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墨書 Inktalez
When Chu Yi returned to the police station and finished reading Jiang Weiting's manuscript, along with the materials sent by Liu Qi, he realized it was already two in the morning. Aside from several cups of instant coffee, he hadn't eaten a single grain of rice. Chu Yi closed the documents and stepped out of his office. As he passed the conference room, he noticed Xiao Sun asleep at the table, surrounded by a pile of Jiang Weiting's novels, with his coat draped over the back of a chair. Chu Yi quietly approached, took the coat, and covered Xiao Sun's back with it before turning off the lights in the conference room.
The night breeze was refreshingly cool, gradually clearing Chu Yi's chaotic thoughts.
In Jiang Weiting's new manuscript, two boys studying music composition were depicted as close friends who both fell in love with a girl from the Chinese department. In this love triangle, one boy not only achieved success in his career but also won the girl's affection. The other boy, however, lived a quiet and miserable life. Strangely enough, the successful boy committed suicide by hanging himself at the peak of his career. Before his death, he left behind a letter.
According to Liu Qi's materials, Jiang Weiting's father was named Jiang Deming, an outstanding composer. Even Chu Yi had purchased some of his symphonic works. He recalled that Jiang Deming had committed suicide earlier this year; it had been reported widely in the media. He just hadn't connected Jiang Deming to Jiang Weiting until now. This year, Jiang Deming received a lifetime achievement award from the music industry. Before the award ceremony began, he hanged himself in the lounge using his tie and left behind a letter. This became sensational news at the time. However, that letter was given to Jiang Weiting and never made public.
In Liu Qi's materials was a copy of that letter; the original had always been kept by Jiang Weiting. Half of its contents matched what Jiang Weiting had given to her lawyer in identical handwriting, while the remaining part stated: "A career and love obtained through deception should be punished." Signed: Jiang Deming.
In Jiang Weiting's novel, the first boy achieved success by plagiarizing his friend's work and won the girl's favor as a result. Once successful, doors in the music industry opened for him. He kept this secret hidden for decades until it was exposed on the day he received his lifetime achievement award. The other boy accomplished nothing in life and became an elementary school music teacher.
Life is like a play; plays are like life. Jiang Weiting wrote her novel with her life experiences mirroring its narrative. Yet she herself led a life akin to drama. Writing down this past seemed to be an act of acceptance for her. So whose debt did her suicide repay?
Where was that elementary school music teacher?
Chu Yi pondered this as he hurriedly grabbed a bowl of fried rice from a roadside stall that had yet to close for the night and rushed toward Yongdao Old Street.
Removing the seal from the door, Chu Yi pushed it open. Under the night light, the small courtyard was silent as if nothing had ever happened; there was no trace of a woman named Jiang Weiting ever having lived there or having left.
Soon enough, Chu Yi found Jiang Weiting's photo album and a bundle of letters. These items were neatly stored in an elegant wooden box placed on the bookshelf beside the bed. Chu Yi searched thoroughly again but found no trace of Jiang Deming's other half of the will.
What was even more regrettable was that all the photos in the album depicted Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and seasonal flowers without any people or valuable pictures of friends or family.
The letter was a love note devoid of any formal address, an understanding shared between the two. The stationery was of high quality, featuring a subtle light blue watermark, a recent technological advancement. It was unlikely to be a love letter from Jiang Weiting's parents; it seemed more like it belonged to her.
From the expression in the letter, it was clear that the admirer was infatuated with Jiang Weiting to the point of obsession. Who was this admirer? Was he connected to the case? All the letters bore the same handwriting, indicating they were penned by one person. The letters were carefully arranged according to the progression of feelings, suggesting that Jiang Weiting ultimately accepted this person's affection. So why, after the news of her suicide broke across major media outlets, did this deeply enamored individual remain so silent?
Chu Yi sat down at Jiang Weiting's desk and opened her computer. There were no works of hers saved on it. She was a writer captivated by the 1930s and had not used a computer for her writing. After shutting down the computer, Chu Yi quietly sat at the desk, attempting to experience what Jiang Weiting might have felt while writing. He closed his eyes and heard distant barks from a couple of dogs. A waft of honeysuckle fragrance drifted in with the wind, rich and sweet. It was no wonder many writers preferred to write at night; in such moments, all sensations were heightened, even the smallest details of life became vivid close-ups.
Before leaving, Chu Yi found a small stack of signed photographs of Jiang Weiting in another drawer. He weighed them in his hand for a moment, pulled one out, and tucked it into his pocket. Gently locking the courtyard door behind him, he turned and stepped onto the street, only to be blinded by two beams of bright light.
"Don't move," someone shouted from the darkness.
Sighing, Chu Yi raised his hands and said in a cinematic tone, "Don't shoot; I'm one of the good guys."
The flashlight beams shifted away, revealing two police officers from patrol duty. Their eyes were wary. "Who are you? What are you doing here in the middle of the night at a crime scene?"
"I'm Detective Chu Yi from the Criminal Investigation Department. Here’s my ID." Just as Chu Yi reached for his pocket, one of the officers said, "Hey, it's really him! I saw him at a party once."
"You see? We're all on the same side here. I'm here for work," Chu Yi explained.
The tone of both officers softened: "Sorry about that, Captain Chu. We're just doing our job."
"No problem at all," Chu Yi waved his hand dismissively as he prepared to leave.
The officer who recognized him suddenly blocked his path with a smile and said, "Captain Chu, I'm Zuo Xiao Zhi. I really admire your work. How about I treat you to dinner sometime?"
"You want to transfer over?" Chu Yi asked directly as he understood immediately.
"You really are sharp. Is there any chance of that happening?"
"I can't make that decision. However, you can help us solve this case," Chu Yi said.
"Oh? Really?"
"You have some free time during the day. Help me ask Jiang Weiting's neighbors if they have seen the same man frequently visiting her," Chu Yi had just thought of this idea. This way, it could save some manpower for the Criminal Investigation Department.
"Love-related murder?" Zuo Xiao Zhi immediately suggested, looking quite engaged in the situation.
"Maybe. However, any progress must be kept absolutely confidential from the outside. If anything comes up, call the department immediately," Chu Yi said, his tone indicating that he no longer regarded Zuo Xiao Zhi as an outsider.
"Understood. I will complete the task without fail," Zuo Xiao Zhi replied enthusiastically, dramatically standing at attention. The posture reminded Chu Yi of Xiao Sun during his internship days. With a nod of approval as a leader, Chu Yi quickly left Yongdao Old Street.
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