Pure Darkness

Chapters 25.2

The first-team dinner for the Special Case Unit begins with a slightly strange atmosphere.

The dinner had been arranged by Jian Yao. Since the new comrades joined the unit, he thought it would be good to greet them at dinner together. In addition, he had heard of it. . . ahem, ahem. . people had been ‘armed with strong’ by Bo Jinyan to join them.

An Yan did not care much about the entire situation. As long as the food is good, he is happy.

Fu Ziyu was very confused. If they're going to have a get-together, go ahead. Why should they invite outsiders like him? Jian Yao, however, had spoken very persuasively, mentioning that they had not gathered together long enough. You know An Yan, so you are not an outsider. Moreover, the newcomer is someone like us .

Fu Ziyu was always open to being persuaded, and he easily agreed.

As for Fang Qing. . .

Although he felt that Bo Jinyan's ‘forceful plunder method was not cricket, in his heart, he was somewhat tempted by the work of the Special Case Unit. Moreover, even though he was a straightforward and outspoken person, he also had enough experience with the ways of the world. Since he had been transferred to this unit, he only had to bear it. As for Jin Xiaozhe. . . Well, he had to think of another way to pursue her.

So, everyone sat down at the fish pot hot restaurant. Bo Jinyan and An Yan were calm and unperturbed, and Jian Yao noticed the others. Contrary to what was expected, Fu Ziyu and Fang Qing laughed and chatted comfortably with each other.

“How should I call you?” Fang Qing asked.

Fu Ziyu enthusiastically extended his hand. “I Fu Ziyu, a doctor.”

Fang Qing said, with a sudden realization, “Oh, so you are the forensic pathologist of this unit.”

Fu Ziyu said, “No, I don't.”

Bo Jinyan smiled faintly as she raised her head and said, “You will, soon.”

Fu Ziyu replied, “Fuck.”

Yan turned. “Teen. Sister-in-law, please get me another plate of sweet potato chips. Please be a little sweeter.”

Jian Yao said, “Ah, okay.”

Hot pot* served quickly.

*(huo guo) – on. ‘panci api’. This is a Chinese cooking method in which ingredients are cooked in a pot containing boiling broth placed in front of visitors, who can choose the ingredients they like and cook them themselves. View https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot\_pot

Bo Jinyan, Jian Yao and Fu Ziyu were quite polite while eating. Even while eating fish, Bo Jinyan remains an example of good behavior – eat not too fast or too slow – even though she can actually spend the whole fish in an instant.

However, with the addition of An Yan and Fang Qing, the eating rhythm suddenly changed! Fang Qing is a ‘iron’ criminal investigator who always swallows his food. Moreover, there was no one to drink with him at dinner, so he lowered his head and started eating. His chopsticks lit up and he filled the entire bowl with hot pot ingredients and finished it in the blink of an eye. Moments later, another bowl had been filled and emptied.

An Yan saw this and panicked. All of the delicious food he wanted to eat had been snatched away by Fang Qing. So, the otaku* that hadn't eaten so well for a few days turned on the machine. Their chopsticks darted in and out of the big pot in quick succession.

*(zhai nan) – a guy who stays at home all the time, usually spends a lot of time playing games online; from Japanese ‘otaku’

Bo Jinyan was busy picking up the bones from the pieces of her 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 it. No need to talk about two pieces of fish when two plates of whole fish have found their way to the stomach ‘someone’.

Fu Ziyu returned his smile. He casually chewed 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,” says Bo Jinyan cold, “Just give me my own pot.”

……

For some unknown reason, everyone eats well at these foods.

When the hot pot is taken away, everyone just sits on the couch. Rubbing his stomach, Jian Yao thought, if all the dinners that the team ate together had this kind of atmosphere, he would definitely put on some weight.

Fu Ziyu asked for a pot of tea. Everyone slowly sipped their tea, chatting casually.

Bo Jinyan asked Fang Qing, “Why do you want to come to Beijing?”

Fang Qing smiled and replied, “Private reason.”

Fu Ziyu said seriously, “I've heard that Fang Qing is a very experienced criminal investigator, and he's here to be the deputy leader of your team. This is very nice. Jinyan, your team is fully functional.”

Bo Jinyan smiled slightly, “Indeed.”

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, contact us anytime.”

Fang Qing smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

An Yan quickly took out a few vouchers from his pocket and placed them on the table. “Team leader and brother-in-law treat us to dinner, I will treat you something else.”

“What is this?” Jian Yao picked up the ticket.

An Yao replied, “Ticket goes to the Beijing Blueberry International Animation Festival.”

Bo Jinyan muttered, “Oh. .”

An Yan looked at Jian Yao, who was looking at Bo Jinyan. Bo Jinyan's mouth appeared in a corner, and she was just about to say something, when An Yan suddenly spoke. “Animation Festival will feature many romantic and funny scenes, it is perfect for lovers. Otherwise, where do you plan to go on a date this weekend? To the morgue, or to the prison?”

The question is too blunt. Before Bo Jinyan could say anything, Jian Yao picked up the ticket and stuffed it into her pocket. “Thank you, An Yan. We will go, we will definitely go.”

Bo Jin Yan remained silent. Jian Yao had grabbed his hand under the table and dug his nails lightly, so he gave up and did not speak.

Everyone looked at Fang Qing.

Fang Qing took out a cigarette from his pocket, rolled it between his fingers and smiled. “Thank you, but I won't go, because I have something.”

What animation festival? That's for the kids.

He has heard news that the newly crowned movie superstar, Jin Xiaozhe, will be filming in the suburbs of Beijing this weekend.

He wanted to visit her on set.

——

The first joint meal of the Special Case Unit finally ended on a pleasant note.

At the beginning of the night, when the streetlights were on, everyone parted ways. An Yan returned home with Bo Jinyan, and Fang Qing boarded a public bus for ‘tours’ around Beijing. The last person to leave was Fu Ziyu. He drove down the ring road, with flickering lights, towards the house.

However, an empty weekend like this was really boring, so he turned into a street in the commercial area.

This road is not far from his house. There are many people, and it is very much alive. He parked the car and walked along the well-lit sidewalk, winding forward.

……

Perhaps he should seriously consider Bo Jinyan's advice and change paths to becoming a forensic pathologist?

That unreasonable suggestion flashed through 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 front of the glass shop, looking here, there, and everywhere. The world was crowded and full of joy, but he did not seem to be aware of any of it.

Is life like this?

Everything is perfect, but there are always disappointments and losses.

There is always joy, but there is no more great sadness or happiness.

He laughs at himself. Maybe because her life was too smooth and blessed that she was like an immature child*, spouting inappropriate nicknames**.

*(mao tou xiao zi) – \= hairy fur that is the fur on the head of a newborn baby. This phrase is used to denote someone who is young and immature.

** (wei fu xin ci qiang shuo chou) – a line from · ⁇ , a poem written by (Xin Qiji), and refers to how, how, when wanting to find a new way to describe something, the persona instead dwells on the bitterness of sadness. Today, it is used to refer to actions or sayings that are not timely, outdated, or inappropriate. View https://baike.baidu.com/item/为赋新词强说愁

Unknowingly, she walked towards the women's clothing store and stopped outside, her heart feeling warm.

This was once Han Yumeng's favorite brand. The clothes are fashionable and elegant.

Fu Ziyu's gaze swept over the beautiful dresses on display and finally ended at the entrance of the fitting room.

A woman stood there, with her back facing her.

She was wearing a new sky blue dress. His hair flowed down his back like a waterfall, and his skin was as white as snow. Slender and pliable waist, full and beautiful body curves. Fu Ziyu was instantly taken to a time, many years ago, when she stood behind Han Yumeng as she looked at herself in the mirror while trying on clothes. The same beautiful figure, the same alluring skin. The only difference was, at that moment, Han Yumeng preferred the softer color of red.

Fu Ziyu did not know why, but seeing this woman made him feel sad.

After a while, the woman turned her head and continued to browse the shelves.

Fu Ziyu watched him, not moving.

It seemed like a bolt of white light, which pierced through a calm and beautiful night, rushed towards him mercilessly. His mind suddenly blank. The only pictures left are different, beautiful, familiar side profiles.

……

The woman did not notice the gaze of the person outside the window.

Fu Ziyu stared a long time ago, then raised his hand and protected his face. Tears fell from his fingers.

That's you Yumeng.

Is that you, finally home?

Do you know how long I waited for you?

I have been waiting for a miracle that I thought would never come true in this life. That day has arrived.