Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
When it comes to Yuejiang's mother, the only impression Yuejiang has is from that rainy night in '88.
At that time, she was only three years old, staying in the villa that Father had recently purchased. Her parents had gotten into a heated argument over something unknown, and her mother seemed completely enraged, throwing everything she could get her hands on into a frenzy. Lin Hai, on the other hand, wore a grim expression and remained silent.
In the end, Mu Lian dashed out of the house without a second thought, quickly disappearing into the torrential downpour of the night, with Lin Hai following closely behind.
It wasn't until Father returned, looking lost and soaked to the bone, his clothes caked in mud like a flag drooping after defeat.
He paid no attention to the wailing Yuejiang and went straight into the studio, where soon after, heart-wrenching cries echoed from within.
Though Yuejiang was only three at the time, she could vaguely understand that her mother was determined to leave and would not be coming back.
Yet now, her mother's works had reappeared in Father's studio.
Yuejiang sat in the studio, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Just then, Yusheng called to say that Shao Chong was coming over with him.
She waited alone there, noticing that October was approaching and most of the water lilies had already wilted. She couldn't help but imagine how those water lilies would look under Father's brush—would they resemble blazing suns, like Van Gogh's sunflowers, seemingly vibrant yet carrying an air of decay?
"Uh... I really can't understand how you artists can stand this awful smell in here," Shao Chong's voice came through.
"It's nothing; it's just the smell of ink. We're used to it," Yusheng replied before turning to Yuejiang. "On the way here, Shao Chong told me there’s been a significant development!"
Shao Chong handed a lab report to Yuejiang and said, "This is the autopsy report I got through a contact. Uncle Lin's blood mercury levels were severely elevated; this is a major clue regarding his death!"
"Mercury?" Yuejiang asked, puzzled. "Could it be related to Dad's diet? Are you saying—"
She paused and lowered her voice, fearful of alerting Aunt Li downstairs while casting a glance at Yusheng.
"No, you wouldn't guess where the mercury came from. Ever since I started learning to paint with my teacher, I've been curious about how he could create such vibrant colors. They seemed almost magical; no matter how I mixed them, I could never achieve that kind of red."
"Last time I came, I casually took a brush back with me and had Shao Chong test it, which is how I found out the reason."
"That's right," Shao Chong continued, "the residual red pigment on the brush was tested and found to contain a large amount of mercuric oxide. This is the 'secret' behind the bright red and crimson colors in Uncle Lin's works."
"Although these toxic pigments can achieve nearly perfect colors, prolonged exposure can severely damage a person's central nervous system."
"But even if there’s a problem with the pigments, what does that prove? Those pigments have been stored in the Villa's warehouse since before I was born. Aunt Li has only been working at our house for two years. I figure, back in the eighties, when industry wasn't very developed, it makes sense that they used mercuric oxide to produce pigments."
"The teacher has always suffered from headaches, insomnia, and anxiety—symptoms that match mercury poisoning. At first, I thought it was just due to overthinking, who would have thought... Yuejiang, do you know what mercury ultimately does to a person?"
In Yuejiang's silence, Yusheng continued, "It severely damages the central nervous system, causing madness and even threatening life..."
Shao Chong couldn't help but exclaim, "It's just like Michelangelo said—all artists are also madmen! Who would have thought Uncle Lin actually went mad in the end..."
"That's not right!" Yuejiang countered. "If Dad fell into the water after going mad, how could he have meticulously arranged all this? That painting and those baffling things in the safe must mean something he wanted to tell us. For some reason, he couldn't say it outright, so he kept hinting for me to solve the puzzle."
This conversation temporarily came to a halt as they realized it was mealtime. The three of them left the studio and headed downstairs to the living room to eat.
Yusheng strolled over to a low cabinet against the wall and wound up an old phonograph. "I always thought this thing was just for decoration; it only has this one record. I wonder if it can still play." As he spoke, he placed the needle on the record, and melodious music flowed out like water.
It was an old song particularly popular in the 1950s and 60s—"Moscow Nights."
Aunt Li came out of the kitchen carrying dishes. Hearing the music, she shook her head and said, "When Mr. is in a bad mood, he comes to listen to this in the living room. Sometimes he listens all day long without saying a word while sitting on the sofa. I've seen him listening until tears streamed down his face; I don't know what memories it brings back."
"My beloved sits beside me, quietly watching me without a sound. I want to speak but don’t know how; so many words are locked in my heart..."
The song repeated over and over. After dinner, Yuejiang saw them off at the door. Looking at the brothers' similar features and tall figures, one exuded rationality while the
At that moment, Aunt Li walked over and said, "Yuejiang, I've tidied up your bedroom. If you need anything, just call me."
"Okay," Yuejiang replied, unable to resist asking, "Aunt Li, on the night my father died, did anyone else come to his studio?"
To Yuejiang's surprise, a hint of panic flashed across Aunt Li's face. She stammered and turned away, picking up the fruit platter from the table and heading towards the kitchen. As she walked, she said, "The master was in the studio the whole time; I didn't see anyone else."
From Aunt Li's reaction, Yuejiang keenly sensed that she was definitely hiding something. Could it be that her mother really had returned, and Aunt Li had seen her?
She placed her painting on the easel, but why did her father suddenly jump into the lake while Aunt Li refused to speak about it?
The phonograph had stopped playing, and the room returned to its previous state of silence.
Meanwhile, Yusheng and Shao Chong were each riding their bicycles toward the city center. After a moment of thought, Yusheng shouted, "Bro, didn't that song just now sound familiar?"
Shao Chong slowed down his pace and turned back to say, "Yeah, I feel like I've heard it before back home. But it seems like I only remember that simple melody."
He immediately laughed again and said, "Hey! Don't be so paranoid; the situation with Yuejiang is already enough to give anyone a headache!"
"I know, but do you remember that photo we saw in the safe last time? Yuejiang's mother is that woman named Mu Lian. I can't shake the feeling that I've seen her somewhere before; it's really strange."
Shao Chong didn't respond further, but for some reason, his foot suddenly slipped, causing both him and his bike to lurch violently.
Comment 0 Comment Count