Chapter 135 No such person found
In the dressing room of a film crew, some actors were fixing their makeup in preparation for the next round of filming. In a corner, five old men were chatting animatedly.
"Hey Jinpei-chan, do you remember when we were in police academy, we got robbed at a convenience store? If we had actually gone on to make movies back then, we would probably be world-famous superstars by now, right?"
"Come on! With your exaggerated acting skills, which director would want to work with you?"
"That's not right of you. I was so handsome when I was young, so many girls were chasing after me! Even now that I'm older, I'm still as charming as ever. Otherwise, how could I have been chosen for this role?"
"Hagi, you need to understand your place. The rest of us are just minor characters, with very little screen time. If it weren't for Morofushi..."
"Shh!" Zero interrupted Matsuda, lowering her voice to say, "Don't mention Kei's name here. Kei doesn't want others to know his identity."
"Tsk tsk, you two did a really good job keeping this a secret. You've both been retired for so many years, so what if you mentioned his name? Besides, wasn't it a novel published anonymously?"
"I'm afraid you'll reveal that Jing is the author of the original novel for the movie. What if other people hear about it and fans come knocking on my door? I just wanted to take this role as an extra to leave a memento."
"Speaking of which, Furuya, you've won an Oscar, haven't you? You must be quite adept at playing such a small role, right?" Date asked.
"Class monitor, are you mistaken? I was just pretending to accept the award for someone else that time. I wasn't the one who won the award."
"But I think your acting during your acceptance speech was legendary!"
"Oh my, look who's here!" Hagiwara led the applause, making Kagemitsu a little embarrassed.
"Hey Zero, doesn't this look a bit...?"
"No, no! This outfit is super cool! Sunglasses and a floral shirt suit you really well." Zero circled around her childhood friend like a puppy.
"Isn't this a bit like the outfit we wore at the convenience store back then?" Matsuda asked.
"Really? I don't remember dressing so flamboyantly back then," Hagiwara muttered to himself. "I just remember Jinpei-chan's clothes having a color scheme that looked like scrambled eggs with tomatoes."
"Huh? Hagi, are you out of your mind? I was clearly dressed up looking so handsome!"
"Jing, I remember you were wearing a white tie back then!"
Jingguang tilted his head and recalled, "White? I remember it being black."
“It should be dark blue, right?” Hagiwara said.
“Impossible, I remember it being light gray,” Matsuda retorted confidently.
The class monitor, known for ending conversations, made a surprising remark: "I seem to remember it being cherry blossom pink."
The four of them replied in unison, "No! You must be mistaken!"
During filming, a small incident occurred. As instructed by the director, Matsuda was required to disassemble a car engine. His skillful movements attracted the attention of other young extras.
"This is the first time I've ever seen such an old-fashioned car! I never imagined the inside would look like this."
"Yes, yes, this must be a design from at least several decades ago. I wonder where the props department got it from."
"Hey, what's the power source for this car?"
"They say it's made with oil."
Vegetable oil or animal oil?
Matsuda said, both amused and annoyed, "Kids, this kind of car runs on gasoline! It's made from oil refined from petroleum."
Everyone looked as if they had suddenly realized something, then scattered like birds and beasts, returning to their positions to continue filming.
Jingguang witnessed this scene and couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
"Jing, what are you thinking about?"
"Zero, do you think technology has progressed or regressed?"
"Of course it's progress. Don't you think so?"
"Although we have more new energy sources and transportation is becoming more and more convenient, movies still need people to make them. In fact, many people are now returning to the era of typing on keyboards."
Jing Guang's last point refers to the fact that mind writing technology has been ordered to be rectified due to privacy issues, which has led to a retro trend of manual typing in recent years.
"Don't deny the progress of the entire era based on just one or two points."
"I'm not denying it, I'm just wondering what Osiris would think if he were still alive and saw all this?"
"Why bring him up for no reason? We should just mind our own business."
"Fine, I won't think about him anymore. It's strange, he's been gone for so many years, but it's as if he's never left."
With so many things happening in the world every day, it's long been impossible to distinguish which chain reactions were triggered by Osiris's actions.
After filming ended, the five people went home.
"Let's get together again sometime. I have an interview tomorrow morning, so I won't be drinking with everyone tonight," Jingguang said.
"Oh dear, Zhu Fu is such a busy man these days. It's a deal, you're treating next time!"
It's a deal.
Jingguang and Ling maintained their old habit of walking home.
Ling Youyou sighed, "Jing, I only made a suggestion on a whim back then. I never expected you to write so much! In the blink of an eye, all these years have passed, and the fifth book in the Cats and Dogs series is about to be published, and it's even been adapted into a movie. This can be considered a long-cherished wish fulfilled!"
Jingguang, who had just unlocked his new identity, echoed with a sigh, "Yes, I didn't think many people would read it. Luckily, I followed your advice and used a pen name, otherwise it might have caused a lot of trouble."
The author of "No Such Person: The Story of Cats and Dogs" is "Cat," and no biographical information is provided. When asked why, the author only replied, "I have always believed that the work is the only way for readers to understand the author."
Throughout his life, Jingguang's experience was truly astonishing. He was a spy with a thousand faces, capable of both preparing exquisite delicacies with a kitchen knife and taking the lives of his opponents with a sharp blade; he could converse eloquently with guests in a magnificent banquet hall, or infiltrate enemy lines in the dead of night to conduct reconnaissance and eavesdropping.
Jingguang wrote his entire life story into vivid, dramatic, and epic tales, which is the main reason for the great success of the Cats & Dogs series.
Furthermore, the novel sparked numerous related effects. For instance, inspired by the original work, manga artist Gosho Aoyama created the mystery manga *Detective Conan*, modeled after the beloved young detective from the original story. The perpetually first-grader detective, Conan Edogawa, appears at various crime scenes, assisting the police with their deductions. The resulting *Detective Conan* universe is another story in itself.
The next day, Jing Guang was interviewed by reporters. To protect their identities, the two did not speak face-to-face, but rather via remote voice call.
[The following is part of the interview content]
Reporter: Mr. Cat, it's said that the fifth book in the Cats and Dogs series is about to be published. Would you be willing to share some information? I wonder what kind of surprise you will bring to readers in this final installment?
Jingguang: The fifth book mainly tells the story of the last mission I carried out before retirement, as well as some aspects of my life after retirement. The first draft is now complete, and the editor is still reviewing it. It is expected to be available to everyone before the end of the year.
Reporter: That's something to look forward to! Mr. Cat, as a spy in such a high-risk profession, you've encountered countless crises throughout your decades-long career. I'm very curious, what's your secret to turning danger into safety time and time again?
Jingguang: The right timing, the right location, and the right people are all indispensable. If I had to say there's a secret, it's probably that I've always been lucky, and that I've had a very good partner who's always been there for me (laughs).
Reporter: Since the publication of your first novel, a popular theory has emerged among readers: many people say that the "cat" in the story is not a person, but rather a code name inherited by the next person after their death, and so on, generation after generation. Even Mr. Gosho Aoyama was deeply influenced by this theory, setting Scotch whisky as dead in his manga "Detective Conan." What are your thoughts on this?
Jingguang: Actually, I've seen similar analyses online, and I think they make a lot of sense. Because there have been several times when I wasn't even sure I'd survive… In my decades-long career, I've dealt with countless colleagues and peers, many of whom were just as capable as me, yet for various reasons didn't make it to the end. So I understand everyone's questions: after being seriously injured and near death so many times, why have I always managed to escape unscathed? As for the reason, I already answered: I'm one of the luckiest among countless agents. And that's precisely why I'm able to become the protagonist and write this story for everyone (laughs).
Reporter: You just mentioned being on the verge of death, and I'd like to ask another question. I've noticed something interesting: in your four published novels, whenever you describe a life-or-death situation, it's often accompanied by descriptions of cold, such as snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and freezers. Is this a coincidence or intentional? In your decades of experience, how could it be such a coincidence that every life-or-death situation you've faced has been in extreme cold?
Jingguang: Hmm…it seems you've noticed a very important point. First, I want to clarify that the Cat and Dog series is indeed based on my real experiences. However, due to some confidentiality and privacy issues, I haven't recorded every single experience in detail; after all, it's just a novel with literary embellishment. Furthermore, your suspicion is correct. I didn't encounter coldness in every crisis; I've also encountered many other situations, such as explosions, fires, shootings, and so on. I either didn't include those in the story or made some appropriate adaptations.
Reporter: So, can I understand that "extreme cold" in the text is an abstract concept, not a real physical sensation? Just like writers often use flowers to highlight a woman's beauty, or use sunshine to symbolize a bright future, in your case, does coldness imply a great threat to life?
Jingguang: Yes, that's one way to understand it.
Reporter: Why link near-death experiences with extreme cold? Is it because excessive blood loss leads to hypothermia?
Jingguang: I think it's related to my childhood experiences. In my first book, I mentioned that when I was seven, my partner fell into a frozen lake and almost died. That incident had a profound impact on me. In the decades that followed, supporting each other, whenever we were in danger, the scene from that day would flash back in my mind again and again. The story of the cat and the dog is my story with him; he is half of my destiny. That's why my descriptions of near-death experiences are always cold, like being immersed in ice water.
Reporter: There are quite a few spy novels on the market, the most famous being the 007 series by former MI6 agent Ian Fleming. In comparison, the protagonist of the Cats & Dogs series doesn't seem as formidable. Did you deliberately conceal your true abilities?
Jing Guang: James Bond is certainly an excellent agent. But I'm not writing this story to boast about my achievements or to satisfy other people's curiosity. I've seen too much bloodshed from my predecessors; I have no right to boast about how great I am in front of them. In this life, I've killed people, made mistakes, and there are some things I still don't know whether they were right or wrong, and I may never have the answers. I'm not a perfect protagonist, much less a savior hero. I just want to record the people I've met and the things I've experienced from my perspective, nothing more.
Reporter: You created a large number of characters in the Cats & Dogs series. Among them, the most popular supporting character is Detective Conan, whose screen time in the first book is so extensive that it's hard not to feel that he overshadows the main characters. What are your thoughts on this?
Jingguang: I think Conan's role is very reasonable (laughs). On the one hand, Conan does play an important role in the whole case, and on the other hand, children are more vivid and interesting than us two grown men, so we used more time to focus on him.
Reporter: Reading your novel felt like eating a chocolate candy. Although it's coated in a layer of sugar and cream, the inside is highly concentrated, pure cocoa, and it tastes bitter. Do you feel you've had a good life?
Jingguang: For people like us who live on the edge every day, you wouldn't believe me even if I said words like "happy, fulfilling, and sweet" (laughs). I can only say that even if it means going through fire and water, I'd still be happy to do it. This life has been worthwhile, and I have no regrets.
Reporter: Being a secret agent is a very mysterious profession. In your first book, you said, "This book is dedicated to the hunters hidden in the darkness; may you eventually meet in a place without darkness." However, the Cats & Dogs series also exposes some corruption within intelligence agencies and power struggles between superiors. Did you have any concerns about such depictions? Wouldn't it damage the image of the secret police?
Jing Guang: I specifically mentioned these things to serve as a warning to future generations. Because I was manipulated by my superiors back then, I don't want those who come after me to be deceived like I was. Secret agents are human too; we are not just knives or guns, summoned and dismissed at will. It is crucial to be discerning and clear about one's own position before each mission.
Reporter: What have you been doing since you retired?
Jingguang: Writing novels, huh? (laughs)
Reporter: Are you completely focused on creating art? Have you felt any discomfort with the change in your role?
Jingguang: Actually, I started writing novels because I couldn't find anything to do after I retired. In the process of writing, I relived my passionate youth. By looking back, my heart gradually calmed down. Now I also have real cats and dogs; we are a loving family (laughs).
Reporter: Thank you for accepting our interview today. We also look forward to your final work!
Jingguang: Thank you!
"Meow—" The fat orange cat scurried over and lay down on Jingguang's lap. When this cat first came home, it was just a little ball of fur, but over the years it has grown fatter and fatter, truly deserving of the nickname "Snowflake".
“What’s wrong with being a family? You can’t exactly say we’re all loving cats, can you? We also have half dogs in our family!” Jingguang said, rubbing the cat’s big head. Perhaps because he had personally experienced being a cat, Jingguang was quite familiar with cat language.
"Jing, is the interview over?" Ling poked her head out and asked.
"Yes, it went very smoothly."
"The editor has replied to you."
"Okay, I'm coming right now."
Jing Guang carefully read through the editor's comments. Ling noticed the expression on his face and asked, "Jing, what's wrong? Do we need to make major changes?"
"It wasn't a major change, but the editor wasn't too satisfied with the ending, saying it was too cliché and they hoped to elevate the theme."
"But most novels only have one of two endings: the protagonist goes through hardships and either achieves a happy ending or dies. So what's wrong with writing about Mr. Cat and Mr. Dog living happily ever after? A happy ending can only be like this, right?"
"That being said, I think the editor has a point. This kind of fairytale ending really doesn't fit with spy novels."
Zero said thoughtfully, "How about adding another unfinished task?"
"It seems like we don't have any missions anymore, right? Can raising cats and dogs after retirement be considered a mission?" Jing Guang asked, both amused and exasperated.
“Although we have retired, the tasks of the public security bureau are still heavy. Didn’t Jing tell me before that the ultimate meaning of all novels includes two aspects: life continues, and death is inevitable. Even if one day you and I enter the grave, there will be successors to take over our cause.”
"Well said! Then I'll rewrite it again."
Jingguang returned to his computer and painstakingly wrote the final ending to the story, word by word.
Many people have asked me: What is the meaning of this job? When I was younger, I would have answered, "For fairness and justice, for the country and its people." But now I wouldn't answer that question with such impassioned words.
Like you, I am just an ordinary person, a tiny individual within a grand narrative. I have no power to influence the course of the nation or society. I only know that some things must be done by someone, and I happen to be the one capable of doing them, so I did them. Sometimes, even without absolute certainty, I am willing to give it a try.
So-called meaning and value are imposed by humans. They are usually used to explain the reasons for existence and the motivations behind something. Something needs explanation because its context is unclear and its meaning ambiguous. However, some things need no explanation. Just as doctors only explain why people get sick or die but don't need to explain why they live, just as hunger leads to eating and thirst to drinking—their existence and motivation are self-evident.
Similarly, my work doesn't need any particular logic. When the sun shines brightly on the earth, there are always shadows lurking, where hunters skilled in disguise are needed to blend into the darkness and deal with those things that can't be brought to light.
A senior once told me to always keep a light burning in your heart, so you won't get lost. Now I send this blessing to you all: always remember to believe in yourselves and never forget your original aspirations. The road ahead is long, full of thorns and overgrown with weeds, waiting for you to forge your own path.
Of course, I've also hoped that one day my profession would become a thing of the past, but now that dream seems too far off. I'm old, too old to work on the front lines anymore, and I hope you can do even better than me. I've mentored many new people, and many of them have become seniors themselves; every year, fresh blood flows in. I believe that justice will prevail over evil, and I believe the future will surely be brighter. From the initial sparks of light, like a continuously burning flame, it will be passed down from generation to generation, ultimately illuminating all the dark corners.
Chong Ming Ji Yan, endless life!
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