Selling one million copies meant a lot to both Jin Wu and Jian Jing. For the former, it was yet another powerful young writer with unlimited potential. For the latter, it was an absolute qualitative leap in her worth, day and night difference.
Kang Mu Cheng specially called to ask, "Want me to hold a celebration party for you?"
Jian Jing didn't really feel anything. She thought about it and said, "No need."
A celebration party would just be eating, drinking and flattery. She really wasn't interested, not to mention how cold the weather was. Wouldn't it be more comfortable to just stay home?
Kang Mu Cheng didn't insist. It was good to keep a low profile at the height of fame.
Instead, he asked about something else, "Decided what to do with the money this time?"
Jian Jing: "...Buy a house?"
"Want a bigger one?"
"Investment."
"Good choice, more stable to be conservative." Kang Mu Cheng gave a name, "I'll have him keep an eye out for suitable ones and give you a call."
Jian Jing appreciated his thoughtfulness again. She really had nothing to worry about. "Okay."
Kang Mu Cheng added, "Since you don't want a celebration, let me get you a gift instead."
"Why so polite?" She laughed. "It's not like I didn't make money."
"Just take what I give you." His tone brooked no objection. "It's a joyous occasion, you should celebrate a little."
Jian Jing was curious now, "What is it?"
"A little something." Kang Mu Cheng didn't think much of it.
The next day, Jian Jing received his little gift - a Cartier diamond bracelet. The stones glittered brilliantly, perfect for wearing with formal dresses and attending all kinds of important events.
As expected of President Kang.
Expensive yet practical.
Jian Jing locked the bracelet in her safe.
She didn't know yet that people who wanted to give her gifts were not limited to just Kang Mu Cheng.
*
After breaking a million copies, Demon Doctor II finally made it to the top of the bestseller list and new book list, occupying the spot for over a month.
The number of ratings on Bookworms.net gradually increased. Naturally there were both praise and vilification. But this time, no matter how many critics there were, the overwhelmingly one-sided situation did not appear again.
Overall, people's comments on Demon Doctor were quite positive.
Riding on this tailwind, the first season of the Demon Doctor TV adaptation entered production. The lead actor Shao Meng had disappeared from the public eye for a year or two, but his fanbase was solid and he had a good reputation. The general audience was quite looking forward to his performance.
Director Huang had his own considerations for casting him. In recent years Shao Meng had been active in theater circles, honing his acting skills further. All he lacked was an opportunity to return to the screen.
A drama like Demon Doctor was perfect for him to showcase his skills.
Promotions went into full swing, the situation was great, and Shao Meng's fans were elated, matching the festive atmosphere of the coming new year.
On the contrary were the book fans.
As everyone knew, whenever a book was adapted, tearing apart would inevitably follow.
The imagination that words inspired in readers was limitless. With just a few strokes, a grand or exquisite world could be outlined. But when adapted into real people, the room for imagination was compressed. All the romantic and gorgeous parts were clumsily shoved in front of the audience, easily breaking the fantasy.
This was an irreconcilable contradiction, and fans were not looking to reach an agreement.
The bigger the controversy, the more hype it brought. Why not fan the flames?
Under the push and pull, disputes grew even more fierce. Coincidentally it was also the Spring Festival break, students and working adults alike went home, free time aplenty. The only topics hotter were the Spring Festival Gala and other new year films. Neck and neck they raced.
Amidst the lively discussions, Demon Doctor was scheduled to air starting the third day of the lunar new year.
Jian Jing had never understood this practice. Airing these crime dramas during the biggest holiday of the year, would people really watch? Then she discovered this world was quite bold, and similarly themed dramas were included in the new year's eve lineup every year to positive reception.
Nothing more to say then.
She spent new year's eve quietly at home, watched the Gala show, had hot pot, slept until past noon of new year's day, then got up to start drafting her next book.
And so a day went by.
She repeated the same routine on the second day of the new year.
On the third, Kang Mu Cheng called to ask if she was going to visit her parents' graves this year.
Jian Jing: "..." She had completely forgotten that the parents of this world's Jian Jing were deceased, still under the impression that hers were living well back home.
But since she was here, visiting was definitely a must. She declined Kang Mu Cheng's offer to accompany her, found the contract for the gravesite purchase in the safe documents, looked up the address, and went alone to pay respects to her parents.
The cemetery was quite nice, clean and well-maintained, with people coming by regularly to tidy up even during the holidays.
She brought a bouquet of lilies to offer.
Knowing her parents were alive and well in another world, Jian Jing did not linger in grief. She stood quietly for a bit then prepared to leave.
The cemetery was nearly deserted during the major holiday. But as she threaded through rows of tombstones on her way back, she noticed a man passing by her.
She found it a bit odd and took another look at him.
The man wore a knit hat and scarf, obscuring most of his face. Noticing her gaze, he also looked her way.
Jian Jing nodded politely.
He stopped and said, "It's going to snow."
His voice came out muffled and distorted through the scarf.
Jian Jing glanced up and indeed, small snowflakes had started drifting down. She hesitated briefly, said "Goodbye", and jogged off.
The man watched her retreating back for a while until she disappeared from sight. Only then did he slowly walk to a certain tombstone.
The lilies were vibrant and lush.
He reached out and plucked a petal, holding it to his nose for a sniff, smiling faintly.
On the back of his hand was a distinctive zigzag scar.
*
On the third day of the new year, Liu Bao Feng returned to her villa.
Half a month ago, the verdict finally came down for the Sunset Villa case. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Liu Bao Feng did not appeal, accepting the sentence.
It was all over.
Returning to the empty villa, she felt a sense of reprieve like surviving a calamity.
Finally, that man was gone.
The man who once swore seas and mountains with her, yet still betrayed her in the end.
The man she was once so affectionate with, now couldn't bear to look at another second.
He had finally exited her life.
Liu Bao Feng felt completely relaxed, as if she had thoroughly cleaned the house. She couldn't describe how happy she was.
She called her daughter overseas, telling her that her father's shares would be fully inherited by her. She also notified Old Master Qin's parents, informing them of the case results. The old couple trusted her deeply. Though still grieving, they comforted her not to blame herself too much - no one could have expected such an accident.
Naturally Liu Bao Feng was profuse with gratitude, and promised to visit them after getting through this busy period.
Then she handled some backlogged work, busy until late into the night before going to bed to rest.
She casually turned on the TV and the advertisement on screen was Demon Doctor.
Jian Jing.
Liu Bao Feng smiled again upon seeing a familiar name.
Yes, she certainly remembered this girl, oddly clever, likely having guessed the truth behind Sunset Villa early on.
So what of it?
There were many in court who doubted her, but where was the evidence? Who could discern whether malice existed?
The law required evidence. Without evidence, it remained manslaughter through negligence on her part.
Liu Bao Feng had never contemplated the perfect crime, she had merely indulged, waited, given a little push. With her understanding of that man, she accurately reaped his life.
- Perhaps some asked, why not just divorce?
Over twenty years of marriage, separation was no longer just an emotional matter. The company shares, connections on both sides, their daughter and family reputation - rather than tear apart and lose face utterly, making their daughter sad and upset, better to end it like this.
They remained a dignified family in appearance. Their daughter would never know of her father's sordid side.
How wonderful.
Liu Bao Feng took calcium tablets and drank a glass of warm milk before drifting off to sweet dreams.
In the night, she seemed to sense someone lingering by her bedside.
Was it Qin Bo Wen?
Had he come for revenge?
Liu Bao Feng thought blearily. Yet she felt no fear in her heart. She forced her eyes open, wanting to scornfully berate him - he couldn't win when alive, what could a dead man do?
But when she strenuously opened her mouth, a huge hand covered her nose and lips.
Black gloves, extremely powerful, pinning her firmly to the bed.
Liu Bao Feng was instantly alert. She struggled desperately, her hand slowly feeling around the nightstand for a weapon she could use.
“Such a smart woman.” His fingers stroked her cheek, the rough glove fabric scraping her well-maintained skin. “What a pity. I want to give my darling a gift.”
In the thick darkness, the gleam of the blade stabbed Jian Jing's eyes with pain.
Her pupils suddenly dilated, a whimper rising from her throat. Tears welled up as indescribable terror clutched her heart.
Then...warm blood splattered onto her face.
She fell into a dizzy, dreamlike state, as if everything was just a dream. The pain in her body didn't have time to register before her consciousness plunged into the abyss.
So this is the so-called abyss that gazes back.
No answers came as death arrived.
*
The morning of the fourth day of the lunar new year, Jian Jing was woken up by the ringing of her phone.
Still groggy, she answered: “Hello?”
“Teacher Jian, are you home?” Shao Meng asked.
Jian Jing mumbled indistinctly: “What’s up?”
“Still sleeping? Wake up. Liu Bao Feng is dead.” He said.
Her brain hadn't started working yet. After a couple turns, the slightly unfamiliar name finally conjured up the matching memory. Jian Jing was confused and surprised: “She’s dead? How did she die?”
Revenge by Qin's family members?
But this time, Shao Meng deliberated before saying: “I’ll be at your place in ten minutes and take you to the scene. I’ll explain when we get there.”
Jian Jing was shocked awake: “You can’t seriously think I'm a suspect!”
“No no, it's a bit complicated. You'll understand when you get there.” Shao Meng refused to say more. “See you downstairs at your place in ten minutes.”
Jian Jing had no choice but to hurriedly get up and wash up to head out.
The weather today was exceptionally cold. Outside the car window, snow blew wildly, obscuring the road conditions.
Sitting in the passenger seat bundled up in a down jacket, Jian Jing endured the awful lingering cigarette smell in the car and asked: “What's up with your car? It reeks.”
“I drove some colleagues a few hours ago and we chainsmoked in the car the whole time.” Shao Meng was used to it. He rolled down the windows. “I'm considered decent. One colleague's car had a whole backseat of blood that wouldn't wash out no matter how much he cleaned.”
The cold wind blew in, dispersing the stuffy air in the car.
Jian Jing woke up a bit more. She took out the heated up sandwich and hot coffee she had prepared from her bag. She had left in such a hurry that she could only eat breakfast in the car.
Shao Meng said: “Oh!”
“What?” she asked.
He said: “I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Share half with me.”
“What's it to me if you don't eat?” Jian Jing took a fierce bite, cold and heartless.
“How heartless. I took a risk bringing you over this time, you should thank me properly.” Shao Meng said.
Jian Jing glanced at him: “Why should I thank you?”
“This case is very special, you'll definitely be interested.” Shao Meng deliberately tried to pique her curiosity. “Share half with me out of appreciation for me coming to get you in this snowstorm.”
Jian Jing tossed him a rice ball. It was leftover sushi from the Japanese food they had yesterday, heated up to fob him off.
“Thanks.” Shao Meng wasn't picky and wolfed it down during the half a minute they were stopped at a red light.
The car laboriously made its way to the crime scene.
