Pure Darkness

Chapter 30

More information was gathered about the killings at the animation festival. Who would want to kill young people who only realize their dreams? However, it seems that these young people are also not what they seem. . .

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“Yueying Animation Studio was founded two years ago,” Fang Qing said. “Actually not officially registered. Friends with these same interests and hobbies spontaneously come together to form groups. In the animated circle, they are quite famous.”

In the conference room, the assembled criminal investigators lowered their heads and made notes.

“According to the three suspects, the studio core consists of five people,” Fang Qing slowly continued.

Another criminal investigator said, “We have determined the background of these five people. They were all students of Nan Hua University. Jiang Xueran and the late female Rong Xiaofeng graduated last year, and have been working for almost a year. Xu Sheng, Wen Xiaohua and Lu Ji the dead men all graduated this year. Family financial situation is all similar – it is impossible for them to continue cosplay after graduation. The studio is also facing dissolution.”

“Could this case be related to their possible dissolution?” A female criminal investigator asked.

Another investigator replied, “I don't think so. Many people pursue their interest in university, but many give up after graduation. Reality strikes, and one has to adapt to 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 the simplest song right now.”

The other researchers all laughed and made fun of him. “ Lao Zhang*, it's hard to believe that you ever had such a young dream.”

*T/N (lao zhang) – is his last name, \= ‘tua’. It is an informal, almost affectionate way to greet someone older than him, or higher in rank.

“Ya, much better than us.”

Fang Qing smiled and said, “In today's world, dreaming about death is definitely a common occurrence.”

His words caused a pin-drop silence. Even An Yan, who kept his head down the entire time, looked up to glance at her.

An older and experienced criminal investigator complained, “They are really still children, just chasing dreams and pursuing hobbies they had while at university. Who knew that it would take their lives?”

Fang Qing spoke. “It has been eight hours since the crime was committed. At present, the initial findings are as follows:

All five have neither tertiary vocational qualifications nor tertiary general academic qualifications. Their family background is casual, and they do not have access to XXX* resources*;

*T/N As in the previous chapter, Ding Mo did not mention the name of the poison.

There is no clear motive for the murder;

There is no evidence that they were not at the scene;

Whether dead or alive, their nails have no trace of XXX's leftovers;

In addition, we have repeatedly asked them about the studio key, and they insist that they never give the key to anyone else. It is impossible for an outsider to make a copy of the key and get access.”

No one is talking. A seemingly simple case has turned into an investigative deadlock.

“We have to dig deeper in this case,” Fang Qing said.

Everyone nodded.

“However, all we can be sure of is that the three of them have hidden something from us and have a hidden secret,” Fang Qing continued.

Surprisingly, no one objected to this statement.

A criminal investigator said, “They claim that they are very fond of cosplay, however, in the previous period, they suddenly threw away all the memento photos in the studio. There must be something suspicious there. Moreover, their reaction to the deaths of their friends was very suspicious. Alongside the fear, it seemed like they were trying hard to avoid or escape from something. ”

——

After the meeting, Fang Qing and An Yan walked out of the conference room together. Somewhat far away in the corridor, they could see some people making a fuss, and others crying.

A criminal investigator explained, “It was the parents of the deceased, Lu Ji, as well as Wen Xiaohua's parents. Others from outside the province, so his parents have not come.”

“It's over now! The whole! My son, my son!” Master Lu shouted. “This family is done! Son, ah! Lu Ji, why are you playing those games? I hate. . . I hate myself for not stopping it! My son, if you study hard and get a steady job, your mother and father will not suffer the pain of seeing you die before we*! Ah!”

*T/N (bai fa ren song hai fa ren) – \= ‘white-haired people’; \= ‘black-haired people’; \= send that to the underworld/next life. This is one of the greatest tragedies in any culture, when people are young.

Wen Xiaohua's parents looked calmer, and also dressed a little better. However, they might become very nervous upon arriving at the police station, and gripped the nearest police officer to ask, “When can Xiaohua we go? How did he get involved in the death of his schoolmate? Let him go as soon as possible!”

The police officer was about to reassure them, when Master Lu heard them and jumped forward in an instant. Grabbing Mr. Wen's collar, he shouted, “My son is dead! Why is your son alive and well? The poison! They say he was poisoned! Was that your family? Fuck those! Why did my son die, and your family is still complete and alive?”

Mr. Wen looks like a delicate person. With a flushed face, he pushed Master Lu roughly and said, “You are crazy! What is my family connection to the death of your son?” Madam Wen also came to help her fend off Master Lu. Madam Lu cried even more sadly upon seeing them. Police officers hurriedly intervened and defused the situation.

It was a big mess.

……

Fang Qing and An Yan had been watching the scene quietly.

“These two families have been destroyed,” Fang Qing said. “What do you think is the sad result of all this?”

As An Yan stood up, startled, for a moment, Fang Qing turned around and walked into the interrogation room. An Yan ran after him, and asked, “Where is Team Leader and Jian Yao?”

“They went to investigate the secret,” replied Fang Qing.

“How about us?” An Yan asked.

Fang Qing smiled briefly. “Kita? We'll meet with three survivors as well as suspects.”

——

At the same time, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao were in the car on the way to Nan Hua University.

Jian Yao still had some reservations. “Interrogation of suspects is very important, but you do not want to participate in it. Instead, you will involve yourself in digging up background information?”

Bo Jinyan replied, “Fang Qing can handle such a situation, and she will do a good job with it.”

Jian Yao smiled. “I never thought that you know how to utilize people. It is surprising to me that you have such leadership skills. ”

Bo Jinyan glanced at him for a moment as she said, “I have no interest in leading people. I just put a job I don't like, which I find simple and boring, in the hands of someone who likes it, and is fit to do it. For example, when considering you and me. .”

Jian Yao said, “Enough.”

He asked again, “Then, why are you interested in investigating this background information?”

A slight smile floated on Bo Jinyan's lips. “Because, in this case, it is more important to clearly see the hidden pain than to see the obvious fact of death.”

Nan Hua University, student dormitory.

The dormitory where the late Lu Ji lived was examined by a forensic team, and his schoolmates were also examined. When Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao walked in, they saw the messy top bed. This was where Lu Ji slept, and was also the residence of a young male student.

Jian Yao twisted the full circle while closely observing the surroundings. The walls are empty except for the schedule, where the handwriting is less impressive. There is a small hole in the mosquito net that has not been repaired. Books were scattered on the study table under the bed. There are several sets of basketball uniforms in the closet, as well as several T-shirts from fairly common brands that cost USD$5 to $10 respectively. Some dirty clothes and socks have also been put in the closet.

After a while, Bo Jinyan asked, “Are you done searching?”

Jian Yao nodded. “I finished.”

They both left the dormitory.

Next, they visited Xu Sheng's dormitory. The santri putri dormitory is relatively cleaner and tidy. Xu Sheng's residence was even simpler. Mosquito nets were everywhere, there was nothing on the walls, and no decorations. This suits his reserved and slow-talking character. The books are neatly arranged on the bookshelf and the computer is cheaply branded. The clothes in the closet were black, white, and gray. The worn slippers under the table lost one strap, but it still seems to be in use.

“As I expected,” comments Bo Jinyan.

Jian Yao nodded.