Pristine Darkness

Chapter 43

The Scooby Team continue their little chat with Ke Ai and we find out more about Ke Qian and their shared background. However, our heroes can't seem to agree on whether Ke Ai is a prime suspect, or not. What do you think?

**********

Translator: shl

Editor/ Proofreader: Anks

**********

"What do you think?" An Yan asked.

Jian Yao stared at Ke Ai from behind the one-way glass. "Honestly, she looks as if she really doesn't know anything. If it turns out that her entire reaction was all a show, then this woman is indeed highly skilled and very much to be feared."

——

"After you returned to China, when did you get in touch with Ke Qian?" Fang Qing asked.

Ke Ai's eyes dimmed briefly. After a moment of recollection, she replied, "After I came back, I took a month to settle in. I went to my old hometown and located my grandfather's old house. He was not there, so I asked the neighbours and got his contact details from them. When I discovered he was also in Beijing, I was ecstatic."

Fang Qing asked, "What was his reaction at the time?"

A bleak smile hovered around Ke Ai's mouth. "He was very happy, we were both really happy. Even though we didn't express our feelings overtly, we both knew it."

"Why did you conceal the interactions between the both of you from other people?" Bo Jinyan asked.

"I actually didn't mind, but Ke Qian didn't want it to be known," replied Ke Ai. "He said, people wouldn't understand how children separated from each other at a young age would feel upon being reunited. He said that no one around him would understand. I respected his feelings, and wanted to do what I could to help him."

Fang Qing asked, "Why did you give Ke Qian the money? It was no small amount."

"My adoptive parents' economic situation is fairly comfortable. They also agreed to give the money to Ke Qian. I wanted to . . . help him realise his dream, but I never imagined . . ."

"Where were you between 12 and 2 a.m. on the 17th of this month, and between 1 and 3 a.m. on the 20th? What were you doing?"

Ke Ai raised her head. "So late . . . I must have been asleep. Why are you asking this question?"

Bo Jinyan said, in an unhurried manner, "On the evening of the 17th, two of the people involved in the conspiracy to murder Ke Qian were killed by poison; the poison was ****. On the evening of the 20th, another of the main conspirators was killed at home. If we don't stop him, the murderer will continue to kill."

Ke Ai was stunned.

The changes in her expression were very distinct and subtle.

At first, there was shock, then doubt. Following that came deep thought, a flash of sudden understanding, bitter laughter, then mourning.

"It was him?" she asked dumbly. "So, when he said he was going to do something that should not be done, making malicious people pay the price . . . someplace where I could not see him . . ." She once again covered her face with her hands, and her tears flowed freely.

Grief, intense grief which could not be suppressed. Even with one look, one could clearly feel her sorrow.

Bo Jinyan handed her a tissue.

"Don't cry, we are also sorry about all the pain he suffered."

Ke Ai looked at him through her tears and said, "Thank you."