind it was Fang Qing’s
serious face.

“Has this girl been here?” asked Fang Qing.

The girl in the photograph was wearing a light blue T-shirt and carrying a red
satchel, upon which hung a small brass bell. She was slim, with hair reaching below
her shoulders.

The ticket seller thought carefully for a while. “Yes, yes! She was just here, and
bought a ferry ticket to Zhou county.”

“Are you sure? Did you see her clearly?”

“I saw her clearly, I’m definite it was her!”

On the ferry.

Fang Qing showed the photograph to the crew.

The crew member thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly said, “Yes! She
sat in that seat! She was very pretty!”

“Did you see her clearly? Are you sure it was her?”

“Yes! No doubt about it!”

……

In the afternoon, Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao, Fang Qing and the policewoman who had
been summoned to join them, sat in a little shop by the wharf eating rice noodles.

The policewoman had already taken off Jian Yao’s clothes, replacing them with her
own casual clothes. However, the kind of discovery they had just made brought no
happiness to anyone. Instead, they felt helpless.

“We can’t blame any of the ‘witnesses’,” said Bo Jinyan. “When ordinary people
remember unfamiliar people, it’s usually because of some key distinguishing
feature or detail. For instance, Jian Yao’s clothes, bag, and even unique ornaments.
In the missing persons cases we were looking at, the ‘witnesses’ very accurately
described some of the missing persons’ clothes, hair ornaments, and even their
physical features. Moreover, when ordinary people are faced with such a major
criminal case, if they can be of use, they would definitely have a strong desire to be
involved and to participate as much as possible. This inclination may lead them to
place great faith in their originally fuzzy memory. The more they think about it, the
‘clearer’ it becomes, and the more they believe in it.”

“We also can’t blame the police officers investigating the cases that year,” Jian Yao
said. “The cases took place in different cities, at different times. Without making
the connection between them, there was no way to discover the pattern. In this
aspect, the criminal was also very meticulous and careful, so it was very difficult to
discern the common issues between the cases.”
Chapter 17

The female officer was asking about those missing girls, “Where could they be
now?”

Fang Qing and Jian Yao both turned to look at Bo Jinyan. There was a moment of
silence before Bo Jinyan gave his answer, “He collects similar types that can easily
be replaced by another, as opposed to the exact same type. The interval of every
case is equal, all for more than a year. And towards more recent years, that rate has
gone up. Under usual circumstances, a newer replacement is only necessary when
a old toy breaks.”

Fang Qing downed his beer in a single gulp, and coldly said, “I must catch this
pervert and bring him to justice!”

——

However, while the identity of the victim(s) had been determined, how the criminal
had evaded policy detection had also been determined, and even the criminal
seemed to be right in front of their eyes, it was difficult to find further evidence.

Despite having looked over all of the case casebooks, phoning the officers that had
been in charge of the cases at the time, they still could not find any clues in the
Ancient City. Fang Qing was sitting in his office, at his wits’ end, when Bo Jinyan
walked in. He stood to the side with a mysterious smile.

Fang Qing didn’t bother facing him, “You have something for me?”

Bo Jinyan blandly replied, “Looks like you’ve forgotten everything I’ve said so far.
When the traditional ways of criminal investigation fail to bring in results, criminal
psychology will step forward bravely.”
Fang Qing suddenly lifted his head to look at him. “You have an idea?”

“Ha” Bo Jinyan scoffed a bit, “When have I ever… been as lost as you?”

Fang Qing was speechless.

Within the spacious meeting room, Fang Qing, Jian Yao and a few important
officers were the only ones present. Bo Jinyan stood in front of the white board in
his crisp suit with one hand in his pocket and the other hand holding a marker.
Despite having provided a seemingly endless number of deductions, this was still
his first time giving a formal presentation to the officers of the Ancient City.

“Our evidence suggests that Yao Yuange has a connection between two of these
missing persons cases. But, there is no direct evidence that points at him being the
perpetrator. So, we cannot disregard the other suspects. For the moment we can
call our perpetrator, Suspect A.

Suspect A’s most intense desire is to collect young, beautiful, but weak girls. This
reflects his possessive personality. For this reason, we can conclude that Suspect A
would always be the dominant one in male-female relationships. It’s more than
likely that he’s had a lack of faith in male-female relationships in his younger days.
This definitely correlates to the environment he grew up in as a child. He’s either
come from a troubled household, or has been subjected to….some sort of trauma?
On account of the earliest case happening in 2008, we can pinpoint that Suspect A
is currently a male of at least 30 years of age.

With how meticulously these abductions were carried out, we can deduce that
Suspect A and his Accomplice B must have picked and surveilled the victim for a
good amount of time beforehand.

First of all, where do they find their targets?

All of the victims were tourists, so places they’d frequently visit were none other
than the tourist attractions – the walls of the Ancient City, bars, restaurants, and
inns. Yet this location must allow for A and B to have enough time to observe the
victim, and even allow for interaction. Because A and B would often appear in
these places, they would also not attract the attention of others. So, this location
would not be a single-visit tourist attraction, it also would not be the streets of the
Ancient City where one would meander aimlessly, and the victims also did not live
at the same inn, so the most possible place would be a bar, a cafe, or a restaurant.
A and B frequent this place, to the point where being an employee would be a
possibility.

Second of all, where could the they carry out the crime?

The personalities of these girls tend to be introverted, but did not live anywhere
remote or far. There are people everywhere in the Ancient City, so the likelihood of
a violent kidnapping is very small, and it would be very difficult not to leave any
traces. So the abduction site should be rather remote, on a road that people rarely
pay attention to. Furthermore, the person who carries out the abduction should be
B and not A. B is female, and owns a car. No matter what, they cannot ascertain
that the victim would be willing to get into the car of a man that she had only
known for a few days, and this is especially true since the victims are introverted
girls. But if it was a female, it would be a lot easier to gain their trust.

The relationship between A and B must be extremely intimate – they are husband
and wife, lovers, or relatives. A has an independent place of living, to be able to
easily take care of the victim. The victim went missing one or two days before
buying a bus or boat ticket. Because the longer the time between the kidnapping
and the buying of the ticket, the more likely the police would discover the flaws in
their plan. And with the economic status of the victims, the inns they lived in were
cheap, management was lax, so even if someone disappeared without notice, no
one would pay attention.

As to why the bodies of the victims hadn’t been discovered, they are either being
stored in the house of A, or abandoned in a fixed location. This location is
uninhabited, or on a piece of private property.”

After Bo Jinyan finished, everyone was silent.

After a while, an officer let out a breath and said, “My gosh! Every single detail
points to Yao Yuange.” He flipped through the notes in his hand. “He turned 48 this
year, and one of his five wives could definitely have been an accomplice. His main
wife, Ming Lan, owns a bar in a flourishing area. She also drives a black Audi.”

“Yes,” Bo Jinyan lightly smiled. “Although we cannot eliminate the possibility of

others having committed the crime, for now we can consider Yao Yuange and Ming
Lan as our main suspects.”

“Then where should we start?” An officer asked. “As of now, we don’t have enough
evidence, we still cannot get a warrant to search the Yao house.”

“Investigate Ming Lan!” Fang Qing said coldly, “Investigate her car!”

“Yes,” Bo Jinyan said, “Normally, tourists stay for not more than 4 or 5 days in the
Ancient City. We should start with the cases of the last two victims, Zhu Fanglin and
Ning Qianrui, because these two incidents happened more recently, so there will
be more surveillance camera recordings, and the records will be more complete.
According to the boat ticket and bus ticket dates, look ahead 3 to 6 days,
investigate Ming Lan’s car’s trail, especially in remote areas that are still within the
city streets’ surveillance cameras. There is no such thing as a perfect crime, there
must be a trace somewhere. Look for scenes that involve interactions between her
and our victims.”

“That’s quite a bit of work,” an officer muttered, “let’s get started right away.” Fang
Qing nodded.

But Bo Jinyan said at this time, “Why do you guys need to waste your effort on
that? I can just give this type of work to my people to do. Jian Yao, give An Yan a
call. Since the team doesn’t have any cases at the moment, he’d be wasting his
time anyways. We should just give him some work to do.”

——
The phone call between Jian Yao and An Yan was very simple and short. Because
An Yan was at the other end of the phone, his was voice muffled, and he didn’t
seem fully awake yet.

But Jian Yao was already used to this. For an IT guy who stayed home most of the
time, this was normal.

“An Yan, the details of the case has already been sent to you.”

“Ok.”

“Jinyan hopes that you can find…” Jian Yao made the request.

“Mmm, ok.”

“Is it a bit too difficult?” Jian Yao asked very considerately.

“No.” he blandly answered.

“Oh… so when can you give us the results?” she asked again.

“Dunno,” he responded, “I’ll send it to you guys when I’m done.”

“Alright, thanks for your hard work. If there isn’t anything else, shall I hang up?”

“Sister-in-law, bring me back some of Ancient City’s peach blossom biscuits. I like
the sweeter kind,” he said.

“Oh, alright.”

After hanging up the phone, Jian Yao looked at Bo Jinyan who was sitting across
from her. There was only the two of them in the office, and he was holding the files,
flipping and looking through them.

Jian Yao was sprawled on the table, looking at him.

Just like that, he had spun silk from cocoons* again; through a few words, he had
found the shortcut to the truth from behind thick fog.

*T/N 抽丝剥茧 literally spun silk from cocoons i.e. he had made painstaking
investigations

“When I’m investigating a case, I am used to taking the shortcut, you have to get
used to it and keep up with me.”

When they first got to know each other, he carried with him a sense of self-
satisfaction when he spoke with her. Even now, she could still remember it as if it
was yesterday.

“When the traditional ways of criminal investigation can do nothing, criminal

psychology will step forward bravely.”

His simple words could cause her blood to race, her eyes to be brimming with tears
– she was extremely moved.

Under the light, his jet black hair was like a floating cloud, his collared shirt
spotlessly white. His handsome and fair face was just like before. For the most part,
he was quiet and peaceful, it was only when it was just the two of them that he
would talk a lot. But when they were investigating a case, or he was looking at
data, his words to her would be less.

But she felt that this kind of him was the world’s best Bo Jinyan.

“Why are you staring at me?” he asked quietly, without lifting his head.

“No reason in particular,” she replied.

But he put down the file, gazed at her for a while, then suddenly stretched his head
over, and gave her a peck on the lips.

“When I am examining a case, don’t use that emotional gaze to look at me. I can
feel it, and my body and mind will not be at peace. Then my judgement will be
affected as well.”

It was only after a while that Jian Yao finally realized the implication behind “my
body and mind will not be at peace”, and her face heated up. And he ended up just
taking a large gulp of the cold tea, lightly smiling, seemingly lost in thought. He
walked up to the window with his back to her, and continued to look at the files.

An Yan sent the results over in the evening.

When Fang Qing and the officers finished looking at it, they were filled with a frenzy
of joy, rejuvenation, and chilliness in their chest. They not only wanted to laugh
loudly with delight but also to swear loudly.

“Apply for a warrant immediately!” Fang Qing roared, “Go to the Yao residence.”

In the screenshots that An Yan sent over, there were clear shots of Ming Lan’s
license plate. On roads where there were very little pedestrians, the side of her face
could be seen from the car’s window, smiling and chatting with victim number 4
from the roadside, Zhu Fanglin.

In the car she was driving on the road, the camera at an intersection captured
victim number 5, Ning Qianrui, sitting in the passenger seat.
Chapter 18
When the door opened, the third wife, Zhang Jufang, stared at them in confusion.

Fang Qing looked her in the eye and lead the team in. The officers’ black uniforms
and heavy footsteps startled everyone in the courtyard.

“What are you doing?”

“What’s happened?”

Bo Jinyan lifted his head and saw Ming Lan standing in front of her room, with an
indecipherable expression on her face. Then, she disappeared.

The officers quickly took charge of everyone in the yard, then hurried to Yao
Yuange’s room, but found no one inside. They searched every corner, but still
found no trace of him.

“How can this happen?” asked Fang Qing quietly.

An inspector replied, “No way, our men have been monitoring this place from the
outside. Yao Yuange didn’t go out. How can it be that he is not here?

Only Ming Lan’s room was left. Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan looked at each other, and
Fang Qing said, “Let’s go talk to her.” Bo Jinyan was calm.

“Why did you guys barge into my house?” asked Ming Lan quietly, sitting on a
tatami mat beside the window.

She seemed to have expected this somewhat, and as was also as tranquil as water.

Fang Qing answered, “This is a search warrant. Ming Lan, we have evidence to
suspect that you are involved in the disappearance of Zhu Fanglin and Ning Qingru
in 2014 and 2015.”
Ming Lan moved her lips, but her face remained as cold as ice. “I don’t understand
what you’re saying. I don’t know the people you mentioned, either.”

“What about Yao Yuange?” Fang Qing asked.

Ming Lan did not speak. Her delicate fingers gripped each other tightly.

Yet, did she have any way out?

No.

“Where are those girls now?” Fang Qing hissed.

Ming Lan kept staring out of the window. Suddenly, the corners of her mouth lifted
in something resembling a smile.

“I’ve already said, I do not know. This has absolutely no connection to me, Yuange,
or us Yaos. How long are you going to keep bothering us?

“Handcuff her first,” Fang Qing said.

He and Bo Jinyan walked outside. A few officers came by and shook their heads
slightly, signalling that they had not found him. Not far away, the Yao women and
servants had all gathered in one place. Under the gloomy daylight, each had a
different expression.

Ming Yue held on to her child tightly, her face very grim, not uttering a word. When
Bo Jinyan and Fang Qing’s eyes fell upon her, she quickly turned away, as if she
had been electrocuted.

Zhang Jufang and Chen Mei’s faces looked a little pale as well. Zhang Jufang stood
with her arms crossed, cursing under her breath, yet she didn’t dare to openly
resist. Chen Mei just kept watching the officers’ every move, as if thinking about
something.
“It looks this way,” Bo Jinyan said, “Ming Lan, Ming Yue, and the deceased Zhao Xia
know. Zhang Jufang and Chen Mei don’t.”

Fang Qing murmured under his breath, “He seems to be very good at exerting his
control over these women. Where do you think he hid those girls?”

“He trusted Ming Lan the most,” Bo Jinyan said. Fang Qing followed his gaze to
Ming Lan’s backyard, where her two Audis were parked. Next to it was a small hut.
The officers were busy prying the door open. When viewed from a distance, the
inside was filled with debris, but nothing seemed abnormal.

“Do you want to make a bet?” Fang Qing said abruptly, “Whether any of the girls
are still alive?”

Bo Jinyan paused for a while and replied, “You are very kind. However, I’m afraid
not.”

Fang Qing did not speak.

The two of them walked into the hut. The officers were busily knocking on every
surface, moving away the debris, but there didn’t seem to be anything out of the
ordinary. With his keen eyesight, Fang Qing noticed that a recently moved
cupboard stood in the inmost recess of the hut, and a blanket lay on the ground.
He stooped down and pulled the blanket away. Astonishingly, a movable wooden
floorboard came into view. It was locked.

“Over here!” he whispered. The officers gathered around, and the board was pried
open in no time. One by one, they jumped down. Bo Jinyan turned his head and
looked at Ming Lan, who was being held securely at the back of the crowd. She was
tottering on her feet, and her face was more ghastly than a corpse’s. He eyed her
coldly, then went down.
There were very dim lights on the wall, and judging from the condition of the stone
walls, this basement must have been dug a long time ago.

“The Yao family buildings were in existence in the Ming and Qing dynasties,” Fang
Qing said. “This basement and passageway very likely dates from that time as
well.”

After moving past the stairs and walking down a short, dark passage, they emerged
into a square room, with walls and floor made of concrete. It was very rudimentary,
and very clean. It was at most 30 metres square. Within stood a table, two benches,
a simple wardrobe and a refrigerator.

There were only a few bottles of beer in the fridge.

Set in the inmost wall was a small, iron door. The criminal investigators broke open
the door and found a room relatively smaller in size, with an elegant bed, as well as
several sets of shackles. These were all firmly embedded into the wall, and were
impossible to remove. The room was empty, with no sign of life.

Fang Qing walked towards the window, took a few glance, and picked up a strand
of hair. But he couldn’t determine who it belonged to.

Bo Jinyan stood in the room, and looked around expressionlessly.

“Bring her here,” Fang Qing said harshly.

The officers pushed Ming Lan in.

“What else do you have to say?” Fang Qing said coldly. “What’s with this
basement?”

Who could have expected that Ming Lan, even now, would still resist. She smiled
and said, “What can I say? This room is where I normally rest. And those girls, I just
invited them to hang out at my house, but they left later. How should I know where
they went?”

An officer next to them yelled, “You still dare to object!”

Fang Qing’s expression changed as well.

At this moment, Bo Jinyan, took the bottle of luminescent from a forensic

technician, and immediately cast the contents across the shackles and the bed.

None of the officers spoke. Ming Lan’s face quickly turned pale.

The lights went off. Blue, glimmering spots that were impossible to ignore
appeared.

“They left?” Bo Jinyan said. “But why are their blood stains still here?”

——

Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan stood at the head of the underground passage. To their
surprise, beyond the cell was another path which carried on for another 20 metres
or so. They surmised that it led beyond the boundary of the Yao enclosure.
Possibly, the owner of the house in the Ming and Qing dynasties had used it as an
escape route.

At this point, they could hear the sounds of people and cars through the window
above their heads. There were fresh fingerprints in the dusty window, so it seemed
as if someone had left this place not long ago.

“Yao Yuange couldn’t have known that we were coming to arrest him.” Fang Qing
said. “ Why did he suddenly leave?”

“Xie Min.” Bo Jinyan replied.

Fang Qing nodded.

“The day Zhao Xia died, something must have happened to instigate Yao Yuange to
kill her. We can’t be certain, but it might have something to do what Xie Min
uncovered as she dug into the Yao family secrets. Yao Yuange’s top priority would
thus be to silence her.”

“So…” Fang Qing said, “Yao Yuange is also on the mountain now.”

Suddenly, an officer rushed in, “Chief Fang, Ming Lan, she, she…”

“What’s wrong”

“She just committed suicide!”

“How could this happen?” Fang Qing’s expression darkened. “Didn’t I tell you to
watch over her?”

“We did watch over her the whole time. But she probably already hid the poison in
her shirt while we went in. When she and the others were escorted to the car, she
seized the opportunity to take the pill! She died right away!”

——

Jian Yao stayed at the police station rather than going with Bo Jinyan to the Yao
household. First of all, not too many people are needed for an on-site investigation;
secondly, if she stayed back, it would be more convenient to deal with other things.

However, she reminded Bo Jinyan to be careful, to not rush in again. To this, Bo

Jinyan’s response was surprisingly calm. “We have Fang Qing on the front-line, do I
even need to expend my strength?” This provoked Fang Qing, who was next to
them, into glaring at him.
But Jian Yao thought, it will probably be all right.

Information from the crime scene had been transmitted to the police station. As
Jian Yao looked at the photos of the cell and the bloodstains illuminated by the
luminol, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Right then, an officer hailed her.
“Teacher Jian, there was a call made to the police station, looking for Professor Bo,
we’re not sure who it is. But Prof. Bo and company are likely underground, so we
can’t get through to them.”

“I’ll get it.” Jian Yao walked over.

People in the office came and went, everyone looked very busy and productive.

Jian Yao picked up the phone. “Hello?”

On the other end of the line, silence. There was only the sound of someone
breathing.

Jian Yao blanked out for a second. Vaguely, she felt something was not right. Yet,
there was also an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

So, she softened her voice, and said patiently, “I am Bo Jinyan’s wife, as well as his
colleague. His phone doesn’t have a signal right now, so we can’t get in touch with
him. If you have any problems, you can speak to me.”

That person paused for a long while, then said, “You are . . . Mrs. Bo who lives with
him?”

The voice sounded familiar. Jian Yao thought distractedly for a moment, then she
was struck by sudden realisation, and her heart kept pounding. Trying her best to
adopt a calm voice, she said, “Yes, I am . . You are. . .”

“I . . . He said, he will always make criminals yield to the law?” Xie Min asked.
“Yes,” Jian Yao answered firmly. At the same time, the officer beside her responded
to her gestures and checked – it was indeed Xie Min’s number.

Xie Min took two sharp breaths, and suddenly burst out in a voice choked with
tears, “I’ve found . . . I’ve found my Tong Sheng.” She laughed and sobbed
simultaneously, “I heard wrongly. It wasn’t ‘mountain’, but ‘three’ . . .”

(T/N mountain (山, shan) and three (三, san) sound very similar)

——

After hanging up, Xie Min lifted her head and looked at the mountain opposite,
especially at the ‘Sanqing Guan’ (三清观 i.e. Sanqing Temple) on the mountain. At
this time, the evening mist lay heavily on the land, and the green hills appeared
distant. The incense burning in front of the temple rose and swayed with the wind,
and looked especially pure and beautiful.

Where she was currently standing was the mountain behind Sanqing Temple.
People rarely visited this forested area. However, she remembered that Yao Yuange
and Ming Lan had been to the mountain quite a few times. There was even a patch
of forest where they had planted trees.

Xie Min lifted her head, wiping away tears on her face. Beneath her feet, were soil
that has been dug out, deeper soil exposed under the sky.

“You truly are very determined.” A voice came from behind her.

Xie Min turned around and saw that person standing right behind her, blocking
most of the light. His normally sanctimonious appearance now had an
unspeakably malevolent cast.

“You . . .” Xie Min reached out to grab him.

But he grabbed her shoulder, plunged a knife into her stomach, and pulled it out.
Chapter 19

That Xie Min was able to find these bleached bones under the yellow mud was
entirely accidental, but also fortunate.

She had been on the run in the mountains for 2 days. If it were not for her
adaptable nature and tenacious persistence, she would not have been able to hold
on for so long, and would have been captured by the police much earlier. However,
she also knew that the police net was being drawn tighter and tighter. If she were
unable to find Tong Sheng before then, and since the police had no evidence to
convict Yao Yuange, she might never have this opportunity again.

She had to find her daughter even at the risk of her life!

That evening, for some unknown reason, she had ventured to the area near
Sanqing San (Mount Sanqing)*. She didn’t know whether it was some mysterious
force which had drawn her there, or mere coincidence. However, when she saw
those three big characters, ‘San Qing San’, she had been struck by a sudden
realisation. Thereafter, she had climbed up the slopes like a madwoman,
searching, always searching.

*(T/N 三清山 Mount Sanqing is a sacred Taoist mountain located in Jianxi

Province. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sanqing for more details)
Later, when she had reached this slope, she saw the bare patch of land which was
quite sparsely covered with dead leaves.

All these years, due to her search for Tong Sheng, she had tried everything, and had
also watched numerous investigative documentaries. When many people dump
dead bodies in the wilderness, they would first dig up the soil, bury the body, then
cover it with soil. The result would be a patch of land which would look relatively
fresher than its surroundings, as well as more neatly arranged, revealing clear signs
of something having been buried there.

She knelt down and touched that patch of soil with fingers that were already
heavily calloused and bruised.

Then, she began to dig. She used the crude branches near her, as well as her own
hands.

Until white bones were revealed.

Xie Min panted with low breaths and made every effort to break free. However,
even though she fought fiercely, she was no match for Yao Yuange, who had the
robust strength of a ruthless and ferocious man. He pinned her against a tree,
smirked at her, and then plunged a knife into her stomach.

She let out a smothered gasp of pain. Trembling, she grasped his hand in one
move, and asked, “Which one . . . is Tong Sheng? My daughter Tong Sheng?”

Yao Yuange was startled for a moment, then gave a smile that chilled Xie Min to the
bone.

“Who knows? There were so many girls . . .”

“Ahhh . . .” Xie Min howled, sounding more like a wild beast than a human being.
Even Yao Yuange was shocked. He looked at her coldly, deciding to indulge her
emotions for a moment, when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps on the
mountain side, coming down from the summit, not far from them. Thinking
quickly, he covered Xie Min’s mouth and muttered, “Shut up. I’ll sort you out in a
little while.” Then, he rapidly kicked the soil and leaves around him towards the pit
she had created, although his efforts were not very successful in covering up the
traces of her actions. He immediately dragged Xie Min into a cave under a nearby
overhanging rock.
——

Jian Yao and two criminal investigators searched the slopes slowly. Upon receiving
Xie Min’s phone call, the technical specialist had immediately locked on to her
position, which was this area on the slopes of Sanqing San. However, since she had
turned off her phone straight after hanging up, there was no way to pinpoint her
position more precisely. At present, seven to eight teams of police officers were
diligently searching the slopes. They had also contacted Bo Jinyan and Fang Qing
who had been at the Yao household, and were now rushing to the mountain.

Originally, the three of them were about to walk past this area without stopping.
The surroundings were quiet, and nothing seemed out of place. However, after
taking two steps, Jian Yao had suddenly stopped.

The slope below them was lush with green trees. A clear view of the area was not
possible. However, when she looked up, she could see Sanqing Temple directly
opposite her, in a straight line with this mountain slope. Moreover, just below on
the slope, there was an exceedingly open area. She had no doubt that anyone
standing there would have an unobstructed view of the temple’s main hall directly
opposite.

(T/N We are not quite sure how the temple is built such that the temple is ‘directly
opposite’ upslope and someone downslope can see into the temple’s main hall.
Perhaps it is a double-story building, or very large?)

Jian Yao stilled abruptly as a sudden intuition welled up in her heart.

This was a . . . a place where spiritual forces resided.

“Let’s go down and take a look,” she said to the other two investigators.

The three of them slid down the slope. They had merely taken a few steps when all
of them were rooted to the spot.
There were clear traces that the soil had been excavated. The two criminal
investigators exchanged glances and immediately drew their guns. As they
approached the disordered branches and soil, they could see the white bones
gleaming faintly. Jian Yao followed closely behind, her mind in turmoil.

At this moment, she was fiercely attacked from behind. She felt a chill down her
back but was unable to turn around in time. Someone grabbed her by the neck and
now held a blood-stained dagger to her throat.

“Damn it . . .Damn it . . .” Yao Yuange’s panted breaths struck against her face. The
two criminal investigators turned around and were shocked upon witnessing the
situation. They yelled furiously, “Let her go! Yao Yuange, you’re already
surrounded, you can’t escape!”

Jian Yao stood still, not moving a muscle. When she looked down, she could see
Yao Yuange’s feet shifting from side to side. He was clearly flustered. However, his
arms were very powerful and pretty soon, Jian Yao found herself a little out of
breath. Moreover, she did not dare to make any sudden moves, as his dagger was
very close to her throat. One careless move and she could die.

“Allow me to go,” Yao Yuange shouted, “Otherwise I’ll kill her! In any case, one
more won’t make a difference!”

The two criminal investigators could only continue to point their guns at him
without taking action. After a while, one of them took out his walkie-talkie and
quickly reported the situation.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jian Yao glimpsed a cave behind them, with what
seemed to be a body lying inside. It did not make even the slightest movement.
Whoever it was seemed to be dead. She swallowed slowly, and said unhurriedly,
“Yao Yuange, listen to me. Even though you’ve taken me hostage now, it will only
buy you a temporary respite. You will not be able to escape. Every escape route
that you can think of will be blocked. Every person whom you can contact will be
monitored by us. You’re accustomed to living a prosperous life, but, from today
onwards, you will have to hide; you won’t be able to contact your family, and you’ll
be forced to live like the poor people you despise so much. They will beat you up,
they will mess with you, just as you did with them. In the end, you will have
nowhere to go, and no one to turn to. Release me, and come to the police station
to give an honest account of yourself. If you do this, your women, and your only
son, may still be able to have a relatively good life. Do you understand what I’m
saying?”

Yao Yuange shouted, “You shut up! What do I care about them? What do I care!”

“How can you not care?” Jian Yao said softly, “They are your only family. This
family, this home, that you have worked so hard to maintain, will eventually fall
apart. Do you really not want to care about it, not want to watch over it, and not
even care if you add the name of a fugitive to it, so that everyone in the family is
finished?”

Yao Yuange breathed heavily without saying anything.

At this moment, the sound of approaching footsteps was heard. Taken by surprise,
Yao Yuange moved his dagger closer to Jian Yao until she felt the sting of pain at
her neck. She knew she could not wait any longer. She had taken the opportunity,
while speaking, to survey the surroundings. Next to them were hard rock walls,
while the soil beneath their feet was loose. The rock walls were pitted with cavities.
If she managed to duck into those, she might be able to escape the investigators’
bullets as well as Yao Yuange’s knife blade.

Perhaps, she had experienced too much turbulence in her life that Jian Yao was not
the least bit alarmed. Instead, she focused all her attention and energy on dealing
with the situation.
The investigators had already reported the situation as it unfolded before them.
Speeding down from the slope above, Bo Jinyan saw from afar that Yao Yuange
was holding someone hostage in front of a cave mouth. His heart sank, and his
mouth tightened into a thin line; he had never met such a stupid and repulsive
suspect! Yao Yuange actually thought that he, this fourth-rate killer*, could take
Mrs. Bo hostage?! It was as improbable as a sow climbing a tree!

(T/N the actual words are 十八线杀手 – ‘eighteenth-string killer’)

Closer, even closer. Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao met each other’s eyes. Her eyes were
calm and steady, as if her confidence had grown with his presence. Bo Jinyan saw
that she was in good condition, yet his heart still dropped into the pit of his
stomach. Moreover, when he observed she was facing this life-threatening
situation with her wits and great courage, his love and tenderness deepened. His
eyes became extremely cold and penetrating.

Then, Bo Jinyan stood not more than 10 metres away from them, unspeaking,
unmoving.

Jian Yao glanced to her left and nodded slightly at him.

He blinked at her once, then his face suddenly took on a furious expression as he
said, “Yao Yuange! Release my wife! How many more innocent people have to get
hurt because of you!”

Unexpectedly, these words made Yao Yuange excited. He did not acknowledge Bo
Jinyan, and sneered, “Your wife? Haha, a police officer’s wife, ha!”

No one understood what Bo Jinyan was doing by agitating Yao Yuange. The
criminal investigator at the side kept his gun aimed at Yao Yuange, and made no
sound. Jian Yao also looked at Bo Jinyan, who was rubbing his fingertips against
each other.
Fang Qing stood behind Bo Jinyan. In a low voice, only loud enough for the two of
them to hear, he said, “I will rescue her.” Bo Jinyan appeared not to have heard
him. Fang Qing turned and walked off. Bo Jinyan took a step forward and
continued his harangue, “You beast! Beast! You’ve enslaved so many women, and
hurt so many innocent girls! Are you even human?”

He took another step forward, even closer to them. However, he made sure he did
not obscure the angle by which someone behind him could take a shot.

Yao Yuange just smirked. Bo Jinyan’s face was mottled red and white as he yelled
in agitation, “Your wife, Minglan, is even taking the blame for your crimes! She says
that all those people were killed by her! What kind of man are you, letting a woman
take the rap for you! If you have even a shred of conscience, let my wife go, then
come back and confess everything!”

Yao Yuange’s expression flickered, and he kept his eyes fixed on Bo Jinyan.

Just then..

Jian Yao grabbed his arm in one swift move and wrenched it to the side. Yao
Yuange gasped in pain, and dropped the dagger. Jian Yao seized the opportunity to
dodge and dropped to one side, escaping his hold.

“Bang —-” Gunshots broke the silence, speeding closer from a distance. Jian Yao
could only hear the hum of the bullets reverberating in her ears. When she looked
up, she saw Yao Yuange looking at the bloody holes in his chest with a disbelieving
expression on his face.

Everything happened so quickly.

A dagger, aimed for his heart on the left of his chest, suddenly appeared at that
exact moment. No one knew when Xie Min, gasping and bloodied, had
unexpectedly sprung up from the ground.
“I . . .” Yao Yuange spat out a single word before falling to the ground. At the same
time, Xie Min also fell to the ground with her dying breaths.

Jian Yao was pulled up from the ground and held tightly. She leaned into the
familiar embrace of a pair of slender arms and relaxed, circling her arms around his
waist. Bo Jinyan looked down at her with eyes that were shining like stars. She
immediately understood that despite his ‘excellent acting skills’ in portraying a
calm and composed manner, he had actually been highly worried. Just as she was
considering saying a comforting word or two, he had already lowered his head and
kissed her forehead.

Her heartbeat was still racing as she whispered, “Mr. Bo, I’m fine.”

“Of course,” he said softly. “I’m here.”

Fang Qing tossed the sniper rifle away and ran down the mountain slope. His
partner, who was following close behind him, suddenly remarked, “You’ve never
missed your target. This time, when you shot him, he would have been in agony for
more than 10 hours before dying.”

Fang Qing smiled coldly as he said, “You must not have seen clearly. I was aiming
for his wrist, but missed.”

As Bo Jinyan held Jian Yao close, they looked at the ground together and saw Yao
Yuange lying still, as if he had already breathed his last. However, Xie Min was still
gasping weakly. The criminal investigators were slowly approaching her with guns
drawn.

“My daughter . . .” No one expected it when she suddenly cried out, her body shot
upwards like that of a dead fish, and hit her head on a rocky outcrop at the side.
Blood immediately poured out as she fell back once more to the ground.
Bo Jinyan let go of Jian Yao and rushed across to lift her from the ground. “Xie Min,
Xie Min!”

Xie Min opened her eyes slightly and looked at him. She focused solely on him, and
unexpectedly smiled. “I . . . another day . . . I can’t bear it . . .”

The criminal investigators all remained silent. Bo Jinyan looked intently at her and
said, “Yes, I know.”

Jian Yao suddenly felt unspeakably sad because of his words: I know.

With her blood-stained hand, Xie Min grasped Bo Jinyan’s hand and said, “I beg you
. . . Bo Jinyan . . . you said you would cleanse all injustice . . . look for my daughter’s
bones . . . bury them together with mine . . .”

“All right,” Bo Jinyan replied. “Ms. Xie Min, I promise you I will do this.”

After a while, Bo Jinyan stood up. The criminal investigators examined Xie Min and
found no signs of life. Fang Qing stood behind them, motionless.

Bo Jinyan turned and hugged Jian Yao’s shoulder. They held hands and walked
away from the scene. Looking up, the sky was already dark. A single star lit up the
sky. That brilliant and serene light seemed to be gazing at the earth, gazing at the
silent world of men.
Chapter 20

In the darkness, someone was laughing. The sound was light, yet sharp. Angry.
Arrogant.

Jian Yao frowned and grabbed the bed sheet under her.

He moved towards her, then closer yet. He treated her like an animal, softly petting
her long hair. Then, he crooned to her like a lover, “Such beautiful skin. Don’t
worry, although I will use a whip, I will definitely not damage the skin on your back.
So beautiful!”
……

Jian Yao violently forced her eyes open and saw only the same old boring
guesthouse ceiling. It was already daylight. Her entire body was covered in
perspiration.

She sat on the bed for a while before getting up to wash her face and rinse her
mouth. She felt completely awake, but discovered that Bo Jinyan was not in the
room.

Once again, he had gone out to run around on his own.

She gave him a call. “Hey, where are you?”

“I’m with Fang Qing.” Bo Jinyan’s voice was calm and placid. “There were some
things I had to follow up on. Did you sleep well?”

Jian Yao replied, “Very well.”

“Come on over, they’ve bought back a sumptuous breakfast. They even specially
bought me some cakes made with little prawns. It’s probably out of admiration for
and gratitude to me. However, they really didn’t have to.”
Jian Yao couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She asked, “So, did you eat the prawn
cake?”

“. . . I finished it.” Bo Jinyan said.

Jian Yao smiled faintly, but her brow was still furrowed, and she fell into a
contemplative silence for a while without realising it. With his acute sense of
perception, Bo Jinyan observed this unusual occurrence. His tone changed, and he
asked her softly and gently, “What is it?”

Jian Yao said, “Jinyan, I would like to spend some time with you alone.”

He was quiet for a moment before replying, “I’ll be at your side immediately.”

“En.”

The morning sun was warm, and the street was clean and quiet, with hardly
anyone around. Jian Yao only had to wait briefly under a tree before she saw Bo
Jinyan walking towards her from the police station opposite. Today, he was
wearing a rarely-seen outfit: dark blue-green T-shirt and black trousers, which
emphasized his black hair, pale skin and eye-catchingly handsome appearance.
Naturally, this was all the effect of Jian Yao’s ‘post-marriage transformation
programme’.

He walked to her and faced her. Taking her hand, he said, “Let me guess, you had a
dream again?”

“En.” Jian Yao did not have to hide her occasional vulnerability from him.

With a swift move, he hugged her shoulders tightly. They walked along the curve of
the river.

Actually, Jian Yao was already dreaming much less about the ‘flower ogre’* and the
time he had imprisoned her. Moreover, this demon had already become a pile of
bleached bones. Bo Jinyan had also praised her for adjusting much better than
most people. It was just that what she had seen the day before in Yao Yuange’s
eyes was so similar to what she had seen in the eyes of the ‘flower ogre’, as well as
in the crazed eyes of many other perverted killers. She thus could not help the chill
that spread through her heart.

*T/N the ‘flower ogre’ was the villain in ‘Love Me if You Dare’ (他来了请闭眼), the
book before ‘Pristine Darkness’

Perhaps, for those in the police force, there were some scars that could never be
erased in their lifetime.

The two of them walked along the river for a while and found a little cafe to
breakfast in. With hot food to warm the stomach, the body also feels warm. Bo
Jinyan did not try too hard to comfort her or talk her out of her mood. As a
psychologist, he knew very well that what his wife most needed at this time was
companionship and tranquility. With those, the murky ripples that had been set off
in her heart would eventually dissipate and disappear in the light of her own firm
and persevering character.

Sure enough, after a while, the woman by his side unconsciously relaxed and
appeared to have returned to her customary bright liveliness. She even drank a
large bowl of hot soup, and her face was red.

“What were you busy with at the police station?” Jian Yao asked.

“There’s been some new developments,” Bo Jinyan said. “Ming Yue has gone
mad.”

Jian Yao was dumbfounded.

“At the start of the interrogation, she persistently refused to speak. Then, she
suddenly started laughing, and spoke incoherently. Whatever was asked of her, she
didn’t know anything. The doctor has already been sent for, but it doesn’t look
good.”

Jian Yao found herself unable to express any emotions, and could only sigh.
“Apart from that . . .” Bo Jinyan continued, “Tong Sheng’s skeleton still has not
been found. Moreover, because of the long lapse in time, repeated cleaning, and
the fact that the bloodstains, from different people, combined to a high degree
with each other when splashed on the walls, the conditions for a definite
identification were severely compromised. None of her DNA was extracted from the
bloodstains. No CCTV picture of Ming Lan abducting her has been found, either.
Therefore, theoretically, we cannot yet conclude that Tong Sheng was abducted by
them.”

“But . . . it’s definitely them!” Jian Yao said.

Bo Jinyan did not look happy. “Zhao Xia died and Ming Lan committed suicide. The
only person in the know left is Ming Yue, who is now insane. Although we now have
evidence, and the Yao family is under the greatest suspicion, we don’t have any
definitive evidence. Thus, we are unable to close the case. There are two
possibilities. One, Tong Sheng was the most beautiful among the girls, and she may
have had a different significance for Yao Yuange. Consequently, her bones are
hidden elsewhere. Two, Tong Sheng’s abductor was someone entirely different.”

Jian Yao bit her lips and did not speak. The scene just before Xie Min’s death
suddenly surfaced in her mind. Although Xie Min was another murderer, and
therefore hateful, she was also an extremely pitiful mother. Could Xie Min’s final
wish before her death not be realised? Unless Ming Yue returned to her senses and
told them the location of the burial site, wouldn’t Tong Sheng’s case be perpetually
unresolved?

At this point, Bo Jinyan said, “I will find Tong Sheng.”

His tone was light yet firm as he declared the promise he had made to a criminal
before her death. Jian Yao was startled.

Of course, after a relatively long period of time, due to Bo Jinyan’s perseverance,

the local police finally located Tong Sheng’s skeleton at a more secluded spot on
the mountain. At the conclusion of the case, they buried her skeleton with her
mother, Xie Min. This is another story.
At the present moment, both of them were silent for a period of time. Jian Yao said,
“I still have one area of doubt. Although Xie Min had suffered long-term
psychological stress, what on earth did Fu Wei do to trigger her off, such that she
would kill him first? After all, apart from his lecherous nature, there doesn’t seem
to be anything at all connecting him to the entire situation.”

Bo Jinyan smiled indifferently.

“My skills in criminal psychology come into full force when faced with the totally
unrelated events that the world throws up,” he said. “Do you still remember the
hint I gave to you alone the very first time we entered the Yao household?”

Jian Yao pondered for a moment. Then, it came to her.

That day, the two of them had acted upon the plan they had discussed with Fang
Qing and pretended to ‘lose their way’ in the Yao compound. As a result, they had
met with an extremely ferocious dog, and also met Zhao Xia and Tong Min for the
first time.

Jian Yao thought for a bit, and her face flushed a little. She nodded and said, “Yes.
At that time, you said, ‘You have already become a part of me. So, if you have any
thoughts or opinions that you are not sure about, just tell me alone.’”

She looked at him with a pair of bright eyes, and Bo Jinyan also gazed deeply into
her eyes. In that split second, both of them felt unexpectedly carefree and relaxed.
Oh, he thought, he was once again overwhelmed by emotions. However, he merely
smiled coolly, and said, “I’m very happy. You’ve remembered my declaration very
clearly. However, when we’re investigating a case, we had best be a little more
focused.”

“ . . . Did you say it or not?!” huffed Jian Yao.

At this, Bo Jinyan pursed his lips. A cold expression slowly appeared in his eyes.
“What I said was, ‘In the investigation records, a few, very small events, in some
mysterious manner, have become interconnected. The truth of the situation that
has been concealed by death and time is now smiling mockingly at me.’”
Chapter 21

“Team Leader Fang, there’s been a new development!” An inspector ran to face
Fang Qing.

Fang Qing had been having a hard time due to Ming Yue’s insanity, and was also
very busy extracting a large amount of evidence from the Yao household. Right
now, he was in a pitiful state.

“Go on!”

“Previously, didn’t someone mention that Fu Wei had a girlfriend in university

whom he met online? Later, the girl suddenly lost contact with him, so that was
that. We couldn’t locate this girl in Fu Wei’s QQ account. The account had already
been deleted, so we needed more time to retrieve it. Then, we were busy
investigating the case, and didn’t follow up on this.”

Fang Qing raised his eyes to look at the inspector.

“Today, news came from the Beijing police. They’ve discovered the identity of this
online girlfriend.”

——

“It was Tong Sheng,” Bo Jinyan said.

He and Jian Yao were sitting on a dyke by the Jiang River. The gently rolling waves
of the river reflected the state of their minds and emotions.

“How did you know?”

Bo Jinyan looked into the distance and replied, “Fu Wei’s university schoolmates
testified that he had an online girlfriend while at university, but also that they lost
contact later on. In the investigative records of that time, there was nothing out of
the ordinary about Fu Wei’s situation, except that small item.”

“What’s the big deal about that?”

“In her testimony, the front desk receptionist at the Yao Family Inn said that Fu Wei
had hit on her before, and left behind his QQ number. A waiter and a chambermaid
nearby at that time also heard them. Two days ago, I checked with the Inn staff.
The chambermaid on duty that day was Xie Min.”

Jian Yao’s heart surged with emotions as she finally learnt the whole sequence of
events. However, she did not know whether to feel relieved, or sad.

Thus, Xie Min had inadvertently heard Fu Wei’s QQ number while undercover and
secretly investigating the Yao family. She definitely recognised it as the QQ number
of the man who had established an online relationship with her daughter before
her disappearance. Consequently, late that night, in the pouring rain, she had
waited for Fu Wei. Moreover, because she was wearing the Inn uniform, Fu Wei
recognised her on sight. Being surprised, he stopped along the road, and, due to
his having just returned from a bar, he braced himself against the wall in his
drunken state and left his handprint behind.

It was unknown whether Xie Min had interrogated Fu Wei on his relationship with
her daughter that night. However, the final outcome was that she had personally
killed this man who might have played with her daughter.

How did Xie Min find out about the Yao family? How many people had she
investigated over the years? Why did she decide to act at this time? These were all
questions that could no longer be answered.

……

“Let’s go for a boat ride,” Jian Yao said as she stood up.
Bo Jinyan followed her line of sight. Several canoes had leisurely come into view on
the surface of the light-dappled river. He had initially wanted to make a comment
about such a boring, useless activity. However, on looking at her calm and peaceful
face, and remembering the words she had said softly while on the phone with
him: I want to be alone with you for a while . . . He shut his mouth and pulled out a
bill from his wallet.
The weather in the ancient city was appropriately cool. When the little boat
reached the middle of the river, they encountered a gentle breeze. The boatman
stood at the bow and rowed with gentle motions. The two of them sat opposite
each other in the cabin, with Jian Yao gazing at Bo Jinyan. One arm was resting on
the window sill, and his eyes reflected the blue-green of the water. It was
impossible to tell whether he was bored or focused.

They had been in the ancient city long enough and the case was also drawing to a
close. They should return to Beijing tomorrow.

With each passing year, with each case encountered . . . even more blood, even
greater shock. They would still press onwards and not be deterred in any way.

Moreover, they felt that the distance between them and this case in the ancient city
was widening, just like the boat was moving further away from the shore.

“Hey,” Jian Yao said, “Do you still remember something else that happened on a
boat? Something very important?”

Bo Jinyan thought for a while. “You are talking about . . .”

Jian Yao smiled slightly.

Who could have guessed that his face would become icily calm. “I was still a
student at the University of Maryland. I was with the FBI on a boat, in pursuit of a
serial killer. In the end, we only found a shipwreck. The serial killer and the final
victim he had seized had met with the perils of the sea, and their bodies were never
found. To this date, this is the only unresolved case I have handled.”
Jian Yao was speechless.

What she was talking about was clearly not a case. On such a fine, warm day, with
such beautiful surroundings, why on earth would he still think about cases?

Who could have guessed that he would continue, “The victim was only true love of
Fu Ziyu’s life, his fiance, Han Yumeng.”

Jian Yao was stunned. So, it was that case.

His face was still serious. Jian Yao gently held his hand, and the two of them gazed
at each other momentarily. He took a look at the boatman, and pulled the curtain
across. Then, he lifted her onto his lap and bent his head to kiss her. They were
both smiling; even as they kissed each other, they smiled against each other’s lips
with their eyes shut.

Against the backdrop of the river they kissed for a substantial period of time. Bo
Jinyan suddenly moved, and said, with a hint of annoyance, “Oh, you’re talking
about that . . .” Jian Yao pulled on his collar and continued kissing him calmly,
indicating that she really didn’t care.

Yes, I was talking about our first kiss.

……

That was two years ago.

She had secretly liked him, but the possibility of that had clearly never entered his
head. It was only when frustration had led her to the point of giving up that he
suddenly started the engine and pursued her vigorously. In the words of Fu Ziyu
later: that day, it was as if someone had knocked a hole in Jinyan’s skull, and all the
rare and precious hormones came pouring out.
Their first kiss thus took place on a boat in Beijing’s Shicha Hai*. Jian Yao still
remembered him looking like a little boy with the satisfied expression of having
finally eaten sweets, asking. “Don’t you like how I kiss you?”

(T/N 什刹海 Shicha Hai – a scenic area of northwest Beijing with 3 lakes)

After that, they kissed the entire night, until their lips were red and swollen.

……

His heart had such a huge capacity. It was in the immediate moment, as well as at
the other end of the world.

His heart was full of so many cases, so many victims. It doesn’t matter. I will be his
constant companion in the quietest corner, that will be enough.

——

At the same time, their good friend Fu Ziyu was sitting alone in his home in Beijing,
watching the sunrise and the shimmering light.

“Ah-choo –”. He rubbed his nose vigorously. Who could be thinking of him? Or, was
someone reproaching him?

(T/N it’s an old wives’ tale – if you sneeze, it means someone is thinking of you)

The only friend he had who was as childish as this (T/N to believe in this old wives’
tale?) was Bo Jinyan. There was an eighty percent probability that ‘three-year-old
Bo’ whom he had ridiculed a few days ago was currently telling tales about him to
Jian Yao.

With a mocking smile, he suddenly felt, once again, that being by himself was a bit
lonesome. He had not had a girlfriend for about a year. When he was younger, he
could still play around. Now that he was almost thirty, he had gradually lost the
desire to do so.
There were so many clouds in the sky, so much light on the ground.

Who was looking at him?

Yumeng, my little girl.

Is the ocean cold?

I’m thinking of you again.

——

With the departure of Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao and the conclusion of the Yao family
case, the ancient city seemed to resume its usual tranquility.

The police station also resumed its leisurely atmosphere, and the criminal
investigators founds themselves with time on their hands. At most, they provided
support to the police officers, caught petty thieves and tackled pornography. The
days were long and bright, and it was a period of ease and comfort once again.

At noon on this particular day, Fanq Qing was in his office as usual, wearing his
earphones as he watched the female lead of a television series in the ‘cut scenes’
episode. From beside him someone said mockingly, “Team Leader Fang, you’re
such a rabid fan, too? Tsk tsk. This Jin Xiaozhe, she’s really beautiful as well as
temperamental.”

Fang Qing didn’t explain anything to them. They would understand nothing*.

(T/N the actual words used are ‘他们懂个屁’ – they know (understand) as much as
a fart/ what they know (understand) is worth as much as a fart)

After watching for the entire noon hour, just as before, his mood was troubled, and
he also felt bewildered. Since he had a few minutes before his lunch break was
over, he rushed to the balcony to smoke a cigarette.
A criminal investigator ran over to him. “Team Leader Fang, there’s a document for
you.”

Fang Qing did not exhale as he opened the document bag and extracted the
document. After a while, he carefully replaced the document in the bag with
especial care, lifted his head, and gazed at the distant clouds and rays of light.

He stayed in a contemplative silence for a period of time. Then, he took out his
cellphone and called that woman.

“Hello?”

“What is it?” Her tone was neutral, and he couldn’t tell if she welcomed or loathed
him.

“You were saying . . . what kind of work would I do in Beijing?” Fang Qing asked.

Jin Xiaozhe was silent for a long heartbeat before asking, “Have you thought about
it carefully?”

Fang Qing grasped the transfer approval letter in his hand. His rascally nature took
over, and he said unhurriedly, “Not really, I’m still thinking about it.”

Both of them did not speak for a while. On her end of the line, the sound of music
and people could be heard. She was probably attending some high class event.

“My friend’s company is looking for a security manager. A few days ago he was
asking me to recommend someone. If you are willing, you can give it a try. But I
can’t guarantee that you will be interviewed. The contract includes food and
accommodation, and the monthly salary is 10,000 dollars (about USD 1500).” Jin
Xiaozhe said indifferently.

Fang Qing froze for a moment, then suddenly laughed. He replied, “There’s no
need to think. I will never become a security manager!”
Chapter 22 – Xie Min’s Story – The White Deer’s Never-ending
Cry

I remember when she was only 3 years old. Small head, chubby arms, beautiful
eyes. Everyone who saw her praised her beauty.

“This little lady is too beautiful! When she grows up, she will be a stunning beauty!”

At that time, I was always happy to hear such words and took pride in them. Tong
Sheng had inherited the best genes from me and him. In my eyes, from young, she
possessed a beauty that had been stolen from heaven.

What’s more, when she was young, she was also clever and cute.

She was always asking me to carry her, always sticking to me and refusing to let go.
This caused her father no small amount of jealousy. But, what could we do? She
was another little soul who had sprung from my body. She was the apple of my eye.

I taught mathematics in the village school. Her father was an ordinary worker. We
didn’t earn very much, but we were always very happy. In the summer, her father
would take her to the river to swim. In winter, our family would sit around the
brazier and I would tell her stories.

We were so happy. Every minute, every second, was heaven’s gift. Due to the arrival
of our precious Tong Sheng, our ordinary lives became extraordinary.

Thereafter, she grew day by day. Her beauty was as before, but she also started to
become rebellious, and there were secrets she was unwilling to share with me.

It’s always troublesome when a girl is too beautiful. I noticed the male students
who would accompany her at the end of the day when she was in junior high,
noticed that she would use the remainder of her breakfast allowance to sneakily
buy lipstick for herself. I was continually very angry. At that time, her father would
always laughingly advise me, “Leave it be . . . leave it be. It’s like this when girls
grow up, you can’t always be looking over her shoulder.” However, I did not listen
to him. I scolded her time after time, not allowing her to interact with those boys. I
threw away the cheap lipstick she had bought.

At that time, the little girl had a temper, too. She would sob and close her door, and
refuse to speak to me for several days.

I was not concerned about it then. With a compassionate father and a strict
mother, her upbringing would benefit her in the long run.

However, the gulf between me and Tong Sheng might just have started from that
time.

When she was in high school, she became very quiet. I still found letters to her from
male students in her school bag. However, before I could ask her anything, she
would say, indifferently, “Mum, you don’t have to be concerned about them. They
are just small boys, too childish for words.” I had no idea what to say.

I felt that she definitely had a boyfriend and was involved in some kind of puppy
love. However, I never saw this boy and had no proof. Moreover, she never said
much when she was at home. Once she’d finished eating, she would put on her ear
phones and listen to music, or revise. It was as if she had her own world, where her
father and I did not fit in.

I felt a little sad, but overall everything was still ok. After all, her natural character
was clearly seen: kind and optimistic. There might be some rebellion now, but she
would be all right when she grew up.

Tong Sheng’s results were consistently average. Surprisingly, she did quite well in
the national entrance examinations, and gained admission to an undergraduate
course. For this reason, her father and I were ecstatic. Tong Sheng was also elated,
and said, “Dad, Mum, wait until I’m earning a good salary. I will see to it that your
days are lived in comfort!” Her father quickly replied, “Ok, that’s great!” On the
other hand, I laughed as I told her, “Mum doesn’t need you to earn a lot of money.
As long as you live well, with health, peace and a full life, that would be good
enough.” “Huh . . .” Tong Sheng pouted, seemingly upset at my dogmatic speech.
However, the child was still basically happy, and kept holding our hands after
dinner and chatting. It was as if she had returned to her old self, and we had
returned to the days when our family was close.

My Tong Sheng had finally grown up.

After entering university, Tong Sheng was like a little bird who had been released
from her nest. She seldom returned home, but constantly called us. I knew that
with her attractiveness and optimism, she would have no problems fitting into
university life. A lot of people would like her, and a lot of people would pursue her.
While on the phone with her, I had exhorted her many times, “You’re an adult now.
If you really want to look for a marriage partner, the most important factor is his
moral standing and character – he has to treat you well. His family background
should be ok, and his looks, well, that doesn’t really matter . . .” She always
interrupted me to say, “Mum, I know what I’m looking for,” but she would never
elaborate.

Misfortune came suddenly.

Tong Sheng’s father died in a manufacturing accident. He would never come home
again. The accident was due to the inappropriate operation of equipment by a co-
worker, but this man’s family situation was as bad as ours. As a result, the
compensation we finally received was meagre.

Tong Sheng rushed home overnight and cried while holding her father’s body. I
cried, too. After I was done with crying, I had to wash the vegetables and cook a
meal as I couldn’t let my daughter go hungry. At that time, Tong Sheng watched
me and cried bitterly, then hugged me and said, “Mum, don’t be sad. Mum, I will
definitely take good care of you. Mum, Dad is watching us from above.”

Within the space of a night, Tong Sheng had become sensible and wise.

Every time she had a break she would come home to keep me company, buy
vegetables, cook, sweep and clean our home. Almost every day, there would be a
call for her. I slowly came to realise that she was actually working while she was
studying. When the second semester started, she refused to let me pay for her
tuition fees or her living expenses. The pain of my bereavement had gradually
subsided, but I was very worried about her. I advised her, “Tong Sheng, you don’t
have to work part-time. We still have some money. Why don’t you spend more time
with your friends? That will help you when you go out to work eventually.”

However, she did not take my advice to heart, and said, “I know what I’m doing.
They have parents who are able to help them find work in future. I’m not like them.
I want to work hard and do it by myself.”

When I heard this, I did not say anything. I could only feel sad and powerless.

We, as parents, were guilty of not being capable enough. She was such a good
child, but we had no means to give her a better life or future.

There was a period of time when my work unit* went on summer vacation and I
visited Tong Sheng in the city where she was located. She was very happy, and
even found some way to enable me to stay at an apartment which her schoolmate
had rented. During that period, the two of us, mother and daughter, were
extremely happy. Every day, she would attend classes, then go to work, returning
to the apartment very late. I was also able to take a look around this big city, with
its beauty and prosperous environment.

*T/N 单位 (dan wei) – work unit i.e. place of employment, especially used in the
PRC before economic reform

At that time, she said, “Mum, wait until I’ve graduated. Then, I’ll rent an apartment
like this, and you can come and stay with me when you’re on leave.”

I laughed and agreed.

Once, I was sweeping the floor. When I looked up, I saw her in the room, with her
earphones on, smiling happily at the computer. I couldn’t quite decipher her smile
and I felt my heart lurch. When she wasn’t paying attention, I stole a look from
behind her back.

I saw a QQ number, and the profile picture was that of a man. Their chat log was
already very long. Moreover, the most recent line from that person was: Your body
is very beautiful. I will take responsibility for it.

---

I don’t know how to describe my feelings. That day, everything I did seemed to
have an edge of panic to it. At night, I watched Tong Sheng peacefully sleeping on
the bed. I pushed open the door and stood on the balcony. As I gazed at the starry
sky, I suddenly felt at ease.

The child has grown up and has her own life. Her father was right – I should not
interfere.

That child longed for love and romance, longed for someone to depend on.
Moreover, that person she wanted to depend on could not be her mother.

However, I was unable to stop myself from indirectly telling her to be on her guard
where relationships with men were concerned, and to always protect herself. Tong
Sheng hemmed and hawed, unwilling to divulge more. I could only drop the
subject.

If I had known what would transpire on that vacation, I would definitely not have
let her go.

My child had had a hard life the past few years, so she told me she wanted to take a
trip for relaxation. I agreed wholeheartedly, and even gave her my entire month’s
bonus. I thought she would go with friends. It never crossed my mind that she was
too used to being independent, and didn’t really have any close friends to speak of.
Thus, she went on her own.

……

The fifth day after Tong Sheng’s disappearance, I got home after work, called the
police and received the same old apologetic response, “We’re still investigating.
Sister Xie, please think again, is it possible that your child went somewhere else to
holiday and didn’t tell you about it? Maybe she had no cellphone signal, or ran out
of money?”

“No! That wouldn’t happen!” I almost shrieked at him. “She would definitely call
me. She would not forget to keep me updated. Clearly, something has happened to
her, you have to find her! Find her!”

But, she could not be found.

The police said there was proof that she had stayed in the ancient city for a few
days, then moved on to another county.

Then she vanished.

There were people who saw her, but no one saw where she had gone.

My Tong Sheng was like a drop of rainwater which had fallen on the ground,
evaporated and disappeared.

But, she was my only water (T/N source of life).

……

I left my job and sold the apartment. I took all my savings and started searching.

I searched for her in every corner of that county. Nothing. Why couldn’t I find her?
I searched for her there for close to a year, until my savings had almost run out.

Then, I came to the ancient city.

One day, while I was staying at the hostel, I looked at my reflection in the mirror
and recoiled. I felt as if I had just woken up from a dream.

Was that me?

I used to be a teacher, and the most taxing work I had done was household chores.
On my birthday the previous year, Tong Sheng had even praised me, saying her
mother was so beautiful and youthful, with fair skin. I looked as if I were her older
sister.

She was surely exaggerating as I already had a few white hairs. However, it was
nothing compared to what I saw in the mirror now.

My complexion would never be fair again, having been tanned by the sun. My
fingers were rough and dirty, and my hair was grey. Once upon a time, I could not
even slaughter a chicken, and had to rely on Tong Sheng’s father. Now, I could lift a
bundle of burlap sacks with one hand and shoulder them easily, just so I could earn
enough money for lunch, then continue searching for Tong Sheng after I had eaten.

That night, I felt somewhat uncomfortable.

I thought, what if I find Tong Sheng, and she doesn’t recognise me? What then?

I had reported that QQ number to the police previously. However, they told me that
they had investigated, and that boy had been attending classes at university during
the time of Tong Sheng’s disappearance. There was ample evidence that he was
not with her, and had nothing to do with the case. I wanted to get this boy’s
contact information but the police refused to release it to me.

I knew I needed to find a job, otherwise there was no way I could keep on
searching. An older sister* who was working part-time with me told me, “If you
want to earn more money, you can go to the Yao family. The wages there are high,
but . . . those who work there are not considered human.”

T/N 大嫂 (da sao) respectful term for an older lady

“Like I said, the people in the Yao family aren’t human. One man, with 5 wives.”
Another older brother said, “I heard that he found some female university student
two years ago and wanted to make her his next wife. After that, no one saw the girl
again. They said she ran away.”

I didn’t pay much attention at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt
something was wrong. So, I chased after that older brother to ask about that girl’s
appearance and age. Unfortunately, he did not know anything more.

I stood at the door to the Yao family courtyard and thought very carefully.

I had gone to L county, but had not found any traces of Tong Sheng.

A female university student, a few years ago.

One man, a very wealthy man approaching fifty in age. 5 wives, yet still not
contented.

On the surface, all these appeared to have no relation to Tong Sheng. Yet, I felt a
strange, intense premonition compelling me to move towards the Yao household.

I knocked on the door and walked in.

……

Three times a week, he would sleep in first wife Ming Lan’s room.

They never once uttered the name ‘Tong Sheng’.

Only an old servant was allowed to go near their room. The rest of us were not.

Whenever he saw a young, pretty girl, he would always take another look, although
he was clearly old enough to be her father.

……

Zhao Xia was not like them at all. She was always silent, always sad, and never
once hit me. Once, I feigned innocence and asked her, “I heard that Mr Yao was
previously planning to take a female university student as another wife, and then
she disappeared?” Her expression then was hard to describe. She turned away,
neither answering nor looking at me.

My heart felt as if it had been brutally struck by a stone hammer. I almost couldn’t
take it any longer and wanted to question her further. Was it Tong Sheng? Was it?

However, I looked at the huge courtyard, and managed to hold it in. I didn’t have
any proof, and the Yao family had both money and power. I had to be patient.
Patient until the day when I couldn’t be, anymore.

Every day, I would tell myself, several times: I will find Tong Sheng.
I thought that I was slowly, little by little, coming closer to the truth.

After that, I thought things through and came to a clear conclusion: if there was no
proof and no connection to Tong Sheng, then, if I could just determine that Tong
Sheng had definitely been harmed by them, I would kill Yao Yuange and everyone
else. How could it be that their lives were precious, but my Tong Sheng’s was not?

Thereafter, I gradually grew accustomed to waiting. I got used to the Yao family
members’ beatings and scoldings, got used to living this kind of life. I was no longer
living like a human being, but this was the only way. Only with my suspicions and
hatred of them hidden in my heart could I live as if I were still human.

The world was so big, and I had still not found Tong Sheng. I had nowhere to go.
……

It was drizzling that morning. I was cleaning the area near the front desk at the Inn,
when I hear the voice of a young man who was coming into the Inn.

“Hello, I’d like a king bed room, please,” the young man smilingly said to the
receptionist.

I kept my head down and continued to sweep the floor. The me at that time liked to
do repetitive and mechanical cleaning work. Watching the surface gradually
becoming clean gave me an odd sense of pleasure.

“Are you a university student? Are you working here part-time?” A man’s voice
asked.

The lady at the front counter smiled and denied it.

“You look like a student.” He said, “This is my QQ number: 5643XXX321. Why don’t
you add me?”

My hand was transfixed.

I looked up, and saw his face.

He also noticed my gaze. He looked at me, then looked away again without the
slightest concern.

That night, I sat in the narrow and dark servant’s quarters for a long, long time. I
looked at the fine drizzle falling from the sky, and the wind blowing past the
window, causing the sheets beside me to billow, as if someone was accompanying
me. I suddenly understood that everything was arranged by fate. It moved in
cycles, ebbing and flowing, bringing one up, then down, repeatedly. It had brought
me disappointment, but would eventually give me hope.

Tong Sheng, I know you have come to me.

You’re telling me, Mum, don’t wait anymore, take action.

Chapter 23 – Yao Yuange’s Story – Dead Soul

The steam on the hearth rose slowly, causing one to feel a little dizzy. Yao Yuange
squatted in a corner of the kitchen, all the while swallowing his saliva, waiting for
the freshly steamed big buns to be ready. He didn’t expect that the hunger in his
eyes would be noticed by his father, thus attracting a wave of loathing.

Father kicked him on the back, as if kicking a dog, “Dammit, everytime I see you I
feel vexed. Why are you always hungry?”

Yao Yuange sat in a corner in silence. He was only seven or eight years old, but was
naturally taller than the others kids, so he ate more. And steamed buns actually
only cost ten cents, but his father was just too reluctant to give him more to eat.

So he was always starving.

When children get hungry, they can be very scary. They want to destroy everything
they come across. Those crisp black eyes were always staring at the rest of the
world from the corner with hatred.

But Mr Yao did not care. He had three sons and two daughters, and this son was the
youngest. His life was so tiring and so busy he didn’t even know how they could
have had this child. Might as well be some kid they had randomly picked up from
the street. He had to work to the point of exhaustion to make a living, and had no
time to spend considering what this little boy might be thinking or feeling.

Every morning at 3 a.m., he kneads the dough and steams the buns. At 5 a.m., the
little shop opens, and business starts. He sells buns all the way till 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.,
when the busyness of the day is finally at an end. The sons and daughters were all
disappointing, unable to get into university, thus taking temp job after temp job, or
idling about. So it was that Mr Yao’s life was full of resentment towards everybody
and everything.
It was a good thing that going to elementary and middle school in a small town was
so cheap. Mr Yao also happily sent Yao Yuange to school, giving him fifty cents a
day to spend. Making do with fifty cents when a day’s food itself cost one dollar
became the young boy’s most pressing concern, since Mr Yao was not about to
trouble himself with the matter.

Everyday, after school was dismissed, Yao Yuange was almost always hanging
around in the shop as he had nowhere else to go. By nature, he seemed to be quiet
and gloomy; there had been no one to care for him at home from the time he was a
baby. He would just stare dazedly at his father working hard, bare from the waist
up.

When it became dark, the family would eat their simple dinner, then go to sleep.
Father loved to sit on the bed and count money; he would set the banknotes, big
and small, in piles and count them one by one. After that, with his finger dipped in
saliva, he would count again. Every time this happened, the children were not
allowed to enter and disturb him, and could only play in the main room. However,
Yao Yuange always hid behind the door curtain to watch him, looking at the colour
of the money that he had never put his hands on, at Mr Yao’s intoxicated yet hate-
filled expression – hating that there was not enough money, hating that people
lived too long.

Even later at night, the entire family would be asleep. Because there were too few
rooms, 8-year-old Yao Yuange had to sleep with his parents. He usually slept at the
side of the bed, but, sometimes, his father would suddenly kick him off the bed,
saying, “Go to the living room. Come back only when I say you can come in!” Thus,
Yao Yuange would hug his pillow and stumble out in a haze. However, his father
was so impatient that Yao Yuange was hardly out before he could hear his mother
gasping on the bed.

Sometimes, the sound would be especially violent. Lying next door, Yao Yuange
could hear his father panting heavily like a wild beast, as well as the sounds his
mother made, sometimes as if crying, sometimes shrieking. In this way, Yao Yuange
would lie with his eyes wide open, slowly listening, when he abruptly looked down
to discover that he was already hard, like a stone which had been ground to a hard
edge.
……

Yao Yuange had once thrust his hand into his older sister’s underwear and felt a
moist sensation. His sister had cried out sharply and run away. However, she had
also not told anyone, but every time she saw Yao Yuange thereafter, she would
hide. He had also held the girl next door who was his age, placed his hand on her
buttocks and kneaded them enthusiastically. He felt extremely happy, as if doing
such things enabled him to feel a sense of liberation. Especially liberated and
especially invigorated. It was as if all the pent-up anger in his heart had been spit
out.

By the time Yao Yuange was in the 3rd year of middle school (T/N junior secondary
school/ junior high), he was already tall and handsome. Moreover, the brothers and
sisters who had also grown up were able to supplement the family income, and his
family situation was a little better. However, his father remained tight-fisted, so
Yao Yuange was still short of money. In school, he was the weird boy who was both
gloomy and handsome. Still, there were a lot of girls who were interested in him.

Yao Yuange’s first official ‘bed partner’ was a female sophomore student (T/N 2nd
year of senior high/ senior secondary school). It was said that this girl was a ‘broken
shoe’ who had already been bedded by many people. However, her ample bosom
and fair and shapely thighs were enough to make Yao Yuange come. Yao Yuange
had also brought her a pleasant surprise. She was almost crying as she hugged Yao
Yuange, saying, “You’re too cool! You’re the fiercest guy I have ever encountered,
not at all like a middle school student! All those university students lose out to you!
So rough! So big!” Yao Yuange rarely smiled, but at that time, he did.

Yao Yuange did not continue his studies after graduating from senior high. His
father was unwilling to pay for his schooling, and he himself had no interest in
studying. That year, his father died of an illness. His mother had already died in his
first year in senior high. Yao Yuange had not much of an emotional response to this.
When his mother died, he had stood at the grave listening to the sound of the wind,
with some sense of emptiness in his heart. When his father died, after he had
finished tending to all the funeral affairs, his brothers and sisters had scattered in
all directions. The family dispersed, and he unexpectedly felt a wave of relief and
relaxation.
His father had actually amassed a considerable amount of savings. When he died,
Yao Yuange’s brothers and sisters had already started their own families, and had
their own homes. Only Yao Yuange was all alone in the world. At that point in time,
houses in the ancient city were not worth much, especially the older houses like
the Yao’s. His siblings all lived in high-rise apartments. Thus, they divided the
$80,000 (about USD 12,500) that they inherited from their father, and left the
dilapidated house to Yao Yuange.

As Yao Yuange did not have much ability at the time, he could only swallow the
insult. When he prospered later, and his blood-sister passed away, he did not
contribute towards any of her medical expenses, and did not visit her.

When the old house came into his possession, Yao Yuange was reluctant to
continue waking up in the wee hours to sell filled and bread buns. After all, he had
had some education, and his mind was lively. He observed that foreign visitors
occasionally came to the ancient city on vacation, and they all seemed to be
learned people. Thus, he came up with an idea.

Thereafter, he did something which rendered everyone speechless – he sold the

family home, took the proceeds and rented a house that was 10 times bigger. At
that time, it was possible to rent a house for $500 a year. Then, he renovated the
building. As he had no money to hire construction workers, he worked unceasingly
at laying bricks, painting walls, and planting trees and flowers. . . perhaps due to
his crazed and suppressed thoughts and emotions, the house that he personally
renovated was surprisingly considered to be ‘unique’ by others. At that time,
Internet cafes had recently come into vogue. So, he went online and posted the
rental information. The next day, he received a reservation . . .

25-year-old Yao Yuange was well-known locally as a rich and powerful man. He
opened the inn, the restaurant, and provided transport services. . . it almost
seemed as if he had inexhaustible energy. Those were precisely the years where
tourism started to take off. He kept making money, making more money . . . he had
no idea how much money he was making. He only knew that when he reclined on
his bed at night, he also liked to count money, count his bank deposit books, count
his cards. Then, with his hands behind his head, an intoxicated yet hate-filled
expression would appear on his face. He wanted to make even more money.
It could be said that a storm was brewing within him at that time. Not only did he
buy back the family home which he had sold, he even bought the biggest house
historically connected with the Yao clan in the ancient city. In all these years, their
‘branch’ of the Yao clan had generally been ignored by the other families who were
‘true’ Yaos, those with money and power. They had not cared if he was dead or
alive. However, his name was now the most well-known among those of his
generation in the Yao clan. Man, that’s the way it is. When you’re down and out,
nobody cares about you. On the other hand, when you shine brilliantly, people
can’t wait to take advantage of your glory as soon as they can. However, Yao
Yuange basked in this kind of adulation as he felt it was a sign of one’s success in
life. Sometimes, Yao Yuange would sit in the grand entrance hall of the Yao family
residence and think – if his father were still alive, he could also share in the
enjoyment of this good fortune. Then, he would consider – if his father were really
still alive, he would be a load around his neck, preventing him from achieving all
that he had accomplished. When he got to this point, Yao Yuange would frown, and
feel it was best that his father was dead.

In bed, Yao Yuange was in the prime of his life, and was even more fierce than when
he was younger. His wife, Ming Lan, was made to cry out almost every night, for the
entire night. However, although Yao Yuange liked his wife, he felt she was not
enough. Beautiful, docile, but lacking in wildness. Very quickly, Yao Yuange lost
interest in her. What’s more, she couldn’t bear children. Despite f**king for more a
year, there was still no child. Thus, Yao Yuange was always somewhat depressed
when he dealt with her thereafter. Ming Lan was a very intelligent lady and speedily
discerned that her husband was not satisfied with her. However, she truly did love
him. She loved his appearance, his wealth, his domineering personality, and the
way he tamed her in bed. All that women like Ming Lan needed in their lifetime was
to be conquered.

On several occasions, Yao Yuange had visited the factory and bumped into the
sister-in-law who had been given a job there due to family connections – Ming Yue.
To be honest, Ming Yue was nowhere as beautiful as her older sister, Ming Lan.
However, she did have another kind of appeal: young, introverted, and always
working until her face was red and sweaty while her hair stuck to her forehead.
Moreover, her figure was fuller. Her hips and buttocks were broad and her thighs
were shapely. In Yao Yuange’s words, “You can tell with one look that this one can
bear children.” When she heard these words, Ming Lan’s heart jumped, and she felt
as if dark clouds were gradually wrapping themselves around the Yao family.

“She’s my younger sister!” Ming Lan trembled as she said.

Ming Lan did not know how to describe the expression in Yao Yuange’s eyes at that
moment. It was also the first time that Ming Lan felt a deep horror towards this
man.

“So what?” He smiled slowly.

The events that transpired thereafter were only to be expected. The Ming family’s
small business suffered setbacks. Apart from accepting help from son-in-law Yao
Yuange, there was no way for the entire family to avoid abject poverty. The Ming
parents even felt it was ok to give up their daughter Ming Yue, and told Ming Lan,
“Isn’t it all because you couldn’t have children? It’s much better than him having
affairs!” Unexpectedly, Ming Yue herself was willing. She even looked at Ming Lan
timidly and said, “Older sister, you won’t blame me for snatching your man from
you? I won’t take him from you, I only really . . . really like brother-in-law.”

Yes . . .

On the night of their wedding festivities, Ming Lan sat by herself in the room
drinking wine and forcing herself to smile. Of course her younger sister liked Yao
Yuange. There was only one man like him in all of the ancient city. Even if she could
only have half of him, that was far better than any of the other men. She bore his
marks on her body, she now had money, a car, and wine; she lived the envied,
entitled life of a wife of a rich man. He still loved her, still controlled her. He caused
her to feel fear, yet was also her obsession. She had legs to walk out with, but there
was nowhere for her to go.

Once the awareness that comes with being a human being is suppressed, one is
reduced to the level of an animal. Once one gradually gets used to it, one will not
feel anything anymore.
Bit by bit, the interactions within this ‘family of three’ reached a state of harmony.
Ming Lan’s smile returned to her face, and she was even able to laugh as she
watched her husband and her younger sister flirt in front of her. Well, since one was
her husband, and the other was her younger sister, wasn’t it better to keep what
was good within the family? Moreover, her younger sister had always been honest
and listened to her words. With the balancing factor of her younger sister, her
husband actually visited her even more than before. Small partings make the reunion
even sweeter – wasn’t this his plan to refresh their relationship? It was just that,
sometimes, in the middle of the night, Ming Lan would feel a stabbing pain in her
heart. With the passing of the months, that pain seemingly merged with her body
and became dully indistinguishable, such that she did not know whether it was her
heart or her body that was hurting.
*T/N 肥水不流外人田 (fei shui bu liu wai ren tian) – lit. don’t let one’s fertile water
flow into another person’s field; fig. keep the goodies within the family

*T/N 小别胜新婚 (xiao bie sheng xin hun) – lit. a small parting is even better than
being newly-married; a phrase similar to ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’,
along the lines of a reunion after being parted for a short while is made sweeter by
the parting.

However, Ming Lang never considered, where there was one, there would be two.

Where there were two, there would be three, then four . . .

--

The day Zhang Jufang was brought home, the atmosphere was especially quiet.
Ming Lang sat in the seat next to Yao Yuange’s, not speaking. Ming Yue was at a loss
what to do. Zhang Jufang was not someone who was easy to deal with. She sweetly
called them ‘older sister’, then, after dinner, pulled on Yao Yuange’s arm and
returned to the room with him. Although there were several walls between them,
Ming Lan could still hear her overwrought cries.
That night, Yao Yuange and Zhang Jufang rolled in the hay until late at night,
whereupon he returned to Ming Lan’s room. At that time, Ming Lan’s heart stirred
with emotion – she had through Yao Yuange would not be going to her that night.
Then, Yao Yuange had sex with her aggressively, until she begged for mercy. He
laughed as he sat at the side of the bed, and took another pill of the drug he had
sourced from Thailand, which was good for men. He then said to her, “Ming Lan, I
don’t treat all women the same. I will always regard and recognise you as my wife
because you look after this family. How can they compare with you?”

From then on, a strange sense of superiority slowly took hold of Ming Lan’s heart.
After all, which rich man doesn’t play around with women? Other families were rife
with divorces, arguments and betrayals. Yao Yuange was so wealthy, and had so
many ladies attracted to him, but he made a clear distinction between wife and
mistress. He was truly a paragon every should look up to. As for those other
women, what did it matter if another came in? Wouldn’t they still have to respect
her and be under her authority? Her name was the only one on the marriage
certificate, haha.

A new Yao family, with one wife and 4 mistresses, was born in ancient Yao family
residence, like a new family clan. Outside the door was the lively hustle and bustle
of the modern world, but within was their own little world. The Yao family
principles and regulations were very strict. Only female servants were allowed in
the residence; every day, they would get up, eat breakfast, eat lunch, eat dinner,
turn off the lights in unison and sleep; Yao Yuange would choose whose room to
sleep in according to his fancy. The women in the rooms each harboured different
thoughts. Moreover, Ming Lan, as Yao Yuange’s second in command, was the
guardian of this order. In this grand courtyard, only Ming Lan was happy every day.
She drove her stylish Audi, she handled the tremendously large revenue raked in by
the bar, she looked upon her husband’s collection of female toys with a smile that
never reached her eyes.

……

Yao Yuange first noticed that girl in the bar. When he dropped hints about her to
Ming Lan thereafter, even she, who had gotten used to her husband’s amorous
nature and sexual appetite, was shocked. This girl was so young, only 20 years old.
Her looks weren’t bad, but she seemed to be introverted, and had no companion.
Ming Lan said, “Her . . . I’m afraid it might be difficult.”

Yao Yuange downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, hugged Ming Lan by the waist
and whispered, “I’m going to sleep with her tonight. I haven’t felt so excited for a
long time! You figure out how to get it done. When it’s done, I’ll buy you the new
bag you’ve been eyeing.” After speaking, he laughed, then got up to play the part of
the bar owner. He walked over to greet the girl, and even gave her a bowl of
popcorn. The girl didn’t understand why, and she looked up in confusion to ask,
“Thank you, Uncle. Are you the boss at this bar?”

At that moment, Ming Lan saw the gleam in her husband’s eyes. “Oh, yes. The bar . .
. was opened by Uncle.”

Then he turned his head, glanced at Ming Lan, and walked out.

Ming Lan’s heart thudded, and she suddenly understood. Nobody could stop him.
Even if she didn’t do it for him, he would find a way to get what he wanted. This
man’s ego was like an inflated balloon. Over time, slowly, it had swollen in size.
Finally this time, no one was able to suppress him.

Ming Lan tricked Tang Lianlian into the car, and enticed her to drink the drugged
water. The bar had plenty of crooks mixed in with the honest customers.* So,
procuring this drug was no problem.

*T/N 鱼龙混杂 (yu long hun zha) – lit. fish and dragons mixed together

That night, Yao Yuange achieved his desire.

Tang Lianlian stayed in the basement room in the Yao residence for 5 days. She was
drugged all the time and was always in a muddled and dazed state. At night, Yao
Yuange would go down. In the daytime, Ming Lan and Ming Yue, as well as the
exceedingly honest and sincere Zhao Xia, would take turns to advise her to give in,
“Look, we women all stay with him, and our lives are fine. You are an ordinary
university graduate, your family is poor, what kind of work can you find? Become a
member of the Yao family, and you’ll never have anything to worry about in your
lifetime.”

At the beginning, Tang Lianlian just kept crying. Finally, on the sixth day, she
nodded, “All right, I’ll marry him.” After that, she was really docile and obedient
towards Yao Yuange, and even had the spirit to be jealous, and demanded things
such as money, an apartment, a car, and so on. This made Yao Yuange so happy
that he gifted each wife an expensive present. Looking at all this, it seemed that
Wife no. 6 was about to enter the household.

They even invited a few of his old buddies and served wine. As this was Yao
Yuange’s first time marrying such a young wife, and a university student at that, he
felt as if he were welcoming his second spring.

Who would have thought, not several days after the wedding, when everyone had
relaxed their vigilance considerably, Tang Lianlian ran away!

As it turned out, this little lady was extremely clever, and also able to patiently
endure. She had not wanted to live such a life, and was just biding her time to put
her escape plan into motion.

Only Ming Lan had kept watching her closely. After all, she was a university student
and must possess both knowledge and experience, thus causing Ming Lan to feel
uncertain and anxious. Thus, she had exhorted the servants to keep an eye on Tang
Lianlian secretly.

It happened early one morning, when the sky was still dark. Tang Lianlian had only
escaped from the Yao residence for 5 minutes before her flight was discovered.
There were too few people on the streets, so she was unable to ask for help. When
she tried to make a run for the police station, the way was blocked by Yao family
members. She could only head for the mountains. In the end, she was still caught
and brought back. Yao Yuange dragged her by the hair to the basement room.

Actually, it wasn’t that she hadn’t met anyone on the road. She had met two
people, but both of them, on hearing that it was a Yao family situation, decided to
keep well clear of the situation despite Tang Lianlian’s pleas and cries. Thus, she
could only keep running until she had nowhere left to go, and once again fell into
the devil’s den.

That night, everyone in the Yao family felt unsettled, because Yao Yuange and Tang
Lianlian were alone in the basement room the entire night.

That night, Ming Lan tossed and turned in bed without finding sleep. She knew that
her husband would be in a raging fury. In her heart, she blamed Tang Lianlian for
deceiving them and bringing chaos to the family. However, when she closed her
eyes, the image of Tang Lianlian’s face as she was dragged into the basement kept
confronting her. Why did she feel such a heavy sense of oppression that made her
breathless?

……
When morning broke, the door was pushed open. Ming Lan straightened up and
saw her husband’s icy-cold demeanor. His hand still had some traces of blood. Her
heart jumped, and she whispered, “What’s happened? Whose blood is that?”

Yao Yuange looked at her with a strange expression and said dumbly, “Come with
me for a while.”

With great unease, she followed him into the basement room.

The bed was still bare, with the shackles at the head of the bed. A body lay on the
ground, covered in blood, with signs of trauma all around the neck. Unmoving.
Ming Lan’s entire body went soft, and she eked out, “She, she . . .”

Yao Yuange’s voice was as cold as well water as he unhurriedly commented, “Yeah,
it was too much for her. She’s dead.” Towards the end of his speech his voice
sounded marginally flustered.

Ming Lan immediately cried out, “Dead? Then what do we do? What do we do?!”
Yao Yuange lifted her up from the floor with one move. “Damn it! Why are you
panicking? Dead is dead, so let’s think of a way out! We need to cover this up so
that no one ever finds out*, otherwise our entire family is a gone case! Tell
everyone who asks that she ran away! Ran away! Tell Jufang and the others as well
that she ran away! The fewer people who know, the better! As long as there’s no
evidence, the police won’t be able to pin anything on us!”

*T/N 神不知鬼不觉 (shen bu zhi gui bu jue) – lit. the spirits and ghosts don’t know

……
The events that followed took up their time for an entire week. It was ‘fortunate’
that Yao Yuange had a sudden brainwave, and hit upon the idea of substitution.
Ming Yue dressed up as Tang Lianlian and ‘departed’ the ancient city. At the same
time, he announced that the Yao family’s No. 6 wife had run away to several close
friends and relatives. Previously, as he had wanted to keep the fuss to a minimum,
he had not made Tang Lianlian’s full name known to the banquet guests, only
referring to her as ‘Xiao Lian’*. Although this would constitute a loss of face for
Yao Yuange, it was far better than becoming a murder suspect. Moreover, Tang
Lianlian had been alone. It wasn’t until half a month later that the police came
around investigating her disappearance. As expected, the police followed the trail
that Ming Lan and Ming Yue had set, and went off to the neighbouring county. What
connection was there with the Yao family?

*T/N 小 (xiao) means ‘small’; when used in conjunction with part of a name it is
form of address (usually an endearment) for someone younger than oneself.

After all the dust had settled, that evening, Yao Yuange again visited Ming Lan’s
room. To her surprise, her husband treated her with a passion she had not seen in
the past few years. She had thought that he would be depressed and uneasy as a
result of Tang Lianlian. Who knew, after sex, he lay beside her smoking a cigarette.
After a while, he muttered, “Ming Lan, although Xiao Liu* was not obedient, when
I think about it now, that night, it was really something else. I’ve never felt so
invigorated before.”
*T/N 小六 = ‘small (ref to note above) six’ i.e. Tang Lianlian, the 6th wife

Trembling, Ming Lan raised her head to look at him.

He had also opened his eyes, and there was a surging darkness within them. He
slowly smiled.

A long, long time after that, Ming Lan finally understood: from that night onwards,
from the time that Tang Lianlian had died by Yao Yuange’s hand, he was a totally
different person. That long-suppressed balloon had finally exploded in a way he
had always sought after. Thereafter, the body of every young girl he fancied was
always marked with a sticky, used condom, and so were the bodies of the five
women of the Yao family – these greedy women who were resigned to their fate.

……
When Tong Sheng appeared at the bar, she attracted the attention of every man
present. She was too beautiful, and her beauty had a pure and almost spiritual
aspect. Moreover, she was unpretentious, dressed simply in a white shirt and jeans,
and her eyes looked upon the hedonistic scene before her with an air of timidity.
She truly seemed like a stalk of fragrant narcissus.

Of course, she also attracted the gaze of Yao Yuange, who was poking around
behind the scenes on the second floor.

After that, Ming Lan worked with her usual skill and left no traces. She successfully
abducted Tong Sheng and brought her to the Yao residence, then completed the
subsequent cover-up work on the second day. It was just that, as she did all this,
her heart felt empty, as always. As empty as an abyss. She was well aware that this
lifetime of hers was just like a length of elegant brocade teeming with maggots.
There was no way to turn back, so she would have to keep going forward until it
was entirely rotten.

These few days, Yao Yuange was especially happy, and told Ming Lan more than
once: This Tong Sheng is too beautiful, her skin is too exquisite. This is the most
exceptional woman I have ever collected.
Even when Tong Sheng died, Yao Yuange was reluctant to part with her. He
deliberately buried her bones in a particularly secluded forest. After that, he even
visited that forest several times, just to look around.
Winter turned to spring. The servants in the outer buildings of the residence
changed, and changed again. Yao Yuange still ruled over all like an emperor, and
his women lived like ants.

Later, one morning, a servant suddenly pushed open Ming Lan’s door in a panic.
She and Yao Yuange looked up at the same time and heard the servant hurriedly
gasp out, “A guest at our Inn died in the back lane last night!” Yao Yuange
immediately stood up. Ming Lan put down the glass she was holding, but did not
set it down firmly. It fell with a ‘crash’ and shattered. Ming Lan looked down to see
the water flowing in all directions. It was just like that first night, when she had
seen the fresh blood. There would be no way to stop it.
Chapter 24

The sunlight was resplendent, and the morning breeze was blowing softly. On the
quiet Lin Meng Road, An Yan was flying by on his bike. A girl by the side of the road
was struck by his lithe figure, but she was only able to catch a glimpse of his white
shirt and handsome face.

He had a black computer bag on his back, earphones in his ears, and running shoes
on his feet. He looked like a university student. Maybe it was because the weather
today was too good, but his actions seemed particularly lively. It was to the point
that when he parked his bike and walked into the Bureau of Public Safety, the
security guard even asked him, “Is your mood is really good today?”

It was only at this moment that An Yan noticed, from his reflection on the glass
door, that a light smile curled on his lips.

He immediately straightened his lips, returning to his poker face.

The security guard said, “Hey. . .” There he goes again, pretending to be

sophisticated and wise beyond his years.
An Yan pushed open the office doors, but there was no one inside.

They had not arrived yet.

An Yan tossed his bag on the table, saw that the time was still early, and opened
the computer to play games, blacklisting some of the game’s vicious bullies while
he was at it.

The door was pushed open again, bringing in fresh, cool air. The face of the tall
man who used his arms to hold the door open was supremely indifferent. The
slender woman walked lightly into the room, and said “Ah, An Yan is already here!

An Yan was distracted, and was killed in the game, He lifted his head, glanced at
them, and said, “Mhm.”
Aiyo! He was just about to defeat his opponent.

Only God knew how bored he had been all alone in the office these past few days.
Because Bo Jinyan was away, they couldn’t accept cases. An Yan had already
hacked into the Bureau’s system three or four times, since life was so lonely and
cold.

Although his eyes stared at the screen, An Yan still shot a glance at them from the
corner of his eye. Bo Jinyan took off his coat, hung it on the rack, rolled up his
sleeves, and went to make coffee.

“Make me a cup, too.” said An Yan.

“I’m only making one for Jian Yao. Don’t you have hands?” Bo Jinyan replied.

Jian Yao sat down in front of her desk, and immediately objected, “Jinyan, just
make him a cup, it won’t take any effort at all.”

Bo JInyan had nothing more to say.

An Yan lightly smiled.

A box of peach blossom biscuits was placed in front of him. Jian Yao smiled and
said, “How is it that you like to eat sweet things?

An Yan immediately opened the box, took a biscuit and popped it into his
mouth.“Thanks, sister-in-law.”

To one side, Bo Jinyan chuckled and said, as if speaking to himself, “I am one who
doesn’t like sweet foods.”

An Yan put the entire box into his own drawer straightaway.

The bell to begin work rang, and the gentle fragrance of coffee permeated the
entire room. Sunlight quietly shone through the window. It was another calm yet
productive day. Without any cases to worry them, Bo Jinyan read dossiers; Jian Yao
wrote the follow-up analysis report about the ancient city case; and An Yan
calculated the year’s newest criminal statistics.

The Public Safety Bureau’s Criminal Psychology Special Cases Unit was established
at the beginning of this year. After Bo Jinyan returned to China and led in solving a
series of cases, the superiors specially formed this unit for him. Jian Yao and An Yan
were both considered as his assistants, and they were assigned the status of
criminal investigators for now. Usually, when they were in action, the city’s police
department would send a team of officers to work with them.

After the “Flower Cannibal”* case, plus the ancient city case, they had already
solved three cases.

*T/N This was the main case in the previous novel, ‘When He Comes, Close Your
Eyes’ aka ‘Love Me if You Dare’.

“Oh yeah, Chief Yan said last week that he would assign us another officer again,
transferred in from somewhere else.” An Yan said.

“Any information?” Bo Jinyan asked.

“Not sent over yet.”

Bo Jinyan made a “hmph” sound, and said, “I don’t want some untalented
person.”

As An Yan and Jian Yao were both busy with their own tasks, they both ignored
him. After a while, he said to himself again, “But, then again, I really do not have
any good officers at my disposal.”

An Yan said, “Sister-in-law, make him shut up.”

“Shut up.” Jian Yao said.

At the same time that this was all happening, Fang Qing was dragging his luggage,
walking out of the Beijing train station. He lifted his head, looked at the not-so-blue
sky and the heavy clouds. It was only a day in May, and it was already weirdly hot
like this. This lousy weather, so far from the constantly spring-like weather, the
faraway sky, and the vast clouds of the ancient city. As he looked, his nose itched,
and he gave a great loud sneeze.

Hey, who was thinking of him?

He dragged his suitcase, and squeezed onto the bus going towards the Bureau of
Public Safety.

——

At night, Bo Jinyan went for dinner with his old friend, Fu Ziyu.

Fu Ziyu was driving the Cheroke, toward the area around the Bureau of Public
Safety. He thought it was funny. Why was it that Bo Jinyan returns and he (FZY) had
to drive his (BJY) car and get it washed it for him? Other than Jian Yao, didn’t Bo
Jinyan have that one called An Yan who worked for him? Last weekend, he had
even seen An Yan at the Bo home, helping himself to food and drink.

Why did the servile task of washing the car still land on him? Now that Bo Jinyan
had new friends, shouldn’t he be upgraded to the position of a VIP friend?

Although he angrily thought like this, yesterday, after receiving Bo Jinyan’s “I’m
coming back” phone call, Fu Ziyu still bore the responsibility of getting the car
washed without any resentment. He even used his own money to buy replacement
floor mats for him.

From far away, Fu Ziyu could see Bo Jinyan standing at the doorway of the
restaurant, both hands in his trouser pockets. He emitted a chilly aura, giving the
impression that he didn’t fit in with those around him. As Fu Ziyu looked on, he
suddenly smiled again.
Maybe what Bo Jinyan said was right – he had the disposition of an old woman, the
fate of an old woman.

It must be that he had too much gentle and soft love in his heart, and without
anywhere to expend it, he could only shower it on Bo Jinyan.

The two sat down, and as usual, ordered a fish, a vegetable dish, and a dish of stir-
fried wuhuarou* – the meat was for Fu Ziyu.
*T/N 五花肉 – lit. five flower meat – a typically fatty pork meat dish.

After eating a few bites, Fu Ziyu asked, “Where is Jian Yao? How come she didn’t
come to eat with us?”

Bo Jinyan acted as if he didn’t hear anything. He lowered his head and carefully
picked the fishbones clean with his chopsticks.

Fu Ziyu said, “Hey, I’m talking to you! Where’s your wife?”

It was only then that Bo Jinyan put down his chopsticks, took a sip of his tea, and
lightly answered, “She’s at a gathering with people from her home town.”

“People from her home town?” Fu Ziyu started to understand a bit more and
smiled. “And her childhood sweetheart is there as well?”

“Hmph,” Bo Jinyan answered, “If we look at it from the point of view that humans
live to a hundred years, I am Jian Yao’s sweetheart. That person is just someone
from her home town in her youth.”

Jian Yao exited the car. From afar, she could see Li Xunran standing at the doorway
of the restaurant, and beside him stood a man she didn’t know.

“Xunran!” Jian Yao walked over, and the two men smiled.
“Yaoyao*, let me introduce you.” Li Xunran patted the shoulder of the man beside
him. “He is also from our city of Tong, the famous lawyer Luo Lang. When we were
young, he even took us fishing, do you remember that?”

*T/N 瑶瑶 (yaoyao) – Li Xunran’s nickname for Jian Yao. It’s common to take a
person’s name and ‘double’ it as a nickname.

Jian Yao saw that the man was tall and well-built his facial features were well-
proportioned Looking to be in his thirties, he wore a full suit that was well-crafted,
and his entire body radiated elegance. Luo Lang looked at her and also gave her a
gentle smile. “Jian Yao, hello.”

They had fished together as children? Jian Yao really could not remember this. She
also smiled and shook his hand. “Hi, Lawyer Luo.”

“You’re too polite,” Luo Lang said smilingly, “we are all from the same home town,
and Xunran calls me Big Brother Luo.”

Xunran also smiled.

Jian Yao heartily replied, “Very well, Big Brother Luo.”

The three entered the restaurant.ther people from Tong city were already there.
During the dinner, everyone discussed Tong city’s local conditions and customs
andtheir work in Beijing, all talking to their heart’s content.
Xunran had also been transferred to Beijing for work, but he was in another sub-
bureau. He often met up with Jian Yao. Jian Yao felt that this distance between
them was pretty good. Their relationship would not change.

As Luo Lang was a lawyer, he attracted many inquiries and much attention.
Someone laughingly asked, “Brother Luo, you are a lawyer. After today, if we
encounter legal issues, we can seek advice from you, right?”

Luo Lang smiled and replied, “Of course, I will provide our home town people with
consulting services.”
Everyone laughed, all jostling to propose a toast to him. Luo Lang did not pretend
to be coy, and generously received the toast. Jian Yao observed all this and
immediately felt that this man was amiable and candid. It was thus very easy to like
him.

Almost as if he felt her gaze, Luo Lang turned to look at her, asking in a low tone,
“What’s wrong? If you can’t drink, don’t force yourself, I’ll drink for you.”

Jian Yao’s heart warmed. She smiled and answered, “No need,” picked up the glass
of wine and drank it all in one gulp. Xunran laughed, “Brother Luo, you’re
underestimating her, her alcohol tolerance is better than mine.”

Jian Yao put down the glass, and was met with Luo Lang’s surprised yet amused
gaze. She smiled and said, “Brother Luo, I also have a question. I’ll just take the
opportunity today to consult you.”

“Please go ahead.” Luo Lang filled her glass again.

“We’ve encountered a case where a man married five women. Of course, of these
five, he only has a marriage certificate with one of them, but the other four all live
with him, like a rich landowner of the olden days. In this case, is the law powerless
to do anything?”

When everyone heard this, they all curiously looked over.

Luo Lang thought about it and said, “No. He is registered as married with his
original wife, and, while he is not registered with the others, he is living with them
and has marital relations with them. This is considered polygamy. This kind of
behaviour, where one ‘covertly takes a concubine’, is a betrayal of the obligation of
faithfulness between husband and wife. However, currently in our country,
polygamy falls into the category of crimes which are broadly described as ‘don’t
tell, don’t acknowledge’. This means that unless someone involved advances a
lawsuit, the courts usually will not take the initiative to accept and hear the case.

“Ohh,” murmured Jian Yao, and everyone else.

Luo Lang lifted his full glass and said, “Everyone is in Beijing, so we should
naturally look out for each other. I’ve always very much admired the police, I never
thought that the little girl who followed Xunran and I when we were young would
be an impressive criminal investigator now. I will first toast to Jian Yao. In many
senses, lawyers actually share the same pursuits as the police; we all pursue justice
and truth. Since you call me ‘Big Brother Luo’, in future, if you have any questions
about the law, you can consult me at any time. I will definitely do everything I can
to help and support you.”

Everyone listening was inspired by this rousing speech and cheered him on to give
a toast to Jian Yao. Jian Yao was also very moved, yet also felt slightly awkward as
they were not very familiar with each other, and she didn’t want to needlessly
accept someone’s favour. She nodded, stood up, and said, “Big Brother Luo, you
are very straightforward. I will thank you in advance. After today, if there is
anything I can help you with, my husband and I will definitely be very happy to
help.”

Luo Lang smiled, and downed his glass in one gulp.

——

When the gathering ended, a black Cherokee had already stopped outside the
restaurant.

Jian Yao said goodbye to the others and got into the car. From afar, one could see a
man winding down the window, revealing a pale, handsome face. He nodded
towards Li Xunran in greeting, looked at the others briefly, then wound up the
window and drove off.

Luo Lang and Li Xunran stood side by side.

“That’s her husband?” Luo Lang asked.

“Yup.” Li Xunran smilingly answered, “The famous criminal investigation specialist
and professor. An amazing man.”

After a moment’s silence, Luo Lang asked, “Why didn’t you catch her yourself?”

Li Xunran didn’t move a muscle. After a while, he laughed and asked, “What are you
talking about?”

Luo Lang laughed and patted his shoulder, then turned to get into his car.

The evening breeze blew softly. The city lights shone brightly in the distance. Luo
Lang drove his black Cayenne for a short distance, then stopped the car on a
deserted road under a viaduct. He opened the window and lit a cigarette.

Someone walked past and looked at the calm face of the man in the car. Luo Lang
also looked at him, but it was as if he was staring right through the scene in front of
him and was looking instead at some unknown place in the distance.

After a while, he extinguished his cigarette, lowered his head, and scrolled through
the pictures on his cellphone until he found the group photograph they had just
taken. Jian Yao was standing in the middle, as exquisite and vivid as a painting. He
stood next to her, smiling.

He pulled out his wallet again and retrieved a yellowed photo from a compartment.
It was a picture of Jian Yao as a young girl. Her silhouette was as pleasingly delicate
and pretty as the older version. Her hair was in a ponytail, her eyes were big, and
she was smiling sweetly.

Luo Lang looked at the picture for a moment, then smiled. He replaced the wallet
in his pocket and drove off.

——

That same quiet night, Jian Yao sat in the passenger seat, looking through her
cellphone. As Bo Jinyan drove, he hummed along to the soothing symphonic music
that was softly playing. However, he was humming very softly – he did not allow
anyone to listen to him singing. Although he was already married, he resolutely
refused to sing for her.

Jian Yao was engrossed in what she was looking at.

It was the pictures a university friend had posted of her wedding photoshoot and
wedding ceremony in their chat group. Jian Yao texted ‘Congratulations’, but,
immediately, another university friend texted: Jian Yao ah, I heard you’re already
married, why didn’t you have a wedding ceremony?
Jian Yao sent a smiley emoji and replied: I’ll hold one when there’s time.
Wow, people’s wedding ceremonies can be really beautiful. A dreamy blue stage, a
venue decorated throughout with fresh flowers and lush greenery. There were even
quite a few elegant little flower girls. When the groom embraced his bride, the
happiness on their faces seemed to overflow. The friends and relatives around
them were all smiling, and everyone was so happy.

Suddenly, Bo Jinyan asked, “What are you looking at?”

“It’s nothing.”

However, they had reached a red light junction, and the light was red. Bo Jinyan
had stopped the car, so he leaned over and had a perfectly clear view of what Jian
Yao had been looking at on her cellphone.

“Ah, so it’s . . . a wedding.” Bo Jinyan shot her a meaningful glance, then resumed
driving.

Jian Yao was startled for a moment.

“What do you mean by that?” She gently pulled on his arm, but no matter how she
wheedled, he would only smile faintly without saying anything.

. . . Meaningful look my foot! The whole world can see that you’re inwardly satisfied
at having concealed the secret of our wedding ceremony!
Chapter 25

Once, Jian Yao asked Bo Jinyan, “Why do you keep insisting that Fu Ziyu should be
a forensic pathologist? Although he’s a highly skilled surgeon,, he did not specialise
in forensic medicine. There are many highly qualified and experienced forensic
specialists in the bureau.”

Bo Jinyan replied, “I don’t know them.”

Jian Yao muttered, “. . . So wilful.”

To her surprise, Bo Jinyan continued, “I previously thought that he would regain

his self-confidence and optimism as time passed . However, it has become clear
that there is a block in his heart which he cannot overcome. He has to confront it,
otherwise he will never be happy. In psychology, we call this ‘desensitisation
therapy’.

Jian Yao was silent.

Thereafter, she was firmly in the ‘bully and nag Fu Ziyu to become a forensic
pathologist’ camp.

In response to this, Fu Ziyu said, “When women marry, they really pay more
attention to their lovers than their friends*.” Then, he shrugged it off with a laugh.

*T/N 重色轻友 (zhong se qing you) – pay more attention to a lover than a friend; to
value sex over friendship

He did not want to be a forensic pathologist.

……

He wanted to rescue people who were alive, not stand by powerlessly looking at
corpses.
In this lifetime, he would never be a forensic pathologist.

However, what was currently holding the attention of the three-person Special
Cases Unit was not Fu Ziyu’s persistent resistance, but the ‘mintage’ of the criminal
investigator who had newly transferred in.

Early in the morning, Bo Jinyan went for a meeting with the Police Chief at the
Central police station.

After exchanging the usual pleasantries, the chief asked with a faint smile, “Jinyan,
are you satisfied with the candidate who has just transferred to your unit?”

Bo Jinyan solemnly replied, “Just judging from the resume, I don’t see anything
lacking. I’ll only be able to answer your question after I’ve put him to work.”

“Ahhh . .” the chief said.

The chief did not like to talk with Bo Jinyan, as he always felt that he was unable to
continue a conversation with him for any length of time.

In truth, Bo Jinyan had a similar feeling. After they chatted simply for a short while,
Bo Jinyan stood up to take his leave and the chief saw him off with a smile.

On leaving the office, Bo Jinyan was fully focused on walking forward.

He had not taken more than a few steps when, out of the corner of his eye, his
attention was immediately arrested by someone in the vicinity of the criminal
investigation unit’s office.

Oh, this is . . .

“Fang Qing?” Bo Jinyan strode over and asked rapidly, “Why are you here?”
Fang Qing and the newly arrived colleague had been idly chatting. When he looked
up and saw Bo Jinyan, he laughed. “Professor Bo, why can’t I be here?”

A colleague next to him smiled and said, “Professor Bo, Xiao Fang has risen up the
ranks because his past achievements have been outstanding.”
Fang Qing cupped his hands in obeisance to him and said, “You flatter me.”

On looking up, he noticed Bo Jinyan deep in thought.

Fang Qing asked, “You came here to do something?”

Bo Jinyan evaded the question and muttered to himself, “I’ve changed my mind.”
He turned and walked swiftly back into the chief’s office.

The chief was surprised. “You want Fang Qing? Why? You should know that the
person I originally assigned you is much more experienced, and is more highly
esteemed for the work he has done!”

Bo Jinyan replied, “I want Fang Qing. I’ve worked with him before. He’s very good.”

“Eh? How is that? Was it the case in the ancient city?”

Bo Jinyan nodded, and said, “He possesses a keen mind, courage tempered by
caution, and an unwavering determination. Once the course of the investigation
has been determined, he will overcome any challenges to get to the end point. He
is not bound by convention, but is flexible in how he thinks and in his approach to
situations. He is even willing to disregard police procedure in order to reach his
goal. He is kind-hearted, but also boasts a tough exterior. Furthermore, his skills
are excellent. In future, if it’s necessary to engage the criminal physically, this
responsibility can be handed to him. I can use a metaphor to describe him –
although I’m not sure if you’d understand it, chief – he’s like the classical Chinese
hero, which probably has to to do with his family background and the environment
he grew up in. I want this man.”

——
Fang Qing had only sat down for a while when he saw Bo Jinyan emerge from the
chief’s office. He gave Fang Qing a meaningful look, then left.

The look gave Fang Qing a sense of unease.

F**k, this professor who was advanced in age but juvenile in behaviour was not
going to play some kind of nasty trick on him, was he?

Fang Qing’s intuition was not wrong. Very soon, the chief called him into his office.

“Go to the Special Cases Unit?” Fang Qing stared.

“Yes.” The chief beamed from ear to ear. “Professor Bo specifically asked for you.
You will be the envy of every criminal investigator.” He fully believed that Fang
Qing would greet the news with joy. Who would have thought that this joker would
think for a bit, then resolutely declare, “I’m not going!”

The chief was totally taken aback. “Why?”

Why?

Fang Qing was too embarrassed to say anything. When all is said and done, a guy
coming from the ancient city to Beijing in pursuit of a lady was not a glorious
matter.

He had applied for a transfer because of Jin Xiaozhe.

Thus, he had not applied to transfer to any of the units which specialised in
handling criminal cases. Instead, he had applied to the relatively idle unit dealing
with pornography and illegal publications. Although there would be occasions
where he would be called to action suddenly, or when he would have to work at
night, for the most part, he would be able to get off work punctually.

This way, he would be able to visit Jin Xiaozhe regularly.

Otherwise, why the hell would he leave his ‘old nest’ in the ancient city, where he
had plenty of support and the licence to do as he liked, to come to a lousy place
like Beijing?

However, being assigned to the Special Cases Unit was a different kettle of fish.
They undertook the most vicious, most evil, most challenging of cases. Their work
was more exhausting than anyone else’s. Although just thinking about this stirred
up a faint thrill of excitement in Fang Qing, he really did not want to lose this
opportunity to woo a wife. With a lingering ache in his heart, he declined.

“Chief, I’m not going. I want to stay in the Anti-Pornography Unit.” Fang Qing put
on an especially firm and sincere smile as he said, “My lifelong ambition is to get rid
of pornography!”

The chief was stunned for a moment, then his face sank. “Get along with you! Fang
Qing, I haven’t mentioned this to you yet, but we have regarded you highly for a
long time. Why on earth did you ask for a transfer to the Anti-Pornography Unit this
time? Although I have no idea what kind of game you’re playing, or what’s on your
mind, you are the most outstanding criminal investigator in the province. Did you
really think we would assign you to just any position? Dream on!”

The first team dinner for the Special Cases Unit started off with a slightly strange
atmosphere.

The dinner had been arranged by Jian Yao. Since new colleagues were joining the
unit, she thought it would be good to welcome them at a communal dinner. Moreover,
she had heard that . . . ahem, ahem . . . the people had been ‘strong-armed’ by Bo
Jinyan to join them.

An Yan was not really concerned about the whole situation. As long as the food was
good, he was happy.

Fu Ziyu was highly puzzled. If they were going to have a get-together, then go ahead.
Why did they have to invite an outsider like him? Jian Yao, however, had spoken very
persuasively, mentioning that they had not gotten together for quite a while. You know
An Yan, so you’re not an outsider. Besides, the newcomer is someone like us.

Fu Ziyu had always been open to persuasion, and he easily agreed.

As for Fang Qing . . .

Although he felt that Bo Jinyan’s method of ‘forcible seizure’ was not cricket, in his
heart, he was somewhat tempted by the work of the Special Cases Unit. In addition,
although he was a straightforward and outspoken person, he had also had enough
experience with the ways of the world. Since he had been transferred to this unit, he
would just have to bear with it. As for Jin Xiaozhe . . . well, he would have to think
hard of another way to pursue her.

Thus, everyone was seated in the fish hot pot restaurant. Bo Jinyan and An Yan were
calm and unperturbed, and Jian Yao was attentive to the others. Contrary to what one
might have expected, Fu Ziyu and Fang Qing were laughing and chatting comfortably
with each other.

“How should I address you?” Fang Qing asked.

Fu Ziyu enthusiastically held out his hand. “I’m Fu Ziyu, a doctor.”

Fang Qing said, with sudden realisation, “Oh, so you’re the unit’s forensic
pathologist.”

Fu Ziyu said, “No, I’m not.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly as he lifted his head and said, “You will be, very soon.”

Fu Ziyu replied, “F**k off.”

An Yan turned around. “Juvenile. Sister-in-law, please get me another plate of sweet
potato chips. A little sweeter, please.”

Jian Yao said, “Ah, okay.”

The hot pot* was quickly served.

*火锅 (huo guo) – lit. ‘fire pot’. This is a Chinese cooking method where ingredients
are cooked in a simmering pot of soup stock placed in front of diners, who can choose
the ingredients they like and cook it themselves.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_pot
Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and Fu Ziyu were quite decorous while eating. Even when eating
fish, Bo Jinyan remained the epitome of good manners – eating neither too quickly
nor too slowly – although he could actually finish a whole fish in an instant.

However, with the addition of An Yan and Fang Qing, the rhythm of eating abruptly
changed! Fang Qing was an ‘iron man’ criminal investigator who had always gulped
down his food. Moreover, there was no one to drink with him at the dinner, so he
lowered his head and got down to the business of eating. His chopsticks flashed and
he filled up an entire bowl with hot pot ingredients and finished it in the blink of an
eye. Just a short while later, another bowl had been filled and emptied.

An Yan saw this and panicked. All the delicious food he wanted to eat had been
snatched up by Fang Qing. Thus, this otaku* who had not eaten a good meal for a few
days revved up his engine. Their chopsticks darted in and out of the large pot in rapid
succession.

*宅男(zhai nan) – a guy who stays at home all the time, typically spending a lot of
time playing online games; from the Japanese ‘otaku’

Bo Jinyan was busy picking the bones out of his piece of fish. Suddenly, his face sank
as he asked, “What happened to the two pieces of fish I just dropped into the pot?”

No one answered him. There was no need to talk about two pieces of fish when two
entire plates of fish had already found their way into ‘someone’s’ stomach.
Fu Ziyu bit back a smile. He leisurely munched on the white cabbage from the hot pot
that no one cared about. Jian Yao laughed as she patted Bo Jinyan on the shoulder,
saying, “I’ll order another fish for you.”

“No,” Bo Jinyan said coldly, “Just give me my own pot.”

……

For some unknown reason, everyone ate well at this meal.

When the hot pot was taken away, everyone just sat on the sofa . . . resting. Rubbing
her stomach, Jian Yao thought, if all the dinners the team ate together had this kind of
atmosphere, she would definitely put on weight.

Fu Ziyu requested a pot of tea. Everyone slowly sipped at their tea, idly chatting.

Bo Jinyan asked Fang Qing, “Why did you want to come to Beijing?”
Fang Qing smiled and replied, “Personal reasons.”

Fu Ziyu said seriously, “I’ve heard that Fang Qing is a highly experienced criminal
investigator, and he’s here to be your deputy team leader. This is excellent. Jinyan,
your team is fully functional.”

Bo Jinyan smiled slightly, “Indeed, it is.”

Fang Qing half smiled, while An Yan and Jian Yao smiled wholeheartedly.

“The weekend starts tomorrow. Fang Qing, you should rest well and come to the
office next week,” Jian Yao said. “If you need help with anything in Beijing, just call
us anytime.”

Fang Qing smiled and nodded. “Thanks.”

An Yan swiftly dug out a few vouchers from his pocket and placed them on the table.
“Team leader and sister-in-law treated us to dinner, I’ll treat you to something else.”

“What are these?” Jian Yao took up a ticket.

An Yao replied, “Admission tickets to the Beijing Blueberry International Animation

Festival.”

Bo Jinyan murmured, “Oh . . .”

Fu Ziyu coughed and said, “Xiao An, these tickets are great. However, I’m a single,
old man, so I wont be going. I’m not particularly interested in animation.”

An Yan looked at Jian Yao, who looked at Bo Jinyan. Bo Jinyan’s mouth turned up at
the corners, and he was just about to say something, when An Yan suddenly spoke.
“The Animation Festival will feature a lot of romantic and amusing scenes, highly
suitable for lovers. Otherwise, where were you planning to go on a date this weekend?
To the morgue, or to the prison?”

That question was too blunt. Before Bo Jinyan could say anything, Jian Yao seized the
tickets and placed them in her pocket. “Thanks, An Yan. We’ll go, we’ll definitely
go.”
Bo Jin Yan kept quiet. Jian Yao had grabbed his hand under the table and dug her
fingernails in lightly, so he had yielded and not spoken.

Everyone looked at Fang Qing.

Fang Qing took a cigarette from his pocket, rolled it between his fingers and smiled.
“Thanks, but I won’t go, as I have something on.”

What animation festival? That’s for kids.

He had heard the news that the newly crowned movie superstar, Jin Xiaozhe, would
be filming in the Beijing suburbs this weekend.

He wanted to visit her on the movie set.

——
The first communal meal of the Special Cases Unit finally ended on a pleasant note.

Early in the evening, when the street lamps lit up, everyone went their separate ways.
An Yan took a ride home with Bo Jinyan, and Fang Qing took the public bus to have a
‘tour’ around Beijing. The last person to leave was Fu Ziyu. He drove down the ring
road, with its twinkling lights, towards home.

However, this kind of idle weekend was really boring, so he turned into a street in the
commercial district.

This street was not far from his home. There were a lot of people, and it was very
lively. He parked the car and walked along the brightly lit sidewalk, meandering
forward.
……

Maybe he should seriously consider Bo Jinyan’s suggestion and change line to be a

forensic pathologist?
The absurd suggestion flashed into his mind, and he was the first to laugh at himself.
……

The shops were a dazzling sight with their bright lights. He walked past the glass store
fronts, looking here, there, and everywhere. This world was bustling and full of
gaiety, but he seemed oblivious to all of it.

Was life like this?

Everything was perfect, but there was always disappointment and loss.

There was always joy, yet there was neither great sorrow nor great happiness
anymore.

He laughed at himself. It was probably because his life was too smooth-sailing and
blessed that he was like an immature kid*, spouting inopportune epithets**.
*毛头小子 (mao tou xiao zi) – 毛头 = feathery hair i.e. the hair on a newborn baby’s
head. The phrase is used to indicate someone young and immature.

** 为赋新词强说愁 (wei fu xin ci qiang shuo chou) – a line from 丑奴儿·书博山道

中壁, a poem written by 辛弃疾 (Xin Qiji), and refers to how, when desiring to find a
new way to describe something, the persona instead dwells on the bitterness of
sorrow. Today, it is used to refer to an action or speech that is ill-timed, behind the
times, or inopportune.

Without realising it, he walked towards a women’s dress store and stopped outside,
his heart strangely warm.

This was once Han Yumeng’s favourite brand. The clothes were fashionable and
elegant.

Fu Ziyu’s gaze swept over the beautiful dresses on display and finally ended up at the
entrance of the fitting room.

A woman was standing there, with her back towards him.

She was wearing a new, sky-blue dress. Her hair cascaded down her back like a
waterfall, and her skin was snowy-white. Such a slender and supple waist, such full
and exquisite curves. Fu Ziyu was instantly transported to a time, many years back,
when he had stood behind Han Yumeng as she looked at herself in the mirror while
trying on clothes. The same pretty figure, the same alluring skin.

The only difference was, at that time, Han Yumeng had preferred a more delicate
shade of red.

Fu Ziyu had no idea why, but looking at this lady made him feel despondent.

After a while, the woman turned her head and continued browsing through the rack.
Fu Ziyu observed her, motionless.

It seemed as if a bolt of white light, which pierced through the quiet and beautiful
night, rushed towards him mercilessly. His mind suddenly went blank. The only
image remaining was that of the distinct, beautiful, and familiar side profile.
……
The woman did not notice the gaze of the person outside the window.

Fu Ziyu stared for a long time, then raised his hand and shielded his face. Tears fell
from between his fingers.

Is that you, Yumeng?

Is that you, home at last?

Do you know how long I have waited for you?

I have been waiting for the miracle that I had thought would never come true in this
lifetime. That day has come.
Chapter 26

Someone urgently knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Jian Yao opened the door to see Fu Ziyu’s pale face and red eyes. It was
clear that he had cried and this caused a fright in Jian Yao. Who would cause the
ever-gentle and soft Fu Ziyu to cry?

Fu Ziyu gave Jian Yao a nod and tilted his head to try to avoid Jian Yao seeing his
face. He directly walked in and asked, “Where’s Bo Jinyan?”

“In the study,” Jian Yao said hurriedly.

Fu Ziyu pushed the door open to enter the study. Inside, Bo Jinyan had his head
bent over, reading a book. Fu Ziyu grabbed the book out of his hands and tossed it
aside.

Bo Jinyan looked up at him with a questioning look.

“I . . . I saw her . . .” Fu Ziyu’s voice was rough and trembling.

“Who?”

“Joe….Yumeng, Han Yumeng.”

Bo Jinyan’s complexion slightly changed and he gave Jian Yao a glance.

“You’re sure you saw clearly?” Bo Jinyan asked.

“It was her!” Fu Ziyu nodded rapidly, “I very clearly saw her. The same forehead,
eyes, nose . . . even the small birthmark on her neck was the exact same – unless, in
this world, there are two people who look almost identical.”
Fu Ziyu’s voice sounded as if he was in pain. Bo Jinyan patted his hand, leading him
to sit down. He got a bottle of water and handed it to Fu Ziyu, who opened the
bottle and took a large gulp. Then, he stared at the ground with his red eyes. Under
Jian Yao’s obvious ‘directions’, Bo Jinyan did a good job at comforting his friend.

Not to mention Jian Yao though, even Bo Jinyan had never seen Fu Ziyu like this.

Jian Yao quietly sat down next to them.

“Where did you see her? Where is she now?” Bo Jinyan softly asked.

Fu Ziyu nodded his head and said, “I saw her at the business street but at that time,
I was so shocked I thought I was hallucinating. Once I decided to go after her, she
had already disappeared.” He stuck his finger in his hair. “I’ve asked the staff,
though, and there most definitely was a woman who looked like her and had
bought stuff.”

Bo Jinyan thought for a moment and looked at Jian Yao, “Notify An Yan
immediately, collect all the surveillance from that street, and search for all the
traces of that woman.”

Jian Yao promptly got up. Bo Jinyan looked at his friend and said, “I will
immediately request all relevant departments to do all that they can to find her.
Once they find her traces, I will let you know. But Fu Ziyu, to be honest, I’m
uncertain on the chances of her survival based on the circumstances back then.
The woman you saw perhaps could have only resembled her in appearance, so
prepare yourself.”

For a long time, Fu Ziyu did not say anything. Afterwards he said a soft, “Okay.”

Fu Ziyu stayed at Bo Jinyan’s house for a little and had finally calmed down. He
didn’t need Jinyan to drive him home. He could do it himself. However, both Jian
Yao and Bo Jinyan knew that he would have trouble sleeping tonight.
Not only tonight though. Based on Fu Ziyu’s temperament, it was very likely that he
would start to have trouble sleeping for a long period of time.

The stars shone brightly in the night sky.

Bo Jinyan hugged Jian Yao and leaned on the bench, watching the night sky.

“Do you think that person was Han Yumeng?” Jian Yao asked.

“I don’t know,” Bo Jinyan said with a deep gaze.

He thought, if he said that it was all a mistake, that would be the end of the matter.

But what if it really was Han Yumeng, who had been missing for so long?

……

How did she manage to come out alive back then?

How did she manage to escape from the clutches of that homicidal maniac?

Where had she been all these years?

Why did she never look for Ziyu?

Why did she suddenly appear again now?

A faint breath of chilliness spilled into his heart. Nevertheless, when Jian Yao had
reached her hand out to hug him, there was a warmth in the pit of his stomach.

Bo Jinyan lowered his head to look at her.

“We are lucky,” she whispered, “We haven’t been separated.”

There was a small feeling of pain in his stomach. It was the type of soft pain that
was felt when innocent and sweet people got involved. He kissed her forehead,
smiled, and said, “What are you saying? We definitely won’t be separated – how
could I let something like that happen? How could the sun leave his sky?” Jian Yao
could not help but smile.

The two hugged for a moment and Jian Yao fell asleep in his embrace. “Oh!” Bo
Jinyan said and stood up, carefully lifting her and carrying her to bed. It was like
carrying a soft cat. This simple action caused Bo Jinyan’s heart to be filled with an
irresistible longing. He discovered a ridiculous thought, one that had never
occurred to him before: he was actually somewhat looking forward to these kinds
of situations, where time slowed down and stretched longer, where he felt that he
never wanted it to end.

——

Early the next morning, Bo Jinyan had found people from each of the departments
to assist him in searching the locations that woman had been sighted at.

However, the result was not satisfactory .

An Yan had acquired all the surveillance but, unexpectedly, none of the recordings
had captured that woman’s face. All that was recorded were the indistinct shadows
in the city.

The clothing store had already been thoroughly examined by the forensic
investigators. Surprisingly, they were not able to find any fingerprints that had
matched Han Yumeng’s.

“Was she wearing gloves at that time?”

“I don’t think so,” the employee recalled. “In this type of weather, wouldn’t
wearing gloves seem weird?” Fu Ziyu was in luck. That day, after his interrogation,
the employees remembered that woman clearly and could identify her. The
woman in their photo looked exactly like Han Yumeng.
Although the woman in the picture looked the same, there were no fingerprints.

To any detective, these were all facts that deserved to be considered.

The past two days had been very busy ,so, Bo Jinyan had not updated Fu Ziyu on
the investigation’s progress, and had also not brought him to all the different
places where the woman had been sighted. Bo Jinyan wanted to avoid causing his
mood to fluctuate too much. He planned to explain it to him once they had obvious
progress.

And so, Fu Ziyu became calm. He was probably waiting for news on the
investigation.

There was an animation convention on Sunday afternoon. Since there was not a jot
of progress on that woman’s tracks, there was no point wasting time over it. So, Bo
Jinyan and Jian Yao had decided to go to the convention to relax.

While Jian Yao was walking out of the front door, Luo Lang, whom she had met
some days ago, called her.

“Jian Yao, the responses to the three legal issues you consulted me about last time
are in your inbox.” Even though she could only hear his voice, Jian Yao could feel
his simple, kind, and gentle smile.

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Luo. Sorry for troubling you. I will look over it when I get
home tonight.”

“No problem. You’re leaving your house?” Luo Lang asked, smiling.

“Yep, I’m going out with my husband for a stroll.”

“Okay, have a nice weekend. If you have any questions regarding the law, feel free
to ask me.”
Jian Yao’s heart was warm when she hung up the phone. The police had their own
legal advisors, but correspondence between departments sometimes took a few
days to complete. So recently, whenever Jian Yao was reading through the
information or organising files and came across any problems, she would send her
questions to Luo Lang, as long as there was no confidential information involved.
He was always patient in his responses and contributed much help towards the
work. Gradually, Jian Yao and he had begun to become more familiar with each
other.

Of course, to thank Luo Lang, Jian Yao had bought some books to gift to him. They
were the criminal investigation books he had previously mentioned having an
interest in.

Bo Jinyan was not concerned that he was helping them. Unexpectedly, Jian Yao
had said, “It’s so great that my old friend can give us legal advice. This is what a real
complete system looks like: our special team, with four official team members, half
a forensic pathologist who is currently emotionally unstable, and half a lawyer.”

……

“Honey, can we go on our date now?” Bo Jinyan asked, smiling.

Jian Yao looked up and saw that he had changed into a shirt and pants. He wore a
polo shirt and casual pants and ended up looking a little less grim and gentler.

He did not seem like a criminal psychology teacher now. He looked very young,
scholarly, refined, and handsome.

This had to be a result of Jian Yao giving fashion advice to Bo Jinyan these past few
years. Otherwise, an otaku, who would wear a suit to go hiking, would consider
wearing a shirt and leather shoes to be an excellent idea.

Jian Yao could not help but smile, tossing her phone into her bag and hooking her
arm into his.
“Let’s go, Mr. Bo,” she said.

The two of them drove to the famous animation park in the suburbs of Beijing.

The wind was softly blowing through the open car windows, music was playing
inside, and the couple spoke from time to time. Even when Jian Yao’s phone
vibrated due to a text message, she did not hear it.

Her silver phone was lying in her purse, its screen brightened then darkened.

It was a message from an unknown number:

You absolutely cannot go to the animation convention.

Chapter 27

This animation park, located to the west of Beijing, spanned a wide area. The high
curved roof of the main stadium was like a white dove with its wings outstretched,
giving the building a spacious and lofty feeling. A jumble of buildings of various
heights surrounded it in a disorderly fashion. Further afield were the farmlands and
woods of suburban Beijing, an expanse of tranquil green.

There were quite a few cars parked outside the stadium, but today’s visitor
numbers were middling. According to An Yan, the animation convention would be
held over several days.

Jian Yao had never been to such an event before. She held Bo Jinyan’s arm as they
made their way down the small white path to the main stadium. On the way, they
met many students and cosplayers who were dressed as giant hammer-wielding
armoured warriors, pink-eared rabbit maidens, court ladies in fluttering white
period costumes . . .

“When you were in university, did you ever dress up like that?” Bo Jinyan asked
with great interest.

“Of course not,” Jian Yao replied. “How would I have the nerve to do so?”

A hint of laughter rose in Bo Jinyan’s eyes. “You’re too smart and adorable.”

Jian Yao looked up at him. “Are you praising me or expressing regret?”

“This is the person I dote on.”

Jian Yao was speechless.

An eye-opening experience awaited them inside the stadium. Space fighter

models, intricately detailed VR games with monstrously huge landscapes, song and
dance performances full of antique flavour . . . Jian Yao held Bo Jinyan’s hand as
they wandered around, trying this, looking at that. Bo Jinyan had arrived with little
interest, but, his interest was gradually aroused, and he started trying out the
various attractions with her. Even though they were shamefully slaughtered in a
game by an opponent who looked as if he was in middle school, they walked away
from it having enjoyed a fresh, new experience.

Bo Jinyan’s austere demeanour, coupled with his tall and slender appearance,
caused him to stand out from the crowd. Sure enough, girls also noticed him. Jian
Yao heard a girl whisper as she passed them, “So handsome.” “He looks like the
Black Butler* . . .”

*T/N 黑执事 (hei zhi shi) – Black Butler, a Japanese manga series written and
illustrated by Yana Toboso. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Butler

Jian Yao stole a glance at him.

His gaze was firmly fixed at what was in front of him, so he had heard nothing.

However, the more time they spent in the stadium, the more Jian Yao gradually
discovered . . . ahem, there were a considerable number of female cosplayers in
revealing clothing. Many of them were wearing game costumes which half-exposed
their bosoms, showed off their seductively long legs, and were accented by their
delicately made-up, big eyes. They would encounter a number of these every few
paces they took, followed joyfully by otaku who were possibly pleading with them
to take a group photo.

A group in front of them was in the process of taking such a photo. Bo Jinyan and
Jian Yao halted a short distance away and waited.

Jian Yao asked, “Hey, do you want to take a photo with them as well?”

Bo Jinyan shot her a look. “Do you take me for an idiot who wants to stand next to
a bimbo with untidy clothes, pleading for a group photograph?”

Jian Yao paused for a moment before saying, “I was only joking.”
After walking around for two to three hours, the two of them exited the venue and
sat down to rest at an open-air cafe.

“Are you satisfied with today’s date?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Jian Yao smiled slightly. “Satisfied.”

Bo Jinyan laughed lightly, and said no more.

Jian Yao asked, “Are you still thinking about Ziyu’s situation?”

“Yeah.”

Jian Yao tilted her head to look at the sky, the clouds and the trees in the distance.
Sometimes, the truth was just like what we could see in front of us, so clear, and
yet so far away.

Her gaze was drawn to two cosplayers not too far away. The two of them were
standing at the corner of a low building. No one else was in the vicinity.

Jian Yao admitted that her previous understanding of cosplay was extremely
shallow. From what she had seen on television news reports, they had seemed to
be a group of bizarrely dressed people. However, today, she had seen no small
number of cosplayers who had vividly brought to life anime or game characters,
and with great class. That court lady in the period costume standing over there
with her head bowed was as vivid as a picture. That armoured soldier, stained with
blood, standing there quietly with lowered head, seemed to express that this entire
clamour-filled stadium was, to him, nothing but a vicious battlefield.

All this caused Jian Yao to have deep respect for these people.

Such was the case with the two boys Jian Yao had noticed.

A young man had his side profile towards them, with his head down and silver hair
flying in the wind. The traditional robe he wore was also silver.
Another boy had hair softer and more supple than Jian Yao’s, and a red dot
between his eyebrows. Pretty and delicate, with a slim body entirely clothed in
black. Half-kneeling in front of the silver-robed boy, he slowly raised his head, and
a single tear fell from his eyes.

The same extraordinary manner and picturesque arrangement. The two of them
simply faced each other in silence, and it felt as if an air of great sorrow permeated
the surroundings.

Jian Yao was transfixed as she watched them.

What were they doing?

Suddenly, the expression on the face of the half-kneeling boy in black changed to
one of agony and fear. He held his hand to his chest while a trail of fresh blood
dripped out of the corner of his mouth. With his other hand, he pointed at the
person in front of him and gasped, “You . . . you . . .”

The silver-robed boy’s face took on an extremely cold and indifferent expression.

The boy in black collapsed on the ground and started crawling forward slowly with
painful breaths. He grabbed the other boy’s boots and said, “How could you . . .”

The silver-robed boy placed one foot firmly on the boy’s chest, his face hard and
fierce.

No one nearby had noticed what was going on.

Jian Yao almost couldn’t believe what she was seeing and shot up immediately. Bo
Jinyan noticed her movement and turned his head to look.

It was then that the boy in black looked up and laughed heartily as he sprang up
from the ground, using his tongue to lick away the trail of ‘blood’. The silver-robed
boy’s evil visage vanished, and he laughed lazily as well. The two of them slung
their arms around each other’s shoulders and walked back to the main stadium.
Jian Yao heaved a sigh of relief, and couldn’t help laughing.

“It’s okay,” she said. “I was over-sensitive.”

After finishing their coffee, the two of them walked towards the exit of the
animation park, passing by several buildings on the way. From time to time, they
saw the signs proclaiming ‘XX Animation Studio’, ‘XX Manga Company’, and ‘XX
Animation Society’. Probably, quite a few small and medium-sized companies
related to the animation industry were all located here.

Ordinarily, there was nothing unusual about this place. Passing through the
buildings, they would reach the car park, and then head for home.

However, when they were in the midst of the buildings, with very few people
around, Bo Jinyan abruptly stopped and looked into the distance.

“What is it?” Jian Yao asked.

“Why is he here?” Bo Jinyan muttered, half to himself, and strode forward with big
steps. Jian Yao had also noticed the indistinct figure which had flashed into sight at
the corner of the wall and then disappeared again, closely following behind
someone or something else.

Both of them ran the rest of the way.

The sun was setting, and the slanted rays of light bathed the area behind the
buildings in a golden glow, accentuating the green of the hills. Before long, Bo
Jinyan had caught up with that familiar figure in a corner and stopped him.

As Fu Ziyu turned and recognised them, his face took on an expression of relief.
Then, he immediately looked around in all directions, but there was no one at all
around the scattered buildings or on the roads.
He sighed heavily.

Bo Jinyan stared at him. “Was it her?”

Jian Yao’s heart tightened.

Fu Ziyu looked both annoyed and excited. “Yes! I was just strolling around the
streets, and I saw her again! I saw her again, and she got into a taxi, so I ran to get
my car and followed her all the way here. But, once we neared the animation park,
I lost her . . .”
Chapter 28

When he died, it was very poignant.

Just as he had always yearned for.

He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He had hair that was blacker and
more supple than any girl’s, and he reportedly took very good care of it on a daily
basis. His skin was so delicate that one whisper of wind against it would have torn
it. When I touched it, it felt smooth and tender, like gelatin.

His most beautiful feature was his eyes. Clear and deep, like limpid autumn water*.
Even someone like me, who lacked romantic feelings, would be moved and excited
by just one glance into his eyes.

*T/N 秋水 (qui shui) – autumn water; a traditional description of a lady’s beautiful

eyes.

However, he was too beautiful, and also, too proud. As a result, he was always
unable to get along with other people.

Nobody liked him. Apart from the men who wanted to bed him, or the ladies.

However, he never let just anyone touch him.

……

After he had died, fresh blood poured out from his pale, thin, weak chest.

I saw the blood tint the sea.

As if recording the sin and evil of our generation.

Desire is sin, and to go with the flow is evil.

Thus said the Master.

……

I lifted my head and looked at the vast expanse of blue sky. Below the stage were a
few scattered audience members. They were watching my strong and vigorous
appearance, and were continually raising their mobile phones to take pictures.

I hefted my sword onto my shoulder and looked down at the cement floor, but it
was like looking at a field littered with corpses. I looked at the concubine opposite
me. Her eyebrows were as black as umber, and her purity was like fire. A red dress
concealed her snow-white, delicate body. She shyly walked over and presented me
with a glass of he huan wine*

*T/N 合欢酒 (he huan jiu) – 合 = marriage, match; 欢 = joyous; lover; 酒 = wine. 合
欢酒 refers to the glass of wine that is shared by both husband and wife in a
marriage ceremony. An old wedding custom is to have 2 glasses of wine tied
together with red silk thread. The spouses will exchange glasses and drink the
wine.

I laughed heartily, just like a real general.

Although, in reality, I am just a programmer who is about to start work at a small

company, on stage, I can be a celebrated general*.

*T/N 一将功成万骨枯 (yi jiang gong cheng wan gu ku) – this is a line from the
poem《己亥水》by Tang dynasty poet, Cao Song (曹松). Literally, a general’s
fame (一将功成; 一 one; 将 = general; 功成 = fame, achievements) rests on the
bones (骨枯) of thousands (万 = 10,000) of soldiers i.e. one needs the sacrifice and
bloodshed of thousands of soldiers to be considered a ‘great’ general.
(See https://zhidao.baidu.com/question/71721868.html)
After thinking about it, actually, we are not all that different. Just a thousand small
things can force us to give up our dreams.
However, I also really like this world where dreams can be created.

I accepted the wine glass, exchanged glasses with her, and drained the glass in one
gulp.

After this, I should carry her in my arms, thus ending this cosplay show which has
been unable to attract a large crowd.

I couldn’t move.

I felt a severe pain in my chest and abdomen. As if my deepest blood vessels had
been attacked and ruptured. I heard my gasping breaths amidst the sound of the
audience snapping pictures, I grasped my throat and badly wanted to throw up.

When I raised my head to look, her face was the same colour as mine. She was
holding onto a nearby table for support and her eyes were terrified, like mine.

“In the water . . .” I rasped, and fell to the ground.

She collapsed too.

Thereafter, everything became hazy.

Amidst the haze, I seemed to hear the audience cheering.

I really wanted to curse them, f**k it, this is not playacting, it’s real.

We were really being poisoned to death. We were dying on the stage we loved, the
last stage we were performing on before renouncing our dreams.

After some time, I could hear the startled exclamations of my colleagues backstage,
as well as the clamour of the audience.

Later, I heard nothing at all.

——

While Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and Fu Ziyu were searching the area around the low
buildings, they noticed the activity beside a small stage not too far away.

“What’s happening over there?” Jian Yao looked in that direction.

Fu Ziyu was the first to run over there. At this time, any movement of grass due to
the wind was enough to alarm him.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao chased after him.

They never thought that they would see actual dead bodies in this place. And, two
of them, at that.

It was already evening and most of the visitors had already left the stadium. This
small, temporary stage outside the stadium still attracted a sizeable number of
people. Several cosplayers in period costumes, all looking shell-shocked, stood
beside the corpses. The audience members were whispering to one another as they
stared at the two bodies on the ground, afraid to go any closer.

Fu Ziyu quickened his pace and rushed to the bodies. He checked the breathing
and pulse of both the man and the woman, then shook his head at Bo Jinyan.

Bo Jinyan said to Jian Yao, “Raise the alarm.” After that, he crouched beside the
bodies to scrutinise them, at the same time instructing the three cosplayers next to
him, “Just stand there; don’t move and don’t touch anything.”

The audience resumed whispering.

A female cosplayer burst out, “Are they dead?”

A boy asked, “Who are you all?”

After Jian Yao called the station, she took out her police identification card and
showed it to them. “How did this happen?”

The third boy, with a trembling voice, replied, “We’re from the same group . . . Just
now, they were performing, and suddenly . . . this happened.”

Jian Yao found some tape and quickly cordoned off the entire small stage and its
immediate surroundings. More and more onlookers gathered until it seemed the
tension would boil over. Fu Ziyu’s professional instincts took over as he seemingly
put Han Yumeng on the back burner for the time being. He carefully examined the
bodies, and said softly to Bo Jinyan, “My initial suspicion is that they were
poisoned by XXX*, and they died instantly.”

*T/N Ding Mo doesn’t name the poison!

Bo Jinyan stood up and swept a look over the surroundings. His gaze first rested on
the faces of the three cosplayers and finally landed on the crowd surrounding
them.

——

At this time, the illustrious Deputy Head of the Special Crimes Unit (Criminal
Psychology) of the Ministry of Public Security, Fang Qing, was visiting a movie set in
the suburbs of Beijing.

However, the situation seemed a little different from what he had anticipated.

He had deliberately discarded his usual jacket, as Jin Xiaozhe had disliked it,
calling it old-fashioned. He had even gone shopping the day before, bought a new
T-shirt and styled his hair. This morning, while looking in the mirror, he felt
exceptionally high-spirited, and went off to buy a bouquet of baby’s breath. He
took a bus, transferred to the subway, then took another bus, finally reaching the
supposed location of the film shoot.
Unfortunately, he did not expect the tight security around the filming location
which kept idlers like him at bay.

It’s true, apart from him, there were at least a hundred ‘fans’ outside the cordoned-
off area. They were mainly young girls, but there were also quite a few men. They
loudly shouted Jin Xiaozhe’s name, all the while waving banners and raising their
flower baskets in the air. If there was even the slightest movement at the filming
location in the distance, it was enough to stir them into a frenzy of screaming and
shouting.

Fang Qing might have been the tallest person there, but he was clearly a fish out of
water. Several young girls looked at him and giggled while commenting that he
was still really handsome. Another girl struck up a conversation with him, asking
“Uncle, are you also a ‘golden fan’?”

Fang Qing shot her a glance. What ‘golden fan’, he was the ‘golden master’ (i.e. her
husband), ok?

His original plan had been to sneak quietly into the back of the filming location,
hide behind the ‘nanny van*’ and surprise Jin Xiaozhe when she had wrapped up
filming for the day. Looking at the situation now, this plan was not going to work.

‘Nanny’ Van and . . . guess who?

*T/N 保姆车 (bao mu che) – literally, ‘nanny car’ or ‘nanny van’. This tends to be a
7-seater SUV used as a form of transport for a celebrity and his or her entourage
(stylist, manager etc). Have a look at the example above and see if you can

recognise the celebrities 😎

It was not that he had not considered using his police identification. With that, he
was certain he would be able to forestall the ‘small’ security guards and breach the
location. However, Jin Xiaozhe had always detested him being overbearing, so he
was hesitant about doing this.
Finally, he left the crowd and found a spot in the shade. Squatting down, he held
the flowers in one hand and smoked a cigarette with the other.

His wife was really ‘hot’.

Irritated, yet wanting to laugh. Looking up, he could vaguely make out the cameras
set up on the patch of vacant land, and some human figures. Just this and nothing
more, yet it was enough to make a man’s heart warm and satisfied.

After mulling over it for a while, he took out a pen and paper from his pocket, wrote
a note, and stuck it among the flowers. Then, he quietly went in search of a security
guard who looked honest, coaxed and pestered him, slipped him a hundred yuan,
and handed him the flowers with instructions to place them in Jin Xiaozhe’s
‘nanny’ van.

The security guard agreed after some back and forth shoving of the flowers.

Just as he hopped onto the bus going back to the city, Fang Qing received Jian
Yao’s phone call. “Got it. I’m on the way.” Hanging up, he turned back to look, but
he only saw crowds and buildings; he could not make out her supposed location.

It was almost dark when the crew finally called it a day and a group of them
returned to the ‘nanny’ van. The assistant let out an exclamation of surprise and
said, “Why is there a bouquet of baby’s breath here?”

The manager laughed and said, “I wonder which crazy fan quietly sneaked this in
here, and how he or she knew that our Xiaozhe loves baby’s breath the most.”

“There’s a note here,” the assistant pointed out.

“Throw it away,” the manager said, “there’s nothing interesting in it.”

A hand as pale as jade took the note. After a moment, it was placed in a pocket.
The Special Cases Unit, as well as the city’s criminal investigation team, rapidly
gathered at the scene.

“The basic facts of the case have been ascertained,” reported the officer in charge
of the on-site investigations. “The two deceased are Lu Ji and Rong Xiaofeng.
Together with their friends Xu Sheng, Jiang Xueran and Wen Xiaohua, they were
members of an anime society. They are all graduates of Nan Hua University. Today,
they were participating in the Animation Convention’s cosplay performance. The
poisoned water that Lu Ji and Rong Xiaofeng drank came from their society’s
studio. The incident occurred very suddenly. Lu Ji and Rong Xiaofeng were in the
midst of performing on stage when they drank the water and died instantly.”

“Where is the studio?” asked Fang Qing.

“It’s in the north corner of the animation park.”

“Seal it off immediately.”

“Yes.”

“What about fingerprints?”

“The wine glasses were commonly used items from the studio. From the
preliminary forensic investigation, the only fingerprints on the glasses were those
of the two deceased. We have not yet finished checking all the other areas for
fingerprints.”

“Take fingernail clippings from the three of them as well as the two deceased and
send them for analysis.”

“Yes.”

The investigators at the scene got to work in a methodical and orderly manner. The
curious onlookers were also gradually dispersed.
An Yan sat to one side, compiling the surveillance recordings to see if any camera
at the plaza had managed to record the entire incident. Fang Qing strode to Bo
Jinyan’s side and asked, “What do you think?”

“The culprit is not an outsider.” Bo Jinyan remarked dispassionately.

Fang Qing nodded. “The killer was familiar with the setup in the studio, familiar
with their work habits, and even with the flow of the performance.”

“What I’m thinking at the moment is . . .” Bo Jinyan said, “the direction the case is
taking is so obvious even from the start, the killer is either particularly stupid, or . . .
very confident, and able to escape our detection.”

Startled, Fang Qing raised his head and followed Bo Jinyan’s gaze to where Xu
Sheng, Jiang Xueran and Wen Xiaohua were being interrogated by the police. The
three of them had already removed their makeup. Xu Sheng was a tall, thin,
ordinary-looking girl. She also looked as if she was slow of speech. Her cosplay
persona had been a female mage. Jiang Xueran looked intellectual, with gold-
rimmed glasses, and appeared to be the calmest of them. His cosplay persona had
been a noble from ancient times. Wen Xiaohua was smaller in size, and also darker
in complexion. He appeared to be the most flustered; his face, as he answered the
police officer’s questions, was flushed.

At this point, Bo Jinyan noticed that Jian Yao was standing some distance away
with her back towards them, motionless.

He walked over. “What is it?”

Jian Yao lowered her mobile phone, her heart beating faster.

Just now, when she had called the police, she had been in a great hurry, and thus
had not opened the text message she had received.

She handed him the phone, her eyes dark and grave.
Bo Jinyan took the phone and quietly looked at it, then raised his head to look at
her.

Jian Yao shook her head slowly, indicating that she did not know who had sent her
the text.

Bo Jinyan turned around and tossed the phone to An Yan. “Check it.” An Yan
caught the phone and glanced at it, and was shocked into stillness. Beside him,
Fang Qing craned his neck to look at the phone, and shortly looked up at Bo Jinyan
and Jian Yao.

‘You definitely cannot go to the animation convention’

Was this a warning, or a challenge?

Jian Yao said, “Jinyan, I’m very confused. This . . .”

“There’s no need to be confused.” He placed his hand gently on Jian Yao’s

shoulder. “Behind all the doubtful and puzzling points, there will be clear and
distinct reasons. Even though they may overlap and be built upon each other, we
only need to start from the here and the now, and ferret out the truth one step at a
time.”
Chapter 29

It was a warmly decorated studio.

Although it was a small space, the walls were painted light yellow, and the white
ceiling had stars and fish hand-painted on it. There was not much furniture. The
bookshelf was composed of irregularly arranged wooden square boxes mounted
on the wall, which had a charming effect. A square table of unvarnished wood, a
few brightly coloured chairs. No carpeting, but light wood-coloured mats had been
laid on the floor, giving everything a soft and relaxed atmosphere.

However, at that moment, the studio was in some disarray. Miscellaneous items
and props were piled haphazardly in a corner. Books, papers and fast food
takeaway boxes were scattered over the table. The mats were no longer bright and
had obviously not been cleaned for some time.

Bo Jinyan ran his fingers along a window sill, and came away with dust.

A team of forensic investigators was already busy working on the room, while Fang
Qing stood at the doorway, carefully inspecting the door lock and door frame. Jian
Yao, like Bo Jinyan, was also methodically looking into every corner of the room.

Xu Sheng, Jiang Xueran and Wen Xiaohua stood outside the studio, accompanied
by a criminal investigator. It was difficult to make out their faces in the twilight, but
they were silent and exuded a melancholic air.

“What’s this?” Jian Yao asked as she indicated some faint traces on the wall. In
some areas, the colour of the paint was significantly fresher and cleaner than its
surroundings.

“A photo wall,” Bo Jinyan answered. “Go and ask them where the photographs
have gone.”
“The last time we cleaned up, we threw them away,” Jiang Xueran said. Beside
him, Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua were silent.

Jian Yao observed his oddly calm expression and asked, “What were they
photographs of?”

Jiang Xueran grimaced faintly and said, somewhat reluctantly, “Our activities,
scenery . . . nothing useful.”

“Then . . . can you give us the digital copies of these photographs?”

Jiang Xueran paused before saying, “Should be ok.” Glancing at Xu Sheng and Wen
Xiaohua, he said, “We’ll go look for them later.”

“Thanks,” Jian Yao said.

Then, she suddenly addressed the other two, “How about you guys? Do you also
think the photos were useless?” Xu Sheng looked down, then nodded. Wen
Xiaohua’s face was a little red as he replied, “Yes, that’s right.”

Jian Yao walked back into the studio, passing Fang Qing, who was leaning against
the door frame in serious thought.

“Did you discover anything?” Jian Yao asked.

Fang Qing smiled. “Nothing much.” He then lowered his voice and said, “According
to what those three have said, only the five of them have keys to this place. I’ve
examined the door and the windows, and I’ve found no traces of adhesive tape,
scratches, tools etc. That is to say, unless I’ve gone blind, there’s no way a sixth
person could have forcibly entered the studio, or constructed some kind of hidden
chamber from which to spring forth and poison the water.”

Jian Yao blinked, and whispered, “So elegantly managed.”

Fang Qing gave her a look. “Why do the two of you sound the same?”
“. . . . do we?”

Looking across, Bo Jinyan was retrieving a small, decorative item from a pile of
miscellaneous objects. It was an adorable and colourful little monk made of
porcelain. Jian Yao had seen the item before in some brand name store; it was not
cheap, costing about two hundred yuan (about USD 30). However, perhaps due to
its having been roughly discarded, the item was dirty and scratched.

Bo JInyan put the item down and said to her softly, “Isn’t this an interesting place?”

Jian Yao thought for a moment before replying in the affirmative.

Bo Jinyan added, “It’s really interesting. Our pool of suspects seems to be getting
smaller and smaller, and more and more obvious.”

Jian Yao rubbed her chin and pondered the situation. “I remember, in the early
days of the Ancient City case, you said, there’s usually some pattern behind the
smallest details that we observe, so there’s a connection between them. It’s the
same situation now. ‘The truth that has been concealed by death and time is now
smiling mockingly at us.’”

The two of them looked at each other, and smiled.

“You keep learning from me, and are becoming more and more like me,” he
whispered.

His low voice suddenly set Jian Yao’s heart racing. She turned her face away and
ignored his light-hearted teasing.

The movements of the trio outside the studio were quickly investigated and
verified.

Wen Xiaohua had bought the bottled water from the convenience store next door
the previous day. There was nothing out of the ordinary with the remaining bottles
of water at the store. He had also personally selected the bottles.
All three of them had been busy with preparations at the studio the previous day,
and all of them had gone in and out of the studio. Thus, it was possible for any one
of them to put the poison in the water.

Moreover, the remaining bottles of water at the studio had all been tested – all had
been injected with cyanide.

The studio was located in a relatively more remote part of the park, and there were
no surveillance cameras at the door.

When leaving the studio, Jian Yao noticed the three of them in the police car. By
now, it was completely dark. Under the streetlights, all of them had the same
expression: gloomy and bleak. They didn’t speak to each other, or look at each
other; each seemed weighed down by worry.

Bo Jinyan stood at the door of the studio, looking at the flowerbed by the door. The
soil had been turned over, and nothing grew there. A few withered chrysanthemum
flowers remained; how long they had lain there no one could tell. One could still
vaguely see their past elegance. He picked up a flower from the ground and
examined it wordlessly.

——

“An Yan couldn’t find Yumeng in any of the footage from the surveillance cameras!”
Fu Ziyu sounded both defeated and unwilling to accept the fact as he sat down
opposite Bo Jinyan.

It was then past ten o’clock at night. Bo Jinyan looked at Fu Ziyu and said, “Go
home first. I’ll check through it for you.”

Fu Ziyu replied, “I want to stay here.”

Bo Jinyan laughed and said, “If only you’d joined the police force earlier, it would
be perfectly justifiable for you to stay here now.”
Fu Ziyu also laughed. “Hey, you’re too much! You shouldn’t be taking advantage of
my misfortune*.”

*T/N 趁火打劫 (chen huo da jie) – lit. loot a burning house

Both of them fell silent briefly, then Bo Jinyan said, “Go on home. If she doesn’t
want to see you, there’s no point in your suffering as you wait. If she wants to see
you, she will definitely appear.”

Fu Ziyu shot him an oblique glance. “You’re sounding more and more like an expert
at relationships.”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Since when have I not been an expert at anything I do?”

Fu Ziyu smiled as well, and made as if to get up and leave. However, Bo Jinyan
stopped him with one more exhortation. “Don’t look for her on your own again.
Don’t spend all your days and nights roaming the areas where she has appeared.
Take care of yourself.”

Fu Ziyu laughed and said, “I’ll try my best.”

Not long after he had left, Jian Yao entered and asked, “Has Ziyu gone?”

“Yeah.”

Jian Yao sat down and sighed softly. “That woman, just what is she trying to do?”

Bo Jinyan asked a question in reply. “She has appeared twice before Ziyu’s very
eyes, and both times, she was not captured by any surveillance cameras. Do you
understand what this means?”

Jian Yao was stunned.

Bo Jinyan said softly, “It means that ‘she’ is an expert at evading detection.”

Jian Yao remained silent for a considerable length of time before saying, “Do you
think she’s the one who sent me that text? But, why would she send it to me, and
not to Ziyu?”

“Mrs Bo,” Bo Jinyan said lightly, “we are currently investigating a case, not
engaging in guesswork.”

Jian Yao glared at him.

“Fang Qing has already detained the three of them separately, and the result of the
investigation – that it is not possible for a sixth person to have entered the studio –
has been vaguely hinted at. What do we do now?”

Bo Jinyan stood up and replied, “We hang them out to dry for a while more.”

Jian Yao laughed. “Fang Qing thinks the same way. The two of you are seriously in
sync.”

“If not, how would I have chosen him for the team?”

“Where are you going?” Jian Yao asked.

Bo Jinyan took up his coat. “I’m going downstairs for a walk.”

Jian Yao observed his profile. It was very seldom that Bo Jinyan wanted to be alone
when he took a walk.

“I’m coming, too!” Jian Yao chased after him.

Although the Criminal Psychology Special Cases Unit came under the Ministry of
Public Security, the unit usually worked with the municipal criminal investigation
team. This way, they were able to foster better rapport with the criminal
investigators, which greatly enhanced their cooperative investigations.
There was a sports field downstairs. The evening mist was quite heavy that night
and everything was hazy. The light that penetrated the duskiness lent the running
track an atmosphere of tranquility. Bo Jinyan walked in front, slowly, while Jian
Yao followed behind. She thought that he was most probably worried about Fu
Ziyu’s situation. Who else could cause him such distress?

After a while, she walked up to him and grabbed hold of his back. “Jinyan, carry
me.”

Bo Jinyan felt as if the surrounding cool mist, with its aura of loneliness, had slowly
filtered into his entire being and filled it. On hearing her words, however, he felt
warm. He bent over slightly and allowed her to clamber onto his back. He then
effortlessly lifted her up and continued walking.

She buried her face in his broad back and smiled faintly.

The corners of Bo Jinyan’s mouth also lifted in a hint of a smile.

“You’ve put on weight,” he said indifferently.

Jian Yao was taken aback. “You . . . you can gauge that so well?” She had indeed
put on two kilogrammes recently – it must have been due to eating with Fang Qing,
An Yan and the rest . . .

“My ability to estimate has always been good,” he said.

Jian Yao harrumphed lightly.

She sprawled on his back and remained silent.

Occasionally, people would run past them, but Bo Jinyan did not even spare them
a glance.

However, Jian Yao was becoming a little awkward, so she said, “Put me down.”
“I still want to carry you for a while longer.”

“Oh . . .”

He had only carried her for a short while when he suddenly used the fleshy part of
his thumb to gently rub the inside of her thigh.

Ticklish, numbing, possibly a careless action, possibly full of provocative intent.

“Don’t do that!” Jian Yao exclaimed, her face red.

“I just suddenly wanted to do it,” he said in a low voice.

The mist brushed against their faces, cool and moist. Both were silent for a
moment, then Jian Yao asked, “Hey, shall I carry you?”

At this intriguing proposal, Bo Jinyan put Jian Yao down. Jian Yao got ready*, and
bent over in front of him. Bo Jinyan unceremoniously levered himself onto her
back, but his legs were still almost touching the ground.

*T/N 摩拳擦掌 (mo quan ca zhang) – lit. rub one’s fists and wipe one’s palms; fig. to
roll up one’s sleeves for battle, to prepare for action

“Eh . . .” Jian Yao gritted her teeth, and managed to walk several steps carrying
him.

“Oh, I didn’t realise my wife had such ‘boyfriend power’*,” Bo JInyan said in praise.

*T/N 男友力 (nan you li) – literally ‘boyfriend power’, a term used to describe to
degree to which one is suitable to be a boyfriend, and can be understood to refer to
masculinity. Have a look at these 30 items to determine one’s ‘boyfriend
power’: https://m.sohu.com/n/418904695/
Jian Yao was amused. “Is this a new internet slang you’ve picked up from An Yan?”

“Yeah.”
After a few more steps, Jian Yao really could not carry on. There was a grass field in
front of them, and she intended to drop him there. However, he refused to let go.
She was already unsteady on her feet, so he seized the opportunity and caused
both of them to fall over.

Jian Yao asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

In the dark, gloomy night, he gazed fixedly at her, his eyes as bright as stars. “On
seeing the grass, I suddenly feel like holding you. . . and rolling.”

Faced with a person who spoke with such conviction and with the doggedness of a
Labrador, Jian Yao was speechless.

The two of them simply stayed still, lying on the damp grass. Jian Yao sprawled on
his chest.

“Hey, don’t worry,” she whispered softly into his ear. “Ziyu is such a good person,
regardless of how this situation turns out, I believe he will definitely live a blessed
life.”

“Mmm, I think the same way.”

Chapter 30

“Yueying Animation Studio was set up two years ago,” Fang Qing said. “Actually, it
wasn’t officially registered. These friends with similar interests and hobbies
spontaneously got together to form the group . Within the animation circle, they
are quite famous.”

In the conference room, the gathered criminal investigators bent their heads and
took notes.

“According to three of the suspects, the studio’s core consisted of five people,”
Fang Qing slowly continued.

Another criminal investigator said, “We have more or less determined the
background of these five people. They were all students at Nan Hua University.
Jiang Xueran and the deceased female Rong Xiaofeng both graduated last year,
and had been working for close to a year. Xu Sheng, Wen Xiaohua and the deceased
male Lu Ji all graduated this year. The family financial situations are all similar – it
was not possible for them to continue cosplaying after graduation. This studio is
also facing dissolution.”

“Is it possible that this case is connected to their probable dissolution?” A female
criminal investigator asked.

Another investigator replied, “I don’t think so. A lot of people pursue their interests
in university, but many give these up after graduation. Reality strikes, and one has
to fit into society. Surely people don’t commit murder just because of this? I was in
a band when I was in university, but I doubt I can play even the simplest tunes
now.”

The other investigators all laughed and poked fun at him. “Lao Zhang*, it’s hard to
believe you ever had such youthful dreams.”
*T/N 老张 (lao zhang) – 张 is his surname, 老 = ‘old’. It’s an informal, almost
affectionate means of addressing someone older than oneself, or higher in rank.
“Yeah, much better than us.”

Fang Qing smiled and said, “In today’s world, dreaming of dying is definitely a
common occurrence.”

His words caused a pin-drop silence. Even An Yan, who had kept his head down the
entire time, looked up to glance at him.

An older, experienced criminal investigator lamented, “They are really still kids,
just chasing the dreams and pursuing the hobbies they had while in university.
Who knew that it would cost them their lives?”

Fang Qing spoke. “It has been eight hours since the crime was committed. At
present, the preliminary findings are as follows:

All 5 have neither tertiary vocational qualifications nor tertiary general academic
qualifications. Their family backgrounds are ordinary, and they have no access to a
source of XXX*;

*T/N As in previous chapters, Ding Mo does not name the poison.

No apparent motives for murder;

No proof that they were not at the scene;

Whether dead or alive, their nails have no trace of the residue of XXX;

In addition, we have repeatedly asked them about the keys to the studio, and they
insist they have never given the keys to someone else. It was not possible for an
outsider to make a copy of the key and gain access.”

No one spoke. A seemingly simple case had turned into an investigative deadlock.

“We are going to have to dig deeper into this case,” Fang Qing said.

Everyone nodded.
“However, what we can be sure of is that the three of them have concealed
something from us and have hidden secrets,” Fang Qing continued.

Surprisingly, no one had any objection to this statement.

A criminal investigator said, “They claim they are passionate about cosplay, yet, in
the period before this, they suddenly threw away all the commemorative photos in
the studio. There’s definitely something fishy there. Moreover, their reactions to
their friends’ deaths are highly suspicious. Being frightened aside, it seems as if
they are making an extreme effort to avoid or escape from something.”

——

After the meeting, Fang Qing and An Yan walked out of the conference room
together. Some distance away in the corridor, they could see some people raising a
ruckus, and others crying.

A criminal investigator explained, “It’s the parents of the deceased, Lu Ji, as well as
Wen Xiaohua’s parents. The other people are from outside the province, so their
parents have not arrived yet.”

“I told him not to involve himself in this weird playacting, and instead to study hard
and get a good job, but he wouldn’t listen!” Lu Ji’s father sobbed as he sat in the
corridor. He wore a faded shirt, with a white vest within that was typical of the
older residents of Beijing. At one glance, it was obvious that the family was not
well-off. Lu Ji’s mother sat by his side. She had cried herself into silence.

“It’s all over now! All over! My son, my son!” Mr Lu bellowed. “This family is
finished! My son, ah! Lu Ji, why did you play those games? I hate . . . I hate myself
for not stopping him! My son, if you’d studied hard and found a steady job, your
mum and dad wouldn’t have to suffer the pain of seeing you die before ourselves*!
Ah!”
*T/N 白发人送黑发人 (bai fa ren song hai fa ren) – 白发人 = ‘white haired people’;
黑发人 = ‘black-haired people’; 送 = send i.e. to the underworld/ next life. This is
one of the greatest tragedies in any culture, when people young.
Wen Xiaohua’s parents looked more composed, and also dressed a little better.
However, they had probably become extremely nervous upon arrival at the police
station, and clutched at a nearby police officer to ask, “When can our Xiaohua go?
How could he be involved in the death of his schoolmate? Let him go as soon as
possible!”

The police officer was about to reassure them, when Mr Lu overheard them and
surged forward in an instant. Grabbing Mr Wen’s collar, he yelled, “My son is dead!
Why is your son still alive and well? Poison! They said he was poisoned! Was it your
family’s doing? F**k! Why is my son dead, and your family still complete and alive?”

Mr Wen looked like a refined person. With a flushed face, he pushed Mr Lu away
roughly and said, “You’re crazy! What has my family got to do with your son’s
death?” Mrs Wen also came to help him fend off Mr Lu. Mrs Lu cried even more
bitterly on watching them. The police officers hurriedly moved to intervene and
defuse the situation.

It was a big mess.

……

Fang Qing and An Yan had been watching the scene quietly.

“These two families have been destroyed,” said Fang Qing. “What do you think will
be the lamentable outcome of all this?”

As An Yan stood, startled, for a moment, Fang Qing turned and walked into the
interrogation room. An Yan ran to catch up with him, and asked, “Where’s Team
Leader and Jian Yao?”

“They went to investigate that secret,” Fang Qing replied.

“What about us?” An Yan asked.

Fang Qing smiled briefly. “Us? We’re going to meet the three survivors-cum-
suspects.”

——

At the same time, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao were in a car en route to Nan Hua
University.

Jian Yao still had some reservations. “The interrogation of suspects is so vital, but
you don’t want to participate in it. Instead, you’re going to involve yourself in
digging up background information?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Fang Qing can handle that kind of situation, and he’ll do a great
job with it.”

Jian Yao smiled. “I never thought that you knew how to make use of people. It’s
surprising to me that you have such leadership skills.”

Bo Jinyan glanced at her briefly as he said, “I am not interested in leading people. I

simply placed a job which I dislike, which I consider to be simple and tedious, in the
hands of someone who likes it, and is well suited to do it. For example, when
considering you and me . . .”

Jian Yao said, “Enough.”

She asked again, “Then, why are you interested in investigating this background
information?”

The hint of a smile hovered on Bo Jinyan’s lips. “Because, in this case, it is more
important to discern clearly the hidden pain than to look into the obvious facts of
the deaths.”

Nan Hua University, students’ dormitories.

The dormitory where the deceased, Lu Ji, had lived, had already been checked by
the forensics team, and his schoolmates had also been questioned. When Bo
Jinyan and Jian Yao walked in, they saw a messy upper bunk. This was where Lu Ji
had slept, and was also typical of a young, male student’s living quarters.

Jian Yao turned a complete circle while observing the surroundings closely. The
wall was bare except for a timetable, on which the handwriting was less than
impressive. There was a small hole in the mosquito netting which had not been
mended. Books were messily piled up on the study table under the bed. There were
several sets of basketball uniforms in the cupboard, as well as some T-shirts from a
fairly common brand which cost USD$5 to $10 each. Some dirty clothes and socks
had also been stuffed into the cupboard.

After a while, Bo Jinyan asked, “Are you done looking?”

Jian Yao nodded. “I’m done.”

The two of them left the dormitory.

Next, they visited Xu Sheng’s dormitory. The female students’ dormitory was
relatively cleaner and neater. Xu Sheng’s living quarters were even more simple.
The ubiquitous mosquito netting was there, there was nothing on the wall, and
there were no decorations. This was in keeping with her taciturn and slow-
speaking character. Books were neatly arranged in the bookcase and her computer
was of an inexpensive brand. The clothes in the cupboard were in shades of black,
white and grey. The worn-out sandals under the table were missing one strap, but
it looked as if they were still in use.

“Just as I expected,” Bo Jinyan commented.

Jian Yao nodded.

Chapter 31

Their third destination was Wen Xiaohua’s dormitory. His bed was a little dirty,
worse than Xu Sheng’s, but it was still better than Lu Ji’s. The wall was covered in
class schedules, some animation festival leaflets, and pictures from an illustrated
magazine featuring the sportswear brand endorsed by various celebrities.

On the bookshelf were some books on the entrance examinations for graduate
programmes, as well as some motivational books. The table was quite messy, but
not dirty. The cupboard contained some white T-shirts, as well as some cartoon T-
shirts, and shorts. Below the table was a pair of sports shoes.

After leaving Nan Hua University, they separated and visited the apartments rented
by the two who had already graduated, Jiang Xueran and Rong Xiaofeng.

Rong Xiaofeng and a female schoolmate shared the rent. She lived in the small
room. The mosquito net was pink, and numerous pictures of her cosplaying were
stuck on the wall. The room was a little messy as well as dirty. Dirty clothes had
been thrown into a corner, and were still unwashed. The cupboard was cream in
colour. The clothes within all looked cheap, but the designs were elegant and
trendy, and the clothes were colourful.

Bo Jinyan noticed that there were several pots of green plants on the balcony, so
he asked the housemate, “Whose plants are these?”

The girl answered, “Oh . . . I’m tending to them.”

“These weren’t grown by Rong Xiaofeng?”

When the girl heard the news of Rong Xiaofeng’s death, she was shocked. Still
slightly numb, she replied, “No . . . she wouldn’t have grown plants. She . . . she had
no patience for this sort of thing. She only liked cosplay and listening to music.”

It seemed that Jiang Xueran’s financial situation was relatively better than that of
the others, as he had rented a one-bedroom apartment on his own. However, the
location was quite remote, and the apartment was old. The apartment block had
been constructed in the nineties, and it featured a long corridor running down the
middle of each floor, with small rooms on either side. Jiang Xueran’s apartment
could be said to be tidy. There were several fairly expensive shirts and pants
hanging in the wardrobe. However, the colour scheme in the apartment was plain
and cold, without many decorations. It looked like he had not made many changes
to the apartment when he rented it. Most of his clothes were also black, white and
grey. There was nothing on his bookshelf apart from some books related to the job
market and finance.

After he had left Jiang Xueran’s apartment, Bo Jinyan asked Jian Yao, “Can you see
it clearly?”

Jian Yao replied, “Yes, it’s clear.”

“I already know the secret which they have been hiding,” Bo Jinyan said. “The
three of them are all lying.”

Jian Yao said, “I think I also know what it is.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly. “The ‘flower’ of criminal psychology is blooming right

before my very eyes.”

——

In the interrogation room, a white light, silent and harsh.

The first person to be interrogated was Wen Xiaohua.

One must pick the soft persimmons to squeeze – this had always been Fang Qing’s
strategy.

Wen Xiaohua was considerably calmer than he had been the previous evening.
However, Fang QIng was well aware that, for this kind of boy with weak character,
that calmness was only a paper-thin veneer. One small jab, and it would tear.
“When did you join Yueying Animation Studio?” Fang Qing asked evenly.

Wen Xiaohua replied, “Last year . . . in the first half of the year.”

“At that time, how many people were there at the animation studio?”

“Three, or two. Just Rong Xiaofeng and Jiang Xueran.”

“What were you mainly responsible for in the animation studio?”

“I . . . I was responsible for playing the shotacon* roles, and I did miscellaneous
chores.”
*T/N 正太 (zheng tai) – a young, cute boy, from the Japanese loanword shotacon

Fang Qing frowned momentarily. “Shotacon?”

An Yan quietly moved closer to him and whispered an explanation. Fang Qing
relaxed his brow, and nodded.

“The day before the incident, you bought water from a convenience store and
brought it back to the studio. Did anyone see you doing this?”

Wen Xiaohua’s face immediately flushed slightly. “I, I didn’t notice anyone.”

“Did you stop somewhere for a while?”

“No!”

.....

Gradually, touching on more sensitive topics.

Fang Qing looked directly at him. “Are you sure that no outsiders could possibly
have the keys to the studio”
Wen Xiaohua replied, “It shouldn’t be possible.”

“But the poison was placed in the water,” An Yan said lightly. “Apart from the two
who died, only the three of you had access to the water.”

Wen Xiaohua immediately panicked. “I don’t know! It definitely wasn’t me! It

wasn’t me! Why would I want to poison them, I, I . . . I really didn’t know something
like this would happen.”

Fang Qing cut him short. “Then who do you think poisoned the water?” His chilly
tone made Wen Xiaohua tremble.

“I . . . don’t know.”

“There must be such a person,” Fang Qing continued, “for the poison could not
possibly have entered the mineral water bottle by itself. Wen Xiaohua, you must be
clear on this – the poison was found in all the bottles of water. If you are
withholding information right now, who knows, maybe the next time the killer
strikes, you might be the victim!”

Wen Xiaohua shivered.

After a considerable period of silence, he lifted his head, and said, “ . . . Jiang
Xueran.”

Fang Qing and An Yan kept quiet.

By now, Wen Xiaohua was unable to keep calm. He stuttered, “Jiang Xueran! In our
group, he’s the most cold-blooded! If . . . If there really was someone who poisoned
the water, it wouldn’t be an outsider, it would definitely be him!”

“Why do you suspect him? What motive does he have for killing everyone?” Fang
Qing asked slowly.

Wen Xiaohua stared blankly for a moment, then dropped his head. “I don’t know.
You guys said there had to be someone.”
Fang Qing and An Yan exchanged glances, but remained silent.

“One final question.” Fang Qing retrieved something from a drawer. It was the little
monk ornament that Bo Jinyan had found in the studio studio, which had been
wiped clean. He asked, “Who bought this ornament?”

Wen Xiaohua worked his lips before answering, “I don’t quite remember. Maybe . . .
maybe it was Lu Ji’s.”

——

The second person to be interrogated was Xu Sheng.

This girl was just as had been observed previously. She sat silently and a little
nervously behind the table, and responded to all of Fang Qing’s questions with
brief statements.

“When did you join Yueying Animation Studio?”

“September last year.”

“At that time, how many people were there?”

“Three.”

“Which three?”

“Rong Xiaofeng, Jiang Xueran, Wen Xiaohua.”

“On the day of the incident, what were you doing?”

Xu Sheng replied, “I was in charge of organising the props. I had to cosplay a female
killer from an anime, and I needed to put on makeup and make other
preparations.”

“Did someone do the makeup for you all?”

“No. We don’t have the money to hire someone, so we did it ourselves.”

Fang Qing asked, “Did you notice whether anyone touched the water? There were
only the five of you in the studio.”

Xu Sheng bit her lower lip, and said, “I didn’t notice. Wen Xiaohua bought the
water.”

“Oh?” Fang Qing asked. “So, you suspect Wen Xiaohua?”

Xu Sheng shook her head. “I don’t suspect him. He had no reason to kill us.”

Fang Qing once again threw out the question, “Then, who do you think put the
poison in the water? There must be someone; the poison could not have gotten
into the bottles by itself.”

Xu Sheng hesitated before replying, “I don’t know.”

“The poison was in all the bottles of water,” An Yan said. “Don’t hide anything from
us. Otherwise, the killer might target you the next time, and then what would you
do?”

Xu Sheng’s face paled, but she remained silent.

“. . . .Jiang Xueran,” she said slowly.

“Why?” Fang Qing asked.

“His character is more selfish, and he doesn’t really talk about affection or
friendship.”

“Why would he kill someone?”

Xu Sheng paused briefly before replying, “I don’t know. But it can’t be either Wen
Xiaohua or myself.”
Finally, Fang Qing brought out the ornament once again. “Whose ornament is
this?”

Xu Sheng looked at it without saying anything.

“It cost more than two hundred dollars (about US$30); that’s pretty expensive.”

“It belongs to Wen Xiaohua,” Xu Sheng said.

——

Compared to Wen Xiaohua and Xu Sheng, Jiang Xueran appeared very calm, and
even exhibited a somewhat unconcerned attitude.

“The animation studio was started by you?” Fang Qing asked.

Jiang Xueran paused for a moment, then said, “Yes. I started it together with
Xiaofeng. I never thought something like this would happen.”

“On the day of the incident, what were you doing?”

“What else could I do? It was the year’s largest animation event. I organised the
members as they prepared to perform and was continuously busy. The water was
bought by Wen Xiaohua; I didn’t touch it.”

“I heard that your group will soon be disbanded?” Fang Qing queried.

Jiang Xueran sighed and said, “Yes. Officer, you know, we were all graduating or
had graduated, and had to work. Things like animation and cosplay – it’s okay to
have fun with these during university. Once a person starts work, where will he
have the energy? Moreover, the costs are high, and you don’t earn much.”

“Did anyone disagree?” An Yan asked.

Jiang Xueran replied, “No, everyone agreed. We all had to survive, and we all
needed to eat.”
“Who do you think put the poison in the water?” Fang Qing casually slipped in the
question. “You were all certain that only the five of you had the keys. Only three of
you could have accessed the mineral water to put the poison in.”

To An Yan and Fang Qing’s surprise, Jiang Xueran showed none of the hesitation
and inner struggle of the other two. Without the slightest doubt in his voice, he
replied, “It was Xu Sheng.”

“Why?” Fang Qing asked.

Jiang Xueran laughed grimly before answering, “Who knows? She’s so antisocial,
and no one can tell what she’s thinking. Wen Xiaohua doesn’t have the guts. Since
there isn’t anyone else, it must be her!”

Fang Qing lifted his teacup to drink some tea, and said nothing. An Yan also
continued looking down and typing. Jiang Xueran looked at the two of them, and
his face flushed slowly. “You suspect me?”

“It’s not that we suspect you,” Fang Qing said. “Among your colleagues, someone
suspects you.”

Jiang Xueran looked furious, and scornfully said, “Me? Am I a wastrel who’s got too
much free time on my hands? Why would I want to kill them? This is clearly an
attempt to slander me! It must be Xu Sheng, that’s the only right answer, only she
could do it. Also . . .” Something seemed to have struck him suddenly. “If it’s not Xu
Sheng, did you ever think that it might be the two who died, Lu Ji and Rong
Xiaofeng? You can’t be sure that it wasn’t either of them who put the poison in the
water, so that others would die with them, or in order to shift the blame to us! Isn’t
this the kind of plot that occurs on detective shows on television? Anyway, it’s not
me! I would have to be really sick to kill people!”

Fang Qing did not react to his agitated outburst. Instead, he once again took out
the ornament and asked, “Who bought this?”

Jiang Xueran stared blankly for a second, then looked down at the table top.
“Probably . . . Rong Xiaofeng.”
————————
(A little drama completely unrelated to the story – about household ‘tidying up’ that
happens many years later)

Jian Yao was the type of person who loved to tidy things. Their home was always
bright and clean*, with everything in its place. Although Bo JInyan was not one to
do the job of cleaning, he was basically quite fastidious, and liked everything to be
neat and tidy. Thus, his case files and clothes had to be neatly organised.

*T/N 窗明几净 (chuang ming ji jing) – literally, clear windows and clean table.
However, one day . . .

Jian Yao suddenly realised that her son, Bao Jian’s room, was always in a mess.
Books were haphazardly placed and clothes were strewn around. Every time she
entered the room, it was like walking into a another world.

Jian Yao asked Bo Jinyan, “This sloppy child, who do you think he takes after?”

Bo Jinyan approached the matter very academically. “He who lies down with dogs
gets up with fleas*. Is there someone whom we associate with closely who is like
this?”

*T/N 近朱者赤 (jin zhu zhe chi) – part of a Chinese saying, 近朱者赤, 近墨者黑 (jin
zhu zhe chi, jin mo zhe hei) – if you work with cinnabar, you will be stained red; if
you work with ink, you will be stained black i.e. one is a product of one’s
environment.

Both of them thought of the same person simultaneously, and also remembered
how that person and Bao Jian were good friends despite the difference in their
ages. No wonder they always had a sense of deja vu on walking into little Bao Jian’s
room!

Jian Yao was somewhat crestfallen. “It must be because Bao Jian has been playing
with his ‘brother’ An Yan for too long. Just look at An Yan’s place, it’s so messy that
it’s like a heap of wild grass. Heavens, I don’t want my son to become an old
bachelor otaku in future!”
Bo Jinyan smiled faintly. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll go talk to him. It’s my
responsibility as his father.”

Night time.

Father and son sat opposite each other.

Bo Jinyan said, “Don’t learn An Yan gege’s bad habits, like his sloppiness. Ah,
whenever I walk into your room, I feel as if I’ve walked into a crime scene.”
Bao Jian said indifferently, “That’s my way of life.”

“Really? You want to live the life of an old bachelor otaku in future?”
“As if that wasn’t your situation back in the day.”

“You must be joking! Don’t you know that, when I was pursuing your mother, An
Yan was still counting his game credits on the computer?”

After a moment’s silence, Bao Jian opened a drawer. It was filled to the brim with a
stack of scented, fancy stationery.

Bo Jinyan was struck dumb.

Bao Jian said, casually, “These are just the love letters I received this semester. If I
wanted to be in a relationship, it’s possible any time. Ah, dad, let me just ask you,
did you receive any love letters when you were studying?”

Bo Jinyan remained silent for a while before replying, “My apologies, I don’t wish to
carry on this conversation.”

Bao Jian said, “Obviously, neither do I.”

Chapter 32

Walking out of the interrogation room, a mixture of excitement and shock surged in
Fang Qing’s chest. Subconsciously, he really wanted to find someone to talk to.

He leaned against the corridor wall, lit a cigarette and took out his mobile phone.

It had already been a day since he sent the flowers. She had neither called nor
texted him.

Fang Qing listlessly finished his cigarette, then walked out into the bright sunlight.

They were in the middle of an investigation, so he had to focus.

Fang Qing’s team visited the animation park again. Due to the lethal poisoning
case, the animation exhibition had been suspended. However, there were still
quite a number of people in the exhibition hall packing up, dismantling the display
stands and so on. It seemed that the exhibition would be held again on another
date.

Fang Qing had never been to something like this before. He was surrounded on all
sides by young men and women in the flush of youth, walking around wearing
strange costumes. On the surface, they looked so bright and dazzling, brimming
over with individuality, and with a somewhat unrestrained air. It seemed as if they
cared for nothing except how they expressed themselves on stage.

However, the hearts of Fang Qing and the other criminal investigators were also
stirred. When they walked backstage, they saw the young people with their
headgear and costumes off. Their makeup had not been removed, but many of
them were wearing cheap T-shirts and sitting with lowered heads on plastic stools
or on the ground, eating a less than appetising packed lunch.

This is a very contradictory group of people.

When they are performing, it is as if the very essence of their personality is set free
and on display for the whole world to see, as if they, as a generation, are fearless.

When they return to reality, they are only insignificant shells, nothing out of the
ordinary, wearied by life, and indistinguishable from the rest of the crowd.

The purpose of today’s visit was to conduct further investigation, and also to
confirm Bo Jinyan’s speculations.

Fang Qing found a cosplayer whose exhibition booth was next to that of Yueying
Animation Studio. He was a big, tall, unfriendly youth.

“Did you know the people from Yueying Animation Studio?” Fang Qing asked.

The youth, who was currently standing in front a mirror removing his heavy
armour, replied, “I’ve seen them a couple of times. But I don’t know them well.”

“How many of them were there?”

“I didn’t pay much attention. Four or five.”

“When the murder occurred yesterday, did you notice anything unusual?”

The youth shook his head. “Nope, we were all busy performing. Who had time to
notice them?”

Fang Qing looked at him thoughtfully. “How much interaction is usually there
among different animation groups?”

“Not much.” The youth removed the final piece of armour and washed his face
vigorously at the pool. “We all take part whenever there are activities, and their
group has recently participated in very few activities, so we are not familiar with
them. Moreover, these groups are always changing – someone leaves, someone
joins.”
At this point, someone outside the door yelled to the youth, “”Come on, the public
bus will be here soon! There won’t be any buses later!”

The youth heaved his heavy equipment over one shoulder and asked, “Officer, can I
go?”

Fang Qing nodded. “Go on. Thank you.”

These youth are really complex, he thought.

When he thought about his own younger days, he had taken the entrance exam for
the police academy at the direction of his father, also a police officer. He had not
really thought much about his future. When he looked back on that time, he
realised that he didn’t even have any dreams.

——
At the same time, An Yan, in a police uniform, was standing ramrod straight outside
Yueying Animation Studio, surveying the surroundings and the terrain. There were
no monitoring devices nearby, and the surveillance camera a little further away
had not captured any clues. He had decided to visit the scene to see whether any
information had been overlooked.

It was now just after noon. The sun shone fiercely on the tops of people’s heads,
and caused everything to be seen through a halo of brilliant light. When An Yan had
been standing there for a while, he heard an undescribably entrancing female voice
behind him yelling, “Shushu* Officer!”
*T/N 叔叔 (shu shu) – literally, father’s younger brother. However, used in the
sense of ‘uncle’ to address an adult male older than oneself (but not elderly).

An Yan turned his head and stood still, stunned.

Black hair, pale skin, 1.65m or taller, a simple white T-shirt, black shorts, a pair of
snow-white long legs, ankle boots, a little dazzling to the eyes.
She had not removed the makeup on her face, and had long, curly eyelashes, as
well as pale pink lips. However, even without makeup, she would be a beauty with
large eyes, a nose with a high bridge, and cherry lips.

When she took in An Yan’s appearance, she was slightly shocked, and changed her
form of address, saying, “Gege* Officer.”
*T/N 哥哥 (gege) – one’s older brother, used to address a younger male who is
older than oneself.

An Yan looked at her quietly and said, “What’s the matter?”

“Are you the police officer in charge of investigating the Yueying Animation Studio
case?” she asked.

An Yan replied, “I am. Who are you? What’s happened?”

The girl unconsciously tucked her hair behind her ears and answered, “My name is
Gu Fangfang, from Chenyao Animation Studio. I’d like to know if the investigation
has yielded any results?”

An Yan took a step forward. “Why are you concerned about this?”

Gu Fangfang instinctively took a step back. “Because . . .” She seemed to be having

some problem framing her words. Her eyes, like a lake with hidden depths
glimmering in the darkest night, looked at him.

An Yan dropped his gaze.

At this time, noise sounded from the path behind them. It sounded like people
were coming their way, and someone was shouting, “Great Half Moon! It’s Great
Half Moon!* Wow!” “You said you were going to ask her for an autograph and a
group photograph, do you think she will agree?”

*T/N 月半大大 (ye ban da da) – 月 = moon, 半 = half, 大大 = big/ great

An Yan noticed that Gu Fangfang was blushing slightly.

“Er . . . we can talk later, I’ll be going first.” Gu Fangfang turned and walked off.

An Yan moved swiftly and deftly grabbed her arm. The pair looked at each other,
then Gu Fangfang said softly, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

After that, they crossed a few small paths and ended up at a small, empty plaza.
Naturally, in the meantime, An Yan had used his mobile phone to search up all the
information pertaining to this ‘Great Half Moon’:

Gu Fangfang, 21 years old, a Physics junior at China’s Min Sheng University.

Department beauty (i.e. the most beautiful girl in the Physics department). Screen
name “固月半” (gu yue ban), a famous cosplayer, also a famous singer and
acknowledged maestro of 古风圈*. Although young, she has been part of the 古风
圈 community for many years, and is considered very senior. 300,000 Weibo
followers.

*T/N 古风圈 (gu feng quan) – ancient Chinese folk songs.

And, single.

Gu Fangfang leaned against the steps at the side of the plaza and said, “I’m sorry.
Those were some of my fans just now. I find direct contact with my fans quite
embarrassing.”

An Yan grunted noncommittally.

Gu Fangfang looked up at him. “Are you sure you’re in charge of the investigation?
You seem rather young.”

After a pause, An Yan handed her his police identification card.

Gu Fangfang examined it carefully. An Yan, 25 years old, Ministry of Public Security,

Criminal Psychology Special Cases Unit.

“Oh,” she murmured, and handed it back to him.

Gu Fangfang shivered as a gust of wind blew past them, and shifted her long legs;
they were eye-strikingly pale.

An Yan looked away and asked, “Why are you looking for me?”

Gu Fangfang bit her lower lip and said, “Officer An, I . . .”

An Yan’s gaze was clear and steady.

“I only found out today that people have died in Yueying Animation Studio. Then,
after thinking about it, I realised that I may have seen the murderer that night. So, I
figured that I had better look for the police immediately.” She continued, “The
night before the incident, it was late by the time I finished my activities. When I
passed their studio, I saw someone go in without turning on the lights.”

An Yan’s eyes suddenly opened wide. “Who was it?”

“Although the person was wearing a cap, and I could only see the side profile, it
should be someone belonging to their group,” Gu Fangfang replied.

“Who”? An Yan looked at her intently. “Lu Ji, Rong Xiaofeng, Jiang Xueran, Wen
Xiaohua or Xu Sheng?”

Gu Fangfang was silent for a moment before saying, “Officer An, didn’t you know?
When their group first started, there were six people.”
Chapter 33

“There’s a sixth person in Yueying Animation Studio,” Bo Jinyan said.

The Cherokee was moving at a high speed on the road back to the police station.
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao’s expressions were equally grave.

Jian Yao said, “There were four areas of doubt at the scene.

Firstly, the layout and style of the studio was full of warmth, and very organised. It
was aesthetically pleasing, meticulously done, and the individual style was
evident. Definitely, when the studio was established, someone poured their heart
and soul into designing it. However, when we visited the lodgings of the five of
them and better understood their particular characteristics, not one of them had
such habits or aesthetic sense.

Secondly, a person who has arranged and decorated the studio with such care
would not have allowed it to fall into disarray.”

Bo Jinyan interrupted to say, “Yes, just like you. If it had been you, even if the
studio was about to be disbanded, you would never let it be lacking in aesthetics.”

Jian Yao smiled slightly. “Thank you for your praise, Mr. Bo. Yes, it’s true. Right
now, the studio has been left unattended, it is in disarray, and items are strewn all
over the place. The actual scene right now, and the interior decor that was
intended at the beginning, are totally incompatible. They are clearly two different
styles.”

“They concealed and stripped away the sixth person’s style,” Bo Jinyan said.

This perceptive statement tugged at Jian Yao’s heartstrings. She continued,

“Thirdly, the photographs on the wall were all thrown away. This does not make
sense. Even if the studio was about to disband, those were precious memories of
something they once loved with a passion; they would not have been willing to
discard them so easily. This is completely consistent with human nature – they
want to hide something.”

“Fourthly,” said Bo Jinyan slowly, “the flowers in the flowerbed at the door, that
have all been dug up, were not cheap, and they are the kind that have to be
planted and tended to with care. It was ‘he’ who planted them.”

Jian Yao remained silent for a while before asking, “Is ‘he’ the murderer?”

“We can’t draw that conclusion yet,” Bo Jinyan replied. “However, ‘he’ is at least a
suspect. Even if they have been trying to hide all traces of him in the studio, the
imprint of someone’s existence is not so easily erased. I believe Fang Qing and An
Yan’s secondary investigation will soon verify the existence of this person.”

“But . . .” Jian Yao asked, “why would they rather put up with the risk of being
suspected of murder than mention the existence of this person?”

“That’s right,” Bo Jinyan laughed mirthlessly, “why? What could be more serious
than being suspected of murder?”

Jian Yao was shocked.

Bo Jinyan said, “If we can figure this out, I believe we will know who the murderer
is.”

They were still some distance away from the police station. Jian Yao looked down
at her watch. They had both been awake for more than 30 hours.

“Are you tired?” she asked.

“Still ok.”

Jian Yao laughed. “Yeah, when you’re in the midst of an investigation, you’re
always exhilarated. When we get back to the station, try and snatch some time to
take a nap. Hello, you’ve got to love your body too, you know.”
“Okay.” He glanced at her, then thoughtfully pulled down the sun shade for her.
“You sleep for a bit first.”

Jian Yao did feel as if she was no longer able to fight off sleep. She made a sound of
assent, shut her eyes, lowered the back of her seat and curled up. Very soon, the
sound of her even breathing was heard.

Bo Jinyan watched her quietly for a while, then stole a look at his cellphone.

Because of the sudden occurrence of this cosplay murder case, Han Yumeng’s case
had to be put on hold temporarily. However, Fu Ziyu had not called or texted him in
the past two days.

Ziyu needed him now.

I should take greater care of Ziyu, he thought.

As well as . . .

He looked at the exhausted, sleeping woman by his side. Even her usually neatly
arranged hair was in disorder, her small face was flushed, and her lips were lightly
pursed. He could not stop himself from reaching out to caress her hair, smoothing
it out.

The preparations were more or less done. When this case was over, he would
surprise her with the most romantic wedding.

Thinking of this, Bo Jinyan laughed aloud.

——

Because of a lack of evidence, Jiang Xueran, Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua were
released. Xu Sheng returned to the dormitory, Wen Xiaohua was taken away by his
father, and Jiang Xueran went back to his rented apartment. However, the police
department had arranged for several teams to watch them 24/7, both to observe
their movements as well as for protection.
In addition, all three of their places of residence had been fitted with surveillance
cameras. The surveillance cameras nearby were also centrally controlled. Xu Sheng
and Wen Xiaohua did not make any objection, but Jiang Xueran was not satisfied
with this turn of events, and asked the criminal investigator who had taken him
home, “Why install surveillance cameras? Am I under suspicion?”

The criminal investigator replied, “Don’t think too much about it, it’s also for your
protection.”

Jiang Xueran snorted and slammed the door shut after he had gone in.

At first, everything was ok. The two criminal investigators on surveillance duty
sitting in their car downstairs could clearly see everything within range on their
monitor. Jiang Xueran was sitting on the sofa aimlessly watching television.

Suddenly, he got up, turned off the television, and walked towards the surveillance
camera and audio device mounted on the table.

Then, something dropped down and the screen went dark; nothing could be seen
clearly. They could only hear the sounds of Jiang Xueran moving around.

“F**k,” one criminal investigator cursed.

The other criminal investigator called him. “Xiao Jiang, what’s happened?”
Jiang Xueran calmly replied, “Officer, I don’t quite like the idea of someone
watching my every movement, but I appreciate your kindness. Anyway, you can
still hear me, right? I’m going to sleep now.”

After saying this, he hung up.

The two criminal investigators could not really say much. After all, if one wanted to
install a surveillance camera and an audio device in someone’s home, even if it was
in the name of ‘assisting investigation’ and ‘protection’, one still had to have the
consent of that person. If people were unwilling, there was nothing one could do.
So, the two criminal investigators had to perk up their ears and listen. Fortunately,
everything seemed normal. The sound of splashing came from the bathroom, as
well as that of Jiang Xueran walking around and closing the door. He was probably
going to his bedroom to sleep.

The two of them also took turns to sleep in the car.

Before daybreak, Fang Qing arrived to take his shift. He asked them, “Any cause for
alarm?” They told him, “Nothing. Just that this rascal has blocked the surveillance
camera.”

Fang Qing glanced at the monitor and swore. “So troublesome; this is not good!”
He immediately called Jiang Xueran, but the joker refused to pick up. Fang Qing
relentlessly continued to call him and finally got through. However, Jiang Xueran
said, with conviction, “You are violating my privacy! Officer, I thought I was just
assisting the investigation, and wasn’t a suspect! You can’t treat me this way! If you
carry on this way I will call the newspaper to complain!” Saying so, he hung up.

“What the f**k!” swore Fang Qing. However, there was no other way.

There was no sound from the monitor. It seemed that Jiang Xueran slept like a log.

In the middle of the night, after 2 a.m.

The other criminal investigator was asleep. Fang Qing, with headphones on, was
gazing at the clear, starry sky, thinking about the case, thinking about Jin Xiaozhe.

Suddenly, he heard a very faint sound over the headphones.

It sounded like gasping, someone was gasping.

“Oh . . . . ah –”

Shocked, Fang Qing immediately shook his partner awake.

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling shriek came over the monitor. It was Jiang Xueran. And
then a second shriek, a third, and a fourth . . . he kept shrieking, as if experiencing
some terrible pain.

Fang Qing threw down the headphones and bolted out of the car.

Fang Qing was moving so quickly that his partner could not keep up with him. With
one leap, he jumped over the fence; with a few quick steps, he had crossed the
path and headed upstairs. He took each flight of steps in a single bound and
arrived at Jiang Xueran’s floor in a flash.

As he ran, he thought: Something’s not right. Jiang Xueran’s door is locked. If

someone had forcibly broken in, we would definitely have heard the sound.
That person had the keys.

It was a long corridor. As he came out at one end, he saw that Jiang Xueran’s door
was open, and a figure at the distant end of the corridor disappeared in a blink.

It was a man.

Fang Qing shot a look through the door and saw that the floor was covered in
blood. A body lay motionless. He clenched his jaw and ran after the vanished figure
like a shot arrow.

When the other criminal investigator reached Jiang Xueran’s door, he suffered a
violent shock.

Never had he imagined that he would witness such a murder scene.

The apartment was very neat, and there were no traces of a fight. Jiang Xueran’s
eyes were open in a glare, and he was wearing a white, delicate traditional
costume. A wig of long, crow-black hair was on his head. He was even wearing
makeup; his eyebrows were delicately drawn, and his lips were bright red. A small
red birthmark was between his eyebrows, and his features had been rendered
somewhat androgynous.
The criminal investigator was used to seeing his customary cold and arrogant look,
and his cosplay persona was an elegant noble from ancient times. Him being
dressed in this way now was just indescribably weird.

Moreover, a dagger was stuck right in the middle of his chest. Fresh blood had
stained the snow-white clothes a deep red, and there were other stab wounds on
his body. He had obviously been stabbed repeatedly.

The criminal investigator rushed up and checked Jiang Xueran’s pulse and
breathing. Nothing.

As he surveyed the scene before him, he felt chilled to the bone: the murder had
occurred just three or four minutes ago. This traditional costume, the wig, the
makeup, all of this must have been put on before death. Did the murderer do this
to Jiang Xueran while he was fast asleep? Or had Jiang Xueran done it himself?

.....

Crazy, it’s all crazy.

——

Fang Qing was in hot pursuit.

The night was deathly quiet, and there was no one on the road, not even a car
driving by. The suspect was wearing a cap and carrying a big bag, running like a bat
out of hell into the distance.

Fang Qing desperately chased after the suspect.

Gradually, the distance between them shortened. Fang Qing was close enough to
make out the figure, and his heart lurched.

“Stop where you are! Police!” Fang Qing hollered.

The suspect was cool-headed as well as determined. He made a sudden turn and
dashed behind a building. There were lights in that area, as well as the sound of
quite a few voices. Fang Qing’s gut instinct told him that this was no good, and he
sped up. As he reached the start of the road, a totally different scene opened up in
front of his eyes. It was a midnight snack food stall, and there were lots of
customers drinking beer and eating roast meat. There were people everywhere.
Fang Qing cursed softly and his eyes gleamed. He swept a glance over the crowd;
surely the suspect could not have run far away.

He looked all around, but did not see the suspect’s figure.

At this moment, Fang Qing noticed a public restroom to the right of the road’s end.
It was pitch black, and no one was going in or out. Fang Qing’s heart jumped and
he ran into the men’s restroom.

No one.

He examined every stall. Empty.

Fang Qing turned around and walked to the door of the ladies’ restroom. He yelled,
“Is there anyone inside the ladies’ restroom?”

No one responded.

He rushed in.

Also empty.

Fang Qing stood at the door of the public restroom and looked out. There were
Beijing bigshots who had shrugged off their coats to eat roast meat, there were
busy stall assistants, both in front and at the back, but there was no sign of the
suspect.

Fang Qing refused to give up, and ran forward for a stretch. Still no sign. That
person had really vanished without a trace.
He stood panting in the gathering darkness and swore fiercely. “Fuck!”
Chapter 34

The sky had not yet brightened when Jian Yao suddenly jolted awake from her
slumber on the couch of the police station lounge. The room was dark, save for the
table lamp on the desk that was still on. She was in a daze for a bit, then turned her
head and gazed over at Bo Jinyan who was rested against another sofa, sleeping
soundly.

She got up lightly, washed her face, came back to see that he was still not moving,
and even though he was on a small and narrow couch, he still slept completely
straight. His long hands and feet seemed like they had no place to go, and
extended outside the thin blankets.

Jian Yao smiled, walked over, put his hands under the blankets, and made sure his
feet were well-covered.

“You are really like a little wifey…” someone mumbled lowly.

Jian Yao asked quietly, “You’re awake?”

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her as they both lay on the
sofa.

“It’s so crowded,” she said.

“Theoretically, it’s not crowded,” he said, “Because you are lying on top of me. In
an overlapping state, we’re always like this.”

“Go away!” Jian Yao laughed.

He also laughed, burying his face in her long hair, as if he was really sleepy, and
didn’t move again.

She turned her face over, reached her hands out to hold his face, her fingers finely
tracing his eyebrows and eyes. Every time her fingertips lightly brushed over his
delicate, soft brows, and the cold and hard brow ridge, the adoration and pity in
her heart for this man seemed to always increase a little.

He didn’t move, as if he didn’t notice, or like he was feeling all of this. After a little
while, he grasped her fingers and lightly kissed them.

“I love you,” he said, his voice soft and low.

“I love you,” she buried her head into his arms.

“Dong, dong, dong —” someone knocked on the door.

He pulled her to a standing position, neatened his shirt, and then went to wash his
face while she went ahead to open the door.

In the middle of the night, the office only had a dim light. An Yan’s face was dark
and solemn as he stood outside, “Jiang Xueran is dead.”

Jian Yao’s heart shook.

At this point, Bo Jinyan had already walked out from behind her, his appearance
grave and stern. “Didn’t we dispatch some people to protect him?”

An Yan replied, “The criminal had a key, opened the door, and entered the Jiang
home, and the surveillance camera was purposely blocked by Jiang Xueran. When
he was discovered, it was already too late, Fang Qing was right downstairs, he
immediately went to give chase, but was unable to catch the killer.”

Bo Jinyan lightly knit his brows together, “Oh? Even Fang Qing was unable to catch
the killer?”

——

When she stepped inside Jiang Xueran’s home, Jian Yao didn’t feel too
comfortable.
Every person who saw the murder victim with that appearance would feel
uncomfortable. It was a form of expression, a form of catharsis, with death as the
ultimate means.

The process of Jiang Xueran’s death had been investigated clearly.

In his bedroom, they found a box of sleeping pills, and they had confirmed that in
the last half year, he had the habit of taking sleeping pills with his food.

Not only did the killer have keys to his house, but also knew his habits. So, he
stealthily entered the house around 2a.m..

In terms of the fact that the surveillance camera was blocked, it was truly Jiang
Xueran’s fault. Otherwise, Fang Qing would certainly have had time to save him,
and been able to catch the murderer.

It was already confirmed through investigation, when the police previously

exploratorily examined the apartment, they had not found the feminine white
muslin clothing. Thus, the clothing, wig, and dagger, were all brought by the killer.
After he entered the bedroom, he first changed the clothing for the soundly
sleeping Jiang Xueran, then did his makeup and put on the wig. He was
transformed from a refined and slender man into the appearance of a male
crossdresser.

Afterwards, he killed Jiang Xueran stab by stab. Letting him die with this
appearance.

Fang Qing and the others could hear the blood-curdling screams through the
surveillance camera, they were made by Jiang Xueran at the time – he was being
killed while he was in his dreams.

“Can we confirm the suspect now?” Bo Jinyan asked.

“Yes we can.” An Yan replied, he took out a hand-drawn portrait, and said, “This
was from the night before the case of poisoning, the witness, Gu Fangfang, saw the
appearance of the person who entered the studio. She draws pretty well, she drew
it herself. Through her confirmation, it was definitely one of the original founders of
the studio, the sixth member, Ke Qian.”

Fang Qing nodded and said, “It’s a pretty good drawing. Last night, although I only
saw a silhouette, but the shape shows that it is the same person. And when we
previously conducted an in-depth interview, we found out from the outer circles
about Ke Qian’s existence. It was only in the last six months that he no longer
participated in the activities of the society. Moreover, this industry has a lot of
personnel turnover, that’s the reason no one had mentioned him.”

“I already assembled the footage from the surveillance cameras near the Jiang
home, at the time when Fang Qing was pursuing, Ke Qian had taken the road to
escape, and two surveillance cameras captured him.” An Yan said, “We can 100%
ascertain that the killer is him.”

Bo Jinyan only coldly smiled, looking at the corpse in front of his eyes, seemingly in
deep thought. Jian Yao took the drawing and other information from them, and
when she saw Ke Qian’s image, her heart shook.

The boy was tall and skinny, 178 cm in height, short hair, his face was very delicate
and pretty, his eyes slender, the bridge of his nose exquisite and tall, his mouth
small. He could be called handsome and beautiful.

It could not be denied, the drawing of the witness was vivid. Ke Qian had a pair of
extremely melancholic eyes, put on a piece of paper, it was as if one could feel the
stream of stillness in his eyes.

He’s 23 years old this year, and last year, he graduated from Nanhua University.
Back then, he formed the Yueying Animation Studio with Jiang Xueran and Rong
Xiaofeng. The “in-depth investigation” that Fang Qing just mentioned was that they
had found some experienced people who had been in the industry two years ago,
who had already graduated and started working, and by interviewing them, they
discovered Ke Qian’s existence. But it didn’t matter how much Jiang Xueran and
the others tried to cover it up, with the degree of meticulousness that the police
took in their work, Ke Qian’s discovery was a matter of sooner or later.
The information included a few pictures, which were provided by Gu Fangfang;
back then, she and Ke Qian had participated in the same Cosplay competition, so
she had saved some photos.

However, every person who looked at the photos would probably feel stunned.

It could only be seen that the Ke Qian in the picture, was in a full body of red
clothing or white clothing. His hair long and black like satin spread over his
shoulders, a small red mole between his brows, his eyes were like a deep and
misty, his smile like a child, his white hands like jade. If one said that the cosplayers
they had seen before were so beautiful that they made people’s eyes light up, then
Ke Qian’s beauty and disposition was enough to immediately stun anyone into
silence.

“Fangfang said, in that annual cosplay competition, she won first place, and Ke
Qian was second,” An Yan added.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao both didn’t seem to notice, and Fang Qing glanced at him.

“There seems to be no information about him after his graduation.” Jian Yao said,
“Where did he go, what kind of job did he do? Why did he leave the (animation)
society? And why did he return now?”

An Yan shook his head, “Gu Fangfang also never heard any news about him. Said
that it has been a good six months since he disappeared.”

“It is time that we invite in those two people, to return here again for a chat.” Bo
Jinyan lightly said, “This society, exactly what kind of secrets does it hide?”

——

Inside the interrogation room:

After being informed of the news of Jiang Xueran’s death, Xu Sheng’s face seemed
to have whitened by another degree.
“Who killed him?” she finally became a little emotional, “How did he die? Wen
Xiaohua? Was it Wen Xiaohua? But he… how could it be him…”

As she was mumbling to herself, Fang Qing put a photo of Jiang Xueran’s dead
body in front of her.
Chapter 35

The colour of Xu Sheng’s face changed abruptly. It was indescribably ghastly, like
the face of someone who had suddenly died.

“Why….” Fang Qing slowly asked, “don’t you guys all suspect Ke Qian?”

This name was like a bullet that exploded in Xu Sheng’s ears. She didn’t say
anything, but looked as if she wanted to use her hands to grab onto those pictures
yet didn’t dare to. Fang Qing saw that her fingers were shaking, her entire body
looked as if it would keel over from the chair.

“You’re that scared of him?” Fang Qing asked, “There were witnesses that saw him
two nights ago entering your studio to administer the poison. He is one of the
founders of the organisation, so he must have keys, right? Why did you guys not say
anything? Last night, he killed Jiang Xueran, we could have almost caught him.”

Xu Sheng suddenly reached out her hand, swiping those pictures to the ground.
Then her shoulders began to shake violently and she cried out “No! That can’t be
possible! How could it be possible… how could this be possible….”

Her state of mind had completely collapsed.

Fang Qing was silent and said nothing.

In the other interrogation room, the cross-examination continued in the same way.

Jian Yao pushed the pictures of Jiang Xueran’s corpse in front of Wen Xiaohua.

Wen Xiaohua’s reaction was worse than Xu Sheng’s, he froze entirely, and then
immediately fell from his chair to the ground.

“How could this be… how could this be….” His face was ghastly pale, his entire
person was trembling. Bo Jinyan picked him up from the ground.
“This is the appearance that Ke Qian often cosplays in, right?” Bo Jinyan slowly
asked. “Before he killed Jiang Xueran, Ke Qian put the costume on him.”

Wen Xiaohua widened his eyes, “You…. You… You mean that the person who killed
Jiang Xueran was… was Ke, Ke Qian?”

“There are witnesses.” Jian Yao said. “The one who did the poisoning was also
him.”

Wen Xiaohua’s entire face lost its colour, “That… that’s not possible… you guys
must be mistaken! It’s someone else! It was someone else!”

Bo Jinyan’s body leaned forward slightly. He looked at Wen Xiaohua intently, and
the corners of his lips were twisted in a disdainful smile, “Wen Xiaohua, Ke Qian has
only been missing for half a year, how come your entire group is hiding the fact that
he was once a member of the group? Why are you more sure than the police that he
is not the criminal?”

Wen Xiaohua had no answer. He suddenly lowered his head, avoiding Bo Jinyan’s
line of sight.

“What did you guys do to him?” Bo Jinyan asked him slowly and clearly.

Wen Xiaohua’s tears fell in large drops, “I don’t know, I don’t know anything! It
wasn’t me! I was only… I want to go home! I want to go back!” He began to weep
bitterly.

Seeing that his state of mind was about to collapse, Bo Jinyan glanced at Jian Yao.
Jian Yao walked forward, softly patted Wen Xiaohua’s shoulder, and said to him,
“Xiaohua, just tell us. Three people have already died, maybe Ke Qian’s next victim
will be you. If you don’t tell us, we don’t have any way of helping you. Is living more
important, or is hiding the truth more important? Even if there is an issue that is
too painful to discuss or to face, it is better than dying, right?”

Wen Xiaohua’s hid his face in his hands while crying his heart out. “But…. But it
can’t possibly be him! I know, I know…” he lifted his head in horror. “He must have
resurrected! A ghost, he’s a ghost! He became a ghost to come and kill us! Half a
year ago, we personally buried him….”

In unison, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao’s expressions turned to shock.

——

Through the efforts of Bo Jinyan and the rest of the team, they were getting closer
and closer to the truth about the serial murders that happened at the anime park.
However, at the same time that this was all happening, in another corner of the
city, there was also a person who was planning, a person who was spying.

Han Yumeng was sitting in front of the window, gazing out at the unfamiliar city.
She was wearing the long water-blue dress that she had bought that day, her long
hair coiled up, her appearance dignified. Her eyes were so peaceful, like no matter
how great the waves were, they would not cause her heart to ripple in any way.

“Have you seen him?” a voice asked from not so far away.

“I saw him,” she answered.

“Do you want to see him in person?”

She laughed a bit. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Can you kill him?”

“Yes”

“You won’t be unable to bear it?”

“Of course not.”

The person laughed faintly, then asked again, “What is your wish?”
Han Yumeng looked out the window, was briefly silent, then responded, “My
greatest wish is of course to forever stay together with the man I love, my hero.”

The man laughed again. “Alright, they are currently being played around by
someone with an insignificant role. We don’t need to be in a hurry to show
ourselves. However, we’ve played around with them enough. It is time that you and
Fu Ziyu have some contact. You should go.”

Han Yumeng stood up, picked up her bag, and walked out of the room.

As she passed the man, he grabbed onto her elbow. “He’s definitely going to touch
you, right? You know that will cause me to be very unhappy.”

Han Yumeng chuckled, and pulled her arm out of his grasp. “Isn’t this the feeling
that you love?”

“Hahaha…” He began to laugh loudly.

——

Fu Ziyu didn’t listen to Bo Jinyan’s words. These past two days, he was constantly
walking everywhere, searching everywhere. He went to the place where Han
Yumeng appeared, looked in every corner, hoping to see traces of her again.

But he got nothing for his efforts.

He was in a constant state of frustration and helplessness. Thinking about the

sweetness of the faraway once-upon-a-time, he felt frustrated and helpless.
Actually, there were many details that he already could not clearly remember.
Thinking about these recent years, he also felt frustrated and helpless. He
experienced so many things, but it was as if it all passed in the blink of an eye.

As to her appearance this time, he felt even more frustrated and helpless. The
person he faced was like an unfamiliar woman. But whenever he thought of her, his
heart would still hurt slightly.
Did he still love her?

He was not sure, as missing her had already become a habit.

Did he not love her?

But he still remembered clearly every sentence that described her disappearance
in the news back then. More than once, in the night, he had imagined the torture
she suffered, the scene of her death. He would never forget her in this life.

Her kindness, her enthusiasm, her sexiness.

Her greatness.

Yes. If, in Fu Ziyu’s life, there was any woman who could be described using the
word ‘greatness’, it would be her. The her that volunteered to help in Africa at such
a young age; the her that hated that she wasn’t able to give everything she had to
each and every refugee she met; the her that decided to sacrifice herself to save the
other few lucky survivors.

……

Fu Ziyu had no doubt that the person he saw was Han Yumeng.

But eight years had already gone by, why did she leave? And why did she return?

Was she still… of the same appearance that bloomed in the deepest parts of his
heart?

At midnight, the city’s magnificent buildings were still clear, cold, and lonely. When
he was by himself, Fu Ziyu’s facial expression was always lonely, without the
beaming and radiant expression he had when he was interacting with friends.

He entered the password for his door, opening it.

The lights were on, and a person was sitting in front of the window.
She turned her head and stood up.

The expression in her eyes was one which Fu Ziyu could never forget in this
lifetime.

But her voice was calm and warm like the first time he had met her. “Ziyu, I’ve
returned. I didn’t think that the password to the door is still my birthday. I
immediately got in.”

Whatever was in Fu Ziyu’s hands fell onto the ground.

The ground beneath his feet was evidently flat, but he stumbled forward. It was as
if he had been walking through life for such a long time before he could walk up to
her.
Chapter 36

Wen Xiaohua’s memory started from the time two years ago.

The first time he reported for work at Yue Ying Animation Society, he saw a very
handsome boy sitting at a table, cutting out stage decorations from coloured
paper.

At that time, Wen Xiaohua was still a little nervous, so he said, “Hi, how are you? I’m
Wen Xiaohua, I signed up a few days ago.”

Ke Qian looked up, immediately put down the things in his hands, and said, “Hi,
Xiaohua! Welcome! It’s great that you can join our animation society.”

He was exceedingly courteous, and his smile was especially warm and gentle. Wen
Xiaohua had never met anyone who was so courteous to others.

Later, he realised that Ke Qian was always this courteous to everyone.

Even though he was senior in the animation society, he was not at all like Rong
Xiaofeng and Jiang Xueran, who tended to put on airs. He was always considerate
of other people’s needs, and very caring to everyone. Whenever there was work to
be done, he was always the first to get down to work, without complaint.

He was consistently trying to please everyone, hoping that they would like him in
return.

Perhaps he was born that way. However, for whatever reason, after time, even the
honest and sincere Wen Xiaohua felt a little annoyed. He started to pass whatever
he could not finish doing to Ke Qian. Even though he benefited from this, he didn’t
really give much thought to thanking Ke Qian. Sometimes, he couldn’t even be
bothered to apologise.
It wasn’t as if Ke Qian was not affected by this attitude that everyone had towards
him. Many times, Wen Xiaohua could see his loneliness. He was always so cautious
and guarded, yet he seemed unable to win anyone’s bosom friendship.

Maybe human nature was inherently despicable. He was despicable, and thus, they
were also despicable. Wen Xiaohua heard, vaguely, that Ke Qian was an orphan. He
was very young when his parents died, and was brought up by his paternal
grandfather. Perhaps, then, this was how this handsome yet solitary boy had
gradually developed such a character?

From the time of Ke Qian’s university graduation the previous year, everyone
noticed that his especially frail and humble character was becoming increasingly
more pronounced.

This was because he did not go to work. It wasn’t that he was unable to find a job,
he didn’t even look for one. He ensconced himself in the studio the entire day,
wholly engrossed in anime, and in cosplay.

Everyone admitted that he was the best cosplayer they had ever seen. But, this
kind of ‘playtime’ won’t put food on the table. Seeing him degenerate to such an
extent, everyone held him in even greater contempt, even though they were in the
same society.

Once, Wen Xiaohua advised him out of concern. “Ah Qian, I think it’s better for you
to look for a job. This is not the right way to do things.” He did not have much
money, yet he would use whatever award money he had received and his living
expense allowance to buy expensive and exquisite items to support his ‘playtime’,
while eating instant noodles every day.

What did Ke Qian say then?

He was fiddling with the plants at the door, and looked up smilingly at Wen
Xiaohua. His smiling face was as peaceful as the moon on a cool, clear night as he
said, “It will be all right, Wenhua. Nowadays, the prize money for cosplay
competitions and events is increasing. If we work hard, we will be able to make a
decent living. This is my dream and my passion, and I want to make a living by it. If
people follow convention* blindly and go to work, becoming slaves to their
mortgages or their cars, does it mean that I can’t pursue my dreams? If it’s
something one likes, does it really matter if one has to be poor for a little while?”

*T/N 循规蹈矩 (xun gui dao ju) – lit. to follow the compass and go with the set
square; fig. to follow the rules inflexibly, to act according to convention.

At that time, Wen Xiaohua had been rather moved when he heard those words.
However, on repeating them to Jiang Xueran later, Jiang Xueran only laughed
contemptuously and said, “Madness. Don’t you think that Ke Qian is a bit crazy?
Totally unrealistic. He already borrowed money from Lu Ji last month. Watch out, it
might be you this month.”

Wen Xiaohua felt that Jiang Xueran’s comment was reasonable, so he came to
disdain Ke Qian even more.

However, what Ke Qian had said kept resurfacing in his mind time and again –

If people follow convention blindly, does that mean that I can’t pursue my dreams?
Does it really matter if one has to be poor for a little while?
True, did it really matter?

But even Ke Qian would never have imagined that it would be an unexpected
windfall that would start him on the road to death.

——

The sun shone brightly, seemingly able to illuminate and banish all the darkness
and confusion in the world. Several police cars were parked in a patch of
uncultivated land not far from the animation park. It was overgrown with weeds,
and waterlogged with black water. The air reeked.

Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua had cried until their eyes were red and puffy. In the
end, they were just kids who had barely graduated from university.

They identified the spot.

It was a big tree. Underneath the tree, there were definitely signs of freshly turned
earth. The workers had already started digging. Bo Jinyan and the others stood on
the periphery.

However, the most agitated people were Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua. They
desperately wanted to know whether the person buried there had really
disappeared.

“Why did it happen?” An Yan asked. “Since Ke Qian treated them so well, how is it
that they all looked down on him?”

“He was too much of a yes-man,” Fang Qing replied. “He was too concerned about
what other people thought, but, contrarily, they thought very little of him.”

This seemed to make sense. Jian Yao and An Yan both nodded.

Bo Jinyan snorted and said, “They lacked kindness, and disregarded the good
intentions of others. It wasn’t his fault, but theirs.” ‘They’ naturally referred to the
other members of the animation society.

“But isn’t this the case with most people?” Jian Yao countered.

“Even though most people are like this, it’s still wrong,” Bo Jinyan said flatly.

Everyone was silent.

After a while, Fang Qing exclaimed, “There is no big evil, only the little evils and
occasional kindness in the ebb and flow* of everyday life. I guess that’s just human
nature.”

*T/N 随波逐流 (sui bo zhu liu) – lit. to drift with the waves and go with the flow

Bo Jinyan glanced at him and commented, “Occasionally, you’re profound.”

Fang Qing laughed. “Thank you for the compliment.”

As the excavation tool inched its way deeper, the surface soil was dug up, and the
clues which had been concealed were gradually revealed.

A corner of clothing, dark brown where fresh blood had dried; a shoe, its original
colour impossible to make out; a portion of earth flipped over to expose
fingernails . . .

The faces of Bo Jinyan and the others became grave.

Wen Xiaohua and Xu Sheng were ashen-faced. Wen Xiaohua’s tears fell in huge
drops, and Xu Sheng covered her face with her hand.

Yes, it’s still ghastly to return to that night.

A few days prior, they had suddenly received a call from Ke Qian, who sounded
incredibly excited. “Our studio doesn’t need to disband! I’ve got a sum of money! A
huge sum of money! It’s our venture capital fund!”

On hearing the word ‘money’, everyone’s hearts jumped.

For the first time, at Ke Qian’s call to convene, everyone gathered.

“2 million! We got 2 million!” Ke Qian perched on a bench, smiling broadly, yet also
cautiously.

“Where is the money coming from?” Jiang Xueran asked with a smile.

Ke Qian looked at the expression on his face and replied, “I . . . earlier, I sent our
studio’s information and performance videos to a lot of investors. I also wrote a
very detailed investment feasibility report. Finally, I got a reply. An angel investor is
giving us 2 million. This money will be our start-up capital, and we can use it as we
deem fit. As long as we formally establish the studio and win more awards, who
knows, he may even invest more money and help make Yue Ying Animation Studio
into the most influential animation company in China!”
Chapter 37

To say that no one was shocked was just not possible. Who would have thought
that the insignificant Ke Qian could pull off something as big as this?

Thinking about it, though, he was indeed the only one could have done it. He was
highly intelligent, and his grades in university had always been excellent. For so
many days, he had been keeping long hours, cosseted in the studio, poring over
goodness knows what information. He also went out by himself many times, using
public transport, and no one knew where he was going. Moreover, only he could
write and understand English, understand what ‘angel investment’ and
‘investment feasibility report’ meant.

However, the human heart is fickle. Yes, this news was a delight to all. But, it had
been unexpectedly achieved by Ke Qian, the person they were always bossing
around. This made them all feel rather uneasy.

It seemed, though, that Ke Qian was completely oblivious to their discomfort.

Seeing that everyone was silent, he energetically started to expound his plans,
trying to convince everyone. “. . . With this sum of money, we don’t have to worry
about our livelihood for at least the next two years, and also won’t have to rush
around looking for work. I can draw up a short-term plan for the studio. We can
participate in major domestic competitions, and even in competitions abroad.
Once we have established our reputation, there will be a steady stream of business
opportunities. We can buy better costumes, equipment and props, we can set up
an official website and weibo account, we can promote Xiaofeng and Lu Ji as our
star cosplayers . . .”
In the end, some people smiled on hearing him, and it seemed as if he had set the
atmosphere on fire.

At this time, Jiang Xueran asked a single question. “So, is this money for all of us to
use?”

Ke Qian hesitated for a moment, then replied, “Yes!”

“We should think it over carefully,” said Jiang Xueran.

“. . . ok.”

Ke Qian was renting a place in a civilian residential building* near their studio. That
evening, they left the studio together; only Ke Qian was not with them.

*T/N 民居 (min ju) – China has many types of traditional or typical residential
buildings, according to the geographical, climatic and lifestyle conditions of the
people living in each area (see https://baike.baidu.com/item/民居). For example, in
Beijing, the traditional residential arrangement is the ‘courtyard’ style, where
buildings are laid out around a square or rectangular courtyard.

Lu Ji was a little hesitant. “What do you all think? I think Ke Qian’s proposal is
pretty good. It’s just that, if I don’t find a job but work for the studio, I’m not sure if
my family would agree.”

Rong Xiaofeng said, “We don’t have to not work, we could always work part-time,
and that would be good enough. Two million! We could buy lots of good clothes,
and we could even rent a better studio. Do you think we could even distribute
some of the money so we could each spend it as we wish?”

When she expressed this idea, everyone laughed.

Xu Sheng said, “Part-time work, distributing the money – I don’t know if Ke Qian
would agree.”

Everyone was a little shocked.

Wen Xiaohua said, “Jiang ge, what do you think?” Everyone looked at Jiang Xueran.
Jiang Xueran had been silent from early on. Now, he smiled and said, “He’s
dreaming. Are you all dreaming with him? Two million is a big sum of money. His
luck must be pretty good if he was able to dupe someone into parting with this
amount. I reckon whoever it is must not know the current state of affairs of the
domestic cosplay scene. Or, maybe it’s some rich person who is just having fun.
That whoever-it-is, son-of-some-rich-man, don’t you think he would also have
thrown money into the gaming world? How long do you think his interest will last?”
Everyone kept silent.

“Jiang ge, do you mean to say, this situation is a no-go?” Lu Ji asked. “Then, what
do we do?”

“When I got involved in the anime community while in university, it was because,
firstly, I was interested in that area, and, secondly, I wanted to gain some real-life
work experience in order to boost my chances of finding a job. I never once
planned to rely on this for my livelihood. Two million to be used by six of us – how
long will it last? Currently, renting an apartment in Beijing for a year costs tens of
thousands of dollars. No need to talk about buying equipment and props, setting
up a company or whatever. Is what he’s proposing so easy to achieve? Do you
really think that it will be so smooth-sailing? What happens if we enter a
competition and don’t win a prize? What happens if we don’t establish a name for
ourselves? At that time, the investor won’t want to invest any more money in us, so
what happens when we finish spending what we have? At that time, we will have
no work experience, several years will have slipped by, who would want to hire us?
Right now, we are all fresh graduates, and it’s already so difficult to find a job. My
friends working in human resources have told me that people who have graduated
for several years but are without work experience are shunned in the job market,
and have even greater difficulty finding a job than fresh graduates. Are you all
really still planning to gamble your futures on a person like Ke Qian?”

On the dark and quiet road, everyone was silent.

Then, Rong Xiaofeng said, “But, I like cosplay. This could be the only opportunity
for us to fulfil our dreams.”

Wen Xiaohua’s lips moved soundlessly.

However, Jiang Xueran said, “Don’t believe his words. All that talk about giving it a
try, life is more than just resigning oneself to one’s fate, it is the poetry and distant
places one yearns for but are out of reach which give meaning to life* – all
nonsense. Those who really venture to ‘distant places’ are those who live poor and
disappointed lives. Those who stay behind, find themselves a place in society and
have their feet firmly on the ground are the ones who are finally able to reach a
higher societal status. Then again, what all of you are thinking is surprisingly
good**. Ke Qian doesn’t have a mother or a father; if he earns only enough for
himself, he has no family who will starve. Of course there’s less pressure on him.
But, what about us? If we do this, will our parents agree?”

*T/N 人生不止苟且还有诗和远方 (ren sheng bu zhi gou qie hai you shi he yuan
fang) – title and lyrics of a song by 高晓松 (Gao Xiaosong).

**T/N He’s being sarcastic.

These words indeed touched squarely on everyone’s weak spot.

They would not agree. No parent would agree. There was no need to even think
about their response.

“Then, does that mean we cut loose from Ke Qian, and leave him to handle
everything by himself?” Lu Ji asked.

Jiang Xueran did not reply immediately, but surveyed the others thoughtfully.

“This sum of money was obtained using the information from our studio. So,
everyone had a part to play in the application for investment, right?”

“Mm.” “Yes.”

“He’s also said that this sum of money belongs to all of us, right?” Jiang Xueran
then asked.

“That’s right.” “Yes.”

“What are you getting at?” Xu Sheng’s eyes gleamed.

“Since the money belongs to everyone, and most of us don’t agree with starting a
business, we should divide it.” Jiang Xueran said, “He collated all the information,
so he should get a bigger share, $400,000. I’ve calculated, the rest of us will get
$320,000 each. What do you think?”
Everyone looked at one another. No one spoke in defence of the idea, but neither
did any one raise an objection.

After all, this was a considerable amount of money for any fresh graduate from an
ordinary family background. Finances would not be a pressing issue for quite a
length of time.

“What if he doesn’t want to give us the money?” asked Rong Xiaofeng. “He’s always
been selfish.”

Jiang Xueran said, “The money belongs to all of us, what power does he have to
refuse? Let’s leave it for two days and give him the cold shoulder during that time.
After that, Lu Ji, you and I can go and talk to him again and get the money back.”
……

The sun gradually crept higher, and the pit also gradually became deeper.

Fang Qing squatted at the side of the pit and his brows slowly drew together in a
frown. The pit was already so deep, yet, apart from random items they had earlier
unearthed, there were no further discoveries.

Wen Xiaohua stammered, “That day, we didn’t dig so deep . . . we’ve already gone
past that depth, he’s not there, he’s really gone.” Xu Sheng’s face was deathly pale.
She dashed to the side of the pit and peered into it carefully, her lips trembling
minutely.

Bo Jinyan smiled coldly. “Hm, this is really interesting.”

Jian Yao asked the two of them, “That night, did you make sure he was really
dead?”

“He was dead . . .” Wen Xiaohua sobbed, and said, “When we reached his place, he
was lying on the ground, his blood was all over the floor . . . his eyes were wide
open, he had stopped breathing long ago and his body was cold. . .”
Xu Sheng’s expression was ghastly. She looked at Jian Yao and said, “We were very
sure that he was dead. The way he was, it was impossible that he was still alive.”

If you have ever seen a dead body with your own eyes, your words cannot ring
false.

Dead people and living people are completely different.

It was the first time we had seen the difference.

Our one-time buddy whom we had worked together to kill, as well as our dreams.
Chapter 38

Wen Xiaohua and Xu Sheng still vividly remembered the scene that night.

How could they forget? Every detail of every frame was etched into their minds, like
a meticulously sketched painting.

After midnight, they had received a call from Lu Ji. “Come to Ke Qian’s place
immediately.”

Wen Xiaohua couldn’t figure out what was going on. “So late? How did your talk
with him go?”

“Don’t ask so much! Come quickly.” Lu Ji’s voice indicated that something was
afoot.

After that, everyone arrived.

Upon entering Ke Qian’s home, each of them was scared witless. Blood was all over
the floor. Unexpectedly, Ke Qian was wearing a black wig and a white, gauzy dress,
and was all made up. He was dressed in his favourite cosplaying female role.

A knife protruded from his left chest, and he was lying in a pool of blood. His eyes
were open and staring, and he had already stopped breathing.

Blood was still flowing ceaselessly. Wen Xiaohua had not previously imagined that
so much blood could issue from one person.

“What’s happened?” Rong Xiaofeng asked shrilly. “You killed him? Killed him?”

Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua were both unable to speak.

Jiang Xueran just sat there with injuries on his face. Things were strewn all around
the room. Lu Ji was leaning against the door, his face unmarked by blood.
“It was an accident.” Jiang Xueran’s voice was still trembling slightly. “He suddenly
became hostile and refused to give us the money. Then, he made his move.”

“I didn’t intend to kill him, I didn’t . . .” Lu Ji whispered. “We were all fighting, I
grabbed the dagger on the table only to frighten him. But, he resisted so violently;
once we broached the topic of money, he became very fierce and even told us to
get lost, saying he was going to report us. I was so angry . . .”

Everyone was silent, and a strange atmosphere pervaded the room.

“Have you called the ambulance?” Wen Xiaohua stammered out.

“He’s not breathing, and there’s no heartbeat,” Jiang Xueran said in a low voice.
“We checked just now. Moreover, if we call the ambulance, can we escape being
involved?”

All the people in the room were ashen-faced. Rong Xiaofeng suddenly cried out,
“What do you mean, ‘we’? You’re the one who killed him, what has got to do with
us? Why are you dragging us into this? Why did you ask us to come here?”

Xu Sheng also moved her lips.

Lu Ji turned his head away without speaking. Jiang Xueran yelled angrily, “Damn it!
Didn’t we all agree that we should get the money from him? Even if he wasn’t
willing, he would still have to give in to our request – isn’t this what we agreed on?
Xiaofeng, weren’t you waiting for the money so you could go on holiday overseas
with your boyfriend? Right now, since there’s been an accident – this is an accident
– it’s not just to do with the two of us, all of you are involved as well. Why don’t you
try making a police report, and see if you have the responsibility of collusion or not.
Will the police believe that you are guiltless?”

Rong Xiaofeng was so shocked by this that she could only murmur incoherently. Xu
Sheng made no noise. Stricken with terror, Wen Xiaohua blurted out, “Will we . . .
have to go to jail?”

Jiang Xueran paused for a moment before replying. “Yes. If we make a police
report, we will go to jail. If we don’t . . .” He glanced at Lu Ji. Lu Ji’s face was
horrible to look at. Almost inaudibly, he whispered, “Ke Qian, he . . . he didn’t have
any other friends, and he lived alone. He hasn’t had a job this half year since
graduation.”

“Let’s bury him together,” Jiang Xueran said slowly. “No one will notice if he
disappears. We’ll divide the money, $400,000 each.”

That night was especially dark, and the moon was extraordinarily bright. Five
young people who were on the cusp of becoming contributing members of society
carried the body, avoided being seen by others, and walked, all the way to that
wasteland.

Although Ke Qian was thin, he was tall, and his body was very heavy. At the
beginning, Wen Xiaohua was still able to hear the dripping of blood in the woven
bag. After that, the blood stopped flowing.

That night, Wen Xiaohua even forgot to cry; he was only hazily aware of the trees in
the distance and the moon in the sky. He had learnt once from watching television
that a person’s body would turn cold after death. That night, he truly experienced it
for himself as Ke Qian’s body became colder and colder. That boy in the studio who
always carefully weighed people’s expressions, brought them breakfast, helped
them tidy up the tables, the only one who would brave the rain to buy medicine for
him when he was sick, and smile happily as he did so – that boy was really dead,
dead and cold.

They dug a pit and buried him in it.

Someone had already closed Ke Qian’s eyes, or could it be that he had closed them
himself? At that moment, the strange notion suddenly flashed into Wen Xiaohua’s
mind that this was an excellent way for Ke Qian to die. White clothes, long hair,
delicate makeup, full of vitality. Forever frozen in his favourite, most beautiful
appearance. He was also not suitable for this world, he was far too naive and too
frail.

He was different from the rest of them. He believed in his dreams, and persisted in
them.
In truth, he was more courageous and talented than they were.

Then, because of two million dollars, he died at their mediocre and gutless hands.

……

But, now, Wen Xiaohua and Xu Sheng looked in unison at the stark, empty pit in
front of them, not daring to trust their own eyes.

Where did the corpse go?

Where did he go?

——

The second point of exploration for the criminal investigators was the place that Ke
Qian used to rent, which was in a nearby residential compound. Although he had
disappeared some time ago, the other residents had not even realised it.

“Because he paid two years of rent and utilities up front, about half a year ago,” the
owner explained. “That place is in a remote location and run down, so I don’t
normally go there.”

The building was in a corner of the residential compound. From the outside, it was
indeed an old and narrow single-story house. However, when Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao
and the others walked inside, it was like a breath of fresh air.

Beige wallpaper, patterned with delicate flowers, was on the wall, and paper
lanterns hung from the ceiling. Although these were inexpensive, they suited the
style of the building. The sofa, table and chairs were wooden, old-fashioned pieces
of furniture. Jian Yao knew that many people liked to scour the flea markets for
such items. There was no bed, only an old, string hammock with a Minion* pillow
tossed upon it.

*T/N 小黄人 (xiao huang ren) – literally, ‘little yellow man’. Taken to refer to the
Minions from the ‘Despicable Me’ movies.
There was dust everywhere, but the blood which should have been on the floor had
been cleaned up.

“It’s his style,” Bo Jinyan suddenly whispered.

This statement caused Jian Yao to be inexplicably terrified.

She abruptly realised that she had not really understood Bo Jinyan. She knew he
was intelligent, arrogant, and resolute. He had no fear in mediating with
persistently vicious, extremely evil ‘disciples’, and even gained both satisfaction
and excitement in doing so.

However, towards some criminals, such as Xie Min in the Ancient City case, or Ke
Qian in the current one, he would vaguely exhibit a kind of mood which was very
intense, and very difficult to describe. Was it sympathy? No, he would never be soft-
hearted to this extent. Was it understanding? No, he had said that one should never
kill even if one were faced with compelling and difficult circumstances.

It was insight.

It was a kind of tranquil, compassionate, calm insight. It would not be easily

affected, but it would also not bring to bear any contempt or prejudice. He looked
at these criminals who had come to the end of the rope, and he did not see any
difference between them and an ordinary, sinless person.

After thinking this through, Jian Yao raised her head and gazed steadily at him. His
handsome and focused profile, his clear and perceptive eyes.

Therefore, she loved him.

Far better than any scenery she had seen thus far in her life.
Chapter 39

The results of the on-site forensic investigation were quickly known.

A forensic staff member reported, “The luminol reaction shows that there was a lot
of blood at the scene, and it has been proven to be Ke Qian’s. Theoretically, it is
impossible for a person who has lost so much blood to remain alive.”

——

That evening, the members of the Special Cases Unit ate quickly at the restaurant
on the first floor of the police station.

While ordering, Bo Jinyan called Fu Ziyu to ask him to eat with them. However, the
call was forwarded to a voice message. Fu Ziyu’s clear voice said, “Hello, if you
hear this tone, it means I am sleeping, on vacation or something similar, and am
unable to take your call. Please call again later.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly and put down the phone.

Fang Qing lit a cigarette and leaned against the doorway, smoking lazily. He
watched as An Yan ordered a Coke for himself, then asked, “Do you both not
smoke?”

Bo Jinyan merely looked at him, too lazy to answer. An Yan smiled and said, “I
don’t like the smell of smoke.”

Fang Qing smiled and squinted into the distance as he continued to blow out
cigarette smoke.

He only entered the private room after he had finished the cigarette. Jian Yao could
smell the smoke off his body, but it didn’t trouble her.

“What do you think?” Fang Qing looked at Bo Jinyan.

“The answer is obvious,” Bo Jinyan said.

Jian Yao, whose mind was still entangled in the bizarre case, frowned slightly. An
Yan said, “I believe, in all probability, Ke Qian should already have died.”

Bo Jinyan looked at Jian Yao and smiled slightly as he said, “Mrs Bo, your thinking
processes tend to be meticulous and perceptive, which is both a strength and a
weakness. Kindly remember a crucial rule in criminal investigation: The more
complicated and bizarre the situation, the simpler the truth tends to be.”

“Uhm.” Jian Yao nodded.

Fang Qing laughed. “Is this how you two normally get along? Is there always this
atmosphere of academic learning, with probing questions?”

Jian Yao smiled and replied, “Yup!”

Fang Qing just kept smiling. After a moment, he patted Bo Jinyan’s shoulder and
whispered, “It’s really your good fortune* to be able to find a wife who tolerates
you.”

*T/N 三生有幸 (san sheng you xing) – literally, the blessing of three lifetimes.
Bo Jinyan had a subconscious aversion to people touching him, especially men.
However, Fang Qing’s casual and natural tapping of his shoulder surprisingly did
not irritate him.

Still, he could hear the sarcasm in Fang Qing’s words. Was he trying to say he was
too pedantic and tedious?

“Ah . . .” Bo Jinyan lowered his head and whispered into Fang Qing’s ear. “My fiery
passion is naturally not something which can be seen by outsiders.”

Fang Qing took a sip of water.

“Therefore . . .” Jian Yao pondered briefly, then looked up. “Disregarding the
corpse’s disappearance and the bizarre possibility of his resurrection, disregarding
his familiarity with the other members of the studio, this case has only two
possibilities.”

Bo Jinyan and Fang Qing slowly drank their tea and listened to her. An Yan also
gave her his attention.

“First,” Jian Yao said, “he has really been blessed by heaven, and survived despite
tremendous odds. He has been in hiding for several months, and has finally
emerged to take revenge.”

“Second,” Bo Jinyan added, “Ke Qian is indeed dead. It doesn’t matter if it was
Fang Qing or Gu Fang Fang, whoever saw him only saw him at night, and only from
the back or the side. Plus, he was wearing a cap. Therefore, a close friend who
understood him very well and looked like him in terms of height and appearance
could have stolen his body and avenged him.”

“What should we do next?” An Yan asked.

“Everything leads back to the point of origin,” Fang Qing said. “We have to restart
the investigation from Ke Qian.”

——

It was not completely dark yet, but the curtains in Fu Ziyu’s house were tightly
pulled across the windows. Only a soft bedside lamp illuminated their faces.

At the beginning, even their hug was full of apprehension. The two of them stood,
facing each other, for quite a while, before Fu Ziyu reached out a hand and pulled
her into his arms.

He hugged her gently at first, then slowly tightened his embrace.

It was this movement that caused Han Yumeng to feel as if something were
obstructing her heart and giving her pain.
“Joe?” He asked in a trembling voice, as if trying to determine that she was really
there.

“Mm . . . it’s me, Kris.”

After hugging her quietly for a span of time, he lowered his head to look at her,
down the straight line of her high nose bridge, following the contours of her face,
slowly moving down until he reached her lips. Both of them were silent for a
moment, then he forcefully covered her lips with his, eliciting a startled widening of
eyes from Han Yumeng.

She had never thought that he would kiss her so fiercely and wildly. In a flash, her
mind was full of noise and confusion. Dazedly, she sensed that the man in front of
her was not 30-year-old Fu Ziyu, but the passionate and presumptuous boy in his
early twenties. But, his eyes were so clouded over; she had never seen him like this.
He bit her lip hard, so hard that it hurt. With one move, he pushed her onto the bed
and pressed her down, but did not touch her clothes. He just held down her
shoulders, rendering her unable to move.

He lowered his head, so that she could not see his eyes clearly.

After a pause, he suddenly laughed, and asked huskily, “Why have you suddenly . . .
returned? It’s been eight years, Han Yumeng, eight years! You have been dead in
my world for the past eight years; why have you suddenly come back? And why
have you searched me out?”

A hot tear landed on Han Yumeng’s cheek.

He was crying.

In a split second, Han Yumeng’s eyes were also brimming over with tears.

“I . . .” Unexpectedly, she found herself lost for words. At that moment, all she
wanted to do was to bolt for the door, but her body seemed to have lost all its
strength, and she could not move at all.
Her face wet with tears, she said slowly, “I, and he . . . we encountered a storm at
sea. We did not die, but drifted to South America.”

Fu Ziyu lifted his head to look at her.

“I . . .” With every word she spoke, she could feel the dryness in her throat. “He
made me do a lot of things that I didn’t want to do. I couldn’t come back. I thought
that I would never see you again in this lifetime. Until recently, when he was
seriously ill, and I escaped. I fled, all the way from South America to China.”

She raised her hands and covered her face.

Fu Ziyu remained silent for a while before asking, “Then, why have you been hiding
from me? And, why suddenly appear now?”

Han Yumeng replied, “I . . . was not sure if I should still appear in front of you.
However, I still wanted to come, to come and look for you.”

Fu Ziyu gazed at her in contemplation for a long time. He then abruptly released
her and sat at the side of the bed in total silence.

Han Yumeng stared blankly at his back, acutely aware of the deep grief in her heart.
He was once her god, her faith, her love of a lifetime. Now, he was inaccessible.

Could she draw near to him once again? Would she have the fortune to be able to
stay with him all their remaining years?

She crawled over, and, gathering up all her courage, hugged him from behind with
shaking hands. It was really strange, after going through so much, she would not
bat an eyelash if someone died in front of her. But, once at his side, it was as if she
had returned to her 20-year-old self, that inexperienced and nervous girl.

She buried her face in his back, crying, and whispered, almost inaudibly, “Kris . . .
do you still love me?”
Fu Ziyu was silent for a long time. All of a sudden, he laughed softly, “Are you
asking me if I love you? Joe, if there’s ever a day when the stars disappear from the
sky, that’s the day I stop loving you.”

Han Yumeng was stunned, and her tears burst forth anew.

After Fu Ziyu had finished speaking, he turned around, intending to hold her once
again. Who would imagine that she would unexpectedly jump off the bed and rush
toward the door.

Fu Ziyu’s face changed in an instant. He ran after her and grabbed her hand.
“Where are you going?”

“I . . .” She looked up at him, her tears stilled. “I can’t stay here with you for too
long, he’s continually pursuing me. Kris, please don’t tell anyone about my return,
including your good friend, Bo Jinyan. I’m begging you . . . I don’t want . . . I can’t
have any contact with the police. When the time is right, I’ll come to you again.”

Fu Ziyu held on to her arm, refusing to let go. He did not imagine that she would
break free easily with a twist of her arm. Without waiting for his reaction, she
turned and left.

Fu Ziyu stood stock still, unable to move. After a brief moment, he dashed after her,
but the corridor had long been empty. Downstairs, crowds of people and streams
of traffic shuttled back and form ceaselessly; how could he possibly find her?

Fu Ziyu returned to his apartment. He looked at the wrinkled sheets, a strand of her
long hair on the pillow, and felt that he was in a dream.

He walked to the balcony and sat in the wicker chair. He gazed at the distant night
sky, took out his cell phone and scrolled to Bo Jinyan’s number, but did not call
him. He sat by himself for a long time. Looking up, he could see only the myriad
stars sparkling in the night sky.

Then, he smiled, a solitary and gentle smile. He put down his cell phone. He
decided to trust, and to continue waiting.
Chapter 40

Who was it, hiding behind Ke Qian?

Who was it, who cherished such hatred for the animation studio members?

Who was it, who could engineer such a meticulous and cool-headed series of
murders, and then push the survivors to the point of a nervous breakdown?

Moreover, was this person’s killing spree not yet at an end?

Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua were already under police protection. As for this
person, there were absolutely no clues to his or her existence.

“No, Ke Qian never told us about any other friends,” Wen Xiaohua said.

“But . . . during that time, he always went out by himself. When he returned, he
seemed very happy,” Xu Sheng added.

“Didn’t you ever ask him what he was doing? Or who he was meeting?” Fang Qing
asked.

Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua bowed their heads. “We didn’t ask.”

——

The black Cherokee sped along the highway. Bo Jinyan’s side profile was extremely
calm as he said, “There are two possibilities. A lover, or a close relative.”

Jian Yao was slightly surprised. “Relative? According to the information on Ke Qian,
his paternal grandfather passed away a few years ago, and he has no other close
relatives.”
Bo Jinyan nodded. “However, we can’t rule out any possibilities, so we should still
visit his old hometown. That person was familiar with the animation community,
as well as everyone’s habits. Xu Sheng and Wen Xiaohua have already confirmed
that Ke Qian had a set of Jiang Xueran’s apartment keys that year, in order to
facilitate rehearsals. This also means that Ke Qian would have told that person of
the keys’ whereabouts. The two of them would have told each other everything,
and Ke Qian would have trusted that person absolutely. They would have been as
one person.

Ke Qian’s personality is sensitive and fragile, and his social skills are poor. That
person should have appeared on the scene shortly before Ke Qian’s disappearance.
Any earlier, and there would be no reason for the animation studio members to be
unaware of that person. It is highly unlikely that an ordinary person would be able
to become someone’s bosom friend in that short period of time, and especially not
in Ke Qian’s case.

However, if love or familial relations are involved, it would be possible.”

Jian Yao nodded, thought briefly, then said, “What’s more, with Ke Qian’s
character, the reliance on friends is very strong. If he had really made such a good
friend, firstly, he would not have any need to hide this person from the animation
studio members; secondly, his reliance on them should have diminished. In truth,
where the investment venture was concerned, it’s not as if he couldn’t have done it
without the others. However, when he obtained that investment, he was still
concerned about what each of the others thought, and he deeply desired their
fellowship. He was even willing to exchange that sum of money for their attention
and companionship. This just goes to show, whatever relationship that person had
with Ke Qian, it was unable to take the place of friendship.”

Bo Jinyan smiled slightly. “Well done.”

“Love . . . hmmmmm,” Jian Yao sighed. “Is it love?”

Bo Jinyan did not answer her. Instead, he said, “That angel investment that Ke
Qian obtained is actually very suspicious. We did not find any relevant investment
documents in his home, and, according to what he said, the money was for him to
use as he wished. Usually, angel investors do not proceed in this manner. It’s just
that Jiang Xueran and the others have no real-world experience, and did not notice
anything peculiar.”

“So, that means . . . that sum of money was probably given to Ke Qian by that
person?”

“It is a possibility,” Bo Jinyan replied. “I’ve already set An Yan to investigate the
source of the money. At the same time, Fang Qing will stay in Beijing to search for
clues about Ke Qian’s circumstances.”

“Then, the purpose of our trip to Ke Qian’s hometown is to ascertain the possibility
of his relative having committed the crimes?”

“Not only that.” Bo Jinyan continued, “This is an interesting case. If we don’t have a
deep understanding of Ke Qian, how will I be able to think like him, and then to
sense and understand our true killer?”

Aha, this again. Jian Yao smiled and said, “Hey, why are you always so interested in
murderers? Won’t you get bored, or tired?”

“How can one tire of the things one likes?” Bo Jinyan glanced at her. “What I love,
and what I hate, has remained unchanged for many years.”

“Oh.” Jian Yao could not help smiling.

He smiled as well, and whispered, “Yes, I’m seamlessly bringing you into the
conversation.”

It become even more difficult for Jian Yao to control the smile on her face.

It was at this moment that her cellphone rang.

The caller was Luo Lang, whom she had not been in contact with for a few days.

“Jian Yao, it so happens that I have to go to court in your district today to handle
some matters. Do you have time to meet me for a meal?”

Jian Yao paused.

Luo Lang laughed. “Get your husband to join us.”

Jian Yao laughingly said, “I’m sorry, Luo dage, today we are conducting an
investigation out of town and won’t be able to get back in time. Let’s meet another
day, and I’ll treat you.”

Luo Lang said, “Oh! Okay. Next week, then. I have some useful legal information
pertaining to cases, I’ll pass it to you when we next meet.”

After ending the call, Jian Yao said, “Luo dage wants to meet us for a meal.”
Bo Jinyan replied, “Not interested.”

“Go with me next time.”

“ . . . . all right.”

Jian Yao watched him continue to drive with his usual demeanour, and a sudden
desire to provoke him arose in her heart. “Hey, will you be jealous if I interact with
my male friends?”

Bo Jinyan scoffed, “Only a man with a sense of crisis would feel jealous.
Regretfully, I will never experience that.”

“Humph.”

After a short pause, he abruptly asked, “How much older is he compared to you?”
It took Jian Yao several seconds before she understood that Bo Jinyan was
referring to Luo Lang. “Seven or eight years,” she replied.

“Ah, so it’s like that . . .”

“Like what?”

He replied indifferently, “You called him ‘dage’.”

“So? That’s the right way to address him.”

“I’m four years older than you,” Bo Jinyan said.

Jian Yao was stunned for a moment. It was indeed true. However, she had never
felt that he was older than she was.

On observing that she was not saying anything, Bo Jinyan frowned slightly and
said, “But, you’ve never called me ‘dage’.”
Jian Yao was speechless.

So, this is what he was concerned about.

Didn’t he just say that he would never experience being jealous . . .

Noticing that his clear eyes were watching her, she suddenly laughed.

“Do you want me to call you ‘dage’?” The minute the words were out of her mouth,
she felt her face getting warm.
Bo Jinyan did not say anything.

Jian Yao cleared her throat. “Bo dage.”

He smiled faintly.

Jian Yao batted her eyelashes, and shouted, “Jinyan gege.”

Bo Jinyan let out a faint sound of assent.
The wind blew in through the car windows, and the silent and familiar interior of
the car seemed to have been transformed into an atmosphere that was both gentle
and stirring. It came to Jian Yao’s notice that, although he looked composed, Bo
Jinyan’s cheeks were slightly flushed.

Some kind of warmth filled Jian Yao’s heart. She raised her head and looked with
him at the way ahead. The Ren county wind was blowing, and Ren county scenery
slipped past.

*T/N Ren county (任县 ren xian) is a county in the southwest of Hebei province.

At the same time, Luo Lang sat in his car, and looked up at the windows of Jian
Yao’s office. By his hand was a stack of neatly arranged papers, and many of the
sheets had his personal comments written on them.

‘It so happens’ that he was in her district? Truthfully, his desire to meet with her
had not come about due to the hometown reunion. It was because he had wanted
it intensely for many years.

He sat quietly in the car for a while, then drove off.

When she returned safely, he would once again hope to meet her.
Chapter 41

Ke Qian’s hometown was in Hebei, not too far from Beijing. However, in these past
few years, all of China’s small and medium-sized cities, without exception, had
been undergoing a process of demolishing buildings and relocating the
inhabitants, in order to build boringly uniform commercial housing or new
townships. Ke Qian’s earliest registered permanent residence, a hostel based in an
old factory which had gone bankrupt, had long since been razed to the ground, and
a new housing community had sprung up on the same land. Moreover, they had no
idea where his old neighbours had gone. Jian Yao asked around the small
community, including the neighbourhood committee, but no one knew anything
about the Ke family, and she was unable to obtain any pertinent information.

Only the lake opposite the housing community, with its rippling blue-green waters,
remained as clear as before.

Perhaps, in this era of rapid economic change, the only constants are the
mountains, lakes and rivers, under whose watchful gaze we live.

Next to the small lake, there was a large wetland, lush with greenery. It had
obviously been well conserved.

They then visited the second address they had: the home of Ke Qian’s grandfather,
in the same county. According to the family details which Ke Qian had provided
when he enrolled for university, his only relative was his paternal grandfather. His
grandfather’s address was also listed as Ke Qian’s place of residence.

This time, they found the place with relative ease. It was an old house in the old
town. Green tiles, grey walls, a two-bedroom single-storey house. A big padlock
was on the door.

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan knocked on the door for an eternity, until an older woman
emerged from the house next door. She asked, “Who are you looking for?”
Jian Yao said with a smile, “Dajie, we are Ke Qian’s friends from Beijing. We’re here
on vacation and remembered that he mentioned his old home was here, so we
thought we’d come and take a look.”
Bo Jinyan hid his smile as he eyed his increasingly slick criminal investigator wife.

The elderly lady observed that they both looked fairly upstanding, and did not
suspect anything. She commented, “Oh, so you’re Xiao Ke’s friends. He hasn’t been
home recently.”

“Dajie, when did Xiao Ke’s grandfather pass away?” Jian Yao asked.
The woman sighed and said, “About four or five years ago. That was when Xiao Ke
had just passed the university entrance exam.”

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan exchanged glances. Since the blow had come at that time,
it was no wonder that Ke Qian had formed such a strong attachment to his
university friends.

“Does he have any other relatives?” Jian Yao asked.

The woman considered briefly before shaking her head. “I haven’t noticed any
relative come by. Our family moved here about ten years ago, and it was just the
two of them living their plain and solitary lives. Aish, Xiao Ke has had a bitter life; I
heard that his parents died in a car accident when he was just five or six years old,
and there was not much compensation. As a matter of fact, even after his
grandfather died, I still kept a set of keys to their place. Since he was studying
somewhere else, he asked me to come over and clean the house from time to
time.”
Bo Jinyan abruptly asked, “When was the last time he came back?”

The woman replied, “Just a month ago. I remember it very clearly; it was the time
of the Qing Ming* Festival holiday.”
*T/N 清明节 (Qing Ming jie) – Qing Ming Festival (also known as Tomb-Sweeping
Day) is a Chinese festival which falls on the first day of the fifth lunar month. During
the festival, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean their
gravesites, pray to them, and make ritual offerings.
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao did not say anything.

A month ago.

Ke Qian had been ‘killed’ by Jiang Xueran and the others half a year ago.

Then his buried ‘corpse’ had disappeared, then he had visited his old hometown a
month ago, then he had committed a series of murders.

“Are you sure he was the person who came back?” Bo Jinyan asked.

The woman looked at him strangely. “Why on earth are you asking that? Do you
think I could make a mistake? He even ate dinner at my home that day. That
grown-up kid . . .”

Jian Yao smiled as she interrupted, “Dajie, it’s like this. We’re also aware how much
you cared for Ke Qian when he lived here. Please accept this 200 dollars (29 USD) as
a token of our regard for you as his friends.”
The minute she saw the money, the woman blushed; she waved her hand and said
she did not want it. Jian Yao persisted in giving it to her, and, after demurring a few
more times, she finally accepted it. Jian Yao seized the opportunity to ask, “Dajie,
since we’re here already, may we go into Ke Qian’s home to have a look around?”

To say that Ke Qian’s grandfather’s home consisted of four bare walls would not be
an exaggeration. In both rooms of the house, there was nothing else apart from a
bed, a table, and a cupboard. However, everything was kept very neatly. The
furniture was old-fashioned, and someone had hand-painted a pattern of Chinese-
style bamboo leaves and flowers on the walls. Upon looking carefully, the entire
home immediately transformed into something extraordinary.

Needless to say, this was Ke Qian’s style.

Perhaps because there was nothing valuable in Ke Qian’s home, after bringing
them in, the elderly woman had gone outside to busy herself with other matters.
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao looked around the house but found nothing unusual. Jian
Yao said, “I’m confused. Previously, I thought it was beyond doubt that Ke Qian had
died, and the person Fang Qing and Gu Fang Fang saw was someone else whose
figure’s very similar to his. But, now, this dajie has definitely seen a living, breathing
Ke Qian. Did he really not die?”

“There’s no need to be confused,” Bo Jinyan said. “I believe we are already close to

the answer. Have you not realised that there is something missing from this place?”

Jian Yao looked blank.

Bo Jinyan put on his gloves, and opened the cupboards and drawers one by one,
then closed them again. “Ke Qian has such a sensitive and meticulous personality,
losing his mother and father at a young age, also losing his grandfather just as he
gained entrance to university . . . he would have kept that item very carefully, it
would have been precious and very important. But, we didn’t find it in his rented
apartment, and we didn’t find it here.”

“What is it?” Jian Yao asked.

“Photo album.”

Jian Yao was stunned.

Bo Jinyan smiled slightly as he said, “That’s what that person wants to hold on to,
or . . . what he wants to keep hidden. It is because of this that he suddenly came
home for a visit.”

Jian Yao stood transfixed.

Could it be . . . not a lover, but a . . .

Relative.

——
Lian Hua (Lotus Flower) Elementary School was the best elementary school in the
vicinity. When Bo Jinyan and Jian Yan rushed there, it was already afternoon.
“The elderly woman moved next door to Ke Qian ten years ago,” Bo Jinyan said.
“At that time, Ke Qian had just started junior high school, so she would not know
anything about him prior to that time. There aren’t any people living near him who
have been around for longer than that. Moreover, Ke Qian’s grades have been
excellent since he was young, so he must have attended the best elementary
school.”

They arrived at the school’s administrative office and showed their identification.
An elderly teacher received them. “Ok, please wait a moment. I will retrieve that
year’s registration information.”

While they were waiting, An Yan called them.

“I’ve got it. The money that Ke Qian received was from an overseas account, an
American account. The account holder is ‘K.A.’.”

At this time, the teacher returned with the registration folder. Even though it had
been many years, with a close inspection of the class photo, Jian Yao was able to
locate a child whose facial features strikingly resembled that of the adult Ke Qian
and pointed the child out to Bo Jinyan. “Look, there’s Ke Qian.”

However, the teacher put on her reading glasses, laughed and said, “You’re
mistaken. That’s not Ke Qian, that’s Ke Ai. Ke Ai is the older sister; she’s the girl
standing in the first row. Ke Qian is the younger brother; he’s standing in the last
row. Those two are twins, and resemble each other to an amazing degree.”

Bo Jinyan took the photo and stared at it silently. Jian Yao finally located Ke Qian
in the back row. Looking at the two children whose features were virtually
indistinguishable, she suddenly felt an indescribable sadness. She asked, “What
happened to them? Where did the older sister, Ke Ai, go?”

The teacher sighed and said, “The older sister’s fate was good. They had a childless
relative who adopted Ke Ai when the children were in the third grade. Perhaps,
because the couple thought the burden of adopting both children would be too
heavy, or because they thought keeping the children together would make it more
difficult for the kids to grow close to them . . . anyway, the younger brother was left
in the grandfather’s care. I think Ke Ai was taken to America later.”
Chapter 42

“Ke Ai, English name, Rita, 24 years old, student at the Chemistry faculty, University
of Chicago. In December last year, she returned to China as an exchange student.
She is expected to leave China at the end of June this year, which is next week.” An
Yan handed the information to everyone.

Fang Qing gave the information sheet in his hand a shake. “Chemistry faculty? Heh
heh.”

“We have confirmed that the US account belongs to her,” An Yan said.

“Teacher evaluation . . .” Bo Jinyan read aloud slowly, “quick-witted and

meticulous in thinking. Great ability to plan and execute events, also very
courageous, loved by both teachers and students. . . it looks like she has the
knowledge and ability to commit crimes.”

Jian Yao looked at the information and said, “Although they are fraternal twins, the
brother-sister pair were completely similar to each other in appearance when they
were young. Even photographs taken when they were older show an eighty to
ninety percent similarity. If one were to deliberately pretend to be the other, other
people would definitely not be able to tell the difference.”

Fang Qing said, “Jinyan, the time when this sister returned to China coincides with
your speculations about the time the ‘mysterious person’ appeared. The money
was also given by her. She would definitely be familiar with the interactions
between Ke Qian and the other members of the animation community. She has the
motivation, the time, the capability, the access to poison, and there are eye-
witnesses. She’s the murderer, there’s no two ways about it*.”

*T/N 板上钉钉 (ban shang ding ding) – literally, striking the nails (钉钉) on the
board (板).
Bo Jinyan looked grave. “An Yan, go and investigate the source of the *** (poison).
Fang Qing, Jian Yao, let’s meet this deeply loved, highly significant older sister.”

*T/N Ding Mo doesn’t name the poison

Qingdu University ranks among China’s best, and the science and engineering
faculty is even more highly regarded. The car entered from the north gate, and the
route was lined with lush vegetation and simple and unadorned buildings. From
time to time, students would cycle past, and many students were sitting on the
grassy patches, quietly reading.

It was amidst such a tranquil and dream-like atmosphere that Bo Jinyan drove the
car to the School of Chemistry and stopped at the entrance. They had already
greeted the school administration and explained that they were conducting a low-
profile investigation. The three of them walked down a long corridor and reached
the door of a laboratory.

The glow of the evening sun was reflected off the window lattice, and the sound of
laughter and chatter came from within.

A few students, dressed in white coats, were fiddling with apparatus.

Fang Qing took the lead and walked in. “Excuse me, which one of you is Ke Ai?”

The students stopped laughing and looked up at him. A tall girl with long hair said,
“I am.”

The moment Jian Yao had a clear look at her face, she felt a brief shock of panic.
The face was really very similar, yet it was also different from Ke Qian’s. Arched
willow-leaf eyebrows, and a small mouth. However, the long hair, slightly curled,
fell lightly over her shoulders, and her eyebrows were lighter in colour than Ke
Qian’s, as was her lip colour. She had some light makeup on. But, she was
completely different from Ke Qian – the difference was in her temperament, in the
expression in her eyes. Her countenance was extremely tranquil, and she gazed
openly and candidly at everyone, neither servile nor overbearing. Her entire being
gave off a very chilly aura.

“What is it about?” Ke Ai asked.

The students beside her watched them alertly, with some doubt.

Fang Qing took out his police identification. “We are from the city Criminal
Investigation Department. We require your assistance in investigating a case, and
would like you to come with us to the police station.”

The students looked at one another, and Ke Ai was stunned.

Her expression turned a little ugly. “Has . . . has something happened to Ke Qian?”

This reaction was completely contrary to the expectations of Bo Jinyan and the
others.

“Let’s talk about it at the station,” said Bo Jinyan.

“Ok.” Ke Qi quickly removed her lab coat and took off her gloves, her expression
heavy. One of the students grabbed her hand and asked, “Rita, is everything ok? Do
you want us to go with you?”

“Yeah! How can you manage on your own?”

Bo Jinyan and the others waited quietly by the side.

Ke Ai shook her head, smiled, and said, “You carry on with the experiment, we have
to hand in the report to the professor tomorrow morning. I’m fine . . . it’s just
something to do with my family.”

——
Ke Ai was not staying at the school’s international student dormitory, but had
rented an apartment outside. After Fang Qing had brought her back to the police
station, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao went to examine her apartment.

It was a refined and welcoming one-room apartment. Simple, neat and clean. On
the bookshelves, apart from several books on chemistry, there were also travel
books, as well as famous classics and poetry anthologies. Bo Jinyan took one down
and flipped it open, it was Somerset Maugham’s ‘The Painted Veil’. Many
comments were written in it, and the handwriting was nothing like Ke Qian’s; it was
beautifully delicate, yet vigorous. On the last page, Ke Ai had written a long
comment: “The worth of human life should not be calculated in terms of length, nor
in terms of wealth, status, beauty and so on. The clarity and fullness of one’s soul
should be the source of all happiness. To be a person who knows how to love, is able
to love, is rich in love. May every minute of my life be lived meaningfully.” The pages
were slightly yellow, so she had probably written this at least a few years prior.

Bo Jinyan silently looked at this for a while, then placed the book back on the shelf.

Jian Yao walked over. “There are some letters over here.”

One letter was from her parents, probably sent six months ago.

“Rita, we heard that you’ve found your younger brother. Dad and I are very happy
for you. Invite him to come and visit in America! Or, you could stay in China longer.
Either way is fine. We do miss you, though.
The two stray dogs that you took in have not had very good appetites recently,
probably because they also miss you so much. I found a vet, and we thought of a way.
Finally, they started eating properly. Don’t worry about them.
Thank you for the gift you sent us. We left China so many years ago, and never
expected to be able to eat authentic Beijing snacks again. Your father was very happy
to be able to take a few sips of xiaojiu.
Also, your boyfriend, Jason, misses you tremendously. Apparently he stays at home
all day strumming the guitar and singing love songs, haha. He is an infatuated and
courageous boy. However, when he received the gift you sent him, he hugged us
cheerfully. I hear he is about to become a lawyer. We are really happy for the both of
you.
Take care of yourself and study hard. We are looking forward to your return.”
The other letter was from Jason.
“My dear Rita, this is how much I miss you.
I miss your beautiful smile, I miss your warm and gentle words. You are like sunlight
and dewdrops, the giver of all the beautiful things in my life. Without you beside me,
everything here is dull and insipid.
What I wanted to let you know is that I’m about to become a lawyer. I know you’ll be
very happy for me. I was only able to achieve my dream due to your encouragement
and companionship.
I am also proud of you. My beautiful, kind, intelligent, and adorable China girl.
Waiting for your return.
Love you. Jason.”
......
“It looks like Ke Ai’s relationship with others is very good,” commented Jian Yao.

“Yes,” said Bo Jinyan. “A very well-liked girl.”

——

The blazing light shone on the top of her head. As a result of sitting alone In the
vast interrogation room, under the blinding light, everything before her had
become a little hazy.

She rubbed her hands together with some unease, and her countenance had
become even more grave. However, she still maintained her composure, the calm
seemingly arising from her character and the way she had trained herself. Her
heart, however, was impatient; she looked up at the door frequently, hoping to
receive news of her brother as quickly as possible.

Bo Jinyan and the others stood in the room next door, watching her intently
through the dark one-way glass.

“Fang Qing, let’s go and have a chat with her,” said Bo Jinyan.

“Ok.”

When the door opened, Ke Ai looked up and observed the two men who had
walked in. One was handsome and tall, but his expression was grave and stern. The
other was more tanned and muscular, and his handsome face was smiling.
Ke Ai reflexively stood up.

Fang Qing kept smiling. “Sit, sit.” He put a cup of hot tea in front of her.

Ke Ai took it with both hands and said softly, “Thank you.”

Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan traded looks. Fang Qing smiled slightly as he said, “Ke Ai,
we have brought you back to the station today so that you can assist in the
investigation into your brother’s case . . .”

Ke Ai looked up with a penetrating gaze. “Police officer, my younger brother . . .

what’s happened to him?”

Fang Qing asked, “Why do you ask such a question?”

Ke Ai’s fingers gripped the paper cup tightly. “Because . . . .he hasn’t been in touch
with me for over a month.”

Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan both fell silent for a moment.

“More than a month?” Bo Jinyan asked. “Then, more than a month ago, what did
he last contact you about?”

Ke Ai hesitated briefly before looking at them again. After a while, it seemed that
she had come to a decision. She took her cell phone out of her pocket and placed it
in front of them.

It was a text from an unknown number:

Ai, forget about me; forget about this world, and forget about the one and only me.
Go back to the States, live well, and bring all my love and dreams with you. I’m going
to do something which should not be done. I’m going to make all the vulgar and
malicious people in this world pay the price. I will never return, but my heart will
always be with you. Don’t miss me, don’t contact me, don’t make a police report, and
don’t look back. I promise you, I will also strive to carry on living. In a place which
you can’t see. I will be as brave and as hardworking as you are. — Qian.
Fang Qing immediately handed the cell phone to the officer outside the door, to be
sent for examination.

Ke Ai raised that pair of clear and limpid eyes and regarded them. In that split
second, Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan both felt a little dispirited.

Anyone at the receiving end of such a frank, clear and sorrowful gaze would
probably feel the same way.

“Ke Qian . . . he. . . what happened to him?” she asked slowly.

“On February 10 this year, he and his friends in the animation studio had a dispute
over the distribution of 2 million dollars,” Fang Qing replied. “He suffered stab
wounds to his body and lost a lot of blood, and was buried by his friends. The
forensic experts determined that the odds of his survival are practically nil.
However, now, we cannot find his body where it was buried.”

He said all this very slowly and very clearly.

Ke Ai’s eyes widened slowly. Her eyes were full of hopelessness, shock and pain.

“No . . . impossible . . .” She covered her face with her hands as her tears fell. “I was
still receiving text messages from him a few months ago, he is definitely not dead,
it’s not possible.”
Chapter 43

“What do you think?” An Yan asked.

Jian Yao stared at Ke Ai from behind the one-way glass. “Honestly, she looks as if
she really doesn’t know anything. If it turns out that her entire reaction was all a
show, then this woman is indeed highly skilled and very much to be feared.”

——

“After you returned to China, when did you get in touch with Ke Qian?” Fang Qing
asked.

Ke Ai’s eyes dimmed briefly. After a moment of recollection, she replied, “After I
came back, I took a month to settle in. I went to my old hometown and located my
grandfather’s old house. He was not there, so I asked the neighbours and got his
contact details from them. When I discovered he was also in Beijing, I was ecstatic.”

Fang Qing asked, “What was his reaction at the time?”

A bleak smile hovered around Ke Ai’s mouth. “He was very happy, we were both
really happy. Even though we didn’t express our feelings overtly, we both knew it.”

“Why did you conceal the interactions between the both of you from other
people?” Bo Jinyan asked.

“I actually didn’t mind, but Ke Qian didn’t want it to be known,” replied Ke Ai. “He
said, people wouldn’t understand how children separated from each other at a
young age would feel upon being reunited. He said that no one around him would
understand. I respected his feelings, and wanted to do what I could to help him.”

Fang Qing asked, “Why did you give Ke Qian the money? It was no small amount.”
“My adoptive parents’ economic situation is fairly comfortable. They also agreed to
give the money to Ke Qian. I wanted to . . . help him realise his dream, but I never
imagined . . .”

“Where were you between 12 and 2 a.m. on the 17th of this month, and between 1
and 3 a.m. on the 20th? What were you doing?”

Ke Ai raised her head. “So late . . . I must have been asleep. Why are you asking this
question?”

Bo Jinyan said, in an unhurried manner, “On the evening of the 17th, two of the
people involved in the conspiracy to murder Ke Qian were killed by poison; the
poison was ****. On the evening of the 20th, another of the main conspirators was
killed at home. If we don’t stop him, the murderer will continue to kill.”

Ke Ai was stunned.

The changes in her expression were very distinct and subtle.

At first, there was shock, then doubt. Following that came deep thought, a flash of
sudden understanding, bitter laughter, then mourning.

“It was him?” she asked dumbly. “So, when he said he was going to do something
that should not be done, making malicious people pay the price . . . someplace
where I could not see him . . .” She once again covered her face with her hands, and
her tears flowed freely.

Grief, intense grief which could not be suppressed. Even with one look, one could
clearly feel her sorrow.

Bo Jinyan handed her a tissue.

“Don’t cry, we are also sorry about all the pain he suffered.”

Ke Ai looked at him through her tears and said, “Thank you.”

Fang Qing continued, “Ke Qian lost a lot of blood at his home. The forensic doctor
concluded that it was impossible for him to be alive. However, we have two
eyewitnesses who saw another person looking remarkably like Ke Qian at the
scene of the crime of the murdered animation studio members. This is why we
asked you to come with us to the police station today.”

Ke Ai was blank for a while, then comprehension dawned. “So . . . you guys suspect
me? That’s impossible! How could it be me? Although Ke Qian has talked about
them, I don’t even know what they look like . . . It’s Ke Qian. He didn’t die; he’s not
dead.”

From the tone of her final words, it was difficult to tell if she was happy, or sad.

Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan exchanged glances. Bo Jinyan said, “All right, Miss Ke Ai,
today, our conversation ends here. However, I need to remind you of something
important – at the moment, Ke Qian can only be classified as ‘missing’, so we
cannot rule him out as a suspect in these murder cases. But, at the same time, we
are also unable to exclude you from the list of suspects. Because the two of you are
so similar in appearance, eyewitnesses can’t distinguish between you. So, I think
that you will not be able to return to the States next week as you planned, but will
have to stay in China to help in the investigation, until the truth comes to light*.”

*T/N 水落石出 (shui luo shi chu) – lit. until the water recedes and the rocks are
revealed.

Ke Ai was silent for a moment before saying, “Ok, I understand.”

——

The members of the Special Cases Unit regrouped once again in the conference
room.

Fang Qing smacked his lips several times and said, “It’s watertight*.”

*T/N 滴水不漏 (di shui bu lou) – lit. not one drop of water can leak out
He was naturally referring to Ke Ai.

Bo Jinyan smiled briefly before saying, “Looking at the current situation, every clue
points to her.”

Everyone remained silent.

This was as clear as daylight.

“However . . .” Bo Jinyan’s words took a sharp turn. “From the perspective of

behavioural analysis, Ke Ai is not the murderer.”

An Yan and Fang Qing were both dumbfounded, while Jian Yao looked at him
thoughtfully. Bo Jinyan said, “After the murderer found out about how Jiang
Xueran and the others conspired to kill someone that night, he planned his revenge
carefully, waiting half a year to carry it out. His methods were cruel and reckless.

Although Ke Ai suffered family tragedy and separation at a young age, she grew up
in a healthy adoptive family. Her character is robust, optimistic, self-confident and
kind-hearted. Where her interpersonal relationships are concerned, she is rational
and welcoming of all. Furthermore, she has a pretty good future: work, family, love.

The person in this murder case exhibits a totally different personality from Ke Ai.
Despairing, vicious, full of hatred, staking everything for just one shot. It’s not only
revenge on Ke Qian’s murderer, but revenge on life. If you look at Ke Ai’s life, the
nurturing she’s received and her character, if she knew the facts and had sufficient
evidence to convict the murderers, she would definitely not lack the common
sense to report them to the police. She would never have destroyed her own future
and ruined her life by using such methods to take revenge.

Therefore, the murderer is not Ke Ai. Even though I don’t have any concrete
evidence, the behavioural analysis has already told us this.”

Jian Yao nodded. After meeting Ke Ai today, she too felt this aspect was weird..
Killing someone is not an easy task. It can still be done if one kills on impulse, in the
spur of the moment. However, to endure silently for half a year before killing
people in a frenzy, this is the work of someone who is extreme in character, and
who is at a dead end. On the other hand, Ke Ai has exhibited a peaceful and
rational character on all fronts. She would not have chosen to personally kill others
to resolve this problem.

Fang Qing, however, frowned. “But, right now, Ke Ai is the only suspect. Jinyan,
you’ve spoken before of the importance of behavioural analysis, and I recognise
that. However, when the evidence-based logic conflicts with your behavioural
analysis . . . I’m sorry, but I believe in the evidence, and I believe in the facts I can
see with my own eyes. We can’t be sure that she’s putting on a show right now,
misleading us into thinking that Ke Qian is not dead and is the murderer.”

In response, Bo Jinyan said, “Her reaction in the interrogation room today could
have been faked, but there is no way for her to fake her past, her life, her friends
and her family. Ke Ai is in line with my behavioural analysis of her.”

Fang Qing’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed, “But the forensic expert extracted Ke
Qian’s DNA from the scene of the crime! The DNA of fraternal twins is different!
Furthermore, the forensic expert concluded that it was impossible for someone to
still be alive after losing so much blood!”

Bo Jinyan said, “The bloodstains at the crime scene had been washed over by
someone many times and were no longer reliable. The doctor’s conclusion was
based on an estimate of the amount of blood lost. As for Ke Qian’s DNA being
extracted, as well as bloodstains that could be tested, how do you know that it
wasn’t because someone deliberately left those at the scene of the crime?”

After a moment’s surprise, Fang Qing’s expression turned crabby, and he said
sarcastically, “What you’re saying is also only a possibility. If the murderer is not Ke
Ai, then who do you say it is?”

Bo Jinyan also smiled briefly. Instead of answering, with a cold and indifferent
expression, he asked in reply, “Are you sure that what you’ve seen with your own
eyes is the truth?”
Chapter 44

Zhu Momo was a student at the Qingdao University’s Faculty of Chemistry. That
day, in the afternoon, she braved the hot sun and went to the laboratory. Then, she
saw that someone was already there.

Zhu Momo was very surprised. “Ke Ai? You’re here. I thought you . . .”

Ke Ai was her usual calm and gentle self. It was only upon looking more carefully,
one would notice that her eyes were slightly red and swollen.

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice low and soft. “It’s just that, the police . . . have not
found my younger brother yet.”

Zhu Momo felt sad. The day before, the others had also been shocked and scared
when Ke Ai was taken away by the police out of the blue. Although they were
surprised, even suspicious, in the end, in all fairness, nobody believed that such a
good person as Ke Ai could have committed a crime. A few months ago, there was a
period of time when Ke Ai had seemed somewhat depressed, and did not join in
their activities for a while. However, she had gradually resumed her normal
behaviour. Yesterday, when Ke Ai had returned from the police station, she had
told everyone that her younger brother had been murdered, which is why the
police needed to question her. Everyone immediately sympathised with her.

“Why don’t you rest at home for a few more days?” Zhu Momo asked with concern.
“I can manage the experiments on my own.”

Ke Ai shook her head. “How can I do that? Life must go on, and I can’t dump my
problems on all of you as well. Let’s get started.”

Zhu Momo reflexively nodded. Although Ke Ai was gentle and easy-going, she had
also always been highly assertive. This was also the reason why people liked her,
whether they were male or female.
“I’m going into the inner room to carry out the observations. Can you take charge
of the outer room?” Ke Ai asked.

“Oh . . . ok.”

“Momo.” Ke Ai paused before resuming, “I’d like to be alone for a while. I want to
do things without being distracted. Otherwise I’ll . . . I’ll keep thinking about my
younger brother. Don’t come in during the experiment, ok?”

Zhu Momo quickly agreed.

Ke Ai smiled gently and said, “Thank you.” She turned, walked into the inner room
and shut the door. Zhu Momo took some test tubes and equipment from the
cupboard. When she looked back, she saw that the inner room curtains had been
tightly closed.

Zhu Momo was not overly concerned.

This experiment was not too complicated, but neither was it that simple. There
were two parts to it: she would work in the outer room, mixing various chemical
compounds and operating the apparatus. In the inner room, Ke Ai would have to
observe the variations in data generated by the computer in real time and record
them, then produce the experimental report. The entire process required four to
five hours.

As the bulk of the experiment fell to Zhu Momo, Ke Ai would be relatively idle.
However, after thinking about how Ke Ai had suffered such a severe misfortune, to
ask her to undertake a delicate experimental operation that required a high degree
of concentration would not be appropriate. So, Zhu Momo immersed herself in the
work.

In the inner room.

When Ke Ai pulled the curtains across, she felt a momentary despondence. She
looked up and stared out of the window. The weather was wonderful, the clouds
were so white, and the sky was so blue. All across the lush, green campus, people
were walking, some people were quietly waiting. Their lives were so tranquil.

Did anyone realise that someone’s bones had long been buried in the ground,
buried in a place without light, without justice?

A very, very good person.

Just because that person had encountered the greed, malice and mediocrity of
those ordinary people. That person refused to yield, and was thus killed.

Killed because of her.

Ke Ai stood still for a while. Suddenly, the corners of her mouth turned up in a
mocking smile.

It has been so long since the events occurred; already half a year. Is her heart finally
serene?

Or . . . will that day, when peace is achieved, never be possible?

She lifted her hand, slowly unbuttoned her clothes and took them off. She reached
for the white lab gown at the side.

Ke Ai, be courageous, don’t look back.

Head for a better life.

——

Two or three o’clock in the afternoon. Xu Sheng stayed in the school dormitory; she
did not go out, and she did not do anything.
Her roommates had all gone for interviews, or were looking for jobs.

She was still in the same old place, the same old state. She felt like a snake that
was about to hibernate, ugly from head to toe, and unable to move.

The sunlight was very strong. She stood at the window and could see a car still
parked downstairs. The car contained two police officers who were keeping a 24-
hour watch over her.

She had heard that a similar detail had been stationed at the bottom of the
apartment block where that girl called Ke Ai lived.

The police said that was Ke Qian’s sister, his twin, and that she was now their prime
suspect.

Xu Sheng gnawed lightly at her lower lip.

However, she still felt that something, somewhere, was wrong. The feeling weighed
on her heart like a menacing black boulder.

Perhaps, that night, having seen the pictures of how Jiang Xueran had been killed,
the force of the shock had been too much for her. That made-up appearance, that
long hair, those clothes – had all been the things that Ke Qian was fond of. Only he
had obsessively, singularly loved that particular get up.

At that time, Xu Sheng and Wen Xiao Hua had really believed Ke Qian had died and
been resurrected.

Even now, the two words, ‘Ke Qian’, lingered on in her heart like a shadow.

Living in an absent-minded daze, just getting by each day by mediocre day – that
was the state of Xu Sheng’s present life.

Later, she pulled the curtains shut, turned on all the lights, burrowed into her
blankets, and dozed off.
“Ta . . .” The door was pushed open with a soft sound.

Followed by light footsteps.

Xu Sheng heard the footsteps in her drowsy stupor, then suddenly realised what
she had heard and started awake.

The lights had been turned off at some time, and the apartment was in darkness. A
figure stood by the bedside.

One look at his face and Xu Sheng was scared witless. He wore a cap, a simple
white T-shirt and shorts, revealing a delicate collarbone and slender legs. But it
was clearly him! Those clear yet despondent eyes, that nose beaded with sweat,
tightly pursed red lips.

“Ahhhhhhhh . . .” A hoarse cry burst forth from Xu Sheng, but she had hardly
opened her mouth when he smothered her. He was wearing gloves, and the plastic
pressed down on her mouth ruthlessly so that Xu Sheng could only make muffled
cries. However, she was not a weak and timid girl. She struggled for her life, and
pushed hard against his chest.

His flat and muscular chest.

But, in the end, she was no match for him.

Ke Qian slapped her hard across the face and Xu Sheng was rendered dizzy. Ke
Qian grabbed a decorative ornament next to the bed and struck her heavily on the
back of her head.

Xu Sheng lost consciousness.

Ke Qian quietened for a moment. He let go of her and stood without moving.

He appeared to be thinking, or perhaps, appreciating the moment.

It was at this moment that the faint sound of voices suddenly came from the
corridor outside. “What did you bring Xu Sheng?” “Dumplings, aren’t those her
favourites?”

Ke Qian’s expression became apprehensive. He glanced at Xu Sheng lying on the

bed, then turned and walked quickly towards the door. When he opened the door,
the girls were still a distance away, and did not appear to be looking in this
direction. Ke Qian made up his mind and quickly walked down another staircase.

——

Zhu Momo completed the first set of experiments and took a break. Looking up,
she saw that the curtains across the windows had been pulled back at some
unknown time. However, they were only half open, and the inner white muslin
curtains were still pulled across. She could still clearly make out Ke Ai standing
with her back towards her, motionless.

Was she thinking about something? Zhu Momo wondered.

After an indeterminate time, she walked to the cupboard to retrieve some other
equipment. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Ke Ai’s figure moving; she
seemed to be bending over to pick something up.

——

The sun was in the west.

When Fang Qing arrived at Xu Sheng’s dormitory, he was shocked by the chaotic
situation that greeted him.

Xu Sheng’s clothes were in disarray, there was blood at the corners of her mouth, a
huge lump at the back of her head, and purplish-red weals and marks on her neck
and wrists. She kept covering her mouth, and was curled up in a corner of the bed,
crying. No matter what her friends or the police did, she would not get off the bed.
Fang Qing took in the chaos, called the policeman on duty to one side and snarled,
“How could this happen? How could someone break in here without being
noticed?”

The young policeman was both remorseful and aggrieved. “Team Leader Fang! We
really did not see Ke Ai enter! We’ve been keeping close watch all this time!”

Fang Qing pondered for a while, then walked aside and called the criminal
investigators in charge of watching Ke Ai. “Hello? What’s the situation over there?”

The criminal investigator replied, “At 10 minutes past 12, Ke Ai entered the
laboratory building and has not left the building since then. Moreover, we have
been observing her through the binoculars, and she and her classmate have been
in the laboratory all this time.”

“Xu Sheng was almost f**king killed over here! Get up there right now and look for
Ke Ai!”

In shock, the criminal investigators hurriedly said, “Yes!” They pushed open the car
doors and ran up the stairs.

On this side, Fang Qing hung up, looked at the disorderly situation and issued an
order. “All of you, get out.”

Everyone else left the apartment. Only Xu Sheng remained, sobbing bitterly on the
bed. Fang Qing sat by bed and said, quietly, “Don’t cry anymore. We will definitely
catch the killer. My apologies. My colleagues were negligent and did not notice Ke
Ai coming in.”

Xu Sheng looked up, her face so distorted by emotion that she looked like a
demon.

“It was not Ke Ai . . .” she said, her voice trembling.

Fang Qing was startled. “Then, who was it?”

“. . . . Ke Qian.” Xu Sheng’s voice sounded as if she was being torn apart. “He didn’t
die . . . he really didn’t die!”

Fang Qing fell silent briefly before replying, “The person that the previous two
eyewitnesses saw was most likely Ke Ai pretending to be Ke Qian.”

“No!” Xu Sheng cried out shrilly. “It wasn’t a woman! It wasn’t Ke Ai! It wasn’t! I felt
his body, it was a man! Definitely not a woman! And, the look in his eyes . . . his
appearance . . . it was Ke Qian, it can’t be anyone else!”

Fang Qing was struck dumb.

——

The criminal investigators rushed up the stairs and shoved open the door of the
laboratory, scaring Zhu Momo.

“Where’s Ke Ai?” one of them yelled.

Zhu Momo pointed to the inner room. “Inside . . . in there.”

The criminal investigators ran hurriedly over and pushed the door open.

Someone roughly pulled the curtains aside and the room was instantly filled with
light. Data flashed across the computer screen and a few lab equipment were piled
on the bench. Ke Ai, who was standing in front of the windows, turned around. Her
long hair was a little messy but her face was extremely calm. There was a fine
sheen of perspiration on her nose, and there also seemed to be drops of
perspiration on the ends of her hair. She slowly put on her lab gloves and asked,
“Officers, is there something wrong?”

——
The car stopped at a service area by the side of an expressway leading out of
Beijing.

Jian Yao got out to buy some water. Bo Jinyan stayed inside the car for a while, his
fingers tapping the steering wheel, before he got out and took out his cell phone.

This time, the call was quickly connected.

“Hey,” Bo Jinyan asked, “How have you been these two days?”

Fu Ziyu replied, “Really good.”

Bo Jinyan remained silent for a moment before he continued, “You . . . seem to

have something on your mind.”

Unexpectedly, Fu Ziyu laughed. “My dear Jinyan, when did you become so
sensitive? You’re thinking too much; I just woke up and don’t really feel like
talking.”

“So it’s like that.” This was a sentiment which Bo Jinyan could well understand, as
he too felt this way on getting up almost every day.

Both of them fell silent. Then, Bo Jinyan said, “Sorry, I’ve been busy with the anime
murder case these few days and didn’t have the time or manpower to track Han
Yumeng’s whereabouts. We can solve the case today, so wait for me for a while
longer.”

“Hey . . .” Fu Ziyu continued in a mischievous tone, “What’s with that boastful tone?
I heard An Yan saying it was a very difficult case, and that you guys had no leads.
Looks like he was fretting for nothing.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly.

“Don’t worry about me,” Fu Ziyu said softly. “Actually . . . about Yumeng, I’ve come
to a conclusion. It’s like you said, if she loves me, she will definitely come and look
for me. Even if it might mean more difficulties and danger for her, she will still
come, right? If she doesn’t, then I will just wait quietly. There’s nothing bad or
wrong about the way I’ve been living my life these past few years. I think, even
though there are plenty of doubts and misleading clues, it’s not really an issue for
the police to deal with. In the end, the issue is love.”

Bo Jinyan was alarmed.

Then, he changed the topic.

“Have the wedding rings for Jian Yao and me been customised?”

Fu Ziyu laughed as he whispered, “It’s done, young master. Following your hand-
drawn design exactly. It has been mailed from Switzerland and you can expect to
receive it in the next two days.”

Bo Jinyan was very satisfied. “Many thanks.”

“What’s there to thank, young master, this is but what I should do.”

After hanging up, there was still a trace of a smile on Bo Jinyan’s lips. He looked up
and saw that Jian Yao had returned.

“What are you smiling at?” Jian Yao asked.

“Nothing.” Bo Jinyan helped her open the car door, thought for a while, then took
up her hand. He lifted it to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand.

Jian Yao laughed. “What are you doing?”

He did not answer, and instead rubbed her ring finger lightly with his thumb. Jian
Yao found the sensation ticklish, and thought to herself: where on earth did he learn
this method of expressing love?
Both of them got into the car. Jian Yao asked, “What’s the objective of our trip?”
Bo Jinyan smiled. “We’re going to find the solid evidence that will definitely convict
Ke Qian.”
Chapter 45

Jian Yao fell silent for a moment before saying, “But, I always think that this kind of
speculation is too outrageous. Ke Qian didn’t die, the one who died was Ke Ai. And
then, he . . .” She stopped there and looked at Bo Jinyan.

Bo Jinyan replied as he drove, “The facts are already quite obvious. And, because
there are several contradictions in logic, those whose minds are more logical will
be able to perceive the actual facts more clearly. However, Fang Qing . . . is
evidently still a little lacking in this aspect.”

Jian Yao laughed heartily. “Don’t malign him. Why did you have to argue with him
yesterday?”

“You have reversed the logic,” Bo Jinyan replied. “It was he who argued with me,
not me who argued with him. Intelligent people have clear minds and sharp
senses, and the truth is self-evident. It’s the stupid people who need to argue,
because one who has the wrong logic will always need to convince others.”

Jian Yao decided to just keep quiet.

“First of all, that very first night, one of the twins, without doubt, died,” said Bo
Jinyan. “However, we were mislead by the accounts of Xu Sheng and the rest. The
deceased wore a cosplay costume and heavy makeup, so the differences in
appearance of the twins were less noticeable. As a result, they all thought it must
be Ke Qian, and we also inferred the same. But, do you remember, when Xu Sheng
and Wen Xiaohua spoke about that night, they recounted that Jiang Xueran and
the others said that ‘Ke Qian’ had suddenly become hostile and refused to divide
up the money, and even told them to leave, saying he would report them to the
police. The kind of personality who would react this way is not in line with Ke
Qian’s typical ‘yes-man’ nature; instead, it is more like Ke Ai’s calm and rational
nature. It was only when she saw that her younger brother’s friends were so selfish
and uncaring that she inevitably burst out in anger. The results of the forensic
investigation are the most conclusive proof. The phrase ‘the odds of survival are
extremely small’ is equivalent to ‘one of those twins must surely have died’. It’s just
that this is not a conclusion that will hold up in a court of law.

Secondly, in the serial murder case, the murderer showed that he was familiar with
the studio, the habits of the members, and all sorts of details both big and small.
Even though Ke Qian and Ke Ai had once had a detailed discussion about the
studio’s situation, for her to be familiar with the studio to such a high degree would
be too far-fetched. Thus, at that time, I had my suspicions. However, as you know, I
do not speak of things that are uncertain.”

Jian Yao pursed her lips.

“Thirdly, as I mentioned yesterday, Ke Ai could have put up a false front when

interacting with us, but there is no way to fake her past relationships and her life.
The Ke Ai who once was did not fit the characteristics of the murderer.

On the other hand, Ke Qian fitted the profile in every way. Although the impression
he gave everyone was of a fragile person, don’t forget, he had a great academic
record in his school and is highly intelligent. He is perfectly capable of carrying out
the murders. And, only he fits the profile of a personality who stakes everything on
one throw of the dice, is desperate, and is stubbornly set in his ways. Moreover, his
attachment to his older sister is really strong, and he is an excellent cosplayer who
frequently dresses up as a female. For him to play his dead sister, to substitute for
her in everyday life, would be something fully within his ability.”

“Then . . .” Jian Yao continued, “when he needed to kill someone, he would take off
the disguise and resume his male identity. That’s why Fang Qing and Gu Fang Fang
immediately perceived him as a man when they saw him. Then, when we found ‘Ke
Ai’, because we had not located Ke Qian’s body, we could not rule him out as a
suspect. Thus, he was able to put all the blame and suspicion on ‘Ke Qian’. He
became ‘Ke Ai’, and escaped the reach of the law.”

Bo Jinyan nodded.
“But these are all your speculations; you have no evidence.” Jian Yao added, “Since
you had such speculations earlier, why didn’t we find an excuse to subject Ke Qian
to a physical examination and expose his identity?”

“And, then?” Bo Jinyan asked. “My dear, Ke Ai’s body has yet to be found. Even if
we were to expose Ke Qian’s male identity now, he could still push all the suspicion
onto the vanished Ke Ai. After all, no one can prove that the murderer is a man!
Twins always give rise to the most exciting types of cases!”

Jian Yao spent some time in deep thought, digesting his words. Therefore, no
matter who was alive right now, whether Ke Ai or Ke Qian, if they could not find the
other person’s body, both of them would be suspected equally, there would be no
way to convict the truly guilty party.

“So, what do we do now?” Jian Yao asked.

Bo Jinyan looked up. Before them was the place that they had visited once before,
Ke Ai and Ke Qian’s old hometown.

“We will look for Ke Ai, whom Ke Qian has hidden.”

——

Fang Qing hardened his face and strode into the police station.

Some things cannot be clearly understood at the beginning. However, upon careful
thought, all becomes clear.

That bstrd Bo Jinyan was right. Fang Qing recollected how he had strongly argued
his point against Bo Jinyan the previous night, just like a stupid c**t. How had Bo
Jinyan concluded the debate? He had smiled faintly, looked at Fang Qing as if he
were a blockhead, and said, “He is someone else.”
At that time, Fang Qing had not understood the meaning of those words. He had
kept looking at Bo Jinyan, looking at him as if he (Bo Jinyan) were the blockhead.
Well, this time, he had been given a rude awakening by a ‘blockhead’. What was
more foolish than a blockhead? Wasn’t it a stupid c**t?

Although he was angry, his expression had toned down by the time he walked into
the interrogation room. He asked the criminal investigator at the door, “What
about the other?”

“Inside, it’s already been a long time. Her schoolmates have also been brought in.”

Fang Qing nodded calmly and whispered, “Ask a female colleague to come over.”

Five minutes later.

Fang Qing led the policewoman into the interrogation room. ‘Ke Ai’ looked up,
slightly stunned. Her appearance was still collected and elegant.

Fang Qing smiled. “Ke Ai, there was another surprise attack today. We need you to
cooperate with us and undergo an examination. I’ll let my female colleague take
over.”

Ke Ai did not move. “Officer Fang, I’ve been busy with the experiment all afternoon,
my schoolmate Zhu Momo can testify to that. I do not wish to be examined.”

Fang Qing’s smile did not reach his eyes. “Don’t be like this, Ke Ai. I don’t care
about any evidence that you were not at the scene. You are currently the primary
suspect. I’ll ask my colleague to examine your body, to check if there are any
scratch marks or other injuries. It’s only reasonable to comply. Then, I’ll take my
leave first?”

The policewoman stepped forward. “Ke Ai, please comply.”

Ke Ai looked at the policewoman, and glanced at Fang Qing. Abruptly, she started
smiling, slowly. “There’s no need.”
The policewoman and Fang Qing were both startled.

Previously, her words had all been uttered in a low, soft voice, just like a woman’s.
Right now, her voice had deepened and taken on a rough quality, clearly a man’s
voice.

His smile was cold and distant. After smiling for a while, he said, “I am Ke Qian.”

——

On hearing the news, the entire investigative team was in an uproar.

Someone they had thought was a murder victim was actually a person playing two
roles, living his older sister’s life while murdering people in his own identity. While
vainly attempting to exact revenge, he was simultaneously escaping legal
punishment.

However, after the police had uncovered the truth, he had confessed so quickly.

“This Ke Qian is not so simple,” said Fang Qing to An Yan. “After being subjected to
such extreme provocation, he became vicious and merciless. He was already smart,
and everything he did was carried out with incredible precision.”

However, An Yan said something quite profound. “He is now living the lives of two
people, thus, he also possesses the calmness and power of Ke Ai.”

Fang Qing eyed him. “Hey, stay with those two for long enough, and you’ll also
spout criminal psychology analysis?”

An Yan smiled lightly. “Of course.”

After a while, he continued, “You have no idea how Bo Jinyan derides me. Once, he
actually called me ‘Prince of Monitoring’. Do I only know how to check surveillance
footage? I am the best hacker in China, and criminal psychology is a breeze for me,
huh!”

Fang Qing guffawed.

When he had stopped, he asked, “What’s happening on their side?”

An Yan replied, “They’ve reached Ke Ai and Ke Qian’s old home.”

Fang Qing nodded. “Then, let’s go and meet with Ke Qian, and strive for a
breakthrough on our side first!”

An Yan assented, then said, “Fang ge, don’t compete with Jinyan.” Fang Qing was
about to comment that he would not lower himself to compete with others, when
An Yan continued, “You can’t beat him.”
Fang Qing frowned, and heard An Yan say, unhurriedly, “Since when have adults
ever gotten the better of capricious little kids?”

“Ha . . .”

“Heh heh.”
Chapter 46

When they returned to the interrogation room, sitting opposite them was not Ke Ai,
but Ke Qian.

He had washed the makeup from his face, and resumed his men’s clothing. It was
just that his hair was still long, tied in a small ponytail. However, anyone looking at
his lean figure, and his face that was more angular than Ke Ai’s, would not doubt
that he was definitely a man.

“What’s up with the hair?” Fang Qing stared at him and asked.

He replied very calmly, “I grew it out.”

Therefore, every time you killed someone, you had to wear a cap to cover it up.

Both fell silent for some time. Fang Qing sighed and said, “Ke Qian, how did you
become like this?” His words were full of hidden meaning, but Ke Qian was not
taken in. His eyes dimmed momentarily, and even An Yan could see the flash of
hatred in them.

However, his answer was uttered in a light and breezy manner. “My older sister . . .
she’s disappeared. I wanted to take her place and live her life. I know this isn’t
right, but this is . . . my desire. Maybe, it was hers, too.”

Fang Qing glared at him. “You refuse to admit to killing Lu Ji, Rong Xiaofeng, and
Jiang Xueran, as well as to unsuccessfully attempting to kill Xu Sheng? There are
witnesses for three of these instances! Are you still quibbling?”

Ke Qian’s face flushed slightly, but he replied, “I am not quibbling. These acts . . .
were not committed by me.” He paused, then said slowly, “Perhaps, it was Ke Ai
who did it. She did it for me.”
Fang Qing sneered, “But, this afternoon, Xu Sheng saw you clearly – a man! She
even touched your body. Don’t you remember?”

Ke Qian moved his lips, and suddenly smiled again. He said, “She remembers
wrongly. It’s not possible, I was in the laboratory conducting an experiment the
whole afternoon; my classmate can testify to that. Police officers, is the proof that I
was not at the scene more reliable, or the possibly erroneous testimony of a
flustered woman? I have not committed any crime, I have not killed anyone. From
the start, until now . . . I have not done anything wrong.”

Fang Qing and An Yan were both struck dumb.

——

Zhu Momo was terribly nervous being in a police station for the first time in her life.
She passed her cup of tea from her left hand to her right, swallowed her saliva, and
looked at the handsome police officer who had just walked in.

“Uncle Officer,” she asked timidly, “why have you brought me and Ke Ai here?”

Fang Qing laughed and sat down. “Am I that old? I’m only 30 this year. Please don’t
be nervous, we need your help in providing some clues to a very important case.”

Zhu Momo nodded solemnly.

Fang Qing said, “This afternoon, Ke Ai was conducting an experiment together with
you?”

“Yes.”

“Were you together all the time?”

“Yes.”
Fang Qing frowned slightly, and he dotted in his book with the pencil in his hand.
Zhu Momo observed him, and spoke again. “However . . .”

“What is it?”

“I was outside, and she was in the inner room.” Zhu Momo added.

Fang Qing’s eyes brightened. He wasn’t sure how the people who had been
keeping watch on Ke Ai had ascertained that she was in the room all the time. He
quickly asked, “Really? Is there a door she could have used to leave the inner
room? But you didn’t notice?”

“There’s a door in the inner room, but . . .” Zhu Momo shook her head. “She didn’t
go out. I saw her in the room all the time.”

Fang Qing was briefly stunned. “Did you see her clearly?”

“Yup,” Zhu Momo replied, “she was standing there throughout the duration,
conducting the experiment.”

Fang Qing refused to give up, and pressed her once again. “From 2 p.m. to 4:30
p.m., she didn’t go out at all? Is it possible that you were busy doing the
experiment and did not notice?”

Consequently, Zhu Momo said with greater certainty, “Nope. While conducting the
experiment, there are several times at which we have to note the time and record
the data. This was at 2:40 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:20 p.m.. I saw her in the inner room.
Although we didn’t talk, she’s so tall, how could I be mistaken?”

——
It was already late at night, and Ke Qian was still detained at the police station.
However, without any evidence, they could only hold him for 24 hours. Fang Qing
grabbed An Yan and went to the legendary laboratory.
The forensic team combing through the venue were still hard at work, and the
police cordon had been put in place. The two of them entered the laboratory and
walked around it slowly. It was indeed as Zhu Momo had said. There was a
connecting door between the outer room and the inner room. There was also a
side door in the inner room, which led straight downstairs.

Fang Qing re-evaluated the inner room in which Ke Qian had been during the
experiment.

The room was about 30 square metres in area, which was quite spacious. On the
right was a large laboratory table, on the left was a row of cupboards and shelves.
The shelves were full of bottles and jars. Fang Qing noticed that the arrangement of
bottles and jars was a little messy, and felt that something was off, but could not
say exactly what. Some spots were left empty, while, at other spots, several bottles
were clustered together. However, he could not figure out a reason why.

Apart from the bottles, the shelves also held several books and an hourglass about
the size of a water tumbler. Fang Qing took up the hourglass for a closer look, then
replaced it in its original position.

“What have you found?” Fang Qing asked the forensic investigator.

The forensic investigator replied, “We’ve found some sticky residue on the shelves,
and we suspect it is glue. We will have to run some tests before we can identify the
specific components.”

“Oh?” Fang Qing felt his heart skip a beat. “Where did you find it?”

“Quite a few locations, 31 in total. However, the amount is miniscule, and there are
marks of someone having wiped the surroundings. If it weren’t for us, no one
would have discovered it.”

“Tag the locations.”

The forensic investigators busied themselves around the shelves while Fang Qing
watched them from the side. An Yan walked over and asked, “What’s all this
about?”

Fang Qing replied, “I don’t know.”

With a serious expression on his face, Fang Qing said, “Sherlock Holmes once said,
when you’ve excluded all the impossibilities, what remains, no matter how
improbable, must be the truth. That night, Ke Ai must have died in Ke Qian’s place,
and the only one remaining is Ke Qian. This afternoon, it is not possible that he was
in two places at the same time. He must have used some kind of diversionary tactic
to fool Zhu Momo. Right now, we must find the trick he used.”

An Yan asked, “What trick?”

Fang Qing replied, “I don’t know. However, I believe that Ke Qian is a very
intelligent person. He was able to take his elder sister’s place at Qingdu University,
and wasn’t even discovered. If it were me, all those chemistry experiments,
equations and so on would have made my head ache. So, it won’t be easy to figure
out what means he used. Still, when a person commits a crime, he is always most
likely to use the methods that he is familiar with. For example, he used his elder
sister’s laboratory connections to procure the poison. He has been involved in
cosplay for so many years, so the diversionary tactic he employed might have been
related to what they use for performances.”

*T/N 露出马脚 (lu chu ma jiao) – literally, show horse’s (cloven) hooves.

After Fang Qing had finished speaking, he continued to stare at the shelves, hoping
to discern more clues. An Yan stood quietly beside him for a while before saying,
“On-site investigation is not my forte. Why don’t I look for an expert at cosplay
whom we can ask?”

Fang Qing was also not too concerned, and simply nodded, saying “Ok.”

After a while, he turned around to discover that An Yan, that little rascal, had
already run off.
Very quickly, the forensic investigators marked out the locations of the adhesive
residue. True, it was possible that the residue had been left behind by previous
students as they conducted their experiments. At this moment, Fang Qing looked
at the entire rack of shelves and softly exclaimed to himself.

Ke Qian, this joker, what kind of game are you playing?

——

Who else could be the best expert?

The year that Ke Qian was the runner-up in the grand cosplay competition, she was
the champion.

An Yan drove to the female student dormitory of Min Sheng University.

He took out his cellphone and called Gu Fangfang, but her cell phone was off. He
looked at his watch and discovered that it was 3 a.m. in the morning.

Originally, he was going to ask for her help, but to disturb the dormitory and her
dorm mates in the middle of the night was not appropriate. In any case, the
investigation was advancing on Fang Qing’s end. An Yan pondered briefly, then
decided to wait until dawn.

Might as well doze in the car.

***
After an indeterminate length of time.

The car window was not completely closed and the cool morning air breezed in,
brushing An Yan’s face with a ticklish sensation.

He dimly sensed that someone was tapping lightly on the car window. Toc toc, toc
toc.
An Yan opened his eyes to see Gu Fangfang’s natural, beautifully sculpted face. She
was bent over the car window with a towel draped over her shoulders, wearing
shorts, a short T-shirt and running shoes. Obviously, she had come out for a
morning run.

An Yan immediately sat up and opened the car door to get out. Gu Fangfang was
blushing slightly, and she looked down at her feet as she asked, “Gege Officer, are
you looking for me?”
An Yan couldn’t understand it – he had given her his name card, why was she still
calling him ‘Gege Officer’? However, it did sound pretty good. He made a sound of
assent, placed his arm on the top of the car door, and looked at her as he asked, “I
wanted to ask you, what kind of mechanisms and diversionary tactics does cosplay
make use of?”
Gu Fangfang looked blankly at him.

As An Yan looked at her, he suddenly felt the urge to laugh. Then, he did so.

Gu Fangfang said, “Hey, what are you laughing at?”

An Yan pursed his lips. “Ahem. . . I’m not laughing anymore.”

There seemed to be no way he could describe what he was looking for. In truth, he
didn’t exactly know what he was looking for, either. However, he was not a
scientific genius and inborn master of logic for nothing. He thought for a while,
then changed tack to ask her, “Are you the best and most formidable cosplayer in
the country?”

Gu Fangfang looked at him and answered simply, “Yes.”

An Yan found himself liking her a little more.

He then asked, “The equipment, devices, materials, and so on that you use, do you
have more of them than Ke Qian’s group? What they have, you also will have?”
“I think so.”

“Can you take me to have a look?”

“Right now?”

“Yes, time is very tight.” replied An Yan.

Without hesitation, Gu Fangfang said, “Ok. Wait for a bit. I’ll go upstairs and
change, and ask my classmates to help me take leave from today’s classes. Give me
5 minutes.”

An Yan said, “Thanks very much . . .” She had already turned and run off into the
distance.

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, and its golden rays shone on An Yan’s
body. He looked at the lady from afar; her figure was exquisite and her exposed
skin was as white as snow. Especially her long legs . . . ah, youth is indeed
unparallelled.

An Yan stuck both hands into his trouser pockets and watched her for a while.
Then, he looked up and sighed.

What kind of psychological state is this?

Surprisingly, I really want to be dominated by her.

Chapter 47

They were back once again at the old Ke family residence.

Gazing at the dark yet clear and crystalline waters of the lake, Jiang Yao asked,
“Why are we here?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Ke Ai and Ke Qian were both approximately 175 cm in height, so
it would not be easy to dispose of the body. However, Ke Ai had a second-hand car
while in China, which would be convenient for transportation. Since Ke Qian was
scheduled to leave China next week, the body must have been taken care of
already. He had such a deep connection with his older sister, he would not have
carelessly discarded it, but he also couldn’t bury it in a public place. Cremation
would have been hard to bear. Ke Qian places such great value on appearance,
would he have been willing to burn his sister’s body beyond recognition, to reduce
it to a pile of ash? He would not have been able to stomach that course of action.

Then, what would be a good place to hide the body? On looking at his life, the
memories he shared with his sister, apart from recent period, would be from the
time when they were young, and their parents were both around. However, their
childhood home has been demolished, and only this lake remains unchanged.

What better way to remember her than to let her sink into the lake, so that she can
gaze upon their home forever?”

An icy cold gripped Jian Yao’s heart upon hearing these words. She turned her
head to look at Bo Jinyan. In the darkness, his profile was cold and stern, and his
eyes were serenely fixed upon the lake in front of him.

“I can’t believe you actually understand him so well,” Jian Yao could not help but
say. “It’s really like . . . like you are him.”
Bo Jinyan smiled slightly. “I will take that as a compliment. Dearest, to become a
first-class criminal psychologist and expert profiler, I and the criminal mind must
be as one.”

Jian Yao was somewhat taken aback.

Looking out over the lake, the local auxiliary police force had already started
dredging operations. Fortunately, the lake was not very big, about a thousand
square metres or so; they should be able to search the entire area thoroughly in
one night. If Ke Ai was really there, after half a year, she should already have
become nothing but bones.

It was still a long time before dawn. The two of them stood beside the lake for a
while, and Jian Yao yawned. Bo Jinyan’s arm was across her shoulders, and he
rubbed her neck gently. “Go and sleep.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“I should stay here and watch.”

“Ok, then I’ll sleep for a while and change places with you.”

Jian Yao crawled into the car, lay down on the back seat and pulled his coat over
her. Watching her through the window, Bo Jinyan saw her curl up into a ball, and
suddenly laughed.

Jian Yao asked softly, “What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing,” he replied.

Very quickly, Jian Yao fell asleep.

Bo Jinyan leaned against the car door and quietly looked into the distance.
On the horizon, a strip of white slowly appeared.

Jian Yao opened her eyes to discover that he was still standing outside the car. She
hurriedly sat up and opened the car door to say, “Why didn’t you ask me to help
you?”

There was a hint of laughter in his eyes as he replied, “It’s only one night. A man
who is able to assume responsibility would not wake up a woman so that he
himself can sleep.”

Jian Yao was speechless.

Ha, wanting to be the tough guy once in a while – this ‘defect’ certainly has not
changed over the years!

She said softly, “Don’t be a hero; you haven’t slept well for the past two days! Even
a god won’t be able to take it.”

Although his eyes were somewhat red and rimmed with dark circles, he still
appeared to be in good spirits and clear-sighted. “The case will definitely be solved
today, so I’ll sleep well when we get home.” He paused briefly and added in a low
voice, “We’ll sleep together.”

Jian Yao could not hold back her smile.

A criminal investigator rushed over to them. “Professor Bo, Teacher Jian, we’ve
dredged and searched the entire lake, but have not found anything.”

Jian Yao stared blankly.

Bo Jinyan pursed his lips soundlessly and walked forward to the water’s edge, lost
in thought.

——
Fang Qing squatted on the floor. He didn’t know when it happened, but he
unexpectedly fell asleep that way. It was only when his head abruptly jerked
backwards and hit the table behind him that he started awake.

Looking up and out of the window, he saw that it was already bright. The forensic
team was packing up, indicating that their work was almost done.

Fang Qing quickly stood up.

A criminal investigator at the side laughingly asked, “Team Leader Fang, you’ve
been enduring hardship here and pondering over matters for half the night, did you
manage to figure anything out?”

Although his thoughts were hardly clear at the moment, Fang Qing said profoundly,
“The mysteries of heaven cannot be revealed.”

“Cheh!”
Seeing that it was time for the team to pack up, Fang Qing felt like he was stuck in a
huge mess, and that the thread to unravel it all was just out of his reach. He lit a
cigarette and followed the others out.

Qingdu University students were so diligent, there were several of them entering
the laboratory building despite it being so early. Fang Qing walked past a student,
then suddenly stood still. He turned his head and called, “Hey! Student!”

The student turned around in confusion. “What is it?”

Fang Qing stared at the black garbage bag in his hand, pointed at it and asked,
“What’s that?”

“Experimental waste.”

“Where are you taking it?”

“The experimental waste dump on the first floor.”

Fang Qing started.

There was a rubbish bin in the room that Ke Qian had been in. The contents had
been taken away by the forensic investigators, so Fang Qing had not thought of the
dump. He took out his cell phone and called Zhu Momo straightaway.

“Student Zhu, I’d like to confirm something with you. When you were conducting
the experiment yesterday afternoon, did you throw away the experimental waste?
Was it in a big, black bag?”

Zhu Momo replied, “Yes, Ke Ai threw it away.”

“At what time?”

“4 something, almost 5.”

Fang Qing was gleeful. Good rascal, that’s about the right time. He told the other
police officers, “You go back first.” Then, he headed for the first floor.

Soon, he arrived at the experimental waste dump that the student had spoken of. It
was a room in the corner. Fang Qing stood at the door and took in the tall piles of
black bags, each at least half a person’s height. He sighed, put on his gloves and a
mask, and got to work.

At the same time, An Yan and Gu Fangfang were standing in the storeroom of her
cosplay studio.

Before them was a dazzling array of costumes, as well as swords, axes, army
banners . . . all kinds of props. An Yan started examining each costume while Gu
Fangfang stood quietly behind him. After a while, he realised that many of the
female costumes were extremely revealing.
Although he himself was quite familiar with the fantasy world of anime and had
seen many such costumes, at the moment, the costumes in front of him, coupled
with the girl standing behind him, caused him to suddenly feel as if the clothes he
held were scorching his hand.

“Do you normally wear these?” An Yan asked out of the blue.

“Not so much,” Gu Fangfang replied. “I mostly cosplay in traditional costumes.”

“Oh.” An Yan took two steps forward and suddenly smiled slightly.

Gu Fangfang observed him from behind. A man in his early twenties, tall and thin,
with a pale face, wearing a well-ironed shirt, as if he was the male protagonist of a
book who had walked out of the pages. She had heard the other police officers
saying that he was a deft hand at checking surveillance footage. Although it was a
simple job and did not require much intelligence, it showed that he was diligent . . .

While her thoughts were circling aimlessly, her head abruptly bumped into An
Yan’s back and she flushed. An Yan looked back and glanced at her wordlessly.

It turned out that he had suddenly stopped walking. He pointed at a row of objects
lined up against the wall. “What are those?”

“Oh, those are mannequins,” Gu Fangfang replied.

An Yan fell silent and walked over with her to examine the puppets. There were
four of them in total, each one about the size of an actual person, and all were
female. From a distance, it looked as if four beautiful women were standing there
gracefully. On closer inspection, though, the differences between the mannequins
and actual people were discernible. The body consisted of several sections joined
together, and the lines between the sections were obvious. However, the
mannequins’ wigs were definitely made from human hair, black and soft. The
mannequins’ skin was even paler than that of actual people, and shone with a
lustrous radiance as it reflected the light. Their eyes quietly surveyed him, as if they
would come to life at any moment. It was actually quite creepy.
An Yan looked carefully at each one. Gu Fangfang noticed his sombre expression
and did not make a sound. When he reached the last mannequin, An Yan stood
stock still. This one seemed to be somewhat different from the other three. The
body had more joints, and there were really tiny holes in the back of the head,
shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and other joints. Of course, these did
not escape An Yan’s notice.

“What is this?” An Yan asked.

“Oh,” Gu Fangfang replied, “this is a marionette.”

Chapter 48

Morning had become afternoon, and the experimental waste dump was bright with
sunlight. However, Fang Qing was not the least bit happy. The odour of the
different kinds of trash and strange reek of chemical waste had almost made him
see stars. He also had to be very careful not to make contact with the nameless
acids and poisons employed by the chemistry students.

The garbage collection vehicle had arrived at dawn, but Fang Qing had stopped the
worker from taking the garbage. He thought, good thing this wise man* had
reacted so quickly, otherwise ‘that thing’ would have been taken away by the
garbage collectors, and even many lifetimes of searching would have proven
fruitless.

*T/N FQ calls himself 老子 (Lao Zi) i.e. the Chinese philosopher who founded
Taoism. Could also be used to refer to himself in an arrogant or joking manner.

However, he was going blind looking for it!

He had already searched through half the garbage bags in the room. He gritted his
teeth and resumed his examination of the other half.

He opened yet another black bag and very carefully removed the contents one by
one and laid them out. Bottles, tweezers, test strips . . . one hourglass, two
hourglasses, three hourglasses . . .

The blood rushed to his head as he was seized by a sudden thought, and his
movements accelerated.

An hourglass, the hourglass in Ke Qian’s laboratory . . . as well as the objects in

disarray on the shelves, obviously, something had been moved frequently — in the
words of Bo Jinyan, Ke Ai, as impersonated by Ke Qian, was a neat and tidy person;
her things would not have been so disorganised. Why didn’t he think of this
before? Also, the adhesive, found coincidentally in the empty spaces on the shelves
. . . what object had been placed there originally, and then taken away?
An hourglass.

Many hourglasses.

After a definite period of time, the bottom half of the hourglass would have become
heavier and exerted greater force. What could this have been used to control?

He delved into the garbage bag and continued to rummage through it.

String, it was string. Countless strands of fine, strong white string. He pulled them
out of the bag by the handfuls, and finally, pulled out a strangely shaped object.

It was made of iron and looked a little like a crossbow, but it wasn’t. The
innumerable strands of fine string he had just pulled out were connected to the
two ends of the gadget. Multiple slim iron branches extruded from it; when Fang
Qing pulled the strings on one end, the strings connected to the other end moved,
and with quite a bit of force.

Fang Qing carefully examined the gadget for a while, then laid it to one side and
continued searching inside the bag.

Then, he touched an object that was ice-cold.

Startled, he stood up and pulled the mouth of the bag wide in a single movement.
Slowly, he brought out the huge object.

It was a dummy.

It was about the size of an actual person, with black hair down to the shoulders,
lightly curled, and pale skin. It was wearing the same clothes as ‘Ke Ai’ had been
wearing today: white T-shirt, cropped jeans. Its forehead, elbows, knees, ankles . . .
and other places had tiny holes, all connected to the strings attached to the iron
gadget.

Fang Qing dug into the bag again, and, this time, retrieved some men’s clothes. He
remembered clearly every detail* of Xu Sheng’s account of today’s attack. At one
glance, he knew that the clothes matched the account exactly. Needless to say,
these must have been worn by Ke Qian as he attempted to murder Xu Sheng! After
changing out of them, he had no time to dispose of them properly, so he threw
them in here! Fang Qing was pretty certain that Xu Sheng’s fingerprints and DNA
would be detected on them!

*T/N 滚花烂熟 (gun gua lan shu) – literally, as ripe as a melon that rolls from the
vine; fig. to know something by heart

Fang Qing placed everything on the ground, sat down, and started laughing
heartily.

The uncle who was waiting at the doorway to take the garbage away gave him a
strange look. He obviously thought this police officer had gone mad!

When Fang Qing stopped laughing, he realised that he was bone weary. How many
nights had he gone without proper sleep? It’s ok, he had caught someone today, he
would be able to sleep well for a long time!

He pushed himself up with a spurt of energy. At this moment, his cellphone rang. It
was An Yan.

“Hi, An Yan.”

“Fang Qing!”

Almost simultaneously, the two of them said, “I know how he did it.” “I know what
the diversionary tactic is!”
Both of them paused, momentarily stunned, then said, in unison, “A marionette!”

Fang Qing smiled. “Hey, kid, you’re not bad! Get back to the station straightaway,
call Jinyan and the others and tell them what we’ve found.”

“Ok!”

When he had hung up, An Yan hugged the marionette with one arm and looked at
Gu Fangfang. “I have to return to the police station right now.”

Gu Fangfang said, “Ah, ok. Don’t worry about me, I can take the public bus home.”

“I’m sorry . . . . and thank you.”

Gu Fangfang just smiled.

Then, both turned and headed for the exit. After a few steps, An Yan suddenly
turned around. “You’ve helped us voluntarily, and we’ve even taken away your
marionette. In a few days, I’ll treat you to a meal, ok?”

Gu Fangfang felt as if her heart had jumped into her throat. She replied, “All right.”

They resumed their walk towards the exit, when Gu Fangfang abruptly said, “Which
day? I have class on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

An Yan turned to look at her and smiled unexpectedly. His smile was bright and
gentle, revealing his white teeth. His pale face was slightly flushed.

“There’s been a breakthrough in the case today; it will take two or three days for
me to wind up the investigation. Friday night?”

“Yup.” Gu Fangfang’s face was almost completely red.

“I’ll drive to your school gate to pick you up at 6 in the evening.”

“That’s fine.”

——

The sun was high in the sky.

Bo Jinyan calmly and confidently said, “No, continue searching. The world is big,
but the only place that Ke Qian would have thought appropriate as a final resting
place for Ke Ai, is here. Since we found nothing in the lake, widen the search area to
include the surroundings.” His eyes looked into the far distance, to the grassy
fields, dam, and low hills beside the lake. “Search those places carefully.”

“Yes.”

The police officers resumed their work, and Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao also joined the
ground search team. The sun gradually moved towards the west. Jian Yao was
bathed in sweat. When she looked up occasionally, she saw that Bo Jinyan had a
sheen of sweat on his face. However, he did not look either hesitant or defeated.
His eyes were calm and resolute as he conducted a meticulous search.

This is the man she loves so much. No matter when or where, as long as he is
present, there won’t be any departed spirits who are unable to rest in peace.

Jian Yao picked up a bottle of water and offered it to him. “Drink some.”

Bo Jinyan took the bottle, unscrewed the cap and drank, then patted her on the
head. “Thank you.”

Jian Yao smiled slightly.

It was at this time that his cellphone rang. He took one look at the caller id and
picked up. “Hello?”

Then, surprisingly, he glanced at Jian Yao, turned and walked to one side.
Jian Yao watched him in bafflement. This guy, what game is he playing now?

Bo Jinyan walked a few more steps before speaking. “I’m not at home right now.”

It was a call from an express delivery service. “Mr. Bo, this is an international
delivery, the parcel is insured and is of a high value. You have to sign for it
personally.”

“All right, you can leave it at the police station, I will pick it up from there.”

He hung up and turned back. The two of them looked at each other.

Bo Jinyan maintained a carefully indifferent expression. “What are you looking at,
let’s get back to work.”

“Cheh.”
Right then, there was a burst of activity among the searchers by the side of the
dam. Someone yelled, “We’ve found something!”

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao felt their spirits rising and quickly rushed over.

——

It was an air-raid shelter which had been built under the dam several years ago. It
had not been discovered earlier because overgrown weeds and grass had obscured
the entrance.

When Jian Yao stood at the shelter’s entrance and looked around, she found that
the air-raid shelter was directly opposite the site of the Ke family’s old home, with
the lake in between.

Everyone walked slowly into the shelter with flashlights. The shelter was not very
deep. After walking ten metres or so, they came to the end.
It was a rough, dark wall.

There was a person sitting quietly against the wall, motionless.

Or, to be precise, it was a corpse which had already begun to decay. It was wearing
a white muslin dress, with embroidered shoes on its feet. It’s just that the muslin
dress was completely blackened by dried blood. The face was like a skull, and the
hands were but bones. In the shifting light and darkness of the shelter, it quietly
looked at everyone.

Anyone with a little medical knowledge could look at the skeleton structure and
know that it was that of a female.

Thus, it was Ke Ai who was murdered that day in Ke Qian’s place.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao stood in front of the corpse and were silent. The others
were also strongly affected by this scene.

She had finally been found, a lifeless corpse, two interdependent lives.
Chapter 49

In the evening, Fang Qing drove the car at high speed towards the police station. 24
hours had already passed, so Ke Qian might already have been released. However,
it was of no consequence. After everyone had met and exchanged information,
they would immediately draw up and carry out a plan to seize him.

He had just gone around a bend when his cell phone rang urgently.

Fang Qing impatiently picked it up and glanced at it. Who was so careless and
short-sighted as to disturb him at such a crucial time?

Aiyo, drats!
It was Fang Qing’s gu nai nai*.
*T/N 姑奶奶 (gu nai nai) – literally, one’s paternal grandaunt (paternal
grandfather’s sister). However, it can be used sarcastically to denote someone
whom one should show respect to, but doesn’t want to (especially in terms of
following that person’s orders).

It took only a few seconds for a momentary anxiety to give way to full attention.
Fang Qing stepped on the brakes and made an emergency stop by the side of the
road. As he picked up his cell phone, the corners of his mouth naturally lifted up in
a smile. In a gentle tone which he was not entirely comfortable with, he said,
“Hello? Jin Xiaozhe?”

On the other end of the line, Jin Xiaozhe’s voice was also very quiet. “Fang Qing.”

Both of them fell silent for a while.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked, putting on a cool attitude.

“The note you left for me last time; did you mean it?” she asked.
Fang Qing held back his smile and lifted his head to look at the long street outside
the window. The street was bathed in the light of the setting sun, and pedestrians
rushed busily to and fro.

“Yes, I meant it,” he said softly.

The memory of his visit to the movie set and his actions surfaced in his mind.

In his haste to leave the flowers for her, he had fished out a notebook and torn off
one of its pages. He had grabbed a pen, but did not know what to write.

In the end, this old man had hidden away in a corner behind the fans and chewed
on the end of the pen for a long time before writing two lines:

I am in Beijing.

Before, you waited for me too many times. In future, I’ll wait for you every day.
“I . . . ” she said, “I’ve been filming the past few days, and I’m staying at the Hilton
Hotel, not far from the police station. We’re leaving tomorrow night.”

He immediately said, “Today, I’ll . . . ah, no, today I have to catch someone,
tomorrow, tomorrow morning, I’ll definitely come. We . . . we’ll talk, we’ll sit down
and talk properly, ok, Xiaozhe?”

There was silence on the other end for a good few seconds.

After a while, his Xiaozhe said softly, “All right, I’ll wait for you.”

That star who was famous throughout the nation, that cold and arrogant woman,
his Xiaozhe, had softly said, she would wait for him.

When he had hung up the phone, Fang Qing felt a little light-headed. He raised his
head to look at the endless stream of traffic going past him and covered his mouth
with his hand to stifle his laughter.
In that split second, he suddenly, surprisingly, had the urge to cry.

He was very clear what he was on the cusp of achieving. He knew clearly that they
were destined to reunite in this world; even though they had been separated, they
would inevitably reunite.

Hadn’t he accumulated enough virtue through catching criminals for half his
lifetime? In the end, the heavens couldn’t bear to mistreat him either, isn’t that
right?

With a state of mind that was equal parts in turmoil and clarity, he felt as if he had
once again been recharged. He drove the car to the central bureau swiftly, then
charged up the stairs.

“Ke Qian was released an hour ago, but our people lost him on the way,” An Yan
said by way of greeting. “The central bureau has sent people to Qingdu University,
but they haven’t found him. His car isn’t there either. He’s flown the coop. We are
already conducting a city-wide manhunt.”

“Good!” Fang Qing responded. “What about Jinyan and Jian Yao?”

“They will be here soon.”

Fang Qing was full of fighting spirit. “I don’t believe this rascal can even escape to
heaven.” When he had finished speaking, he clapped An Yan on the shoulder. “After
we’ve caught him, I’ll treat all of you to drinks tonight!”

An Yan did not know why, but he also felt excited beyond the ordinary, so he
nodded vigorously and said, “All right, thanks, lao Fang.”
——
The black Cherokee was on its way back to the police station. The news of Ke
Qian’s escape had also reached them.
Bo Jinyan was not the slightest bit worried as they were monitoring the ‘little
prince’. If An Yan could locate the flower cannibal, then locating a trifling high IQ
novice criminal would only be a matter of a few minutes.

He even hummed a song as he was driving, and asked Jian Yao, “What do you want
to eat tonight? Shall we eat fish?”

Jian Yao said, “We haven’t even caught him yet, how are you so confident of
victory?”

“Of course I am,” Bo Jinyan replied. “The evidence is conclusive, and catching the
man is not something I need to trouble myself with. We have Fang Qing and An Yan,
so where is the cause for anxiety that we won’t catch him?”

Jian Yao felt the same way, so she thought for a while before saying, “Ok, then, let’s
eat fish. The last time, that fish with pickled vegetables was not bad. The
restaurant has other dishes that are pretty good, as well.”

“Uh huh.”

As they were approaching the police station entrance, Bo Jinyan caught sight of
the express delivery shopfront out of the corner of his eye and thought about the
phone call. He stopped the car nearby and said, “I’m going to pick up an express
delivery.”

“All right.” Jian Yao stared at his back as he hurried away. She thought, what
express delivery could possibly cause the great Professor Bo to be so fidgety? She
would have to check it out later.

When Bo Jinyan returned to the car, he tossed a small, square box into the back
seat.

Jian Yao asked, “What’s that?”

Bo Jinyan played down the importance and said, “A little something I bought
online.”

“Oh.”

They arrived at the police station very quickly thereafter. While they were still
downstairs, Bo Jinyan’s phone sounded with an alert for a text message. It had
been sent by Fu Ziyu:

Jinyan, please come to my place at 8 o’clock tonight.

Bo Jinyan was startled.

This person, Fu Ziyu, was usually so even-tempered that it was almost abnormal.
However, in truth, he could also be a little difficult. Take for example the situation
with Han Yumeng. Apart from Bo Jinyan, he had never mentioned her to anyone,
and was even reluctant to talk about her to Jian Yao. Jian Yao had only known of
Han Yumeng’s existence from Bo Jinyan.

Bo Jinyan told Jian Yao, “Wait for me for a bit.” Then, he opened the car door, got
out and called Fu Ziyu’s cellphone.

Du . . . du . . . du . . . the phone rang for quite some time, but no one picked up.

He then called Fu Ziyu’s home number, but no one picked up the phone. He called
the office, but no one answered there, either.

In the car, Jian Yao reached behind to retrieve the express delivery item. The
minute she saw that it had been shipped from overseas, she took the pocket knife
from the glove compartment and nimbly opened the package.

Bo Jinyan had always given her the delivery items sent to their home to open. If
they were to take this express delivery item home, he would probably pass it to
her.
She opened the box and saw layers of packaging. After removing all of them, what
remained were two exquisite black velvet boxes.

Jian Yao was stunned.

Bo Jinyan got to the car to find his wife staring dazedly at two rings.

He was speechless.

Jian Yao said, “This is . . .”

Bo Jinyan said faintly, “That’s great, there goes the surprise.”

Jian Yao giggled and carefully scrutinised the two boxes in her hand. “You already
gave me a ring when you asked me to marry you, so why did you buy these rings?”

“That was an engagement ring,” Bo Jinyan replied. “I believe wedding rings should
be a pair. Moreover, if they are meant to be worn for a lifetime, then they should
have a more meaningful and touching significance.”

Jian Yao’s heart warmed to hear his words.

Was there any further need for guessing? This rascal had even had the rings
customised already. Needless to say, what he had been so secretive about must
be . . .

Their wedding.
A once in a lifetime event.

However, Jian Yao pretended that she had not thought that deeply about it, and
picked up the rings nonchalantly. On one ring, a small bird had been embedded,
spreading its wings and soaring, wonderfully delicate and lifelike. A circle of fine
diamonds had been set into the bird’s body, and they sparkled brilliantly in the
sunlight.
The second ring was in the shape of a vine branch. The workmanship was also
extraordinarily delicate, and the inset diamonds glittered softly.

Jian Yao deliberated for a moment, then picked up the ring of vines and said, “I’m
guessing this is mine?”

Didn’t he say that there was a more meaningful and touching significance?

He is the bird with outstretched wings, soaring high in the boundless sky. And she
is the branch, the one who tethers him, gives him a peaceful place to rest.
Shouldn’t this be the meaning?

Bo Jinyan smiled but did not speak.

Chapter 50

Who knew, when Jian Yao took out the rings, she was proven wrong. The ring with
the little bird was noticeably smaller, so it had to be hers.

Bo Jinyan took the ring and placed it on her finger. He said, “Nietzsche* once said
that people are like trees. The taller they grow, towards the sunlight, the deeper
the roots will have to reach into the dark earth. Jian Yao, I am the tree root, and
you are the little bird who is flying above my body, free and pure. Together, we will
keep our faces towards the sun, pursue the truth, and nestle against each other all
our lives.”

*T/N : Nietzsche – a German philosopher.

Jian Yao looked at the ring on her ring finger. After a moment’s silence, she
stretched out her arms and hugged him. Bo Jinyan also lowered his head and
kissed her cheek, then put on his own ring and held her hand.

“Ziyu asked me to go over; there might be something wrong. You go with Fang Qing
and the others to capture Ke Qian. We’ll meet tonight.”

“Ok.”

——

Bo Jinyan quickly drove away. Jian Yao had turned to go upstairs when she heard
someone call her name. “Jian Yao.”

She turned her head and saw Luo Lang, whom she had not seen for many days.

Surprised, she said, “Luo dage, why are you here? Is there something wrong?”
Luo Lang stood under the porch wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and black trousers
– tall, straight and clean-cut. He smiled slightly and said, “It was on my way, so I
thought I would bring you the material that I mentioned previously. I didn’t expect
that we would actually meet.”

Jian Yao smiled as she received the material. “Many thanks. You even had to make
a trip here, I feel so apologetic. However, Bo Jinyan and I won’t be able to treat you
to a meal today, as we have to attend to our duties immediately.”

Luo Lang smiled and nodded. “I understand, go ahead. You’re on your way to catch
someone?”

Jian Yao asked, “How did you know?”

“I saw Fang Qing and An Yan drive off ten minutes ago with a team in tow, as well
as with handcuffs and handguns.”

Jian Yao nodded, that was right. However, that also made it a little more
troublesome, as the team was already on the move. She would have to contact
them and then find a car to catch up with them.

Luo Lang seemed to be able to read her thoughts. He said, “I drove here, and since I
don’t have anything to do this evening, I’ll drive you there. Won’t trying to arrange
for a car in such a ‘last minute’ fashion be a waste of time and energy? Don’t bother
with it.”

Jian Yao quickly declined. “How can I do that? This is an official police
investigation, I can’t simply grab you and deputise you.”

However, Luo Lang looked at her for two beats, pulled her by the hand and led her
towards the car without allowing her any time to protest. “Officer Jian,
Jian xiaomei, rest assured, I promise I will leave after I have driven you to the
destination, and will not interfere in official business. The courts and the public
security bureau are sprung from the same root; it’s not as if I have never
accompanied the police to capture a criminal. You don’t have to be so formal with
me. I know the director and captain of the city bureau.”
After Luo Lang had pulled Jian Yao to the side of the car, she subconsciously drew
her hand out of his grasp. To refuse again would be unreasonable, so she calmly
thanked him and got into the car.

Luo Lang drove at high speed down the road, which was very much at odds with his
steady and refined appearance. Jian Yao sat next to him and managed to contact
An Yan. It turned out that Ke Qian had fled to the little apartment he had once
rented near the Animation Park. Fang Qing and An Yan were leading a team to
make a surprise arrest there.

Jian Yao hung up and conveyed the location to Luo Lang. He responded with a curt
‘OK’ and the car picked up speed, although it remained steady. Jian Yao had to
grab hold of the car’s roof handle. She said, “Luo dage, I didn’t expect that your
driving would be so . . . wild.”

Knowing he was being teased, Luo Lang replied, “Comrade Jian Yao, my only
intention is to enable you to meet up with your colleagues in the quickest time
possible. I think we will be able to catch up with them.”

Jian Yao thanked him once more.

The sky had already turned hazy, and the street lamps had been lit. As the light
shone into the car, it seemed to bring tranquility with it. Jian Yao looked out of the
window without saying anything; she felt calm.

However, Luo Lang was not feeling calm. He seemed to be intensely focused on
driving, yet he also could not help being distracted by the person at his side. He
thought, she was so far removed from the child she had once been; she no longer
cried, and showed no sign of weakness. On this mission to stop evil in its tracks,
she pressed forward courageously and calmly.

Luo Lang suddenly felt a great sense of grief strike his heart.

She had already grown to be so beautiful, with her own ideals, her own life, and,
best of all, she could be said to have found a worthy companion.
But, he . . . in this bustling city, he seemed to be living a dazzling life, replete with
success. However, in reality, he was all alone, empty-handed.

As the car stopped at a traffic light, Luo Lang turned his head to look at her.

He was unable to stop the impulse to look at her silently.

Jian Yao had been looking out of the window, but she felt the weight of his stare
and asked, with some hesitation, “Luo dage, why are you looking at me? Is
something the matter?”

Luo Lang turned back and smiled without saying anything.

Jian Yao also looked straight ahead silently.

However, the silence was just a facade. Her perceptive gaze had already taken in
what was right in front of her eyes.

Why had she just glimpsed a flash of deep sorrow in Luo Lang’s eyes?

.....
Could it be that he saw her as more than just someone from the same hometown?
When and where had they ever met prior to this?
.....

Why would this man look at her that way?

Further thought was not possible. The outline of the Animation Park could already
be seen ahead of them. They were not far from Ke Qian’s home.

——

Fu Ziyu lived in a high-rise apartment, and Bo Jinyan had the key.

He rang the doorbell, but no one answered the door. Bo Jinyan fished out the key
and opened the door. The sky was already dark, and the interior was in darkness as
well.
Bo Jinyan switched on the lights, which lit up the entire room. But, there was no
one there.

He walked in slowly.

There seemed to be nothing amiss in the living room, with objects in their usual
places. The floor was very clean, and Fu Ziyu’s water tumbler was on the table.

Opposite it was another, empty glass.

The chairs and table showed signs of having been moved.

With an expression as tranquil as still water, Bo Jinyan raised his voice to call out,
“Ziyu? Ziyu?” Still no one responded.

With light footsteps, he walked towards the bedroom.

The curtains in the bedroom were pulled tightly across the window, leaving not
even the slightest gap. The blanket had not been folded, and had been carelessly
thrown onto the bed. After staring at the scene for a moment, Bo Jinyan took out
his gloves and put them on, then retrieved a strand of hair, probably that of a
female, from the pillow.

He eyed it quietly for a while, then replaced it. Pacing slowly around the bed, he
reached the window and stood still in sudden shock.

Blood. There was blood on the floor.

He squatted abruptly, and his long eyebrows knit together tightly. It was a long and
narrow bloodstain. Although there was not much blood, smears along the length
indicated that someone had been dragged along the floor. He touched the
bloodstain, and it was not yet completely dry.

He stood up quickly and walked toward the window, intending to draw open the
curtains. Suddenly, he stopped.
And slowly released them.

He turned and ran for the door, taking out his cellphone as he did so to call the
police station. “Check on a car for me, licence plate no. . . . .” He gave Fu Ziyu’s
licence plate number. When he had come up to the apartment, the car was already
not there.

“The car departed Sheng Ting Jia Yuan not more than half an hour ago. Help me
track where it went. Immediately!”
Bo Jinyan had reached the ground floor and got into his car when his colleague
replied. “Professor Bo, we’ve found the car!”

“Where?”

“It just exited the expressway at Jingxi intersection.”

Jingxi . . . expressway intersection . . .
Bo Jinyan’s eyes darkened as he looked at his GPS.

The Animation Park was also in that direction.

Chapter 51

The night sky was black like a deep well, the light from the lamps lining the
walkway were like faint fires in the well, rendering layer upon layer of dim lustre.

Fang Qing drove the car, An Yan was in the passenger seat, they were in the very
front, the other backup teams were also rushing from different direction towards
here.

From far away, one could already see Ke Qian’s lonely little cabin. Behind it was a
great big piece of farmland. The cabin faced the Animation Park across a long
distance, like a lonely traveller, standing there to keep watch.

Ke Ai’s car was also parked by the door of the cabin.

He already had nowhere to go.

Fang Qing turned off the engine, got out of the car, and told An Yan in a low voice,
“Doesn’t the signal from his cellphone indicate that he is right here? Call him first
to see if he’ll pick up.”

An Yan nodded, making the call. After the phone rung for five-six times, someone
actually picked up.

There was a panting sound, a choked sound. Constrained yet obscured. He didn’t
say anything.

Fang Qing grabbed the phone from An Yan, and said, “Ke Qian, I am Officer Fang. I
am outside your cabin right now, you should come out, go back with us, get some
proper sleep, and properly tell us what happened. It’s all finished, alright? We’re
just outside waiting for you.”
Perhaps his tone of voice was overtly gentle, on the other end Ke Qian all of a
sudden began sobbing, “Officer Fang…. Officer Fang, I don’t want to die, I only
want to live on for Ke Ai……”

Fang Qing and An Yan were all silent.

“Your sister……” Fang Qing gradually began, “she was kind, rational, smart,
sensible, had a sense of responsibility, and was loyal. So when your
entrepreneurship ran into trouble, she took all of her savings and scholarship
money and gave them to you, right? So now it is your turn to be a bit braver, to
become a responsible man that she would admire, right? You’ve already gotten
revenge for her, her spirit in the heavens now has no more regrets.”

An Yan listened with astonishment, silently giving Fang Qing a big thumbs up.

On the other end of the line, Ke Qian choked up for a long while, then said, “Ke Ai
came to find me last year around November. The me at that time was happy and
carefree like a bird in the sky. I was so stupid, so stupid, having Ke Ai was enough.
Why did I need to still deal with those people whose hearts were so dirty and
selfish? I should have seen it clearly early on….”

Fang Qing didn’t think that he would, at this time, begin to reminisce about the
past, maybe it was because his emotions were on the verge of crumbling at the
cracks. And so, he gave An Yan a look, and the two men, one on the left and the
other on the right, pulled out their guns, and slowly moved towards the little cabin.

“Her academic schedule was really busy, while I had nothing to do all day, but I
went to Qingdu University everyday, waiting for her to finish class. It didn’t matter
how long I waited, my heart was always so happy. I was afraid that my existence
would cause her to be looked down upon by her classmates, so I wouldn’t let her
mention me to anyone…….” Ke Qian sobbed.

Fang Qing quietly comforted, “You’re thinking too much. She wouldn’t have cared
about these things.” The two men already reached the lawn near the door of the
little cabin.
“Ha ha ha….” Ke Qian laughed, shrilly and shakily, “Ah, yes, perhaps it is only when
a person has an experience of rebirth that they can understand some realities. That
night, she came to see me. We only wanted to play around, only wanted to play
around……. Perhaps, it was because Ke Ai wanted to encourage me in my career
pursuits, she dressed up in my cosplay attire, put on makeup, and became me.”

He began sobbing loudly.

Fang Qing quietly asked, “And then?”

In the second that Ke Qian began to speak again, Fang Qing very quietly pushed at
cabin’s door; it was not locked.

“I……only left for a short time to buy her a bottle of water, walked to the closest
convenience store, it was only half an hour. When I came back, I saw those
people……. Their cars, all parked there.” The speed of Ke Qian’s speech began to
increase, becoming a bit incoherent, “I was very nervous, I didn’t know what they
came to do, so I just stood outside the window and looked inside…. And I ended up
seeing Ke Ai dead! She was killed by them! Her entire body was bloody! Her entire
body was bloody!”

Not only through the cellphone, but also from within the cabin, the sound of Ke
Qian’s howls could be clearly heard. Fang Qing’s steps came to a stop, and he
exchanged a glance with An Yan, indicating that as soon as he pushed the door
open, he should enter as quick as lightning and subdue Ke Qian as soon as
possible.

An Yan simply yet forcefully nodded his head.

The cellphone in Fang Qing’s hand also begun to slowly fall, yet Ke Qian’s chaotic
words kept on coming through:

“I saw them carrying Ke Ai into the forest, saw them discussing how to divide the
money in the cabin! Saw them burying her, saw them wash themselves clean of all
the blood as if nothing had happened, how could they be so disgusting? How could
they!

So I dressed up as Ke Ai, dressed up as the two of us. All of a sudden, I no longer felt
panicked, no longer scared. I think that Ke Ai’s spirit in the heavens, her soul, it was
also in my body.

I very quickly familiarized with every medicine in her lab, and when I saw ******, I
knew that I could use this to kill people.

Jiang Xuenan, he deserved to die! The most evil one is him! He always looked down
on me. He was also the one who came up with the idea of burying Ke Ai! So I used
the cosplay attire he hated the most, my clothes, to dress him up, and let him die!”

……..

But I didn’t think that you guys would find me so quickly, find Ke Ai. Ha….. just like
you had investigated, I designed mechanisms, I dressed up as Ke Qian to kill Xu
Sheng. The rest, whether I killed them or not, didn’t matter anymore, but like this, I
had a perfect alibi…..

I’m wrong, I know I am wrong. These are all of the crimes I have committed, I pray
for forgiveness…. Pray…..” he started crying again, “to receive forgiveness….. save
me, save me……”

This kind of deeply sorrowful, yet frightened tone gave Fang Qing quite a start.

Something didn’t feel right, yet he couldn’t think of it at the moment.

But it was already too late to hesitate, because the door had already been pushed
open by him.

The inside of the cabin was very quiet and dark. There was only a bit of light from
the outside that was shining through the window.
Everything was maintained in the same way that they had seen when they had
come here last time to investigate, there was no one inside the room.

The two of them carefully and quietly walked further inside.

It was only at that moment when they were going towards the inner door that Fang
Qing suddenly gave a start.

He knew what didn’t feel right.

Ke Qian had to be released from the police station after they couldn’t find enough
evidence to hold him for longer than 24 hours. However, he hadn’t been released
for too long, how could he have found out so quickly that the police had found the
mechanisms, that they had found Ke Ai?

There was an indescribable chill that he felt in his heart. Fang Qing lifted his head,
yet the scene before their eyes was one that neither he nor An Yan could have
imagined.

The scene was extremely eerie and gory.

Ke Qian was right in front of their eyes, he had been nailed onto the wall.

That’s right, nailed. The inner room had a very dark and soft light by the head of the
bed, which allowed Fang Qing and An Yan to see Ke Qian’s appearance very clearly.

The long and silver nails, at least 20, were nailed through his shoulders, his palms,
his thighs, his ankles…. onto the wall behind him. Innumerable blood trails trickled
down his body. The Ke Qian at this moment wore a white gauze outfit, his favourite
white gauze outfit, with a red beauty mark between his eyebrows, like a red bat in
the night, so demon-like and so terrifying.
And in his right hand, he was holding a phone that had been connected. It went
without saying that it had been stuffed into his hand by someone else.

Fang Qing and An Yan were shocked speechless, they both froze.

Ke Qian lifted his head to look at them and also gave a start. The odd thing was, his
facial features didn’t seem to indicate that he was in a lot of pain, his eyes were half
closed, his expression seemed absent-minded. Thus, Fang Qing immediately made
the realisation – he had been drugged.

“What happened? Ke Qian!” Fang Qing urgently asked, at the same time, he
vigilantly raised his gun to survey the area, however, there was nary a shadow of a
person in the room; outside the room, it was pitch black so it was hard to make out
anything.

A tear rolled down Ke Qian’s face, and as if the action spent the rest of his energy,
he shouted, “Officer, leave, quickly get out…. Run!”

Fang Qing and An Yan simultaneously gave a start.

It were as if time stopped at that very moment.

Ke Qian’s pained yet frightened face was right in front of their eyes. Along with the
sound of his voice, Fang Qing seemed to faintly hear within the room, a sound of
“beep, beep” that counted down time.

While An Yan was still muddled as to what was going on, Fang Qing used all of his
energy, reflexes as quick as lightning, and grabbed An Yan, running toward the
closest window, and shoved his way out!

The skies shook and the earth opened up, the sound of explosion could be heard.
Chapter 52

From a distance, Jian Yao could see that Fang Qing and An Yan had parked their car
outside the cabin. The other police officers had not arrived yet.

Luo Lang had really driven fast.

She smiled at Luo Lang and said, “Thanks, Luo Dage. Just stop here. It would be
better if you don’t get involved from here onwards.”
Luo Lang said, “Ok.” However, he did not move.

Jian Yao pulled out her gun and got out of the car. She was in no hurry to advance
as it seemed like Fang Qing and An Yan had already entered the cabin. She decided
to observe from the outside for a while, and provide support if necessary.

With her senses on high alert, she moved in slowly.

One foot stepped lightly on the grass patch outside the cabin.

Luo Lang finally set the car in motion, but his eyes were still on her.

Looking at her slim, straight back.

In an instant, before Jian Yao could even react, a huge explosion occurred and
waves of flame burst forth from the cabin, completely engulfing it, before rushing
towards her like a sinister monster from the depths of the night.

The huge wave pounced on her ruthlessly and flung her three, four metres away.
Her entire body, inside and out, felt as if someone had pounded her with a huge
hammer. Her head hit the grass and her ears were buzzing. Her brain had
seemingly short-circuited.

However, she immediately lifted up her head, fresh blood dribbling out of the
corner of her mouth.
She saw two other figures lying on the grass some distance away, as if the huge,
exploding wave of flame had picked them up and tossed them, like rubbish, onto
the grass. Those figures were so familiar. Jian Yao opened her mouth to shout, but
nothing came out except a hoarse croak that even she could not hear. Not
hesitating for a second, she lurched her way upright and ran towards them.

They lay on the grass.

They were utterly unrecognisable. Their bodies were covered in blood and their
eyes were closed. She could not tell if they were dead or alive.

Jian Yao burst into tears as she looked at the figures who had been her close
colleagues and partners, just lying there. A deep sense of grief clawed at her
viciously. She half stumbled, half crawled to their side, and called out, sobbing,
“Fang Qing . . . An Yan . . .” But they did not move, and she did not hear anything.

She first picked up An Yan, who was closer to her, and wanted to drag him away.
Someone grabbed her tightly from behind, trying to pull her away from the scene.
Jian Yao whipped her head around apprehensively and saw Luo Lang’s anxious and
concerned features. He kept yelling something.

Jian Yao shoved at him, but was unable to dislodge him. His voice finally
penetrated the buzzing in her ears.

“Jian Yao! Go! Run! It’s dangerous here! Go now! Don’t stay here! Follow me! Go!”

Jian Yao cried out once again, “No! I want to save them, I can’t leave them here!
Luo Lang, call for backup quickly! Call Jinyan, call Jinyan!” Her tears rolled down
her face, but the expression on Luo Lang’s face was even more determined than
hers. He grabbed her with one move and pulled her away.

However, a figure.

The figure of a stranger stopped in front of them.

Behind them, the fire was still burning, and the grass was in complete disorder. Luo
Lang held on to Jian Yao and looked up. Jian Yao also sensed that the person in
front of them had evil intentions.

He wore a hoodie and a cap, and his head was lowered. In the darkness, it was
impossible to make out his face clearly, but he was very tall, and some blonde hair
had strayed outside the cap.

He laughed, and said, “Hey! I finally meet you, Jenny.”

Luo Lang and Jian Yao both trembled in unison.

At this time.

Luo Lang felt a sharp pain in his back and he instantly felt chilled to the bone.
However, it was already too late and a knife pierced his back. He staggered and
clung on to Jian Yao’s shoulder, but could not stop himself from letting go. Aghast,
Jian Yao looked behind. Another man had already slung his arm across Luo Lang’s
neck and was holding him firmly. He pulled out the blood-stained dagger and held
it to Luo Lang’s neck.

The same black hoodie; the face similarly concealed by shadows.

Blue veins were popping out all over Luo Lang’s forehead and blood was pouring
out from his right side. He frantically grabbed the man’s arm in an attempt to
struggle free. However, the man was taller than him, and was clearly more vicious.
Without moving a muscle, he kept his hold on Luo Lang, and uttered a low, sharp
laugh.

They were being attacked from both front and rear*, with nowhere and no one to
turn to for help*.

*T/N 腹背受敌 (fu bei shou di) – lit. 腹 = stomach, 背 = back, 敌 = enemy; 孑然一身
(zi ran yi sheng) – all alone in the world.
Jian Yao turned and aimed at that person’s head. She was trembling, yet coldly
said, “Let him go! Otherwise, I will shoot!”

However, how would it be possible to subdue these two opponents who were
clearly experienced criminals? At this point, the first person rushed towards Jian
Yao like a black cheetah. Jian Yao gritted her teeth, turned sharply and shot the
ground next to his feet. That person laughed with obvious delight, seized Jian Yao’s
hand and ruthlessly broke it.

The gun dropped out of Jian Yao’s hand; her wrist was dislocated. She emitted a
pained gasp, but, without the slightest hesitation, she jabbed the elbow of her
other arm into the pit of that person’s stomach.

Fang Qing had taught her that move.

The person lying on the ground had taught her that move.

Jian Yao’s opponent was more skilled than she was. He didn’t even avoid her blow,
but simply absorbed the impact. He was also furious. With a swift move, he
clamped Jian Yao’s body against his own and chopped at the back of her neck
ferociously with the edge of his hand. Jian Yao screamed and fainted into his arms.

That person massaged his stomach and chuckled, then picked up Jian Yao and
addressed the other person in rapid English. “Kill all of them, throw them into the
fire, and deal with the scene. Then come look for me.”

The other person laughingly said, “Ok.”

Carrying Jian Yao, the first person got into a black car parked in the rice field. The
car vanished into the night in a cloud of dust.

WIth eyes wide open, Luo Lang watched everything from beginning to end. He
watched them hurting Jian Yao, watched them abducting her, watched her
disappear into the distance.
In the darkness of night he lowered his head, and shed a single tear. The dagger at
his neck seemed unimportant now. He was grieving, and at a loss about what to
do. His girl, the little girl he had finally met, had been so badly hurt.

The man behind him was still laughing. He said, softly, “Hey, how do you think I
should kill you? Which part should I cut off first?”

“I beg you . . .” Luo Lang’s voice was hoarse, frightened and helpless. “I beg you, let
me go. . . I won’t say anything, I have a lot of money, I’ll give it all to you . . . If you
only let me go, I’ll give you whatever you want . . .”

The man laughed uproariously, seemingly because Luo Lang’s timidity and plea for
mercy had piqued his interest.

“Do you know . . .” that man whispered into Luo Lang’s ear, “I really like your kind
of spineless coward, so obedient, so fun to play with.” He suddenly released Luo
Lang and kicked him in the side. Luo Lang fell to the ground.

That man snorted in amusement. “I’ll kill those two first, then I’ll slowly play with
you.”

Luo Lang sat on the ground without moving. He was very clear that this man
intended to torture him to death.

Isn’t this the pleasure of all psychopaths?

Ha . . . . Ha . . .
Hahahahahaha . . . .
The man first walked to An Yan’s side. One hand lifted up An Yan’s seriously injured
body, as fragile as tissue paper, and the other hand raised the dagger. It was as if
he was deciding where to start.

At this time.

A strong force pummelled him from the rear.

The man was caught off guard, shocked. Luo Lang punched the back of the man’s
head with such power and savagery that the man almost lost consciousness in that
instant.

The man slumped to the ground. In his blurred vision, he could see Luo Lang
stepping across the grass, stepping across the people on the ground, stepping past
the fire, walking towards him with a face that was clouded over.

With such skill, and with such an expression, how could he only be a refined, well-
mannered lawyer who was used to living in comfort?

That man struggled to get up, but how could Luo Lang permit this? He grabbed the
man’s head, then slowly and forcefully slammed his head into the ground. “Peng . .
. peng . . . peng . . .” He continued until the man’s head was a bloody mess, and he
was in such pain that death was preferable to this.
After Luo Lang had done this over twenty times, he finally let go. The man had
never encountered such a strong opponent in his entire life. Lying on the grass with
his face a mask of blood, gasping out his dying breath, he nevertheless smiled
slowly.

“So cool . . .” he said. “Who the hell . . . are you really?”

Luo Lang’s face reflected the dancing flames, but was totally devoid of expression.
He had already calmed down.

“The person who kills you,” he said coldly.

The expression of the man on the ground stiffened momentarily.

Luo Lang picked the dagger off the ground, then lifted the man’s head. With one
slash, he swiftly and accurately severed the carotid arteries.

The man’s windpipe squeaked, “Ee . . . ee”, and the blood spurted out like a
fountain. Luo Lang watched quietly and continued to lift up the man’s head, not
caring that the blood was spurting all over the ground, all over their bodies.
After a few minutes of the blood flowing, the man looked dead. Holding the man,
Luo Lang stood up and walked to the furiously burning wooden cabin, and threw
him into the flames.

After that, he looked down and glanced at Fang Qing and An Yan on the ground. In
the distance, he could hear police sirens drawing closer.

He ran quickly to his own car. In the vast depths of the night, amidst the brilliance
of the flames, he started the car and drove in the direction that the man who had
abducted Jian Yao had gone. He floored the accelerator and shot forward like a
hurricane.

——

15 minutes earlier.

Bo Jinyan stopped his car at the entrance of the animation park.

According to the surveillance cameras, Fu Ziyu’s car had arrived here.

The animation park was large, but it was not impossible to track him. At any time,
he could access the surveillance camera network, look for car tracks, and check the
remote areas which were far away from the usual flow of human traffic.

Very soon, Bo Jinyan arrived outside a building.

From the outside, it looked like a warehouse. A plain, grey facade, without any
decoration, and with few windows. The door of the warehouse was shut, but when
Bo Jinyan pushed against it gently, it moved.

He didn’t enter immediately, but retreated to one side and called headquarters.

“I want a team sent to Zone B of the animation industry park.”

The person on the other end of the line quickly replied, “Sorry, Professor Bo, all the
members of your team are in pursuit of Ke Qian. Other teams are out on other
assignments. I will transfer people over as soon as I can, but it will take at least half
an hour.”

After hanging up, Bo Jinyan stood at the entrance of the warehouse for a while.

It had already been more than 2 hours since Fu Ziyu’s disappearance. Another
minute of inaction would mean another minute of danger.

For Ziyu.

For the closest friend he had ever had, Ziyu.

Bo Jinyan looked up at the deep black sky, where the faint glimmer of starlight
quietly and gently shone on his head.

He pulled out his gun, pushed open the door and edged in sideways.

The door slowly closed behind him.

.......

Jian Yao, Bo Jinyan, Fang Qing, An Yan, Fu Ziyu . . .

Haven’t I warned you before?

You definitely must not go to the animation park.

Don’t go.

Because, justice is so fragile; because it is always exposed to the sunlight.

And evil is always hiding in the darkness, waiting for an opportunity, hiding in those
warped and suffering hearts.

A little carelessness, and it will come for you, opening its bloody mouth.
Chapter 53

There was finally silence in the room.

The sound of someone’s footsteps faded away into the distance.

Fu Ziyu crawled forward slowly, desperately striving to reach her hand.

She lay still, completely motionless.

In a split second, a huge wave of grief had engulfed his heart.

He was wrong, they were wrong. They thought they could beat someone at their
own game, that they could escape to a faraway place, that they could avoid
causing trouble for the people around them.

Instead, two corpses lay in separate places, yin and yang would forever be asunder.

Finally, he touched her finger and grasped it tightly.

Nothing can ever separate us again, little girl.

He lay on his back, gasping faintly, and shut his eyes.

Jinyan, the old enemy is here.

Please take care of yourself.
——
Bo Jinyan walked into the warehouse. The vast space was conspicuously,
completely empty.

It should be an abandoned warehouse; several strong lights were strung here and
there from the bare ceiling. There were also several huge machine parts hanging in
the air. From a distance, they looked like bloated steel giants, silent spies.
Bo Jinyan gripped his gun tightly using both hands, bent low, and slowly made his
approach. The lights shone brightly from all directions, bathing the entire space in
uniformly tranquil, white light. His coat buttons were undone, revealing the white
shirt underneath. His eyes were clear and sharp as he raised them to look around
while keeping his head low, remaining still and soundless.

He noticed the corridor on the second floor. There were quite a few pillars, but no
one in sight. Moreover, next to him, on the first floor, was a jumble of both high and
low shelves. If someone were to attempt to make his or her way through the
shelves, the shelves would provide some cover, and that person would only be
intermittently visible.

In his mind, he calculated the angles and positions of the corridor, the hanging
machine parts, the pillars and the shelves.

He raised his head and looked at the rooms beyond the corridor which were lit up.

He gripped his gun more firmly.

——
That man took a sip of alcohol and felt his entire body heat up.

He put down that wonderful, burning vodka and grinned like an imbecile.

Because he heard the sound of the warehouse door opening.

Oh, their prey . . . was coming.

Right into their bowl.
That man counted down in his heart: 60, 59, 58, 57 . . .
Give Bo Jinyan enough time to enter the sniper maze.

Then, that man picked up his sniper rifle and the telescopic sight and looked
through the chink in the window. As expected, he caught a glimpse of a black suit
flickering through the maze.

He smiled with satisfaction.

That man remembered the bet he and his companions had made previously.

“I will allow Simon King* to walk out of the maze, his body riddled with bullet
holes, wounded but not dead. Then I will hand him over to you all.”

His companions laughed insanely.

Simon King*. This is the name they used to address Bo Jinyan. Perhaps all who
were fugitive criminals and desperadoes, like them, addressed him this way.
Because he had caught the flower cannibal. He had caught Xie Han*, and disposed
of him.

*T/N Simon King – the name Bo Jinyan was known by (to non-Chinese) in ‘He is
Coming, Close Your Eyes’ (televised as ‘Love Me if You Dare’). Xie Han is the main
villain.

However . . . they were not afraid of him.

Even though Simon King had amazing abilities, he was still only a professor of
criminal psychology. They had come secretly, travelling over land and sea to arrive
here.

They had not committed any crimes, so he would have no evidence of prior
behaviours or actions to analyse.

Their sole intention was to kill him.

They had captured his beloved, and his friend.

They wanted to torture him to death.

Thinking of this, that man was once again enraptured by a wave of delicious
excitement. Although he had consumed alcohol, his skills and reflexes were still
lightning fast. Like a special forces soldier, he held his rifle, ducked low, made a
sharp turn and reached the first sniper hole along the second floor corridor as
quickly as a striking snake. Another pillar along, head lowered, eyes cold, he took
aim at the corner of the black coat in the sniper maze.

What was the best spot for the first shot?

Hitting him in the lower back would be good enough.

Ahhh . . .

“Czzzz —” The silenced bullet hissed out, penetrated the coat squarely and struck
the ground.
That man was stunned.

Something’s not right.

He grabbed the gun and turned around, but it was already too late.

An ice-cold handgun was already pressed against the back of his head.

That man cursed softly, “S**t!”

Wearing only a shirt, Bo Jinyan stood behind him, his face cold as ice.

“Throw the gun away!” Bo Jinyan commanded.

That man eyed him and tossed the gun away. Very slowly, he started to turn
around, and smiled humourlessly as he asked, “Simon King, how did you find me?”

“Calculation.”

That man looked blank. “What calculation?”

“The best sniper angle.”

“. . . . S**t!”
Even as he uttered this single syllable, that man’s hand was already moving as he
reached to seize the gun.

How would it be possible to defeat a master at handling guns without seizing the
gun? Such people were usually firmly resolute and both adept and devious in terms
of skill. Moreover, they were not afraid of death.

However, Bo Jinyan was an exception.

He was no gun master. But, in the split second that man made a slight movement,
he seemed to understand with perfect clarity his opponent’s intention and opened
fire first. “Bang!”
That man opened his eyes wide and uttered “S**t” for the third time that day. He
had not imagined, could never have imagined, that an academic, someone who
could only conduct theoretical analysis, would actually be able to display such
ruthlessness.

That man was in pain, such tremendous pain! Bo Jinyan’s shot had struck his right
chest, completely robbing him of any resistance he could muster. He smiled, slowly
and brightly, as his body gradually slipped down against the railing.

A crisp ‘click’ sounded, and one of his hands was handcuffed to the railing. That
man looked up to see Bo Jinyan smiling contemptuously at him. “I hit your lung. If
you can get help quickly, you might still be able to live. Goodbye.” Having said this,
Bo Jinyan kicked the sniper rifle away. He turned and walked towards the stairs at
the end, made a turn, and disappeared.
That man lay where he had fallen, gasping heavily.

The smile gradually disappeared from his face.

He thought, perhaps Simon King’s way of thinking was completely at odds with
theirs.

He never even asked where Fu Ziyu was. Because, once he asked, they would have
the upper hand.
He did not kill that man, but also did not let him live, and even let him linger on the
threshold of life and death. Leaving him firmly suspended here.

The tables had been turned. The hunter was now being toyed with, hunted to
death, by the prey.

A frightful thought suddenly entered that man’s head.

Perhaps, they had been wrong.

Perhaps they would really be unable to kill Simon King.

——
Passing through the warehouse, a door appeared before him.

Bo Jinyan hefted the gun in his hands, and gently pushed the door open.

He already knew that this journey would be difficult and treacherous.

However, in a showdown with those who are evil personified, isn’t it always akin to
dancing together on the edge of a knife?

An empty room was before him.

No door, and no windows.

There was only a screen, across which light and shadows played. Someone had
rigged a projection to fall on the screen in front of him.

A block of words written in English, in cursive.

There was a wall behind the screen. On the wall was a digital lock. Only with the
correct password would he be able to unlock the door and pass through.

The password had only one digit, from 0 to 9.

Bo Jinyan stood there and felt as if he were standing in a strange dreamscape.
However, He felt more keenly than he had ever done before, because he knew with
absolute clarity who his opponent was, and what he wanted.

However, those people who wanted to plunder all he had, had yet to succeed.
People like Tommy and Xie Han.

He raised his head and concentrated on the screen.

Chapter 54

“Sheisegg，（她是个鸡蛋）
Fu～ckmyegg.（操～我的蛋）
Sheishero，（她是个英雄）
killmyhero.（杀了我的英雄）
Shelikehe，（她喜欢他）
whoiswatching.（谁又在窥探）
Whenshesendmeschool，（当她把我送到学校）

Imadeamonster.（我制造了一头怪物）”

*T/N These lines in English appear as they were in the online novel; I’ve only
italicized them so that they can be distinguished from the rest of the text. I’ve also left
the corresponding original Chinese text beside the lines for comparison. In the rest of
the chapter, the lines in italics appear as they were in the online novel.

The sentences were awkward and words were wrongly used, but the meaning of
each word was clear.

Bo Jinyan looked quietly at the words.

Suddenly, the screen flashed, and all the words disappeared.

Then, a huge ‘10’ flashed on the screen.

‘9’

The countdown had begun.

Bo Jinyan’s expression turned grave.

However, he had already committed the entire poem to memory.

Sheisegg，fu～ckmyegg.
Sheishero，killmyhero.
 ……
E?G?6?2?1?14？……
No, it should be —

H。
I。
……
Shelikehe，whoiswatching.
……
S。
‘I’ am watching.

……
A fierce radiance flashed across Bo Jinyan’s face and the final two lines of the poem
surfaced again in his mind.

M、O、N。
It was that phrase —

“Hi，Simon。”
At this point, ‘5’ had just flashed on the screen.

As Bo Jinyan walked hurriedly to the digital lock, his mind had already detailed the
computations at high speed:

“HISIMON。
89199131514”
It was the simplest password that the flower cannibal had ever used.

However, now, the password only had one digit.

Added together, the numbers totalled 87*.

*T/N the numbers correspond to the ‘position’ of the letters of the alphabet e.g. ‘H’
= 8; ‘I’ = 9 and so on.
Subtracting from the adjacent number, the result was 4, 1, 0, 8*.

*T/N Subtracting from left to right: -1 8 -8 0 8 -2 2 -4 4 -3 = 4; subtracting from right

to left: 3 -4 4 -2 2 -8 0 8 -8 1 = -4?????. Ok, this is where the translation team throws
up its hands in defeat. We don’t know how Bo Jinyan arrived this conclusion; if any
of our readers knows, please tell us in the comments!

9 appeared the most.

……

No. No, it could not be such simple imitation and repetition.

Their arrival was intended to provoke and avenge. They would be more frivolous
than the flower cannibal.

‘3’ had already flashed on the screen.

Bo Jinyan closed his eyes momentarily, then opened them.

Whenshesendmeschool，Imadeamonster.
……

It was not according to the sequence of the alphabet.

They have another set of rules.

Amonster. The ‘monster’ in the school.

The bomb which was about to be detonated when the countdown ended, a
chemical ‘monster’.
……
“HISIMON。
112732127241614”
Added together, the total is 341.

Adding the first and final number, the total is 4.

The homonym for ‘death’*.

*T/N ‘4’ in Chinese is si (四), which has the same sound as death (死). Generally, it is
considered an inauspicious number.

‘0’ flashed on the screen.

Bo Jinyan entered ‘4’ on the digital lock.

Although he maintained his usual composure, his back was covered with a layer of
perspiration.

In the few seconds after he had entered the password, there was silence around
him. The ‘0’ also remained on the screen.

Then, the door in the wall gradually opened.

Bo Jinyan raised his head and saw a black-haired, tanned man leaning against the
window in the next room with an expression of shocked astonishment on his face.

The two of them fired at the same time, but Bo Jinyan was prepared and reacted
more quickly. “Bang! Bang!” Two bullets struck the man’s abdomen, while his
shots hit the wall next to Bo Jinyan’s head.
“Ah . . .” the man moaned in pain and fell to the ground. Bo Jinyan fired once more,
hitting his wrist, and he finally let go of his gun.

Bo Jinyan approached him calmly. He kicked the gun away, then aimed his own
gun at the man’s forehead.

“Hi, Simon King.” The tanned man looked at him with wide-open eyes and seemed
extremely curious. “How on earth did you . . . how could you possibly do it! In such
a short time, how did you break the code and figure out the password?”

Bo Jinyan barely glanced at him. Without answering the question, he asked, “What
is behind the door?”
The tanned man looked up at him with grief in his eyes. “Simon, don’t go in. Just
turn around. I can’t bear to see you die. You understand us so well, as well as you
understand yourself. You are the best, the greatest, the most intelligent person I
have ever met.”

Bo Jinyan remained unmoved. He gestured in front of him with the muzzle of his
gun. “What’s behind the door?”

“Behind the door is the person you love the most.”

Bo Jinyan was silent for a few seconds, gun in hand.

Then, he abruptly stowed his gun and viciously struck the back of the man’s neck
with the edge of his hand. The man lost consciousness.

Bo Jinyan reholstered his gun at his waist and picked up the man’s gun. In that
short period of time, he had rendered the man unable to escape. He got up and
continued to walk towards the door.

The door was unlocked and there were no devices attached.

He brought out his cell phone and dialled Jian Yao’s number.

Thereafter, he heard a familiar ringtone issuing faintly from beyond the door.

He put down his cell phone and quickly assessed the situation. He was their goal,
not anyone else. It would definitely be too late if he waited for backup. Moreover,
that would most probably incite their anger, leading to fatalities on both sides*.

*T/N 玉石俱焚 (yu shi ju fen) – lit. to burn both jade and common stone; fig. –
indiscriminate destruction; the bad and the good are lost together.

He slowly pushed the door open.

He sensed very clearly a slight, pungent smell wafting around him. Bo Jinyan
retrieved his face mask from his pocket and put it on.

The room was extremely dark and empty, totally devoid of light. Bo Jinyan
activated his cell phone and discovered that the setup was the same as that of the
sniper maze. Both comprised two storeys; the second storey was ringed by
corridors and the centre space was lofty and empty.

However, after he had walked a few steps, he felt slight stinging sensation in his
eyes. It felt like something extremely fine was subtly and slowly drilling its way into
his eyeballs.

Gas.

The gas would not appear without reason.

It was invading his eyes.

Bo Jinyan closed his eyes.

In the darkness, only by touching, hearing, and using his previous hasty glimpse to
orientate himself, he moved forward slowly holding the railings.

After a few more steps, he sensed that he had already reached the middle of the
corridor. His fingers found his cellphone and pressed the redial button.

The familiar and lively melody rang out not far from him.

He also clearly sensed that the smell in this area was even stronger. His eyes
already felt as if they were burning. Through the face mask, his throat was
gradually becoming dry.

He called out, “Jian Yao? Jian Yao?”

There was a sudden sound and movement in front of him, not far away, where he
gauged the atrium to be. Something creaked, and there was slight movement in
the air.

Bo Jinyan closed his eyes and called out once more. “Jian Yao.”

“Jinyan.”

It was as if her voice had whispered in Bo Jinyan’s ears.

Then, he heard Jian Yao speak again. She spoke very quietly, and very slowly. It
was the calm and gentle tone he was familiar with. There was not the slightest
trembling or hesitation.

“Jinyan, listen to me,” she said. “Turn around now, go back, and leave. Wait for
backup before you come and rescue me. I am not in any danger right now, my eyes
have been blindfolded. But this toxic gas will damage your eyes. Listen to me this
time and go back. If their goal is not achieved, they will not kill me. Don’t open your
eyes, Jinyan. This time, listen to me, turn around and leave.”

Bo Jinyan made no movement.

“You stay where you are, don’t move,” he said.

Jian Yao’s heart sank abruptly.

She had been tied up and suspended in the air. Through the layers of white cloth
covering her eyes, she sensed a faint glimmer of light. Then, his clearly heard,
resolute footsteps headed directly for her.

Something undefinable burst forth in Jian Yao’s mind, and her tears started
flowing.

He had opened his eyes.

He had opened his eyes.

Chapter 55

In truth, if Bo Jinyan had been even one second later, Jian Yao might no longer
exist in this world.

His cell phone cast a feeble light in the gloom. Despite the red-hot pain in his eyes,
Bo Jinyan could definitely sense a hazy layer rising to envelop his eyes.

Then he ran to the pillar and saw that his wife was suspended by a rope tied to the
pillar.

However, the rope had obviously been severed by someone wielding a knife, and
only a few threads remained, which were almost about to give way. Jian Yao was
suspended at least 15 metres above the concrete floor. If she were to fall, she
would only escape death by the skin of her teeth.

Bo Jinyan felt as if his heart was in the grip of a viciously evil force. He grabbed the
rope, exerted his strength to pull it downwards and tied it firmly to the pillar once
more.

Jian Yao’s current appearance also became apparent to him. Her clothes were
torn, and she was covered in blood and dust. A thick strip of cloth covered her eyes,
and her face was smeared with tears.

“”Jinyan . . . Jinyan . . .” she sobbed.

By this time, Bo Jinyan could no longer see clearly, but his voice was as tranquil as
water. “Don’t be afraid, I’m going to let you down now. . .”

He was unable to finish his sentence.

Below his feet, exactly where he was standing, came the sudden, sharp sound of
something shattering and crumbling. In the instant that both of them looked at
each other, his body was already plummeting.

“Jinyan!” Jian Yao exclaimed.

The only answer she received was a loud bang.

Something had struck the ground.

Then, silence.

“Jinyan . . . Jinyan?” Jian Yao hung suspended in the air, but she suddenly felt as if
she were in a vast wilderness. An incredible sense of dread, as dark as night,
descended upon her in a flash. Everything went black in front of her eyes and she
fainted.

In this warehouse, this dark, secret room, silence was finally restored.

She is in the air, he is on the ground.

He said that she was a little bird, soaring freely above him.

And, he was a tree, whose roots were deeply buried in the darkness underground.

……

Bo Jinyan raised his head exceedingly slowly. Sharp daggers of pain were cleaving
through his head and body. He could feel the blood gushing from the back of his
head. He slowly crawled forward a little, wanting to get away from the cloying reek
of blood. He had never liked his own blood.

However, it seemed to be futile. There was blood all around him, and he could not
crawl out of it.
His vision, by now, was completely blurred. Through a damp haze of blood, he
could only vaguely make out Jian Yao’s figure, still suspended above him, totally
silent. He unconsciously tried to stretch out his hand to reach her, only to find that
he could not move it.

An intense wave of drowsiness, as thick as his blood, swept over him. In his dazed
state, he seemed to hear police sirens. Vaguely, he saw someone running
frantically towards Jian Yao. Dimly, he heard people yelling, “Police! Put your
hands up!” “Professor Bo, Professor Bo!”

“Jian Yao . . . Ziyu . . .” Bo Jinyan whispered these two names.

Then he sank back into the infinite darkness of pain.

……
On June 27th, the Special Cases Unit of the Municipal Bureau of Criminal
Psychology Research Division was attacked by a group of thugs from the United
States. Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao, An Yan and Fang Qing were seriously injured.

One of the criminals was burnt to death. The two criminals who were shot by Bo
Jinyan were arrested by the police, but died of their injuries later.

——
The wind rustled the curtains.

In the corridor, in the ward, all was quiet. A criminal investigator on duty at the
door smoked a cigarette desultorily.

Flower baskets from well-wishers stretched from the door of the ward all the way
down to the end of the corridor.

They were all from the families of victims who had previously been rescued by
them.

Suddenly, the wind blew.

Footsteps sounded at the end of the corridor. There was a buzz of activity, and a
glint of lights. It looked as if quite a few people had arrived.

The criminal investigator on duty raised his head, and was transfixed.

A woman was walking at the forefront. She had a white coat around her shoulders,
and a long dress which swept the floor. Her high heels clicked crisply on the marble
floor. Following behind her was a posse of reporters, furiously snapping pictures of
her non-stop.

“Miss Jin, why have you rushed to the hospital? Has someone you know been
admitted?”

“Miss Jin Xiaozhe, has your mysterious sweetheart been hospitalised?”

……
Jin Xiaozhe completely ignored them. She walked forward single-mindedly with
her face as cold as ice.

The criminal investigator on duty saw them coming closer and shouted in panic,
“What are you all doing? The patient here is in critical condition, you are not
allowed to come closer!”

The posse of reporters halted, suitably intimidated.

Jin Xiaozhe’s footsteps faltered, but she did not retreat. She slowly walked
forward, lifted her chin and stared at the young criminal investigator. “Are you his
subordinate?”

As the criminal investigator stared blankly at her, she pushed open the door to
walk in.

“You can’t go in!”

Jin Xiaozhe looked at him.

The criminal investigator looked at her eyes, brimming with tears, and felt a bolt of
panic strike him in that split second. By then, Jin Xiaozhe had already pushed the
door open, walked inside, and shut the door again.

The criminal investigator stood dumbly at the door, with the posse of reporters
behind him, as agitated as ants in a vat of hot oil.

The noisy voices and the vexing clamour of the city, were finally shut out.

Jin Xiaozhe removed her coat and walked, step by step, to the figure lying on the
bed.

As a result of his injuries due to the explosion, it was almost impossible to

recognise Fang Qing. Bandages covered his head, and there was no hint of the
handsome man he had been. At that moment, the pale face before her eyes
seemed to be nothing more than a skull. Only the instrument by his side was
recording his faint heartbeat.

Jin Xiaozhe sobbed as she rested her upper body at the head of the bed.

“Fang Qing . . . Fang Qing . . .”

Didn’t you say that you would wait for me everyday?

Where are you thinking of going right now?
Where are you going, that you would abandon me once again?
——
Jian Yao was awoken by the noise from outside the door.

The minute she awoke, she saw the doctor by her side, as well as the criminal
investigator. They both stood up.

“Teacher Jian, you’re awake? That’s fantastic. I’ll inform the bureau,” the criminal
investigator said.

The doctor also softly said, “Jian Yao, look over here. Can you see clearly? You’ve
been seriously injured, but nothing life-threatening, so you can rest easy. It’s good
that you’ve regained consciousness.”
Jian Yao did not speak.

She did not say anything, or ask anything.

Accompanied by a nurse, the doctor quickly and quietly examined her. Jian Yao
made no movement. Her eyes pierced through the door to the corridor beyond, but
she was unable to see the room next to hers.

After a while, several criminal investigators came in. They all spoke softly and
uttered words of comfort.

“Everything’s fine as long as you’re ok.”

“Teacher Jian, try not to move around for the next few months, as you’ve broken a
few bones. They are all mending well.”

“That’s right, they will heal.”

Jian Yao looked at them and said lightly, “Thank you.”

One of the criminal investigators was younger than the others. His eyes were full of
tears, and he gritted his teeth as he looked away from her.

Yes, how could anyone who had witnessed how she and Professor Bo looked at the
warehouse hold back burning tears?

“How’s . . . Jinyan?” she finally asked.

The others said nothing. An older criminal investigator sat down by the bed, and
said gently, “Jian Yao ah, something has happened to Professor Bo, but his life is
not in danger. Don’t worry, he has already been rescued.”

From the time she had awoken until the present moment, Jian Yao had felt
unsettled but now, it finally felt as if her soul and spirit* had been restored to her
body.
*T/N 三魂六魄 (san hun liu po) – 魂 (hun) and 魄 (po) refer to types of souls in
Chinese philosophy and traditional religion. 魂 is literally ‘cloud soul’, and 魄 is
literally ‘white soul’. In this system of belief, every living human has both a 魂 i.e.
spiritual, ethereal, yang (Chinese belief – ‘male’) soul which leaves the body after
death, and a 魄 i.e. corporeal, substantive, yin (Chinese belief – ‘female’, as
opposite to and balancing out the ‘yang’ influence) soul which remains with the
corpse of the deceased. In this novel, Ding Mo is referring to the Taoist belief of a
soul structure of 三 (san) = 3 魂 and 六 (liu) = 6 魄; it is more commonly said to be 3
魂 and 7 魄.

A slight smile hovered around the corners of Jian Yao’s mouth. However, that smile
clearly harboured both great grief as well as exultation.

“What . . . happened to him?” Her voice was very quiet.

Everyone was silent.

A while later, someone said, “Professor Bo is unable to see. His corneas were
severely damaged. However, this is not the worst of it. The crucial issue is that he
fell from a great height, which caused bleeding in his brain, and which in turn is
pressing on the optic nerves. The possibility that this can be reversed is very
small . . .”

Jian Yao struggled to sit up, but whatever part of her body she tried to move was
hurriedly held down by the others. “You can’t move right now! You can’t let your
broken bones pierce your internal organs! Don’t worry! Don’t worry! We have
people looking after Professor Bo! He’s still in a coma; when he wakes up, we’ll let
you know straightaway!”

In the end, since she had no way out, Jian Yao lay down.

After that, everyone left so she could recuperate in peace, leaving one criminal
investigator to stand guard outside the door.

The sky slowly darkened, and, outside the window, life went on peacefully as if
nothing had happened.
Jian Yao just lay there quietly. After a while, she turned her head and looked at the
stars outside the window.

Can’t see anymore?

An image of Bo Jinyan took shape in Jian Yao’s mind. He was looking at her, with a
slight smile. The look he had when he was working on a case, one of full
concentration. When he read at night, his eyes seemed to glitter like stars.

With compassionate mercy and calmness, he carefully gave his attention to every
victim and perpetrator.

Those eyes which could penetrate all the crime and evil in this world – those eyes
would never open again?
This state, how is it different from those who wanted to kill Bo Jinyan?
He is such a proud person, when he wakes up, how is he going to live with himself?
Jian Yao turned her head and buried it in her blanket, refusing to let herself cry too
loudly. She had not been able to witness the scene, but it always lingered in her
mind, as if she had seen it with her own eyes.

Bo Jinyan falling silently.

His tall, slim body, blood-soaked shirt, short black hair, lying on the ground, barely
moving.

……
Excellent weather, a house by the river. Location unknown.

The sky was blue, with clouds floating across it. The fish in the river were giving off
streams of bubbles, and the crystalline water reflected the sunlight. There were
several rocks in the clear and limpid river.

Fu Ziyu sat in a lounge chair, wearing sunglasses. Laughing, he said, “Jinyan ah,
there’s fish again!”

Bo Jinyan turned to look at him, but said nothing.

Fu Ziyu then said, “You should be holding your wedding ceremony with Jian Yao
this year, right? Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend. You have to put a little
more effort into making the various preparations for the ceremony. Make sure it’s
more romantic, and don’t be too old-fashioned and conservative.”

Bo Jinyan stared at him and asked, “Why can’t you be there?”

Fu Ziyu was quiet for a while before answering, “Because I have to go someplace
very, very far away. In that place, there is no longing, no joy, and also no
disappointment or offence. Jinyan, it doesn’t matter. I have known contentment
and happiness in this life. I have loved the best people, made the best friends,
visited the best places, drunk the best wine. They were all the best, and I have been
more blessed than most people.”

Bo Jinyan did not speak.

Tears slowly seeped from his eyes.

All this time, Fu Ziyu did not look at him, so Bo Jinyan was unable to discern his
expression. He seemed to be simultaneously cheerful and sorrowful. He kept
looking into the distance, looking in the direction that Bo Jinyan would never be
able to take.

“Jinyan, don’t take it to heart,” he said. “I don’t blame you. I should have told you
earlier, I just . . . Yumeng, she . . .”

Bo Jinyan smiled briefly, a self-deprecating smile that had not been seen on him
before. “No, I was careless. If I had cared about you a little more, if I had invested
just a little more energy to investigate Han Yumeng, you would not have died.
Nothing would have happened to the others as well. It was my fault. Now, I have no
way to make up for it.”

Fu Ziyu shook his head. “Don’t think this way. My life is just a life; are you saying
that those students’ lives were not important? You were only rightfully giving
priority to what was within the scope of your duties. Don’t let this matter keep
weighing on your heart.”
However, Bo Jinyan remained silent.

“It’s almost time for me to go.” Fu Ziyu pushed himself up from the lounge chair
and clapped his hands, as lively as usual. “What do you plan to do from now
onwards? You can’t see anymore; which way will you go hereafter?”

Bo Jinyan was silent for a very long time.

Was he already unable to see?

The cicadas chirped softly behind the two of them. Which memory was this, which
year, in the height of summer?
Bo Jinyan said, “I will leave for a while.”

“Leave? Where to?”

“I am the main goal of those people. The mastermind has not been caught yet, and
I am unable to avenge you,” Bo Jinyan replied. “Besides, I can’t see anymore. If I
stay with Jian Yao, I will be further endangering her. This time, I won’t be able to
protect her properly.”

Fu Ziyu patted his shoulder gently.

Then, the sky gradually faded away, as did the river.

Everything faded, including Fu Ziyu.

……
Bo Jinyan slowly opened his eyes.

However, there was nothing but darkness.

Chapter 56

A thin strip of white gauze covered Bo Jinyan’s eyes.

Sitting by his side, Jian Yao stretched out her hand to touch him, but put it down
again.

“Would you like some more porridge?” she asked softly.

“No need,” he said in a mild tone.

Jian Yao nodded, then realised he could not see her. Gently, she eased him back so
that he was lying down on the bed.

A sudden thought flashed into her head. If everything was as normal, at this time,
he would be reading.

Would you like me to read to you? The words were on her lips, but she simply could
not utter them.
Thus, the two of them sat like that, in silence. She could not see his eyes, so she did
not know what he was thinking. The hands were only a foot apart, but it suddenly
felt as if they were separated by a multitude of people.

“Jinyan . . . would you like to go outside for a walk?” she asked.

Bo Jinyan turned his head.

Outside the window of the ward, the sound of voices could be heard, as well as the
chirping of small birds.

“No need,” he said gently.

Jian Yao abruptly felt an immense weight of sadness. She did not want him to
notice, so she hurriedly said, “I’m going to the washroom.”
“Ok.”

Silence once again filled the room.

Bo Jinyan raised his head slightly. Indeed, the sensation of darkness was
marvellous. Because of the darkness, people’s hearts would actually become
flustered and helpless, because no matter which direction one looked, no matter
which direction one walked, it was impossible to figure out whether the next step
would lead to a bottomless abyss.

He lay very quietly, by himself, for five minutes.

He was finally unable to tolerate it any further. He grabbed the blanket by his side
and threw it from him forcefully.

His pale face shone with a faint sheen of sweat, and also held a tinge of green.

This was the scene that Jian Yao beheld when she walked through the door holding
a cup of tea. She immediately put it down, ran to his side and clutched his hands
tightly. “Jinyan, everything’s ok . . . take it easy.”

The tension in Bo Jinyan’s face eased momentarily. It was as if he was unable to

lose his temper when she was around. He did not say anything, and only turned his
head to face the window.

“Yeah,” he said, in a very low voice.

Jian Yao held his hands wordlessly.

She did not realise she would have to face his pitiful and sorry condition.

Bo Jinyan, this person, was both pitiful and uncommunicative.

Later, when the meal arrived, Jian Yao patiently and meticulously fed him,
spoonful by spoonful.
After eating, he fell asleep due to the medication. Jian Yao snuggled next to him on
the bed. In his hazy state, he could sense that someone was lightly caressing his
cheeks and hair. Jian Yao subconsciously snuggled further into his arms, and was
then tightly embraced.

“Jinyan . . .” she whispered, “in future, I will be your eyes.”

There was no need to say anything else. All that talk about constantly trying new
medical breakthroughs, or about how doctors would say there was only a figment
of hope, but one should never give up. . .

If you are blind for one day, then I’ll live as if I’m blind for one day.
If you are blind for the rest of your life, I’ll be by your side until our hair turns grey.
It felt as if a drop of scalding hot liquid landed on her cheek. In the dimly lit room,
Jian Yao did not lift her head, but instead pretended that she had not noticed
anything.

“Ziyu . . . has he been found?” he asked slowly.

Jian Yao’s heart was a well of grief. “Found.”

He did not ask further.

“Jian Yao, I’d like to be by myself for a while,” he said.

Jian Yao did not speak.

The ring on his finger quietly glimmered in the darkness.

Just like the fragments of his broken heart.

——

One afternoon, a few days later, Bo Jinyan had simply left.

Jian Yao returned from the police station to a completely empty room and neatly
folded bedding.

Her face was pale, and she did not utter a word. She searched the entire hospital,
looked into every ward, until she was sure that he had really left. He had really left
her.
At the same time as his departure, An Yan was discharged from the hospital. These
two men, like colourless, insignificant water drops, completely disappeared from
the face of the earth.

Finally, Jian Yao found a letter under the pillow. She sat by the window, framed by
the setting sun and the wind-blown curtains, and read the letter that Bo Jinyan had
personally written.

“Yao,
I want to leave for a while.
Once, my belief in justice was unshakeable. Even now, this belief has not wavered.
However, there are some things that I need to face alone; some things need to be
clarified; some things cannot be given up.
I will take care of myself. I hope you do the same.
I will come back to you when I think I have prepared well enough for our future.
I am sorry.
— Jinyan, who loves you deeply.”
Although the words were almost illegible, they were still boldly and vigorously
written. Some words were overlapping.

He had written this letter with his eyes closed.

Jian Yao looked at it for a long time. Then, with one hand clutching her heart, she
lowered her head, and did not look up for a long, long time.

——

In the evening, the lights in the university campus were off, and all was quiet.

An Yan stood on the ground floor of the female student dormitory. Countless
people eyed him, but his expression did not change.
A girl he did not know ran down the stairs and walked up to him. With a note of
incredulity in her voice, she asked, “You . . . are that police officer, An Yan?”

An Yan nodded. “I am An Yan.”

The girl exclaimed and said, “Wait a while, the situation seems to be different from
what we thought. Please wait.” After speaking, she ran up the stairs hurriedly.

An Yan continued to stand stock still, like a pillar.

Inside the dormitory.

Gu Fangfang sat at her table, somewhat stunned. Behind her was a group of girls
who were all giving her advice.

“Don’t be soft-hearted, Fangfang, he kept you waiting* for more than a month, it
would serve him right if you made him wait!”

“How dare he keep our department flower** waiting!”

“Exactly!”

*T/N 放了鸽子 (fang le ge zi) – lit. to release doves; fig. to make an appointment
and not keep it; deception. Stems from doves being symbols of peace.

**T/N 系花 (si hua) – the lady recognised as the most beautiful female in the
department.

At this time, the girl who had originally been sent downstairs to taunt An Yan and
make his life miserable came running back, panting heavily. “No, Fangfang,
something’s wrong! He’s hurt, there are bandages on his arms! His face is injured!”

The girls did not know how to react. Gu Fangfang immediately stood up and ran
downstairs without a word.

She left behind a circle of dumbfounded schoolmates.

“How could this happen? Didn’t he say he was just in charge of monitoring? How
could he be injured?”

“I also thought he was good-looking . . . so, it seems things are not that simple.”

Gu Fangfang dashed down the stairs; she could already see An Yan from a distance.
She was shocked – it had only been a month, but he had grown so thin, and his
entire appearance seemed to indicate that he had experienced some terrible
calamity.

“Are you all right?” she asked as she ran up to him.

When An Yan saw her, his heart jumped in excitement. It was only then did he
realise that the thread of longing he had nurtured in his heart for the past few days
had blossomed into something even more intense.

“I’m ok,” he said, his face turning red.

However, Gu Fangfang kept on frowning as she stared at his bandaged arm.

“I’m sorry.” He continued, “That day, I was on duty and something happened, so I
couldn’t come.”

“It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter!” Gu Fangfang quickly waved her hand.
“You . . . as long as you’re ok, everything’s fine.”

“Yes, I’m ok.”

The both of them fell silent for a moment, seemingly ill at ease.

Gu Fangfang probed further. “Did you get hurt as you were trying to catch the bad
guys?”

An Yan suddenly found himself at a loss for words as a complex web of emotions
that he had never experienced before surged in his chest.
The girl before him, standing under the quiet night light, was living a peaceful and
blessed life. How could he tell her, how could he even get her to understand, that
this young criminal investigator, who had spent several days hovering on the brink
of life and death, had, in that instant of the explosion, suddenly thought – oh, no, I
can’t meet her tomorrow.
So, this is what it means to forsake duty for love*.

*T/N 英雄气短，儿女情长 (ying xiong qi duan, er nüq qing chang) – lit. the spirit of
a hero (英雄) is brief/ short (短), but the love between man and woman (儿女情) is
long/ enduring (长); used to refer to a man who turns away from duty for the sake
of love. First used in the 18th chapter of《水浒记》(shui hu ji), an edited version/
play of the Chinese classic 《水滸傳》(shui hu zhuan), variously known (in English)
as ‘The Water Margin’, ‘Outlaws of the Marsh’, and ‘All Men are Brothers’.

An Yan smiled faintly, and said, “Yeah, that’s right.”

Gu Fangfang’s gaze shifted, and she looked down. “Then, when are we going to
have that meal?”

An Yan’s heart was suddenly overcome by a wave of sorrow. Some kind of wild
impulse took control of him and he took a step forward to pull her close to him
with one arm.

Gu Fangfang was totally taken aback.

“Whoa . . .” An exclamation sounded from the upper floor of the dormitory behind
them.

“I . . . have to leave for a while,” An Yan said. “I want to protect someone. Someone
I respect with my life. If there are still people in this world who could be described
as ‘great’, he would be one of them. His situation right now is really bad. I need to
guard him, and help him. Just like we would safeguard our convictions.”

Gu Fangfang’s body was still numb, entirely numb, but she felt an indescribable
twinge of sadness on hearing his words. “Then . . . how long will you be gone?”
“Maybe a few months, maybe a couple of years.”

“So . . . long, ah.”

An Yan gradually released her. “Fangfang, wait for me to come back.” After saying
this, he turned and walked away.

Gu Fangfang stood where she was, not moving a muscle, watching him get into the
car, watching him drive out of the campus, watching him disappear from her view.

At that moment, startled shouts and exclamations of admiration burst forth from
the people in the vicinity. Gu Fangfang looked up on hearing the noise. In the deep,
blue-black darkness of night, several lights had actually simultaneously appeared
in the the huge skyscraper opposite the campus. Moreover, the lights were
arranged in a pattern. Someone next to her had already read the words out, loudly:

“Wait for me, goddess.

A.Y.”
“Wait for me, goddess! A.Y. What kind of hero or scoundrel is this A.Y.? So arrogant!
Dang!”

——

The same intoxicating twilight also enveloped a tall building in the city.

Luo Lang sat in front of the window, lazily smoking a cigarette. Tchaikovsky’s
‘Manfred’ Symphony was playing, filling the room with deafening noise.

The curtains were tightly closed, with a narrow crack.

In front of that crack stood a precision telescope.

Luo Lang finished smoking his cigarette, stood up, and looked into the telescope.

Utterly focused.
Past the building, past the curtain of night, past the multitudes of people. The
telescope was precisely trained on a window.

At the window, the muslin curtains moved slightly. A single lamp cast a soft light in
the room. Jian Yao was wearing a warm yellow T-shirt as she sat in front of the
window with her head slightly bowed, revealing a neck that was as pale as jade.
She sat in silence for a long time.

Henceforth, she was the only one in her home, her deeply loved, blessed home.

Luo Lang moved away from the telescope and sat down once more. He started
smoking moodily, until the ashtray could no longer hold any more ash, until the
darkness of night became a vast black hole shrouding the earth. The lights in the
room came on automatically, in sequence. Behind him was a wall, extending from
the bedroom, past the hallway, to the living room.

On the wall, photographs. Lots of photographs, crowded together with no sense of

order. Hundreds of them.

Jian Yao in police uniform; Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan walking into the Animation
Park; Jian Yao in an apron at home, cooking; Jian Yao on the way to work.

……

A photograph of Jian Xuan* reading in the university library. A photograph of Mrs.

Jian selling vegetables in the market, smiling slightly, head lowered.

*T/N Jian Yao’s sister

……

The dagger which had killed the killer was on the table next to him. The traces of
blood and fingerprints had already been wiped off.

Luo Lang lowered his head. The hand which had held the cigarettes was now
pressed against his forehead.
If parting causes one great grief, reuniting similarly causes one to lose one’s way.

And, all we need is forgiveness.

……

He said justice and conviction would never change.

He said he would return.

You know, justice is like a deep pool under the moon, in which are cold rocks.

In the darkness, the clear and crystalline light of the water* is always present.

*T/N 暗光粼粼 (an guang lin lin) – 暗 = darkness; 光 = light; 粼粼 = clear and
crystalline (water). The title of the novel, 暗粼, comes from this phrase, which we
have translated as ‘Pristine Darkness’.

Although there are times when the water becomes muddy, or turbulent,

in the end, the water will settle so the rocks can be seen, and the clouds will scatter
so the moon will shine brightly.

If he finally returns,

please, from this time, close your eyes which have harboured tears in the darkness
of night.

Because he is coming, please close your eyes.

Chapter 57

he deepest impression I had was of Ke Ai’s red skirt. It was so beautiful, like muslin.

At that time, I was running behind her, yelling, “Ai Ai! Ai Ai!” She would then stop in
her tracks and smile as she looked at me. “Didi, Didi*, follow Jiejie* ah!”

*T/N 弟弟 (di di) – younger brother; 姐姐 (jie jie) – older sister.

I nodded vigorously. “Um.”

We climbed up the mountain together to catch insects, planted trees together in

front of grandfather’s door, walked together to school with our school bags on our
backs. The two of us grew up looking remarkably identical, and sometimes, she
would pretend to be me, while I pretended to be her, exchanging places for a day.
Grandfather could always tell us apart with just a glance, but others would mistake
one of us for the other if they were not careful.

I idolised Ke Ai. She was always so generous, so optimistic, and could talk so much.
She was the class monitress, and a member of the study committee. All the
students and teachers liked her.

And I, I was like her tail, her little shadow. As long as I could stand beside my sister,
I was happy.

The teacher said, “This Ke Qian is just like a girl and Ke Ai is like a boy. It’s really not
easy for her to take on the roles of both elder sister and brother at the same time,
and at such a young age, too.” I felt very proud – I had such an elder sister, who
asked you all not to have someone like her?

At that time, I had not come across this phrase, ‘Another Me in the World’*.

*T/N This is a Japanese manga series called ‘Nana’, which was made into a live-
action movie (and a sequel) as well as an anime. The series derives its name from
the main characters, two 20-year old girls who are both called ‘Nana’, and who are
very different. They meet on a train to Tokyo one day, and run into each other
again when they are checking out the same apartment. They decide to be
roommates, and the series chronicles their friendship and their lives. Please refer
to this Wikipedia entry for more information.

Later on, when selecting which Japanese series to watch, I saw it. Other people
were watching the series with rapt attention, but I, I only had to look at the words,
and my eyes were brimming over with tears.

Perhaps it was from this time that I developed such an ardent love for the
fantastical, beautiful, passionate, warm world of cosplay.

Because, in the world of cosplay, I was a peerless actor, I was the king.

And I could also be a woman, like the sister I had lost, Ke Ai.

Those rich relatives came to pick one of us when we were in Primary 5. At that time
I did not realise what their arrival meant. I saw them constantly talking to Jiejie,
asking her if she was a leader in the Young Pioneers of China, if she was placed first
in our year. Jiejie timidly nodded. They also asked her to perform an item. She
performed a Xinjiang* dance and saw them beaming with happiness.
*T/N 新疆 (Xinjiang) – the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in
northwest China. Many ethnic minority groups live there, and there has been much
unrest in the region in recent years.

Grandfather was already very old by then. As he sat at one side smoking, he
squinted and said, “Each child has his or her own life. As long as they live life well,
that’s all that matters.” After saying this, he gave me a significant look. At that time,
I did not understand the look in his eyes, but I nevertheless remembered this scene
and kept it in my heart for many years.

After that, they wanted to talk to me. I looked at them warily and hid behind Jiejie.
When their hands touched the corner of my jacket, I screamed sharply, ran into the
room and shut the door.
I had no idea what they discussed thereafter.

Those few nights, I saw Jiejie surreptitiously wiping away tears. I asked, “Jie, why
are you crying? Is it because they mistreated you?” The past few days, they had
brought Jiejie out, but not me.
“No . . .” Jiejie sobbed, “They treat me very well. They have bought me many
things, and they have even bought Grandfather lots of health products. I didn’t
know that those products were so expensive.”
“I don’t care,” I muttered.

Jiejie then said, “Ke Qian, if I should leave one day, even though you’re alone, you
have to study hard and look after Grandfather, ok?”
I seized her hand in a swift movement and said, “I don’t want to be parted from
you!”

The day Jiejie left, I didn’t even know about it. When I returned from buying rice
and oil with Grandfather, her things had already been moved out of our
home. Jiejie had left me a letter:
“Ke Qian:
I don’t know if the choice I have made is right, but, before she died, our mother told
me that I had to take care of the both of us. Uncle and Auntie are rich, but they don’t
have children. They want a child.
Grandfather does not have much savings left, and there’s also not much remaining of
the money father and mother left us. They said there was no way that Grandfather
could bear the burden of bringing both of us up. I am the elder sister, so I should help
to bear the burden our family faces.

If they were willing to bring you to the US as well, I would be even happier. But, right
now, there is no other way. They want me to go.
Father once quoted from a poem, titled, ‘The Edge of a Sword is Sharpened on a
Grindstone’*. In future, it is only if we gain admission into even better universities
earn even more money, then we and Grandfather can live blessed lives. There is a lot
of money in the US.

*T/N 宝剑锋从磨砺出 (bao jian feng cong mo li chu) – this is apparently not from a
poem, but a common saying: 宝剑锋从磨砺出, 梅花香自苦寒来 (mei hua xiang zi
ku han lai – plum blossoms come from the bitter cold). In essence, suffering and
hardship is necessary in order for one to succeed.

I am going. Do not think of me. I will definitely return, I swear it on my life.

Ke Ai.”

That was the first time in our lives that Ke Ai and I had ever been apart. At that time,
I flew into a blinding rage; I did not eat and ignored people for days on end. Until
Grandfather got so angry that he grabbed and hit me, and censured me by saying,
“That Ke Ai is able to go to the U.S. is luck that only comes around once in three
lifetimes! Otherwise, a useless old man like me bringing up the two of you – what
kind of result would there be!”

I cried so hard that I even ignored Grandfather.

But, how long could I stay angry with her?

I once again started to hope, every day – that she would call me, that she would
write.

But there was nothing.

The class teacher saw me running to the school mailbox every day, and sought to
comfort me. “Child, when your jiejie gets to America, life there will be strange to
her, and she won’t know her way around. She’s such a young girl, how is she going
to find out how to write letters to you, or call you long distance? Don’t run to the
mailbox anymore.”
“Uhm.”

However, there was no way for the boy I was then to know that this separation
would last 15 years.

Grandfather died the year I entered university. Carrying my belongings in a simple

bag, I arrived at this big city of Beijing. Things were a little different from what I had
expected. When I looked up and smiled at my dormitory mates, they would look at
what I was wearing and my simple backpack, and merely smile. Neither cold, nor
warm.

You know, I felt like a caterpillar at that time. Originally, under the warmth of the
sun, I had carefully extended my feelers. However, other people avoided me in
revulsion. Thus, I immediately shrank back into the shadowy patch under the
leaves.

In all my four years at university, I did not have any close contact with my four
dormitory mates. I always felt that I was incompatible with them, that we would
never travel in the same direction. Sometimes, they would go out together to drink
beer, eat roast meat, or watch a soccer match. They never asked me to join them. I
would stay in the dormitory to revise, or to try out my newly purchased women’s
cosplay costume, or makeup.

They didn’t like me, and I didn’t like them either.

Although I was always alone, I really hated that feeling of isolation. Every day, I
boiled hot water for four people and cleaned the dormitory. When they needed
someone to fudge their attendance when they skipped classes, when they needed
to borrow books, when they wanted to copy from my examination script, I always
did my best to do what they wanted. I thought, in this way, my life in the dormitory
would be slightly better. At the very least, I would not be looked down on.

The setting up of Yue Ying Animation Studio was a chance of a lifetime. A fellow
alumnus, Jiang Xueran, ran up to me to ask, “Ke Qian, I’ve seen you perform many
times. You’re the best cosplayer I’ve ever seen. We’re planning to start an
animation society and want to invite you to join us as a founding member. Are you
interested in joining us?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Being respected and needed by other people.

“Ah, ok, ok,” I said, “I’m willing to join you.”

“Then . . .” Jiang Xueran said, “do you have any ideas or requirements?”

I replied straight away. “I don’t have any requirements.”

At that time, I seemed to see a glint behind Jiang Xueran’s lenses. But, how was the
person I was then able to look into someone’s heart?

In this newly minted society, everyone had the same interests. And I was a
founding member! For me, it was as if the world had opened a bright window right
in front of me. I poured all my energy into Yueying. We rented the cheapest room,
and I stayed in there 24/7, figuring out how best to decorate the place. I pasted
every inch of wallpaper by myself. I didn’t eat a proper meal for a week, just instant
noodles, so that I could buy the little monk ornament that I loved but could not
bear to buy for myself, and placed it in the studio; I . . . .

I thought I finally had it all.

However, I never thought that they would be no different from the others.

They were also lazy, and were stingy about spending small sums of money, while
foolishly spending bigger amounts. Splitting a small sum of prize money would
incite great arguments. They had to rely on me to place well in competitions, but
also seemed to be unwilling to admit this.

I still worked extremely hard. I worked hard preparing performance outfits for
everyone else, I worked hard saving money just so we could buy a new set of props,
I worked hard to keep every nook and cranny of our studio clean. Even when they
told me to buy breakfast, run errands, do anything and everything . . . I did it all.

I only wanted to work hard, to work really hard, to keep this group going, to not let
it fall apart.

But, what was the point?

Gradually, they were becoming less and less diligent about the animation studio,
and treated me less and less nicely.

It was only later that I came to understand: the problem did not lie with them, nor
did it lie with other people. The problem was me.

Since everyone was the same, then it must be that I was the problem. It was just as
Wen Xiaohua said, I was too unrealistic, I didn’t like taking up responsibility, I was
too much of a yes-man and had no personality, right?

……

“No, Ke Qian, you are not the problem. Even though the people around you all
behave that way, they are still in the wrong.”

She spoke to me in a gentle and patient tone. “You have dreams, you take things
seriously, you are hardworking, you are kind to everyone – what’s wrong with that?
They are the ones who don’t understand how to treasure a wonderful person like
you.”

I looked up at her, my tears about to fall.

Just like the first day we had reunited.

Beautiful and exceptional Ke Ai, Ke Ai who tenderly and regretfully looked at me.
She was really in front of me.

She was so silly; she kept apologising to me. How could I blame her? In my heart,
she and I were the same person.

Those three months were the happiest time of my life. Ke Ai was too good, so kind
and intelligent. She withdrew all her savings, a portion of it was the sum her
adoptive parents had given her, to support me. She let me use this money to fund
my undertaking – to set up an animation company.
I only wanted to be with her. So, I watched her, noticed her every movement, made
note of how she spoke. She was truly too perfect. At night, alone in my little
wooden hut, I even imitated her; I could not help myself. At times, just like when we
were small, I would pester her to change clothes with me. Thus, we exchanged
identities, and I even attended a class on her behalf. I wore a silk scarf which
covered most of my face, and deliberately made my voice higher in pitch, to sound
like her. Unexpectedly, not one of her school mates could tell I was not her.

Occasionally, she would visit my little wooden hut, and I would give her a cosplay
costume to change into, and apply her makeup. She was so beautiful, far more
beautiful than me.

I was afraid of what people would think, so I did not tell that the money was from
my older sister. I said that our studio, and how it had transformed over time, had
caught the eye of a venture investor. I thought that this would give everyone more
confidence. And, that night, they all seemed to have been moved by my words.

I thought that things would take a turn for the better.

I thought that I could finally live my dream.

……

That night, I stood outside the window, my tears flowing endlessly. I saw Ke Ai
lying, unmoving, on the ground; I saw them put her in a woven bag. I could only
register that my eyes could no longer see the stars in the sky, nor could they see
the ground under my feet. How could life be like this, how could people change
until I could no longer recognise them?

Oh, Ke Ai, Ke Ai, such a beautiful and pure girl.

How did you lose your life on such an ordinary and tranquil night?

I felt like I was in a dream.

But I was such a gutless worm. I covered my mouth and did not let myself make
any sound. I hid in a corner outside, watching them carry Ke Ai’s body and walk
into the distance. Because I knew, if I revealed myself at that time, all that awaited
me was death.

So, in the end, it turns out that death is so easy. It is by your side, it is in the ugly
desires of the human heart.

……

I sluiced the floor of the wooden hut with water over and over again, and used
methods I had found online to remove pig’s blood, tomato stains and so on, to
obliterate all traces of Ke Ai’s blood. I even cut my finger and dripped my blood in
many places.

……

After that, I sat in front of the mirror, and handed the hair in my hand over to the
hairdresser.

The hairdresser was utterly shocked. “What is this?”

I replied, “Hair extensions.”

The expression on the hairdresser’s face was not pretty. However, after I handed
him a few big bills, he did not say anything, and carefully stuck on each strand of
hair.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Black hair flourished like a memory, a longing.

I used an eyebrow pencil and a powder puff to trace her delicate eyebrows.

I took up lipstick and lightly applied it.

I looked up and smiled at the hairdresser faintly.

The hairdresser stood unmoving, completely stunned.

I picked up my bag, put on my lady’s coat, and walked into the drizzle outside the
door.

I put on a silk scarf, covering my neck and most of my face.

My heels clicked crisply as I walked, and the rain water converged into little
streams around my feet. Look at my graceful figure, look at me, the bride with
white hair*, look at the dagger in my heart, look at me . . .

*T/N 红颜白发 (hong yan bai fa) – literally, ‘pretty face, white hair’. This is the
theme song of the 1993 wuxia Hong Kong movie, ‘The Bride with White Hair’. The
male lead, Zhuo Yihang, is tasked to lead a coalition force to battle an evil cult. He
falls in love with the female lead, Lian Nichang, an orphan taken in by the cult. She
leaves the cult, but is blamed by the coalition forces for the deaths of Zhuo
Yihang’s comrades and attacked by them. Zhuo Yihang is forced to turn against
her, and the betrayal causes her to transform into a white-haired, vicious (but still
beautiful) killer.

Finally, I no longer have to submit to this world which has long crushed my dreams.

I raised my head and looked – finally, the sky was clear after the light fall of rain had
abated for the moment.

I smiled with such happiness.

Ke Qian, I am Ke Ai. I have come home.

Chapter 58

In truth, I was dead since the day you left me.

The shell of my body* which remained was tranquil and even-tempered, and I passed
my days calmly and steadily.
*T/N 躯壳 (qu qiao) – refers to the body as a housing for the soul

I even thought I was living a particularly vigorous and active life.

— Fu Ziyu

I’ve had a dream since the time I was very, very young.
I dreamt of being with you, that we would be inseparable even in old age.

— Han Yumeng

Outside the window, the rain pattered steadily, and there was no telling when it
would stop. A grey mist enshrouded the earth. This city was like a dreamscape.

Fu Ziyu’s hands suddenly felt a little cold. He looked down at the woman in his
arms. She was sound asleep, both hands were tightly clenched as she curled up in
his embrace, as if she had exhausted her entire lifetime of reserves.

Fu Ziyu could not stop looking at her. He smiled and very carefully got off the bed,
making sure not to startle her.

Day had just broken. It felt as if everything was still asleep.

In a short while, he emerged from the kitchen with two sets of breakfast, light and
delicate. In the past few years, he had had to take care of Bo Jinyan. As a result of
that, this pampered person* had developed good cooking skills.

*T/N 双手不沾阳春水 (shuang shou bu zhan yang chun shui) – a version of 十指不
沾阳春水, where 双手 = both hands and 十指 (shi zhi) – ten fingers. 阳春 = spring
time in March i.e. very cold weather; 阳春水 = very cold water. The metaphor
usually refers to a young lady whose hands do not have to touch cold water i.e. do
her own washing even in the coldest weather. In general, a pampered young lady
who does not do her own housework.

Han Yumeng had already woken up, and was sitting by the side of the bed,
combing her hair. Her pajama top was sliding off one shoulder, and her crow-black
hair was still a little messy. In that split second, Fu Ziyu felt like he had gone back in
time to that year, when his delicate lady, so pleased with herself, had sat on his
shirt, combing her beautiful hair.

Uncontrollable feelings. It turned out that, in that precise moment, the emotion in
his heart was just like the falling rain, uncontrollable.

He walked over to her and hugged her from behind. Han Yumeng remained still,
only gently squeezing his arms. Suddenly, his passion overcame him, and he
pushed her onto the bed once again and kissed her frenziedly. Han Yumeng could
see the sky outside the window clearly, but she could not discern the expression in
his eyes. The emotion in his eyes had always been as clear as water, easily read.
However, right now, it was as if an entire world was concealed in his eyes.

She made up that entire world. From the day she returned, his only focus had been
to watch over her, hold her, listen to her, not let her be afraid.

After making out for some time, they decided to eat breakfast. She said, “It’s very
delicious.” Fu Ziyu smiled faintly and said, “Really? I’m longing for that year when
we had both just entered university, and you made me a heart-shaped seafood
pizza to celebrate the occasion.” Han Yumeng looked at him and her tears started
to fall. He simply kept smiling tenderly and calmly, as if he had no inkling of all the
crises they had faced.

The sky had just brightened by the time they finished breakfast. Fu Ziyu suggested
going for a walk. This was the first and only walk they had taken after being
reunited. Han Yumeng was initially a little hesitant, but, after looking into his eyes,
she found that she was unable to refuse. Moreover, Fu Ziyu’s hand brushed her ear
in a seemingly casual manner, and reached behind it to touch the soft skin. There
was a miniature monitoring device implanted there. Han Yumeng trembled
slightly, but he only turned his head and hugged her shoulders.

It was summer. The neighbourhood lake was covered in lotus leaves, giving rise to
an impression of a wide expanse of green, rippling water, an abundance of green.
They walked by the lakeside for a while until they got hot. The sky was also bright,
and the merchants and hawkers were setting up their stalls. He bought an ice
cream for her to eat. Han Yumeng held it and said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve
eaten matcha ice cream.” Fu Ziyu said, “Really? What flavours did they have
there?” She replied, “Cinnamon, cocktail; South American flavours were generally
more popular.” “Oh,” said Fu Ziyu.

When she had finished the ice cream, Fu Ziyu stood up and declared, “Let’s watch a
movie.”

Han Yumeng felt somewhat alarmed. However, Fu Ziyu said, with a faint smile, “It’s
all right, there are plenty of people in the cinema. Nothing bad can happen there.”

For no reason, Han Yumeng’s heart ached. She had told him that she had been
forced to do some bad things in the years that she had been held by the serial
killer. As a result, she had to avoid the police; as a result, it had taken her so long to
acknowledge their relationship; as a result, they could not let Bo Jinyan know. He
had made no comment after she had finished speaking, and had really not told
anyone about her existence, not even his best friend, Bo Jinyan. His words at this
moment, were they just to console her that there was no risk of exposure, or had he
already noticed something?

However, he was right. There were so many cinemas, so many people. Even though
they may not be able to hide from the killer, and despite the fact that he would be
furious, he would not be able to ambush them in public.

So, they actually went to watch a movie.

They watched a newly released romantic thriller. At first, the scene was particularly
beautiful and pure, with much poetic significance. However, when the ruthless
killer appeared on screen, Han Yumeng dropped her gaze, unwilling to look. But,
her eyes were clear and cold. It was just like those past years, that girl who loathed
crimes and courageously took a stand against them. And, at this moment, in the
dim cinema hall, Fu Ziyu had turned his head and was looking at her, for a long
time.

Later, the female lead embraced the male lead, weeping bitter tears. She said they
were not destined to be together. She said, in the end, the sky was so high, and so
blue. She said, it was not fated for her to be by his side. And, the grim and resolute
male lead just kept holding her, a lifetime of sorrow in his eyes.

Han Yumeng covered her face with her hands and cried soundlessly. Fu Ziyu’s eyes
also seemed to glimmer with tears. At the end of the movie, he said softly and
huskily, “Joe, do you think those two are like us?” Han Yumeng’s voice was choked
with sobs as she instinctively rejected the idea. “No, not at all!” He held her hand
and said, “Ok, we are not like them.”

They had lunch at the shopping mall. Out of habit, Fu Ziyu led her to a restaurant
selling live seafood. It was only after he had sat down that he remembered, and
said, “I’m sorry, I forgot you don’t really like to eat fish.” Han Yumeng did not like to
eat fish; on that boat floating towards South America, she had felt nauseous every
day due to the fishy smell. However, she merely smiled and said, “It’s fine, I’ll eat.”

When the dishes arrived, neither of them made a move to eat. Fu Ziyu picked up an
entire fish with his chopsticks and placed it on his plate. He then picked up some
lotus root slices and shredded meat and served her, saying, “Let’s divide the work.
What you cannot finish eating, I will eat – just like before.”

Han Yumeng replied, “Ah, ok.” At that moment, she felt a great sense of peace in
her heart. Indeed, it was such that she felt the sheer greed of wanting to hold on
this tender, safe moment. She looked at him and laughed.

On the other hand, Fu Ziyu stilled in amazement. “This is the first time you’ve
laughed so happily in the past few days. It’s beautiful.”
Han Yumeng was stunned. However, she heard him say, softly, “It’s just as I
remember.”

They ate rather slowly, so it was afternoon by the time they finished. What should
the two of them do now? In that case, they might as well stroll around the shopping
mall together. Fu Ziyu had always paid particular attention to his dressing and
appearance, and some of this had even rubbed off on those two otakus, Bo Jinyan
and An Yan, thus helping them develop better taste. At this moment, looking at the
dazzling array of autumn wear, he said, “Come with me! I’m going to pick some
new clothes. You should pick some, too, the season is going to change soon.”

Han Yumeng said, “No need.” However, he insisted on holding her hand, and
smiled slightly as he said, “Previously, didn’t you use to love giving me ties, shirts
and belts? And you even used to secretly save your pocket money to buy them for
me. You also loved the dresses I gave you. Let’s buy some today.” Han Yumeng
found herself pulled along by him. She walked faster, and her footsteps were light.
After a while, she could not help but laugh.

The afternoon passed quickly. Both of them held a large iced drink in their hands,
exactly like the many young couples on romantic dates. In a women’s clothing
store, he held her drink, he selected clothes for her, his taste was impeccable, he
stood behind her, always with a little glint in his eyes. She tried on the outfits, one
by one. Under the effusive praise of the sales assistant, and the deeply profound
yet gentle gaze of Fu Ziyu, she seemed to recall the shyness of her youth, as well as
a bright resolve to face the future courageously, come what may. Later, after
discussion, they settled on a few items, he paid the bill, and they resumed their
stroll.

It was much simpler in a men’s clothing store, because his taste was impeccable.
He only selected two items, but both items suited him perfectly when he tried them
on. She also picked out something for him, and she was absolutely clear about his
size and build, as well as the most appropriate colour for him. He did not even try
on whatever she picked out, but simply paid the bill straightaway.
“Hey,” she laughingly asked, “do all doctors in this country have such high
salaries?”

He laughed as he replied, “Yup. Right now, I am an excellent doctor, and I’m also a
partner in our company.”

Then Fu Ziyu entered the changing room, and Han Yumeng waited outside. After
some time, when she looked up, she saw that he had already changed and come
out. She suddenly felt that the man in front of her was something of a stranger.

Very clean-cut short hair, whereas, previously, his hair had been fluffy. He wore a
jet black suit with a light-coloured shirt, his brow and jaw lines were both soft yet
incredibly handsome. His hands were fair and slender, the typical hands of a
surgeon. He was no longer that passionate boy in his early twenties; he was thirty
years old, a calm and collected, gentle young man, no matter what the situation or
place.

Han Yumeng looked at him, just continued looking at him from the back, and felt
foolish. A thought came to her mind – he was, surprisingly, exactly as she had
imagined he would be at thirty years old.
Chapter 59

At this time, Fu Ziyu suddenly looked up and looked all around him. His face
changed, and he asked the customer service assistant beside him, “Where’s the
young lady who came with me?” He had not noticed Han Yumeng was behind him.
She immediately came forward and said, “Ziyu, I’m here.” Fu Ziyu’s expression
relaxed when he saw her. The assistant lowered her head to smile as she walked
away. He held her hand and said, self-mockingly, “I was afraid you’d left again.”
Han Yumeng was briefly silent before she replied, “How could I do that? I don’t ever
want to leave you again.” Her voice was too flat. Fu Ziyu dropped the clothes he
was holding, turned, and hugged her.

The shop assistants remained silent, and the passers-by continued hurrying by.
They embraced for a long, long time.

——

It was dark. As the twilight closed around them, Fu Ziyu stood at the ground floor of
his apartment block, watching her drive away in her unremarkable black car. A day
had passed. A once-in-a-lifetime day, when he had been blessed with her presence
next to him once again, had ended. He wanted to smile, but he found his eyes were
already full of tears. He turned and went upstairs. Each step felt as if he was
walking in the wilderness.

He got home and turned on the lights. The entire apartment was silent and grey. He
pulled open the curtains and stood in front of the window for a long time, as if he
was likely to stand that way until the end of time.

Han Yumeng returned to a hidden location. The interior was dark, and that man
was not sitting quietly by the window waiting for her, as was his usual practice. She
felt her entire body go weak, and she almost collapsed. The many shopping bags in
her hands fell to the ground.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her in a chokehold from behind. She felt cold all over,
but she still had to keep up the pretence of being calm and keep on smiling, as if
she were enjoying herself.

“You stayed with him for the whole day,” that man hissed into her ear.

She laughed lightly. “Wasn’t that your plan? Lure him, deceive him, and, in the end,
sink him together with Simon King?”

“Yeah.” That man abruptly let go of her, and threw her onto the floor. Han Yumeng
struck her head on the wall. In the darkness, fresh blood flowed and blurred her
vision, and she could no longer see clearly.

——

“Ziyu, please believe me. I would never deceive you.”

“I know.”

“We have to wait for the right time, then we’ll escape together to some faraway
place.”

“Ok.”

“You’ll have to leave your friends because of me. Are you willing to?”

“ . . . I’m willing.” He smiled faintly as he said, “Jinyan already has Jian Yao. So,
even though I’m going with you to some place far away, I can be at ease.”

.....

“I’m sorry, Ziyu, how much do you have to lose for my sake?”

“But I’ve got you.”

“You are really . . . willing to trust me?”

“I trust you.”

“Why?”

“Because you are my one true love.”

……

On the day of their escape, everything initially went smoothly. She ‘abducted’ Fu
Ziyu as per the masked killer’s plan, but, in front of him, Han Yumeng removed the
monitoring device behind her ear. At that time, a grey mist flashed across his eyes.

After that, it was a series of escape plans set into motion.

She managed to lure away* the sniper stationed in the opposite building.

*T/N 调虎离山计 (diao hu li shan) – lit. to lure the tiger away from its mountain
domain; fig. to lure an enemy away from his territory

She employed a crafty plan to leave no traces behind*, changing to an identical car
which, however, did not have the explosives planted in it by the masked killer, and
drove off in exactly the same direction.

*T/N 金蝉脱壳 (jin chan tuo qiao) – lit. the cicada sheds its carapace; fig. to vanish
leaving an empty shell; a crafty escape plan.

She was certain that the masked killer was presently west of Beijing, in the
direction of the animation industry park, so she headed north with Fu Ziyu,
planning to disappear into the wilds of the Mongolian grasslands before
reappearing. Not even the masked killer could track the whereabouts of a bird in
the icy vastness of Siberia.
Originally, everything was going smoothly.

They were driving at high speed along a straight highway when twilight
approached. She whispered, “Ziyu, I’m sorry, I tricked you! The masked killer was
controlling me all the time, his power and influence far surpasses your
expectations, and he is even stronger than Xie Han, whom Simon King captured. I
have been waiting for this opportunity. Let’s flee far away, and he won’t be able to
threaten or hurt our friends any more!”

Fu Ziyu held her hand gently and said, “Ok. When you’re tired of driving, trade
places with me. My driving is not bad.”

Han Yumeng was thoroughly taken aback. It was only then that she realised that he
actually knew everything, and had known it for a while.

She turned her head to look at him. Out of the blue, her tears fell. “Why didn’t you
ask me anything these past few days?” You just happily followed me.
Fu Ziyu simply looked at her tenderly, with his usual gentle expression on his
bright, handsome features.

“Yumeng, I also considered if I should tell Bo Jinyan,” he said. “But, I know,

whether or not you’re still under the control of the masked killer right now, in these
past few years, your hands have been stained with blood. Jinyan, he detests all
that is evil. If I told him, not only would it make things difficult for him and Jian Yao,
you would also definitely be sent to prison. So, I decided to be selfish and just think
of myself first, just this once. I didn’t tell him.”

“I knew that it would be dangerous to leave with you. I also knew that we would
have to keep moving from place to place from now onwards. The first day that you
returned, I thought for a long time. I thought about the life that I have remaining,
and what I cared about. I care about Jinyan, and I care about my friends. However,
they can still live happily without me around. I care about my relatives, but, in
truth, from the time you disappeared, I drifted apart from our relatives on both
sides. I care about my work as a doctor, but, if I go with you to Siberia, even in that
land of ice and snow, I can still open a little clinic and treat the locals there. That
would be wonderful.”

“For many years, I thought that I had been living well. I took care of Jinyan, I helped
many patients, I had a lot of girlfriends. However, on looking back now, I’ve
realised that I was dead from the time you left me. The empty shell* that remained
was calm and even-tempered, and lived each day smoothly and steadily, thinking
that it was living energetically.”

*T/N 躯壳 (qu qiao) – the body which houses the soul

“You’ve said before that the standard by which we should measure happiness in
life is not by length, but by whether we have always loved each other. It is only now
that I truly understand the meaning of these words. I want to be with you; wherever
we go, however long we live, whether it is for a day or two days, no matter the
danger, all that is not important. I love you, and nothing has ever changed nor will
ever change my love for you. As long as I am with you, even if it is for one minute, or
one second, I have already been blessed beyond measure.”

……

When the sky turned dark, Fu Ziyu took over the driving. Han Yumeng leaned
slightly against the seat, looking at his profile in the darkness. This was the
happiest moment of her entire life. She knew he felt the same way.

For just a random second, Han Yumeng looked up at the white poplar trees lining
the road.

Vaguely, she had a blurred impression of a mask amidst the trees.

She once again saw that sinister, ash-grey clown mask.

In a flash, her heart was gripped by an icy sensation and her entire body trembled
slightly. She slowly turned her head and looked at Fu Ziyu by her side. He was
completely unaware of this situation; the corners of his mouth were still upturned
in a warm smile. When he noticed her looking at him, he once again held her hand
gently.

How could he appear here? How could the masked killer appear here? She had
definitely confirmed, had seen it herself, that he had gone to the west of Beijing
today. Where on earth had she made a mistake?

However, there was already no way of finding out.

When they pulled Fu Ziyu from the car, Han Yumeng snatched out the gun from
under the seat and let off a burst of frenzied shots, but she could not pinpoint their
enemies. She raised the gun to her temple and shut her eyes.
Chapter 60

He waited downstairs. The moon was like a piece of brilliantly shining jade,
suspended over the skyscrapers.

They say that a woman’s heart is fickle, and difficult to understand. He finally came
to understand that after having loved her for these past several years.

He rested his hand on the car door and fidgeted while lighting a cigarette. After
quite a while, he finally heard the sharp, clear sound of footsteps. It was her,
walking down gracefully.

In the deep night, she was so beautiful, like a sprite who had not returned home.
He smiled when he saw her, and all his vexation retreated to the back of his mind.

What is love, really? These days, who could explain it clearly?

In any case, she had already become the centre of his thoughts these many years,
and the habit of loving her was deeply etched into his bones. If he was
unsuccessful, his feelings would really be in the pits.

“It’s so late, why are you here?” she chided him.

This is exactly what he both loves and hates. Her attitude towards him is forever
stuck between treating him as a lover and treating him as a friend.

He held her hand and said, “Stay with me.”

She instantly flushed, blinked her eyes and looked at him. “What happened to you
today?”

She was always this perceptive and intelligent; he had indeed encountered a lot of
frustration at work today. However, he didn’t feel like answering her, and asked in
return, “Do you still think of him?”
She bowed her head and said, vaguely, “Not really . . .”

Today, she was unexpectedly meek and agreeable. When he drummed up enough
courage to kiss her cheek, she not only didn’t get angry or run away, she even
turned red. He was ecstatic, and his heart thumped noisily in his chest.

“You . . . you’re really willing to do anything for me, huh?” she asked softly in the
dark night.

“Yes,” he almost immediately answered.

She gently held his fingers without speaking. Actually, there was a trace of
melancholy and helplessness concealed in her face.

……

When he drove away, he raised his eyes subconsciously. He once again saw that
pair of eyes in the building.

That pair of eyes, hidden in the darkness, was looking at him with bitter
resentment, staring at him.

He smiled coldly and resumed facing forward.

There was heavy traffic on the road, and the neon lights rippled off the glass. At
some point, he stopped at a traffic light. A butterfly flitted here and there before
landing on his car. He looked at the butterfly, which also seemed to look at him.
Then, it flapped its wings and took off again.

He was shaken. That was the butterfly he had seen in his dreams.

——
Xun City was located in the southern hinterland. It was not a very big city, but the
scenery was beautiful, and the climate was mild and pleasant for living in.
The head of the city’s criminal investigation team was Shao Yong, an old man
nearing 50 years in age. Although he was getting on in age, he was in robust health,
and his features were upright and honourable. He always wore a black jacket, and
he was just as active and energetic as the other younger investigators. Anyone
looking at him would consider him a very handsome man. Old, but handsome. An
old general.

This morning, before work officially started, Shao Yong had been sitting in his office
eating xiaolongbao*. At the same time, he had been playing chess – right hand
versus left hand. It had been a snatched moment of leisure, a time for him to enjoy
himself quietly.

*小笼包 (xiao long bao) – a type of steamed Chinese bun. The skin is translucent
rather than doughy, and it is usually filled with minced pork and vegetables in
‘soup’ (actually gelled aspic).

A clerk ran in to give his report. “Team Leader Shao, the person-in-charge is
working out the procurement order for the next quarter. I will include the
additional shirts, socks and shoes for the team members, as per your previous
note.”

Shao Yong did not look up but said, “Good.”

“Anything else to add?”

Shao Yong retired a pawn, and said, “Ah, that’s right, allow the canteen to procure
some fresh fish, to be served regularly to our criminal investigation team.”

“All right.”

The clerk left. Shao Yong played chess for a while more before lifting his head to
look out of the window. Clouds floated quietly in the azure sky. The green hills in
the distance were just like a man, looking down in silence at the small city from a
height. Heaven was really great; last month, they had cracked a murder case, and
had even captured, without planning to, a Class A fugitive who had escaped to the
city from another province. There were no major cases this month, and the world
was too peaceful. These were the lazy and carefree days that all criminal
investigators loved, and which were hard to come by.

However, in this world, how was it possible to have days which were truly free from
worry?

Not long after, a colleague hurriedly knocked at the door. “Chief, we have a case. A
female corpse has just been discovered in Wangjiang Park.”
Shao Yang put the chess board away and put his hands behind his back. “Come,
let’s go and see.”

——
Wangjiang Park was situated in the western part of Xun City. It occupied a vast
area, and was the place the city’s residents most loved to visit. Usually, there were
so many people in the park that they resembled the crawfish, crowded together in
the river, but, this morning, even before the park could open, it had been sealed
up. In all probability, the park authorities had also been badly spooked by the
sudden appearance of the corpse. However, when Shao Yang arrived, he praised
the park authorities for doing a good job.
Wangjiang Park was surrounded on all sides by high walls, and it was simply not
possible for an ordinary person to surmount them. There were four entrances,
located north, south, east and west. Moreover, the corpse had been discovered in a
grove in one of the most remote locations deep in the park.
The sun was already high in the sky, and the police officers had formed a tight ring
around the grove. Shao Yong squatted by the side of the corpse and frowned in
concentration.

In front of him was a cobbled path which extended into the grove from the distant
main road. There was no scenery of note here and it was quite deserted*. Hence,
the likelihood of the corpse being discovered was very low.

*人迹罕至 (ren ji han zhi) – lit. men’s footprints are rare; fig. off the beaten track;
deserted.

The female corpse was lying on the cobbled path.

She was wearing a white, short-sleeved T-shirt, black exercise shorts and sports
shoes. She was of average height, skinny, and of ordinary build. She looked to be in
her twenties, with short hair, fair skin, a delicate nose with a high bridge, slightly
plump lips, and a sprinkle of freckles on her face. She was the type of person who
would not attract much attention when thrown into the general mass of people.

A mass of purple bruises encircled her neck. Apart from that, for the moment, there
seemed to be no other trauma.

If it had been merely this on the body, it would not have caused the police force to
react with such a big hue and cry.

Shao Yong put on gloves, and gently touched the girl’s hand. Both hands had been
bound with rope and fastened to the top of her head. Both ankles were also bound.
Then, all of them had been painted with black oil paint.

A smooth stone slab was under her body. Two huge black wings were painted on it
with the same oil paint. Pink decorative designs were painted on the wings, making
it look as if the compound eyes of many insects were blinking and staring at
everyone.
And, it really seemed as if the person was a soft grub, trapped in their midst.

“Just like a butterfly . . .” exclaimed a young criminal investigator at one side.

Shao Yong felt a chill run through his entire being. He looked at the criminal
investigator and stood up.

“Chief, is the murderer a psychopath?” the young criminal investigator asked

hurriedly.

Shao Yong replied, “We can’t rule out any possibility at the moment.”

“Since we may be dealing with a psychopath, then do we want to . . . ask that

person to come?”

Shao Yong thought briefly, but smiled and said, “No, no need. Don’t tell him for the
moment. Make a call to Beijing and ask the criminal psychologists for help.”

——
In the evening, Jian Yao sat alone in front of the window, staring blankly into the
twilight.

At this time, the office of the criminal investigation team was quiet as everyone had
gone out to eat. It seemed as if, with the passing of each day, Jian Yao
correspondingly preferred to be alone. This quiet and solitary state helped her to
feel at peace. It helped her to feel as if she had received something, and could
secretly hope for something.

Fang Qing pushed open the door and walked in. His forehead was beaded in sweat,
and his wet shirt was stuck to his back. After that case, the left side of his face had
gained a new scar which would never fade. This caused the originally handsome
man to look even more grim.
Chapter 61

Fang Qing looked at Jian Yao, who was completely uncommunicative*. He sat
opposite her at her table, lit a cigarette and smoked it slowly.

*T/N 闷葫芦 (men hu lu) – lit. a closed gourd; fig. an enigma, a taciturn person.

Jian Yao glanced at him but did not say anything. She continued looking out of the
window blankly.

A short while later, the sweat on Fang Qing’s body had dried up and he felt much
better. However, the burning sensation in his heart did not dissipate. He stubbed
out his cigarette butt, looked steadily at her, then launched into a torrent of
rebuke. “What were you thinking during the assignment this afternoon? Do you
have a death wish? When did the criminal investigation team give the female
criminal psychologist the mission of chasing down criminals?”

Jian Yao was not angry, and looked at him especially calmly. “I seem to have
nabbed the suspect in a perfectly intact state, and there were no slip-ups.”

“Sure, there were no slip-ups!” Fang Qing laughed grimly. “If there had been slip-
ups, would we still be standing here having this conversation? You, girl, you’ve
been learning hand-to-hand combat with me for a year, and now you’ve decided
I’m not worth your notice since you’re better than me? So, the criminals no longer
have to be dealt with by me, a true-blue criminal investigator, they can all go to
you, someone who isn’t actually trained for the job*?”

*T/N 半路出家 (ban lu chu jia) – lit. to leave home halfway.

But Jian Yao just smiled faintly, and said, “It must be because you’ve been in
Beijing for quite a long time, your pronunciation is much better now. When we first
met you in the ancient city, you couldn’t differentiate between ‘n’ and ‘l’.”
On seeing that she was not willing to give in, still refusing to address the main issue
while only talking about trivial matters, Fang Qing fell silent for a bit. Finally, he still
had to say something. “‘We’? You and that chap who left without saying goodbye?
Do you have this idea that, for every day he doesn’t return, that’s another day you
have to push yourself to the limit? You get up earlier than everyone else, you work
later than everyone else. You disregard your body. Take a look at your injuries!” He
grabbed her arm in a swift move. Pain shot through Jian Yao and she hissed softly.
Her sleeve fell back and exposed two freshly-made, bloody, welts — these had
occurred when she fell while apprehending the suspect earlier. It was not only
those; her entire arm featured overlapping bruises, both old and new. These were
all due to her practising hand-to-hand combat with the other criminal
investigators.

The expression on Jian Yao’s face was cold as she pulled her arm back and rolled
the sleeve down.

Fang Qing was conscious that he had said too much, but his heart was still
unsettled. So, he tried again, saying, “Don’t do this to yourself again. People who
are trapped by their emotions are foolish c*nts, do you hear?”

Jian Yao remained silent for a moment before looking up. Twilight was
approaching. Soon, dusk would envelop every corner of square, orderly central
police building. The light from a lone star shone dimly on the building roof. The
scene was both familiar and desolate.

She smiled briefly and said, “I’m not being trapped by my feelings. I know very well
what I am doing.”

“What are you doing?”

“I am waiting for him. When he returns, I want to protect him.”

Fang Qing was dumbfounded, and remained so for quite a while. Thus far in his life,
he had seen many firm and unyielding women. Female SWAT team members with
iron wills, forensic investigators without an iota of human warmth, even his own
Jin Xiaozhe. But Jian Yao was not like any of them. She had a kind of strength that
was both soft and tough. When Bo Jinyan left, this strength became more evident.
If one said that the original Jian Yao was a sweet-tempered and pleasant girl, then
this, more bullish personality usually only erupted under intense stress. However,
right now, her temperament was entirely different.

In this year, she had lost considerable weight. Her cheeks and chin had lost their
softness, and the lines of her face were more prominent, giving her the appearance
an obstinate woman. Her skin was also more tanned. Her physique had become
more muscular, but she still retained her graceful and slender figure. However,
Fang Qing felt that her eyes had become even brighter. One could see her
independent and tenacious nature just from her cool, bright eyes.

An old criminal investigator had once told Fang Qing that suffering would mould a
person from the inside out, and Fang Qing could see this clearly when he beheld
Jian Yao. If he were to ask himself, he knew that the greatest crisis he had had to
face in all the years of his life was the continual separation from and reunion with
Jin Xiaozhe. He knew without doubt that he, and anyone else, would never
experience what Jian Yao had experienced.

After a long time, Fang Qing could only spit out one word. “Imbecile.”

Jian Yao just smiled, then touched her stomach and said, “I’m a bit hungry. What
shall we eat?”

“What else can we eat?” Fang Qing threw his cigarette butt into the rubbish bin.
“Today, we’ve caught such a big criminal, how can we not go to ‘Xiaohong’s
Barbecued Meat’ to drink beer and eat some skewers!”

Jian Yao laughed. “Great idea!”

——

In ordinary life, Xiaohong would possibly be nothing but a nameless passer-by.

However, Xiaohong’s barbecued meat was reasonably-priced, substantial, and
flavoursome, and the stall opened till very late. Thus, those men who were seeking
to unload the burdens they had accumulated during the day always liked to
patronise the stall at night. Eat ten skewers of lamb, two raw oysters, drink half a
dozen beers. The day would seem perfect.

When had Jian Yao become one of the rough, tough criminal investigators?

Probably, from the day there was no longer a picky and meticulous man waiting for
her at home.

The street lamp shone dimly and the big fan blew air at them. Fang Qing grabbed a
clean and spacious table, with a view of the river under the nearby bridge. Fang
Qing felt immensely pleased at the prospect of eating barbecued meat while
soaking in the river view. He felt that he was adding to the occasion the culture and
romance that he, as a criminal investigator from the ancient city, innately
possessed.

He dragged over a plastic stool and shoved it towards Jian Yao. “Leave your
worries behind and eat. Lao Luo will be here later; let’s eat all the good stuff first.”
Jian Yao made a sound of assent. ‘Good stuff’ was the kind of phrase exclusive to
that person from the world of anime, comics and games, An Yan. Fang Qing
probably didn’t even realise he had learnt it from him.

Facing the river, barbecuing the meat, enjoying the breeze from the river. It felt as if
that burden in one’s heart, invisible and inexpressible, yet immeasurably heavy,
could be temporarily put aside for just a while. So, they talked about all the
interesting incidents at the station, about this and that, the both of them smiling
and laughing. A typical frenzied day in the life of a criminal investigator.

Waiting another day was just like this, as peaceful and quiet as the deep river
flowing by.

As expected, Luo Lang arrived shortly.

Jian Yao and Fang Qing smiled when they saw him. A black luxury car, impeccably
attired in a suit, even his cufflinks were shining. Such a high-class man was sure to
cause Xiaohong’s eyes to shine brightly. However, in his hand he had a big carrier
of bright red, freshly-cooked, spicy crayfish.

Luo Lang tossed the bag of crayfish onto the table. Fang Qing lost no time tearing it
open and snagging one. He placed it in his bowl and started removing the shell.
Jian Yao smiled slightly and said, “Lao Luo, have you been busy these past few
days?”

“Yup.” Luo Lang looked at her. The ever-smiling, gentle and caring elder brother
said, “I’ve just finished a murder case; the murderer is that rapist & murderer you
guys caught in the earlier half of this year.”

“Eh?” Jian Yao and Fang Qing looked up. “What was the verdict?”

Luo Lang’s expression was exceptionally tranquil. “I was the defence lawyer, and I
lost. 30 years.”

Jian Yao and Fang Qing gave each other a high five. Luo Lang was not perturbed, as
if the loss of this lawsuit was something that should have happened by rights.
Under the lights, in the dark, his eyes looked at them warmly. Although,
sometimes, everyone had different standpoints, they still seemed to have some
subtle kind of rapport and mutual understanding.

Many things in life are themselves due to fate.

For example, in the past year, due to a freakish combination of factors, the three of
them had unwittingly been drawn together into a circle of friendship.

————

Author’s note:
The author has read some criticism about the side stories not being reasonable: the
masked killer group is not the same as the flower cannibal killer, they are a violent
gang, whereas Xie Han is an artist. If Xie Han were to shoot Bo Jinyan right at the
start and kill him, it’s not that he can’t do this, it’s that it would not be in line with the
mentality of a psychopath.

Also, for Han Yumeng to drag Fu Ziyu to the police station to make a report would be
very difficult. Not only that, on the way there, either they, or Bo Jinyan would have
been shot. Even if they successfully made the report, once the killers, watching from
their hiding spots, realised that the police are investigating, they could shoot and kill
the people in the special investigation team in one swoop. Han Yumeng’s way is not
necessarily the most rational or effective, but her original intention from start to end is
not to get anyone else involved.
In addition, a very important reason, from the point of view of one’s psychological
state, she has very severe post-traumatic stress disorder. She has been under strain and
tortured for many years, the details of which have not been written about. For a
woman who has experienced all those things, fear, insecurity, even paranoia will all
be present. You can’t say ‘surely it’s impossible for a highly educated woman not to
know how to make a police report?’ This is not a plausible concept at all.
Fu Ziyu himself by nature is not firm, decisive and cool-headed. He is gentle and
tender, but, deep in his heart, he has always been a little pessimistic. He really
underestimated the degree of harm that this situation would cause. To him, what Han
Yumeng has undergone is immense suffering, and worthy of great pity. He did not
want her to go to jail, and decided to leave things to luck. With this kind of thinking,
he thought it might be better not to involve Bo Jinyan. In addition, he gave no regard
to whether he would live or die. So, his complicated moods during the situation and
corresponding reactions are reasonable.
Chapter 62

In this world, the only thing which Luo Lang could not bear to witness at this time
was Jian Yao’s grief.

At the beginning of this period of time, Jian Yao was completely beside herself,
constantly in a daze, and everyone could see this. Luo Lang made the rounds of the
hospital, Jian Yao’s apartment, and the station several times a day, almost daily. It
wasn’t as if he was doing anything special. He simply brought her nutritious meals,
gave her information, ferried her to and from work, and even passed on any news
which he had gleaned about Bo Jinyan. He was so meticulous that any onlookers
who did not know them assumed that he was Jian Yao’s husband.

Moreover, at that time, Jian Yao was totally indifferent to everything and everyone.
Fang Qing suspected that she did not care a jot about Luo Lang’s existence.

However, Fang Qing cared.

That f**ker Bo Jinyan was so badly hurt, and left in secrecy. Luo Lang was
constantly circling around Jian Yao from dawn to dusk; what did he mean by it?

Thus, one day, at the ground floor of Jian Yao’s apartment block, when Luo Lang
once again visited Jian Yao with some fruits, he was pulled out of his car by Fang
Qing who had been ‘keeping watch’ for a long time, and roughly pinned against the
wall.

“Luo Lang, right? You, this so called ‘fellow townsperson’, you’re paying so much
special attention to someone else’s wife – aren’t you being too diligent?” Whenever
Fang Qing turned fierce, it was quite scary. His voice was so cold it sent chills down
one’s spine, and his face looked like a demon’s. Not a few hoodlums had been left
quaking in their boots as a result.

Even though Luo Lang was being restrained by Fang Qing, he made no attempt to
defend himself, and his entire face flushed. In a perfectly calm voice, he said,
“Team Leader Fang, I think you are in error. I care for Jian Yao as a friend does, in
the same way that you care for her. I have no improper intentions towards her.”

Fang Qing was stumped for words. Unexpectedly, this joker seemed to be rather
open, and on the level.

However, how could he possibly so easily accept a man’s one-sided statement?

That day, Fang Qing still sent Luo Lang packing, and remarked, “Haha, whether
you’re being honest or treacherous . . . let’s wait and see.”

However, as the saying goes, it takes time to know a person. Later, Fang Qing
gradually discovered that Luo Lang’s interactions with Jian Yao were not so cut
and dried.

Although he cared about Jian Yao, he never overstepped his boundaries, not even
by half a step. He constantly called Jian Yao to eat with him, and ignored their
previous animosity to call Fang Qing as well, while laughingly disregarding Fang
Qing’s cold attitude and close scrutiny. He regularly provided their team with legal
information and treated the other criminal investigators as warmly as he treated
Jian Yao. Occasionally, if it was on the way, he would give Jian Yao a ride, but never
at night, and he also never stayed long. Once, when Jian Yao was meeting her
younger sister, Jian Xuan, she had given in to her moodiness and drunk too much.
Luo Lang had run into her by chance, and he called Fang Qing to arrange for a
female police officer to escort her home. He almost scrupulously toed the line of
proper behaviour when it came to interactions with Jian Yao.

Fang Qing felt that Luo Lang seemed to have no improper intentions towards Jian
Yao.

Taking a step back to consider the situation, even if he did, he was clearly
repressing his feelings, and refusing to even let a hint of them be displayed. Based
on this point, Fang Qing was able to view Luo Lang in a more favourable light.

And, thus, gradually, the three of them got to know each other.
Once, Fang Qing asked Jian Yao, half-jokingly, “What do you think of Luo Lang?”

She replied, “He is a very magnanimous person, with clear-cut and open
objectives. I can sense that he befriended me out of kindness.”

Fang Qing nodded.

Then, he heard Jian Yao continue in a flat tone, “Bo Jinyan is not here. If I feel that
someone is fishy, even if something is just a little off, I won’t make friends with that
person.”

Thus, Fang Qing came to realise even more clearly: in this world, whose heart is not
just like a mirror? It’s just that what each person sees reflected in the mirror is
themselves*, that’s all.

*T/N that is, each person has his or her own way of seeing things.

In time, the three of them got to know each other better, and they actually had a
lot to talk about, so they became truly good friends.

The smell of barbecued meat, mixed with alcohol, drifted into their noses.
However, Luo Lang’s nose was unexpectedly sensitive. He sniffed twice before
asking, “Why do I smell medicine? Who’s been hurt?”

Jian Yao smiled faintly as she replied, “It’s me. It’s a minor injury, nothing serious.”

Fang Qing tsked and said, “This nose is sooooooo incredible.”

Luo Lang ignored him and carried on drinking. He then quietly shifted all the
remaining wine under the table so that the bottles were between his feet.

Fang Qing saw this and laughed without saying anything.

If one could say that Fang Qing, at this point, was someone Jian Yao regarded as an
uncle, then Luo Lang would undoubtedly be her elder brother. The two of them
had a tacit understanding to protect her, and this was in some way the basis of the
rapport between the two older men.

Fang Qing blew out some smoke and jokingly asked, “Why aren’t you bringing your
little girlfriend over?”

Luo Lang laughed and said, “She normally eats western food and drinks red wine,
she’s not used to crayfish and barbecued meat from a roadside stall. Why would I
bring her here?” He gave as good as he got when he teased Fang Qing in retaliation,
“What about your girlfriend who’s like your shadow? Weren’t you going strong
previously? Why haven’t we ever seen you bring her out? Is it inconvenient to be
dating a big star?”

Previously, when he had been seriously injured, Jin Xiaozhe had charged into the
Army Hospital and put the entire city into an uproar.

Fang Qing spat out a piece of crayfish shell and replied coolly, “What do you want
to bring her up for? We’ve broken up.”

Jian Yao patted his shoulder.

Luo Lang’s expression turned grave. “My apologies. I never thought this would
happen to you guys.”

Fang Qing smiled fleetingly before replying, “Your girlfriend doesn’t want to
accompany you to drink beer and eat barbecued meat. My woman, finally, could
no longer bear with my life as a criminal investigator. She said she was afraid to
wake up one day to find that I had already kicked the bucket.”

——
When Jian Yao returned home that night, it was already very late.

Such a big apartment, empty and quiet.

As per usual, she washed up, changed into her pajamas, and read for a bit at the
bedside. Later, she turned off the lights and lay on the bed.

Outside the window, the clouds were thick and there was no starlight. She lay
down for a while, then got up again, and went into the study.

She had kept the study the way it was before. Bo Jinyan’s books and files were
placed in a corner, and Jian Yao had arranged them neatly. She took out a book,
sat in front of the window and read by the light of the lamp for a while.

Then, she looked up at the white board next to the wall.

That was the board Bo Jinyan normally used. At this time, the surface had been
wiped clean, but there was a number in the upper right corner.

341.

Jian Yao got up and walked over to the board, rubbed off the ‘1’ and changed it to
‘2’.

Suddenly, her heart clenched in a spasm of pain, and her eyes prickled. However,
she bowed her head and endured it.

He would come back.

He said he would come back.

What she had to do, was to wait for months, even years, steadfastly. That was all.

However, when would he once again appear before his wife?

It’s not that he cannot be found.

Although he had An Yan with him, it would be very easy for him to vanish without
trace. However, if she actually asked the criminal investigators to look for them, it
wasn’t a sure thing that they would evade discovery.

But, Jian Yao did not try to look for them.

The wind did not have to ask when it could return. Her blind master sleuth would
one day find the road that would lead him home.

Jian Yao looked up and looked out at the night.

The same, deeply mesmerising, lonely night scene also enveloped the top of a
building not far away.

Luo Lang peered through the telescope and observed the lights go off in Jian Yao’s
window. Following that, he also lay on the bed. Without him fully realising what he
was doing, in this past year, he had taken down many of the photographs which
had previously been densely layered all over the wall. Those remaining were all of
Jian Yao, Jian Xuan and Mrs. Jian smiling. Luo Lang lay on the bed and thought
about Jian Yao’s tranquil and gentle expression as they were drinking that night,
and also smiled. He got a glass of water, swallowed five sleeping pills and shut his
eyes.

Only in Fang Qing’s apartment were the lights still shining brightly.

This was the apartment he had rented, one bedroom, neither old nor new, near the
police station. Of late, he had been tossing and turning in his bed, always unable to
sleep well. Might as well do some more exercise before turning in. He had done
goodness knows how many pull-ups at home, followed by push-ups, before taking
a bath and lying on the bed, panting.

After lying down with his eyes shut for a long time, he abruptly wrenched open his
eyes, and got up to grab his cellphone. He opened the photo folder but could only
stare blankly as he remembered that he had deleted all of Jin Xiaozhe’s
photographs from his cellphone when they had quarrelled and broken up.
However, her photographs her news her movements anything which she was even
remotely involved in, all of that was available online.
Fang Qing looked at them for a while, but in the end they just plunged him into a
heart-wrenching turmoil. He was just making things difficult for himself, until at
last he was so tired, he tossed the cellphone aside, pressed his palm against his
face and fell into a deep slumber.
Chapter 63

The clouds covered the green hills. This was a small town in the south, a house on a
hilltop.

The sky turned bright very early, and the sunlight shone into every window. It was
so dazzling, a truly magnificent scene.

However, it was only a solitary house.

Under such blazing sunlight (because he had forgotten to draw the curtains the
previous night), An Yan still slept like the dead until nine o’clock, whereupon he
blearily opened his eyes. He stretched luxuriously before jumping off the bed.

Every otaku gets up on the wrong side of the bed. He adopted a cool expression,
washed up and changed his clothes. Then, he put on his slippers and went ‘pitter
patter’ down the stairs. While walking down, he opened Moments* on his
cellphone. His mood improved considerably when he saw Gu Fangfang’s most
recent cosplay selfie. He silently ‘liked’ her picture and just as silently saved the
picture into his cellphone. After that, he looked up and noticed the sunshine
flooding the house, only then sensing that today would be a good day.

*T/N 朋友圈 (peng you quan) – Moments, the social networking function of
smartphone app WeChat 微信)

He made a beeline for the bedroom in the furthest corner of the first floor.

The door was shut tightly but not locked. This made it more convenient for An Yan
to enter in the event that person had need of anything. He gently pushed the door
open. The room was completely silent, and the curtains were closed, with no gap
between them. There was a heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the room. By the faint
light, An Yan saw that man was still lying, ramrod straight, on the bed, with the
blanket pulled up neatly over him, and his arms and legs placed just so.

He was like a tree as he slept.

Every time he saw him this way, An Yan fell into a momentary silence.

Then, tok tok tok — he rapped relentlessly on the door.

The man on the bed twitched.

An Yan said, “Boss, it’s time to get up.”

For the first time in his life he had met an otaku who stayed up later and slept
longer than he did. An Yan felt that, in some subtle way, he had lost his superior
position.
Bo Jinyan pushed against the bed with his hands and sat up. Then, he reached out
for the sunglasses by the bed and put them on. In the faint light, this man clad in
pajamas looked especially tall and frail. An Yan watched him quietly for a few
seconds before turning towards the kitchen.

An Yan finished preparing breakfast not long after. Bo Jinyan had also finished
washing up and was sitting in the dining room. He had already changed into a shirt
and trousers, and was still wearing his sunglasses.

An Yan muttered, “Can’t you take off those things since you’re at home?”

“No,” Bo Jinyan replied.

An Yan dropped the subject.

There is a prejudiced view that a blind person is taciturn and like a lost, wandering
soul. However, not every blind person fit this view. Although this man was blind, his
nose had become sensitive, like never before. He had only been seated for a
second when he sniffed twice and his face turned black. “Egg sandwiches again?
That you’ve been able to maintain your record of zero improvement in your
culinary skills over the period of a year is truly remarkable.”
An Yan was totally unaffected. What otaku would ever be shamed by his culinary
skills? He even smiled faintly as he said, “You’re wrong, I’ve maintained my record
of nil improvement over 26 years.”

Bo Jinyan was speechless.

An Yan lowered his head to eat. Bo Jinyan’s fork flipped around on the plate a few
times, for the food was really hard to swallow. He had a lingering memory of the
varied breakfasts that Jian Yao used to prepare every morning, but the moment he
realised he was reminiscing, he willed himself to stop immediately.

“Can’t you even fry some fish?” Bo Jinyan asked.

An Yan said, “Didn’t we just eat that two days ago? Moreover, who eats fish for
breakfast?” He glanced at Bo Jinyan and continued, “You can’t see, so it’s not a
good idea to eat too much fish. What if you choke? You mean, you even expect me
to help you pick out fishbones?”

“Haha . . .” Bo Jinyan replied. “You’re too anxious. Even if I shut my eyes I can still
spit out every single bone from an entire fish.”

It was An Yan’s turn to be speechless.

He really did not want to talk to this man any more. However, when he looked up,
he caught sight of the two dark circles of Bo Jinyan’s sunglasses, as well as his well-
defined, handsome and jet-black eyebrows. In that instant, An Yan’s heart
softened, and he decided to compromise. “At most, I’ll go to the supermarket again
today, and buy some fish burgers, fish sausages and fish balls. If there’s fresh fish,
you can buy one.”

Bo Jinyan nodded, signalling his agreement.

After the meal, An Yan really did not want to wash the dishes. He pushed them into
the pond* and pretended not to see them. He started the car, and the two men
went down the hill.

*池子 (chi zi) – literally, a pond. My guess is that there is a ‘pond’ of water and
unwashed dishes in the sink . . .

This place was Xun City, located in the southern hinterland. It was neither big nor
small. Bo Jinyan had chosen to live here only because he had previously interacted
with someone here. Even the house they were renting had been arranged for them
by that same person.

They reached the city criminal investigation unit very quickly. When An Yan
stopped the car, Bo Jinyan had already grasped his walking stick, and made his
way slowly up the flight of steps, inch by inch. This impeccably attired man, with
his handsome and slim appearance, walking into the interior of the criminal
investigation unit, was actually blind. People often raised their eyebrows at the
sight. Now and then, soft comments were also uttered. Bo Jinyan always remained
unmoved. An Yan was the same. He stuck his hands in his trouser pockets and
walked steadily forward behind Bo Jinyan, unwavering.

However, today, they did not attain their objective.

The criminal investigator in charge of receiving them said, apologetically,

“Professor Bo, Xiao An, so sorry! At the last minute, our chief was asked to meet an
important guest. However, the follow-up information on the case which Professor
Bo helped us to crack the previous time is here. If you have any other requests, you
can pass them directly to me.”
An Yan took the information and Bo Jinyan simply said, “Thank you.”

The criminal investigator wanted to continue exchanging niceties with them, but
Bo Jinyan inclined his ear to listen attentively to the activity in the office. Suddenly,
he smiled, and asked, “What’s the big case that you’re busy with now?”
The criminal investigator was dumbfounded. He noticed An Yan was also looking at
him, and quickly replied, “Nothing. We haven’t had any cases recently. Ah, we’re
such a small place, how can we have cases all the time? It’s . . . the superior is
coming for an inspection, so everyone is preparing for it.”

He said this in a matter-of-fact tone. An Yan’s face showed that he understood the
situation, while Bo Jinyan just smiled faintly while swiftly straightening up. “Since
there’s no case, we will take our leave.” He turned to walk away.

The criminal investigator hurriedly said, “Wait! Although the chief is not here today,
he’s specially booked a table at the restaurant downstairs. Some of us want to
invite the two of you to a meal to express our gratitude . . .”

Bo Jinyan’s footsteps did not falter. The criminal investigator could only see the
back of his head as he said, “No need, I don’t like to eat with people I’m not familiar
with.”

The criminal investigator had nothing to say.

An Yan shot him an undecipherable smile before turning to follow Bo Jinyan, with
his hands in his trouser pockets.

The two of them walked away swiftly. The criminal investigator stood stunned for a
while, then sighed, took out his cellphone and called that person. “Hello, Chief. Bo
Jinyan and An Yan came and went. They were unwilling to stay and eat with us.”

——

After leaving the police station, Bo Jinyan and An Yan went for lunch.

The southern cities were more or less similar. The same bustling and lively streets,
a dazzling lineup of places to eat, buildings both high and low.
An Yan found a small eating place, and they ordered several dishes: 1.5 kg of fish,
an entire plate of stewed chicken legs . . . while placing the order, Bo Jinyan asked
the wait staff, “Do you have fish skin wantons*?” Nonplussed, the wait staff said,
“What’s that? Nope.”

*T/N 馄饨 (hun tun) – squares of pastry folded over a meat filling and either boiled
in soup or deep fried. It appears that Bo Jinyan is asking for wantons where the
meat is wrapped in squares of fish skin. The picture depicts regular wantons in
soup.

An Yan remarked, “Can you not have such big demands where food is concerned?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “No.”

As they drank to each other’s health, Bo Jinyan thought of the time when he had
returned to China from abroad, the first ever time he had eaten fish skin wantons. It
had also been in a similarly small, southern city, but she had been able to find them
for him.

As well as . . . another person.

It seemed that all the warm and beautiful experiences in his life were bestowed
upon him by those two people, as gorgeous as dazzling rainbows. He had once had
both of them by his side at the same time, for friendship, and for love.

Bo Jinyan raised his hand to adjust his sunglasses. His face remained clear and
calm.

An Yan sat beside him, silently playing a game. Out of the corner of his eye, he
noticed that Bo Jinyan was sitting too close to the walkway, putting him in danger
of being knocked into by the passers-by. So, he said, “Move to the right a bit.”

He didn’t offer a reason, but Bo Jinyan obediently shifted position.

When the food arrived, both men silently started eating.

After some time, when they had eaten their fill, as An Yan was drinking a cup of iced
red tea, he suddenly raised his head and asked, “Boss, when are we going home?”

Bo Jinyan kept quiet for a moment before replying, “At the most, three months. I
will bring things to a conclusion with them.”

An Yan was briefly silent. Then he nodded and said, “Got it.”
Chapter 64

It was still dark outside when Fang Qing was awoken by the ringing of the
telephone. After picking up and speaking two words into the telephone, every
nerve in his body was awake. He hung up and immediately called Jian Yao.

The two of them set off before the sun came up. As they sat in their taxi, the entire
city was still quiet, the street lights were lit, and only a few cleaners could be seen
sweeping the ground here and there.

The two of them were alone on the road.

Jian Yao commented, “Xun City is quite near my hometown, Tong City. In fact, they
are next to each other.”

Fang Qing asked, “Eh? Then, do you want to make time to visit?”

“No need.”

Fang Qing glanced at her, then said, “This Xun CIty is a bit interesting. I’ve looked at
the information; their previous record of solving cases was already pretty good.
This half year, they have the highest rate of solved cases in the entire province, and
have even captured several criminals wanted nationwide. Awesome bstrds!”
Jian Yao smiled slightly. “Go and meet them.”

Fang Qing said, “This is case number 20-something that the two of us have taken
on, right?”

Jian Yao gave it some thought, then replied, “Yup.”

Fang Qing suddenly laughed and said, “If we collect enough* cases, do you think
the two of them will roll back to us?”
*T/N 七七四十九 (qi qi si shi jiu) – literally, seven sevens is forty-nine. This springs
from the Chinese belief of what happens after a person dies, and the rituals to be
performed thereof. After death, a person can be reincarnated anytime from the
time of death to the 49th day after death, i.e., a person’s spirit can be in the
‘holding ground’ for a maximum of 49 days. So, the prayers/ rituals performed on
the 49th day are to ‘celebrate’ the reincarnation and to wish the person a good new
life. More here. I think that Fang Qing’s idea, therefore, is that, when they have
solved enough cases, they will reach the ‘49th day’ and it is time for Bo Jinyan and
An Yan to be ‘reincarnated’ i.e. return to life/ to them. Because of the idea of a cycle
of reincarnation, Fang Qing uses the word ‘roll’.

Jian Yao looked straight ahead and did not say anything.

This Special Cases Unit, with only two remaining members, was still the Special
Cases Unit.

After disembarking from the aeroplane, they still had to travel by car for another
two and a half hours. When Jian Yao and Fang Qing walked out of the coach
station, they saw two police cars belonging to the local police station waiting
outside.

Shao Yong was in front. He extended his hand to them and said, “Welcome,
Teacher Jian, Team Leader Fang. I am Shao Yong, Captain of the City Criminal
Investigation Team. Many thanks for coming to help us handle this case.”

Jian Yao and Fang Qing busied themselves with the customary greetings and
remarks. Both sides got into the car together. As Jian Yao examined Shao Yong’s
appearance more closely, she was suddenly taken aback.

They had arrived in a rush, so she had not paid special attention to the information
on the local police officers. However, the minute she set eyes on Shao Yong, tall
and rugged, with a strong and determined appearance, she felt a sense of deja vu.
But, as she had undertaken so many cases and met so many people in these past
few years, and did not have Bo Jinyan’s ability to remember every face she came
across, she just could not recall where she had met him previously.
In that moment where she was taking stock of Shao Yong, he opened the car door,
looked up, and met her gaze.

The old criminal investigator’s eyes were as deep as water. They seemed to
harbour some warmth, but they were tightly guarded, and Jian Yao could not
penetrate their depths.

——
This was a very warped, yet also a very creative murder case.

Jian Yao could not help but make this assessment.

At the very least, it was something she had never come across before. Moreover,
when she looked through the crime scene photographs, she felt terrified.

In the office of the City Criminal Investigation Team, the lights were all off, and
slides were being projected. Shao Yong was chairing the meeting; Jian Yao and
Fang Qing were seated next to him. A criminal investigator was currently
introducing the case:

“Deceased is Nie Shijun, 24 years old, female, a local. Worked in the finance
department of a software company. Single, never married.”

A photograph of a young girl appeared on the screen. Short hair, average height,
thin, wearing an ordinary blouse and pants. It should be a live photograph. There
was no smile on Nie Shijun’s face.

Because Bo Jinyan had done some reading into the research on micro-expressions,
Jian Yao had come to some conclusions on people’s expressions in the past few
years. Nie Shijun looks were ordinary and she seemed reserved, so it seemed that
she was somewhat introverted. In short, she was nothing to write home about.

“The body was found by a cleaner at Wangjiang Park at 5:30 a.m. yesterday
morning. The forensic specialist’s preliminary conclusion is that death occurred
between 2200 hrs and 2300 hrs the previous night. The cause of death was a rope
wrapped around the neck, which led to mechanical suffocation. When we were
alerted, we sealed off the crime scene before the park opened.”

A small path leading deep into the woods appeared on the screen. The stone-
flagged path meandered its way onwards, decorated with rocks at the side. The
side of the path was overgrown with flowers and plants.

Nie Shijun was huddled in the middle of the path.

“It’s a butterfly,” Shao Young said in a low voice. “I’ve already consulted some of
the teachers at the province’s Insect Research Institute by phone, and this pattern
is very similar to a species of butterfly known as the Papilio Maraho. It is common
to quite a few cities in this province. However, because the environmental
conditions in the past few years have not been good, the species has dropped
significantly in number.”

Papilio Maraho
The criminal investigators held whispered discussions, while Fang Qing tilted his
head to look at Jian Yao and asked softly, “What are your feelings on this?”

Jian Yao’s eyes were firmly fixed on the screen. Slowly, she said, “I sense that he is
very patient, but is also highly repressed.

A shiver of apprehension crossed Fang Qing’s face.

The criminal investigator continued with his introduction of the case. “An
investigation was quickly launched yesterday. Currently, what we understand of
the situation is as follows:

First, the incident took place at a remote location in the depths of the park, and
there were no surveillance cameras in the vicinity. It was very late at the time, and
there were no witnesses. The camera at the entrance of the park captured Nie
Shijun running into the park at 22:05, from which we can infer that she arrived at
the scene of the crime between 22:20 and 22:25. This is in line with the time of
death suggested by the forensic investigator.

Second, Nie Shijun’s family situation is simple. Her parents live at their old home,
and she had no siblings. According to her colleagues at the software company, she
was reserved, followed the rules rigidly, and had very little social interaction. She
hardly interacted with her colleagues as well. She had never been in conflict with
anyone, and also had no financial issues. She had ¥10,000 (about USD 1490) in a
fixed term deposit and more than ¥2,000 in available cash, no debt.

Third, Nie Shijun had few friends. The only person close to her was her roommate
and university classmate, a girl named Feng Yuexi. However, the day before the
incident, Feng Yuexi went home to the countryside and is only returning today.
We’ve already sent men to the bus station, and she should be at the police station
very soon.”

Fang Qing blinked and said, “So, what you’re saying is, there are no obvious
reasons or clues to suggest this incident was due to revenge, passion or a financial
dispute. Nie Shijun was simply killed in this strange manner, out of the blue.”

“That’s it,” replied Shao Yong. “That’s why we’re asking the criminal psychologist
for help.” He looked at Jian Yao just at the moment she turned her gaze towards
him. She nodded and said, “We’ll do our best.”

“Then, Teacher Jian, do you think he’s that kind of person?” Shao Yong asked.
Jian Yao looked directly at him and replied, “There is only one such case at the
moment, so we can’t draw a conclusion as yet. However, we will endeavour to
unearth the hidden clues as quickly as possible and come up with a portrait of the
criminal.”

——
Not long after the meeting, the most important person in the case, Nie Shijun’s
good friend, Feng Yuexi, arrived at the police station. Jian Yao and Fang Qing
listened to her interrogation together, at the side.

When Feng Yuexi first appeared, it was clear to everyone that she was very different
from Nie Shijun.

Feng Yuexi sat in the interrogation room wearing a bat-wing T-shirt paired with
capri pants and high heels. Jian Yao recognised the clothes as being from a fairly
well-established brand, where the prices were not low. Coupled with her long hair
which trailed over her shoulders and her lightly made-up face, it was clear at a
glance that she was a very good-looking woman. She was also not the least bit
reserved. Although her eyes were red and swollen due to her crying, those tear-
filled eyes seemed to speak volumes when she looked at the criminal investigators.
Moreover, she answered all the criminal investigators’ questions in a very
cooperative manner. She was evidently a good communicator, and a calm person.

Feng Yuexi held the paper cup in both hands, as if that would help her warm up a
little. In truth, she was still unable to fully accept the fact that Nie Shijun had
unexpectedly been killed.

“You’re Nie Shijun’s best friend. As far as you know, did she have any enemies?”
asked the criminal investigator.

Feng Yuexi shook her head. “No. Shijun . . . she was a person of few words, and she
kept in contact with very few people. She would definitely not make enemies of
anyone.”

“Did she have a boyfriend? Or a man she was close to?”

Feng Yuexi shook her head again. “No. She didn’t have a boyfriend.”

“Is it possible that a man was pursuing her whom you didn’t know about?”

“No,” Feng Yuexi answered with conviction. “She was almost always at home. If
not, she was out with me. She definitely had no boyfriend.”

Having said this, memories of past incidents surfaced in Feng Yuexi’s mind —

Outsiders always viewed Nie Shijun as reserved and anti-social, someone very
difficult to get close to. In reality, after sufficient interaction, one would discover
that she was meticulous in her thinking, gentle, and proper.

Feng Yuexi remembered their daily breakfasts, Nie Shijun standing in the entrance
hall, smiling as she said, “Xixi, what do you want to eat for dinner? I’ll buy it after I
get off work.” She always cheered, “Shijun, you’re too capable! May you have a
long life*!”

*T/N 万岁 (wan shui) – literally, 10,000 years (in essence, to live forever). This is the
traditional greeting given to the king, usually repeated three times i.e. “万岁, 万岁,
万万岁!”

She remembered, when the two of them went shopping together, Nie Shijun
picking up a powder foundation compact and handing it to her with a small smile
on her face, saying, “This colour really suits you.”

She also remembered the time she had relationship issues and sat on the sofa to
brood in silence. Nie Shijun walked over to her, sat down beside her and said, “Xixi,
I don’t think they are a good match for you. A good-looking man with poor
academic qualifications, what can he aspire to? A white-collar worker with zero
interests and inclinations, without humour or charisma, can you really see yourself
with him?”
At that time, Feng Yuexi had also been stricken with a sense of panic. Naturally, a
superior tone crept into her voice as she said, “Shijun, you don’t know, and I don’t
know, why they both like me so much. The three of us grew up together and they
have always treated me well. However, all these years, and I still can’t choose . . .”

......
But, now, that girl who always asked after her, who cared for her in every way
possible, who gave her advice on her relationships, had been suddenly, cruelly
murdered by some stranger. Everyone was saying it was a fearsome serial killer.

On thinking of these things, Feng Yuexi felt a deep sorrow, and when she
considered Nie Shijun once more, all the thoughts she associated with her were
good. She looked up and said to the criminal investigator, “Officer, please, you
must catch the killer and avenge Shijun!”

She sobbed aloud, and the criminal investigator was also moved. She handed Yuexi
a tissue and said, “Rest assured, we will do our best.”

Separated from the interrogation room by dark glass, Shao Yong said, “There is
ample proof that she was not here. The day before the incident she had returned to
her old home, and just came back today. Bus tickets, eyewitnesses and
surveillance footage all support this.”

Fang Qing and Jian Yao both nodded. Jian Yao said, “Looking at her emotional
reaction, she probably had no knowledge.”

At this point, the criminal investigator asked Feng Yuexi, “Did Nie Shijun go for a
run at the same time every day?”

Feng Yuexi managed to get her emotions in check and her voice was much calmer
when she replied, “Yes. She always has a plan to do things. Every night, she would
leave at 9:45 p.m. for the park to run, and return at 11 p.m. when the park closed. It
was like this every day.”

“Did you run with her?”

“At the beginning . . . after running with her for a few days, I stopped.”

“Apart from you, who else knew her running routine?”

Feng Yuexi stared blankly for a while before lowering her head to think. She
answered, “Probably only me. Maybe the neighbours noticed.”

A few more questions later, it was clear that no further valuable information could
be extracted. The criminal investigator then said, “Ok, let’s stop here. Thank you
for your cooperation. We’ll get in touch with you if we need anything else.”

Feng Yuexi expressed her willingness to cooperate at any time.

The criminal investigator then said, “We’ll arrange for a car to send you back later.”

Feng Yuexi replied, “Thanks, but there’s no need. My friend is driving here to get
me. I’m not going to stay at home for the time being; I’m staying at a friend’s place.

“That’s good. Please take care.”

——
Jian Yao and Fang Qing decided to take a look around the crime scene.

Both of them decided to rest for a short period in the police station dormitory.
When Jian Yao got up, it was already twilight. As she walked quickly to the station
entrance, she could see Fang Qing in the distance, standing next to a police car, but
his eyes were directed elsewhere. Jian Yao followed his line of vision and realised
he was looking at the guardhouse. Inside, the gatekeeper was watching television.

It was a period drama starring the currently popular movie queen, Jin Xiaozhe.

Jian Yao stood, motionless. She also did not call out to him.
Fang Qing had already noticed her. Without any discernible emotion on his face, he
turned his head to say, “Let’s go. Let’s have a good look at the crime scene.”
Chapter 65

Like many of the small and medium-sized cities in the world, in this era of high-
speed construction featuring steel-reinforced concrete and endless streams of
people, Wangjiang Park had become the only place many of the inhabitants of Xun
City could go to at the end of the day and during weekends.
Even though the case was shocking, it was feared that too much publicity might
give rise to panic. Thus, the police had only sealed off that part of the forest deep
within the park, and assigned a few officers in plain clothes to keep watch.

When Jian Yao and Fang Qing reached their destination, it was not dark yet, so they
could still see the crime scene clearly. They saw the stone-flagged path that had
been captured in the photographs, at times concealed by the trees lining the sides.
As one could well imagine, it had been late night when the crime occurred, so the
killer would have been able to stay concealed, and his movements would have
been hard to detect.

There were some huge rocks by the side of the path, serving as decorative
elements. Fang Qing took out a magnifying glass and squatted by the side of the
rocks to examine them. “The exploratory report said that there are scratches on
the rock that were caused by the victim’s fingernails as she struggled. It looks like
she struggled quite fiercely.”

Jian Yao exchanged a look with him, both recognising the speculation in each
other’s eyes. Then, she took a different tack* and squatted on the road to carefully
examine the patterns on the butterfly’s wings.”

*T/N 另起炉灶 (ling qi lu zao) – lit. to set up a separate kitchen; fig. to start from
scratch, to set off on a new track.

Two days and nights had already passed, but there had been no rain in Xun City, so
the lines of the patterns were still clear, like they had been freshly drawn. Jian Yao
opened the evaluative report in her hand, where it was clearly recorded: These
paints are from a well-known brand on the market, and it is not cheap. This paint is
sold in large quantities throughout China.
“What do you think, goddess*?” Fang Qing asked.

*T/N 女神棍 (nu sheng gun) – 女神 = ‘goddess’ and 棍 = rod (literal), scoundrel.
This reference could be to either《女神棍》, a romance novel by 三毛 (San Mao),
or 《重生之女神棍》(The Goddess of Rebirth) by Ling Qi, also a modern romance
novel. In the latter novel, the main character vows to avenge herself on those who
have hurt and humiliated her, and to be powerful, so that she can protect those she
loves.

He was often garrulous, and every time Jian Yao applied criminal psychology in
solving a case, he would feel great, and would incessantly call her ‘goddess’ or
‘demi-god’ from the side.

Just like how Jian Yao used to make fun of Bo Jinyan.

“Ah . . .” Jian Yao stared at the lines on the ground and replied, “The goddess
thinks, when the suspect was drawing this butterfly, he was in a soft and tranquil
mood. Look, the strokes are smooth and rounded, and the painting style is gentle,
with no sign of a frenzied or eccentric personality.

Fang Qing smiled as he said, “That’s somewhat interesting.”

“What about you? What did you find out?”

Fang Qing rested his arm on a rock while his fingers lightly tapped against it. “I’ve
made a big discovery. Marks made by the victim’s fingernails are on these three
rocks, in locations both high and low. In the grass on the side, there’s a patch that
has been stepped on and flattened, giving rise to this case’s sole and most precious
clue – the suspect’s footprint. From the report: size 40, identified as special edition
Nike running shoes, released over a year ago. . .”

Jian Yao stood up and said, “However, Shao Yong and his people have already
checked. The sales for this line of shoes is pretty good, and the online sales have
been excellent, so there’s no way to follow this line of inquiry.”
“But, based on these findings, I can infer the movements and routes of the parties
involved in the murder that night. Fang Qing smiled faintly and stood in front of
Jian Yao, his fingers diffidently yet clearly sketching out a continuous line with
different segments. “Nie Shijun ran to the path from this direction. The killer must
have attacked her suddenly from behind, so her fingernails left marks on this first
rock in this direction.”

Jian Yao’s eyes lit up.

“Then, she was dragged backwards.” Fang Qing continued, “At this time, she put
up such a struggle that the two of them stepped onto the grass, so the scratches
are higher up and the angles are wider, all the way to the other side of the rock.”

“I have a feeling . . .” Jian Yao said.”

Fang Qing looked at her. “Yes, I think so, too.”

The two of them said, in unison, “Novice.”

After examining the crime scene, the pair walked a circuit of the entire park. It was
already dark, and the park was full of people and noise. One could imagine, that
night, even though it had been almost closing time, there would still have been
quite a number of people around. It would be near impossible to even think of
locating the killer in this sea of people.

It was past nine at night by the time they returned to the police station, but it was
still brightly lit. Fang Qing stopped the car in the parking area. From a distance,
they could see another car coming from the opposite direction and stopping. They
saw a familiar face.

Feng Yuexi.

It was a chilly night in early autumn. Wearing high-heeled shoes and a

windbreaker, Feng Yuexi stood in front of the car, wrapped in a pitiful and heart-
wrenching aura. A man got out of the car and walked over to her. After a short
exchange, he put his arm around her shoulders and got into the car with her.

There was another man in the front passenger seat. The car was not bad, probably
costing two or three hundred thousand, but that was not uncommon in this city.

Jian Yao observed them. “Those are probably Feng Yuexi’s friends, here to pick her
up.”

Fang Qing laughed sarcastically. “Beautiful women have no shortage of people to

cherish them.”

Jian Yao turned to eye this nearly 30-year-old ‘angry youth’*, and knew exactly
what had made him ‘angry’. After a long beat of silence, she said softly, “Hey, if the
sheep you’ve been caring for has run away, don’t ridicule other people’s sheep for
being beautiful and obedient.”

*T/N 愤青 (fen qing) – positive term used to describe young Chinese with extreme
nationalistic tendencies (obviously used in a tongue-in-cheek manner here).

Fang Qing muttered, “. . . Goddess, shut up.”

They went upstairs and saw Shao Yong standing alone in the corridor, smoking a
cigarette. The gathering darkness had stained the sky behind him, turning it into a
deep, dark backdrop where the lights were hazy, against which the cigarette
between his fingers appeared solitary and profound. Moreover, his body was
tough, and he must have been compellingly handsome in his younger days. Right
now, as he stood, tall and upright, in the corridor, it was difficult to ascertain
whether his hair or the cigarette smoke was whiter.

Jian Yao’s heart jolted.

This was a very common scene; it was possible to see such old criminal
investigators, who had given their lives to their work, in many police stations.
However, it was precisely this scene tonight, this moment, this impression, that
had stirred up Jian Yao’s memories.

In a flash, she remembered where she had met Shao Yong.

There was a tinge of panic in her gaze – but, why did Shao Yong look as if he did not
know her? Or, had he forgotten her after that occasion when strangers had been
thrown together by chance?

However, she had always felt that there was something in the way he looked at her.
Moreover, this kind of veteran criminal investigator, this old fox, would probably
not so easily forget the people he had met.

Jian Yao and Fang Qing walked towards him. When he sensed their movement,
Shao Yong turned his head, extinguished his cigarette, and gazed at them with a
warm and serene expression.

“Lao Fang, you go in first,” Jian Yao said.

Fang Qing looked at her, then at Shao Yong, before going in. Shao Yong’s brow was
slightly furrowed, and he was very still.

Jiang Yao stared at him, smiled briefly, then said, “Team Leader Shao, two years
ago, during the period of the National Day celebrations, during that time, Jinyan . . .
he was at home recuperating from his injuries. You came to look for him with a case
dating back 15 years. At that time, he gave you advice, and the case was later
solved. Am I right?”

Shao Yong smiled slowly, and gently said, “Jian Yao, I will always be grateful for the
help that Professor Bo gave me on that case.”

Jian Yao was certain. Yes, Shao Yong was indeed that person. It was just that,
during that time, Bo Jinyan had become famous, and many people were asking
him for help from all over. Thus, Jian Yao had not been able to place Shao Yong.
After the case had been solved, Bo Jinyan and Shao Yong had kept in constant
touch with each other, but Jian Yao had not been part of this. Bo Jinyan was so
antisocial, it was rare that he and Shao Yong had been able to maintain their
frequent communication.

“Not at all.” Jian Yao said, “Thank you for trusting in Jinyan.”

She said this in a very placid tone, and there was even a hint of a smile in her eyes.
When Shao Yong thought of Bo Jinyan’s current condition, and then of how Bo
Jinyan’s wife was as gentle and as proud of him as before, he was greatly moved.

However, Jian Yao took the conversation down a different path. She asked, “But,
Team Leader Shao, today, why did you make it seem as if you did not know me for
the whole day?”

Shao Yong looked at her but did not speak.

Observing the expression in his eyes, Jian Yao felt her heart stir. Then, she thought
of how he had made a special request to the Beijing police, to ask for the help of
the Criminal Psychology Research Unit . . .

There was a strange sensation in her heart, but she could not pinpoint what it was.

At this moment, someone shouted from inside, “Chief, chief! Come here for a bit!”

Shao Yong turned and headed into the room. As he did so, he whispered, “Jian Yao,
I hope all will be well with you and Bo Jinyan.”

Jian Yao was startled. She eyed Shao Yong’s aged yet upright rear figure, but, in the
end, she just sighed softly.

——

For sure, Shao Yong was leaving Jian Yao in suspense. However, considering that
man’s eccentric personality, as well as the fact that he had become even more
enigmatic after the catastrophe, Shao Yong did not want to act rashly. He was more
than content to wait for a successful outcome when the conditions were right, and
all he needed to do was to give them a push in the right direction.

However, Shao Yong had not thought that they would arrive so quickly. When his
subordinate called him to return to the office and he saw the expression on his
subordinate’s face, his heart stuttered in his chest. He pushed the door open and
saw the two men sitting upright on his sofa. When they had arrived, he had no idea.

——

Jian Yao returned to the seat which had been temporarily assigned to her. She sat
down to write a preliminary criminal psychological profile. Fang Qing, who was
sitting beside her, lit a cigarette, leaned over and asked, “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Jian Yao replied. “I suddenly remembered that Bo Jinyan and I had met
Shao Yong before.”

Fang Qing uttered a soft, “Ah.”

It was late at night, and half the seats in the office were empty as people were still
out on investigation. The other half were occupied with people like Jian Yao,
mostly with their heads down, organising the information they had in hand. During
this time, it was especially quiet. The only sound was that of Fang Qing’s lighter as
he perfunctorily slid it open and shut.

Jian Yao and Fang Qing had been assigned seats in the relatively quieter part of the
office, and not all the criminal investigators noticed that they had returned. A lively
and quick-witted criminal investigator strode through the door with an odd
expression on his face. He swatted another person’s shoulder and said, in a low
voice, “Hey, I heard that person is here again? I heard Uncle Shu downstairs says
so.”

Jian Yao was currently inscribing her thoughts on paper: The suspect is between 20
and 40 years of age . . . She heard the sounds of the conversation, but her pen did
not stop moving.
“Who?” Someone asked.

“Yaa! It’s that guy who lives on the hill, always wearing sunglasses and a face mask,
and a black windcheater, that weird guy . . .”

Jian Yao was just writing ‘financial situation is good’ when her pen paused
suddenly. Beside her, Fang Qing’s lighter was still making noise, at a speed neither
fast nor slow.
“Oh, you’re talking about him, ah. I heard he was previously a master sleuth who
solved loads of big cases, and that he’s a good buddy of our Team Leader Shao.”

“That’s right. But, now . . .”

But, now.

Jian Yao’s pen had completely stopped, and it was unable to move. Fang Qing also
looked up.

The two criminal investigators fell silent, for they could hear the sound of
movement from Shao Yong’s office door.

Jian Yao looked at her writing on the paper, not knowing when it had become so
messy. Out of the blue, there was a buzzing in her ears.

But, now, her blind master sleuth had forgotten the way home. He was alone, on
the outside, drifting until he had reached a place in the past.

The door not far from them opened, and someone with a walking stick walked out
unsteadily. A voice – a little arrogant, a little light-hearted – like the bass line
played by a cello, sounded above her head. “A case involving a novice criminal, and
you’re hiding it away like a treasured object. You thought this would stop me?
Team Leader Shao, you’re really . . . too naive!”
Chapter 66

That sound rang in Jian Yao’s ears, like a gently vibrating cello string. The sound
lingered, refusing to be diminished.

Her neck was stiff – she wanted to look up, but it refused to obey her.

By her side, Fang Qing had already looked up in astonishment, and was rendered
speechless in an instant.

Jian Yao finally also looked over.

The people around her were going about their usual business, and all was quiet.
Jian Yao looked at the man standing in the corridor, separated from her by a pane
of glass.

Mr. Bo was wearing his customary black suit, white shirt and shiny leather shoes,
with nary a hair out of place. He was even thinner than before, and his coat flapped
emptily around him. Standing as tall as he did, he looked like a clothes rack. His
pale, almost skeletal hand gripped a walking stick. That shiny, black walking stick
inexplicably caused Jian Yao to feel awkward.

He wore a pair of sunglasses, and his facial expression was cold.

Due to the arrogant words he had spoken, many people were watching him.
However, his expression registered not the slightest change, and he continued
walking forwards confidently.

As he passed by the window, his footsteps abruptly paused

In that split second, Jian Yao’s heart leapt into her throat.
He had originally been facing forward, but, right now, through the interplay of light
and shadow on the glass, he looked like he was facing in her direction, with his
head slightly inclined.

At her side, Fang Qing muttered, “Fuck”, in a low voice. The other criminal
investigators could not grasp why.

Jian Yao’s eyes slowly filled with tears. She looked at his jet-black hair, at his dark,
cryptic sunglasses which nevertheless reflected light. Unconsciously, she reached
out and pressed her hand against the glass, softly calling, “Jinyan . . .”

However, he could hear nothing through the glass. As if nothing had happened, he
turned his head and continued walking forward with an indifferent expression on
his face. His figure rapidly receded into the distance at the end of the corridor.

Jian Yao stood where she was, and her entire being seemed to be locked stiffly in
place. Fang Qing looked at her with wide eyes.

A thought rushed into her mind: He looks no different than before.

Only he can no longer see.
Why is he still lingering elsewhere?
Why isn’t he coming back to her side?

Fang Qing pulled at her arm. Jian Yao immediately snapped out of her brooding
thoughts and instinctively ran outside with him. Just then, the man accompanying
Bo Jinyan stepped out of Shao Yong’s office with his hands stuck in his trouser
pockets, looking like he was out for a leisurely stroll. When Fang Qing saw him, he
muttered “F**k” yet again. The man heard him and turned his head. When he saw
Fang Qing and Jian Yao, he stood stock still in stupefaction and said, “Lao Fang,
Sister-in-law . . .”

Fang Qing laughed grimly without saying anything.

Jian Yao whispered, “You still know to call me ‘sister-in-law’ . . .”

An Yan was extremely embarrassed. He turned to look at Shao Yong standing by his
office door with a small smile on his face, and it came to him in a flash that all this
was the doing of that old fox. He was somewhat at a loss as to what to do, and a
strange feeling arose in his heart – he felt like a school kid who had skipped school
and had been caught in the act by his parents. At the same time, he had no idea
what had happened to Bo Jinyan, so he said, vaguely, “That . . . I’ll just go and
check on Bo Jinyan first, he can’t see, he needs someone by his side to look out for
him . . .”

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Qing pushed him against the wall and pinned
him there with an arm against his throat. An Yan’s handsome face instantly flushed
red and he found himself unable to speak.

“Living wild for a year . . .” Fang Qing said coldly, “surely the price of good eyesight
hasn’t risen that much? Does he really need you to look out for him?” Having said
that, he directed a meaningful glance at Jian Yao.

Jian Yao merely nodded before running in Bo Jinyan’s direction.

She quickly made her way through the crowd of people. Police officers, suspects,
police badges, white walls, she swept past them all on both sides. The world
seemed to have quietened once again. There was only one bright path before her
eyes, with a tall, solitary figure walking in front of her, not looking back.

Jian Yao willed herself not to cry.

She always told herself that a man like him, who looked naive but actually had
hidden depths, would leave when it was time to leave, and return when it was time
to return.

But what if they met again by chance? Meeting by chance was like an obscure
corner that fate had forgotten about.

……
All of a sudden, Jian Yao stopped.
She had caught up with him.

Bo Jinyan had sat down on a bench in the corridor, his walking stick placed next to
him, probably waiting for An Yan.

Jian Yao watched him through the stream of people.

He sat perfectly upright, both hands flat on his thighs, just as before. Many people
walked in front of him but he remained indifferent; he was like a tree, disinclined to
move or react.

For a brief moment, Jian Yao had a compelling urge to run to him, wrap her arms
around his legs and look up at him. He would inevitably be shocked, and might
even feel helpless, but Jian Yao had no doubt that he would reach out to caress
her, embrace her, just as she did to him.

But an unnamable emotion prevented her from doing so.

She asked herself, is this it? In the days after he had left her, he had peacefully and
silently lived in this way in another corner of the world. No one recognised his
name, no one knew of the legends which surrounded him, no one knew of the scars
on his body.
Is this what he wants?

Just like previously.

When he had been seriously injured in the ‘flower cannibal’ case, he had hidden
like a tortoise in its shell, returning to the hometown he had left many years ago to
live as a recluse. Now, he was once again withdrawing.

However, previously, it was his body which had been crushed.

This time, it was his heart. What could be done to mend Bo Jinyan’s crushed heart?

……
At this point, Bo Jinyan’s cellphone rang. He felt in his pocket, retrieved the phone
and accepted the call. Then, a smug smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he
said, “All right, Team Leader Shao, since you have extended such a sincere
invitation, I will return now and help you solve this case.”

He stood up to retrace his route, and walked towards her.

In the blink of an eye, all the blood in her body seemed to congeal. Although she
knew perfectly well that he could not see, she could not help the emotions which
overcame her. Her body stiffened, and she felt as if she were burning up.

Bo Jinyan came closer, and his guide cane struck her toes. He stopped.

“Excuse me.” His voice was deep, serene and courteous.

Jian Yao’s hands flew up to cover her face. Without a sound, she stepped back to
let him pass.

Somewhat resembling a sleepwalker, Bo Jinyan slowly walked past her.

——
A conference on the case would begin shortly. When he heard that Bo Jinyan and
An Yan would also be participating, Fang Qing felt like a bomb had been laid on his
emotions, and it was impossible to say when it would blow up. It could possibly
explode with contentment, or with heart-wrenching pain.

However, at this moment, the person more perturbed and anxious than him should
be that woman.

Fang Qing was not in the frame of mind to seek out Bo Jinyan and An Yan to
reminisce about old times. He searched for a long time before he found Jian Yao on
the station roof.
By the time he got there, Jian Yao had already calmed down, although her eyes
were badly swollen. This was the first time Fang Qing had seen her cry so bitterly in
the year or so they had been acquainted. But, it was only reasonable.

Jian Yao stood at one side, neither moving nor speaking. Fang Qing lit a cigarette
and walked over to her. He said, “Just now, the two of you . . .”

“I didn’t talk to him.”

“Why?”

Jian Yao was suddenly choked with emotion. “Couldn’t say it.”

Fang Qing’s heart hurt so much for his comrade and ‘younger sister’. “F**k,” he
cursed softly, then asked, “do you want me to beat him up?”

Jian Yao forced out a laugh. “Nope.”

“Force him to write a 10,000 word self-reflection addressed to his wife*?”

*T/N 与妻书 (yu qi shu) – There have been several literary works/ songs with this
title. One is an ‘ancient wind song’ released in 2010, where a man who is in the
capital studying for and taking the imperial examinations writes to his wife who
has been waiting at home for him for years, remembering her love (a possible
interpretation is that she committed suicide on receiving a letter from him not to
wait another longer). Another is a letter written by Lin Juemin, a revolutionary
martyr in the late Qing Dynasty, to his wife Chen Yiying on the evening of April 24,
1911. In this letter, the author expresses his deep affection for his wife and his deep
love for the motherland in dire straits.

Jian Yao continued shaking her head. “Nope.”

Fang Qing sighed. “Jian Yao, how can you be so kind to him? Why are you the one
who is always giving more in your relationship?”
Someone else had said this before. When that person had been alive. Jian Yao’s
finally dry eyes were suddenly red once again.

“Lao Fang, don’t talk about it anymore,” she said.

Fang Qing made a sound of assent.

After a while, he once again spoke up. “We have to attend the meeting soon. Bo
Jinyan and An Yan will also be there.”

Jian Yao said, “. . . . Got it.”

In this past year, whenever the topic of Bo Jinyan and An Yan had come up, Fang
Qing had never responded positively. Now, though, as he slowly smoked his
cigarette, he said, “I have never seen a criminal investigator like this, who persists
in doing front line work to solve cases even after becoming blind. It is not possible
to be even more robust and resolute than this. Your man is a real man. He has
already gotten up from where he fell.”

——
After they had met, Fang Qing had thrown An Yan into a small room and locked him
in. An Yan was both excited and apprehensive, and wanted to call Bo Jinyan.
However, that guy’s temper was always weird, and, today, who knows what had
gotten his goat, for he had steadfastly refused to accept the call.

When An Yan had finally called out to a police officer for help to unlock the door,
Shao Yong had called him into the conference room. The minute he walked into the
room, he saw that – oh my god – everyone was already seated. Shao Yong, the
members of the criminal investigation team who were its backbone and whom he
was familiar with, Bo Jinyan . . . and on the other side sat Fang Qing and Jian Yao.

Bo Jinyan remained calm and collected. His walking stick was placed by the table,
and he was sitting upright without a single twitch. An Yan immediately
reacted: Could it be that he still doesn’t know who’s sitting opposite him? Dang!
Moreover, Fang Qing was still watching him and Bo Jinyan with eagle eyes, his
expression more frosty than winter and something that might or might not be a
smile on his lips. What surprised An Yan was that the always gentle sister-in-law
seemed perfectly unperturbed at the moment – at least on the surface. She kept
looking down at the information in her hands, and only looked up at them after a
while. Her expression was as quiet and still as water, and An Yan was unable to
read the emotion in her eyes!

Shao Yong, this shrewd and steady old geezer, made as if nothing was amiss. His
direct subordinate was also utterly solemn. Shao Yong cleared his throat and said,
“Let’s get ready to start the meeting.”

An Yan sat next to Bo Jinyan and collected himself. However, under the table, his
hand knocked into Bo Jinyan lightly.

In a detached manner, Bo Jinyan said, “If you have something to say, say it. Don’t
touch me.”

An Yan did not say anything.

On the other side, Fang Qing had noticed An Yan’s small movement and
understood his intention. Unable to stop himself, he muttered, “You joker . . .”

All around the table was silence.

Jian Yao, stunned, slowly lifted up her head to look at Bo Jinyan, her heart beating
furiously.

Bo Jinyan seemed to experience a jolt of panic before turning to face their

direction, his expression slightly tense.

After a long beat, he said, softly and slowly, “So . . . Fang Qing is here.”
Chapter 67

The evening breeze blew gently through the window. The voices of the criminal
investigators buzzed in her ear. Jian Yao looked at Bo Jinyan across the round
table. The criminal investigators had finished their discussion, and no one was
looking at him. An Yan was looking down with a red face, while Fang Qing, with one
glance, had seen through everyone’s feigned indifference.

Bo Jinyan’s face flushed gradually.

He raised his head and looked in Jian Yao and Fang Qing’s direction. His hand, on
the table, slowly clenched. Then he reached up to adjust his sunglasses briefly.

He did not utter a word.

She did not speak either, and simply sat there in silence.

Not so long ago, didn’t she and Bo Jinyan also experience such wordless moments
between them?

“. . . Why don’t we ask Jian Yao and Fang Qing to give us their opinions first.” Shao
Yong’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Jian Yao said, “Ok.” She looked at her notebook, but her heart still felt as if it were
lying on an icy wasteland.

“We have the following preliminary conclusions. First, it was a premeditated

murder. Not many people knew about Nie Shijun’s habit of running at night. The
killer followed and observed her, and chose a very suitable time for the murder, as
well as the most suitable place, in accordance with her running route. He was able
to carry out his planned murder without any witnesses. Moreover, he even
prepared the ropes, paints, gloves and other necessary items beforehand.
Therefore, he is not a killer who acts on momentary impulses, and neither did he
coincidentally meet a night runner and decide to kill her. Nie Shijun was his
specifically chosen target . . .”

Her voice calmed down by degrees. She thought it was very strange, for it was not
as if she had never thought about the scene when she and Bo Jinyan would meet
once again. She had imagined she would inevitably be very grieved but also
excited, and might even have rushed to embrace him with big sobs, blaming him,
hitting him, forgiving him. But when the actual situation occurred, everything was
so quiet.

So quiet that it was as if life had merely taken a turn, and she once again
encountered the man he had been.

“Second, the killer is involved in activities near Nie Shijun’s rental apartment or the
park, and is also very likely to live in the vicinity. According to The Geography of
Criminal Psychology, no matter why the killer committed the murder, he and the
victim must have encountered each other at some place previously. Nie Shijun led
a very dull and monotonous life. After investigation, it was determined that she
could regularly be found in four locations: at home, at work, at the park, and at the
mall on weekends. Of these four places, the killer could most easily loiter and
observe the victim in the vicinity of the rental apartment and the park. Moreover, in
the end, he chose to carry out the murder at the park, which indicates that this was
the place that he was most familiar with. If he had only encountered her briefly en
route to work, or at the mall, then his place of residence would be far away. Further
to that, one, it would be very difficult to track the victim continuously; two, it would
be very hard for a novice killer to be comfortable with the idea of carrying out the
crime at an unfamiliar location, the park.
Third, the killer is meticulous in his thinking, thorough in his planning, and efficient
in the execution of his plan. This also reflects his personality traits. To him,
‘butterfly’ must have a special psychological significance. However, I also notice
that the butterfly he painted was softer. Presently, I do not know what this implies.

Fourth, he lacks criminal experience and is a novice. Why he chose to start killing
people at this time, and to use such an unusual method, must be linked to a
specific stimulus or provocation which he has received recently. That Nie Shijun
was selected to be his victim means that she must be linked to this specific
stimulus in some way. Therefore, we must continue to investigate Nie Shijun in
depth and seek to understand the victim further, so that we can further understand
the perpetrator.

These are our conclusions for the time being. As there has only been one case so
far, it remains to be seen whether the killer is a psychopath or a serial killer.”

After she had finished speaking, the criminal investigators nodded repeatedly.

Jian Yao could not help but look at Bo Jinyan again. His face was still calm, but she
did not know if she was mistaken in her observation that the lines at the corner of
his mouth appeared a little softer.

Jian Yao abruptly pressed her hands against her temple in an effort to calm down
and clear her head somewhat.

It was all psychological. She could actually sense a burning gaze, just like
previously, resting on her.

He was using his eyes, the eyes from which all light had departed, to stare fixedly in
her direction.

Her blind master sleuth, he who had left home to wander.

Jian Yao grasped her water glass and gulped down a mouthful of water, moistening
her throat which was about to dry up.

Shao Yong said, “Thank you, Jian Yao and Fang Qing. Then, Jinyan, what is your
opinion?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to him.

Bo Jinyan stilled for half a second.

It was at this time that Jian Yao had a sudden flashback. She also clearly sensed
that Bo Jinyan must also have experienced this resurgence of memory. How many
times had he been shoulder to shoulder with her, piercing through her confusion
with just a few words. Using his wisdom and knowledge to lead her to grow.

Sometimes, he had used praise, saying, “Our budding criminal psychologist has
finally blossomed.” At other times, he would ruthlessly mock her with words like,
“Awesome, you have managed to come up with three conclusions, two of which
are guesses.”

……

“Jian Yao’s reasoning today is highly remarkable, much better than I thought it
would be . . .” He said, slowly, “Let me add three conclusions.”

Jian Yao felt a tightness in her throat all of a sudden. The conference room was so
quiet, everyone was looking intently at Bo Jinyan, this legendary blind master
sleuth, waiting to see if he could come up with any more valuable conclusions.

Out of the blue, Bo Jinyan smiled faintly. He felt for the glass of tea on the table,
took a small sip and set it down again. A thought rushed into Jian Yao’s mind: The
tea here is not up to standard, he’s not used to drinking such tea. He just wants to
make sure his mouth is not too dry.

Then, he calmly opened his mouth to speak. His deep, resonant voice, and his ice-
cold manner of speaking, infused with a disaffected arrogance, were no different
from the past.

“One, the killer’s financial situation is good, and he is neat and respectable in
appearance. The paints, ropes and other items he used to commit the murder are
of the best quality. This does not prove that he is a professional in this area, but, at
the very least, it does indicate that he does not have any financial constraints.
Moreover, he is in the habit of selecting the best.

A person who tidies up the crime scene so neatly, and commits a crime in a
methodical, deliberate and thorough manner, cannot be someone whose outward
appearance is sloppy and unkempt. That would be entirely contradictory.
Two, to be more precise, the killer frequents the area around the rental apartment,
not the park.”

Jian Yao was somewhat taken aback.

That familiar feeling which had lain in a dusty corner for a long time, suddenly
resurfaced. This man could always see further than she could, more precisely, and
was right beside her now.

After a pause, Bo Jinyan continued, “That same Geography of Criminal

Psychology tells us that killers are divided into four types: the hunter, the poacher,
the opportunist, and the trapper. The hunter will search for victims in the area he is
familiar with and its vicinity. The poacher will go to a specific location to search for
victims. From the killer’s cautious planning style, it is impossible for him not to
have realised that, after the murder, security and surveillance in the park would be
tightened, and also that no one would dare to run in the park for a long time. If he
is a serial killer, he would no longer be able to commit crimes there, and would
have to give up the park. Therefore, this location, ‘the park’, is not a place that he
relies heavily on and is not his regular hunting ground. In other words, he does not
look for his prey in the park. He can give it up at any time.”

Jian Yao was stunned. The viewpoint that Bo Jinyan had just shared was already
quite deep, and some criminal investigators were staring vacantly. However, she
had instantly understood him.
Chapter 68

“Three, this case’s greatest point of doubt in terms of criminal psychology,” Bo

Jinyan said, his pace of speech suddenly quickening. “The victim, Nie Shijun, ran to
the park entrance at 22:05 hrs, and reached the scene of the crime at
approximately 22:20 to 22:25 hours. According to your investigation, the park is
enclosed by high walls, and there is no way to enter or leave apart from the
entrances. The night the murder took place, the park closed at 23:00 hours. The
cleaners found the body the next morning before the park opened, and reported it
to the police. Thereafter, the park was sealed off. After this, when the police
searched the park, no suspicious characters were found. All this goes to say, the
previous night, the killer must have left with the crowd before the park closed at
23:00 hours. To run from the scene of the crime to the park entrance takes 15 – 20
minutes. In other words, the killer only had 15 – 20 minutes to complete the entire
process of killing the victim. If the killer is really a ‘butterfly killer’, a psychopath,
this period of time would be too short for him, too rushed.”

By the looks on the criminal investigators faces, they clearly did not understand his
point. One of them said, “15 minutes to kill someone, draw, then clean up the
scene. That’s still possible if the killer worked quickly.”

Jian Yao was shaken by his words. Indeed, she had previously thought that the
butterfly painted by the killer had been too soft and simple, which was somewhat
peculiar. Now that Bo Jinyan had spoken, she suddenly had an epiphany. The rush
was not to kill someone, but to . . .

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly, and said, “The rush was not to kill someone. It was to gain
experience. For a psychopath, who is still a novice, it would be very difficult for him
to kill his carefully selected target, then have to leave immediately after completing
the painting of the dreamed-of butterfly, without being able to appreciate, observe
or enjoy the moment . . . to him, it would be like having a big meal set in front of
him while being unable to have a sniff or a taste. It would be very difficult to bear.”

Bo Jinyan’s expression turned cold. “So, my conclusion is that, either he is not a

psychopathic killer at all, and this was just his way of distracting the police, and he
committed the murder for some other, specific reason; or, it was really because
this is his first murder and he lacks experience, and thus he did not receive any
satisfaction at all. Then, he will carry out his second crime very soon. Whichever
way it is, his carefully selected target, Nie Shijun, will be where we make a
breakthrough. Nie Shijun was introverted and rarely interacted with others. The
killer must have a reason for murdering her. We can even infer that they had been
in direct contact previously.”

——

It was almost midnight by the time Bo Jinyan and An Yan returned to the villa.

In a departure from his regular inclination, the minute Bo Jinyan reached the villa,
he shut himself in his room and even locked the door.

An Yan rummaged through the refrigerator for a long time, filled his stomach with
random items, then ran to stand in front of Bo Jinyan’s door to say, “Hey!”

There was no response throughout the house.

“What did she say to you later?” An Yan asked. “Didn’t the two of you reconcile?”

“She didn’t say a word to me,” replied Bo Jinyan in a serene tone, as still as water.

“Why?” asked An Yan. When the meeting concluded, everyone had left the room in
tacit understanding, leaving the two of them sitting across from each other at the
table. He had waited downstairs in the car for a long time before Bo Jinyan came
down. He had even thought they would resolve their differences with reconciliation
sex*.

*T/N 床头打架床尾和了 (chuang tou da jia chuang wei he le) – literally, to quarrel
with each other at the head of the bed (or when getting into bed) and compromise/
reconcile at the end of it (or before falling asleep).
However, on thinking about it, this situation was more serious than a minor
dispute.

Bo Jinyan had a moment of silence as he contemplated An Yan’s question.

Right then, the lights in the house were all turned off — it goes without saying that
it made no difference to him whether the lights were on or off. All the curtains were
pulled shut. Only a small window was left open for ventilation. Bo Jinyan lay in bed,
feeling as if the entire world was keeping vigil with him.

He recalled the situation after the meeting that day.

He sat without moving where he was. He heard the people around him leaving.

Later, he felt the light around him turn dark, and the absence of movement around
him. That’s when he realised that she had also left.

After such an unexpected and tender reunion, she had left without saying a word to
him.

Bo Jinyan experienced a faint ache in his chest.

……

“I don’t know,” Bo Jinyan replied.

When An Yan, who was squatting outside the door, heard his reply, he considered
the situation carefully before saying, “Is it because she . . . hasn’t forgiven you,
yet?”

His only reply was Bo Jinyan’s silence.

An Yan sensed that he had hit the nail on the head. Sighing, he muttered, “I thought
a woman like Jian Yao would never get angry. Nothing at all like Fangfang, who is
so difficult to keep happy . . . then, what do you intend to do?”

“None of your business,” Bo Jinyan answered.

An Yan let out a soft ‘cheh’, but the words still hurt. He asked, “Do you want to come
out and eat something? Didn’t we make time this afternoon to buy a big fish from
the supermarket? It might not be fresh if we eat it tomorrow.”

He waited for quite a while, but there was still no movement. An Yan got up and
started to walk away, but, through the door, he seemed to hear him say, “How can
the fish be compared with her?”

These words were indeed a little idiotic, but being heard by a fellow idiot, they
were instantaneously moving.

An Yan stood still for a heartbeat before sighing and asking, “Yes, that’s true, how
can even better-tasting food compare with her? I understand.”

An Yan returned to his room, and all was quiet once again in front of Bo Jinyan’s
door.

Bo Jinyan wrung out a hot, wet towel, placed it over his eyes and shut them. He
kept replaying every word she had said that day, and imagining her expressions
and movements.

His eyes were so hot.

Jian Yao, I’m sorry.

Jian Yao, I’ve been gone too long.
We are separated by a river of blood.
Even though I’m blind, I will still crawl over it.
——
At the same time, Fang Qing and Jian Yao had chosen a more direct method to vent
their emotions from the events that evening.
They had found a place to drink at below the police station. It was one of the small
roast meat stalls dotted throughout the city.

Neither of them said very much. Despite having downed a considerable number of
glasses, both their eyes were still shining brightly in the night due to their
remarkable capacity for alcohol.

Fang Qing lowered his cigarette butt and asked, “Why did you just leave without
saying anything to him?”

Jian Yao looked up and gazed at the night sky of the city, seemingly similar to that
of her hometown, yet essentially different. Vaguely, she felt herself to be once
again with two or three of her good friends on a night so many years ago, chatting
as they ate roast meat and drank beer at a street stall. However, later on, she had
chosen a road very different from the one an ordinary person would take and she
had chosen a man who was one of a kind.

After that, a body full of scars, a heart full of comfort.

A fullness of joy, a fullness of pain.

“Lao Fang, do you know why Jinyan wanted to leave?”

Fang Qing did not reply. People interpreted Bo Jinyan’s departure in many ways.
However, he knew that Jian Yao had her own take on the matter.

Jian Yao raised her hand and took a sip of her drink, then said, “Do you know about
the ‘Flower Cannibal’ case? I almost died then, and also suffered much torture.
Jinyan damaged his throat and faced the risk of utterly sullying his reputation to
rescue me. One could say that he almost gave up his whole world for me.”

“Uhm.”
“Losing me may cause Jinyan to go crazy. But, I think, if he loses Fu Ziyu, he will go
silent.”

Fang Qing did not say anything.

“And if he were also to lose his eyes? If he loses the eyes which can see right
through facades to the sin and evil beneath, what would his convictions rest on? In
truth, Jinyan has already managed very well; he has not sunken into a black pit,
neither has he degenerated. He is just someone who has been far apart from us for
a period of time, but the eyes of his innermost being are still taking in
everything. Lao Fang, today . . . I’m actually very happy. Seeing him after a year, he
has recovered so well, almost as he was before.”
Out of the blue, Fang Qing smiled. “Since you say so . . I don’t have the heart to
beat him up any more.”

Jian Yao smiled as well, but her smile was very slight. They toasted each other,
then looked up in one accord to gaze at the city’s boundless night sky.

It was impossible to catch all the criminals, and evil always lurked on the fringes of
the darkness, extending its reach. In this city, disciples of perversity were also
fleeing in disorder. However, why did her heart feel so warm?

“You asked me why I didn’t say anything to him,” Jian Yao said softly. “I was afraid
he wasn’t ready yet. I am waiting for him to come to me.”

——

In the desolate stillness of night, someone is searching, someone is waiting, and

someone is desperately hiding.

In a darkened room among the city’s high-rise buildings, the television endlessly
broadcasts news on the ‘Butterfly Killer Case’. He shut himself in the bathroom and
listened to the shivering of the water while burying his face in his hands.
Rotten, rotten! Everything is rotten!

The person he killed, the person he loves. And himself.

Abruptly, he lowered his hands. It was as if he had suddenly awoken from a

particularly long and vague dream to discover what he had done.

He looked out of the window, at the cracks in the buildings, at what was hidden
behind the darkened windows.

There was a pair of eyes there. Black compound eyes, like a death’s head.

Those are butterfly’s eyes, looking straight at him!

Kill, it says. Isn’t that what we want to do?

Chapter 69

In the morning, by the time the sky was just beginning to brighten, Jian Yao was
already awake. She could not sleep; whether she had been in a daze or in a state of
acutely remembering and feeling everything, all of it had been a torment.

She walked out of the police dormitory and realised that Fang Qing, next door,
must still be fast asleep, for all was quiet. The world was vast and shrouded in
darkness, and she had nowhere to go. Thus, she once again walked towards the
building nearby which housed the office of the criminal investigation team.

The criminal investigator on duty was highly surprised when she walked in. “So
early, Teacher Jian? Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet.” She smiled and said, “It’s too early, so I don’t feel like eating.” At the
same time, she glanced at the office that Shao Yong had arranged for them. The
lights were on.

“Someone’s there?” she asked.

“Yeah. Professor Bo and An Yan came over after 3 this morning . . . perhaps
something’s up.”

Jian Yao stood just outside the door, unmoving. After a while, she pushed the door
open lightly. One person was sitting at the table, another was lying down on the
sofa, sleeping, just like a big bear. Naturally, this was the constantly sleep-addicted
An Yan.

The person at the table was dressed neatly even in the middle of the night. A black
suit, and a light-coloured shirt. Jian Yao noticed that he had even changed his shirt
from what he had been wearing earlier. Under the soft light, his pale face exuded
an indescribable sense of peace.
He still wore sunglasses even though it was dark out and there was no one around.
Before she arrived.

He raised his head upon hearing movement.

He probably sensed who it was, just like him, who would run to this place to wait
whenever sleep was elusive.

“You’re here?” he asked softly.

“Uhm”. She thought to herself, he must have identified her footsteps by sound.
Previously, before he was blind, he was already able to distinguish her footsteps
from those of others.

He smiled faintly, fleetingly. So, Jian Yao knew that he was happy at that moment.

Jian Yao was unable to smile.

She sat opposite him and took out her laptop and some information. It seemed he
was also aware of her desire not to talk, for he lowered his head slightly, and his
fingers twitched, before he asked, “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

Jian Yao replied, “Yes, I have. What about you?”

He answered, “Yeah. I’ve also eaten.”

She had clearly seen, the previous day, that he was his old arrogant and forthright
self when confronting other people. However, when faced with her, he was
uncommunicative and silent, like a different man. A man she did not recognise.

Jian Yao flipped open the file and stared at the text on the page, but her mind was
a confused jumble of thoughts.

There was a stack of files in front of him. He was not flipping the pages of the file
currently in front of him; instead, his fingers were resting on the paper. Jian Yao
noticed that he was wearing something on his finger and consequently asked, “On
your hand . . . what’s that?”

He lifted his finger, looked down and replied, “It’s a finger reader for the blind.”
Then he replaced his finger on the page and traced the text line by line. As he did
so, the reader issued forth, in a mechanical and soft female voice, “There were no
fingerprints at the crime scene, and no effective DNA samples were collected. . .”

“Is it convenient to use?” she asked.

“It’s all right. The only problem is that this reading speed, to me, is like being in
slow motion. It can only complete reading two books a day!”

His tone was so helpless yet disdainful that Jian Yao could not hold back a laugh.
However, after laughing, when she looked at his face, she felt a little sick at heart.
Previously, he was able to speed read*, and anything he read was always retained.
It must be very hard for him to bear having to rely on a mechanised reader. But, his
being in the mood to make a joke about it showed that he must have adapted well.

*T/N 一目十行 (yi mu shi hang) – literally, 10 lines at a glance

His finger moved across several more lines of text before he asked, “Will my doing
this affect you?”

Jian Yao replied, “Not at all.”

He smiled faintly as he said, “That’s good.”

The both of them worked in silence for a while. At this point, there was some
movement from the sofa as An Yan lazily stretched and sat up. He rubbed his eyes
repeatedly before realising that Jian Yao was there, whereupon he immediately
stood up. “Sister-in-law, you’re here?”

Jian Yao felt a lot more at ease as she faced him and said, “Mhm. Why are you both
here so early?”
An Yan spared a glance for Bo Jinyan who was listening to their conversation. He
said, mildly, “Isn’t it because of someone who has no appetite* and can’t sleep at
night . . .”

*T/N 茶饭不思 (cha fan bu si) – literally, no thought for tea or rice/ food

Bo Jinyan made no sound, but Jian Yao noticed a slight blush of embarrassment on
his face.

Jian Yao pretended not to have heard anything. In an indifferent tone, she asked,
“Have you eaten breakfast?”

An Yan affected a cheerful expression. “Of course not! Sister-in-law, I have been
dying of hunger since midnight! He didn’t even eat dinner. Do you have anything to
eat?”

Bo Jinyan still had not said anything. Everyone could sense his uncommunicative
silence stemmed from embarrassment.

Jian Yao stood up and looked briefly at Bo Jinyan. “I’ll go and buy you both some
breakfast. I’m pretty familiar with Xun City.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law!” exclaimed An Yan.

As Jian Yao turned and walked towards the door, she heard Bo Jinyan say, softly,
“Thank you, wifey.”

Jian Yao’s footsteps stuttered to a brief stop before she continued walking out of
the room.

Only the two men remained in the room.

After An Yan had washed his face, it resumed its usual indifferent expression. He sat
down at the table, stomach rumbling as he waited for his breakfast. At the same
time, he did not forget to keep exhorting Bo Jinyan, “Afterwards, be nice!”

Bo Jinyan said, “Do I need you to remind me?”

——

Jian Yao walked along the streets which were familiar to her as she had visited Xun
City countless times before. She walked down two streets and bought her favourite
breakfast. On the return journey, she looked up to see that the sun had already
risen, and white clouds were dispersing throughout the blue sky. From the
roadside came the sound of cars, the sound of people chatting, the steam and
fragrance of breakfast stalls.

All at once, Jian Yao thought of how Bo Jinyan had called her ‘wifey’ as she walked
out of the room just now.

Then she thought about the past.

He had always called her ‘Jian Yao’, and when he was being passionate, he would
earnestly call her ‘my dearest’. In front of others, he addressed her as ‘my missus’
or ‘my wife’. He almost never called her ‘wifey*’.
*T/N These are all different terms for ‘wife’. 太太 (tai tai) and 妻子 (qi zi), are both
more formal, which I’ve translated as ‘missus’ and ‘wife’ respectively. 老婆 (lao po)
is more colloquial, and I’ve translated this as ‘wifey’.

This man, who had grown up in America, this man, who had always been thick-
skinned and shameless, seemed to have some kind of natural bashfulness about
using the local form of address, ‘wifey’. At best, he might whisper ‘wifey’ into her
ear when in the throes of passion.

However, he had called her that just now.

In response to him, Jian Yao’s heart was palpitating nervously like ripples on a lake.

She looked at the bustling city with its moments of tranquility around her, and
laughed self-deprecatingly all of a sudden.

How did it feel to be reunited?

It was as if they had not been separated for any length of time, as if nothing had
changed between them.

But I distinctly feel that everything around me has become real once again.
——
When Jian Yao returned to the office, Shao Yong was inside talking to Bo Jinyan. He
nodded at her with a faint smile when he saw her.

A rascal is always a rascal. This old rascal was apparently absolutely ignorant of the
confusion he had engineered the previous day. In a totally businesslike manner, his
tone grave and moderate, he said, “Jinyan ah, I want to tell you about a situation.
Since yesterday, we have been carrying out a thorough investigation of the area
surrounding the victim, Nie Shijun’s, rental apartment, and interrogating people.
The area principally consists of two neighbourhoods and a few scattered buildings.
Currently, we’re more than halfway through, but we haven’t found any obvious
suspects. It does not look very promising.”

Bo Jinyan smiled grimly before saying, “He thinks meticulously and deliberately,
and his behaviour is especially careful. Naturally, it would not be easy to find this
devil*. I have another clue here, today . . .”, he paused, “we will investigate it.”

*T/N 查出马脚 (cha chu ma jiao) – literally, to search for and locate the cloven foot

Shao Yong smiled. “What clue?”

Jian Yao and An Yao also stared at Bo Jinyan.

Chapter 70

“There’s something odd about Nie Shijun’s lifestyle habits,” Bo Jinyan said.
“Yesterday, Jian Yao also pointed out that the places Nie Shijun most often
frequented included the park, her workplace, and shopping malls. Her neighbours,
roommate, and colleagues concurred. According to your description of her
clothing and lifestyle habits, she was a very plain, simple girl, who very rarely
owned or used expensive brands and luxury goods. She did not have a credit card,
yet, according to her bank card records, there were two hefty withdrawals from her
account each month. What did she spend all this money on? I think we need to visit
the shopping mall she usually frequented to find out.”

Everyone was a little startled.

Jian Yao was in total agreement. Right now, they had no leads on the killer, so it
was only sensible to focus on the victim. As Bo Jinyan had previously asserted,
there must have been something special about Nie Shijun which enticed the killer
to set off on his murderous journey. They could not miss out on any unusual detail,
no matter how minor, even though it was highly likely to have nothing to do with
the case in the end.

“Okay. Thanks for your hard work. We’ll contact you if there is any progress.” Shao
Yong left, and Jian Yao handed the packed breakfast to the two otakus. An Yan
softly uttered, “Oh yeah,” and sat down to eat at once.

A steaming hot takeout box was placed in Bo Jinyan’s hands. When he opened it,
he smelled the light fragrance of yuxiang*.
*T/N 鱼香 (yu xiang) – a seasoning of Chinese cuisine that typically contains garlic,
scallions, ginger, sugar, salt, chilli peppers (etc.) Although ‘yuxiang’ literally means
‘fish fragrance’, it doesn’t necessarily contain fish or seafood.

“Fishball noodles,” a gentle voice said in his ear. “The fishballs are made from fresh
fish. Do watch out, there may be small bones.”
“Uhm, okay.” Out of the blue, Bo Jinyan was struck by an impulse, and reached out
to grab Jian Yao’s hand. Unexpectedly, he actually got hold of her. Her hands were
still so supple that they seemed almost boneless, but his fingertips detected a
minute, almost indiscernible difference – he clearly felt the callouses on her palm.
As a result, he was even more unwilling to let her go, and gripped her hand more
tightly.

Jian Yao’s heart was in turmoil. As she bent her head, she could see his black hair,
swept off his forehead, his pale face beneath the sunglasses. His slightly dry fingers
pressed against her palm, and in that split second, she was trembling all over.

Someone walked into the room. She swiftly pulled her hand back and returned to
her seat.

The new arrival was Fang Qing. He had woken early in the morning to discover that
Jian Yao, next door to him, had long gone. He knew, sure enough, that this girl
would be unable to do nothing once she had seen her man.

However, he never expected to be met by such a harmonious atmosphere when he

walked into the office. All three people were placidly eating breakfast.

After careful scrutiny, though, he detected a tinge of awkwardness in the air.

With casual indifference, Fang Qing walked to the table, took one of the packed
breakfasts and sat down by himself to eat. Talk could wait until they had finished
eating.

For a time, no words passed among the four of them.

Soon, everyone finished eating. Bo Jinyan said, “Let’s go to the shopping mall to
check out Nie Shijun’s expenditure record.”

Jian Yao responded, “Okay.”

Fang Qing swept her a glance but did not speak.

As they walked out of the door, An Yan clung onto Fang Qing’s shoulders, only to be
shaken off. An Yan cursed softly, “Crap”. Fang Qing ignored him. After a while, when
they had reached the ground floor, Fang Qing felt in his pocket for his cigarettes,
but could not locate his lighter. An Yan picked up the lighter from where Fang Qing
had dropped it and handed it to him. Fang Qing looked at him, took the lighter and
said, “Thanks.”

An Yan replied, “No need to thank me.”

Fang Qing lit his cigarette. After a few puffs, he narrowed his eyes and smiled.

——

Luo Lang had to exercise every morning. If it was not raining, he would go out and
run for two hours. If it was raining, he would run at home and do strength training.

It was after seven in the morning, and he had just finished exercising. He sat on the
sofa in his white vest and sweatpants. His long, slender physique, taut muscles, his
heated body covered in sweat – he looked nothing at all like a respectable
gentleman from the elite class.

He looked like a real man. Clothed, he looked slim and well-proportioned, but,
unclothed, he was all firm muscles* – this was the most appropriate way to
describe him.

*T/N 穿衣显瘦、脱衣有肉 (chuan yi xian shou, tuo yi you rou) – lit. with clothes
on, skinny; with clothes off, meaty.

Of course, he still had the characteristics of a businessman and public figure. For
example, at this moment, he was watching the morning news report, a variety of
financial news, as well as reports on current affairs. At the same time, he was
unhurriedly wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel, seemingly indifferent
to everything that was happening in the world.

Except for someone with the surname, ‘Jian’.

The minute the news report made mention of ‘Xun City’, he looked up.

If his memory was not in error, Jian Yao was currently in Xun City investigating a
case.

The news report that followed caused his brows to furrow even more severely.

‘Butterfly Killer’ case.

Because the police had yet to make an official announcement, the people
interviewed in the news report had already started exaggerating or inventing
aspects of the case, making it even more incredible and mysterious. A serial killer
who always appeared on rainy nights, targeting ladies dressed in red, and then
making the body into a human butterfly. . . .

Up till the end of the news report, Luo Lang maintained a grave expression.

After a while, he looked down and laughed derisively.

Where did this little uncouth thief come from, making things unnecessarily
complicated and even alarming the whole city? He reckoned that his Jian Yao must
be up to her ears in work.

Luo Lang’s expression turned chilly.

If there was anything in this world that would cause him to be deeply concerned, it
would only be Jian Yao. After that case, he swore that he would never again allow
any case or person to harm Jian Yao.
And, he himself no longer wanted to suffer being wronged.

He stood up, took a shower in the bathroom, changed to a black T-shirt and black
pants, donned a cap and a backpack, then called his secretary to say, “ . . . I have to
go on a business trip for a few days, don’t call me during this time. If anything
comes up, ask the other partners to handle it . . .”

He went downstairs to the garage, got out a car that he did not normally use and
drove straight out of Beijing.

——

An Yan’s car was parked at the police station parking lot. He unlocked the doors
and pulled open the driver’s door. At this moment, he heard Jian Yao’s voice,
saying, “Fang Qing, let’s sit at the back.” Fang Qing and An Yan looked up at the
same time and traded glances.

Fang Qing made a sound of assent and climbed into the back seat with Jian Yao.

Bo Jinyan gnawed on his lower lip lightly before settling into the front passenger
seat with an indifferent expression.

The car drove off.

At first, everyone was silent. After some time, Jian Yao coughed twice. Fang Qing
and An Yan took no notice, but Bo Jinyan dipped his head slightly. As the car was
going round a bend, he suddenly spoke. “Why are you coughing?”

JIan Yao lifted her head to look at him and replied, “It’s nothing, just a dry mouth.”

Bo Jinyan kept quiet. An Yan immediately retrieved an unopened bottle of water

from the centre console and handed it to her. Jian Yao said, “Thanks.” Fang Qing
smiled and said, “My mouth is dry, too.”
An Yan said, coolly, ‘There’s no more.”

Jian Yao drank a mouthful of water and coughed twice more.

Bo Jinyan asked, “Is it because you kicked off the blanket as you slept last night?”

An Yan and Fang Qing both pretended they had not heard him.

Jian Yao did not know how to reply, feeling awkward and a little troubled. So, it
turned out that this guy was still the same as before, speaking forth intimate
details with nary a care for the people around them.

“None of your business,” she replied lightly.

An Yan and Fang Qing both looked out of the window.

Bo Jinyan was briefly silent before he said, “It is my business. Because I’m not by
your side to cover you with the blanket.” He sounded quite pathetic, but An Yan
and Fang Qing both had an inexplicable urge to laugh. Jian Yao bit her lip and
turned to look out of the window while saying, “I no longer need someone to cover
me with a blanket.”

Fang Qing interjected at this point. “I can attest to that. Jian Yao rises early every
morning to train – running, hand-to-hand combat, target practice . . . right now,
she is almost regarded as the most awesome female criminal investigator in the
station; she can take down three burly men single-handedly. A measly little cold is
not going to affect her.”

An Yan was somewhat surprised. “So powerful?”

Fang Qing said, “Oh . . . it would be just like a game for her to take down the both of
you right now.”

An Yan said, “Really? Sister-in-law, let’s give it a try later.”

Jian Yao smiled faintly as she said, “Sure.”

Bo Jinyan spoke. “I will try, too.”

Jian Yao ignored him.

Chapter 71

Xun city was not large, so they quickly arrived at the entrance of the mall that Nie
Shijun often went to. Jian Yao and Fang Qing pulled open the car doors and got
out, An Yan’s fingers tapped on the steering wheel.

“You’ll wait in the car?”

“Mhm,” answered Bo Jinyan.

Everyone left the car, and the car’s interior was quiet again. Bo Jinyan sat for a little
while, feeling the sunrays traversing through the car window, shining on his face, it
was a little warm. However in his head, he remembered every sentence from the
conversation he had just had with Jian Yao.

It was an inexplicable kind of warmth. In the past year, he had used a callous and
cool attitude to seal himself away. He didn’t want anyone to get close to him. But
ever since the first moment he encountered her again, his heart had already
started to surge like a wave. He already could almost not control himself, and
wanted to embrace her in his arms, furiously kiss her. Alas, this was his wife, his
wife that he could not reach out and embrace because he was so far away for a
year.

He wanted her, wanted her kisses, wanted her forgiveness and understanding,
wanted her tenderness.

——

Jian Yao and the two others returned very quickly. Although Nie Shijun had used
cash to make her purchases, she had registered a points card at the mall, so
inquiring about her purchase records was a very easy task.

Fang Qing held in his hands the stacks of long receipts that had been printed,
pulled open the rear car door, and was stunned.
Bo Jinyan had moved himself to the back seat.

The proud yet calm appearance, both hands leaning on his walking stick. Fang
Qing could not hold back his smile, and glanced at Jian Yao. Jian Yao was looking
at Bo Jinyan, and did not move. Fang Qing gave her a little push, seating himself in
the front passenger seat. An Yan smiled slightly, and started the car.

Just a stone’s throw away, an entire body permeating the cold aura of a scholar
was right beside Jian Yao. As soon as she lifted her head, she could see the cuff of
his black suit, and the clean and slender fingers. She could even see the thin
scarring on one finger.

“How are the results of your inquiries?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Fang Qing flipped through the purchase records, and lightly responded, “Every
month, Nie Shijun seems to almost always have one or two purchases: lipstick, skin
care products, accessories, women’s clothing…. She has it all. I looked, and during
times like the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), the
things she bought were a little more expensive.”

An Yan asked, “So what does that mean?”

Jian Yao said, “But Nie Shijun herself was a very simple person, she didn’t use these
things. Last time after interviewing Feng Yuexi, we searched their apartment and
didn’t find any of these things.”

She had just finished saying these words when she suddenly gave a start.

Because Bo Jinyan had grasped her hand tightly without batting an eyelid.

“She must have bought them for other uses.” Bo Jinyan lightly said. The morning
sunshine shone on his face; as the car moved along, the rays and shadows
interlaced, his pale and wan face was like a quiet statue.
Jian Yao wanted to pull her hand out, but the grip of his fingers was very firm, so
she couldn’t.

Fang Qing said, “Maybe she bought these things to hide them? A few days ago, I
saw a news broadcast, a girl always went to the mall to steal brand-name items,
but she never wore them outside, only wearing them to look at herself in the
mirror. When she went outside, she would only wear a cheap t-shirt and jeans.”

This conjecture was a bit interesting, but even Bo Jinyan could not come to a
conclusion right now. Yet whether this detail and her death had any link, no one
knew where to find out.

“Could it be that she bought all this for her mother?” An Yan said.

Fang Qing replied, “Are you dumb? These are all brands that young girls use, how
could she have bought them for her mom? And which girl gives her mom gifts every
month?”

Jian Yao’s heart shook a little, she felt that what Fang Qing said touched at
something, but she couldn’t be sure. Her hand was still firmly grasped by Bo
Jinyan, she couldn’t pull it out even if she wanted to.

Yet in Bo Jinyan’s heart at this moment, he had a gushing feeling of satisfaction.

Feeling that she wanted to escape, he decided to pretend that he didn’t know.
Instead, he used his thumb to gently scratch the back of her hand. She then
lowered her head, no longer moving.

Bo Jinyan’s heart had an inexplicable surge of a wave of blood. He sat quietly for a
long while, before opening his mouth to speak, “Let’s invite Feng Yuexi back to ask
some more questions.”

His casually stated sentence caused Jian Yao and the others to give a slight start.
Feng Yuexi’s image floated into their minds – wearing brands from head to toe, a
face with exquisitely applied makeup. In comparison to Nie Shijun’s abnormal
living habits, would there be a connection?
Yet when Feng Yuexi was invited back to the police station, she clearly expressed
that she had no inkling of all of this.

Compared to the shock and sorrow she had when she was last brought to the
police station, the Feng Yuexi today appeared to be a lot more calm and quiet.
However, she also seemed kind of gaunt, both eyes had dark circles; it was evident
that she did not sleep well.

“I’m not sure,” Feng Yuexi clasped her hands together, at a loss as she spoke, “We
would sometimes go to the mall together to buy some things, but I didn’t know she
bought this many, and I’ve never seen her use them ah.”

Fang Qing asked, “Could it be that she bought them for someone else?”

“I’m not sure.”

Fang Qing changed his line of questioning, “Then did she ever gift you with these
kinds of things?”

Feng Yuexi was silent for a little before replying, “Yes. When I celebrated my
birthday, she gifted me with an outfit, for New Year she gifted me a tube of lipstick.
But when she celebrated her birthday, I also bought her a cake and gave her
presents.”

The police also interviewed Nie Shijun’s family members and colleagues, but they
all expressed that they had no knowledge of Nie Shijun’s purchasing habits, in line
with what Feng Yuexi said. This trail ended here as there temporarily wasn’t any
worthwhile information. Bo Jinyan and Shao Yong both thought that if they
continued to investigate, they should look into Nie Shijun’s university days and see
if they could find a breakthrough. Thus, Shao Yong also dispatched a team to
follow this lead, and in the end, there was actually a reward, but that’s a story for
later.

Night had fallen, they had finished their initial inspection of those who lived in the
houses close to Nie Shijun without finding an obvious suspect.
The full moon was like a silver plate giving off light, hanging in the sky. Jian Yao had
finished organising the investigative notes of the officers and taken them into the
office, when she saw Bo Jinyan sitting there by himself, using the finger reader to
“read” the files, Fang Qing and An Yan both were not there.

Jian Yao was speechless.

Reminiscing over what happened in the car earlier, it was only when the car arrived
at the police station that he let go of her hand. Yet her thoughts were a mess, and
she had immediately exited the car. In truth, she didn’t know what she was trying
to resist, but she would unconsciously resist him trying to get closer.

Bo Jinyan originally was preoccupied with reading the files when he heard her
enter, unexpectedly, he did not lift his head. It was as if they were still in Beijing, in
their cozy home, him reading his dossiers, and her accompanying him.

“Jian Yao,” he suddenly began speaking, “Can you describe for me the appearance
of the victim, Nie Shijun? Your impression of her.”

Jian Yao gave a slight start, “Did An Yan not tell you?”

“He did, but his observation skills are crude, and lacks perceptiveness towards
human nature, nothing like how detailed you are.” He paused for a bit before
continuing, “Often, it is only you whose impression is the same as mine.”

Jian Yao was silent for a bit, then said, “Alright. Looking at Nie Shijun…. She seems
peaceful, quiet, introverted; she has flat eyebrows, the bridge of her nose is quite
high, her lips are thin. Looking at her, she seems plain and uninteresting, but…
personally, I feel like she’s not some easily-bullied, delicate character. The
expression in her eyes seem a little gloomy, as if she was hiding something, giving
me a bit of a weird feeling.”

Bo Jinyan thought for a bit, he knocked his fingers on the table, then slowly said,
“Right now in my heart, I have some guesses. But I am still missing some details to
confirm it. The amount of details I can “observe” is too little.” He paused for a bit
before continuing, “If I could see Nie Shijun’s face, if I could more accurately
determine her behavioural characteristics, then I can confirm my inferences.”

Jian Yao didn’t say anything.

After a while, he said, “Jian Yao, I am sorry.”

He said, “I will return, but not right now.”

He said, “I promise I will bring back the corpses of these killers.”

Jian Yao teared up, she lifted her head, only to see his pale, stubborn, yet
handsome face. The black night sky was behind him, and so was the starlight. In
the dimness, he seemed to have become a portrait of eternity, frozen in her field of
vision. Then he stood up, his hand supported by the table, slowly feeling his way
towards her. He took off the sunglasses he was wearing, closed his eyes, and
lowered his head to kiss her. Jian Yao had never rejected his kisses before, and in
this instance, she could not reject them either. His lips moved along her face, her
tears shifted, like a bomb that had been buried for a long time, one that was on the
verge of exploding within their bodies. His kisses became more and more intense,
the grip of the two hands on her shoulders became tighter and tighter.

After a long while, his lips finally moved away. Jian Yao’s two hands caressed his
pair of eyes, tears streaming down her face.

At that moment, someone burst inside, it was Fang Qing. Looking at the scene, he
stared blankly for a little, then said, “They found a second body, it’s the Butterfly
Killer again!”
Chapter 72

Jian Yao did not expect to receive Luo Lang’s phone call at this time.

The stars were sparse in the night sky as the police car moved along the road. Bo
Jinyan was sitting next to Jian Yao. She took the call and said, “Hello, Lao Luo?”
Fang Qing, who was driving, heard her. An Yan was helping to sort through the data
at the main city station, so there were only three people in the car.

It was especially quiet on Luo Lang’s end of the line, as if he were in some empty
and quiet location. He softly asked, “Jian Yao, how busy have you guys been in
these past few days?”

Jian Yao replied, “It’s still ok. The case is progressing.”

“Is that butterfly killer causing you a lot of headaches?”

Jian Yao asked, “You’ve also heard about it?”

“Yes, it was on the television.”

“Yeah.” Jian Yao sighed and continued, “Another person has just died.”

“You will catch the killer,” Luo Lang gently affirmed.

Jian Yao smiled. “Uhm. Why are you calling in the middle of the night? Did
something happen?”

“What else is there except that I’m concerned about the two of you. Anyway, I
figured you guys were investigating, and that you are working around the clock*.
So, I might as well just call you now. From your voice, you sound like you’re in great
spirits. Don’t stay up late too often. Especially Fang Qing, tell him, men who stay up
late are causing harm to their bodies.”

*T/N 昼夜颠倒 (zhou ye dian dao) – lit. day and night turned upside down
In a flash, Jian Yao raised her head and said, “Lao Luo says you should not stay up
late too much, it harms the body.”
Fang Qing smilingly replied, “Fine. What is he doing? It’s the middle of the night
and he’s not sleeping. He doesn’t have to keep his girlfriend company?”

Luo Lang heard him on the other end of the line and responded, “I broke up with
my girlfriend a few days ago, it was getting boring. I’m also on a business trip
outside the capital; it might be a-while before I return to Beijing. When I return, I’ll
meet up with you guys for a meal.”

Jian Yao said, “Sure. See you then.”

After hanging up, Fang Qing laughed brightly as he said, “This kid, don’t tell me he’s
dumped a post-90s* girl again?”

*T/N 90 后 – refers to people born between 1990 and 1999, the post-90s
generation. This generation has its distinct characteristics. More information here.
Jian Yao smiled faintly. “You guessed it.”

Fang Qing said, “F**k, let’s despise him together, then.”

The night breeze gently wafted through the windows. Jian Yao gradually gained
control of her smile. After she had done so, she realised that Bo Jinyan, sitting
beside her, remained silent throughout. Because the two of them had cried while in
the office previously, Jian Yao’s eyes were still a little red. Although he was wearing
sunglasses, his cheeks were still slightly flushed.

Jian Yao scrutinised him. Who knew, he was immediately aware of it, and asked,
“Luo Lang?”

“Yeah.”

He sat without moving or speaking. In that posture, he looked slightly cold and
wooden.
Suddenly, Jian Yao remembered a previous occasion, also in a car, when she had
received Luo Lang’s call and readily addressed him as ‘Luo dage’. As a result, Bo
Jinyan had seemed somewhat unhappy. She had asked him if he was jealous, but
he had denied it. Then, in a rapid about-face, he had coaxed her to call him
‘Jinyan gege’.
“We are only friends,” Jian Yao softly explained.

“I know,” he responded. Following which, he had a little smile on his face.

He was always this direct in showing his happiness or unhappiness. Jian Yao felt
her heart melt, and said lightly, “You were not by my side, and I always need to be
with friends.”

He grasped her hand and said, “Uhm. I also had An Yan by my side.”

Fang Qing looked straight ahead at the night sky and the lighted street lamps. He
had a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but his heart was heavy.

They had reconciled, that’s great.

Two people who really love one another would not bear being separated for even a
minute or a second longer.

But, what about him? Him and his princess?

Why couldn’t they be together now?

——

The body was found in an abandoned building off the road. At the moment, it was
four in the morning. The initial deduction is that the time of death was in the wee
hours of the morning, between 2 and 3 a.m.

Fang Qing parked the car by the roadside. Other police cars had surrounded the
dilapidated building in an almost impenetrable ring. Jian Yao looked up and
realised that Nie Shijun’s neighbourhood was just across the street; it was even
possible to see the roofs of the neighbourhood residences from this location. Bo
Jinyan had previously inferred that this location would be where the killer’s main
activities took place, and not the park. It turned out that he was right.

Bo Jinyan also stepped out of the car. He took a moment to sense the light and the
sound of traffic around him. Clearly, this road was quite a busy one. Even in the
middle of the night, cars were a constant presence. Looking at his contemplative
appearance as he stood on the street and leaned on his walking stick, Jian Yao fell
into a kind of daze.

“Is there a traffic light in front?” he asked.

Jian Yao replied, “Yes, about 20 metres ahead. How did you know?”

He only smiled faintly and turned to face across the road, intending to cross over.
Then, after a heartbeat, he held out his hand towards her. Jian Yao was stunned for
a split second before she put her hand in his.

So it was that nothing had really changed. Just, that night, he had held out his
hand to her for the first time.

Several years later, he would stand on this street and hold out his hand to her once
again.

However, this time, she was the one in the lead. She grasped his hand and walked
forward slowly. No one knew that he held her hand more tightly. When she looked
down, she could see his thin, quiet figure.

The noisy intersection fell silent abruptly. Fang Qing and Shao Yong, who had
already crossed over, were watching them.

“You could hear it?” Jian Yao asked, referring to the existence of the traffic light.

A small smile lingered on Bo Jinyan’s lips as he replied, “Uh-huh.”

At this, Jian Yao felt a surge of happiness. She reasoned that Bo JInyan had already
gradually grown accustomed to being blind and was even diligently utilising his
sense of hearing in place of his sense of sight to make deductions. Although this
was a very simple change, she felt that this was crucial to the very essence of Bo
Jinyan’s life.

He was recovering, he was composed and at ease with himself, he was doing his
best to maintain control over the vital aspects of ‘Bo Jinyan-ness’.

——

This was an empty, sparse room, probably built in the eighties, which had yet to be
demolished. The paint on the doorway and walls was peeling off, and trash was
strewn all over the ground. Thus, it was usually only tramps who lingered here.

The lights were also spoilt. Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan let go of each other’s hand as
they walked through the doorway. Jian Yao and Fang Qing walked in front, Bo
Jinyan’s walking stick tapped lightly on the ground as he followed them.

The deceased was in the inside room.

He was a middle-aged tramp.

The most striking sight picked out by the flashlight beams were the two lines of
English written in red paint on the wall, followed by the corpse on the ground.

‘You will never catch me!’

‘There will be another one.’
The English words were arrogant and domineering, and red paint dripped from the
letters, making them appear especially malevolent.

The body on the ground was the same as Nie Shijun’s. A thin, weak tramp about 1.6
metres in height with bruises encircling his neck, his hands bound to the top of his
head with rope, and his ankles bound as well. The ground beneath his body had
been cleared of any debris so there was a clean patch, and a butterfly with red-
patterned black wings had been painted there. A Papilio maraho.
Jian Yao and Fang Qing joined the intensive examination of the crime scene, while
Bo Jinyan stood quietly in a corner. At some point, when Jian Yao looked up and
saw him, she stared blankly for a moment. Then, she walked over to him and said
softly, “The deceased is lying on the ground about 1.5 metres in front of you. . .”

Bo Jinyan said, “Very good.”

“This time, the butterfly has been painted even more meticulously. The previous
time, there were some rough edges and blemishes, but this time the painting is so
neat and tidy that it’s as if it has been printed there.”

“He is finally enjoying the process,” Bo Jinyan said. “The writing on the wall . . .”

“Very carelessly written,” Jian Yao answered. She had a sudden thought and pulled
him over to the wall, then held his hand, slipped on a glove, and touched his gloved
fingers to the words. In this way, he traced the words, character by character. The
entire procedure was carried out in silence. The moonlight shone through the
nearby window, and he could smell the fragrance of her hair when he lowered his
head.

After he had traced all the words, Jian Yao looked at him and asked, “Is it clear?”

He replied, “Clear.”

Jian Yao smiled briefly before asking, “What else do you want to look at?”

“Take me to see the remaining furnishings in this place.”

Jian Yao nodded and took his hand once again and led him to touch the items,
explaining as she did so, “The deceased is a tramp who must have made this place
his temporary refuge. There are a lot of empty bottles in a corner, and there is a
filthy cotton-padded mattress on the floor. There’s also a small coal stove, and a
very battered iron cooking pot . . .”
Chapter 73

No matter how long she pondered the issue, Jian Yao was still puzzled by one thing
– she had originally thought, if the killer was really a serial killer, then there must
be a regular pattern to the selection of victims. Moreover, when he chose Nie
Shijun, there must have been some distinguishing feature. Who could have
expected that his second victim would be a tramp whose characteristics were
entirely different from Nie Shijun’s? Of course, it wasn’t as if such cases had never
occurred before. The United States had serial killers whose prey ran the gamut of
humankind, from old to young, male to female. But, in such a situation, it would be
even more difficult to suss out the pattern of the killer’s behaviour.

She walked out of the crime scene to see that Bo Jinyan was already standing at
the traffic light intersection, his face expressionless, so she did not know what he
was thinking.

Jian Yao walked over to him.

Very naturally, he grasped her hand and pulled her gently into his embrace. Just
like before, he was extremely clingy. Who knows when this old aspect of his
temperament had resurfaced.

“Uhm . . .” Before he could say another word, she had already hummed softly in
response.

He lowered his head. His sunglasses reflected the light, and his lips were slightly
pursed.

“I already know how to find the killer.”

Jian Yao blinked twice, smiled, and said, “Oh.”

However, she found herself unable to smile at his next words.

“Before nightfall today, I will solve the case and catch this smart-ass idiot.
Tomorrow, go back to Beijing and wait for me at home.”

Jian Yao did not speak.

Bo Jinyan paused before looking up. He turned his face to one side and tapped his
fingers briefly on his walking stick before saying, “And, keep more distance
between you and that Luo Lang.”

——

He dreamt of butterflies once again.

This time, the dream was especially vivid. It was as if he had returned to his
teenage years when he and his closest friend had climbed that mountain.

Lukewarm, ambiguous, rapidly beating heart, living in the green mountains and
clear waters that only a child of that era could experience. Who could know the
troubles of youth?

Then, it was her smile, sweet and moving, which tugged at and captured
everyone’s heart.

Then, he dreamt again of butterflies, moist, wriggling butterflies in all their variety.
They say that dreaming of butterflies results from desire, and he also strongly
believes this.

Sometimes, he would dream of withered, bleeding butterflies. It was always hazy, a

vague impression that flashed across his mind, which he could never remember
clearly.

This was his secret. Even as an adult, whenever he experienced a setback in his
relationship with her, or when he was injured at work, or when something made
him unhappy, he would always dream of a butterfly, leading him to flutter in the
breeze. That butterfly would have the most animated wings, and exude an aura
that was hard to describe, of both liberation and the shattering of hope.
In the boundless depths of the dark, he felt it had to be an omen of something.

Therefore, when he decided to kill Nie Shijun, this impression of the butterfly
naturally appeared in his mind.

……

He opened his eyes and saw her sitting by the bed, her eyes worried.

Her companionship was his unexpected gain, but he also felt it was something he
deserved. He stretched out his arm to hug her shoulder, but she seemed to struggle
against him. A look of loathing appeared in her eyes just for a split second. Swiftly,
his heart turned to ice. With one move, he pulled her towards him and said, “I’ve
already killed so many people for you, do you still think you can do only what you
please?”

She stood still, rigid.

He kissed his way down her body, starting from her face, then pushed her onto the
bed.

——

“No, I disagree,” Jian Yao said as she faced the light breeze on the street.

She stared at him. “I want to wait for you so we can return to Beijing together.
Wherever you go, I will go. As for Luo Lang, if you are jealous, then, you can come
with me whenever I meet him from now onwards.”

“Of course I’m not jealous,” Bo Jinyan immediately shot back. “Huh . . . I just don’t
like him very much.”

Jian Yao smiled as she said, “Ok, good. If you say you’re not jealous, then you’re
not jealous.”
At this time, the sky had brightened, and a faint purple light enveloped the earth. A
car quietly drove past beside them.

Bo Jinyan said, “Jian Yao, you are not part of my plan. I can’t ensure your safety.
You know that’s the most important thing to me.”

“From the time I set eyes upon you again, I resolved never to let you go,” Jian Yao
said. “You don’t have me as part of your plan, and you don’t have eyes, either. I can
be your eyes. What’s more, the ‘me’ that I am now can protect myself. I don’t need
your protection.”

Bo Jinyan clutched his walking stick. Heavily and forcefully, he said, “However, I
can’t take that risk.”

Jian Yao shot back straightaway, “But neither can I.”

At this point, Fang Qing walked over to them. He glanced at their faces and
pretended not to have noticed anything, only saying, indifferently, “We’re having a
meeting.”

Jian Yao turned and walked off.

Bo Jinyan followed her unhurriedly.

This was an unfamiliar place, so Bo Jinyan had to depend entirely on sound and his
walking stick to figure out and navigate the surroundings. Besides, An Yan was not
by his side. In no time, Fang Qing and Jian Yao had left him behind.

Jian Yao walked for a while, then stopped and turned back to look at him. He was
tapping his walking stick on the ground. She watched him for several seconds
before quickly jogging back towards him. Without a single word, she once again
held his hand to guide him. He lifted his head and whispered, “I knew you would
come back.” Jian Yao didn’t know what to say. He had already gripped her hand, so
the two of them walked back together to where the police cars were parked.
Because the situation had come up unexpectedly, there had been no time to find a
better location to hold a meeting, so they met in a quiet corner behind the police
cars. Without waiting for Shao Yong to speak, Bo Jinyan coolly said, “Now, I’m
going to give you a precise profile of the killer. I hope that you will catch him before
dark.”

The words came out quickly, with a touch of icy arrogance.

Everyone was astounded. On the other hand, Jian Yao knew exactly what was
going on. She knew that Bo Jinyan was acting this way, seeming to be an ice
sculpture, because he was angry. In fact, in the past two years, after they had
become a couple, his moments of obstinate bad temper had lessened considerably
under her patient and systematic guidance. She had not expected that his temper
would show itself once again today. He was always reluctant to get angry with her,
so he would get angry with himself in this way . . .

However, everyone was instantly captivated by Bo Jinyan’s words —

“We already know that the killer is a middle-aged man, a novice, with a good
financial situation, and a respectable life.

Today, we have further confirmed that he is 10 cm shorter than I am, which is

about 175 cm. This can be deduced from the height and angle of the words which
he wrote on the wall. There were no marks of any object being dragged to the wall
so that he could climb on it, so he stood on the ground to write those two lines in
English.

He used English which was grammatically correct, and the writing was smooth and
elegant. So, he should be used to writing in English and must have received a good
education.

He needs to transport paint, ropes and other items. This, together with his good
financial situation, indicates that he must have a car. There is no surveillance
camera trained on the entrance to the building, but you can search the footage of
the cars passing through this traffic light before and after the victim’s time of
death, that is, between 1:30 and 3:30 a.m. It will be a mid-range car, at least.
This abandoned building has been in existence for a while, and the tramp has been
living here for some time as well. And he’s made a note of it. He must usually pass
by this road for some reason. Therefore, he noticed the tramp, observed his living
habits, and marked him as his next prey. However, he does not live in the vicinity.
Because of his cautious personality, he will commit crimes at familiar locations not
far from his home, but it won’t be within 1 km. Interestingly, we can see that this
location and the park are both in the same direction. And, as it turns out, Nie
Shijun’s home is in the middle of these two locations. I will not make assumptions
on what this implies, but, in his psychological map, this area must be very
important.”

Everyone was shaken. Bo Jinyan continued, “Search for an upper-class residential

community, between 1 km and 5 km from here. I have already checked, and there
are not many properties matching this description in a small city like this. There is
only one which satisfies the parameters, called ‘Jiamei Mingyuan’. Our killer lives
here.

Therefore, screen all the mid-range cars that passed this intersection between 1:30
a.m. and 3:30 a.m. The owner is 175 cm tall and lives in Jiamei Mingyuan. He will
have, at least, a university qualification, as well as a good job. When you find him,
he will be wearing a T-shirt or polo-shirt from a respectable brand. When you speak
to him, he will be calm. Moreover, he will be especially aggressive in flatly denying
his crimes.

Furthermore, there is something else that will help you find him. In the first
incident, he expressed gentle and meticulous characteristics, and the crime scene
was precise and clean. However, this time, he not only left behind his handwriting,
but he also provoked the police. I deduce that something has provoked or
stimulated him. Yesterday’s search by the police angered him. Thus, he is very
likely one of the people you checked out yesterday. Or, at the very least, you
checked out someone close to him, causing his state of mind to become unstable.
In other words, you have touched the person(s) and things that he cares about the
most.”
Chapter 74

A full-scale investigation began.

The sky was dark, daybreak was about to arrive. Jian Yao returned to the office,
organising the files in her hands. However, she could feel that her heart was
agitated, difficult to settle.

After a while, someone entered. He closed and also precisely locked the door. While
the footsteps of the police officers outside the door were chaotic, the atmosphere
within the room was quiet as its own small world.

She stood there without moving, while Bo Jinyan felt his way to behind her and
hugged her.

She struggled to escape and then walked to a different side of the room.

Perhaps it was because he could smell her scent, because he quickly found and
hugged her. He lowered his head and buried it into the crook of her shoulder, his
posture was reliant, but his tone of voice was very steady and sure, “Jian Yao, you
need to believe that my choice will always be the most logical.”

In the past when this happened, Jian Yao would always obediently listen to his
words. However, since their reunion this time, he found that this was no longer the
case. The woman in his arms quietly let him hug her, then opened her mouth; her
voice, however, was quite low. Despite this, her sound was still graceful and
moving like a violin ensemble.

“Jinyan. You always want to protect me, to put me in a safe place, impenetrably
protecting me, and then go by yourself to go face death and danger. This was the
case with the Flower Cannibal Killer, and the Masked Killer too. I love this about
you, this man who loves from the very depths of his heart. There is no one better
than you, purer than you, more upright than you, a noble soul.
But I also want to join you. A little bird cannot stand alongside you, only an eagle
can. I don’t want to be the person who stands behind you; I want to be the person
who stands beside you. I want to be undaunted by dangers like you and have the
experience and the ability to disregard perils.”

Bo Jinyan’s heart was like a raging torrent, twisting and turning. Her words were
like a light that suddenly started shining on the surface of the water, the light was
warm, and the water was also hot. He made an “oh” sound, felt for her hand,
grasped it, and then said, “Who said you aren’t an eagle? From the first instance I
saw you, you have been the little eaglet in my heart!”

The corners of Jian Yao’s mouth began to curve, but her gaze was sincere yet full of
lament. She held his face with both hands, and, with only his sunglasses separating
them, said to him, “Ah, Jinyan, you need to know everyone also knows this, that
incident was never your fault. You completed your duty very well; you already did
the best you could. Under that disadvantage, you even destroyed almost all of their
main forces, and saved me. There’s no one more sharp and more wonderful than
you. We only lost . . . Ziyu, but before the incident occurred, they had already killed
him. You need not keep blaming yourself; it wasn’t your fault. It was never your
fault. You need to come back, you need to come back as a whole person. You can’t
leave again; you can’t get yourself involved in danger by yourself again. I can’t let
you do that. I think if Ziyu’s spirit were looking down on us, he would not let you do
that either.

I know that your natural personality is to be selfless, but on this earth, you can be
selfless with anyone. The only person you cannot be selfless with is me. Because I
am not your friend, nor a victim. I am your wife, your only wife in this life. I love you
as you love me. You can protect the entire world, but I will protect you. From now
on, during each year, each month, each day and each night, we cannot be apart.
This past year has been my limit, I thought it would be best if I tolerate you, give
you space, but it has only resulted in me missing you day and night, feeling sorry
for you. The ‘you’ that left me and Ziyu, the ‘you’ whose eyes cannot see, the ‘you’
whose heart broke into pieces like that, exactly how are you going to stand up with
strength? I don’t ever want to live like that again. Oh, Jinyan, you need to know, I,
Jian Yao, am willing to die for you.”
Bo Jinyan’s face was ashen, quietly standing there without a sound. The genius
with an eloquent yet vicious tongue, for the first time in his life, lost the ability to
speak.

Looking at his demeanor, Jian Yao also felt extremely sad. She quietly said in a low
voice, “I have to go back and finish some things.” Putting down the dossiers, she
began to open the door to go outside.

“Jian Yao,” he suddenly opened his mouth, “Every day, I love you more and more.”

Jian Yao’s heart felt like it had been swept up by a tide in reaction to his sudden
love confession. She quietly said in a low voice, “Me too, Jinyan.”

The courtyard outside had a few trees; perhaps because they were trees of the
police station, they were uniquely tall and straight compared to trees in other
areas. Jian Yao stood for a bit, as she felt her heart slowly calm down. At this point,
she saw the other team of officers return – this was the team that was tasked with a
deep dive on the first victim, Nie Shijun.

“Have there been any breakthroughs?” Jian Yao asked.

Right now, it seemed more like the killer was a disorganised serial killer, his pattern
difficult to determine. His association with Nie Shijun did not seem to be all that
clear either.

The two officers looked at each other, and one of them said, “We found nothing at
Nie Shijun’s university. However, for high school…. There was some gossip saying
that she was very close to one classmate, their relationship ambiguous.”

Jian Yao didn’t have time to reflect on this information before the other officer
said, “It was a female classmate, it was said that when they graduated from high
school, the university one got into was in the north while the other was in the
south, that female classmate caused an awful ruckus. In the end, her parents
thought it was shameful, so everyone in the family moved.”

The two police officers went upstairs to report on the situation, while Jian Yao just
sat there in deep thought.
Nie Shijun . . . was homo~sex~ual?

*TN: the “~” is to indicate pauses in saying the phrase – reflecting Jian Yao’s
surprise.

Thus, so many things could logically be explained. For example, why she bought so
many branded products for females, but there was no evidence she used it. Were
they for her female lovers?

But, after asking everyone around her, no one knew who they had been given to.

So who could have most likely to have received these products? Who could have
caused Nie Shijun to spend so much money to please?

Who was lying?

Jian Yao’s heart suddenly trembled faintly, because she remembered something
that Bo Jinyan had said before: he likely was one of the people you questioned
yesterday, or at least, you questioned someone close to him, so this provoked him into
committing another crime.
Jian Yao’s heart beat loudly, she was in deep thought for a while before turning to
walk into the criminal investigation room. She asked an officer, “What is Feng
Yuexi’s current address?”

First time in the police station, Feng Yuexi mentioned that, because this case was
too terrifying, she temporarily did not live at home, but lived instead at a friend’s
house. Yet the first time officers searched her and Nie Shijun’s personal items, it
was at the original home, but they never searched her “friend”’s house.

Because she was connected to such an important case, Feng Yuexi’s current
address and whereabouts all needed to be reported to the police in a timely
manner. That police officer looked it up for a bit, and said, “At Guangbo Road, New
Village, Building 2, Unit 3, Room 302.”
Jian Yao was not very familiar with Xun City’s geographical environment, so she
had the police officer point her to the approximate area of the address on the map
so she had a general idea where it was – it didn’t seem too far from the station. So,
she turned and left the building.
Jian Yao stood at the door of the police station and called Fang Qing, “I’m going to
take a trip to where Feng Yuexi resides now.”

Fang Qing was investigating suspects with a group of other police officers in the
station, so when he heard what she said, he only gave an “Oh” in response. He
meant to say more, but Jian Yao had already hung up the phone. So Fang Qing
didn’t pay it too much mind and continued with his work.

Jian Yao stood in the pale yellow sunlight, quietly waiting for the taxi.
Chapter 75

Jian Yao knew that going by herself was dangerous; she knew that the facts of the
case were already just within reach. However, when she thought about how Bo
Jinyan looked standing there talking about love, thought about how, the previous
night, he had obstinately insisted that she return to Beijing first, a sense of pain, of
being forsaken, surged in her chest, spurring her on to do something bold.

She wanted him to see that she could be successful in whatever she wanted to do.

——

“Found the suspect!”

An Yan’s cool yet strong voice resounded in the empty office.

Fang Qing and the others surrounded him. Only Bo Jinyan remained at his spot by
the window. In his mind, finding the suspect was just a matter of time. Since they
were unfamiliar with Xun City, An Yan could even be said to be slow.

It’s just that Jian Yao had gone downstairs a while ago and had not returned. He
knew that she was even-tempered and rarely got angry or suffered from turbulent
or fluctuating emotions. But what she had said just now had both wounded and
melted his manly heart. Then, she had evaded him.

When a woman who was too tender lost her temper, even that was silent and
distant.

Bo Jinyan touched the ring in his pocket. Cold, hard diamonds, protruding
branches. From the time he had left her, he had not worn it, although he always
carried it with him. He worried that he would drop it in carelessness or bump it
against something. He feared that wearing it would mean he had a tangible
reminder of his longing for her, and it would be difficult to dismiss it.
Now, he drew out the ring and placed it on his ring finger. Then he let his hand
drop.

He wanted her to see it in a little while, so she would no longer be angry. Thinking
about this caused him to heat up.

“Black Toyota, market price ¥200,000 to ¥300,000. Drove past the target
intersection at 3:05 a.m. last night,” An Yan reported at a rapid speed. “The car
owner is Shi Peng, 28 years old, from Li county, a technical engineer at a tyre
company. Height 176 cm, lives in Jiamei Mingyuan.”
Bo Jinyan smiled grimly before commenting, “We must hurry. Not much time has
elapsed between the second murder and now, and he intends to continue
committing crimes. Thus, the tools he used and other items of evidence and traces
of his actions are very likely still in his home or his car.”

Shao Yao commanded, “Let’s go! Catch him!”

“Wait!” a criminal investigator abruptly interrupted. “I think I’ve seen this car
somewhere before!” Everyone looked at him while he furrowed his brows in
concentrated thought. Then, slapping his head, he said, “The carpark! Three days
ago, at our carpark! Feng Yuexi’s friend, who came to pick her up! A black Toyota
and the licence plate number is the same!”

The criminal investigators made ready to set out, including Shao Yong and An Yan.
Bo Jinyan also donned his coat and walked out with the other criminal
investigators. Oh, how interesting is this? Turn and turn again, and now they were
back to where they had first started on this case. Such boundless cruelty, but
perhaps concealing the comparatively insignificant and vulgar truth.

Bo Jinyan once again took out his cellphone and called Jian Yao, but no one
answered.

It had happened before that Jian Yao had refused to accept his call when she had
lost her temper. Bo Jinyan put away his cellphone and thought, just as well, by the
time we’ve caught the killer, her anger would have dissipated. He even came to a
highly perceptive conclusion: the current Jian Yao’s temperament was a little more
extreme and a little tougher, and it would be wiser not to provoke it carelessly . . .
 ——
Jiamei Mingyuan was located 4 km east of Wangjiang Park and was less than 3 km
from Nie Shijun’s home. Of course, it was not the only residence within the
suggested range. There were both newer and older residential communities, such
as the Wangjiang community, the teachers’ new housing development, the new
housing development on Guangbo Road, and so on. However, Bo Jinyan inferred
that this was the only place of residence for the killer because it best corresponded
to his preferences, whether in terms of quality, how new or old it was, and his
temperament. On this count, Bo Jinyan had hit the mark.
The criminal investigators speedily arrived at their destination. As they were trying
to avoid causing much alarm, they were all dressed in plain clothes. Some of them
took control of the elevators and main entrance, while others headed for Shi
Peng’s floor in a single file.

All this while, An Yan was still ceaselessly collecting new information pertaining to
the suspect and relaying it to Bo Jinyan and the others.

“Shi Peng has a high school education, but did not qualify for university; this is
contrary to your inference,” said An Yan. “He muddled along at home for two years,
then studied at a vocational high school. Clearly, he was a very good technician
and joined this tyre company upon graduation. Within 5 or 6 years, he rose from
being an ordinary technician to being a technical engineer. I accessed the
company’s internal database. His annual performance evaluation has either been
‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. His superior’s main comment is ‘Thinks about others,
highly diligent. Although he has a quick temper, his interpersonal relationships are
great . . .’”

Bo Jinyan was stunned.

At this time, the criminal investigators had already knocked on Shi Peng’s door. A
sleepy-eyed man wearing a singlet and underpants poked his head out. Before he
could react, Fang Qing and another criminal investigator had surged forward and
pushed open the door, pinning him to the ground. The other criminal investigators
rushed in and took over the entire apartment.

Shi Peng was tall, with bushy eyebrows, big eyes , and dark skin. His entire being
exuded the aura unique to technical workers, of being straightforward and
uninhibited, bold in decision-making and meticulous in thought. He was utterly
confused, and was yelling in shock and anger as he was pinned to the ground,
“Who are you? What do you think you’re doing?”.

Fang Qing whipped out his credentials. “Police! Tell us the truth!”

Befuddled, Shi Peng struggled mightily to break free. “Police? I have done nothing
wrong! How can the police just come and grab people any old how!”

The police rapidly searched the entire apartment but did not find the tools or any
other items. Fang Qing sneeringly asked, “Where are your car keys? Your black
Toyota, licence plate number A67GT3!”

Under interrogation at the doorway, Shi Peng’s eyes opened wide. After a pause, he
answered, “The car keys are not with me. I’ve been on shift at the factory for the
past few days. I gave the car keys to my friend, who was supposed to take the car to
the 4S repair shop for maintenance!”

Fang Qing and the other criminal investigators were struck dumb.

While the criminal investigators conferred briefly with each other, Bo Jinyan had An
Yan lead him on a quick tour around the apartment and describe the furnishings in
a low whisper.

“The apartment is very messy, with instant noodle bowls and fast food boxes
around. There are no books, only some car magazines . . . the clothes are mostly T-
shirts and jeans, the furniture is a set of old, red rosewood furniture, one table has
lost its leg but it hasn’t been repaired . . .”

Bo Jinyan had already turned and walked out of the room. He fired off a question in
Shi Peng’s face, “Does your friend also live in this residential community?”

The other criminal investigators were puzzled. Shi Peng was startled when he saw
Bo Jinyan’s countenance, and replied, “. . . Yes.”
Bo Jinyan’s words came out fast and furious. “About 175 cm tall? Graduate degree?
Car is better than yours?”

“ . . .Yes. But . . . how did you know all these?”

“Are he and Feng Yuexi also very close?”

“. . . Yes. The three of us grew up together.”

A criminal investigator’s face changed. In a low voice, he told Fang Qing, “Yes, I
remember, there were two men in the car which picked up Feng Yuexi from the
police station.”
Chapter 76

When Jian Yao knocked on the door of Block 2, Unit 3, Room 302 of Guangbo New
Housing Development, panic flashed momentarily across Feng Yuexi’s face.
Jian Yao smiled cordially. “You remember me, right? I am a criminal investigator
looking into the Nie Shijun case. I suddenly thought of some questions I had to ask
you.”

Perhaps it was because Jian Yao had shown up so abruptly that Feng Yuexi’s panic
had numbed her brain, so she had no idea how to reject Jian Yao’s request to come
in and sit down. It was only after they had both seated themselves on the sofa that
Feng Yuexi belatedly realised that she was trembling with fear and felt as if her life
was hanging from a thread. However, after she had poured Jian Yao a cup of tea,
she looked at her and noted Jian Yao’s serene and amiable expression, like nothing
had happened. This caused her to feel slightly more at ease.

Jian Yao accepted the cup of tea but had no intention to drink it. Setting it by her,
she took the opportunity to assess the decor of the apartment. It was a one-
bedroom apartment; the floor area was small, but it was still spacious and bright.
The decor was modern, simple yet refined, very much in line with the taste of a girl
like Feng Yuexi. There were still several packing boxes piled up in a corner of the
living room, evidence that the occupant had recently moved in and had not yet had
time to finish unpacking.

“This is the friend’s place that you mentioned previously?” Jian Yao asked.

“Ah, no,” replied Feng Yuexi. “Because I don’t intend to stay there anymore, he
helped me to rent this apartment.”

Jian Yao inadvertently glanced at the scene outside the window and was stunned.

A cluster of grey, newly-built, modern buildings, among which was one sporting a
sign on its rooftop: Jiamei Mingyuan.

Practically only a street apart.

The twilight descended upon them slowly. The two women sat opposite each
other, both especially quiet. Jian Yao noticed that Feng Yuexi had a Pandora
bracelet on her wrist, which she had not worn the previous two times they had
questioned her. On the table behind her was a Gucci bag. There were several pairs
of shoes in the shoe cabinet in the entrance hallway. Jian Yao’s sharp eyes were
able to discern the logo on the soles.

“You know, don’t you?” Jian Yao asked out of the blue.

Feng Yuexi looked blankly at her.

“She’s that kind of person.”

Evidently, Miss Feng was not reacting as she had done the previous two times when
she had been quick-witted and well-prepared. Her expression altered for a split
second, but she still reacted quickly enough and did her utmost to maintain a calm
exterior. She said, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“She loved you,” Jian Yao stated, quietly rubbing her fingers together. “She was
one of the many people who love you.”

Feng Yuexi’s face turned chalk-white, and she looked as if a bolt of lightning had
struck her. Many things surfaced in her mind in that instant: Nie Shijun’s every
frown and smile, the way she looked profoundly into Feng Yuexi’s eyes, that time
she had held her hand and then shaken it off, held her hand and then shaken it
off . . . and her lying in the middle of the butterfly painting, that cold and lifeless
photograph . . .

Humans are not without feelings*. Seeing Feng Yuexi finally affected, Jian Yao
calmly continued to tug at her heart. “When we first started investigating the case,
we could not find the killer’s motive, and also thought the culprit was a serial killer.
But now, there is a motive. It is love.”

*T/N 人非草木 (ren fei cao mu) – literally, man is neither grass nor tree.
Feng Yuexi seemed to startle awake, but it was already too late, as her face had
clearly reflected her emotions just then. Her eyes darted left and right, hesitating,
as she remained silent.

Jian Yao’s voice was calm but compelling. “We’ve already looked into Nie Shijun’s
history and confirmed that she was homosexual. But why did you conceal it from
the police?”

“I wasn’t concealing anything!” Feng Yuexi reflexively refuted. “I was just . . .” She
bowed her head. “I was just afraid of inviting trouble, of landing myself in
unnecessary and unwanted trouble. I didn’t know it was relevant to your case.
Moreover, she’s homosexual, but I’m not! I never accepted her. Lately, she had
really been . . . somewhat abnormal.”

Jian Yao was silent for a while. Her intuition told her that this was very close to the
truth. Feng Yuexi’s rebuttal was so anaemic, and she had unconsciously let slip
some part of the truth. Without doubt, this was the vulnerable point, the point at
which a breakthrough on the case could be achieved. She reached for the
cellphone in her pocket intending to call someone, when – ‘kacha’ – the front door
was unlocked, and someone walked in.
Feng Yuexi stood up straightaway, looking like a drowning man clutching at a
straw.

“Chen Jin,” she called out. “You’re back? The police are here.”

The man at the door looked up.

Jian Yao also watched him attentively.

The man was 27 or 28 years old, over 1.7 m in height, wearing a Polo shirt and black
trousers. His hair, attire, and shoes were all extremely neat and tidy. His face was
on the small side, but his body was buff. His eyes were a polished black, and there
were deep eye bags under his eyes.

After a brief beat of silence, Jian Yao smiled faintly and said, “Hello, Chen Jin . . . is
that right? I am a criminal investigator, Jian Yao. We had some leads on the case
that we needed to come over and ask Feng Yuexi about, sorry to disturb you both.”
Feng Yuexi was standing with her back to Jian Yao. Jian Yao could not see her
expression, but Chen Jin could. He stared at her for a few seconds before slowly
shifting his gaze away from her to Jian Yao. He smiled courteously and said, “You’re
too polite, comrade police officer! Cooperating with your investigation is our
responsibility.”

Then, he pinched the back of Feng Yuexi’s hand and said, “Don’t you even know
you should make tea for the police officer? Go quickly!” Feng Yuexi bolted into the
kitchen, leaving the two of them to sit in the living room.

Jian Yao asked mildly, “Did you drive over?”

Chen Jin did not expect this line of questioning. He was stunned for a moment
before replying, “I didn’t need to drive as I live in the neighbourhood.”

Jian Yao smiled.

Feng Yuexi entered bearing two cups of tea. Chen Jin took one, blew on it, took a
small sip and then placed it by his side before asking, “Have you found the answers
to whatever it was you wanted to ask Yuexi about?”

Feng Yuexi sat next to him, her face a little flushed.

Jian Yao’s expression did not change. “Yes, everything is clear.”

All three shared a moment of silence. The golden light of the setting sun filtered
through the window and shone into the quiet room. Chen Jin muttered to himself
briefly before saying, “Actually, I was thinking about telling you guys about a lead,
but I . . . just couldn’t decide.”

Feng Yuexi’s expression was one of shock.

Jian Yao looked steadily at him. “What lead?”

Chen Jin eyed Feng Yuexi. “Yuexi, why don’t you leave us for a while; go cook
something in the kitchen.” He pronounced that last phrase emphatically. Feng
Yuexi looked panic-stricken for a split second before she stood up and said, “All
right.”

Chen Jin loosened his tie and threw in onto the sofa. He clasped his hands
together, seemingly still struggling with indecision. “I suspect someone of being
Nie Shijun’s killer.”

“Who?”

Chen Jin looked at her, his eyes resolute. “Our friend, Shi Peng.” Seeing the doubt
on Jian Yao’s face, he continued his explanation in a low voice. “Me, Ah Peng and
Yuexi, the three of us have been friends since childhood. Ah Peng has always liked
Yuexi. But Nie Shijun, who lived with Yuexi, always seemed to hinder his pursuit of
her. Ah Peng told me more than once that she was very troublesome. Later, the
two of us found out that Nie Shijun’s sexual orientation was not normal. I advised
Yuexi not to have any contact with her, but Yuexi is tender-hearted, and they had
been friends for so long, so she could not decide what to do. Then, Nie Shijun’s
interference got even worse. I was still ok, but Ah Peng has always been impulsive
and easily riled up, and likes to pick fights in the factory. He’s said before that he
wanted to look for the right opportunity to deal with Nie Shijun . . . I didn’t pay him
much heed at first, but after Nie Shijun died, I remembered Ah Peng saying on
several nights he had something to do, after which he would drive off by himself.
Moreover, he seems to be thrilled whenever we mention Nie Shijun’s death . . .”
His pitch-black eyes looked intensely at Jian Yao. His whispered and hurriedly
spoken words gave the impression he had revealed an earth-shattering secret. Jian
Yao was slightly stunned by his words. She vaguely remembered there had really
been two men in the car that came by the police station to pick Feng Yuexi up that
night; there had been another person.

Noticing her continued silence, Chen Jin furrowed his brows somewhat and said,
“And . . . I have something which I discovered by chance in Ah Peng’s home and
surreptitiously brought back. It might be evidence that Shi Peng is the killer.”

At this, Jian Yao’s expression visibly shifted. “What is it?”

Chen Jin looked unblinkingly at her. “It’s in the bedroom cupboard. I’ll take you to
have a look.”
The door to the bedroom was behind the sofa. They both stood up. Jian Yao
contemplated the quiet bedroom while Chen Jin walked around the sofa to stand
behind her.

“Where is it?” Jian Yao asked.

“It’s in the bedside table on the right.”

Chapter 77

At the same time, the police forces launched a surprise raid on the apartment next
door in Jiamei Mingyuan, Chen Jin’s home.

However, Chen Jin was not at home.

Bo Jinyan stood in the middle of the living room, listening to An Yan describe the
entire apartment. An Yan’s description was very crude, totally without Jian Yao’s
finesse and meticulous powers of observation, and his voice was also unpleasing.
However, to Bo Jinyan, it was better than nothing.

A lot of planning and research had gone into the decor of the apartment, which was
in the minimalist Scandinavian style. The furniture and home appliances were all of
high quality. The books in the study were all specialised tomes on finance and
economics, or data and information. Another room contained a treadmill and
body-building equipment, giving proof of the occupant’s industrious and self-
disciplined life. In the wardrobe, freshly washed western-style coats, shirts,
trousers, and underpants, were all neatly folded and arranged.

In the bedroom, a butterfly-patterned abstract painting hung by the side of the

bed. The strokes were very messy and the colours were garish, and the painting
was unsigned.

In the locked bedroom cupboard, the police found ropes, paint and blood-stained
black clothes. There was also a cellphone with pictures of the scenes of Nie Shijun
and the vagrant’s deaths. There were only about ten pictures of Nie Shijun, but,
probably because there had been ample time, there were more than a hundred
pictures of the vagrant, shot from different angles.

With respect to this, Bo Jinyan said unhurriedly to An Yan, “Have you come to your
attention that it was as if I was standing right in front of him, painting his portrait*?
As if I was seeing him with my own eyes?”
*T/N Bo Jinyan is referring to the accuracy of the criminal profile he previously
drew up for the killer, as evidenced by the decor etc of the apartment.

An Yan said, “. . . . Indeed.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly.

An Yan also smiled faintly. This man had always been so puffed-up, and after Jian
Yao’s arrival, this conceited aspect of his personality had become more and more
evident. It was so unlike what he had been in this past year, where he had
occasionally strained to affect a profound and reserved aura. An Yan felt that the
current situation was wonderful, really wonderful.

When the criminal investigators saw everything, they felt both exhilarated and
chilled. Upon receiving the news from the front-line forces, Shao Yong asked his
superiors to issue an order for the immediate city-wide manhunt for Chen Jin.

Because everything had transpired so suddenly, Shi Peng had been with the police
forces as they ran hither and thither. He had heard some rough snippets of
conversation and seen some clues, which led to his becoming shocked and silent.
Never in a million years could he have imagined that his friend would be the prime
suspect in a serial murder case. Now, his heart and mind were in tumult as he
grappled with a plethora of thoughts and information and consequently,
increasingly grew quiet.

As Chen Jin had not yet been found, Fang Qing felt a deep sense of unease as his
subconscious kept prompting him that something important had been overlooked.
However, because the current situation was chaotic, with so much to tend to, he
just could not think of what it was.

At this point, Bo Jinyan walked over to Shi Peng who had been detained in the
corner, and asked him directly, “Where do you think Chen Jin is most likely to be,
now?”

A myriad of thoughts whizzed through Shi Peng’s mind. Finally, he asked, “Is it
dangerous for Yuexi if she’s with him right now?”
Bo Jinyan simply replied, “Possibly.”

Shi Peng gritted his teeth and said, “He’s rented an apartment for Yuexi in the
Guangbo Road Housing Development, nearby. I’m not sure if he’s with her right
now.”

The criminal investigators immediately set forth. Fang Qing unexpectedly slapped
his forehead. “This is not good! Just now, Jian Yao also said she would visit Feng
Yuexi’s temporary accommodation!”

The expression on Bo Jinyan’s face had originally been calm and indifferent. On
hearing Fang QIng’s words, he whipped his head in Fang Qing’s direction and
asked, “What are you talking about?”

His face changed. Without waiting for Fang Qing’s reply, he turned and stumbled
after the criminal investigators.

——

Jian Yao put on her gloves and took two steps into the room. The sunlight shone
through the window, giving everyone a sparse shadow. She suddenly sensed that
something was wrong. When she looked back, she discovered that there was no
one standing at the room door – Chen Jin had disappeared who knows where.

She turned and headed out of the room, then heard the ‘bang’ of a door closing;
someone had fled the apartment. When she ran into the living room, she noticed
straight away that Feng Yuexi’s bag was gone from the sofa and a pair of running
shoes was missing from the entryway. She wanted to give chase, but someone
walked out of the kitchen and his body blocked most of the sunlight from the
window, so his face was somewhat shadowed. He simply stood there quietly. He
had already shed his coat, so he was only wearing his shirt. His shirt sleeves were
rolled up to the elbow. The financial expert’s slender hands held a rope.
Such a familiar rope.

Jian Yao stood where she was, unmoving, watching him approach step by step.
There was a hint of a smile on his delicate face, but it could also have been sorrow.
“Was it for love?” Jian Yao asked.

He stilled for a moment and replied, “Yes.”

He was just a few steps away from her, but Jian Yao appeared not to have noticed.
Staring into his eyes, she slowly asked, “Then, why a butterfly?”

Right now, he was the most well-behaved and gentle, yet the most brutal killer.
Whatever she asked, he would answer.

“I always feel that I see it everywhere, and it’s always in my dreams, maybe it’s
from my past life. I’ve seen butterflies killing people.”

It seems like he was most probably suffering from delusional paranoia.

Jian Yao continued to ask, in a calm tone, “Last night, you suddenly killed that
vagrant, it was because Feng Yuexi was once again called in for questioning by the
police . . . does it have to do with those luxury goods?” She cast her eyes on the
items scattered randomly throughout the apartment.

Chen Jin unexpectedly smiled before replying, “Yes.”

He was already standing right in front of her, all 175cm of him facing her petite
frame. He looked fixedly at her, his gaze hooded and dim, difficult to read.

“You thought of making it look like a serial killer to mislead the police?” she asked.

He answered, “Yes. Did I make it look convincing?”

Jian Yao regarded him with eyes as still as water. She sighed as she said, “But you
already are a serial killer.”

Chen Jin started violently.

Like a scorching sun suddenly, ruthlessly, flooding the dark night with blazing light;
Llike a long shackled, ice-bound river suddenly bursting forth from its restraints,
the expression in his eyes shifted as his face turned malevolent, as if transforming
him into another person.

Transforming into his true self.

——

The stairwell resounded with the hurried footsteps of the criminal investigators.
Another team of criminal investigators and Bo Jinyan anxiously rode the elevator
up.

Fang Qing’s face was ashen. Although he had said Jian Yao’s fighting ability was
currently pretty good, she had never had to single-handedly face such a savage
serial killer before. An Yan was also extremely jittery; he was repeatedly clasping
and unclasping his fingers, all the while lowly muttering, “Sister-in-law, sister-in-
law . . .”

Bo Jinyan could only stand in a corner of the elevator, never loosening his death
grip on his walking stick.

The elevator door ‘dinged’ as it opened. The criminal investigators were all
prepared to run out, but the frail criminal psychologist had already moved forward,
blocking the door as he rushed out, his reaction faster than anyone else’s.

Fang Qing and the criminal investigators were momentarily taken aback by his
extraordinary speed, but they naturally could not allow a blind man to take the
lead. Exchanging swift glances, everyone moved quickly to outflank him on both
sides and reached the door in a flash.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, the door to 302 was unlocked.

Fang Qing took charge. He listened carefully for a second before gesturing with his
hand. Two criminal investigators, handguns out, violently kicked the door open
and charged in while hollering, “Don’t move!”

……
Many people rushed past Bo Jinyan and into the apartment, but the expected
sounds of struggle or raised voices were absent. Bo Jinyan calmed himself and
clutched his walking stick with what seemed to be all his available strength. Led by
An Yan, he ran inside.

An Yan exclaimed, “Oh . . .”

Bo Jinyan looked up. His thin lips pursed slightly and he stood motionless for
several seconds before shouting, “Jian Yao, Jian Yao?”

It was sunset. The suspect, Chen Jin, had already been knocked senseless and was
lying unconscious on the floor. There was blood dribbling from the corners of his
mouth, but his breathing was steady. The person who had beat him up had clearly
been rather aggressive, for one side of his face was all bruised. His hands were
handcuffed to the metal grilles at the window, and he could not have flown away
even if he had sprouted wings.

Jian Yao stood framed by the glow of the setting sun. Her arms were crossed
against her chest as she leaned against the wall, sipping from a cup of plain water
held in one hand. A slightly frayed rope was neatly coiled on the table next to her.
The originally indifferent expression on her face changed to a faint smile as she
beheld the people entering the room, nodding slightly to them. When Fang Qing
and the others took in the situation, they all laughed. Fang Qing even walked over
to her and patted her on the shoulder.

Then, she raised her head and observed Bo Jinyan walking in.

He stood alone in the crowd of people, gripping his walking stick, face pale.

Jian Yao hardly paused before she set down the cup of water and walked to him.

His unbearably good hearing picked up the sound of her footsteps, and he turned
towards her, slowly holding out his hand. Jian Yao grasped his hand and spoke so
that only the two of them could hear. “Don’t worry, Jinyan. In the future, just let me
deal with this kind of unqualified serial killer.”
Chapter 78

Bo Jinyan sat next to the window, a Rubik’s cube in his hands. Every face was badly
scrambled, but, in his hands, the order was largely being restored. His fingers, as
nimble as the waving tail of a scurrying fox, moved swiftly until every face was
neatly arranged, a single colour on each face. Then he tossed the cube to An Yan
who was sitting behind him.

An Yan could not resist such a simple yet complex intellectual game. He caught it
with one hand, scrambled the faces, and then solved the cube.

This was how it usually was between these two otakus who had been companions
for such a long time.

After solving the cube, An Yan threw it aside and lifted his head to say, coolly,
“Jinyan, in future, just let me deal with this kind of unqualified serial killer.” He was
rarely mischievous, but he imitated the low and serious tone of Jian Yao’s words
the day before precisely.

The corners of Bo Jinyan’s mouth curled up slightly, then immediately flattened

back down. “Fool*!”

*T/N 无聊 (wu liao) – literally, ‘no chit-chat’, colloquially used to refer to someone
who has too much time on his or her hands and is thus bored, engaging in
senseless activities, being silly or stupid.

An Yan was only concerned with displaying his self-satisfaction. “F**k, don’t you
think sister-in-law was so freaking cool yesterday? I had no idea sister-in-law had
this kind of yu jie* character deep in her bones!” Having said this, An Yan glanced
slyly at Bo Jinyan.
*T/N 御姐 (yu jie) – literally, ‘imperial elder sister’. This refers to the ACG (Japanese
Anime, Comics, and Games) role featuring a young woman who is mature in
appearance, personality and temperament, and may include being taller than the
male lead or default reader audience. This maturity may also manifest in physical
strength and self-confidence. Information found here.
Naturally, Bo Jinyan was unable to catch the expression in his eyes or the implied
meaning. With a faint smile and a hint of admiration in his voice, he said, “Indeed,
right now, my wife is cool beyond comparison.”

Because of this little episode, An Yan had even texted Gu Fangfang about the
incident the day before, and then wrote, “Xiao Fang, too bad you couldn’t see my
sister-in-law standing there, she was the epitome of cool!”
Gu Fangfang did not reply immediately.

After some time, An Yan received a photograph sent by her.

In a darkened room, a slightly-built young man in red clothes crouched, one hand
caressing a sword, the other pressed to his forehead. The stance was fresh and
elegant, and while his murderous spirit was evident, it was understated. However,
upon closer inspection, that pretty face, those bright and clear eyes – weren’t they
Gu Fangfang’s? It was impossible to distinguish whether the figure was male or
female, but its heroic spirit was compelling.

An Yan looked at the photograph in silence for a while before coming to a

conclusion —

His own woman was even more cool.

——

At this point, the curtain closed on the ‘Butterfly Killer Case’ that had shocked the
entire province. The culprit had been arrested and brought to justice. Another
suspect, Feng Yuexi, had fled, and the police were making every effort to hunt her
down.

After he recovered consciousness from his beating by Jian Yao, Chen Jin was taken
to the interrogation room. Shao Yong and Fang Qing, those two wily foxes,
presided over this important interrogation together.

Under the blazing light, Chen Jin’s facial expression was hard to describe. His face
was pale and his eyes were vacuous; he seemed to be in a daze, yet a smile that
was not quite a smile hovered around his lips.
“Can I smoke?” he asked hoarsely.

“No,” Shao Yong replied.

Then his expression became even quieter.

Fang Qing asked, “Why did you kill Nie Shijun?”

Chen Jin grabbed his hair fiercely with his hands. In that split second, he felt pain. It
was enough to engulf him and helped him repress the deep pain he had felt over
many days.

Why did he kill Nie Shijun? This was indeed an infuriating question, yet one which
he found difficult to talk about.

Chen Jin thought the story would best be told starting from over 10 years ago, at a
time in his youth.

He, Shi Peng, and Feng Yuexi were all from a town to the south of this city and had
been friends since young. Two ordinary boys and a beautiful and developing girl,
what other story could there be? Naturally, they followed her closely; it was an
infatuation and pursuit that started in their early years.

They attended remedial classes together, played ball together, and explored the
mountains together; the marks of these childhood sweethearts* were all over every
square inch of the small county town.

*T/N 青梅竹马 (qing mei zhu ma) – lit. green plums and a bamboo horse, fig.
childhood sweethearts, a man and a woman who had an innocent affection for
each other in childhood.

However, the term ‘childhood sweethearts’ is frequently used to denote two

people, not three. He and Shi Peng were good buddies, and Feng Yuexi never raised
the issue, so neither did they.
In Chen Jin’s mind though, he was far better than Shi Peng. His results were better,
his family situation was better, and his interpersonal relations were better. Shi
Peng was a problematic student, while he was the President of the student union.
He was the stereotypical good student who never gave any trouble, but Shi Peng
got into trouble again and again. There was only one aspect in which he could
never beat Shi Peng – everyone acknowledged that Shi Peng was very masculine
and really cool.

The oppressive feeling in his heart would probably have started pretty early on,
right? He was too outstanding in the eyes of his parents, of his schoolmates, of
Feng Yuexi. As a result, he never made a misstep, but he always had the urge to do
something that would overstep the boundaries, that would cause destruction!
However, he never let this impulse show. From a young age, he was reserved and
outstanding.

When he was In university, this quality of being outstanding was not diminished in
the least. At that time, Shi Peng entered a vocational high school and Feng Yuexi
was admitted to an ordinary college. However, Feng Yuexi seemed unable to
decide between the two of them. She said she was afraid to harm the relationship
that they had from young; she said she was worried that she would gain a lover but
lose a treasured friend. Consequently, the relationship between the three of them
became unsettled and awkward, with no easy resolution. Occasionally, Chen Jin
would wonder whether Feng Yuexi was deliberately leaving the two of them
dangling, but this thought was gone as soon as it appeared. He would not allow
himself to entertain such disloyal conjectures. This was probably because, to him,
Feng Yuexi was something he had sought after for many years, but had failed to
attain. If he could not win over Feng Yuexi, wouldn’t that prove that he was not as
good as Shi Peng?

However, he did not know if he was wrong in thinking that Shi Peng’s pursuit of
Feng Yuexi appeared to be less ardent than before. At the same time, he did not
give up completely, either.

When he became part of the office brigade, Chen Jin became increasingly unhappy.

The company was fine, and so was the work. However, the staff members in the
head office of this multinational company, located in the south, were all
outstanding. Chen Jin led a respectable life, but among them, he finally appeared
mediocre. He was under intense pressure at work. Every day, he got up early and
returned home late, exhausted, such that his health suffered. He seemed to have
nothing to talk about with his colleagues, none of whom flattered him or even
valued him. On many nights, when Chen Jin drank heartily in violation of the
‘Principle of Healthy Living’, he felt sick and tired of his tedious life. Deep within
him, that impulse to destroy everything was getting increasingly stronger.

However, these were mere thoughts. How could he give up such a life? In the eyes
of his parents, his fellow villagers, his former schoolmates, he was their golden boy,
the object of everyone’s envy.

His only course was to continue being outstanding.

It was at this time that Feng Yuexi graduated from university. Graduating together
with her, and therefore appearing on Chen Jin and Shi Peng’s horizon, was the
apparently taciturn and mediocre Nie Shijun.

At first, Chen Jin and Shi Peng took Nie Shijun to be Feng Yuexi’s good friend and
treated her with courtesy, in the vein of ‘love me, love my dog’*. The only thing
was, this girl’s temperament was somewhat reserved, and sometimes even
gloomy; when she spoke, she could be hasty. Gradually, they did not feel
comfortable with her, because, many times, when Chen Jin or Shi Peng asked
FengYuexi out, Nie Shijun always tagged along. She always sat beside Feng Yuexi,
arm in arm, and neither of the men could interpose himself between them.

*T/N 爱屋及乌 (ai wu ji wu) – lit. love the house and its crow; fig. be involved with
someone and everyone connected to him or her

Once, Shi Peng said jokingly to Chen Jin, “Hey, I say, this Nie Shijun, she can’t be
what they call . . . lesbian, can she? Why is it that I think there’s a bit of hostility in
her eyes whenever she looks at me?”

Chen Jin looked at him in astonishment, but Shi Peng merely waved his hand and
said, “I’m joking. If she really is one, I don’t think Yuexi would interact with her.”
Even though the speaker didn’t really mean anything, the listener took everything
seriously.

For Chen Jin, whose life had become tedious to the point of death, this episode led
to suspicion, enragement, and excitement. Inadvertently, he began to observe Nie
Shijun. But, the more he observed, the more strongly he confirmed his suspicion.
Every look Nie Shijun gave him, and every look she gave Feng Yuexi, was vile and
nauseating proof.

As a result, he always glared at Nie Shijun in secret with a gloomy expression.

However, this was not the only way Nie Shijun made men angry. Later, Chen Jin
discovered that she always bought Feng Yuexi gifts, just like the two of them did,
and she was even more indulgent than they were. Branded bags, cosmetics,
clothes . . . every time he saw Feng Yuexi nonchalantly wearing, putting on the
things which Nie Shijun had bought her, not seeming to have noticed anything,
Chen Jin felt so angry that he simply wanted to vomit blood. Once in a while, he
would intimate to Feng Yuexi that all this was inappropriate, but she would look at
him in surprise, and calmly say, “Chen Jin, I don’t quite understand what you
mean. Are you insinuating that I’m greedy, eager to prey on someone for their
wealth? She’s reserved by nature, so, even if she wasn’t a good friend, I would
damage her self-esteem if I rejected her gifts. Besides, I also give her gifts.”

However, in the end, Feng Yuexi could not keep it up either.

As it so happened, that day, Chen Jin had arranged to meet Feng Yuexi at a
restaurant. He had just reached the door of the private room when he heard Nie
Shijun’s cold, sneering voice issuing from within. “Do you think I am as stupid as
those two? Always letting you keep us hanging? If you want to cast me aside
completely, I’ll kill myself.”

Chen Jin waited outside the door until Nie Shijun left before walking in. Once
inside, he saw Feng Yuexi had cried until her beautiful face was stained with tears*.
Seeing him enter, Feng Yuexi was flustered for a split second, but it was
immediately replaced by vulnerability and sorrow.
*T/N 梨花带雨 (li hua dai yu) – lit. rain on pear blossoms; fig. tears on the face of a
beauty.

“Chen Jin, Shijun is really . . . that kind of person, she has evil intentions towards
me!”

That was the first time Chen Jin pulled Feng Yuexi into his arms. The strange thing
was, he was not as happy as he had long imagined he would be, but he was still
very satisfied. It seemed to be satisfaction with another kind of significance.

……

Shao Yong and Fang Qing exchanged glances. Shao Yong asked, “Did Feng Yuexi
hint that she wanted you to kill Nie Shijun?”

Chen Jin reflexively refuted the suggestion. “No, no, she didn’t . . .”. He paused,
then suddenly smiled faintly. “Maybe . . she did.”

From the time Nie Shijun’s paper-thin facade was destroyed, the relationship
between Chen Jin and Nie Shijun deteriorated greatly. Several times, when Chen
Jin picked up Feng Yuexi for a meal, he could always see Nie Shijun standing on the
balcony, not bothering to hide the resentment in her eyes. Chen Jin thought of her
as a pervert, nothing more than a piece of garbage!

He had even warned Nie Shijun, but she remained absolutely unmoved. It was as if
she considered herself a man and looked at Chen Jin with utter contempt as she
said, “You love her? I do, too. But, is this even something that you need to concern
yourself with? Don’t you know that, in Yuexi’s heart, you’re not as good as Shi
Peng?”

Chen Jin was just a second away from hitting her at that time. But he was a high-
ranking white-collar worker, a good student; he probably, definitely could not be
invited to the police station because he had hit a woman, not even a woman like
this shameless bi*ch!
Had Feng Yuexi hinted that he should take care of this problem? Maybe she had.
More than once, Feng Yuexi had sighed, “I really don’t know what to do right now!
Who is going to help me? Aiya, if only Prince Charming* would come and rescue me
from this misery*!”

*T/N 白马王子 (bai ma wang zi) – lit. prince on a white horse; 水火 (shui huo) – lit.
water and fire; fig. extreme misery

“Chen Jin, tell me, what should I do? If you can resolve this issue, I would really be
very, very grateful. You’re not like Shi Peng, who is so dense, and is still so stupid;
he doesn’t care about this sort of thing at all.”
Chapter 79

The final straw that broke the camel’s back was the rumour about Nie Shijun from
her old hometown that reached Chen Jin’s ears. When she was in high school, a girl
killed herself because of her. The person sharing the rumour had made it sound
highly plausible, that Nie Shijun had encouraged the girl, incited her to kill herself,
and then had withdrawn from her.

Chen Jin had finally found the reason, the reason compelling him to take action.
Nie Shijun had already made it clear that she intended to enmesh herself in Feng
Yuexi’s life for her entire lifetime! What would happen if her love turned to hatred
and she made threats against Feng Yuexi’s life? This was highly likely. A lifetime
was so long, it would be better to deal with this problem at some stage!

Otherwise, this would become the blemish in his life. He could have had a perfect
family. A beautiful and fashionable wife who respected and adored him. Then, they
would have had two outstanding children, just as outstanding as he was . . .

“Why a butterfly?” Fang Qing asked.

Behind the dark glass separating them from the interrogation room, Bo Jinyan and
Jian Yao also waited for his response.

Chen Jin fell silent for a heartbeat before replying, “Because . . . I like it.”

When did it start? From his youth, when he had seen a butterfly fluttering freely in
the mountains? Chen Jin could no longer remember clearly. He only knew that he
was fascinated by the butterfly’s pitch-black, merciless compound eyes. He always
felt that the depths of those pitch-black eyes hid a secret which no one could know
about, a secret belonging to another world.

So, that day, he also saw a butterfly, in his monstrous and multicoloured dream. He
saw a youth, standing, wielding a knife, a butterfly landing on his shoulder. That
scene was so familiar, and he always felt that he had seen it before. Was it in a past
life, or a sign from heaven?
When he awoke, he was struck by a sudden realisation. He was almost crazily
excited about his intelligence and creativity.

A butterfly killer; he should disguise himself as a butterfly killer. The relationship

between Nie Shijun and Feng Yuexi was hidden so deeply, no one would know
about it. He only needed to pretend to be a serial killer, like those commonly seen
on television. In that way, he could evade police attention.

This plan was indeed perfect, he thought.

This world, this life, were all too perfect.

——

Compared to Chen Jin, the other male lead in this story, Shi Peng, was much
quieter. He had gained permission to smoke a cigarette in the interrogation room.
After a long silence, he said, “I never thought that they would come to this. I totally
didn’t expect Chen Jin to kill someone!”

Fang QIng asked, “Did you know about the relationship between Feng Yuexi and
Nie Shijun beforehand?”

Shi Peng shook his head. “In the past few years, I’ve been very busy at work.
Initially, I actually thought something was a little off about Nie Shijun, and I did talk
to Chen Jin to try to figure it out, but I didn’t really think deeply about it.”

Fang Qing asked, “What’s your relationship with Feng Yuexi been like in the past
few years?”

Shi Peng pressed his hand against his forehead and replied, “Nothing good to
speak of. It’s true that I’ve liked her for many years; this is something all of our
friends are aware of. However, I felt that she was changing bit by bit. She was -how
do I put it – money-mad. Actually, Chen Jin doesn’t know it, but I kissed Feng Yuexi
in high school, and she liked me a lot as well. If I had wanted to, I might have
succeeded in pursuing her. But, I went to work in the factory, and she gradually
drifted apart from me. I was also very busy then. Slowly, I achieved some success,
and she also graduated and came back, so we met each other more often.
“She regularly received gifts from Nie Shijun?”

Shi Peng paused momentarily before nodding. “Yes. Sometimes, when she was
with us, she would even take out the items to look at, and say who had given her
this ring, this bag . . .”

It was from this time that he started to feel this love was a little shallow.

“I felt she wasn’t doing the right thing, and even told her so several times. However,
she never seemed to take my words to heart.” Shi Peng continued, “In fact, I still
like her very much. After all, it’s been so many years. She was the goddess a lot of
people worshipped when we were young. However, I slowly became less
interested. After all, relationships between people are controlled by fate. But, I
really don’t understand how they could kill people over something like this! Even
killing innocent people to cover up the truth! That’s a crime, that’s murder! I feel
like I don’t know them anymore; how on earth is this happening?

……

Fang Qing asked, “Chen Jin said he always saw butterflies in his younger days
when he was on the mountain in your old hometown. It was also during this time
that he started to obsess over butterflies. From your observation, is this the way it
was?” Jian Yao had given him the privilege of asking this question.

He handed several of the photographs of the crime scene to Shi Peng.

These photographs had never been made public, and Shi Peng’s eyes grew wide as
he looked at them. As he looked at the ice-cold body lying in the middle of the
butterfly design, he felt his eyes bulging out of their sockets and his entire body
shivering uncontrollably.

“It . . . seems so,” he murmured.

——
The office in the afternoon was silent and still. The coffee machine that An Yan had
brought from the villa gurgled away, filling the room with the fragrance of coffee.

Bo Jinyan sat ramrod straight, the reader in his hand once again going through the
interrogation transcripts of Chen Jin and Shi Peng. When the mechanical voice of
the reader stopped, he took off the device and said, in a voice that expressed both
regret and interest, “This is an interesting phenomenon, fully confirming the
conclusions on childhood education in relation to criminal psychology.”

Jian Yao, who was sitting by the table, looked up at him. Only the two of them were
in the room at the moment. As if confident of her interest, he continued to speak,
straightforwardly and with assurance. “Shi Peng’s life was not smooth-sailing. His
grades were not good, he failed the college entrance examinations, he liked to fight
and provoke trouble, and he graduated to become a resoundingly ordinary worker.
However, step by step, he started on the right path, changed his life and became an
engineer. In addition, he held the correct ‘three views’ of life* and the right
perspective in choosing a life partner, he handled his affairs calmly, and he was
psychologically stable.

*T/N 三观 (san guan) – lit. three views. This refers to one’s world view (what do you
think of this world?), one’s outlook on life (what do you think people are alive for?),
and one’s values (what do you think is the most meaningful?). In choosing a mate,
it is generally held that one’s ‘three views’ should align with the other person’s, but
we all know real life doesn’t necessarily work that way. An interesting article here.
From a young age, Chen Jin had always been a good student, the shining role
model everyone looked to. He almost never allowed himself to make a mistake,
and in the major issues of life: going to school, looking for a job . . . he also seemed
to have never erred. Thus, when he encountered setbacks – the sense of emptiness
and disappointment at work, as well as his love being rebuffed – he had absolutely
no way to overcome them. These long-held notions of him being ‘outstanding’ and
‘never making a mistake’ led to his long-term repression. He loves butterflies
because they symbolise ‘freedom’ and ‘desire’. In the end, after many rounds of
conflict and provocation between him and Nie Shijun, he burst out and killed
others.

It can be seen that the elite education system in our country needs to be reviewed.
I have heard that many parents nowadays place great demands on their children,
insisting that they excel in every aspect. But, people always make mistakes. Based
on this, someone who has made small mistakes has a stronger capability to
overcome the effects of setbacks. On the other hand, a person who has never made
mistakes is dangerous. This means he completely lacks the experience and resolve
to face setbacks. Although Chen Jin is a murderer due to passion, he is also a
typical example of the failure of children’s education.

“I think that you and I should not be this kind of parent in the future. We must allow
our Bo Jian or Bo Yao to make mistakes as they grow up, then they will be able to
live a truly robust life.”

Bo Jian and Bo Yao – these were the names for their eventual children which they
had come up with during a conversation before they were married. Jian Yao did not
expect him to mention them out of the blue like this. She looked at his profile and
noticed how tranquil he looked beneath his sunglasses, like a person to whom
nothing had ever happened. It was as if they were still at home, having an
absolutely ordinary conversation. And, they had never been separated.

Jian Yao suddenly felt a faint sadness twinge through her and did not speak.
Chapter 80

In a rare occurrence for him, Bo Jinyan realised that the atmosphere had turned a
little awkward. His fingers traced a line on the table, back and forth, several times,
while he affected an indifferent tone to say, “Is your skill right now really that
great?”

Jian Yao replied, “Yup.”

Bo Jinyan pondered briefly before asking, “Can you tell me, to what extent?”

The tone of Jian Yao’s voice became even more indifferent. “Fang Qing says I’m
probably about half his capability, now.”

Bo Jinyan did not speak for a while.

This was because, a year ago, Bo Jinyan had also engaged in hand-to-hand combat
with Fang Qing so they could learn from one another. At that time, Fang Qing had
made the following assessment: Bo Jinyan was only at one-tenth of Fang Qing’s
capability.”

Jian Yao was obviously also thinking about the same thing. She laughingly said,
“The thing about training combat skills is, they don’t develop at a constant rate. It’s
possible that, when an ordinary person is just starting out, his skill level might only
be one-tenth of Fang Qing’s. But, once he starts practising, one-tenth doesn’t
become one-fifth, but goes directly to one-fourth or even half.”

It was indeed fortunate that this husband-and-wife pair were able to talk about the
process of learning and developing hand-to-hand combat skills so academically.
Moreover, Bo Jinyan nodded cheerfully, signalling his acceptance of this
explanation.

“Are you willing to try it out with me?” Bo Jinyan asked out of the blue.
Jian Yao looked at his thin and fragile figure and felt a lump in her throat. She
wanted to refuse, but he grasped her hand and said, “It’s already been a year, and I
haven’t yet succeeded in subduing my wife in unarmed combat.”

The police team’s combat training room was one floor down, at the end of a
secluded corridor. At the moment, there was no one else inside. Bo Jinyan locked
the door and took off his coat, then proceeded to roll up his shirt sleeves. He stood
under the light, a very cool and serene smile on his face.

Jian Yao also removed her coat. In truth, she was somewhat at a loss as to what to
do. Previously, at home, she and Bo Jinyan had occasionally ‘engaged in combat’.
Naturally, since both of them were not very skilled, Bo Jinyan was still able to use
his physical strength, height and advantages of his gender to subdue her each
time. After that, he would suggest a few ‘penalty points’, so there was simply no
shame attached and no need to rage.

But, now, she was no longer the rookie she used to be. And he was all skin and
bones compared to a year ago; the eyes beneath his sunglasses were eternally
closed.

She swung a punch in his direction, but she swung so slowly that Bo Jinyan
naturally heard the swoosh of the swing. He grabbed her fist in a swift move and
moved sideways to take her down. She was very flexible, and twisted so that she
was behind him. She was about to strike, but stopped. On the other hand, he
seemed to take their combat seriously; he once again seized her wrist and moved
to throw her. However, she managed to free herself.

“Hey, you’re now as agile as a rabbit,” he exclaimed.

Jian Yao felt warmth pool in the pit of her stomach, a sense of intimacy suffusing
her being. She almost could not stop herself from smiling before she moved
forward and hit him on the shoulder. He couldn’t catch her hand, so she hit him
once more. This time, he managed to grab hold of her hand. One twist, and he
would dislocate her shoulder. Jian Yao shrugged herself free. Right now, how could
Bo Jinyan be considered a worthy opponent? She spun around so that she was
behind him, and moved to subdue him. Who knew, his reflexes were still lightning
fast. In the blink of an eye, he had also spun around and embraced her completely.
Jian Yao also opened her arms and held him tightly.

Beneath the light, neither moved a muscle.

Jian Yao was suddenly distracted, because her fingers had come into contact with
the bones in his spine. One bone at a time, very hard. Like the shell of a tortoise.
Like silence.

A thought rushed into her head. Why was it that this person could never be
fattened up? He always lost weight so quickly. That was how it had been for so
long, half a lifetime.

Jian Yao suddenly found her eyes wet.

In a split second, her world flipped over. Bo Jinyan had thrown himself down on
the ground, still holding her. She lay on the mat, her hands and body totally
encased by him. He looked down at her and smiled, unexpectedly. Just like a child
who had won a fight of no significance.

He said, “Jian Yao, it seems that I’ve won; you can’t beat me. So, you are not
allowed to take that risk with me.”

Jian Yao’s heart lurched, and the ice-cold feeling of something desolate and
unyielding was also aroused. She violently exerted her strength and pushed Bo
Jinyan away. Before he could make any kind of counterattack, she had surged
forward and employed some of the deadly hand-to-hand combat tricks Fang Qing
had taught her. In a trice, she had pinned him down on the ground, with his hands
and body firmly under her control, in true textbook style*.

*T/N 依葫芦画瓢 (yi hu lu hua piao) – literally, to draw (画) a gourd-shaped scoop
(瓢) in the shape of a real gourd (葫芦).

He lay on the ground, still and silent.

Jian Yao said, “Jinyan, don’t be so stubborn.”

Bo Jinyan remained silent. After a while, he reached out his hands and wrapped
them around her waist. Jian Yao suddenly felt as if she had no strength left in her
body. She lay on his chest, lowered her head and once again took off his sunglasses
before gently rubbing her face against his. The two of them kissed each other very
quietly and thoroughly.

“You can’t see anymore. In the future, let me be the one who takes the initiative to
kiss you,” Jian Yao whispered. “I will kiss you every 10 minutes; I will accompany
you to undertake any dangerous mission this world has for us.”

Jian Yao’s tears flowed freely.

Bo Jinyan’s eyelashes also glimmered darkly. His lips twitched, then he said, softly,
“Stubborn woman . . . my stubborn wife . . .”

My most beloved wife.

After that, there was no sound in the room.

There was no sound at all.

Only two people embracing in the quiet room, with the light as their companion,
their breathing, the only witness.

In a haze, I recall each measure of our love, I think about our many infatuated
moments of romance and times of laughter, as I remember our most sincere friends
who have left us or accompanied us.
I also recall that year, that month, that day, in the midst of the lonely mountains,
when I encountered you by accident.
I have left you before.
I have more pride than anyone else in the world, and I am more lonely.
I don’t want to leave you anymore.
——

The sun was in the west by the time Jian Yao held Bo Jinyan’s hand and pulled
open the door of the training room. She had not expected that two people could
fall asleep like that. One side of Bo Jinyan’s face bore the marks of Jian Yao
pressing against him. His shirt was also in a mess.
“I’m sorry, does it hurt?” Jian Yao asked.

“According to my experience, this is nothing,” he replied.

Jian Yao could not hold back her laugh. She held his hand tightly, not wanting to
say anything else.

Once outside, Fang Qing came striding energetically around the corner of the
corridor. When he saw the two of them, he rolled his eyes.

Bo Jinyan maintained his composure.

Jian Yao also remained calm.

Fang Qing said, “ . . . Feng Yuexi has been found.”

Jian Yao did not seem to care, but Bo Jinyan’s eyebrows twitched slightly, because
Fang Qing had used the passive voice.

“I think it’s best that we go and have a look right now,” Fang Qing said.

——

That place was not at all hidden.

The trees by the national highway were sparsely spread out in a long, unbroken
line. However, it would have been hard to be discovered if the action had taken
place in the middle of the night.

Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and a group of criminal investigators hurried by, faces solemn.
After walking for more than 10 minutes in the woods, Fang Qing’s cell phone rang
abruptly. He accepted the call, which turned out to be from Shi Peng, whom they
had interrogated earlier that day.

“What’s up?” Fang Qing asked urgently.

“Hey, police officer Fang,” said Shi Peng hesitantly. “I suddenly thought of
something. That kind of butterfly pattern, I think I saw it with Chen Jin once when
we were young. I don’t know if this is of any use to your investigation.”

Fang Qing went blank for a second before immediately asking, “Where did you see
it?”

“It was on a mountain in our old hometown, in a cave. It was so long ago that I
forgot all about it. I only remembered yesterday after you showed me the
photographs.”

At this time, everyone had walked up a small rise. The person was hanging from a
tree opposite them.

Fang Qing’s heart jumped in shock. Slowly, the hand holding the cell phone was
lowered.

Feng Yuexi was naked, totally naked, with her long hair tossed over her shoulders.
Only her feet were still shod in her branded red high heel shoes, suspended in mid-
air. At this moment, twilight fell, and the open countryside was shrouded in mist.
As a result, the scene was even more terrifying.

She had been ‘nailed’ to the tree. It appeared that metal nails at least an inch long
had been driven through her head, her limbs, and her waist . . . the killer was
evidently skilled, as the sites where the nails had been driven through were still
fairly intact. Blood seeped from her wounds and swirled around her torso and
limbs. At first glance, it looked like a bloody, yet poignant painting.

The butterfly wings were behind her.

Compared to the simple and soft papilio maraho which Chen Jin painted, this
butterfly looked much more savage and majestic. Huge and protruding compound
eyes, black wings with intricate designs all throughout the wings, forming a dense
and complex network. Only the wing tails were orange.

Papilio Maraho
This butterfly was painted on the tree. Even though the tree bark was clearly rough,
the butterfly was painted in an extremely vivid manner, showcasing outstanding
and exquisite skill. It was really like a butterfly, slightly concealed in the tree. And,
Feng Yuexi’s blood-stained, pale body, was that soft and delicate insect body. She
was the butterfly, and the butterfly was her.

All the criminal investigators were silent.

Chen Jin had already been arrested and brought to justice, having confessed to all
his crimes. The evidence found in his home had been irrefutable, clearly proving
that he was the true culprit behind those two murders.

But what was before them was like a silent provocation.

As if someone was telling them:

Do you all really think that you have seen butterflies?

This is the real butterfly killer.
Chapter 81

At this time, the news about the ‘Butterfly Killer’ had spread throughout the
country, including Beijing.

When Jin Xiaozhe saw the news item, she was on set. Dazzling lights, crowds of
people. She sat in a nanny car, seeking a moment of silence in the midst of the
noise.

She watched the real-time news on a small television set and learnt all about the
cases undertaken by the special investigation team. The on-site camera even made
a sweep of the police force at the crime scene, and she vaguely made out a familiar
figure, tall and grim, but she couldn’t be sure it was him.

No, it was definitely him.

She could not be mistaken about his figure.

Jin Xiaozhe sighed softly and pulled her blanket tightly around herself. She stared
at the awning outside the window, seemingly lost. With a swoosh, the door
opened, and her assistant handed her a cup of her daily throat-soothing tea.
“Jin jie, drink this while it’s hot. Your throat must be sore after crying so much
during that last scene.”
Jin Xiaozhe took the cup and swallowed a big mouthful of tea.

After a while, the director shouted for everyone to prepare to shoot. Jin Xiaozhe
pulled off her blanket and stood up. She wore an enchanting qipao, and her
bearing was exquisite and charming. She took a deep breath, slipped into her high
heeled shoes and walked towards the camera.
He had his battlefield, she had hers.

Would the both of them fare well.

——
At the same time, Fang Qing standing stock-still in front of a big tree, staring keenly
at the tree bark beside the corpse. It was already dark, but the tiniest sliver of a
clue was unable to escape the grim eyes of the criminal investigator.

“There’s something here!” he said sharply.

Bo Jinyan and the others gathered around him.

“This is . . . “ An Yan said hesitantly.

“J . . .” Jian Yao had placed Bo Jinyan’s hand on the bark, and he was tracing the
outline. He asked, “Is this the letter, ‘J’?”

Jian Yao was startled.

On the tree where Feng Yuexi had been crucified, blood had been used to write this
simple pattern. On closer examination, it really looked like the letter ‘J’.

“What does this mean?” Everyone looked at Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao.

It would be impossible to divine the hidden meaning based on this single letter
alone. Bo Jinyan’s smile was chilling as he said, “Do you know why he wants to
leave this mark behind? Because he can’t control himself. He was following his
heart when committing these crimes; if he has to control his desires at this time,
then it would all be meaningless.”

Fang Qing had his doubts. “Could it be that he’s deliberately left this ‘clue’ behind
to mislead us?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “With Chen Jin, who was really an amateur, maybe. But
someone who has reached this level of brashness and experience would totally
disdain to do such a thing. Do you think he cares about what we think of him?”

An Yan suddenly spoke up. “In the anime twins revenge-murder case, Ke Qian was
also crucified. Is there a link?”
Fang Qing said, “The technique is similar, but not identical.”

Bo Jinyan said, “Crucifixion always carries with it the sense of punishment and
shame. It is not an uncommon sight in the history of crime. However, their core
markers and actions are not the same. This killer is obsessed with butterflies but
the masked killers were not. It’s not possible to say right now whether there’s a
connection between the two.”

Everyone fell silent. Only Jian Yao had been able to discern that Bo Jinyan was
clearly somewhat excited, so that he had spoken faster and louder. She herself had
felt agitated and depressed, but, on seeing this small glimpse of his self-
satisfaction, she felt an inexplicable warmth in her heart. She could almost
visualise how Bo Jinyan’s mind was working right now: Hey, finally there’s a serial
killer who is up to standard. It’s just that the Bo Jinyan of the present was not as
ostentatiously arrogant and thoughtless as he used to be.
——
There were no footprints.

There were no fingerprints or DNA traces.

There were also no surveillance records.

So much had been done to the body at the crime scene, yet the rest of the crime
scene, even in the nooks and crannies, was completely devoid of clues, as if no one
had ever been there.

Even the most inexperienced criminal investigator could see that this was the work
of a criminal master of consummate skill.

He is the true butterfly killer.

The police once again questioned Shi Peng.

Shi Peng told them a short, vague, and mysterious story.

At that time, he, Chen Jin and Feng Yuexi were only in their teens. They often
played in the hills and mountains of their old hometown. Once, they visited a
barren mountain they had not gone to before.

They got lost.

When Shi Peng and Feng Yuexi found Chen Jin, he was sleeping outside a cave.
They hurried to wake him up, but Chen Jin could not recall anything of what had
happened. “If was as if he hit his head or something when he was running down the
mountain . . .”

When Shi Peng looked into the cave with the aid of the gloomy sunlight, through
the pitch-darkness of the interior he could vaguely make out what seemed to be a
painting on the cave wall.

As a child, Shi Peng was undisciplined and uncaring of rules and regulations, and
loved to get involved in fights and brawls. However, when he actually encountered
a situation, he was much more cautious than Chen Jin and Feng Yuexi.

“Let’s go back,” he said, avoiding suggesting that they should further examine the
cave. Chen Jin was still dazed, and, although Feng Yuexi was curious, she complied
with the boy’s suggestion.

After that, from some time that no one could remember, Chen Jin started liking
butterflies. Every species of butterfly, butterfly art . . .However, he didn’t appear to
be obsessive, so people just considered it to be a biology-based interest of the top
student. As for that time on the mountainside, when he had been briefly separated
from his companions, he could never remember what exactly had happened. Apart
from a big swollen lump at the back of his head which took more than ten days to
subside.

Time passed. The adult Shi Peng naturally forgot all about this little episode, until
Fang Qing showed him photographs of Chen Jin’s painting at the crime scene. Shi
Peng had been extremely shocked, and experienced a sense of deja vu. As he
turned the matter over in his mind at home, he thought, wasn’t the painting just
like that vaguely seen butterfly painting in the cave?
What did this have to do with Chen Jin’s crime and Feng Yuexi’s death? Shi Peng
had no way of finding out.

The police wanted to interrogate Chen Jin again, but it was already a useless
proposition. Because Chen Jin was in the detention centre, insane.

Jian Yao, Bo Jinyan and some others went to visit him. A man who was once tall,
good-looking and dignified, was now like a little child, huddled in a corner of the
cell, trembling with fear, repeatedly muttering, “Don’t eat me . . . don’t eat me . . .
Ah Peng, Yuexi, save me . . .” No one knew if he had seen butterflies, or something
else.

Moreover, when the police mentioned ‘butterfly’ or ‘cave’ to him, they were met
with a vacant expression. No matter how they asked, he remained silent.

——

“A memory is an interesting thing,” Bo Jinyan said. “He thinks he’s forgotten, he

believes that he has never experienced it. However, in reality, it is always in his
mind.”

Thus spoke Bo Jinyan in the car on the way to the mountain that Shi Peng had
pointed out.

“I’ve noticed that Chen Jin mentioned butterflies quite a few times in his
confession:

In his youth, he saw butterflies in the mountains, and was moved by their freedom
and beauty. From that time, he was obsessed with them;

Before he committed murder, he dreamt about a young man, standing and holding
a knife. A butterfly landed on his shoulder;

He always saw a butterfly staring at him . . .

Perhaps, the butterfly that he saw in his youth was not a real butterfly, but was the
butterfly drawing that Shi Peng mentioned.

We earlier thought that the knife-wielding youth was a metaphor for himself.
Maybe it wasn’t, but another person he saw as a child.”

Fang Qing and the others were all taken aback. “The youth? Do you mean to say
that Chen Jin saw the real butterfly killer when he was a child?”
Chapter 82

Bo Jinyan slowly nodded. “I suspect he has seen even more images, such as those
featuring violent crimes. Didn’t he faint outside the cave mouth for no reason? He
even had a huge lump on the back of his head. Perhaps he got a fright, or was
whacked on the head by someone and lost his memories. However, these
memories were never really lost; they were always deep in his memory, deep in his
soul. Whenever he was confused about the future, or whenever he felt lost, those
memories would stir and awaken in his subconscious mind and his dreams.
Moreover, he believed that the butterfly was suggesting, hinting that he should kill
someone.”

They sped past rolling green hills, and the cold air on the mountain road blew in
their faces. Everyone was contemplating what Bo Jinyan had said. His deductions
were not without logic, and they also explained Chen Jin’s love and hatred for
butterflies, as well as the emergence of the real butterfly killer.

“Are you certain that ‘he’ will be a serial killer?” Jian Yao asked. “‘He’ has been
quiet for so many years, and the outside world has never discovered any of his
crimes. Why would he suddenly catch the attention of the police with such a high-
profile case?”

——————

Bo Jinyan muttered to himself for a moment before replying, “If Chen Jin’s
memory is accurate, then he was about 15 to 20 years old at that time, and is now
between 35 and 40 years old.

All this time, Feng Yuexi was able to evade capture by the police. And, he was able
to hunt down Feng Yuexi and kill her without alarming the police. This evidently
displays a sharp sense of observation as well as cool-headed planning and
execution.

At the crime scene, he showed that he was adept at torture and skilful at murder.
He kept the crime scene very clean, and was very conscious about not leaving
traces behind so as to thwart investigation. All this can only be the result of a rich
experience in committing crime.

He has painted that butterfly many times, and practised doing so many times, in
order to be able to paint it so vividly in a limited time.

The butterfly he painted has been confirmed by biologists to strikingly resemble

the Hestina Assimilis (aka ‘the Red Ring Skirt’). If you look very carefully, you will
find that the Papilio Maraho drawn by Chen Jin is very similar to this. Thus, we
suspect that there is some connection between the two of them. It is very likely
that Chen Jin has seen the Hestina Assimilis, and has also witnessed the killer’s
killing technique. Thereafter, his subconscious prompted him to imitate what he
had already seen, and the result is the ‘butterfly murder case’ which is similar to
the original in appearance, but not in terms of substance.

Hestina Assimilis. Image taken from https://alchetron.com/Hestina-assimilis

This case has shocked the entire province and is all over the news. It would be very
strange if ‘he’ does not know about the case. Moreover, Feng Yuexi was considered
Chen Jin’s accomplice, and the police were hunting for her. If he was able to find
out about this, it’s an indication that he has been continually in close proximity to
us, observing and even analysing everything. Furthermore, his killing of Feng Yuexi
was probably based on two kinds of psychological impulses. One is revenge: Chen
Jin imitated his method of committing crime, but Chen Jin has already been
arrested by the police, so he cannot punish him. Therefore, he punished Chen Jin’s
accomplice. For the second kind, we cannot rule out the possibility of him wanting
to ‘eliminate evil’. He regards Chen Jin and Feng Yuexi as being similarly sinful, so
he himself wants to enforce the law. However, no matter which mentality, for him
to choose to appear before the police in such a high-profile manner, he must
certainly have been provoked in some way. He does not intend to hide any longer,
nor does he intend to stay quiet. The butterfly killer is now in this world.”

——

It was already afternoon when they arrived at that mountainous area. The autumn
sunlight illuminated the lush greenery of the mountains, giving the entire area a
tranquil and deeply profound atmosphere.

After so many years, Shi Peng could only recall the mountain had been in this area.
As to which specific mountain, or which orientation, he really couldn’t say. Thus,
after Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan had discussed the matter, they decided to pass the
night at the local police station at the foot of the mountain. The search would
begin the next morning.

Most of the southern counties and cities featured rolling expanses of mountains
and fields. After Jian Yao had settled into the guest house, she used her mobile
phone to check, and discovered that this area was very near her hometown, Tong
City. The two cities were adjacent to each other. Although this area belonged to
Xun City, Tong City’s downtown area was just over the mountain. In terms of sheer
geographical location, this area was actually closer to Tong City.

For people who are usually a long way from home, to be so close to it would stir a
sense of both loss and longing in their hearts. She looked up. Bo Jinyan, Fang Qing,
An Yan and the others were still discussing the next day’s search plan. She walked
to one side, took out her cell phone and called home.

After her call was picked up, within a few words, her eyes were moist.

Mother was picking vegetables to make dinner for herself and her younger sister,
Jian Xuan. As it was nearing the mid-Autumn festival, Jian Xuan had already been
dismissed from school, just that she was not at home.
The daughter who had gotten married had experienced great catastrophe. Jian Yao
was an introvert by nature, and her mother was very good at understanding others.
After she received the news, apart from crying the first few times when comforting
Jian Yao, she no longer probed her about the situation. She only gently asked
about Jian Yao’s diet and daily life, and today was no different. She asked, “Are you
busy? I was afraid I would interrupt your investigation, so I didn’t call you. No
matter what happens, you must take care of your health.”

Jian Yao replied, “Yes, Ma, I’m fine. I’m in great health.”

On the other end of the line, mother laughed, and said, “That’s good. Is there any
news of Jinyan?”

Jian Yao sobbed out, “Ma, he is with me now. It’s just that his eyes haven’t healed.
He’s not in a good mood right now. After some time, I will bring him back home.
Ma, I want to come home for a while. I’m at Xun City at the moment, really close
by.”

After ending the call, Jian Yao raised her head, and discovered that Bo Jinyan had
walked over at some time, and was now standing in front of her. He had also closed
the outside door.

Right now, his hearing was extremely sharp.

Jian Yao looked down and did not speak.

He touched her hand and said, “Go home and visit mother for a bit; give her my
respects and my apologies.”

“Ok,” she said. “There’s no need to apologise. My mother understands. I’ll be back
after dinner tonight, so there will be no delay to tomorrow’s search.”

He remained silent for a while before saying, “Jian Yao, I’m no longer in a poor
mood. At the beginning, there was a period of time when I was. During that time, I
really wasn’t even able to feel anything . . . but, now, I have already accepted Ziyu’s
departure. Just as there is a time where the sun must eventually set, this departure
is something that we have to experience as humans. I tell myself that I have to
doubly cherish each day that I live. You probably don’t know this, but right now,
I’m living for the two of us.”

Jian Yao reached out to hold his nape and whispered, “Since you cherish your life,
why haven’t you come back?”

He also embraced her. After a moment’s silence, he replied, “Because, every time
I’m near you, there’s no way I can remain cold and harsh.”

——

When the sun set, Jian Yao returned home. Because of the good news, the
atmosphere at home this time was obviously much more light-hearted. Mother and
Jian Xuan asked a few questions about Bo Jinyan’s current situation, but did not
delve any further lest it made things difficult for Jian Yao. They had also prepared a
whole array of items in advance and exhorted Jian Yao to take them back with her.
Things like the kind of tea from their hometown that Bo Jinyan liked, a whole
package of dried fish, the hand-made insoles mother had picked up at the
market . . .

When Jian Yao had looked over all the items, she laughingly said, “Most of these
are for him. Ma, you’re really biased.”

Mother smiled and said, “That’s only natural. ‘A son-in-law is half a son’*; if I don’t
love him, then who can I love? You have to take good care of him because he can’t
see right now, and he’s got such pride. You are his wife, so you have to be his eyes.
You have to organise everything at home even more meticulously; don’t let him slip
and fall, and don’t let him lose face, ok?”

*T/N 女婿是半子 (nü xu shi ban zi) – lit. a son-in-law is half a son. However, this is
not to cast shade on a son-in-law. A mother would naturally love her own son, so to
treat an ‘outsider’ such as a son-in-law (when daughters get married, they marry
out of the family into the husband’s family) like her own son, albeit ‘half’ a son
(because, of course, one’s natural son is always loved most), is a good thing.

“Don’t worry, I know.”

Jian Xuan, who was sitting at the side, softly said, “A god-level expert* who is blind
is still a god-level expert. A miracle will definitely occur, and his eyes will be
restored to their original radiance. This is the proper way all legendary stories
unfold, and I firmly believe in this.”

*T/N 大神 (da shen) – lit. great god

Jian Yao laughed and said nothing.

However, her heart felt warm and soft, and its silent power seemed to overcome all
her former misery. She was very clear that she was drawing nearer and nearer to
happiness.

After dinner, Jian Yao washed the dishes, then the two sisters went downstairs to
stroll around the neighbourhood before Jian Yao had to go back. It was night, and
the lights were about to be extinguished. The air was cool and refreshing. The
sisters stood next to the small bridge in the garden, with a huge, tall tree behind
them.

“Jie, why do you still look like you’re being weighed down by something?” Jian
Xuan asked.
Jian Yao remained silent. Her younger sister was an ordinary person who lived
without hiccup or upheaval in the world. Many things just could not be explained to
her, and Jian Yao would not be allowed to do so, anyway. The masked killer gang,
which had disappeared without a trace yet was definitely still in existence; Bo
Jinyan’s insistence on leaving; the sudden appearance of the butterfly killer; the
tenuously possible connection between the butterfly killer and Ke Qian’s case . . .
she always felt that there was a big, invisible net above their heads. But, every time
she looked up, she could only see the dusky, starry sky for the time being. Where
the enemy was hiding was still unknown.

“To speak frankly . . .” Jian Xuan said, “previously, when brother-in-law left, even
though I knew I shouldn’t think this way, I kept coming back to how Luo
Lang Dage was looking after you. I even thought, if brother-in-law never came
back, maybe you would get together with him!”
Jian Yao responded, “How could that be possible? How could he compare to Bo
Jinyan? He’s only a friend to me. Please don’t speak of this in future.”

Jian Xuan made a noise of assent.

After some time, Jian Xuan sighed and said, “Actually, during this time, Ma won’t
talk about it, but she was very worried about you. After all, just like dad, you
became a police officer. Dad, Grandfather and Grandmother dying that year caused
her so much heartache, and she was unable to get out of that funk for so many
years. She’s very, very fearful that something will happen to you.”

Jian Xuan was very young at the time, so, for her, the tragedy of the family
massacre was a great sorrow, but it left no lasting impression or memory as she
had not directly observed it herself. However, it was different for Jian Yao. At that
time, she was already aware of what was happening around her, and had
witnessed the entire event with her own eyes.

Jian Yao was quiet for a good length of time before she said, “When I leave a crime
scene to go home, sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can still see how they died
that year. So much time has passed, but I still remember everything so clearly.
Then, I tell myself, I have to work hard now, so that those people like the ones who
killed Dad, killed Fu Ziyu, hurt Jinyan . . . I can catch those beasts and bring them to
justice. I will never forgive evil; this is what gives my life its greatest significance.”

When Jian Xuan heard this, she was entirely taken aback. For a long time, she could
not speak, and could only grasp her jiejie’s hands.

“Jie, you’ve really changed,” she said. She pondered how best to describe it, then
said, “Right now, you’re just like brother-in-law, the god-level expert, brilliant and
glittering!”

Jian Yao, amused, was momentarily lost for words. As she turned her head, she
took in the shifting moonlight and the swaying shadows of the trees. It felt as if
someone had just passed by, but it also might just have been the wind causing the
trees to move. The world behind her was quiet and peaceful, as before.
Chapter 83

It was already late at night when Jian Yao returned to the guest house at the foot of
the mountain.

When she pushed open the door to enter, that man was sleeping motionless on the
bed. Only a table lamp was still on, and his silhouette was indistinct. In the past, he
had slept extremely well, as was the case for people who were generally of pure
character. Sometimes, Jian Yao had even felt envious when she watched him sleep,
as she felt that sleep was like a kind of enjoyment for him.

It was the same now. He lay ramrod straight, with the blanket covering his entire
body, just like a log. Tonight, his features were also very serene.

With as little noise as possible Jian Yao washed up, changed into her pajamas,
turned back a corner of the blanket and quietly lay down.

During this period of time when they were busy with the butterfly killer case, the
two of them had either spent their nights at the station or gone back separately to
sleep. This would be the first time in more than a year that they were sharing a bed.

Sharing a bed*.

*T/N 同床共枕 (tong chuang gong zhen) – lit. same bed, shared pillow; fig. to be
married. Jian Yao is probably thinking about both ‘meanings’.

Previously, she had never considered that there was anything special about this
phrase. However, now, on carefully considering the phrase, her heart felt a deep
sorrow.

And also a little bit of regret . . . tonight, he had actually fallen asleep first!
However, he could not see any more, so perhaps he was no longer able to . . .
She stared at his face. Still the same face, pale and thin, with elegant eyes and
brows. His high nose bridge showed his willpower and resolute character, and his
hair fell over his forehead.

Jian Yao could not stop herself from moving forward to kiss his face.

After a few seconds, his hands reached out to hold her waist and pull her forward
fiercely. Jian Yao’s heart rate skyrocketed as she found herself lying completely on
top of him.

He seemed to be half-asleep as he looked at her, the black hair on his forehead

obscuring his eyes. However, his hands were clearly fully awake as they made their
way into her pajamas.

“Mrs. Bo, I’ve waited a long time for you,” he said.

Jian Yao’s heart was thumping in her chest. But, another thought came to her. She
lowered her head and slowly rubbed against his chest. Just like before, she said,
“Not unless you promise me to let me go with you wherever you go, from now
onwards.”

Bo Jinyan was silent.

Jian Yao softly said, “Ok?”

Unexpectedly, he sighed. “You’ve degenerated.” She was not at all like what she
had been previously; she was now always making demands of him*.

*T/N 予取予求 (yu qu yi qiu) – take from me whatever you please; make unlimited
demands.

Jian Yao hugged him and said, “I just know much better what I want.”

He did not speak, and was also unwilling to let her go. Lying on his chest, Jian Yao
listened to his heart beat and felt her own heart melt.
However, his body was not the least bit willing to abandon its impulses. After a
while, she heard him sigh faintly. Then, she unexpectedly felt him moving some
part of his body against hers.

All the blood in Jian Yao’s body rushed to her face, but he did not speak, and
neither did he relent. He simply carried on rubbing himself against her, up and
down. Jian Yao knew she was done for. Initially, she had planned to seize the
moment when his willpower was at its weakest to negotiate with him, but her line
of defence was now utterly breached by his shameless and unabashed
manoeuvres. After all, they had been separated for a year, and her body was
tingling all over . . .

In the dark, Jian Yao’s hand slowly moved downwards.

His body immediately stilled.

Jian Yao’s throat was a little dry, but, in the end, she was a married young woman
who was quite skilled in her actions. Besides, she knew his body very well, and this
was his favourite . . .

He abruptly turned his head to face her. In the darkness, she seemed to see him
opening his eyes, but they were devoid of lustre.

He grasped her wrist but did not stop her movements, and even seemed to be
cooperating with her.

“I missed you so much.” A double entendre.

Jian Yao replied, “Me, too.”

“Carry on, don’t stop,” he said as he pressed his slightly hot face against her
shoulder.

“Ok.”

.......
“Jian Yao, there are some things I can’t tell you about right now. Please trust me
absolutely.”

“Well, ok, I’ll listen to you in everything . . . in everything, except . . . “

“I hope that you’ll always laugh. You never laugh, now. Only your laughter can
inspire me to go on, to fight with fervour.”

In the darkness, Jian Yao lifted her head and held his face, wanting to look at him
directly. Instead, he lowered his head and completely sealed her mouth.

He touched her body; being so familiar with the darkness, he removed all her
clothes and covered her body with his. Their warm and stubborn bodies.

“Can . . . you find it?” she could not help but whisper.

“Old hands don’t have to look at a map to be in complete control of the steering
wheel,” he said coolly.

Jian Yao cursed An Yan silently but bit her lips and kept quiet.

After a while, he backed up his words with his actions, and even took the time to
ask leisurely, “Do you have any other doubts, Mrs. Bo?”

“No, none . . .”

——

The next morning.

Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao, Fang Qing and others took the lead in an intensive search of
the entire mountain area, while a large contingent of armed police followed them,
awaiting their directions.

Shi Peng only had a fuzzy impression of which direction to head towards. A person
would have to walk for several hours to reach halfway up a mountain. If you have
ever been to Southern China, then you would know that there are many mountain
ridges which are still desolate and uninhabited; there are many villages, where
families and households could be separated by two mountains. Thus, when they
reached their current location, they discovered that the path ended there; there
was no way to go up.

“Where do we go next?” asked the criminal investigator who was in charge of the
search. “Should we keep going up, or follow the path down the mountain and enter
the next area?”

Fang Qing squatted by the path and carefully observed the direction of the light
and the terrain, while Bo Jinyan listened as Jian Yao softly described the
surroundings. After she had finished, he said, decisively, “Go up.”

Fang Qing nodded in agreement. “Go up.”

An Yan asked, “Why?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “‘He’ is not only meticulous in his thoughts and planning and a
highly intelligent criminal, ‘he’ is also a ferocious bandit. ‘He’ can more effectively
hide away higher up the mountain, and he would think nothing of having to cut his
way through the vegetation. Moreover, over ten years ago, this mountain forest
would not have been as dense with vegetation as it is now. So, for children like Shi
Peng and Chen Jin, it would have been more enticing to explore further up the
mountain.”

Fang Qing said, “I have also roughly taken stock of the terrain higher up the
mountain, and it is not completely insurmountable. I agree we should go up.”

An Yan fiddled with the laptop he held, then looked up and said, “According to the
satellite images, there are more than ten geological structures on the top of this
mountain, which may include caves. Some are at overhanging cliffs and won’t be
easy to locate.”

Bo Jinyan exclaimed, “What are we waiting for? For a miracle to descend? Let’s
go!”
Fang Qing laughed. Jian Yao noticed him and An Yan trading glances and smiles,
and looked over at Bo Jinyan. The expression in their eyes seemed to
proclaim, hey, this poison-tongued guy is back!
Jian Yao walked by his side, looking at his tranquil profile which gave no hint of his
razor-sharp abilities. It felt as if she had returned to the days of the Special Cases
Unit, where the rapport and coordination among them had been so close, and all
of them were razor-sharp. But, now, the four of them – hadn’t they all changed?
They had become cold and harsh.

Indeed, the very phrase that Bo Jinyan used: cold and harsh.

He had said, with her by his side, his heart could not be cold and harsh.

No, she did not agree. Clearly, on the outside, they had become colder and harder,
but, among themselves, their inner selves were all the more warm and soft, and
their connections were on fire.

Jian Yao walked swiftly for a few paces before asking Bo Jinyan, “What do you
think we will find?”

Bo Jinyan responded, “We may uncover a dusty history.”

Interestingly, after they had climbed up for a stretch, they spotted a path once
again. However, it was not very obvious. The weeds and vegetation had been
trampled on and the path was indistinct; it looked as if someone had walked this
way and created the path. The search team continued to spread out and advance
along the path. Very quickly, they reached an intersection of sorts.

From looking at the marks in the undergrowth, people had gone past on both
sides.

Fang Qing took some time to crouch and examine the ground. Then, he said,
“There are faint footprints on the right, cloth shoes, male, 42 inches. Should be
between 160 and 165 cm tall, and it looks to be an old man. The heel has been
worn down severely, and there are traces of cow dung in the middle of the
footprint. Very likely a local farmer. On the left, the grass is dry and the path is not
as distinct. From the looks of it, no one has passed that way for a long time.”
Bo Jinyan listened attentively to Fang Qing’s words while standing at the fork in
the path. Then, he made a decision. “Go left. The path on the right is too close to
the main path. ‘He’ would not choose such a location.”

……

A criminal investigator asked, “Which way should we take going forward? The slope
on one side is in the sun, the other is in the shade.”

Fang Qing took stock of the situation and said, “Let’s search the shaded slope first.
It’s easier to be exposed when the sun is shining directly.”

Bo Jinyan said, “Agreed.”

……

“There’s a cave on that cliff!” An Yan said gleefully.

Bo Jinyan said dryly, “No need to look, it’s a waste of energy.”

“Why?!”

Fang Qing coolly ‘bullied’ An Yan about his low IQ for anything except IT. “Because,
it is too difficult to transport a corpse there; one might fall into a ravine or leave
traces. Moreover, it would not be possible for the small kids that they were then to
climb up there.”

China’s police officers were experts in employing the “huge crowd strategy”*. This,
together with their superlative criminal investigation skills and dogged
determination, had led to their remarkable track record, encapsulated in the
phrase “murder cases will be solved”. However, if they were to search every square
inch of the vast expanse of the mountain area in front of their eyes, it would take at
least 500 men and several days of continual searching to yield results.

*T/N 人海战术 (ren hai zhan shu) – literally, a battle tactic (战术) involving a sea of
people (人海). This is a battle tactic in which a large number of troops attacks the
opponent’s front in a dense formation. This makes it difficult for the enemy to use
firepower to defeat the troops. Here, I think it means that the police force basically
sends out a large number of officers to investigate the case.

But, today, under the direction of Bo Jinyan and his team, only 100 men, in just one
day, had searched with more or less the same result.

As dusk slowly fell, the target area shrank inch by inch. They felt as if they were
getting closer and closer to the truth.

With darkness approaching, the search increased in difficulty.

In front of them was a jungle.

The jungle was located about three-quarters of the way up the mountain, on the
shady side, far away from the main path, and seemed to have barely any signs of
human visitation. The ground was hard, so there was no way to grow any kind of
valuable crop there. However, it wasn’t as if it was impossible to pass through the
jungle. Although the map indicated that the jungle was far from the main path,
Fang Qing had discovered that the back of the jungle, while seemingly a steep
slope, actually consisted of tall stones with many shortcuts running through them.
If one were to take these shortcuts through the stones, it was possible to reach the
main path in an hour.

If they had not looked, they would never have known. It could be said that this
place was an exceptional hiding place, even heaven-sent.

“Found something!” a criminal investigator yelled.

Jian Yao and the others headed in the direction of the voice, their bobbing
flashlights shining through the curtain of night. To everyone’s astonishment, the
light reflected off something in the depths of the forest, standing in a row.

The nearest police officer saw what it was clearly. “It’s wire netting!”
Everyone felt excitement bubbling up within them. In such a desolate and
uninhabited place, deep in the mountains, man-made wire netting had suddenly
made its appearance. How was it possible not to be excited?

The criminal investigators who were closest to the netting had already rushed
ahead. “It looks like there really is a cave inside!”

He had surrounded the cave with wire netting?

Jian Yao and the others followed closely behind. At this point, Bo Jinyan’s
heightened sense of hearing kicked in as he listened to and sorted out the sounds
around him. “Be careful!” he called in warning. But it was already too late. The
criminal investigator in the front had already slipped and fallen. In the underbrush,
under a pile of dead leaves, someone had unexpectedly dug a trap! They heard the
criminal investigator’s blood-curdling scream. When Fang Qing ran to the front, he
saw a trap more than one metre in depth, and there were even a few pointed
wooden stakes in the trap. The only good thing was that the stakes were not too
long and the hole was not too deep, so although the criminal investigator had been
pierced through his back and thighs and there was a lot of blood, his injuries did
not seem to be fatal. The other criminal investigators immediately took action and
lifted him gently and carefully out of the trap before sending him down the
mountain for medical attention.

“It’s to prevent the wild animals from entering, and just in case people wander by,”
Fang Qing said.

Bo Jinyan nodded.

The police avoided the traps and reached the wire netting. Fang Qing took out the
tools he was carrying and cut through the wire netting. At this moment, An Yan
stared at the wire netting and was suddenly transfixed.

It was because he saw a small black device on top of the wire netting. In a split
second, there was a flash of light.
He pulled at Bo Jinyan’s arm and said, “Boss, I think we may already have alerted
him. He must know that we’re here – there is a signal radio transmitter on top of
the wire netting.”

Bo Jinyan responded, “That’s to be expected. He is so cautious and meticulous, it

would be surprising if he had not set up an early warning device as his final line of
defence. Moreover, since he’s out there committing crimes, that means he’s
already decided to go all in and disregard the consequences.” With Jian Yao
lending him an arm, he crossed over the wire netting.

The cave was very deep, dark and dry, and the cave walls were craggy.

At first, as they shone the flashlights around, they could find no traces that any
human had been there. However, the ground was flat, which meant that it had
evidently been tended to. In several places in the rock wall there were candle
holders and the remains of candle wax.

Then, on the cave walls and the ground, very old, dark brown marks began to
appear. Dribs and drabs at first, then in larger groups, more and more . . .

As they walked into the deepest part of the cave, a wide clearing opened up before
their very eyes. It was a natural, circular, stone underground room. People were
hung up all over the cave walls.

Not people; white bones and rotting corpses.

Some were still unmistakeably human, while others were reduced to white bones.
There were men and women, both young and old.

Some were like Feng Yuexi, nailed like butterflies to the cave wall, the painting
behind them.

For some others, the painting on the wall had blurred and become indistinct due to
the passage of years. However, their hands and feet were bound and curled up, so
they looked just like butterflies.
In total, there were 12 corpses, and thus, 12 butterflies. Hidden for all this time in
this deep cave.

……

Jian Yao’s entire body was seized by a sudden chill, and she clung tightly to Bo
Jinyan’s hand.

In that huge cave with more than ten police officers, nary a single one made a
whisper of sound.

……

You may know that the real butterfly killer, in comparison with this poor excuse of
a timid copycat, is calmer by far, and more callous by far. The human lives in his
hand are no more than a butterfly pupa which he crushes to dust under his
fingertips in the blink of an eye.

He had indulged for half a lifetime, suffered pain for half a lifetime.

No one could possibly understand, no one could forgive, no one could redeem.

And, now, he already had no way to endure the endless torment of that darkness,
and he was about to break out of his cocoon as a butterfly to fly into the sunlight.

Then, to die willingly in a brief moment of bliss.

Chapter 84

Bo Jinyan let out a soft, “Oh.”

Jian Yao’s face was also like ice. After a moment’s stillness, she took his hand and
said, “I’ll bring you to take a ‘look’.”

The newest, and also the outermost corpse, was that of a man. The corpse
appeared to be in the preliminary stages of decay, so the estimated time of death
was deduced to be at least a month ago. His clothes were still intact – a semi-worn
camouflage outfit. A pair of hiking boots was on his feet.

This man was tall, and the planes of his square-shaped face stood out sharply. He
looked to be about forty years old. Jian Yao noted that his bones were thick and
solid, and, from his appearance, it seemed he had died with his eyes wide open.

The butterfly behind him was brash and garishly beautiful, and looked like it was
about to lightly flutter away.

“He is not an ordinary person,” Jian Yao shared her gut feeling with Bo Jinyan. “He
was definitely killed for a reason.”

Bo Jinyan pulled on his gloves and touched the corpse’s fingers and bones. Then,
he nodded and said, “Ask the forensic pathologist to come over and check if there’s
anything out of the ordinary with this body.”

The forensic pathologist quickly observed that there were several old stab wounds
on the body, and the injuries had been quite severe. These did not seem to be the
work of the killer but had probably already been present.

“That’s somewhat interesting,” Bo Jinyan concluded.

The second corpse was also that of a man. He had been dead for at least a year and
the corpse was desiccated. Although he was of medium build, he had been strong
and sturdy. The fingers on his right hand had been broken, and his right shoulder
bore an old gunshot wound.

The butterfly behind him was pure black, both sinister and peaceful.

The third man had died even earlier, as evidenced by the extent of the corpse’s
desiccation. He had a nose ring and three thick gold chains, and was clad entirely
in designer clothes. A wooden box had been placed beneath his feet, full of gold
bars from XX bank.

“Check if the gold bars were stolen,” Fang Qing exhorted a criminal investigator in
a low voice.

The fourth corpse was that of a lady. Like Feng Yuexi, she was completely naked.
From her bones, she looked to be in her thirties. However, the posture of her death
was even more humiliating. Both legs had been spread open and lifted up. Her
head had been raised so she looked up, and her hands were placed together on her
chest in a posture of prayer. The wooden box beneath her contained a shrivelled
human organ, recognisable as having been cut off a man.

Next to her was a man in his fifties. He had been positioned so he looked like he
was kneeling in worship, and his head was bowed. The most important male organ
had been cut off.

……

When it came to the ninth, tenth, and eleventh corpses, the situation was different.

They had all died at least ten years ago. There was an old man over seventy years
old, and a young man and woman in their twenties. The butterfly paintings behind
them were also blurred, and they had not been ‘nailed’ to the cave wall, but
suspended. There were also no nails in their bodies. For some unknown reason, at
first glance, the scene was especially serene.

However, if one took a closer look, the horror was magnified. Because they had
been hacked into more than ten pieces, and then the entire body had been spliced
together.
……

“That is to say, the way the earlier victims died is different from the later ones,”
Jian Yao said.

“He is continually evolving, maturing, and finding stability,” Bo Jinyan said. “His
abnormality is becoming more and more severe.”

The last corpse surprised everyone. Because he was the smallest in size, the
forensic pathologist’s initial evaluation was that he was only a teenager when he
died. He was also the youngest of all the victims.

This deceased teenager had also been hacked into several pieces. He was neatly
dressed and his posture was serene. The butterfly behind him had already faded.

There was an incense burner on the ground at his feet, not far from the previous
three bodies. The incense burner was full of ash, and there were four sticks of
incense which had already burned down. In front of the incense burner were signs
that someone had burned paper* there.

*T/N This ‘paper’ is probably joss paper (aka ‘ghost money’), or, specifically, ‘hell
money’. These are burnt before the altars of deceased relatives or ancestors in
order to venerate them or to ensure that they have all they need in the afterlife –
the burning of this ‘spirit money’ enables the deceased to buy what they need in
the afterlife. It is also possibly a bribe to Yanluo (Judge of the Deceased) so that the
deceased have a shorter stay or a lighter punishment in hell. Read more here.
……

Jian Yao wondered at the possibility that the real butterfly killer had been a victim*
of the terrible crime that Chen Jin had witnessed that year. After that, Chen Jin had
been scared so severely* that the scene was forever seared deeply into his
memory. Chen Jin had also been attacked by the killer, but could it be that he
managed to avoid further harm due to his two companions’ arrival?

*T/N I am puzzled as to why the text says the butterfly killer might have been the
victim of the crime. I think it’s more probable that there’s a mistake in the original
text, and Jian Yao is wondering whether the butterfly killer is the killer in the crime
Chen Jin witnessed.

*T/N 屁滚尿流 (pi gun niao liu) – literally, to urinate in one’s pants.

An Yan, who had been quietly standing in a corner, suddenly raised his head and
said, “I’ve found out who bought this entire piece of land about 10 years ago.”

Everyone looked at him.

An Yan said, “His name is Hu Qiyong, a native of Tong City. He was born on 29 April
1965, and was unemployed during the eighties. He was jailed many times for
brawling, and he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in 1981 for robbery.
In 1995, due to his involvement in the killing of Jian Yi, the highly decorated deputy
team leader of the Tong City criminal investigation squad, and his parents, he was
stripped of his political rights, sentenced to death, and executed in court.”

After a moment of shock, Fang Qing thought briefly before saying, “That means
someone used this dead person’s identity and bought this piece of land? In the
nineties, China’s household registration system* was not perfect, and the
registration cyber-network had lapses. What’s more, this is a rural wasteland, so it
would have been easy to commit identity fraud. Moreover, doing this would
prevent the off chance of the land being taken over for development . . .” He cut
himself off abruptly and turned his head to look at Jian Yao. What he saw caused
him to break out in cold sweat.

*T/N Read more about the household registration system (戶口 hukou) here.
Not understanding what was going on, An Yan also turned to look at her.

Jian Yao’s eyes were huge in her pale face. Her hands, hanging loosely at her sides,
were clenched into fists.

But, a hand placed itself steadily on her shoulder. Bo Jinyan told everyone, “Jian Yi
is Jian Yao’s father, my father-in-law.”

——
It was very late at night.

Outside the window, the night sky was thick with stars yet startlingly desolate. Jian
Yao sat in the temporary conference room in the small guest house at the foot of
the mountain, lost in thought.

At the round table not far away, the criminal investigators were working through
the night, chasing down the clues. It was as if the thread of every single clue had
been ignited and was now blazing furiously.

“The identity of victim no. 1 has been quickly verified. He was a Class A criminal
fugitive, wanted by the Ministry of Public Security with a reward for his capture. He
fled and disappeared without a trace more than six months ago.”

“Dang! Too amazing! That ferocious bandit has been slaughtered by this serial
killer!”

“Victim no. 3 was also wanted by the Ministry of Public Security!”

“Victim no. 2 as well! Missing for three years!”

“Victims no. 4 and 5 were fugitives. After killing the man’s wife and father-in-law,
they took all the money and eloped! Never expected this kind of story!”

“Victim no. 7 was also a fugitive; he committed both rape and murder.”

......

“Victim no. 10 was an old man, an ordinary person who came from Tong City. He
disappeared 12 years ago. His family searched for him all this time, but never found
him.”

“Victim no. 12, the young man, is also an ordinary person from Tong City. He was
only 15 when he disappeared, and he has been missing for many years. His family
never stopped searching for him; they thought that he had been sold off to
traffickers. Who would have thought he would be buried in this mountain so close
by.”

……

Out of the blue, Jian Yao’s tears fell. Those vague, distant, warm, and sorrowful
memories flooded her mind, and she barely managed to hang on to her self-
control. Afraid that someone would notice, she got up and walked to the window,
covering her face so that no one could see.

Someone embraced her lightly from the back. Jian Yao immediately dashed the
tears away, but before she could say anything, Bo Jinyan was already speaking.
“Sometimes, I wish I could hop into a time machine to see what little Jian Yao was
like.”

Jian Yao bowed her head and remained silent.

He smiled faintly and said, “Ah, she must have been a brave, kind, quick-witted –
and a little bit stubborn – young lady. I have sufficient grounds for arguing that
your current crabby temperament is merely your natural character laid bare.
Despite being so young, you could follow your father’s instructions and protect
yourself as well as your younger sister. You’ve had the innate skill to fight crime
since you were a young girl, just like me. We were really born to be together.”

Jian Yao smiled through her tears.

Bo Jinyan held her hand tightly and kneaded her palm, as he usually did, before
saying, “One perspective in child psychology is that a child’s temperament and
innate character is fixed by the time he or she is six years old. The kind of person
one eventually becomes has already been determined by one’s environment and
nurturing influences before the age of six. Although you lacked your father’s
presence in your life thereafter, I am sure that, at the most important stage of life,
the earliest stage, your dad was your best companion. I know that this is extremely
precious to you.”

Jian Yao’s tears fell ceaselessly. Several criminal investigators came over on
noticing how fiercely she was sobbing. Bo Jinyan had nothing with which to block
their view, so he simply pulled the curtains across, enveloping the two of them.
Then, he patted her back lightly.

Go ahead and cry, my little wife.

I know that this is the deepest wound in your heart. You rarely speak of it, even to me.
Now, this wound has finally been ripped open, and in a most unexpected way. So, how
should we face it?

“Don’t be afraid to face and deal with your wounds,” Bo Jinyan whispered into her
ear. “Even though the bravest person may be grieving, he still has to seek the truth
and answers he needs through his tears.”

Jian Yao was shaken. She looked up at him, at the sunglasses on his face, at his thin
face with its sharp planes, at the walking stick he had leaned against the wall.

She reached out and hugged him tightly.

Chapter 85

“The person we are looking for is a man aged 35 to 40 years old. He is tall and
sturdy. He constantly works out, and has a very robust physique as a result. This is
how he is able to transport the bodies of his victims to the mountaintop on foot.

He has trained in unarmed combat or taekwondo or some form of martial arts

before, and is an expert in that form. He is a meticulous thinker and is very good at
plotting. He has some way to access information on police cases, and is very
familiar with criminal investigation techniques. This is why he has been successful
in tracking down so many fugitives and slaughtering them.

He has an excellent financial situation. Either his family circumstances are great, or
he has a job with a considerable income.

He is from Tong City. At present, it is impossible to ascertain whether he has any

connection to Jian Yi’s case that year. However, he definitely suffered some huge
psychological provocation in his early youth, after which, he started killing people.
His experience in slaughtering people has matured from the chaos it was when he
started. His first targets were selected without any pattern whatsoever, and each
and every one of them was haphazardly hacked to death, with a butterfly painted
behind them thereafter. Later on, he changed progressively, and focussed on
killing criminals, even including the bandits who were guilty of terrible crimes.
Moreover, he executed them by nailing them with iron nails, and completely
transformed himself into an ‘enforcer of the law’.

There seems to be no clear time period within which he committed crimes, and no
clear pattern of occurrence, either. In fact, there is a gap of several years in the
middle. I suspect he was distracted by other reasons during that time, such as
imprisonment, going abroad or hospitalisation.

The incense burner at the scene, as well as the different ways in which he handled
the two types of corpses, also confirms his remorse and guilt over his treatment of
the earlier victims. Although he is a psychopath, he is always struggling, and has a
conscience. I believer, after he became an ‘enforcer of the law’, he attained a
considerable measure of relief, and his mental state also stabilised. This is because
he finally found a way to balance his need to kill and his conscience.

However, from a psychological perspective, this stability is only superficial and

temporary. The more he killed, the greater the degree of his psychopathy. After so
many years, I am certain that his mental state was teetering on the brink of
collapse. All it needed was an ignition point.

And, recently, that ignition point appeared. He finally, publicly killed the
accomplice of the person who had imitated his butterfly murders.”

All the criminal investigators were silent after Bo Jinyan laid out his deductions.
Jian Yao, however, felt inexplicably uneasy; what was this feeling? There was
always this feeling of deja vu, of details that just seemed so familiar; there was
always the sense that some important person and situation was right there, on the
cusp of being revealed. But, because she was caught in the net, she was unable to
see clearly.

She looked at Bo Jinyan and remembered his earlier words to her. Slowly, her
heart regained a measure of calm.

Don’t be afraid to face your wounds.

Because the truth is always there, under our wounds. Just waiting for us to
discover it.

In the following few days, everything regarding this case took place on a large, and
earth-shaking, scale. A report had to be made to the Ministry of Public Security,
whereupon the case was listed as the number one major case this year, shocking
the entire nation. Additional forces were sent to the south to establish a special
investigation team with command over multiple work groups. Meanwhile, Bo
Jinyan’s special cases team became the core of the special investigation team, and
its main consultant. The criminal investigators conducted their investigations on
several fronts: running background checks on the 12 victims, carrying out a
thorough and meticulous evaluation of the site, compiling a list of possible
suspects . . .
It was during this time that Bo Jinyan determined that the main focus of the special
cases team would be Xun City, Jian Yi’s case 20 years prior.

He never did anything that was useless.

He was merely taking a shortcut.

What did this indicate? It indicated that he had already decided, much earlier on,
that the ‘Butterfly Killer’ case had an unknown relationship with Jian Yi’s case.

——

The autumn winds blew. The high walls outside the prison stretched on in
unending grey. Fang Qing and An Yan walked out holding a stack of files. When
Fang Qing saw them, he said, “Investigations into the case that year uncovered a
total of eight killers. Of these eight culprits, three were sentenced to death, one
received life imprisonment, and four were sentenced to definite terms of
imprisonment. Of the five, two died while in prison. As for the remaining three who
were eventually released, two died more than 10 years ago. There is only one still
alive, named Xu Huqiang.”

......

This place was an auto repair yard, totally ordinary. There were four or five
employees.

Xu Huqiang already sported a head of white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a
stooped figure, but he was washing cars together with the younger employees. Life
was tough. Jian Yao looked at this former murderer from a distance, and her heart
swelled with something she could not describe.

“Will you forgive him?” Bo Jinyan asked softly, out of nowhere.

“I can let it go, but there’s no way I can forgive,” Jian Yao replied.
When he was brought to them, Xu Huqiang was visibly trembling with fear. “I have
not done anything wrong, why have you caught hold of me?”

Coldly, Fang Qing said, “We want to ask you some questions, so tell us the truth.
This is a very important matter, so if you don’t take it seriously and give us answers,
you’ll have to follow us back to the police station.”

Those who have been released are never willing to go back in again. Moreover, Xu
Huqiang was apprehensive about losing his job, so he hurriedly nodded.

However, what questions should they ask?

The case that year had been thoroughly investigated by the excellent and furious
criminal investigators at that time, and they had interrogated everyone repeatedly.
All the details had been recorded in minute detail. It was very likely that Xu
Huqiang had confessed countless times.

Bo Jinyan calmly faced Xu Huqiang. No one could see his eyes beneath his
sunglasses.

“That day, there was a teenager who initially intended to go with you guys to the
Jian household. What is his name?”

Xu Huqiang was dumbstruck.

Those memories were so distant and vague for him now. However, because this
one incident had changed his life, and had also filled it with remorse and
foreboding, when Bo Jinyan asked such a precise question, some images which he
had previously repressed, suddenly appeared in hazy flashes. It was as if the
fragments of a shattered movie were flickering in her mind.

“How did you know?” he responded without thinking.

Fang Qing, Jian Yao and the others were shocked beyond belief. On the other hand,
Bo Jinyan merely smiled in an irreverent and indifferent manner.
“Of course I know,” he responded. “It’s as if I had seen it with my own eyes.”

Why kill Jian Yi? The 80s and 90s belonged to the criminal gangs. If these reckless
scoundrels wanted to kill someone, it could be due to their desire to show their
supremacy, or it could simply be because that someone had rubbed them the
wrong way.

And, in the eyes of all the criminals in the city, Jian Yi was definitely rubbing them
the wrong way.

He hated evil with a passion, and was especially skilled and capable. In rapid
succession, he smashed many of the gang’s underground gambling dens, and
arrested many of them in brawls. At that time, all over the country, those bast–ds
who had ‘made it big’ all had the blood of several people staining their hands. But,
not in Tong City, because Jian Yi’s attitude was firmly that of ‘all murders must be
solved’. If a person killed someone else, the very next day, while he was still
celebrating his newly-won Jianghu* status, Jian Yi would have followed the most
minute clue, traced that f**cker, seized him and sent him to the detention centre.
Then, the death penalty! Or, life imprisonment!
*T/N 江湖 (jiang hu) – the world of the wuxia (martial arts) stories, also used to
refer to the section of society out of the reach of the law (the underground).

The gangsters all hated Jian Yi with a passion. However, in that era, no one dared
to provoke the police, because the police themselves were as savage as tigers.

But, that night, a group of gangsters who had previously been dealt with by Jian Yi
had too much to drink.

Furthermore, amongst them were two or three characters who were ‘famous’
within the city. They thought it would be a good idea to “teach Jian Yi a lesson”,
and decided they wanted to “hack to death that motherf**ker”. Thus, they picked
up their knives and left.

At that time, one fought with machetes and cleavers. This seemed to be the proof
of being a ‘true gangster’.
This bunch of rowdy, hooting gangsters made their way to the home of Jian Yi’s
parents – a gangster had seen him go there that day, rather than back to his
residence in the police compound.

Jian Yi was totally unprepared.

The young, decorated, criminal investigator, renowned throughout the province,

was totally unprepared. If this murderous desire had been premeditated, he might
have had an inkling about the situation and manoeuvred it somehow. But, it had
been an impulsive move by a bunch of drunken gangsters, who recklessly hacked
away with their weapons the minute they entered the house. Even the highly
skilled Jian Yi could do nothing to defend himself once he had been slashed down
from behind, what’s more his aged parents.

Fresh blood oozed over the ground in meandering rivulets. Every single person had
been hacked into many pieces.

……

At that time, the gangsters* liked to gather ‘little brothers’**. Xu Huqiang vaguely
remembered that the boss that day had brought along several ‘little brothers’, in
order to make their rowdy crowd look even larger, even more powerful. However,
they had really only been children and kept to the back. When the adults at the
front had finished their killing spree, the kids had turned tail and run, so scared
that they blundered around with no clear idea as to where to run to. After that, the
police had chased after and caught quite a few of these ‘little brothers’. However,
the lack of their fingerprints at the crime scene proved that they had not actually
participated in the action. Thus, only a few of them were sent to the reformatory
for young offenders, where they stayed for a few months.

*T/N 黑帮 (hei bang) – literally,‘black help’.

**T/N 小弟 (xiao di) – literally, ‘little brother’. This probably refers to younger kids
who are interested in joining the gangs (frequently drawn by the sense of family
and perhaps the buzz of danger), but who are not fully committed gang members.

……
When Xu Huqiang had finished speaking about the past, he stared blankly at them,
not really understanding what they wanted to know.

Jian Yao raised her head and looked forward in silence, without a word.

Bo Jinyan muttered to himself for a little while, then said, “Among those ‘little
brothers’, there was one who was different from the others. You must remember
him. He was about 15 to 18 years old, his family situation was excellent, you could
see it from the way he dressed. He had an obstinate character and didn’t say very
much, but he always liked to talk about your code of brotherhood, your spirit of
loyalty and self-sacrifice. Although young, he was a real badass*. He would usually
not utter a word, but if someone annoyed him, he was ready to fight them to the
death. He accompanied you guys to that killing spree, but, afterwards, he was
never seen again.”

*T/N 狠角色 (hen jue se) – literally, someone who suits the role/ persona of a
ruthless person; someone who dominates and draws respect.

Jian Yao was entirely perplexed.

Was there such a person?

Xu Huqiang stared at Bo Jinyan with wide eyes for a long time. Out of nowhere, he
asked An Yan, who was sitting to one side, “Is he really blind? Did you ask him here
to tell fortunes? The police also believe in such things!”

Fang Qing slapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t babble nonsense, talk!”

In truth, Xu Huqiang could no longer clearly remember those little brothers, all
those details. That year, he was not the boss, he was just a common gangster.
However, Bo Jinyan had described everything so vividly, in such detail, in a split
second of realisation, he actually remembered that there was indeed such a
person, who accompanied them that night, and then vanished abruptly without a
trace thereafter. The police had caught quite a number of these youth, but, of
course, not that particular one.
“Blockhead . . .” Xu Huqiang muttered. “I only remember his nickname, ‘Blockhead’
. . .”
Chapter 86

Blockhead.

This nickname is all Jian Yao and the others got. No matter what questions they
asked, Xu Huqiang could not remember anything more, nor did he know anything
more about this ‘Blockhead’, not his real name or where he lived. He only hazily
remembered that Blockhead was very tall. He could not recall his face.

It had already been two decades, and all the people involved in the case that year
had either died or scattered. Although Blockhead was one of the little brothers who
had hung around with the gang for a few days, naturally, the ordinary man on the
street would have no idea about his past involvement.

It seemed as if the trail had ended.

However, everyone knew that they were so close to the truth.

Bo Jinyan’s second objective in travelling to Tong City was to visit a family who had
lost their son over 10 years ago.

To be honest, the family’s financial situation was pretty good. They lived in a little
community in the city centre. When the door opened, Jian Yao and the others were
met with the wan and haggard visages of two elderly people. They had already
received the news that their son’s body had been found, and they were unable to
view it with their own eyes.

Their son was the first youth to be killed by the butterfly killer.

They were already numbed by their years of waiting, but when they found out that
their son had been cruelly killed by someone over 10 years ago, all those years of
waiting were truly meaningless, and they could not help bursting into tears.
“What kind of child was Li Zhijin?” Jian Yao asked gently. She was always able to
give comfort to the victims, who would also readily lower their guard and talk to
her.

“Zhijin, he . . . he was a really good child!” the mother cried. “He was sensible,
obedient, and filial to his parents.”

Any child is pure and innocent in the eyes of his parents.

Especially those who have been lost.

At the same time, Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan were searching the room that belonged
to that child at that time. They were looking for reasons and characteristics as to
why he had been the killer’s first victim, and what had triggered the killer to
commit crimes.

The furniture and furnishings were all from the previous century and they had been
left untouched from the time the child had disappeared. Fang Qing opened the old
wardrobe and saw clothes typical of youth. Apart from school uniforms and
basketball gear, he also saw . . . how to put it – street-style sleeveless tops and T-
shirts.

Gangster movie posters were stuck all over the wall, and all were yellow with age.
In the chest of drawers were several imitation toy guns. Fang Qing took one out,
aimed it at his thigh, and fired. WTF! Although the bullet was made of plastic, it was
still extremely painful, and left a deep red mark.

Finally, Fang Qing dug out a long, rusty machete from the bottom of a storage box
under the bed. It was not possible that Zhijin’s parents did not know about this
machete’s existence, but they had treated it as something remaining of their child
and thus kept it. It could be seen that their adoring love for their child was very
deep, and their grief cut them sharply.

——
After they had concluded their business at Tong City, the Special Cases Unit
returned to the investigation command centre at the police station in neighbouring
Xun City.

Bo Jinyan talked to An Yan, alone, for a while.

“Have all the photographs from the crime scene that year been sorted out?” Bo
Jinyan asked.

An Yan replied, “Naturally.”

“Did you make a 3D simulation of the scene?”

“Of course. The police officers that year took very detailed photographs of the
crime scene, from every angle. I have the entire restored scene, in panorama, on
my computer. What do you want to find?”

After a moment’s silence, Bo Jinyan said, “Look at my father-in-law from every

possible angle. When he is lying in the pool of blood, does he look like a butterfly?”

An Yan was thoroughly taken aback. He looked at the screen, and saw the
dismembered limbs and body parts, bent and twisted. Then, the blood beneath
their bodies, like a decorative pattern, spreading out, extending.

......

Bo Jinyan stood before the window, letting the cool twilight breeze brush his face.

In his mind, he was recalling a time, very long ago. There was another person who
helped him find out more about the Jian Yi case. There were even some pictures,
which that person had located. That person was always kind, and he said, with a
smile on his face, “Do you think I’m so free as to help her rent an apartment? I’m
also a little in love with her.”

“Jinyan ah, don’t you think that Jian Yao’s mother has taken a fancy to me and
wants me to be her son-in-law? She’s always smiling at me.”
“Oh, yeah, since there’s you, it’s illogical for her to fancy me.”

.....

Ziyu, the road twists and turns, and fate has brought us back to where it all started.
——

Jian Yao sat by herself inside an office. After a while, she heard the sound of a
walking stick tapping on the ground. She looked up and saw Bo Jinyan pushing
open the door to walk in.

“Jian Yao.”

“I’m here.”

He walked to sit opposite her. “I have already drawn some conclusions.”

Jian Yao’s heart clenched tightly. “Go ahead.”

“The butterfly killer is Blockhead. Blockhead became the butterfly killer when he
grew up.”

Even though she had already harboured this suspicions, on hearing Bo Jinyan
speak with such certainty, a feeling that Jian Yao was unable to describe bubbled
up in her heart. “Really? Why did he . . . do that?”

“He was making restitution,” Bo Jinyan said. “He was making restitution for the
crimes he has committed. That year, he was definitely at the crime scene, and he
definitely wielded a knife. That incident was hugely stimulating to him,
psychologically, and also became his nightmare from then on.

To him, your father, as he was lying in a pool of blood, was envisioned to be a

butterfly. That day was the beginning of the butterfly killer.
A very compelling piece of evidence is that the first few people he killed were all
recklessly hacked to death, then arranged, with drawing, to become butterflies.
This was precisely his means of psychological mapping.

The first youth he killed was almost his replica. He hated that version of himself, so
he killed Lin Zhijin. For him, it was like killing himself once.

However, the more people he killed, the more guilt, suffering and happiness he
experienced, and he was drawn in deeper and deeper. This is why, next to the
bodies of the very first victims, there is an incense burner, so that he could perform
the memorial rites and deal with his guilt. After that, he found a way to achieve an
equilibrium – he started to kill criminals. This way, he could satisfy his
psychological needs without giving himself any psychological burden. He also
began to enjoy killing people, moving on from his initial copycat method of
indiscriminately hacking people to death to more cruel and refined methods.

I think he chose to rent that mountain area using the identity of your father’s killer
as a form of atonement for his crimes. In your father’s name, to make atonement,
and kill those disciples of utter evil and viciousness.

He is different from all the serial killers we’ve encountered before. I don’t think he
has ever been happy in these past 20 years. The crime he committed in his youth
has weighed heavily on him his entire life. And, now, he can no longer bear it, and
wants to bring things to a conclusion.”

Jian Yao raised her head to look out of the window. It was already dark. Layers of
dark clouds ringed the moon, whose halo was faintly glowing. The treetops were
silent, and the building was so quiet, it was like being out in the open countryside.
Something in the darkness was piercing her heart, penetrating the depths of her
soul. She wanted to get a drink of water, but found that her fingers were as cold as
ice. She lowered her head and whispered, “So . . . the ‘J’ that was left behind at the
crime scene, does it stand for ‘Jenny*’?”

*T/N Jenny is Jian Yao’s English name.

Bo Jinyan was silent for a breath or two. He stretched out his hand to caress her
head, and replied, “It’s possible.”
“He’s been watching me all this time?”

“The only thing he can do is to say hello to you,” Bo Jinyan said.

Jian Yao looked at him, her emotions suddenly in turmoil. After a long period of
time, she also smiled, and spoke carefully and slowly, “That’s right, he can only say
hello to me. If he dares to come near me, I’ll beat him up thoroughly.” She gripped
Bo Jinyan’s hand, and he smiled faintly.

“Thank you, Jinyan.” Jian Yao buried her face in his arms.

“Hey, what are you thanking me for?” Bo Jinyan said, “I’m only protecting my
darling, why would I need to be thanked?”

Jian Yao smiled again. “What’s next?”

“We’ve already gotten an idea about his past, we know about his present, next . . .”

“Predict his future actions.” Both voices sounded at the same time.

Jian Yao looked up at him. His fingers were tracing the line of her face. Both were
silent for a heartbeat, then he said, huskily, “Hey, this feeling, you know, the feeling
I have in my heart, it’s really wonderful.”

Jian Yao held on to his thin fingers and remained silent, wordless.

Bo Jinyan slowly continued, “The people he has killed in recent years have all been
wanted criminals. This is the joy of the hunt, for him. Ordinary people can no longer
satisfy him. So, the next one will also be a fugitive. Since he has publicly provoked
the police, he will commit another crime very soon. And, what we must do is to find
a fugitive who satisfies all his preferences, someone very recent, and the most
worthy to be killed – we have to locate his prey faster than he does. Then, we sit
and trust that an opportunity will open up*.

*T/N 守株待兔 (shou zhu dai tu) – literally, to guard (守) a tree-stump (株), waiting
(待) for a rabbit (兔). This idiom has a story behind it, about a lazy farmer who saw
a startled rabbit run past him, hit its head on a tree-stump, and die. He took the
rabbit home and cooked it for his meal. Thereafter, he refused to do any work,
choosing instead to wait for rabbits to run past, hit their heads and die. The idiom
is normally used as to criticise people who refuse to be diligent, or to accept
change; people who would rather just wait for opportunities to occur rather than
working towards them. Here, Bo Jinyan is saying all they can do is to create the
ideal condition (hunt down the prey) and wait for the butterfly killer to act.

Jian Yao’s heart lurched. Indeed, the haze of doubt and suspicion, the past, the
former circumstances, all seemed to be interwoven in a complicated web. But, with
his words, Bo Jinyan had exposed the crucial point. Rather than chasing after the
butterfly killer, following behind him, it would be better to rush in front of him,
predict his path, then capture him!

When I investigate cases, I like to take shortcuts. You have to get used to it, and
keep up.

She simply raised her head to look at him.

“Will he be prepared?”

“He definitely knows this is what we will do.”

“Huh?”

Bo Jinyan coolly said, “Isn’t this precisely what he wants? To pit himself against us
and see who gets to the criminal first. A criminal whose inmost being has been so
fettered that he can no longer move forward, this will be a life-or-death struggle for
him, his lethal attraction. I complete him.”

Jian Yao was dumbfounded.

“Is it really such an . . . intractable problem?”

Bo Jinyan laughed briefly. “Intractable? If I may speak bluntly, in our recent times,
China has finally produced a decent serial killer.”
Jian Yao was momentarily silent before smiling as well.

It was at this time that someone knocked on the door, and faint voices were heard.
Bo Jinyan took the smile off his face and Jian Yao released his hand before walking
over to open the door.

The corridor was brightly-lit. Fang Qing stuck his head into the room, looked
around and smiled. “Jian Yao, look who has come to visit our squad.”

Jian Yao smiled as she looked behind him, then stood rooted to the spot in shock.

Luo Lang stood in the corridor in a black suit, exceedingly neat, with a spotlessly
white shirt. He held a cigarette in one hand, while his other hand was carrying
something. He looked at her and smiled.

They had last seen each other just over 10 days ago, but Jian Yao suddenly felt as if
a lifetime had passed. Everything around them also seemed frozen in time in that
split second. Moreover, as she stared at him, he also fixed his gaze on her. It was
then that she realised that this man’s eyes were as deep and dark as a bottomless,
cold pit.

Luo Lang’s line of sight had already moved to something behind her. “Mr. Bo.”

Bo Jinyan’s light voice sounded above her head. “Mr. Luo.”

On thinking about it, this was actually the first time the two of them had met. Jian
Yao was a little hesitant, but Fang Qing jumped in cheerfully, “Gosh, really, the two
of you can greet each other and make the atmosphere so estranged. Guess that’s
all right.”

Jian Yao and Luo Lang immediately laughed.

However, Bo Jinyan did not. He felt that Fang Qing had spoken true; he and Luo
Lang had been estranged from the start.
Luo Lang’s gaze returned to Jian Yao. Under his gentle scrutiny, without expecting
it, something stirred lightly deep inside Jian Yao’s heart. Still smiling, she asked,
“Luo dage, why are you here out of the blue?”
Luo Lang replied, “It just so happened that I picked up a case in this province; I
knew you guys were here, so I came to look for you.”

Jian Yao nodded. He had always been like this. If the case was related to their
hometown, he always took more effort, and was more active than usual.

After all, he was also born and bred in Tong City.

The corridor suddenly quietened down.

Fang Qing eyed the three of them who were standing in silence, then slapped Luo
Lang’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go, we haven’t eaten yet, let’s eat together.” After
that, he rummaged through the bag in Luo Lang’s hand. “What good stuff did you
bring? Let’s feast together!”

Luo Lang laughed as he threw the bag towards Fang Qing before taking a puff of his
cigarette. By this time, Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan had already walked out of the room,
his hand on her shoulder. She wasn’t paying attention to Luo Lang. “Come eat with
us,” she said softly. Bo Jinyan made a sound of assent.

Luo Lang took another deep puff of his cigarette as he looked out of the window.
The sky was already dark, and the city lights were twinkling brightly, like eyes
staring at him. At this point, Fang Qing patted his shoulder once more and said,
“What are you thinking about? Let’s go!”

Luo Lang smiled and followed him.

Chapter 87

This was a restaurant known on the streets of Xun City for its good flavours. The
five people sat around the table, Jian Yan and Bo Jinyan sat on one side, Fang Qing
and Luo Lang sat on another. An Yan, as a pretty burly guy, naturally sat on the side
facing the aisle.

Jian Yao ordered, while Fang Qing and Luo Lang chatted for a bit; however, Bo
Jinyan and An Yan still remained silent.

At that moment, Jian Yao asked in a low tone, “Other than fish, let’s also eat some
potato and sweet potato leaves, alright?”

“Perfect,” Bo Jinyan slightly nodded.

“Sister-In-Law, my chicken leg,” An Yan said.

“I know,” Jian Yao smiled.

While they were talking, Luo Lang’s gaze would inadvertently fall on them. Almost
as if he was a little agitated, yet also a little disaffected.

At that moment, Fang Qing’s cellphone rang; he felt around for his phone to take a
look – it was a number from Beijing.

“I’m going to take a call,” he stood up, yet he gave Luo Lang’s shoulder a pat,
tightening his grip to give a little pinch.

Luo Lang felt it, yet acted as if he felt nothing, quietly sitting there, not moving at
all.

Jian Yao already finished ordering, and the entire table instantly quieted down.
Luo Lang took out a lighter from his pocket, and smilingly asked, “Do you guys
mind if I smoke?” He knew Jian Yao wouldn’t mind, An Yan had a face full of
indifference.

“I don’t mind,” Bo Jinyan said lightly.

Luo Lang lowered his head and lit a cigarette, slowly smoking. The two people
across the table from him, their hands were still tightly held together under the
table, he saw it. In that split second, Luo Lang suddenly felt like a wretched rat, he
laughed self-mockingly.

Thinking in detail about his feelings for Jian Yao all these years, was it love? Was it
infatuation? Was it guilt? Or was it just a realization of his feeling of ‘better than
nothing’? Even he could not clearly determine this. When he was young, he actually
saw Jian Yao many times. But she did not know of his existence. Until later on, after
he returned to China following the completion of his studies in the U.S., he made
up his mind, to meet her. His life that was originally dry and drab, suddenly seemed
like it had an added spot of brightness, giving him a type of enthusiasm for life.

Those women, those women that he used to mask his own confusion, so that Jian
Yao wouldn’t reject him becoming closer with her. They couldn’t even compare to
one of Jian Yao’s fingers. He could clearly remember that case from last year, when
Jian Yao lay in his arms seriously hurt and unconscious, he could feel his heart
deeply affected and hurt. In that instance, he wanted to destroy the whole world
for her. Just like that, these emotions were willful yet alive. Afterwards, he and
Fang Qing constantly took care of Jian Yao, his life was no longer the same. What
kind of a feeling was that?

He had entrusted himself to her.

A sense of trust that he had never had. Life seemed to have an added feeling of
gentle yet wonderful responsibility. He sensed the existence of that feeling so very
vividly.

But now, Bo Jinyan had returned.

She no longer needed someone else’s care, because her wound was healed. After
Luo Lang clearly realized this fact, he suddenly felt disappointed, a very deep sense
of disappointment akin to falling from the clouds. But, now seeing her smile so
blissfully, with her whole body seeming to emit a glow that she had never had in
the past year, he also mysteriously felt happy.

……

Luo Lang put down the cigarette in his hand, lifted his head and asked, “Have you
guys been staying in Xun City for the entire year?” Of course, he was asking Bo
Jinyan and An Yan.

Before Bo Jinyan could answer, An Yan spoke up, “Not really, we’ve been around a
few places, and then we returned here. Firstly, because we knew the local police
captain, Shao Yong, and secondly because Jinyan felt… that this was very close to
Sister-In-Law’s hometown. He missed Sister-In-Law everyday.”

Luo Lang laughed.

Jian Yao glanced at Luo Lang, however, Bo Jinyan, who was right by her side,
stated evenly, “The truth is exactly so.”

Luo Lang asked, “Isn’t Tong City Mr. Bo’s hometown?”

“It is,” Bo Jinyan answered, “But I don’t have many feelings towards my
hometown.”

“Me too,” Luo Lang said.

At that moment, Bo Jinyan seemed to finally properly ‘look’ at Luo Lang, he lightly
smiled and said, “Interesting. Mr. Luo, in the past year, often you were with Jian
Yao and them, right?”

He asked this very calmly; Luo Lang’s answer was also very calm, “ Yes. It was
originally just the camaraderie from being from the same home town, but after
what happened last year, I also wanted to do what I could to take care of this
young lass. Fang Qing too, after being dumped by his girlfriend — these things you
guys probably already know about, I get along pretty well with him too. In this past
year, I’m very lucky to have gotten to know these two good friends.”

Jian Yao stared into the teacup in front of her, the liquid in the cup was light green,
bright, calm.

After Luo Lang finished speaking, Bo Jinyan felt around for the teacup on the table,
lifting it up and saying, “Mr. Luo, using tea as alcohol, I would like to express my
gratitude to you for taking care of Jian Yao for me in the past year.”

Luo Lang smiled a bit, and said, “No need to thank me,” and finished his cup in one
gulp.

While they were inside chatting, Fang Qing at that moment was standing outside
the entrance under the light, his entire body was completely still, like it was frozen.

The phone call that he had picked up, was from Jin Xiaozhe’s assistant. The
business between both of them, those she was closest to and relied on the most all
knew about it. The voice of the female assistant on the other end of the phone was
choked with emotion, “Officer Fang, Ms. Jin is currently still in the intensive care
unit…. When she was barely conscious, she constantly called out your name, so I
took the initiative to give you a call…”

Fang Qing almost roared out, “What happened? How could a healthy person like
her need to be in the ICU?”

The female assistant sobbed, “I don’t know, I really don’t know… The doctor said
she was poisoned, I don’t know how she could have been poisoned, maybe she ate
something that went bad…”

Fang Qing was silent for a long time, lifted his head, saw that the street lamp was a
dim yellow yet cold-looking; it was evidently only a day in September, but his heart
felt cold and hurt as if he was in the dead of winter. As he lifted his eyes and gazed
forward, his friends were still in the restaurant, their faces weary yet alert. The file
containing the third murder case was still in his bag.
He could hear his own dried-up voice say, “I can’t go back right now, really cannot
leave. If anything changes about her, call me whenever. If you cannot get through,
just leave me a message. The moment I finish my duties I will drop by and see to
her.”

After hanging up the call with the assistant, he took many deep breaths before
calming down, then called a few police officers he was close with in Beijing,
exhorted them several times, and then said, “I think there is something suspicious
about her poisoning, this probably has already been reported to the police. She’s
not very particular about what she eats, she’ll often eat out, but she also does not
take a lot of medicine and she has always been in pretty good health… brother,
thank you for doing me this favour.”

——

Inside the store, the hot and steaming fish hotpot had already been served. Bo
Jinyan calmly picked up his chopsticks. Normally it was always An Yan who put the
entire fish onto his plate, but today was naturally different. Jian Yao seemed as if
she had just returned from her thoughts, picked up a fish with her chopsticks, put it
into his bowl, and then softly asked, “Do you need me to pick out the meat for
you?”

The corners of Bo Jinyan’s lips started bending, and was just about to say “sure”,
when An Yan lightly said from the side, “No need, Sister-In-Law, he can spit out the
entire fish’s bones even with his eyes closed.”

Jian Yao smiled, “Oh,” she said. When she lifted her head, she could see that Luo
Lang was staring at her, that pair of eyes dark and silent. She avoided his gaze.

Bo Jinyan, however, looked towards An Yan, coldly laughing as he said, “I am

surprised you have lived until the age of 26, and yet not have any awareness of the
interactions between lovers.”

An Yan’s face turned red.

Jian Yao also felt awkward, lightly hitting Bo Jinyan under the table.
Luo Lang gazed at the way they interacted, feeling that it was both fresh and
interesting. Even he, as an outsider, could feel the harmony in their interactions
and their deep friendship. He drank his beer, smiling.
Chapter 88

After eating a few more chopstick-fulls, Luo Lang said, “I have a friend who knows
an ophthalmologist, do you guys need me to make an introduction?” His tone of
voice sounded very sincere and peaceful. Jian Yao lifted her head and gazed at Bo
Jinyan, An Yan kept his head down, eating.

Bo Jinyan answered, “There’s no need. I’ve already tried all the best in the U.S.
There’s no use. Thanks.”

Luo Lang quietened, while Jian Yao felt her heart give a twinge. Suddenly, her hand
under the table was squeezed again by Bo Jinyan, gripped tightly, very tightly. Jian
Yao faintly trembled, her thumb lightly rubbed the back of his hand, and his hand
finally relaxed.

Suddenly, Luo Lang quieted down for a bit, before speaking again, “Jinyan, Jian
Yao, I have a presumptuous request.” He smiled, “When you guys have your first
child, may I be the child’s godfather?”

He gazed at them, that pair of eyes full of absolute sincerity and expectation.
Hearing his words, An Yan lifted his head suddenly, and his black eyes stared at Bo
Jinyan.

Bo Jinyan was silent for a little, then answered, “Sorry, I’m afraid I cannot accept
your friendly sentiments. Because our child can only have one godfather.”

The corners of An Yan’s mouth momentarily rose.

And then he heard Bo Jinyan lightly say, “It’s Fu Ziyu.”

Right after he said those words, everyone was silent.

At that moment Fang Qing walked in; in the face of a formidable enemy, he didn’t
want to bother his friends with his personal troubles, so actually, he was kind of
absent-minded when he asked, “What are you guys chatting about?”
Jian Yao laughingly replied, “We’re chatting about future children.”

At that point, Luo Lang also laughed, and asked, “And so when do you guys plan on
having one?” This godfather topic was put aside for now.

Jian Yao didn’t say anything.

Bo Jinyan very assuredly replied, “Next year.” Jian Yao took a look at him.

Because his action of sitting down was a little large, Fang Qing accidentally
knocked down the backpack that was hanging from the back of the chair, and the
stack of files inside the bag also fell out. He immediately bent down to pick them
up, Luo Lang who was beside him also reached out his hand to help.

Luo Lang looked at the files in his hand and smiled, “An arrest warrant? What, does
this person have something to do with the Butterfly Killer case?”

Fang Qing immediately took the files back from Luo Lang’s hands to put them
away, saying, “Lao Luo, don’t ask about this anymore.”
Luo Lang smiled carelessly, “I’m just casually asking.”

Everyone continued to eat. It was only because each person had something on
their minds, the atmosphere for the meal of hotpot was a little quiet. After they
finished eating, Luo Lang didn’t wait for anyone to react before he got the bill, and
then hailed a cab. Before getting into the car, he smiled towards them as he said,
“All the best, when you are investigating, remember to stay safe. Next time we’re
all back in Beijing, let’s get together again!”

Everyone stood on the side of the road, waving him goodbye. Jian Yao looked at
Luo Lang the whole time, but not once did he look at her as he slid into the car, not
even looking back as he left.

The police station was not far from where they were eating, Fang Qing and An Yan,
understanding the situation and trying to be tactful, left first, leaving Bo Jinyan and
Jian Yao to bring up the rear, hand in hand.
The moonlight poured down on them as the shadows of the trees shook lightly.
The road before them was perfectly straight.

“What do you think of Luo Lang?” Jian Yao asked.

Bo Jinyan replied, “Reserved, sensitive, sorrowful, and tenacious.”

Jian Yao was shocked, while his expression remained calm.

“I don’t like him,” he continued. “He has a cryptic temperament, difficult to

discern.”

Jian Yao was briefly quiet before saying, “Let’s check out Luo Lang, then.”

——

However, the overall work of the special investigation task force was not going to
pause due to this little episode.

One day later.

Bo Jinyan had determined his target.

It was a criminal who had gone on the run earlier this year, an out and out violent
ruffian. His name was Chang Baoshi, and his nickname within the jianghu was
‘Chang Er’*. He had been discharged from the army, where he used to be a special
forces soldier. Murder and arson, robbery and rape – he had done it all. Earlier in
the year, his accomplices had been captured in a police dragnet in one fell swoop,
and only he had made a thrilling escape. This guy was so bold and so crafty, he had
managed to evade capture for several months. Now, the word on the street was
that he was in Hunan.
*T/N ‘Er’ = two. It might be that he is the second in command of a gang, or there is a
more prominent gangster surnamed ‘Chang’.

Bo Jinyan said, “The Butterfly Killer has specialised in killing violent bandits in
recent years, and all other criminal fugitives pale in comparison to Chang Baoshi.
He will definitely choose him, because it has an impact on his pride as a top-notch
serial killer.”

The others had nothing to say. Only Jian Yao nodded solemnly as she said, “That
makes sense.”

Why is it that a vile and callous serial killer, in the words of this husband and wife
pair, would be brought to life so vividly? ‘Pale in comparison’, ‘his pride as a top-
notch serial killer’ . . .

Bo Jinyan turned his head so he faced Fang Qing. “What happens next is in your
hands. Pursuing a suspect is what you criminal investigators excel at.”

Fang Qing did not even blink as he responded, “Okay!”

——

Hunan had many mountains and was exquisitely beautiful. Although it had the
most vaunted landscape in the entire country, she also had the most hip
entertainment vibe in the entire country. However, after the passage of several
years, apart from several big cities, the development in the other medium and
small cities had been stagnant and mediocre for the past decades. It was the same
with the people of Hunan. They were upright and honest, yet with a hint of
shrewdness, and that shrewdness carried with it a sense of being at a loss. Yet, it
also seemed that restlessness was in the blood of the Hunan people, as well as the
trait of being as tough as nails. As a result, the soil of Hunan gave forth many
generals, as well as the most crazed and unstable serial killers and ruthless bandits
in all of China, such as Zhang Jun* and his gang. That’s enough said about the
matter.

T/N 张君 (Zhang Jun) – a notorious robber and serial killer in China. See here for
more details.
Fang Qing left first for Hunan to pursue the criminal for five days.

Originally, the Ministry of Public Security had set up a team to pursue all leads
pertaining to Chang Baoshi, and this team was now augmented by a fresh influx of
police officers from the special investigation team. Hundreds of troops tightly
surrounded the southern mountains where Chang Baoshi was hiding. On the
evening of the fifth day, Fang Qing called Bo Jinyan and said, “The fish is about to
be caught in the net, you guys can come over now.”

——

This was a quiet village comprising just over twenty households, situated in a basin
amidst the hills. It was far away from the city, so the houses were dilapidated, and
the land, though vast, was sparsely populated.

It was a very sunny day. The cloudless blue sky, with the high sun, stretched on
forever. However, as it was autumn, this mountain region was not too hot. It was
still cool and tranquil.

Fang Qing and the other criminal investigators rushed to the front lines of the
circular blockade, while Jian Yao, Bo Jinyan and An Yan followed behind with the
rest of the back-up force. An Yan was constantly checking the map on his laptop,
scrutinising the topography of the surroundings, the weather, and even changes in
the distant traffic patterns. Jian Yao stayed by Bo Jinyan’s side, not leaving him for
a moment.

From the distance, there seemed to be no movement in the village. Occasionally, a

villager walked past, but a hand would instantly shoot out to grab that person and
pull him to cover. If you looked closely, you would see that many houses and
fences, as well as the surroundings, had criminal investigators pressed closely
against the walls, all on the alert. Their objective was the grey, old, low building
that was the furthest away.

Jian Yao and the others were waiting outside the circle.

Suddenly, there were movements among the criminal investigators. One by one, in
plain clothes, they rushed towards the building like cheetahs.

“He left the house much earlier by the back!” someone shouted loudly.

The criminal investigators speedily closed in.

Behind the building was the forest, and behind that, the mountains. Without a
doubt, Chang Baoshi had chosen the terrain he was most familiar with, and had
fled into the mountains. Fast in speed and sharp in his responses, it was likely that
he had noticed the police as soon as they had stepped into the village, and had
subsequently fled.

“Chase after him!’ Bo Jinyan said. He and the others quickly followed.

This mountain was very difficult to climb as the terrain was rugged and there was
no path. Bo Jinyan could not see and had to rely on his walking stick. Although he
was tall and long-legged and pressed forward fearlessly, he and Jian Yao slowly fell
behind. Even An Yan had run to the front, unable to contain his excitement.

Jian Yao was unperturbed, and so was Bo Jinyan. They continued to follow the
sound of the voices.

——

Chang Baoshi ran to a rocky overhang and looked back nervously, but there was no
one following him for the time being. He leaned against the rock wall, panting
heavily. He looked to be about 40 years old, give or take a few years, and was tall
and sturdy. He was wearing the poor-quality shirt and grey pants common to the
local farmers; the pants were rolled up and his legs were covered in mud. He really
looked just like a farmer. He even wore a straw hat on his head with the brim pulled
down sharply so no one could see his face clearly.

After resting for a while, he vaguely heard the sound of footsteps catching up to
him. His heart swelled with apprehension and he turned to continue running.
Suddenly, he broke out into a cold sweat.

A gun barrel.

A black handgun, protruding from the shadow by the rock face, was pointing right
at his forehead.
Chapter 89

Chang Baoshi saw a pair of cold, desolate eyes.

“Chang er*?” that person asked emotionlessly.

*T/N 二 (er) – literally, two. Chang Baoshi was probably the second-in-command of
his gang.

Chang Baoshi quickly appraised him with a glance, while his hands clenched into
fists. He was just about to attack when, unexpectedly, that man coldly said, “Don’t
move! Do you think your fists are faster, or my gun?”

Surprisingly, Chang Baoshi was not in the least cowed. He merely smiled grimly,
remaining silent while he surreptitiously kept a lookout for an opening. At this
time, that person looked up and seemed to notice that the police were already
close by. He gestured at Chang Baoshi with the gun and said, “Come with me!”
Chang Baoshi was taken aback. “You are not the police? Who are you?”

That person actually smiled faintly as he said, “Your saviour.”

Chang Baoshi looked at him carefully once again. He was wearing a black T-shirt
and black pants, trekking boots, and a cap, with a big black bag on his back.
Judging from his well-proportioned and sharply defined arm muscles, this was
definitely one fierce character.

Not fully trusting that person, Chang Baoshi walked in the direction indicated by
the gun barrel. That person seemed to be pretty familiar with the surroundings,
and used the gun to compel Chang Baoshi to move forward quickly in the direction
he had come from.

Chang Baoshi said, “Hey, if we walk this way, we’ll encounter the police!”

“Nope,” he replied. “The most dangerous place is actually the safest. We will take
the small paths and escape the police cordon.
Chang Baoshi did not say anything, but he quietly kept watching that person’s
every move. However, he did not dare to act rashly, because that person’s gun was
firmly pressed against his head.

The shadows of the trees swayed gently, and the sun hid behind the clouds. Within
the cool, damp forest, the two men crept forward, climbing up and down, and the
sounds of the police hunt indeed became more and more distant. Moreover, the
village was not far beneath them.

Suddenly, while jumping onto a rocky outcrop, Chang Baoshi staggered and
stepped into a clump of thorny undergrowth. He groaned as he fell to the ground
and was unable to get up.

That person jumped down, stood behind him and said, coldly, “Get up!”

Chang Baoshi huffed out painfully, “Damn it, I’ve been on the run for five days
already! I haven’t eaten or drunk anything. Brother, my foot is stuck, help me up!”

That person hesitated for a moment and coldly surveyed Chang Baoshi. Finally, he
put down his gun and reached out a hand to pull him up. Chang Baoshi grabbed his
hand and, with a great deal of whining and muttering, finally managed to pull his
foot, covered with fresh blood, free from the thorny undergrowth. In a flash, a gun
appeared in his hand, which he pointed at that person’s chest, and Chang Baoshi’s
previously fierce and vicious visage changed entirely. With a cold and determined
expression on his face, he said, in a voice like ice, “Don’t move! I’m a criminal
investigator!”

Don’t move, I’m a criminal investigator.

This is probably the most fearful statement every criminal on earth could hear.
That person’s expression froze momentarily, before he slowly started to smile.

The expression on ‘Chang Baoshi’s’ face became even more frigid as he said, “No
smiling!”

That person abruptly raised his gun.

‘Chang Baoshi’ never in a million years expected that he would be met with
resistance, and was filled with apprehension. The criminal investigator’s gun was
already square on that person’s chest, all that was needed was to pull the trigger.
That person still had to raise his hand before pulling the trigger. In this life-or-death
moment, when time seemed to be suspended, it really did come down to whose
reaction and speed was faster.

Bang!
Bang!
Two shots rang out almost simultaneously. One person fell to the ground.

He said, “You can’t be faster than me.”

——

In an instant, the sound of gunshots rang through the entire forest. Jiang Yao
noticed that the gunshots were actually very close to her position, but were not in
front of her, where the majority of the police team were following the trail of the
fugitive. She immediately realised that the situation was very complex and more
tense than it seemed. The criminal investigators were well disciplined and would
not open fire rashly. There was no Chang Baoshi in this forest, anyway. Chang
Baoshi had been secretly captured by the criminal investigators early that morning,
and his place had been taken by a highly experienced criminal investigator whose
body shape and appearance resembled Chang Baoshi’s. In this way, they hoped to
beat the butterfly killer at his own game, and lure him out of hiding*. They were not
entirely certain that the butterfly killer would come back today, but ever since
Chang Baoshi had deviated from his planned route, they knew that ‘he’ was really
coming. It was just as Bo Jinyan had theorised; he had absolutely no fear of what
the police could do, what he enjoyed was the thrill of walking on the edge of the
knife. Thus, the shots were most likely fired by ‘Chang Baoshi’ or the butterfly killer.

*T/N 引蛇出洞 (yin she chu dong) – lit. to lure a snake out of its hole.

If they were really nearby, it would be too late to wait for Fang Qing and the main
force to double back.
Jian Yao unconsciously touched her gun and turned to look at Bo Jinyan. Bo Jinyan
had naturally grasped the current situation perfectly. In a stern voice, he said, “Go
after him, I will wait here.”

Jian Yao nodded. After the forces had been dispersed, there were three criminal
investigators apart from themselves in her squad. Jian Yao nodded at two of them
to follow her, leaving one behind with Bo Jinyan. With a final squeeze of his hand,
she turned to run in the direction of the sounds.

The surroundings were suddenly pin-drop silent.

Bo Jinyan was not an impulsive, bravado-filled person. Although Jian Yao had gone
off to chase the criminal, she was careful and brave, and she was backed up by a
hundred-strong police force. Thus, he was not worried. However, it would be just
as easy to fail in capturing this incredibly skilled killer as it would be to succeed.
Although they had a large force, a tiny misstep by any one of them could allow the
other party to escape. Just like a battle between two masters, there was no room
for error. There was also some luck required.

Thus, Bo Jinyan was very calm, and even sat on a rock beneath a tree, resting and
awaiting the results. The young criminal investigator by his side surveyed the
surroundings with vigilance, understanding that his duty was to protect Professor
Bo.

At this moment, the sun was already in the west, and the forest was overcast with
shadows. A faint breeze blew, and the distant clamour seemed to have died down.
The police forces seemed to have moved far away, including Jian Yao.

Bo Jinyan heard a soft pu sound. Then the sound of something heavy next to him
falling to the ground.
He lifted his head.

He did not say anything, because there was no need to. That was the sound of a
gun with a silencer attached, and the young criminal investigator next to him had
already been shot down.
In the secluded forest, the wind blew gently. Bo Jinyan leaned on his walking stick,
silent, unmoving.

That person could hunt down the most savage bandits and his skills were at the
very least equal to Fang Qing’s; he might even be Fang Qing’s superior. Ten Bo
Jinyans would not even be a match for him.

That person was able to walk almost soundlessly in a forest full of mud and fallen
leaves. He jumped out from behind a hillock and, with his gun trained continually
on Bo Jinyan, walked slowly until he was behind him.

All this time, Bo Jinyan did not move, and his face remained tranquil, as if he had
no knowledge of anything that had happened around him. Just waiting in the same
place for Jian Yao to return.

That person stood still for a while. Then, seeming to have made a decision, he
moved around slowly until he was in front of Bo Jinyan. The muzzle of the gun
silently stretched out until it was a mere one inch away from Bo Jinyan’s forehead.
Any person in this situation, facing this kind of killer, being this close to death,
would be so scared that he would piss his pants.

Bo Jinyan sat without moving; his slender fingers, as delicate as jade, clasped his
walking stick, and his profile was so peaceful, he was like a sculpture.

That person quietly aimed the gun at Bo Jinyan for 10 seconds. He seemed to
realise that he was truly blind, not knowing anything of what had occurred in the
world around him, and unaware that he was on the precipice of life and death.
Thereafter, that person put away his gun, turned, and once again disappeared into
the forest.

Only after he had walked into the distance did Bo Jinyan raise his head to face the
direction in which he had left. The black sunglasses obscured his eyes, and also
shielded him from the brightness of the outside world.

That person moved swiftly. Although he could hear the footsteps behind him
getting closer, he did not panic, and a reckless smile even crossed his face for a
fleeting moment. He ran to the side of a cliff; behind him, just a few trees away, he
could see the figures of several criminal investigators, and a gunshot suddenly rang
out among the trees. That person clutched the right side of his chest and gritted his
teeth, and extracted a rope from his bag which he wrapped around his body. It
turned out that a long rope had previously been attached to this remote cliff and
was now hanging down it, leading down the rock wall to end off near the main
path. Moving very quickly, that person gripped the rope tightly and dropped off the
cliff. When the criminal investigators rushed to the cliff, all they saw was the empty
rope swaying and a figure disappearing into the underbrush by the roadside before
vanishing completely.

The butterfly killer had successfully broken through the police forces’ five lines of
defence in the forest, wounded seven criminal investigators, and seriously injured
the criminal investigator who had served as bait. However, the killer had himself
been shot by that criminal investigator, and, in the end, had escaped the police
cordon bearing an injury.

The first round of the operation to capture him had failed.

Chapter 90

That person stopped the car at a gas station. He got out and walked to the side of
the road to smoke a cigarette. The dust of the national highway was plastered all
over his pristine, white shirt, but he paid it no heed. He inhaled the smoke,
narrowed his eyes slightly and stared into the distance.

He had already covered 200km and it was already sunset. Henan was far behind
him.

He finished his cigarette and threw the butt by the side of the road. He turned,
intending to move off, when he heard the siren of an approaching police car.

He seemed not to have heard the sound as he walked towards the car. Who would
have expected that the police car was also stopping for gas and parked behind his
car. He fixed his attention on getting into the car and did not spare the police car a
sideways glance. Unexpectedly, a familiar voice hailed him. “Hey, why are you
here?”

He froze, and a thousand and one thoughts tumbled through his head. He looked
up, and saw that his gun was stashed in the storage compartment on the
passenger side. However, he did not reach for it, but took a deep breath, turned his
head and smiled. “Lao Fang? Why are you here?”
Fang Qing’s travel fatigue was reflected in his face, but he seemed especially
spirited. He stared at Luo Lang with his dark eyes and said, “I’m on assignment.
What about you?”

The fact is that the butterfly killer fled north all the way. Fang Qing had made the
snap decision to order the criminal investigators to immediately rush northwards
and blockade all the roads. However, the motherland is too vast. The killer had
plenty of opportunity to ditch the car and flee, so they had not found him yet.

Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and the others were all far behind. The car that Fang Qing was
in was probably the fastest one at the moment.
It was at this time that Fang Qing’s cell phone rang, and the caller was Jian Yao. He
couldn’t receive or make calls at the gas station, so he glanced at the screen before
rejecting the call, planning to call her back in a while.

Luo Lang eyed his cell phone, smiled and said, “I’m going back to Beijing.”

Fang Qing noticed the black jeep he was driving. “Is this your car?”

Luo Lang calmly replied, “This is my client’s Beijing-registered car. He wants to sell
it, and asked me to help him drive the car back to Beijing. Since it’s only ten or so
hours of driving, I thought I might as well go back to Beijing.”

Fang Qing uttered a soft ‘oh’. His partner was still refuelling the police car, and he
noticed that the front bumper was about to fall off. After a moment of thought, he
swatted Luo Lang’s shoulder and said with a laugh, “What about this, Lao Luo, I’ll
sit in your car as you head north. I won’t keep the truth from you; we’re chasing
down a criminal, but the car that the local police assigned us is useless. Whether
we’re on the provincial roads or country roads or whatever, this car makes me
want to vomit blood. Take me with you for a while.”
Luo Lang considered it and said, “No problem.”

Thus, the two of them got into the car and raced north.

When Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and An Yan’s car reached the gas station, they were just
in time to see Fang Qing’s partner drive the car out. Jian Yao asked loudly, “Fang
Qing?” The criminal investigator replied, “He met a friend and went off in his car
first. Finding this strange, Jian Yao asked, “Who?” The criminal investigator
answered, “His name is Lao Luo; he drives a black jeep.”
Jian Yao stilled in shock.

Beside her, Bo Jinyan said coldly, “Chase after them.”

An Yan was driving. He looked up, and his face was full of apprehension. Jian Yao’s
heart was seized by an inexplicable feeling. She lifted her eyes and looked at the
yellow road stretching ahead of them, the dust flying, the sky taking on the colours
of twilight.
After half an hour’s chase, a black jeep finally materialised in front of them. The car
was moving extremely fast, and it was not possible to see who was inside. It really
seemed as if the car was trying to outrun them; it turned round a corner and once
again shook them off.

Inside the car, his hand propped against the car window, Fang Qing fixed all his
attention on continually scanning the road in front and to both sides of them,
searching for suspicious vehicles. He rolled down the window a crack and a gentle
breeze blew in from time to time. He sniffed, and abruptly said, “Lao Luo, why is
there the smell of blood in your car?”
He inclined his head to look at Luo Lang, only to find that he was utterly
unperturbed. He even dug out a cigarette, stuck it in his mouth, and took out his
lighter to light up. Then, he answered, “Your nose won’t lose to mine. Isn’t it the
smell of the blood on your back?” Fang Qing was taken aback. He turned his head
and pulled out his shirt. He indeed saw some bloody marks and felt some pain. He
might have been scratched by the trees in the forest, but he really had not noticed.

He laughed, and did not say any more.

After some time, he suddenly spoke again. “Lao Luo, it’s not so. The smell of blood
is on you.”

Luo Lang simply looked down slowly and stole a glance at the right side of his shirt.
It was completely stained with fresh blood. He looked up again, looked ahead, and
continued driving.

The wind blew in softly. Both men were silent. After a beat, Fang Qing asked,
“Lao Luo, is it really worth it?” Even before he had finished speaking, he had taken
out his gun.
Who could have imagined that Luo Lang’s actions were even faster than his, as Luo
Lang struck at Fang Qing’s temple with his fist. Fang Qing moved sideways to evade
the blow while simultaneously firmly gripping Luo Lang’s arm to prevent further
movement. Unexpectedly, Luo Lang’s other hand left the steering wheel to reach
beneath the seat, emerging with an iron rod with which he smashed Fang Qing’s
head. It turned out that this had been his intention all along. Coming up with such
a cunning, ruthless attack strategy on the spot, while driving, such that even Fang
Qing had no inkling of what would happen – that was truly an action born of
desperation. Fang Qing groaned and his head dropped forward. He stopped
moving and the fresh blood flowed freely from the back of his head. Luo Lang took
a deep breath, dropped the iron rod and grabbed the steering wheel. The car had
almost charged off a cliff. He looked up once again and peered at the rearview
mirror. Bo Jinyan’s car had reappeared.

Luo Lang continued to endure the pain of the wound in his chest while the gears in
his head turned furiously. How was he going to shake off Jian Yao and the others
without raising suspicion? At the same time, he looked at Fang Qing – this old
friend’s injury should not be fatal. Thinking of this, a kind of unbearable nausea
once again flooded his being. He released Fang Qing’s seatbelt and shoved him off
the seat until he was huddled up in the small space in front. Then, he took out his
gun and placed it by his side. He would wait for the other car to drive up and take
stock of how the situation unfolded.

However, he did not expect that they did not even greet him. Instead, he heard
several gunshots, the bullets aimed at his tires. Totally aghast, he turned to look,
and saw Jian Yao in the passenger seat holding a gun, her face cold and solemn,
almost indistinguishable from the cloud of dust flying around her, and shooting at
his tires. He felt a great sense of grief, a flash of confusion and loss, and he knew
that it was all over. However, in that split second, he also felt the relief of liberation.
Wasn’t this what he had always wanted?

As his mind roamed wildly, An Yan had stepped on the gas and caught up with him.

In this car, An Yan remained silent, only listening to the orders Bo Jinyan issued.
Jian Yao gripped the gun, and in a hoarse voice amidst the rushing wind, said,
“Jinyan, are you certain . . . it’s him? It’s Luo dage?”

Bo Jinyan’s voice was extremely quiet, but resonated with a power that came from
a steady heart. “Certain.” He said, “Fang Qing must have already found out and has
been dealt with by Luo Lang. Continue firing at his tires, force him to stop the car.”

Jian Yao’s heart felt especially cold. Without saying anything further, she raised her
gun and resumed shooting at the jeep’s back left tire. She realised that the other
party had not once returned fire.
‘Peng’ – target achieved! The black jeep started to drift to the side, and the right
back tire was emitting smoke. There was no way for him to escape!
Chapter 91

In the time between one heartbeat and the next*, the two cars were racing side by
side. Jian Yao had also stopped firing. She clearly saw Luo Lang in the driver’s seat,
face pale, chest bleeding, his right hand holding a gun, but without any intention of
firing at her. Fang Qing’s body was somewhere in the car. Luo Lang’s eyes stopped
at her face, full of grief.

*T/N 电光火石 (dian guang huo shi) – literally, lightning and flint. This saying
appears to be of Buddhist origin, and speaks of the ephemeral nature of humans,
how quickly we pass or fade away (like lightning, or the spark from a flint).

Luo Lang also saw everything clearly in a flash. In the car beside him, An Yan was
grimly determined, Jian Yao was staring blankly, and Bo Jinyan was sitting as still
and as quiet as a mountain. A great wave of sorrow suddenly burst forth in his
heart. He made a snap decision, turned the steering wheel fiercely and rammed
into their car!

——

Jian Yao was only unconscious for a little while before rousing. She looked up and
saw that Luo Lang’s car had come to rest across this remote road. The bonnet was
crumpled, and Fang Qing was still unconscious. On their end, An Yan had probably
reacted with speed at the very last second and wrenched the steering wheel
inwards. Thus, their car had ended up on the road shoulder. The car was pretty
badly damaged. An Yan was slumped against the steering wheel, his head covered
in blood. Jian Yao quickly reached out to check if he was breathing, and also
roughly took stock of his injuries. She let out a sigh of relief.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Bo Jinyan leaned against the back seat. His face bore
traces of the bloody impact of the collision, and he had fainted. Jian Yao carefully
examined his injuries and was relieved to discover that none of them was severe.
She forced herself to keep calm and think carefully. The first priority was to call for
backup and rescue. Also, Luo Lang had been shot and injured, he would not be able
to run far.
She got out of the car.

Twilight had already descended, and the surrounding mountains and fields had
begun to look misty. She looked around in all directions, and spotted a figure on a
distant hillside, weaving in and out of the trees. It had to be Luo Lang!

Her criminal investigator’s instinct overrode careful thought. She immediately

grabbed her cell phone and reported their position to the command centre. Then,
she grasped her gun and chased rapidly after him.

Luo Lang was almost at the end of his rope.

The gunshot wound given to him by the criminal investigator was severe, and an
entire day of fleeing had cost him much of his physical strength. He was currently
sustained by his willpower alone. Stumbling and staggering, he could only see
trees everywhere, and a sky higher than the hill. He had only one thought in his
mind: even if he were to die, he could not die in front of Jian Yao.

He should have guessed that the heavens would not allow his wish to be fulfilled.
He had just climbed the peak of the hill, and a precipice was right under his feet,
when he heard a chilly voice behind him commanding him, “Stand still, don’t
move.”

He had heard that voice thousands of times before. In the twinkling of an eye, his
heart seemed to have frozen. In the twinkling of an eye, he sensed that the end had
come. Unexpectedly, he smiled slightly and turned around.

Jian Yao pointed the gun at him.

She saw that his entire shirt was stained with blood and her emotions bubbled
forth and were reflected in her eyes.

“How could it be you?” she asked. “Blockhead?”

Luo Lang trembled slightly as he nodded and said, “Yes, it’s me. 20 years ago, it was
I who gave your father the fatal slash across his neck.”
Jian Yao could not speak.

Luo Lang’s eyes were tearing up.

Jian Yao’s voice was hoarse as she asked, “Why do you , , , want to do this?”

He smiled bitterly. “I can’t control myself.”

Jian Yao felt as if her heart was being battered in a gale. Then, she suddenly
remembered the 12 corpses in the cave and the bitter tears shed by the victim’s
family members when they received the news. Her heart instantly calmed down,
and her gaze also became calm. Grasping her gun, she approached him slowly.

Everything happened in a flash.

In that split second when she was close enough, Luo Lang abruptly shot out his
hand to attack her wrist. She was caught off guard and tried to dodge out of the
way, but Luo Lang’s movements were too quick. She had no clear idea how he did
it, especially since he was still at a distance from her, but her hand was firmly in his
grasp. The only thing she could do was pull the trigger of her gun.

Peng
Luo Lang’s body shook slightly. Jian Yao’s eyes widened.

However, Luo Lang’s speed and skill had not been affected. WIth a swift move, he
easily disarmed her, then aimed a karate chop at the back of her neck. Jian Yao fell
to the ground. Luo Lang held on to his newly injured right shoulder; he had no clue
how much blood he had left to shed. He looked down to see her, unconscious, at
his feet, and his tears overflowed. These were tears of suffering and absolution; he
had told himself earlier that he could not die in front of her.

He cast away the gun, turned, and continued walking towards the cliff.

Twilight lingered in the sky, and the land was dark.

His footsteps wavered, and he felt as if he was walking in a world full of blood and
slaughter. He stumbled along, not knowing when he would simply drop to the
ground.

The sky would soon be dark.

It was the cold and unyielding processing of his hindbrain that roused him from his
dream-like state. He turned his head and saw Bo Jinyan’s grave, stern visage. Just
a few hours ago, he had aimed his gun at this blind man’s forehead. After he had
determined that Bo Jinyan was not aware of anything, he had turned and left.
However, a few hours later, this blind man had captured him and was pointing a
gun directly at him. Moreover, behind Bo Jinyan was Jian Yao, who had recovered
from her faint and caught up with them. She was only two or three steps away, and
was looking at them with her lustrous black eyes, like the darkness that resides
behind everyone. And, perhaps it was Jian Yao who had directed the blind man in
this direction. They always worked together flawlessly*, they were born to be
together, and no one could insert himself between them. Or, perhaps he had
already lost all awareness, such that a blind person man could steal up behind him,
find him, even take aim at him, without him realising.

*T/N 天衣无缝 (tian yi wu feng) – literally, seamless heavenly clothes. Fig. flawless.

In the end, he had still been caught by the two of them.

——

Luo Lang’s life started that day when he was 16 years old, and also ended that
same day.

A youth from a lonely, small town, with superior family circumstances, but uncared
for, would generally have a rebellious, undisciplined heart. To add to that, at that
time, the ‘Young and Dangerous’* movie was hotly popular all over China*.
Everywhere in the small town, gangs like ‘Axe Gang’, ‘Knife Gang’ had been
established . . . What’s the point if boys don’t become part of the jianghu for a few
days?
*T/N 大江南北 (da jiang nan bei) – literally, north and south of the Yangtze river
*T/N 古惑仔 (gu huo zai) – the Young and Dangerous movie series (Hong Kong)
focuses on the young members of triads. See here for more information.
Luo Lang joined the Axe Gang.

His father was away for business the whole year round, and his mother’s chief
pursuit every day was to play mahjong. When she was happy, she would toss him
ten dollars so he could buy a bowl of noodles to eat. Sometimes, Luo Lang ate
noodles for all three meals and played games with the remaining money. No one
cooked for him.

At that time, his academic grades were abysmal. Luo Lang had never thought
about the future, the only ‘future’ that came to his mind was to continue in the Axe
Gang. He thought, if he could rise through the ranks to become a hotshot one day,
then his life would not have been in vain.

However, even at a young age, his obstinate character and strong personality had
already manifested. If he saw someone bullying a younger gang member, he would
quickly take action; if he saw a gang member stealing or swindling someone, he
would frown, and distance himself. Thus, he gained the approval of a few of the
gang leaders. These big shots who had never even been to school thought that this
‘blockhead’ had the makings of a great general.

That night, everyone had been drunk, and, somehow, they began to be riled up.
Somehow, they started talking about the county’s most famous god-level
detective, Jian Yi. At first, they spoke of him with dread, describing his amazing and
mysterious abilities. “Did you know? At the crime scene, Jian Yi walked one round,
and knew who the killer was! Hei San* from the Knife Gang was caught by him in
this way, and sentenced to death for robbery and murder!”

*T/N 黑三 (hei san) – literally, black third/ three. Possibly referring this person
being the 3rd in command in the gang.
Chapter 92

At first, Luo Lang only listened to those stories as harmless anecdotes. However,
after that, they become more and more outrageous, and both the speaker and the
audience became more riled up.

“That Jian Yi ah, he looks down on us who are part of the jianghu. He thinks we’re
all garbage! He has no clue that we also believe in loyalty and self-sacrifice, what
the hell!”
“All crows are black, when has a police officer ever been any good? Whoever you
are, if you commit a crime and make use of your connections, you’ll be let out
eventually! If you have no money then it’s no use. Haha! No money!”

“Hey, you think Jian Yi will take a bribe?” “Of course!”

“That Jian Yi looks so pure and clean-cut; I heard that there was a female criminal
who wanted to get together with him, so despicable! Who knows how many secret
women he’s got!”

“How chilling! Scum!”

“Of course, these days, the people who are famous are not those with greater
ability, or who are working sincerely on behalf of us common people. It’s those who
are smart enough to have strategic ways of doing things who are vicious and
merciless!”

“That’s right! Yes! Yes!”

……

To the degree that the gangs suffered at the hands of Jian Yi and the police, their
descriptions would correspondingly contain elements of slander and self-
abasement. At that time, Luo Lang was still young, so how would he know? After
hearing all they said, his only reaction was that this Jian Yi was really just angling
for fame, a reprehensible person, just like Yue Buqun in ‘The Wandering
Swordsman’*, an out and out hypocrite and villain!

*T/N 笑傲江湖 (xiao ao jiang hu) – a novel by Jin Young (Louis Cha) serialised in the
Hong Kong Ming Pao newspaper in the late 1960s, which gave rise to many film and
television adaptations. Yue Buqun is the head of the Mount Hua Sect who is
secretly conspiring against the novel’s protagonist, Linghu Chong. Read more
about the novel here.
Thus, after they had finished speaking, Luo Lang banged his glass of beer on the
table and said, “F**k, police scum!”

Thereafter, someone said, “Brothers, do you dare to teach this person a lesson?”

At first, everyone was rather taken aback. Then, one by one, their drunk faces
flushed with blind emotion. “Go! Go! Go”

They were fortified by alcohol, and their numbers were many. They had already
lost control to the raging fire within them; whether something was right or wrong
was no longer important to them, they just needed an outlet. In truth, what they
were venting was actually their dissatisfaction with themselves.

That day, a gang member had seen Jian Yi’s police car travel to his parents’
residence. This was excellent; it was as if the heavens had destined Jian Yi to meet
with this calamity. If he had returned to the police compound, they would not have
had the guts to go there, and nothing would have transpired. The next day, after
sobering up, the heady rush of bravado would have dissipated.

When they arrived outside Jian Yi’s parents’ residence, they could hear the
television running, as well as the sound of quiet and gentle dialogue. In the silent
night, and compared to the chilly state that they were in, it felt like they were in
two totally different worlds. A strange emotion, a combination of desolation and
courage, infused the gang leader’s heart. He raised his knife and charged in with a
fiercely determined look on his face . . . Emotions are contagious. Before, they had
only talked about ‘teaching Jian Yi a lesson’, but had no idea just what kind of
‘lesson’ they wanted to teach him. Thus, when they rushed into Jian Yi’s home,
when one person was overtaken by murderous rage, the others followed suit. In
that split second, they faced not a solitary police officer and a pair of physically
weak* elderly persons, but it was as if they were fighting with another gang,
beating up the members and slashing them down, slash slash slash, go go go! After
a period of time, they discovered they had hacked everyone to death.

*T/N 手无缚鸡之力 (shou wu fu ji zhi li) – literally, no strength to truss a chicken.

Luo Lang was confused as he walked into the Jian residence. He had thought that
they were going to beat up that police officer, to ‘teach him a lesson’. However, the
second he walked in and saw the blood-covered floor, his thoughts were entirely in
a muddle.

Everything happened in such a short space of time.

Amidst the flashing blades and severed flesh that dominated the room, he
suddenly felt a hand, on the ground, grab hold of his ankle. Shaking all over, he
looked down. It turned out that Jian Yi, his body stabbed through with several
knives, had managed to crawl over to Luo Lang’s legs and somehow grabbed his
foot.

Luo Lang was rooted to the spot in shock, and he felt as if ants were crawling all
over him. They were red ants, and climbed up from his ankle to cover his entire
body.

It was then that Jian Yi raised his head and locked eyes with Luo Lang.

What kind of eyes were those? For all the years and months after that, Luo Lang
was never able to forget that sight. Even when he shut his eyes, he could still see
that criminal investigator sprawled on his legs.

Even in such a situation, those eyes were still dark and quiet. 16-year-old Luo Lang
had never seen, nor would he ever see, another person whose eyes were so clear,
because they were thoroughly pure and full of silent strength. However, at that
moment, Luo Lang also saw that those pitch-black eyes bore a trace of sorrow,
which was spreading. Because there was fresh blood dripping down from Jian Yi’s
hair, dripping into his eyes.
Jian Yi was clearly taken aback the moment he saw Luo Lang. It was as if he had
never imagined that a child like this would take part in the massacre of his entire
family. However, his expression impacted Luo Lang’s heart with a collision force. In
an instant, he found it hard to maintain self-control, while his brain was completely
incapable of functioning and his hands were trembling. Then, someone next to him
yelled, “Slash them down! Slash them!”

He heard a hysterical shriek arising from deep within him, and when he had
regained his senses, he had already made a move with the machete in his hand and
slashed Jian Yi’s neck.

He completely severed Jian Yi’s neck.

Jian Yi was finally dead.

The fatal blow had been his.

Tears welled up in Luo Lang’s eyes, and he let them forth. Amidst crazed human
nature and the blood-soaked ground, a youth wielding a machete stood, not
knowing where to turn.

Out of the blue, he noticed that the locked door of the television cabinet was
moving slightly. He seemed to see a pair of eyes hiding in the depths of the cabinet.
A chill descended upon his heart – if there was someone in the cabinet, then the
gang would not be able to flee unscathed.

However, if he spoke out, the person inside the cabinet would die, without
question. That pair of eyes clearly belonged to a child. A child younger than
himself.

Luo Lang stood for some time in this distracted state, although it seemed he had
only been standing there for a few seconds. Then, he moved to stand in front of the
television cabinet, blocking it from the view of anyone else, and blocking the view
of that pair of eyes.

When he once again looked up, he caught sight of Jian Yi, lying on the ground. He
had already been slashed so many times his body was in a terrible state and his
head was drooping. Behind his body, the fresh blood continued to flow
unceasingly. The pattern of blood flow was concentrated and hideous. Was it thus
ordained by fate? The lines slowly formed a circle and Luo Lang kept watching
attentively. In a flash, a thought came to him: it’s really like a butterfly.

The dead criminal investigator was like a soul who had reached nirvana and been
reborn as a butterfly. Those eyes were darker and purer than the compound eyes of
a butterfly. From now onwards, those eyes, which gazed at him so calmly and
mercifully, would be in each of his dreams, in his life which had collapsed from the
time he was a youth.

……

After that day, Luo Lang neither went back to the Axe Gang, nor attended school.
He hid in his room all day long. With Jian Yi’s tragically violent death, everything
about this outstanding criminal investigator began to be reported repeatedly in the
newspapers.

He was so honest and frugal, every month, out of his meagre salary, he would of his
own volition buy rice and oil for the families of innocent victims.

He took his family responsibilities seriously, and was loyal and dependable. His
wife was his first love, and once he met her, he never again looked at another
woman. That female criminal who had served her sentence and was supposed to
like him – he treated her as a younger sister, and never had any feelings for her.
When she was released from prison, she had a hard life. Jian Yi allowed his wife to
personally visit her and give her 500 renminbi. From that time, the girl felt ashamed
of herself as well as grateful. She steadily worked hard at her job and was able to
start her life afresh.
Chapter 93

In order to crack a child trafficking case, he had stood outside in the bitter winter
for more than 30 hours. He was still young, but his legs had developed problems
due to being frozen.

That day, both his daughters had been at the crime scene. But, because he had
earlier locked them into the television cabinet, they had escaped everything.
Unfortunately, his elder daughter Jian Yao had witnessed the unfolding of the
entire massacre, and was unable to speak for a long time thereafter . . .

Pain and remorse, like a ferocious beast, ate away at Luo Lang’s heart. Every day,
every night. He had previously considered surrendering to the police, but when he
thought of prison life, and even the possibility of abandonment by his parents, he
shrank from the idea . . .

In the end, the police did not come knocking at his door. He had escaped.

However, could one really escape?

From that day onwards, that blockhead was forever trapped in the living room of
the Jian residence, holding a blood-stained machete, eyes full of tears, not
knowing what to do.

……

The sky was almost dark. They could only see one another’s faces by the borrowed
glimmers of light that lingered.

At that point in time, 36-year-old Luo Lang was not entirely conscious of what was
going on. His gaze slipped from Bo Jinyan to Jian Yao’s face, beside him. Out of the
blue, a little spring of joy bubbled up in his heart.

What kind of eyes were those!

Those eyes were pure, jet-black, so calm and boundless. In this lifetime, he could
finally see those eyes again. Her eyes were just like her father’s. Those were the
eyes Luo Lang admired, revered, and had longed for.

He felt his legs go soft under him, and he collapsed on the ground.

He could not clearly distinguish whether the person in front of him was Jian Yao or
Jian Yi. Behind him loomed sheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces, but he felt as if
he were kneeling in the living room, that year.

“I’m sorry . . . I’m sorry . . .” He looked up at her, his expression indistinguishable

between timidity and obsession. “Please forgive me . . . forgive me . . .”

His tears burst forth.

Even though he made no movement, Bo Jinyan grasped his gun and faced Luo
Lang’s direction as he listened to the sounds. At this time, the gun in Jian Yao’s
hand was aimed even more precisely at Luo Lang’s forehead. She looked at his
sudden pained appearance, and her mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions.
She had no idea how to reply. Her tears gradually overflowed and blurred her
vision.

At her silence, Luo Lang’s heart plummeted into icy depths. Perhaps people on the
brink of death always had crazy thoughts. These past twenty years, every moment
of every day, he had thirsted for her forgiveness. He even grabbed her trouser leg
and looked up at her with eyes full of hope and expectation, brimming with deep
emotion. Again, he said, “Jian Yao . . . please forgive me . . . I don’t want anything
else . . . these twenty years, all I have wanted is a word from you . . . .
forgiveness . . .”

His tearful words caused a thread of sorrow to arise in Jian Yao’s heart. She knew
that he did not have long to live; even if he did not die of his serious injuries today,
he would eventually be sentenced to death. Suddenly, all the experiences of their
acquaintance came flooding into her mind. There was the hometown reunion
organised by Li Xunran, where he had sat down placidly in a suit, smiled leisurely at
her and said, “Jian Yao, when I was younger I took you and Xunran fishing.” There
was the case when the masked killers were drawing closer, An Yan and Fang Qing
had been blown up, she had been knocked to the ground due to the force of the
explosion, it was he who had picked her up and faced the masked killer single-
handedly.

In the past year or so, he had kept her company every single day, like a big brother,
like a good friend, never overstepping his boundaries, always with gentle self-
restraint. No one could see that he had been psychologically disturbed for so many
years, not even she who had seen him every day . . .

But, forgiveness?

The moment he walked into dire straits, he had prayed for forgiveness for the sins
he had committed against her father.

The barrel of Jian Yao’s gun trembled slightly. The chill from distant memories
invaded her chest. Unconsciously, she looked up and looked at Bo Jinyan. He
seemed to have noticed her state of mind, and simply said, quietly, “Do what your
heart tells you to.”

Tears welled up in her eyes and she looked once more at Luo Lang.

Luo Lang also stared at her.

“I cannot forgive you,” Jian Yao said slowly. “I’ll never be able to forgive you.” She
did not know why, but she felt as if a blunt knife was slowly grinding against her
heart.

Luo Lang’s face was deathly white. As he stood there, stiff and dazed, he looked
like a statue. Then, he laughed, very bitterly and very uneasily. He looked down
and covered his face with his hands. As his tears rolled down, he said, “I know . . . I
know . . . I know . . .”. He kept repeating this phrase, his spirit clearly on the verge of
collapse.

Abruptly, a coldness appeared in his eyes. Jian Yao’s heart jumped, and she was
just about to say, “Don’t move!” But it was already too late. Luo Lang, despite his
serious injuries, was still so agile. He turned and jumped off the cliff!
This was a steep cliff, so deep and sinister that the bottom could not be seen. A
wind blew upwards from the bottom.

Everything had taken place in the space of just a few seconds. Jian Yao had not
even had the time to move forward.

Luo Lang hung from the edge of the cliff. Bo Jinyan, who had been nearest to him,
had at the last minute swung his arm out wildly in an unconscious movement, and
had actually grabbed his arm.

Perhaps because he had already decided to die, Luo Lang’s eyes had resumed their
clarity and brightness. He laughed and, avoiding Jian Yao’s eyes, stared instead at
the person in front of him. “Bo Jinyan, how did you know . . . that the butterfly killer
was me?”

Bo Jinyan did not answer him. His black sunglasses dropped off his face and fell
down the cliff.

“That year, when the masked killer group made their move to attack us, how did
you know of their plans so you could warn Jian Yao with a text message?” Bo
Jinyan asked.

Luo Lang was taken aback.

Then, some sort of queer expression came over his face. Bewilderment, confusion,
pain, treachery . . . he unexpectedly laughed and raised his fist. He pounded it
fiercely into the back of Bo Jinyan’s hand, such that Bo Jinyan, pained, had no
choice but to loosen his grip.

Luo Lang fell straight down.

Like a butterfly falling to the sky, like a person falling into a tomb. Carrying
unsolved secrets, he flew on his own.

He finally no longer needed to be trapped by his own actions.

——

This abyss, these mountains, were quiet and vast, just like a dreamscape.

Jian Yao supported Bo Jinyan as they stood at the edge of the cliff. She said, “The
only thing he did at the last moment of his life was to beg for my forgiveness, but I
didn’t forgive him. To someone with an abnormal psychological state, was I too
harsh and heartless?”

Bo Jinyan’s face was devoid of sunglasses. The biting Ren county wind blew in his
face. In the darkness, Jian Yao could no longer see his face.

He said, “Hatred can never make people really happy. But, understanding and
making allowances for someone who has become degenerate may not rescue him.
His psychological state has already been abnormal for so many years, even if you
gave him some understanding, there would be no way for him to become like a
normal person. Your father’s death could have been the main stimulus and reason
for him becoming abnormal, but the formation of such an abnormality is bound to
be caused by many factors. Innate tendencies, environment, family – these are all
possible factors. You don’t have to blame yourself for following your heart.
Moreover, whether or not you had understood and made allowances for him, all
the crimes that he has committed over the years, especially those where innocent
victims died tragically, he can never be forgiven for.”

Jian Yao was silent for a long time as she leaned into Bo Jinyan’s arms. They stood
there quietly, holding each other, until they heard more and more police sirens
wailing behind them, and more people were about to come.
Chapter 94

The work to salvage Luo Lang’s body did not go smoothly. The terrain was
dangerous with rocks everywhere, and the SWAT team took an entire day to
descend the cliff to the bottom. Moreover, the valley was extensive, the winds were
very strong and the river was turbulent. To search for a body which might not exist
at all was much easier said than done.

However, according to the forensic pathologist, judging from Luo Lang’s injuries,
there was a very slim chance that he had survived. Possibly, he had one more life
left to lose.

Many people were busy, many were anxious, and many were clapping their hands
in excitement, ready to celebrate. The conclusion to this earth-shaking case shook
the entire police world.

Yet, for the Special Cases Unit, previously the busiest among them, the atmosphere
was extremely quiet and stifling.

In fact, from the day that Luo Lang jumped off the cliff, the atmosphere in the
group had been terrible, too quiet.

In the gathering darkness, the night was desolate. The sky above the small town
was exceptionally quiet and vast.

The wound on Fang Qing’s head was still bandaged. He sat by the window and lit
up a cigarette before saying, “I have to go back to Beijing immediately.”

An Yan played with the Rubik’s Cube in his hand; he had solved and re-solved it so
many times that his interest had waned and he was sitting there, listless. When he
heard Fang Qing, he also looked up and said, “Laoda, I also want to go back for a
visit . . . Gu Fangfang has graduated and is looking for a job . . . I have not been back
for so long.”
Jian Yao also looked towards Bo Jinyan.
He was still wearing his sunglasses and a well-ironed suit; the electronic reader was
still on his finger. The expression on his face was warm as he said, “No problem.
We’ll arrange for a car early tomorrow morning, and you can all return to Beijing.”

The other three did not speak for a moment.

“What about you?” Jian Yao asked.

Finally, they were back to the problem of the stalemate between the two of them.

Bo Jinyan leaned on his walking stick and said, with an indifferent expression, “I
already have a very long-term work plan and arrangement.”

Fang Qing said, “Eh?”

An Yan said, “You can’t go by yourself.”

Jian Yao said nothing.

Fang Qing took one look at the expression on their faces, then said, “Jinyan, I’ll
only be gone for a few days. Even if you want to battle dragons and tigers, waiting a
few days won’t make a difference. Wait for all of us to be present, then we can talk
about it further. As long as we’re together once again, what obstacle can remain
insurmountable?”

An Yan nodded continuously as he said, “I agree.”

Bo Jinyan also laughed and said, “Naturally, I will need all your help.”

At this, Fang Qing and An Yan felt more at ease.

However, Jian Yao looked at Bo Jinyan’s inscrutable face and kept silent.

——

It was night.
The police officers who had been working at a frenetic pace for the last half a
month had all gone to sleep. However, the light was still on in Bo Jinyan and Jian
Yao’s room.

A bedside lamp cast its illumination with a soft glow. This room in the guest house
was very simple, but it held the warmest memories Jian Yao had experienced in the
past year. After she had showered, she returned to sit by the bed to comb her hair.
She noticed that Bo Jinyan had already changed into his pyjamas and was standing
by the window, thinking about who knew what.

Was her Jinyan starting to worry about something?

She walked over to him and hugged him from behind. He lowered his head, smiled
and said, “Hey, I’ve always liked your hugs. It’s like a little bird clinging on to me,
and it’s also like a tree, sturdy and warm.”

Jian Yao could not help but smile. She turned him around slowly in her arms, gazed
at him and said, “Jinyan, do you have something to tell me?”

Bo Jinyan went quiet.

After a heartbeat, he said, “Jian Yao, I can’t tell you anything now.”

Jian Yao’s heart wrenched. She unconsciously let go of his hand but he re-captured
it. She said, “Let go!” He held it even more tightly and said, “I’m not going to.”

Jian Yao turned so her back was facing him. “You want to go off by yourself again,
don’t you?”

Bo Jinyan said nothing. After a while, he hugged her and called out softly,
“Wifey . . .” Jian Yao ignored him and moved to push him away. However, every
part of his body seemed to be glued to her. In the end, they both fell onto the bed.

He touched her face and said, “You don’t have to worry at all; I already have a
foolproof plan.”
Jian Yao laughed bitterly. “If I’m not by your side, watching you, how can you say
it’s a foolproof plan?” Bo Jinyan bit his lower lip, then kissed her. Their slightly
cool, dry lips collided and sought each other. Jian Yao’s hand gripped his shoulder
for no reason. She said softly, “Jinyan, what are you searching for in this life?”

He replied, “What I’m searching for, what I’m protecting, will never change. Even
though I can no longer see, even though I left you once, I pledge to be faithful.”

Jian Yao looked at his pale face, his delicate features, his jet-black hair like floating
clouds, and felt what seemed to be endless pain in her heart. She said, “Then, don’t
leave me any more. How can you leave me again?”

A sharp pain attacked Bo Jinyan’s chest like a bolt out of the blue, and attacked his
eyes as well. He enclosed her hands in his and said, “Jian Yao, I will definitely
return. This is my promise to you.”

Jian Yao’s tears rolled down her face. There was only one thought in her mind: she
had to bring him home.

She just wanted to bring this lonely person home.

——

The next morning, a car was parked outside the guest house.

Fang Qing and An Yan were already seated inside. Although travel-weary, they were
duty-bound not to turn back.

An Yan kept distractedly looking out of the window to the room where Bo Jinyan
had spent the night, but did not say anything. Fang Qing stuck his head out and
looked at Jian Yao while asking, “Are you not leaving with us?”

Jian Yao smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, just go. I will wait with him for you guys
to return. Let’s show off the power of the Special Cases Unit.”
Fang Qing also nodded, but his tone became a few shades deeper. “I’ll come back
as soon as I’ve settled matters with Xiaozhe. Tell Jinyan, this enemy is not his
alone, but also ours. This entire year, I’ve thought about capturing those beasts
and bringing them to justice. Three people of mediocre talent can work together to
best Zhuge Liang*. You must wait for us to return.”

*T/N 三个臭皮匠，抵个诸葛亮 (san ge chou pi jiang, di ge Zhuge liang) – literally,

three smelly cobblers can defeat Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang is acknowledged as the
best strategist of the Three Kingdoms era. The analogy describes how three
ordinary people, working and brainstorming together, can surpass the master
strategist. It also carries the idea that two (or whatever number) heads are better
than one, or that the wisdom of the masses exceeds those of the wisest individual.
Read more about Zhuge Liang here.
An Yan said, “Sister-in-law, I’ll be faster than him, I’m just going to take a look at
Fangfang, then I’ll return.”

Jian Yao laughed and said, “Ok, ok, you guys just go, don’t worry about it.”

They finally left in the car.

Jian Yao returned to the room, which had one person less, Bo Jinyan. Early that
morning, he had left without a sound – while she was in a deep sleep due to her
having cried until she was exhausted. Just like the first time, he left quietly and
cleanly, taking only some clothes, his walking stick, his electronic reader, his
sunglasses, and a handgun.

Jian Yao leaned on the doorframe for a while. Then she took her luggage and
walked out. Her face was calm. It was not worried, not angry, not sorrowful, not
ready to blame.

A few hours later.

It was some city in some county in some province in southwest China, in some
small, dirty, noisy train station. In this day and age, there were still ‘green leather
trains’* running here, but there were already fewer of them than before. Those
trains only went to the most remote and backward places.
* T/N 绿皮火车 (lü pi huo che) – literally, green leather trains. This probably refers
to slow trains that typically are not equipped with air-conditioning.

He sat on a chair in the waiting room, not moving a muscle.

Young workers, farmers and the occasional backpacker walked by, and most of
them stole a glance at him. Even though he wore a casual jacket and track pants,
the walking stick in his hands and the sunglasses on his face still attracted
attention, especially as his face was pale and he exuded a chilly aura. Although he
carried a backpack, he seemed to be different from all the rest.

The sun gradually declined and the sky grew dark. It was almost time for the train
to depart.

He looked extraordinarily quiet and patient.

Until footsteps came unhurriedly towards him.

The other people looked at him once again, curiosity in their eyes. After all, a
woman walking towards a blind man with every appearance of being a very refined
individual was a rare sight in such a place.

However, that woman’s gaze was calm. She appeared to be in her twenties, and
walked along as if she were on an ordinary street, not looking at the people around
her.

She walked to the blind man and squatted in front of him, lifting her head to look at
him, then holding his hands. Her clear and peaceful eyes differentiated her from all
the other women in the world.

They were whispering, but no one could make out what they were saying.

“Jinyan, I’ve told you before, I want to be the only person in the world you don’t
have to protect, but the one who protects you.”

He had been sitting alone for too long. His fingers were icy, and he remained silent.
She said, “You have your plan, and I have mine. I pledge to be faithful. My plan is to
be with you.”

She said, “I will go with you to the places of danger. Wherever you go, I will go. A
day, a year, a lifetime; as long as we’re together.”

Bo Jinyan bowed his head. His sunglasses covered his moist eyes. He let go of his
walking stick and hugged her tightly.

“Jian Yao . . . I promise you, we’ll never be separated again.”

......

Ah, I have no interest in dating, but if you kiss me every 10 minutes, I will do
anything with you.

You can’t see anymore, so let me be the one to kiss you. I will kiss you every 10
minutes, I will go with you to deal with all the dangerous things in this world.

....
That man living a solitary existence in a villa deep in the mountains,
That man who took such a long time to propose* with a red face.

*T/N 牵着乌龟 (qian zhe wu gui) – bringing a turtle along; probably part of the
saying 牵着乌龟去散步 – bringing a turtle along for a walk. Obviously, this is going
to be a slow walk. The idea seems to be that taking a slow walk helps one to realise
the beauty that is in the world, and that one does not have a lead a frantic,
ambition-fuelled lifestyle. Jian Yao probably is only referring to Bo Jinyan being
very slow in proposing.

All the bright eyes in this world cannot compare to the bright moonlight in your
heart.
Please don’t leave me again.
Chapter 95

This was the general ward of a private hospital. Fang Qing had rushed back to
Beijing the previous night, and today had followed the criminal investigators
handling the case there.

He was wearing gloves and bootees, and his face was cold. His entire being
radiated ruthless energy.

At first glance, there was nothing out of the ordinary in this ward. It was brand new,
clean, tidy, and spacious. Inside the room were a sick bed, sofa, and various
machines, a small bar counter and an en suite toilet. A few days ago, Jin Xiaozhe,
together with the other cast and crew members, had been filming in this ward. She
drank the healing tea which her assistant handed her and lost consciousness.

She drank the tea every day which was prepared by her assistant. No one else
handled it, and nothing had been different about the way it was prepared.

Currently, the female assistant who had called Fang Qing to notify him due to her
deep worry had been detained as the prime suspect. The more damning evidence
was that the remaining poison had been found in the girl’s home.

However, Fang Qing felt that something was off. He knew that this assistant had
been with Jin Xiaozhe for three years, and had always been unflinchingly loyal.
Moreover, his instincts told him that since she had immediately notified him, she
was clearly not comfortable with the situation and was unlikely to be harbouring ill
intention. If they had caught the wrong person, this meant that the danger around
Jin Xiaozhe had not really been taken care of, and also implied that an innocent
person had been falsely accused. Therefore, Fang Qing had to investigate this
matter thoroughly.

He stood in the middle of the ward, staring blankly. When the other criminal
investigator noticed, he laughed and said, “Lao Fang, why are you so focused on
this? Could it be that you are actually the rumoured sex-scandal boyfriend of that
big star?”
Fang Qing shot him an oblique glance and said, rather obscurely, “Take a guess.”
In truth, the police were not rushing to conclude the case because the female
assistant kept crying and protesting her innocence in the detention centre. As a
result, their comrades from the Forensic Department had returned to the crime
scene to check through it once more.

However, this criminal investigator from the Special Cases Unit who had
voluntarily turned up, was clearly even more focused than they were, but was also
about to hinder official business!

The forensic investigators were inspecting the ground inch by inch. Suddenly, they
saw a huge silhouette crawling along the ground, even more indifferent to dirt and
exhaustion than they were. Fang Qing’s eagle eyes were thoroughly raking the
ground, not letting the possibility of even the most minute clue escape him.

A forensic investigator said, “Comrade, you are blocking us . . .”

“Oh . . . sorry,” said Fang Qing, but he did not move from his position.

After a while, the forensic investigators thought about checking the ceiling board,
only to discover that another person had already climbed up the wall, like a lizard,
and had even dragged their ladder over to do so.

They looked at him without saying anything.

Fang Qing said, “Heh heh . . . I’ve found something, come over!”

Everyone was startled and came over to surround him.

Before Fang Qing’s eyes was a dark and narrow passageway – the air-conditioning
ventilation duct above the ceiling board. Although it was narrow, a person of small
build could, with difficulty, crawl through. Dust had accumulated on the surfaces,
but a lot of it had been rubbed away – someone had crawled this way. Moreover,
on a shutter of the air vents, Fang Qing had discovered a minuscule damp spot of a
light-coloured liquid. Just below this air vent was the bar counter. Fang Qing knew
Jin Xiaozhe’s habit – she did not like to drink anything that was too hot, or too cold.
Therefore, after the tea had been prepared, she would definitely have left it to cool
down. Previously, in the Ancient City (Gu City), she had done this when drinking her
lotus leaf tea. At that time, Fang Qing had been in a hurry, and so had drunk his hot
tea in one big gulp. She had scolded him roundly for drinking like fish.

No, he could not afford to be distracted by these memories. They had already
broken up, what was the point of thinking about it! Fang Qing pulled himself
together, jumped off the ladder and returned the crime scene to the forensic
investigators.

A comrade asked, “Lao Fang, where are you going?”

Fang Qing smiled and lit a cigarette, but his voice was particularly grim. “Where? To
catch the real killer!”

——

When Jin Xiaozhe regained consciousness, she discovered that the sky outside was
dusky. The city of Beijing always suffered from too much smog. There was a feeling
of living in the desert when the buildings outside could not be seen clearly.

Someone knocked on the door and entered. It was a nurse and her manager.

The nurse helped her to change the IV bottle, while her manager sat at the bedside,
his face full of exhaustion and deep concern.

“Xiao Xi has been arrested. Poison was found in her home,” the manager
said. Xiao Xi was Jin Xiaozhe’s personal assistant.
Jin Xiaozhe was extremely shocked. “Xiao Xi cannot be a killer!”

The manager looked helpless. “I don’t believe it either, but the evidence is
conclusive. Maybe it’s a case of not knowing a person’s true colours. . . . are you
feeling better?”

Jin Xiaozhe’s thoughts were in turmoil, and she also felt nauseous and dizzy.
However, she was not used to revealing too much of her vulnerability in front of
others, even if that person was her manager. She nodded and said, “Much better.
I’m a little thirsty.” The nurse could sense Jin Xiaozhe’s discomfort, and, after all,
this was a celebrity she was dealing with. She immediately poured out a glass of
water and brought it over. The manager took it and held it out to Jin Xiaozhe. Jin
Xiaozhe received the glass and was about to drink from it, but paused. After a
moment’s silence, she set it aside.

The manager did not know what to say. Indeed, once bitten, twice shy*.

*T/N 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳 (yi zhao bei she yao, yi nian pa jing sheng). I love
this idiom! Literally, it means – once bitten by a snake, afraid of a rope at a well for
10 years. Nicely descriptive.

Both the nurse and the manager left the room quickly, leaving her with a tranquil
space. But, how could she be calm? She had left home for so many years to seek
success elsewhere, and bright lights and glory had always accompanied her
wherever she went. However, how many people she had met truly cared about her?
There was no love, no true friendship, and she had less and less interaction with
her family. She worked so hard, filming until late at night, night after night. Her
thoughts flew to someone else, somewhere else in the world. From the time she
had left that man, there seemed to be a definite emptiness within her. The more
she achieved and possessed, the bigger the void, but she had always brushed it
aside.

Even now, she finally realised that it had come to the point when she could not
even drink a glass of water at ease. She had been rescued from death after two
days and two nights. Only those who had walked that thin line between life and
death could understand the deep-rooted pain she had experienced. There was no
way for her to deny the fear that was in her heart – fear of death, fear of trusting
others, fear of life. But, right now, who could she really depend on?

In the gathering twilight, she heard her phone ding as a text message was received.

The person with that number had not contact her for a very long time.

The text was a simple sentence, as short and emphatic as before: Don’t be afraid,
you have me.
Jin Xiaozhe looked at the text for a long time, and abruptly burst into tears.

——
Fang Qing strode briskly over the rooftop of the building bathed in bright, golden
light with a fierce expression and a devil-may-care attitude. About 10 metres in
front of him, a small, skinny man was staggering in his attempt to run away.

The terrified man looked at him and kept saying, “It’s not me, comrade policeman,
I didn’t poison anyone!”

“It’s not you?” Fang Qing grinned and sped up. Like a wolf hunting a rabbit, he
grabbed the man’s collar. “You @^$*&#%, so, that fingerprint in the storeroom is
rubbish?”

T/N Ding Mo just left a row of asterisks here. You can fill in the blanks yourself, I
suppose!

The man’s face was a combination of ugly crying and smiling as he stammered,
“It’s not rubbish, it’s not rubbish . . . I want a lawyer, I want a lawyer . . .”

Fang Qing narrowed his shrewd eyes and seized the man up.

In reality, after they had figured out the poisoning mechanism which the culprit
had copied from Conan*, it was not difficult to find the killer. There were only so
many people who were familiar with the hospital as well as Jin Xiaozhe’s daily
routine and habits. The police had swiftly followed the clues and narrowed the
suspects to this young man, an assistant editor on several of Jin Xiaozhe’s dramas,
who was also quite smart. However, he was light-fingered and had stolen from the
cast and crew. Jin Xiaozhe had discovered his thievery and he had been reported to
the production team. Thus, this young man who could have gone far in the industry
lost his opportunity to do so. However, despite being upright, Jin Xiaozhe was also
very soft-hearted. So, she asked the production team to keep this young man on,
otherwise he would have to leave the industry and would also probably just drift
along. She did not want to destroy his professional career.

*T/N 柯南 (ke nan) – probably refers to Detective Conan, a popular Japanese

detective manga series which was also made into a television series.
In Fang Qing’s opinion, this was a clear example of two things: indulging one’s
enemy is simply asking for trouble*, and women have an excessive tendency to
clemency.

*T/N 养虎为患 (yang hu wei chuan) – literally, to nurture a tiger invites calamity.
Chapter 96

He had always been crafty, and thus was naturally able to find the culprit much
earlier than the criminal investigators assigned to the case. In addition, he was just
at this bstrd’s rental apartment and had unexpectedly found a manuscript entitled,
“The Years I Spent at Jin Xiaozhe’s Side”, wherein was meticulously recorded some
of Jin Xiaozhe’s habits and private matters. Fang Qing was willing to bet that some
of the ‘details’ were fabricated. Moreover, the most detailed description was the
full record of Jin Xiaozhe’s current situation – being poisoned. It was a lively and
vivid account, as if the author had been present. Even though Fang Qing was filled
with nothing but contempt and disdain for this joker, he had to admit, if this guy
had really released the book, it would most likely have become an instant hit. In
this way, this bstrd’s true intentions were also made clear. Killing two birds with
one stone – to achieve revenge, and also use Jin Xiaozhe to gain fame – wasn’t that
the perfect plan?
Thinking about this, Fang Qing grew even more furious. He sneered and raised his
fist. That rascal was a typical case of a crazy idiot who appears strong and arrogant
in front of those who are weak, but who dares not make a peep before those
stronger than himself. Seeing that Fang Qing’s fist was about to descend, he
continued to feign innocence and beg for forgiveness. “It’s really not me who did it!
Really not me! Dage, I’m Jin Xiaozhe’s fan, a true fanboy! Really!”
Fang Qing snorted angrily and fiercely punched the guy’s nose. “To hell with you!”

Subsequently, Fang Qing handed the suspect over to the criminal investigators
who had rushed to the scene after he had beaten him black and blue. However, the
consequence was that Fang Qing was severely censured by the central office, and
was ordered not to intervene in this case again without permission. Fortunately,
the suspect could not quibble about his arrest as material evidence and human
testimony were both in concurrence. Moreover, perhaps he had been scared to
death by Fang Qing’s beating, or perhaps the brothers at the central office had
dealt with him, but he did not dare to insist on an investigation into Fang Qing’s
actions.

Of course, brothers are always brothers. Although they banned Fang Qing from
associating himself with this case, when the true facts had been ascertained, they
immediately released a statement, succinctly setting out the whole story and
confirming that they had apprehended the culprit, thus appeasing the victim and
her hordes of fans. After the release of the statement, Jin Xiaozhe’s fans celebrated
passionately. One after another, they showed their affection and gratitude to their
comrade criminal investigators. Fang Qing, sitting in the backyard of the station,
smoked his cigarette, scanned the news reports, and smiled.

“Jin Xiaozhe, guess what!” her manager said excitedly. “This situation is fast
becoming a legend!”

Jin Xiaozhe looked up from her iPad, her face tranquil.

Her manager said, “You’re the trending hot topic on Weibo right now, the no. 1 hot
search item, and the top searched topic! Your drama which is scheduled for
broadcast next month has been voted by netizens as the most anticipated series!
Your popularity is soaring and your support is even greater! Several major directors
have called me; you are going to be red hot! I never thought that this situation
would advance your career! Definitely a blessing in disguise, haha!”

Jin Xiaozhe smiled faintly and said, “Really?” For some reason, she just could not
feel excited. Her manager’s attitude at the moment was understandable, for they
both once had the same ambition. However, if one considered that the peak of her
career was due to her teetering between life and death, she suddenly felt a rapidly
spreading ice-cold feeling in her heart.

“My apologies, I’d like to be alone for a while,” she said.

Her manager stopped talking. “Sorry, Xiaozhe, I had no other intention. I just . . . we
have to keep looking ahead, I just want you to flourish.”

Jin Xiaozhe nodded sincerely. “I know, I just . . .”

I’m just, unhappy.

Her manager left the room, and the sky gradually turned dark. So, at the time when
the lights came on, from a high vantage point, the city was so quiet. Moreover, Jin
Xiaozhe discovered that it had been a very long time since she had been by herself.
It turned out, when she was by herself, she was so lonely.

She took up a book resting on her pillow and read a few pages, but nothing went in.
She kept thinking about the police statement; the wording had been concise and
solemnly official. Why is it that she could see traces of Fang Qing in it?

Sometimes, a woman’s instinct are incredibly accurate. She felt certain that the
reason why the police had solved the case so quickly was related to Fang Qing.
Several thoughts came to her mind and refused to go away.

After an unknown length of time, the door opened with a soft sound and someone
walked in.

Jin Xiaozhe looked up.

She had only turned on the bedside lamp, and he had not switched on the light
when he entered the room. He simply took off his police cap and placed it on the
bedside table. He also stood in the darkest part of the room.

Jin Xiaozhe had no idea how he had managed to get into the room. Outside was
thick with bodyguards, fans, and reporters. However, he would have his ways and
means, even to come in so overtly, without alarming anyone.

Jin Xiaozhe abruptly felt that her arms and legs were a little tense as she watched
him approach.

He sat next to the bed and asked, “How are you feeling?”

She had seen so many flower boys and bright, handsome, upright men, but for a
while she could not look directly at his handsome, compelling face. So, she stared
at the button on his chest as she replied, “Much better, almost fully recovered.”

He smiled momentarily, his usual straightforward manner on display. “That’s

good.”
He rested his hands on his knees as he sat with his back to the light. Jin Xiaozhe
knew that he was gazing at her all the time. Her finger started tracing circles on the
book cover. “When did you come back to Beijing?”

“Three days ago, in the evening.”

“What have you been busy with these few days?”

“Private matters.”

Jin Xiaozhe suddenly found herself unable to speak.

“What private matters?” she heard herself asking steadily.

Fang Qing’s face was hidden in the shadows. After quite a while, he said, “Xiaozhe,
you know, don’t you? No matter how big a celebrity you become, no matter how
far away you are from me, how big is the gap between us, really? In my heart, you
will always be the crazy girl who insisted on climbing on my back and making me
run alongside the city wall before you would be friends with me.”

In an instant, Jin Xiaozhe was choked with emotion. She felt her eyes turn moist
and took a deep breath to control herself.

“Ok, I know,” she said. I know; in truth, I always knew.

Fang Qing seemed to be quieter than before. He sat for a while longer before
saying, “I’ve seen you, and I feel relieved, so I’ll go now. Take care.”

Jin Xiaozhe stared at his back until he reached the door. Then, she growled softly,
“Don’t you dare go!”

Fang Qing stood still without turning around. “What did you say?”

“I said . . .” Jin Xiaozhe covered her eyes with her hands, refusing to let him see.
“Fang Qing, don’t go.”
All around her was silent for a moment, then she heard him walking back towards
her. After a while, he sat on the edge of the bed and hugged her shoulders, while
she turned her head to bury her face in his arms. That was the smell she had been
separated from for so long, and had been longing after for so long; his embrace was
broad, solid, and warm. She felt so safe at this moment, like never before. She
finally understood that she would never be complete without this person in her life.

Fang Qing’s entire body was heated and his heart was full of passion. However, he
had a faint smile on his face as he whispered into her ear, “Are we back together?”
Jin Xiaozhe lifted her head to kiss him.

The two of them continued to hug each other and look out of the window at the
night sky together for a long time. This city was so vast, infinitely wonderful, with
infinite possibilities, and infinite hopes and crises. But, at this moment, they were
sitting quietly together, just like when they used to sit on the wall in the Ancient
City (Gu City) as teenagers. At that time, their young and carefree selves had felt as
if the whole world was theirs. Now, they understood that they were nothing but
two small specks of dust, of no significance to the ebb and flow of the world.

“How long will you be away this time?” she asked softly as he embraced her.

Fang Qing did not actually know the answer. He estimated and replied, “One or
two months.”

“Will there be danger?” she asked as she looked into his eyes.

Then and there, Fang Qing was unable to formulate a reply.

The masked killers, their old enemies, had caused Fu Ziyu’s death, Bo Jinyan’s
blindness, and his and An Yan’s serious injuries. Moreover, they still did not know
the extent of their opponents’ criminal influence and power. How long would he be
gone for this time?

His hands pressed upon her eyes and he smiled faintly as he said, “What are you
imagining? There can’t be danger every single day when I’m out on a mission. I will
definitely return to you safely.”
....

I will definitely come back to you alive.

Chapter 97

An Yan stood by the flowerbed. He felt like the moon in some distant, remote place,
harried and obscured by dark clouds*. Who could understand how he felt?

*T/N Shout out to the wonderful Minodayz, who tracked down this reference (of a
distant moon) to a Tang Dynasty poem, 女冠子·四月十七

Before his eyes was this picture —

The light was dim. A few metres away from him, among the flowers, stood a pair of
beautiful people. The man was tall, and his shirt and suit looked good. The woman
was even more beautiful and alluring, incomparably so.

The man said, “Fangfang, I really love you. I have loved you for four years. I was
prepared to confess to you, but you are telling everyone that you now have a police
officer as a boyfriend . . .”

Gu Fangfang responded, “Since you know I have a boyfriend, why on earth did you
look for me?”

By the side, An Yan cracked a small smile.

However, the man was unwilling to accept this. The dissatisfaction and
stubbornness of someone who had not gotten his way was written all over his
elegant face. “But, Fangfang! None of us have ever seen that man before! Even if he
is a police officer, how is it possible that we’ve not even caught a glimpse of him for
the past one or two years? I’ve read on the Internet about these swindlers who
pretend to be police officers, but are really destitute good-for-nothing cheats who
want to trick you into handing over your possessions and your body! This is the
kind of man you put your faith in!”

These remarks completely floored Gu Fangfang. An Yan had indeed left as he said
he would, and had vanished for a year. Moreover, he really did look like someone
who had not a penny to his name. But, how could he ever be a liar? He had been
responsible for monitoring all the surveillance in the cosplay case!

“Don’t talk nonsense . . .” Gu Fangfang began, when she unexpectedly heard a

familiar and cold voice from behind her, saying very stiffly, “You are the liar!”

Gu Fangfang was both shocked and delighted as she turned to see the face she had
been longing for. However, because it had been so long since they had seen each
other, when she saw his face, it felt unfamiliar. After all, nothing had happened
between them before he had left. Not even a kiss. But, she had subconsciously
defended him, waited for him, and told everyone he was her boyfriend. When she
considered that An Yan might know about this, Gu Fangfang’s face turned a rosy
red in a split second.

However, since it was night time, An Yan was unable to notice this. In any case, his
attention was fully focused on this stinking joker who was trying to pull the rug out
from under his feet and undermine his position*. The joker had never expected
that An Yan would suddenly appear like this and his shock and discomfort showed
on his face.

*T/N 撬墙角 (qiao qiang jiao) – literally, to pry open the corner (junction between
two walls). Figuratively, it refers to having the rug pulled from under your feet, or
the strategy of targeting or eliminating the people close to your opponent, in order
to derive the greatest benefit for yourself.

“You clearly knew that the other party has a boyfriend, yet you still tried to weasel
your way in and shake up our relationship. Your intentions are base, and your
loyalty is in question. You knew nothing about me, yet you concluded the worst
about me and sullied my name. This shows that you either lack judgement and
blindly conform to the majority, or you are willing to engage in any means
necessary, whether fair or foul, in order to achieve your goal – to deceive Fangfang.
No matter what the reason, you are not worthy to have any interaction with
Fangfang.”

Whether for good or for bad, as someone who had been with Bo Jinyan for several
years, even when An Yan spoke carelessly, there was logic to his words. These
words had such an impact that Gu Fangfang saw the expression on that man’s face
change. She even stepped back half a pace to stay close to An Yan. The young man
was furious; he never imagined that An Yan would be a master of eloquence. He
scoffed and retorted, “I am not worthy to interact with Gu Fangfang? Then let me
ask you, you small-fry police officer, I am a graduate of a Project 211 university*,
what about you? Does your academic record compare to mine? Can you bring
Fangfang happiness?”

*T/N Project 211 was initiated in 1995 by China’s Ministry of Education to raise the
research standards of high-level universities and develop strategies for social-
economic development. It would be fairly prestigious to be a graduate of a
university under Project 211. Read more about it here.
Gu Fangfang’s expression had changed again and she was just about to intervene.
To her surprise, the man by her side coolly spoke up. “Computing at Tsinghua
University*, direct Masters.”

*T/N You can read more about Tsinghua University’s standing here, but suffice to
say that An Yan trumps (absolutely, totally, utterly) his poor love rival.
His love rival was speechless.

Gu Fangfang was speechless.

His love rival said, “Liar! You’re just talking big!”

With an indifferent expression, An Yan fished out his cellphone and carelessly
pressed a few keys before showing him the screen. The man was instantly stuck
dumb – An Yan had really brought up a picture of his Tsinghua University student
identification card! There was only one thought that flashed across the man’s mind
– his movements are so fast!

Gu Fangfang looked at An Yan with a complexity of emotions – she had always

thought he was an ordinary police academy graduate, and never imagined that he
was a super student! When she thought about it carefully, she had never asked him
about his background because she placed no value on any of these things.

That man was still reluctant to leave things as they were. He flushed and said
bitingly, “What’s so great about graduating from Tsinghua University? Graduates
from Peking University can’t find jobs and have to sell pork in the market! When I
graduated, I started working in my family’s company, and I have an apartment and
a car in Beijing. What do you have? You’re still allowing Fangfang to live in this little
rental apartment!”

Gu Fangfang had had enough. “You shut up! An Yan, don’t pay any attention to
him . . .” An Yan squeezed her hand. He was hardly bothered by such sneers and
jeers. Having been with Bo Jinyan for so long, his words could be even colder and
more heartless than such common folk! He also sneered, then pondered the
possible countermeasures. He retrieved his wallet from his pocket, took out a card
and shoved it into Gu Fangfang’s hand. “This card contains the prize money I have
won over the past few years, about 1 million yuan (approx USD 142,000). If it’s not
enough, I will make time next year to take part in some competitions.”

His love rival was once again speechless.

Gu Fangfang said, “ . . . There’s no need, I . . .”

The love rival could not restrain himself any longer. He felt that there was no way
he could hold a conversation with An Yan. Feeling humiliated and indignant, he
said loudly, “So what? I have a family company, you are nothing but a Small-fry.
Criminal. Investigator. Who. Checks. And. Monitors. Things!”

Gu Fangfang blew up. “So what? Even if he’s a small-fry criminal investigator who
checks and monitors things, I like him and I don’t like you! Get lost! I don’t want to
see you again!”

An Yan blinked rapidly. In his eyes, under the raging temper, he could only see his
girlfriend who was even more beautiful and adorable with her crimson cheeks. Gu
Fangfang was more overbearing than he was. Without giving that man another
look, she grabbed An Yan’s hand and said, “Let’s go!”

An Yan said, “Ok.”

The man they left behind felt his heart finally break into smithereens. As he stood in
the wind, his heartache was so great that he longed for death.
Finally calmed down, Gu Fangfang and An Yan sat, shoulder to shoulder, on a
bench on the ground floor of a building in the neighbourhood. The night breeze
blew gently. Both of them felt a little shy and did not speak.

After a while, Gu Fangfang asked, “When did you get back?”

He answered, “Just now.”

Gu Fangfang looked down, pursed her lips and remained silent.

“Have you finished what you were doing?” she asked again, full of hope.

An Yan felt a twinge of pain in his chest as he replied, “Soon.”

Of course, Gu Fangfang did not know of the danger and sinister nature of the case.
When she heard him saying he would be done soon, she sighed in relief and smiled
before saying, “I’ve never seen you the way you were tonight.” Showing off your
ability, not yielding an inch.

An Yan said, matter-of-factly, “Before, I never realised that there was someone
trying to take away what is mine.”

Gu Fangfang’s face heated up. She turned her head, only to find An Yan’s serene,
black eyes staring at her. “Are there . . . many people like him?”

“Hmmmm . . . I rejected eight people this year,” she said truthfully.

An Yan’s eyes darkened.

Gu Fangfang really wanted to laugh, but held it in.

Who knew, in the very next second, he had grasped her shoulders and bowed his
head to kiss her.

This was . . . their first kiss.

A man’s fresh and clean breath is just like moonlight, like tree leaves, like a cool
breeze. However, there was also the power and passion peculiar to young men. He
was obviously inexperienced, but this was something he had longed desired, so his
long, slender fingers which normally danced across a keyboard grasped her chin
firmly while kissing her over and over again, clearly wanting to take as much as he
could. His other hand was unconsciously resting on Gu Fangfang’s shoulder, from
where it moved to pull her tight against him. Gu Fangfang’s face was totally red,
and her eyes were moist. When he finally released her, he asked softly, “Did you
feel it?”

Gu Fangfang whispered, “Why do you have to ask this kind of question?”

An Yan looked at her very seriously and said, “My boss says to always pay attention
to the feelings of the girl, and the method that is the most precise and least open to
misinterpretation is to ask directly.”

Gu Fangfang rolled her eyes. “Your boss is really strange!” And then, softly, “This
kind of thing, just feeling it is fine.”

An Yan thought for a moment, then smiled. “True. I felt good, what about you?” Gu
Fangfang hit him, and smiled.
Chapter 98

They made out for a long time. He embraced her and they kissed until her lips were
swollen, but were still reluctant to let go. It turned out to be so intoxicating to have
his girl in his arms. Moreover, Gu Fangfang was sitting in his lap. He made her feel
something both familiar and strange, mysterious and exciting; a year’s wait had
indeed been worthwhile.

Time passed, and it was late at night. To linger at the ground floor of a girl’s
apartment at 11 p.m. and refuse to let go of her did not seem to be a wise choice.
An Yan released her and stood up, unwilling to say that it was time for him to leave.
Gu Fangfang also looked down and examined her toes.

“I . . .” he started to say.

She looked up at him.

“. . . will walk you upstairs?”

Her heart was thumping furiously, but her face was calmly indifferent. “Oh, okay.”

After graduation, Gu Fangfang had rented a one-room apartment. Compared to her

bright and beautiful outward appearance, her apartment seemed incredibly
sloppy. However, when An Yan the otaku walked in, he felt it was highly suitable,
very homely, very warm. In a last ditch attempt* to clean up, Gu Fangfang picked
up a few things here and there. She looked up only to see An Yan’s dark, black eyes
were lost in thought.
*T/N 临时抱佛脚 (lin shi bao fo jiao) – lit. to clasp Buddha’s feet when danger
approaches/ at the last minute; fig. to profess devotion or ask for a deity’s help only
when in trouble; to do something hastily at the last minute. This is one of my
favourite Chinese idioms!

“What’s up?” Gu Fangfang asked.

“It’s nothing,” he replied. “I’m just thinking, in future, we will have to hire an
hourly-rated cleaning specialist to see to our house.”

Never in her wildest dreams did Gu Fangfang anticipate that he would say such a
thing. She hadn’t even thought that far ahead! Her face grew hot and she said, in a
low voice, “Who wants to live with you . . .”

An Yan had simply said what he was thinking, and had not intended to tease her.
He would truly be an idiot if he could not pick up on the bashful rebuke in her
voice. His heart was beating fiercely in his chest and he uttered a soft ‘oh’.

Gu Fangfang wanted to hit him again! What did ‘oh’ mean?

She went to get him a bottle of water, which he uncapped and drank. Then, she
moved a small wooden stool so she could sit opposite him. In such a narrow space,
it felt as if there was electricity humming all around them. At this time, An Yan
noticed that, apart from a few cosplay costumes Gu Fangfang had carelessly piled
up on the study table nearby, there was also a stack of job application forms,
resumes, and company briefs.

He asked with concern, “Has your job hunt been smooth?”

“It’s okay.” When he asked this question, Gu Fangfang exuded weariness with the
ups and downs of life. “It’s just . . . really tiring.”

Being the top student, when An Yan graduated, he immediately achieved his
aspiration as he was specially recruited into the Ministry of Public Security’s
Information Technology Centre. However, from the news on the television as well
as from what he had heard, he knew that current graduates faced intense
competition and many challenges when hunting for jobs. He could almost imagine
Gu Fangfang holding her resume amidst a sea of people, making a move akin to a
lightning raid on a prospective employer, waiting nervously for a call for a written
test or an interview.

He lowered his eyes slightly and said, “Sorry, I wasn’t able to accompany you as
your boyfriend.”
Speaking of this matter, Gu Fangfang actually did experience some
disappointment. She remembered those job fairs, where the girls who had
boyfriends would walk around as a couple; no matter how challenging or how
crowded it became, their boyfriends were by their sides to take care of them. Even
the hardest time would not seem hard. Who asked her to set her sights so high, to
encounter by chance a man who was employed as a police officer and make him
her boyfriend? Although, this year, having a boyfriend was the same as not having
one . . .

She shook her head, not wanting to think about those depressing moments.
Changing the topic, she asked, “Where are you staying tonight?”

An Yan gazed at her silently for a while, then uttered the most shameless words he
had said in his entire life. “I . . . don’t have a place to stay, yet.”

Gu Fangfang exclaimed, “Ah?” She had really switched to an excellent topic.

An Yan looked down at his watch, coughed lightly, and continued to be shameless.
“It’s already midnight, can you put me up for tonight? I’m good as long as I have
somewhere to lie down. I’m so tired; I haven’t slept well the entire week.”

The night was already deep, and the light outside the window was only a faint
glimmer. Only a table lamp was on inside the room. Gu Fangfang lay on one side of
the bed, wrapped in a blanket. An Yan lay on the outer side, another blanket
covering his body.

Gu Fangfang said, “Good night.”

An Yan responded, “Good night.”

Both of them shut their eyes and remained silent for a while.

Gu Fangfang secretly opened her eyes and was immediately startled into stillness.
An Yan was definitely not asleep; he had turned his head to stare at her. The funny
thing was, when he lay down and looked at her, he seemed like a different person.
His face became somewhat indistinct, but, in contrast, his gaze was deeper and the
expression within his eyes was difficult to decipher.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” The words had hardly left her mouth when it was
blocked. An Yan had taken advantage of the situation and leaned over to kiss her.

The night was too bewitching, and the atmosphere inside the room was too hot. Gu
Fangfang had no idea when he snuck into her blanket. A young man’s slim figure
was like the softest and gentlest painting in the depth of the night. He covered her
body with his and lowered his head to kiss her as if he was drunk on her kisses. At
some point of time, he had loosened her pajamas and his hands were now holding
those two honey peaches, with the long, slender, pale fingers of the computer boy.
Gu Fangfang’s brain was buzzing, and An Yan’s breathing became more urgent.
These two people who were experiencing their first taste of love felt the bitterness
yet also the sweetness of desire. They also felt a sudden surge in their bodies and
minds at that moment, which was impatiently looking for a way out.

In a daze, she heard An Yan whisper, “Fangfang, you don’t have to be anxious about
me. I am a police officer and I have very little free time. I also spend very little time
with you. But, I . . . I am very single-minded. In all these years, I have only felt this
way about you. If you will be mine, I will never again look at another girl.”

Gu Fangfang felt a bittersweet sensation well up in her heart. She hugged him
tightly and said, softly, “Me, too, An Yan. From the day I first met you, I’ve never
looked at another guy.”

A fierce, thrilling emotion engulfed both of them at the same time. An Yan exhaled
slowly, and asked, with a little trepidation and a little trembling, “Fangfang, can I?”

Before this day, Gu Fangfang had never thought that she would give herself to this
‘boyfriend’ whom she had only seen a few times. However, he moved her greatly,
and she also felt a sense of tender emotion which she found hard to describe. Her
mind was blank, so she answered him by shutting her eyes and clasping her hands
around his neck.

……

However, just as they had progressed to the final stage, the two newbie lovers
discovered a crucial issue – no condoms. He did not have any with him, and she of
course had none in her apartment. His handsome face turned red, but he still
managed to straighten up very calmly to say, “I’ll go and buy some.” “Hm.” She
used the blanket to cover her body as she sat up, not wanting to separate from him
even for a second.

Thus, the two of them walked downstairs together and found a convenience store.
Together, with red faces, they bought some without any problem.

They held hands as the midnight wind blew, and headed back together to her
apartment. An Yan suddenly laughed and said, “I feel as if I’m going to die from
happiness.” Gu Fangfang held his arm tightly and said, “Me, too.”

Naturally, the subsequent process did not entirely go off smoothly.

It was the same old problem. Whenever any long-time bachelor otaku finally
achieves what he has desired, it’s inevitable that he is unable to maintain control.
As a result, the first time is over very quickly.
In the steamy nest of blankets, An Yan held Gu Fangfang’s soft body with a red face
and great embarrassment. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Just now I was in a bit of a
rush, it doesn’t count . . . let’s do it again.”

Although Gu Fangfang was sore and flustered, when she saw how awkward he was,
she smiled again and stretched out her hands to cup his face. She longed for the
flow of time to stop right at this moment, so he could always hold her and be with
her.

——

Early the next morning, in distant Yunnan, Bo Jinyan received a text message from
An Yan. Because he had lost his sight, his cell phone was now equipped with an
automatic reading function.

As the morning mist enveloped the room, Bo Jinyan leaned on the bed and listened
to his cell phone’s mechanical female voice read out: Boss, what kind of experience
is it to become a man?
Bo Jinyan frowned and said to Jian Yao, “Is An Yan’s brain damaged? Don’t tell me
that he’s sending me pornographic ?”
Jian Yao was unable to hold back her laughter. After some thought, she understood
what was going on. “Could it be that he and Gu Fangfang . . .”

Bo Jinyan totally understood. He expelled a light breath, picked up his cell phone
and replied with an audio message. “I regret to say, I think the level and depth we
have experienced is different.” Jian Yao slapped him on the shoulder.

An Yan responded very quickly. “F*ck!”

At the other end of the line in distant Beijing, with a flushed face and a slight smile,
An Yan put down his cell phone to look at the girl sprawled in sleep over his chest,
soft and boneless. He bent his head to kiss and caress her hair. After last night, they
had fallen asleep in each other’s arms. She said she would not be lonely again, and
that she was unafraid of the future. She said she would work hard while on her own
in Beijing, just like her boyfriend, the criminal investigator, for the sake of their
future. Thinking of this, An Yan felt a strange force welling up within his heart. He
knew that he would never again in his lifetime feel so elated, impatiently waiting to
embrace the life that he and this girl would have together.
Chapter 99

When Jian Yao woke up, she saw the thin face of the person beside her.

It was dawn, and the world outside the window seemed to be shrouded in a fine
mist. This was a small town in Yunnan, the mid-point of their journey. In this
moment of tranquility, she reached out a hand to touch his sleeping countenance.

Several years had passed by in the blink of an eye. He had not seemed to change at
all, just that he was a bit thinner. Looking at the serenely sleeping face of the
person beside her, the memory came to her of that Mr. Bo whose outward
appearance was cold and arrogant, but who was warm inside, standing in a villa in
the mountains . . . her heart ached a little.

Her fingers moved along his face: the jut of his eyebrows, the bridge of his nose, his
cheekbones, his chin . . . all of a sudden, he caught hold of her. With his eyes closed,
he said, “You’re still the same, an expert in teasing and provoking.”

Jian Yao did not say anything, but laughed in spite of herself. She withdrew her
hand, only to have him grab it and bring it to his lips for a kiss. After a while, he
touched her cheeks and said with a little sigh, “You’ve lost weight, but this is
chubby.” Jian Yao laughed but did not speak. She slipped her hand under the
blanket and stroked down his body. When she reached his abdomen, she also gave
a little sigh and said, “Oh, no, the muscles that you were developing are gone, too.”

Bo Jinyan was momentarily silent before saying, “When we get back, my first
priority will be to regain my fitness.” Jian Yao smiled and brought his hand to rest
on her own abdomen, saying, “On the other hand, I have muscles now.” Previously,
her stomach was always soft. Now, Bo Jinyan touched supple and smooth lines. He
clicked his tongue and continued to grope her while exclaiming in admiration, until
Jian Yao’s face flamed.

So it was that on this early morning, with war just around the corner, the two of
them, husband and wife, both intelligent and tenacious detectives, were cosying
up in bed, touching each other, holding each other, talking in a leisurely manner,
for a long time.
It was now thoroughly bright.

Jian Yao finished washing up and walked into the living room, clean and neat. Bo
Jinyan was standing next to a pile of dossiers, looking pensive. Jian Yao got
straight to the point as she asked, “What’s your plan?”

Bo Jinyan turned his head. Under his sunglasses, his face was as cold as jade.

An amazingly detailed map was slowly displayed before them.

Bo Jinyan said, “After the attacks on the Special Cases Unit, the police were
continually unable to trace the masked killer gang. Now, about eight months later,
the energy and effort used to trace leads has gradually diminished. At the very
least, on the surface, it looks as if this effort has lost its urgency. Moreover, to
outside eyes, ‘Bo Jinyan’ has been unable to recover from this setback, and his
whereabouts are unknown. The cases I helped with in Xun City had top level
confidentiality. Only Shao Yong and a few others knew my true identity; besides,
they are absolutely trustworthy, and would not divulge information to anyone not
in the know.”

Jian Yao nodded. So, this was one of the starting points of his plan? Everyone
thought that the genius Bo Jinyan had fallen from grace and was incapable of
bearing the double blow of losing both his sight and his closest friend. He also did
not return to the Beijing Major Crime Division or to her side. However, in reality, he
had already returned to this battlefield with his walking stick and his sunglasses.

What’s more, he had recovered very well.

Jian Yao suddenly recalled what Fang Qing had said to her on the day they had
been reunited with Bo Jinyan. He said, even though Bo Jinyan was blind, he was
still persisting on being in the front line when solving cases. This was something
even the most toughened criminal investigator had difficulty accomplishing. Bo
Jinyan was more manly than most.

“However, the tracing of leads has always been ongoing, and it has been even more
painstakingly and covertly done than in the past,” he said. “Just two months ago,
we found information pertaining to the masked killer gang or its accomplices.”
Jian Yao was taken aback. “What was it?”

Bo Jinyan felt among the dossiers for a while before he extracted one and passed it
to her. Jian Yao hurriedly skimmed through it once, and was transfixed.

It was a case that had occurred at the China-Myanmar border. To be precise, it had
taken place outside the country. A group of thugs had killed another group of
thugs; more than 10 people had died. Jian Yao noticed that seven of them had
been beheaded, and the forensic investigators had identified the murder weapon
as an axe.

“For the past year, An Yan has been secretly following up on all the clues pertaining
to the masked killer case,” Bo Jinyan said. “He obtained the specimen DNA data
from this case and determined that the axe the killer used still bore the remnants
of the DNA from the victim in the masked killer case in the US 10 years ago.” *

*T/N I think what this means is that the masked killer is using the same weapon
(and obviously hasn’t cleaned it properly, ugh), both in the US 10 years ago and
recently in the killing of thugs at the China-Mynamar border. How did he bring an
axe from the US to China? Hmmmmm

Jian Yao said, “That means to say . . .”

Bo Jinyan’s lips curled up in a small, mocking smile. “What else does it mean? What
else is a better hiding place than to hide water in water? The masked killer hid
himself in a criminal gang and continued to kill, but using another method. As a
result, the police could never locate him. Who would have thought that he would
infiltrate a criminal organisation at the border? This noble serial killer is associating
with common thugs, and what’s more, is taking pleasure in it. I reckon that, in his
eyes, these criminals are no more than playthings. Of course, this arrangement is
also highly ingenious. Since he is at the border, he can disengage at any time and
escape from China.”

Jian Yao asked, “Then . . . why doesn’t he simply leave China altogether?”
Bo Jinyan was quiet for a while, then said, “He vanquished this country’s greatest
criminal psychology expert, and all the efforts made by the police to capture him
came to naught. If I were him . . . huh, I would be reluctant to leave.”

Jian Yao stilled for a heartbeat before saying, “He did not vanquish you. You are so
bright, so open-hearted and magnanimous, and he used me and Fu Ziyu to hurt
you. How can this be called vanquishing you?”

Bo Jinyan unexpectedly smiled as he said “Jian Yao, it’s never fair between light
and darkness. Light is wherever we can see, but darkness can reach depths beyond
the reach of light. But, what you’ve said is true. No one can vanquish me. Since they
call me Simon King, in this lifetime, I will have to be the Simon King that they
dread.”

These words were uttered in an especially tranquil tone. Clearly, this was what he
truly thought, without any fancy prose. She felt a rush of heat in her chest. As she
looked at his face, she wanted to say something, but ultimately stopped herself
and just held his hand. She said, “Well, okay. I’ll wait for when you think the time is
right to tell me more about your plans. I won’t ask again or make guesses, because
I know that your plan is without doubt the best plan. You have your comprehensive
plan, and I will not disrupt any of it. I will simply follow after you and protect you.
Then, she laughed briefly and said, “You are the most intelligent, most steady, and
most shrewd man I have ever met. No matter what happens, I won’t be angry with
you. I will only believe you.”

Bo Jinyan muttered, “I . . .” Unexpectedly, his face turned red. After a brief pause,
he replied softly, “Okay.”

Jian Yao was just about to continue asking him about the case, when he pulled her
towards him and into his arms in one swift move and proceeded to kiss her. He
kissed her so heatedly that his fingers were entwined in her black hair and she was
making soft humming noises before he finally released her.

“Then, why are we visiting that border city at this time? Why do you have to go
personally?” Jian Yao asked.
Bo Jinyan said, “The gang he’s hiding in is called ‘Buddha’s Hand’. They are
extremely secretive, and up till now the police have been unable to collect
evidence of their crimes or locate their hideout. However, the captain of the
criminal investigative team there, Zhu Tao, has recently gotten his hands on a
detailed document containing important clues to this criminal gang. Through the
coordination and communication of the higher-ups, I have already made an
appointment with him. He will personally hand me the document, and we will talk
in depth.”
Chapter 100

Jian Yao understood then. Firstly, the border was unlike mainland China; it was
even more dangerous. That captain’s identity could be a sensitive matter, and he
would need to be very cautious. Secondly, to deduce the identity of the masked
killer from among the criminals would probably be something only Bo Jinyan
himself could achieve. Moreover, if he could actually talk to a front line criminal
investigator rather than merely looking at the information in the books and
documents, coupled with his powers of observation and thinking ability, he would
definitely be able to dig out more clues from the conversation.

In addition, Bo Jinyan possessed such pride and this situation had hurt him greatly.
He also wanted to capture the criminal personally to avenge himself and Fu Ziyu.

Sure enough, Bo Jinyan also said, “Only I can do this. The ‘Buddha’s Hand’ gang is
extremely secretive and tightly organised, and it won’t be easy to shake them up.
The masked killer brought along his lackeys and hid all of them within the gang.
He’s also very crafty; the slightest hint of the wind in the grass and he’s likely to
bolt. The enemy we have to fight is no longer on one side, but rather on two sides.
However, our advantage is that the masked killer thinks that I’ve been completely
broken down and defenceless.

Therefore, I will gather all the clues that can be used and follow them, like
following a vine to get to the melon*, to discover the gang’s hideout and ascertain
the members’ identity. Before this, though, there must not be any indication of
action which might alarm them. Each move I make will be supported by a large
police force working in concert with me. Until the last step, when I will join forces
with Zhu Tao to launch an all-out attack, capture all the Buddha’s Hand gang
members in one swoop and ferret out the masked killer at the same time, leaving
him no way to escape. This is my comprehensive plan.

*T/N 顺藤摸瓜 (shun teng mo gua) – lit. following the vine to get to the melon; to
trace something using clues.

Jian Yao grabbed his hand, looked up at him and said, “This is not a one-time
battle with criminals, this is a war . . .”
He smiled faintly. “Yes, this is our war.”

However, when Jian Yao thought about this comprehensive plan, she felt
thoroughly uneasy, and once again exhorted, “But you promised me one thing, to
never allow yourself to rush to the front line again.” Nonetheless, Bo Jinyan
replied, “I’m surely not going to rush to the front myself. To deal with criminal
gangs requires a large police force; how could I do something so foolish?”

Jian Yao thought so too. She recalled the time when they were dealing with the
flower cannibal case. Actually, the situation was no different from what they were
facing at this time. Bo Jinyan had also constructed a comprehensive plan, which
included achieving his aim by sneaky means. He both oversaw and directed the
operation as well as penetrated the tiger’s cave personally. Armed forces from
land, sea and air worked together at his command, and in the end, they captured
the flower cannibal and his base of operations at one go. When her Jinyan
embraced his dark side he was fearfully formidable, being able to manipulate the
entire situation and advance, step by step, while entrenching himself firmly with
each step. Having thought about all this, she felt somewhat at ease. She looked
once again at the clear sky outside the window and felt that the road ahead did not
seem to be that rocky. When they had captured the masked killer, they could go
home at last.

After a while, Jian Yao went downstairs to get breakfast. Bo Jinyan was sitting
alone by the lake next to the forest outside the house. In this remote little town,
there was actually such a stylish and refined guest house, called ‘Gradual
Forgetfulness’, which Jian Yao had found online. At this moment, Bo Jinyan was
sitting beside a lake which stretched as far as the eye could see, with a boundless
cloud of mist before his eyes.

He sat there for quite a while. This situation, this scenery, led him to remember a
time a few years back, at the riverside by the villa in his hometown of Tong City. He
and Fu Ziyu sat in the same way by the water, fishing, drinking, and chatting.

Bo Jinyan was of course an atheist. However, at this moment, he seemed to sense

that there was someone by his side. Fu Ziyu was still sitting with him, a warm and
concerned smile on his face, no different from before.
Bo Jinyan raised his hand and held on the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. He
sat like that in silence for a very long time. Then, the hint of a cold smile appeared
at the corners of his mouth.

——

As their transport to the border wasn’t due to leave until the afternoon, after
breakfast, Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan went out to walk around with the aim of buying
clothes. Jian Yao was all right, but even though Bo Jinyan was not wearing a suit,
his outfit of a polo T-shirt and casual pants displayed a superior quality that was
simply too dazzling for this remote town.

The few sports and outdoors shops in this little town were, contrary to expectation,
not bad. Jian Yao selected some outdoor clothes for herself, and also selected
simple, comfortable jackets and pants for Bo Jinyan, as well as suitable cross-
country shoes and a mountaineering stick. In this way, the two of them would look
like a pair of backpacking lovers on a trip. Moreover, unless someone looked
carefully, they would not be able to see that there was anything different about his
sunglasses.

When Jian Yao looked at him dressed in this way, her heart went soft. She held his
hand as they walked towards the guest house in silence. Bo Jinyan asked, “What’s
up?” How was she supposed to answer? Softly, she said, “You have been wronged.”
He replied, “You chose the clothes, how can you have wronged me? It’s all good.”
Jian Yao could not hold back her laughter.

In the afternoon, a minibus departed from the town and headed southwest. The
mountain road was precipitous and shrouded in clouds and mist. The inside of the
bus was narrow, and very quiet. It was not the peak period, so there were not many
people on the bus. Jian Yao sat next to the window, leaning on Bo Jinyan’s
shoulder. As she closed her eyes, she could feel his fingers playing with her hair,
just as he had before. She smiled slightly. They were clearly about to step into the
tiger’s cave, but her heart was as peaceful as the trees and grass on these
mountains.

But, there were still disruptive episodes.

A child seated next to them was restless. After sitting for so long, he started running
around and climbing on the nearby seats. His parents did not seem too concerned
about this, as if this behaviour was common. The cheap toy aeroplane in the child’s
hand dropped to the ground near Bo Jinyan’s leg. The child bent over to pick it up,
and when he looked up, he saw Bo Jinyan’s sunglasses.

It could be because children are more perceptive about some things than adults.
The child stilled for a moment, then said loudly, “Ah! There’s a blind man sitting
here! He’s blind!”

When he said this, the few people in the bus all turned to look at Bo Jinyan.
Moreover, Bo Jinyan’s face and temperament were quite outstanding, so, after
taking one look, they took several more.

Jian Yao opened her eyes and looked at the child, unsure of how to respond.

Unexpectedly, Bo Jinyan spoke. “Blind? Child, your height is between 115 and 120
centimetres, and you have a plastic toy in your hand, which is 5 cm away from my
left foot. You had mutton fried rice for lunch, and you ate your fill. This time, you
are visiting your maternal grandparents with your parents. Am I right?”

The child was speechless.

The people in the bus were speechless.

“Xiao Long, come here!” The child’s parents were obviously frightened. They
pulled him back to them and held him, no longer looking at Bo Jinyan. The other
people started whispering one by one, because of this ‘weirdo’.
Bo Jinyan huffed.

Jian Yao also had some ‘black lines’*, but when she looked at the haughty
expression of the man sitting beside her, her heart suddenly felt at ease and she
inexplicably laughed.

*T/N 黑线 (hei xian) – lit. black lines. Referring to how characters are depicted to be
in a bad mood in comics, with black lines radiating from them, or a black haze.
Hey, kid, did you know?

This person’s temperament won’t change at all no matter how much hardship he
goes through.

Little by little, he was looking once again like the person she was familiar with,
although his eyes were cryptic and unclear.

After disrupting the atmosphere of the entire bus, Bo Jinyan actually felt
comfortable and closed his eyes as he leaned back against his seat. He even tugged
at Jian Yao’s head so that it once again rested on his shoulder. Jian Yao noticed
that the other passengers were still whispering and the child’s parents looked as if
they were harbouring grave suspicion. She could not help but laugh before saying,
“Sorry, he did not mean to scare the child. He is actually . . . a fortune-teller.”

Everyone went, “Ahhhhh . . .”

Bo Jinyan froze, but his hand was firmly gripped by Jian Yao. After a moment’s
silence, he pinched her thigh. Jian Yao bore the pain and said, softly, pleadingly,
“Didn’t someone guess the same thing before? I was suddenly inspired . . .”

Thereafter, the bus was especially quiet. When the locals looked at Bo Jinyan, they
did so with a degree of reverence in their eyes.

It was evening when the bus reached its destination. Jian Yao held Bo Jinyan’s
hand as she helped him disembark. They had arrived at the small border town in
the midst of towering mountains and precipitous ridges where, it was said, one was
the closest one could be to heaven.
Chapter 101

This city was rather quiet. The light rain wet the eaves and stone roads. There were
not many pedestrians, and most of them were wearing plain and simple, often old-
fashioned clothes. The sky was exceptionally blue, and the surrounding mountains
were exceptionally green. When Jian Yao walked amidst them, she felt a sense of
contentment, such that she could momentarily forget about all the dangers and
responsibilities, and life was peaceful and stable.

Jian Yao was wearing an outdoor jacket and trackpants. With a backpack, but
without an umbrella, she seemingly casually wandered into the sole cafe on the
corner. There were not many customers, and she found a table by the window. The
waiter appeared after a while, and handed her a menu with an indifferent attitude.
She ordered a cup of coffee, then looked out of the window at the rain.

The cafe was extremely quiet at this time in the afternoon, with only the sound of
the coffee machine and soft background music. The two waiters kept wiping the
tables. The boss, a middle-aged man who was sitting behind the bar, looked up to
glance at her, then looked down at his newspapers once again.

Jian Yao drank her coffee which was so-so. After about 10 minutes, two unfamiliar
men walked in. One was about 35 or 36 years old, tall, wearing a simple T-shirt and
jacket. He had a broad forehead and flat eyebrows and was wearing spectacles. He
looked very amiable. The other man was in his twenties and looked quite ordinary,
albeit cold and taciturn.

The man in his thirties glanced at Jian Yao, then said to the younger man, “I want
their signature coffee, no sugar.” The younger man nodded and headed for the bar.
The first man smiled as he walked towards Jian Yao and sat down opposite her. He
asked, in a low voice, “Jenny? Our friend from Beijing?”

His identity was a sensitive issue; Jian Yao had never seen a photograph of him, but
he had seen Jian Yao’s. Jian Yao took stock of his build, the shape of his hands, and
carefully checked his distinguishing features. When she had verified that he was
indeed the criminal investigator, she smiled slightly and said, “Tao ge?”
Zhu Tao nodded. Sitting across from her with a beaming face, they looked like two
old friends who had not seen each other for a long time. Jian Yao could not help
silently lamenting that these border police were really different from ordinary
police officers. Most of the police captains she had met were tough and
headstrong, such that ordinary people would treat them with some sort of awe.
However, this criminal investigator who lived in the most dangerous area was like a
smiling buddha. If one did not know better, one would think he was a businessman
or a small-scale boss, or even an honest office worker. Who would have thought
that he was a fierce police captain, who made evildoers quake in their boots? It was
clear that this man was extremely shrewd and adept in disguise and deception.

In addition, Jian Yao could detect the smell of blood emanating from Zhu Tao. She
did not know whether it was due to hanging around Bo Jinyan for so long, but her
sense of smell had become much more acute than before.

“You’re hurt?” she asked softly, such that only the two of them could hear.

Zhu Tao raised his eyebrows minutely. “Criminal psychologists can even sense
this?”

Jian Yao laughed wordlessly.

Although this was their first meeting and his words were unexpected, because they
were fighting the same battle, both of them felt a surge of warmth in their hearts.

“A few days ago, I was in a firefight with a gang of criminals,” Zhu Tao said softly,
“and was slightly injured.”

“Tough luck,” Jian Yao said sincerely. He said the injury was minor, but from his
occasional frowns, it must have been more serious.

Zhu Tao asked, “What about him?”

Jian Yao’s eyes were sharp and vigilant as she shot a glance around the room
before replying, “Why don’t we meet him after we’ve finished our coffee?”
Zhu Tao seemed to be deliberating something as he tapped his fingers on the
table. He answered, “Okay.”

Zhu Tao’s subordinate sat down beside them. This young criminal investigator was
taciturn, cold and rigid, just like an iron plate. On the other hand, Zhu Tao was a
warm person and a very entertaining conversationalist. He did not really talk about
anything of note, just chatted with Jian Yao about the local customs in a bright
voice. The atmosphere was exceedingly friendly.

At this point, a waiter brought the coffee over. Zhu Tao took a sip, frowned and
said, “Why does it taste like this? It’s not very good.”

The waiter laughed immediately. “This is the taste of our signature coffee. Should I
add some sugar for you?”

Jian Yao glanced up at the waiter and took note of his hands and neck, just a
fleeting look. Zhu Tao waved his hand and said, “No need, it’s drinkable. That said,
the flavour of the coffee in your cafe is nothing much.”

As Jian Yao slowly drank her coffee, she noticed that the rain outside had stopped
and the streets were quiet. There was almost no noise at all.

She, however, felt increasingly tense.

She had faced many criminals. She had even faced the thoroughly vicious and evil
flower cannibal alone. She had recently personally apprehended a perverted killer
like Chen Jin.

However, those criminals were not like the criminals at the border. Even Xie Han, at
that time, had to hide himself amidst the crowd, not daring to expose his identity
rashly, otherwise the police would swiftly descend upon and arrest him. No
criminal would dare to or would be able to contend directly with the power of the
police force.

However, she was completely unfamiliar with the border. Everything depended
upon rumour and other people’s descriptions; she only knew that law enforcement
in this place was much more dangerous than anywhere else, because it was highly
likely that the criminals were not only Chinese nationals. Some crime syndicates
from other countries even contended with their government with armed force,
totally out of control and unheeding of the law.

This meeting with Zhu Tao was the same. They had originally arranged to meet at
the police station two days earlier, but Zhu Tao failed to turn up as promised. In
addition, to be prudent, Bo Jinyan did not think it would be a good idea to show
himself to the police there so lightly. The two sides had not re-established contact
until today, which is when they discovered that Zhu Tao had been injured in a
shootout with a criminal gang. Who knows, Zhu Tao had likely changed the
meeting place to this ordinary cafe out of consideration for security as well.

However, precisely because of the danger here, Jian Yao was even more cautious
than usual and had persuaded Bo Jinyan to ask their superiors to dispatch two
special police force members to the area. They were supposed to arrive that day
and provide them with personal protection. It would not be good to have too many
people, as they were operating in secrecy. The more people involved, the easier it
was to leak identities, divulge secrets, and invite danger.

But, up till now, the two special police force members had not arrived.

As Jian Yao considered the situation, she also readied herself to deploy the gun
from the holster at her waist at any time. Moreover, Zhu Tao drank a few sips of
coffee then put the cup down, lit a cigarette, and smoked it leisurely.

He had served as a policeman for almost twenty years, and had lived at the border
for ten. All the challenges, hardships, excitement, and grief were things he could
never speak of with an outsider. He had personally brought down three major
criminal gangs, and innumerable smaller ones. To get rid of a major criminal gang
was so difficult! It was like trying to push over a huge building full of daggers, it
required painstakingly careful consideration and years of dedication. Moreover, a
little carelessness, and the loss of life, the sacrifice on the part of the police would
be massive. After so many years, his heart had grown hard and cold, but he knew
with certainty, deep down, the passion was still there.

The Buddha’s Hand had been the fastest rising criminal gang in recent years.
Moreover, they were fairly deeply entrenched, and in this southwest area, had
quietly dominated the scene for a good number of years. Of course, in recent years,
Zhu Tao had dealt them several heavy blows, and there had been casualties on
both sides. When all was said and done, the leader of the Buddha’s Hand was not
so easily satisfied. However, they were still lacking the crucial impetus to uproot
this gang. It was at this opportunistic time that Zhu Tao obtained, by secret means,
information on the organisation of the Buddha’s Hand gang. This was a great
advancement for his work. It was also at this time that Bo Jinyan made contact
with him through their superiors. Zhu Tao had heard about Bo Jinyan’s past
achievements, and had also disclosed the news to several of his trusted aides. Zhu
Tao welcomed his coming, because this signified that the higher-ups had made a
firm resolution to make a big move against Buddha’s Hand and remove them! His
long-cherished wish was about to be realised!
Chapter 102

No one expected that there would be trouble before the big event could actually be
carried out. A few days earlier, an ambush had been conducted in order to arrest a
member of a small gang, but the news was leaked. Several criminal investigators
were injured, and the gang leader, a vicious man nicknamed ‘Smiling Snake’,
escaped, while Zhu Tao was also injured. Such an incident set Zhu Tao’s natural
inclination towards careful deliberation on high alert, and so he had consequently
changed the meeting place to this ordinary cafe on a street corner. However, no
one thought that the situation today would be like this . . .

Zhu Tao extinguished his cigarette and said, “Let’s talk as we walk.” He pulled out a
banknote and placed it on the table.

Jian Yao nodded.

The three of them quickly exited the cafe. The buildings in this old city were low
and built close to each other. Beside the cafe were several small restaurants. Right
now, it was noon, and the situation was very bleak – none of the restaurants had
any customers. Zhu Tao said in a low voice, “Where is he?” Jian Yao replied, “Come
with me.” She led them on for a while before stopping at a small restaurant. There
was no one at all in the restaurant. Jian Yao led them straight in and up the stairs.

Behind them, on the long street, the rain had stopped. The road was wet and the
silhouettes of people flashed past.

As they were going up the stairs, Zhu Tao kept his voice low and asked, “Those
three, are they your people?”

Jian Yao replied, “Of course not.”

Zhu Tao exchanged glances with his subordinate. He smiled and said, “Well, then,
let’s go after some easy prey*.” Jian Yao saw that the two of them were calm and
exuded a powerful aura, and her heart also surged with heroic spirit. She replied,
‘Okay.”
*T/N 瓮中捉鳖 (weng zhong zhuo bie) – lit. to catch a turtle in a jar; fig. to set
oneself an easy target; a turkey shoot

The restaurant was a family-run business owned by a local and Jian Yao had paid in
advance for the entire restaurant to be cleared. They walked very quickly to the
simple private room right inside, whereupon Jian Yao knocked three times on the
door before pushing it open. The clouds had dissipated and the sun was shining
through the windows, from which could be seen layer upon layer of dilapidated
roofs. Bo Jinyan was sitting by the table with a cup of tea by his hand. He heard the
sound, but only raised his head a little and frowned slightly, saying, “Someone
followed you?”

Jian Yao replied, “Yes, how did you know?”

Bo Jinyan put down his tea cup and got up, allowing Jian Yao to lead him towards
the corner from which they would wait in ambush. At the same time, he responded,
“I heard your footsteps, and something was not quite right.”

These were the circumstances under which Zhu Tao met the renowned Professor
Bo Jinyan for the first time. Although he was blind, he had an absolutely clear and
distinct temperament, like someone who was extraordinary. It was clearly a critical
time, yet he was not in the least bit flustered and spoke softly to his wife in what
seemed to be an intimate moment. Then, he voluntarily moved to hide, in order to
avoid causing them trouble.

Zhu Tao observed the two of them, but it was too late to talk in detail, so he simply
said, softly, “Professor Bo, we’ll first dispatch this trash, then we can have a good
talk.”

Bo Jinyan was being closely guarded by his wife, behind her back. His expression
was calm as he smiled faintly and said, “Very well, Captain Zhu.” He then added, “It
is an honour to meet you.”

Zhu Tao and Jian Yao also smiled.

They had yet to hear the sound of footsteps.

Zhu Tao faced the situation with calm confidence, and even had the leisure to ask
Jian Yao, in a low voice, “How did you deduce that?”

Jian Yao replied, “They didn’t look right, they were too quiet, and they didn’t make
eye contact; not at all like usual cafe assistants. In addition, I observed their hands
– they did not have the hands a cafe assistant should have.”

Zhu Tao nodded and said, “Moreover, the coffee they brewed was terrible. The
coffee is so expensive, a year ago I actually fished out the money to try it once and
it tasted very good. I can still remember the taste clearly.”

Jian Yao smiled.

Finally, Zhu Tao asked softly, “Will assistance be arriving in a while? Is it just the
two of you here?”

Jian Yao answered, “Kunming* will send over two special police force members to
assist us in our work.”

*T/N 昆明 (Kunming) – the capital of Yunnan in southwest China

Zhu Tao said, “Excellent.”

At this point, a faint noise came from the stairs outside the door. They had arrived
upstairs.

Everyone fell silent and waited, poised to take action.

Right then, Zhu Tao’s expression sharpened so that he looked like a wolf. He
grabbed a porcelain bowl off the table and smashed it against the window
frame, peng! The crisp sound of fracturing china rang in the air, together with the
clatter of the impact against the window. Jian Yao quietly counted “3, 2, 1!” Sure
enough, the door was thrown open forcefully and their opponents impatiently
rushed in!
Three minutes later.
Bo Jinyan and Zhu Tao were already seated and drinking tea. The three hoodlums
had been cornered and beaten senseless by Zhu Tao’s subordinate and Jian Yao.
The young criminal investigator had dispatched two of them, and Jian Yao had
barely been in time to dispatch the last one. She could not help feeling rueful that
these border police officers were even more merciless than the mainland officers
when taking action.

“Professor, how do you plan to find their hiding place and ascertain their core
members?” Zhu Tao asked.

Bo Jinyan coolly replied, “Deduction.”

Zhu Tao took a sip of tea. “Forgive me for speaking bluntly. My superior has asked
me to give you the information and do my best to work with you in your
investigation. However, border crime is very different from that in the mainland.
It’s very dangerous, and the complexity and interrelatedness is staggering. How
can I believe that you can pull this off?”

Bo Jinyan was silent for a moment. If this had been in the past, Zhu Tao’s question
would have elicited a hearty laugh from him. But, now, Jian Yao knew that he was
not the same. He was clearer than before about what he wanted, and he had
learned how to fold his claws and be less confrontational.

Bo Jinyan replied, “Any suspect will leave traces that can be found and followed. In
terms of your conventional criminal investigation, this would be geographical
tracking. In the field of criminal psychology, this geographical tracking is another
layer as we study the criminal’s psychology. The characteristic distribution of the
locations where they appear, the route they take when carrying out their repeated
crimes and the centre from which they proceed, their preferred routes and
methods, the psychological traits that are reflected in such choices . . . all these, to
me, are factors in a complex equation. The more information you can provide me,
the faster I can come up with an answer. That includes the assigned roles within
our team and the identity of each member. It should be as if I can see it all with my
own eyes.”

The so-called veteran looked at the door. Zhu Tao had immediately understood Bo
Jinyan’s words, and he had even felt a frisson of excitement. He nodded and said,
“Okay, I got it. I will cooperate with you to the best of my ability so that we can play
this move well and catch them in our net!”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly.

“Captain Zhu, what’s the story with these three men?” Jian Yao asked.

Zhu Tao frowned and said, “My apologies. It may have to do with the gang I
dismantled a few days ago. The gang leader, Smiling Snake, is at large. Although it
was only a small-time gang, he is a ruthless character, very shrewd, and has never
shown his true face. Almost no one has actually seen him, and nobody knows if he
is male or female, old or young. It is said that he has business connections with
Buddha’s Hand, but he is not a part of the gang. This guy has some connections;
police information has been leaked to him before. After I got back, I immediately
ran a thorough investigation to see if Smiling Snake had planted a mole in my team
so I could dig whoever it is out and punish him severely. Right now, his
organisation is in shambles because of me, so he’s probably been driven to
desperate action*. Today’s incident is most likely his attempt to get rid of me.”

*T/N 狗急跳墙 (gou ji tiao qiang) – lit. a cornered (tense, nervous) dog will jump
over a wall; fig. be driven to desperate action

Neither Jian Yao nor Bo Jinyan spoke. The complexity and ferocity of the border
criminal gangs was something which they had not realised before.

Zhu Tao was just about to pull out a folder from his jacket when, all of a sudden,
there was knocking at the door. He retracted his hand.

“That should be the comrades from the special police force,” Jian Yao said. She
walked to the door and looked through the peephole to see two rugged and
capable young men in black leather jackets standing outside. They looked very
solemn and steady.

Jian Yao nodded at Zhu Tao and opened the door a crack. After all, she never
expected to meet gangsters on her first day in this small town and to be so close to
slipping up. Thus, it was only natural that she was cautious.
She looked at the two men and asked, “You are . . .?”

They replied, “West Kunming SWAT division. Here to aid you in your operation.”
After speaking, they produced their identity cards. Jian Yao compared the cards
with the actual persons and verified them. At ease, she opened the door.

The two special forces police officers were stunned when they took in the situation
in the room. They reacted swiftly, seemingly displaying their SWAT-level vigilance
as they glared at the three captive gangsters.
Chapter 103

Jian Yao said, by way of introduction, “I am Jian Yao from the Beijing Special Cases
Unit, and this is Professor Bo. From today, we will rely on you both to work with
us.” She did not disclose Zhu Tao’s identity, and Zhu Tao himself merely lit a
cigarette and nodded at them with narrowed eyes.

The two special police force members responded, “Yes,” and stood to one side.

The prelude to the operation was about to officially begin. Zhu Tao once again
retrieved the folder from his jacket and whispered, “You must protect it well.” Jian
Yao accepted it and stashed it in her document case.

“Take the suspects out first,” Zhu Tao told his subordinate.

Jian Yao also told the two special police force members, “You go outside first.”
After that, Zhu Tao would engage Bo Jinyan privately in a detailed discussion on
the organisation of Buddha’s Hand.

Everyone was heading out in response to the instructions, when out of the blue, Bo
Jinyan said, “How is Captain Zhang of your Operations Division doing?”

The two special police force members halted momentarily. The slightly older of the
two turned back to say, with a smile, “Professor Bo, that’s a curious question. The
Operations Division only has Captain Xie and Captain Ma, there’s no Captain Zhang
there.” The other man smilingly nodded his agreement.

Zhu Tao narrowed his eyes and puffed lazily on his cigarette. Abruptly, he tossed
away his cigarette and drew his handgun. In that split second, the two ‘special
police force’ members moved at incredible speed, drew their guns, and fired.

However, tragedy occurred. Because Zhu Tao’s subordinate had been escorting the
three criminals, he had been walking in front and had not turned back. Thus, he
had not noticed the unforeseen situation unfolding behind him. A bullet fired by a
‘special police force’ member flew towards his back. Zhu Tao yelled, “Get down!”
but it was too late. The subordinate responded extremely quickly; he turned
around and dropped to the ground, but the bullet still struck him in the abdomen.
He lay on the ground, looking seriously injured and unable to move at all.

With one move, Jian Yao shielded Bo Jinyan, drew her gun, and fired. However,
although she had ‘studied’ under kick-ass criminal investigator Fang Qing for a
year, she had little combat experience facing off against such violent gangsters. In
addition, she was trying to protect Bo Jinyan. Thus, she was slightly slow in
drawing her gun.

Peng! Zhu Tao’s bullet struck one of them, but the other person’s bullet also flew
towards them. Zhu Tao threw himself in front of Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao with a
grunt. JIan Yao exclaimed, “Captain Zhu!” She let go of Bo Jinyan, raised her gun
and fired! Then, she held onto Zhu Tao, who had been shot.

A second ago, Zhu Tao had been genteel and refined, but at this moment his face
was pale and his eyes were terribly wide as he said, “Quick! Give chase! The
information. . . can’t fall into their hands . . .”

Jian Yao jerked her head up and saw a figure flash into movement. It turned out
that the person Zhu Tao had shot earlier had seized the opportunity when they
were off guard to pull himself up, grab the document case on the table and flee the
scene! Jian Yao was in a state of shock as Zhu Tao spat out a mouthful of blood and
said, “Relax . . . I’ve got a firm hold on life . . . I won’t die for a while yet.”

Jian Yao gritted her teeth and looked at Bo Jinyan. Bo Jinyan lowered his head
towards Zhu Tao on the floor and said, rapidly, “We will get the information back.”
Zhu Tao looked at him and nodded.

Jian Yao tugged on Bo Jinyan’s hand and they ran out of the door.

As soon as they reached the ground floor, they heard the sound of a car – sure
enough, the gangster had escaped by car, disappearing like a wisp of smoke.
Immediately, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao got into their car. Bo Jinyan gripped the
handrail on the car door as Jian Yao gritted her teeth, stepped on the gas, and set
off in pursuit.
Although Jian Yao drove steadily, she had seldom driven fast, to say nothing of
street racing. While she remained hot on the tail of the suspect, she still collided
with many things on the roadside with a bang and a clatter. It was a dangerous
pursuit, yet Bo Jinyan was very calm, and even said, with an air of indifference, “I
never imagined you would drive like a little tiger.”

He could still joke so calmly at a time like this! Some of Jian Yao’s tenseness from
earlier on began to dissipate. However, she still frowned and said, quickly, “How
did this happen? The special police force members are impersonators? How did
they find out our plan of action?”

Bo Jinyan quietly said, “It looks like Zhu Tao’s inference was right. The two of us
have been alone on this journey, and we’ve only communicated with Zhu Tao once.
We’ve also been very careful not to leave traces behind, and we have not been
followed. However, Zhu Tao’s people and the criminals have been in many
confrontations; his men have been watched and attacked. So, it’s not impossible
that information was leaked. In addition, the news about the two special police
force members was not something that was kept completely confidential,
documents and forms would have been passed between departments and across
levels. They were also watched and impersonated.”

Jian Yao was silent.

When she had first heard Bo Jinyan explaining his comprehensive plan, she had
thought that even though the way ahead was dangerous and complicated, as long
as they kept to his plan, surely there were no mountains that they could not climb.
Unexpectedly, on the very first day, something unplanned happened. This situation
was even more treacherous than the time they had faced off against the flower
cannibal in America.

She held the steering wheel with one hand and suddenly seized Bo Jinyan’s hand
tightly with the other. Bo Jinyan was taken aback, and raised his head.

“This time, no matter what happens, don’t let go of my hand. If there’s danger,
stand behind me,” she said.

Bo Jinyan was silent for a moment before he replied, “Okay,”

They had caught up!

Before them was an abandoned pier by the waterside. That person had probably
been so frantic that he had fled to this dead end. Very calmly, Jian Yao said,
“Jinyan, help me hold the steering wheel, and listen to my instructions.” Bo Jinyan
replied, “Ok,” and held the steering wheel. Jian Yao drew her gun and shouted
briskly, “15 degrees left!” The steering wheel turned precisely 15 degrees and they
took a shortcut which brought them even closer to the suspect’s vehicle! Jian Yao’s
expression was cold and severe as she fired her gun.

Peng! The window on the driver’s side shattered. Their opponent was probably
stunned, but in a surprising devil-may-care move, he leaned out of the window and
turned to look at them. Laughing nastily, he fired at them!
A peng sounded, followed by the screeching of car brakes. Jian Yao screamed
silently — this was no good, their tyre had been shot! But, it was in this millisecond
that Jian Yao saw an opportunity and took it. She aimed precisely at the suspect’s
back and fired. His car swerved violently and crashed into a row of fences. It finally
came to a stop with the hood completely smashed in.
Jian Yao let out a soft breath, took back the steering wheel from Bo Jinyan, and
stopped the car slowly. Although Bo Jinyan could not see, he had heard what had
happened. He said, “Beautifully done.” Jian Yao responded, “Am I not the most
decent criminal investigator among your subordinates now?” Bo Jinyan replied,
“Of course.” Jian Yao pulled him along as they walked towards the suspect’s car.

As they drew nearer, she let go of Bo Jinyan and raised her gun to walk forward
cautiously.

A lot of junk and trash was piled up on the dock. The suspect’s car had crashed into
a jumbled mess of cargo. There was no longer any need for caution as the suspect
in the driver’s seat was dead. Jian Yao sighed and retrieved the document case
next to his hand. As a precautionary measure, she extracted the stack of
information that Zhu Tao had given her, shoved it into the inner pocket of her
jacket and zipped it up. She checked through the man’s pockets but found nothing
else, except for a delicate tattoo of a white snake on his right arm. The winding
snake looked nimble, yet highly malevolent at the same time. She pondered it for a
moment before telling Bo Jinyan about her discovery. Bo Jinyan looked pensive.
The car they had rented had a flat tire and could not be driven. The immediate
priority was to return as soon as possible to touch base with Zhu Tao and the
police force, get to the bottom of what had transpired today, then move forward
with the plan. After some discussion, Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan finally moved the
body to the rear passenger seat, then turned the suspect’s car around to drive it
back.

It was already sunset, and the faint sunlight shone on the water. The surroundings
were piled high with junk and rubbish, making this place seem like an abandoned
world. Driving slowly, Jian Yao followed the road out of the dock. This location was
already quite remote, and it seemed even more so now as there was not a single
vehicle apart from their own.

An inexplicable sense of unease arose in Jian Yao’s heart.

Then, she heard Bo Jinyan, by her side, slowly saying, “Jian Yao, we may be about
to encounter even greater danger.”

Jian Yao clenched the steering wheel tightly as she listened to him continue
speaking. “This criminal was obviously the leader of the two special police force
impersonators. His actions today can be said to be courageous and well planned.
He was shrewd and fearless, and was definitely no small fry. Why would he drive to
this dead-end dock? I don’t think he would have chosen the wrong route out of
panic.”

A chill struck Jian Yao’s heart.

Then . . . was it to lure them into a trap?

Or, was there some other conspiracy?

Who exactly was the enemy they were currently facing? Before they met Zhu Tao,
to what extent had the deep pool of crime in this place been stirred up, such that,
when they arrived, they would immediately be involved? How much did their
opponents know about them? What did they know of the police force’s master
plan? What counter-attack plan had they devised?
Buddha’s Hand, masked killers, Zhu Tao, spies, Smiling Snake . . . what kind of
situation were they facing now?

Nothing was clear.

It was then that the sound of engines could be heard in front of them; from the
noise, there were quite a few cars.

Jian Yao’s car gradually came to a halt.

Four black cars of different makes blocked their way on the narrow dock road.
Then, more than ten men got out of the cars. In comparison with the two gangsters
who had impersonated special police force members, the men before them were
seemingly making no attempt to hide their identities and characters. Leather
clothes, T-shirt, rough, ruthless – at one glance, this was a violent gang, not to be
fooled around with.

Jian Yao gripped her gun tightly as her heart sank like a stone.

Then, a hand reached out and held hers as well as the gun. Bo Jinyan whispered
into her ear, “From now on, whatever happens, stand behind me.”
Chapter 104

It was evening, and a dusky gloom filled the space between earth and sky. There
was no sun as it had sunk behind the mountains. There was also no rain. Just a
cold wind blowing through the dock.

Bo Jinyan got out of the car. When those men saw him fumbling with his walking
stick, and his sunglasses, they were taken aback. Jian Yao hid her gun behind her,
at her waist, before she also got out of the car.

The enemy is strong and we are weak, it is inadvisable to engage head-on. Be

pragmatic and react according to the situation.

However, Jian Yao felt as if her heart was shrouded by layers of stifling haze.
Because, their current opponents were not psychotic killers, but psychologically
normal criminals. To be honest, this was not a field they were familiar with or good
at. It should be noted that what intelligent detectives most feared encountering
was not a similar level of intelligence, but unhesitating violence. Wasn’t it precisely
this that caused the masked killer gang to attack the Special Cases Unit the
previous year?

A disheartening thought flashed through Jian Yao’s mind: surely she and Bo
Jinyan, who had caught so many terribly vicious and evil major criminals, would
not die at the hands of these insignificant nobodies? Jian Yao instantly pulled
herself together. The hairs on her body stood on end, and she readied herself to
spring into action at any time.

But, very soon, Jian Yao discovered she was wrong. Intelligence is not afraid in the
slightest of encountering the shallowness of violence.

That intelligent person would simply display his usual arrogance in overseeing all
living creatures and toy with those cruel and violent people, whom he would hold
in the palm of his hand. Along the way, he would toy with them increasingly, toy
with them with arrogance and prudence, and no one would be able to stop him.
Their opponents were headed by a man 28 or 29 years of age, with a comb over,
ruggedly built, with small eyes and thick lips. He wore a cowboy vest which showed
off his arms. There was a tattoo on his left arm. Jian Yao observed him briefly and
thought that he was someone whose strong appearance masked his actual
weakness, but was still quite astute. He first looked at Bo Jinyan for some time
before glancing at their car licence plate. Then, he asked, “You are . . .”

And so, that’s why it’s sometimes said that one’s life and death are separated by
just a hair’s breadth, and the moment of opportunity is fleeting, flashing past in the
twinkling of an eye before disappearing. It’s only a matter of whether you have the
agility to catch hold of it. However, this ordinary criminal is facing the most
extraordinary criminal psychologist.

In Jian Yao’s mind, there seemed to be many strings, all of which were being
continually plucked – he doesn’t know their identity! They must have come here
with a motive; they have arranged to meet someone here! Were they going to meet
the gangster who drove the car here? Is that why he was driving so frantically? Was
he expecting help? However, at first glance, these people are hired thugs. No
matter what gang they are in, their status will not be high.

They did not know the appearance of the people they were going to meet.

They belonged to another group.

Jian Yao subconsciously looked at Bo Jinyan. Everything she had thought about,
he would already have considered. So, how could they make use of all that? What
opportunities could they seize? Could they grasp hold of that slim opportunity to
live?

As the twilight enveloped them, the cold and intelligent man by her side was, at
that moment, smiling slowly.

Jian Yao was unable to take her eyes off him.

Because that smile was completely different from his usual smile. In an instant, his
refined and straightforward personality had become very complicated. There was
even something of a sneer on his face, and a sense of being undisciplined. He even
used his tongue to lick at his upper lip, and the corresponding movement along his
jawline immediately gave him a cool, indifferent, ‘bad boy’ aura.

Even though Jian Yao was accustomed to his appearance, she was still
momentarily dumbfounded. It was indeed true that Bo Jinyan did look like a
playboy, with his slender eyes, high nose bridge, pale skin, and thin lips. However,
his natural disposition and strong personality totally overpowered these features.
Now, if he deliberately ‘played the role’, he seemed to become another person in
the blink of an eye – Allen had taken over, and his evil charm was nigh
unstoppable.

When Bo Jinyan spoke, his voice was deep and inviting. “You were saying?”

Everyone was silent. Creatures can usually recognise others of the same kind, and
they were clearly somewhat subdued by the thoroughly ‘bad’ aura emanating from
Bo Jinyan. But, because the leader was no fool, he signalled his subordinates with
a look which had them spreading out in all directions straightaway, completely
encircling Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan as well as the cars to take control of the situation
first. Several of the men sported a bulge at their waists, indicating that they were
carrying guns.

Jian Yao also rested her hand at her waist. If something went wrong, she would
instantly draw her gun and aim it at the head gangster. And, that head gangster
observed the look in her eyes and appeared to understand her intentions. His
expression turned severe and he once again spoke to Bo Jinyan.

He asked, “You . . . are blind?”

Bo Jinyan chuckled softly. “So what? All you have to do is to recognise the name of
Smiling Snake.”

Jian Yao shivered,

The lead gangster took stock of them for a long time before he asked, “Who is she?”

Bo Jinyan replied in a very natural manner, “Of course, she’s my eyes.” Jian Yao
played along well. She looked at the lead gangster in a cool and detached manner
and even took out her gun, aiming it at him. At this point, when they were at
daggers drawn, she was still able to exude confidence.

The lead gangster looked as if he was viewing them with a mixture of trust and
suspicion. With a sweeping glance behind them, he asked, “Who’s that dead guy in
the back seat of the car?”

Bo Jinyan muttered to himself without replying. Jian Yao’s heart rate also picked
up. Then, one of the gangsters who had been searching the dead man’s body
picked up a fragment of a police identification card. The gangster turned pale and
hollered, “Yue ge, he’s a policeman!”
Yue ge was startled. In an instant, Bo Jinyan said, coolly, “Yue ge, your underlings
really like to make a big hullabaloo. It’s just killing a cop, why are they so
shocked?” Yue ge glared angrily at his subordinate and said, “What are you yelling
about?” However, when he looked again at the two of them, his expression had
eased somewhat. Lowering his voice, he asked, “What about it?”
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao went silent at the same time.

It?

What was ‘it’?

Yue ge watched their expressions carefully. Jian Yao suddenly broke into cold
sweat – was that what he wanted? They also knew of its existence? Then, who on
earth were they? Who had Smiling Snake intended to pass that thing he snatched
to? Looking at Yue ge’s attitude, and this place that both parties had arranged to
meet at, it seemed even more like the site of a . . . transaction?
However, at this time, Bo Jinyan had already spoken up. Rubbing his slightly dry
lips briefly, he avoided replying by asking another question. “Yue ge, do you have a
cigarette?”
Yue ge eyed him, then took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his inner pocket
and tossed them to Jian Yao. Her mind darting around in circles frantically, Jian
Yao caught the items and passed them to Bo Jinyan. Bo Jinyan drew out a cigarette
and lit it adeptly. He kept the cigarette in his mouth as he inhaled greedily, an
expression of sheer enjoyment on his face.
On the other hand, Jian Yao’s heart was full of love, and she did not know whether
to laugh or to cry. This was possibly the first time he had smoked, but he was
portraying himself as a ‘bad boy’ type of heavy smoker whose tobacco addiction
had flared up. She knew that he was just buying time and was probably weighing
up all the countermeasures.

Bo Jinyan exhaled an elegant smoke ring – even his smoke ring was so elegant and
professional – and said, “Of course I’ve brought what I promised to hand over to
Buddha’s Hand. Several police officers are no match for me. However, this wasn’t
what was agreed upon earlier. I want to take hold of what I want before I can give it
to you.”

Jian Yao almost wanted to burst forth in praise. With these words, almost no one
would suspect that he was not that legendary gang leader, Smiling Snake.

Yue ge was silent for a moment. Then, he actually laughed, and said, “Buddha’s
Hand, Buddha’s Heart, whatever, what we’re really talking about is honour and
keeping good faith. Of course, we will keep to what we’ve agreed upon. Smiling
Snake, knowing someone by reputation cannot compare to meeting them in
person. Today, let’s take it that we have become friends. Hand that thing over
when you have met that person. But, the gun your girl is holding must be handed
over to us first.”

Before Jian Yao could make a move, Bo Jinyan had already said, coldly, “Why are
you standing there like a dummy? Didn’t you hear what Yue ge said?”
Jian Yao threw the gun down. Yue ge said, “Excuse me!” Two of his subordinates
came forward and placed two sacks over Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan’s heads, so that
they could not see anything.

The men seized the two of them. At this time, Yue ge lit a cigarette and looked up to
see a boat in the distance, moving towards them. In the twilight, it looked like a
crawling animal.
“Get on board!”
Chapter 105

They were in a big oil tank, empty, with the pervasive smell of rust. The smell was
like tiny, small bugs invading their nostrils. There was only a little light leaking in
from the crack above their heads.

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan were cramped together; he was almost entirely carrying
her.

Yue ge had ‘felt bad’ about putting them in the oil tank temporarily, saying that it
was to avoid the police. However, it was obviously also a precautionary measure,
and a means of control. In this way, they would have no idea which direction the
boat was travelling in, and where it was going.
The tank was on the aft deck of the boat and there was no movement in their
immediate surroundings. Yue ge and his underlings had probably decided there
was no need to watch over them all the time. Jian Yao raised her head and leaned
against Bo Jinyan’s chin. Finally, she sighed and said, “Truly, the will of heaven
supersedes man’s.”
Her Mr. Bo, who had thrown off all restraint in his behaviour for the past half hour,
had apparently recovered his cold and arrogant demeanour by now. Despite their
terrible circumstances, he replied in a leisurely manner, “No, Jian Yao, there’s no
need to be depressed. This is just a slight deviation from my original master plan.
After all, no one can anticipate everything. It could even be that a better
opportunity is brewing, because, where previously we were on the outside making
arrangements, now we are in the game ourselves.”

Jian Yao pursed her lips in a smile. In truth, without batting an eyelid, this criminal
psychologist had more or less worked out the situation. Zhu Tao had also
mentioned Smiling Snake, the leader of the newly emerging small criminal gang
who was secretive and methodical. They did not know how Smiling Snake had
gotten wind of the information they had, which he had planned to seize from them
today. However, Smiling Snake had suffered defeat at the hands of Zhu Tao a few
days ago, so it made sense that he would seize the information and offer it to the
most powerful organisation in the southwest, Buddha’s Hand. Although Bo Jinyan
had taken the opportunity to pass himself off as the man they had killed, Smiling
Snake, this was actually something he was rather reluctant to do. But, where
psychological warfare was concerned, victory and defeat are just separated by a
hair’s breadth. Today, she had quietly watched as, through his speech and manner,
he had come across as slightly probing and offensive, really convincing Yue ge that
he was Smiling Snake. If what they were doing now could get them into the heart of
Buddha’s Hand, that would be an unexpected harvest. Once they got there,
though, would they still be able to keep up this false identity?
Greatly perturbed, Jian Yao held Bo Jinyan’s hand tightly. He had probably sensed
her worries, for he unexpectedly chuckled and said, “Wife, let your husband worry
about what comes next. Right now, I think you should sleep for a while and
replenish your energy. After all, you are the fighting expert in our little team.”

Jian Yao could not help laughing. She made a soft sound of assent and laid her
head on his chest. The boat rocked gently with the waves and the smell of the
water lingered all around. It was such a small space, on the Jinsha river* with
danger lurking on every side, yet Jian Yao unexpectedly felt a sense of tranquility.

*T/N 金沙江 (Jinsha jiang) – the upper reaches of the Yangtze river in Sichuan and
Yunnan

“Jinyan ah . . .” she seemed to be about to fall asleep and asked hazily, “When will
your eyes be able to see the light again?”

Bo Jinyan was silent for a long time before he took one of her hands and placed it
on his eyes. Jian Yao felt his eyes open in the darkness, and his fine eyelashes
brushed lightly against her fingers. Little by little, up and down, without words, yet,
they surpassed thousands of words. Jian Yao’s tears burst forth, and she hugged
his thin body tightly.

——

At this time, Yue ge was sitting in the bow, smoking a long, local cigarette*, but he
was actually very calm. A bright moon shone on the surface of the river, the clear
and crystalline water shimmered darkly, and the valleys were quiet. When he
thought of how he had snagged such a perfect, bountiful harvest on this trip, and
would most probably gain that person’s favour, he felt secretly pleased.
* T/N Interesting fact – Yunnan is China’s largest tobacco-growing region.
In reality, he was only a middle-ranked leader in Buddha’s Hand. However, they
were a real criminal organisation, very different from those disorganised groups,
those useless ruffians. Where underground power and influence in the southwest
was concerned, Buddha’s Hand was the most secretive, and bowed to no one*.
Naturally, this meant that some small groups, as well as newly emerging powers,
all rushed headlong to gain the attention and favour* of Buddha’s Hand.

*T/N 可遇而不可求 (ke yu er bu ke qiu) – lit. can be encountered but cannot be

asked/ pleaded with. Usually used to describe opportunities – if something is
meant to be, it will happen, it cannot be forced.

*T/N 趋之若鹜 (qu zhi ruo wu) – lit. to rush like ducks, to scramble for something
unattainable

Such as Smiling Snake.

Jian Yao had guessed correctly. When Smiling Snake’s organisation had been taken
down by Zhu Tao, he had indeed sent a message to Buddha’s Hand, saying that he
would get hold of information which was a matter of life and death to Buddha’s
Hand. Of course, at Yue ge’s level, he had no idea what the information was about.
But, that person had always been cautious, and read people and situations very
accurately. He had already issued the command to bring Smiling Snake and that
intelligence before him. Thus, Yue ge was in no hurry to do anything to ‘Smiling
Snake’, and had not forcibly seized the information. They could all be colleagues in
future, right? Most crucially, Yue ge did not want to run counter to that person’s
wishes; that would be acting blindly without thinking.
Moreover, Smiling Snake was blind, which was totally unexpected to Yue ge.
However, those in this line of work protected themselves very well and did not
easily reveal their identities. If they did so, they would long ago have come under
the eagle eyes of the drug enforcement officers, who were always ready to pounce
on them like vicious wolves. Yue ge, who had been with Buddha’s Hand for several
years, did not even know what that person looked like. Mind you, there were plenty
of odd people in the jianghu. In addition, that person’s laugh was so full of cunning,
so insidious, that one knew straightaway that he had plenty of evil tricks up his
sleeve. This was absolutely in line with the nickname, ‘Smiling Snake’. Anyway, if
there were really some kind of conspiracy, who would send a blind man to
impersonate Smiling Snake? Wouldn’t it be totally unnecessary to pretend to be
blind? As he thought along these lines, Yue ge felt that it was even more credible
that this person was Smiling Snake.
The night was quiet. As Yue ge slowly smoked his cigarette, he felt that the more
dangerous a person’s life was, the more interesting and meaningful it was as well.
He really loved the tranquil contentment that followed after danger . . .
A headlight.

A glaring light shone straight on them from a distant boat. The light was cold and
harsh. Yue ge was so shocked that the cigarette almost dropped from his hand onto
the deck. . . WTF, there was a situation!
His ‘brothers’ around him were also startled.

But it was too late!

A good number of boats approached from all sides, with armed police officers
standing on deck. The red flag (PRC flag) fluttered at the prow of each boat. These
were clearly the elite forces of the border police surrounding them!

Yue ge was suddenly overcome by a great sense of failure! He could not figure out
how he had come under the watchful eyes of the police! Of course, he was even
more ignorant of the fact that this was all because of the two people on the boat
whom he had captured.The only thing that was crystal clear to him was that he had
committed innumerable crimes and would be dead meat if the police caught him!
Thus, after a moment’s panic, he threw the cigarette he was holding onto the deck
in a violent gesture and yelled, “Brothers, whether we live or die depends on if we
can charge through! All of you, grab your guns! Speed up! Let’s charge out of this
river!”
……

Severely injured and with his torso swathed in bandages, cold-faced Zhu Tao stood
on the deck of the central command boat. He watched the police forces attacking
the ruffians until they were in disarray, he watched their boat try to flee down the
river, but it was beaten back by the police so many times that they were almost
cowering in submission. However, a shadow fell over his face as he remembered
the missing Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan. Were they dead or alive? Were they on the
boat, or not? They had to be found!
The boat capsized, it actually capsized!

Yue ge fell into the river. He looked at the gunshot wound in his stomach with
incredulity as he slowly sank in the water. Gangsters both big and small were like
ants who had fallen into the water, struggling frantically. The smaller boats of the
police force were fast approaching them. The goods on the boat had all fallen into
the water and were drifting away on the waves, including dozens of large oil tanks.
Due to the speed of the water, the police were not in time to intercept them. In the
darkness of night, several oil tanks looked like black cannonballs as they
disappeared in the blink of an eye. The gangsters’ cries for help rose and fell with
the swell of the waves of the torrential river, drowning out all other sounds.
Zhu Tao watched the oil tanks and goods floating away and urgently commanded,
“Order the downstream salvage team to intercept those goods!” Then he
immediately had his boat draw closer, hoping to see the figures of those two
people in the black water, amid the remains of the boat.

But the night was boundless. Where could he find them?

Chapter 106

Kuang kuang kuang – the harsh sound of metal being struck.

Jian Yao coughed up a mouthful of water and opened her eyes. The foul taste of
water mixed with iron was in her mouth. Her clothes were wet and plastered to her
body, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

Bo Jinyan was still holding her tightly. He regained consciousness and moved
slightly, then asked in a low voice, “How are you?”

Jian Yao replied, “I’m okay. How about you?”

He replied, “I’m also okay.”

In truth, anyone stuck in such an oil tank for an entire evening and who almost
drowned would not feel good.

Both of them looked up. A very bright light was slipping through the crack in the oil
tank cover. Clearly, day had broken. And they were stranded somewhere.

Someone was pounding on the cover of the oil tank.

Was it friend or foe?

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan remained silent, waiting.

The cover was finally broken through. A very dirty, very red man’s hand reached in,
took hold of the iron sheet, and forcefully lifted it up and outwards.

“Hey! Are you guys dead or alive?” The man’s voice sounded vaguely familiar; they
had heard it yesterday.

“Kick it open,” Bo Jinyan calmly ordered.

Jian Yao kicked repeatedly at the cover until she finally kicked it open. Instantly,
the sunlight poured in and she saw a youthful face.

It turned out to be one of the ruffians on board the boat the day before. His face
was unnaturally pale, as if it had been soaked in water for the night. He stared at
them with wide eyes.

Jian Yao steadied herself and helped Bo Jinyan climb out of the tank. It was then
that she realised they were in an unfamiliar place. They were on a river bank
consisting of craggy rocks. The sun was high overhead, and all around them were
green hills and mountains. There was no one else around apart from the three of
them, and no sign of any boats.

Jian Yao whispered to Bo Jinyan, “He’s Yue ge’s underling.” Then, she asked that
man, “Why are we here? Where is this place?”
With a dejected expression, that person replied, “Smiling Snake, the police
mounted a sneak attack yesterday, and everyone else is probably done for! I clung
to this oil tank and drifted here.” He was fairly young, and as he said this his eyes
reddened. “Everyone is dead! Or, they have been arrested by the police! If not for
me, the two of you would also be finished!”

Jian Yao kept quiet. Bo Jinyan was also silent for a moment before he dryly said,
“Many thanks.”

The gears in Jian Yao’s head had been turning for some time. In a gentle voice, she
asked, “What’s your name?”

The man replied, “My name is Ah Hong.”

Jian Yao smiled faintly and said, “Ah Hong, where are we now?”

Ah Hong said, “It’s really good luck that you guys met me! Last night, it was so dark
and the current was so swift, I couldn’t see where I was going clearly, but I still
managed to bring you here. This place is Zhizi Zhou*. Don’t worry, it’s a very safe
place. Let’s hurry up and look for our people.”
*T/N 知子洲 (Zhizi Zhou) – not sure if this is the same as 知子罗 (Zhizi Luo), which
was apparently a prosperous ancient city and centre of politics and trade of the
Nujiang river basin. The Nujiang river runs through northwest Yunnan and south
Tibet. It is now a very quiet village.

Jian Yao was startled. Firstly, she searched her memory, but had no impression of
the place named ‘Zhizi Zhou’. Secondly, based on what Ah Hong had said, was this
place one of Buddha’s Hand’s strongholds?

She dropped her hand to her side and subtly squeezed Bo Jinyan’s hand. Bo Jinyan
immediately squeezed back to indicate that she should play it by ear and seize any
opportunities to act.

However, since there was only one opponent . . .

It was a no-brainer*. The two of them could not possibly allow him to take them to
‘meet’ with the others, and fall into a trap once again. Naturally, their top priority
was to get in touch with Zhu Tao.

*T/N 用脚趾头想 (yong jiao zhi tou xiang) – lit. to think with your toes. Basically
means the question is so simple, you can figure out the answer by thinking ‘with
your toes’.

Ah Hong eyed them and asked, in a neutral tone, “Is it still with you?”

Jian Yao sized him up before replying, “Yes.” Although they had handed over their
guns and daggers on the boat, they were still carrying their backpacks.

Unexpectedly, this Ah Hong was not completely brainless. He seemed to hesitate,

doubtful, then pulled out his gun and aimed it at them, saying, “Hold on to it well
and follow me. You . . . make sure you don’t try anything funny!”

“Don’t worry, we won’t do anything.” Jian Yao slowly raised her hands and walked
ahead, while knocking into Bo Jinyan with her body as she did so. Bo Jinyan
followed behind her and said softly, “Ok, you first*.” Since Ah Hiong was right at the
back, he didn’t hear the words clearly and yelled, “What are you guys muttering
about?” Jian Yao replied, “Nothing.”

*T/N He said this in English.

At the end of the river bank was a densely forested mountainside. Beyond the
mountain’s slope could be seen the indistinct shapes of buildings scattered here
and there on the higher ridges. Jian Yao pulled Bo Jinyan up the slope; it was not
easy to walk up. At this point, Ah Hong also had no option but to climb up using
both hands and feet. Just as Jian Yao turned to look at him, Bo Jinyan said,
“Brother Ah Hong, since Yue ge has been brought down, what plans do you have
now?”
Ah Hong lowered his head, seemingly stumped by Bo Jinyan’s question. After a
pause, he said, “I’ll bring you guys back! Then I’ll get credit for it; don’t you think I’ll
be able to climb up the ranks?”

The three of them came to a steep incline. It had probably rained the night before,
as the ground beneath their feet was all muddy. There was a stretch of collapsed
mud and rocks at the foot of the rocky wall in front of them; evidently, a mudslide
had occurred. Thus, Jian Yao was even more cautious as she walked forward.

Then, Bo Jinyan said, “I see that you are a very clever person with bright prospects.
And, it can be said that you saved me and my woman. Do you want to follow me in
future?”

He said these words unhurriedly, in a deep voice, with a small smile. All of this was
inexplicably provocative. Ah Hong froze before replying, “I . . . I’ll think about it
when it’s time.”

However, he did not expect that his hesitation would invite even more of Bo
Jinyan’s praise. He smiled faintly as he said, “Not bad, cautious and far-sighted. I
was not mistaken, you are clearly a talented person. Why didn’t I have someone
like you among my subordinates previously? At these words, Ah Hong laughed and
said, “Snake ge, you flatter me.”
Jian Yao listened silently from the side. Snake ge . . . if An Yan and Fang Qing heard
this form of address, they would laugh until they suffered internal damage.
However, Bo Jin yan had managed to deceive the flower cannibal and a criminal
gang, and made it look like child’s play. Sure enough, as she looked at the gun in
Ah Hong’s hands, he was no longer holding it so firmly. Clearly, he had relaxed his
vigilance.
Embarrassment washed across Ah Hong’s face. Jian Yao counted silently: 1, 2, 3 . . .
Ah Hong slowly put down his gun and smiled. WIth a heroic air, he said, “Snake ge,
as you’ve said, I’m still following Yue ge’s orders, just being careful. I’m not going to
use the gun on you again. Let’s go!”
Bo Jinyan said, “That’s right!” Jian Yao smiled as she looked at him and said,
“Thanks for trusting us!”

Ah Hong said, “This is as it should be!”

The three of them continued on their uphill climb. Jian Yao focussed her attention
on helping Bo Jinyan, and Ah Hong would also lend a helping hand occasionally. All
the wariness among them seemed to have disappeared, and the atmosphere was
harmonious. Bo Jinyan kept chatting casually with Ah Hong, asking him about his
hometown, and how many years he had been with the organisation. Ah Hong
answered all his questions systematically and in great detail. It was only when Bo
Jinyan asked about the organisation of Budda’s Hand that Ah Hong became tight-
lipped. He was clearly under strict orders to maintain secrecy. He only said, “Hey,
Snake ge, don’t ask anymore. When we get there, won’t you know everything
anyway?” Bo Jinyan nodded and said, “That’s fine, I’m just . . . impatient.”
They soon reached a stretch of muddy ground that was slightly more level.
Although they were still on an incline, they could see patches of relatively dry
ground. They sat down to rest. As they had no water, they could only pant heavily.

Ah Hong asked, “Snake ge, what’s your primary business?” He probably wanted to
understand more about the ‘bright prospects’ that awaited him in future.
Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao sat side by side. Hearing this question, he patted her
bottom in what seemed to be a very natural action, laughed and said, “My primary .
. .” Out of the blue, his face changed and he exclaimed, “Damn it!”

Jian Yao looked at Ah Hong.

Ah Hong asked quickly, “What’s wrong?”

Bo Jinyan’s face was full of anxiety. “I seemed to have dropped it in the oil tank!”
“Ah?” Ah Hong also became anxious as he heard this, and unconsciously turned to
look at the riverbank below the mountain slope. Before he had time to register
anything, Jian Yao pounced on him and knocked him to the ground. She ruthlessly
twisted his wrists behind him and lifted up his head to slam it against the ground.
Ah Hong was bleeding profusely from his nose and his mind was totally scrambled.
However, he was strong and hefty, and he was struggling furiously. “What are you
doing?” he asked. Jian Yao landed a series of punches on his face, and while they
were fighting, the sleeve of his right arm drew up and she could vaguely make out a
tattooed pattern. She had no time to scrutinise it, but there was something very
familiar about it. In the meantime, Bo Jinyan had been groping his way towards
them. Although he could not see, he could discern their positions from what he
heard. His sense of direction was incredibly accurate, and with one move sideways,
he landed on Ah Hong’s legs, pressing them down firmly.

Jian Yao raised her fist to deal Ah Hong a heavy blow. At the same time, she wanted
to grab his wrist for a closer look at the tattooed pattern – who knows, it could
shed some light on the secrets of Buddha’s Hand! No one imagined that she would
suddenly hear the faint sound of something crumbling and moving, at her side,
under her feet!

“Jian Yao!” Bo Jinyan snarled, having already let go of Ah Hong and throwing
himself towards her. Jian Yao grabbed hold of him in one move and their bodies
collided with a tree. Then, in a flash, the mountainside beneath them caved in. It
was terrible, as if Judgement Day had come. Whether it was because the
mountainside was already on the verge of collapse due to being inundated by rain,
or their fighting had overwhelmed the already weakened surface, this
mountainside was now experiencing a landslide!

Ah Hong screamed, “Ahhhh ———”, but he could not react in time. He rolled down
the slope together with the rocks and mud for dozens of metres, before finally
striking the boulders on the river bank, then being struck repeatedly by falling
earth and stones. His entire body was bloody and still.

Because Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao had reacted quickly, they were shielded by the
firmly rooted tree and ‘hung’ there on the half-gone slope. However, they were still
in danger from the steady stream of rocks and mud hurtling towards them. Jian
Yao intended to use her body to protect Bo Jinyan, but who knew that he would
instead hug her tightly and turn his back to take the impact of the mud and rocks
while yelling hoarsely, “Don’t move!” Jian Yao was completely unable to pull
herself free. There was only one thought in the haze of her mind: he’s always like
this. Even if he’s highly intelligent, or even if he’s totally lacking in skill. As long as
she’s in danger, he will rush forward, unheedingly, just like a real man, and also like
a stubborn child.
Chapter 107

The rain fell delicately and silently. This was an ancient stone road; even in the
daytime, not a single person was in sight. On both sides of the road stood grey,
dilapidated buildings with nary a sign of life. On some walls, yellowed and torn
pages from illustrated pictorials were still plastered on, and one could vaguely
make out slogans like ‘The productivity of the land depends on the boldness of the
people’ and ‘Long Live the Proletarian Cultural Revolution!’.

Most of the buildings had fallen into disuse, and looked as if no one had lived in
them for a long time. Occasionally, a glimpse of a figure could be seen briefly in one
or two of the buildings, just like a ghost. Jian Yao almost thought that she was
dreaming as she walked down such a road while supporting Bo Jinyan. She could
never in a million years have imagined that they would be stranded in such a
peculiar place.

Bo Jinyan listened to her describing the landscape along the route, but his
expression remained calm and collected. “The world is so large, it is full of
extraordinary things. Besides, the Buddha’s Hand organisation is hiding here, so
maybe everything we see is simply an illusion.”

Those words caused the chill in Jian Yao’s heart to intensify.

However, they finally saw a living, breathing person.

At the corner, a small shop had just opened for business. The lights were on, and
the shelves held cheap candies, cigarettes, noodles, toilet paper, and other such
items.

Jian Yao squeezed Bo Jinyan’s hand, then walked forward and asked, “Is anyone
there?”

The sound of footsteps came from within. Jian Yao quickly took stock of the
surroundings. This appeared to be a simple shop, there was a bowl behind the
counter which someone had recently finished eating from, and a red plastic stool.
On the half-closed wooden door, someone had used a coloured marker to write,
crudely and crookedly, numbers and English letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J . . . as
well as a few rudimentary Chinese characters. It looked like a child had been
learning to write.

A girl walked out.

It wasn’t clear if she was 15 to 16 years old, or 18 to 19 years old. She was not tall
and her pretty face was somewhat childish. However, she dressed very maturely –
a dacron blouse popular in the 70s and 80s, black sweatpants, a pair of cloth shoes.
She really looked like a young girl wearing an old woman’s clothes, but what she
was wearing matched well with the surroundings, with that air of being many years
out of date. However, her eyes shone with intelligence and vitality. She stared at
them and asked, “Where did you come from?”

In this brief interval, Jian Yao had already swiftly assessed her. Her hair was
combed back in a ponytail, there was nothing out of the ordinary about her hands,
her skin was a healthy light tan colour, the sign of someone who had spent time in
the sun. There were mud stains around both her ankles, as well as light scars, very
likely a result of long-term manual labour in the fields. There seemed to be nothing
out of the ordinary about her. So, she smiled and said, “Hello, we were engaging in
outdoor activities when the boat we were on met an accident and sank. We were
lost and wandered to this town. Can you please tell us where we are?”

The girl blinked and said, “This is Zhizi Zhou.”

What she said was consistent with Ah Hong’s words.

The girl then looked at Bo Jinyan, who was behind Jian Yao. She asked, “What’s
wrong with him?”

Jian Yao’s gaze also fell on Bo Jinyan’s bloodstained trouser legs. In the small-scale
mudslide they had faced earlier, they had managed to avoid calamity thanks to
their quick response. Moreover, she only had some minor injuries. However, Bo
Jinyan’s injuries were more serious – one ankle was badly swollen, and his legs
were severely bruised and cut. Although he had not uttered a single word along the
way, his face was terrible to look at, which clearly indicated that his injuries were
causing him pain. She was also deathly afraid that his wounds would worsen or
become inflamed. Thus, she continued to smile as she said, “He was a little injured.
Miss, do you have a cell phone or a landline phone here? I would like to call a
friend.”

The girl leaned against the door, but shook her head and said, “We don’t have a
landline phone here, neither do we have what you call a cell phone; I haven’t even
seen a cell phone before. My mother says, it’s because there is no signal in the sky.”
She pointed to the overcast sky.

Jian Yao had never imagined this result, and was struck dumb. From behind her,
Bo Jinyan squeezed her hand, indicating that she should not be anxious. The
action was witnessed by the girl, who let out a ‘wah’, and said, “The two of you
must be lovers. I think your relationship is great.”

Her words were indeed innocent and unaffected. Jian Yao forced herself to smile,
pulled herself together and asked, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Qiu Sijin, the same ‘sijin’ as in fanhua sijin.”*

*T/N 繁花似锦 (fan hua si jin) – flowers in full bloom, as brilliant as/ like (似)
brocade (锦).

“Then, Sijin, I’d like to ask, is there a doctor here who can treat his wounds?”

This question seemed to be better received by Qiu Sijin than the first one. She
jumped out of the doorway and said, “We have a doctor here, just one. Just like you
guys, he’s not from hereabouts. He’s a really, really good doctor; I’ll take you to
him.”

——

They had walked about half a street before they finally encountered some people.
They were all dressed like local villagers, and they looked just as unfashionable as
Qiu Sijin. They also saw someone crossing the road carrying two buckets of water.
According to Qiu Sijin, there was no running water in this town. Anyone who
needed water had to draw water from several wells outside town. The well water
was very clean and could be drunk directly.
The villagers all stopped in surprise to look at Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao. It was clear
that very few outsiders came this way. Jian Yao could only put on a bold face and
continue to walk on, holding Bo Jinyan’s hand. Qiu Sijin kept bouncing along while
greeting everyone they met along the way, the very picture of a simple and scatter-
brained girl.

But, were the members of Buddha’s Hand really hiding in this little town?

There was a small building before them with its door open. There were several
potted plants at the door, and a faded red cross flag hung at the window. Although
the building was old, that did not prevent it from being bright and clean* and full of
greenery. This was probably the most vibrant home that Jian Yao had seen since
she had stepped foot in this town.

*T/N 窗明几净 (chuang ming ji jing) – lit. clear window and clean table

And this was the doctor’s home.

Qiu Sijin took the lead by stepping in first, and yelled, “Doctor! Dr Wen! There’s a
patient here!”

Jian Yao supported Bo Jinyan as they both stepped in slowly.

A man stood inside the room, almost 1.8m tall, with a thin figure. He was wearing a
white lab coat* and had an air of being spotless and incorruptible. He turned his
head upon hearing the sound of their entry. With a warm smile on his face, he said,
“Sijin, you’re here to disturb me again . . .” He froze when he saw Jian Yao and Bo
Jinyan.

*大褂 (da gua) – a Chinese-style unlined long garment (unisex), which could be
used as a coat.

Jian Yao also never expected that she would see a doctor like this in such a lifeless,
weird little town: clean-cut and handsome, refined in manner, easy in speech and
laughter, and with a bright appearance.
Even standing in this simple and humble place could not conceal his warmth and
his bright and cheerful aura.

Out of the blue, she remembered Fu Ziyu. Although Fu Ziyu and this doctor did not
look the same, they had a similar manner. Jian Yao’s throat was suddenly dry, and
a thought came to her — it was a blessing that Bo Jinyan could not see him. At this
time, Dr Wen said, “The two of you are . . . ?”

Jian Yao unobtrusively moved her gaze away from the doctor’s face and replied,
“We are backpackers passing through this area. Our boat capsized and we came to
this island by accident. My husband’s legs are injured. Could you take a look,
doctor?”

“Sure.” Dr Wen immediately crouched down in front of Bo Jinyan as Jian Yao

helped him to sit down, while Qiu Sijin looked on curiously from the side. Jian Yao
observed that Dr Wen’s technique was skilled and professional, so she felt at ease.

“How did he come by these injuries?” Dr Wen asked.

Jian Yao answered with the facts, “We encountered a mudslide.”

Dr Wen nodded, instructed Qiu Sijin to fetch him some medical supplies and
started to treat Bo Jinyan’s injuries. Bo Jinyan did not say a word throughout; no
one knew what he was thinking.

The good thing was that no bones had been affected. Dr Wen dealt with Bo Jinyan’s
wounds and bandaged them, then listed some things to take note of before
prescribing medicine. Finally, he smilingly said, “Looks like the two of you will have
to stay here for a while longer to let the wounds heal before you set off.”

During the conversation, Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan had discovered that the doctor’s
full name was Wen Rong, a very scholarly name. He had previously worked as a
doctor in a big city, with a high salary and a packed schedule. Like many of the
young people who fled Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, he was tired of the fast-
paced life. An unexpected opportunity had led him to come to this small town.
After he arrived, he had been so profoundly attracted to and moved by the way
time stopped in here that he had stayed and even opened a clinic. Although the
number of residents in the town was small, such that he spent most of his days in
idleness, he earned enough to support himself. Jian Yao had met quite a few of this
kind of person in countless old cities and towns, so she could understand him.

However, Jian Yao did not ask about the existence of the Buddha’s Hand
organisation. Wen Rong also did not mention it.

As for telephone networks and Wifi? Wen Rong also sounded a little regretful, but
this mountain region had neither of them.

When they left Wen Rong’s clinic, it was gradually becoming dark. As Jian Yao
supported Bo Jinyan by his arm, she subconsciously turned back and saw that Wen
Rong had already taken off his lab coat. In his white shirt and black trousers and
with his hands in his trouser pockets, he stood by the door, smiling faintly as he
saw them off. In addition, Qiu Sijin was leaning against him, holding his arm, being
very clingy.

Jian Yao felt something strange and inexplicable in her heart. However, their top
priority was to find a place to stay for the night. Then, to figure out a way to escape
from this small town or to contact headquarters.

This small town was full of abandoned buildings. Without much effort, they found a
relatively clean single-story building. The house was comprehensively furnished
with tables, chairs, beds, and cupboards, even though all of them were somewhat
old-fashioned. There was even a small yard at the door, full of a tangle of ancient
trees and overgrown weeds and grass. As they walked past the intersection, Jian
Yao had noticed a restaurant with a very small shop front, so she walked there to
order two takeout boxes of food and rice. The restaurant owner asked, both shyly
and with curiosity, “Are you the two injured backpackers?” It seemed that this
small town was indeed very small; the news of their arrival had already spread. It
remained to be seen if this was a blessing or a curse.

It was completely dark, and raindrops pattered lightly on the window frame. Bo
Jinyan was lying on a simple wooden bed. Jian Yao had found an old quilt in a
cupboard and had beaten it for a long time before forcibly covering him with it. Bo
Jinyan did not look too good, perhaps because his wounds were hurting, or
because this situation was too dire. Jian Yao was also at a loss. From the time they
started investigating cases together, they had never had such an experience, to be
in such dire straits in such a faraway place.

There was no electricity in the building, but she had found a kerosene lamp. This
made Bo Jinyan smile as he asked, “Are you Doraemon*?” Jian Yao gave him a
small smile and said, “Do you now know the advantages of taking me along with
you?” She got on the bed and snuggled up to him.

*T/N 百变小叮当 (bai bian xiao ding dang) – Doraemon, the eponymous character
in a Japanese manga series (later adapted into an anime series and several
movies). Doraemon is an earless robotic cat from the 22nd century who is sent
back in time to help a young boy, Nobita, who is unhappy in school. Doraemon has
a fourth dimensional pocket from which he obtains various gadgets, food and
other items from the future. Read more here.
The flickering, hazy light gave the room the atmosphere of a fantasy land. The
surroundings were extremely quiet, so quiet as if they were in a secluded ravine. It
was as if the ‘survivors’ remaining in this small town all went to sleep when the sky
darkened, adding to the strangeness of this place.

Bo Jinyan embraced her with one arm while his reader was affixed to the other
hand, enabling him to read the precious information that Captain Zhu Tao had
passed to them. The light in the room was very dim, and Jian Yao could not make
out the words on the paper. The reader functioned as efficiently as usual, reading
aloud the words clearly, line by line. Only occasionally would there be a
soft zhizhi sound.
After an hour, Bo Jinyan had ‘read’ the entire document. The information focussed
on recording the Buddha’s Hand organisation’s most recent transactions, internal
operating structure, and cooperative relationships and alliances. However, there
was no mention of the core personnel structure, and the location of the gang’s
stronghold.

“It seems . . .” Bo Jinyan said, “that the person who gave Zhu Tao this information
had limited knowledge. Or . . . the information is incomplete.”

Jian Yao nodded and placed the notes and the reader back into the bag, then
handed Bo Jinyan the medicine Wen Rong had prescribed. But, Bo Jinyan said,
“Aren’t we carrying anti-inflammatory medicine in our bags? I want to take ours.”
Jian Yao was startled. “Why?” she asked.

Bo Jinyan said, “If this place is truly the stronghold of Buddha’s Hand, can you
really be sure that none of the four people we met today is one of the masked
killer’s people? The Buddha’s Hand gang members may not recognise us, but the
masked killer definitely will.”

Alarmed, Jian Yao tossed the medicine Wen Rong had prescribed into the corner
and took their own anti-inflammatory medicine from the bag.

When Bo Jinyan had finished taking the medicine, she picked up a wooden stick
standing by the bed, got up and said, “I’ll keep watch tonight,”

However, Bo Jinyan pulled her back onto the bed with a swift move and said, “No
need. The most important thing in dealing with the enemy is to assess the situation
and work out how to gain the most results with the least effort. Tonight, we should
sleep well and replenish our strength. If they are not sure of our identities, they will
definitely not act blindly tonight. If they know who we are, then you and I are like
turtles in a big jar* and they would already have made their move. Would they have
allowed us to have our injuries tended to, eat dinner, and stroll around? Thus, Mrs
Bo, just as we are when we are home, we are in no danger tonight and can sleep
well.”

*T/N 瓮中的鳖 (weng zhong de bie) – lit. turtle in a container/ jar; fig. easy prey

Jian Yao did not know whether to laugh or to cry upon hearing his words. However,
she saw the truth behind the statement the more she thought about it. They were
already in the enemy’s stronghold and were thus facing a battle pitting one against
a hundred*. Being even more vigilant would not help them. It was better to go to
sleep. Thus, she placed the stick on the floor next to the bed, listened to Bo
Jinyan’s advice, and lay down on the bed once again.

*T/N 以一敌百 (yi yi di bai) – lit. one against one hundred. Possibly referring to a
game show of the same name where the prize money a challenger wins varies
according to how many of the other 100 contestants answer wrongly on a question
he gets right. Read more about the American version of the game show here. (The
versions played in other countries may be slightly different in the calculation of the
bonus)
It was even quieter at midnight. Jian Yao’s hands and feet were very cold even
though they were under the quilt. Bo Jinyan held her hands between his palms and
placed her feet on his warm thighs. Jian Yao refused to go along with this and said,
distressed, “You’ll get cold like this.” Bo Jinyan laughed and said, “Oh, as if you
didn’t place your feet comfortably in this exact position every night in winter
previously.” Jian Yao smiled as she responded, “But, you’re hurt now.” Bo Jinyan
replied, “But, for you, my temperature is constant.”

Jian Yao leaned against his arm with a smile hovering on her lips. She fell asleep
very quickly, probably due to exhaustion from the day’s events. Initially, Bo
Jinyan’s breathing had been calm and steady. After a while, he noticed Jian Yao’s
deep breaths, indicating that she was fast asleep. He then slowly opened his eyes
in the darkness, listened to the sound of the rain outside the window, and did not
close them for a long time.

After midnight, the rain stopped.

The yard was full of wet mud, and, in the night, water dripped off the leaves.

A pair of well-used military boots trod in the mud. That man, wearing a black
jacket, lowered his head to light a cigarette, then slowly exhaled. Behind him, in a
mass of shadows, stood quite a few people.

That man smoked his cigarette. Even though he had half a cigarette left, he
dropped it on the ground, stepped on it to extinguish it and rubbed it into the mud
several times before saying, “There’s something fishy about the arrival of these
two. Ah Yue’s boat was intercepted and brought down by the police outside the
perimeter. They are most probably the police. Tomorrow, report this to the boss,
then get rid of them.”
Chapter 108

Jian Yao slept until it was quite late*. When she opened her eyes, there was no one
by her side. She lifted her head and saw a familiar figure in the yard. The sky had
cleared up.

*T/N 日上三竿 (ri shang san gan) – the sun has risen to the height of three bamboo
poles (竿) above the horizon i.e. it’s late.

She unexpectedly laughed in relief. She also felt more at ease.

That guy, with injured legs, deep in the tiger’s cave, nevertheless could not sit still.
Who knows what tricky manoeuvre he was contemplating in the early morning.

Sure enough, not long after, Bo Jinyan walked towards her using the wooden stick
for support and said, “We should go and meet them.”

Jian Yao stiffened.

Under clear skies, the little town seemed to be somewhat more lively. There were
more pedestrians on the streets, and the houses and trees seemed fresher and
cleaner. Although they looked at Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan with great curiosity when
they met them, they were nevertheless quite friendly. From outward appearances,
they really looked like typical ordinary people from a poor and backward
mountainous region. Moreover, they once again met several people carrying water
back home. Jian Yao had been continuously observing the people they met on the
road, but could not tell who belonged to Buddha’s Hand, or where they could be
hiding. Could it be that they were on the upper floor of some building spying on
them?

They reached the doctor’s clinic very soon. Jian Yao wanted to get some more
gauze bandages and topical medicine so she could change Bo Jinyan’s bandages
herself. Supporting Bo Jinyan, she pushed aside the curtain and entered the clinic,
only to be startled.
There was a patient in the clinic today.

A stout and solidly-built man was sitting behind the consultation table. He was
wearing camouflage and black boots, and was sporting a crew cut. He looked
rough and fierce. Jian Yao observed that he had a callus between his thumb and
forefinger, and there was a bulge at his waist. When he turned his body, she
realised that it was an empty gun holster.

The man turned his head to look at them and went rigid, while his expression
became guarded. Very calmly, Jian Yao guided Bo Jinyan as they walked over and
sat next to him. Bo Jinyan also looked utterly unperturbed.

At this point, Wen Rong pulled back the curtain to the inner room and walked out.
When he saw the three of them sitting there, he also started before saying to the
man, with a smile, “Your medicine is here.”

The man took the medicine, then took out some money and put it on the table. He
eyed Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan next to him obliquely before lifting his chin to ask,
“Who are they?”

Wen Rong replied in a leisurely manner, “They are backpackers just passing
through, and are also patients.”

The man seemed convinced by his words. He nodded and gave Jian Yao and Bo
Jinyan another side glance before standing up and leaving.

At this time, the curtain to the inner room was pulled aside once again, but it was
Qiu Sijin, the girl from the previous night, who walked out. Her cheeks were
flushed, and when she saw them, she said, very happily, “You’re here again? Don’t
worry, Dr Wen’s medical skills are the best; you will definitely get better in no
time.”

Wen Rong laughed and reached out a hand to pat her head. “Go drink some water,”
he said. Qiu Sijin nodded obediently and left.
Jian Yao explained their reason for coming. Wen Rong got the ready-made gauze
bandages and other items from the cabinet and gave it to them, as well as enough
oral medicine to last several days. Jian Yao accepted these with a smile.

“Do you often have patients?” Bo Jinyan asked out of the blue.

Without looking up, Wen Rong replied, “It’s hard to say. Sometimes there are a lot,
and sometimes there are only a few.”

Bo Jinyan asked, “What are your patients like?”

Wen Rong smiled and said, “All sorts of people. A doctor can’t choose his patients.”

“You also have criminals like that guy just now?”

Wen Rong’s hands paused what they were doing. Looking up at Bo Jinyan, his gaze
was clear and deep, like water, and it was impossible to tell whether he was angry
or happy. He asked, “Who are you?”

Jian Yao stared at them without speaking.

The corners of Bo Jinyan’s mouth lifted slowly as he said, “What kind of people can
come to this place?”

Wen Rong was momentarily silent before saying, “Whether it’s a good person or a
bad person, I am a doctor. Since I’m already here, I just want to save lives.”

Neither Jian Yao nor Bo Jinyan spoke further.

Before leaving, Bo Jinyan asked Wen Rong, “What should we do if we want to leave
this small town?”

Wen Rong went quiet. He replied, “You can take a boat from the dock. The dock is
the property of Boss Sun.”

Bo Jinyan asked, “How do we find Boss Sun?”

Wen Rong said, “He also runs a guest house, it’s in the west-most part of town.”

Bo Jinyan nodded and said, “Many thanks.” Qiu Sijin noticed that Wen Rong was
seeing them off, so she returned to the inner room to do whatever it was she was
doing. Supported by Jian Yao, Bo Jinyan took two steps forward, then paused and
turned his head to say, “Doctor, please take good care of yourself.”

Wen Rong froze for a moment, seemingly moved. Then, he smiled, nodded, and
said, “Yes, you guys, too. If you need any help while you’re here, remember to look
for me.”

After they had walked for a short distance, Jian Yao said, “This guy seems pretty
okay.”

Bo Jinyan did not say anything, so Jian Yao did not continue the conversation.

Slowly, they walked to the west-most part of the small town. They saw an old
building with grey walls and white roof tiles, looking somewhat cleaner and fresher
than most inns. The eaves were full of green plants which added vitality to the
scene. On the signboard was written ‘Ruyi* Inn’.
*T/N 如意 (ruyi) – as one wants, according to one’s wishes. One of the most
popular Lunar New Year greetings is 万事如意 (wan shi ru yi) which roughly
translates to ‘may all that you desire be achieved’.

They stood on the street corner and looked at the inn. The walls on both sides of
the inn were like a pair of hands, extending backwards into the distance, as if
sheltering everything within, or concealing it. From the outside, the inn looked very
quiet, with only an occasional glimpse of a figure. Nothing could be seen clearly.

Jian Yao said, “Are we really going?”

“Yes,” Bo Jinyan replied coolly. “The most important means of transport in this
small town is via water. If Buddha’s Hand is here, then transport routes will
inevitably be under their control. Since they have noticed our arrival, with the
meticulous and ruthless way of doing things their organisation has employed for
many years, even though they may not have confirmed our identities, they will not
let us off so easily. If we don’t do anything, we might as well sit and wait for death.
However, have you forgotten the identity I came here with?”

Jian Yao stared at him.

Bo Jinyan smiled and said, “Smiling Snake narrowly escaped death and personally
brought the information to Buddha’s Hand, why would you kill him?”

Jian Yao hesitated for a beat before exclaiming, “It’s too risky!”

He said, “A child who takes risks will have sweets to eat.”

Jian Yao was momentarily lost for words. Then, she said, “Be careful with
everything. If anything happens, stand behind me. Whether for better or for worse,
right now, my skills are much better than yours.”

She had repeated his previous words. Bo Jinyan squeezed her hand and said
lightly, “Ok.”

They walked into the inn. However, even though they were perceptive and
intelligent, they had no way to observe what went on both inside and outside the
inn. How many pairs of eyes, whether ruthless, suspicious, contemptuous, or
curious, were trained on them at this time?

Through the entrance was a living room set in a garden*, and there was even a
bridge installed over a little stream. Several men were sitting on one side of the
veranda, playing cards. Upon hearing them enter, they all turned to look at them.
Sitting behind the bar counter against the wall was another man with his drink
half-raised. He looked at them with slightly narrowed eyes, and suddenly smiled.

*T/N 花厅 (hua ting) – lit. flower hall. Refers to a living room outside the lobby of an
old-style home, usually set in a yard or a garden.

The atmosphere in the living room had abruptly become several degrees more
tense and awkward. It was as if the usually tranquil waters of a lake had finally
been disturbed by a breeze, and everyone’s reflection had become blurred.
Bo Jinyan walked to the bar counter and said, “We want a room.”

The man behind the bar counter was about 34 or 35 years old, tall and pale, and
wearing spectacles. His face was beaming, and he looked very refined. He said, “Ah,
ok, for how many days?”

“Three days should be enough.”

He did not ask for their identity cards but simply took the money, assigned them a
room instantly, and gave them the room card before smiling faintly and saying, “I
hope you have a pleasant stay here.”

Meanwhile, Jian Yao had been very calmly observing everyone present. Fang Qing
had once said that the ‘qi’* of highly skilled experts was always tangible. At
present, Jian Yao was gradually sensing this. She could feel that all the people in
the room were not simple characters. If taken all together, she was totally not their
match.

*T/N 气 (qi) – vital energy, life force. In traditional Chinese belief, qi is the vital force
forming part of any living entity, the flow of which must be balanced for health.

Bo Jinyan said, “Thanks.” Holding Jian Yao’s hand, he took two steps forward then
turned his head to say, “That’s right, I wonder if you could carry a message for me.”

The pale man looked up at them.

Chapter 109

The tide lapped gently at the lake shore. Outside the window was the vast stretch
of sky and water, as far as the eye could see. Although they were in the tiger’s cave,
the room that the pale man had assigned them was unexpectedly not bad, and was
possibly the best room in the inn. Jian Yao had given the room a thorough once
over and, not finding any hidden cameras or other surveillance equipment, felt
more at ease. They had arrived out of the blue, so it was possible that these
criminals had not had time to prepare for it.

Bo Jinyan leaned back on the bed with his hands behind his head and his injured
leg propped up with a pillow, looking entirely relaxed. Jian Yao stood by the
window, shifting her gaze between the scene outside and him. Unable to restrain
herself, she said, “Are you certain they will deliver your message to the higher-ups
in the Buddha’s Hand organisation?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Certain. Clearly, the person in control of Buddha’s Hand is very
much interested in Zhu Tao’s notes. Once I mention this, they will definitely meet
with me.”

“What happens if they kill us immediately and grab the notes?”

Bo Jinyan said, “If they really wanted to kill us, they would have done so earlier, on
the boat. Not killing us means that we still have some value; if we are useful, then
we have the opportunity to live. This thread of opportunity can extend to
boundless possibilities.” He then smiled briefly before continuing, “We had
originally intended to find the masked killer within Buddha’s Hand and wipe out
the organisation at the same time. Now, we have the opportunity to penetrate to
the very heart of the organisation. By a freakish combination of factors, we have
achieved what Zhu Tao could not in so many years. This is really a blessing due to
misfortune.”

Jian Yao was by now eager to take action, spurred on by his words. She laughed in
spite of herself – he had such charisma, no matter how dangerous the situation, he
would enable you to see through the haziness in front of you, to see the hope
bounding long behind.
Dong-dong! – someone was knocking on the door. Jian Yao glanced at Bo Jinyan. It
had not even been half an hour since they walked into the inn.
Jian Yao opened the door and the pale man walked in. He smiled faintly and said in
a deep voice, “Smiling Snake, someone wants to meet you.”

——

A courtyard, a stone table, a chessboard, a man.

The afternoon light was just right. He sat next to the chessboard, wearing a black
jacket and casual trousers. He was wearing high leather boots which had mud on
them. From his profile, he looked to be deep in thought, and his appearance was
handsome, seemingly upright and spirited*.

*T/N 剑眉星目 (jian mei xing mu) – lit. eyebrows like swords, eyes like stars. People
with such eyebrows (straight and thick) are said to be upright and straightforward
in character; while people with such eyes are supposedly bright and spirited.
Generally, a handsome person.

Accompanying him, at the four corners of the courtyard, stood several men. All
held guns and looked both calm and ruthless.

The pale man brought Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan here and signalled them to walk over
with a faint smile. Jian Yao completely surveyed the surroundings and tiptoed to
whisper in Bo Jinyan’s ear. His sunglasses obscured his eyes, so no one could see
his expression. He displayed no reaction after listening to her speak. Leaning on the
wooden stick that Jian Yao had found the day before, he walked towards that man.

Bo Jinyan sat down opposite him.

He dropped the white chess piece he was holding and his golden-tanned fingers
seemed to emit light. After a moment of consideration, he looked up at Bo Jinyan
and asked, “Blind?”

He was asking the pale man standing to one side, who bowed and replied, “Yes.”
The word was hardly out of his mouth when the pale man abruptly moved forward,
a dagger in his hand which no one had seen him pull out, aiming straight for Bo
Jinyan’s eyes. Thoroughly shocked, Jian Yao reached out her hand to block him.
That man and Bo Jinyan sat still, unmoving. Because he had moved so quickly,
Jian Yao could only grasp the pale man’s wrist, and had no way to arrest his
forward movement.

With a soft sound, the sunglasses on Bo Jinyan’s nose were knocked off and the
point of the dagger moved inexorably towards his eyelid. Bo Jinyan closed his eyes
but made no move to evade it, until it stopped completely when it rested on his
eyelid.

Jian Yao broke into a cold sweat and yelled, “What do you mean by this?”

Surprisingly, Bo Jinyan merely laughed and said, “Wife, they just want to run a little
test. See, there is still another millimetre to go before the tip of the dagger
penetrates my eye. Goodness . . . However, it’s only a pair of wasted eyes, if
Buddha’s Hand wants them, then take them. Mind you, there is nothing given for
free under the sun – what will you give me in exchange?”

He said this with unparalleled arrogance and insolent charm, for all the world like a
madman who cared not a jot about whether he lived or died. Unexpectedly, that
man laughed uproariously and said, “Qin Sheng, put the dagger down.” So, the
pale man’s name was Qin Sheng.

Qin Sheng put down the dagger and retreated to stand at the side. That man then
asked Bo Jinyan, “I heard you have something to pass to me?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “That’s right.”

That man asked again, “How did it fall into your hands?”

Bo Jinyan said, “My men have been watching Zhu Tao.”

“Then why did the two of you come here?”

“They were ambushed by the police. We ran very fast. A younger brother named ‘Ah
Hong’ was the person who brought us here. However, we encountered a landslide
on the mountainside near the riverbank. Ah Hong fell down the mountainside and
died.”

That man turned to look at Qin Sheng who nodded once, confirming that there was
indeed a gangster named ‘Ah Hong’. That man smiled once again and said, “Ah
Hong died, how is it that you two didn’t?”

Bo Jinyan was silent for a heartbeat before he slowly answered, “Because I killed
Ah Hong.”

As soon as these words were uttered, even Jian Yao was dumbfounded. That man
exchanged glances with Qin Sheng before saying sharply, “What, you killed our
brother?” The men at the side all brought out their guns and aimed them at Bo
Jinyan.

However, Bo Jinyan scoffed and said, “When the landslide occurred, there was only
one tree standing on the slope. If we all held on to it, it would have snapped and
everyone would have died. Ah Hong’s movements were not as fast as my wife’s, so
he could not hold on to the tree, and even wanted to drag us down with him. I
kicked him – what’s wrong with that? If you were in my place, wouldn’t you have
done the same?”

That man and Qin Sheng both remained silent. After a while, Qin Sheng asked,
“Where did this take place?”

Bo Jinyan told him the location. Immediately, an underling left the courtyard,
probably to investigate.

That man ordered tea to be brought up. Bo Jinyan drank the tea slowly, and
neither of them spoke for some time. Jian Yao almost exclaimed aloud in
admiration of Bo Jinyan’s quick-wittedness. Since both of them were well versed in
criminal psychology, they would be able to see through other people’s lies, and,
conversely, would also know how best to make lies seem like the truth. Ah Hong’s
death would initially have seemed fishy to others. However, after Bo Jinyan’s
words, it would seem entirely credible. At the same time, Bo Jinyan’s ‘flamboyantly
malicious’ personality was clearly manifested.

That man took a big gulp of tea and finally said, “That thing, give it to me.”

But Bo Jinyan slowly sipped at his tea and said, “The person I want to give it to is
not you.”

That man stiffened and Qin Sheng looked up.

Bo Jinyan smiled indifferently and said, “The person I want to meet is the boss of
Buddha’s Hand. You are not the boss at all, at best, you are merely a competent
subordinate. Why should I hand it to you? I am so sincere – I was almost caught by
the police, I spent the night in the river – just to bring it here. You keep testing us
over and over again, you bunch of f**king bullies. Since you can’t see it, wife, let’s
go!”

“Wait a minute!” Qin Sheng held out his hand to stop them, then glanced at his
‘boss’. They exchanged glances, then Qin Sheng laughed and said, “Forget it,
Kun ge, let’s not pretend any longer, he saw through everything anyway.”
Kun ge stared at Bo Jinyan with an indecipherable smile. He lowered his head to
light a cigarette and continued to look at them from half-lidded eyes.
Qin Sheng said, “Zhao Kun is, in fact, not our boss. How did you figure that out?”

Bo Jinyan sneered at them and said, “What’s my nickname?”

Qin Sheng said, “Smiling Snake.”

Bo Jinyan said, “Then, why are you still asking? How do you think I got
this jianghu nickname? Being a snake, especially Smiling Snake whom no one can
guard against, means to be more sharp-witted than the police, more vicious than
others like me. You ask me how I can tell that Kun ge is not the boss? He is totally
lacking from head to toe!”
Qin Sheng froze. Zhao Kun choked on a mouthful of smoke and coughed violently.

And Jian Yao, looking around the courtyard at the gangsters, saw that they had
visibly relaxed their vigilance and that their guns were all lowered as they listened
to Bo Jinyan. Jian Yao felt less tense, and also thought it was somewhat funny: Bo
Jinyan had been right – he had taken hold of this thread of opportunity and
extended it to boundless possibilities. It’s just . . . he didn’t have to overdo the play-
acting, ‘being like a snake’ and all those words that had burst forth . . . A sudden
thought, wholly irrelevant to their current situation, came to mind: at that time,
when she, Ziyu, and An Yan had been watching a drama serial at home, they should
not have let him sit and read his books next to them . . .
Chapter 110

“My wife saw that you have mud on your boots, and the mud is splashed all over
your trouser legs. Yesterday, the rain in the daytime was not heavy. It only started
raining heavily early in the night. After midnight, the rain stopped. Today, the sky is
clear and the ground is all dry. In order for there to be so much mud on your boots,
you must have gone out last night. Recently, there has been no major incident in
the jianghu, and nothing happened last night, either. I think that the probability of
an event which requires the boss of Buddha’s Hand to go out in the middle of the
night to investigate it is extremely small. It is more likely that a subordinate was
sent out.
What’s more, looking at this inn, courtyard, and the furnishings, the boss is
someone with good taste, who is tidy and pays attention to detail. He would
definitely not come out to meet a guest without first cleaning the mud off his
boots.

You have oily fingers and your body smells of food. Do you want me to explain? You
were called out to meet us as you were eating your steamed bun and had no time
to wipe your fingers. Would the members of Buddha’s Hand dare to treat their own
boss this way? Even if I wanted to meet myself, Smiling Snake, I would not go so far
as to refuse to allow my boss to finish eating.

There’s no need to say too much about the other things. You paused a lot while you
were speaking, and I guess you were looking to Sheng ge, unable to decide what to
do; you drink this first-class Tieguayin tea with big gulps, I heard your noisy
drinking; you lose your temper at the drop of a hat and allow your underlings to
point their guns at me. All these . . . are not consistent with what a real boss should
be.”
Kun ge’s eyes grew large, but Qin Sheng laughed. Jian Yao was still a little anxious –
Bo Jinyan was showing off his ability so clearly, and she could not tell if this would
be a blessing or a calamity. . . .
“Then, according to you, what should a real boss be like?” A low, gentle voice
sounded from behind everyone.

Zhao Kun and Qin Sheng were both taken aback, and the others who were holding
guns looked apprehensive. That person held up a hand, preventing them from
speaking out, and proceeded to walk over slowly. Zhao Kun immediately stood up
and offered his seat. That person sat down in a leisurely fashion and looked at Bo
Jinyan, seated opposite him.

Even as Jian Yao’s heart leaped in agitation, she carefully assessed the man.

He looked to be only 32 or 33 years old, very tall, and of ordinary appearance.

However, his eyes were incredibly dark and brilliant. He wore a long, unlined tunic
made of linen, with linen trousers, and his hands were very slender and fair. He
seemed to possess an indescribable temperament. Could one say that he looked
ferocious? Not at all, he even looked extremely calm. However, did one feel that he
was easy to get along with? No, not at all. He was clearly especially quiet, but
looking at him would cause one to tremble in apprehension.

Bo Jinyan unhurriedly tapped his fingers on the chessboard, and then he smiled.

He said, “A real boss, a boss whom I, Smiling Snake, would follow, must be calm
and unwavering, with a resolute will. He would plan and execute his schemes from
afar, without needing to personally spend the night running around and getting
muddy. He is cautious and does not trust people easily. However, once his trust has
been gained, then it would be plain sailing to a high position* and grand
ambitions*. On the other hand, if one betrays him, then one would be ruthlessly*
hunted down to and left to die without a proper grave*.

*T/N 青云直上 (qing yun zhi shang) – lit. rising straight up in a clear sky; 乘风破浪
(cheng feng po lang) – lit. to brave the wind and the billows, to have high
ambitions; 赶尽杀绝 (gan jin sha jue) – lit. to kill the last one, to exterminate,
ruthless; 死无葬身之地 (si wu zhang shen zhi di) – lit. to die without a burial site/ to
die as a pauper.

He has exceedingly good taste. Although I can’t see, I think his clothes, how he
presents himself, his temperament, would be vastly different from these reckless
simpletons.

Within these past ten years, Buddha’s Hand was able to rise rapidly to become the
strongest organisation in the southwest. Moreover, the police are absolutely
unable to figure out its routines and methods. The boss must have extraordinary
intelligence, perception, patience, and ferocity, to be able to achieve this.”

Qin Sheng sneered and said, “This bullsht . . .” Before he could finish speaking, that
man glanced at him and he shut up. When Zhao Kun, who was next to him, saw this,
he could not help laughing before berating him softly, “Stupid cnt.” People are
praising the boss, and you called them bullsh*t, isn’t this saying the boss is not so
great right in front of him? If that isn’t stupidity, then what is it?
That man smiled slightly and held his hand out to Bo Jinyan. “I am Buddha’s
Hand.”

Since Bo Jinyan could not see, his hand naturally did not move. In a surprising
move, Buddha’s Hand patiently said, “Let’s shake hands.”

Bo Jinyan stretched out his hand and shook hands with that man. His voice
showed his excitement as he said, “I . . . am Smiling Snake.”

Jian Yao watched silently from beside him.

Who knew that Buddha’s Hand would look at her and ask, “Who’s this?”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly and rested his hand on her shoulder. “My woman, my eyes.
She has been with me since I drifted into the jianghu, my one and only beloved
sweetheart.”
In truth, Bo Jinyan had uttered such words before in bed. However, Jian Yao did
not expect him to go into ‘Smiling Snake mode’ and channel his personality, saying
the words so freely and naturally with a hint of unrestrained rashness. Still, she
managed to smile coldly and nod her head in acknowledgement of Buddha’s Hand
while saying, “Boss.” She maintained her persona of a cold-faced female killer.

Buddha’s Hand laughed and said to Bo Jinyan, “Wah, while drifting with her, did
you drift into bed, too?”

Bo Jinyan broke into loud laughter as he continued to hold Jian Yao’s waist tightly,
giving the impression that he was very unsettled by the implication, and at the
same time, was very fond of Jian Yao.
Buddha’s Hand asked, “Where is it?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “In the yard of the place we stayed at last night. Face west and
dig for about two and a half feet. You’ll find it.”

Buddha’s Hand gave Zhao Kun a look, whereupon he immediately left, taking
several people with him. Buddha’s Hand smiled faintly and said, “You have brought
me something I wanted. Buddha’s Hand has Buddha’s heart and I have always
made a clear distinction between reward and punishment, gratitude and grudges.
What do you hope for as repayment?”

Bo Jinyan was briefly silent before smiling slowly. Jian Yao also smiled faintly in
concert with him.

“I hope . . .” said Bo Jinyan, “to stay in Buddha’s Hand and rise rapidly to a high
position, to run wild.”

——

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan returned to that room.

Jian Yao asked, “Will he believe us?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “If he didn’t believe us, we would be dead by now. In fact, if they
had even the slightest suspicion about us, we would have died several times
already from the time we stepped into this inn.”

Jian Yao recalled how he had dealt with the crowd of gangsters just now, and the
frank assurance with which he had spoken. It all felt like a dream. This guy, he
really had no fear in any situation, ‘run wild’ indeed . . .

Bo Jinyan changed the topic of discussion abruptly. “However, with the caution
and severity with which Buddha’s Hand operates, someone should already have
been sent out to investigate everything about me, Smiling Snake.”

Jian Yao was taken aback. “What do we do now?”

“Oh . . .” Bo Jinyan chuckled. “The two of us are missing, and the police must be in
a frenzy right now looking for us. Moreover, the killing of Smiling Snake, the
decimation of his gang, the attack on and sinking of Yue ge, these would all
definitely have been kept secret by the authorities, in order to avoid alerting the
enemy inadvertently. At this time, out of the blue, there are people inquiring about
Smiling Snake all over the place. Since Zhu Tao was able to obtain the precious
information in those notes, he’s clearly intelligent. The gangsters on the boat not
only did not die but were also captured by the police. Zhu Tao must know that I’m
posing as Smiling Snake. Now, someone is suddenly asking about information on
Smiling Snake, what does that show? Zhu Tao will surely see through their plans,
feed them false information, then follow the clues to find us. Mrs Bo, we are saved.”
Huh? Jian Yao blinked several times. According to him, this was not only not a bad
thing, but it was even a good thing? Could it be that even this was part of his plan?
This guy, even when coming up with a plan, he was the absolutely perfect schemer.
She felt more at ease. Taking Bo Jinyan’s hand, she asked, “So, Mr Bo, what should
we do now?”
Bo Jinyan squeezed her hand and casually said, “Mrs Bo, we will continue our
subterfuge as Smiling Snake and Rattlesnake and become part of Buddha’s Hand.
Before they figure out our true identities, we will find the masked killer who has
hidden himself in Buddha’s Hand. He knows our faces, and has probably already
recognised us by now. However, the masked killer will never actually accept a
position as anyone else’s underling. As a first-rate psychopathic serial killer,
criminals like Buddha’s Hand will seem to him to be nothing more than idiots.
Therefore, he will certainly not disclose his true identity to Buddha’s Hand. He
would also have his misgivings which prevent him from exposing our identities
immediately. So, using Buddha’s Hand to deal with the masked killer, and taking a
gamble to walk on the knife’s edge, is our way of survival.”

——

At the same time, someone was having a discussion on them.

In the small town, in an even more secluded building, Buddha’s Hand sat at a table,
quietly smoking a cigarette. Four men sat on the sofa next to him. This was the
secret place where the leaders of Buddha’s Hand held their meetings; ordinary
people were not allowed to enter at all.
Zhao Kun spoke up. “Ah Sheng, the two of us finally met them today, what do you
think?”

Qin Sheng said, “That man is very intelligent, as well as scheming and heartless,
but . . “

“But what?”

Qin Sheng smiled briefly. “I think he looks somewhat stupid, and what he says is
very stupid. There’s a fake naivety, haha.”

Zhao Kun also laughed. He looked at Buddha’s Hand and noticed that a small smile
tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“Ah Kun, when you returned last night, you suggested killing them. Now, what do
you think?” Buddha’s Hand asked.

Zhao Kun was sitting on the arm of the sofa, his arms behind his head, and leaning
against the wall. He replied, “No need to kill him, he is not the police.”

Of the other two men who had remained silent, one was in his thirties, with pale
skin, and a clean and bright appearance. However, he was clothed in leather, his
hair was dyed blonde, and his temperament was highly cruel and headstrong. He
hummed softly, then coldly asked, “How can you be sure?” This man’s name was
Gu An. Among those present, he and Zhao Kun were the most cruel and
headstrong, so they had a mutual dislike of each other.

The other person was only 27 or 28 years old, a thin man clad in black whose name
was Zheng Chen. Among those present, he was the only one carrying a gun, and he
sat closest to Buddha’s Hand. No matter what anyone said, he steadfastly stared at
the table in silence with half-closed eyes, as if he was dozing off.

In the face of Gu An’s doubt, Zhao Kun merely smiled and said, “Even if I told you,
you would not understand. Do you really not trust our boss’s judgement?”

Gu An glared coldly at him then looked at Buddha’s Hand.

Even though he was identified as Buddha’s Hand, his name in the jianghu was Song
Kun. He extinguished his cigarette and said, “Ah Kun is right, they are not the
police. In recent years, of all the undercover agents that we have encountered,
which of them has not been low-key and humble*? They might work hard to
advance, but they would never expose their sharp edges, their dangerous qualities.
Were any of them like this Smiling Snake, greedy, callous, and egotistical? He may
be blind, but he’s more intelligent than all of you. His personality sticks out too
much.” He smiled and said, “Ah Sheng is right, he’s a little naive in his belief in his
infallibility, and his EQ does not seem very high. But, it’s precisely because of this
that I dare to make use of this person. If someone has no shortcomings, such that it
is hard to grasp his personality, then this person is not showing his true self. Such a
person I would rather kill than to have him by my side.”

*T/N 夹着尾巴做人 (jia zhe wei ba zuo ren) – lit. be a human with a tail.

Qin Sheng, Zhao Kun, and Zheng Chen all nodded. Gu An smiled and said, “The
boss is best at perceiving things accurately.”

“But . . .” Qin Sheng asked, “his eyes, are they really blind?”

Gu An said, “Isn’t it as simple as getting Wen Rong here and asking him about it?”

Wen Rong arrived very soon.

There was one more unoccupied sofa in the room. When Wen Rong entered, he
greeted everyone with a slight smile, then sat on the vacant sofa. What Song Kun
was most pleased about in recent years was these five subordinates, whom
the jianghu had christened ‘The 5 Luohans*’ of Buddha’s Hand. He looked at Wen
Rong and asked, “That Smiling Snake has visited your clinic. Is he really blind?”

*T/N 罗汉 (luo han) – an abbreviated form of 阿罗汉 (ah luo han). Refers to an
arhat (Sanskrit), a holy man who has left behind all earthly desires and concerns
and attained nirvana (Buddhism).

Wen Rong took the cigarette Ah Kun offered him and inhaled deeply before lifting
his head to reply, “I didn’t check specifically. However, it should be genuine. I
carefully observed his bearing, his words and actions, He can’t possibly be faking it
so well.”
Chapter 111

Bo Jinyan’s inference was spot on. At this very moment, Zhu Tao was straining
every resource* to find them.

*T/N 焦头烂额 (jiao tou lan e) – lit. badly burned around the head (from trying to
put out a fire)

They were not on the sunken boat, and neither was the information. Their bodies
had not been dredged up. Zhu Tao firmly believed that they were still alive, but he
had no idea where they had drifted to. Thus, he intensified the search effort along
the waterways.

The gangsters on the boat were not dead, but even after severe interrogation, they
had no clear idea where the stronghold and hiding place of Buddha’s Hand was.
Zhu Tao was not sure how Buddha’s Hand operated internally, and how it
maintained secrecy, but, from this, he could see that the organisation was under
very tight control. Zhu Tao had also heard that Bo Jinyan had gone so far as to
pretend to be ‘Smiling Snake’ while on the boat, enabling him to escape calamity.
This made Zhu Tao laugh as well as moved him. He never imagined that this master
of criminal psychology would be able to fool a gang of criminals. That this had
occurred strengthened his conviction that Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan would not be
easily killed.

Today, he received news that someone was secretly looking for information about
Smiling Snake. This little clue made Zhu Tao wary. It should be noted that the small
gang run by Smiling Snake had been utterly wiped out after the second attack by
the police, such that it seemed as if they had vanished from the jianghu overnight.
Zhu Tao had also ensured that the news of Smiling Snake’s death was kept secret
for the time being. He had always liked to be cautious and maintain a low profile, in
order to leave room for manoeuvring in future.
Thus, Zhu Tao had been considering this little clue for quite a while, inferring
various possibilities.

First, who were they dealing with?

Before this incident occurred, Smiling Snake had been attacked and almost
completely extinguished by Zhu Tao, and had counter-attacked in desperation.
Recently, only Buddha’s Hand had significant interest in Smiling Snake.

The news of the destruction of Smiling Snake’s gang should have spread by now. If
Buddha’s Hand had received the news, then it should hold back and bide its time,
rather than make discreet enquiries at this time. Moreover, the enquiries are not
about the whereabouts of the information, but about Smiling Snake’s name,
surname, history . . .

Zhu Tao’s heart lurched violently, and an inconceivable notion surfaced in his
mind. This thought made his blood boil.

Buddha’s Hand had the information!

If they had the information, this meant that Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao had also fallen
into their hands — the night the boat sank had been full of darkness and confusion.
It was not impossible that someone would take advantage of the situation to take
them away.

However, if they had already discovered Bo Jinyan’s true identity, why go through
all the trouble of making enquiries about Smiling Snake?

He once again thought about what a gangster on the boat had said: “He said he
was Smiling Snake . . . he called our Yue ge ‘brother’, awfully domineering . ..”

He had deceived the gangster, maybe he had also tricked the big boss. After all,
those criminal investigators are highly capable of duping people.

The gears in Zhu Tao’s head kept turning. He called over one of his trusted
subordinates and repeatedly exhorted him. Finally, he said, “Keep an even closer
watch on Buddha’s Hand! The best scenario is that we’ll be able to follow the trail
all the way to their hideout!”

His subordinate left after receiving his orders. Zhu Tao pondered for a long time, for
his conjecture was truly frightening – by an unexpected turn of events, Jian Yao
and Bo Jinyan had already arrived at the hiding place of Buddha’s Hand and had
gone undercover. He sighed. The other two members of the Beijing Special Cases
Unit, Fang Qing and An Yan, were rushing over with an elite team upon hearing the
news. If they were unable to determine Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan’s whereabouts by
the time the team arrived, he might have to make his final move. That chess piece
which had been hidden for the past five years . . .

——

The person whom Buddha’s Hand sent out to make enquiries about Smiling Snake
was an astute and unremarkable man, a jianghu veteran called Ah Ming. Only, the
rumours were that Smiling Snake’s gang had been taken down, and very few
people had actually seen Smiling Snake’s face. In this short time, he could not
unearth any definite information.
Not two days later, Ah Ming heard that the police were also frantically searching
everywhere for Smiling Snake. This made him rather apprehensive, and his
subsequent actions were even more guarded.

It was with great difficulty that he worked through several layers of connections to
meet someone who claimed to have once been a subordinate of Smiling Snake. In
order to hide from the police, he hid so well that it was a challenge to find him.

They arranged to meet at a noisy restaurant downtown. To this end, he even paid a
30,000 yuan information fee.

The other party was a young man with unkempt hair and a bad appearance. Only
the scar on the web between his thumb and index finger and his barely visible
tattoos were evidence of his hidden identity. He eagerly asked for the money as
soon as he set eyes on Ah Ming. Ah Ming sneered and threw the envelope of money
at him. He carefully counted the money before breaking into a brief smile. Then, he
thrust the money tightly into his shirt pocket and asked, “What do you want to
ask?”

One by one, Ah Ming asked questions about Smiling Snake’s height, appearance,
past experiences and connections, which the other party answered simply and
clearly. Ah Ming then asked, “How did something like that happen on board the
boat?” The other party said wearily, “I don’t know. If I had been on the boat that
day, do you think I’d be sitting here today talking to you?”
“Does Smiling Snake have a lover?”

“Of course, she is so precious to him, like God knows what; he keeps her next to
him all the time. We can only watch.”

Ah Ming gave another smile and lit a cigarette for him. The two of them smoked for
a while before An Ming asked, “Have his eyes always been like that?”

“Always been like that,” the young man replied without looking up. He suddenly
started and asked, with great suspicion, “You’ve met our boss?”

Ah Ming smiled and kept silent.

——

The autumn weather was cool and refreshing, and the sky was bright and beautiful.
Jian Yao supported Bo Jinyan as they made their way downstairs. The courtyard,
where four men sat playing cards, was quiet when they reached it. Zhao Kun and
Qin Sheng were among them.

“Ah! Ah f**k you!” Gu An sneered as he plucked out a card and threw it on the table.
The expressions on the faces of the other three turned cold, but Gu An had already
swept away all the money on the table. He then looked up to glance at Jian Yao
and Bo Jinyan.

“Oh, Ah She* is here,” Qin Sheng said as he greeted them. Zhao Kun lit a cigarette
as usual and seemed to be indifferent to their presence. Zheng Chen looked up at
them without saying anything.

*T/N 蛇 (she) = snake, the use of 阿 (ah) denotes familiarity of sorts. Because ‘Ah
Snake’ sounds strange, we’ll use ‘Ah She’ instead’.

“People at the same table opposing each other measure for measure – they must
be of the same status,” Bo Jinyan whispered into Jian Yao’s ear. Jian Yao
maintained her persona of a cold-faced female killer and swept them a glance
before pulling out a chair and guiding Bo Jinyan to sit down.
“The two of them are still whispering to each other,” Qin Sheng said with a smile.
The other three also smiled. Bo Jinyan coolly replied, “Naturally.” Then he kissed
Jian Yao.

“Play a hand?” Ah Kun asked. The other three also looked at him.

“How can a blind man play cards?” Zheng Chen said.

“I have my eyes,” Bo Jinyan stated.

Zheng Chen stopped his questioning. Jian Yao sat by Bo Jinyan and drew cards for
him, whispering what they were into his ear. The two of them worked together
extremely well. Even though Gu An and the others were veteran card sharks, they
lost in the first round. Bo Jinyan had Jian Yao collect all the money as he looked
towards Zheng Chen and said, “Can blind men play cards?” Zheng Chen laughed
and said, “Can.” Qin Sheng said, “Aiyo, you managed to make Ah Chen laugh, the
man who hasn’t laughed in hundreds of years. Snake ge, you are definitely
talented.” Bo Jinyan laughed and said, “He’s simply too juvenile.” That phrase
caused all the men to laugh, except Zheng Chen.
At this time, Gu An drew out a mobile phone from his inner pocket and tossed it to
Zheng Chen, saying, “You asked me to get you one. You can use it when you get
outside.”

Zheng Chen caught it. It was a new mobile phone. He smiled slightly and sat on one
side to play with it.

Among those people, Zheng Chen had a slightly better relationship with Gu An.

Ah Kun handed Bo Jinyan a cigarette and lit it for him. Bo Jinyan smoked it with
practised movements. Qin Sheng also offered Jian Yao a cigarette, saying, “Sister-
in-law, would you like one?” Jian Yao was about to accept it when Bo Jinyan said,
“She can’t smoke.” He inhaled a lungful of smoke and drew a card at the same time
while saying, “I plan to get her pregnant.”

These were true words. These emotions, this situation; in the midst of this group of
people, Jian Yao looked at Bo Jinyan, blind and wearing sunglasses, and suddenly
felt a surge of warm emotion. She used her finger to flick away the cigarette Qin
Sheng was offering her and said, “Fine, I won’t smoke.” Looking up, she observed
what Bo Jinyan looked like at that moment. There was a faint smile at the corners
of his mouth, and he looked like a fanatic. She felt an overwhelming wave of love
for him.

However, in order to survive, to wipe out this criminal gang, to find the masked
killer, he could turn into the kind of person he hated, without revealing a single
thing.

Amidst the smoke curling around the card table, Jian Yao looked up and
surreptitiously, carefully took stock of these people. Generally speaking, these men
were Song Kun’s trusted aides. However, she could sense that, although they were
Song Kun’s subordinates, they were more like brothers, and their relationship was
very deep.

The masked killer . . . was he among them?

The most amiable-looking person was Qin Sheng. From the past two days, it
looked as if Song Kun had handed over some financial matters to him to manage.
Also, he had never been seen with a gun or knife or anything like that. He had been
with Song Kun for seven or eight years.

Zhao Kun, Zheng Chen and Gu An had been with Song Kun for at least three years.
From the perspective of time, none of them seemed to fit the identity of the
masked killer. They were all similarly brave and tough as nails, and were the
‘generals’ of Song Kun’s subordinates. Zhao Kun was the steadiest and the oldest,
Zheng Chen was taciturn and the youngest, while Gu An had a brash personality,
and was between them in age.

However, at this time, Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan could not possibly ask directly: Who
used the axe in that case at the border a year ago? For one, the men of Buddha’s
Hand would be suspicious, for another, what if the person they asked was the
masked killer?

What’s more, why hadn’t the masked killer exposed the fact that they were from
the police to Buddha’s Hand? Bo Jinyan explained it thus: “First of all, from the
masked killer’s point of view, this is an extremely stimulating challenge. How could
he end it so easily? Secondly, if he really exposed them, Song Kun would definitely
investigate to get to the heart of the situation. The masked killer is hiding many
secrets and is clearly not on the same road as they are. How could he be willing to
lay bare his true self in front of them?”

……

Unexpectedly, Zhao Kun asked, “Smiling Snake, I heard the police are looking
everywhere for you?”

Bo Jinyan smiled and inhaled before saying, “So what?” Jian Yao jolted, and was
quietly ecstatic.

Zhao Kun smiled and asked, “Not planning to go back? Want to stay with Buddha’s
Hand?”

Bo Jinyan exhaled and replied, “It would take a strong and courageous person to
resume one’s former position and start from scratch*.”

*T/N 东山再起 (dong shan zai qi) – lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on
Mt. Dongshan; fig. to make a comeback, to resume one’s former position, to return
to power, to start from scratch.

Zhao Kun laughed, Qin Sheng laughed, even Zheng Chen laughed. They were
laughing at this Smiling Snake, that even though he was such a capable and
powerful character, his words and bearing were truly a little simple and foolish,
exaggeratedly fake and put on. At the side, Gu An scoffed and said, “You think you
can make a comeback with Buddha’s Hand? F**k you.” He had always been a
difficult person to deal with, poking at everyone he met. Zhao Kun and the others
paid him no mind.

Bo Jinyan raised his head and exhaled in the direction the sound had come from.
“Whether I can or not, it’s not you who has the final word. Brave but foolish pig!”

Ah Kun and the others burst out in hearty laughter. Gu An’s face turned white in an
instant, and he suffered a coughing fit due to the smoke that Bo Jinyan had
exhaled his way. He was about to make a move, and Jian Yao, ever ready, was
about to stop him, when a gentle voice was heard from behind them.

“Ah She, I want to talk to you about something.”

Everyone put down their cards and stood up.

It was Song Kun. He looked at Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan with a bright expression and
a smile.
Chapter 112

After Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao had left, silence seemed to fall over the yard. His face
indifferent, Zhao Kun stood up and said, “Not playing anymore, I‘m going to have a
smoke.” Qin Sheng looked up at the clock and said, “I should go and see to the
accounts.”

Zheng Chen had already left with Song Kun. No matter who he met, Zheng Chen
would always be very close by to protect him. Gu An chuckled softly, as if laughing
at his companions’ sudden evasive behaviour. He also walked out of the yard.

Zhao Kun lived in a black, detached house next to the inn. His nature was such that
he liked quiet and simplicity, so there was hardly any decoration, and the walls
were plainly painted. He loved gardening, so the entire yard was crawling with
green, causing this dark house to be quite eye-catching.

However, his woman was sloppy and crazy. She was 30 years old and had also
committed crimes. Due to one opportune incident, she had met and fallen in with
Zhao Kun, and had stayed with him till the present. Although Zhao Kun sometimes
fooled around outside, this woman did not care. After all, she was the one living in
the house. She is the woman of one of Buddha’s Hand’s Five Luohans; how many
people in the jianghu would have to address her as ‘elder sister-in-law’?
When Zhao Kun returned home that day, he heard the woman dancing in the room,
and he reckoned she was still drinking. He did not greet her but went straight to his
own room. The woman was not allowed into this room, which was full of firearms.
Several brothers from Buddha’s Hand had visited it to admire the contents and
were full of praise.

Zhao Kun lit a cigarette and sat by the window to smoke. In these past few years,
his tobacco addiction had worsened, and drugs too had come into the picture. He
felt like his lungs were about to rot, leaving behind a huge cavity. But, today, he
smoked with some measure of anxiety, one cigarette after another, all the while
staring at the building next door – the inn of Buddha’s Hand.

No gunshots were heard, and the figures of those two people did not appear
anywhere.
After Zhao Kun had finished smoking, he sat in the boss’s chair behind the table.
The taste of nicotine made him feel relaxed, and he smiled faintly as he rested his
hands behind his head. What came to mind was the first time he had stood outside
Bo Jinyan’s yard. Through the window, he saw the blurred silhouettes of the two
people. Then, he threw his cigarette butt into the mud and turned his head to tell
his subordinates, “They are most probably the police. Tomorrow, report this to the
boss, then get rid of them.”

However, these two people had now become the hot new upstarts of Buddha’s
Hand.

Their lives were really long.

Zhao Kun smiled meaningfully.

At the same time, Qin Sheng actually did return to the accounts office on the first
floor of the inn, where he observed several of the accountants working under him
settling the accounts. From a young age, Qin Sheng had always liked everything to
do with numbers, and had even achieved an Accounting Certificate and become a
Certified Public Accountant. Later, when he joined Buddha’s Hand, his presence
caused Buddha’s Hand to grow more powerful*. After working together for more
than two years, Buddha’s Hand felt at ease giving him control over all the financial
issues. If one were to ask who among the Five Luohans was most likely to have the
trust of Buddha’s Hand, Qin Sheng reckoned it would be himself. Ahh . . . Buddha’s
Hand could not do without him. It could even be said that, since he controlled the
accounts, he controlled part of the lifeline of Buddha’s Hand.
*T/N 如虎添翼 (ru hu tian yi) – lit. like a tiger that has grown wings; fig. with
redoubled power.

Qin Sheng smiled slightly as he thought about this.

Then he looked up at the floor above. The Smiling Snake couple had been inside
for a long time and had not come down yet.

He shot his trusted subordinate a meaningful look. His usual smiling demeanour
had been replaced with a somewhat gloomy and cold expression. As if this was the
man’s true nature.
“Watch them closely,” Qin Sheng said softly. “If there’s any sign of trouble*, report
to me as soon as possible. Report to me, understand?”

*T/N 风吹草动 (feng chui cao dong) – lit. the wind blows and the grass moves; fig. a
sign of disturbance or trouble.

——

Out of them all, Gu An was probably the most extravagant and wasteful scoundrel.
He occupied the tallest building to the east of the inn and had even specially called
for 20 younger brothers to overhaul it. Although transportation in this small town
was a challenge, he insisted on seeking special permission from Buddha’s Hand
and brought in a load of imported furniture.

Of course, he had gifted Buddha’s Hand with a set of top-grade mahogany

furniture, which he liked very much, thus, giving others no way to raise a voice of
dissent.

He always had three women at home. If any of them became displeasing to his
eyes, he would exchange them for someone new. His home was full of red wine. He
liked fur, and often went hunting by himself in the mountains nearby. He would
skin foxes and rabbits while they were still alive to make furs for himself to wear
and to give to those women. It goes without saying that his craftsmanship was
commendable, and the furs he made were exceptionally glossy and sleek.

Like the others, he was addicted to smoking and drugs. Everyone in Buddha’s Hand
knew, if Gu An laoda’s* drug addiction flared up, that would be the scariest thing;
he might even cut someone down when he captured them. Thus, everyone hid far,
far away from him. Unlike Zhao Kun’s spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice and
assertive manner, or Qin Sheng’s preference for trying diplomacy before violence,
his style of managing the younger brothers was exceedingly strict and
unreasonable. If he felt a connection with someone, he was even willing to give
that person one of his women, as well as distribute money in huge amounts.
Whoever irritated him, no matter how capable he had proven himself to be, he
would still beat up* that person roundly. However, these past few years, he had
been the subordinate who had made the greatest contributions to Buddha’s Hand,
and was also the most influential. Buddha’s Hand also seemed to be extremely
tolerant of this subordinate who lived larger than life. Thus, even though Zhao Kun
and Qin Sheng were not happy with Gu An’s emergence, they gradually realised
that they could only treat him as an equal.
*T/N 老大 (lao da) – refers to the eldest child in a family, or the leader of a gang.

*T/N 体无完肤 (ti wu wan fu) – lit. cuts and bruises all over; fig. totally refuted.

Now, Gu An entered the building. The first thing he did was to pick up a bottle of
wine and drink until his senses were fuzzy. At this point, a woman wound herself
around him and slipped a hand into his crotch. Gu An pushed her to one side with
one swift move and said, sneeringly, “Get lost! Why don’t you look in a mirror and
see what you look like?” The woman was so terrified that she hurriedly ran into the
room. The other two ladies also did not dare to come out; they knew that he was in
a foul mood today, even if they did not know what had gotten his goat.

Gu An stumbled his way upstairs by himself, closed the door, slumped into the
chair and discarded the wine. He gazed at the hazy sky outside the window and
sighed slowly.

He also stared at the inn. However, that place remained silent and devoid of
movement.

Ahhh . . . Smiling Snake.

The Smiling Snake who was about to enter Buddha’s Hand and be on equal footing
with him. Gu An laughed loudly. All of a sudden, Gu An grabbed a rifle from the
table. With quick and violent movements, like a cheetah, he rushed to the window
in a flash and aimed in the direction of the inn.

He maintained his aim, motionless.

Gangsters walked past, but he paid them no heed.

Some town residents walked past, but he also paid them no heed.

Until . . . a familiar figure came into sight.

Tall and thin, short black hair, wearing a white lab coat, with a medical bag in his
hand. That person walked calmly in front of the inn, probably there to treat
someone.

What Gu An most disliked was the doctor’s constantly dignified and refined
appearance. He smiled slyly and lowered his head to take aim.

A silencer was affixed to the muzzle.

However, when the bullet shot out of the window, passed through the branches,
flew with the wind and zoomed along the street to finally land on the ground
beneath Wen Rong’s feet, he was still very surprised. Wen Rong reflexively placed
the medical bag on his head and crouched beneath the eaves of a nearby building.

Wen Rong’s pale face turned even paler. He drew in a steadying breath and looked
around. The windows of the surrounding buildings were all empty; there was no
one there. His face turned cold, and he walked away with quick steps.

Zheng Chen leaned against the wall in the corridor. He was holding a gun, and his
expression was calm.

Some gangsters passed by one end of the corridor. Taking in his appearance, they
knew that Buddha’s Hand was discussing something with someone, and did not
dare to come over and bother him.

Zheng Chen was an expert in keeping still. Once, in order to kill someone at the
behest of Buddha’s Hand, he had crouched in the rainforest at the border for three
days and nights continuously. Even though he was bleeding from insect and snake
bites all over his body, he behaved as if nothing had happened. When he finally
killed his target, he cut off the person’s head and brought it back to Buddha’s
Hand.

Everyone said he was Buddha’s Hand’s shadow. He was also willing to be a

shadow, because being a shadow was not something everyone could do. That is to
say, Buddha’s Hand willingly and confidently had you cover his back, you and you
alone. You learned all his secrets, and although you looked like a shadow, you saw
the most darkness and trickery.
Chapter 113

The second hand of the clock on the wall ticked away. Zheng Chen was a study in
concentration* as he had already waited for more than half an hour. When did his
thoughts start distracting him?

*T/N 眼观鼻鼻观心 (yan guan bi bi guan xin) – lit. eyes looking at the nose, nose
looking at the heart. The person in question is looking down, which depending on
the context, can indicate humility, obedience, concentration etc.

With Zhao Kun’s entrance, Qin Sheng’s increasing importance, Gu An’s rise, and
now this Ah She . . . Zheng Chen furrowed his brows slightly, raised his head and
looked at the tightly shut room door. Many times previously, whenever Buddha’s
Hand met someone, he had always brought him along. This time, he only allowed
him to wait outside the door.

What were they talking about? That even required him to stand guard?

A surge of cold gripped his chest. After a moment of silence, he looked up and saw
that there was no one either in or outside the corridor, only him.

He took a few steps towards the door.

The soundproofing of Buddha’s Hand’s office was excellent. However, it was not
completely sealed off. He shut his eyes, calmed his mind, and carefully listened to
the barely audible voices.

——

“Ah She, help me check something.”

Song Kun stood at the window. Outside the window, the river and mountains cast
their green shadows. At a glance, he looked to be simply a handsome, bright and
steady man. However, the almost imperceptible movements of his fingers betrayed
an indeterminate sense of something deep and profoundly felt.
Jian Yao sat next to Bo Jinyan and quietly watched the first real confrontation
between the two men.

Bo Jinyan’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest as he laughingly said, “Boss,

whatever it is, go ahead and brief me.” His tone was lax and his voice was ice-cold.
Jian Yao could not help mentally awarding him another 100 points.

Song Kun turned around, smiled, and walked over to sit down in front of the table.
He lit a cigar and offered one to Bo Jinyan. Remembering that Bo Jinyan could not
see, he glanced at Jian Yao. However, before Jian Yao could speak, Bo Jinyan had
sniffed, then said, “Cigar? The taste is too strong, I don’t like it.”

Song Kun laughed and tossed the cigar back into the box. Following that, he stared
at Bo Jinyan and said, “I’m very happy that you brought that thing to me. However,
if you want to join Buddha’s Hand and become my right-hand man, this is not
enough. Thus, I want you to do one more thing. One more very important thing.
Once you’ve completed it, you will be my brother in Buddha’s Hand. The other
brothers will not make any objection.

Bo Jinyan grinned widely and said, “What is it? As long as I can do it.”

Song Kun did not reply immediately but retrieved the information from a drawer.
As his long, slender fingers gently stroked the cover, he asked, in a voice that had
abruptly turned cold, “Smiling Snake, how did you get this information?”

Jian Yao was deeply shaken.

Indeed, the information recorded many secrets about the organisation of Buddha’s
Hand. If all the clues were meticulously traced back, there would even be an
opportunity to wipe out* Buddha’s Hand. When Song Kun had seen the contents,
he had most likely suffered a fright. In truth, Jian Yao and the others had no idea
how Smiling Snake had received the news and attacked Zhu Tao to snatch the
information before heading for Buddha’s Hand with the intent of presenting him
with this treasure. That Buddha’s Hand was asking about this now – was it to probe
them, or was it doubt?

*T/N 一锅端 (yi guo duan) – lit. to take even the cooking pots
Whichever it was, the first order of importance was absolutely not to show
ignorance. Consequently, Jian Yao first allowed a meaningful smile to show on her
face. In an instant, Song Kun’s astute gaze had landed on her. His deep black eyes
seemed to understand everything.

Jian Yao’s enigmatic smile remained unchanged.

At this time, a slow smile appeared on Bo Jinyan’s face. He said, “Last month, Zhu
Tao did away with eight of my brothers. Some were captured, and some were shot
dead. Of course, I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine*. His wife and
children are in Kunming (capital of Yunnan), so I sent someone over there . . . the
information was gleaned from his wife.”

*T/N 以其人之道，还治其人之身 (yi qi ren zhi dao, hai zhi gi ren zhi shen) – an
idiom from Song dynasty neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi, meaning to use an opponent’s
own methods to gain retribution.

Jian Yao did not expect him to spout such nonsense with such earnestness*. After
Song Kun had listened to all this, he muttered to himself irresolutely. Then, he
clapped his hands and said, “Enduring humiliation as part of an important mission,
finding an alternative route, reversing the situation – Ah She, I didn’t misjudge
you.”

*T/N 煞有其事 (sha you qi shi) – to make a show of being very much in earnest

Bo Jinyan smiled. “You won’t misjudge me. What the hell is it that you want me to
do?”

His tone was somewhat impatient, but Song Kun stared at him unhurriedly and
smiled before saying, “Ah She, although you are intelligent, you lack experience.
You were able to get hold of this information, but you never once thought, why was
Zhu Tao able to get hold of this information?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “He has chased after us, investigated us for so many years; you
mean to say that this information is not the result of his investigation?”
Song Kun laughed icily and said, “Even if he investigated us for ten years, there is
some information that the police, being on the outside, would find it very hard to
dig up. The contents even touched on the details of some of my business
transactions.”

Jian Yao’s eyes widened suddenly, while Bo Jinyan’s face changed. “You mean . . .”

Song Kun looked at the two of them and slowly nodded. “There is a traitor by my
side. Zhu Tao is not a simple person. He buried a pawn deep beside me.
Additionally, this person must be of a fairly high rank, otherwise he would not
know those secrets.”

“Actually, I have had my suspicions for a very long time. These last few years, I have
lost goods three times, all of which were No. 4*. The losses ran into the millions.
The people who delivered the goods also went missing. The others thought these
people were merely double-crossing* me, but I suspected they had been captured
by the police. It was only because they couldn’t find this place and thus had no way
to convict me that no further action was taken.”

*T/N No. 4 – we’re not sure what this refers to, possibly the type of goods in
question.

*T/N 黑吃黑 (hei chi hei) – lit. black eats black; fig, doing the dirty on another
villain

“You are newcomers, and have no interest in or association with anyone. Apart
from me, only you two have seen this information. To add to this, Smiling Snake is
so intelligent and astute, I think only the two of you are able to handle the
situation.”

“Help me uncover this policeman, and I will make mincemeat of him as a warning
to others. Then, Smiling Snake, you will take over his position.”

——

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao strolled along the river bank. It was going to be dark soon.
The winding river, with the reflection of the green mountains superimposed on it,
seemed endless. There were no boats at all on the river. This was indeed a little
corner forgotten by the world, an abandoned city.

The two of them walked along in silence for a while. Jian Yao said, “Buddha’s Hand
has set us a problem.”

“Yeah,” Bo Jinyan sighed. “If we really find that police officer, he will surely die, and
we will consequently gain Buddha’s Hand’s complete trust. If we can’t find him . . .”

“What will happen if we can’t find him?”

“Buddha’s Hand has no reason to consider us of use to him. If we are unable to find
him and get rid of the traitor in his inner circle, being outsiders who have seen the
organisation’s confidential information . . .” Bo Jinyan smiled coldly. “What do you
think he will do to us?”

Jian Yao’s heart sank. This Buddha’s Hand had an air of refinement about him, but
in reality he was always thinking deeply, scheming away, and being ruthlessly
vicious. It was a challenge to deal with him. On thinking about it, they also did not
know how the masked killer perceived Song Kun. He was hiding within the
organisation of Buddha’s Hand, but apart from hiding, why else was he there? Had
he been attracted by Song Kun’s charisma . . . or did he have some hidden motive?

“That means to say, Song Kun has, by his side, right now, not only a police officer,
but also the masked killer,” Jian Yao said.

“Yes.” Bo Jinyan smiled faintly as he said, “Don’t you feel that this situation has
become even more interesting? Actually, the minute Song Kun started talking
today, I knew what his goal was. However, appropriately acting the fool was able to
satisfy his arrogance and desire for control.”

There was a faint glimmer in his eyes because he was excited by the stimulating,
thrilling confrontation that was nigh. That was his arrogant, self-confident nature.
On the other hand, Jian Yao was unable to relax. As Bo Jinyan had said before,
previously, no matter what the case, no matter the danger and the risk of death,
they had always been the enforcers of the law, investigating and pursuing the
criminals. However, this time, they were right in the thick of things.
“What should we do?” Jian Yao asked.

Bo Jinyan took off his sunglasses and closed his eyes. He faced the river, so that
she could only see his side profile. The wind blew softly over this short hair and
cheeks. In spite of everything, he was still calm and confident. Slowly and
deliberately, he said, “They are very likely among those few people. We have to be
faster than Buddha’s Hand in finding them. It is time to draw up the profiles of the
police officer and the killer.”
Chapter 114

The evening breeze blew gently. In the twilight, Bo Jinyan’s face had become hazy.
Jian Yao looked into his eyes and her heart jumped silently. However, when he
spoke his voice was as low and as firm as before.

“Once, the FBI ascertained the identity of a person suspected to be the masked
killer. His name was Jam, 26 years old, blonde, blue eyes, born and raised in
America. He had started to commit crimes due to his wife’s death in a medical
incident, which caused him to have a deep hatred for medical personnel. The
masked killer was dubbed so because he always wore a mask when killing people.
His commonly used murder tool was an axe, which corresponded with Jam’s
having grown up on a farm . . .”

Jian Yao thought back to several years ago. At that time, she had also read the
information on the masked killer.

That was quite a number of years ago.

The masked killer had kidnapped quite a few hostages at the same time and had
imprisoned them in a deserted house by the sea. The hostages were all family
members of medical personnel, and among them was Fu Ziyu’s childhood
sweetheart and fiance, Han Yumeng.

He killed one person a day, right in front of the trapped girls. Incomparable cruelty,
incomparable anger, incomparable pain.

Until one day, university student Bo Jinyan took the initiative to offer his assistance
to the police, and drew up an accurate profile of the masked killer.

The masked killer probably knew that the end was near. Unbelievably, he posed
the girls a difficult problem – he only wanted one person, a volunteer, to
accompany him as he set off to sea, towards life or death. Then, he would release
everyone else. Otherwise, all of them would die.
Han Yumeng stepped forward.

The two of them sailed out to sea. After that, the police launched a full-scale
pursuit and finally found a shipwreck. They thereby concluded that the pair had
run into a storm at sea, from which there was virtually no chance of survival. Case
closed.

From that time, Fu Ziyu had lived a kind of weary half-life.

Until Han Yumeng and the masked killer returned together.

……

Jian Yao looked up at Bo Jinyan in fear, but heard his voice, like clear river water,
saying, “Right now, we can overturn all the conclusions we have drawn on the
masked killer.”

The night air was tinged with cold, and only the two of them were along the long
river bank. Jian Yao held his hand tightly; both of their hands were cold. She pulled
at his hand so that they both sat down on the pebble-strewn river bank. No one
could overhear their conversation, only the river murmured as it flowed past.

“When he returned last year, he brought a helper. This is contrary to what the FBI
have all along maintained about him committing crimes alone. This can also
explain how he and Han Yumeng were able to be rescued when they encountered
the big storm at sea and their boat sank — because, from the very beginning, it
wasn’t him committing the crimes by himself, but a good number of people.

The second point of doubt is that he always wore a mask while committing crimes
in America. If he only wanted revenge for himself, if he had already prepared from
the start to flee to the furthest reaches of the world and for his identity to be
quickly ascertained by the police — then why did he still wear a mask? Not even a
single survivor had seen his actual face. What was he trying to hide?” Bo Jinyan
continued to ask rhetorically.

“In order to . . .” Jian Yao looked into his eyes, “conceal his identity.”
“Yes. But why cover up the fact that a gang had committed the crimes? Always
making the police think that a single person had committed the crimes? Do you
still remember the case last year? They set up a sniper maze, they set up passwords
and explosives, and they finally confronted me with a difficult choice – saving you
or blindness . . . they definitely wanted to exact revenge on me, but they made all of
this into a game!”

Jian Yao was dumbstruck, and she was gripped by an icy sensation. But, Bo
Jinyan’s expression, as she looked at him, was quiet and cold, like a sculpture.

“Yes,” he said, “a game. No matter if it was the masked killer case from that year, or
the previous year’s cases, where they are concerned, it was all just a game, a game
played for the world to see, a game for them to look back on and ponder over!”

Jian Yao’s heart jumped in her chest. The surroundings were so quiet, but she
alone felt a strange force that was shaking her to the core, mirroring that in Bo
Jinyan’s heart, as a result of their impending direct stand-off with the masked
killer.

“He has an extreme* psychopathic personality,” she said with certainty.

*T/N Ding Mo inserted a row of asterisks between ‘extreme’ and ‘personality’ in the
original text. It’s anyone’s guess as to what was intended! For the purposes of this
translation, I will assume it is ‘psychopathic’.

“Indeed.” The corners of Bo Jinyan’s mouth lifted in his usual arrogant chuckle. It
was as if he was expressing his hatred for all these savage, brutal criminals. Then,
his clear reasoning came through like torrent of river water:

“Let’s call the head of this criminal gang ‘masked killer’ for the time being. He has
an extremely psychopathic personality, and has attracted a group of criminals with
a similar psychopathic personality. He precisely planned and directed many of the
crimes they committed. That year, he was so familiar with criminal organisations
that he was able to succeed in crossing the border illegally. Therefore, he cannot be
too young; he is at least 30 years old at the present time.

We can confirm that he is male.

That year, many of the female victims in the cases in America were Chinese. In the
end, the person he was willing to keep by his side was Han Yumeng. Relatively
speaking, the probability of crimes that cross ethnicities is comparatively low.
Moreover, my inference is that he is hiding within the organisation of Buddha’s
Hand at the moment, and there are no foreigners holding high positions there.
Thus, we can infer that he is Chinese. The blonde Jam that was identified that year
was only a scapegoat.

In disposition, he is extremely arrogant, cruel, and stubborn, and it is extravagantly

clear that he gets his kicks out of toying with people. There is a very high possibility
that he enjoys ‘role-playing’; in other words, he has the first signs of schizophrenia.

He probably returned to China several years ago and joined Buddha’s Hand. After
committing the crime last year, he once again returned to hide within Buddha’s
Hand. This, to him, is a safe place. However, when he joined the organisation, he
clearly did not bring his subordinates with him. For one, these small-time gang
members would have easily aroused the suspicions of Buddha’s hand; for another,
doing so would have exposed his full strength, and also would not square with his
attitude of currently relying on Buddha’s Hand while still looking down on these
criminals. Thus, he would not have done so.

However, although both he and Xie Han* are high IQ, psychopathic criminals, he
falls short of Xie Han by far.”

*T/N Xie Han is the name of the ‘Flower Canninal’, the main villain in the first novel
featuring Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao, ‘When He Comes, Close Your Eyes’ (dramatised
as ‘Love Me if You Dare’).

On hearing this, Jian Yao was stunned. “Why?”

Very coolly, Bo Jinyan said, “Because there is a timidity deeply hidden in his
personality. If you think about it carefully, up till now, he has never confronted me
face-to-face. Xie Han, on the other hand, is full of self-confidence and sees himself
as an artist of crime. Do you remember, in Hong Kong, how Xie Han’s continuous
crime spree was intended to directly provoke me? In contrast, the masked killer
appears to make threatening gestures* and has even snared a group of perverted,
violent criminals as his accomplices, he imitated Xie Han in setting up challenges
for me but, in the end, he used a sneak attack to seriously injure me. In reality, Xie
Han is leagues ahead of him.”

*T/N 张牙舞爪 (zhang ya wu zhua) – lit. bare fangs and brandish claws; fig. to make
threatening gestures.

Jian Yao felt this was both funny and sad. True, the masked killer really did hide in
the shadows. But, what one had to know is that, where the police and law
enforcers are concerned, it is not the criminals’ direct provocation they are afraid
of, but precisely this kind of person who hides in the shadowy gutter and stabs one
in the back. Because justice always walks in the light, but a madman’s knife, or his
bullet, suddenly coming from behind, may take the life of a highly regarded,
brilliant detective who has solved countless cases.

From that time onward, she only wanted to continue to protect him.

If anyone wanted to kill him, it would be over her dead body.

This is what she was calmly thinking.

Bo Jinyan had not yet observed that the young woman in front of him was deep in
thought. As he continued reasoning, his voice even took on something of his usual
excitement. He held her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. In this way,
anyone spying on them from afar would just think that he was being intimate with
his sweetheart. He was really too meticulous and thorough.

He bowed his head and said, softly, “And so, my wifey, do you know what the most
crucial point that we have to analyse clearly is?”

Jian Yao looked up at his lower jaw. “What . . . is it?”

“What is he looking for?”

Chapter 115

Jian Yao’s gaze was as clear as water.

Bo Jinyan continued, “Although all that he did stemmed from his psychopathic
personality, his role-playing personality, his stubborn disposition . . deep in his
heart, he directed the masked killer case, as well as Han Yumeng’s revenge case.
There must be some reason prompting him to do this. Tell me, what is he looking
for?”

Jian Yao stared blankly without saying anything.

In her mind, all manner of details about these two cases started to appear . . .

A grieving man who avenges his dead wife;

Kidnapped girls who had all been separated from their loved ones;

He brought only Han Yumeng with him when he went out to sea, but he never killed
her, he kept her constantly by his side, drifting for several years . . .

Han Yumeng returned to hurt the man whom she had once loved the most;

Fu Ziyu and Han Yumeng were killed together;

The masked killer was hiding in the dark and sniggering;

......

She was trembling violently, and she even remembered that night in the
warehouse. Bo Jinyan had lost his footing and plummeted, while she hung in the
air, crying, and fainted away.

.....
“Love,” Jian Yao pronounced slowly and emphatically. “Has he really been using
these past few years, all that blood, to search for love?” This thought had arisen
unbidden in her mind, despite the logic of her deduction being unclear.

Bo Jinyan did not mock her in the slightest, but simply smiled slowly. “Yeah. What
he’s looking for is an earth-shattering love. He is fascinated by it because he has
never possessed it, because his heart has always been lonely. Thus, he is deeply
fascinated.”

“However,” Bo Jinyan said, as the thread of the conversation took a sharp turn,
“why his heart is so lonely, why he so desperately wants to experience affection, as
if by so doing he can find himself, how all this caused his sense of self-abasement
and arrogance – this is something we cannot discern at the moment. Only by truly
entering the heart of this individual can we uncover his secrets.”

Jian Yao was overwhelmed by emotion and had no way to verbally express what
she was currently feeling. The faces of those few people floated in her mind, but
which one was their target? That evil, ruthless, timid, psychologically abnormal
man?

“Where we are concerned, our opportunity is . . .” Bo Jinyan continued, “we came

here due to an entirely unexpected turn of events. Even the masked killer was
unprepared for us. Therefore, he has had no time to hide, and must continue to
show us his true, unconcealed self. Then, in this game featuring Buddha’s Hand as
the playing field, we will see who wins the first chip.”

Jian Yao nodded forcefully.

The two of them fell silent for a while. The river water slowly glided against the
pebbles by their feet, then retreated. Just like this deep, quiet night, with its
surging, dark undercurrent.

“As for that police officer, even though we know little about him, we can still
tangentially make some bold inferences.” Bo Jinyan went on to say, “Firstly, he
was specially selected by Zhu Tao. Let’s first analyse what kind of person Zhu Tao
is: possessing a deadly hatred for evil, with a steadfast will, bold yet cautious. He
has battled criminals in the southwest for more than ten years and has achieved
impressive victories. The steadfastness of his will is more than that of an ordinary
person’s, and he is more capable than most. So, what kind of young policeman
would he have selected some years ago to infiltrate Buddha’s Hand?”

After a moment’s contemplation, Jian Yao replied, “That person has to be

extremely outstanding, intelligent, decisive, and cautious. This is the only way he
can distinguish himself in Buddha’s Hand, as well as continually protect himself.
His willpower must be more than superhuman, his ability to endure patiently must
be exceptional, and his sense of justice and righteousness must be great. Then only
would Zhu Tao dare to put him in this position.”

Bo Jinyan nodded. “For him to be able to live under Song Kun’s nose for so many
years and achieve a high position, not only would he have to be astute and
decisive, he would clearly have to bear immense and contradictory psychological
pressure. However, he was recently able to figure out a way to get the information
to Zhu Tao, which shows he hasn’t turned traitor and still regards himself as a
police officer, worthy of our trust. But, he is not made of steel. He is under such
great internal stress, in such an unsettled situation, that he must surely exhibit
certain behaviours or habits whereby he is trying his best to steady himself.”

Jian Yao opened her eyes wide, thought briefly, nodded, and said, “Also, since he
has not turned traitor, with regard to his way of doing things, among those few
people, he would clearly try his best to avoid doing anything bad with his own
hands and killing innocent people. He can be swift and decisive, but he would
never be cruel and ruthless in his actions.”

“Moreover, the most important point,” Bo Jinyan smiled faintly as he said, “His
powers of observation are very strong and his thinking is deep. He must already
have observed us from his own perspective. That information, which will deal
Buddha’s Head a heavy blow, is also a result of many years of his blood and sweat,
and concerns victory or failure, as well as his life or death. He is almost Zhu Tao’s
most important chess move, and Zhu Tao will do his best to ensure that he has a
clear understanding of the situation*, which would make it safer for all. Before Zhu
Tao agreed to give us this information, do you think he would have informed this
police officer of the situation? I think it is highly likely because, at this critical
moment, neither of them can afford to make any missteps. If he really knows of our
existence, if he knows about Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao, then it is very likely he has
already guessed our identities. Then, we have added another criterion for
judgement – since our arrival in this little town, this person has not really caused
trouble for us, and may even have helped us.”

*T/N 耳聪目明 (er cong mu ming) – lit. have good eyes and ears

“Then, what should we do now?” Jian Yao asked.

Bo Jinyan was momentarily silent before putting on his sunglasses, lifting his head,
and smiling abruptly.

——

The next few days seemed calm.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao continued to stay at the inn. They played cards during the
day and became more familiar with those men and the other gang members. At
night, they would drink, smoke, and chit-chat, the very picture of a violent gang.
Occasionally, Song Kun would assign several gang members to assist them,
enabling them to get to know more of the gang. Due to their interactions in the
past few days, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao had more opportunities to observe those
few people and become more familiar with them.

Although he had yet to see any fruit from their undertaking of the primary task he
had set them, Song Kun was very satisfied with their method of doing things —
sufficiently low-key, remaining calm and collected. Smart people.

Song Kun had even assigned them a small house to reside in, not far from the inn.
The gang members had already tidied and cleaned it, so Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao
moved in.

Song Kun was evidently intelligent. Jian Yao searched the whole house and found
no surveillance cameras or listening devices. Thus, she felt relieved.

That night, all was serene, and the little town was especially quiet. The distant
mountains looked like slumbering wild beasts. In contrast, the night sky was
strewn with brilliant stars. Once in a while, they could hear the sound of men
laughing and talking

This was actually the first time in many days that Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao could
sleep soundly. Clean bed, soft bedding, gentle lights, with no one disturbing them.
They lay on the bed, clad in cheap pyjamas they had bought at the little store. Bo
Jinyan held Jian Yao’s hand. He was not wearing his sunglasses, but kept his eyes
closed. His features were delicate and beautiful.

“How do you think this little town came about?” Jian Yao asked. “How did it
become like this?”

“The slogans from the 1950s and 1960s are still on the walls, and the town seems to
be stuck in that era, including the clothes and the living habits of the small number
of residents,” Bo Jinyan said, “indicating that this place is an abandoned little
corner of the world, forgotten by civilisation. Buddha’s Hand occupation of this
town as their hiding place could possibly have further hindered their
communication and interaction with the outside world.”

“I heard that there are about 100 to 200 natives here. The rest are all members of
Buddha’s Hand, about 20 to 50 people. They control the little town’s only waterway
exit, and are armed with heavy firepower. That is to say, it’s going to be highly
dangerous on the day the police launch an all-out attack.”

“Yeah.”

Jian Yao leaned into his embrace. After a while, his hands moved upwards in
comforting strokes. Jian Yao whispered, “Are you still in the mood?” He replied,
“When the body is in action, the spirit quiets down. It will help us to relax even
better.” Jian Yao could not help laughing. He had already unerringly reached for
the bedside lamp and turned it off. In the darkness, Jian Yao’s breathing had
become ragged as his hands and mouth were extremely precise in finding various
positions. Jian Yao said, “You . . .” He said, “Obviously, I have now adapted to
darkness better than anyone else.” Jian Yao’s heart broke at these words, and she
bent her body to welcome him completely.

.....
During this period of time, Bo Jinyan also visited Wen Rong’s clinic once more to fill
another prescription. Naturally, whenever they went out these days, no matter
what they were doing, they always had one or two gang members following them.

Wen Rong still treated Bo Jinyan with gentleness. Sometimes, Bo Jinyan would
stay at the clinic a little longer in order to chat with him, but he did not show much
enthusiasm or sentiment. On the other hand, Wen Rong was candid and humorous,
always reminding Jian Yao of Fu Ziyu. She did not know if Bo Jinyan felt the same
way.

In the afternoon of the third day, Bo Jinyan went looking for Song Kun.

As before, in that secret office, a pot of tea, a cigar. Jian Yao sat silently at the side.

Song Kun was just lighting up when he heard Bo Jinyan’s cool and self-satisfied
voice say, “Boss, I know who the police officer is.”

The hand holding the cigar stopped in mid-air.

Chapter 116

Song Kun raised his eyes to look at Bo Jinyan with a faint smile.

Bo Jinyan’s face still bore that insufferably arrogant, self-satisfied expression. He

said, “Boss, the answer to who that person is, is in your heart.”

Song Kun’s eyes glittered slightly, but his expression remained calm.

However, Bo Jinyan began to speak frankly and confidently, without restraint.

“That you threw me this problem shows that you have been harbouring suspicions
for a while. And you are probably the person who understands these people best in
the entire world. If you don’t know the answer, who does?”

Song Kun glanced at him and sipped his tea slowly. With a cold expression, he said,
“Ah She, I think you still don’t know me well enough. I dislike people who talk in
circles.”

Bo Jinyan rubbed his nose briefly and said, “I’m not talking in circles. I wanted to
let you know that the person who makes the final judgement is no one else but
you. Speaking in terms of wisdom and intelligence, it is possible that I’m slightly
inferior to you, Boss.” Song Kun smiled, but the topic of conversation then took a
sharp turn. “However, watching people, finding people, biting people . . . Boss, in
these, the snake is more capable.”

The courtyard in the afternoon was quiet, with birds flying over the branches; there
seemed to be no one else in the vicinity. Bo Jinyan began to speak with assured
bluntness. “You threw me a hot potato. All I knew of these people was what I had
heard of them, which was virtually nothing at all. However, this did not stump me.
Although I did not know them, I know that police officer’s superior — Zhu Tao. I’m
not as good as the others where burning, killing, and looting are concerned, but it
was I who fought with Zhu Tao to within an inch of our lives in Yunnan. What kind
of person would he choose to go undercover? I think this is the reason why, Boss,
you selected me to find the answer to this puzzle.”
Song Kun’s eyes lit up.

Bo Jinyan continued, “Boss, Zhu Tao is not like other police officers. He is
ambitious, and there’s a bit of an evil spirit to him.”

Song Kun listened quietly.

“This is something I’ve pondered over and only come to a conclusion on during this
period of time. Last month, my men fell into his trap. No outsider knows about this.
At that time, several of my brothers had already surrendered, but he still gave the
command to have them shot dead. He seems to be upright, but when it comes to a
critical moment, he has no bottom line. He’s as fierce as a wolf – otherwise, how
could he survive unscathed in the southwest for so long?”

Song Kun remained silent, indicating neither his belief or his unbelief. However, he
had in fact heard that quite a few of Smiling Snake’s people had been shot dead.
He had not expected that it would be due to such a situation.

“There is one more thing which confirms my guess.” Bo Jinyan said, “ You said that
you had lost several batches of goods*, but there was no sign of any police activity.
This shows that Zhu Tao was devising a long-term plan to net greater returns*. In
order to capture you, he was willing to release some small fry. Zhu Tao is an
ambitious man, and may sometimes recklessly disregard police principles. On this
point, he is no different from you or me, huh . . . it’s just that he was labelled as
someone who is just and righteous, so he had to hide it very well.”

*T/N Ding Mo only indicated a row of asterisks here. For the purposes of this
translation, I will assume they are ‘goods’.

*T/N 放长线钓大鱼 (fang chang xian diao da yu) – lit. to use a long line to catch a
big fish.

At this, Song Kun nodded.

Bo Jinyan went on to say, “This, then, is our breakthrough point! A person like Zhu
Tao, what kind of person would he choose to go undercover? Among those trusted
aides of yours, how many people they’ve killed, whether their methods are cruel,
whether they take drugs . . . none of these can be used as criteria to eliminate the
traitor, because he can pretend very well, pretend to be wanton and unrestrained,
to kill people, to commit arson. All the things that undercover police officers don’t
dare to do, he does. Because, in Zhu Tao’s way of doing things, as long as you are
captured and Buddha’s Hand is destroyed, all his little crimes can be smoothed
over.”

Song Kun looked at Bo Jinyan and did not say anything. This was indeed beyond
his expectations.

Bo Jinyan laughed and said, “Also, I speculate that he must have been on his own
the year that he joined you. Why? Because Zhu Tao is extremely cautious. This
chess piece that he buried by your side, that he was able to bury it so deeply, shows
that this person has outstanding ability. He would definitely not bring any help into
Buddha’s Hand with him, because he cannot be implicated by anyone.”

Song Kun inhaled a lungful of cigar smoke and said indifferently, “Carry on.”

“There are two types of people you can’t ignore,” Bo Jinyan said. “The first type, as
per the usual method of undercover police officers, would slowly work his way up
from the bottom. This would arouse hardly any suspicion, and your trust would
have been gained progressively. Such a personality is more reserved, but if he were
to expose more of his true self, you would not be able to see who he really is. The
other type is someone for whom joining Buddha’s Hand is a complete switch in
occupation. He arrived at your side almost instantaneously because he succeeded
elegantly in some matter. He’s been with you for a relatively longer period of time,
his temperament is flamboyant and brash, and no matter what aspect you
consider, he is totally not like a police officer at all. However, because he is so
different, he could be the chess piece that Zhu Tao meticulously buried. You have
to be especially careful.”

When he had finished speaking, he felt for the tea on the table and drank it slowly.
Jian Yao looked down, as if concentrating, but what she was thinking about was
actually the plan that Bo Jinyan had formulated the previous night. That night, the
two of them were huddled cosily under the blankets. He pressed his lips to her ear
and said, lightly, “Firstly, I want to point out the doubts that Song Kun harbours in
his heart — he is the one who knows them the best, and there is a candidate for his
suspicions. Later, when I lead him step by step through his thoughts, I want to
plant such preconceived notions that it seems as though I am the one who came up
with the candidate.”

“Thereafter, by making the false seem true, by confusing truth with lies, by
throwing out these notions of Zhu Tao, step by step, we will undermine the
suspicions he has of this police officer, and direct them towards the masked killer.”

“Of course, we can’t make anything sound too absolute. But, at the very least, we
can cause him to doubt both people at the same time. Song Kun is suspicious by
nature, cautious and ruthless. As long as we are able to bury this thorn in his heart,
the risk would be spread out as he suspects two people. That police officer will no
longer be his sole target.

“But . . .” Jian Yao said, “these are all your speculations. How can we find evidence
to ‘prove’ that the masked killer is actually the ‘police officer’?”

.....

“These are all just your speculations,” Song Kun said slowly. “I can’t simply grab
someone, identify him as a police officer and kill him, based on your speculations.
How are you going to prove that the person is definitely a police officer?”

Bo Jinyan smiled slightly. “There’s a very easy method.”

——

That evening, Song Kun seemed to be in good spirits. He called in his trusted aides
for a card game upstairs. Only Wen Rong and Bo Jinyan were absent. Wen Rong
was reportedly making a house visit to a critically ill patient in the mountains. After
he had said this, Qin Sheng jeeringly said, “Wen Rong, this guy, is entirely too
fervent. Out of all of us, I reckon he’s the good guy.” The others laughed when they
heard this, Song Kun included.
Perhaps to make a distinction between close and distant relatives, Song Kun did
not call for Smiling Snake. Since he did not mention it, naturally, no one else did,
either.

Soon, the room was filled with cigarette smoke, as well as Gu An’s dolorous laugh,
Zhao Kun’s low laughter and cursing, and Qin Sheng’s soft speech. Song Kun
played a few hands before changing places with Zheng Chen and standing to one
side, smoking his cigar. Not long after, Zheng Chen lost. His face flushed red as he
became the butt of his brothers’ jokes.

All this time, Song Kun watched them silently.

Until another subordinate walked into the room, an unpleasant look on his face.
“Boss.”

Song Kun inhaled a mouthful of smoke. “Speak.”

The subordinate glanced at the others, but Song Kun said, “You can talk in front of
them.”

The movements of everyone around the card table seemed to slow down by
several degrees.

The subordinate said, “Everything is clear now. We were not able to get news of
Smiling Snake because the police were withholding all the information. Later, our
men were able to find another way and finally confirmed that the real Smiling
Snake has already been captured by the police.”

The room was especially quiet. Not even the sound of falling cards could be heard.

Song Kun drew in another lungful of cigarette smoke, then stubbed out the
remaining half of the cigar in the ashtray. With an indifferent expression, he said,
“The flavour of this cigar becomes fainter the longer you smoke it.”

——
In the same twilight, someone smoked half a cigarette adeptly and casually tossed
the remaining half into the nearby fence, where it dropped into the mud.

Soon, when the sky had just turned dark, some people burst into the small building
near the inn. After a momentary disturbance, serenity resumed. The small building
also quietened down.

——

It was already late at night. The river water murmured, the stars shone faintly, and
it was all the more silent. The lights were sparse in the distant small town, as if it
had already fallen asleep.

A few gang members leaned against the door of the small hut, idly smoking and
chatting. The door was securely locked from the outside with a big padlock. The
windows were also tightly barred. The people inside absolutely could not escape.

The interior was claustrophobically narrow. There were piles of firewood, the
ground was damp and cold, and there were spiderwebs everywhere – it was a most
uncomfortable place. Jian Yao could only huddle more tightly into herself; she was
basically helpless as her wrists and ankles were bound with ropes and she only had
a limited range of movement.

Unbelievably, at this time, she heard the sound of lively whistling.

She looked askance at Bo Jinyan beside her. His hands and legs had been bound,
of course, and his hands were resting on his knees. The light from the small bulb
above his head shone on his face, and he looked as he had always done – gentle
and refined, with a pure and splendid temperament.

“Hey,” Jian Yao said, “should you be whistling? We could be killed any minute now;
shouldn’t you be more gloomy and despondent?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Since I am more intelligent than others, I naturally won’t have
this kind of meaningless gloomy emotion. Someone will undoubtedly come and
rescue us.”
Jian Yao was still somewhat anxious. “If he doesn’t come?”

“He will definitely come. He can’t bear to see me die in this manner.”

Jian Yao was silent for a moment. Then, she cut her bonds with the razor blade she
had hidden in her sleeve, and replaced the blade afterwards. This was a little trick
which Fang Qing had previously taught her – that criminal investigator certainly
had an extensive knowledge of such ‘learned information’*. She moved to Bo
Jinyan and cut his bonds as well, then said, “We’ve waited for this long, and it’s
about time, anyway. Husband, it’s dangerous tonight. We’ve already agreed, no
matter what situation we face, I will be the one to protect you.” Bo Jinyan looked
up but did not respond immediately.

*T/N 三教九流 (san jiao jiu liu) – refers to the Three Religions (Daoism,
Confucianism, Buddhism) and the Nine Schools (Confucians, Daoists, Yin-Yang,
Legalists, Logicians, Mohists, Political Strategists, Eclectics, Agriculturists). Fig.
refers to people from all trades (often derog.)

But, right at this moment, out of the corner of her eye, Jian Yao saw a huge spider
crawling towards them. Immediately, chills ran up and down her spine and she
seized up. Subconsciously, she squirmed her way into Bo Jinyan’s arms to hide.

Bo Jinyan asked, “What is it?”

“There’s . . . .” Seeing that the spider was coming closer, Jian Yao could barely
repress an exclamation. She grabbed a stick of firewood and struck at the spider.
Shocked, it turned to scuttle off in another direction.

“Spider?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Still partly panicked, Jian Yao looked at him and asked, “How did you know?”

Bo Jinyan smiled before replying, “It’s not surprising there are spiders in such an
environment. When we walked through the door, I felt some spiderwebs on my
face. Moreover, spiders have always scared you the most. Thus, it was not hard to
make an inference. Has it gone?”
Jian Yao sighed in relief as she saw that the spider had vanished. “Gone.”

Jian Yao did not move from her position within Bo Jinyan’s arms, and her hands
were still tightly fisted in his shirt. Slowly, her heartbeat went back to normal. At
this point, she heard his soft voice in her ear, saying, “Oh, ‘no matter what situation
we face, I will be the one to protect you’. The vow still stands, but my knight has
been defeated by a ferocious spider.” His tone was full of regret.

After a pause, Jian Yao said, “You shut up.”

——

There were many other people who could not sleep that night.

Song Kun was one of them.

All his life, he had most hated being deceived. The existence of that police officer
was like a thorn piercing his heart. He didn’t care how many brothers died, how
much damage was caused, as long as he could ferret out that person. Even more so
since that person was about to fall into his net that night.

This was the tallest building in the small town. Song Kun stood in front of the
window, a sniper rifle by his hand. He also held a pair of infrared binoculars and
was wearing a pair of headphones. He had a panoramic view of the little wooden
hut where executions were carried out and its surroundings. He had also heard
clearly every word spoken by the Smiling Snake couple.

The seconds ticked by. His fingers were constantly in contact with the sniper rifle,
tapping it.

If he believes that Smiling Snake is a police officer, then that man will definitely
come to the rescue.

He wanted to kill him with his own hands.

Almost midnight.
The usual practice was to kill the people shut in the little wooden hut in the early
hours of the morning, before 3 a.m., and throw their bodies into the river. That is to
say, it is not long until the death of the Smiling Snake couple.

The gang members guarding the door and the surroundings of the little wooden
hut were all yawning.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao stayed awake and sat in silence.

Until another person’s footsteps were heard outside the wooden hut. Then, a gang
member’s astonished voice was heard asking, “Brother, why are you here? Is there
something wrong?”

Jian Yao stood up and walked to the window. Through a crack in the bars, she saw
a figure.

She, too, was stunned.

It was Zheng Chen.

Chapter 117

Jian Yao’s impression of Zheng Chen was of a young man who was taciturn,
arrogant, and somewhat childish. More like a stubborn big kid than a leader in a
criminal gang. They had not interacted much in the past few days. Yet, he had
come.

Zheng Chen said, “I want a word with the two of them.”

The gangster standing guard felt very awkward, “Zheng ge, this is against
procedure, Boss has ordered . . .”
“Boss isn’t here, and I’m just going to talk to them,” Zheng Chen interrupted
impatiently.

The gang member didn’t say anything else.

It was briefly quiet outside the door before Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao heard Zheng
Chen’s voice once again. “Are the two of you really police officers?”

Jian Yao looked at Bo Jinyan. He rubbed his chin lightly and said, in a resonant
voice, “Whether we are or not is no longer important. Buddha’s Hand believes that
we are.”

Zheng Chen fell silent for a heartbeat. Then, he said, “But, the two of you always
deceived us.”

Bo Jinyan laughed self-deprecatingly. “It was just part of the job.”

Jian Yao simply sat quietly watching him banter with Zheng Chen. After a while, she
heard Zheng Chen ask, “Do the two of you have any last wish? I will do my best to
fulfil it.”

As soon as these words were spoken, even Bo Jinyan was slightly startled.

Jian Yao said, “Thank you, Zheng Chen.”

Bo Jinyan said, “Many thanks, but we have lived without shame, and we die
without complaints. We, as husband and wife, don’t have any last wishes.”

There was a long stretch of silence outside the door before the low chatter of the
gang members was heard. Thus, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao realised that Zheng Chen
had left a long time ago.

Of course, this scene, and every word spoken by the three of them, had been seen
and heard by Song Kun. He looked through the infrared binoculars and saw Zheng
Chen walk into the distance. The corners of his mouth lifted up in a small smile.

“Call Zheng Chen here,” he said to his subordinate.

Zheng Chen arrived very quickly. When he walked into the room and saw
everything, he froze.

Without even turning back to look at him, Song Kun lit a cigarette and said, “You’re
too softhearted towards them.”

Zheng Chen replied, “They don’t act like the police. You’ve said it yourself
previously, police officers won’t act like him, with an exaggerated opinion of
himself* and flaunting it.”

*不知天高地厚 (bi zhi tian gao di hou) – lit. not knowing the immensity of heaven
and earth; fig. an exaggerated opinion of one’s own abilities.

Song Kun said, “What if I were to kill them?”

Zheng Chen hesitated before replying, “Then, kill them. You must have your
reasons for making your decision.”

Song Kun smiled, took a cigarette from the table drawer and tossed it to him
before asking, “What about the others?”

Zheng Chen answered, “When I came over, I saw Qin Sheng playing cards with
some others, and Zhao Kun was asleep on the sofa.”
Song Kun’s lips twitched. He sat down once more, one hand on the rifle and the
other holding the binoculars. He said, coolly, “Very soon, we’ll know for sure who
the police officer is.”

He had crafted this scheme with Smiling Snake the day before. At that time, he had
asked Smiling Snake, if all this was mere speculation, how would they prove that
someone was the police officer?

Smiling Snake had laughed savagely yet listlessly, then said, “Boss, didn’t you have
doubts about my identity earlier, and sent someone to check me out? I think you
must have verified my identity, otherwise you wouldn’t dare to make use of me
now. But no one else knows yet. Just tell everyone, you’ve checked, and
I’m actually a police officer, and you want to get rid of me the next day. No one is
going to be sceptical of this. At that time, whoever comes to rescue me will be that
damn police officer.”
......

Song Kun closed his eyes and opened them again. Smiling Snake was right, if he
didn’t ferret out that police officer as soon as possible, he would not even sleep
well. Smiling Snake’s method seemed simple and crude, but, on careful thought,
was reasonable and fair. Moreover, this abrupt turn of events would not afford that
police officer much time to think. There was a high likelihood that he would be
caught.

——

At that moment, what concerned Jian Yao was the question of who they would
catch.

However, when she had raised this concern with Bo Jinyan previously, he had
seemed unperturbed, and said, “Don’t worry. I have left a message for that police
officer; he won’t act blindly without thinking.”

Jian Yao said, “But what if he does come?”

Bo Jinyan said, “Huh, then I can only say that he is a pig teammate*. And, even
though I am a god-level player, I would still have to admit defeat.”
*T/N 猪队友 (zhu dui you) – lit. pig teammate, refers to a teammate who is
incompetent, as stupid as a pig.

Jian Yao shot him a glance. “Did you learn how to talk like that from An Yan?”

After a pause, Bo Jinyan said, “Yes. However . . .” The topic of conversation took a
different turn as he said, “He won’t come. A pig won’t survive long in a den of
wolves. He’s also a wolf, a wolf who is more savage and better able to endure than
they are, so he’s definitely kept his composure.”

Jian Yao could believe these words. She nodded, then asked, “You’re certain that
‘he’ will definitely come?”

Bo Jinyan smiled icily. “He will definitely come. He sees me as a challenge, and he
also enjoys games. Right now, not only have I not been totally destroyed, I have
unexpectedly appeared within range of his power. He must be utterly annoyed. I’m
even going to be quietly disposed of in obscurity by someone else, how can he
tolerate this? His temperament is so egotistical and gloomy, he will definitely
come.”

.....

Jian Yao leaned against Bo Jinyan’s shoulder as she listened to the sound of water
flowing outside the cabin. It was hard to tell how much time had passed. She was
suddenly aware that the gang members outside the door had not spoken for quite
a while now.

Looking up, she discovered that Bo Jinyan had, at some stage, straightened up as
he sat. One hand was on his knee, tapping it.

“He’s here,” he said.

Jian Yao was stunned.

Sure enough, she could hear the faint sound of someone crooning, coming closer.
Moreover, there was no movement at all from those gang members standing on
guard. Jian Yao reckoned that they had all been shot from a distance.

Closer, even closer. Jian Yao could clearly make out that the gentle, low, male
voice was singing ‘How could an angel break my heart?’*
*T/N Sung by Toni Braxton (1996), co-written by Braxton and Babyface.

How could an angel break my heart?

Why didn’t he catch my falling star?
.....

I heard he sealed it with a kiss.

He gently kissed her cherry lips.
......

Bo Jinyan was right, he was paying his respects to the flower cannibal. This had
been Xie Han’s favourite song. During those nights when she had been imprisoned
by Xie Han, Jian Yao always heard him outside the cage, sorrowfully chanting this
song, as well as his low laugh as he greeted her: Hi, Jenney . . .
Bo Jinyan had already pulled Jian Yao to her feet. Jian Yao felt as if her heart had
sunk into a deep pool sealed over with black laquer, but her eyes were even
brighter and sharper. She briefly touched the gun hidden in the hem of her clothes,
but now was not the time to retrieve it yet, or Song Kun and the others would
become suspicious. She took a deep breath, and realised that Bo Jinyan was
already holding her hand tightly.

“Stand behind me.” His voice was cold and clear, deep and low, authoritative. She
looked up to see the harsh lines of his side profile, as well as the pitch-black
sunglasses which completely concealed his expression.

Peng – there was a muffled gunshot, followed by the sound of a lock being
unfastened. After that, someone opened the door. The frigid outside air, as well as
the bright light of the moon and stars, came rushing in.
A man, standing 10 metres away, was pointing an assault rifle at them.

“Come on out,” he said. “How can you and I converse in such a run-down little
cabin?”
He was wearing a black hoodie and a cap, and he was tall and thin, exactly the
same as the guy the previous year. The only difference was that he was wearing a
king mask. The king’s expression was somewhat sorrowful, but the tips of his
moustache were pointed up high, which had a comical effect.

Bo Jinyan held Jian Yao’s hand as they walked out. He was silent for a moment
before he laughed and said, “It’s you.”

Gu An laughed softly as he replied, “Of course it’s me. Are you pleasantly
surprised?”

“Why did you come? Unwilling to let me die?”

Gu An scoffed even more loudly. He sighed as he said, “Yeah, how could I let that
gang of morons kill you?”

In the distance, Song Kun, who was standing by the window, made neither sound
nor movement, but the muscles in his face twitched. Behind him, using binoculars,
Zhao Kun, Qin Sheng, and Zheng Chen all watched the scene unfold in silence.

Bo Jinyan took another two steps forward. He ensured that his body was always
facing Gu An as he shielded Jian Yao,

“I really want to know how you managed to get into Buddha’s Hand,” he said.

Gu An looked through his sighting device once again, the pleasure within him had
reached the stage where he could almost no longer repress it. He grinned as he
replied, “Killed a few people, snatched a few goods, naturally, I stood out as being
outstandingly brilliant. Why are you asking such senseless questions? Come with
me quickly, let’s go to a far better place.”

But Bo Jinyan made no move. Instead, he continued to ask, unhurriedly, “If you do
this, aren’t you afraid that they will notice something is off?”

Gu An laughed softly as he replied, “They won’t notice. When they get here at 3
a.m., they will simply think that you killed the guards and escaped. Nothing will tie
this to me. Even if they do notice, what’s the problem? I have achieved all I wanted
to in Buddha’s Hand; this organisation, Song Kun . . . all of them, are just like the
women I used to play with, I don’t care about them in the least . . .”

He did not finish speaking.

The sound of a gunshot pierced the air as the bullet sped towards them from a
distance and embedded itself in his body. Even though his extremely fast
responses led him to drop to the ground and roll behind a boulder, he had been
shot in the right shoulder. He groaned and almost lost his grip on the rifle.

Jian Yao had also dropped to the ground with Bo Jinyan at the same time and
pressed him down firmly. Sprawled on the ground, the three of them looked up
and eyed each other, barely a few metres apart.

Behind the mask, Gu An’s eyes were full of shock, and he yelled incredulously,
“Simon King! You went so far as to join hands with Buddha’s Hand to deal with me?
Ha! Haha!”

Bo Jinyan totally ignored him. At this point, there were no further gunshots from
the distant building, probably because they could not get a good shot. Gu An was
holding on to a heavy-duty weapon, if it was shot from such a close range, Jian Yao
and Bo Jinyan would definitely be at a disadvantage. There was no time to lose.
Jian Yao assessed the erratic nature of Gu An’s mood and seized the best
opportunity to act. She pulled out the gun and leapt up suddenly, aiming the gun
precisely at Gu An’s head. Gu An also reacted abnormally quickly; he lifted up his
rifle and, from the cover of the boulder, aimed directly at Jian Yao’s chest.

The two of them were thus locked in a confrontation.

Bo Jinyan quickly got up, but Gu An said coldly, “Stop right there. At such a time,
the blind person should not be involved. Otherwise, I will blow a hole in your
woman’s body.” After that, he raised his head, and gave Jian Yao a very cold smile.
“Oh, it seems you’ve become so courageous? Is it true courage, or are you shaking
in fear on the inside?”
Without the least sign of panic, Jian Yao smiled coolly and said, “If you like, you can
try and see if I can blow off your head with a single shot. Where the two of us are
concerned, it doesn’t matter if we live or die. But you, if you die like this, how will
you realise your dreams? And all that you’ve obtained from Buddha’s Hand will
vanish into thin air. I feel how intolerable this is for you.”

Gu An fell silent for a while. Then, out of the blue, he giggled and said, “The two of
you . . . everyone . . . did you really think that you’ve secured the winning card? Did
you think that I’ve been trapped, like a turtle in a jar? On the contrary, everything is
going according to my plan!”

Jian Yao was dumbfounded.

Chapter 118

An explosion.

The sudden explosion sounded like the howl of a wild beast on the plains,
accompanied by the sound of breaking glass.

The riverbank had been empty, and that explosion sounded like it was not too far
away, almost as if it were next to them. Instantly, Jian Yao took a small step back
and snapped her head up violently. Hadn’t the explosion come from the building
Song Kun was in?

This Gu An, he had already planned this dirty trick!

Having thought this far, Jian Yao felt herself trembling, just for a split second,
before she snapped out of it. However, it was already too late. Gu An had decided
to give Jian Yao a taste of her own medicine. Seizing the opportunity of her
momentary inattention, he seized her gun in one swift move and twisted it aside,
while pulling the trigger of his own rifle!

In the past year, Jian Yao’s speed of response had been honed even more by Fang
Qing. In the nick of time, she twisted away and dodged the bullet, which thudded
into the ground with a loud ‘pop’. Jian Yao dropped the gun she was holding, but at
this critical juncture, she refused to retreat and in fact, took the offensive, with
both hands coming up to grab Gu An’s rifle. This move had nothing to do with skill,
it was purely gutsy. Gu An was actually taken aback. His assault rifle, wrenched out
of his hand by Jian Yao, fell to the ground.
In the end, though, Gu An was still more skillful. Upon seeing his rifle fall, his
actions became even more ruthless, and he punched Jian Yao forcefully in the
stomach. Unable to evade the blow in time, Jian Yao bent over in pain, whereupon
he delivered a karate chop to the back of her neck. With a low groan, she dropped
to the ground.

It was such a thrilling fight, but Gu An subconsciously felt that something was
amiss.
A fleeting thought surfaced in his mind – what about Simon King? He had been
quiet for too long, how could he be indifferent to his wife’s safety?

He looked up and understood everything in the blink of an eye.

Bo Jinyan was still standing at the door of the little cabin. His hands, hanging by his
sides, were tightly clenched.

This blind man had every intention to act but had no power, haha. Both he and
Jian Yao had guns, even if Bo Jinyan were to rashly come closer, how could he
possibly help? The corners of Gu An’s mouth lifted in a grin, he liked seeing a
powerless Simon King. Just like a year ago, just like right now . . . hehehehe . . . out
of the corner of his eye, he noticed that of the several gang members lying on the
ground not far from Bo Jinyan, one of them had another gun at his waist. However,
that was of little consequence. It was not likely that a blind man, no matter how
intelligent, would know there was a gun there, much less accurately and speedily
retrieve it. . .

Gu An pushed aside Jian Yao, who was on the ground. At some point, the mask on
his face had also slipped off. He looked up again at the indistinct glow of the
building on fire and his heart was filled with delight. He bent over with the
intention of picking up the rifle he had dropped while at the same time saying
lazily, “Simon King, right now, there’s only the two of us left, isn’t that
wonderful . . .”

His speech came to a sudden halt.

Something pressed lightly against the back of his head.

It was a gun, an ice-cold gun, unerringly pressed against his skull.

“Oh yes, it is indeed wonderful, masked killer.” A deep, low voice, like that of a
cello, stated.

Gu An was transfixed.
Simon King . . .

He turned around almost instantaneously. Apart from the black muzzle of the gun,
he saw a pair of incomparably bright eyes.

Even though the masked killer was capable of extreme frivolity, right now, his face
was deathly white. Everything had been within his expectations, apart from that
man opening his eyes. He saw that Simon King, whom they both hated and feared,
standing there in the empty space outside the little cabin, without his sunglasses,
which had been thrown to the ground. He was holding a gun, and the waist holster
of the gang member who was lying on the ground was empty. His eyes were so
clear and bright, just as they had been at that time, like the legendary pearl that
glowed in the dark, even through the water. He just stood there, clear and bright,
as if freed from this world, like he had been gazing at everything that was going on
for a long time already.

Gu An’s tears suddenly burst forth, but what issued from his throat was a sharp grin
and a hoarse voice, saying “Haha . . . Simon King . . . your eyes . . . are fine now . . .”

Bo Jinyan ignored his craziness. In his eyes, a river of silence flowed.

“The person who killed Fu Ziyu, was it you?”

Gu An’s expression gradually turned cold, and he indifferently replied, “Yeah, your
Fu Ziyu, he was no fun at all. No matter how I tortured him, he refused to beg for
mercy, and even wanted to take my Han Yumeng away. In the end I . . .”

He didn’t finish speaking.

Peng. A gunshot resounded. Bo Jinyan had shot him in the right chest. Gu An
smothered a groan and swayed several times but did not fall over. There was blood
on his lips, but his smile became even more brilliant. “Oh, Oh, Simon, Simon, are
you angry? Sad? Do you feel as if life is f*cking lamentable? You should have
realised this a lot sooner, why did you have to wait until Fu Ziyu died to understand
this?”
“No. I don’t think life is lamentable,” Bo Jinyan said. At the same time, another
‘peng’ sounded as Bo Jinyan shot Gu An in the abdomen. This time, Gu An could no
longer stand upright and lay on the ground like a puddle of mud as he listened to
Bo Jinyan talking over his head. “Some people, even though they are dead, in their
short lives they were like a diamond, brilliant and precious. Some people live
nothing more than a fabricated, empty shell of a life, seemingly human but not,
seemingly like a ghost, but not. Because they live lamentable lives themselves,
they see the whole world as lamentable.”
Gu An merely looked down and smiled, and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

“Your eyes . . . when did they recover?” he asked. “I had my doubts, but you both
acted so well . . . oh, no, it can’t be . . . you even lied to your wife? Simon King, this
match, I wholeheartedly admit defeat. You are too good at playing . . .”

Bo Jinyan lowered his head to fix his gaze on Gu An as he replied, “Three months
ago. Ah . . . I told myself I would not open my eyes until I found Fu Ziyu’s killer.”

Gu An appeared to be gasping for breath. His face was drawn and he stopped
talking. At this point, Bo Jinyan said, “Masked killer, raise your head.”

Although Gu An was covered in blood, he still laughed. He did not know what Bo
Jinyan’s intention was and raised his head, little by little.

He suddenly shook all over.

This time, he looked at Bo Jinyan’s eyes more clearly.

That bright and handsome, proud and aloof, thin man. His eyes were profound, yet
also cold and detached.

But why, in those eyes, did Gu An see a trace of gentle sorrow?

That sorrow, those eyes like glimmering water, were very much like another man’s .
..

Gu An’s entire body started to tremble. Even though there was not an ounce of
humanity in him, at this moment he felt some kind of strange dread gripping his
heart. His body jerked once, and he burst out, “Fu Ziyu . . . ha . . . Fu Ziyu . . .”
The sorrow in Bo Jinyan’s eyes vanished, and what remained was a pair of
fathomless pitch-black eyes.

“Yes,” he whispered into Gu An’s ear. “These are . . . Fu Ziyu’s eyes. Henceforth they
are also mine.”

He fired repeatedly and Gu An finally took his last breath, his mangled body
slumped on the ground.

The surroundings fell into a profound silence in the twinkling of an eye.

Bo Jinyan crouched on the ground for a while before slowly standing up. He strode
towards Jian Yao and picked her up in his arms.

It was then that a sound came from the underbrush behind the little wood cabin.
The sound of boots striking broken rocks. Bo Jinyan unhurriedly turned his head.

That person, holding a gun, was half hidden in the darkness. He said softly, “You
shouldn’t have shot him yourself.”

——

Three minutes before the explosion.

At that time, on the upper floor of the small building, the atmosphere was rather
sombre.

Song Kun had fired his shot only to discover that Gu An had hidden behind the
boulder and he could no longer find a viable shooting angle. His heart full of
bitterness, Song Kun turned and saw that the person closest to the door was his
most formidable aide, and one of those able to contend with Gu An. He said,
fiercely, “Take some men, and bring Gu An back here alive. Even if you have to beat
him to within an inch of his life, you still have to bring him back here like a dog and
throw him before me.”
That person left with his orders. Song Kun turned back to see Zheng Chen standing
with his mobile phone in his hand, his face gloomy. Next to him stood Qin Sheng,
with an equally gloomy face. Song Kun’s tone of voice was surprisingly especially
calm as he said, “Once we have eliminated this scourge, our family will be peaceful
and secure. All that Gu An was managing will come under the two of you.”

Zheng Chen nodded once, while Qin Sheng hurriedly said, “Ok.”

Song Kun once again put on the headphones and took up his sniper rifle. He heard
Gu An’s voice saying, “Did you really think that you’ve secured the winning
card? . . . On the contrary, everything is going according to my plan!”

Song Kun jolted with alarm. Suddenly, he could hear ‘di di di’ sounding from
somewhere near him. Without any effort, the sound became louder and more
urgent, He quickly turned his head and saw Zheng Chen looking down at his mobile
phone – that sound was coming from the device.
The new mobile phone which Gu An had given him a few days ago!

Qin Sheng was also looking over in astonishment. Song Kun’s reflexes were the
fastest, and he yelled, “Drop it!” At the same time, he dropped his rifle and leaped
for the nearest corner.

However, Zheng Chen was unable to drop it in time.

The ear-splitting boom was accompanied by a sudden blaze of flame and

everything burst open in that split second. The shock wave smashed all the glass in
the room at once. Song Kun and Qin Sheng, who had been standing slightly further
away, were hit hard. Both of them were thrown to the floor at the same time, and
the loud buzzing in their ears rendered them incapable of hearing anything else.

Where Zheng Chen had originally stood, there was only smoke, flame and residual
fragments. The explosion had propelled mutilated flesh all over the room. There
was nothing else there.

——
Bo Jinyan stood up with Jian Yao in his arms, and that person also walked out from
the shadows into the light. A tall, straight figure, a robustly healthy face – Zhao
Kun.

Bo Jinyan walked to the door of the little wood cabin and picked up his sunglasses.

“Why did you come?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Zhao Kun replied, “Song Kun sent me to deal with Gu An, no problem.” At the same
time he stretched out his hand towards Bo Jinyan, who handed him the gun. Zhao
Kun took out a handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wiped it clean before
sticking it into his waistband. Then, he said, “Let’s say it was I who killed Gu An.
But, Professor Bo, this step you’ve taken is way too risky.” He fished out a cigarette
butt from his pocket.

Unexpectedly, Bo Jinyan smiled and said, “Burn it.”

This was the cigarette butt which Bo Jinyan had smoked then tossed into the yard
of Zhao Kun’s home, before the entire plan had been implemented. A slip of paper
had been inserted into the cigarette butt, on which was written two words: ‘Don’t
move’.

When had Bo Jinyan started noticing something different about Zhao Kun?

It started from the first night they had arrived at this place.

That night, Zhao Kun had brought some men to the small building where they were
staying temporarily in order to check them out. It is reasonable to say that
someone like him, bold and attentive to detail, who had already decided to get rid
of them the next day, should not have left any traces behind. However, he had
smoked a cigarette in the yard and tossed the half-smoked butt into a highly
conspicuous location. The cigarette was very expensive, so this did not make
sense. This had been tantamount to alerting them that someone had come by in
the middle of the night.

Thereafter, all of Bo Jinyan’s observations of Zhao Kun pointed to him lining up

nicely with the psychological profile of the undercover police officer, whereas
Zheng Chen, Qin Sheng, and Gu An definitely did not. Therefore, before the
implementation of this plan where the false was mixed in with the truth, Bo Jinyan
decided to follow the set pattern* and send Zhao Kun a message using a cigarette
butt.

*T/N 如法炮制 (ru fa pao zhi) – lit. to follow the recipe.

“What’s the situation like over there?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Zhao Kun replied, “Zheng Chen died in the explosion, while Qin Sheng and
Buddha’s Hand have been hurt. Let’s drag Gu An’s body back there, so they won’t
get suspicious.”

Bo Jinyan nodded and said, “Very good.”

After a brief pause, Zhao Kun said, “Because I divulged that information, the entire
organisation of Buddha’s Hand is now under strict control, and I have no way to get
in touch with the outside. Professor Bo, does that side have any instructions on
how we are to proceed? I have found out that the large amount of wealth Buddha’s
Hand has accumulated over the past few years, as well as a huge stash of weapons
and ammunition, and drugs, are all in the mountains. Due to all these things
happening in quick succession, and with his personality, I’m afraid that he will
cause a diversion somewhere and flee. If that happens, it will be very hard to catch
him. I have spent five years in Buddha’s Hand and we have finally reached this day,
when things are about to boil over. I don’t want to fail through lack of a final
effort*; I must bring them all to justice!”

*T/N 功亏一篑 (gong kui yi kui) – lit. ruin the enterprise for the sake of one
basketful. Equivalent English idiom – to spoil the ship for a ha’penny-worth of tar.

Bo Jinyan’s eyes were as dark as night. He laughed faintly and said, “Don’t worry,
they won’t be able to escape. It’s already been so many days. If my people can’t
work together with your Captain Zhu to follow the trail and use the clues we’ve left
behind to deduce this location, then they can all find other jobs*. Unless my
assessment is wrong, within these few days, they will launch a full-scale attack.
When the time comes, we just need to protect ourselves and work together with
them to coordinate the external and internal offensives.”
*T/N 领盒饭 (ling he fan) – colloquial, used of an actor with a bit part. Lit. to receive
a boxed meal; indicates that one’s job is done e.g. the character has been killed off.

Zhao Kun grinned when he heard this, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Just then, the person in Bo Jinyan’s arms moved.

Bo Jinyan’s body froze momentarily, his sunglasses still in his hand. After a
heartbeat of hesitation, he did not put them on. Instead, he looked down at the
woman in his arms.

Jian Yao made a soft sound and opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was his face, and the eyes that had finally opened. His eyes,
gentle and profoundly black, were gazing unblinkingly at her. In this quiet moment,
Jian Yao’s heart felt like a river which had long been frozen over and in which a
huge crack had suddenly opened up, with the sunlight shining in without so much
as a ‘by your leave’. She clutched his lapel as her tears flowed forth.
Chapter 119

It was not that bright yet, and the entire small town was shrouded in the greyness
of dusk. It was particularly peaceful, as if the events of the previous night had never
happened. Song Kun was half-lying on the bed with most of his shoulder and arm
exposed, and a subordinate with some medical knowledge was carefully
bandaging him. His eyes were red-rimmed, and the veins in his forehead were
protruding, yet his eyes were unwaveringly bright as he asked the subordinate,
“Wen Rong has not returned yet?”

The subordinate replied, “Dr Wen went to an old village in the mountains yesterday
to treat a patient. He will only be back tonight.”

Song Kun hummed coldly.

Next to him, Qin Sheng’s face had also been cut by flying debris, and his back too
had been injured, although not seriously. He was sitting sullenly at the edge,
smoking a cigarette. The atmosphere in the room was incredibly depressing and
stifling.

Bo Jinyan was sitting on the opposite side, smoking. As his sunglasses reflected the
light, he exuded an air of being calm and collected, yet with a certain sharpness.
Zhao Kun stood the furthest away from the others, constantly looking out of the
window.

Song Kun asked, “Zhao Kun, what are you looking at?”

Zhao Kun said, “Nothing, I’m just thinking about Ah Chen, and where he is right
now.”

Within their organisation, Zhao Kun had always been the one who placed the
greatest importance on comradeship. On hearing his words, Song Kun also felt as if
a blunt knife was sawing away at his heart. Zheng Chen had been with him from a
young age, loyal and devoted. Who could imagine that he would go like this?
At the same time, he felt a kind of hollowness due to a sense of helplessness rising
up within him. Even though it had been to catch the mole and remove the hatred
within his heart, the fact was that he had lost two of his generals in one night.
However, Gu An had been a police officer and did not deserve an ounce of pity. He
had exchanged him for Smiling Snake, whom he had used to great satisfaction.

He said, “Ah Chen had no family. Do a good job with his funeral arrangements.”

The others replied in unison, “Okay.”

Song Kun also said, “The police officer has been removed, so this place is safe at
present. However, I don’t think this will last long. The information has passed
through the hands of the police, and although it does not indicate this location, I
cannot be at ease. Everyone should rest and reorganise for the next two days. Qin
Sheng, Zhao Kun, Ah She is not familiar with our organisation, the two of you take
him to take stock of our people and property. Our plans have been moved forward
– we will evacuate this place in three days’ time.”

With a smile, Bo Jinyan asked, “Boss, where are we going?”

Song Kun looked at him, also smiling, and replied, “Myanmar.”

——

After the ‘meeting’, Bo Jinyan returned to his temporary home. When he pushed
open the door, he saw Jian Yao lying on the bed, staring out of the window, where
the clouds drifted in a sea of light.

Bo Jinyan took off his sunglasses and placed them on the living room table. After
looking at her for a while, he felt his heartbeat quicken. Because he could not pin
down the reason for it, he despised himself for a moment. Then, he walked over to
sit next to her and hold her hand.

After shooting Gu An the previous night, they knew other gang members would be
rushing towards that location, so Bo Jinyan and Zhao Kun had to make their way to
Song Kun immediately in order to avoid exposure. Thus, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao
had had no time to talk after meeting each other’s eyes. Bo Jinyan had once again
donned his sunglasses.

Bo Jinyan wanted to say something, but found himself unexpectedly at a loss for
words. Jian Yao had seen him come in but did not speak for a long time. She looked
up and saw that his normally pale cheeks were slightly red. She sighed to herself
and said, “You even concealed it from me?”

Bo Jinyan responded straightaway. “No, Jian Yao, I’m sorry, I did not intend to do
so. In truth, I did not expect you to arrive so quickly. My original plan was to finish
everything, then head back to Beijing to look for you. I made a vow before Ziyu’s
grave not to open my eyes to look at the world before then . . .”

“And then?” she said. “Why did you still not say anything?”

He was silent for a moment before he said, “I considered it. Our present course of
action is highly dangerous. If you knew that I had regained my sight, no matter how
meticulously we pretended, your subconscious mind would have considered me as
having returned to my normal self. Then, your manner of speech and attitude may
very well have given the game away. That would have been dangerous for both you
and me.”

Jian Yao laughed and said, “Indeed. I can’t put on a show as well as you can.”

Bo Jinyan felt relieved on seeing her laugh. He held her hands against his chest and
said, “I know you had your suspicions, but I decided not to pay heed to them and
just have confidence in you. You are the best, most intelligent woman in the world.
Thank you, Jian Yao.”

A conflicting mix of grievance and warmth arose in Jian Yao’s heart. She lowered
her head and remained still. Bo Jinyan pulled her into his embrace; she wanted to
struggle free, but he held her even more tightly. After a while, she stopped
struggling and laid her head on his chest.

True, she had been suspicious, many times.

From the time the two of them were reunited, in front of her, Bo Jinyan had
continually displayed an almost superhuman level of perceptiveness, causing her
to harbour a growing suspicion. When they were in pursuit of Luo Lang, Bo Jinyan
had spent some time alone with him, which then led him to conclude that Luo Lang
was the killer. Something about this had smelt faintly fishy to her.

The most obvious hint should have been that night they had drifted along in the
water tank. He had clutched her hand and brought it to touch his eyes and
eyelashes repeatedly. At that time, Jian Yao had almost cried and wanted to ask
exactly what had happened during their year of separation. However, in the end,
she had held back. She had been afraid that it was just her being excessively
sensitive; she did not want to cause him pain or even greater disappointment. She
had also thought, if he could really see, then he would certainly tell her . . .

Jian Yao hung her head. Bo Jinyan looked at her nape, fair and slender. After a
while, he could not bear it any longer, and gently kissed her there. “Don’t be angry,
my . . . Jian Yao.”

My Jian Yao.

These words dropped straight into her heart, causing a tide of warmth to spread
throughout. Jia Yao sighed, and said, “How could I bear to be angry with you? You
made the right decision. If I had known that your vision had been restored, with
this on my subconscious mind, in moments of carelessness, I would have treated
you as a regular person. This would have been disastrous if the masked killer or
Buddha’s Hand had found out. Moreover, this was your ‘weakness’, which caused
the masked killer to lower his guard, enabling him to be killed.” She turned her
head, held his face between her hands and finally, smiled. She said, “My Jinyan,
you have now become a ‘bad boy’, unexpectedly being able to fool everyone in this
dangerous game we’re playing, and make such a major game move.”

Bo Jinyan’s lips were pursed tightly. He said, “I’m simply using my knowledge of
psychology to play games with them. I would never be a bad boy.”

At his words, Jian Yao felt her heart grow soft, and she gazed into his eyes. Those
eyes were as clear and astute as before, and also possessed the Bo brand of
haughtiness and indifference. However, she did not know if she was wrong, but as
she looked into those deep, black eyes, she seemed to see a touch of gentle
compassion.

“Are these Ziyu’s corneas?” she gently asked.

He made a sound of assent.

She leaned over and began to pepper the ridge of his eyebrows and his eyelids with
gentle kisses, while Bo Jinyan gently caressed her face. The affection in those
briefly lingering touches grew and pervaded the entire small, narrow, dim room.

After a while, Jian Yao’s tears fell. She hugged Bo Jinyan’s head and laid it on her
bosom. Her fingers threaded through his soft, short hair, and she said softly,
“Jinyan ah, it’s been hard on you.”

Bo Jinyan did not speak. His head remained buried in her arms as he breathed
slowly.

After an interval of time, Jian Yao felt that the front of her shirt was wet.
Chapter 120

This was the temporary police command centre. At the moment, Zhu Tao was
occupied with leading a team to comb through all the clues linked to Bo Jinyan and
Buddha’s Hand. Fang Qing was standing in front of a map, his eyebrows scrunched
up in concentration, a cigarette in his left hand and a pen in his right, completely
lost in thought. He had already marked the map with various scribbles.

An Yan sat in front of a few computers, and his delicate eyebrows were also
furrowed. He was continuously searching for a signal, but could not do anything as
the signal was too weak. He could only ascertain the approximate direction
without pinpointing the precise position.

Fang Qing stared at a corner of the map for a long time before he tossed the pen to
one side and turned his head to ask, “What progress are you making?”

An Yan turned the computer monitor towards him. He pointed at it and said, “I can
only determine that they are in this area. There’s probably not much power left in
Jinyan’s reading device, so the signal is very weak. The Internet in the surrounding
area is poor and there’s too much interference. Aiya, it’s my fault for not thinking it
over carefully. I should have decked him out from head to toe in signal
transmitters.”

Fang Qing laughed and said, “It’s not as if we have no results at all. I have also
determined that Buddha’s Hand’s stronghold is in this area, totally in accordance
with the results of your monitoring.”

“How did you reach that conclusion?”

Fang Qing brought out a photocopy of the information that Zhu Tao had and said,
“Jinyan told Captain Zhu that, with this information and more time, he could
deduce the stronghold of Buddha’s Hand. In recent years, the routes that Buddha’s
Hand has taken when committing crimes, their escape routes, the trails of their
coming and going, combined with the roads and highways in the periphery, the
state of the waterways and the geological features of the surroundings — I
understand what Jinyan was saying, it’s like solving a complex multi-factor
equation. The solution to the equation is the coordinates of Buddha’s Hand’s
stronghold. This is actually a question featuring probability and logic. I’ve marked
all these factors on the map. The area that has been the centre of all of Buddha’s
Hand’s activities in the past few years, and has a complex network of waterways, is
this area.”

An Yan said, “But this area on the map has several remote towns; Zhu Tao has
already sent men to secretly survey the area by sea, land, and air, and they have
even visited a few towns. However, they have not found any traces of Buddha’s
Hand. That area is vast and sparsely populated. Apart from a few, easily counted,
small towns and villages, there is almost no sign of human habitation. If they are
hiding in the mountains, there is no way for us to detect them. If we search the area
inch by inch, it would take us a good few years.”

Fang Qing said, “No, it’s not really possible that such a criminal gang would be able
to hide deep in the mountains and remote forests, isolated from the rest of the
world, for such a long period of time. They need to live, to go out, to womanise, to
conduct their shady business. At the very least, they have to stay in a small town.”

The two of them fell silent for a while before Fang Qing said, “As Sherlock Holmes
said, ‘when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however
improbable, must be the truth’. Hey, boy, check if there’s a small town in that area
which does not appear on a map and is also almost disconnected from the outside
world. This would be even more in accordance with the conditions that Buddha’s
Hand considered when choosing a location for their stronghold.”

An Yan glanced at him inscrutably but started his search on the computer
nevertheless.

Fang Qing leaned against the chair and exhaled slowly, while his expression turned
grave. Those two were the most tenacious and upright people he knew; if anyone
had to die, it should not be them. He had to bring them both safely back.

Just then, his mobile phone rang. He glanced at it, accepted the call, and
whispered a few words with a smile. An Yan felt as if his ears had gone numb just
hearing Fang Qing’s tender and indolent tone of voice. From Fang Qing’s matter-of-
fact manner, though, it was clear he had no misgivings about courting someone
while on the job.

After a while, An Yan stared at the screen and smiled.

Being in a relationship was definitely not the same as being single*. He had
unexpectedly just remembered the kisses he had shared with Gu Fangfang. In that
short span of a few days, the two of them had certainly shared many kisses. His
girlfriend was a cosplay champion and her ‘attack force’ was full. Once, they had
been kissing for several minutes, and he was almost short of breath, but she merely
opened her beautiful eyes slightly and said, “I can hold my breath for a long time. I
have never lost to anyone.”

*T/N 单身狗 (dan sheng gou) – lit. single dog, used to describe a person who is
neither married nor in a relationship, usually used self-deprecatingly.

Foolish girl, kissing is not a competition, but she went so far as to pit herself against
him.

An Yan’s face was one big smile as his fingers tapped away at the keyboard,
continuing the search he was responsible for.

However, even though he was a top hacker, it took him no less than half a day to
find the answer Fang Qing wanted.

Twilight time.

“Found it!” An Yan stretched and said, “You guessed right, there really is such a
place.”

Fang Qing immediately moved across but only saw the indistinct picture of a small
town on the screen. Located on the top of some mountain ridge, with old-
fashioned buildings that looked as if they had been built in the previous century.
Yellowing slogans were still stuck to the walls, and many places were in a state of
collapse.
An Yan said, “Information on this place is not available on the Internet, nor can it be
found in the ordinary Ministry of Public Security systems. I hacked into an old
archive library system and found scanned copies of these old photographs. This
place is called Pu Luo. It was originally the location of the county seat on
the Jinsha river, but in the 1950s, geologists drew attention to the danger of a
major landslide, thus the entire county seat was relocated. That place became an
abandoned, ghost town. Now, almost 70 years later it is said that no one lives
there. It may be due to political reasons that Pu Luo has been erased from history
and geography books. Thus, in our generation, even the previous generation,
almost no one knows that Pu Luo exists.”
——

“You didn’t tell Captain Zhu about Zhizi Zhou?” Jian Yao asked.
Zhao Kun leaned against the sofa with a cigarette between his teeth, and said, “No.
In reality, this is only my second time in Zhizi Zhou. If not for a huge shipment of
goods that came in at the beginning of this year, and the plan to relocate, Song Kun
would not stay in this place for long. The locals call this place Zhizi Zhou, but I can’t
find the place name on maps or the Internet. It was night when I came here both
times, and the waterway route is very complicated with many twists and turns;
there’s no way to remember it. Moreover, Song Kun always arranged for specially
assigned people to take turns steering the boat. He doesn’t trust people easily, and
would not allow a subordinate to know too many secrets.”
Sitting opposite him, Bo Jinyan pondered briefly before asking, “Apart from Song
Kun’s people, how many ordinary citizens are there in this small town?”

“150, 160 people,” Zhao Kun replied. “I also don’t know how this small town
became like it is now, without running water, electricity, or internet access. The
people here are self-sufficient and isolated from the outside world. The only
waterway is controlled by Buddha’s Hand, and Buddha’s Hand also controls this
small town. Both sides co-exist harmoniously, and have done so for several years.
Song Kun took a lot of trouble to find this place. That you guys could accidentally
float to this place, and had Ah Hong to guide you, is really good luck.”

Jian Yao smiled faintly and said, “Does that mean we shouldn’t die?” She looked at
Bo Jinyan, only to find that his expression was too calm. Jian Yao was startled. She
felt vaguely that she had overlooked something, but it slipped away from her.
“We have to protect the citizens on the day of the police attack,” Bo Jinyan said.

Jian Yao and Zhao Kun both agreed.

Twilight had descended upon them by then. Zhao Kun peered through a gap in the
curtains and said, “I’ll go to the boss first. You guys come over a little later.”

Some time after Zhao Kun had left, Bo Jinyan leaned on his walking stick, put on
his sunglasses, and made his way, with Jian Yao’s help, towards the house where
Song Kun lived. It was time for dinner, as well as time for discussion. If they could
glean more information, it would be easier for them to take the initiative to act.

Along the street, they once again saw a few civilians walking past with pails of
water. The only drinkable water in this small town came from wells. Naturally, the
two best wells were controlled by Buddha’s Hand. People had been appointed to
draw and transport the water to the brothers daily. Each day, when twilight
descended, that was the time when water was delivered.

“Are you thirsty?” Jian Yao asked.

Bo Jinyan shook his head.

Jian Yao said, “When we get back tonight, I’ll boil water for you to drink. Don’t be
like them and drink raw water. I saw you drinking it all the time yesterday.”

Bo Jinyan laughed and said, “I will obey.”

Jian Yao laughed, too.

Unexpectedly, while they were en route, two brothers stopped them. “Snake ge,
Snake sao*, something has happened! Boss asks you to go right away to Zhao
Jian’s home, in front of you!”
*T/N 嫂 (sao) – older brother’s wife; sister-in-law – this term is not just for blood
relations; it can be used to address the wife (or girlfriend, in a teasing manner) of
an older male one is close to. For example, An Yan addresses Jian Yao in this way.
Who was Zhao Jian? He was also a courageous leader amongst Song Kun’s men;
even though his status was not as high as that of the Five Luohans, he had risen
rapidly in recent years. He had been with Song Kun for quite a few years, and
managed not a few of their important businesses.
The minute Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao walked into Zhao Jian’s home, they saw a lot of
people milling about in disarray.

And, they also smelled the strong reek of blood.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao entered the house and saw Song Kun sitting on the living
room sofa, his face ashen, with Zhao Kun and Qin Sheng standing beside him.

“Boss, what has happened?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Song Kun said, “Go and see for yourself.”

With Jian Yao’s help, Bo Jinyan walked to the door of the inner room. Both of them
froze at the same time.

The blood had flowed all the way to the door, and it was almost dry. A man was
sitting by the bed, headless. The head had been chopped off neatly at the neck,
and looked as if it had been done with extreme savagery.

The head had been tossed into a corner, and it looked as if it had rolled around in a
pool of blood several times. Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan had both met Zhao Jian and
recognised his head.

Furthermore, on the wall behind the bed, in the dim light, hung a king’s mask.
Below the mask was a sentence written in blood:

You can’t kill me.

J
It was signed by ‘J’.

In this dim, bloody, unfamiliar room, in the face of this murder like a bolt out of the
blue, Jian Yao felt a chill penetrate her heart, threatening to engulf her entire
being. She never expected that she would see that ‘J’ again in her lifetime, because
that handwriting was exactly the same as that on the message left behind by the
butterfly killer when he killed Feng Yuexi.

A jumble of thoughts flashed across her mind, chief of which was: Luo Lang did not
die?

No, no, even if Luo Lang did not actually die, there is no way that he could be a
member of the masked killer’s gang. He ambushed and killed the masked killer’s
gang members in his frenzied attempt to rescue her. He had also warned them not
to go to the animation park. He had lived his entire life fettered by his guilt and
remorse, and his ethical perspective was more severe than that of an ordinary
person. He definitely did not correspond to the profile of the masked killer, and it
was even less possible that he had teamed up with the masked killer.

Then, why did that ‘J’ appear once again?

Jian Yao suddenly broke into cold sweat as she thought: could it be that they had
gotten it wrong? That the person who killed Feng Yuexi was never Luo Lang? The
butterfly killer . . . was not Luo Lang?
Chapter 121

“Ah She,” Song Kun called out.

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao turned around at the same time.

Song Kun smiled, an extremely chilling smile, and said, “Find me the imp who is
making mischief behind our backs. If you can’t find him . . . “ he raised his head to
look at Bo Jinyan, “all I can do is kill you. Everything is as you said, you said that
once I got rid of Gu An I would not have to worry about anything else. Everything
also happened after you arrived at this small town. I don’t like trouble. If anyone
gives me trouble, I kill that person.”

Bo Jinyan remained silent. Song Kun looked at Zhao Kun, who was next to him,
and said, “Have I made myself clear?”

Zhao Kun looked at Bo Jinyan with a coldly indifferent expression. “Crystal clear.”

Song Kun left quickly with the others. Zhao Kun closed the door, and it was only
the three of them remaining.

Bo Jinyan took off his sunglasses, grasped Jian Yao’s hand, and said, “As I have said
before, when what we see appears to be bizarre and complicated, as long as we
take it step by step, we can always find the actual facts. The blood on the ground is
not completely dry yet, so the killer cannot be far away. If we can find him, we will
be able to solve a puzzle which seems to be complicated, but is simple in reality.”

His words seemed to indicate a deeper meaning. Jian Yao stiffened, then nodded.
She calmed down from her initially panicked state slowly.

Bo Jinyan crouched down next to the body. Zhao Kun glared at the body and said,
with a bitter laugh, “I served as a police officer for a few years on the mainland
previously. I never thought that I would one day be investigating a murder case in
the stronghold of a ciminal gang!”
Bo Jinyan responded, “Hey, doesn’t that make it more interesting? It’s like wielding
a double-edged sword, only the most awesome bstrds, like us, can be sword-
wielders.”
Zhao Kun was momentarily lost for words.

Jian Yao laughed and patted him on the shoulder, saying, “He’s always been like
this, you’ll slowly get used to it.”

Zhao Kun also laughed and said, “But we don’t have any equipment right now, and
we don’t have any means to verify information, so how do we solve the case?
There’s a bloody handprint next to the body, but there’s absolutely no way to run
even a fingerprint check.”

“We definitely need physical evidence to solve the case. We don’t need it to identify
the suspect,” Bo Jinyan said.

Zhao Kun had heard that the two of them were criminal psychologists, that they
could sometimes walk around the crime scene and infer the criminal’s
characteristics. Thus, his interest was piqued, and he waited with folded arms to
see what they would do.

Jian Yao had already put aside any distracting thoughts and entered ‘work mode’.
She said, “the blood on the ground is not dry yet. The time of death is not more
than one hour ago.”

“I saw that when I entered the house,” Zhao Kun interrupted. “The door was not
completely closed, the lock had not been tampered with, and there were no traces
of the windows having been forced open.”

“An acquaintance committed the crime,” Bo Jinyan said, unhurriedly. “However,

what provides most food for thought is the words on the wall.”

“Indeed.” Jian Yao had also looked up, her expression grave

Zhao Kun frowned as he, too, surveyed the writing on the wall. He felt that the
words were somewhat strange, but he could not pinpoint exactly what was so
strange about them.
You can’t kill me.

Bo Jinyan looked at Jian Yao and said, “Dear, do these words have a deeper
meaning?”

Following an interval of contemplation, Jian Yao responded, “Without a doubt, this

is an accomplice of the masked killer. After Gu An died, he immediately killed a
member of Buddha’s Hand in order to create panic, and he used that weapon
which only I and Bo Jinyan knew about, the iconic axe – this was the weapon the
masked killer used when committing crimes in the US many years ago. We can infer
this from the wounds on the body. However, these words are not about taking
revenge, not anything like ‘I will avenge him’ or ‘You will all definitely die’, but ‘You
can’t kill me’. Gu An’s body was thrown into the river, we can all attest to that. It
would make no sense for this person to be deliberately mystifying. This shows that
his words have an unambiguous, genuine meaning. He sees himself and Gu An as
one person. Their relationship was already very close, that he lives is the same as
Gu An being alive.”

“There is also another possibility . . .” Bo Jinyan took over. “They share an identity.
They are all the masked killer. There is no superior and subordinate, no sense of
someone being more important and others being less so. The masked killer is not
limited to just one person. I have previously inferred that the masked killer wears a
mask in order to conceal his true identity. The other possibility is that they are a
group of people; whoever wears the mask is the masked killer. A game played by a
group of madmen, so fun, so exciting!”

Jian Yao nodded. “Just like twins, or triplets.”

Bo Jinyan said, “Well done!”

These words rendered Zhao Kun speechless due to surprise. He was silent for a
while before saying, “Then, how many people are there in the masked killer gang?”

Bo Jinyan muttered, “The people who attacked us last year did not wear masks.
This shows that they were not core members of the masked killer group. There
won’t be many members in the core group. If they had many members, they would
act as they did last year, planning carefully before moving to act, like a real
poisonous snake, subduing the enemy with just one stroke. They would have
launched a comprehensive sneak attack to take out you, me, Song Kun and
everyone else. Not like now, where they are clearly working as individuals, and
their bark is worse than their bite. We can see that they don’t have many people
remaining at present. There is no way to infer their current numbers, but in terms
of their core structure, three is always a relatively stable structure. In this way, it is
possible to achieve a relative balance between the team’s opinions and conflicts,
and this structure is simple. If I were to organise such a gang, I would look for two
other people.”

Zhao Kun’s eyes were wide open – all that inferred, just like that? There were two
more people to the masked killer? It sounded incredible, but also reasonable.

Like the other gang members, Zhao Jian’s house was a complete mess, extremely
untidy. Moreover, at present, there were bloody footprints all over the place,
making it even more disorderly. The footprints were made using cloth shoes that
were common in the small town; a lot of people wore them. The shoes were more
or less size 41, which was also a common measurement.

A few beautiful daggers as well as a few handguns, surprisingly very well polished,
were in the living room sideboard. These clearly showed their owner’s preferences.
There was a medical kit on top of the sideboard, its lid closed. Inside, gauze
bandages, medication, iodine and other medical supplies were neatly arranged.

“The crime weapon – that axe hasn’t been found,” Zhao Kun said. “The killer took it
with him.”

“Oh.” Bo Jinyan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “This is a significant discovery. Such a

big axe, as well as clothes and shoes that have been splashed with blood and must
be changed. The killer had to have been carrying a big bag as he left the crime
scene and walked to the street.”

Bo Jinyan put on his sunglasses, and the three of them walked out of Zhao Jian’s
house. At this time, it was very dark, and there were few people on the streets. Two
gang members were standing in the doorway of the house opposite, drinking water
from ladles, and glancing over in their direction from time to time. Jian Yao had no
doubt that news of this horrific murder had spread all over the small town. Dark
clouds covered the sky, and raindrops fell. The weather in the mountains changed
rapidly, and it was also the rainy season. It looked as if they were on the verge of
experiencing heavy rain that night. The house that Buddha’s Hand lived in was just
at the end of this street. Four or five gang members were keeping guard at the
door. It was an unusual period; the atmosphere of the small town had become
abnormally tense. They stood at the door for a while, and in that time, no locals
poked their heads out of the windows.
Chapter 122

Indeed, while the citizens were behind the times, they were not stupid. They had
noticed that something big had occurred recently in the small town. Acting on the
orders of Buddha’s Hand, the organisation’s members had already started packing
up in order to evacuate the town.

Bo Jinyan had been right, when Buddha’s Hand seized control of this little town,
they had isolated it, further hindering any contact the locals had with the outside
world. If Buddha’s Hand continued to occupy the town, the residents would always
be left behind, impoverished, and closed off from the world.

Buddha’s Hand would have to be pulled up by the roots, and eradicated.

At this time, someone walked from the street corner to the small building where
Buddha’s Hand lived. White clothes, a familiar, skinny figure, holding a large
medicine bag.

“It’s the doctor,” said Zhao Kun. “He said he was coming back tonight. He must be
going to tend to Boss and Qin Sheng’s injuries.”

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao were briefly silent before Bo Jinyan said, “Catch up with
him!”

With the passing of time, Jian Yao’s heart had calmed down. The shock that she
had experienced on first seeing that ‘J’ had been superseded by cool-headed
analysis.

Luo Lang was the butterfly killer; there was no need to doubt this. The ‘J’ at the
scene of Feng Yuexi’s murder had been left by him.

Moreover, with his temperament, he would never associate with the masked killer.

Therefore, there was only one answer —

Handwriting could be imitated, to say nothing of the words written in blood on the
wall, since they were unable to distinguish between true and false at this time. That
had to be the work of the second masked killer, in order to distract them and
disrupt their state of mind.

Thus, it was just as Bo Jinyan said: this was a puzzle which looked very
complicated, but was actually simple.

However, when the three of them walked into the inn, Jian Yao could not help the
chill that permeated her heart, because she knew that they were drawing even
closer to the masked killer. Perhaps they were only one step away from the final
conclusion.

When they had knocked on and opened the door of Song Kun’s study, the first
thing that greeted them was the faint odour of medicine, mixed with the fragrance
of tea. It was pitch black outside the window, but the room was blazing with light.
Song Kun was half lying on a taishi chair*. His shirt had been loosened to bare his
shoulder. Wen Rong, in a white doctor’s coat that was not too clean, was standing
at his side, head bent as he carefully tended to his wound. Qin Sheng was sitting on
one side, waiting his turn.
*T/N You can read more about the taishi chair here.

Gongfu tea* was brewing on the table. Song Kun was partial towards freshly drawn
well water; every day, after the water had been delivered, the first thing he would
do was to brew a pot of tea. Presently, Qin Sheng was drinking a cup of tea while
refilling the empty cup in front of Song Kun. He looked up to see them and asked in
surprise, “What are you doing here? Has something happened?”
*功夫茶 (gong fu cha) – a very concentrated type of tea drunk in Chaozhou, Fujian
and Taiwan. Gong fu, sometimes translated as kung fu (think ‘Kung Fu Panda’),
refers to martial arts. Find out more about gong fu cha here.
Song Kun and Wen Rong looked at them. Song Kun’s expression was reserved,
while Wen Rong smiled, and nodded genially towards them.

Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and Zhao Kun sat down calmly. Zhao Kun took a cup of tea and
sipped it. Bo Jinyan rested his hands on his knees and said, smilingly, “We’ve
gathered some clues from the scene of the crime and are here to report to Boss.”

At this, Song Kun’s expression eased somewhat. He waved his hand to indicate that
Wen Rong should stop his ministrations for the moment, and said, “Proceed.” Qin
Sheng got up and poured Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao a cup of tea each.

Bo Jinyan said, in an unhurried manner, “The door lock was not tampered with,
and there were no signs of forced entry through the windows. The killer was
someone Zhao Jian knew, that is to say, it was someone in our organisation . . .”

One at a time and using simpler terms, he reported the discoveries the three of
them had made earlier at the scene of the crime. In the meantime, Jian Yao lifted
her eyes and unabashedly scrutinised Wen Rong. He had spent a day and a night in
the mountains, and his white coat was dirty, with quite a few clay stains, even on
his lower back. Inside, he wore a woollen vest and trousers. What could be seen of
his trouser legs was spotlessly clean, but there was a little mud on his trousers near
his sports shoes. The sleeves of his coat were water-stained, and there were even
greyish-green marks. Jian Yao’s brain was humming away; she could vaguely sense
that there was something highly important about this, but she just could not grasp
what it was. She raised the cup of tea before her and was just about to drink from it
when Wen Rong, across from her, looked up at her with a smile out of the blue.
That smile seemed incredibly calm and gentle, yet, inexplicably, it caused her heart
to feel numb . . .

“Wife . . .” Bo Jinyan abruptly pulled on her hand and said, “What else did you
discover just now? Tell the boss, quickly!”
Jian Yao had not expected him to ask this of her so suddenly. She quickly came
back to herself, put down the cup and looked off into space for a while. As she saw
the men looking at her, her gears in her brain started to turn more quickly. Then,
she said, slowly, “Boss, I don’t think whether the killer is a police officer or not is
important. What is important is that Gu An’s death is extremely important to him.
Privately, their relationship is very close. Gu An, with his uninhibited and licentious
ways, could have been like a younger brother to him. Thus, he reacted to the news
of Gu An’s death by killing someone in such a crazed manner. A police officer would
not have done this. If he knew that we had actually worked and planned together
to deceive Gu An and colluded in his death, he might be even more enraged.”

She looked intently at Wen Rong as she said all this.

Wen Rong’s gaze was as tranquil as water.

“Hmm.” Song Kun nodded and said, “That’s reasonable.” He looked at Bo Jinyan
and said, “Not bad. You all continue investigating. When you’ve figured out who it
is, I want to skin Gu An’s accomplice alive then toss him into the river for the fish.”

Zhao Kun raised his cup of tea and was about to drink from it when Bo Jinyan
called, “Zhao Kun.” Zhao Kun startled and lowered the cup. Bo Jinyan smiled
faintly and said, “It was all thanks to Zhao Kun that we made those discoveries
today.” Zhao Kun eyed Song Kun, who nodded. Zhao Kun smiled briefly before
saying, “You’re welcome.” He glanced at his cup of tea, then subconsciously turned
to Song Kun again.

Jian Yao looked up. The kettle was whistling, which meant that Song Kun was
already on his second pot of tea, at least. Bo Jinyan sat in silence.

Song Kun was not a simple person. In the twinkling of an eye, he was able to
discern what someone was thinking from their body language.

His line of sight gradually shifted until it rested upon the pot of tea. Silence.

Qin Sheng, who was sitting next to him, also put down his cup.
Everyone was silent. The tension in the atmosphere was like a bow string,
stretched taut. Even the sound of their breathing was clearly audible. However,
right then, someone abruptly laughed out loud.

It was Wen Rong!

In a flash, four people had drawn their guns. Their movements were quick and
light, like the flapping of a bird’s wing.

Zhao Kun and Jian Yao aimed their guns at Wen Rong, while Qin Sheng stood at
Wen Rong’s side with his gun pointing directly at Wen Rong’s forehead.

The gun in Wen Rong’s hand was aimed at Song Kun’s temple.

“Shh . . .” Wen Rong said softly, “Listen to me. Everything has just begun.”

Song Kun, who had spent half his lifetime rebuking people, was excellent at it. In
such a tense situation, he was not a slightest bit fazed. After a brief moment of
silence, he still lifted the cup of tea in front of him and took another sip before
smilingly asking Wen Rong, “What did you put in the tea? Did you kill Zhao Jian?”

Although he was smiling and his deliberate tone of voice bore no trace of anger, his
aura was imposing.

However, Wen Rong was not at all cowed. He laughingly said, “Don’t worry, boss,
it’s not a lethal poison, it’s just to enable me to do as I please. I killed him. As for
why I’m doing all this, why not ask . . . the three police officers across from you?”
Chapter 123

Jian Yao’s heart sank as Wen Rong pronounced these words. As expected, Song
Kun’s expression changed. He looked at the three of them and asked, slowly, “What
did you say?”

“I said . . .” Wen Rong smiled gleefully as he continued, “the husband-and-wife

team before you is not Smiling Snake or whatever, but the renowned criminal
investigation specialists, the Ministry of Public Security’s Professor Bo Jinyan, and
his wife, Jian Yao. Every serial killer with even an iota of learning on the Ministry’s
records has heard of his great name, and prays to never fall into his hands. Apart
from you wild bandits at the border. Anyway, he was even able to deceive the
flower cannibal, so, that he was able to trick you into going around in circles is no
shame. Moreover, his eyes are fine, otherwise he would not just have been able to
dissuade both Jian Yao and Zhao Kun – the police officer – from drinking the tea —
naturally, I don’t know what his real name is. Do I need to say any more? My dear
Simon King, was Gu An deceived in this way, thinking that you were blind, and
therefore getting killed?”

The muscles in Song Kun’s face were twitching as he glared at Bo Jinyan. “Is what
he says true? Are the three of you . . . really police officers?”

Jian Yao and Zhao Kun remained silent as they held their guns steady.

Bo Jinyan muttered under his breath. Unexpectedly, he smiled, and ignoring Song
Kun, he looked at Wen Rong and said, “Since you’ve shown all your cards, I am not
going to beat around the bush, either.” He took off his sunglasses and tossed them
onto the table. A pair of clear, bright eyes, harbouring within them a depth of
tranquility that seemed to reflect the vastness of thousands of mountains and
lakes, gazed at everyone.

Qin Sheng exhaled slowly, momentarily at a loss as to whether he should be

pointing his gun at Wen Rong or at Bo Jinyan and the others. Song Kun’s voice
dropped abruptly as he growled, “You’re also a police officer?!” The question was
directed at Zhao Kun.
Zhao Kun’s face flushed slightly while a myriad of emotions flashed across his eyes.
He said, “Yes, I am. I’m sorry, Boss.”

Song Kun was briefly silent before he burst out into low laughter, sounding like a
wounded beast.

“So, it turns out that Gu An was wrongly killed,” Song Kun said slowly.

“It cannot be said that he was wrongly killed.” These words surprisingly came from
Wen Rong. He smilingly continued, “Song Kun, Gu An and I, and this Professor Bo,
are mortal enemies. As for his eyes – last year, we had the honour of rendering him
blind. This past year, the police have been hot on our heels, so Gu An and I stayed
here with you as a brief stopover. We got a kick out of killing people. We actually
have not the slightest degree of loyalty towards you. We probably have even less
feeling for you than this Zhao Kun here. However, we also have no need to harm
you.”

Song Kun had already calmed down. It was hard to decipher the expression in his
eyes.

“He’s lying,” Jian Yao suddenly interjected. “Before he died, Gu An said he had
already achieved his objective in Buddha’s Hand. The two of you must have other
intentions for remaining with Buddha’s Hand. It’s definitely not that simple!”

Wen Rong smiled indifferently and said, “I didn’t lie. Although I’ve killed many
people, I never lie. Not like you . . . police officers, you criminal psychology experts.
You’re always toying with people’s hearts.”

Jian Yao wanted to rebut him, but Bo Jinyan squeezed her shoulder, indicating
that there was no need to say more.

Everyone present was looking at Song Kun. However, he merely lowered his head
with a laugh, and said coolly, “Wen Rong, let’s make a deal.”

Wen Rong nodded and said, “I want them both; I am not interested in Zhao Kun. If
you let me go, I’ll give everyone the antidote. And, I want to take a woman with
me.”
Song Kun said, “You can only leave here empty handed.”

Wen Rong said, “Deal.”

Yet, Wen Rong’s gun was still pointing at his temple. Qin Sheng’s gun was also in
the same position.

Song Kun’s hand moved slowly to touch the underside of the table. He said,
“Therefore, I say, I hate the police the most. No matter what the cost, if you are a
genuine police officer, I have to eliminate you. But criminals are different. Between
criminals, it is always possible to execute a mutually beneficial exchange of
interests. The three of you have dared to betray me. I swear that you will die a more
wretched death than anyone else.”

Bo Jinyan shook his head and said, “Song Kun, you’re wrong. There is no way to
have a mutually beneficial exchange with people of abnormal psychology. You are
not dealing with ordinary criminals, but with demons. You are making the biggest
mistake of your life; you will crash and burn without any means of rescue. Your best
option now is to capture Wen Rong and surrender to us. This way, you might still be
able to spend the rest of your life in prison.”

Wen Rong laughed softly.

Song Kun also laughed. With a press of his finger, a piercing alarm sounded
abruptly in the room. Immediately, more than seven or eight people charged in,
and stopped in surprise when they saw the scene before them. Song Kun lifted his
chin and said, “Tie up Ah She and his wife, and hand them over to Wen Rong. Zhao
Kun . . . disarm him, I’ll handle him personally later.” Jian Yao and Zhao Kun held
their guns in preparation for a standoff, but they were heavily outnumbered, and
their chance of victory was slim. Bo Jinyan sighed and said, “Put down your guns.”
In the split second that Jian Yao and Zhao Kun heistated, they were neutralised
and disarmed. Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao were tightly bound. Although Zhao Kun was
not bound, there were several guns aimed at his head, and he knelt on the ground,
with his future looking desperately grim.

Song Kun took in the scene and felt the fury in his chest ease a little. He calmly
asked Wen Rong, “What about the antidote?”
Wen Rong appeared slightly hesitant, and said, “Boss, you promise, after I give you
the antidote, you’ll let me leave with the two of them? Rest assured, I’ll make their
lives a living hell, such that they’ll wish they were dead. They are our common
enemies, I promise to deal with them in a way that will satisfy you. When the time
comes, I can send you photographs or videos.”

Song Kun laughed and said, “I promise to let you go. There are so many brothers
here as witnesses. Since when has Buddha’s Hand not kept his word?”

This was entirely true. All of Buddha’s Hand knew that the boss’s word carried
enormous weight*, and his reputation in that regard was beyond reproach. Song
Kun waited with a serene expression. Wen Rong surveyed the more than ten people
standing around the room and seemed to come to a decision. He threw down his
gun. Qin Sheng glanced at Song Kun who nodded once, whereupon Qin Sheng
lowered the gun he had been pointing at Wen Rong.

*T/N 一言九鼎 (yi yan jiu ding) – lit. one word is worth nine sacred tripods

In this way, the deadly confrontation between the three parties appeared to have
been swiftly resolved. A settlement was reached between criminals, and the police
were all reduced to being prisoners.

Zhao Kun knelt on the ground with a bleak expression. Jian Yao gritted her teeth
and looked towards Bo Jinyan. He noticed it and turned his head to look at her.
Then, his clear, limpid eyes winked once, slightly. Jian Yao stilled.

Just then, Wen Rong fished out a glass bottle from his coat pocket, shook out a pill
and swallowed it. He then passed the bottle to Song Kun, saying, “Have the
brothers take this straight away; if you delay, the side effects will not be good.”

Song Kun made a sound of assent, shook out and ate a pill, then gave one to Qin
Sheng. Song Kun eyed Zhao Kun and said, “Give him one, too. I don’t want his
death to come at such a low price.” Thus, someone pried open Zhao Kun’s mouth
and shoved a pill in. Bo Jinyan looked at Zhao Kun, his gaze sharp and bright. Zhao
Kun stared intently at him in silence, the veins in his forehead bulging out.
Song Kun ordered three underlings to remain in the room to control the situation,
while he sent the others out, and distributed the antidote to the men outside. As
Zhao Kun was viewed as a traitor, he too was escorted outside to await
punishment. The study once again resumed its usual state of tranquility.
Chapter 124

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao were bound to chairs for the time being, while two people
pointed guns at each of their heads. Wen Rong stood to one side, a distance from
everyone else. Song Kun was still sitting upright behind the table, Qin Sheng and
another man by his side.

Wen Rong smiled and said, “Simon King, how did you figure out that I was the one
who killed Zhao Jian?”

Song Kun also raised his head to look at the both of them.

The corner of Bo Jinyan’s mouth twitched, and he said, “You committed this crime
when everything was blowing up suddenly and you were very excited. You left so
many traces behind, if I couldn’t see them at one glance, that would be an insult to
my IQ.”

Song Kun couldn’t believe that this person, at such a time, would still be throwing
insults around, and stared at him silently. On the other hand, Wen Rong was still
smiling, and asked with seemingly great interest, “Really? Do tell.”

Bo Jinyan eyed him and, unexpectedly, smiled meaningfully before he responded,

“Leaving aside the fact that you fitted the profile of the suspect in all aspects:
height, dexterity in cutting, your big medical bag, your familiarity with the
victim . . . you left behind a big clue in the deceased’s home. I guessed that you
would give the excuse of giving medical treatment to enter Zhao Jian’s home. Zhao
Jian’s home was incredibly sloppy, but the only home-use medical kit there had
been organised in a very orderly fashion – because you had tidied it up. Before
killing him, you had used the medical kit, and if you did not put everything away, it
would instantly have attracted attention. However, you forgot your own neat
habits. Moreover, just look at yourself – the outside of your white doctor’s coat is
dirty, but you’re wearing fresh clothes on the inside. If you had really just returned
from the mountains and rushed to treat Song Kun with no time to change your
clothes – it should be like this in theory – then why are your trouser legs so clean,
while there is mud around the waist at the back of your coat? However, where you
are concerned, what does it matter if you are exposed? Before you came here, you
had already poisoned the well water, enough to affect all of us. If not for me and
Jian Yao being on the alert and not drinking the tea, the current situation would be
completely under your control, right?”

Wen Rong smiled. He did not deny anything, and merely said, “Yes.”

On the other hand, Song Kun was secretly shocked. He had not known when Wen
Rong had released the poison, and never imagined he would poison the well
directly.

“How did you know he poisoned the well?” Song Kun asked.

Bo Jinyan looked up and glanced at Wen Rong’s coat sleeve, where there were
greyish-green marks. “His sleeves are wet, and there are traces of moss. There is
moss at the edge of the well. Moreover, he had to single-handedly deal with both
opposing parties. For a doctor, the best method would be poison. And, to put the
poison in drinking water.”

Song Kun looked at Wen Rong without saying anything.

Wen Rong laughed even more gently and slowly repeated, “Indeed, the best
method is poison.” Then, he looked down at his watch and said, “Oh, we’ve been
chatting for 5 minutes without us realising it, it’s almost time.”

These words did not make sense. Song Kun and Qin Sheng stared blankly.

However, Bo Jinyan sighed and said, “Song Kun, I advised you not to make a deal
with a demon, but you didn’t listen. How can there possibly be a mutually
beneficial exchange of interests with someone of abnormal psychology? He is not
at all like you guys, criminals who are still bound by the desires of this mortal life.
How could he possibly make life a goal? A killer of his calibre, of his type, gets his
kicks out of playing with people and killing them sadistically. You are one of Gu
An’s killers, as well as an outstanding criminal underworld boss. He has never killed
someone like you before, so how could he let you go?”

Song Kun’s entire being trembled violently. He looked up to see a treacherous

smile hovering on Wen Rong’s lips. At the same time, the two gang members who
were training their guns on Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao suddenly gripped their chests
and uttered pained cries. With crimson faces, they collapsed in an instant, frothing
at the mouth.

A sensation of extreme nausea bubbled up in Song Kun’s chest as he heard Qin

Sheng falling to the ground beside him. He reached out to grab the gun on the
table, but it was too late. He felt as if all the strength in his body had gone up in
flames and he fell on the table with a loud ‘bang’. Everything before his eyes went
black, as if he had been sucked into a deep black vortex. Only In his barely open
eyes was there a very weak hint of consciousness.

Bo Jinyan watched this unforeseen event unfold before him in silence. Beyond the
tightly shut door could be heard the continual sounds of falling bodies. It went
without saying that Song Kun’s underlings had fallen into the trap as well.

Jian Yao looked up and saw Wen Rong chuckling opposite her before retrieving Qin
Sheng’s gun from the ground. In the room, only he was still standing, and only
they, with him, were still conscious. Perhaps they were the only ones in the entire
building. She glanced at Bo Jinyan and suddenly felt a jolt of courage. She kept her
face devoid of expression while, behind her back, she was using the method Fang
Qing taught her and frantically attempting to struggle free of her bonds. She
twisted and turned her hands until she felt acute pain, as if her wrist bones were
about to snap.

Wen Rong looked at Bo Jinyan with grim resolve and said, “How did you know
when I administered the poison?”

Bo Jinyan smiled mockingly and said, “If the poison had been administered to the
water in the well, how much would have been needed? There is no way to control
this situation. Moreover, some people drink less water, some drink more; some
people drink the water early, some late. If the smallest mishap had occurred, Song
Kun would have sensed that something was wrong, and your plan would have
failed. Only these gangsters who know nothing about pharmacology and your level
of criminal expertise would believe such a thing. In truth, one pill per person gives
precise control over the time of poisoning and yields a much higher success rate.
The moss and water marks on your sleeves, as well as your responses earlier, were
all intended to mislead us and make us think you had already administered the
poison to the well water. After that, it was only logical to get all of them to ingest
the poison, and everything would be in your full control.”

The smile on Wen Rong’s face grew even brighter as he said, “This is truly worthy of
Simon King! Not even the smallest clue can escape your eagle eyes. Oh, the you
whose radiance has been restored indeed strikes fear in people’s hearts. However,
it’s my turn to shine now. My apologies, I have to take care of the two of them first
before I take care of you two – I always leave the best for last.”

When he uttered those two words, ‘take care’, Jian Yao felt herself shuddering in
fear. Bo Jinyan said nothing.

Quickly, Wen Rong found ropes and bound Song Kun and Qin Sheng to chairs. Both
of them were naturally still unconscious. After that, Wen Rong took a tray of
glittering, sharp scalpels from the medicine bag by his side, and examined them
with fascination.

He even started to whistle lightheartedly, appearing completely at ease. He was so

much like Fu Ziyu with his fair skin and tall, slender figure, but he was a refined,
cruel demon.

“What plans do you all have after this?” Bo Jinyan asked out of the blue.

“We . . .” That word had barely issued from Wen Rong’s mouth when his hands,
fiddling with the scalpels, stilled and he turned to look at Bo Jinyan. He laughed in
spite of himself as he said, “Simon King, you are really, really too insidious! Who
says you have a pure and simple temperament?”

Bo Jinyan also smiled faintly. He had already received the answer he wanted.

Jian Yao stared at the scalpel in Wen Rong’s hand. She had not the least doubt that
the same scalpel would cut into hers and Bo Jinyan’s chest in future.

She would never allow such a thing to happen.

Sharp pain pulsed through her fingers. Her face was already a little red, but she
maintained her serene appearance. Half of her palm was almost free of the bonds.
Fang Qing had once said that most men would not be able to struggle free in this
way.

She turned her head to look at Bo Jinyan who was sitting, godlike, in silence.

For him, she would do it.

Chapter 125

“Why did you conceal yourselves in Buddha’s Hand?” Bo Jinyan asked.

Wen Rong absently answered, “To hide. Also, this fellow has indeed amassed a lot
of arms and drugs. These few days, they’ve all been packed away. Naturally, I know
where all of them have been stashed. Enough to fill several boats. When I’ve
finished here, I’ll take the both of you on board. With these, we . . .”

“After today, you will be completely unrestrained and without scruple,” Bo Jinyan
smoothly interjected.

Wen Rong smiled. “You really understand us well.”

Jian Yao was shocked. To have seized all these, so fundamental to the activities of
Buddha’s Hand, at one go – these serial killers were even more crafty than wolves.

In an instant, Wen Rong had removed Song Kun and Qin Sheng’s clothes to expose
their chests, whereupon he started giggling.

“Simon King,” he said, “take this as my gift to you.” With that, he cut deeply with
the scalpel.

********* (start of graphic paragraph)

Qin Sheng was initially unconscious, but due to the acute pain in his chest, a blood-
curdling screech suddenly burst forth from him, and his dull eyes opened wide, like
those of a dead fish! Fresh blood poured forth while Wen Rong bent his head in full
concentration and continued cutting. Qin Sheng’s body writhed violently, his
screams were incessant . . . then Wen Rong paused for a rest and brought his eyes,
brimming with excitement, to bear on Song Kun, he took up a clean scalpel, Song
Kun instantly roused with a sharp cry . . .

*********** (end of graphic paragraph) Summary – Wen Rong is using a sharp

scalpel on Qin Shen and Song Kun.
Bo Jinyan’s eyes were immeasurably black, as black as the deepest, most still
night. Jian Yao could no longer bear to watch and looked away. Who could have
imagined that the number one gangster boss who had shaken up the whole of the
southwest would fall into the hands of the top-ranked serial killer and so swiftly be
inhumanly tortured?

“I keep thinking, what is it that you want?” Bo Jinyan said unexpectedly.

Once again, Wen Rong’s hands stopped moving. Qin Sheng and Song Kun, both
more than halfway to death, had ceased making noise as Wen Rong had gagged
them with towels.

“The masked killer case in America . . .” Bo Jinyan said unhurriedly, his deep, low
voice so powerfully compelling that it rendered any listener silent. “It is as if one of
you wanted to take revenge for your fiance, so grieved and despairing that you
wanted to confront the whole world, and incite an extensive public debate. In the
end, you took Han Yumeng out to sea and drifted with the tides for several years.
Possessed her. After that, she and Fu Ziyu fled in desperation, desiring never to be
parted from each other. In the end, they were brutally killed by you all.”

Wen Rong did not say anything.

“What all of you want is love,” Bo Jinyan said. “A sentimental love that yearns for
the other at parting, an overwhelming, alluring, destructive love*. One
performance after another; sometimes you are the main characters, sometimes
you are the directors. A love that rebels against the entire world, that makes you
feel both tragic and grand; when the loved person dies in your embrace, your tears
overflow. This is what interests you, what gives you pleasure. Over and over again,
you live your life in a world of your imagination; over and over again, you
experience false yet intense emotions. But, what I want to know is, what caused
the three of you to have such demands? Is it because you could never experience
emotions? And thus you chose mankind’s most intense, fierce emotion – love? Or is
it because you had once longed for it, but suffered the most bitter wound of
rejection instead? Which caused you to lose hope in love? And how did the three of
you become such an intimately connected, tight-knit group? Are you related by
blood? The best of friends? Or is one of you the nucleus of this core, who attracted
the others, and is dominant in the group? Who allowed you to also be intoxicated
by this life of lies and truth, of devilish madness?”

*T/N 倾城之恋 (qing cheng zhi lian) – describes the love of a woman who is so
alluring that many people are attracted to her, and which may lead to the downfall
of cities. I suppose a western equivalent would be Helen of Troy.

Wen Rong kept staring at him.

Jian Yao had managed to work one hand free of the bonds, but she had lost all
sensation in it at the moment. She also kept looking at Bo Jinyan, watching him
carefully entering this world, exploring, one step at a time, this cruel serial killer,
yet without allowing the other party to respond with a single word.

Although Bo Jinyan was currently bound, his eyes were sharp, shining faintly, and
unfathomably deep. It was difficult to decide if he looked like an angel or a demon.
With a low laugh, he continued, “Also, the third person in your group, what kind of
secret is he hiding? What is causing him to be so timid, and also so insane? Why is
he so against the entire world, why is it that he has never been able to find his true
self? Mask Killer Number 2, tell me, why is Number 3 like this? What has shackled
his soul for such a long time?”

Wen Rong was rendered speechless.

Both of Jian Yao’s hands had finally slipped free of their restraints and were hidden
behind her back. However, at this time, she suddenly froze.

She knew that Bo Jinyan’s speech was either to prolong the time or to engage in a
psychological battle with Wen Rong. There were no faults in what he had said, and
they had done the analysis together for the most part. However, she could not
quite pinpoint what had shaken her – whether it was something he had said, or a
change in inflexion as he said it. She felt that some huge, terrifying secret was
hiding somewhere. There had already been indications from the time she and Bo
Jinyan had climbed out of that oil tank and arrived at this small town, but she just
could not grasp what it was.
Then it was too late for careful thought. She pulled herself together and heard Wen
Rong sigh. He said, “Simon King, now I know why those people always feared you,
yet could not stop themselves from provoking you. Because you really understand
us, in the same way as we understand ourselves. No wonder they all call you ‘King’,
because you are practically our god.”

Bo Jinyan said, indifferently, “I don’t want to be your god.”

Wen Rong’s expression darkened, but he smiled for some unknown reason. He
once again took up the scalpel and said, calmly, “Simon King, you’ve upset me
again. So, I have to make you unhappy. What you’ve said is correct, people like us
are not going to make any mutually beneficial exchange of interests. However, we
uphold some kind of balance: the balance between righteousness and evil,
between life and death. You all have killed a masked killer. Do you know what this
signifies?”

Jian Yao started in apprehension as a vague premonition surfaced in her mind.

With a calm expression, Bo Jinyan asked, “Oh, what does it signify?”

Wen Rong laughingly said, “I have prepared a reciprocal gift for all of you in this
small town. However, you may not be in time to see it.”

Bo Jinyan did not speak further and Jian Yao felt as if her heart was being stabbed
by millions of pins. A reciprocal gift? The balance between life and death? Who had
they already acted against? Fang Qing? An Yan? Zhu Tao? No, from the time she
and Bo Jinyan drifted to this place, the Special Cases Unit must have been waiting,
consolidating their knowledge, taking careful precaution. It could not be so easy to
injure a police officer, no, it could not be!

It was at this point that Bo Jinyan looked at her, his gaze steady and bright. As a
result, Jian Yao calmed down, and she nodded. At present, the best thing to do was
to continue to engage the masked killer in a battle of wits. If they could win this
battle, then they would be better able to protect their comrades.

Just then, someone knocked at the door. Tong tong tong.

Wen Rong’s expression immediately brightened, as if he had been waiting for this
for a long time. He put down the scalpel and instantly walked over to open the
door.

At one side, Bo Jinyan said, coldly, “Tsk. . . . your female lead has arrived.”

Wen Rong said, “That’s right, shut up. Don’t scare her.”

Jian Yao moved her fingers vigorously behind her back, concentrating her full
attention on seizing the opportunity to free herself and mount a sneak attack on
Wen Rong.

The door opened.

——

Appearing before them was Qiu Shijin’s face, childlike and innocent. Her
expression betrayed the fact that something was not right, her face was red, and
her voice was shrill as she cried out, “Doctor . . .”

Wen Rong looked stern.

And then, it was too late

The black muzzle of a gun protruded from behind Qiu Shijin. Wen Rong was unable
to draw his gun in time. As the peng of a gunshot sounded, the weary yet
determined face of Zhao Kun appeared.
Wen Rong swayed from side to side, while Qiu Shijin let out a series of agonised
wails. Jian Yao started and looked beyond the door to see that the gang members
were all lying in a disorderly fashion all over the ground, showing the same
symptoms of poisoning as Song Kun.

Why hadn’t Zhao Kun been poisoned?

A memory flashed through Jian Yao’s mind of him exchanging glances with Bo
Jinyan as he was being escorted outside. The revelation occurred to her in the
twinkling of an eye. Very likely, he had begun to be suspicious at that time and had
not swallowed the poison, and subsequently found a way to spit it out somehow.
He had indeed proven himself worthy as the police officer who had been
undercover in the wolves’ den for several years, to be perceptive to such an extent!

Before anyone could react, Jian Yao swiftly lowered her head and pulled off the
ropes binding her legs.

Wen Rong had been shot in the abdomen but, strangely, did not topple over
immediately. He quickly drew his gun. With a swift move, Zhao Kun pushed himself
away from Qiu Shijin’s shoulder, aiming for another shot. Suddenly, Qiu Shijin
yelled and grabbed Zhao Kun’s arm. Caught off guard, Zhao Kun shot her in the
heart. Zhao Kun went rigid as Wen Rong howled in anguish and fired, hitting Zhao
Kun!

“Shijin!” Wen Rong staggered a few steps forward. Qiu Shijin and Zhao Kun both
collapsed at the same time, but were not dead.

Qiu Shijin cried out, “Doctor! Run! Run! They are all bad guys! Jie jie wants to kill
you!” With a start, Wen Rong snapped his head around and saw that Jian Yao had
struggled free, thrown herself to the ground, and was holding a gun. Even though
Zhao Kun was seriously injured, he drew a strained breath and threw Qiu Shijin off
himself in order to shoot Wen Rong. With enemies attacking from both front and
back, Wen Rong was instantly thrown into confusion. He looked up, and the only
thing he saw was Qiu Shijin’s tearful, pleading expression. His heart ached with so
much grief and hot tears rolled down his face. He gritted his teeth, turned, shoved
open the door, and fled.
Zhao Kun had already used what seemed to be his last remaining strength to prop
himself up, and remnants of the poison were still in his body. He saw Wen Rong
fleeing, but was unable to muster up the strength to grab hold of him. His gun
slipped from his grasp and he slid onto the ground. Bo Jinyan commanded him,
“Zhao Kun! Hang on! You’ve already persevered till this day! You can’t die like this!”

*T/N Anks and shl want to say that they will be extremely upset if Zhao Kun doesn’t
make it!
Jian Yao felt a deep grief as she leapt up from the ground and rushed over to
support Zhao Kun. She looked towards the open door, but the night was
completely dark and it was still raining, where would they be able to find Wen
Rong?

Jian Yao asked urgently, “How are you?” Zhao Kun’s face was deathly pale and he
had already lost consciousness, but he was still breathing. She first lay him on the
ground, then turned to cut through the restraints securing Bo Jinyan’s hands and
legs. Qiu Shijin lay on the ground unmoving, with blood oozing out from beneath
her. She appeared to be dying.

“Jinyan, what do we do next?” she asked frantically.

Bo Jinyan bent his head to look at her. Suddenly, she found her hand empty as he
appropriated her gun. His voice was low yet powerful as he said, “I will go after him.
You stay here. Wen Rong’s medical bag is still here, render emergency first aid to
Zhao Kun, he must not die.”

Jian Yao looked at him. “But . . .”

Unexpectedly, he smiled briefly and said, “Don’t worry. Although your combat
skills are better than mine, what’s crucial in pursuing this kind of criminal is one’s
brains. Moreover, the marksmanship of Bo Jinyan who has finally opened his eyes
is not necessarily worse than yours – especially at night.”
Jian Yao was stunned. Before she could react, he had hugged her, then turned and
left.

Jian Yao stood where she was for a few seconds. This room had suffered a brief
moment of carnage*. Now, there was no one left standing in it apart from her.
Everything was silent, and the only sound was that of the rain against the window.
She abruptly lowered her head and smiled. Yes, there was no need to worry.
Someone as intelligent and steady as Bo Jinyan had been able to catch criminals
while blind. Now that he had opened his eyes, how could he fail to capture this
insignificant serial killer?

*T/N 腥风血雨 (xing feng xue yu) – lit. foul wind and bloody rain
She calmed down and was infused with sudden energy. Even though her heart was
still shrouded in dense layers of fog, causing her to be somewhat unsettled, she
could clearly sense that the light they were yearning to see was not far off.

She immediately ran to retrieve Wen Rong’s medicine bag that was beside the
table, knelt next to Zhao Kun and did her best to staunch the flow of blood and
treat his wounds.

She had no idea how many people had ingested Wen Rong’s poison. However, the
twenty or so people both within and without this secret hideout appeared to have
been affected. The surroundings were extremely quiet; only the rustling beneath
her hands was heard.

She laboured on, head lowered, for a good few minutes, fully focused on her task.
She did not realise that someone had opened their eyes to look at her.

At this time.

She heard a weak, mirthful voice, coming from behind her:

“Hi, Jenny.”

Amongst the people who had fallen to the ground.

Jian Yao felt all the blood in her body turn cold in an instant.

....

Hi, Jenny.

Hi, J.

Xie Han had once called you that, intimately.

But, did you know,

I’ve called you that in my dreams millions of times.

Just to see your smiling face.

Just to create a devastatingly beautiful love, capable of felling entire cities.

He has almost caught me before.

But I will not let something like that happen again.

I have finally broken out of that prison I’ve been confined in for half my lifetime.

In this joyful state, I am coming to you.

Chapter 126

Deep night, heavy rain.

Bo Jinyan walked alone in the rain.

There was no one else on the streets. Lights were still on in some of the buildings,
but all was silent. Tonight, this little town was finally quiet, just like a ghost town.

Bo Jinyan held his gun and walked on, his eyes incomparably bright.

We have prepared a reciprocal gift!

Enough to fill several boats . . .
He ran in the direction of the path closest to the riverbank.

As expected, Wen Rong, having been shot, was unable to run fast. Not long later, he
heard the sound of footsteps in front of him. Moreover, there were still intact
bloodstains on the ground, although these were very quickly being washed away
by the rain.

Bo Jinyan’s finger stayed on the trigger.

When he rounded the corner beyond the eaves of the next building, he would catch
up.

The rain fell steadily, like bullets.

As Bo Jinyan shot out of the turn, he saw a figure lurching along in the alley ahead
of him, and raised his gun to take aim.

Suddenly, he started.

Because he heard footsteps.

Not his, not Wen Rong’s. In addition, it was the footsteps of a group of people,
coming towards them from the other end of the alley. The footsteps were very fast,
light, and orderly, whoever it was had obviously been well drilled. Coming closer.

Bo Jinyan had only hesitated for a split second. Then, his mouth abruptly curved
into a smile, and he stood where he was without moving.

Wen Rong, who was not more than 20 metres away from him, went rigid, and
raised his head.

It was a group of ten or more men clad in black raincoats. The raincoats’ hoods
obscured their faces so it was difficult to tell them apart in the darkness. However,
each of them held a gun. The men in the lead were holding submachine guns. They
spread out under the eaves and in the alley, exuding an air of toughness. Wen Rong
had no way to escape, and thus had to face them head-on.

Wen Rong turned and ran.

The second he turned, he saw Bo Jinyan standing in the rain with his gun trained
on him, cold and stern, like a grim reaper.

However, stopping him was not up to Bo Jinyan this time. A man clad in a black
raincoat rushed forward and attacked Wen Rong with lightning fast moves. Wen
Rong was absolutely unable to hold him off, and went down with a cry of pain. His
attacker was highly experienced; he clamped one hand over Wen Rong’s mouth,
knocked him over the head, then handed him over to the people behind him.
Thereafter, he tore open the hood of the raincoat, exposing a stern, resolute face in
the darkness, and cried out involuntarily, “Jinyan!”

Bo Jinyan put down his gun and walked towards them. The rain continued to run
down his cheeks relentlessly, but his eyes were as bright as stars as he said, “Fang
Qing, you all were so slow in getting here.”

Fang Qing was unable to respond before someone behind him also tore open the
hood of his raincoat and yelled excitedly, “Boss!”

It really was our flower boy, An Yan.

Although Bo Jinyan was a little annoyed at the speed with which they had come to
the rescue, he could not stop his spirits from rising presently. He smiled as he stood
in front of them and was about to extend his hand for a handshake when An Yan
grabbed and hugged him. Bo Jinyan was somewhat startled, and did not move.
Next to him, Fang Qing also reached out, and then all three of them were in a group
hug.

Bo Jinyan slowly lowered his head, and was speechless for a time.

The three men hugged in the rain for several seconds, then sprang apart swiftly.
The urgency of the situation did not permit them to indulge in reminiscence. Fang
Qing lifted his head and just happened to catch Bo Jinyan’s eye. He stilled for a
moment before reacting. “Bo Jinyan, are your eyes . . . all right now?”

Bo Jinyan said, “I . . .”

Before he could say anything, An Yan, who was standing beside him, felt a little
anxious and interjected, “Lao Fang, we can explain!”
Bo Jinyan was speechless. So was Fang Qing.

At this time, the armed policemen behind them walked up and said, “Lao Fang, do
we carry on pushing forward?”
At this, Fang Qing coughed lightly, glared firmly at An Yan, and said to Bo Jinyan,
“We’ll talk about this later. First, give us a brief run-down of the situation here.”

“Ok.”

It turned out that two days ago, Fang Qing and Zhu Tao finally determined that this
forgotten little town was the hiding place of Buddha’s Hand. They immediately
informed their superiors, and formulated a comprehensive attack and rescue plan.
At present, Fang Qing was heading a small advance squad whose main objective
was to stealthily check out the situation and area without alarming the locals as far
as possible and simultaneously ascertain whether they could rescue Bo Jinyan and
Jian Yao. Moreover, the main offensive force was coming up behind them, and was
advancing on the small town by water, land, and air. In a short while, the total
attack would begin. However, Fang Qing and the rest had never imagined that they
would be so fortunate as to run into Bo Jinyan as soon as they came ashore.
Bo Jinyan explained, “Due to unforeseen reasons, this stronghold of Buddha’s
Hand has already lost it’s fighting strength. Buddha’s Hand himself, Song Kun, is
gravely injured and unconscious. Undercover police officer Zhao Kun is also
seriously injured; Jian Yao is looking after him. Let’s first join her there.”

Fang Qing and the others gleefully said, “That’s great!”

That building seemed to be no different from when Bo Jinyan had left it half an
hour ago. The Buddha’s Hand henchmen who had collapsed earlier still had not
regained consciousness. Fang Qing and his men were thus in no hurry to arrest
them, and followed Bo Jinyan inside.

When they reached the room, the door was closed. Bo Jinyan pushed open the
door slowly, only to see a slender figure stabbing Song Kun in the heart with a
blade. They were all shocked, but it was too late to do anything. Qiu Shijin’s
movements were swift and light, she used the other blade in her hand to slit her
throat. The blood spurted out in a gushing fountain, like water from a faucet.

Fang Qing leapt forward and attempted to put pressure on her neck, but to no
avail. A strange smile appeared on her petite face, and a chill crept into Bo Jinyan’s
heart. He quickly looked around the room – where was Jian Yao? With one move he
seized the dying Qiu Shijin and asked grimly, “Jian Yao? Where is she?”

Qiu Shijin opened her mouth but was unable to force out any words. Bo Jinyan
could only rely on the shape of her mouth and the extremely weak sound that
issued forth to make out her last words:

“Everything . . . is going . . . according to his plan . . .”

Qiu Shijin drew her last breath.

Bo Jinyan stood up. Quick as lightning, his eyes flashed to the bloody footprints on
the ground. Those were Jian Yao’s footprints. The outline was clear and they were
steadily spaced out; there were no other footprints next to them. She had not been
compelled but had left of her own accord.

Where did she go?

 ——
Jian Yao was in the mountains behind the town.

It was already midnight, and the heavy rain was growing in intensity. In the rain,
everything looked blurred. She had no idea that the backup force had already
arrived, otherwise she would not have gone to such a dangerous place by herself.

Following the directions that Qiu Shijin had given her, she climbed up a
mountainside, and could vaguely make out a cave hidden within a pitch-dark
forest ahead of her. This place was very far away from the streets of the small town.
In the damp darkness, she turned on her torch and fumbled her way forwards. Due
to the rain, the mountainside had become especially slippery. A moment’s
inattention would result in her falling down the mountain. Several small-scale
landslides had already occurred in the overhanging cliffs above her. Mud and rocks
were heaped up all over the ground, causing Jian Yao to shiver when she saw them.

She thought about her conversation with Qiu Shijin.

“Hi, Jenny . . .” When Qiu Shijin addressed her thus, Jian Yao knew that something
like a black vortex, which had been hibernating, was finally showing its face now,
and was coming.
Chapter 127

She turned to look at Qiu Shijin, but saw that this formerly bashful and innocent
girl was now sporting an enigmatic smile. Then, Jian Yao knew, it had all been an
act, from the first day they stepped into this small town.

Jian Yao suddenly jolted.

Wen Rong had unconsciously agreed . . . there was a masked killer no. 3.

He had always existed, and had even poked his nose into all their doings and
whereabouts. Now, he was finally beginning to show himself, even if indistinctly.

Who on earth was he?

However, at this point, Jian Yao’s resolve was firm. She raised her gun and trained
it on Qiu Shijin. “Where is he?”

Qiu Shijin was supremely indifferent. She chuckled and said, “Everything is going
according to his plan. Jenny, you still have one last chance to prevent a disaster
from occurring, to prevent my hometown from being destroyed. Do you know
why Zhizi Zhou, the former city of Pu Luo, was abandoned many years ago?”
“Why?”

“Because . . .” Qiu Shijin lay there and raised her head, a vague smile on her face,
“those so-called experts predicted that there would be a large-scale landslide in
this area which would totally destroy the city. This was once the most brilliant
pearl on the Jinsha River, but, due to these words, the newly built county seat was
moved, and this place gradually became a ghost town. All the people left; the only
ones remaining were the hundred or so people whose families had lived in this
place for generations, and thus were unwilling to abandon it. I was also born here.
But, the devastating landslide that was prophesied never came to pass, even after
so many years. I met him three years ago, when he rescued me after I had
carelessly fallen into the river . . .”
Jian Yao slowly asked, “Who is he?”
Qiu Shijin smiled, but did not reply. Instead, she said, “Jenny, there’s something
even more critical which you must take care of. Only you can prevent it, because
you are the only person he cares about now. He has buried all the explosives from
the weapons and ammunition on several mountains. Tonight, there will be the
biggest rainstorm in ten years. And he will detonate the explosives when the rain is
at its heaviest. That devastating landslide and mountain collapse that was
predicted 60 years ago might just occur . . .”

A vice-like grip tightened slowly around Jian Yao’s heart. “And after that?”

Qiu Shijin looked at her with blurred eyes. “Jenny, will you stop him? There’s more
than half an hour to his planned time of detonation. In this world, it’s probably only
you who can stop him. If not, then, after the explosion, this entire small town might
be razed to the ground, and the few hundred of us indigenous people who have
lived here for generations will be buried under the earth in the space of a night.
But, maybe this has always been our destiny . . .”

......

Jian Yao had been thinking all throughout her journey.

All that they had experienced when they arrived at this small town unfolded, scene
by scene, in her mind. She thought about every word that Bo Jinyan had said to
Wen Rong about that third person while in the building.

She also knew that what Qiu Shijin had told her was most probably a trap. Going on
her own, there was no certainty that she could change the course of events.
However, as a police officer, at this critical juncture, with the lives of several
hundred ordinary citizens at stake, she really did not have much of a choice.

Even with all this, she was at peace. She thought about all she had heard, just like
that time when Bo Jinyan had been captured by the flower cannibal for the first
time. What method had Tommy adopted back then? In reality, it had not been
profound. He had merely seized a bus of schoolchildren and asked Bo Jinyan if he
wanted to make an exchange. Intelligent and unwavering Bo Jinyan had also made
a simple choice; without batting an eyelid, he had offered himself in exchange for
the children . . .
Mud underfoot, a row of pitch-black, ramrod-straight trees in front of her. Jian Yao
was already close to where Qiu Shijin had said ‘he’ was hiding.

The rain was pouring heavily and thundering in her ear, almost deafening her to
the sound of anything else.

The torchlight was deathly white, and could only illuminate a shot stretch of the
way ahead through the curtain of rain.

Jian Yao suddenly startled.

Thanks to the rain, she was thoroughly drenched and icy cold, but all the blood in
her body seemed to rush to her head in a split second.

Her torch had flitted across one of the trees. She paused and slowly swung the
torch back in the same direction.

There was a character on the tree.

It had been cut into the tree. The strokes were clear and defined. So clear, and so
familiar.

“J”.

If it could be said that the ‘J’ written in blood on the wall of the home of the
deceased gang member was similar to the handwriting at the scene of Feng Yuexi’s
death, it was still not enough to determine that they were written by the same
person. This ‘J’, with its vigorous style, subtle bifurcation and brash strokes, could
never be the second person, it had to be the first person, it had to be . . .

The rainwater blurred Jian Yao’s vision. She wiped the rainwater away and opened
her eyes again. As she looked at the ‘J’ again, all the clues which she had ignored
from the time they had stepped ashore, which had been left to simmer hazily on
the back burner, suddenly came into focus clearly, as if she had received
enlightenment* . . .
*T/N 醍醐灌顶 (ti hu guan ding) – lit. to anoint your head with the purest cream;
fig. to enlighten people with flawless wisdom or pure Buddish teaching

The tattoo on Ah Hong’s arm was a crooked J! Thus, in the midst of the rolling river,
and the supremely kept secret of the location of Buddha’s Hand’s stronghold
notwithstanding, a minor gang member by the name of Ah Hong, defying
conventional wisdom, had successfully brought her and Bo Jinyan to this location.

When she first met Qiu Shijin, she had been standing at the door. On the wooden
door were careless scribbles, like that of a child learning how to write. Amongst
them had been a row of English letters, from A to J. Just to J, ending there.

The J that was at the scene of Zhao Jian’s death.

Qiu Shijin’s soft whisper: Hi, Jenny. Everything is going according to his plan.
......

But, why had he refused to show himself all this time, until now?

What exactly did he want?

Did he have . . . no way to show himself?

Because he was seriously injured? Someone they knew? Could it be that he didn’t
want to be their enemy?

.....

Eliminate all the impossible answers, and what remains must be the truth, no
matter how incredible.

Jian Yao raised her head.

She heard footsteps behind her.

“Jenny,” he called. His voice was low and familiar.

Jian Yao looked around. In the rain, in the black night, she saw Luo Lang’s
sorrowful eyes, as deep as an abyss.

——

The full-scale, comprehensive attack was launched.

The special forces were split into many small teams which moved out
simultaneously. Like an irresistible force*, they relentlessly attacked the defensive
line of Buddha’s Hand from all directions. Due to the masked killers’ actions, the
core strength of Buddha’s Hand had been diminished. Now that they had lost their
leaders, they were like shifting sand, unstable and uncoordinated, even less able to
counter the attack.

*T/N 破竹之势 (po zhu zhi shi) – lit. a force to smash bamboo; fig. irresistible force

When the town’s civilian inhabitants saw the battle unfolding, they were terrified
and all crouched low with both hands covering their heads. At the same time, the
police forces worked to protect and control the civilians.

Bo Jinyan, Fang Qing, and An Yan acted separately. Bo Jinyan took four or five
people with him to look for Jian Yao. Fang Qing led a small assault team to
continue chasing the gang members who had fled to the mountains. An Yan stayed
behind with the forces to continue evacuating and pacifying the people, while
looking for any fish who had slipped through the net.

This great act played out slowly in the darkness and rain.
Chapter 128

Fang Qing was halfway up the mountain when he heard the sound of an explosion.
He lifted his rain-slicked face and looked further up the mountainside, where the
flames were reaching up to the heavens. He had no time to think about it carefully
before a rapid series of explosions was heard, from far to near, and the entire
mountainside went up in flames.

“Get down!” he hollered, and led his team to throw themselves to the ground.

The explosions went off continually, and they seemed to be occurring in several
locations on the mountainside. At present, the rain was still pouring down in
buckets, and it felt as if the entire world only consisted of booming noise,
portending the imminent arrival of something catastrophic.

His face and mouth full of muddy water, Fang Qing stared at the flames of the
explosions all over the mountainside. All of a sudden, his mind reached a
realisation.

He recalled what An Yan had said before: because the geologists had predicted an
immense landslide on the mountains around Pu Luo city, the entire county seat
had been moved elsewhere.
He also recalled the reply of the geology expert they had specially consulted before
arriving at this place: the geological condition of Pu Luo is extremely poor.
Although that predicted large-scale mountain landslide has not occurred in 60
years, with each passing day, the possibility of it occurring goes up a notch . . .
“Not good!” Fang Qing leapt up from the ground and looked at the scattered
houses down the mountain. He hollered, “Quickly, we have to rescue the residents
and get them all out of here!”

He fished out the satellite phone from his pocket and speedily relayed his concerns
and suspicions to the command centre, also suggesting that they make evacuation
and withdrawal their immediate priority. After hanging up, he was the first one to
set off running towards the houses!

——
You know, at the same time, the two of us, so different, might find ourselves in totally
different worlds.
You are sitting quietly under the bright lights, I am running wildly in the darkness and
rain.
Beijing, the broadcasting studio of some famous television station.

Jin Xiaozhe, the film and television queen who has long been known for her
dedication to her craft, was currently participating in the live broadcast of a variety
show. Because the time had not been managed well, the airing of the live
broadcast would very likely be delayed till the early morning.

At this time, the night was quiet and lonely, but the lights shone brightly. Jin
Xiaozhe sat backstage, looking delicate and refined, yet with a distant manner. She
was due to go on stage in ten minutes. Through the door were spectators and fans
who were still eager and passionate despite the late hour.

However, it was clear to her manager and assistants that something was not quite
right with Jin Xiaozhe’s state of mind today. She sat where she was, looking as if
her thoughts were elsewhere, despite it being the time to rehearse her lines. Her
fingers kept turning over the jade prayer beads around her wrist while looking
repeatedly at the clock on the wall.

“Do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?” her manager asked in a low voice.

“No.” Jin Xiaozhe once again looked down at her cell phone. She had not received
any calls.

Of course she would not receive any phone calls tonight. The previous night, Fang
Qing had called her, told her that there was going to be a big operation tonight,
and asked her not to wait for his call. She had laughingly replied, she would have
important work tonight as well, when would she have the time to be concerned
about him?

She had not lied; this was one of the top-ranked variety shows in the entire
country. By going on this show, she would only become even more of a ‘hot’ item.

However, for no reason, she had felt somewhat uneasy the entire day.
What was this feeling? She kept feeling that something bad was going to happen.
But she had no clear idea what it was.

“Teacher Jin, you should be going on stage now,” a staff member of the
programme said, a broad smile on her face as she extended the invitation.

Her manager immediately smilingly replied, “Ok, straight away.” He lowered his
head to look at Jin Xiaozhe and ask, “Are you sure you can do it? Is everything ok?”
Jin Xiaozhe took a deep breath and stood up. “I’m ok,” she said. Her manager
reached out his hand for her cell phone, which he usually hung on to for her. This
time, in an unprecedented move, she thrust the cell phone into her pocket, as if she
had forgotten the routine, but also seemingly intentionally. It was too late to say
anything, however, as the staff member was now escorting Jin Xiaozhe to the
stage.

As she walked along the dark passageway, Jin Xiaozhe took a few slow, deep
breaths, willing herself to place all thoughts of Fang Qing on the back burner for
now. She had never been someone to act impulsively When the stage lights came
on and the applause thundered all around her, she put on her practised gentle and
beautiful expression, with just a touch of coolness in her smile. In her eyes and
mind, there was only this stage.

——

Fang Qing rushed through the heavy rain. The several houses that he saw were
sparsely lit, and there were people sticking their heads out of the window. At one
glance, he saw that they were all ordinary citizens.

“We are the police! Get down the mountain! Follow us down the mountain now!
Get away from here! There’s going to be a landslide!” Fang Qing and the other
police officers yelled.

The citizens all fell into a panic, but they still wanted to take some belongings with
them, so they took some time to get going. When Fang Qing saw this, he blew his
top and roared, “There’s no time! Get going!” They were still reluctant to leave
their homes, so Fang Qing and his men had to forcibly drag them away.
The sound of explosions gradually ceased, flames blazed all across the
mountainside, and the rain poured down even more heavily, so that it was hard to
distinguish any other sound. However, Fang Qing could faintly hear a series of
rumbling sounds coming from the mountain.

Was it the landslide?

Was it the landslide that had been predicted 60 years ago?

Was it going to arrive on the heels of the destruction of all Buddha’s Hand’s caches
of weapons and ammunition?

What on earth were those masked killer lunatics doing? Fang Qing felt the red-hot
inferno of fury rising within him. He grabbed hold of one of the citizens and
shouted, “Are there any more people on the mountainside? Have they all
evacuated?”

Trembling, the citizen pointed to the side and said, “The temple . . . just now, when
the explosions started, two families ran to the temple . . .”

Fang Qing cursed vehemently, pushed the citizen aside and looked at the
dilapidated temple not far away. If the landslide really did descend upon them, the
temple would be instantly pulverised! He told his men, “You take them down the
mountain first, I’ll get the others from the temple.” As soon as he had finished
speaking, he dashed off without hesitating.

Was there any light in the temple? As Fang Qing ran in, by the light of his torch, he
saw that the entire floor was covered with water — the rain had leaked in from the
rickety roof. Although the temple was small and narrow, the roof was high. Several
Buddha statues in a state of disrepair and festooned with spiderwebs towered over
him in the dark. His sharp ears and eyes made out a faint rustling sound and
indistinct figures, but he could not hear or see them clearly.

Fang Qing immediately hollered, “I am the police. Right now, the police have taken
control of the whole of the town of Pu Luo. A landslide is going to take place any
time, you have to come out now! Follow me down the mountain! Otherwise the
consequences will be too terrible to think about! Quick!”
After a beat of silence, the rustling grew louder, and someone asked hesitantly,
“Are you really the police?”

Fang Qing said, “Yes! Let’s go! Quickly! I guarantee your safety!”

At last, several people gradually emerged from the darkness. Fang Qing shone his
torch on them; almost all were frail elderly people and small children, so he could
not find it in himself to get angry. He simply gently urged them, “Let’s go, quickly!
Come with me!” At the same time, he took off his raincoat and draped it over an old
grandfather and his grandson.

They started moving out, one at a time. Fang Qing stood at the rear to ensure their
safety.

At this time.

At this time.

Rumbling.

It was a kind of aggressive, fierce sound that no words could adequately describe. If
you ever heard it yourself, you would know this is the terrible and oppressive
sound that nature makes when it destroys everything. When the residents heard it,
they were shocked to a standstill. Fang Qing’s eyes widened in a flash. Even a man
of courage like him went numb for a moment.

“Run!” he roared! Behind the temple was a steep mountain ridge which offered no
protection at all.

The people awoke from their stupor and frantically ran outside! There was the
sound of pressure being exerted on the roof of the temple and the peng peng
peng of something continuously striking the roof! What was coming?!
Those who had already fled outside looked at Fang Qing and the stragglers
bringing up the rear who were just running out of the door. All of a sudden, a child
slipped and fell and started crying loudly. Fang Qing’s footsteps instantly came to a
halt. As a police officer, some of his actions and reactions were purely based on
instinct. Just like the previous year, at Ke Qian’s small home, when he had seized
An Yan and thrown them both out of the door based on his keen sense of sound
and gut instinct. The both of them had only survived due to that. It was the same
now. His brain was still unable to come up with an appropriate reaction when his
body started moving. He caught up the child and tossed him out of the door with
all his strength.

That was the last millisecond.

The child had just flown out of the door when he heard an almighty rumble from all
directions, like a vast flood smashing towards them. He saw the temple’s roof
beams collapse in a split second, as if they were nothing but shattered toy wooden
blocks, and fall towards him.
Chapter 129

Jin Xiaozhe felt herself slowly calming down, and the enthusiastic interaction with
the live studio audience also helped her to get into the mood gradually. She
responded to every question from the host with an appropriate and intelligent
answer, infused with a slight degree of cool humour. Her responses not only
rendered the host frequently incapable of holding back laughter, the audience
members were also excited to the extent that they were almost unable to restrain
themselves from rushing up the stage. Her manager, standing at the side, stealthily
gave her a big thumbs-up. Jin Xiaozhe smiled faintly.

“. . . Next question.” The host smiled mysteriously and said, “This is the question
that the fans in our studio audience, even the audience and fans in the entire
country, are most interested in. That is, Xiaozhe, do you have a boyfriend?”

The studio erupted in a cacophony of shrieks.

Jin Xiaozhe smiled lightly and raised her hand, signalling the audience to quieten
down. Actually, she felt a little tremor in her heart on being asked that question.
However, the answer had naturally been prepared beforehand.

“This has to do with my private life,” she answered with a smile. “Currently, no one
worth marrying has appeared yet. However, if there should be good news one day,
I will definitely notify everyone at an appropriate time.”

The shrieks and cheers from the audience were unceasing.

Jin Xiaozhe laughed and lowered her head. At this moment, the host asked another
question in a crisp voice, but Jin Xiaozhe did not hear him.

Because she felt the cell phone in her pocket vibrating.

It continued to vibrate.
It was highly impolite and unprofessional to answer a call in the middle of
recording. Jin Xiaozhe had never done this before. But, at this time, she fell into a
kind of trance, and for some inexplicable reason, took out her cell phone.

The host was startled and the audience fell silent, while her manager had an
incredulous expression on his face.

Jin Xiaozhe kept looking at her phone screen. She forgot where she was
momentarily. That was a very strange number. Once, Fang Qing had used a
satellite phone to call her, and this number had been displayed.

She swiftly accepted the call and raised the phone to her ear.

Everyone present was silent.

“Hi,” she said softly.

The other end of the line was especially noisy, as if something was continuously
striking against something else. She waited patiently, and after a few seconds, she
heard Fang Qing gasping lightly, then his hoarse, low voice said, “Hi, Xiaozhe.”

She replied, “Hmm.”

He laughed unexpectedly, and asked, “What are you doing?”

She heard some indistinguishable roaring and rumbling in the background, as well
as the sound of rain.

“I’m participating in a programme.”

The studio audience started whispering among themselves, excitedly conjecturing.

The other end was quiet for a while, then he said, “Wife, I’m sorry, I might not . . be
able to keep my word. I can’t come back.”

Jin Xiaozhe gripped her phone, unmoving and unspeaking.

At the other end, Fang Qing eked out hoarsely, “Xiaozhe, I . . .”

The call was cut off. There was only the du . . . du . . . of the dead tone. Jin Xiaozhe’s
face was devoid of expression, and everyone in the studio was exceptionally silent.
Holding her phone, she dialled the number. She tried thrice, but could not get
through.
.....

“. . . . Xiaozhe, Xiaozhe?” The host tentatively called out to her with a smile. Jin
Xiaozhe’s eyes focused on the camera as she suddenly seemed to realise she was
still participating in the number one programme in the nation.

“Did Xiaozhe just receive an important call?” the host laughingly asked. “Can we
continue?”

Jin Xiaozhe slowly put down her cell phone. It was only then that she became
aware of the flushed face of her manager on the other side, the studio packed with
audience members who were all looking at her, and the countless lights and
camera lenses.

“Yes,” she replied tranquilly, “yes, let’s continue.”

The host smiled broadly, as if the previous little episode had never taken place, and
carried on to say, “Then, Xiaozhe, the next question has been asked by your fans.
What kind of work are you going to bring us next?”

“Next . . .” Some previously prepared phrases mechanically surfaced in her mind.

With great clarity, she replied, “I have always been someone who enjoys a
challenge. Even though it might be outside my comfort zone, I would like to choose
to film a period drama.”

“Wah, that would be great!” the host said. “Then, have you thought about which
director you might or want to collaborate with?”

“Yes,” Jin Xiaozhe answered, “such as Director Zou Chao, Director Mu Li . . .” She
continued speaking frankly and confidently, but, at some unknown time, the entire
studio hushed. She carried on, as if she had not realised it. It was only when she
had finished answering the question, and the host silently held out a piece of tissue
paper to her, that she discovered that she could no longer see anything clearly in
front of her eyes.

Her eyes were streaming with tears.

No one in the entire studio said a word.

Jin Xiaozhe grabbed several sheets of tissue, covered her face, bowed her head,
and cried bitterly.

....

The person I love is a hero without peer.

He is a strong criminal investigator who can carry me on his back and run a circuit
along the city wall.
He is someone I cannot throw off, no matter how hard I try.
He always watches me with a slight smile and lowered head as he smokes.
I am constantly afraid that he will leave me.
And now, he really won’t come back again.
....

The rain poured down in torrents. Fang Qing lay motionless on the damp and dusty
ground. The temple had almost collapsed entirely; only a few main beams and
Buddha statues remained, standing haughtily erect. A moment ago, in the interval
between life and death*, Fang Qing had scanned the layout of the surroundings
and rolled so that he was just below a Buddha statue. The temple had been
constructed so that it was relatively spacious here, which allowed him to avoid the
collapsing wooden beams as well as the flow of mud and rocks from the
mountainside. Only a part of it had struck him. Although it hurt, it was far better
than dying violently.

*千钧一发 (qian jun yi fa) – lit. a thousand pounds hang by a thread; fig. imminent
peril, between life and death.

However, one of the rafters fell and landed right on top of him. Both of his legs
were pinioned and he could not move at all. He was very clear that the previous
wave of mud and stones was just the prelude to the landslide that was still to
come. Another tremendous wave, enough to bury them all, was coming with the
ominous rumbling of the mountainside. With the situation being so critical, his
comrades who were outside would have no way to get closer to rescue him.

At this point in time, his mind functioned with absolute clarity. He knew he did not
have much time left, perhaps not even enough time to make a phone call.

Thus, for the first time in his life, he did not consider his work or his comrades. He
simply chose to call that woman. Before he died, he wanted to say something to
her, he had always wanted to.

“Hi . . .” When he heard her voice, even as he heard the mud and rocks tumbling
down the mountain, in that instant his heart was more at peace than it had ever
been.

That woman was seriously able to keep her composure. There was no reaction at
all from her after hearing his farewell speech. He laughed in his heart; surely, this
was the brave woman he loved and was able to take responsibility for. Just that his
heart was overcome with guilt. He knew that she would inevitably be sorrowful, he
knew that she would inevitably be lonely. He wanted to say: I’m sorry, Xiaozhe, I
can’t accompany you for the rest of our lives.

But he ran out of time to say these words.

He said, “Xiaozhe, I . . .”

He looked up and saw the temple’s last remaining roof ridge engulfed in an instant
by a black flood and collapse.

He saw the tallest and largest Buddha statue above him topple over and fall
towards him.
Chapter 130

As the member of the Special Cases Unit of least use in armed combat, An Yan’s
work tonight was with the rear guard – he was following a small squad down the
street to apprehend gang members and evacuate the citizens. At the same time, he
could provide any IT-related technical support that was needed.

The rain was so heavy that An Yan could not see clearly through his spectacles. He
fished out his spectacle cloth, carefully wiped the lenses, and put them on once
again. He thought about all the information he had gathered as he searched – the
abandoned city of Pu Luo, the devastating landslide that the experts had
predicted, the heavy rain that night . . . all of these gave him a sense of great
unease. However, he had always been a rational person who did not rely on his gut
instinct, so his will did not waver.
Then, his squad arrived at a little building on the street corner, with the sign of the
Red Cross over the door.

An Yan had heard Bo Jinyan mention Wen Rong. Right now, he was in the hands of
the police, gravely injured and unconscious. He had also heard Bo Jinyan’s
repeated warnings before they parted ways: Wen Rong said he had prepared a
reciprocal gift for them, so they had to be especially careful when taking action. A
tremor of apprehension went through An Yan. He indicated that the special forces
officers should follow him into the building.

Before they entered, An Yan rapidly swept his eyes over the entire area, and even
paid careful attention to every corner and crack in the wall. He did not discover any
strange wires or switches and confirmed that, at the very least, no bombs had been
placed in the surroundings. He entered the building with the special forces team.

The building was not very big, consisting of an inner and an outer room. At one
glance, it was absolutely empty. Having learned from his previous experience,
remained on high alert, like a hunting dog. He turned on the bomb detection
device he carried with him, but there was still nothing to cause alarm. He relaxed
slightly.

Then, an officer who had entered the inner room shouted, “There’s a big box here!”
An Yan immediately ran inside.

The inner room was a very simple bedroom. The bed, table and window curtains
were all tastefully quiet colours. It was just that there was a big box in the empty
space next to the bed, about 2 metres long, 80 cm wide, and 50 cm high. It was
made of metal, painted silvery white, and one end had power cables. The top
appeared to be a cover, which was currently sealed tight, and had a liquid crystal
control panel. The faint sound of gurgling water could be heard.

An Yan’s heart shuddered.

Looking at the dimensions of the box, it was just right for someone to lie down in.

“Open it slowly,” he said.

Several of the armed police officers pushed the cover together with him. It was
exceedingly heavy, but not impossible to move. With everyone putting in effort, the
cover slowly, bit by bit, slid open.

The first thing An Yan saw was a lock of jet-black hair floating in the water.

Suddenly struck dumb, he heard Bo Jinyan’s words ringing in his ears:

He said . . . he had left a reciprocal gift for us.

Perhaps it was to harm our companions.

.....

Some kind of intense, unspeakable emotion surged up in An Yan’s heart. By some

inexplicable coincidence, he thought of Gu Fangfang calling him, six days ago, after
which he had had no contact with her. He had been involved in the planning of the
comprehensive attack at headquarters, and had been so busy that he had
forgotten about the lack of contact . . . the torch in his hand fell to the ground as
both hands grasped the cover tightly and pushed against it frantically. The special
forces members beside him were all shocked and rushed to stop him, saying, “An
Yan! What are you doing? Be careful, it might be a trap!”

However, An Yan paid them no heed, and only yelled, “Let go!” Some of the special
police officers, on seeing him like this, simply joined him in pushing. Finally, with a
loud clatter, the heavy cover was pushed open!

Inside, lay a person.

Ropes went around her entire body. It was clear that she would have been unable
to struggle free and escape, especially with the heavy cover over her. The inner
surface of the box was clean, flat and smooth, and there were no marks of struggle.
The water had covered her fully. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes were tightly
closed, and her brow was slightly furrowed. She was so beautiful and young; she
was still wearing the T-shirt and shorts she normally wore at home, and her long,
shapely legs were the epitome of youthfulness. There was no way of knowing how
long she had been submerged in the water. The water was still rising slowly, and
would soon overflow.

An Yan stood there, dumbfounded.

“Quick, let’s rescue her!” A special forces officer carried her out of the water.

“Is she still breathing?” someone asked.

“Not breathing . . . who is she?”

An Yan burst into a blood-curdling, mournful scream. All at once, he fell to his
knees and hugged her ice-cold body.

——

No matter what, Jian Yao’s skill was no match for the butterfly killer’s.

When she regained consciousness, she discovered that she was lying on a boat. The
cabin was not very big, and it was somewhat old-fashioned, clean and tidy. A lamp
which gave off a yellow light was suspended overhead. The boat was rocking gently
with the waves. The cabin door was open, and a man was sitting in the prow.

Jian Yao recalled the scene before she had lost consciousness, when she and Luo
Lang had locked eyes, and she broke out into cold sweat. She had totally never
considered that Luo Lang was both the butterfly killer and . . . the leader of the
masked killers? She thought about their various interactions in the past year or so,
as well as the profile she and Bo Jinyan had drawn up of the butterfly killer.
Whether in terms of emotion or logic, this fact (that Luo Lang was both killers) was
just unreasonable, even inexplicable . . .

Harbouring all sorts of suspicions, Jian Yao got up and walked towards him.

He sensed her approach, stood up, and turned to watch her. He was holding a
cigarette between his fingers, but his manner of holding it was different from
ordinary people – he held it between the middle and ring fingers. He squinted
slightly, looked at her for a brief moment, then walked into the cabin.

Jian Yao stopped. Aided by the feeble light in the cabin, she saw his face clearly. It
was indeed the same face, even the birthmark next to his eyebrow was the same.
There was no way on this earth that it could be someone else. Moreover, on this
earth, no one else would look at her with that expression. So heavy, deep, and
mournful, exactly the same as when he had fallen off the cliff.

But why did Jian Yao feel that something was different?

A thought abruptly came into her mind like a bright spark: the profiles of the
butterfly killer and the masked killer were completely, distinctly different . . .

When he was only a few steps away from her he stopped and stood still, seemingly
finding it difficult to speak. He lifted his hand and drew on his cigarette. Jian Yao
watched his manner of smoking and her heart gave a sudden lurch.

“Jian Yao,” he said hoarsely, “I’m sorry, I’ve let you down. I’ve done something to
disgust you once again.”
Jian Yao stared at him with those eyes which could see clearly between right and
wrong. She said, “Since you know that I will be disgusted, why did you keep doing
it?”

Her words appeared to have struck a sore spot as Luo Lang shivered slightly.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t control myself. I . . . . no matter how hard I tried to restrain
myself, I could only think of being with you.” He said, “Jian Yao, listen to me, I
would never harm you. I’ve spent so much time staying by your side to protect you,
yet receiving nothing in return . . . this boat is heading for the China-Myanmar
border. If you will only come with me, I won’t need any other love story, and I won’t
need any other life. Pu Luo has already collapsed; everything and everyone will be
buried beneath the mud and rocks of the landslide. We survived, and I will take you
away. I will make you forget everything that has happened, and only remember me
and our warm and happy future.” As the member of the Special Cases Unit of least
use in armed combat, An Yan’s work tonight was with the rear guard – he was
following a small squad down the street to apprehend gang members and
evacuate the citizens. At the same time, he could provide any IT-related technical
support that was needed.

The rain was so heavy that An Yan could not see clearly through his spectacles. He
fished out his spectacle cloth, carefully wiped the lenses, and put them on once
again. He thought about all the information he had gathered as he searched – the
abandoned city of Pu Luo, the devastating landslide that the experts had
predicted, the heavy rain that night . . . all of these gave him a sense of great
unease. However, he had always been a rational person who did not rely on his gut
instinct, so his will did not waver.
Then, his squad arrived at a little building on the street corner, with the sign of the
Red Cross over the door.

An Yan had heard Bo Jinyan mention Wen Rong. Right now, he was in the hands of
the police, gravely injured and unconscious. He had also heard Bo Jinyan’s
repeated warnings before they parted ways: Wen Rong said he had prepared a
reciprocal gift for them, so they had to be especially careful when taking action. A
tremor of apprehension went through An Yan. He indicated that the special forces
officers should follow him into the building.
Before they entered, An Yan rapidly swept his eyes over the entire area, and even
paid careful attention to every corner and crack in the wall. He did not discover any
strange wires or switches and confirmed that, at the very least, no bombs had been
placed in the surroundings. He entered the building with the special forces team.

The building was not very big, consisting of an inner and an outer room. At one
glance, it was absolutely empty. Having learned from his previous experience,
remained on high alert, like a hunting dog. He turned on the bomb detection
device he carried with him, but there was still nothing to cause alarm. He relaxed
slightly.

Then, an officer who had entered the inner room shouted, “There’s a big box here!”

An Yan immediately ran inside.

The inner room was a very simple bedroom. The bed, table and window curtains
were all tastefully quiet colours. It was just that there was a big box in the empty
space next to the bed, about 2 metres long, 80 cm wide, and 50 cm high. It was
made of metal, painted silvery white, and one end had power cables. The top
appeared to be a cover, which was currently sealed tight, and had a liquid crystal
control panel. The faint sound of gurgling water could be heard.

An Yan’s heart shuddered.

Looking at the dimensions of the box, it was just right for someone to lie down in.

“Open it slowly,” he said.

Several of the armed police officers pushed the cover together with him. It was
exceedingly heavy, but not impossible to move. With everyone putting in effort, the
cover slowly, bit by bit, slid open.

The first thing An Yan saw was a lock of jet-black hair floating in the water.

Suddenly struck dumb, he heard Bo Jinyan’s words ringing in his ears:

He said . . . he had left a reciprocal gift for us.

Perhaps it was to harm our companions.

.....

Some kind of intense, unspeakable emotion surged up in An Yan’s heart. By some

inexplicable coincidence, he thought of Gu Fangfang calling him, six days ago, after
which he had had no contact with her. He had been involved in the planning of the
comprehensive attack at headquarters, and had been so busy that he had
forgotten about the lack of contact . . . the torch in his hand fell to the ground as
both hands grasped the cover tightly and pushed against it frantically. The special
forces members beside him were all shocked and rushed to stop him, saying, “An
Yan! What are you doing? Be careful, it might be a trap!”

However, An Yan paid them no heed, and only yelled, “Let go!” Some of the special
police officers, on seeing him like this, simply joined him in pushing. Finally, with a
loud clatter, the heavy cover was pushed open!

Inside, lay a person.

Ropes went around her entire body. It was clear that she would have been unable
to struggle free and escape, especially with the heavy cover over her. The inner
surface of the box was clean, flat and smooth, and there were no marks of struggle.
The water had covered her fully. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes were tightly
closed, and her brow was slightly furrowed. She was so beautiful and young; she
was still wearing the T-shirt and shorts she normally wore at home, and her long,
shapely legs were the epitome of youthfulness. There was no way of knowing how
long she had been submerged in the water. The water was still rising slowly, and
would soon overflow.

An Yan stood there, dumbfounded.

“Quick, let’s rescue her!” A special forces officer carried her out of the water.

“Is she still breathing?” someone asked.

“Not breathing . . . who is she?”

An Yan burst into a blood-curdling, mournful scream. All at once, he fell to his
knees and hugged her ice-cold body.

——

No matter what, Jian Yao’s skill was no match for the butterfly killer’s.

When she regained consciousness, she discovered that she was lying on a boat. The
cabin was not very big, and it was somewhat old-fashioned, clean and tidy. A lamp
which gave off a yellow light was suspended overhead. The boat was rocking gently
with the waves. The cabin door was open, and a man was sitting in the prow.

Jian Yao recalled the scene before she had lost consciousness, when she and Luo
Lang had locked eyes, and she broke out into cold sweat. She had totally never
considered that Luo Lang was both the butterfly killer and . . . the leader of the
masked killers? She thought about their various interactions in the past year or so,
as well as the profile she and Bo Jinyan had drawn up of the butterfly killer.
Whether in terms of emotion or logic, this fact (that Luo Lang was both killers) was
just unreasonable, even inexplicable . . .

Harbouring all sorts of suspicions, Jian Yao got up and walked towards him.

He sensed her approach, stood up, and turned to watch her. He was holding a
cigarette between his fingers, but his manner of holding it was different from
ordinary people – he held it between the middle and ring fingers. He squinted
slightly, looked at her for a brief moment, then walked into the cabin.

Jian Yao stopped. Aided by the feeble light in the cabin, she saw his face clearly. It
was indeed the same face, even the birthmark next to his eyebrow was the same.
There was no way on this earth that it could be someone else. Moreover, on this
earth, no one else would look at her with that expression. So heavy, deep, and
mournful, exactly the same as when he had fallen off the cliff.

But why did Jian Yao feel that something was different?
A thought abruptly came into her mind like a bright spark: the profiles of the
butterfly killer and the masked killer were completely, distinctly different . . .

When he was only a few steps away from her he stopped and stood still, seemingly
finding it difficult to speak. He lifted his hand and drew on his cigarette. Jian Yao
watched his manner of smoking and her heart gave a sudden lurch.

“Jian Yao,” he said hoarsely, “I’m sorry, I’ve let you down. I’ve done something to
disgust you once again.”

Jian Yao stared at him with those eyes which could see clearly between right and
wrong. She said, “Since you know that I will be disgusted, why did you keep doing
it?”

Her words appeared to have struck a sore spot as Luo Lang shivered slightly.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t control myself. I . . . . no matter how hard I tried to restrain
myself, I could only think of being with you.” He said, “Jian Yao, listen to me, I
would never harm you. I’ve spent so much time staying by your side to protect you,
yet receiving nothing in return . . . this boat is heading for the China-Myanmar
border. If you will only come with me, I won’t need any other love story, and I won’t
need any other life. Pu Luo has already collapsed; everything and everyone will be
buried beneath the mud and rocks of the landslide. We survived, and I will take you
away. I will make you forget everything that has happened, and only remember me
and our warm and happy future.”

The hair on Jian Yao’s body was standing on end. For a split second, she almost
believed that these crazed words came from his heart. However, when she looked
into Luo Lang’s eyes once again, those eyes were bright with treachery, and she
was suddenly enlightened! The simplest, and yet the most inconceivable
conclusion, leapt into her mind.

“You are not Luo Lang!” she blurted out.

Chapter 131

‘Luo Lang’ stared at her without speaking.

Jian Yao felt as if her heart was aflame with many fiery threads. Yes, yes, he had Luo
Lang’s face, he had Luo Lang’s eyes. But his posture when smoking was totally
different from Luo Lang’s, and the light that flashed in his eyes was entirely too sly.
Since the profiles of the butterfly killer and the masked killer were in no way the
same, then there was absolutely no possibility of them being the same person.

More precisely, there was no possibility of them being the same . . . personality.

The questions that Bo Jinyan had asked Wen Rong in that small building about
masked killer no. 3 could be assumed to have been confirmed at this moment!

He had asked: What secret is ’he’ hiding?

Why was ‘he’ so timid, and yet so crazy?

Why was ‘he’ rebelling against the entire world, why was he endlessly searching for
his true self?

What on earth was it that had imprisoned ‘his’ spirit for such a long time?

Which caused him to persistently and strenuously pursue emotions, pursue

affection, pursue his true self.

.....

Because ‘he’ is not a complete person at all, he is Luo Lang’s second personality!
He was born incompletely, fragmentary! He also similarly experienced the
extermination of the Jian family, and was crushed under the immense weight of
the fetters of morality, thus suffering severe psychological trauma and becoming,
from then onwards, psychologically abnormal. However, unlike Luo Lang who
became a ‘punisher’, he became a notorious killer. The crimes he committed in
America were precisely during the period when Luo Lang was there for his studies
and work! It is even more likely that the emergence of this personality was due to
the Jian family murders. Because he could not bear the huge psychological
pressure, Luo Lang split into two personalities. One of them bore all the burdens of
morality, while the other cast off all the restrictions of morality and lived indulging
his desires through the crazed killing of people . . .

Jian Yao was badly shaken by her conjectures, but her instinct told her that this
indeed could be the life and the hard facts of the man in front of her. She was also
conscious that, if this personality before her was really Luo Lang, she might still
have a chance of survival. However, if he was the real masked killer, he had already
totally forfeited the innate sense of right and wrong as well as basic human
emotion, and he would definitely not let her go.

Jian Yao raised her head and gazed at him, as if peering into his soul. Of course, he
was extremely intelligent and appeared to have sensed something. At the same
time, he also seemed to have become impatient with concealing his true self. One
corner of his mouth lifted up as he laughed and said, “You are indeed worthy to be
the woman whose every move Luo Lang has been focussed on for half his lifetime!
You saw through the act I put on for you in a matter of minutes. You are truly
intelligent.”

Even though she had already deduced as much, to hear him admit it with his own
mouth caused Jian Yao to tremble.

Therefore, it really was a split personality.

The first personality, the butterfly killer.

The second personality, the masked killer.

The two personalities alternated appearances, and were even opponents. One
slaughtered others for the sake of good, the other banished others for the sake of
evil. When Luo Lang was gravely injured after jumping off the cliff, the alternate
personality did not appear for a long time, thus leaving masked killers no. 1 and no.
2 to fight the battle on their own. In this final act of ‘The Alluring Love’* which he
personally directed, all of them designated Jian Yao as the heroine.
*T/N As mentioned previously in Ch 126, this refers to the love of a woman who is
so beautiful that many people are captivated by her, and who therefore may cause
the downfall of cities (e.g. Helen of Troy). The reference to the masked killers
‘staging a show’ is interesting as there is a famous Chinese novel of that name
written by Eileen Chang, which has been adapted into a film as well as a television
series.
He flicked the ash off his cigarette and said resolutely, “Jenny, I’m very happy to
meet you. I’m Derrick.”

Jian Yao was speechless. Truly, he had an entirely different temperament from Luo
Lang.

Derrick walked forward until he was right in front of her. He was taller than she was
by a head, so he looked down at her and exhaled cigarette smoke into her face.
Jian Yao frowned as she avoided it. Derrick looked pensive. With eyes as black as
ink, he said, “Indeed, a unique woman.”

Jian Yao asked coldly, “Derrick, where is Luo Lang?”

Derrick was silent for a heartbeat before answering, “Haven’t you already killed
him? From the moment you refused to forgive him, he was already dead in this
body. Only I remain.”

The cabin was very quiet. Due to its speed, the boat was constantly undulating with
the waves. The lamp quietly illuminated the two of them.

Derrick turned his head and slowly inhaled his cigarette smoke. Jian Yao sat on the
bed and dug her fingers into the edge of the wooden frame.

A long-buried suspicion suddenly flashed across her mind. She asked, “Before the
cosplay murder, I received a text message telling me not to go to the animation
park. Was that sent by Luo Lang?”

Derrick made a noise of assent as he inhaled the smoke deeply. “He noticed
something, but was not very sure.”
Jian Yao was quiet for a while. Then, she asked, “Derrick, what do you want from
me?”

Derrick stubbed out his cigarette and sat down next to her. As he gazed in the
direction of the cabin door, he said, “I want to replace him and live with you from
now on.” He took her hand and caressed her fingers with the palm of his hand,
saying, “Jenny, I want you. The woman whom both the genius detective and the
butterfly killer love at the same time has always fascinated me. I can’t resist.”

Jian Yao remained still, and did not pull back her hand straightaway, but she knew
that she could never equal him as an opponent. She looked at his profile in the
lamplight, stubborn and angular. Very manly, just like Luo Lang, but there was a
touch more wilfulness in his slightly pursed lips.

He stood up and said, “Sleep well. I’ll wake you when we arrive.” He walked to the
door before halting to say, “I will treat you very well. In this, I won’t lose to any
other man.”

He locked the cabin door from the outside.

——

Bo Jinyan stood at the dock.

The rain poured down in sheets, thoroughly drenching him. But he simply stood
there quietly, like a solitary black tree. His deep black eyes, bright and clear, were
fixed on the explosions on the mountainside.

A world in chaos was before him. Many people were charging out of the small town,
police officers, civilians, even gangsters. The police were capturing and arresting
the gangsters while protecting the civilians. All were escaping this world on the
verge of collapsing. With his naked eyes, he could see a powerful flood in the
distance, like wild beasts, surging forward and engulfing the buildings and trees.

Behind him, all the police boats had arrived and occupied the dock fully. Some
were just leaving, bringing the gang leaders into custody, while others were
transporting injured civilians to the nearest hospital. Even more people were
boarding the boats.

He stood at the boundary of land and water, faced with a choice.

The night was vast, and the mass of people heaved with movement. Should he
return to the mountain and search for Jian Yao in every potentially fatal location?
Or should he turn around and search for her along the escape route by water?

Bo Jinyan shut his eyes. He forced himself to empty his mind of all distracting
thoughts and roiling emotions, so that the only things that appeared in his mind
were the killer’s silhouette and Jian Yao’s image.

He did not conceal himself in Buddha’s Hand. Then, this past year, he must have
acted some other role.

He single-handedly engineered the crimes in America and against Fu Ziyu.

He longed for love, a despairing, intense, sincere love. He, or his fellows, enacted a
series of love stories and lives which featured lovers having to leave the place they
called home against their wills, or in which lovers had to part forever.

Even Wen Rong and Qiu Sijin were thus.

Now, everyone was dead, he had detonated all of Buddha’s Hand’s weapons and
ammunition, setting off an unprecedented, immense landslide, finally bringing
about the predicted disaster and destroying all of Buddha’s Hand with enough
power to eliminate the entire town.

Now, he was . . .

Bo Jinyan opened his eyes.

No, he would not be here now, and neither would Jian Yao. He would not allow
Jian Yao to die in such a chaotic situation, in a place no one knew about. That
would have no meaning, and would not offer him any pleasure.
He would take her away.

Just imagine: when the explosions go off and the entire sky is stained blood red.
Turmoil and chaos, the land flooded with victims of the disaster*. Only him,
bringing the woman far away. On the boat, when he looks back, all the affairs of the
human world will be in the background. This would then forge a genuine, alluring,
all-encompassing love. An alluring love that was solitary, where the lovers were
forced to leave home and wander from place to place, which pitted them against
the whole world, would start from that day onwards. He could no longer resist, he
himself would become the male lead in the story, and Jian Yao would be the new
alternative. Moreover, crafty and egotistical, he would use this as a pretext to
escape.

*T/N 兵荒马乱 (bing huan ma luan) – lit. soldiers mutiny and troops rebel; fig.
turmoil and chaos of war; 哀鸿遍野 (ai hong bian ye) – lit. plaintive whine of geese;
fig. land swarming with disaster victims, starving people fill the land.

The principal docks in the vicinity of the town had all been secured by the police.
However, behind the town, or in the mountains, there were sure to be secret
waterways which he could use to make his getaway by boat. They just needed to
question some of the long-time residents to locate them.

Bo Jinyan felt a faint ache in his chest. He turned to the leader of the armed force
and said, “Get me a boat right now! I am going to rescue my wife!”
Chapter 132

Dong, dong. There was knocking at the door.

Derrick, who was sitting at the prow, turned his head to ask, “What is it?”

In a pained voice, Jian Yao said, “Derrick, my stomach hurts badly. I was injured
just now at the town.”

Derrick stilled for a moment, then looked down and laughed before standing up
and nonchalantly opening the cabin door. In the dim light of the night, he saw the
brilliant eyes of that woman. He never expected that she would be such a rascal as
to use such a substandard method to deceive him. He kept smiling as he looked
down at her.

Jian Yao noticed his tall, husky figure blocked the door almost entirely. Without the
slightest embarrassment, she continued insisting, “I need medicine. Please look for
some medicine for me.”

Derrick abruptly lowered his face so that it was almost touching Jian Yao’s. Jian
Yao was startled and leaned backwards. He smiled even more widely and gazed at
her with his clear, bright eyes as he said, “Jenny, I don’t have any medicine. I’ll look
for a doctor for you when we get to Myanmar.”

Jian Yao bent her head slightly, exposing her pale neck, and said, “What about Luo
Lang? Let Luo Lang come out, he will take good care of me.”

Derrick’s expression registered no change. He stood up straighter and said, “Luo

Lang is dead. Have you forgotten? You refused to forgive him even up to the time
he died, so he died of heartache.”

“Really?” Jian Yao raised her head to stare at him, her eyes like deep pools of
water. “But I have forgiven him. I have been regretting it from the time he fell off
the cliff. I want to tell him that I’ve forgiven him.”

Derrick pursed his lips tightly and remained motionless.

Jian Yao took a step forward, her eyes on him continually, so that he would have no
opportunity to evade her. “Derrick, call him out. I want to tell him what he most
wants to hear.”

There was only darkness in Derrick’s eyes.

He was silent for a long time before unexpectedly tilting his head and laughing. He
said, “So moving! You, this woman, you’re too cunning. You want to trick him into
coming out and supplant me? No, that will never happen. He can’t hear you
anymore, Jenny.”

Jian Yao’s gaze remained tranquil.

He turned to close the cabin door. Jian Yao was certain that it would not be easy to
get him to open it another time. She immediately called out, “Derrick! Does Luo
Lang know about this situation?”

Derrick’s hand paused.

“Does he know that you, who originally hid in the shadows, have occupied his
body, and have gone on to harm one innocent person after another, to stage one
play after another featuring an alluring, overwhelming love, to lead a phony and
ridiculous life? If he knew, I am afraid that he would rather kill himself, and also
would be unwilling to let someone like you continue to exist. You’re very clear
about this, aren’t you? He hates the evil in his body, just like he hates those filthy
people. He hates you!”

Derrick looked up at her.

But what he saw on her face was an icy, mocking smile. “You aren’t even someone
who originally existed; you’re just a personality that came about because Luo Lang
was trying to escape from his innermost being. When he’s clear-headed and
conscious, when his will is in control, are you even able to see a glimmer of
sunlight? It is only when his will is weak and he has lost himself that you are able to
come out and frantically seize the moment to commit crimes, to take a breath of
fresh air. All your frenzied and phony actions are only to service your own
existence. But, Derrick, do you still not understand? From start to finish, you are
not a real person, Derrick, you are just a figment of the imagination, so you will
always, endlessly pursue imaginary emotions and love.”

.....

It was highly likely that he has a personality which enjoys ‘acting out’ his delusions,
which is also to say, he has the first signs of schizophrenia.

There is an aspect of timidity deeply hidden in his personality. Thus, he has never
directly confronted me.

He is pursuing an earth-shaking love. He is fascinated by it because he has never

possessed it, so he is deeply fascinated.

.....

The inferences that Bo Jinyan had mentioned flashed across Jian Yao’s mind like
lightning. It turned out that he was right. He nailed Derrick’s behavioural
characteristics, as if he had personally met him.

Hot blood surged in Jian Yao’s heart. She knew that this was the strength imparted
by criminal psychology, the strength of her heart, enabling her to have the
psychological upper hand when she engaged in mediation with this monstrously
evil serial killer.

Derrick stood where he was without moving, his fingers tightly clutching the door
until his knuckles were white. His short hair obscured his eyes, making it difficult to
see the darkness seething in them.

However, Jian Yao had been waiting for precisely this moment!

The moment of his distraction! The skilled expert was close enough to wrestle with,
they were only centimetres apart, the opportunity was at hand!
Jian Yao grabbed the metal chair she had placed at hand earlier and threw it
towards his head. His reflexes were amazingly quick and he dodged it neatly.
Laughing lowly, he said, “Jenny . . .”

Who could have imagined what Jian Yao had aimed for was this instant. She was
already standing by the door; when the metal chair left her hand, she naturally
toppled over the side of the boat and fell into the water with a loud pu dong.
The water here pulled frenziedly at her, and it roared indistinctly. For a split
second, Jian Yao could not figure out where she was and kept turning around in
the water; her only thought was to get as far away from the boat as she could.
Unexpectedly, she heard another pu dong behind her and her heart turned cold.
She had never in a million years imagined that Derrick would willingly abandon the
boat in order to chase after her, and she could only use all her strength to swim
away.
However, the most terrifying thing for any escapee, bar none, is the sound of
pursuit, far or near. The water undulated in violent waves; they were actually in a
whitewater, and from behind them came an immensely loud rumbling – it sounded
like a waterfall. Jian Yao felt a frisson of fear – what was Derrick planning to do?
Could it be that he originally intended to bring her with him as he jumped off the
precipice, to bring her down with himself?

Then, what Jian Yao most feared happened.

An icy cold hand grabbed one of her ankles in the water. Before Jian Yao could
even struggle free, he had dragged her backwards fiercely. After fighting against
him for a while, she still ended up in his arms. He threw his arm around her neck
and, following the flow, continued to tow her backwards. He chuckled in her ear,
and then, after a slow exhale, he said, “You see, your Simon King is pursuing us.
However, this time, he won’t catch us.”

This was probably the most sorrowful and despairing moment in Jian Yao’s life. In
the dark water, being pulled along by a serial killer, she could only look at the high
cliffs above her, and far in front of her where a lighted boat was heading in their
direction. Perhaps, just ten more minutes, and Jinyan would have caught up with
them, discovered them.

Jian Yao’s tears fell.

“Don’t be sad,” Derrick whispered into her ear, “love is eternal. And, I have never
been fake. I really exist in this life and exist in history! I am the only one, and I am
also the only complete one!”

The water beside them suddenly became very calm and fast-moving. Jian Yao felt
as if her body had become weightless in the twinkling of an eye, and she started to
drop rapidly. Then, all the water in the world rushed upwards and engulfed her,
like a white beast.
Chapter 133

When Jian Yao regained consciousness, she found herself lying on a river bank. The
sky was still dark, the rain was still falling, and the sound of the waterfall was
behind her. Not much time had passed.

She immediately wanted to sit up, but her entire body was aching in exhaustion,
and she could not gather her strength. It was with great difficulty that she gradually
levered herself upright.

Then she saw Derrick, opposite her.

He was in a similar situation, lying on the ground next to the waterfall. His entire
body was drenched and his eyes held some degree of confusion. However, his body
was much stronger than hers, so he was able to jump up in a trice.

Jian Yao dug her fingers into the mud beside her and touched some rocks. Indeed,
the heavens had to be helping her, as she unexpectedly grabbed hold of a sharp-
tipped stone. She held it in her hand.

Derrick laughed, looked up at the waterfall and said, “Jenny, wasn’t that exciting?”

Jian Yao did not say anything.

He took a step forward and said, “Were you terrified? Did you think I was going to
bring you with me to kill myself? How could that be possible? I’m not as cowardly
as you say I am.”

Jian Yao said, “You already knew that you wouldn’t die when you plummeted?”

Derrick’s eyes were brimming over with laughter. “This is one of the extreme sports
that I am passionate about. How would we get away with it otherwise? Simon King
is like a hunting dog, once he’s got us between his teeth, he won’t let go. That
won’t be too pleasant.”
Jian Yao looked up. Behind him, the waterfall slowly flowed into a little brook. The
brook was broad and stretched in a continuous line around the mountain. And, in
the gathering darkness, a small boat was anchored not far away.

Jian Yao’s heart sank. In other words, everything was proceeding according to his
plan. He was going to switch boats and escape.

Derrick once again took two steps forward. Jian Yao woke up with a start and took
a step back. She retreated until she had reached the edge of the waterfall. At the
same time, she raised the stone with its tip as sharp as a dagger’s and said, “Don’t
come any closer!”

Derrick stared at her with eyes shining like gleaming water and said, “What are you
thinking of doing? Do you think that you can defeat me with a stone? No, even if I
gave you a gun right now, you wouldn’t be able to. Or, maybe you’re trying to
delay? Haha . . . . Jenny, this time, you will wait in vain for Simon. He would never
have expected us to jump off the cliff, because ordinary people would consider it
certain death to do so. Do you really think that he would risk this one in a million
chance of survival and jump off the cliff? No, he would continue to advance,
pursuing us until dawn, whereupon he would discover that not even the slightest
glimpse of you can be seen anywhere. And you will board this boat with me and
arrive in Myanmar. From then on we will live together for many days and many
years. Maybe, one day, before you die, Simon King will find you. Who knows?
Maybe it will happen.”

Every single one of his words pierced Jian Yao’s heart. She knew he was only
speaking the truth, she also knew what kind of life awaited her if she really boarded
on the boat. Her face was expressionless, and the hand holding the stone was still.
However, she felt as if there was a hole deep in her heart, and what flowed out was
not tears, but blood.

She suddenly remembered the day she had met Bo Jinyan and Fu Ziyu for the first
time. Wearing a grey woollen sweater, Fu Ziyu had been all smiles as he affably
asked her, “You’re Jian Yao?” And Bo Jinyan had been standing upstairs, dressed in
a suit, with a cold and detached expression, secretly watching her through the iron
gate.
She laughed abruptly, slowly and calmly. Derrick looked at the smile on her face
and his own turned cold.

“You’ve forgotten . . .” Jian Yao said, “I have another option. I would rather die on
the same dark road that Bo Jinyan has walked before, and I am unwilling to have a
perfunctory existence in some corner of the world with you.”

In a flash, Derrick’s face changed colour. “Don’t ——” He wanted to pounce, but it
was too late. The sharp tip of the stone in Jian Yao’s hand was already pressing
precisely against her throat.

The pain in her neck stung her, and in that split second, she felt as if the entire
world had quietened down, even the flowing torrent of water, even the pouring
rain. Derrick’s face, twisted in fury, also stilled before her. She shut her eyes and
said in her heart, I’m sorry, Jinyan.
I’m sorry, I can’t be with you anymore.
It was impossible for her to think too deeply on this. She knew the moment she
thought about it, pain would engulf her entire system and she might lose the
courage to kill herself. She also knew that she could not board that boat, because if
she did, she would be like a cicada shedding its shell and vanishing, leaving only an
empty shell behind*, and it would be very likely that Bo Jinyan would have great
difficulty finding her. For the rest of her life thereafter, even if only half a lifetime,
what awaited her was only boundless darkness, just like Han Yumeng at that time.
No, she would not let something like that happen. How could she let Bo Jinyan
search for a lifetime?

*T/N 金蝉脱壳 (jin chan tuo qiao) – lit. the cicada sheds its carapace; fig. to vanish
leaving an empty shell behind, a crafty escape plan.

To leave, is to stay.

Leaving this human world, she would still be able to accompany Bo Jinyan. Just
like the little bird accompanying the tree roots, in future, every time he looked up
at the sky, he would see her.

Her tears rolled down her face. An immense sorrow gripped her heart.
Jinyan, I love you.
With all my courage and my life.
....

“Jian Yao —-”

The sound of someone exerting all his strength to call her seemed to come from far
away. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye; Jian Yao had fallen into
some kind of black dream, but that sound pierced through the thrumming of the
rain and the noise of the waterfall, it penetrated everything, and rushed into her
ears. So familiar, so grieved, so powerful. Jian Yao was like someone who had just
been rudely awoken from a dream. Crying, she opened her eyes. The sharp tip of
the stone in her hand was stained with blood.

She turned her head sharply. In the hazy mist of the waterfall there really was an
indistinct figure, falling at high speed with a huge swell of water.

At this instant, Jian Yao forgot about everything. She simply looked at the scene
unfolding before her, not knowing if it was real or a hallucination, staring blankly,
dumbly.

Derrick was similarly shocked. He stared at the falling figure within the waterfall
with a darkened face, then drew the gun at his waist.

It seemed like a shaft of white light split open the world before Jian Yao’s eyes in a
heartbeat. Her will to die receded instantly, the intense desire to live, to live with
Bo Jinyan shuddered through her entire being. The stone in her hand fell to the
ground. Like a small leopard, she sprang at Derrick abruptly. He was totally
unprepared; the gun in his hand tilted and the bullet shot into the water.

Enraged, Derrick pushed her away with a swift movement and raised his gun to
take aim. However, the surface of the water was pitch-black, and there was no way
to tell if Bo Jinyan was dead or alive. Derrick narrowed his eyes, focussing all his
attention on the pitch-black surface.

It was exceptionally quiet by the waterfall, with no other sound apart from that of
the water. However, Jian Yao knew that this was the deciding moment between life
and death. Whether Derick killed Bo Jinyan or vice versa would depend on the next
shot. She did not dare to act rashly.

Under normal circumstances, how could Bo Jinyan be pitted against this top-rate,
violent gangster?

The surroundings were completely dark.

Jian Yao felt a small flame blaze in her heart. The gears in her head were turning at
high speed, as if fuelled by intuition and courage. Very clearly enunciating each
word, she said, “Luo dage, I knew you would come out in the end.”
Derrick raised his eyebrows sharply. With a sneer, he said, “You, shut up!”

“Derrick!” Jian Yao shouted all of a sudden, in a very light and bizarre voice,
“Luo dage is behind you!”
There was a chill in Derrick’s eyes.

It was at this moment that gunshots rang out!

The gunshots were overlapping and were accompanied by the sound of splashing
water. Someone raised his head out of the water, gun in hand. Then Jian Yao saw
Derrick’s body swaying, as was the body of the person in the water. Terror and grief
overwhelmed Jian Yao’s heart all at once. She forgot everything in her stumbling
run towards him. She ran to just in front of him, jumped into the water and seized
him in a hug. It was only then that she realised he had been shot in the right
shoulder; the blood was still flowing, but he simply stood there without moving.
She burst into tears and yelled, “Jinyan! Jinyan!”

To her surprise, Bo Jinyan laughed and let her lean against his chest. He said, “How
could you attempt to commit suicide? I saw it through the telescope . . . at that
moment I felt like I had gone to hell.”

Jian Yao’s tears fell freely as she held on to him. Together, they turned and looked
at Derrick, who had fallen to the ground. Bo Jinyan raised his gun again, took aim,
and slowly approached him.
Derrick had been shot and was dying. But, a smile was on his face, and he was
holding his gun as he lay on the ground.
Chapter 134

“I never thought . . .” he said, gasping for breath, “that I would lose this shot to
you.”

“I foresaw it long ago,” Bo Jinyan said. “All thanks to you, I spent close to a year in
darkness, so my eyes adjust to darkness more readily than yours.”

Derrick smiled again, then his arm slowly lifted up, with the gun in hand. Bo Jinyan
frowned minutely and used his body to shield Jian Yao, all the while training his
gun on Derrick. His finger slowly tightened on the trigger.

But Derrick suddenly closed his eyes with a pained expression and groaned softly.
After a fair length of time, he opened his eyes and fixed them on Bo Jinyan and Jian
Yao. Unexpectedly, he smiled.

To Jian Yao, it was a rather strange smile.

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There was sorrow, there was peace, there was the gentle relief of having finally
shed all the treacherous pretense.

He said, “So it turns out that he has always been like this, letting you stand behind
him.”

Jian Yao was slightly stunned. Bo Jinyan’s expression remained unchanged.

Derrick raised his gun and shot himself in the temple.

The earth once again resumed its silence; only the rain continued splashing around
their legs. Then, from the river bank near the overhanging cliff, they saw the
flashlights and heard the calls of numerous police officers searching for them. Bo
Jinyan swiftly pulled Jian Yao into his arms. The two of them held each other
tightly. Behind them, the waterfall plunged into the darkness of night, and the
deep water was quiet and still. The rocks in the pool stood, silent and upright,
glimmering with a pristine beauty in the darkness. Just like eyes, always staring.*

*T/N This symbolic presentation of the deep pool with rocks first occurs in Chapter
56, where Bo Jinyan describes justice as being like such a deep pool. This is the
metaphor which gives rise to our translation of the title of this novel, ‘Pristine
Darkness’. In the end, even in darkness, justice will prevail. The relevant lines are
extracted below (click the link above to go to the chapter itself):
You know, justice is like a deep pool under the moon, in which are cold rocks.
In the darkness, the clear and crystalline light of the water is always present.
Although there are times when the water becomes muddy, or turbulent,
in the end, the water will settle so the rocks can be seen, and the clouds will scatter so
the moon will shine brightly.
——

A few days later.

This was a secluded sanatorium in the outskirts of Beijing. It was sunset, and the
golden beams, tinged with a rosy blush, illuminated the entire grassy lawn. There
was hardly anyone around.

Someone sat by herself on a white bench, gazing at the white pigeons which were
swooping over the grass. She had been sitting there for a long time, a fragile figure
who did not even know how much time had passed.

Far behind her, her manager and assistant stood wordlessly, looking at the
desolate figure.

“She’s still unable to go back to work?” the manager asked.

Her eyes red, the assistant nodded. “She’s been like this all the time. I think . . . she
may never be able . . . to work again.”

The manager took a deep breath, patted the assistant on the shoulder, and said,
“Ok, I get it.” After a moment’s silence, he said, “To be honest, I really regret it. If I
had known this would happen, I would not have packed Xiaozhe’s schedule, so
that she could have had more time with him.”

The assistant burst into tears.

Twilight descended bit by bit, and the golden beams gradually faded. Jin Xiaozhe
sat where she was, unmoving, just as she had sat the entire day, constantly gazing
towards the southwest. The assistant took up some clothes and, with the manager,
was about to move forward, when they heard footsteps coming from the hillside
behind them.

Someone was running towards them.

This place was a private facility under contract to them, so there should not be
anyone else there. The manager turned to look at the approaching runner, and was
struck dumb.

The assistant’s mouth hung open as she pointed at the person. “You, you . . . ghost .
. .”

That person paid no heed to their startled confusion. He looked around and asked
impatiently, “Where is she? Where?” Then he caught sight of the person sitting on
the bench on the lawn.

He seemed to be rooted to the spot. Although he had been running so hard he was
sweating, at present, he was no longer running but simply gazing at her. Then, he
smiled.

Step by step, he approached her from behind.

The assistant and the manager stood where they were, not knowing whether to be
happy, or sad. In the end, both women buried their faces in their hands and started
to cry.

Fang Qing walked until he stood right behind her. From his angle, he could see that
she had still combed her hair neatly, applied some light make-up, and put on a
pretty skirt. However, she just sat there, unmoving, with her hands on her knees
and her fists tightly clenched. In her eyes, there was a touch of something dark,
cold and indifferent.

……

Fang Qing suddenly felt his heart ache. He placed his hand on the back of the
bench and softly called, “Xiaozhe.”

Jin Xiaozhe slowly turned her head and saw him.

Two pairs of eyes gazed at one another. A light breeze blew along the grass, ruffling
the sleeves of his police uniform, ruffling her skirt.

“Am I dreaming?” she asked.

“It’s not a dream, not a dream!” Fang Qing caught hold of her hand and placed it on
his chest. “I’m sorry, Xiaozhe, I’ve come back! At that time, I thought I would not be
able to return! But, I . . .” He laughed and said, “I’m back! I’m alive and back!”

The tears were welling up in Jin Xiaozhe’s eyes as she made an effort to stand up.
Unable to control his surging emotions any longer, Fang Qing pulled her into his
embrace. She also hugged him tightly, and with a face covered in tears, cried out, “I
really thought you wouldn’t come back! You called me like that! That kind of call! I
thought I was completely finished, too! I thought my life was over!”

There were tears in Fang Qing’s eyes as he said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! That time I
really . . .”

Thought I would definitely die.

The two of them cried and held each other. After a long time, Jin Xiaozhe looked up
at him and asked, “What on earth happened?”

Fang Qing smiled, bit his lip and said, “I feel . . . that someone up there was
protecting and blessing me so that I could return to be by your side. I’ve always felt
the heavenly powers would have an eye on someone like me who devotes my
entire life to catching bad guys and does good. It turns out they really do.”

...

Fang Qing actually had no clear recollection of what had happened later that night.
The last thing he remembered was that the entire temple had collapsed, with a
powerful flood behind it that was sufficient to bury everything. And the huge
Buddha statue was falling towards him.

When he awoke, it was already the evening of the next day. He discovered that he
was lying on a boat, and Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao, and An Yan were all with him. Next to
him was Gu Fangfang, who was still receiving medical attention*.

*T/N shl and Anks just want to add that we are upset no mention is made of Zhao
Kun (the undercover police officer in Buddha’s Hand). We’ll just trust he survived,
and Ding Mo forgot to include his name in this scene.

“Why do I . . .” he asked.

Bo Jinyan looked at him gently and said, “Fang Qing, you have a blessed life.”

He was stunned.

It turned out to be the Buddha statue.

When the statue fell, the belly had already been shattered, and the shell of it
covered him precisely. Moreover, the back of the statue was incredibly solid. That
entire night, the surging force of the landslide encoffined him under layers of mud
and rocks. Only that Buddha statue enclosed him. Thus, the next day, as soon as it
was light, when the police forces returned to the area, they dug through the layers
at his last-known location and made a miraculous discovery. He had not been
fatally injured and was still breathing! They immediately dug him out . . .

Fang Qing looked at Jin Xiaozhe. By then, her tears were unstoppable. He laughed
benevolently and bent his head to kiss away her tears. The last light of sunset
faded away and the two of them quietly nestled against each other on the bench,
feeling that the years had indeed never betrayed them; their dreams and their love
had never been forgotten.

——

One month later.

It was a bright, sunny morning. An Yan, wearing a white shirt and black trousers,
with a backpack slung against his back, rode his bicycle to work as usual.

However, now, his original cool, trendy and brand-name bicycle had been replaced
by a family-friendly model with a rear seat, a front basket, and a carrying rack.
Every time he rode this bicycle, he felt a little like a joke.

What to do? Someone liked to ride his bicycle.

He was actually only riding to the building next door, whereupon he stopped and
rang the bicycle bell.

A few minutes later, a girl came running downstairs. She first shoved a piece of
bread into his mouth before hopping onto the rear seat and patting his backpack.
“Let’s go, Prince of Monitoring.” Her hands lightly gripped his waist. An Yan smiled
faintly, lowered his head, and set off swiftly and steadily.

En route, the wind blew gently and the willow branches swayed. As they passed the
gate of the police headquarters, the security guard looked at them with bitter envy.

An Yan sneered inwardly, refusing to give him the time of day.

They reached Gu Fangfang’s workplace very quickly.

Chapter 135 – Final Chapter

She was about to go up, but then stood next to the bicycle without moving. An Yan
also remained still, and bent his head to look at her. Then, she gave him a brilliant
smile and kissed him on the cheek before saying, “I’m going up. Go quickly, don’t
be late.”

However, An Yan gazed at her and said, “I’ve been thinking these past few days
whether I should follow Fang Qing ge’s lead and get a bodyguard for you.”
Gu Fangfang took in his appearance and realised that this had been weighing on
his heart for quite a while, because of the previous incident. She smiled as she
shook her head and said, “That would be too uncomfortable. In future, I will be
careful. As a master detective’s girlfriend, I won’t allow anyone to capture me
again. Moreover, just consider, you’ve already arranged for me to move next to
you. The job you’ve introduced me to is only a hundred metres away from your
police station; whenever I go out with friends, you’re stuck to me like my
shadow . . . An Yan, I really think it’s enough. Are we going to become conjoined
twins?”

An Yan’s face heated up at her chastisement. With a soft ‘oh’, he turned to mount
his bicycle and rode off. Gu Fangfang watched his receding figure and smiled
suddenly. She hollered, “Hey, I’ll cook dinner for you tonight, ok?”

An Yan’s bicycle came to a screeching halt. He turned to look at her with a smile
that was incomparably bright and handsome. “Ok.”

....

Time flows on, one inch at a time.

There may be a crisis, there may be injury.

But, in the end, what is it that keeps us moving forward?

It is a resolute heart.

In truth, it made An Yan blush to think about how he exerted all his effort to spend
every moment stuck to Gu Fangfang. However, whenever he thought back to the
events of that day, he experienced a lingering fear. At that time, if there had been
even a moment’s hesitation or weakness, Gu Fangfang might not have been saved.

Or, it could be said, the person who brought Gu Fangfang back to life was the
intelligent and tenacious lady herself.

As well as her resolute heart which believed that her police sweetheart would
definitely rescue her.

....

When An Yan discovered Gu Fangfang in the container of water, terror and grief
clawed simultaneously at him, at his youthful heart. At that time, he was
completely shattered* and in a daze, struggling to accept the reality of the
situation before his eyes, until his comrades grabbed him by the shoulders and told
him to evacuate.

*T/N 万念俱灰 (wan nian ju hui) – lit. every hope turns to dust; fig. completely
disheartened.

It was then that an obstinate thought surfaced in his mind: Gu Fangfang can’t die!
He had to save her!

This thought was, of course, irrational and biased. But when he thought about the
night they had parted, and of this pure and beautiful girl who had given everything
of herself to him, so dependent and so hopeful, he found it impossible to accept
the fact that she was already dead — even though the girl in his arms had already
ceased breathing.

His scientific brain started to work compulsively, searching for every and any clue,
even the faintest one, that Gu Fangfang was still alive. He first noticed that the
water in the tank was still rising, and it was doing so at a constant speed. This
meant that the time at which the tank started filling up with water had been
controlled by someone. And so, taking together the speed of the rising water, the
length, breadth and height of the tank and Gu Fangfang’s volume, he could
calculate when she had been submerged, and it was just a few minutes . . .

A sudden realisation, as if divinely inspired, flashed across his mind. He

remembered when the two of them had kissed until he was almost breathless, but
Gu Fangfang had said with self-satisfaction, “I have always been able to hold my
breath for a long time . . . no one can beat me when it comes to holding my breath.”
Also, if she had been conscious when she was being drowned, why were there no
marks of a struggle on the tank or the inside of the cover?

She was such a quick-witted girl, she’s the champion of the cosplay competition!
She was consciously preserving her physical strength, waiting to be rescued! When
this thought crossed his mind, An Yan felt as if his heart was being pierced by a
needle. It normally took 6 minutes for an ordinary person to drown, and if Gu
Fangfang had deliberately held her breath, she might be able to hold out for 8
minutes, 9 minutes, even 10 minutes! He made rapid calculations, his brain
whirring frantically like a computer, 10 minutes! She had been submerged in the
water for just over 10 minutes!

He lay her on the ground in a flurry and started chest compressions in accordance
with first aid guidelines, as well as artificial respiration . . . the armed police officers
beside him could not persuade him to stop and figured that he had taken leave of
his senses. He growled, “Don’t disturb me!” He continued relentlessly with the
chest compressions, but the girl lying on the ground made no movement. His tears
were about to fall, he let out an anguished wail, like a plea . . . the girl who had
already taken her last breath suddenly coughed up water, opened her eyes, and
saw him . . .

You ask me what love is?

It’s catching one another’s eyes at the first encounter.

It’s the bashfulness yet courage of mutually approaching and sounding each other
out.

It’s also endless longing and affectionate caresses.

Finally, it’s me holding your hand, looking up at the sky, and realising that there are
still stars.

——

One morning a long time later.

Jian Yao was a capable mother. In the morning, she woke both children up, bathed
them, dressed them, then sat them down for breakfast, after which both of them
completed their kindergarten homework. By this time, it was already 10 a.m.

She glanced at her watch and said, “Let’s go. We’re going to see godfather.”

Her son, Bo Jian, asked succinctly, “What about Dad?”

Before Jian Yao could reply, her daughter Bo Yao said, “What’s the point of asking?
He’s definitely gone on ahead of us. He does this every year.”

Jian Yao laughed and bundled both children into the car.

The public cemetery was in the western suburbs of the city and it took them quite a
while to get there. At present, a light rain was falling, and it made the mountains
look green and hazy. When they got out of the car, the two children ran on ahead
while Jian Yao followed behind. They reached their destination quickly after a few
turns.

The trees and grass on both sides had grown very tall. At this time of the year and
day, there was no one in the cemetery. In the distance, Jian Yao could see Bo
Jinyan sitting alone beside Fu Ziyu’s gravestone, with his hands on his knees and
his head bowed. Who knows what he was thinking about.

He was still the same, in his black suit, white shirt, jet-black hair, and pale face.
Under his slender and elegant eyebrows and eyes was his straight, high nose
bridge. These past years, there seemed to have been no change to his tall, thin
figure. On hearing the sound of the children running, he lifted his head and eyed
them disapprovingly. “Bo Jian, Bo Yao, please maintain the silence of this place.”
Bo Yao pulled a face at him, while Bo Jian stood upright with his arms crossed, an
indifferent expression on his face as he looked at his father seated on the ground.

Jian Yao smiled and walked over. Bo Jinyan also got up, pulled her into his arms
and kissed her. Jian Yao knew her husband most needed comfort at this time every
year. He did not say much, just held her hand tightly. Together, they watched Bo
Jian and Bo Yao place the fresh flowers and red wine they were carrying in front of
the grave, each of them calling out, “Godfather.”

They lingered at the grave a while longer before the family got back into the car for
the return journey. At this point, Bo Jian, who was in the back seat, said softly, “Ma,
since we’re all not in a great mood today, can we eat fish hotpot?” Bo Yao’s face
scrunched up as she said, “I detest eating fish.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly and said, “Ah . . . . such lack of insight. Mrs Bo, I’m also
thinking of eating fish today.”

Bo Yao bawled, “Ma, no!” Bo Jian smiled slightly and took note of his mother’s
expression.

Jian Yao, the head of the family who was currently driving, could not help but
laugh. She said, “Ok, let’s eat fish hotpot. Bo Yao, I’ll buy you claypot rice, your
favourite.” “Oh yeah!” Bo Yao cheered.

The light rain swirled around them and the road was wet. The black Grand
Cherokee rounded the mountain, gradually moving further and further away,
heading towards the city with its multitude of tall buildings.

......

Many years later, when I recollect the past, I still think about that villa in the middle
of the mountain. Think about him wearing a bathrobe, with night vision goggles,
standing at the top of the stairs looking down at me from on high. I also think
about Fu Ziyu waving the glass of red wine in his hand in the dim light of night,
smiling faintly as he said, “Can you take one more step? At the beginning, it took
me many steps before I came to stand by his side.”
I think about the killing machine case, when I first saw his arrogant, cold smile, and
I knew that no other man in the world could be smarter than him. I also think about
the time when I was held captive by Xie Han, watching him walk towards me
wearing a black windcheater, his eyes frantic, his voice hoarse, and I knew that I
was the only one his eyes saw; as well as that warehouse which brought us the
greatest heartbreak, the deep pool under the overhanging cliff . . . every single
time, over and over again, he always walked firmly towards me.

I think that I have no regrets in this lifetime. I have met a group of kindred spirits,
although some of them had to leave us mid-way. He and I are the same; walking on
the fringe of darkness, we have seen the most warped ugliness in this world, seen
many suffering souls waiting for redemption, seen so many warm and sorrowful
hearts.

The soaring bird rests on the roots of the tree.

The tree roots go deep into the earth. For an entire lifetime, not knowing
exhaustion, they search for the light.

We have grown old together.