Pure Darkness

Chapter 42

“Ke Ai, English name, Rita, 24 years old, Chemistry faculty student, University of Chicago. In December last year, she returned to China as an exchange student. He is expected to leave China at the end of June this year, which is next week.” An Yan handed the information over to everyone.

Fang Qing shook the information sheet in his hand. “Chemical faculty? Hehehe.”

“We have confirmed that the US account is his,” An Yan said.

“Evaluation teacher. .” Bo Jinyan read aloud slowly, “smart and meticulous in thinking. Great ability to plan and carry out events, also very brave, favored by teachers and students. . It seems like he has the knowledge and ability to commit crimes.”

Jian Yao looked at the information and said, “Although they are fraternal twins, the pair of older brothers really resemble each other in appearance when they were young. Even photos taken when they were older show eighty to ninety percent similarities. If one deliberately pretended to be the other, the other person would definitely not be able to tell the difference. ”

Fang Qing said, “Jinyan, when this sister returned to China coincided with your speculation about the time the ‘mystery’ appeared. The money was also given to him. He was definitely familiar with the interaction between Ke Qian and the other members of the animation community. He has motivation, time, ability, access to poison, and there are eyewitnesses. He's the killer, there's no two ways to it*.”

*T/N (ban shang ding ding) – literally, hitting nail ( ⁇ ) on board ( ⁇ ).

Bo Jinyan looked grim. “An Yan, go and investigate the source** (poison). Fang Qing, Jian Yao, let's meet this much loved and very meaningful older sister

*T/N Ding Mo did not name the poison

Qingdu University is ranked among the best in China, and the faculty of science and engineering is even more respected. Cars enter from the north gate, and the route is lined with lush vegetation and simple and unadorned buildings. From time to time, the students would cycle through it, and many students were sitting on the grass, reading quietly.

Amidst such a calm and dreamlike atmosphere, Bo Jinyan drove into the Chemistry School and stopped at the entrance. They had already greeted the school administration and explained that they were conducting a simple investigation. The three of them walked down the long corridor and reached the door of the laboratory.

The afternoon sunlight reflected off the window grille, and the sounds of laughter and chatter came from within.

Some students, wearing white suits, fiddled with equipment.

Fang Qing took the lead and walked in. “Excuse me, which one of you is To Ai?”

The students stopped laughing and looked at him. A tall girl with long hair said, “I.”

As Jian Yao saw his face clearly, she felt a brief panic shock. His face was really very similar, yet also different from Ke Qian's face. Willow leaf eyebrows are curved, and the mouth is small. However, his long hair, slightly curved, fell lightly over his shoulders, and his eyebrows were lighter in color than Ke Qian's, as well as the color of his lips. She wears thin makeup. But, she was completely different from Ke Qian – the difference was in her temperament, on the expression in her eyes. His face was very calm, and he stared openly and frankly at everyone, neither condescending nor arrogant. His entire body gave off an extremely cold aura.

“About what is this?” ask To Ai.

The students beside him watched them vigilantly, with a hint of hesitation.

Fang Qing took out his police identity. “We are from the City Criminal Investigation Agency. We need your help in investigating a case, and want you to come with us to the police station.”

The students looked at each other, and Ke Ai was dumbfounded.

His expression turned a little ugly. “Have . . . is there anything going on with Ke Qian?”

This reaction was completely contrary to the expectations of Bo Jinyan and the others.

“Let's talk at the station,” said Bo Jinyan.

“Oke.” Ke Qi quickly took off his lab coat and took off his gloves, his expression heavy. One of the students grabbed her hand and asked, “Rita, is everything okay? Do you want us to go with you?”

“Yes! How can you arrange it yourself? ”

Bo Jinyan and the others waited quietly at the side.

Ke Ai shook his head, smiled, and said, “You continue the experiment, we should hand over the report to the professor tomorrow morning. I'm fine . . . It just has to do with my family.”

——

Ke Ai did not live in the school's international student dormitory, but had rented an apartment outside. After Fang Qing brought him back to the police station, Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao went to check on his apartment.

It was a smooth and friendly one-room apartment. Simple, neat and clean. On the bookshelf, in addition to a few chemistry books, there are also travel books, as well as classic anthologies and famous poems. Bo Jinyan took one and opened it, it was ‘The Painted Veil’ Somerset Maugham. Many comments were written in it, and his handwriting was nothing like Ke Qian's; it was beautifully refined, yet powerful. On the last page, Ke Ai has written a long comment: “The value of human life should not be calculated from its length, or in terms of wealth, status, beauty, and so on. The clarity and fullness of one's soul must be the source of all happiness. Being 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 page is a bit yellow, so he probably wrote this at least a few years earlier.

Bo Jinyan silently looked at this for a while, then placed the book back on the shelf.

Jian Yao walked over. “There are several letters here.”

One letter from her parents, probably sent six months ago.

“Rita, we heard that you have found your sister. Dad and I are so happy for you. Invite him to come and visit America! Or, you can stay in China longer. Either way is fine. And we missed you.

The two stray dogs you brought with you haven't had a good appetite lately, probably because they miss you a lot too. I found a vet, and we thought of a way. Eventually, they started eating right. Don't worry about them.

Thank you for the gift you sent us. We left China many years ago, and never expected to eat authentic Beijing snacks again. Your father was very happy to take a sip of xiaojiu.

Also, your girlfriend, Jason, misses you so much. It turns out that all day at home he strummed guitars and sang love songs, haha. He was a brave and courageous boy. However, when he received the gift you sent, he hugged us cheerfully. I heard he's gonna be a lawyer. We're very happy for you both.

Take care of yourself and study hard. We look forward to your return.”

“ My dear Rita, how I miss you.

I miss your beautiful smile, I miss your warm and gentle words. You are like sunshine and dew point, the giver of all the beautiful things in my life. Without you beside me, everything here is boring and bland.

What I want to tell you is that I'm going to be a lawyer. I know you'll be very happy for me. I can only achieve my dreams because of your encouragement and friendship.

I'm proud of you too. My Chinese girl is beautiful, kind, smart, and adorable.

Awaiting your return.

Ilove you. Jason.”

. . . . . .

“It looks like Ke Ai's relationship with others is very good,” Jian Yao commented.

“Ya,” says Bo Jinyan. “Highly liked girl.”

——

A burning light shone above his head. As a result of sitting alone In the vast interrogation room, under the blinding light, everything before him became a little blurry.

He rubbed his hands together with a restless feeling, and his face became even more grim. However, he still maintained his composure, a calmness that seemed to emerge from his character and the way he trained himself. However, her heart was impatient; she often looked at the door, hoping to receive news of her brother as soon as possible.

Bo Jinyan and the others stood in the next room, watching him closely through the dark one-way glass.

“Fang Qing, let's go and chat with him,” Bo Jinyan said.

“Oke.”

When the door opened, Ke Ai looked up and observed the two men who entered. One was handsome and tall, but his expression was serious and firm. The others were more tanned and muscular, and his handsome face was smiling.

Ke Ai reflexively stood up.

Fang Qing continued to smile. “Sit, sit.” He placed a cup of hot tea in front of him.

Ke Ai picked it up with both hands and said gently, “Thank you.”

Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan exchanged looks. Fang Qing smiled slightly as he said, “Ke Ai, we have brought you back to the office today so that you can help in the investigation of your brother's case. .”

Ke Ai looked up with a sharp look. “Police officer, my younger brother. . .what happened to him?”

Fang Qing asked, “Why are you asking such a question?”

Ke Ai's fingers gripped the paper cup tightly. “Because . . .he hasn't contacted me for over a month.”

Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan fell silent for a moment.

“More than a month?” Bo Jinyan asked. “Then, over a month ago, about what was the last time he called you?”

Ke Ai hesitated for a moment before seeing them again. After a while, it seemed like he had made up his mind. He took his phone out of his pocket and placed it in front of them.

It was an SMS from an unknown number:

Ai, forget me; forget this world, and forget my only one. Come back to America, live well, and take all my love and dreams with you. I'm going to do something that shouldn't be done. I will make all the vulgar and evil people in this world pay the price. I will never come back, but my heart will always be with you. Don't miss me, don't call me, don't make a police report, and don't look back. I promise, I will also try to move on. In an invisible place. I will be brave and hardworking like you. — Qian.

Fang Qing immediately handed his phone to the officer outside the door, to be sent for inspection.

Ke Ai raised those pair of clear and clear eyes and looked at them. In that split second, Fang Qing and Bo Jinyan both felt a little hopeless.

Anyone who received such an honest, clear, and sad gaze would probably feel the same way.

“Ke Qian. . . him. . . What happened to him?” he asked slowly.

“On February 10 of this year, he and his friends in the animation studio were at odds over a 2 million dollar split,” Fang Qing replied. “He suffered stab wounds all over his body and lost a lot of blood, and was buried by his friends. Forensic experts determined that the probability of survival was almost zero. However, now, we cannot find his body where he was buried.”

He said all this very slowly and very clearly.

Ke Ai's eyes widened slowly. His eyes were filled with despair, shock, and pain.

“Not . . . impossible . .” She covered her face with her hands as her tears fell. “I still received a text message from him a few months ago, he definitely does not die, it is impossible.”