Chapter 5 Chapter 5 The Daughter of the Past

On Moto Azabu Slope, nicknamed "Dark Slope", there is a little-known coffee house with a unique atmosphere. In that area, there are several foreign embassies and residences for diplomats, and various Western-style buildings can be seen everywhere. The wooden coffee house is sandwiched between several Western-style brick and tile buildings.At first glance it looks like an ordinary house. The shop is located in a depression indented from the road. The Ma Su tree building and floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows show the designer's unique style.The vines climb from the diagonal roof to the upper part of the outer wall, forming an elegant style.

When Touzi trotted forward, he saw a black "Porsche" sports car, and couldn't help feeling excited all over his body. The floor inside the house is also polished hemp chestnut board, and a famous Italian song "Four Seasons" is played in the store. After three o'clock in the afternoon, today is cloudy weather.There were not many customers in the store, so he sat in a seat a little further inside and waved his hand to Touzi who had just entered. "Sorry to keep you waiting." "Are you lost?" Qiuren asked. "No, I found it quickly. How did you know there was an elegant coffee house here?"

"I have a friend in Paris who is currently holding a solo exhibition in Ginza. He lives near here in a German residence. I found out when I came to look for him." The two looked at each other in silence for a while, then looked out the window.There are few people on the street, and occasionally a few beautiful foreign cars pass by. The waiter brought Qiuren the coffee, and Touko ordered a cup of "Vienna" coffee. "The results of the search at home the day before yesterday were as I said on the phone." After the waiter left, Qiu Ren frowned and said. "Is that white powder really castor bean albumin?" Touzi's voice also dropped.

This matter is not yet known to the outside world. "Yes. Another criminal policeman came to me yesterday evening and asked me many things." "Could it be that they suspect Uncle Ren..." "I think so. They searched because of this suspicion. This is not what was expected." "How could this be..." Touzi kept repeating this sentence. "Of course I don't think so!" Qiu Ren said firmly, "I find it very strange. I don't think my father did it!" "Oh……" "If he really planned to take revenge after death, why would he leave the physical evidence at home? The rest should be disposed of."

"Yes!" Touzi suddenly realized. "There are too few criminals who deliberately flaunt their crimes! Some people may think that doing so is my father's criminal declaration, but I don't think he is such a person at all. Even if he has this intention, he will choose a more explicit way to prove that he is suicide and leave a suicide note announcing his intentions." "I feel the same way. Uncle Qiren probably can't bear the idea that the world thinks he committed suicide because his research was hindered. His self-esteem prevents him from admitting failure. Therefore, if he wants to take revenge—"

Having said this, Touzi suddenly fell silent.But Qiuren nodded as if he understood. "Yes, Thor. If my father really wanted revenge, he would never leave evidence, but leave the answer to the end and complete the so-called 'complete crime'! He can do it with his head. He doesn't It will make people search the house so casually and find the evidence." "But why is there castor bean albumin in that place?" At this time, the "Vienna" coffee was delivered, and Toko said to the heat of the coffee. "Someone must have let it go!" Qiu Ren said decisively, "It must have been there before, because poison is not my father's specialty."

"After his death, many people came in and out of my house to attend and organize funerals and rituals. As you know, the house is old, and it is not impossible to go in while people are not paying attention." "You mean someone put it in on purpose, and then set up a trap? What's the purpose of this?" "The simplest conclusion is that this person is going to blame my father for killing Yaeko." "Then, did Uncle Long really die in an accident?" In yesterday's phone call, Qiuren told Touzi that the police began to suspect that Ryuta's crash was not accidental but man-made.

"How should I say it? For example..." "For example, the murderer completed the revenge instead of Uncle Qiren, in order to show the world that it was uncle's intention..." After hearing what Touzi said, Qiuren stared at her in surprise, "Why do you think so?" "I don't know why. Didn't I tell you that the night before Uncle Long's death, I dreamed about Uncle Ren? He stood in the clouds and said, 'Ah Tou, I want to give A gift to everyone is a gift from death.'” "This……" "I think, uncle must have conveyed the words in my heart to me in my dream like telepathy."

"There is another way of saying that it is the psychological effect of your belief that my father wants revenge, right?" "Maybe. I've heard people say that some people will appear in the dreams of their closest relatives after death. Besides me, will Uncle Qi Ren appear in the dreams of others?" "In the dream of someone my uncle loves...for example, Reika Asai, my uncle will convey something to her, right?" "Asai Reika?" Qiu Ren looked at Touzi in confusion. "It's the student in the photo." "How did you know her name?" Qiu Ren raised his voice in surprise.

"I found out. From the photos, I can deduce that she is basically in the same university as Uncle Qiren. Uncle was a teaching assistant in 1965, a student. Knowing this, check It’s very easy to get up.” Shirato's university is in Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku.Touzi went to the library of the university today, and regretted reading the photos of previous graduates.If she was in school in May 1965, she should have graduated between 1966 and 1969. Touzi looked through photos of graduates from different departments, and soon found her. "She is a student of the Chemistry Department of Science who graduated in 1968. Her name is Reika Asai. Because my uncle happens to be teaching science."

"Science? That might be a top student! I don't know what she's doing now?" "I thought it would be very difficult to investigate the current situation, but I didn't expect that it would be so easy for me to find out." "Have you asked your classmates?" "Yes. The university has a 'Classmates Association Affairs Department', I went to check the roster." "Even her current address has been found?" "No, her address and work unit are recorded in the roster. It is said that every three years, the affairs department sends postcards to graduates to confirm the location. Therefore, this address should be new." With that said, Touzi opened the notepad. "Also, Reika Asai is married, and now she has changed her surname to 'Terauchi' with her husband. The address is Kawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture..." "Lake Kawaguchi? Such a familiar place! I went on a trip when I was in middle school. That lady Reika got married there!" "I don't know if she moved there as soon as she got married." Touko met Qiren and Lixiang by chance in Ginza at the end of October six years ago.Judging from his tone at the time, Lixiang seemed to want to break up with him and go somewhere. Touzi also heard from people in the affairs department that the roster is revised every four years.Then Touzi asked for the roster from last time.Touzi read all the current ones from 186 and 1982. "On the roster in 1982, her surname was Asai, and she lived in an apartment in Shimoochiai, New District, Tokyo. That is to say, it was very close to Uncle Qiren's house. In addition, her place of work was Toyo Oil Company." "It turned out to be a company employee!" "It must be. Maybe I got married the year I met her and moved to the mountain county." "That is to say, after graduating from university in 1968, she went to work at Toyo Oil and Oils, and got married in 1982," Qiuren said. "Then she didn't get married until she was thirty-six! When I saw her, she was indeed that age. Don't you think she married too late? She is so beautiful..." "Perhaps there is a personal factor?" Touzi believes that this "personal" factor may be related to Qiren. "I also want to know what kind of company is the Toyo Oil Company?" "As the name suggests, it is probably a company that manufactures grease? Maybe manufacturing oil or cooking oil, chemicals and paints or something." "Sure enough...Brother Qiuren, do you remember what Wakao said when he made a statement at Aunt Yarong's house? He said that castor bean oil has a wide range of uses. Generally, industrial oil or paint factories often have castor bean white. The raw material of prions..." Qiuren stared at Touzi with bated breath.He was surprised to find that the little girl had suddenly grown so much wisdom. Touzi also stared into Qiuren's eyes, and murmured in his heart, since I saw you this time, I realized that I have changed suddenly. When I wake up in the morning, my mind is very clear, and my intelligence and understanding have become extremely sharp... … At four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, Qiuren came to Touzi's house. Toko's father Chino Hiroshi went to the company.It was originally a Friday work system, and no work on weekends, but now the manager and a managing director suddenly passed away one after another, and Ashiko Company suddenly entered a state of emergency, especially the appointed next manager Koji and the managing director Hiroshi Chino, who were simply too busy Not even time to sleep. Sachiko cut up the lemon in the kitchen, made a cup of black tea, and asked Touko, "Are you really going? The weather is bad, or..." Sachiko looked out the window, frowned, and swallowed the second half of the sentence. The sky was gray and cloudy, and the wind occasionally blew raindrops onto the windows.It was actually much darker outside. "It would have been nice if it had been earlier. But the exhibition held by my French friend is ending today, and I have to be there to help. I'm afraid I won't be able to go." Qiuren said. "Tomorrow Sunday, I'm going to attend Miko's wedding, so I can't go." Touzi said that a high school classmate got married and invited Touzi to attend. "I'll be even busier next week, so I can only go today." Qiu Ren said. "Asai—no, Ms. Terauchi Reika, I want to see her no matter what, and then decide our next step based on the results of the investigation." Qiuren thought for a while and said these words. Touzi has already revealed the outline of the matter to her mother.She and her mother talked about everything.What I didn't say was only the complicated emotional changes in my heart! "Then start early! It may be cold, so be careful." Knowing that it was impossible to change their minds, Sachiko immediately went up to the second floor and came down with two sweaters.One was for Touzi, the other was for Hiroshi Chino, and she handed it to Qiuren. "I've made you worry!" Qiu Ren smiled and took the sweater. At half past four they set off. "It may take two hours to get to Kawaguchiko, and then look for the address, it may be after seven o'clock." Qiuren said. "However, isn't it more likely that the other party is at home during this time?" Qiuren nodded after hearing this.Today's sudden visit to Terauchi Reika's house was the same idea as the two of them. After passing Sagami Lake and entering the border of Yamanashi Prefecture, the driveway passed through several hills.At this time, the sky was already dark, and the foothills of the mountain were deeply blocked by clouds. The car drove through Duliu City again. Touzi looked eagerly at the quaint farmhouse in the field.Tian Kuboxiao's hometown is in Tsuru City. She didn't tell Ah Xiao what happened today. I didn't run into him at school this morning, and I don't know what he is doing in Tokyo? ! It was exactly 6:45 when I exited the Kawaguchiko Expressway. Qiuren briefly glanced at the city map, and they drove towards National Highway No. 137. When their car came to Kawaguchiko Street, where restaurants and various shops lined up, the few neon lights gave off a cold light. Qiuren first parked the car in a small parking lot, and the two walked into a coffee shop. "Are you tired?" Qiuren asked. "No, it's okay." "Do you want something to eat?" "I'm not hungry yet..." "Take a break first, I'll ask for directions." After Akito ordered coffee, he walked towards the counter with a map of the Fuji Five Lakes area.The address of Terauchi Reika is written in pencil on the map. Since today is the weekend, the store is very crowded. Qiu Ren asked the duty manager at the counter, and then walked back satisfied. "She lives nearby, and the dormitory of Dongyang Oil Company happens to be not far from here." "Yo, did you ask so clearly?" Touzi also asked happily. "Good luck! The manager's house is also nearby." As he said that, Akito drew a circle with his fingers between National Highway No. 137 and No. 139 on the south side of Lake Kawaguchi. "Actually, I called Toyo Oil & Fat Corporation yesterday, and they told me that the company's research institute is located on the east side of Lake Kawaguchi, so the company's dormitory is also built within walking distance of the company's employees to work." Qiuren said. "Then, Ms. Lixiang's husband is also..." "Yes, I think he is working in that research institute! Maybe she still works after she gets married. I didn't mention her name, in case she finds out and raises her vigilance." "That's right. I want to suddenly bring up the matter of my uncle and see how she reacts." After drinking the coffee, they left here immediately. They returned to State Highway 137 and turned onto a side road.The surroundings were completely dark, and there were only three small farm buildings on the open field. "Just now the manager said that it is a long house with five or six rooms." They turned a few more corners and returned to their original spot.Qiuren continued to search patiently.Touzi thought, it's best to find someone to ask, but she didn't say it.Maybe men rarely ask for directions in this situation?Asking for directions in a coffee shop just now may be an exception. "Ah, it might be over there!" Qiu Ren said. Touzi immediately looked forward.Sure enough, in the darkness ahead, there were several white connected buildings. "I think it's here." Qiuren said confidently, and parked the car on the side of the road. When they got out of the car, the rainy night was fresh on their skin.Touzi quickly took off the sweater she brought from home from the car and put it on. "Mom was so right." At the same time, she handed another sweater to Qiuren who was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, but Qiuren shook his head. "I'm used to it. I'm a person who often goes outside the house in the middle of the night to burn kilns!" As he spoke, he put his hands around Touzi's shoulders, as if to protect her from the cold wind. They came to this row of buildings and identified the house numbers one by one. There are six mansions in total, five of which are not.The last one on the right has no lights, only a small light above the gate.Touzi and Qiuren went up to check the name of this family, and they both said "ah" at the same time.The two names of "Temple Xiangping · Lixiang" are written on it. There was a burst of excitement in Touzi's heart.Qiuren looked around in disappointment. "Looks like he's not at home!" Qiu Ren said. "Ring the bell!" So Qiuren stretched out his hand and rang the doorbell, and waited for a long time without replying. Qiu Ren knocked on the door again, and shouted at the same time, "Madam in the temple! Is there anyone at home?!" When he yelled three or four times, the neighbor on the left opened the door.Probably disturbed by Qiuren's shouts. A housewife in her forties opened half the door and looked at them in surprise. "Excuse me, is the lady in the temple at home?" Qiu Ren asked. "Oh, neither of them are here." "Where did they go?" The housewife looked at the faces of the two of them, hesitated, "Excuse me, are you..." "Ah, we are friends of Ms. Lixiang in the temple. We happened to be passing by here today, and we want to come over..." "Then...you don't know about her husband's hospitalization?" "Ah?! Mr. Terauchi is hospitalized? What's wrong?" "It was a traffic accident. His car collided with a truck and was seriously injured. He has been in the hospital in Otsuki for more than half a year!" "So Ms. Lixiang went to the hospital?" "No, she can't go to the hospital every day." The housewife smiled wryly. "Then... where did she go today?" The housewife hesitated for a moment, "I don't know if I should say it... Recently she is working in a bar in Fuji Yoshida. Her husband is like that, she must spend money! She goes out every evening, especially on weekends. I guess today I won't be back in the evening." "at the bar……" Qiuren and Touzi glanced at each other. "Then... Excuse me, are Mr. Terauchi and Lixiang colleagues in the same company?" Touzi asked.Although this was a bit abrupt, she still wanted to know more about the situation. "I guess so," replied the housewife. "Did they get married in 1982 and then moved here?" Touzi asked again. "No. I heard that Mr. Terauchi was sent to California, USA to study the oil processing industry for two years, and his wife resigned and followed. After returning to China, he went to work in the research institute here." "Is Ms. Lixiang the same age as her husband?" After Touzi finished speaking, the other party's eyes widened and he shook his head, "No, Mr. Siuchi and Mrs. Madam are six years old! However, they seem to be a good match and very happy..." The housewife sighed and turned to stare at Lixiang's window.It seems that this sigh contains thousands of emotions. "And do you know where the bar where she works?" "I know that." Hearing this, Qiu Ren quickly took out a map of the urban area. The name of the store is "Water Basho", and it is located on the bustling street of Fujiyoshida City. The two thanked the housewife and returned to the car silently. Touzi felt an ominous doubt welling up in her heart. The car was driving on the dim road again. They came to the highway entrance at Lake Kawaguchi and drove past the Fujiyoshi Great Playground. "It should be Fujiyoshida City ahead..." Akito said to himself. At this time, Touzi described Lixiang's life trajectory in her mind. In the autumn of six years ago, 36-year-old Asai Reika married 30-year-old Shohei Terauchi, a colleague of the same company.Terauchi was soon sent to a company in California for training, and Lixiang also resigned and went to the other side. I remember that when I met Qiren that time, he said this: "Ah Tou, this woman will disappear in front of me soon, and we will part ways..." These words seem to imply that Lixiang will leave him. Two years later, Terauchi returned home, and the couple moved to Kawaguchiko Town. At the end of last year, the temple encountered a traffic accident and was admitted to the hospital in Otsuki. "Looks like they're a great couple..." The housewife's sigh sounded in Tuzi's ears again. Fujiyoshida City is much larger than Kawaguchiko Stare.The rain that stopped for a while began to fall again.The neon light penetrated into the windshield and reflected in Touzi's retina, passing like a movie. Qiuren still drove the car silently, and found the place after a while. The car stopped, and Touzi pressed his eyes to the window.She saw clearly the name of the shop "Shuibasho".Orange neon lights flickered half-brightly. "It's far away from the main street, so it's not easy to find. Otherwise, it only takes about ten minutes to get here from Kawaguchiko Town." The two got out of the car. Water Basho Bar has only one entrance, and there are high-rise apartments on both sides. It is half past eight, and the surrounding area is silent. Perhaps because of the weekend, there are five rectangular tables open besides the counter.There are many customers in the store, young couples and individual customers are drinking happily. "welcome!" The door attendant said politely to Qiuren and the others. After they entered, they sat down on the high stools near the door. After a while, a waitress came over with two hand towels. The waitress was wearing a red blouse with shawl and long hair. She greeted them and stood aside waiting for them to order. "Have a glass of whiskey and water," Qiu Ren said. Toko asked for a glass of juice drink. She stared at the waitress carefully, her eyes were heavily shadowed, her face was round, her nose was straight, her lipstick lined her lips, she was very sexy. She is not too young, probably in her thirties. Thus, Touzi saw her soft and peaceful face from under her "mask" which was "distorted" by heavy makeup.The moment their eyes met, Touzi yelled out: "Ms. Lixiang... are you Lixiang in Terauchi?" The waitress was also taken aback for a moment, with a look of wariness on her face.She took a breath, and then asked coldly, "How do you know my name?" "Ah, we have been to your house just now, and the neighbor told us that you are here." Qiu Ren quickly explained. "Oh... why did you find me?" She asked coldly again. "Because we want to know your impression of Bai Tengqiren." According to the reason that he had said earlier, Qiuren suddenly proposed the name "Bai Teng Qiren". Lixiang really reacted—but she was at a loss. She tilted her head silently. "Kito Shirato is one of the leaders of Ashiko Company. He invented popular products such as ultra-small electronic computers. He is at the same school as you; when you were in the Department of Science, he was a teaching assistant in the Department of Engineering. You will have heard of him. class……" "Okay, I remember." Lixiang showed a wry smile, interrupting Qiu Ren, "It seems that he died recently. He also appeared in newspapers and TV, so I remembered." "That's all? Don't you have any personal memories?" Touzi asked, "In October 1982, I happened to meet Uncle Qiren with you in Ginza. Don't you remember?" "what?" So Touzi told the situation at that time.Including what they said while holding Lixiang's hand in that club in Ginza.At that time, Lixiang shed tears while listening. "What happened that night has always been engraved in my heart, and I will never forget it. Uncle Qiren must have written to you later, or met you. Before he passed away, maybe..." Suddenly, Lixiang laughed.The guests around all turned their heads to look at her.Touzi felt that Lixiang was a little drunk. "Stop joking, where did you go..." Lixiang laughed so hard that she couldn't speak, as if she thought what Touzi said was too funny. "I remembered, that time was ten years after I graduated. I also met Mr. Bai Teng Qiren by chance, an hour before I met you. Then he invited me to drink tea and asked me about my At that time, I was about to get married. After marriage, I went to the United States. At that time, I never thought that I would meet the teacher of the year, and he also thought it was an adventure, so excited!" Touzi didn't know what to say. "We ran into you in the street not long after we left the coffee shop. You know what happened afterwards. Mr. was drunk, and said so many romantic lines like an actor. I was younger than now, and If I want to leave Japan, I will be infected by these things and shed tears, that's all!" "Why..." Touzi was a little at a loss. "What, am I lying?" "No..." Touzi was speechless. In Qiren's photo album, there is really only one photo of Lixiang and other female classmates. At this time, the bartender handed the whiskey mixed with water to Lixiang, and Lixiang stretched out her hand with purple nail polish to place the wine glass on the counter. "Then, I want to ask again, have you never seen Bai Teng Qiren again since that time?" Qiu Ren asked seriously. "certainly." "And no phone calls or letters?" "No." Lixiang replied without hesitation. "Then what did you think when you saw the news of Bai Teng Qiren's death?" "It's nothing... I just listened to his class in college, isn't it the same as any stranger?" Lixiang said nonchalantly. "We thought you might know more about Uncle Qiren than we do..." Touzi said a little disappointed. At this time, Lixiang stared at Touzi again with displeasure, "You said some inexplicable things at the beginning, but I have a husband. Please don't embarrass me by saying something misleading." After finishing speaking, she took out a cigarette irritably and lit another.Take a puff, then exhale the cigarette. It seemed that she must have been drinking, and Touzi also saw on her face the expression of a woman's depression caused by her husband's long-term hospitalization, so she couldn't help turning her face away. "When did you come to work here?" Qiu Ren asked calmly. "It's been three months?" "Do you come to work every night?" "Except last Sunday." "So you were here on the night of April 28?" "April 28?" Lixiang frowned in confusion. "It's the day before the emperor's birthday, Tuesday." Touzi added. "Why do you ask this time? ... However, that day happened to be the first anniversary of the establishment of the store. After the closing billboard was posted at 12 noon that day, I went to Hakone with the manager and a few regular customers. We also I stayed overnight in the hotel! Strange? Why do you ask about that day?" Back in the car, Qiuren didn't start the car right away. He took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.But he took it off again. The rain was getting heavier, beating on the roof of the car. After a while, Qiu Ren asked, "Do you know why I asked her about April 28?" Touzi didn't speak. "Yakako Ichihara was not at home that day. She went to Atami to attend the wedding of her classmate's daughter, and she didn't come back until noon the next day. After returning home, she found that the lock on the window was loose, and she suspected that someone had entered..." Touzi remembered that when the criminal police came to investigate, they mentioned this matter. "I thought, ask her if she had an 'alibi' that day. In case she sneaked into Yaeko's bedroom, stole the black pearl ring, and got her from her husband's research institute Put the castor bean albumin into the ring, and put it back secretly the next morning, wouldn't it be possible to complete the mission of revenge for my father?" "But she gave a very detailed answer. Of course, there must be evidence to prove this. However, I think it is not a lie in all likelihood. Because there is no need for her to perjury!" "Revenge for uncle? Impossible." Touzi said, "She can't even remember who uncle is. Uncle is so pitiful..." "It's nothing, right? Maybe they really just met on the street by chance and went to the club to drink and drink. There won't be any special relationship..." "Maybe it is. I'm really crazy, and I made up such a story about Fuli between my uncle and her... But that's fine. If my uncle really had this beautiful love affair before he died, maybe he would be happier... So, I said uncle is too pitiful!" Touzi cried out excitedly. Reika, whom she met in Ginza, kept appearing in front of her eyes.Maybe it's because I secretly admired Uncle Qiren, resulting in jealousy! There is jealousy and longing.A union of souls that transcends time and space, a love that is desperately pursued but fruitless. "I'm so stupid! It would be nice if I didn't come to her! Only then will I believe that uncle died so lonely, and believe in that beautiful story..." Touzi kept trembling, and Qiuren's hands tightly protected her shoulders. Qiu Ren slowly raised Touzi's face, "I think my father must be very happy. He never paid attention to other people's gossip and devoted all his energy to scientific research. He lived his life like this. I think he You will definitely be happy in Yunjian, because you and I also have this fate." After finishing speaking, Qiuren sucked Touzi's tears gently with his lips, and then gently kissed her tender lips.Touzi smelled the scent of French clay from his lips. Touzi's whole body was trembling, and she felt her mind went blank, as if she and Qiuren had merged into one...