So, we’ve met the possible love of Xu Jun’s life, and the (to him) huge obstacle in the way of their relationship. What – or who – will bring the two of them together? This is a Ding Mo novel, so I doubt anyone is entirely surprised at what transpires in this chapter, haha. I’m really appreciating Mu Tong’s character.
Thank you for your patience while I was away! A note of appreciation to Minodayz who dropped in to help out. We have just one more chapter to go before we conclude our WASFIL translation project. Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying Pristine Darkness!
And, of course, a blessed Christmas to all of you!
Let us know what you think of this chapter in the comments below, or come join the Meraki team on DISCORD (link on the sidebar to the right)! —
Xu Jun’s Story Part 2
世间的颜色
The Colours of the World
Mu Tong had lost her father when she was very young. She and her brother had been brought up by their mother alone. As a result, her character was very much like her mother's: strong, independent, and quiet. After a bout of serious illness at the age of eight, she had lost her sight in both eyes. Her mother and five-year-old brother had held her and wailed in grief. However, she had softly comforted them and told them not to worry, as she would take care of herself.
What's more, she had resolutely kept her word. She lived her life to the fullest, and it was not any less than that of the average person.
She had met Xu Jun at the most difficult time of her life. Their mother was gravely ill, and as a result, the little sum of money she had scrimped and saved from several years of running the bookstore were gone, like water down the drain. Her brother had wanted to help with the household expenses, but had encountered trouble at the nightclub. Thus, while Xu Jun's intervention may have seemed as easy as the lifting of a finger, a task that wasn't difficult at all to him, to her it was God-sent. It was as if someone had sent her coal in bitter winter*. The matter was forever engraved on her heart.
*雪中送炭 (xue zhong song tan) – lit. to send charcoal in snowy weather; fig. to provide help in a time of need.
However, she fully realised that life is in the hands of Fate. After having met him twice, she thought it was unlikely that she would have further interaction with Xu Jun. Who would have foreseen that three days later in the afternoon, an unexpected visitor would grace the bookstore, redolent with greenery and books.
The visitor's footsteps were light and graceful, and headed directly for the counter where she was sitting behind. The store assistant was about to move forward, when the visitor said softly, "You don't need to be concerned about me. I'm looking for your boss."
Mu Tong recognised her voice – the lady who had been sitting with Xu Jun that day. She immediately stood up and said, "Hello."
Xu Xu stood in front of her.
Although the Xu siblings were completely different in terms of character, at times, their judgement of a person's character and preferences was exceptionally in sync. For instance, today, Xu Xu's route had taken her past this bookstore, and she had naturally thought of taking a look around the store. Moreover, her heart felt at ease when she gazed upon Mu Tong's clean and fair complexion.
"Hello, I'm Xu Xu." She got straight to the point, and held out her hand to Mu Tong.
Mu Tong smiled slightly, and held out her hand too. There was a small gap between their hands so Xu Xu took the initiative to move her hand slightly forward and grasped Mu Tong's hand.
Mu Tong personally accompanied Xu Xu as she browsed amongst the bookshelves. Xu Xu selected some books on social psychology, and was muttering to herself indecisively, when Mu Tong smiled and said, "Books on child-rearing are in Aisle 5, and there are some foreign magazines on firearms at the last row of shelves."
Xu Xu was startled. Staring at Mu Tong, she asked, "How did you know?"
Mu Tong laughingly said, "I have an acute sense of smell. You have a faint scent of milk powder, as well as the lingering smell of gunpowder."
—–
When Xu Xu returned home that night, she told Ji Bai about the day's occurrences. Ji Bai grabbed her waist and stuck his face into her collar. "Is there the smell of milk powder? Let me smell you and check it out thoroughly."
After a substantial interval, Ji Bai was satisfied enough to release her. However, he also had to admit that, even with his heightened sense of smell, he was still unable to discern any such scents on her.
Covering the red marks all over her neck which he had left as he 'smelled' her, she cupped her chin with her hands and sighed, "Her sense of smell is really exceptional ah. If only she weren't blind, she would be a valuable asset to the police force!"
Ji Bai nodded in agreement. Even though the techniques and technology associated with evidence collection and analysis had advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, there was still no way to collect and meticulously appraise any evidence to do with 'smell'.
"However, if she weren't blind, her sense of smell wouldn't be this acute," said Ji Bai. "Life is such."
Xu Xu and Mu Tong very quickly became friends.
It wasn't a matter of how close they were, for both of them were quiet by nature. However, there are times when tacit understanding and friendship do not require much talk and interaction to be established and quietly flourish. Xu Xu had always enjoyed reading, and Mu Tong's bookstore carried some weird and fantastic titles which she could not buy online. Thus, she became a member, and went to the bookstore every weekend to read.
Mu Tong also liked Xu Xu's character very much – direct, frank, only doing what she thought was right without being concerned about others' opinions*. When she was immersed in a book, she would put on a cold expression and tell the bookstore assistant who was trying to chat with her, "Don't disturb me." This caused the assistant to feel sorely grieved. However, whenever anything happened in the bookstore, such as when it became incredibly busy and the assistants had to attend to urgent matters, Xu Xu would stick both hands in her trouser pockets, walk to the counter and proclaim, "I'm here to help." As time passed, the bookstore's assistants came to both revere and like this cold-faced, yet warm-hearted, female criminal investigator.
*我行我素 (wo xing wo su) – to persist in one's ways (no matter what others say), to do whatever one wants to, disregarding the advice of others.
They even found a common interest. Once, while looking at a frequent male customer walk away, a young female bookstore assistant with a bashful expression whispered, "What does he do?"
Without lifting her head, Xu Xu who was standing to a side, commented, "He is a primary school teacher, very suitable for you. If you're interested, you'd better make a move."
Mu Tong continued, "En. He teaches at Primary School No. 2."
All the bookstore assistants were dumbfounded, and turned their heads to look at the two of them.
Xu Xu put down her book and looked at Mu Tong. A hint of deep laughter sparkled in Mu Tong's quiet, black eyes.
What Xu Xu had observed: briefcase, walking posture, a dusting of chalk powder on the hair, manner of speech . . .
What Mu Tong had smelled: Chinese ink, chalk, and the lavender that grew in the wide expanse at the entrance gate of Lin City Primary School No. 2.
Different methods, same acuity of perception.
From that time onwards, when the mood seized them, the two of them would thus learn each other's secrets as they exchanged opinions in a friendly contest.
"This one is a civil servant."
"That's right."
"What about this one?"
"Male, working in IT."
"I can't smell anything about this one."
"I understand, computers have no smell."
Xu Jun only discovered his own sister had gained such a bosom friend half a month later. When he heard Xu Xu mention Mu Tong's name, his mind reflexively conjured up an image of her eyes. Even though the facts were right in front of him, whenever he thought of Mu Tong's blindness, he always felt there was something unreal about it.
How should he put it?
He had gazed at the beauty of those eyes, at their luminous resplendence which was brighter and clearer than starlight. How could such eyes be unable to see?
Naturally, he did not mention this to Xu Xu. He simply carelessly commented on this rare bosom friendship between females, "This is the first time I've heard of a friendship between ladies being built on reasoning. Little sister, you are really quite weird."
Xu Xu pondered for a moment, then unexpectedly nodded and replied, "That is true. My love is built on the foundation of logic and reasoning, and my friendships as well."
Xu Jun laughed heartily and ruffled his sister's hair. He kept quiet about his other thought.
The woman he had once loved intensely had become his sister's only close female friend. And now, after so many years, the woman he was beginning to feel a tug of attraction towards had become, once again, his sister's bosom friend. Was this a fated relationship?
Nevertheless, it was only a niggling thought. After a night's sleep, and after several days of not seeing her, it would perhaps fade away.
Xu Jun occasionally visited the bookstore. This was more or less his line of reasoning: sometimes, he had to pick up Xu Xu; sometimes, it was a convenient location to drink lemon tea and buy a newspaper or magazine.
Mu Tong treated all of Xu Jun's visits with casual indifference. However, Xu Jun always felt that she viewed him differently from other people. Whether it was a look or a frown, her bright eyes, sparkling like crystal-clear water, were silent and gentle.
Nevertheless, he knew that this was something that could not be, because she could not see.
The two of them chatted occasionally. Moreover, whenever Xu Jun ordered tea, it was never the store assistants who took care of his order. Mu Tong would personally prepare and serve him the tea. This was probably done out of gratitude for his help, but the seemingly preferential treatment always attracted the attention of the other customers. This caused Xu Jun to feel really happy.
Once, some customers ordered takeaway food. Mu Tong also asked him, "Would Mr Xu like some as well?" Xu Jun had not eaten this common kind of takeaway food for years, and naturally declined. However, while flipping through his magazine, he had inadvertently looked up to see Mu Tong sitting with several customers behind the counter, silently eating from the lunch box in her hands. Watching her eat mouthful after mouthful of food in a slow and refined manner, he suddenly felt a little hungry. He discovered that, despite not being able to see, she ate her food in a meticulous and somewhat fussy manner. Chillies, chopped scallions, ginger slices were all carefully placed on one side. She also did not like to eat big pieces of meat, and disliked pork liver, always picking both out. Didn't she know that pork liver was good for improving eyesight? In this way, he realised that she wasn't as steady and mature as she appeared to be. She also had her wilful and childish ways.
Time passed uneventfully for several months. One day, the company secretary teased him. "President Xu, everyone is making guesses as to the identity of your secret girlfriend."
Xu Jun had not seen this coming. "Girlfriend?"
The secretary said, "Yes."
"I don't have a girlfriend at this time."
The secretary was startled. No girlfriend? If he didn't have a girlfriend, then, why would a well-known scoundrel like President Xu leave work punctually every Friday, and drive off with a pleasant expression on his face? There were also literary novels and best-sellers on his table. What would a person like him be doing with such syrupy, romance-filled* books? In addition, delicate bookmarks were inserted in all the books, each inscribed with a woman's graceful calligraphy. According to the analysis of the secretary and assistant, wouldn't this imply a girlfriend?
*卿卿我我 (qing qing wo wo) – (of lovers) whisper sweet nothings to one another, billing and cooing
—
On the 5th birthday of Xu Xu's son, Xu Jun left work early to buy a huge toy robot and lugged it all the way to Xu Xu's apartment. When he pressed the doorbell, it was Mu Tong, hand in hand with the boy, who answered the door. Before he could say anything, she smiled broadly and said, "Hello, Mr Xu."
Xu Jun tossed the toy to the boy, who laughed and hugged it as he ran into the apartment. The two of them followed behind him, side by side.
"How did you know it was me? Do I smell?" Xu Jun was in a great mood today, and his voice was full of laughter.
"En."
"What smell?" Xu Jun lifted up an arm to sniff. "I've washed myself thoroughly ah."
Mu Tong laughed at his teasing, revealing her pearly white teeth. "It's not a bad smell. An ordinary person's daily environment and interactions are pretty stable. Thus, the smells associated with each person would be different."
Xu Jun commented. "You can really give my sister a run for her money ah. Since you can be a master sleuth just by using your nose, doesn't that mean that the people by your side won't be able to hide anything from you?"
After having said this, he strode on, leaving Mu Tong, somewhat startled, by herself.
Xu Jun sat on the floor to play with his nephew, while Mu Tong sat quietly on the sofa sipping tea. Ji Bai and Xu Xu had not returned home yet. The only other people in the apartment were Xu Senior and the nanny. They were in the kitchen engaged in a battle of wills as Xu Senior was attempting to give her instructions on impulse.
Xu Jun played with the child for a while, then raised his head to glance at Mu Tong.
It was hard to tell if his previous words had been spoken out of anger or to tease her, and this uncertainty had not been intentional. He no longer was some spring chicken. Even considering her blindness, still she was more astute than the average person. Whoever chose to befriend her would not be able to hoodwink her easily. She obviously looked frail like a bulrush, yet was surprisingly tenacious. Of course, he, Xu Jun would never conceive to look at a blind lady for a girlfriend. It was much too troublesome . . . suddenly, a fractious emotion surfaced in his heart.
When Xu Xu returned home, she saw her son playing happily on the floor, while her brother and Mu Tong was sitting apart from each other, in silence. The atmosphere in the room also seemed rather strange.
However, Ji Bai had repeatedly exhorted, where the relationship between men and women is concerned, the weirder the atmosphere, the better the hope will be. Thus, on observing this scene, all the tension she had experienced that busy day loosened its hold on her. She smiled and nodded as she greeted them, "Older brother, Mu Tong."
Xu Jun stood up and took her briefcase from her.
Mu Tong also stood up. They were very close to each other, and Mu Tong's forehead wrinkled slightly. Xu Xu noticed the almost imperceptible change in her expression and was struck with an idea. She asked, "What do you smell?"
Mu Tong was silent for several seconds before replying, "Blood, very faint. Also disinfectant."
Xu Xu stared at her as if in a trance. Suddenly she grabbed Mu Tong's hand, exclaiming, "That's great! You'll have to come with me right now to the police station."
Xu Jun and Mu Tong were both startled. Xu Xu explained, "There was a murder yesterday, the victim was a doctor. I brushed against the corpse, so there's the smell of blood on me, and the doctor's body also had the smell of disinfectant. Right now, we have four suspects. The victim was stabbed with a sharp instrument, and died from a massive haemorrhage. The killer should have the same smell on him or her. Come and help me evaluate the suspects. Xu Jun, drive us there. Son, be a good boy and stay with Grandpa in the apartment, Mum needs to go solve a case."
When they reached the station, the floor occupied by the criminal investigation team was ablaze with light, and many people were rushing about. Xu Xu led Mu Tong to look for Ji Bai, while Xu Jun followed unhurriedly behind. Xu Xu turned her head to tell him, "You can go home first." Xu Jun casually said, "If she really identifies the killer, won't you and Ji Bai have to work throughout the night? Doesn't that mean I'll have to make another trip back to fetch her?"
Xu Xu said, "Uhm."
Mu Tong commented, "It's ok, I'll get Mu Chen to pick me up . . ."
Xu Jun interrupted her. "No need. Since you are helping Xu Xu, it would only be right if I send you home."
Mu Tong made no further protest.
Actually, Ji Bai and Xu Xu had already made some initial inferences about the suspects. However, if Mu Tong's judgement was congruent with their conjectures, it would be of great help to them in nailing down the criminal. After some discussion, it was decided that Ji Bai and Lao Wu would briefly question the suspects once more in the interrogation room, while Xu Xu and Mu Tong would sit in an unobtrusive corner.
Xu Jun sat in the corridor outside the interrogation room and dozed off.
Xu Jun was well known to the criminal investigation team members. Thus, when they saw him waiting, they assumed he was waiting for Xu Xu, and so merely greeted him and paid him no further attention. When Zhao Han, Da Hu and the others heard that Xu Xu had brought a beautiful, blind lady to help her, they were both surprised and curious. Even though it did not directly involve them, they took up their folders with all appearance of purposefulness as they entered the room across from the interrogation room. There, they stood behind the thick, tinted glass to scrutinise the details of the proceedings.
When the interrogation was over, they walked out. Xu Jun overheard their conversation, "Hey, she's really beautiful."
"Such a shame that she's blind."
"Ask Xu Xu tomorrow if she has a boyfriend."
Xu Jun suddenly felt anxious and fretful.
Previously, if a woman was even the slightest bit favourable in his opinion, from the onset, he would have launched an enthusiastic campaign to pursue her.
However, Mu Tong was different. According to Mu Chen, at 25 years old, she had yet to have a boyfriend. Who would dare to be involved with a woman like her? Definitely not him.
After the interrogation, everyone convened in the the criminal investigation team's big room for a discussion. Xu Jun sat by the doorway, where he could see everything clearly and hear their discussion in detail.
He could not understand the detailed analysis of the case. Ji Bai spoke quickly and briefly summarised their findings to date before directing his gaze to Mu Tong.
It wasn't just him. All the criminal investigators were looking at the beautiful and astounding woman by Xu Xu's side.
In the midst of all that was transpiring, Mu Tong's expression remained gentle and tranquil. Even though she could clearly sense the others scrutinising her, she displayed not an iota of panic. She only clearly and concisely reported, "The first lady smells of soot. Like the victim, she smells of air freshener. She also smells of the victim's perspiration, and there is a very strong smell of the salt of tears. Is she the victim's wife?"
"The second person smells of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus Membranaceus), just like the victim and his wife. There is also the smell of tobacco smoke, and of vehicle exhaust fumes . . . I'm guessing he works in the victim's community."
"The third person . . . the smell of blood, and, like the victim, the smell of disinfectant. There's also the smell of adhesive tape, and of formaldehyde . . ."
When she got to this point, everyone’s facial expressions changed. This was because Ji Bai had not given her all the details pertaining to each suspect, but her findings were synonymous with the evidence. The victim had been bound hand and foot with adhesive tape before being stabbed to death with force. Moreover, the victim's eyes had been gouged out and had yet to be recovered. Furthermore, the formaldehyde Mu Tong spoke of was commonly used to preserve bodies or organs . . .
When the case analysis ended, Ji Bai made a phone call to his superiors to request a search warrant for the suspect. While the men were all looking at Mu Tong, Da Hu asked, "Miss Mu, how is it that your sense of smell is so acute? It's an amazing talent that you've been endowed with."
Xu Jun sat just outside the door, observing Mu Tong's tranquil countenance through his slowly wafting smoke ring.
Mu Tong's face suddenly flushed slightly, and she softly answered, "It's nothing so amazing. Previously, my sense of smell was the same as everyone else's."
Zhao Han stared at her blankly as he asked, "Then how did it become so exceptional?" Da Hu immediately nudged him. Mu Tong took no notice, and smiled faintly as she replied, "When I could no longer see, life became very inconvenient. That's when I practised earnestly. Actually, you can all also practise and work on your sense of smell." She paused, then continued, "Close your eyes, and quieten down. Then you'll be able to hear very clearly, and smell more distinctively."
Such ordinary words, spoken in her low, warm and sweet voice, caused everyone to hush.
From a distance, Xu Jun looked at her calm, kind and graceful appearance, and was contemplatively silent.
Close your eyes, and quieten down. Then you'll be able to hear very clearly, and smell more distinctively.
So, this was what her world was like.
Translators: shl, Minodayz
TL Checkers/ Editors: Librismuse, Minodayz
Proofreader: Anks