Chapter 7 Seven, walk in the rain

one After dawn, the typhoon stopped, but the trees were still shaking.But that is already the appearance of ordinary strong wind blowing.Only the rain is still falling, but it is also an ordinary heavy rain. However, the red river is still rising.The width of the water surface is beyond imagination, the speed is accelerating, and the water potential is surging.The river cliffs with trees were easily washed away by the flood and drifted downstream with the current. The first concern of those gathered on the second floor of the hotel union offices was whether the train would come.However, the 6:20 train from Kofu disappeared, and the 7:01 train from Fujinomiya disappeared.

The man in the fire brigade uniform came running from the station.Although the ordinary telephone line had been cut, the railway line seemed to be running, and he came in to report: I heard that the railway line from K to Kofu has been blocked due to the collapse of the cliff.The line from H on our side is cut off by the Fuji River! Everyone present turned pale with panic.Because I heard that seven o'clock is the high tide time, everyone has a ray of worry in their hearts, but once they face the reality, everyone feels embarrassed. How many hours can it be fixed?Someone asked. Probably two days.

The other party replied like this.Also, it is said to be unreliable. Lai Zi's face was pale, and he looked down at the rushing torrent of the river from the window of the trade union office. Lai Zi, what should I do?Onogi said. What do you say?Lai Zi asked back, his eyes turned blank. They said it would take two days to fix.If you stay here for two days, Onogi really can't say what you said next. Lai Zi must have lied in front of her husband before coming here.According to Onogi's plan in advance, she only planned to stay for one night during this trip. What will happen to her if she stays here for two or three days?Onogi felt his face lose color, and his heart was unbearably excited.

It's just helpless!Lai Zi said in a low and trembling voice.There was an expression in his eyes that was almost waiting to die. Onogi thought to himself, this can't work!It seemed as if all the blood in his body was rushing to his brain, and his eyes suddenly went black.There was an instinctive cry in my heart: No matter what the price is, I must send Lai Zi back to her husband tonight! Onogi strode towards the man in the fireman's suit who brought the news. It is said that due to the collapse of the cliff, there is no hope of repairing the railway. Is this news accurate? Even Onogi himself felt that his face was abnormal.The man looked at his face in surprise.

precise.Because the station staff said so when they contacted on the phone. The return train is probably still running, right?What station is that at? The man from the fire brigade had a confused look on his face and didn't know which station it was.I'm afraid, maybe it's not clear yet! To Onogi, this kind of statement is completely irrelevant to him. Please figure it out right away!I think you are responsible for this.We must return to Tokyo tonight. Later, Lai Zi felt that what Onogi said was a bit too much; but at that time he was so excited that even his eyes were red. As if awakened by Onogi's protest, the other tenants who were trapped here surrounded the man in the fire suit.

Yes!We must go back!It is the hotel's responsibility to help out!A young man who resembled a company employee had the highest tone.Behind him, a woman who looked like a clerk was standing there with a sad face. Tell us to live in this kind of place, what is this?Do you want us to stay here for two nights?Said a bald man with triangular eyes. The amount of water in the river behind continues to increase, which is a fact for all to see. However, the typhoon has passed, and the tenants are relieved, feeling that the danger has been lifted.What happened now was that the impatience to get out of the area as soon as possible was vividly displayed on everyone's face.

However, compared with any of the tourists who gathered here to protest, Onogi felt more in a dilemma and anxious. I am not a hotel worker.said the man in the fire suit, flinching, with a look of overwhelmed expression on his face. You call the person in charge of the hotel! Everyone roared.The man hurried down the stairs and escaped. However, it is not that the hotel deliberately left the guests behind.Three or four hotel foremen came up and told everyone that they had finally made arrangements with various hotels, so please move to those places. It is said that there is no hope of opening to traffic at all.Because the Chuo Line was cut off in many places, even if the train to Kofu was able to pass, the train to Tokyo could not go out.

Another man said so. The railway connected to the Tokaido line has been cut off at three places from station H to the other side, so this line can't be counted on.Repairs will be carried out overnight once the water recedes, according to the railway. The guests were declared to be alone and helpless. The guests who were trapped here complained one after another, and soon fell silent in despair. I don't know who took the lead to stand up, and the foremen led them away.A sense of irresistible force calmed the guests and led them into a state of resignation. Onogi and Laizi were also temporarily taken to a hotel called Kashiwaya on the right hand side of the trade union office.

This is a small hotel, and every room is full.Pairs of restless eyes peered out of the window. The room was dirty, I'm so sorry.The maid who led the way apologized. It's true, the room is very old, the size of six mats, it seems that it has never been used at ordinary times.The mats were reddened, and the corners were frayed; the latticework of the sliding doors was also dirty. After the foreman stepped back, the two looked at each other again.Being placed in such a room, I suddenly had an illusion, as if I had become an elopement person. Lai Zi sipped the half-cold tea.Outside, the sound of rain still kept coming into my ears.

His face was as white as a piece of white paper, and his well-shaped lips were trembling. Looking at Lai Zi's face, Onogi was forced to make a certain decision that he must return to Tokyo. If she was not sent back, there would be serious consequences. Laizi, please rest here.I'll go to the train station and ask.Before Onogi had time to sit still, he left the room. Faced with these overcrowded guests, which are rare, the maids were at a loss, busy running around in the corridor.Onogi grabbed one of them and asked for the shortcut to the train station, and then walked out of the gate.

The rain has eased a lot, but shows no signs of stopping.The billowing black clouds were galloping north with great speed.At the station, a group of young people from the fire brigade were gathering there, talking to the station staff about the flood. Are you going to Tokyo?There is no hope at all!It will probably take about two days!It seems okay to go to Fuji Palace, but it takes more than forty miles to get there.Moreover, they are all mountain roads, and it is difficult to walk in such weather!The young station staff, who looked less than thirty years old, replied in a business-like tone.He must have made the same answer many times since this morning. When he returned to the hotel, Lai Zi was standing under the eaves and staring blankly at the sky.As soon as she saw Onogi, she immediately raised her eyebrows as a question, with a forced smile on her face.It was a lonely and empty expression, and the smiling face expressed his trust in Onogi. Onogi had never seen such an expression of begging for help from Lai Zi. It can be said that it was precisely because of Lai Zi's demeanor that Onogi made up his mind.Before that, he had been undecided. Laizi, let's go to Fuji Palace.I heard that you can take the train there. Facing Onogi's firm gaze, Lai Zi nodded. It is said that the distance is almost forty miles!If this is the case, you need to prepare food and bring some necessary things. Onogi accepted all the necessities provided by the hotel, including: dry bread, ready-made cans, flashlights, old canvas rucksacks, water bottles, and raincoats and hats. Once he made up his mind, he acted quickly. However, this is too reluctant, right?You have to take the woman with you, and you have to walk more than forty miles on the mountain road, and you are catching up with this kind of weather. The owner of the hotel is a tall, bald man in his fifties, looking at Lai Zi's slender figure with some concern.However, when he knew that the determination of the two could not be changed, he suddenly became active. He probably saw something out of the ordinary. He said that wearing leather shoes was dangerous, and brought women's rain boots; Onogi thanked him. A burly man who seems to be about 1.8 to 9 meters tall, and a tall, slender and beautiful woman are going to brave the typhoon on their way.Faced with this scene, the owner of the hotel showed a demeanor that never understood people's minds. There just happens to be no women's raincoats.What Lai Zi got was also a rough raincoat with a large outer seam. Wrapping the oversized raincoat tightly around her body, her face and limbs suddenly looked small. Looking at Laizi who looked like a real little girl, Onogi felt the kind of emotion that can be called impulsive. Up to now, the Laizi that Onogi has known has always maintained the calmness of an older woman, a woman who has never shown signs of panic.Onogi's side is always in a passive position. However, at this moment, Laizi was only looking at Qiaofu Onogi, trusting him, relying on him, and giving everything to him. Onogi burst into courage. The head waiter and maids of the hotel dissuaded: Braving such a rainy day, too reluctant! There will be landslides!It is even more dangerous to go forward, and it is almost impossible to go halfway! The two flatly rejected the dissuasion of these people and set off. The tenants poked their heads out.All the people I met on the road looked back at the two of them in surprise. Walking on the road at the foot of the mountain is much more difficult than imagined.Under my feet, the water rushes into a small river; I often have to walk through the knee-deep water.The rain continued to fall as usual. With the support of Onogi, Lai Zi walked forward, her black hair was scattered on her pale forehead, and it seemed that she even had difficulty breathing. I don't know how long it has been gone.Both of them just went on their way.Walking is the only purpose right now.The slope is very steep, and it keeps climbing up and down.Water flowed down from the terraced fields, and the ground was muddy. Because the water was already heavy enough, coupled with the mud, the steps of the two of them became even more immobile. A railway line appears on the lower right.They kept going as far as they could continue to see the line.However, this area is a canyon, and there is also a stream of water on the exposed hillside opposite, which looks like a white band. From time to time, a farm house came into view, and someone came out of it and looked at the two people who were on their way. At the end of the canyon, Fuji River suddenly jumped into the eyes. The usual Fujikawa is a docile river, with river beds covered with small white stones on both sides, and the river flows listlessly in the center.However, the Fuji River seen now is a completely different scene. The surging river overflows the embankments on both sides, rolling up many eddies, and roaring ferociously. The vast and flat paddy fields are also filled with red flood waters, like a vast ocean. Looking down from where you are walking, the line on this side has disappeared in the flood.Fourteen or five people wearing coir raincoats or raincoats are standing together in the rain, seemingly unable to do anything. Onogi thought, the train will not pass for the time being, probably tomorrow evening or the morning after tomorrow at the earliest!Although he felt that it was right to leave S Hot Spring resolutely, but when he thought of taking the exhausted Laizi on the road, his heart couldn't help but jump nervously. The railway line, which was cut off from traffic, has been in and out since then.Whenever there is a station below, there must be people gathered there, and they must all be passengers waiting for the train that will arrive at an unknown time. There are several train stations like this.There are three exactly.Onogi considered the number of stations remaining to Fujinomiya Station. It was still raining, but it was much lighter.Not only did the surroundings not brighten up at all, but gradually dimmed.This is not due to the thickening of the clouds, but because the sun has already set in the west.Look at your watch, it's four o'clock.After walking for five hours, I didn't even finish half of the distance. Naturally, this also includes a part of the time spent on the way.It was at the back of a mountain, close to two or three farmhouses, and Onogi let Laizi rest there for an hour. Asked for some hot tea at the farmer's house. Still going to Fujinomiya?The family was stunned, it was a mess!It will definitely fall on the way. The peasant housewife pointed at Lai Zi. With this lady, it will be even more difficult!Madam is already very tired, right?I'm not saying unlucky words, please stay at the hotel at the next stop! I ate lunch there.Onogi took out the onigiri made by the hotel from his rucksack and opened the can. No matter how much he persuaded, Lai Zi refused to take another bite.Onogi himself is not in a high mood and has no appetite.However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop eating. Mr. Onogi, Lai Zi whispered, it doesn't matter if I don't go back tonight.If it's for me, just wait for the train to pass before going back. What is it about!Onogi reprimanded in a low voice, he will go back tonight. The next hour was a long way.But Lai Zi's center of gravity gradually became unstable. Onogi hugged Laizi and stepped forward with his legs step by step.Even so, she still looked like she was about to trip over the slightest touch.In fact, this is not a sidewalk, just a number of sidewalks and field paths that wind and fall with the hillside. These meandering trails are also uneven, climbing up steep slopes for a while, and walking down hollows for a while.Walking on such a road, for Lai Zi, it must be almost heartless, but Onogi had to put aside this feeling of pity. When he came to a place similar to an orchard at the foot of the mountain, Lai Zi almost leaned his whole body on Onogi.Onogi's ears could clearly hear her rapid panting, and when he held her in his arms, he knew that her legs could not take a step. After coming to this place, I couldn't find a single house.The orchard is artificially planted, and the trees are neatly arranged; behind it is an undulating forest that resembles a virgin forest. The mountains on the opposite side of the canyon are also surrounded by clouds and mist, and the part above the halfway up the mountain is looming.There are several red streaks on the hillside, which are the traces of a landslide that just happened. The trees in the orchard were drenched by the rain, and the Fuji River seen through the gap was red in color and turbid, making it a desolate scene.There was no house around the orchard, and no one could be seen. Onogi made up his mind, no matter what, even if he hugged Lai Zi, he would go to a place with a farm.He was clenching his teeth and moving his legs, when a small room appeared in front of him. However, that is not a house, it seems to be a hut in the orchard. No one is inside.Onogi approached and knocked on the door, but there was no response. Onoki opened the door.The raincoat on Laizi's body was drenched, and when Onogi unfastened the wire that hit the door, she stood there holding back and nearly fell down. Inside the hut, tools for harvesting fruits are placed in a haphazard manner.In the narrow space around, wooden boxes, baskets and ladders were piled up. Onogi took the rolled up mat and spread it on the ground. Laizi, take a break here! Onogi unbuttoned the raincoat for Laizi and helped her take it off.The suit inside was also soaked and cold. Lai Zi's wet hair hung down his face, and his body was trembling slightly. Both hands are cold.Onoki opened the wooden box and lit a fire.The room is very small, and the fire is too big to cause danger, so I only lit a small fire. It was very bright in the hut, indicating that it was already dark outside. Lai Zi sat on the mat.Fire reflected her face red.From Onogi's point of view, something changed in Lai Zi's pale face. Onogi sat down beside Laizi. Cold?he asks. not cold.Lai Zi shook his head, pretending to be energetic and smiling at Onogi.Onogi felt sorry for her. It warms up after a while.Onogi said, staring at the red flames. The hut has a tinplate roof, so the sound of raindrops is very noisy.Lin Tao's roar has not died away.The sound of the river is still heard.In this mountain hut, both Onogi and Laizi feel that this is a world only for them. Maybe it's what you deserve!Lai Zi said something in a low voice.Her big, beautiful eyes were fixed on the fire, and her face was expressionless. Onogi felt his heart suddenly retracted, Did you deserve it?As soon as Onogi turned around, Lai Zi suddenly fell into his arms. two Mr. Onogi!Lai Zi buried her face in Onogi's chest and cried.Because she leaned forward with her whole body suddenly, Onogi's body almost lost its center of gravity. If you propose to break up, I will give up.Lai Zi suddenly stopped crying and said something like this.However, there was still sobbing in the voice. Let go of the weeping gate, and I can stop it in an instant, which is indeed very similar to Lai Zi's behavior. Onogi understood the meaning of Laizi's words. When I arrived at the hotel last night, I heard Lai Zi's confession.Onogi did not use words to solve that problem at the time.However, he believes that in the typhoon, each other's actions have already given the answer.His thought was that despite hearing her confession, he had already shown his will not to leave her with his actions.Judging from Lai Zi's situation, Onogi also felt that he had received her answer. However, it is extremely ambiguous to use each other's actions to confirm the feelings without using words.However, because both of them are aware of this ambiguity, they have always avoided directly touching this issue.This situation, of course, means that the love is deep; but it is exactly a kind of cover-up behavior, that is, both parties want to avoid the fear of rupture. Laizi said to himself, this is what you deserve!He also said, if you propose to break up, I will give up.Onogi fully understood the meaning of these two sentences. The so-called deserved punishment probably refers to the accident caused by this unexpected natural disaster.The accident forced him to be unable to send Lai Zi home on the scheduled night, regardless of Lai Zi's love for her husband; this soliloquy came out of her mouth naturally as a wife. However, it doesn't stop there. With tears in her eyes, Lai Zi spit out the words that if you propose to break up, I will give up. She probably wanted to say that if Onogi said that she wanted to leave such a woman, she would not be able to keep her.And Onogi didn't mean to break up with Lai Zi. Onogi's chest actually bears the weight of Laizi's whole body.Even in the darkness, the hand that touched her could still feel her shoulders shaking.Lai Zi held back his voice and cried. Onogi picked up Lai Zi who was about to slip into his lap and said: I can't leave you. It's strange that Onogi knows that Lai Zi is married at this moment, but he doesn't feel guilty. Therefore, he feels that he has the responsibility to send Lai Zi home tonight no matter what.It was from this reason that he decided to brave the rain to take Lai Zi to the place where the train was connected, and went to this place recklessly. However, in Onogi's real feelings, this rationality has been split into two irrelevant things: one is responsibility, and the other is love for Lai Zi. Is this because Onogi has not met Lai Zi's husband yet?Onogi didn't know his appearance, height, and build.Not only that, even his name, occupation, and address are unknown. In front of Onoki, there is only the confusing illusion of Lai Zi's husband.Onogi's sense of responsibility for this illusion is strong, but by no means deep.Therefore, once the passion for loving Lai Zi surges up, this sense of responsibility becomes fragile and not firm. You won't leave me?Lai Zi raised his face and said.Wet hair touched Onogi's cheek. will not leave.Onogi said in a low and trembling voice. real?Whatever happens?Lai Zi asked, his lips were about to touch Onogi.Lai Zi's breath had reached Onogi's nose. Whatever happens? This is not a simple sentence, it contains dangerous and complicated content.Onogi seemed to feel Lai Zi's husband suddenly standing in front of him. No matter what happens, I will not be separated from you.Onogi took a breath and said.After the words came out, Onogi felt a feeling of facing a bottomless abyss.My brain and chest are hot. Please don't think about my husband.Lai Zi said, we have already made an appointment.Although I have thought about it and came to confess this matter to you, I still lost my confidence.Feel as if you are trying to run away. Onoki didn't say a word.In fact, when I first heard Lai Zi's confession, maybe it was what Lai Zi said.He also lost enough confidence to support himself. Please think that Lai Zi is the only one!There is no second person anymore.just you and laizi Lai Zi took the initiative to stick the lips that were about to speak to Onogi's lips.After being wet by the rain, the lips are cold and cold, but the mouth is as hot as fire. I think so. Onogi opened Laizi's face slightly and said.The fire on the ground has been burned out, and the remaining flames are like small red kerosene lamps, gradually disappearing in the darkness.Outside, the river was still howling. Is not It Cold?Onogi asked softly in Lai Zi's ear. No.Lai Zi moved in Onomu's arms and whispered a reply. It was Onogi who saw the pale white light on the window of the hut first.Lai Zi is still in dreamland. Looking at his watch against the light, it was not yet five o'clock.My shoulders feel cold.Onoki got up quietly, gathering firewood to burn.I turned on the flashlight and looked, and there were some messy pieces of wood in the empty box.He collected them all, and set fire to the blackened ashes. Despite the crackling sound of sparks, Lai Zi still slept there motionless. The sound of the river flowed into the eardrums as usual, and the sound of the rain was no longer heard. The firelight shone on Laizi's hair, reflecting her appearance.She was lying on her side with her hands gently stretched out in front of her.The scene of that hand seemed to be holding down the place where Onogi had been lying down just now. Onogi saw that this was a different Laizi from the past, and he seemed very naive at the moment.Onogi thought, this may be a change in his own psychology.It was a discovery, but did the change happen overnight? The firewood exploded with a loud noise, and Lai Zi opened his eyes.The red light on the wall swayed, she seemed to be taken aback, and sat up suddenly. Oops, are you up already?Seeing Onogi, she asked aloud. It's still early!Lie down a little longer!Onogi said in front of the fire. But After Laizi got up, he looked at Onogi and covered his face with his hands again. The small window was much brighter than before. I'm going to wash my face.Lai Zi said softly. How can there be such a place!Onogi spoke harshly on purpose, but in the end it turned out to be a happy sentence. There are mountains and land outside, and even if there is water, there is only muddy water. oh.Lai Zi turned slightly to his side, arranging his messy hair.Onogi got up and came to him, Laizi turned to face him.Just like last night, he stared boldly at Onogi. Onoki stretched out his hand. etc!As she spoke, she stepped back a little. hair. Um? Onogi used his fingers to remove three pieces of mat from the back of Laizi's hair. I am sorry!ask you to do so.Lai Zi lowered his head. Onogi took her shoulders into his arms.Lai Zi's face fell back all of a sudden, and Onogi pressed his face to hers. Say you like me!Onogi opened his lips and said. i love you.Lai Zi said out of breath. really love me? Isn't it just because I love you, it's like this! L Onogi's vision flitted the shadow of a man.He closed his eyes, and the shadow disappeared only when Lai Zi's lips kissed his cheek.No, Onogi made him disappear. Since yesterday, I have tired you out.Lai Zi stroked Onogi's face with her fingers.Onogi himself knew that a beard that hadn't been shaved for a few days must be thick and prickly. Your face seems to be getting smaller.Lai Zi held Onogi's face with both hands, smiling a little lonely. It's not even six o'clock yet, Onogi said, start early from here, let's go to Fuji Palace!If all goes well, maybe I can return to Tokyo after noon. Lai Zi was silent for a while.She didn't answer Onogi's words, but looked at the white window and said: Is it still raining? It's already stopped.Onogi didn't want to say anything about returning to Tokyo soon.As soon as I touched this question, tears were about to fall. There are also rice balls, let's burn them. I thought I didn't need lunch boxes and rice, so I didn't buy them. Laizi put the rice balls on the fire and burned them. Ah, there is no boiling water yet!Onogi regretted not buying a lunch box again.Now he just wants Lai Zi to drink boiled water. Empty boxes of broken things were piled up in the cabin.Onogi searched inside and found an old pot without a lid, which seemed to have been used when the value shifter lived here. I use this to carry some water. It's probably muddy outside.If you don't go far, there will be no clean water.If it's just for me, forget it.Lai Zi raised his head and said. Yes I want to drink.Onogi said a word and went out. It was broad daylight.The trees in this area also fell and folded.Raindrops were still hanging on the weeds blown down by the wind.In the sky, the dark clouds have long disappeared, showing a transparent blue. The stagnant water on the ground was red and turbid, and Onogi walked two to three hundred meters before finding a reservoir.He approached the place where the water was clear, washed the jug, filled it and returned to the hut. It's burnt.Lai Zi held a scorched rice ball on a thin white paper and handed it to Onogi, who took it over and felt the rice ball was still hot in his hand. An old pot without a lid was put on the fire. Just a nomad.Laizi said with a funny smile: If people from the village come, they will drive us out! While Onogi went out to fetch water, Lai Zi took out a dress from the suitcase and changed into it.She seemed to be another person. Onogi suddenly smiled. Oh, what do you remember? Probably this spring, I once encountered a similar situation. Yeah? At that time, I was lying in a shaft in Suwa when someone walked in suddenly, thinking that I might be reprimanded by the management staff.The other party seemed to think I was a tramp and was taken aback. I heard you talk about this.It's the lady I met at Jindaiji once, right? Ah, did I say that? The look in Reiko's eyes suggested that she seemed to recall the face of Kako Tazawa who was standing there watching the rainbow trout. Did you see the lady again afterward?Lai Zi asked with a smile. Um.Looking at the fire, Onogi replied that she often calls with her friends. oh.Lai Zi didn't look at Onogi's face, and responded briefly.The water boiled.Lai Zi held the handle with a handkerchief and took down the pot.This time it was discovered that there was no teacup, and the two laughed again.Onogi felt that although the topic of Lun Xiangzi had come to an end, there seemed to be something left in Laizi's heart. However, Lai Zi's expression afterwards was still cheerful, and his movements seemed very happy. The weather is great!When he came outside, Lai Zi looked at the sky and said.The sun had risen and was shining on her face.Under the sunlight, the opposite mountain also showed fresh colors that were not seen yesterday. let's go.Lai Zi said this sentence first, and he still seemed quite happy.Onogi had a feeling, as if he saw that Lai Zi's married life was unfortunate. They did not go to Fuji Palace.The train has reached the second station ahead of it. Only after walking down the mountain did I realize that the train runs back and forth from this station to Fujinomiya.According to the news I heard, it may take a whole day today for the entire line to be opened to traffic.The amount of water in the Fuji River has been greatly reduced, and the water is not as fierce as it was seen before.It's just that the color of the water is still very red.After the train started, Onogi really breathed a sigh of relief.He knew in his heart that he would arrive in Tokyo around three o'clock in the afternoon, but he didn't mention it to Lai Zi.Lai Zi, who was staring blankly out the window, must be thinking about this question too.That was just right, because neither side had the heart to tell the truth. After transferring to the Tokaido Line, as Tokyo approached, Onogi felt a sense of exhaustion in his heart.The luster on Lai Zi's face also dimmed. Walking down Tokyo Station, the two of them didn't talk much until Onogi called a taxi for Laizi.My heart is full of emotions, I feel very fulfilled, and at the same time feel a little tired. Thanks.Lai Zi lowered his voice and got into the car.There was a gleam in her eyes watching Onogi from the car window. When the taxi disappeared behind other vehicles, Onogi felt that there was something missing beside him. Onogi walked into the slightly dim building of the Tokyo District Prosecutor's Office. I'm home?Seeing Onogi, two or three prosecutors who were working with him left the table and came over. Have you encountered a typhoon?Everyone is worried about you. Colleagues looked at Onogi's haggard face and soiled clothes and said. It seems that I have suffered a lot!Where did you go? Xinzhou.Onogi said.He couldn't speak out and passed the extension line. That's great!I heard that the central line is in a mess, right? Onogi was embarrassed. By truck, Onogi quickly said, because there is a truck that is on the way.When I got to the place where the train passed, I took the train back. Thankfully it's you alone.a prosecutor said. That's right!If you bring a woman, it will be even more difficult!The other prosecutors laughed.Onogi shifted his gaze elsewhere. I'll go to prosecutor Ishii for a while.Onogi strode away from there, knocked on the door of Prosecutor Ishii's single office, and answered in a low voice.Pushing open the door, the red-faced and white-haired Prosecutor Ishii was facing this way. Onogi stood at the desk of the senior prosecutor. Ah, it seems that I have suffered a lot!Oh, sit down! Onogi stood upright. I am late.Because the train is not running, so I just came back now. Where did you encounter the typhoon? In Shinshu.Onogi also had to lie to the senior prosecutor. That's serious enough.Isn't that area bearing the brunt?I heard that the wind speed of this typhoon is 37 kilometers, and the rainfall in the mountainous area is more than 350 millimeters!However, for me, even hearing these numbers, I still can't imagine the situation on the ground. Prosecutor Ishii took out his cigarette and lit it.Onoki remained silent.He was worried that prosecutor Ishii would further ask about the local disaster situation.However, the senior did not pursue further. Prosecutor Onogi, you are very tired now, although I am a little too hasty, I still want to discuss something with you right away.Prosecutor Ishii rested his elbows on the table, held his chin with a cigarette in his hand, and looked at Onogi. This time I have been appointed as the director of the special investigation team.Therefore, I would like to invite you to participate anyway.Prosecutor Ishii's tone was calm, but his face was still a little excited because of the new task. Onogi knew very well in his heart that he had been favored by this senior prosecutor since his judicial graduate days.He himself also wanted to work under Prosecutor Ishii, not to mention that the job of the special investigation team was very attractive. When you are young, you have to do all kinds of work down-to-earth.Prosecutor Ishii said, in the future work, I also want to train you well.However, since you are the youngest, I am afraid I will have to mainly let you run errands.How about it, what do you want to do? think.Onogi lowered his head and said, please let me participate. Prosecutor Ishii smiled all over his face, and nodded with his hand on his chin. He had an expression that he knew he would get such an answer. We will discuss the work issue in another day. Today, I just want you to understand what is going on. Understood.Thanks!Onogi withdrew from Prosecutor Ishii and walked in the corridor, full of longing for this new job.Now, he is in the prime of life and full of ambition.However, as he was walking, something suddenly came to his mind. He felt that there seemed to be an irreparable gap between his love for Lai Zi and his enthusiasm for work.It seems that a melancholy wind is blowing from this gap, and it is rushing head-on.Onoki closed his eyes. Whenever he thinks about his love relationship with Lai Zi, he can detect that his eyes are always focused on a certain ominous image. three At around ten o'clock in the morning, the dazzling sun poured into the courtyard fieryly.Looks like a hot day. Lun Xiangzi has been thinking about it since yesterday, today is the birthday of her friend Yukiko Yoneda.Xuezi is a classmate who graduated from the same university as herself, and five or six classmates decided to have a party to celebrate her birthday. Should I go in a kimono or a suit?Lun Xiangzi couldn't make up her mind, she wanted to discuss it with her mother, but she couldn't see her mother. I went to the room to have a look, only the maid was packing things. Where's mom?she asked, Are you not in the master's study?The maid Ajuan said. Well, yes.Lun Xiangzi walked towards her father's study. It was past ten o'clock, and the car from the office to pick up Dad to work had already parked in front of the gate.Dad came back very late last night, and he got home when Lun Xiangzi didn't know.It was around one o'clock in the middle of the night, and there seemed to be a noisy sound in my ears, but this was also heard in my sleepy eyes. Walking to Dad's study room, he saw that the door was half-closed and half-open.Lu Xiangzi just wanted to go in as usual, when her mother's voice came from inside.那不是平時的聲音，好像很刺耳，又彷彿在爭執著什麼。 輪香子吃驚地愣住了。講話的內容雖然不清楚，但媽媽的聲音確實與平常的溫和語調大不相同，爸爸的聲調似在辯駁。這顯然是在口角。 輪香子畏縮地停下腳步。覺得門縫裡好像有一股冷氣流出來，吹到了自己的臉上。 爸爸書房是個有十張席鋪大小的西式房間，桌子擺在臨窗的地方。所以距走廊相當遠。不可能聽清談話的內容。而且，爸爸媽媽似乎都壓低了嗓門。 這種情況是很罕見的。爸爸對媽媽很和氣，媽媽對爸爸也侍奉得很周到。輪香子一向認為再沒有比自己家更和睦的了。雖然偶爾從朋友那兒聽到過家庭糾紛，但輪香子卻覺得那好像是另一個世界裡的事情。 然而，現在的情形卻不同了，這顯然不是輪香子以往一直熟悉的那種氣氛。她屏住氣息，放輕腳步，悄悄地回到自己的房間。 她鬧不清爸爸和媽媽究竟在爭執些什麼。但是，正因為這是往日所不常見的現象，才使她的心裡感到有一絲緊張。 儘管不知道為什麼在口角，但媽媽與爸爸頂嘴卻是極為罕見的；唯其如此，她感到事情肯定非同小可。 輪香子再也沒心思挑選服裝，茫然地望著外面。女佣人正往院子裡灑水。人工栽植的樹木的葉子上掛著水珠，在陽光的照射下，每個水珠都蘊含著一條小小的彩虹。看來這是一個從中午就要熱起來的天氣。 過了一會兒，媽媽從輪香子房間外探進頭來，問道：剛才有事嗎？ 媽媽的聲音還是平常的樣子。可是，回頭望去，媽媽的臉色卻比平時顯得蒼白，而且，好像並不僅僅是因為院子裡綠樹映襯的緣故。 Um.輪香子表情不大自然。想和媽媽商量點事。 是嗎，什麼事呀？ 今天是米田同學的生日，前幾天跟您提到過的。因此，我想和您商量一下穿什麼去才好。 啊，是這件事呀。媽媽點了點頭，好的，我來幫你看看吧！ 好，請進來。 媽媽走進房間。輪香子感到很高興，因為她看到媽媽和往常沒有什麼大的不同。 就是呢，媽媽側頭想了想，說，天氣這麼熱，和服也不合適，還是穿西裝吧，怎麼樣？ I think so too.不過，穿哪套呢？ 你們女孩子的聚會，還是簡單點好吧？ 輪香子為媽媽的心平氣和而感到振奮。她取出了好幾個西服衣箱，把蓋子打開，擺在那裡。 yes. 媽媽在打量著。面部的表情與其說是在挑選上猶豫不決，莫如說正在為考慮什麼問題而苦惱。也就是說，完全是一副心不在焉的樣子。 輪香子看得出，與爸爸爭吵的痕跡還沒有從媽媽的心裡消失。 這種心理一產生，便發現媽媽的臉色果然很蒼白。她過去絕少見到媽媽是這般形象。 輪香子很想問問媽媽發生了什麼事情。倘若沒聽到傳出門外的那些聲音，她也許能泰然地提出問題，可是，現在卻害怕詢問媽媽的臉色為什麼這樣難看。輪香子以前很少產生過這種心理。 不過話又說回來了，如果在正常的情況下，媽媽的話肯定會更多。本來就是一位性格開朗的人，在這種場合她肯定會更加快活的，然而，現在卻常常連輪香子的話也不回答，臉上顯出一副惘然若失的表情。 儘管如此，穿著的西裝還是好不容易地決定下來了。媽媽選中的是一件連衣裙，質地很薄，顏色鮮綠，使人感到這是很時髦的服裝。可是，與平時不同，媽媽今天卻好像缺乏興致。 就在這個時候，大門方向傳來了汽車離去的聲音。爸爸到機關上班去了。 媽媽好像在目不轉睛地諦聽著。這情景在往常也是不多見的。以往的慣例是，爸爸去機關上班時，媽媽總是興沖沖地出去送他，即使回到房間以後，也仍然是滿臉興致勃勃的樣子。 輪香子常聽朋友們講到家庭裡的各種麻煩事。其中談得最多的，都是父親在外面的男女關係問題。 輪香子擔心的就正是這件事。可是，到現在為止，在爸爸身上還始終沒有聽到過這類傳聞，媽媽也說在這點上是放心的。爸爸是政府機關的局長，處在這樣的地位上，自然每天晚上都會有會議或宴會。然而，不論爸爸回家多麼晚，媽媽也絲毫不擔心。 現在，媽媽和爸爸發生了爭吵，而且媽媽對這件事總是耿耿於懷，難道果然發生了與其他家庭相同的那種事嗎？輪香子一想到這裡，便感到不寒而慄。她認為，除了那種事情以外，再也無法想像了。不過，正因為事情非同尋常，輪香子才不好向媽媽啟齒。 平日裡還有一個習慣，媽媽在暫時無事可做的時候，總是盡可能地和輪香子談談天，而現在剛剛決定下輪香子的著裝，便馬上站起身問道： 什麼時候出去？ noon. 聽到輪香子的回答，她就徑直離開了房門。媽媽的情緒還是和今天早晨從書房門口吹出來的冰冷氣氛相彷彿。 這時，電話鈴響了，阿娟走過來代接。 小姐，是佐佐木小姐給您的電話。 輪香子出來接電話。聽筒裡傳來佐佐木和子興高采烈的聲音。 小香子嗎？今天去阿雪家吧？和子問。 go. 可是，我有點急事去不成了。太對不住啦！佐佐木和子的聲調裡帶著撒嬌的味道。 Yeah?that's too regretful. 代我向阿雪問好吧！佐佐木和子叮囑了一句。 OK, alright. 大概是察覺出輪香子的聲調有些反常，和子又問： 小香子，今天你有點反常呢。你也沒心思去麼？ 不，沒有呀。 好，那就好。but 和子好像還要講下去，但也許是感到輪香子畢竟與平時不大一樣，只說了聲再見，就把電話掛斷了。 輪香子正站在房廊下瞧著院子，媽媽從後面進來了。 哎呀，還不趕快準備哪？ 媽媽還沒發覺輪香子已在走廊聽到他們口角的事。 米田雪子家在澀谷的高地上。 站在院子裡俯瞰東京市容，市中心展現出一片屋頂的汪洋大海。 雪子的爸爸是公司的董事。這套住宅建成還不到三年，因此樣式仍十分時髦。 這一帶多是大戶宅邸。從馬路上走過來，便可以看到有幾家門牌上的名字竟是在報紙上經常出現的。 聚會的同學一共有十二、三人。大家最感遺憾的是佐佐木和子沒有到場。和子就是這麼一位如此受到大家歡迎的人物。只要有和子這個人在場，甚至連空氣的溫度都不一樣，總是既快活又熱鬧。無論什麼樣的憂愁煩惱，在和子身邊統統沒有存在的餘地。 佐佐木姑娘沒來真遺憾。她原說今天不去公司上班，要來參加的。 朋友們一齊朝輪香子這樣說。誰都知道和子與輪香子是好朋友。 雪子的生日儀式在朋友中也是相當排場的。正因為這樣，前來聚會的朋友還有穿會客服裝或宴會禮服的。 作為私人住宅已算很寬敞的客廳裡，一時間好似鮮花起舞，充滿了生機蓬勃的氣息。在外人眼裡這實在夠奢侈的了。 除了女性之外，還有三名男青年。他們也都是二十二、三歲的年紀，雖然不知道是怎樣的關係，但好像與雪子都很親密。 看起來，從學校一畢業，大家便似乎都突然進入了成年人的世界。 青年們很開朗，主動向在場的姑娘們搭著話。輪香子也接受了三位青年的自我介紹，但當場就把他們的名字忘掉了。青年們儘管表面上各有不同，卻似乎都是門第很高的子弟，於無拘無束之中仍表現得彬彬有禮，風度翩翩。 輪香子也和那幾位青年交談了一陣，但究竟談的什麼，涉及了哪些內容，心裡卻絲毫沒有留下印象。在同朋友談天或用餐的時候，她也顯得心事重重。因為今天早晨爸爸媽媽口角的事還像鉛塊一樣壓在心頭，使她鬱鬱寡歡。 阿香，今天你好像心緒不佳呀！朋友們說。 No!輪香子笑著說。看來還是旁觀者清。不過，誰也沒有把這種情況同她的家庭連繫起來。 因為和子沒來，有點沮喪吧。 Everyone says so.並且不厭其煩地向她問這問那，什麼和子最近怎麼樣啦，有了對象啦，等等。朋友們認為，凡是和子的事，輪香子沒有不知道的。 至於佐佐木和子今天為什麼沒來，輪香子原先根本沒有在意。可是：她忽然想起了前幾天和子打電話時說過的一句話：約上小野木先生吧？ 輪香子彷彿有種感覺，說不定佐佐木和子今天給小野木打了電話，兩個人正在會面。可是，她立即打消了這個念頭。對於做出如此卑劣想像的自己，她感到很厭惡。為什麼現在要把小野木與和子聯想到一起呢？她無法對自己的這種心情做出回答。 然而，這種聯想一經產生，就始終糾纏在自己的心頭，感覺特別不痛快。 綴有英文祝壽字樣的大蛋糕，擺到了人們的正中央。這塊祝壽蛋糕點綴得十分漂亮？雪子握刀正準備去切，一個青年幫助雪子握住了刀柄。 大家鼓起掌來。另一名青年學著外國人吹起了口哨。 那個青年面頰上微微泛起了紅暈。 那位是雪子的未婚夫吧？ 輪香子四周發出了這樣的耳語聲。輪香子也抱著同樣的興趣注視著那位青年。從動作上就能看出他很有教養，說不定也是哪位董事的兒子。雪子可能要和這位青年結婚的吧！若在往常的活，輪香子恐怕會對自己朋友與那位青年的結合更加關心，而現在她只是站在一邊旁觀著。 這次聚會持續了兩小時左右。朋友們彈起鋼琴，男青年們奏著吉他。大家還一起唱了歌。氣氛雖然很熱烈，但映到輪香子的眼裡，終免不了有種空洞乏味的飽和感。祝壽活動結束以後，人們分成了兩部分，有的留下，有的踏上歸途。 太感謝啦！ 雪子向告辭的朋友們一一道著謝。來到輪香子跟前時，她睜大眼睛說： 哎呀，阿香！你也回去呀？ 啊，我還有點事兒。 Yeah?我還想留下你哪！雪子嬌嗔地說，而且，和子也沒有來，你再早早回去，我就太沒趣啦！ 若在平時，輪香子肯定願意與朋友們待在一起的。但現在的情況不同，在這裡逗留的時間愈長，似乎就愈與這種氣氛相乖違了。 我確實有事。sorry!輪香子道著歉。 噢，那就沒辦法了。給你叫一輛汽車吧？ No need. Lu Xiangzi said.她不想從這裡立即乘車，而是打算步行一段路。 計程車不通呀！雪子很過意不去地說，非到前面的大馬路不可，他們是很少進到這裡面來的。 對於輪香子來說，這正中下懷。 然後，她就與同路而歸的朋友一起離開了雪子的家。 耀眼的陽光火辣辣地照在街道上，很少有行人。計程車也不經過這裡。兩側都是深宅大院，圍牆沿路綿延不絕。 僅從牆外看去，庭園內的樹叢林深葉密，蟬鳴不已。 輪香子很想一個人在這樣的地方走一走，然而不巧得很，剛好有朋友在自己身邊。她在心裡盤算著，和這位朋友分手以後，不馬上去乘車，再到別的街道去轉轉。 這地方真幽靜呀。朋友說，肯定都是有錢人住的吧。 確實，兩旁全是占地寬廣、結構闊氣的住宅。而且，許多建築都是全新式樣的。 不知不覺之中，走起路來兩眼便只顧瞧著這些住宅了，就在這時，輪香子的視線突然盯在一點上不動了。 那家住宅不算豪華壯觀，但在這一帶也屬於滿不錯的建築，格調是日西合璧，規摸精巧，款式別致。築著土堤一樣的斜坡，坡上長著草坪；草坪上有橫行栽種的小樹，每一棵都剪成渾圓形狀。從街道抬頭望去，可以看到這所住宅的屋脊和精心剪修過的樹叢枝梢。 然而，輪香子視線突然盯住的，並不是這所住宅的建築。在斜坡的上方，從這所住宅來說，即相當於庭院邊緣前地方，有一位女性正側身站在那裡。 輪香子正是看到了這個人的面孔。 炫目的日光正照在這位女性的臉上，因此，那張臉顯得又白又清晰。細長苗條的身段，亭亭玉立的姿態，也都是記憶中見過的。這正是在深大寺和小野木喬夫走在一起的那位女性。 她正在和誰說話。對方在樹蔭下，看不到身影，大約是女佣人或別的什麼人。 自然，她不會發現輪香子正通過下面的街道並正在盯著自己。 輪香子緊張地屏住氣息。沒想到竟會在這個地方看到這位女性，因此心臟才突然加快了跳動。 這家挺不錯呀。 朋友毫無察覺地說。由於輪香子的視線正熱心地朝著上方，這位朋友似乎以為她只是在眺望那所宅邸。 兩人來到很瀟灑的大門前。門牌上只寫有結城二字。 結城。輪香子把這個姓牢牢地刻在腦海裡 回到家裡，輪香子連忙打電話叫通米田雪子。首先對受到的款待致謝，接著就向她詢問姓結城那家的情況。 啊，就是有一位漂亮太太的那家吧？ 雪子知道有這麼一家。不過，她講的太太二字，使輪香子為之愕然。 Um.她勉強應了一句。 不大了解呀！ 雪子在電話裡說。聲音背後不斷傳來歡笑聲和音樂聲。 她丈夫好像是哪一家公司的董事，但不清楚那家公司叫什麼名字。爸爸也說，這附近的人大體上都了解，唯獨對那家不清楚什麼事呀，阿香？怎麼突然問起這個問題來了？