Chapter 11 Chapter 4 Woila

The woman's face was symmetrical from left to right, her skin had a translucent texture, her eyes were as clear as glass beads, but they were also as hollow as glass beads.People who faced the woman were all attracted by her eyes, and soon after, they were driven by an indescribable emotion, and they couldn't help lowering their heads.Because those pupils are particularly impressive, strongly attracting those who see them, but at the same time strongly rejecting those who see them. Women can keep their faces blank.Her indifference even gave people an ominous premonition, making people feel that even if she stabbed her in the chest like this, she would definitely die like this without showing a trace of pain.

Look away from the woman. familiar room. Tired of sights. The foreign object in it - a woman. --right. She looks just like the celluloid doll I always wanted as a kid, Atsuko Chuzenji thought. A doll with blonde hair in a fluffy dress. Atsuko had longed for it. But... At that time, Atsuko left her parents' side and was fostered in an acquaintance's house. Even if she broke her mouth, she didn't dare to ask for that kind of luxury. ——Since I was so young... From such a young age... that's how it was. Atsuko looked at the woman.So the woman looked more and more like that doll.The only difference from the doll is the shiny, straight black hair that has just been washed.The celluloid woman was in Atsuko's freshly laundered pajamas.Sleeping on Atsuko's bed, looking out the window.No, maybe she was staring out the window at night.

Atsuko looked into the woman's pupils again. The void in the glass bead. Atsuko stopped staring. "This room..." "what?" "...This room is very good." The woman said. "yes……?" The room was undecorated and dull. "Great," the woman said.Tonko smiled. "At first glance, it looks like a cultural residence, but it is very old. It looks stylish because it used to be a painter's studio. The painter died soon after the war... Ah, sorry, this topic makes people uncomfortable. So comfortable." The woman said it didn't matter.She was still expressionless, but spoke very softly.

"Uh... I heard that no one wants to rent it all the time. Everyone thinks it's scary, but I don't care much about such things, so..." "I don't mind either," the woman said. "Really? So even though it's a single-family house, the rent is cheap..." Atsuko looked around his room again. Just a wide room with wooden floors.Bed, desk, small dining table, small dressing table, bookshelf, sideboard.Atsuko lived in this room.Originally the bedroom was in another room, but she didn't use it.She put all the furniture left by the previous owner when she moved in—canvases and plaster statues, etc.—all in it, and she has never touched it since.

Atsuko didn't hear the details of how the previous owner died, but the walls of the bedroom were stained with countless spots of paint or blood, and even Atsuko didn't want to sleep there. She rented it three years ago when she got a job. The reason for the decision was that it was small but had a bathroom attached.She anticipated that her new job would disrupt her routine.Despite wanting to participate in social life, Atsuko was unwilling to sacrifice the enjoyment of bathing. But in the end, Atsuko still ran to the bathhouse to take a bath.Because a person lives alone, taking a bath at home is too uneconomical.And buying fuel is also very troublesome.

She told the woman these things. "It's strange, isn't it? The insignificant convenience is better than the fear. I am... such a woman." "It's not surprising at all." The woman's voice was still gentle. "Speaking of which... is it really okay? I've troubled you so much... and I borrowed the bathroom..." "Oh..." Atsuko responded briefly. "Please don't mind. I'm casual when I'm alone...but when I have guests, at least..." "I... am not a guest." "But... you saved me." "I saved you..." the woman said here.There was silence.

Frogs sounded. "Where is this area...?" the woman asked. Atsuko replied, "It's Kammacho, Setagaya District." The woman said "oh" absently. "This place...is so quiet." "This is a so-called pastoral residential area that was very popular before the war. Although the location is good, but when you step in and look, there is nothing... But I just go home and sleep." "Wouldn't it be...unsafe?" "It's not safe." Atsuko replied. "However... there is nothing to be lazy about, so..." "But……"

——Those people during the day... Indeed, they might attack here.It was easy for them to find out Atsuko's residence.Having said that... —Will they do this? Atsuko doesn't think so. The incident during the day should have happened by chance. If they had planned revenge, they should have attacked the editorial department first.But…… If you don't want to alert the police, the other party may also target personal attacks.It is easier to conceal the intent of an attack than an attack on a publishing house or an individual's home.Even if Atsuko was attacked at home, it depends on the situation.It may also be treated as a simple mob intrusion incident.

--So…… It might be dangerous here. The woman looked at Atsuko. "do you live alone?" "Well, my brother and sister-in-law live in Nakano... My parents live far away. I... have no relationship with my family, and my family is scattered everywhere..." Atsuko has never lived with his family. It's not that the family has a bad relationship, nor is there a financial problem, it can only be said that there is no fate. The elder brother who was far apart in age was adopted by his grandfather when he was seven years old, and Atsuko was also fostered at the age of seven by his parents' acquaintance in Kyoto, the sister-in-law's natal family, and each was raised by others.When Atsuko was born, his elder brother was no longer with his parents, so Atsuko met his elder brother Qiu Yan for the first time in the summer when he was eight years old.Later, Atsuko went to Tokyo to join his elder brother in the year of his grandfather's death, but encountered situations such as war evacuation, and ended up living with his elder brother for only half a year.

However, Atsuko’s host family in Kyoto regarded Atsuko as her own, and Atsuko was regarded as someone her sister admired, and later became her sister-in-law, so Atsuko never felt lonely or unfortunate, but the members of the family were not related by blood. .And Dunzi felt that even if his parents were not around, they were still alive. In that case, the relationship between parent and child would still be the same.Come to think of it, Atsuko's personality, which is independent if it sounds good, and extremely low interdependence if it sounds bad, was indeed cultivated in such an environment.

"Aren't you lonely?" the woman asked. Loneliness—what kind of mood is this feeling?Atsuko thought.If she is lonely, she has always been lonely, if she is not lonely, she will not feel lonely in the future. After much deliberation, she replied, "Although it's dangerous, I don't feel lonely." The woman didn't answer, she lowered her gaze slightly and said, "I'm... very lonely." "Are you...alone too?" The woman nodded. Although still expressionless - but looking sad. Show emotion without needlessly contracting or relaxing facial muscles.The same goes for Bunraku dolls and Noh masks. These masks are supposed to have no expressions, but they can express rich expressions, right? "I've always been alone," the woman repeated. "Always……" "When I found out, I was alone. I've been alone ever since." "you……" Atsuko is still unable to ask the woman's name. He invited her to his home, invited her to dinner, and even prepared to let her stay overnight, but Atsuko didn't even know the woman's name or identity.If you say you are not careful, there is really nothing more careless than this. The current development is completely unimaginable for Dunzi's usually overly cautious personality. --But…… The woman saved Atsuko. ——Even so... It doesn't mean it can be trusted.Atsuko knew nothing about women.As long as there is doubt, there are many suspicious things.No... this woman is obviously suspicious, but... Atsuko looked into the woman's eyes. half a day ago... Atsuko lives in Ginza. She just finished the interview.Today is the last day of Japan Columbia's first public trial broadcast of color TV in Japan held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya. Atsuko works in the editorial department of the magazine "Rare Tan Monthly".Just looking at the title of the magazine, it seems to be a suspicious dross magazine, but it is actually very decent.The frontispiece of the magazine reads: The purpose of the founding of this journal - this journal is dedicated to the mystery of the ignorance of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from ancient and modern times from a rational perspective, and wants to use the light of wisdom to resolutely sweep away the darkness called unknown. In other words, it is to re-examine and reveal so-called mysteries such as mysterious events, incredible rumors, and strange phenomena from a scientific and modern point of view. What a crazy idea. To not know is to be stupid—the idea is one-sided and discriminatory.Also Enlightenment, which is annoying. This is the same idea as tall noses are better than flat noses, and fair skin is better than dark skin.It is very similar to stepping into undeveloped areas domineeringly, holding high the banner of civilization, and brainwashing and colonizing the aborigines.To be ignorant is to be foolish—that is not true in the first place.And whether you know it or not, the world will not change. --but…… To be honest, it's not that Atsuko doesn't understand that view. Because Atsuko herself is that kind of person. She doesn't think ignorance is stupid, but without wisdom, Atsuko may not be able to breathe.So Atsuko secretly hates ignorance.For example, even if she is asked to choose between apples and oranges, she will first come up with a reason.Originally, there is no need for a reason to like, but without a reason, Atsuko can't decide.In order to make a decision, she needs knowledge, she needs logic.For Atsuko, wisdom is absolutely indispensable in life. --boring. Atsuko can't even decide what he likes. Logic and ethics are always hovering above his head, and Atsuko consults them all the time and spends every day.Without an oracle of logic, she couldn't even blink. Atsuko is such a person. So sometimes she even hates herself. Even so, she loves the job. She felt that this job was suitable for her. Speaking of which, there are no more mysteries in the world now.It doesn't take a small island nation's magazines to step up.The world has long been ashamed of its own ignorance, and the darkness is constantly driven out.At lightning speed, the night is blinding, humans are wise, and the future is bright.Therefore, it was not the turn of the Rare Tan Monthly. The recent reports are almost all about reinterpreting history, or redefining the place of crime in social science, and the latest news of scientific development-it is increasingly biased towards such topics that will be reported even if they are left alone. Today, Atsuko learned the principle of color TV. What if she thinks she knows?But Atsuko still found it very interesting.Although not particularly interested, she listened very carefully.Jinguang does not know how to make TVs after listening to it, and curiosity will still be aroused. The developer explained eagerly. I always feel so envious. It was the same when Atsuko went to Hyogo to visit the Science Fair half a month ago.Science is advancing by leaps and bounds, technology is constantly innovating, and the glorious twentieth century—everyone's eyes are shining brightly, and they keep shouting: "It's so beautiful, it's so beautiful!" Atsuko... thinks so too. But thinking about it calmly, she couldn't help wondering if this was really beautiful?The lady from the public relations department said that nuclear energy is a dream energy that will support the next generation.No doubt it must be so. But just eight years ago, wasn’t it also nuclear energy that claimed many lives? The development of science and technology does not necessarily make human beings happy.The atomic bomb is by no means a beautiful thing, although it is not beautiful.But isn't the atomic bomb also one of the achievements of science? --But…… Even so, Atsuko still finds science interesting.She understands the negatives, but still thinks nuclear energy is great. This must have nothing to do with the luck or misfortune of mankind.For science, scientific progress is beautiful in itself.So scientists don't think about humans at all, they only think about science.Otherwise, science would not be able to develop. Whether to benefit or suffer depends on the discretion of the user. —It must be so. Atsuko thought so, and hated himself even more. Atsuko is the kind of person who is fascinated by the logical thought process described by scientists.As for the consequences of such thinking?It must have been secondary to her. --For example…… Assuming that a new type of killing weapon is developed, Atsuko cannot have a good impression of this weapon.That's for sure, but if the construction of this weapon is as good as it's ever been - then that's the part that Atsuko should find interesting. From the perspective of morality and ethics, such an idea is obviously too frivolous.No matter how brilliant its logic, it shouldn't be interesting if its use is limited to killing.Even so, Atsuko still can't suppress the desire to indulge in logical pleasures.In a sense, this may be a desire to escape from reality. She sometimes thinks that way too. Logic is merciless and merciless; it doesn't twist or stretch; it's neither sad nor funny.There is only the joy of accumulating a process without turning around, and the joy of reaching a conclusion full of integration, without a single gap.She felt... so perfect. It is impossible for reality to bear such a perfect fruit. The real world is unstable, unreasonable, and so-so. Things like logic and concepts are, to put it bluntly, non-empirical things.These are generally derived from pure speculation and are non-empirical.In other words, not closely related to real life. Get to the bottom of it.Atsuko just has a strong longing for a non-experiential ideal worldview-she escapes the empirical society-that's all. Thinking about it this way made Atsuko feel a little -- really only a little -- sad.She vaguely thought to herself that she was really a conventional and meaningless woman.And even at this time, Atsuko felt that there was still a strangely vigilant self above her head, and said with a sneer, "This woman obviously doesn't really think so", and felt even more self-loathing. This is the reason why Atsuko didn't return directly to the editorial department today. She wants to take some illogical action. Whim. Since he said he wanted to go back before going out, it was illogical if he didn't go back when he could go back.Atsuko wanted to make a phone call, but gave up.She has no reason not to go back.But even though there is no reason, the editorial department may allow her not to go back, but after obtaining an understanding, the violation of the routine will lose the escape. It didn't make sense for Atsuko to bend into the alley. The large pane of glass in the barbershop reflected a figure that she couldn't tell was male or female, so she stopped in her tracks. Neither long nor short bangs. Atsuko always had long hair when she was studying.Atsuko no longer remembers what she looked like at that time.She neither likes nor dislikes her current face, and she doesn't remember how she felt when she had long hair.The reason why she cut her hair short was not because of likes or dislikes, nor was it suitable.People don't need long hair to live-Atsuko just cut it off for this reason. — boring woman. Would you feel the same way if you were a man? ——Atsuko asked himself, and then thought it was a boring question.There is no reason for Atsuko to have to link gender with personal preferences and traits.Even if the gender is male, there should not be much difference inside Atsuko, so the conclusion can be imagined. ——It's boring here. Atsuko walked quickly as if to bid farewell to the boring woman reflected on the glass, and then bent into a narrower alley. A big fat black wild cat gave a short "meow", kicked on the lid of the trash can and escaped. Dirty, riotous landscape. There is no interest at all, just like myself. — This city is just right for her. Atsuko thought the same thing the day she came to Tokyo.She felt that this kind of scenery and life that lacked interest and killed scenery was perfectly suitable for her.She still thinks so. Atsuko grew up in Kyoto as a child. Nearly ten years have passed since I came to Tokyo.Even so, the former friends still said in unison: "You must be very uncomfortable with life in Tokyo?" But Atsuko didn't think so. There is nothing superfluous about the riotous scenery.No, it clearly states itself: excess is excess.In a city that pursues convenience, useless things are all garbage.Garbage can only be superfluous.On the contrary, the scene full of interest makes it difficult to judge what is superfluous.No, interest is superfluous, so it can touch people's hearts. Atsuko understands this, understands that understands... It would be great if we could quantify it and realize that as long as we tolerate excess, we can express interest. This is impossible.It is precisely because it is impossible that it is called taste.Atsuko also understands this very well, but... The alley is a dead end. It's a dead end. Atsuko turned around abruptly. Right now... In the middle of the alley—a woman appeared. Skin takes on a translucent texture. The upright face is symmetrical. Eyes are as clear as glass beads, but also as hollow as glass.Are women afraid?Or was she always like that?Atsuko couldn't judge.The white dress on her body was terribly dirty, and she had no shoes on her feet. The woman looked behind Atsuko. A woman who escaped punishment from a rogue boss—the first pattern that crossed Atsuko's mind was the old-fashioned image. But——as far as escape is concerned, the woman's movements are quite slow, and it seems that she is even leisurely.It's just that although her movements are slow, she still seems to be concerned about chasing soldiers, but it doesn't look like she doesn't know where to flee, or she is tired. In any case, the appearance of the woman is indeed somewhat unusual.Tsunade stopped. The woman found Atsuko. The well-shaped, but completely bloodless lips parted. --Danger. The voice was so small that I couldn't hear it clearly, but the woman's lips did say so. --Danger? Then came the voice of a man.Atsuko immediately ran close to the woman, passed her, and returned to the alley.She poked her neck out to see that several men were running past the entrance of the alley that turned in at first. Looking back, the woman was looking at Atsuko, her eyes seemed to be asking for help.Dunzi asked her in a low voice: "Is someone chasing you?" The woman replied: —Someone is chasing me too. ——Is there someone chasing you? The woman's voice is like a glass wind chime. --and also……? What does it mean? In short, someone is indeed chasing the woman.But even though it is afternoon, the sun is still high in the sky.As long as you go to the main road, there are many pedestrians on the street. Atsuko feels that it is safer to go out to places with many people than to hide in the alleys where there are no people.Atsuko said so, but the woman shook her head and said: ——If found, they will be followed. Indeed, it is not wise to act violently on the spot, and there is no need to arrest people on the road.In other words, you can only get rid of them.But no matter what, staying in a dead end with nowhere to escape can only sit and wait for death.Atsuko thought for a while, and told the woman that she would call the police and ask her to hide.In this case, it would be most appropriate to do so.In an illegal and crisis-ridden situation, it is the correct judgment of a kind-hearted citizen in a country ruled by law to hand it over to the police. But the woman said: ——That's... too dangerous. At first Atsuko thought she meant "I will be caught if I hide here, I will be afraid", but she was wrong. The woman seemed to be warning Atsuko. The woman said that it was not her who was in danger, but Atsuko. --I? The woman suddenly looked up.At the same time, there was the sound of someone approaching again.Atsuko instantly bumped into the wooden door next to him.The door was unlocked, and it seemed to be someone's backyard.Atsuko took the woman's hand, pulled her inside, and closed the wooden door. Click on the latch. Atsuko wanted to ask, but the woman put her index finger in front of her lips.After a while, there were loud footsteps outside the fence.This is a dead-end alley, and you can tell that it will not be a passerby.Atsuko and the woman hid behind the door for an entire hour holding their breath.Later, the woman didn't know the reason, and said: "It shouldn't matter anymore." Atsuko opened the wooden door inexplicably. The alleys and the main road have disappeared from the traces of those men. those men... The woman explained briefly: As soon as they saw Dunzi on the road, their expressions changed drastically, they cursed, and rushed towards Dunzi, but Dunzi suddenly turned into an alley, so they lost track of him. Atsuko was puzzled. Why would I be targeted. What purpose do they have? Those people were furious, the woman said. The woman also warned that she didn't know what they would do. those men... Those guys..., yes... The woman said they were members of the Hallyu Chido Club. Hearing this name, Atsuko finally realized suddenly. Dunzi knew it well. Hallyu Airway will... The sound of frogs sounded. Dunzi came back to his senses. She seemed to be staring at the woman's glass bead pupils. Or is it more correct to say be charmed? Did you watch it for a few minutes, a few seconds, or just a moment? The woman looked at Atsuko with a seemingly gentle expression on her face. ——How old is this person? Can't tell the age. I couldn't see what she was thinking. Identity and name also... --Who is this guy? "Excuse me..." Atsuko said, her voice hoarse. "……you……" --who is it? "...you...and those people—people from the Hallyu Association, uh...what is it..." ——Why can't I ask her name directly? The woman slightly changed the angle of her face, feeling her expression darken. "I have nothing to do with them, but those people... I think they... want to use me." "use?" "Yes, they came to me again and again, and I refused all of them. But today...they forced me to come out..." "Bring it out...?" "Yes. Four or five people broke in suddenly and threatened me that if I don't want to suffer, I will be obedient. I can't resist. Because they saw you, three of them ran out, and a corner of the wall surrounding me was missing. , I quickly got rid of them and fled. So it can also be said...you saved me." "This……" What's the meaning?this person…… "I..." the woman said. "I know the future." "Predict future?" Atsuko is confused. According to Atsuko's common sense, foreknowledge is impossible.The future does not exist, although it can be predicted, it is impossible to predict.The so-called forecast derived from past data is just a tentative selection from an infinite number of options.Moreover, he only chose the option with higher probability, which is only a matter of probability.The future already exists, and the future can be known - Atsuko doesn't believe in such things like reversing the law of causality. "Can you predict the future?" Atsuko asked again. But the woman almost indifferently, flatly denied her words. "I don't know, I think it's fake." "fake……?" "Fake...is fake." "That……" "I think...someone acted on what I said. It doesn't make sense to know what happened in the future, right?" "Does the prophet himself make the prophecy come true?" "It's not what I expected. As long as I say something, someone will make it come true... Whether I want it or not, my words will become reality one after another. This...is not my will." "How is it possible...? When you say someone, you mean..." "I don't know that," the woman said. "I'm scared, I can't take it anymore. No, I really don't want to. I don't want to, but I'm lonely...so I feel a little happy to be thanked and trusted. And at first I I believe it. I... originally believed in my own ability..." "Wait a minute, you..." ——Could it be... "...Are you... a maiden of Fairy Hua?" The woman turned her face to an angle that looked extremely sad. "I'm not called...that name. But that's what everyone calls me." "so……" The female fortune teller Hua Xiangu is a popular topic nowadays. It is said that Hua Xiangu's predictions are not only infallible, but also have the magical power to turn bad luck into good luck.But Hua Xiangu is not only her identity, but also her age and appearance are unknown.Where she lives has not been made public. Even so, rumors spread secretly through word of mouth, and it is said that her name even reached the financial circles. A certain politician consulted with Hua Xiangu to discuss how to deal with herself, and a certain company consulted Hua Xiangu's opinions one by one to decide on a business policy.Probably not long after the cherry blossoms withered, such rumors spread quietly and seriously. At first, it should have been just a mocking rumor in the city. But it didn't take long for such rumors to become involved in scandals, gradually multiplying themselves, and turning into dark suspicions. What cabinet-level heavyweight politician was seduced by a female fortune-teller and turned into a wimp, what that woman can change the stock price with a single word, what that woman is Daji of Showa, and she wants to rule this country in a delusional way—irresponsible The rumors intensified and seemed endless. But Hua Xiangu herself is still hiding in the mist, and many people doubt whether she really exists. But Dunzi knew that Hua Xiangu was really someone.Because before the rumors spread, there was a good man who focused on the female fortune-teller Hua Xiangu, who was very accurate in her predictions, and made a persistent investigation. He was the editor of a dross magazine named Morihiko Toriguchi. I remember at the end of last month, Toriguchi said that he grabbed Hua Xiangu's fox tail.Because it was an exclusive news, Toriguchi couldn't reveal too much detail, but judging from what he said, Hua Xiangu is a fake fortuneteller who is devoid of humanity and unforgivably guilty. --But…… Atsuko looked into the woman's eyes. There is a void, but Atsuko doesn't think there is evil hidden in this void. "……Excuse me……" Atsuko wanted to ask, "I heard that people in the financial field will come to you for consultation, is this true", but he couldn't ask.She thought the question was vulgar. Atsuko stood up and closed the slightly open window. Due to the abnormal weather, the coldness is felt after spring has passed. Atsuko didn't know what to do. What to ask?how to ask?The important thing is what attitude should she show in front of this woman...? Just when Atsuko was about to speak... "Pound!" There was a loud noise. It was the entrance, and then there was a rough sound from behind the kitchen door.Atsuko panicked for a moment. But she quickly pulled herself together. ...is an attack. "Qi... Qi Dao will..." She didn't have time to finish.The door was kicked open. Three men stood there. The man in the middle took a step. "Miss, did you slip away during the day..." The two behind split to the left and right. The back door was breached, and two more people entered. The man occupied both sides of Hua Xiangu with quick movements. "Do you think you can escape like that? With such an eye-catching woman, do you think we can't find it? You, too, don't pay attention to us at all... Hua Xiangu." The man approached Atsuko. Dunzi looked back fiercely. The man stared at her and said, "What a backbone. Look at your domineering expression. I'll just let your cute face go." "You... what are you going to do?" "What? Do it!" The man raised his hand. ——It doesn't matter, just don't believe it. The moment Atsuko stared back, the man's hand knife slashed at her carotid artery.His shoulders felt hot, and his mind went blank.The moment the man's face turned into two, Atsuko took a roundabout kick from the side.The whole body hit the window heavily. The window glass shattered and Atsuko fell out of the window. "Stop!" Hua Xiangu's voice came.Even at this time, does her expression remain the same? ——Atsuko actually thought about such a thing.He was kicked in the side of the abdomen, unable to make a sound, his body slowly felt pain, and he was out of breath. The skirt was grabbed, and Atsuko was roughly pulled up.The woman's cry of "stop" was blocked. "Don't kill her." The voice sounded, and there was the sound of pajamas being ripped from his chest. The cold night wind brushed against the skin. The man's fist pierced his heart.The depths of his throat felt like it was on fire, and his mouth was filled with a bitter liquid that tasted of rust. consciousness…… Atsuko's brother's face appeared in his mind.

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