Chapter 5 5. Walking at night

one Lun Xiangzi and Sasaki Kazuko walked out of the department store when they heard the closing bell.The sun is already setting outside. The sun-shaded shopping street is already flickering.It is an inexplicably unsettling image that moves from dusk to night. When the two of them were shopping, they agreed: go back after eating.As the crowded crowd passed through the intersection in Owari-cho, Kazuko Sasaki said with an almost mischievous expression: Why!Call the ancients, shall we? Mr. Onogi?Lun Xiangzi was a little surprised. It's okay!It's always boring for two people!He happened to be off work.Sasaki Kazuko looked at his watch.

Lun Xiangzi did not make a clear statement on this matter. After crossing the intersection and slowing down on the sidewalk, Kazuko Sasaki said, "I'm going to make a phone call."Keep him while he's gone. As he spoke, he took out a small notepad from his handbag and flipped through it.It seems that she has already written down the phone number on the business card she asked for from Onogi. Um?okay?Before walking towards the public phone, Kazuko Sasaki was asking for permission from Rinkoko.In fact, that tone was not solicitation, but coercion. Lun Xiangzi had an ambiguous expression and couldn't come up with a clear opinion, so Hezi walked quickly towards the phone with a smile on his face, and dialed the dial while looking at the notepad.Sasaki Kazuko had a habit of immediately carrying out rashly as soon as he had a whim, while Lun Xiangzi was always dragged behind this friend to do it.Although Hezi also understands this, he will never go against the wishes of the other party.This proves that Kazuko's judgment is very strong.It seemed that this was the case at the moment, she knew that Lun Xiangzi would not object to asking Onogi to come out.

The phone seems to be connected.Rinkoko stood a little further away, staring at the corner of Sasaki Kazuko's mouth.There was an endless stream of pedestrians in front of me.From time to time, through the gaps of pedestrians, Kazuko Sasaki's profile could be seen, leaning over the receiver with a smile on her face.Lun Xiangzi understood that Onogi hadn't left the work unit yet. Lun Xiangzi stood there restlessly.After a while, Kazuko Sasaki returned. He said it.A mischievous smile appeared on his face. It's so embarrassing!Lun Xiangzi looked at his friend's face, he was surprised, right?

No, not at all.Kazuko Sasaki shook his head. He said that he was going back now, so it was okay to go. Although Kazuko Sasaki relayed Takao Onogi's reply, it can be imagined that Onogi would not agree so easily.She must have insisted on calling someone over the phone. I'll take a taxi to pick him up now!Sasaki Kazuko's voice was a little excited, as it was agreed just now.Mr. Onogi said he was waiting in front of the prosecutor's office.Twenty minutes back and forth is enough.She looked at her watch, then looked at Lun Xiangzi and said: Aren't you going together? Well, Lu Xiangzi's eyes showed hesitation.Taking a taxi to Onogi's workplace, even with friends, is not a pleasant way to meet.

I'll wait for you over there.Lu Xiangzi said. Um?Sasaki Kazuko looked around, as if choosing a location.Then I asked: Which tea shop should I wait for? yes.Lun Xiangzi thought for a while, thought of a place, and said: Then, wait on the second floor of Qianpi Tea Shop! Well, it's easy to find there!OK, I have to hurry. Kazuko Sasaki patted Lun Xiangzi on the back lightly, and hurried towards the taxi parking lot.Her shoulders are full of excitement. Lun Xiangzi walked slowly among the crowd. It happened suddenly.She had never even thought about the situation where she would eat with Onogi here.Among the walking crowd, Lu Xiangzi had a premonition that there would be a ray of light and a shadow projected into her life in the future.

In the corner of the large glass window overlooking the Ginza road, Rinkako sat down and waited.After a while, I saw a taxi parked by the sidewalk below.Responding to her intuition, Sasaki Kazuko got out of the car first, stood there smiling and looking into the car.The tall figure of Onogi who was already familiar with him came out after bowing his waist. Sasaki Kazuko stretched out a hand to touch Onogi's arm, urging him to walk quickly into the tea shop.In Lu Xiangzi's vision, the figures of the two disappeared under the eaves.Why can you act so innocently?Lun Xiangzi wondered in her heart, and couldn't help but envy Sasaki Kazuko's familiarity.

Although something happened unexpectedly, I still couldn't help but feel a little excited.Two people are about to approach this dining table.Before their figures pushed open the door and appeared, they even felt a kind of excitement that was almost uneasy.Lun Xiangzi stared down at the juice cocktail, waiting for the real anxiety to come. She felt that the time seemed to be doubled, but it was actually less than three minutes.The figure walked towards the eyes through the light. I kept you waiting.Sasaki Kazuko's cheery voice was heard next to his ear. Lun Xiangzi pushed away the chair and stood up.Onogi Takao's tall body stood side by side with Kazuko, bowed with a soft smile on his face.

Thank you last time! Onogi was much more easy-going than the impression she saw at the wedding ceremony at T Hotel, and the three of them gathered together like this, Lun Xiangzi felt as if the scene at that time continued.An illusion even flashed in his mind, as if the three of them came here on the way back from T Hotel. Is it too much trouble?Lu Xiangzi's words were not aimed directly at Onogi, but were asking Kazuko Sasaki beside him. No!Onogi took over and said, I am free after work.It is rare to be invited by both of you. Right?At the end of Onogi's words, Sasaki Kazuko stared at Lun Xiangzi's face and said, it was right to hang up the phone!Xiao Xiangzi was still worried.

Kazuko smiled smugly. However, it would be a little too abrupt to invite you out of the blue. Didn't I just come here casually? Onogi smiled slightly at Rinkoko, took out a cigarette from his pocket, she declined, but Kazuko Sasaki grabbed one through his red nails. Where are you taking us for dinner?Kazuko Sasaki asked Onogi. Geez, I'm no good at this. Onogi smiled.Just above his head were the branches and leaves of tropical plants hanging from the ceiling. So, let's stay at Hotel A, shall we?Sasaki Kazuko looked at Rinkoko while mashing the strawberries in the cup.It's completely a leisurely and contented demeanor.

Fine.Lun Xiangzi turned her gaze to Onogi. I can go anywhere.Onogi answered very simply.However, the eyes seem to be gazing at a place far, far away. The momentary look in Onogi's eyes made Lun Xiangzi imagine that he might have a familiar restaurant.The expression in those eyes gave the impression that he thought of a certain restaurant, but it was inconvenient to say where he was going.He was familiar with the restaurant because he had eaten there. Onogi must have eaten at that restaurant with someone.Lun Xiangzi thought of the slender woman she saw in the dense bushes of Jindaiji Temple.

The restaurant is very close.This is a restaurant with a good reputation for specializing in French cuisine, well-equipped, quiet and tidy. I didn't know that Mr. Onogi was a prosecutor.Kazuko Sasaki said this while wielding a knife on the plate. oh.what do you look likeOnoki had a slight smile on his face. That's right, Kazuko glanced at Lun Xiangzi when I first met her at Jindaiji Temple, as if checking her expression. I thought it might be a young scholar.Lu Xiangzi also agrees with this observation.That's what Suwa thought when she first met Onogi. It's such an honor.Holding the leg of the roasted tender chicken in his hand, Onogi said, Are you disappointed?It turned out to be such a disappointing job. No.Sasaki Kazuko quickly denied it, I like this profession, I think you must be a scholar-type prosecutor. Then he turned to Lun Xiangzi, twirling his eyes to seek empathy, Xiao Xiangzi, do you feel the same way? Um.Lun Xiangzi nodded reluctantly, envious of Sasaki and Zizi being able to talk seamlessly and congenially with Onogi quickly. The meal was over in less than an hour.Sasaki Kazuko said to Lun Xiangzi while eating fruit: It's a pity to go back like this.It's still early, why don't you grab Mr. Onogi to watch a movie? Oh, no!Lun Xiangzi stopped in surprise. Do you have anything else to do? No, nothing happened.Mr. Onogi is not convenient. Ah, no problem!Right, Mr. Onogi?OK? Onogi was digging the melon with a spoon, and nodded with a helpless wry smile. They watch foreign films, which are not interesting. What a disappointment. After the curtain closed and the lights came on, Sasaki Kazuko said.The order in which they sat was that Kazuko was next to Onogi, and Lunxiangzi was next to Onogi.All three stood up from their chairs, and only glanced at each other after the lights came on.The audience descends the stairs one by one. Lun Xiangzi was also disappointed.Average plot, mediocre acting.None of the deep emotion that comes after watching an interesting movie, just the dullness and fatigue of being stuck in a chair for an hour and a half. Onogi also had a dull expression. Sasaki Kazuko looked at the time, mobilized Rinkako and said: It's not yet ten o'clock.Where should we go? Want to go somewhere else? As he walked, Hezi leaned against Lunxiangzi's shoulder. I always feel a little reconciled after watching a boring movie; I want to immerse myself in the refreshing and luxurious atmosphere, and then go back! Where is that kind of place? Shall we go to the nightclub with Mr. Onogi? nightclub?Lun Xiangzi looked into Sasaki Kazuko's eyes in surprise. Hezi showed her white teeth and smiled: How about it, are you curious?I've been wanting to check it out for a long time!However, it is not easy to go alone with women.Tonight is a great opportunity.Just ask Mr. Onogi to take us there! For Lun Xiangzi, it is not without interest to go to the nightclub.She felt that it would be fascinating to spend some time with Onogi in a colorful world that she had never seen before.And that seems to be more than enough to make up for the shortcomings of watching boring movies.However, since it was very late, it was impossible not to consider whether Onogi would feel embarrassed. However, it is already very late.Lun Xiangzi said this. No problem, forty minutes is enough!We don't want to drink, just to open our eyes.I will take you home by car.Sasaki Kazuko insisted on pulling Xiangzi round. However, Mr. Onogi is inconvenient. That's not a problem, is it, Mr. Onogi? Kazuko said on his own, looking up at Onogi's tall back. What?Onogi turned around and asked. Whoops, I thought you'd been listening!I want you to take us to the nightclub.We have never been there yet. . I didn't once either!Onoki replied lightly. It doesn't matter, I only know the name, there is a club called Trua.It is said to be the best in Tokyo. Sasaki Kazuko's is a silk and satin shop in Nihombashi, Chuo District, Tokyo, and it is considered a long-established shop in that industry.According to the recent provisions of the Commercial Law, semicolons have also been set up in the brand-name goods area specially set up in major department stores. Hezi's knowledge must have been learned when his father and brother were discussing business. Not suitable.The fee must be high.Lun Xiangzi said so, but his heart was a little uncontrollable excited. What a fool!Mr. Prosecutor will not be the only one to pay.In order not to let Onogi hear, Kazuko said these words in a low voice. Evenly share it!Otherwise, I can pay for you. After all, she is a girl from a merchant family. Mr. Onogi, please come with us! Yeah?I don't care. Onogi glanced at Lun Xiangzi.This protective glance provoked a small counterattack from Lun Xiangzi. Mr. Onogi, why don't you show us?Lu Xiangzi said proactively. Twenty minutes later, the taxi taken by the three of them stopped in front of the nightclub in Akasaka. A waiter in a bright red uniform ran over and opened the car door graciously.Looking around, there are rows of high-end cars parked in the parking lot. The waiter politely opened the door.At this time, Sasaki Kazuko looked at Lun Xiangzi and stuck out his tongue. two In the dark corridor leading to the ballroom, waiters in red uniforms lead the way with flashlights.According to the etiquette of this occasion, Onogi followed behind the women. Kazuko Sasaki took the lead and walked straight forward with his face raised.Down the long red-carpeted aisle, she strode with shoulders hunched. Through this strait, came a vast ocean.The red fishing stars are scattered all over, and people sit around it.The sky is full of stars twinkling. Because it was the first time to come here, Lun Xiangzi was taken aback.Bright lights are projected on the dance floor in front, and groups of guests are dancing.In the background, a band in white uniform is playing, and a small and exquisite woman in green is singing in front of the microphone. The waiter led them to a white table in the corner.Kazuko Sasaki sat down on the chair pulled over by the waiter nonchalantly. The surrounding tables are full of customers. What would you three drink?asked the waiter, bending down. Onogi looked at the faces of Sasaki Kazuko and Rinkako. Xiao Xiangzi, what do you want?Hezi held back a laugh, and asked with his head raised. That's it.Take what you want!Lunxiangzi couldn't figure out what to drink. good.Sasaki Kazuko turned around and said, Miss Red. Kazuko Sasaki said while pointing two fingers at the waiter who was bowing and looking at them. OKThe waiter took it down respectfully. I'll have whiskey with soda and ice!Onogi reported that the waiter tiptoed back. What is the red girl you speak of?Lun Xiangzi asked her friend worriedly. I do not know.Hezi stuck out his tongue, only remembering hearing someone mention this name, anyway, what will be served is still a mystery. The tune was changed to "Rumba".On the dance floor, the guests are dancing in a hurry. Lun Xiangzi looked around, there were mostly foreign guests, perhaps because the blonde woman was so eye-catching, she felt as if she was in a Western painting.On the dark ceiling, there are countless small holes, and the lights inside are flickering.The white dining table was arranged in a semicircle around the dance floor, and candles were burning in the red tube lamps.The faces of those foreign guests were all flushed. The waiter brought the wine on a silver tray held on three fingers.The yellow liquid was placed in front of Onogi, and the pink liquid was in front of Rinkako and Kazuko. So lovely!Looking down, Lun Xiangzi said.This refers to the color of the wine in the glass. Much like sherbet!Kazuko raised the cup to his eyes, looked at it through the bright light and said. Will you be drunk?As he spoke, Kazuko tilted his head and asked Onogi, is that right, Mr. Onogi?Her nose and mouth looked very red because of the red desk lamp. ah.Onogi smiled slightly.He honestly said that he didn't know, and then said: Although this thing is sweet and delicious, after hearing about it, you will be drunk. Xiao Xiangzi, be careful!Kazuko raised his glass and said, let's drink tonight's successful escapades! Lun Xiangzi and Onogi both smiled and clinked glasses with her. Lun Xiangzi took a sip of the wine, the taste was very sweet, but also had a pleasant and stimulating feeling. It smells so good!He Ziyuan opened his eyes and said, he didn't know it was so delicious.Mr. Onogi, how are you doing? Kazuko looked at the yellow cup and asked Onogi. Mine was very spicy. Yeah? Kazuko tried to take a sip as if taking medicine, then raised his peach-colored cup slightly higher, handed it to Onogi, and said, Mr. Onogi, don’t you want to take a sip? No!forget it.A wry smile appeared on Onoki's face. Lun Xiangzi admires Sasaki Kazuko very much.Even on such occasions, she can act coquettishly in front of Onogi without restraint. The music accompanied by the band in front is constantly changing.In the narrow passage between the tables, dancing men and women bring women back and forth.This kind of atmosphere naturally made Lun Xiangzi a little fascinated. How about dancing with Mr. Onogi?Sasaki Kazuko discussed with Lunxiangzi.Kazuko's eyes sparkled, perhaps as a result of the red light. Lun Xiangzi glanced at Onogi's face, Onogi immediately shook his head in embarrassment and said: "I can't do it!"Can't jump. Not the truth! Not a bit of a lie. oops!Kazuko cried out, didn't you skip it when you were a student? My friends often dance, but because of my laziness, I finally Are you just studying hard? It's not all because of this reason, but because I don't have the heart to learn.If it jumps up, it seems to be very interesting!Among my friends, there was one who became fascinated and later became a dance teacher. Onogi put down his cup and took out his cigarette.Blue smoke floated in the dim light.Onogi's eyes looked at the people dancing in the dance hall.His eyes were calm, and he seemed to be thinking, maybe he was thinking about his friend who became a dance teacher. However, Hezi said, you always have a little bit, right? No, not at all. It looks like you can dance.Kazuko looked at him carefully and said.Onogi is tall and well-proportioned. Yeah?This is just for nothing! What a pity.Hezi said with a half-sigh. Do you like dancing?Onogi asked Kazuko. like.Hezi replied readily, although he didn't dance well. No!Lun Xiangzi stepped in and said, Hezi is dancing well!It can be regarded as the best in the class, and even entered the training class Don't say those things that hurt your reputation!Hezi quickly interrupted Lun Xiangzi, she was lying!Mr. Onogi. No, that's fine.Onoki smiled silently. Lun Xiangzi, you don't speak well!Hezi glared at Lun Xiangzi. More than half of the yellow liquid in Onogi's cup remained. Mr. Onogi doesn't drink much? Yes.Onogi also turned his attention to the whiskey in his glass, but this one didn't work either.Nothing! Real pie.This was said by Chaolun Xiangzi. Is Mr. Prosecutor different in these matters? Onogi laughed. It has nothing to do with it!One of our colleagues has a big alcoholic, but now he has been transferred to Osaka. So, Mr. Onogi is different?Sasaki Kazuko said while holding his chin with fingers crossed.There was a tiny bit of peachy red maiden wine in the bottom of her glass.Look carefully, Kazuko's face is very red. Xiaohezi, are you drunk?Lun Xiangzi asked worriedly. Where, it's all right!Kazuko shaking her hair, it smells so good!Would you like another drink? Well, don't drink it! Yo!Xiao Xiangzi, you haven't had a drink yet.Hezi stopped his eyes on Lunxiangzi's wine glass and said. Um.Because of its stamina, it is scary. Afraid of being reprimanded by mother? Not really. Mr. Onogi.Hezi said, Xiaoxiangzi is the only lady, so she is a baby at home! Damn it, Xiaohezi! After Lun Xiangzi finished speaking, she found Onogi's eyes suddenly cast on her face from the side, and she couldn't help feeling hot. Onoki looked absently at the dance floor in front of him.There are many dancing guests, so it is almost crowded in the narrow place.Couples of people hugging and dancing, their expressions are very relaxed and happy.When I came to this kind of occasion for the first time, I felt novelty in everything I saw. The two young women are very cheerful. They seem to be ladies of high family status. They are well-bred and full of youthful vitality in their speech and behavior.The innocence and purity of the two ladies made him feel refreshed physically and mentally. After all, Kazuko Sasaki is like the son of a businessman, giving people a more or less cheerful and casual feeling.Tazawa Rinkoko has the atmosphere of a high-ranking official family.Both of them are good, if they can become friends, it seems that they will become more cheerful. Among the crowd in the dance hall, there was a foreign couple dancing.Although they are quite old, they are crowded among young people, laughing and dancing vigorously.The husband's head is covered with silver threads, and the wife's face is lined with wrinkles.But they danced so unrestrainedly, as if immersed in the joy of no one else, and did not pay attention to the dancers around them and the audience sitting at the table. so good!Onogi admired him very much.If you are Japanese, you will be scruples about your age, and it is impossible to dance like this.Compared with any couple who swirl around, this old married couple looks extraordinarily fresh and pure.Onogi's eyes naturally moved to the seats of the guests. Although there are many foreigners, it goes without saying that there are also Japanese people here.Because this is a first-class nightclub, the costumes and manners of the guests are very elegant and elegant.Although they all called women to accompany them, there was no loud laughter. Suddenly, Onogi noticed that there was a Japanese guest staring at him at a seat about three tables away.However, the other party's eyes may not be staring at Onogi, but at Rinkako or Sasaki Kazuko sitting next to him, otherwise it would be unreasonable.Because Onogi didn't recognize that face. Even in the dim lighting, the man looked about forty years old.The face is slightly slender, with a high nose bridge, which is very sculptural.Since he happened to be sitting in a dimly lit place, the lamp from the dining table cast a sharp shadow on his face.The women around him are all a little lower than him, which shows that he is tall.It can be said that it was a middle-aged handsome man. The man rested one arm on the table, pressed his palm lightly to his cheek, and was smoking a cigarette.The women were talking about something, although he nodded from time to time, his eyes never left this side. There were also five or six women surrounding the male guest.It can be seen from the style of clothing that they all work in this nightclub.The man seemed to be a regular visitor, so the women chatted and laughed casually, and at the same time kept chatting up him. In order to socialize, a measured smile appeared on the male guest's face.He sometimes turned his face to the woman's side, but then he rested his chin on his hand and changed his posture to look in the direction of Onogi.I couldn't figure out whether it was looking out, or thinking about a problem; or whether it was just turning its face to this side out of boredom.In short, the only thing that is certain is that his eyes are directed in this direction. Inexplicably, Onogi was a little worried about this male guest.Perhaps, however, he need not be taken to heart.They were strangers to each other before, and the other party might just turn his face to this side by chance, so he could take it calmly.However, Onogi felt that those eyes were staring at him from a distance. Mr. Onogi.Sasaki Kazuko said. ah.Onogi looked back. Look at you!I have called you twice! Yeah?sorry. It's getting late, shall we go back? Onogi looked at his watch, it was already eleven past five.sorry!He panicked, it was late.The two families are worried, right? No, that didn't ask you.I just hung up the phone calls to both Xiao Xiangzi's house and mine from here.Xiao Xiangzi's mother was relieved when she knew she was with me. This is a great trust in you! But it's time to go back, call the waiter! Onogi stopped a waiter who was passing by.Hearing that the bill was to be paid, the waiter immediately said, please wait a moment, then bowed and left. I don't know how much?Kazuko quietly took out the red wallet and asked like this. Yes, I don't know.Lun Xiangzi also had an expression of innumerable hearts. it does not matter.I will pay. Hearing Onogi's words, Sasaki Kazuko immediately raised a hand and said: That's not okay!We always pay evenly, Mr. Onogi, you are our friend from today, right?So, we ask for an average payout. Onogi smiled helplessly again; moreover, this incident also meant that Onogi had become their friend without knowing it.The waiter brought the bill on a silver tray.Because it was a hindrance to decency, it was Onogi who paid for it. The three stood up from their chairs together.Kazuko Sasaki looked at the dancing couples reluctantly, and said: Mr. Onogi, can't you learn some dance steps and dance with us later?I can teach you. However, Onogi had something else in his mind.He knew that the gentleman who was three tables away was still looking at him blankly.It appeared to be a high-class guest, surrounded by a large group of women in evening gowns, and a man who looked like a manager was bowing down and complimenting him. three The door buzzer rang twice in a row. From the sound of the buzzer, Lun Xiangzi can roughly determine the type of visitor.The people who came to petition their father, the subordinates in the organization, they were very polite and pressed very shortly; the ones who pressed for a long time were friends of the father, or people who were in an equal position in the working relationship. Those who press twice in a row are usually postmen or the like; salesmen come in and out through the back door.Lun Xiangzi was able to make a vague judgment on how the buzzer sounded, and it was only after she graduated from a women's university this spring that she stayed at home. The buzzer rang twice just now.At first she thought it was the postman who had come to deliver a telegram or a dispatch, but then she remembered that it was Sunday. Among the guests, only one always rang the buzzer twice in succession.He also presses on Sunday.It is also pressed in the middle of the night on ordinary days.His name is Hiroshi Hemi, and he is a reporter in the Political Reporting Department of the F Newspaper. Because the two maids were not there, Lun Xiangzi came to the gate and opened the door from the inside. Lun Xiangzi intuitively guessed that it was Bian Jianbo standing outside the door.He was wearing a light-coloured jacket with a neatly tied tie. Hello!Seeing that it was Lun Xiangzi, Bian saw that he bowed his head in a little panic, his hair was not oiled.Let it be, unkempt. You are here!Lun Xiangzi asked with a smile.She is already quite familiar with Bianjian. I guess it's Mr. Bianjian. Oh, how did you know it was me? Lun Xiangzi didn't mention the buzzer.As soon as he speaks out, he will definitely change the law. Lun Xiangzi smiled, but did not answer.Bianjian was a little embarrassed, and the circles of his eyes were a little red.he asked: Is the chief at home? Yes, Dad is at home.please! Hisami is the only newspaper reporter who can freely come in and out of this family.As soon as he stepped through the gate, he raised the paper bag in one hand to Lun Xiangzi's eyes. This is a trifle. Lun Xiangzi smiled and nodded his thanks.This is also the old rule of Bianjian. It is said that it is a gift, but it is actually a cookie from the grocery store.He has come more times than he can count, but always with cookies.It seemed that he knew nothing but cookies. Mom, Mr. Cookie is here! Mom was in the kitchen, she said, telling Dad to go. The first time Lun Xiangzi called Hisami Mr. Cookie behind her back, her mother laughed and scolded her, but she is used to it now. Dad is studying materials in the back room.It is considered that the father of the year should also wear glasses when reading documents and newspapers.Even on Sunday, Dad often spends most of the day dealing with the work brought back from the office alone. I will go there in a while, and my father said to Lu Xiangzi without looking back when he heard that Bian Jian was here.Bound volumes of documents piled up on the table. Lun Xiangzi returned to the living room, and saw that she was sitting on a chair reading a small book.Seeing Lun Xiangzi, he put the book in his pocket.He didn't know what was stuffed into the pockets on both sides, but they were always bulging like cloth pockets. Dad will be here soon. Lun Xiangzi sits across the table across from Bianjian. Yeah?sorry.Bian Jian took out a cigarette, it was so hot!He said and lit the cigarette. Take off your shirt, shall we? No, it's okay. Bianjian declined.It looked like he didn't want to take it off before meeting his dad.However, her face was flushed, as if she was really hot. Please, it's ok. Because of Lu Xiangzi's persuasion, Bian Jian stood up.Lun Xiangzi walked around the back, trying to help him take off his shirt, but when she saw it, she hurriedly said in panic: Need not!I can, I can. But Lun Xiangzi still took the clothes and hung them on the suit hanger.His coat was surprisingly heavy.The pockets must be full. I really dare not take it!Bianjian scratched her disheveled hair regretfully, Miss Lunxiangzi, isn't she going to the beach? Only a white shirt was left on his body, and his face looked cool. At first he always called Lun Xiangzi Miss, but recently he changed to calling her by her first name.It can be seen that Hemizhi freely entered and left Tazawa's family. It has become a custom for Lun Xiangzi to go to the seaside of Fangzhou with her mother to spend half the summer every year.But not this year. Dad was too busy to leave, so I was not interested.Lun Xiangzi replied.Dad used to only be able to go there for two days from Tokyo.In addition, Lun Xiangzi has her own plans. She has graduated from school this year and wants to spend this summer at home, because she hasn't done so for many years. The chief is really busy.Bian Jian said that other bureau chiefs are not like this.After all, it is the busiest job in R province! Hisami deliberately avoided the word important.Because of his hometown, Lun Xiangzi's father was favored by a powerful figure in the Conservative Party.The minister of Province R that my father worked for was the confidant of that powerful person, so he was also highly valued by the minister. Rumors that Director Tian Ze was going to be a vice-official soon spread fiercely in Province R, and it was not unheard of by Lu Xiangzi, but her father seemed to have other plans.That is a bigger ambition. It seems that he is going to resign from office at the right time, relying on the care of powerful people, and run for Congress from his hometown. In other words, it seems that he wants to give up his official career as a second-ranking minister next to the minister, and dreams of becoming a minister one day.For this reason, people from the local political circles in my hometown often came to my father; my father often tried his best to help them ask for it.Moreover, the father himself often went to that powerful figure. However, Lun Xiangzi neither confirmed this matter with her father, nor heard a specific explanation from her mother.She hated hearing those words.But my mother seemed to have high hopes for it. Hisami Hiroshi is a reporter from the F News Agency who is in charge of covering province R, and seems to be very popular with his father.In order to collect information, even in the middle of the night, Bianjian would drive to the house to interview; his father seemed to only allow him to enter the house to talk.Other journalists were completely turned away. That lad is smart and good-natured.Father once praised Bian Jian in front of Lun Xiangzi. F News is worthy of being a traditional newspaper with a unique style!Bianjian is also outstanding in that newspaper office. Father had long favored F News.After careful investigation, it turned out that it started from the grandfather's generation.My father likes side-viewing, which seems to be due to his preference for F news. If Dad became a minister, Mom asked half-seriously with a smile, she would ask Bian Jian to be a secretary. Don't talk nonsense!I don't know if I can become a minister, how can I talk about this kind of thing.However, Dad's expression did not mean that. However, Mom still couldn't get away from this topic. Even Mr. H, the current head of the Economic Planning Agency, was originally a journalist stationed in Province R.Is it because he was favored by Mr. A, became Mr. A's secretary to the minister, and was elected as a member of the National Assembly, and then he reached his current position? There are many other examples of this kind, and Chief H is not the only one. Because of the presence of Lun Xiangzi, my father spoke very well at that time. Only in this way, I can't talk about what I want to see.Don't say such irrelevant words before it's too late!That's what Dad said at the time, but judging from Lun Xiangzi's premonition, Mom's imagination seems to be reasonable.She felt that her father really wanted to put Bian Jian in the position next to her. Furthermore, Dad seemed to be still considering Hisami as a marriage partner for Rinkako.On this matter, my mother's attitude may be more positive than my father's. Naturally, my father and mother never took the initiative to mention this matter.This is just Lu Xiangzi's sixth sense.And this sixth sense seems to be very accurate. Bian Jianbo is capable and of good character.Lu Xiangzi likes to see her side, but not as an object of love.If you are a friend, you are worthy of respect and can get along with each other openly, but if you are the person you want to get married, you never think about it. Bian Jian seems to have a good impression of Lun Xiangzi.But this is just a feeling, he didn't express it clearly.Hiro Bianjian is cheerful and practical in other aspects, but he is extremely timid in expressing his inner feelings. It is such a Hiroshi Hiroshi who is talking with Lun Xiangzi alone.After a while he felt inexplicably suffocated with tension, and looked around as if seeking a window of freedom to breathe.His eyes finally stopped at a window.There is a piano there. Are you practicing piano? Bian Jianbo stood up from the chair, walked towards the piano, and asked Lu Xiangzi. Um.However, I have been lazy recently and have not improved at all! Yeah?Bian Jian's face was reflected on the pitch-black piano platform, he turned his head and said: Miss Lunxiangzi, can I play the song indiscriminately? please!Lun Xiangzi smiled slightly.In fact, the scene itself was extremely incongruous for a man like Hiroshi Hisami to sit in front of the piano.Lun Xiangzi thought, anyway, the tune he plays is just the only nursery rhyme or pop song he remembers. As soon as Bian Jian sat in front of the piano, he crossed the fingers of both hands and bent them, and the joints made a rattling sound. Already forget it.He tilted his head and closed his eyes for a while, then put his ten fingers on the keyboard. According to the original melody.The scale is accurate.Lun Xiangzi was surprised when Chopin's "Raindrop" started. Lun Xiangzi was taken aback.Surprisingly, this man can play the piano very well!Seeing that Bo was still tapping the keys, he thought he was a clumsy person, but he didn't expect his fingers to be so nimble.The Chopin music being played seemed to come from somewhere else, as if it had nothing to do with Hisami's clumsy shoulders. When Lun Xiangzi was concentrating on it, her mother came in with a fruit plate. Oh!媽媽低聲叫了一句。一動不動地站在那裡，睜大眼睛看著邊見。實際上，她那注視的目光裡，正帶著驚愕的成分。 在演奏這支曲子的整整三分鐘裡，輪香子和媽媽都聽得目瞪口呆。彈完最後一個鍵子，邊見博重又轉過身來。黝黑的臉上掛著笑容。輪香子情不自禁地鼓起掌來。 You are here!媽媽連忙說道，眼裡仍然帶著驚訝的神色，真沒想到，邊見先生還會彈蕭邦的曲子呢！ Hello!邊見搔著頭頂向媽媽鞠了一躬。 彈得真好。您是在哪兒學的呀？Mom asked. 在學生時代。那時我也是音樂部的一員哩。半開玩笑地搞過一段，現在已經根本提不起來了。 Where are the words!確實彈得很好。今後常彈給我們聽聽吧！ 媽媽說話的時候，爸爸身穿絲織和服，腰裡纏著帶子，走進房間來了。爸爸很胖，因此和服也特別合身。 ah!爸爸向邊見打著招呼。 excuse me.邊見立起身，恭恭敬敬地鞠了個躬。 我說，媽媽搶著對爸爸說，邊見先生剛才彈了蕭邦的曲子呢！ oh?邊見嗎？爸爸也很稀奇地瞧著邊見。 彈得非常出色。我還吃了一驚哪！ Yeah?爸爸微笑著。 不是真的呀！Secretary.拙劣得很，獻醜啦。 邊見額頭上浸出了汗珠。他從衣袋裡掏出手帕，但那手帕已經揉作一團，又黑又髒。他滿不在乎地擦著額上的汗。 你們出去一下。爸爸笑著揮了揮手。這是為了回答邊見提出的問題。 來到走廊以後，媽媽低聲對輪香子說： 沒想到邊見先生還會彈鋼琴呢。原來只以為他是個快活的人。 媽媽好像對邊見博的深厚功底感到很滿意。 Four 媽媽在廚房又煮上了一壺咖啡，但她看看手錶說： 馬上就到四點了。該給邊見先生預備晚飯啦！ 凡傍晚來的客人，一般都要準備晚飯。輪香子以為媽媽這樣講正是出於這條慣例。 啊，對啦！ 媽媽好像想起什麼高興事似的，臉上掛著微笑，看著輪香子。 前些天你不是央求爸爸帶我們去什麼地方吃飯嗎？今天正是好機會，你去和爸爸說，拉上邊見先生一道去吧。 就是呢。 輪香子很喜歡全家到外面去吃飯，但和邊見博一起去，心裡卻有點顧慮。這倒不是因為討厭邊見博，而是希望只有家人團團圍坐在餐桌旁。 可是，媽媽喜歡邊見博，爸爸也很中意。此刻要提出異議，輪香子也覺得難以開口。 只要爸爸同意，那樣也行。輪香子表示贊成。媽媽的表情因而顯得更快活。 好，就這麼辦，真是個好主意呢。說著往客廳方向探頭看了一眼，爸爸他們的談話還沒結束？ 咖啡煮開了。媽媽倒在茶碗裡，然後讓輪香子用茶盤端去。 你把它端上去看看情況吧。要是方便的話，就向爸爸央求一下。 輪香子敲敲客廳的門，爸爸應了一聲請。 見是輪香子，爸爸說：怎麼，是你呀？ 看來爸爸以為是媽媽來了。談話好像已經結束，邊見博正往衣袋裡裝筆記本。 媽媽做什麼呢？Dad asked. 在廚房裡，要叫嗎？Lu Xiangzi said. 爸爸不在意地盯著輪香子的臉，說： 好吧，你也行。今天晚上，邊見君和咱們全家一塊兒去吃飯，你去告訴媽媽一聲。 oops!輪香子笑了。 What's the matter?爸爸責問道。 方才媽媽正是叫我來問這件事的。還說讓我央求爸爸。 What?爸爸眼角露出笑容，把臉轉向邊見，問道，你方便嗎？ ah.邊見略低一下頭，叨擾了！ 邊見一點也沒有顯出難為情的樣子。 那麼，就這樣決定吧！爸爸頗為滿意地說，輪香子，赤阪有一家叫穀川的飯店，以我的名義，告訴他們，過一會兒有四個人去吃飯。 good. 爸爸說了那家飯店的電話號碼。 走進廚房，看到外出歸來的女佣人正在對媽媽講著什麼。 How about it?媽媽回過頭來衝輪香子問道。 輪香子笑著說：我馬上就給要去吃飯的那家飯店打電話。爸爸先說出來了。 Yeah?媽媽滿面春風地離開了廚房。 輪香子按爸爸告訴的號碼掛了電話，接電話的是個年輕女人的聲音。一說是田澤家，對方馬上讓等一下，接著傳出來一個粗嗓門的女人聲音。 輪香子照爸爸講的話說了一遍。 Know it!Thanks! 對方道過謝以後，又很謹慎地問：對不起，您是太太嗎？ No 輪香子正不知用什麼話來解釋，對方似乎已經察覺到了，又重新問道： 啊，您是小姐吧？ Um. 哎呀呀，真對不起！平時承蒙多方關照。那聲音愈發恭敬了。 剛放下電話，鈴聲緊接著又響起來了。 輪香子一拿起聽筒，對方似乎從這聲響就知道是她了。 啊，小香子嗎？ 電話裡，佐佐木和子的聲音聽來有點興奮。 yes! 上一次太好玩啦。和子的聲音裡含著笑。 嗯，真快活。輪香子眼前浮現出夜總會的情景和小野木喬夫的身影。 太晚了，沒挨罵吧？和子問。 嗯，沒事兒！不過，也是因為有你送回來的。 挺信得過我喔！這我就放心啦，可以大聲講嗎？ 什麼呀，究竟？ 咱們再把小野木先生拉出來一次吧？佐佐木和子的聲音更加起勁了。 輪香子沒有馬上吭聲。心跳突然加快，有點透不過氣來。因為輪香子默不作聲，佐佐木和子又喂，喂地喊了起來。 ah. 怎麼啦，行嗎？我明天給小野木先生打電話，問他什麼時候方便。好不好，再玩玩吧？ 可是，輪香子對和子的魯莽行事有點不高興。小野木先生也很忙。一個勁兒拉他出來，不好吧。 不，沒問題。和子當即說道，他還是位新手嘛！我想不會有那種需要他耽擱到很晚的工作。他很可能要自己學習，但又不是每天晚上邀他出來，我想不要緊的。而且，如果為難的話，即使約他，他也會拒絕的怎麼樣，小香子，我可以給小野木先生掛電請嗎？ 那倒沒關係，可是輪香子終於這樣說道。她還是對和子那多少帶點強迫的語調屈服了。 Yeah?OK, let's do it.聽到回話兒，我再給你打電話吧。和子把電話掛斷了。 輪香子儘管對和子的類似強加於人的做法有些討厭，但自己畢竟沒有反對，心裡覺得還是做對了。與小野木會面，終歸是件令人高興的事。於是，對這位朋友的不愉快也就隨之煙消雲散了。 你的電話？ 媽媽來到跟前。好像剛去客廳和爸爸說過話。 嗯，是和子打來的。 oh.媽媽沒有多問。然後就催輪香子說，快，快點準備吧！馬上就要去啦。 怎麼，就去嗎？ 窗子上還留著明亮的太陽光亮。 趕到飯店就差不多啦！快，快點吧！ 輕易不和爸爸在外面吃飯的媽媽，那興頭簡直和小姑娘一樣。相反，輪香子的表情倒顯得顧慮重重了。 哎，輪香子，過來一下！你穿什麼衣服？ 西服就行啦！ 和服不是更好碼？咱們是去飯店，又要坐到席子上的。 倘若穿和服，保準要讓穿鮮豔的會客服裝。那樣一副打扮，再夾雜著邊見這樣的青年，一塊兒坐在飯店裡進餐，人們會用什麼眼光來看待呢？若被人看成是相親，那就討厭了。 和服太麻煩了，我不願意穿。還是西服吧。輪香子一面說一面躲進了自己的房間。邊見博是位好青年。輪香子也並非一味地嫌惡他。他為人開朗，講求實幹；正像爸爸所稱讚的那樣，頭腦也很聰明。 要說不拘小節吧，其實並不對；他頭腦很清楚，禮節周到，舉止適度。而且還彈得一手好蕭邦曲。作為新聞記者，看來也頗為能幹。不像所謂社會報導部的記者那麼粗笨，而總是彬彬有禮，灑脫幹練，不愧是政治報導部的記者。 但是，在輪香子的眼裡，邊見絕沒有超出這個限度。作為值得尊敬的朋友，那是可以永遠相處下去的。 一看到邊見，輪香子便不由自主地想起小野木喬夫。雖然不是有意將他倆進行比較，但小野木身上確實缺少邊見那種明朗爽快。聳起的肩頭，總像有冷風吹著一樣。即使置身於光線明亮的場所，小野木的眼神也總像盯著某個昏暗的一點。 輪香子眼前常常浮現出小野木的面部側影。那是在上諏訪車站，小野木身穿毛衣，肩挎書包，正從月臺上走過的形象。 人們的內心世界，好像總是在沒有人注意的情況下，由其面部側影自然而然地顯露出來。輪香子從火車車窗突然眺望到的小野木就正是這個樣子。從旁看去，他那略微低下的面孔，顯得孤獨而又寂寞。 輪香子曾經在心裡琢磨過內中的情由。小野木的寂寞究竟來自何處呢？對他過去的經歷和現在的環境，還從來沒有問過。 輪香子腦海裡突然又重新閃現出那位在深大寺靜靜地走在小野木身邊的女性。她想，小野木的寂寥，可能就是這位女性投下的陰影。 穀川飯店的四周，圍著一圈別致的板障。 乘汽車前去一看，這一帶差不多的飯店都建著木板圍牆。從那些掛在正門外面的招牌上，輪香子還看到了從報刊上見過的一家著名飯店的名字。 老板娘到大門口來迎接。她有五十歲的樣子，身體胖得滾圓。大門口是石鋪地面，早已灑過水。 Hello!welcome! 老板娘滿面笑容地朝輪香子爸爸問候道。 一大群女佣人也跟在老板娘後頭曲膝打躬。這些人的本意，看來並不在爸爸身上，而是不露痕跡地端詳著媽媽和輪香子。房間安排在能夠觀賞庭園的地方。室內設計精巧，煞是瀟灑。黃昏的庭院，石燈放出幽暗的光。潔白的點景石上，有人工栽種的樹叢，樹葉窸窣作響。 老板娘向媽媽道謝，感謝局長平時的多方關照。然後又看著輪香子說：這位就是令小姐嗎？剛才在電話裡已經拜聽了聲音。 說著，又把身子稍向後退下一步，做出遠遠打量的姿勢，口裡說：長得真漂亮呀！ 這位老板娘的姿勢，簡直就像在跳舞一樣。 今晚是家庭招待宴會，所以，爸爸笑著說，老板娘，不要多少酒，只管上美味佳肴來！ 是，好的！Know it!老板娘雙手攥拳支在席子上，低下頭答應著。 局長先生，您說是家庭招待宴會，這太好啦！真令人羨慕哩！ Forget it!別盡說好聽的啦！ 爸爸苦笑著連忙指了指正對面的邊見博，衝老板娘說： 這位是常去我家的報社記者，今晚請他一塊兒來了。都親如一家人，要怕新聞記者難伺候，要好好招待！ 啊，是這麼回事呀！豈敢，豈敢！Please take care of me. 老板娘又朝邊見恭恭敬敬地把頭低下，並用手捂著嘴笑了。 我還兀自以為是令小姐的訂婚對象哩。 邊見滿面通紅尷尬地笑著。媽媽臉上的微笑很微妙。輪香子心裡則在嘀咕，到底還是不該叫邊見一道來！ 端上來的菜餚和餐具都很講究。因為老板娘已經出去，所以媽媽便向女佣人問起這些菜的烹調方法，興致非常高。 爸爸和邊見喝了一會兒酒。邊見很起勁地吃著擺上來的菜。 邊見先生，您回到住處大概也很無聊吧。今天晚上您不必客氣，請慢慢用吧。媽媽隔桌子向斜對面的邊見說。 沒有客氣。我要吃個酒足飯飽呢。邊見很高興地應道。 ah!媽媽好像突然想起什麼似的，中途放下了筷子。 有件事忘記告訴阿安啦！媽媽瞧著輪香子，讓她打電話把那件事告訴家中的女佣人。 房間裡沒有電話，電話間在走廊的盡頭。飯店的一個女佣人站起來給輪香子帶路。 輪香子跟在女佣人後面走在擦得很亮的走廊上。剛到走廊就發現，一個女人正走在前頭，印象裡是剛從其他房間出來的，當然只能見到她的背影。那女子身材很苗條，輪香子以為是這一帶的藝妓。因為輪香子早就聽說過，這一帶的藝妓都很漂亮。 但是，在走廊拐彎的時候，那位女子潔白的面部側影映入了輪香子的眼簾，而且只是一瞬間；身影隨即消失了。 輪香子險些啊地叫出聲來。這個女子的面部側影，跟那位與小野木一塊兒走在深大寺的女性十分相似。雖然是轉瞬之間留在眼裡的印象，但完全可以做出這一判斷。 剛才那位女子離開的房間，就在走廊的橫頭。不用說，拉門是關著的。然而，在那間屋子外面，走廊上整齊地擺著一男一女的拖鞋。 輪香子彷彿產生一種幻覺，似乎小野木正坐在那扇拉門的裡面。因此，連她本人都覺出自己的臉色變得蒼白了。