Pristine Darkness

Chapter 42

Our Scooby 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 . . .

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Translator: shl

Editor/ Proofreader: Anks

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"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 grassy 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.