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Substitute Lover
墨書 Inktalez
The news of the closure of the girls' school in Beiping spread quickly.
Liu Jingjing, passing by Guomin Street, softly instructed the rickshaw driver to stop. She paid him a few coins and sent him on his way, clutching her Chinese literature textbook as she walked lightly deeper into Guomin Street.
The damp, post-rain bluestone path felt particularly serene; her blue cloth shoes barely made a sound, only occasionally splashing tiny droplets of water.
As a student of the girls' school, Liu Jingjing was dressed in the school's uniform: a blue top, a black skirt, white cotton socks, and cloth shoes. Her short hair framed her face, and a small black mole on her upper lip stood out against her fair skin.
Two days prior, the school had been sealed off, trapping all the students inside while Japanese soldiers maintained tight control outside every corner.
Liu Jingjing had managed to escape this fate by asking for leave to visit her ailing father.
Exiting Guomin Street led directly to the back gate of the school.
Unconsciously, her steps quickened; after all, she was a passionate patriot. With the Japanese occupying their territory, it was hard not to feel a surge of resentment.
Suddenly, around a corner on Guomin Street, a hand covered her mouth, and before she could even struggle, she was pulled away.
After being dragged for a short distance, the hand gently released her. A "shh" sound came from behind her. Liu Jingjing wanted to scream but found her voice caught in her throat.
She turned around.
A young face suddenly appeared before her.
With thick eyebrows and bright eyes, his face was sharp and defined. His neatly combed dark hair framed his features, and he wore a blue long shirt with a cloth bag slung over his shoulder.
"You—"
Before she could finish her question, the young man pulled her aside. He scanned the surroundings with steady eyes to ensure no one was watching before setting down his bag. Swiftly, he opened it and took out a black trench coat, gently draping it over her shoulders.
"I am Fang Lansheng."
Liu Jingjing furrowed her delicate brows. As someone who had also fallen into the chaos of the streets, she certainly knew Fang Lansheng's name.
He was the most renowned detective in Beiping. Not long ago, two female students from a girls' school had inexplicably fallen to their deaths, and the great detective Fang Lansheng had come to investigate.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"You know the girls' school has been shut down, yet you dare to wander around in your uniform. Aren't you afraid of being captured by the Japanese? I only brought you back because you looked weak and pitiful; otherwise... you know how the Japanese treat Chinese women."
The man's nose was close to her lips, his warm breath enveloping her. Liu Jingjing's face suddenly flushed, and she turned her head slightly away.
"But... the Japanese are too rampant... I want to return to school and protest with my classmates. I am willing to shed blood for my country."
As Liu Jingjing spoke, her emotions surged, making the blush on her face even more pronounced, and her eyes shone with determination.
"I will take you away. There will be plenty of opportunities to serve our country in the future."
Deep in Guomin Street, a woman lowered her gaze, her face flushed, reflecting on the bluestone pavement.
The man wrapped her in his trench coat. The willows swayed gently as their figures gradually faded away, side by side disappearing into the blood-red dusk.
Pineapple Garden.
Although the Japanese had invaded Beiping, the atmosphere in the theater remained as vibrant as ever. Liu Jingjing couldn't understand; with the capital on the brink of collapse, the performers on stage sang passionately while the audience below listened entranced.
However, Fang Lansheng was not there to watch a show with her.
He mentioned that Pineapple Garden had recently lost two performers, and he had been specially invited to investigate.
Liu Jingjing was placed among the many theater enthusiasts.
On stage, the young actress had applied delicate makeup, her every frown and smile exuding a gentle charm, perfectly embodying her role.
Just as Liu Jingjing was engrossed in the performance, a sudden "whoosh" sound pierced her ears. Instinctively, she tilted her head, feeling something land on her hairpin.
It was a close call.
Panic erupted in the audience as people began to flee in terror.
At that moment, the same warm presence enveloped her in an embrace.
"Are you alright?"
"Lan Sheng." She murmured those two words as she looked up, regaining her composure. When Liu Jingjing turned her gaze back to the stage, the leading actress was missing.
"Oh no, oh no! Another person is dead!"
A stagehand shouted in alarm. Fang Lansheng released her, his expression grave and his eyes serious.
"We need to check it out!"
Liu Jingjing obediently followed Fang Lansheng, forgetting about the sharp object that had been lodged in her hair, its pointed end glinting ominously.
In the side room, a white cloth covered the body of the actress.
Liu Jingjing let out a scream, her body trembling slightly as she hid behind Fang Lansheng, peeking out timidly to see the lifeless form.
"Lan Sheng, I want to take a look."
Though filled with panic, curiosity got the better of Liu Jingjing, and she was determined to see for herself.
Fang Lansheng did not stop Liu Jingjing; his stern face showed no expression as he quietly stood beside her.
Liu Jingjing moved closer, her delicate fingers cautiously lifting the white cloth covering the deceased performer.
"Ah..." A piercing scream erupted from her throat, echoing through the side hall.
The face of the flower actress was unrecognizable, ravaged by poison, now completely blackened.
Liu Jingjing was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, clutching her wildly beating heart, staring blankly at Fang Lansheng.
The young man hurried to help her up, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Still shaken, Liu Jingjing lost her composure and threw herself into Fang Lansheng's arms, sobbing softly, her body trembling slightly.
Suddenly, Fang Lansheng's fingers brushed against something cold.
It was a sharp dart.
"What..." He released Liu Jingjing, intending to ask for clarification. But before Liu Jingjing could react, the dart was snatched from his hand, and in an instant, a figure darted out of the side hall. No one present could catch a glimpse of the lightning-fast silhouette as it vanished from sight.
Fang Lansheng chased to the door but then halted. He knew that if someone had intended to steal it away, they would not allow anyone to take it back. His brows furrowed slightly.
Outside the window came a series of "thuds," growing closer to the side hall. The door swung open, revealing a captivating figure draped in red.
The woman entered gracefully, her breathtaking beauty accentuated by a touch of makeup. Her petite frame was enveloped in crimson, and her dark hair was styled in a flowing cloud bun—she was stunningly elegant.
That face, that figure, bore an almost uncanny resemblance to Liu Jingjing standing beside Fang Lansheng.
"Sister," Liu Jingjing called out.
The woman's eyes sparkled with a tender affection.
She was Liu Momo.
One glance could captivate a city, another could enthrall a nation.
"Jingjing, what are you doing here?" Liu Momo asked, then shifted her gaze to Fang Lansheng, her eyes filled with questions and a hint of deep-seated jealousy.
"The Pineapple Garden has seen the deaths of three performers. I was sent here on an internal mission to investigate. I happened to pass by Guomin Street and saw you. With the Japanese becoming increasingly bold and having sealed off the girls' school, I was worried they might discover you and take you away, so I brought you here," Fang Lansheng replied, his stern face softening with warmth.
"Detective Fang, the deaths of the performers in the opera are quite normal given the state of the world; it's a time of hardship and malice. By the time we uncover the truth, the culprit will likely have fled. It's getting late; please take my sister back," Liu Momo said, expressing her gratitude once more.
With that, Liu Momo turned back to Liu Jingjing, giving her a few simple instructions before gracefully exiting the side hall.
As they stepped out of the Pineapple Garden, the cool moonlight bathed Fang Lansheng and Liu Jingjing in its glow as they walked side by side down a long, quiet alley.
Wrapped in her dark coat, Liu Jingjing felt her cheeks flush repeatedly. She thought that if she were born in peaceful times, perhaps one day she would rise on her toes and gently kiss his lips, her eyes reflecting a mix of shyness and longing.
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