Our s...o...b.. Team locate Ke Ai, and we come face to face with her in this chapter. Will she cast light on the Animation Murders, or will her existence raise even more questions? Read on to find out . . .

If you"re interested in trying your hand at translating, checking the translation of, or editing this novel, do email [email protected] We welcome anyone who would like to give it a try, and those of us with a little more experience are happy to help out ?

Join us on Discord (link to the right) to discuss the novel or just to hang out.

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 gra.s.sy 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 a.s.sistance 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 cla.s.sics 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 appet.i.tes 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 gla.s.s.

"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 a.s.sist 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."

Translator: shl

Editor/ Proofreader: Anks