translated_Chapter 10

10: From Gloom to Bloom

“I bought a limited edition Palais des Thés ‘Thé des Lords’ this year. It’s Mid-Autumn Festival in China, you can give it to Mr. Bi Su. It’s $16, but it has a rich citrus aroma, very suitable for autumn.”

Jing Yueming did receive this tea, and later a tea advent calendar from the same brand, probably also recommended by Qiu Ci.

Qiu Ci really liked the teas under the ‘Palais des Thés’ brand.

“Went out shopping and on a whim went to see the Le Mont Saint Michel fashion week. This brand originated from a small village in northern France, influenced by the local fishing culture and industrial history. The fashion show mainly features classic and practical designs, integrating traditional elements with modern fashion, showcasing a unique retro charm. The clothes are suitable for everyday wear and pairing with vintage items.”

“The straight-line distance from ESCP Business School’s 11th arrondissement campus to the École des Beaux-Arts is only three kilometers. I’d rather go to the École des Beaux-Arts.”

The diary entries were about some entertainment activities, and interesting people and things encountered.

“Professor Pierre discussed tea culture with me. This interesting old man with a white beard, he’s been learning Chinese recently, and joked with me while chatting: your word order in Chinese is very strange.”

And Mr. Bi Su appearing occasionally.

“Helped older sister pick up Mr. Bi Su’s letter from the post office. A few months later, older sister returned to China, and I no longer have to pick up letters.”

There were also occasional laments about his loneliness.

“Compared to studying finance, I’d rather be Mr. Bi Su.”

“France is rainy. The soil here is acidic, and the moist earth grows tart black tea, famous throughout the world. The feeling of falling in love with someone is a lot like black tea, tart and slightly bitter.”

“Older sister has returned to China to be with Mr. Bi Su.”

“It’s snowing in Paris. My wrist has been hurting more lately. If I hadn’t been injured, I would have studied art.”

He gently kissed that passage of the diary, as if kissing Qiu Ci who had written it.

In an instant, Jing Yueming felt that he, too, seemed to have fallen in love with Qiu Ci.

Irrelevant to Ai La, irrelevant to Qiu Ci’s secret crush.

Jing Yueming fell in love with the lonely Qiu Ci in the diary as if falling in love with a work of art.

Allen was Qiu Ci’s English name.

But Qiu Ci sounded better.

Qiu Ci.

There was another thing, Jing Yueming sent a message to Tsukimi Rin.

“The thing has been found, no need to worry.”

Tsukimi Rin hadn’t slept yet, and a “ding——” popped up with a “?” question mark.

“It’s at Qiu Ci’s house. Qiu Ci is Ai La’s younger brother, right?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, Ai La’s belongings should be left to him, after all, he’s Ai La’s only relative.”

The other side repeatedly typed for a long time.

“Qiu Ci, is he by your side?”

“He’s asleep.”

“There are problems with Ai La’s cause of death and her final inheritance. I need to investigate Ai La’s death again. Please give me Ai La’s belongings, as well as her private studio.”

“You can ask Qiu Ci directly.”

“He won’t give it. I don’t have search warrant rights. Mr. Jing, you are one of the few friends of Ai La that I know who can help her, please.”

“What are you kidding me, I can only tell Qiu Ci for you.”

The conversation ended hastily.

The unique red dress in the display case stared at Jing Yueming.

Bi Su was his inspiration based on the sun, but the Bi Su star was the name of another red star, the overall feeling carrying the mystery of the starry sky.

This one, which was given to Ai La, incorporated the elements of human red roses.

Just like Ai La.

Qiu Ci was still sound asleep, he was very tired.

Could it be that the reason Ai La didn’t want Jing Yueming to know about her work and family back then.

Was because of Qiu Ci?

Then Ai La probably didn’t want him to be with Qiu Ci.

No way, he couldn’t refuse Qiu Ci.

For several days in a row, they worked and studied during the day.

They ate at Jing Yueming’s house, and went back to Qiu Ci’s house to sleep at night.

He didn’t know what the specific reason was, if there was one, it was that Qiu Ci was really himself at Qiu Ci’s house.

Ai La had always lived in Jing Yueming’s house when she came here.

Qiu Ci rejected all the after-work activities and social events he could push away.

That night, Qiu Ci was listlessly poking at the rice in his bowl.

The already loose rice was now clearly separated grain by grain.

“Qiu Ci.” Jing Yueming called out.

“Hmm?”

“Do you know Ai La’s ex-girlfriend? The one from Japan, Tsukimi Rin.”

“A Chinese private investigator from Japan, she’s been in China recently, what’s wrong?” Qiu Ci seemed to know this person very well.

“She thinks Ai La’s death was a bit sudden and wants Ai La’s belongings to investigate.”

Qiu Ci paused, becoming uncharacteristically serious: “Ai La’s estate is related to the inheritance of Global Wealth shares. Her coming back to investigate at this time is just to fight for some inheritance, thinking that Ai La still had feelings for her before she died.” As he spoke, he looked into Jing Yueming’s eyes: “Don’t overthink it, Ai La had long forgotten her, let alone leave her any inheritance. I am Ai La’s first heir. If you need any of these material things, then I will give it to you.”

Jing Yueming was a little dazed, oh, is that so, it turns out.

Tsukimi Rin was indeed a bit stubborn.

Jing Yueming sent a message to Tsukimi Rin, saying that Qiu Ci would not give it to her, as for the inheritance.

Ai La hadn’t mentioned Tsukimi Rin to him before her death, she probably had really forgotten her.

There would be sleet in early winter, and if you didn’t wear the right clothes, it would be the coldest day.

Jing Yueming held an umbrella in one hand and had the other hand in his down jacket pocket.

Coming out of the teaching building, heading towards the art studio, a figure blocked his way.

Tsukimi Rin was wearing a dark blue woolen coat, it seemed she had been waiting for him.

“Mr. Jing, I really need your help.” Tsukimi Rin’s eyes were full of desire, if last time she had some confidence, at this moment, that trace of light had long dissipated into a hollow.

“Let’s talk in the lobby.” At least it had to be indoors, it was too cold outside.

Tsukimi Rin had water mist hanging on her hair.

Arriving at the lobby, because it was noon, there weren’t many people there at the moment.

They sat on the chairs used for self-study.

Tsukimi Rin said urgently: “Mr. Jing, Ai La’s heir should not be Qiu Ci, Ai La’s relationship with her younger brother was very bad before her death.”

Jing Yueming’s expression became serious: “What do you mean?”

“They had a conflict at the time, and Ai La died inexplicably. Qiu Ci quickly finished the funeral. When I arrived, this farce was over. I have been investigating the cause of their break for the past year, and the problem lies in the CW shares.”

“You’re thinking too much.” Jing Yueming was surprised that this guy was too able to imagine so much.

Seeing that Jing Yueming refused to believe her, Tsukimi Rin became even more anxious: “You are the last person to accompany Ai La, have you never felt that something was wrong with her?”

Thinking back carefully, those days Ai La’s appetite and physical condition seemed to have declined severely: “Weren’t those because of Ai La’s depression? What she likes is things related to art, dealing with those numbers and finance every day, it’s not strange to have psychological problems.”

Tsukimi Rin sneered: “She doesn’t like the art you mentioned.”