Chapter 4 Article 4 Lucky Man

It's so cold! Just when Muratsu Naomi was thinking this way, she found that there were indeed snowflakes falling down outside.Snowflakes hit the glass of the window, and immediately melted into water that flowed down crookedly. Through the crooked water marks, the outside world seemed to be swaying. How about going to that tavern in Yotsuya for a few drinks. After paying for the coffee, Naomi Muratsu sat in the lobby of the hotel and thought blankly.The drunkenness attached to the stomach wall, the stewed radish that is as soft as mud in the mouth, and the warm and delicious soup are probably perfect for tonight.The appearance of that tavern, mixed with the delicacy of the food, came to Naomi's mind.

However, the tavern was probably full at this time, as it was a good pub with fair prices and good food, so it was always full.Wouldn't it be a shame if I managed to get to that tavern in Yotsuya but couldn't find a seat?Moreover, besides that tavern, there is no favorite restaurant near Yotsuya. Or go home and find a sushi restaurant near where you live. Naomi fell into confusion, although not as confused as Hamlet, but many people would fall into thinking about trivial matters and could not find a suitable answer.After thinking for a long time, Naomi still didn't make up her mind, so she got up and walked towards the escalator downstairs.

The escalators in this hotel are the same as those in many shops. The up and down escalators are juxtaposed. The guests going up and down are standing on their own steps and moving towards their respective destinations. They approach each other, side by side, and then back to back. far away. ah! Naomi noticed that a man with a slightly dark complexion was smiling at her on the escalator going upstairs about a meter away. Suddenly, the man stretched out his hand and gently touched Zhimei's shoulder.Then, the two of them just passed by. When Naomi turned her head to look at the man again, she could only see half a smiling face.Who on earth is it?Naomi thought this way, but in the process of thinking, the other party has gradually ascended with the escalator, and she has gradually descended.Naomi's eyesight is not very good, and now she can only see the back of that person, but can't figure out who he is.

After Naomi went downstairs, she couldn't help but look up the escalator again, and the man had already transferred to the escalator that went downstairs and gradually descended, just like the camera lens in a movie keeps getting closer, as the distance gets closer, the two There were smiles on everyone's faces, it turned out that the man was Yoshihiko Nishitani. long time no see. how are you doing So-so. Naomi once imagined such an encounter, and this fantasy has continued for several years.But just when the fantasy completely disappeared, he met Liang Yan in this way! The god of destiny really likes to play tricks on people!

Married?Yoshihiko asked straight to the point. Ended but left again. Why?It's amazing! It seemed that there was a lot to say, but he didn't know where to start, so Yoshihiko had to look Naomi from head to toe again, and then asked: Are you free right now? Yoshihiko has become an adult, has a status, and is much more stable. He is no longer the young boy he was back then, but this is a matter of course, after all, we haven't seen each other for many years. Various thoughts emerged in Naomi's mind, but Yoshihiko's way of talking with his head tilted was exactly the same as before.

Well, free.I'm going home. Seeing you today makes me nostalgic for things from the past. yes. Let's have dinner together. Um Then you wait for me here for a while, I will go upstairs to deliver the documents and I will be back soon. Although I also experienced painful struggles when I broke up with this man, I didn't hate him in my heart.After many years of unexpected encounters, those grievances and grievances have long since disappeared, and the first feeling is nostalgia.Also, on a cold night like this, it's not nice to drink alone All right. Then you wait for me.

OK, I'm over there looking in the window. Yoshihiko had already boarded the escalator in three steps at a time. He's still the same, nice guy. If it is a sophisticated man or a man with deep scheming, when he meets his old lover, he will not run up the escalator in such a hurry. Is he all right? Yoshihiko is two years older than Naomi, and should be thirty-seven years old this year. Before, his situation had been unsatisfactory.However, at the moment when they passed each other on the escalator just now, Yoshihiko left a different impression on Naomi than before.He turned his back to Zhimei and went up the steps, and the calmness of taking the escalator down the stairs made Zhimei feel his maturity.

He already has his own social status. Naomi is thinking so nonsense While waiting for Liang Yan to come back, Naomi wandered around in front of the window of the hotel shopping mall. There was a mirror in the window as a backing, and Naomi saw herself in the mirror. What have I become again? It is not something for a woman to be proud of having a steady body. It means that a woman is no longer young. She doesn't think she is old, and she doesn't want to think so.Naomi's lower body is a mid-length skirt with lambskin boots, and her upper body is a short coat that matches the color of the boots very well. The cuffs are made of chinchilla fur. This is Naomi's favorite outfit.Originally, fur clothes tend to make girls look like call girls, but Naomi's suit is decent, stylish and exquisite.

Yes, Not Bad.Naomi said to herself in the mirror. At this time, Yoshihiko's figure appeared. He put his hands in his pockets and ran over quickly, with the momentum like a door panel falling down.It appears that the submission of documents has been completed smoothly. He used to be like this too. In the past, when the two dated, Yoshihiko was always late. When I asked him why he was late, he either overslept, forgot to bring something back to pick it up, or got on the wrong tram, it was nothing serious. Liang Yan stopped in front of the window, you haven't eaten yet, have you?he asked directly.

Yes, how about you? I didn't eat it either.Where shall we eat? casual.How about a few drinks?It's so cold. no problem!eat meat?Still eat fish? Just eat Japanese style. OK, there is a restaurant nearby that I know very well, and it takes only a few minutes to walk there. OK. The two walked out of the revolving door of the hotel, and the cold air quickly surrounded them from head to toe.Snowflakes fell from the dark sky, and when they landed on the asphalt road, they melted and disappeared as if absorbed by the ground.Even so, the snow is still drifting and melting tirelessly, but after midnight, the road will be buried white by snowflakes.

Naomi held up the umbrella, and the tall Yoshihiko took it, which should have been done by men.Under the flashing lights, two people crossed the pedestrian crossing under an umbrella. There is a very eye-catching Japanese restaurant in the back street of Akasaka. Behind the white wood counter is a chef in white. welcome! Some days are gone. It seems Yoshihiko is a regular visitor here.The two found a table in the corner and sat down. A waitress in a blue and white uniform handed over the menu, and Yoshihiko slowly opened the menu and browsed. Only drink Japanese sake? I'm afraid it's not suitable to drink beer in such weather. I want to drink something warm. Well, let's have two pots of hot soju first.After finishing speaking, Yoshihiko looked at Naomi's face, the wine in this store is very high-end, I used to only drink cheap wine.A relaxed smile appeared on his face. Behind this unaffected smile, it seems that more than ten years have been hidden.Just the growth of age can make a man mature and full of charm. Why didn't Naomi realize this before? More than ten years ago, Naomi lived in Yoyogi, Tokyo, where she rented an apartment on the second floor. The room was as big as four and a half mats. From the window, you could clearly see the chimney of the public bath boiler. At that time, Naomi’s apartment did not have the luxury of a telephone. Liang Yan often came to play with Naomi, and when Naomi was not at home, he would go to the public bath to take a bath. At that time, Liang Yan could take a bath with a handkerchief. After taking a bath, Yoshihiko had a few drinks at a stew restaurant next to the bathhouse. At that time, all he drank was cheap shochu.He watched Naomi's window while drinking, and once the lights in the room came on, he went upstairs to find Naomi. Sorry, I bet my watch on the stew. You're so naughty! In this way, Yoshihiko took Naomi's wallet and took Naomi's hand back to the stew restaurant to redeem the watch. Under normal circumstances, the two of them would have dinner by the way. After graduating from Women's Art University's fashion design major, Naomi applied for a job in a company that produces handkerchiefs.Her job is to design handkerchiefs day and night, and she wants to be a fashion designer in the future. Naomi's hometown is in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture. When she was admitted to university, her mother died of illness suddenly, and her father also quit the front-line job.The power in the family is in the hands of her sister-in-law, and Naomi doesn't want to go back to her hometown.But the main reason is because she doesn't want to leave Tokyo Zhimei's elder brother is a reasonable and good person. He often said to Zhimei: If you want to become a fashion designer, then work hard!Being a housewife is not worth much. I will pay part of your rent and living expenses before the age of 30, so you can work hard towards your ideals! I met Yoshihiko when a friend introduced me to Naomi when he was about to graduate from University.Liang Yan's nickname is Ben, because the pronunciation of Liang Yan in French is close to Ben, hence the name. wrong!wrong!It's the fool's stupid.There is also this statement, which is closer to the truth. Yoshihiko is not from Tokyo either. He was born in Aizu and grew up watching Mount Bandai.Although he is a poor farmer's son, the magnificent natural scenery around him has cultivated Yoshihiko's straightforward, simple, and heroic character.Although he is two years older than Naomi, Yoshihiko did not study hard in college and even repeated grades year after year. As a result, he graduated a year later than Naomi. What left Naomi the deepest impression was Yoshihiko's last year of university, when Naomi had already become an office worker with a job.Compared with students, of course office workers are richer, so at that time, not only the restaurant bills were paid by Naomi, but also many other expenses of the two of them were also borne by Naomi. How can you like being stupid? Although the reason is not easy to express in words, Zhimei is very clear in her heart. Before Yoshihiko, the boys Naomi dated were all very good, which is understandable, but they also thought that only they were the greatest self-absorbed characters.Deep down in their hearts, they all think that women are nothing and treat women as fools.They are very interesting to chat, but they are also very good at lying. They are not trustworthy at all. There are women they like everywhere. It was obvious that Ben was not that type of man. People with good character are really good. A woman who has been hurt in love will not easily open her heart to associate with a man again, but Naomi is still a relatively positive woman. When sleeping with Liangyan for the first time, Liangyan said: I am not very good at it. While Naomi feels Yoshihiko is cute, she also feels out of tune. In the process of interacting with Liangyan, these two feelings have always coexisted in Naomi's heart.It's just that the ratio of these two feelings will change subtly during each intimacy When he was about to graduate, Liangyan still couldn't find a suitable job. After a period of ideological struggle, he decided to stay another grade.This is not the type that Naomi likes, she likes majestic men who don't procrastinate in doing things. Even so, that time was the happiest time she and Yoshihiko had ever spent.Naomi also just started working, and her hope and anxiety for the future coexist in her heart, which is a very nostalgic feeling in retrospect.Naomi lives in an apartment with a view of the chimney of the bathhouse, and begins her life in society.During that time, Yoshihiko seldom went to school, and spent most of his time in Naomi's apartment.For Yoshihiko, the most important thing is time, so there is no problem in doing anything.During holidays, they often rent a car to travel far.Although the living expenses are often tight, the two of them worked hard to save for a period of time, and they could still go out for a little extravagance once in a while, and the days of raising funds were also very happy memories. However, there will be a day of boredom after having fun all day. Can I live such a life with such a man for the rest of my life? The huge rift in the relationship between the two came when Liang Yan was facing employment again. As graduation approached, Liang Yan's job search was still not going well.Until one day at the end of March, Yoshihiko came to tell Naomi: Job found!They called to inform me that they had hired me. congratulations!That's great. Yoshihiko was hired by a publishing house in the education system.Although Kazuhiko's major is a bit wrong, after all, he majored in economics, but a person with a background in economics can work anywhere, not to mention that what he learned in college will not be of much use after he enters the society. Once the job is stable, he may become more motivated. Although there are some deficiencies, Naomi has already added Yoshihiko to her future.Marry him, and with his help, work hard to realize your dream of becoming a fashion designer, etc. However, what Yoshihiko said about being hired was a lie. He was not officially hired by the publishing house, but a temporary part-time job. Even after working for several years, he may not be converted into a regular employee. When she learned the truth of the matter, Naomi was silent, and even felt a slight dizziness. Why should he lie? Naomi hates others to deceive herself the most. Stupid is really stupid. In the next six months, the relationship between the two people was like a fire that was about to go out. Although there was still warmth, there was no open flame.Although the way of life has not changed much from before, Naomi's heart is getting farther and farther away from Yoshihiko day by day. But the decisive rift comes when Yoshihiko goes on a ski trip with his friends. According to Yoshihiko's clumsy explanation later, there were two men and two women on that trip, and the location was Echigoyu Station.A good friend of Yoshihiko's student days invited him to go. You should know Tamura, he insisted that I go with them. There were also two women, one was a barmaid whom Tamura often went to that bar, so he got to know her; the other was a friend of that woman. Tamura and the barmaid are lovers, of course they share a room, and the other two have to share the remaining room We slept in our own separate ways and did nothing. Liang Yan kept explaining, but Naomi was not in the mood to listen at all, she just thought Liang Yan was an idiot, he was lying, and he touched other women. It's useless. I, I'm tired of it, let's just stop here, and you don't come again. Although he didn't say much, he refuted two or three sentences stupidly, but in the end he still lowered his head like a robot with a power cut off. Naomi later calmly recalled that Yoshihiko might have really done nothing during that ski trip, but However, Naomi thought again, what kind of road to take is arranged by God, breaking up with Yoshihiko is like taking off an old shirt, but it feels a lot easier.Even so, whenever footsteps are heard in the corridor, Naomi occasionally thinks: Is it Yoshihiko? Twelve years no see. The soup in the hot pot on the white wooden table began to steam up, Yoshihiko stretched out his chopsticks and picked up a piece of fish fillet and put it into the hot pot. It's been so many years in a blink of an eye. Well, let me count them for you. At this time, the waitress came over, sorry to bother you.She picked up the chopsticks and put the vegetables and tofu on the plate into the pot, and then covered the pot.It can be eaten in four to five minutes, please use it slowly.After speaking, the waitress turned and left. Yoshihiko's face had already started to blush. His nose seemed to be bigger than before, and his eyebrows were thicker. A slightly warm drunkenness spread in Naomi's body and mind. already married? Yeah, don't you think I'm not married yet? No, it doesn't mean that. Married and divorced. why? After getting married, I went to his hometown Aichi with him and I couldn't get along with his family.He's a nice guy so I married him, but his family is too rigid and some of the relatives are quite unbearable, and I'm the worst at dealing with relationships.Once a conflict arises, my husband will rely on his relatives, and I can only swallow my anger.Originally, my work as a designer was going well, but I gave up my career to accompany him to Aichi Prefecture. After a long time, I felt so sorry that I couldn't say anything. What do you do now? Designer, mainly designing some paper patterns. pattern? If you look at women's magazines, there are usually clothing patterns in the appendix. Um? In the past, the design was to make paper patterns first, and then cut the garments according to the paper patterns. Now it is different, and now the clothes are made directly. People who like to cut clothes by themselves will be in trouble, because they cannot cut by themselves without paper patterns.So, clothes designed by first-class designers need to be dismantled and then made into paper patterns. This is my job, understand? Yeah, I got it. I seem to be very inspired in this job, and everyone agrees with my achievements, and occasionally I design some clothes by myself. That's great! The soup in the hot pot was already boiling, Naomi stopped her chopsticks. ah. Naomi raised her eyes. Liang Yan's words are so good that Naomi feels an incredible power.Words have such great power only if they feel good from the inside. This man has grown up. In the past, Liang Yan would sincerely say that he was very good when he saw other people's happiness.Because he is a kind-hearted person, he will not hesitate to wish others good luck.However, a man who doesn't have any confidence in his own strength seems to have little weight in saying such blessings.No matter how heartfelt and how hard you say it, it always gives people a feeling of gliding on the ice, very light. Yoshihiko tonight is different. Maybe I'm drunk. Naomi felt a strange bewilderment, and it wasn't a bad feeling. How are you doing?I'd love to know more about it. It’s also hard to say. The biggest change is that my surname is no longer Nishitani, but Kaneda. how? Well, I've been someone's backdoor son-in-law and I'll give you a business card. Yoshihiko took out a pair of hands from the business card holder and handed it to Naomi. The business card said Concrete Column Co., Ltd., representative director, Kaneda Yoshihiko, representative director?That is to say he is the general manager. Um? Surprised? What is a bit of concrete uprights? It is the concrete pillars buried in the foundation when building a building, and our company manufactures that kind of pillars. It's amazing! I don’t know if it’s a big deal or not. When I was working in a publishing house, a senior said to me: I have a very good marriage. I’ll introduce it to you. Get married.From what he meant, it seemed that he wanted to be the son-in-law who cut in the door.At first I was reluctant, but if I go back to my hometown, there are a bunch of poor brothers in my family, I am afraid that my whole life will be spent in such a mediocre way, so I finally met such a marriage, and I got married as soon as I gritted my teeth. oh. Just like Cinderella in a fairy tale, I moved from an apartment the size of three mats to Denenchofu, a wealthy area The change is sudden enough. It was a bit of a surprise, but my father-in-law was a very remarkable man.In the past, I always had the impression that people who can succeed in this society must have done bad things, but my father-in-law was not like that.He not only taught me business matters, but also taught me how to live as a man.His teachings are both earnest and severe, and have his special persuasion.I have great respect for my father-in-law, so I have faithfully followed his words.Through my words and deeds in the past ten years, my father-in-law handed over the management of this 300-person enterprise to me, and he himself became the chairman and retired to the second line. No wonder Yoshihiko has a mature demeanor and temperament. Faithfulness is the strength of this man in front of him. When he meets a good mentor, Yoshihiko can learn good qualities. How is your family? Well, it's okay, my father, mother and mother live together. Where is your wife? together. Then I must live with you, very happy. Recently, the Japanese economy is not in a good mood, and the construction industry has also been greatly affected. I have been busy all day without gaining anything. Maybe there will be some improvement from next year. Naomi picked up the colander and stretched it towards the hot pot, while taking a peek at Yoshihiko.I thought: When I said he was happy, I meant that he and his wife were happy. Didn’t I ask him about the Japanese economy and construction industry? Is he deliberately avoiding this topic? Where are the children? They have two children, a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. The man on the opposite side of the hot pot had the expression on his face that is typical of all young fathers when they talk about their children.The stupid back then has also become a dignified father, but this is a matter of course, and no one should be underestimated.Anyway, congratulations to them first. Do you think I've changed?Yoshihiko asked tentatively. It has changed, it has become very remarkable, and it is very different from the stupid one before. Well, I used to have no confidence.Recently, even the nickname has changed. what is it call? lucky man. I think something is wrong, you are not lucky, you are successful through your own efforts. Good luck, who knew that my father-in-law is such a good person? What kind of fruit should I eat? No, I'm full. How about some coffee? There is no coffee in this shop. That Well, let's go. Walking out of the restaurant, the snow was still falling, melting on the road, and the street was wet everywhere. You said you live in Denenchofu? um, where do you live? I live in Meguro, we drop by.Why don't you stop by my house in such weather.If you want coffee, I'll make it for you. You cook it for me? Just then, a taxi with its empty indicator light on drove up. In the dark bedroom, Yoshihiko rested his head on Naomi's shoulder, and there was a slight snore in Naomi's ear. Yoshihiko was still chatting endlessly just now, about work, the situation of the children, what he saw and heard about going to the United States last year, and then there was a wonderful period of silence, which made each other truly feel the existence of the other. From the moment she invited Yoshihiko to her home, Naomi had realized that this might happen, but it wasn't what she expected to happen. Whether it happened or not. Because there is no point in making love tonight, didn't I get tired of it at the beginning?Right now, Naomi's chest was filled with a stern emotion. I have also become an adult. Yoshihiko has also matured after experiencing many things. Very happy! Congratulations Yoshihiko from the bottom of my heart.It is the most congratulatory thing for a man to act like a man, and that is the most beautiful scenery.Although all this has nothing to do with her, Naomi is still happy for him. If Yoshihiko was like this back then, I wouldn't abandon him either. Naomi's career as a designer is going well, and her work won a silver medal in a competition last month.Work is very fulfilling and meaningful.Looking back, the life of getting married was actually the most unhappy.It is also very good for a woman to live alone. There is nothing more precious than freedom.Yoshihiko and Naomi went their own way respectively. If they both found their own happiness, then the days spent together in that apartment where the chimney of the bathhouse could be seen were not in vain. This is not bad! Inadvertently, Naomi talked to herself, as if revealing her inner feelings, she felt uneasy and embarrassed for no reason. Naomi quietly got out of bed and put on her pajamas.Then he quietly looked at the face of the man who was sleeping soundly on the bed.The weak desk lamp could not fully illuminate Liang Yan's face, perhaps because of the light, his expression looked a bit depressed Yoshihiko suddenly opened his eyes, as if he felt Naomi's sight even with his eyes closed. Sorry, I fell asleep. You sleep the same as before. what time is it now? Naomi pointed to the watch on the wall with her chin. I just had a dream. What dream? I'm not sure, but it seems to be the apartment you lived in before. You can see the chimney from the window.Yoshihiko got up and began to get dressed. Would you like a cup of coffee? No. It seems to be snowing heavily outside. There should be taxis at this time. Do you want to go back? Um. wait, i'll take you to the gate No, you're welcome.Yoshihiko had already put on his coat. Would love to spend a little more time with you. Well, but I have to go back, and my wife has set a time limit for me to go home. The man's back showed a strong will to go back. Then there is time to see you again. A gust of cold air blew in, the figure of the man disappeared, and the door closed.The farewell sound of goodbye was crushed by the door.Naomi hurriedly took off her pajamas and put on a turtleneck sweater and chased after him. Maybe she couldn't catch up, but anyway, it would be nice to just watch his back, Zhimei thought.Going out of the main entrance of the apartment building, Yoshihiko may still be seen in the street lights. Naomi took the elevator down to the first floor, pushed open the main door of the hall, and a gust of intense cold air hit her face, piercing into Naomi's body through the thin sweater like a needle. The fluttering snowflakes made the night darker, people's vision was very limited, and the road had been covered with snow into a vast expanse of whiteness.There is a footprint that has just been stepped on the ground extending into the distance. His father-in-law might be a nice guy. Naomi noticed that Yoshihiko was deliberately avoiding mentioning his wife, and Naomi felt that this was not just concerns about the old lover, but there seemed to be other reasons. He may have experienced and experienced pain that I can't imagine. Naomi thought of the time when she lived in her ex-husband's house, and even thought of the painful scene when she decided to divorce. lucky man? After Cinderella in the fairy tale married the prince, life certainly wasn't all very good.Can you understand Liang Yan's inner world by following the footprints? Is the time limit for going home at twelve o'clock? The footprints were gradually filled with freshly fallen snowflakes, gradually became shallower, and finally disappeared.