Chapter 96 Chapter 96 "He has other plans for you." ...
90.
Lei walked into the bar and looked around before finally settling on me, the only living person in the bar.
"Long time no see." He said again.
I kept my hands on my hips in confusion: "Uh, long time no see?"
Is this some kind of code? Do we have to check before we can continue talking?
It really was some secret code! After I confronted him, Lei spoke!
"Let me... take a look at you." He paused, hesitating for a moment before saying, "It seems you are not angry with me."
I slowly lowered my hands from my hips.
Well, we both know each other's minds very well, so we naturally know what he means.
"Is it because of Shirley?" I raised my head, met his gaze head-on, and asked calmly.
Lei nodded, and deep within his emerald eyes... if I'm not mistaken, there was a fleeting hint of what could be interpreted as guilt.
My eyes widened in shock for a moment.
Oh, but, I understand.
After all, in the original story, Akai Shuichi was willing to reveal his identity to save Morifushi Kagemitsu, only to watch helplessly as Morifushi Kagemitsu shot himself in front of him. This alone, out of guilt, forced him to endure Furuya Rei's cold stare and hostility.
What's more, this time, it's not just Scotland, but also Shirley and Miyano Akemi. I only know that Akai Shuichi, who didn't get into the Black Organization by scamming people, didn't become a boyfriend or girlfriend with Miyano Akemi, but I wonder if Lei knows that the Miyano sisters are his cousins? I tend to think he doesn't know. If he did... I imagine... the look in his eyes would be more than just guilt.
"actually……"
"That's normal." I interrupted him, before he could finish any words of apology or explanation. I picked up the rag I'd put down for his arrival and began wiping the bar counter. My movements were unhurried, and my voice maintained a perfectly calm, even a hint of the indifference of someone who has seen through the world. "I'm... angry, and sad too."
Even though I knew that Scotland and the Miyano sisters had faked their deaths, and even though I knew this was part of a plan proposed by Gin and adopted by the Japanese Public Security Bureau to escape the Black Organization's pursuit, when the news of "the Miyano sisters and Scotland being executed by Rye" actually came, my heart still jumped.
By the way, I feel a little melancholy.
Compared to the real deaths of Morofushi Kagemitsu and Miyano Akemi in the original plot, and Shirley who resolutely took APTX4869 and became smaller, compared to their predetermined fate, their current fake deaths can be regarded as a way to get rid of the plot killing, and there is also a sense of unreality and trance.
"But," I raised my eyes and looked at Lei, perfectly creating a somewhat forced, tired, and helpless arc, "that's normal. Who made them betray the organization? This is what they deserve."
This is half true and half false.
This wasn't the first time I'd experienced a friend or acquaintance being executed by the Black Organization. Even earlier, before I'd fully adjusted to life in the Black Organization, before I realized it wasn't the ridiculously unbalanced red and black villains of later anime, before I understood the inherent cruelty of the Black Organization, before I'd secretly felt grief over the sudden disappearance of someone I'd shared a few drinks with or chatted with, Gin would often point his cold murderous intent and weapon at me, telling me to wake up, be more rational... and to take care of my life.
The coldness and murderous intent in Gin's eyes were not fake. I had no doubt that if I showed any inappropriate sentimentality or sympathy, I would be the next to disappear.
Over time, the sensitivity and empathy that humans should have seem to have been worn away, turning into a numb...almost instinctive self-protection.
——Don’t show sadness in front of outsiders, especially not within the sight of members of the Black Organization.
This time, because I had the script in hand and had been brooding for a long time, my performances of "sadness" and "acceptance" were flawless. In front of the mirror and with Gin, I repeatedly practiced that mixture of genuine loss (after this separation, the next time we'll probably see each other will be after Ke Yuan) and the calculated, weary, resigned calm... Gin praised it, even suspecting I'd been acting in front of him. If I hadn't kissed him so quickly, it would have been difficult to fool him.
Well, that's a story for later. The main thing is, I was really successful in disguise. Even when Vermouth mentioned it seemingly unintentionally, I would reveal a little sadness, and then lightly brush it off with words like "Who made them betray the organization?", and really didn't arouse anyone's suspicion.
Even Rum didn't doubt me!
Lei is no exception.
He looked at the expression on my face and his eyes became more complicated.
How should I put it? Lei seemed to want to find even the slightest bit of pretense or resentment in my helpless posture, but in the end, he seemed to believe that I was just another assimilated person who had been smoothed out by the organization... and learned to "adapt."
He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, perhaps to comfort, or perhaps... something else.
But I didn't give him the chance.
"Don't just stand there like an idiot," I said, changing my tone. With a certain sense of authority, I shoved the dirty rag in his hand. "Since you're here, don't just sit there. Wash this, and then help me mop the floor. That corner hasn't been mopped yet."
Lei was obviously stunned for a moment, looked down at the out-of-place rag in his hand, then looked up in the direction of my finger, and then looked up at me who was ordering him to work with confidence.
After a few seconds, the complex and deep expression on his face gradually faded, replaced by helpless indulgence.
He didn't say anything, but resignedly took the rag from my hand, turned and went to the sink in the cleaning room. When he came out, he took a mop, handed me the cleaned rag, walked to the corner I pointed to, and began to mop the floor silently.
Watching his tall, straight figure working tirelessly... Tsk tsk, Ley, Akai Shuichi, the FBI's ace investigator, get to work! I turned around, my back to him, my lips curled up quickly.
Then I picked up the Rye rag and started humming a tuneless little song as I continued to wipe the other tables.
For a moment, the only sounds in the bar were my quiet humming and the rhythmic sound of Lei mopping the floor, and suddenly the days became peaceful.
After a while, Lei Yi's voice suddenly came from behind, breaking the seemingly peaceful busyness: "Yingzi."
"Hmm?" I didn't even turn my head, concentrating on wiping the table a second time with a dry rag.
He paused, as if trying to organize his words, before asking, "Are you... happy?"
My humming stopped abruptly.
This question... is a bit abrupt.
Moreover, it was Lei who asked this question...
Bridge Bean Sack! Something's wrong! What's going to happen this year?
Akai Shuichi's identity is exposed!
Oh, to be precise, it was Shuichi Akai who led the FBI to capture Gin, but because his colleague Camille "kindly" reminded the fake old man, the real Rum, who appeared at the mission location, Gin finally escaped successfully and Rye's undercover identity was exposed.
Lei asked me this suddenly, what does it mean?
The temptation is a foregone conclusion. The question is, what kind of answer does he want to get when he tests me?
...You can't be trying to take me away, right?
No, how is that possible.
Thinking this in my mind, I turned to meet his inquiring gaze, shrugged, and replied, "Of course I'm happy."
I answered in the affirmative, but my brief hesitation was clearly interpreted as something else by Lei, who didn't realize I was recalling the plot and was wondering why Lei had suddenly asked me this. He couldn't possibly be revealing his identity to me, but he had no reason at all.
Am I forcing a smile?
Lei's lips moved, and he didn't know what he was trying to say. He asked, "What about Gin?"
I was puzzled: "Huh?"
"Gin..." he asked in a low voice, "Did he... force you?"
"Ah?!" I was really shocked this time. My eyes widened instantly and I looked at Lei in disbelief.
What did he ask?
Good job!
I understand, I understand everything, I have realized it!
Lei asked me these questions not because he really cared about whether I was happy or not, nor did he want to reveal his identity or take me away - after all, I am not Akemi Miyano, and he would not like me.
Lei is still on a mission to capture Gin. He wants to know what the relationship between Gin and me is. Maybe he wants to use me in some way so that Gin will willingly fall into the trap?
"You got it the other way around?!" I blurted out, my tone filled with disbelief. "Isn't it me who forced him?"
Look, Rai still doesn't know me, or Gin, that well. Those in the Black Organization who know us all think I've finally gotten Gin hooked, and they all feel bad for him (?). Some do think Gin forced me, but the percentage is incredibly small.
After all, everyone can see who really got the advantage.
I didn’t get the script of being the group’s favorite, a useless bartender, but I am a useless person. Between Gin and I, I was definitely the one who took the initiative!!!
Lei was silent for a few seconds, looking at me gravely. His tone became vague, almost admonishing: "You still don't understand... Gin... He doesn't really... like you."
To be honest, I don't like to hear this kind of talk.
I made a face and said unhappily, "That's not the case."
How could Gin not like me?
In Bourbon's eyes, he is in love!
If Gin didn't like me, would he still be willing to sleep with me? Never mind anything else, whether Gin really likes me or not, I can judge for myself.
The way Lei looks at me now is as if I am the one who is in love.
He chose his words carefully, as if wanting to be more direct, yet hesitant. "People like him only care about the organization and the mission. Don't... let him use you. If..."
His words stopped again.
Because at this moment, several more people came into the bar. They were all bar staff who came to work according to the original time - yes, I came early.
"Eiko, why are you here so early today...Huh? Lei?"
Their arrival instantly broke the delicate and tense atmosphere between Lei and me.
All the outward emotion on Lei's face instantly vanished, returning to his usual stern and taciturn demeanor. He nodded slightly to the employees who looked at him with some surprise, as a greeting, and then...
Despite the even more surprised looks from others, he continued with the cleaning work at hand.
This was the first time our bar was ready for business so quickly, and it was really all thanks to Lei... Not only did he really help with the work, but because of his presence, those peripheral members who were afraid of him or wanted to show off in front of him worked so hard that their hands were almost flying with sparks.
If possible... I hope he can come every day, so that I can really do less work.
The "Open" sign was hung up, and Ley, who was helping with the pre-opening preparations, became the first customer of the Polestar Bar and had the first opportunity to be made a cocktail by me.
Having received such an honor, Lei shook the... Classic Cup. After more and more customers entered the bar and the peripheral members had no time to look at him expectantly, he lowered his voice and said to me: "Yingzi, every word I said is true."
"Gin has other intentions towards you."
It's boring to keep emphasizing this.
I sighed, put down the shaker, and looked into his clear brown eyes: "What about you?"
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The author has something to say: If you apologize for being late, you will receive a red envelope.
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Ying, the poison list has begun, clean up, countdown to the end
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Back to work, I'm starting to squeeze in time for daily updates. I'll definitely pay off my debts before the end [sunglasses] provided that the debts don't get bigger and bigger, then how many more extra chapters will I have to write... [burst into tears]
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