Chapter 14 14. Dark Mountains

one The place Yuki went to was a hot spring hotel near the river, across the railway.It is one of the larger hotels in the neighborhood. There is a large garden there.The courtyard is just a slight modification of the natural scenery.Even so, because it is facing the river bank, it also has an idyllic flavor.The hotel building is right by the river.When Yuuki came here, he felt that, according to this situation, it is inevitable to flee when a flood occurs. Welcome!The hotel clerk greeted him.Since Yuuki's attire is the padded robes of other hotels, the clerk seems to regard him as someone who came to play with the tenants.

Is your master there?Yuuki asked. ah.The guy looked surprised. I have something to ask, just a short time, I want to see him.My situation is above this.Yuuki handed over a business card that he had prepared before coming.The guy went inside with the famous movie.Yuki stood motionless at the door, wearing a hotel cotton robe with a camera hanging on his shoulder. What came out was a middle-aged woman who seemed to be the proprietress of the hotel. I'm from this hotel, what can you do? This is an old expert in receiving tenants, and he speaks and behaves very politely.In one hand he held Yuuki's business card.

As written on the business card, Yuki said, I am from Tokyo.In short, people are being found.I have come because there are indications that the person I am looking for has caused trouble for your hotel. The hostess frowned and said: Come here, please! She seemed to think it was a nuisance.Invite Yuuki to the reception room next to the account room.After ordering tea, the hostess sat opposite Yuki and asked in a quiet tone: What's your business, please talk slowly. It's embarrassing to say the least.Yuki made two opening remarks. In fact, one of my relatives ran out of the house.She is my cousin who eloped from her husband's house because she had a lover.You see, this kind of thing is really mouth-watering.

Where, please tell me.We're in this kind of business and things like this are common.The proprietress expressed sympathy instead. She sent a postcard from the neighborhood of S Onsen here.Judging from the postcard, a typhoon hit the area that day. That time, I also suffered quite serious damage here. Regardless of the husband's family or the mother's family, it is very difficult to deal with it now, and I can't think of a countermeasure.They themselves never went back.Everyone is very worried, afraid of accidents.If there are indeed signs of living here, there is a way to find it again.

This worries you. Therefore, I would like to ask your hotel to tell you whether there was such a woman among the guests staying on the night when the typhoon blew.I will introduce her characteristics below. Ah, on the night of the typhoon, my hotel happened to be very dangerous, because as you can see, the house is built by the river.Therefore, we invite guests to take refuge in the hotel union at a high place.According to the situation you mentioned, if there is such a guest among them, I think the waitress will definitely remember it. That is so rare.Yucheng said calmly, then, let me talk about the characteristics of my cousin.Let’s also talk about the clothes she wore at that time.

Therefore, Yuki introduced Laizi's face shape, figure and clothes.However, the men who were traveling with him did not understand.Here's what he said: We also understand the situation of her companion, but the problem is with the cousin.First of all, I would like to ask, have you ever lived with such a woman? Understood.The proprietress nodded vigorously, please wait for a while, I will ask the guy or waitress who knows the situation. The proprietress left the seat and went out for a while.Then the clerk and the waitress came in after the hostess. The guest you mentioned has indeed lived with us.

Yuuki carefully looked at the man and waitress who were standing with the hostess.He said: Please introduce the situation! Under the urging of the proprietress, the waitress spoke first: there is a guest like what you said.Very demure, very beautiful.By the way, the two guests came to us in the evening.It was from that time that the weather became very bad and the wind blew very hard.I led the two guests to the Tangerine Room. What happened to those two?Yuuki asked in a calm voice. The two seem to be very loving and harmonious.Because the typhoon was blowing fiercely, the electric lights happened to be out, so I took the candles to the rooms of the two guests.I don't know if it's appropriate to say this. At that time, in the dark room, the two were sitting close to each other.

Yuuki listened without moving.In front of these three people, he didn't even frown. What happened afterwards? Later, the typhoon became stronger and stronger, and the situation was very dangerous, so they were invited to take refuge with other guests to the hotel union office above.At that time, the storm was so overwhelming that it was difficult for a person to walk alone. After that I was the one who took the two guests to the heights with the others.The man took it and said that the two guests were walking together, and the man was holding the woman tightly.Yes, it was very windy and rainy at that time, and I was also very worried about the safety of the guests.But seeing the situation of one of the guests, that kind of intimacy, how should I put it, is simply enviable!

Thanks!Yuuki thanked calmly.In this way, the general situation becomes clear.There is another thing that is difficult to open my mouth. I want to confirm whether it is her.At that time they were going to register in the dormitory book, can you show me the dormitory book?I knew they were going to use pseudonyms, but I still wanted to see the handwriting. The waitress took it and said: The accommodation register was written by the male guest who came with me. It doesn't matter.Yuki replied nonchalantly, just to be on the safe side, I also want to investigate the man who was with my cousin.However, this is for reference in case of problems in the future, and will never bring trouble to your hotel.It's enough for me to just look at it.

The proprietress looked a little hesitant, but finally agreed to Yuuki's request.The waitress was away for a moment and soon brought the register. Here it is.She showed Yuuki where she opened it. Above is the font of a man: Ryuichiro Aoyama, 27 years old, company employee, xx town xx town, Suginami ward, Tokyo Aoyama Kyoko is twenty-six years old When Yuki returned to the hotel, Zhao Zi was sitting in the room with an impatient look.When she looked up and saw Yucheng who walked in silently, she asked with an unhappy face, "Where have you been?"How cruel to leave me here without a word!

Yuuki took the camera off his shoulder and threw it aside. Um?Where have you been!Also with a camera. Yuki sat on the rattan chair in the corridor, without even looking at the woman.He lit a cigarette and smoked. Hey, why did you go out alone without telling me?The woman came to Yuki.This Japanese-style room is separated from the corridor by a sliding window.Dim electric light spilled onto the hallway.The woman stood there with her back against the sliding window, looking down at Yuuki who was sitting in the wicker chair. You finally came to the hot spring to have fun, but you didn't even take a bath with me, and went out by yourself. Do you think your heart is cruel? Yuuki just spit out clouds and mist, keeping his eyes facing outside.The river flowed under his feet, making a loud noise.On the opposite side is the cliff, and the hotel's lights are dimly reflected on the rock wall. What's wrong?The woman's voice was a little higher. nothing.Yuki replied weakly.The face was still facing outwards, and the body did not move. You are in a bad mood.Come to this place with me, do you regret it? Nothing to regret.Yuuki replied simply. Then you speak up!If you have concerns about Doi, there's no need at all, I'll coax him anyway. Speaking of this, the woman's voice became coquettish.From the front of the window where she was standing, she walked around behind Yucheng, and put her hand on Yucheng's shoulder. How angry I must have been during the time you went out without saying hello!You shouldn't have left me alone in a place like this.However, it's fine now.I'm relieved to see your face.My anger has completely disappeared, so I am so happy that I can't control it!The woman suddenly became garrulous.The sound is also exciting.Yuuki was still leaning on the wicker chair like a rock. Um?Woman shakes him by the shoulders, turns on the radio, dances?This place is so boring.I'm afraid there won't be a dance in this kind of hotel, right? forget it.Yuuki responded this time, but his voice was very low. Ah, you can really talk!Going outside for a while, are you tired?There is a seductive charm in the woman's voice.Yuuki still didn't hear back.The woman said again: If you are tired, why don't you take a bath?Although the temperature of this hot spring is not high, it is full of heat! Then it will be a while.Yuki only said a few words. It's a bit weird.This is not like the usual Mr. Yuki!What are you thinking, looking straight at the mountains?This place is so lonely.The woman wanted to act like a spoiled child to Yuuki, so she leaned over and looked outside together. If I was alone, I would get tired of living in this kind of place for one night.Or the hustle and bustle of Tokyo is more in line with my personality. Probably better to go back.Yuuki said calmly. ah?What are you talking about?The woman laughed, disgusted to death.As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter how many days.It will be fun in any kind of col. No?It's better to ask you to go back.Yuuki said. The woman thought Yuuki was joking and just smiled. Isn't this deliberately making things difficult for others? Are you reminded of something unpleasant?It's disgusting to take it out on me. This is not taking it out on you.is speaking to you.Yuki sat up and threw the cigarette in his mouth into the ashtray. I'm sorry, but please go back.This time the tone was strong. You still say that the woman's face changed for the first time.Still, half smiling. You, Mr. Yuki, are really bad.Don't talk about this, why don't you go to bed quickly?Have the hostess there to get ready while you're away. Hearing these words from the woman, Yuki suddenly stood up. I am talking to you seriously!For the first time, Yuki turned her face towards a woman.His expression was firm, without a hint of a smile.The eyes that looked directly at him were also serious.He repeated again: I'm sorry, please go back! The woman's face suddenly turned pale.She stood firm and asked: Are you kidding me? no joke.Anyway, I want to sleep alone tonight.Yuuki pushed the woman away. Mr. Yuuki!The woman yelled. Yuki ignored her at all, picked up the phone receiver in the alcove and said that a guest wanted to go back.When is the next train to Tokyo?good. Yuki heard the answer, put down the receiver, and said to the woman: The train will arrive in thirty minutes.It's not too late for you to prepare. Zhaozi was pale and stood there motionless.With a sharp light in his eyes, he stared at Yuki intently. Mr. Yuuki.The woman pursed her lips and said sharply, you are too unreasonable.What a devil you are! The woman grinned and burst into tears.There were footsteps outside the door. Are you calling someone?The waitress asked politely outside. you come in!The guest returned to Tokyo and had to catch the next train. There was the sound of a train approaching in the distance.Because it was night, the noise lasted for a long time.In addition, it is very close to the railway, and when the train passes by, you can hear it clearly in the room. The train stopped on the platform.The front of the car is belching steam.The station staff kept calling the name of the station. Yuuki sat on the rattan chair, listening to these voices.The body is still motionless.Eyes still turned towards the dark cliff opposite.Only the sense of hearing seems to be receiving the sound of the river. The driving bell rang soon after.The train starts.The sound is getting louder.Zhao Zi is riding on that train at the moment. Just now, Zhao Zi didn't care that the waitress was right in front of him, and even cried and yelled, but finally picked up the suitcase and went out.At that time, what Yuki had in mind was something else entirely. The sound of the train on the tracks faded away.Because of driving in the valley, the sound has not completely disappeared for a long time.Because the hotel area is very quiet. Yuuki never moved.He kept smoking in his mouth, and didn't even notice that the ash fell on his chest. He had never been so lonely before.Yuki suddenly left the rattan chair and stood up.Take off the cotton robe of the hotel and put on your own suit.He put on his coat and walked out of the room alone. He ding-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d--d--d--d-d--d-d--d-d--d-d--d-d-d--d-d-d--d-d-d-d-t----a look of surprise on the faces of the people in the hotel: ah!Sir, are you going back too? Yuki smiled slightly and said: No, I'm going for a walk.Please take out your shoes. The waitress hurriedly found the leather shoes from the shoe box.Everyone in the hotel knew that Zhaozi walked out from here crying.They all secretly observed Yuki's expression with great interest. Yuki understands the psychology of these people.Putting on his shoes silently, he walked out the door. You are out!The guy greeted him behind him. There is a sloping road in front of the hotel.Yuuki walked downhill along the way.Hotel after hotel almost all closed the glass windows.There was not a single guest to be seen on the road. Yuuki walked up the slope and came to the railway crossing.Looking left and right, the distance of the railway was pitch black.Only a lonely light was shining on the platform of the nearby station. Yuuki crossed the railway and took another road.The road approaches the railway line for a while, but diverges quickly. There are only dim farmlands in front of me, and the dark mountains towering in the distance.At the foot of the mountain, lonely farm lights flickered.The road was deserted.On the left there is a rushing and roaring river. The night wind pierces the bones.Yuuki turned up his collar, put his hands into the pockets of his coat, and never took them out.The sound of the river has been shaking the eardrums. Yuuki let his two legs move forward on that road, getting farther and farther away from the hotel.Directly ahead, the mountains on both sides approached step by step, and the road under the feet gradually disappeared into a dark end. There was a farmhouse by the road, and there was a dim light in the windows.There seemed to be a figure standing outside the house, seeming to be watching him. Yuki walked over there and asked, "Where does this road go?" The person who was asked was probably an old man, and a surprised voice came out of his throat: Ah, this road goes straight ahead and leads to Shenyan Mountain. oh.Just as Yucheng was about to leave, he suddenly remembered and asked, is there a pear orchard over there? When Li Shuyuan heard the voice of the old man who asked the question, he paused for a moment, and replied, that's quite a lot.At the foot of the mountain in front, there are all pear orchards. In the dimness, the old man pointed to the direction of the foot of Heigu Midwinter Mountain. Thanks!Yuki stared at the mountain and walked forward. There is only his lonely shadow under the night.A mass of pitch-black foothills was approaching in front of us.In the ink-stained night, only the road under the feet still reveals a hazy white color. At this time, Yuki's face had lost its normal state. two Yuki arrived at Tokyo Station at half past seven. Walking out of the station, hailed a taxi, and told the driver to drive directly to his home. Sir, the driver turned his back to Yuki and asked, did you just arrive by express train? Yuuki said yes.The driver asked again: That was driven from Osaka.Is the sir also from Kansai? It seems that this is a talkative driver, chatting with Yuki all the way. Yuki is a train from Fuji Station.He turned back to Tokyo along the route he estimated Lai Zi would come back from. Yuuki stared blankly at the street lamps that kept moving backwards.Three hours ago I was looking at Mount Fuji.There were still red clouds floating on the top of the mountain in front of my eyes.On the way from S Onsen to the Tokaido Line, you can leisurely see different sides of Mount Fuji from the car window. The brightly lit night view of Tokyo at this moment seems to make people feel like they are in an illusion.Yuki has traveled many times before, and she has also been away from Tokyo for a longer period of time. However, even though he only experienced last night, what happened in S Hot Spring gave him a sense of fulfillment, as if he had stayed there for a long time, so that the lights of Tokyo seemed to have changed in front of him. Cars run on commonplace roads.In Yuuki's eyes, even the scenery along the road is somewhat unusual. Where are you going? the driver asked again.Yuki told him the direction.From here the road starts climbing.The dazzling lights were swept away, and the car drove into a quiet residential area. When he came here, Yuki realized that his mood was not calm yet.This was unique before.He used to travel longer with other women.Never, even then, had there been such a state of uneasiness. If he walked into his home with this kind of mood, Yuuki himself would feel that he was not at ease enough.He understood that he was not ready for a showdown with Lai Zi yet.It seems that going straight into the house is really not considered.Just at this time, the door of the house is approaching. Yuki suddenly ordered the driver to stop the car. is it here?The driver stopped the car and looked around.It was someone else's house, with a long wall, one family after another. Just turn the car back in the original direction.Yuuki said. ah?The driver looked suspicious. Nothing, I remembered one thing.Please drive the car back to Ginza. now? right. What a pity.After finally driving here, the driver said while slowly turning the car around. I'm so sorry.Yuuki said. where!Anyway, on the way back, I don't know if I can pick up passengers.So, for me, it's exactly what I wished for.However, sir, you will suffer a lot.The driver seemed very happy. The car still turned back according to the original road.When driving into the bustling street again, Yuki felt a little more at ease emotionally. Two or three women flashed through his mind.No matter where these women's homes are, Yuuki can live there. Before this, even if she lived outside for ten and a half months, Yuuki felt at ease.However, to go to these women tonight, he felt that it was bound to be boring, and he would never feel the slightest pleasure.The emptiness in my heart seems to be spreading endlessly. On a side street in Ginza, the car stopped.Look at your watch, it's past nine o'clock.Yuuki was carrying a suitcase in his hand. Yuuki walked into a narrow alley.The signboards of the bar are hung messily on the hatchback.The alley further divides into two.Yuuki walked up the narrow stairs of a building. As soon as I opened the door, I saw that there was a lot of smoke inside, and an electric light was wrapped like fog, and the black shadows moved in a chaotic manner. Oops, here you come!Seeing that it was Yuuki, the voices of the women flew over one after another. Long time no see you.A woman took Yuki's suitcase and helped him take off his coat, ah, are you traveling? Yuuki said yes. Are you going now?Or just came back? now go. Yuuki responded and walked towards the counter. Ah, the box is still empty!said a woman in a ball gown.But Yuuki sat down on the chair in the auditorium without saying a word. It's better here tonight.The bartender swung the cocktail shaker and bowed to Yuuki. Ah, rare!Mr. Yuuki.This is the lady boss of the bar. I haven't seen you for a long time.How many months has it been? The proprietress hugged Yucheng and said: Why are you sitting in the auditorium tonight?It's so fresh. Say it's good here.The woman in party clothes said with a smile. Mr. Yuki said, where are you going to travel!The woman who picked up the suitcase came over and reported to the proprietress. Oops, is it true?Are you leaving tonight? ah. Yuki ordered a glass of Scotch whiskey diluted with water.He didn't want to sit in any box tonight.If possible, I just want to be alone with my elbows on the counter, pouring down glass after glass of wine.It was the first time he experienced this feeling. Where are you going to travel?The proprietress looked at Yuuki's face. Kyushu.Yuuki replied immediately.In fact, it's not that he doesn't have the idea of ​​going to Kyushu at all.Although the women were almost all accompanying the guests in the box, the proprietress stayed by Yuuki's side.Firstly, we haven't seen each other for a long time; secondly, the proprietress also regards Yucheng as a treasure.What Kyushu, are you lying?The proprietress asked with a smile in her eyes, probably somewhere to hide with the beauty? Sorry, that's not the case this time.Yuuki smiled along with him.Although the wine has been drunk, it has not aroused much interest. Yuki-san, I haven't seen you for a long time.I've heard a lot about you elsewhere. In normal times, Yuuki would continue to talk about it, but now he doesn't have that kind of thought at all. You seem very tired.The proprietress carefully observed Yucheng's complexion, you are not going to travel now, but you just came back!Where did it go. I have some business matters, so I went to Kansai. Oh, I'm so busy.Mr. Yuki hasn't come here recently, I'm so lonely. Yuki and Doi have been to this bar several times.This was a place Doi was familiar with. Yuki suddenly remembered Doi.It can also be said that it reminds me of the woman Doi who rushed back from S Onsen. Is Doi still here?Yuuki asked. Haven't shown up at all lately.Everyone is very busy.However, Mr. Yuki, you should come here once in a while. The proprietress sat side by side with Yuuki, drinking whiskey mixed with soda and ice.She suddenly remembered something and said: Now that I said it, I remembered that around dusk today, two people came and said they were looking for Mr. Doi. ah?what kind of person? Anyway, they are people who are not very pleasing to the eye. Yuuki thought for a moment, who could it be?Doi has contacts with all kinds of people.Although it's all related to his business, he also has a way in which Yuki doesn't like each other.Just now I heard from the proprietress that there were two unattractive men who came to see Doi. At first Yuki didn't mind, but a question mark flashed in his mind, maybe they were other types of people. Did you ask Doi about it?he asked the proprietress. Um.They pestered Mr. Doi to ask where he often went, and I said I knew nothing about it.Those two people really make people feel a little strange. The word the landlady used was strange.This coincided with Yuki's premonition. Could you make a phone call to Doi's house for me? Yuki looked at the notepad.He thought that instead of hanging at Doi's own house, it would be faster to hang at Zhaozi's residence.He gave Akiko's phone number to a young waitress standing in front of him. Ma'am, can you call me for me?He begged, if Doi was there, I would pick him up.If he is not there, a woman should answer the phone.At that time, you just need to ask Doi whereabouts for me.My name, you just say it's Okada's agent. Okada is an accomplice in Doi's business.The waitress handed the phone receiver to the landlady. Is Mr. Doi there? The proprietress asked as Yuuki said.Yuuki was holding the wine glass, but his ears were pricked up to listen there.The other party seemed to reply that he was not there, and the proprietress was asking where he was going. It seemed that the other party also replied that he did not know, and the proprietress asked when she would be back.She put down the phone and came back to Yuki.Sir is not there!When I asked her where she had been, she didn't know where she was going.It was a woman who answered the phone, and the voice seemed a little unhappy. Yuki knew in his heart that it was Zhao Zi. When asked when Doi would come back, she also said that she didn't know the exact time. Thanks.Yuuki gulped down the wine in the glass, and the floating ice hit his teeth. Mr. Yuki, are you dancing?A drunken waitress hugged Yuki from behind. That's good too!Yuki replied vaguely. Oops, long time no see.jump!The woman in a dress with an open collar grabbed Yuuki's hand.Yuuki danced helplessly.The drunken woman pressed her cheek to Yuuki's face. Yuki-san, it's been a long time since I saw you.What are you busy with recently? Yuki was only moving his legs, and he couldn't get excited at all.While dancing, my heart calmed down a little. Those two strange men who came to Doi never left his mind.This symptom is quite worrying.The last time we met, Doi himself had revealed this sign. Tonight, Doi's whereabouts are unknown, this incident also fueled his mood. Yuki refused the request to dance another song and returned to the auditorium.He asked for a third dilution and drank it alone for a while.While Yuuki was dancing, the proprietress was sitting in another box. A customer is on the phone.Yuki's heart skipped a beat.When the phone was free, he dialed the dial.The call was to my own home. The phone rang for a while.Yuki imagined the night at home when the phone rang. Hello.It was Lai Zi's voice who answered the phone.Yuuki's heart suddenly became tense. it's me.He told Lai Zi. yes.The voice was calm and emotionless. Is there any special situation during my absence?Yuuki seldom made such calls in the past. No.Nothing special. Yuuki seemed to see Lai Zi's face.Quiet and indifferent, expressionless. Yuki felt that he was having a showdown with Lai Zi.He had thought about it when he was still on the train, and suddenly thought of it again when he heard his wife's calm voice. I'm going to take a shower tonight, get it ready for me right now! To this, Lai Zi only calmly replied that he knew. Yuuki hung up the phone, returned to the counter, and downed the rest of the whiskey in one go. Settle accounts!Yuuki shouted towards the tent. The proprietress hurried over upon hearing the sound.Yeah, are you going back?It's a rare visit, so let's stop for a while, shall we? The proprietress has affection in her eyes.Yuki shook his head and said: There is something urgent tonight. The profile of the face was impassive.This is one of his characteristics, and women like his expression very much.Yuuki picked up the suitcase and walked down the steep stairs alone. It was past eleven o'clock when Yuki returned home. Lai Zi came out to meet him: You are back. Yuki deliberately didn't look at Laizi's face.After handing over the suitcase, he walked towards the house alone.The maid had already rested, and there was no movement at home. Yucheng walked into the room and stood there for a while. Lai Zi carried a suitcase and followed in: The bath water is ready, do you want to wash it now? Laizi's clothes were neat and tidy, and she looked like she was welcoming Yuuki who had returned home after a day out. This wife has always been like this.Even if her husband stayed away for ten days without saying hello and came back, her attitude was absolutely normal.He neither asked where he went nor what he did. In the past, the evidence that her husband traveled around with women instead of for work had repeatedly appeared, and she turned a blind eye to this and did not respond at all.She never reacted to Yuki's reckless behavior, no matter verbally or facially.As a wife, she hates her husband's character and loathes his career.And it still is. Lai Zi brought the clothes to change.He took Yuki's coat, helped him take off his suit, and then neatly set about tidying up everything.She never neglected her duty of taking care of her husband's daily life.In the eyes of outsiders, she is a virtuous and diligent wife. Yuuki puts on her kimono.The wife is packing the shirts that have been taken off.The traveling suitcase lay untouched on the bedding. Standing upright, Yuuki looked down at his wife's figure.He felt an uncontrollable pain in himself. When Laizi found that the suitcase was still in place, Yuuki said: When I take a shower, you can tidy up the things in this suitcase. Lai Zi is arranging the clothes that have been taken off.Her hand seemed to stop for a moment.Yuki had never said such words before. It's been a few years since I said it.Since other women's belongings appeared in the suitcase, Lai Zi decided not to touch the suitcase her husband brought back.Yuki never ordered her to tidy up.However, this evening was uncharacteristically, and he specifically stated that he would tidy up for him when he took a shower. Yuuki walked into the bathroom with a towel in hand.In the stillness of the night, soak your body in the bathtub. Outside the glass door, my wife's voice came: Is the temperature of the water right? Yuki answered yes to her.The footsteps left.Yuuki washed in a leisurely manner. Yuuki knew that during this period of time, Lai Zi was opening the suitcase and taking out the contents.No, she must have been standing still, looking at the objects that appeared inside. In the suitcase, he consciously put two things, one is a towel.It comes from a hotel in S Hot Springs, and the name of that hotel is on the wrapping paper and towels.The other item is a snack made by S Hot Spring. Its logo is also decorated with the name of the hot spring in large font.Snacks are prepared for the maids. Yuuki imagined Lai Zi's expression staring at those two items in his mind.In the past, she had hardly asked her to organize her suitcase, but now she was ordered to do so suddenly, just to show her those two things.In other words, let her see the evidence that she has been to S Hot Spring. There was no sound from that side of the room.Yuuki seemed to see his wife's pale face, holding her breath nervously as she stared at the words "S Onsen". When Yuuki returned to the room after taking a shower, Lai Zi disappeared.The travel suitcase has also disappeared from its place. Yuuki silently looked towards the yard.Through the glass windows, you can see the whirling trees.The dim light cast dimly into the courtyard.A cat hurried across the darkened ground. Lai Zi did not easily return to the room.Yuki knew that what he had done had worked.He really wanted to visit Lai Zi's room, but immediately dismissed the idea.He pictured in his mind the scene of Lai Zi standing still in the room. Yuuki took a puff of cigarette deeply into the bottom of his chest. Then exhale the smoke and watch it slowly drift away.This puff of smoke is simply astonishing. three Lun Xiangzi heard the sound of a car coming back from her father. She was playing the piano in the room, and immediately stopped and stood up.When I walked out of my room, I happened to meet my mother who was hurrying over from the corridor. Is dad back? Um.Mom responded shortly.Lun Xiangzi followed her mother out.Whenever Dad came home, unless it was too late, she tried to go out with Mom to greet him. Dad was taking off his shoes at the door, bending over to untie the laces. You are back.Lun Xiangzi greeted with her mother.Dad hummed and stepped into the house.His face was flushed, he must have just returned from a banquet.But it was just after eight o'clock, and Lun Xiangzi felt that the banquet ended early enough. Dad's side face looked particularly unhappy.In fact, when Dad returns from a trip, he is always in a bad mood.Dad went into his bedroom.Lun Xiangzi also went in with her mother, but her father didn't talk to Lun Xiangzi in particular. Dad often brings back some gifts for Lun Xiangzi.Even if you don't bring a gift, you must say a few words to her.Because there is only such an only daughter, sometimes the father loves Lun Xiangzi more than the mother. At this time, Dad only took one look at Lun Xiangzi.She knew that Papa's displeased face worried Mama a little. Lun Xiangzi walked out of the room alone.As a daughter, Lun Xiangzi knew in her heart that her parents were having unspeakable difficulties.She felt that it was not right for her to be there any longer. Back in her room, Lun Xiangzi still wanted to continue playing the piano, but she couldn't get excited.Dad's appearance today is not as usual, it seems that it is not simply unhappy, but there seems to be a deeper complex reason. Mom didn't come into the corridor.According to my mother's usual practice, she came out immediately every time after helping my father change his clothes.Today, my mother stayed in my father's room abnormally.Lu Xiangzi had a feeling from this, as if her hunch was correct. Recently, newspapers have been publishing news about corruption cases in the government agencies where my father works.It is still a small piece of news at present, and it is not worth making a fuss about.The content is nothing more than a person at the level of the chief of the department was detained by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was inconvenient for Lun Xiangzi to ask her father, so she went to ask her mother. I'm also worried about this.My mother said to her, I asked your father, it is said that it is only that class [Note: It is equivalent to a first-level institution in China. ] Something went wrong.Dad said that it was probably the people in charge who took the bad luck from the business owners and got involved. What a bunch of useless guys. You won't drag your father's responsibility, will you?Lu Xiangzi asked. Dad said, no problem.It is said that it was done by people under the class, and the director would not be implicated at all. There are people from all walks of life, and my father is too busy to socialize. Hearing her mother's words, Lun Xiangzi was finally relieved, and then looked at the newspaper carefully, and the news stopped there.Because it wasn't a big deal at first. More than a week has passed since the newspaper published the news.Lun Xiangzi was about to forget about it unknowingly. Seeing that her father was not in a good mood tonight, Lun Xiangzi couldn't help but remember that incident again.But it hasn't been reported in any papers since, and there's no sign of it in Dad.If anything, Mom would definitely tell. Lun Xiangzi closed the piano cover, took a book from the shelf and read the beginning, but couldn't read a single page.Only the typeface meets the eyes, but the thoughts cannot enter the article.Both ears just listened in the direction of Dad's room. Lun Xiangzi thought to himself, at such a time, it would be great if Hezi would hang up the phone.Of course, this does not mean that her phone call can dispel the worries in Lun Xiangzi's mind.However, it seems that at least Lun Xiangzi can be freed from this state of mind. Lun Xiangzi's thought was indeed similar to the feeling of wanting to escape from the dispute between his parents.Although this is just my own whim, talking casually with Hezi on the phone can indeed dilute the depression at the moment.However, Kazuko would not call by such a coincidence, so Lun Xiangzi wanted to take the initiative to call her. Recently, Lun Xiangzi and Hezi have met more frequently.話題總是歸結到一件事上，那就是結城賴子和小野木喬夫的問題。 在和子方面，似乎倒是常常跟小野木通電話。 小野木先生好像特別忙哪！她曾對輪香子這樣說過，不管什麼時候打電話去，他不是外出不在，就是說過幾天有時間了再來。到底是個資歷最淺的年輕檢察官，老是被支使到處去跑腿呢。 和子原話就是這樣說的。輪香子很羨慕和子平時行事的方式。和子的性格是，想到那兒就做到那兒，見人自來熟。輪香子感到自己也很需要這種性格。 輪香子很想見見小野木。見了面，有許多話想和他說。而且要在那位美麗夫人和多嘴多舌的和子都不在場的情況下。 輪香子對小野木的印象，任何時候都是在諏訪見到的那一次：自己和他站在碧綠的麥田裡，春風吹過，已經抽穗的小麥綠浪翻滾，花梨樹上的白花有如繁星點點，湛藍的湖面一覽無餘。 還有，輪香子至今也無法忘掉小野木的另一個形象，即當時在古代遺址的豎穴裡，他坐起來的時候，那副鬱鬱寡歡的表情。一想到小野木，首先浮現在眼前的總是這個形象。 麥田裡，―位農夫正在揮動鎬頭。諏訪的街填一直延伸到臺地以下，碧波蕩漾的湖水對岸，環繞著坡度平緩的丘陵。 小野木曾經用手指著告訴自己，那處凹陷下去的地方，是鹽尻山口。明媚的陽光照到他的半張臉上。那頂發髒的帽子，不乾淨的提包，都給輪香子留下了深刻的印象。 小野木順著一個很低的斜坡走下去。腳步顯得十分歡樂，似乎都要用麥稈做個笛子吹起來了。輪香子很想和小野木一起再次到花梨花盛開的諏訪去，並在那裡把許多事講給他聽。 輪香子第二次見到小野木，是在下諏訪車站，當時他正從月臺上走過。而這次見到的小野木，已經是與那位美麗夫人聯繫在一起的另外一個人了。 小野木當時正在月臺上走著，並不知道自己正在這邊列車的窗口注視著他。他臉上的表情，好像有一種異樣的孤獨。雖然他曾對自己說過，接下來到伊那方面去，但從表情上可以看出，他不是在從事有趣的旅行。當時留在輪香子心中的直接印象，是他那顯得孤獨的身影，最近她才知道那正是結城賴子給投下的陰影。 輪香子就是想帶著這位苦惱的小野木，到盡可能廣闊的天地裡，兩個人一塊去走走。 田澤正在妻子的幫助下換著衣服。他一面繫著腰上的帶子，一面對正在收拾西裝的妻子突然開了口。 前些日子那件水貂大衣，給輪香子了嗎？聲音是漫不經心的。 妻子的手稍停了一下，眼睛沒有看丈夫，答道： No.還原封不動地放著。 Um. 丈夫點燃香菸，在那兒站了一會兒。正當妻子感到迷惑不解的時候，丈夫有點兒難於開口似地說：你不需要那件大衣吧！ 我以前已經對您講過啦。妻子以普通的聲調答道。 丈夫沉默了片刻，自言自語般淡淡地說道：那件東西，最好還是不要放在家裡了吧。如果親戚裡有誰需要的話，就送給他們吧，怎麼樣？ 聽到丈夫這話，妻子吃了一驚。good.只這樣回答了一個字，便不再做聲地繼續收拾衣服。 丈夫和妻子之間的說話中斷了一會兒。丈夫吸著菸，妻子把疊好的衣物掛到西服衣架上。 我說，妻子冷不防把臉轉向丈夫，那件貂皮大衣，出什麼事了嗎？ 妻子的目光直盯著丈夫的臉。丈夫把兩眼迴避開了。 nothing.聲音與煙氣一起吐了出來，沒有什麼事。 可是，怎麼突然講起這件事來了？ 不過，看來你也不中意，又不想送給輪香子。所以，把它處理了好嗎？這會兒剛想到，才這樣說的。 不，不是這麼回事吧。把它送到別處去，是不是對您會更方便？ Why?丈夫很平靜。 從一開始，我就對那件東西放心不下。我可配不上呢，漂亮過頭了。 這話是挖苦人吧。丈夫瞟了妻子一眼。 No, it is not.我是覺得收下來不合適，請您明確地說吧。我好像又在問您前些日子那件事了，報紙上登出來的事，真地與您沒關係嗎？ Of course it doesn't matter.這種區區小事，我能每件都負責嗎？ 這我就放心啦。然而，妻子的表情並沒放下心來，還是像您講的，我將盡快把那件貂皮大衣處理掉。那種東西放在家裡，總不會是件好事。 妻子講得很明確。丈夫臉色有些尷尬。 不過，我還是非常擔心。總覺得您最近的樣子有點反常。 你指的什麼呀？丈夫低聲反問了一句。 不知為什麼，我只是有那麼一種感覺。您一直是位出色的人。以前很窮、現在也並不那麼寬裕。可是從早先來看，還是相當幸運的。輪香子也大了，眼看就該嫁出去了、現在正是非同小可的時刻呀。您若是有個什麼閃失，可就麻煩啦。 丈夫一直不肯看妻子的臉，口裡說：究竟怎麼回事，你說明白點好吧？ 您好像有什麼事在瞞著我。機關裡宴會多，這是以前就知道的。但我最近時常看到一些我們過去沒有的東西。 丈夫似乎有話說不出了。 這是您的一種交際活動，所以不得不應酬。不過，令人擔心的是，實業家們為了利用您的地位，正在進行活動。那是因為咱們家裡不富裕呀。可是，我並不覺得那麼緊張，每月從您手裡接過的薪水，就已經很難得了。眼下的生活，與我們的身分是相稱的。因此，那件水貂大衣，儘管您是一片好意，從一開始我就看不順眼。 妻子直視丈夫的臉，眼裡閃著光。 當真什麼事也沒有？前些時報上登的那件事，您當真與它無關嗎？ 就像前些天我講過的那樣。丈夫有點不耐煩地答道，你認為我與那件事有牽扯嗎？ 不，我不認為會那樣。可是，聽到您突然說還是把那件大衣送給誰吧！我還是覺得放心不下。 Do not worry!絕不會有那種事的。只是那件東西稍微有點麻煩。原因倒不在我會怎麼樣，只是不想把它放在家裡。 輪香子往邊見所在的報社打了個電話。她對接電話的邊見說：我想馬上見見您，不過 邊見那邊立即響起了吃驚的聲音。呵，真稀罕哪！然而，他的聲音還是興沖沖的，究竟有什麼事呀？ 見了面再對您講吧。are you busy輪香子問。 現在正好有時間。傍晚就忙起來了。 那麼，我馬上就去吧。去報社方便嗎？ 是啊社裡沒有個清靜的地方，附近倒是有家小吃茶店，那地方不大有人去，恐怕還是那裡合適吧。 邊見講出那家吃茶店的名字。 輪香子走出家門，乘上電車，找到那家吃茶店走進去的時候，邊見正在一個角落裡看報等候著。他一見到輪香子，立即站起身，滿面微笑：您好！上次是我失禮了。 看樣子邊見很高興。也許由於工作繁忙，感情馬上就坦率地流露在外了。 由輪香子姑娘約我出來，這還是第一次哩！在這兒等您的時候，我正在捉摸可能會是什麼事呢。 邊見爽朗的話語，卻使輪香子感到沉重。吃茶店裡很靜，客人寥寥無幾。店外人流如潮，熙煕攘攘；店內生意不多，靜靜悄悄。為了進行這種談話，邊見給選了個再好不過的場所。 您母親身體好嗎？See you and ask. um, thanks.very good. 最近有些怠慢，好久未去問候了。請您代我問個好吧。 Um.輪香子微垂著頭，其實，我今天會見邊見先生，是瞞著媽媽的。 啊，恐怕不必每件事都得到事先允許了吧。因為您已經長大成人了嘛！ 邊見一直沒有看重輪香子前來會面的事。 No, I don't mean that.輪香子覺得很難啟齒。 看到她不由自主流露出來的為難情緒，邊見現出一副費解的神態。什麼事呀。The smile on his face disappeared. 實際上，我是有件事來麻煩您的，近來報紙登了有關Ｒ省的貪汙事件，您知道的吧。是爸爸那個局發生的事。 邊見的面容立時有了變化，兩眼突然現出困惑的樣子。 I know that.邊見的答話卻很輕鬆，我每天在報社裡，報紙總是要看的。輪香子姑娘是擔心這件事才來的嗎？ 就像我剛才講的，這件事發生在爸爸的局裡。明確地說，想請您告訴我，爸爸與這一事件有多大關係。邊見先生在報社工作，又專門負責採訪爸爸那個單位，我想您會比別人更清楚，因此才來向您請教的。 昨天夜裡，爸爸和媽媽好像又發生了爭執，那是在輪香子離開爸爸房間以後。雖然當時她並沒在場，但從情形來看，是能判斷出來的。媽媽沒有痛痛快快地走出爸爸房間。她當即感到是出了什麼事，這一直覺果然沒有錯。 事後她見到媽媽時，媽媽的樣子就是與往常不同。輪香子曾主動問過這件事，但媽媽沒有作答。儘管在輪香子面前態度絕無異樣，但從媽媽臉色上卻立即就能知道她與爸爸之間發生了什麼事情。媽媽的表情很消沉，眼神顯得有些憂愁。 這一切，大約都與報紙上的消息有關。媽媽悶悶不樂和牽腸掛肚的原因，可能正在於她知道了事件的責任將要追究到爸爸身上。 既然從媽媽那裡得不到答案，就只有向邊見求教這一個辦法了。邊見負責採訪有關Ｒ省方面的情況，始終受到爸爸的關照。他會比誰都更清楚事件的內幕，而且似乎能如實地把情況告訴自己。 然而，邊見的語氣開首就彷彿有些輕描淡寫。這甚至給了輪香子一種感覺，好像他講話時那副無所謂的神態是故意做出來的。 邊見先生，無論爸爸會處於怎樣的境地，我都不在乎的，只想請您坦率他告訴我。我現在很擔心，簡直都坐臥不寧了。 This is understandable.邊見點了點頭，不過，輪香子姑娘，實際上我也不大了解情況。不，我這不是在講應酬話。最近好像還要逮捕另外一個課的股長，但我的看法是，大概至多在課長助理一級就會終止的。我認為，責任絕不會追究到您父親的名下。 邊見做出這段回答的時候，仍舊用著和開初一樣的語氣。