Chapter 01
The light and shadow of the glass gradually distorted and tilted, eventually disappearing. It seemed as if the space had been shattered; looking out, it was somewhat difficult to find a focal point. Du Weiyan did not calm down even after stepping outside, only able to slightly bite her lip, reassuring herself: it must have been a misperception.
The only progress is the latest case, as the incident occurred near an ATM, resulting in a few blurry surveillance snapshots. Nowadays, the streets and alleys are plastered with notices, featuring images of the two men wearing baseball caps.
Something swiftly flashed through Du Weiyan's mind, a figure that seemed familiar—she instinctively wanted to turn back for a glance, but after a moment, her awareness returned. She forcibly restrained her impulse and continued to walk forward step by step
At this moment, he watched her walk past him, the deliberate distance between them made him feel helpless, yet he increasingly desired to draw closer again
As they were leaving, Du Weiyan walked at the back. A waiter hurriedly passed by her, speaking into the earpiece of his intercom: "01 is about to leave, notify the supervisor and the manager"
Returning to the private room, an elderly gentleman sitting opposite called out, "Xiao Du, how is the dialect map project you submitted last time coming along with the annotations?"
As the door opened, a slight draft lifted the corners of her clothing. Du Weiyan looked up and glanced at the few people at the entrance. Her short hair, cut to ear length, slid down and fell beside her cheek, forming a delicate curve. She hurriedly stood up and saw the man, resembling an iron hero, extending his hand towards her.
Du Weiyan walked past him, stirring up a current of air that carried a fragrant scent, yet it was not overpowering
Captain Wang took a long time to react, leaning in to examine the map closely. He chuckled softly, seemingly with a hint of newfound respect: "Miss Du, what you just said, that insult... I still don't quite understand."
Under the light, Jiang Luwen's eyes flickered, as if a small pebble had fallen into the calm and undisturbed surface of the water: "Alright, I will have someone contact you and your research institute."
Jiang Luwen glanced at her with a smile that was not quite a smile: "I know what you are worried about. Our collaboration with the government this time is based on the significant potential of the tourism industry in Mingwu, which has long been slated for development. We have consulted experts for several years, so this is not a haphazard endeavor. They have proposed many excellent plans, among which are the local dialect and the local Nuo opera. If we can make good use of them, the benefits will extend beyond just economic gains."
Jiang Luwen drove while glancing at the empty passenger seat, and finally couldn't help but turn back, his tone slightly helpless: "I say, Du Weiyan, are you perhaps being a bit overly fearful?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she awkwardly stopped. Jiang Luwen would certainly be aware of her project proposal and funding support
When Du Weiyan reached the door, the sounds of conversation behind her seemed to grow louder. She faced the main entrance, and the floor-to-ceiling glass reflected the crowd behind her, with two individuals at the center, surrounded like stars encircling the moon
The car door slammed shut with a crisp sound behind her. It was unclear whether it was this sound that startled her, but Du Weiyan felt her heart momentarily pause. As she lowered her head, Jiang Luwen's tall shadow fell very close to her, slender and swaying like glass fibers stretched after being heated, reminding her of a strange and hazy period of time.
Du Weiyan paused for a moment, raising his head in disbelief, and asked him: "How did you know I was studying ... ... "
"Captain Wang, you summoned me here, isn't it just because of the dialect map?" Du Weiyan said clearly, tucking her hair behind her ear.
I apologize for keeping you waiting
Du Weiyan gazed out at the elevated structure outside the window, carefully pondering how to respond to his statement. However, in the end, she also admitted that she was somewhat afraid of him at the moment, and could only stiffly nod and say: "I will try my best to overcome it"
Jiang Luwen recalled that winter night when he sat in the hotel lobby, beside him a vase held several stargazer lilies, their fragrance was just like this. The crispness of the greenery, the slightly intoxicating scent, as he watched the elevator doors open and close, resembling the flow of mercury.
The sharp and round sounds are a pronunciation method used by ancient people. In simple terms, it is more complex and detailed than our current accents. The distinction between sharp and round sounds has been lost in our Mandarin, and it is now only preserved in some dialects. However, due to the promotion of Mandarin, it is gradually disappearing. Mingwu City is located in the southern geographical region, and in ancient times, it merged with a minority ethnic group from the south, resulting in an accent that is relatively more ancient compared to the entire Linxiu area. To this day, certain sounds still retain the distinction between sharp and round sounds. This is not difficult to identify.
Du Weiyan nodded and finally smiled as he said, "We are currently making the most of our time and will be going there for research in a few days"
The people in our area tend to use vulgar language that often involves maternal relatives. Sometimes, it also includes insults related to female characteristics. As far as I know, in Mingwu City and further south in the Hongyu region, it is rare to mention maternal traits when cursing. Considering that the language of the Hongyu Tian ethnic group is significantly different from the language we use in daily communication, we can exclude them. Those two individuals must be from Mingwu City.
Captain Wang ignored him, merely responding to Du Weiyan with a brief "Oh," and nodded, saying, "Understood, understood." In a moment of realization, as if he had found a savior, he repeatedly said, "Miss Du, we have a few more cases; if you have time, could you come and analyze them?"
It is both laughable and lamentable. No wonder, as Jiang Luwen mentioned, this hotel is accustomed to hosting government officials; it turns out that 01 means this.
Secondly, did you notice the profanity in their conversation
Oh, the dialect of Mingwu, although it cannot compare to the Tujia language, is still a living fossil. Last time, someone even suggested applying for it to be recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. I believe it must be protected. Otherwise, in a couple of years, it will be completely gone
"Good! Good!" The elderly gentleman, with a head full of white hair, shone brightly under the lights. "While development must proceed, cultural preservation must also be prioritized. My understanding is that the government must coordinate both aspects effectively. It is like this dialect; if development occurs and tourists flood in, everyone starts speaking Mandarin, leading to the extinction of the dialect. In the long run, this would be counterproductive." It is like this dialect; if development occurs and tourists flood in, everyone starts speaking Mandarin, leading to the extinction of the dialect. In the long run, this would be counterproductive.
A female police officer in uniform approached and placed a cup of water down: "Miss Du, please wait a moment. Captain Wang is in a meeting and will be out shortly"
"Hmm, no one told me you were back," Du Weiyan said, gazing somewhat absentmindedly out the window. "Time passes quickly"
Du Weiyan casually watched them enter another private room, and on the phone, Xiao Liang's voice sounded somewhat surprised: "Hey, it's all good now. It's fixed, it's fixed."
In her gaze, there was only the deep blue to pale white gradient long scarf wrapped around her neck. The tassels hung straight down, then began to sway gently, their color reminiscent of the clear lake water, with ripples momentarily stirred by the wind.
What could possibly be?
Also present were some experts and scholars in folklore, religious studies, and tourism development. Halfway through the banquet, Du Weiyan stood up and quietly said to Jiang Luwen: "I will go take a phone call"
Du Weiyan nodded slightly and said, "If that is the case, then of course it would be the best."
The car window slid down, and Jiang Luwen raised his profile slightly. Du Weiyan ran to the back seat, opened the car door, and sat inside, waving his hand to fan a barely perceptible breeze, smiling as he said, "It is really hot today"
Du Weiyan followed in his footsteps and stepped into the hall
The continuous stream of reports, coupled with the pressure from media exposure, has thrown the entire Public Security Bureau into chaos
Indeed, this matter is related to the migration of a branch of a minority ethnic group into Mingwu City. You see, some ethnic groups had a matriarchal clan system for a very long time in ancient times, and their beliefs were also associated with goddesses. These customs have been preserved to this day, reflected in the nuances of their language and culture; they do not mention the respected maternal relatives of the person being insulted. For example, Du Weiyan pondered for a moment and smiled awkwardly: 'They would not say—f*** your mother.' These customs have been preserved to this day, reflected in the nuances of their language and culture; they do not mention the respected maternal relatives of the person being insulted. For example, Du Weiyan pondered for a moment and smiled awkwardly: 'They would not say—f*** your mother.'
The waiter held the door open for her and smiled, saying, "Miss, please take care."
The green shade envelops, the stream flows far and wide, as if it were a glimpse of the past from the Republic of China, and also resembles a lingering and suspended moment in time
Du Weiyan glanced around, feeling a slight curiosity
Having repeated it twice, Du Weiyan could not help but turn back to take a glance
Captain Wang no longer offered pleasantries, shaking his head with a wry smile: "Alas, it's all a bit chaotic."
The first point is that you may not be able to discern that the speaker's accent contains a sharp rounded tone
Jiang Luwen cast a sidelong glance at her through the rearview mirror, his peripheral vision catching a few withered leaves drifting gently down outside the window. A passing girl's black hair was lifted by the wind, prompting him to tighten his collar.
Yet she never came down
Du Weiyan glanced at the burly man, whose stubble was thick and whose eyes had a hint of bloodshot, clearly indicating that he had stayed up for several nights. She reached out and shook his hand, smiling as she said, "Hello, Team Leader Wang"
Jiang Luwen spoke quickly, executing a smooth stop, and there was nothing unusual in his tone. He merely turned his head to look at her calmly and said: "It is indeed fast. However, when things pass quickly, some matters become difficult to forget"
The man who came out first was dressed in a suit and leather shoes, looking somewhat familiar. Du Weiyan concentrated for a moment and recalled. Wasn't he the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Linxiu Province who often appeared on television?
Du Weiyan thought for a moment and nodded in agreement—everything else could be considered later
Her fingertips brushed against the softening plastic shell of the cup due to the boiling water, and she gently exhaled, smiling as she said, "It's alright." After a pause, she asked, "Do you have a map of Linxiu Province here?"
On one side of the table, from his perspective, there is a young girl who is leaning over to examine the open map closely. She is wearing a beige trench coat, with the belt loosely hanging to one side. At this moment, her finger is pointing at a certain spot on the map, as if she is murmuring to herself
Great concealment lies within the city. Du Weiyan had previously passed by Zhongshan Road and had never known that there was such a wine house here. The entrance appears to be just an ordinary iron door, but once you step inside, you feel as if you have entered a different world
The service attendant opened the door to the private room and said, "Please come in"
In the past half month, the capital city of Linxiu Province, Tianyin City, has suddenly experienced a series of criminal activities carried out by a gang. Most of these incidents occur at night. The gang targets various victims, including taxi drivers and pedestrians walking alone.
The young lady dressed in a bright red qipao approached gracefully and smiled, saying, "Mr. Jiang, this way please"
The experienced criminal investigation team leader felt a twinge of distrust in his heart. It was unclear whose idea it was to invite this linguistics scholar. However, given the current circumstances, he had no choice but to treat a dead horse as if it were alive.
Her vision is not poor, but the interplay of light and shadow in the hotel, combined with the almost transparent clarity of the glass at the entrance, makes those figures appear somewhat ethereal
The man standing shoulder to shoulder with the secretary, dressed in white shirt and black pants, has a tall and slender figure, resembling a straight green bamboo by the gently flowing stream.
A small house with red tiles and white walls has a tiny dormer window protruding from it, and the walls are covered with climbing vines. As it is autumn, there is a slight sense of desolation and dryness. A gust of wind lifts several dry leaves, which flutter down to the lawn like butterflies
When Captain Wang of the Criminal Investigation Team pushed the door open, the large conference table coated with varnish seemed like a giant copper mirror, brightly reflecting the light and dazzling to the point that one could hardly open their eyes
Team Leader Wang directly brought Du Weiyan to the office, asking her to put on the headphones. Before she opened the player, he reiterated: "This is also a segment of conversation recorded unintentionally. The technical department has already processed it, and this is the clearest audio material we have obtained. Judging by the accent, it seems to be someone from our province."
"It's hot?" Jiang Luwen raised his hand to turn on the air conditioning, "Do you want to lower the temperature?"
Exiting the gate of the Provincial Public Security Bureau, Du Weiyan looked up at the sky, raised her hand to shield herself from the sunlight, and after a few seconds, without making her wait long, a car stopped in front of her
Jiang Luwen slowed his pace, walking beside Du Weiyan. Noticing her curiosity about the surroundings, he explained: "It's just a casual meal. Recently, the government is planning significant developments in the Mingwu area, so they are inviting some experts and scholars to discuss their views. It's nothing major."
A brief thirty seconds. The progress has reached the end, frozen.
Jiang Luwen's car is parked at the entrance and has been waiting for a while
Du Weiyan nodded slightly, put on the headphones, and listened intently to it once.
Du Weiyan glanced at the time and hesitated for a moment: "I have something to do today, Team Leader Wang. How about we schedule another time for next time?"
Xiao Liang's voice was cheerful: "It's nothing. Why are you being so polite with me? I'll hang up now."
"Are you really determined to develop Mingwu?" Du Weiyan followed Jiang Luwen's steps and asked, "It seems that the effort is considerable."
Although it was said in a half-joking tone, Du Weiyan felt somewhat suffocated. She hurriedly lowered her head, allowing him to catch a glimpse of the soft and smooth curve of her profile, her complexion translucent like crystal
A young criminal police officer walked by, unable to resist turning back for another glance, and asked with a smile: "Captain Wang, who is this?"
In a state of confusion, it is more appropriate to say "chaos and disorder"
Moreover, we indeed require dialect guides and language consultants
Du Weiyan comforted her with a few words as two waiters passed by her side. The red qipao was slit up to the thigh, revealing long, beautiful legs that were both youthful and stunning. One of them smiled and said, "The guests at today's banquet are truly young." The other said something unclear to Du Weiyan, but she only remembered a string of laughter that sounded like silver bells, scattering across the deep red carpet
Du Weiyan sat rigidly with a straight back and slowly got into the car
Du Weiyan stood there in a daze, offering a somewhat awkward smile, slowly lowering his hand, and after a long pause, finally spoke: "It is fine now"
Colleague Xiao Liang called. An instrument in the voice laboratory has encountered some faults, and Xiao Liang is anxiously pacing back and forth over there
Du Weiyan is considering how to explain to Team Wang in the simplest way what a sharp group tone is
Du Weiyan felt a sense of guilt: "Alas, I am truly sorry, I was supposed to be on duty tonight..."
After finishing a cup, he lowered his head and said to Du Weiyan, "When are you going to Mingwu? Would you like to go together?"
During his time in university, Du Weiyan had taken his class, thus he considered himself a student of his. He respectfully replied, "We are currently at the section on Ming Wu."
Du Weiyan felt a slight itch in her heart, finding it somewhat difficult to resist this proposal. ... If it were to collaborate with the Government Development Committee to enter Mingwu, undoubtedly everything would become much more convenient ... ? ... But the question is, would she go with him?
In the reception room of the Public Security Department of Linxiu Province, the air conditioning hummed. Du Weiyan looked up; the afternoon sunlight streamed in, and she squinted her eyes to watch a small yellow wasp outside the window. The little creature buzzed its wings, unaware of its fate, and crashed headfirst into the transparent glass, unable to enter, leaving behind a tiny black dot.
She closed her eyes and thought for a long time before saying, "I want to listen to it again"
Ten minutes later, Du Weiyan hung the map of Linxiu Province on the wall, with a black marker in hand. Before she began to write, she thought carefully for a moment, and then swiftly circled Mingwu City, located in the southern part of Linxiu Province, multiple times. She turned to Team Leader Wang and said, "At least these two individuals who are speaking come from Mingwu."
Captain Wang chuckled and scratched his head, asking, "So you are studying these things?"
The door of the private room over there has also been opened
"How could this be?" Du Weiyan said with a hint of uncertainty, glancing nervously at the rearview mirror. His eyes were exceptionally beautiful, bright yet sharp, as if he could effortlessly see through her thoughts.
Captain Wang blinked, somewhat dumbfounded
"Come here," Jiang Luwen said, extending his hand towards her
The man, focused on driving, suddenly relaxed a bit, leaning back against the seat, and his voice unconsciously carried a hint of laughter: "If I hadn't called you, were you planning to never contact me again?"
Du Weiyan squinted her eyes, the corners curving into a smile. Her lips were thin and delicate, resembling the expensive cherries found at today's fruit stalls, glistening with a deep red hue. Two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks, and her sharp canine teeth added a touch of lively and charming youthfulness to her face
He knows that she is on the third floor
Jiang Luwen did not notice her unusual behavior; he also stopped in his tracks, and the familiarity between them was as if they were two pendulums swinging in sync. The yellow light cast a faint golden veil over the entire corridor. Jiang Luwen looked down at her and suddenly smiled: "Junior Sister, you should ask, what is it that I do not know?"
Jiang Lvwenshu raised his wine glass and said with a smile: "The opinions of all the experts will be taken into consideration during our development. Please rest assured"