Chapter 5 chapter Five

That night, Horizawa still came back late, drunk as usual. Unlike the apartment I lived in before, the new house is in the suburbs, and it feels like it's getting late at night very quickly.The owners of the neighbors almost all came back early, only Horizawa came back late, which was even more conspicuous. Masako was very much looking forward to Horizawa's return home earlier.Waiting alone seems to feel that his life is too boring.Who are you waiting for?Why have to pass this long time with nothing to do?Precious youth leaked from my fingers like sand. Horizawa changed into pajamas under Masako's attendant.

"Today I'm with the section chief again, and I can't refuse anything," Horizawa said. This sentence is not a prevarication to his wife, but a boastful tone. Masako had heard enough of Horizawa's boasting, and felt a little disgusted, so she didn't follow suit, which aroused Horizawa's dissatisfaction. "Well, you don't think much of me being held in high regard in the Yamen, do you?" Masako was folding the hem of her husband's trousers on the tatami. "No, I don't think so." "Then, you should show it! Whenever I talk about the affairs in the yamen, you don't react at all. Other wives are not like you."

Horizawa was still drinking. Changzi said: I'm sorry.But she realized she wasn't feeling that way.Other people's wives will be very happy to hear that their husbands are valued by their superiors.However, Masako was always disgusted with Horizawa's words.Horizawa's thought of getting ahead is serious.As soon as he talked about something, he immediately boasted what school he graduated from and compared it with other colleagues. When someone's name was mentioned, he quickly added: "He graduated from a private university." These performances are inseparable from his pursuit of prosperity.He also graduated from a national university, and he also looked down on him, saying that he came from a small place.

Masako hated Horizawa's style.There was a little dust on the cuffs, and he flicked it off with his fingers immediately.His neurotic performance and his sense of superiority merged in him and had solidified. Whenever he talked about his boss, he would brag and flatter unconditionally.Because these people are his reliance on getting ahead.His utilitarianism is very explicit. A husband wants his wife to realize that he is valued by his superiors.Masako didn't respond to this, causing Horizawa's dissatisfaction.Changzi knew this very well, but he couldn't think of any other way.

"You often go to the head of the class's house to walk around!" Once, Horizawa revealed such words. At that time, Changzi only gave a vague "hmm".She was worried all day. It's not that she doesn't understand Horizawa's mood.As an official in the government office, a wife should do something for her husband. Although she understands the truth, she can't get excited. Changzi often reflects on himself, is he a bad woman?Other people's wives go to the boss's house to please his wife. In order for the husband to get rich early, the wife should help.But I am not interested in this kind of thing at all, don't I love Horizawa.Thinking of this, Changzi couldn't help but startled.

"Water—" Horizawa shouted angrily. Masako handed him the water glass.The husband picked up the water glass and drank it down in one gulp. Seeing this scene, Changzi felt a little sorry.So, she changed the subject and talked about her sister's visit during the day, which might ease her husband's mood. "Did she come alone?" The husband was still not very happy. "No, not alone. With her friends." "Is everyone in this room?" "No. They said they were friends, but they were actually elderly people. They were very polite and embarrassed to come in. I welcomed them out."

"What kind of person?" "One is a company manager, and the other is a female reporter from a magazine." Her husband's old problem, upon hearing this, frowned. "You can't associate with that kind of person." "Really? But..." Changzi couldn't help being taken aback. "Lingzi came here in his car, but he just stopped by to take a look, and besides, he didn't go into the house." "Why does Ling Zi keep in touch with this kind of person?" The expression on the husband's face was very unhappy. Changzi also thinks that it is not a good thing for Lingzi to associate with such a person.But there is no reason for the husband to be unhappy about it, she is not partial to her sister.It was her husband's nervousness that offended her.

The couple always felt that something was wrong, and it was not limited to this evening.Every day, the husband always has a gap with himself, and it is like a cold wind blowing in through the gap between her and her husband. Suddenly, her husband walked up to Changzi, lifted her neck with his hands and hugged her.Changzi obediently let her husband caress her, but she was not tempted in the slightest. "I thought you were a more passionate woman." Hori said after kissing Masako. Masako felt that Horizawa must be comparing herself with other women at this moment.Every day when I come back so late, I still think about other women.What is this!

After getting into the bed, Horizawa stretched out his hand with a "Hello—"'.Masako pushed it back gently. "I'm tired!" Horizawa let out a "hum" and turned his back. After four or five days.In broad daylight, Changzi heard someone knocking on the door. At two o'clock in the afternoon, it is the time for the housewives in the apartment to "do nothing".At this time, tidying up the room and doing the laundry have been done, and it is too early to go shopping.Masako has had little contact with her neighbors since moving here.Occasionally the manager of the apartment came to visit, but it was not like him knocking on the door.

As soon as Changzi opened the door, there was a woman in tight pants and short hair standing at the door.She showed a pair of white teeth and smiled gracefully. "Ah, it turned out to be you." Changzi's eyes widened, and he couldn't help being taken aback. "Hello!" The guest bowed deeply to her. It turned out to be Kikuko Ono, the female reporter from the magazine that Reiko brought last time. "Thank you for taking care of me that day!" "No, I didn't treat you well, I'm sorry." Masako thought that her younger sister came with Kikuko Ono, but after looking her up and down, it didn't look like that.

"I just met you last time, and I'm bothering you again today. It's really..." Ono Kikuko seemed to feel something from Masako's expression. "To tell you the truth, I'm here today for work in the agency." "Yo-, is it?" It was said that it was for the work in the agency, but Changzi was still confused for a while. "Come in, my house is too small..." "I'm sorry, then I'm sorry." Kikuko Ono quickly took off her leather shoes and entered the room.Look at her leather shoes are not high heels, but flat like sneakers.Masako asked her to sit on the sofa by the window, but she chose a chair and sat down, stretching her legs. "Ah! The scenery here is so beautiful." Except for a small residential area, the rest are fields and miscellaneous woods. "Come here from the city center, even the air is sweet." Kikuko Ono praised. Changzi served black tea.Ono Kikuko still reluctantly gazed at the scenery outside the window. "This place is too quiet. The last time I drove here with Lingmei, after returning, I felt very comfortable all day long." Changzi quickly thanked her, and her younger sister Lingzi was taken care of by her. However, Masako didn't understand how deep Lingzi and Ono Kikuko's relationship was.And what kind of person that manager was, Masako couldn't figure it out either. Kikuko Ono took out a cigarette from her small bag and lit it.Look at her movements are very skilled.A wisp of green smoke spewed out of her mouth, Masako hurriedly handed over her husband's ashtray. "I'm here today for nothing else. I want to ask my wife about something..." Kikuko Ono smiled.Changzi couldn't figure out what was going on. "My magazine has a family column. I introduced it to you last time. I am not a regular employee, but I am responsible for editing this column." Kikuko spoke bluntly, straight to the point. "This column contains some recipes that housewives think they are good at. I don't take the liberty to ask you to write for this column..." Changzi couldn't help being taken aback. "Yo, what can I do?" Kikuko Ono had a smile on his face. "No, no, anything is fine. You can write about what you usually do. I'm not here to ask for your secrets or tastes in cooking, just like ordinary housewives who list out their daily recipes. This column does not include expert writing The recipes, but the common language, can make readers have a sense of intimacy." "But..." Changzi was confused and didn't know what to do. She has no knowledge of cooking to publish, and she has never paid attention to cooking.Horizawa's breakfast is simple.Milk and toast, usually eat out at night, and rarely go home, even if you come back early by chance, just eat something casually, no need to make a special meal for him. "This is embarrassing for me," Masako said.In fact she really had nothing to say. "However, the ladies are so polite..." Ono Kikuko said coolly: "Actually, you can just say whatever you want, don't think that this will be published in a magazine, just like talking about family affairs to the neighbors..." "This..." Changzi still couldn't continue. "Okay, let's start with breakfast!" Kikuko Ono smiled and took out her notebook. "What do you have for breakfast?" "Milk and toast. That's enough for him." Kikuko Ono hurriedly took notes. "Your husband works for the Economic Planning Agency, doesn't he?" Changzi nodded. "So what's for dinner tonight?" "I didn't cook anything special for him either. He's been very busy recently and eats out most days." Changzi didn't dare to say that he came back very late at night, but the other party seemed to have noticed it. "Does your husband still have supper when he comes back?" "Yes, eat a little bit, it's not a supper." "Then what do you eat?" "..." "You can say whatever comes to your mind? This way you will be welcomed by readers..." Masako has a good impression of this female reporter, Kikuko Ono, who looks more like a man from the outside.Speak concisely, crisply, without being awkward at all. Are all editors like this?Masako has a crush on her. "Your husband is working outside, and you are busy enough at home alone..." Kikuko's "work" is over, she puts away her notebook and starts talking.At this time, she lit another cigarette. Seeing Kikuko finish the work so easily, Masako was very envious.It seemed that Kikuko was full of vitality. To Kikuko's question, Masako seemed to have nothing to say.Because she herself lacks a sense of hope and fulfillment.Of course, this cannot be expressed to the female reporter, she can only keep laughing. "You said your husband came back late, maybe he's busy with work!" asked the female reporter. "That's right! There are many people looking for him for a job in the government office, so he often doesn't come home until very late." Masako understood the meaning of Ono Kikuko's question.At this time, she remembered that her sister once said that her husband often goes to nightclubs, so Kikuko Ono, who often hangs out with Lingzi, may know the situation better than herself.So Changzi pretended not to know. "I heard that your husband is very young, but he is responsible for an important job in the government. Wife, you are so happy." Kikuko Ono said. Masako couldn't figure out why Kikuko Ono knew so much about it.Magazine editors have long ears and can inquire about everything. When leaving, Kikuko Ono said: "Ma'am, we finally got to know each other this time. Next time we come here, we won't talk about work, but talk about home affairs with you, okay?" "That's great." Masako immediately agreed. "I'm bored by myself. If you come to play often, it will also help me. If you are free, please come and play." "Thank you so much." Kikuko Ono hurriedly bowed, and then walked down the stairs in a heroic manner. Masako wants to know what kind of people Lingzi associates with through Xijiuzi. But she finally held back and did not dare to ask.As an older sister, she cannot inquire about her younger sister's behavior from strangers she meets for the first time. Masako looked down from the window and saw Kikuko Ono driving the car leaving behind a trail of dust.Masako felt an indescribable emptiness. That night, Horizawa still came back late.Changzi nonchalantly talked about the female reporter's visit during the day. "Is it the woman who came with Lingzi last time?" Horizawa showed uncharacteristic concern. "Strange, she only met you once, why did she ask you to tell me the recipe?" Horizawa frowned again. "I heard that this column is dedicated to posting such conversations. She knew me, so she naturally thought that I was also her interviewee. I don't see any other reason." The husband seemed to have other thoughts, but Changzi found it strange. "Show me her business card." Masako handed her husband Kikuko Ono's business card that she had left from her previous visit. "It's her." The husband took it and looked at it carefully for a while. "What else did she ask you?" The husband returned the pieces to Masako. "I didn't talk about anything other than cooking, that's why I came here." "You can't just talk about cooking as soon as you come here! Do you have any other homely things to say?" "She said the area is quiet and the scenery is nice, etc." "Does it still need to be said? What I asked was if she talked about me?" Masako doesn't understand why her husband is interested in this.Kikuko Ono did mention Horizawa, saying that he was young and had an important job in the government.But Masako didn't want to say these things to her husband. "No, I didn't say anything else." Changzi replied nonchalantly. "yes?" Horizawa responded, then suddenly remembered something, and took back the business card in Masako's hand. "Well, give me this business card." Changzi was taken aback, why did her husband want this business card? His actions were so sudden. She saw that her husband's face was not only unhappy, but even angry. Two or three days later, Changzi returned to her natal home. My father, who is rarely seen at ordinary times, happened to be at home this day.Five or six guests were talking business in the drawing room.Mother is busy with reception.My sister is also busy in the kitchen. Lingzi wore an apron and walked around the pot.Seeing her innocent appearance that day, Changzi felt very comfortable. "Sister, you came just in time." Lingzi said, "I'll make some food for you tonight, so you stay a little longer." While Lingzi cooks dishes for the guests, she also cooks for the family.She was scooping up fried donuts with long chopsticks. Masako bowed to his father when he came out of the living room. "How are you, are you two doing well?" asked the father.Because I seldom meet each other, I asked such a question. "yes……" Changzi responded briefly, but did not continue.Perhaps the mother had already told the father.That's why my father asked the question. "Why doesn't Horizawa come and walk around?" Father said dissatisfied. "Next time, bring him." "OK." After hearing Masako's answer, his father went back to the living room. Changzi thought: Father must have heard what mother said.But on the surface, it's not obvious.As a father, he had his way of expressing concern.Masako thought that even if his father expressed concern.And she and Horizawa will not shorten the distance all at once. "Sister, come here!" Lingzi shouted behind Changzi.My younger sister wears an apron. "What's up?" "Come here." The younger sister stepped into her own room first, "Aren't you busy in the kitchen?" "It's okay. Sister, let me ask you, did Kikuko Ono visit you?" "Going. Did you send her?" "No. She went by herself. That's what she does. When she drove back last time, she talked about this and that, saying that her sister is beautiful, etc., as if she cared about you. I guess she will visit you .” From this point of view, Lingzi did not ask Kikuko Ono to interview her. "She came here because of your tongue-twisting." Changzi scolded his sister. "However, she didn't bother you! Her job is to interview housewives for recipes, which is insignificant, so you don't have to mind." Speaking of this, Lingzi suddenly remembered something. "Sister, Ono-kun didn't say to interview you again?" "Well, she didn't say that. She said that she would come to play often in the future," "yes?" The younger sister didn't express her feelings about this, she just shifted her gaze to another target. Masako took this opportunity to ask about the relationship between Lingzi and Kikuko Ono. "Lingzi, where did you meet Ono-kun?" "In one place." The younger sister was vague and did not give a positive answer. "Of course it's in one place. But I have to remind you. You're still a student. What's your relationship with the manager who drove here, and Miss Ono?" "Look! You're here again. Let me tell you, not only my Lingzi is like this, but all my classmates are like this, and they hang out with everyone. You only have freedom when you are a student, and there is no freedom after graduation." My sister is right.As a student, you can communicate freely.After graduation, I don’t have so much freedom when I return home.But Changzi wanted to know, how did Lingzi socialize, and why did he associate with older people? "Sister—" Lingzi asked her sister in turn. "Do you know Jim?" After that, he stared at his sister. Chang Zi was taken aback, and immediately changed his face, pretending to not remember.She didn't know how to answer.She was determined to say that she didn't know Jim. Because there are very few people with the surname Jim.And judging from her sister's expression, she seems to have seen Jimu. "I do not recognize." But Changzi was immediately shaken.She knew that her younger sister was good at observing words and expressions. "yes?" The younger sister seemed to be observing her elder sister's expression, and her eyes were always fixed on her. "Strange—" my sister said to herself. "From Jim's tone, he seems to know my sister." Changzi swallowed a mouthful of saliva. "Yo - what's going on here?" "I also met him for the first time, and he asked, do you have a sister?" There are very few people with the surname Chaochuan, and Yoshiki may think that Reiko is Masako's younger sister. "I said, I have a sister. Ask Jim, do you know her? He says no. That's strange." The younger sister is still observing the changes in her elder sister's expression. "Isn't that the end? How did I know him?" "Jimu is also very strange. I said, my sister is married and it's boring to be alone. I invited him to visit you together. He refused." It seems that the person my sister met was indeed Jimu. But how did my sister meet Jimu?Changzi decided to find out Jim's whereabouts from his sister as if nothing had happened. At this moment, Masako felt indifferent and uneasy.It was as if a gust of wind was about to blow up around him, and it would drag him into it.