Превратись в лебедя и прилети к тебе

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...

Lin Zhenzhen is a financial reporter for a Beijing newspaper. She and Feng Junzi had been in contact for a long time. They first met on Valentine's Day in 2004, but their first meeting was marked by a bizarre and convoluted incident (see "The Ghost Miner"). Since then, they have been in frequent contact. Now that Lin Zhenzhen has been transferred from Beijing to the Binhai bureau, their interactions have become even closer.

Chang Wu was Feng Junzi's high school classmate. After graduating from police academy, he was also assigned to work in Binhai. He used to be the head of a police station and is now the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Ganquan Branch of the Binhai Public Security Bureau. Not long ago, their team's captain was transferred, and the position of captain has been vacant. Chang Wu is effectively the captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade.

Lin Zhenzhen knew Feng Junzi loved Hunan cuisine, so that evening she invited Chang Wu and Feng Junzi to a Hunan restaurant for dinner. After get off work, Feng Junzi thought for a moment and then called home to tell Tao Muling not to wait for him at dinner. While making the call, Feng Junzi felt strange, but Tao Muling answered naturally and even reminded him not to get drunk again.

Lin Zhenzhen was extremely grateful when she received the wallet from Chang Wu. Inside, there was over 1,500 yuan in cash, several credit cards, discount cards from various shopping malls, beauty salon and gym memberships, her Beijing workplace access pass, Feng Junzi's business card, and everything else, all intact. However, after checking everything, one thing was missing—Lin Zhenzhen's ID card.

Everyone found it strange; how could someone lose their ID card and nothing else in their wallet? Feng Junzi and Chang Wu both reminded Lin Zhenzhen that she might have forgotten her ID card somewhere else. But Lin Zhenzhen said with certainty, "I lost my wallet after picking up a package at the post office. I definitely had my ID card with me; I remember it clearly. After picking up the package, I carefully put my ID card into the card holder of my wallet. You know, I have a Beijing ID card, and losing it in Binhai would be a big hassle, so I've always been very careful."

Feng Junzi: "It seems you didn't accidentally lose your wallet, but someone stole it. Otherwise, how could your ID card disappear so mysteriously? Chang Wu, where did you find this wallet?"

Chang Wu: "Right on the side of the road, the wallet was lying on the ground like a cigarette butt someone threw away. By the way, there really is a post office nearby. This is strange, why would someone steal a wallet and only take the ID card, without even touching the cash?"

Lin Zhenzhen suddenly interjected, "Could it be that I lost my wallet, and someone found it and took my ID card?"

The other two laughed. Feng Junzi chuckled, "Those who steal wallets don't steal the money, they steal the ID card. Does that mean those who find wallets don't pick up the money? Do you think the photo on your ID card is so attractive?"

Chang Wu frowned and said, "If the wallet was really stolen, then this matter is a bit suspicious. Logically speaking, if someone takes your ID card, they should also take your credit cards. This person stole the wallet and then threw it in such an obvious place. It seems like they are not an ordinary thief."

Lin Zhenzhen pouted and said, "How can you be so sure that my wallet was stolen? After stealing it, you only took my ID card and then deliberately threw the wallet on the side of the road, as if you saw it with your own eyes."

Feng Junzi: "This Chang Wu is the captain of the criminal investigation team. He is best at reasoning and knows thieves best."

Chang Wu: "Our criminal investigation team doesn't deal with petty theft; we only handle serious cases."

Lin Zhenzhen: "I've always been very careful. I've always kept my wallet in this handbag, with the zipper zipped up. The bag isn't damaged. What kind of thief could steal my wallet?"

Seeing that Chang Wu and Lin Zhenzhen were both frowning and unhappy, Feng Junzi wanted to ease the atmosphere, so he said to Lin Zhenzhen, "This is just a small trick. I can steal your wallet without even needing a professional thief."

Lin Zhenzhen was indeed interested: "Really? I don't believe it. Although you are a multi-talented person, have you ever worked in a thief's company? Besides, thieves always strike when people are not paying attention. If you tell me now, will you still steal it? Are you going to rob me?"

Feng Junzi: "I said I'd steal, not rob. If you don't believe me, let's try. Stand up now, and I'll walk with you from the restaurant entrance to this table. I can steal your wallet, you believe me?"

Lin Zhenzhen, of course, didn't believe it and wanted to test it with Feng Junzi. So the two of them stood up together, walked to the restaurant entrance, and then walked back together. Lin Zhenzhen put her wallet in her handbag, zipped it up, and carefully slung it over her shoulder. Along the way, Feng Junzi smiled and deliberately touched her handbag several times. Lin Zhenzhen kept staring at his hand, as if laughing and saying, "Let's see how you steal it!"

When they reached the dining table again, Feng Junzi suddenly patted Lin Zhenzhen's shoulder forcefully and said, "Miss Lin, we've arrived. Please have a seat."

Lin Zhenzhen was startled and scolded, "I know we're here. I can sit down by myself. Don't touch me. Did you steal my wallet?"

Feng Junzi stretched out his hand: "Of course I didn't steal it."

Lin Zhenzhen: "You've blown your own horn, haven't you?"

Feng Junzi: "It can't be considered a complete fabrication. Let's see if your wallet is still intact."

Lin Zhenzhen quickly looked down and opened her handbag; her wallet was indeed gone! She looked up again and saw Chang Wu holding her wallet with a wry smile. Seeing Lin Zhenzhen's surprised expression, he said apologetically, "It wasn't that I wanted to steal the wallet; Feng Junzi tricked me into doing it."

Lin Zhenzhen: "Feng Junzi, you're cheating. Stealing a wallet like this doesn't count."

Feng Junzi: "What's the point of counting whether a thief steals or not? As long as he can steal it, that's all that matters. Besides, these days thieves all work together—like Chang Wu and me. Did you think I touched your bag just now to tease you? I only unzipped it a little bit, enough for Chang Wu to put half his hand in. When I tapped your shoulder, Chang Wu took your wallet. How about that, are you convinced now?"

Lin Zhenzhen: "Now that you mention it, I do remember. That day, when I was queuing at the post office, someone was pushing me from the side. When I came out of the post office, that person accidentally stepped on my foot and apologized to me for a long time."

Chang Wu: That's right, you've probably run into a pickpocket.

Lin Zhenzhen: "Then why did they only steal ID cards? What would they do with my ID card?"

Feng Junzi comforted him, "There's no use in thinking too much. Luckily, nothing else was lost. We can just get a replacement as soon as possible."

After this little incident of stealing, the atmosphere at the dinner table relaxed considerably, and Chang Wu and Lin Zhenzhen were no longer strangers. After a few rounds of drinks, Chang Wu noticed that Lin Zhenzhen had a good capacity for alcohol, while Feng Junzi seemed reluctant to drink much. So, Chang Wu and Lin Zhenzhen frequently clinked glasses. The meal lasted almost two hours. Later, when the main course was served, Lin Zhenzhen needed to use the restroom, so she simply stuck her chopsticks into her rice and left.

A small bowl full of rice, with a pair of chopsticks stuck straight up in the center, was placed neatly opposite Chang Wu, leaving both of them both amused and exasperated. Feng Junzi explained, "Lin Zhenzhen is just a tomboy; she doesn't pay much attention to etiquette."

Chang Wu: "Actually, there aren't that many rules now. I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out."

When Lin Zhenzhen returned, Feng Junzi said to her, "Girl, you're so careless. How could you offer incense to our Captain Chang right there at the dinner table? He's a policeman, it's a dangerous profession, he should be very careful about this."

Lin Zhenzhen was completely confused: "What do you mean by offering incense in person? How did I offer incense?"

Feng Junzi pointed to Lin Zhenzhen's rice and chopsticks: "Holding chopsticks like this is called offering incense in person. Didn't you see the mourning halls set up for the dead when you were a child? Chopsticks are only held like this when offering sacrifices to the dead. Don't underestimate the chopsticks used by Chinese people. There are many rules and taboos associated with using them."

Lin Zhenzhen: "Oh, I see. Oh, Brother Chang, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it. Feng Junzi, you said there are taboos about using chopsticks, so what are the rules?"

Part 4: A Pair of Chopsticks 06: All Things Contain Truth, the Way Preserves the Spirit

When it came to the taboos of using chopsticks, Feng Junzi became animated again: "The most important thing to be careful about when using chopsticks is that sticking them up like incense offerings is absolutely unacceptable at the dinner table. Also, you can't point at someone with your chopsticks while speaking. You also can't tap on plates or bowls; you shouldn't tap your chopsticks on dishes while eating, because it will disturb others, and in the past, beggars would tap on plates and bowls as accompaniment when singing ballads. You also can't hold chopsticks upside down or with one side facing forward and the other backward, and you should be careful not to lick the tips of the chopsticks… When putting chopsticks down, make sure the tips are facing forward and placed on the right side of the bowl… Left-handed people can also place them on the left side, but be careful not to place them horizontally and vertically on the bowl…"

Lin Zhenzhen: "I didn't know there were so many rules, but what you said makes a lot of sense."

Chang Wu: "Hearing you talk about chopsticks reminds me of something related to chopsticks—a while ago, a Japanese woman came to the Longwangtang Police Station with a pair of ivory chopsticks and asked the police officers to help her find someone, asking if any local people over sixty years old had seen these chopsticks. Isn't that strange?"

Lin Zhenzhen: "The world is full of wonders. Do you police officers often encounter interesting things like this? Elderly people over sixty years old? That's interesting. The War of Resistance Against Japan has been going on for sixty years now. Does this have anything to do with the War of Resistance Against Japan?"

Chang Wu: "It might be related to something that happened during the War of Resistance Against Japan, but the Japanese woman didn't say anything. She left a contact address for the police station at a hotel in Binhai, but when the police called to contact her later, the woman suddenly left."

Lin Zhenzhen: "You guys actually helped her make contact? Oh, I see, she's a foreign guest after all. You bunch of traitors, you can't even handle your own important business, and you're meddling in this Japanese girl's affairs. If it were an ordinary Chinese citizen showing up at the police station with a pair of chopsticks, they probably wouldn't even get a word in edgewise... Brother Chang, I'm not talking about you, I heard from Feng Junzi that you're a good cop..."

A Japanese woman? Longwangtang? While Chang Wu and Lin Zhenzhen were chatting, Feng Junzi suddenly remembered something. A while ago, he encountered Tao Muling on a rainy day in Binhai. Tao Muling was about to take a taxi to Longwangtang. Could the Japanese woman Chang Wu was talking about be Tao Muling? Thinking this, Feng Junzi interjected, "What's the background of that Japanese girl? How did the police at Longwangtang Police Station let the whole city bureau know about this?"

Chang Wu: "I don't know what her background is. Later, the woman left without saying goodbye. It was just a strange thing that everyone talked about as a strange story."

Feng Junzi said calmly, "I guess that woman was very young and very beautiful, which is why the police officers at your station remembered her so well, is that right?"

Chang Wu: "People really do say whatever they want, but you're right. Apparently, that woman is very beautiful, and even a few of us newly graduated police officers at our station are drooling over her."

Feng Junzi was already eighty or ninety percent certain that the person Chang Wu was referring to was Tao Muling. However, Tao Muling was currently hiding in his house, and Feng Junzi was truly unwilling to reveal this in front of Chang Wu, especially Lin Zhenzhen. Seeing that Chang Wu hadn't come up with anything particularly interesting after talking for so long, he assumed Chang Wu's knowledge was limited and didn't press further. But Lin Zhenzhen was clearly intrigued, constantly asking Chang Wu what interesting stories he had from his time at the police station. The following passage caught Feng Junzi's attention again.

"There's not much new happening, it's just about filing cases, solving cases, and catching bad guys all day long. But there is something new happening in our branch next month. We're going to collaborate with the newly established psychology program at Binhai Normal University to introduce psychological techniques into modern criminal investigation practice."

Lin Zhenzhen: "This should have been done a long time ago. Watching police dramas on TV, the police always use the same three intimidating tactics when questioning people. Not only criminals, but even I know about it."

Chang Wu: "It's not all like what's shown on TV. We police officers also study criminal psychology in police academies, but we don't use it systematically much when investigating cases."

Lin Zhenzhen: "Whose idea was this?"

Chang Wu: "It's quite interesting. It was a sudden idea from a certain leader in the city... This leader rarely goes home for dinner, so he has time to watch TV with his wife. Coincidentally, they came across a foreign program about criminal investigation. They saw that foreign psychologists could deduce the authenticity of a suspect's answers and the actual crime scene by analyzing subtle facial expressions when the suspect answered questions. The leader became interested and instructed our branch to introduce this new technology as a pilot project."

Feng Junzi then interjected, "Then why did you choose to cooperate with Binhai Normal University? As far as I know, their psychology program is relatively new and they probably don't have much experience, especially since criminal psychology is different from educational psychology."

Chang Wu: "You don't know this? The wife of that municipal leader is the deputy director of the psychology department at Binhai Normal University."

Lin Zhenzhen: "So that's how it is. Even academic research relies on nepotism."

Feng Junzi: "Is there any preparation from the Normal University?"

Chang Wu: "The normal university also attaches great importance to this. It is said that they have contacted a very famous psychology master in the United States, and the United States will also send a psychology expert to assist in this project."

Feng Junzi: "Has that American expert arrived?"

Chang Wu: Not yet, it won't arrive until next month.

At this moment, Feng Junzi felt the coincidence was becoming increasingly unbelievable. What Chang Wu said and what Tao Muling said seemed to be the same thing. This American psychology expert must be Tao Muling, the Japanese woman who came to the Longwangtang Police Station with a pair of chopsticks. Although Chang Wu didn't know they were the same person, Feng Junzi understood perfectly well. There are truly too many coincidences in the world; even someone as intelligent as Feng Junzi couldn't escape many unexpected events.

...

When Feng Junzi returned home that evening, Tao Muling was actually preparing a late-night snack for him. Feng Junzi also ate three meals a day, but compared to others, his meals were a bit later, namely lunch, dinner, and late-night snack. Tao Muling had only been there for two days, but she already knew about Feng Junzi's habit, which made Feng Junzi feel a little embarrassed but also happy.

Feng Junzi pondered for a long time in his study. When it was time for midnight snack, he finally decided to say something to Tao Muling. Holding the chopsticks, he asked thoughtfully, "Tao Muling, a while ago you took a pair of ivory chopsticks to someone to help you identify them. Could you let me take a look at those chopsticks?"

A look of surprise and doubt flashed in Tao Muling's eyes: "How did you know?"

Feng Junzi thought for a moment and decided it was better not to lie to someone like her: "Tonight at dinner, a friend who works at the Public Security Bureau mentioned that a few days ago a Japanese woman came to the Longwangtang Police Station looking for someone with a pair of chopsticks. If I remember correctly, you were also going to Longwangtang when I met you that day, so I guess that person was you."

Tao Muling seemed relieved: "You guessed right, that person was me. I already told you the story of these chopsticks the night before last, are you still so curious?"

When asked about the night before last, Feng Junzi smiled bitterly to himself. He couldn't remember anything from that night, yet Tao Muling was now saying that she had told him the origin of the pair of chopsticks. He decided not to talk about the night before last and said, "Of course I'm curious. Just let me take a look."

Tao Muling turned and went into the bedroom, bringing back a small wooden box, which she handed to Feng Junzi. The rectangular wooden box was antique and exquisite, exuding an aura of antiquity. Feng Junzi opened the box and took out a pair of ivory-white chopsticks. These chopsticks appeared to be carved from ivory, slightly smaller than the chopsticks on the dining table, but the same shape—round at the front and square at the back—reflecting the Chinese concept of chopsticks being round on the outside and square on the inside. The square handles were also intricately carved with beautiful flowing cloud patterns.

When Feng Junzi's hand touched the chopsticks, he felt a very strange sensation. It was like a faint, almost imperceptible electric current coursing through his body in that instant. He vaguely felt the chopsticks tremble slightly in his hand, though this was merely his illusion. These were antique items; the ivory chopsticks, though exquisite and precious, were just ordinary items in wealthy households of the old society. But in Feng Junzi's hands, they possessed a peculiar quality. He suddenly felt as if the chopsticks had a strong desire—something they wanted to tell him.

"Can I have these chopsticks tonight?"

Tao Muling seemed unprepared for Feng Junzi's sudden request, and asked somewhat stammeringly, "What, what do you want these chopsticks for? Are you going to sleep with them tonight?"

Feng Junzi: "Do you remember when I suddenly knocked on your door last night? Actually, I did hear a sound, and it was coming from somewhere in your room. I suspect it was the sound of these chopsticks, but ordinary people can't hear it under normal circumstances."

Peach Bell: "A sound? You're saying these chopsticks make a sound at night that ordinary people can't hear? What kind of sound is it?"

Feng Junzi: "The sound of waves, gunfire, and the weeping of women and children."

Tao Muling stared intently into Feng Junzi's eyes, seemingly deep in thought. "Then take it tonight. Be careful with it; the person tracking me might be after these chopsticks." After saying this, Tao Muling seemed to remember something, and with a slightly strange expression, she added, "You knocked on my door in the middle of the night last night, so it was to sleep with these chopsticks tonight?"

Part 4: A Pair of Chopsticks Episode 7 - The Escape Remains, the Country Remains the Same

Feng Junzi spent the entire night confirming one thing: the strange noise he heard the previous night indeed originated from these unusual ivory chopsticks. He repeatedly tested the chopsticks in various corners of the room, and in a meditative state, he could always hear the strange sound emanating from the corner where the chopsticks were located. He knew that others might not be able to hear this sound, because he himself could only hear it in a meditative state; once his mind returned to normal, the sound would vanish without a trace. However, apart from this, Feng Junzi gained no other insights.

Nothing particularly noteworthy happened over the next few days, and Feng Junzi didn't bother to investigate the chopsticks again, but he kept thinking about it. He wanted to find someone knowledgeable to ask what had happened, whether there was something wrong with his ears. If he was fine, then the chopsticks were strange; had anyone else encountered something like this? After much thought, he decided to call Professor Song.

Professor Song, whose full name is Song Zhaonan, is a professor at a university specializing in finance and economics. However, he didn't originally teach finance and economics; he was a professor in the social sciences department. His initial research focused on Marxist-Leninist philosophy, but he wasn't very successful in that area. After the turn of the 21st century, social trends underwent a subtle shift. Various international cultural events held in the name of the government suddenly proliferated, and developing so-called tourism industries and attracting investment under the guise of folk culture became fashionable. Song Zhaonan's academic standing became important again. His specialty shifted from Marxism-Leninism to traditional culture and folk customs. He was not only promoted from associate professor to full professor but also frequently attended various official festivals and celebrations held across the country, becoming an important expert and guest speaker.

Today, Professor Song has transformed himself again, not only becoming a folklore expert but also an economist—quite fitting for a renowned professor at a finance university. Even Professor Song himself doesn't know how he acquired this economist title; in any case, he's become an advisor to several local governments and an independent director of several large companies. However, his relationship with Feng Junzi remains good, and they keep in frequent contact.

On the phone, Feng Junzi briefly recounted to Professor Song the strange things he had experienced in the past few days: he encountered a Japanese man with a pair of very old ivory chopsticks, and under very unusual circumstances, he heard various sounds emanating from the chopsticks. Professor Song and Feng Junzi discussed the phenomenon of "hearing through the ears" in religion and metaphysics, but couldn't come to a conclusion. Finally, Professor Song suddenly thought of someone and suggested that Feng Junzi go find him.

Professor Song mentioned that he had also heard of the gentleman named Xiao Tianhong. It is said that this gentleman came from a family of doctors and martial artists, participated in the revolution during the War of Resistance against Japan, and made many contributions. His life was quite legendary. After retiring, he lived in the Shenyang Military Region's Binhai First Cadre Sanatorium, and was already over eighty years old.

Feng Junzi said on the phone, "So you know Grandpa Xiao? That's wonderful! I've long wanted to meet this legendary figure, but I haven't had the chance. Could you accompany me to visit him?"

Professor Song: "I haven't visited the old man in a long time either. I'll go with you this weekend."

Feng Junzi: "Shouldn't we contact the old man first? Wouldn't it be inappropriate to come here so abruptly?"

Professor Song: "No need. He's almost ninety years old. He doesn't go out often, and even when he does, he comes home quickly. We can just go directly. He's a very hospitable person."

...

The quiet retirement home seemed like another world from the bustling city just a wall away. The Xiao family lived in a two-story house with a small garden in front, where two peach trees and several rows of grapevines grew. It seemed that although Old Master Xiao was old, he was still in good health, able to tend to flowers and plants and grow fruits. A young woman opened the door for Feng Junzi and Professor Song, and was very happy to see Professor Song: "Uncle Song, it's been a long time since you've come. Please come in and sit down."

Professor Song: "Yunyun, is your grandfather home?"

The girl named Yunyun replied, "Oh dear, what a coincidence, my grandpa went out."

Professor Song: "It's alright, we'll wait for him for a while. The old man doesn't stay out for long."

Yunyun: "This time it's different, my grandpa went to Beijing to see my dad."

Professor Song: "At your age, why would you travel so far to see your son? Couldn't you just call him and ask him to come back? What's going on?"

Yunyun: "Come inside and sit down. This is a long story."

Grandpa Xiao's trip this time was indeed for a reason. Here's what happened: Binhai Steel Group acquired a steel company in Chile, South America. It's said this was part of the municipal government's economic development strategy, a deliberately arranged cross-border acquisition. Initially, things went well, and operations were acceptable, but problems soon arose. Interestingly, the local workers organized a strike, demanding better pay and working conditions from the Chinese side. As a result of negotiations, the Chinese management made concessions, and the strike was quelled.

But perhaps the workers got a taste of success from this strike, because several more strikes soon followed. The leaders of Binhai Steel Group were overwhelmed and sought help from the Binhai government, which in turn turned to the Chilean local government with which it had partnerships. However, the Chilean local government, which had been very cooperative in the previous negotiations, this time completely absolved itself of responsibility, stating that it was powerless to help due to limitations in its authority and that the management should negotiate with the union.

How the tables have turned! The Party Committee and leadership of Binhai Steel Group never dreamed they would one day become "capitalists" and have to negotiate with the "union." Strikes and labor movements are relics of the past, relegated to textbooks. The Party and government leaders, sitting in their offices, had no experience in handling such matters and felt helpless without the help of the local government. Then someone remembered Mr. Xiao Tianhong, a veteran cadre from Binhai who had once organized labor movements. Mr. Xiao had worked in the underground Communist Party in Northeast China, organized several strikes, and participated in negotiations with the "capitalists" of the time.