Pristine Darkness

Chapter 64

Fang Qing and Jian Yao get started on a new case, featuring butterflies - anyone else getting 'Silence of the Lambs' feels? Meanwhile, the head of the criminal investigation team in Xun City is behaving rather strangely. I wonder why . . .

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Translator: shl

Editor/ Proofreader: Anks

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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 . 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.