3 - I did not kill anyone

Chapter 3 – I did not kill anyone

Wu Fengrong had a satisfying meal that morning and was in a good mood. He found the first aid kit, signaled that Zhou Yanling should lie down on the bed, and skillfully disinfected the wound with hydrogen peroxide. Zhou Yanling’s brows wrinkled in pain, but conceding to this made him happy. When he wrapped the gauze, he tied it tightly with a neat knot. The finger-wide wound resembled a bleeding artery.

Zhou Yanling leaned against the head of the bed, just narrowing his eyes, appearing to smile, resembling a child throwing a tantrum. After all, he was three years older than Wu Fengrong and his strength was by no means inferior. Wu Fengrong was secretly vigilant: if Zhou Yanling really came at him with his might, he might not be able to withstand it. This man was hiding deeply. If he wanted to indulge Wu Fengrong, that was only because he wanted to indulge as well. Someday when he was finished indulging, Wu Fengrong wouldn’t be able help but make a scene.

The window was fogged up and some snow fell outside. Wu Fengrong’s eyes were drawn to an empty field. The further north one goes, the colder it would be and there would be fewer crops that could be grown. The pitch-black earth was covered with snow, white and shining under the sun, dazzling the watching eye. On top of the ridge, a few old trees stood, their tops bare and thin, holding a nest of crows. Suddenly, one large bird flapped its long wings, hu la la 1 , leading a flock of crows to fly east, resembling a heavy black cloud oppressing the sun.

“I didn’t kill anyone, “ Zhou Yanling said, as though he were farmer talking about the Heavens 2 .

Wu Fengrong weighed these words silently. He could clearly see that the wound was new. The blade that caused the wound was wide on the left and narrow on the right. He had been stabbed, probably less than two hours ago. According to the attendant’s description, Zhou Yanling was covered in blood when he got on the train, but a person soaked in blood certainly couldn’t have passed the security check. Therefore, it was likely that he was injured after the security check. He had been injured either from being attacked by someone at the station or by someone on the train, not from a fight with the victim at the scene of the Tongzhou murder. But by itself, this could only prove that the current wounds were unrelated to the murder case; it wasn’t enough to prove that Zhou Yanling hadn’t killed anyone.

Wu Fengrong decided to first let the man finish recounting his narrative. He raised his chin, indicating that Zhou Yanling should let out all this nonsense once and for all.

Zhou Yanling said sincerely, “I was indeed at the scene, but I didn’t kill that person. It was a misunderstanding.” He paused. “That night I was with an old colleague near an internet cafe having a midnight snack. I’d had a little too much to drink and I remembered going into the toilet to vomit. The next parts are muddled 3 . After that, I heard a police siren. I’m a little sensitive to and usually pay special care around the police. At that time, I found myself in an alley with a little boy lying to the side. I immediately felt that something was wrong. As soon as I checked his nose and mouth, I found he was not breathing.

He would always remember that moment, the split-second feeling of a cold more intense than that of the gust of wind in the train’s lavatory.

“And then you ran?”

“My head was muddled. I realized what happened the next day when I saw the news. By that time, things had gotten out of hand 4 , really became the talk of the town. I took two days off of work and called my old colleague to make discrete inquiries, but he didn’t say anything. Afterwards, he simply stopped answering the phone. There’s no telling whether or not this guy dug a hole for me 5 . I’m quite ashamed. Concerning this group, we’ve worked for ten years specializing in defrauding people for money. Even knowing that 90% of all my acquaintances do this, in the end, even I didn’t escape the coming of this day.”

Wu Fengrong asked, “What work do you do, exactly?”

Zhou Yanling fished out a business card and handed it to him. The title read: Manager of the Insurance Claims Investigation Department, Lixin Insurance Group, Inc.

“Put simply, there are some people who will not hesitate to do some vile things to try to get insurance payouts, for instance: stealing, murdering, forging, hiding…I’m responsible for investigating and substantiating these claims. The insurance company will not pay out until the investigation has been completed. In the event that the damage is especially severe or perhaps has caused someone to die, investigators have the authority to thoroughly investigate, sometimes even collecting evidence with the police. You’ve seen “Entrapment”, right? Zeta-Jones’s character was a little exaggerated, understandably out of artistic necessity, really, this work isn’t that dangerous, but it captured the general idea.

“Unique.”

“To explain it clearly, you won’t find it anything unique. Patricide or matricide, adultery and poisoning, selling children and women….these are all great crimes since time immemorial. With this much experience, my intuition in this area is usually quite accurate; I’m sure that, in this case, I’ve been entrapped.”

At this point of the explanation, Zhou Yanling picked up a cup of water off the top of the table and took a drink, unconcerned about who had drank before. He crossed his legs, shifting to a more comfortable position and continued: “I can’t say that I am some kind of good person – I usually cheat a little in money and love 6 . Teasing naive young women and cheating at mahjong, but not killing people. I have some scruples. Furthermore, I’m not fond of children; I’ve never met that boy. He doesn’t even come up to my elbow so what would I fight 7 with him over?” Finally: “I wouldn’t blame you if you detained me and took me to the police. I am willing to sacrifice myself 8 just to have been able to sleep with you once.”

From outside, the transit police 9 could come at anytime. All it would take would be just one signal from Wu Fengrong, and he would be arrested. And yet, even at this point, he was still not serious. If he took advantage of this, he couldn’t lose.

To be honest, Wu Fengrong was a little disappointed. Zhou Yanling’s explanation had too many gaps (16). Drunken fragments of memory could not serve as evidence that one did not murder another. If anything, it served as proof of involuntary manslaughter 10 or even of irresistible impulse 11 . Moreover, there was proof that he was present at the scene of the crime which was enough for him to be classified as a suspect. If he was innocent, why did he not go directly to the police to seek redress 12 ? Was he afraid that he would be framed? In that case, wouldn’t fleeing cause people to believe that he was guilty?

Besides, that wound near his ribs couldn’t be neglected. Who had attacked him? Was it related to the murder? For what reason did he board this train and make this trip? Hurriedly, busily rushing to flee would only give rise to greater suspicions that he feared arrest for this violent crime.

“Stop being a flirt 13 ! Stop fucking around. How were you injured?” Wu Fengrong asked.

A hint of doubt flickered over Zhou Yanling’s countenance. Wu Fengrong could clearly feel that he was angry.

“I was going to fucking ask about that! What’s wrong with the security at this station? They can’t even check for knives? While I was in the waiting area, a man dragging a suitcase came over and knocked into me. Before I knew it, a knife had stabbed through my coat. I was stunned. Then they started checking tickets. I hastened to board and didn’t have enough time to wrap my wound. How much more dangerous would it have been if this person boarded the train and stabbed someone?”

“It’s no use asking me. I work for the railroad and have nothing to do with the station. Still, are you usually in the habit of carrying medical supplies?”

“In any case, this is also a somewhat dangerous profession. You’re threatened all the time when investigating claims. At the office, there are boxes and boxes of anonymous letters, shouting that I should be killed, my home raided, my ancestor’s graves desecrated 14 . Before, I was dragged into an alley and beaten; my leg was nearly broken. Carrying medical supplies is just good practice.”

“You deserve a beating.”

Zhou Yanling was uncommonly serious and didn’t tease him: “I know what you want to say and I too would like to know who I’ve crossed. Only, it’s not urgent; that person is definitely on this train. I might still be in danger. I’m going to be straight with you: either you arrest this person first or I’ll find him myself. And if I find him first, I’ll beat him before handing (24) him over to the police. You just called the police, right? I see several of the train staff murmuring, trying to find the transit police.”

“I’m the conductor. I’m responsible for the safety of the passengers and crew.”

“I already explained everything. What else do you want to ask?”

“What are you doing going to Baihe?

Zhou Yanling was scrutinizing his face: “If I say that I’m going to prove my innocence, will you believe me?”

Wu Fengrong was disinclined to take part in resolving this. He could see that this smiling and naughty expression was a well-developed mask prepared by Zhou Yanling’s heart. Other people already thought insurance salesmen were slippery and treacherous. It was only logical that he would disguise himself in this way, conveniently making it easy to keep strangers at a distance. However, the two of them had had an intimate physical relationship so their relationship could be considered more intimate than that of others’. Wu Fengrong had believed that he’d delved beneath the first layer only to find yet another mask. It was truly hard to pin down what was an act and what was genuine. In the end, was this person being sincere? Was there a time when he was open and honest?

For a good while, the two remained silent as though they were making a concerted effort to mutually disagree.

Eventually, Wu Fengrong could no longer restrain himself. From under the bed he took out a suitcase, rummaged about, and tossed some casual clothes towards Zhou Yanling’s chest.

“Put this on instead,” he said, placing the scarf next to the pillow and draping it around the man. “Your work photos are everywhere. There’s not enough suspicion so you’re parading about in a suit? If the trousers aren’t long enough make do, okay. At the next stop I’ll have someone drop off two coats. Have you had breakfast yet? I’ll ask someone buy and bring over two more steamed buns.

Zhou Yanling was not actually in a hurry. First, he grabbed the man and reeled him in for a kiss. His lips completely tasted of tobacco and didn’t smell good. Wu Fengrong pushed him away and turned back over to look under the bed for something. Zhou Yanling watched him secretly, face not nervous 15 , as Wu Fengrong 16 came over holding a razor. Listening to the machine’s buzzing sound made his blood freeze. Smiling, he tried to ingratiate himself–

“What are you doing? Again, I didn’t do it…āiyā. Can we talk things out for a bit so you don’t need to kill to silence me?”

Wu Fengrong tilted his head and motioned for him to sit up: “Such nonsense over having your head shaved! Do you believe that simply changing clothes will immediately cause no one to recognize you?”

Zhou Yanling’s face was bitter. Still, he obediently sat up straight, allowing Wu Fengrong to use the razor on his head. Wu Fengrong placed a mirror in front of him and set about nimbly trimming with a pair of scissors. Zhou Yanling did not care about changing his hairstyle; he’d be able to stand confidently even if he only had an inch of hair remaining. It was only that he didn’t anticipate that Wu Fengrong would really cut his hair for him. How many years had it been since someone cut his hair for him? As a child, only his mother had cared to tell him to sit down and cut his hair for him. Later, after completing school, he was the only one to do his hair in front of a mirror because he did not like the smell of the products used in barbershops. Even more so, he couldn’t stand having his hair dyed red or green or have his hair shaped by the whims of the barber.

Wu Fengrong’s reflection looked back at him from inside the mirror, showing only one half of his serious expression. Small pieces of bangs hung down along his eyebrow bone. That eyebrow bone was high and straight, shone pale in the face of the mirror and imparted a very cold sensation, like ice and snow.

Zhou Yanling couldn’t help but be curious. What was this evil person going to do and what would he be unable to do 17 ? Why hole up in an antiquated train 18 , living the life of a semi-recluse? Could one be so fond of barren snowy mountain ranges?

Wu Fengrong did not have a temperament suited to that of the Pastoral School’s landscapes 19 . He needed at least a little bit of romance. He’d part from it all to seduce a man.

“Don’t shave your beard. Just fix it so it obscures your face.” Wu Fengrong persuaded, simultaneously holding the razor to fix the hair at the base of both temples.

Zhou Yanling looked at himself in the mirror and felt that it might even be termed acceptable. “Where did you come to learn this? Not bad.”

“Previously operating long distances I would often go months without a good break. Both the hair on my head and the hair on my face would get long and I would look similar to a savage. I had no choice but to fix it myself. Slowly, I grew skilled. Later, I took care of all the hair for the female workers on the train. Not inferior to that of the street masters 20 .” Wu Fengrong grinned while laughing: “Your face shape is pretty good. Simply have it shaved all off. Run any business. Studying Buddhism is better than making money investigating claims.”

“Does it not pain you to allow me to to feel like the most unwanted guest on this cold day?”

“Jump out the window now, I won’t stop you.”

Zhou Yanling circled his waist, stealing two bites of tofu: “I wouldn’t be willing to part, ya?”

Wu Fengrong just broke out of that pervert’s grip; he had a lot of work to finish. Twenty minutes later, he grasped a towel to clean the dregs of hair off his head in sweeping motions, patting at the short hairs with satisfaction. Zhou Yanling changed clothes, using the scarf to block the bottom half of his face. Looking again in the mirror, his temperament really did appear to have changed a lot. Wu Fengrong’s Mickey Mouse sweater was simply too stupid 21 , wearing it made him look like a clueless nerd. He wanted to say thank you but Wu Fengrong crisply waved his arm at him, seemingly as if knowing what he was going to say.

“I did not say that I wouldn’t detain you for police interrogation.” Wu Fengrong crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. “You still haven’t explained clearly about what you said. You can’t fool me. What are you going to do in Baihe?” He was not thoughtless 22 – he was not honest and tactless 23 ; one declaration of innocence was not enough convert his distrust to trust. On the train, what type of person hadn’t he seen before? Petty thieves, human traffickers, drug smugglers**…if everyone all pretended to tell mysterious tales about seeking revenge and redress, then they’d all get a pass and this conductor would not be where he is now.

As of a moment ago, Zhou Yanling immediately understood: the arrangement of all these benefits was not just for some business man. Both treating his injury and shaving his head, dressing in other people’s clothes and drinking other people’s tea, he now regretted just accepting what was given knowing that he now owed a favor 24 . But it was also too late for regrets. He thought, Wu Fengrong is fond of diplomacy before violence.

In fact, there was no need to go to such lengths. Zhou Yanling smiled roguishly. Directly beat me once and maybe I would explain.

“You kiss me once and then I’ll tell you everything.” The old rogue pointed a finger at his own lips.

First, Wu Fengrong lightly slapped his face, not hard and with a bit of flirtatious connotation, then firmly bit his lip. Zhou Yanling suddenly flared up and grabbed him, pulling him into his arms. This uncoordinated way of kissing looked like a way of expressing discontent. If there was a bullet outside the door, he would die on Wu Fengrong’s lips. At the end of this moment, both of Wu Fengrong’s eyes were red, once again suddenly looking at him both tyrannically and frantically.

Zhou Yanling showed a gentle smile and fished out his cellphone: “Don’t see this as lying to you; I’m definitely going to clear my name. But I’m not going to Baihe. What I need is on this train.” He scrolled through his text messages and held out his cellphone to show Wu Fengrong: “Early yesterday morning, I received one anonymous text message telling me that the actual murderer from the case will likely also take this train from Tongzhou to Baihe.”

Naturally it was from an unknown number, and the text message was a little long –

Mr. Zhou, would you please take the 5:40AM k4133 train to Baihe on October 2nd where the real murderer of the 9/27 murder case will be journeying together with you 25 . If you can find the murderer and the evidence within 32 hours,consequently you will be able to prove your innocence. Bear in mind, you must find the murderer before reaching the final station otherwise this will not work. A ticket and luggage have already prepared for you. Wishing you a pleasant journey and a pleasant trip.

Wu Fengrong took the phone to read this message over and over thrice. His facial expression became very imposing.

Zhou Yanling felt around and produced his ticket stub, continuing to say: “After that, I then received an express delivery. In addition to this train ticket there was also one briefcase, filled with information about this case. Well, it’s been quite well-prepared. I think this matter needs to be settled and cannot just be let off lightly. Besides, if I stay in the city sooner or later someone will come to my door. Getting on this train allows me a way out. In the end, I was stabbed before the train even arrived. Also, while there’s no theory and it’s not clear, I myself don’t believe that it has nothing to do with this case.”

_____

呼啦啦 hū lā lā: an onomatopoeia of a bird flapping its wings 他像个农民聊起老天爷 : I have no idea. Please help!! ::cries:: 懵 /meng, which translates as stupid. But I think ‘muddled’ would be how we’d describe it in English 已经闹大 ‘ or already big and noisy 给我挖的坑很难说 : entrapped or defrauded 小财小色 : little money little color, where color refers to love/lust 计较 means to argue, bother or bicker, but since the middle schooler ended up killed, I think fight would be more appropriate given that it implies a greater magnitude of intensity than simple arguing/bickering 风流鬼 is similar to “ 死在女人肚皮上” according to Baidu I believe it’s in police assigned to trains, not as in MTA police who aren’t affiliated with police departments https://www.justia.com/criminal/offenses/homicide/involuntary-manslaughter/ https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8010&context=penn_law_review The raw translates as appeal, but that can’t be done except during trials. At any rate, appealing something is to seek to overturn a judge’s order (and sometimes the appeal process results in restitution as well) in an effort to right a wrong. So I’m translating it as redress. Without Daed’s help on the discord this sentence would have made no sense. The raw just said unearthed, but I feel like if people are calling for others to be killed, desecrated would be the word they’d use 头皮发麻 : lit. scalp feel numb; idiom expressing fear or anxiety added for clarity Thank you to Fox23 for the help translating this! 绿皮火车 efers to the train that operated before the 1990s 田园派 : Pastoral School skilled workers Thank you so much again, daed! 给个棒槌当针使 : lit. He won’t allow for the usage of a wooden club as a needle; without a thought 缺心眼儿的 : lit. child lacking heart and eyes 他现在手软嘴短了 : lit. his hands are soft and his mouth is shor t Thank you @candylikescandies for your help.