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墨書 Inktalez
The sunlight in May filtered through the branches of the old osmanthus tree in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone pavement.
Shen Tong was dressed in a white cotton qipao, comfortable and elegant, which accentuated her fair skin. She still wore a black eye patch over her right eye. When she saw Lin Mingchang, she paused for a few seconds before quickly inviting him inside and leading him to sit at the stone table in the courtyard.
The air was filled with a faint herbal fragrance, mingled with the lingering scent of osmanthus from early spring. A pitch-black cat lounged lazily on a chair in the corner, its tail gently swaying as its golden eyes watched the unfamiliar guest with caution.
Shen Tong emerged from the inner room with a pot of tea and two celadon cups. She pushed one cup toward Lin Mingchang and looked up at him. "Officer Lin, I've been meaning to ask you—didn't you take Wu Hongwen back to the police station yesterday? How did you manage to arrive just in time to save me? If you had come even a moment later..."
Lin Mingchang didn't expect her to still be thinking about this matter and couldn't help but smile.
He took the tea cup and sipped it lightly. "It's quite a coincidence, really. I was only planning to question Wu Hongwen in the car by the roadside. However, when he recalled the incident from ten years ago involving Butler Feng's son drowning, I sensed something was off. Connecting that with previous signs, I had a gut feeling that Butler Feng's son's death might be related to the case. So I immediately returned to find Butler Feng, and fortunately..."
Shen Tong nodded thoughtfully. "I see. It seems Officer Lin not only possesses great skills but also has quite an acute intuition."
Lin Mingchang felt a bit embarrassed by her compliment.
At that moment, the little black cat that had been lying on the chair suddenly leaped onto the stone table, sniffing curiously at the paper bag Lin Mingchang had brought, letting out a curious meow.
"Wu Xue, stop it," Shen Tong chided gently as she picked up the little black cat and placed it on her lap.
Lin Mingchang set down his tea cup and opened the two paper bags he had brought along, releasing a wave of sweet aroma into the air.
"This is... osmanthus pastry?" Shen Tong exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the golden treats in one of the bags. "And various dried fruits?"
Lin Mingchang scratched his head sheepishly. "I picked some up along the way, thinking you girls might enjoy these snacks."
Shen Tong nodded appreciatively; she hadn’t expected that Lin Mingchang would buy all her favorites.
Noticing that Shen Tong seemed to be in good spirits, Lin Mingchang finally asked the question he had wanted to since their meeting began: "Miss Shen, I've always been curious about what you meant when you said you could see 'qi.' What does that really mean?"
Shen Tong fell silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on a medicinal herb in the courtyard. After a long pause, she slowly began to speak:
"Officer Lin might think I'm being superstitious or trying to be mysterious. But ever since I was little, my right eye has allowed me to see things that ordinary people cannot—death's aura, traces of resentment, signs of illness... My grandmother told me this ability is called 'Guan Sha,' also known as 'Wang Qi.' My grandmother had this gift too; it's a special ability passed down through our family for generations."
Seeing no sign of doubt or disdain from Lin Mingchang, Shen Tong continued her explanation:
"Wang Qi allows me to see different colors flowing around us. For example, Death Qi is black, Yuan Qi is dark red, and illness manifests as yellow-green hues. My family has relied on this ability for our livelihood—helping people with medical issues or finding lost items, ensuring safety in homes through Wang Qi and dispelling evil."
"As my grandmother said, this is also our family's duty in this world—to perceive qi through Guan Sha, traverse between realms, sever false connections, and liberate attachments..."
Lin Mingchang was momentarily stunned; his worldview had been profoundly shaken over the past three days. After finally accepting Shen Tong's extraordinary abilities, he had thought that these powers were merely a unique means of survival. He had never considered that they could also be a form of constraint, with responsibilities to fulfill for the sake of others.
Suddenly, he recalled the words his father had spoken before leaving: "Lin Mingchang, the world is vast and filled with wonders beyond our imagination. You must learn to open your heart."
He stared blankly at Shen Tong and blurted out, "Miss Shen, I would like to ask for your help."
Seeing the inquisitive look on her face, he took a deep breath and revealed his purpose: "Miss Shen, my father was involved in investigating a strange case ten years ago, and during that investigation... he went missing."
Shen Tong looked at him in surprise, not expecting Lin Mingchang to have such an experience.
He continued, "My father left behind a notebook that mentioned some phenomena beyond common understanding. Until now, I believed those were merely figments of his exhausted mind, but it seems... perhaps they were real."
Shen Tong listened quietly, not interrupting him.
Wu Xue gently jumped from Shen Tong's lap onto the table, nuzzling Lin Mingchang's hand with its fluffy little head.
Shen Tong was astonished by this scene. "That's strange; Wu Xue usually doesn't like strangers."
Lin Mingchang patted Wu Xue's head and looked directly into Shen Tong's eyes. "Miss Shen, I have an unusual request. I hope to collaborate with you."
Shen Tong raised an eyebrow. "Collaborate?"
"Yes. On one hand, I hope you can use your special abilities to assist me in solving this case. On the other hand... I want to uncover the truth behind my father's disappearance. Perhaps your abilities can help me... would you be willing?"
Shen Tong pondered silently; she had grown accustomed to working alone over the years. Could she really partner with someone she had only recently met?
Seeing her hesitation, Lin Mingchang quickly added, "Miss Shen, I won't ask you to help for free; I will pay you..."
At his words, Shen Tong chuckled softly and waved her hand to interrupt his explanation. "That's not what I meant. I'm just worried that I might hinder you. If Officer Lin doesn't mind me being a burden, I'm willing to lend my modest assistance."
"Really? That's wonderful! You can rest assured; I will ensure your safety. And," Lin Mingchang said earnestly as he looked at Shen Tong, "I will definitely trust you."
Shen Tong was slightly taken aback; it had been a long time since anyone had truly trusted her since her grandmother passed away.
After Lin Mingchang left, Shen Tong sat alone in the courtyard for a long time, watching the shadows of the osmanthus tree shift shapes as the sunlight moved across the sky.
The road ahead was long and uncertain; who could say what choices were truly right?
She felt a bit of anticipation for this new duo. However, what Shen Tong did not expect was that just three days later, a new case arrived.
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