Chapter 77 Chapter 77 (Supplementary update, don’t miss it) “M…
37.
I don't understand what Lei understood. It seems that the biggest difference between me and these smart people is that I don't understand the Riddler.
Not only Rye, but also Gin.
I, who always uphold the spirit of asking questions without feeling ashamed, blinked and said, "What do you know?"
Lei was silent, and seemed to be hesitant to speak, as if he was organizing his inner thoughts.
I thought I would have a chance to see Lei no longer be the Riddler, but unfortunately, Lei and I might just not be destined to be together. Before he could even open his mouth, the door of the bar opened again.
Being experienced, I subconsciously placed myself at least five vodkas away from Lei (Vodka: Me again?), and looked towards the door warily like a rabbit.
His eyes were as big as copper bells, emitting a shrewd lightening--why did he suddenly sing this? Oh, because the one that came in was not a silver-haired one, but a golden-haired one; not a big white-haired one, but a small yellow-haired one.
Yes, it wasn't gin that came in, it was bourbon.
As for the Japanese police, I automatically matched the background music of "Black Cat Sheriff" to him in my mind. Is it reasonable?
Bourbon walked in, his eyes glancing at Ley and me, who were standing a delicate distance from each other at the bar. His handsome eyebrows raised slightly, and the corners of his lips curved into a half-smile. "Looks like I've arrived at an unfortunate time."
Mr. Bourbon said, "Unfortunately," but he rudely pushed Ley aside, pulled up a chair, and sat across from me. He tapped his index knuckle on the bar and said, "Give me a drink."
"What do you want?" I asked, but I didn't even give Bourbon a chance to choose. "You can have a Manhattan cocktail too."
Bourbon Smiley Face: "Just give me a glass of bourbon."
I acted like, "I don't care what you think, I care what I think." "Okay, I'll make you a Manhattan cocktail with bourbon."
Bourbon laughed helplessly: "Bourbon will do, no need for mixing."
Why can't this guy understand what a beautiful woman is saying? I glared at him and said angrily, "I've already turned omakase into omasake for you. Isn't that enough? Bourbon is a luxurious thing. Overindulging in it will only ruin its delicious flavor."
Omakase means customers don't order dishes; the chef prepares the dishes. Omasake, on the other hand, means customers choose their own ingredients, but the chef prepares them accordingly. In this case, Bourbon chose bourbon, and this chef chose to make a Manhattan cocktail, so it's omasake, no problem.
Hey, can it also be called eikosake? Is that even possible? Sorry, I'm not a pure Japanese and I don't understand this. Anyway, Bourbon has to listen to me!
Bourbon showed his big eyes: "Yingzi, what are you talking about?"
I put my hands on my hips and tried to overpower him with my presence. "Who allowed you to address me by my first name? Who do you think is standing in front of you?"
Bourbon humbly asked, "Do you have a code name yet? Have you not yet announced it by email?"
I was almost scared to death by him and quickly stopped him: "Pfft, ffff, ffff, don't say such unlucky words."
What's wrong with these people? Bourbon hasn't even met Binga, so why is he acting like Binga, assuming I have a code name? Is this a common quirk among Rum's men? Why haven't we noticed Ley has one?
"Then..." Bourbon drawled out his words, waiting for my explanation.
I cleared my throat, adjusted my tie, raised my chin, and said with a pretentious air of superiority, "The person standing before you now is the manager of the Polestar Bar."
Bourbon: "...Okay, Manhattan cocktails are Manhattan cocktails."
I kindly reminded him: "You forgot to call me 'manager'."
Lei couldn't help laughing.
Lei, Lei, hey, he actually laughed so hard! What's so funny!
Moreover, the last time I saw him smile like this was in Masumi Sera's memories of Kudo Shinichi making Akai Shuichi laugh.
What does this mean?
This means that Kudo Shinichi and I are indeed cousins without any blood relationship!
Speaking of which, I haven’t taken my eldest nephew out to play for a long time. I’ll go pick him up from school tomorrow.
My thoughts had drifted to the middle school student far away, but that didn't stop Bourbon and I from looking at Lei with strange eyes.
But even though it happened at the same time, there was still a slight difference. I was just surprised and puzzled. Bourbon had an extra layer of…disgust than me.
Under the gaze of his two colleagues, Lei slowed down and stopped laughing. Instead, he wiped his face with his big hand and pretended to be a cool and handsome man. He said, "You guys continue."
Bourbon turned back and suggested to me seriously, "Why don't the manager kick this guy out?"
38.
In fact, the manager didn't have a chance to take action. Lei was called away by a phone call. Fortunately, the members of the Black Organization didn't need to spend money to consume in the bar, otherwise I would have to go to him to collect the debt.
After Lei left, Bourbon was very relaxed and even thanked me with a smile.
I was surprised. "Thank me for what? Boss Rum and I don't have such a tacit understanding that he would sense it even if I didn't say anything and call Lei away so that you can thank me."
"It's not about Rye." Bourbon shook his head, his purplish-gray eyes looking particularly deep under the bar lights. He suddenly winked at me, his gesture natural and full of allure.
Beauty, beauty critique. I covered my chest reflexively, then followed his hint and put my ear closer.
He lowered his voice and said, "Your information has helped me a lot."
Damn, I thought it was something else.
In order to get Bourbon to do me a favor, I owed him three favors. Since it was too much and too long ago to pay it back, I did Bourbon a favor a while ago.
Rum is actually still in the observation period for Bourbon, wanting to see the extent of this newcomer's abilities.
It's not just Bourbon. Ley, seemingly a resource for the Rum faction, is also in the probationary period, so Rum doesn't fully trust him. I suspect that despite Binga's attempts to break through defenses, in Rum's eyes, Binga is still more trustworthy than Ley. Just look at Binga's ability to operate independently, while Ley's every mission is directly or indirectly monitored by Rum's spies or other members of the Black Organization.
Rum had recently given Bourbon a new assignment: to investigate whether a codenamed member of the Black Organization was actually an undercover agent sent by the Red Force. This wasn't just to test Bourbon's intelligence and investigation abilities, but also to see if he was also undercover and foolish enough to protect a fellow undercover agent.
That code member had joined the Black Organization three years before Bourbon. Not only would Bourbon have to start his investigation from scratch, but he might also have some baggage. As luck would have it, I knew that code member and had some other connections, so I helped Bourbon out a little.
With my insignificant help, the always capable Bourbon found out the true identity of the code-named member half the time stipulated by Rum.
It is true that the guy is an undercover agent of the CIA, but there is another dark organization abroad behind him. In simple terms, he is a double agent, and he actually works for another organization. Naturally, Bourbon has no psychological burden in dealing with him.
"Sure, sure." I waved my hand. "I didn't help much. I'm just doing you a favor."
This is the truth. I am a useless peripheral member. If I hadn't relied on Gin and used his connections and intelligence network to bully others, I would have no ability.
"No, you are still confident in your abilities..." Bourbon paused, then suddenly smiled. "Eiji, do you need any help lately? How about I help you?"
Help! His smile is indeed seductive, but it's giving me goosebumps! Is Bourbon really so obvious, afraid I can't see he's just using me to climb higher in the Black Organization? Damn, relying on being Bourbon, he doesn't even try to hide it?
I curled my lips and said, "I declined."
Although I am still busy and need someone to help me.
But Bourbon is definitely not going to work, nor is Rye, nor is a nearly full-time sniper from Scotland, so which lucky guest should I look for?
Facing Bourbon's smiling eyes, the manager fell into deep thought.
However, Bourbon's thanks reminded me. Would Gin hear that I'd used Gin's connections to bully Bourbon and help him? Could Gin's sullen face from the past few days be because I'd used his name to help Bourbon behind his back?
...No way?!
That night, after "eating and drinking enough", I finally managed to get some rest. I didn't fall asleep like I usually do. I couldn't help but poke the man's chest next to me with my fingertips. He felt very comfortable, so I boldly said, "You've been angry these past few days. Is it because I helped Bourbon?"
The silver-haired man who was originally in a contented state and had his eyes closed while holding me still had his eyes closed. He snorted coldly and said nothing.
I rolled my eyes slyly and moved closer, my breath practically brushing against his jawline. "If you don't deny it, I'll take it as your consent."
Gin finally opened his eyes and grabbed my wrist: "You are quite brave."
Well, this sentence means to confirm what I said, he is indeed angry.
I placed my other hand on Gin's, trying to feel his pulse by kneading it. "So, Zhen, are you angry that I'm using your name to help others, or that I'm helping Bourbon?"
I emphasized the words "your name" and "bourbon."
Although it felt a bit like Bourbon had become part of the play between Gin and me, I still unethically and uncivilizedly continued to ask, "Are you unhappy that you've become Bourbon's helper, or are you jealous?"
I admit, I wanted to hear the latter answer.
Gin's long dark green eyes moved.
After a while, he slowly spoke, his voice a little deeper than before, with an indescribable meaning:
"Yingzi."
"Hmm?" I responded automatically, my heart beating faster.
"You really are a heartless person." Gin held my face without any hesitation and bit my cheek which was unconsciously puffed up because I didn't hear the answer I wanted.
"Hmm? Ah——" The complete sentence was blocked, and only the moan from the throat leaked out.
Now it's good, I just had a promising future, but now it's gone.
So cruel, so excessive, how could you…how could you…ahhhhhhhhhh how could you use…
…
No, I'm not that flexible, right?
…
This carpet is also not available.
…
39.
When the marks on this crispy manager's body faded a little, or at least were not so shocking, it was time for the Black Organization's annual physical examination.
The Black Organization's humanistic care is quite domineering, which is reflected in the fact that the organization generously provides free physical examinations to all members, regardless of whether they are code members or peripheral members. However, it is not only generous, but also mandatory, which means that everyone must go.
So, this year's physical examination was the same as usual. I was extremely resistant to having blood drawn, but Gin carried me there.
The difference is that the Black Organization has changed its hospital base. This time, the destination is hidden in a seemingly ordinary commercial building owned by Pisco, and it is underground.
The number of examination items has also increased. In addition to the routine physical examination package items, I was given a bone density test, a nerve response test, and a strange item that locked me in a room and connected me to a bunch of inexplicable machines.
I always feel like I am not a human being, but a guinea pig in Shirley's hands.
...Hashidou Madai, could it be that the Black Organization finally can't stand my uselessness anymore and wants to make use of me and use me as a test subject?
No, don’t do this kind of thing!
No, Gin is still here. With Gin... Even if it is the Black Organization's arrangement, Gin will protect me, right?
Just like during physical examinations, although Gin wouldn't follow me into the examination room, he would always wait outside the door or at the end of the corridor, and occasionally whisper a few words to the doctor in charge.
Although I couldn't hear what he said and sometimes I couldn't see his expression clearly because the distance was too far, I have to say that Gin's presence was full of danger and oppression for other doctors and nurses, but for me, it was indeed a strange reassurance.
The final test results were sent directly to Gin as usual.
After a busy day, I returned home and fell asleep on the bed. I slept soundly. When I woke up, the bright and prosperous night view of Tokyo was outside.
I closed the curtains and clattered to the living room in my slippers.
Gin used to just take off his trench coat when he came home from work, ready to go on a mission. But thanks to my influence, he now changes into loungewear. And since I have his card and I love shopping, his loungewear always matches my aesthetic. I've even secretly changed it to the same color and style as mine, or even made it into a couple's outfit.
This time he was wearing the couple's outfit that I was wearing. He was sitting on the sofa in the living room, staring intently at Gin on the flat-screen... It's hard not to understand a beauty under the light.
Well, Gin’s expression is, how should I put it, very complicated.
Based on my understanding of him over the years, the state of his eyes and eyebrows, the slightly furrowed brows... he looked somewhat unsatisfied, as expected, but also somewhat... happy?
"What are you looking at? My physical examination report?" I walked over and asked curiously.
He took the time to look up at me and nodded slightly.
No wonder, he probably was unhappy with my still-poor physical performance or something? No, that didn't make sense. What was he happy about?
After reading my physical examination report and making this expression, I felt very panicked!
It can't be that I suddenly caught some serious illness. Gin couldn't help laughing out loud in his sleep just thinking about being able to go painlessly and having one less burden to bear in the future, right?
No, no, Kaimen Yingzi, you have to have confidence in yourself! How could Gin be happy because I'm going to die? Things are different now, Gin will definitely not want to leave me!
So the question is, what does his expression mean?
I took action bravely, stepped on the soft carpet with my slippers, walked over, and stood in front of Gin who was sitting on the sofa, with my back straight and my hands on my hips, trying to get an answer from Gin in a condescending manner.
——Although I don’t mean to look down on you, it’s better not to mention Gin’s height!
"Are you looking at my medical report? Why do you look like that? Is there something wrong with my body?"
Hearing this, Gin simply looked up at me calmly, his dark green pupils appearing even deeper under the light of the screen: "No."
The words were concise and to the point, without any emotion, as if he was just stating that the weather was nice today.
"Then why are you making that weird face to scare me?" I breathed a sigh of relief and stretched out my palm in front of him, "Let me see."
"No." He refused decisively, even flicking his wrist to tilt the screen slightly, completely eliminating any possibility of me seeing. That movement carried his unique, unquestionable sense of control.
"You're being too much! It's my report, why don't you let me see it?" I puffed my cheeks and complained, "Do you have a secret between you and me? Zhen?"
I deliberately dragged out my tone when calling his name, with the ending tone rising, with obvious coquettishness and temptation.
Gin's reaction was completely unexpected. He didn't even raise an eyebrow, leaning back slightly on the sofa, his posture becoming even more lazy, but his eyes were still sharp.
His tone was even calmer than before, even tinged with a hint of malicious ridicule: "It's no use calling me 'husband'."
I was immediately horrified and took a half step back, my eyes wide open, and pointed at him with a trembling finger: "Oh my God? Whoever you are, get off Gin!"
Gin: “…”
He watched my performance in silence, his face still expressionless, but a very faint smile flashed across his green eyes, so fast that it seemed like an illusion.
Then he put down the tablet and reached out to me.
I looked at his bony hands warily: "What are you doing?"
"Come here," he ordered, his voice returning to its usual deep tone.
I was still cautious: "Let's make it clear in advance that the sofa is not allowed, and the carpet is definitely not allowed!"
I'm thinking about my open-door Yingzi. Who the hell is she? She actually has a day when she feels ashamed. Who would have thought that between Gin and I, I'm the more reserved one in some areas? No one would believe me if I told them!
Gin narrowed his eyes and said, "Come here."
Seeing that I still didn't dare to move, he sighed: "Not here, come here."
I hesitated for a moment, then moved over reluctantly.
Gin pulled me to sit next to him, and his arm naturally wrapped around my shoulders, holding me.
"Really?" I leaned in his arms, raised my head to confirm again, and my fingers unconsciously played with the buttons of his shirt.
It's a double entendre.
"Yeah," he replied, rubbing his chin against the top of my head, answering only my one question, "I'm in good health."
"What was that expression on your face just now..." I muttered quietly, forgetting the other question.
Gin was silent for a moment. Just when I thought he wouldn't answer, his deep voice rang out above my head: "Low fat percentage, insufficient muscle mass, bone density below excellent standards, vitamin D deficiency, sleep quality..."
He began to list the "unqualified" items in my physical examination report one by one, his tone as flat as if he was reading a task briefing.
My face instantly fell, and I wanted to cover his mouth with my hand: "Master, stop talking! I'm wrong! I've been a fragile person for a long time, and I have to save my face, okay?"
He easily caught my disruptive hand and held it in his palm. His palm was large, warm and dry, with thin calluses from years of holding guns, and he stroked my skin.
"…but the core indicators are stable," he said, changing the subject, listing the "crimes," and concluding, "a significant improvement over the data from previous years."
"That's right, I've made some progress. Not much, but still a lot!" I nodded, my eyes narrowed again, and I looked at him with ill intent, "I see."
He asked in a nonchalant voice as he lightly pinched the back of my neck with his fingertips.
"You seemed a little happy just now, were you feeling lucky to have you move in?" I smiled dimple-likely. "Vodka even said I look much better now than when I was first assigned to the bar and lived there!"
As I said this, I nodded in affirmation to myself: "Gin has taken good care of me."
Gin sneered skillfully, neither refuting me nor affirming me, but just lowering his voice. Even though we were pressed close together, I couldn't hear what he said clearly.
"Actually... Yeah."
Never mind, just wait until he becomes arrogant again and that’s it!
…
Gin is a big liar. He is not here as he said he would be.
40.
Along with the snow globes and gift boxes piled up in the shop windows, the day I look forward to most every December has arrived.
Christmas and New Year.
This year's Christmas Eve is different from previous years. Although Chianti and Cohen escaped from Tokyo and successfully escaped from my clutches, my Christmas Eve party welcomed new blood: the Whisky Trio!
Humph, who can't the earth turn without? Without Chianti and Cohen, I'm even happier to have three incredibly handsome guys to keep me company, okay? The only downside is that Kiel agreed to come over, but he had an unexpected mission and couldn't make it.
Otherwise, the first party game I carefully prepared could have been played smoothly with the participation of one more person.
Oh, the first queue game I prepared is...Who is the Undercover?
Come on, playing Who's Undercover with real undercover agents is really fun, okay? I admit I have a bad taste.
It's a pity, I don't know whether they thought this game was extremely unlucky, or thought I was here to test them on behalf of the always suspicious Gin, but the game of who is the undercover was rejected by Ley with the reason "There are four people here, what if the result is 2 to 2?"
There was no other way, I could only take out plan B and play alarm clock bomb with them.
Some people may ask, is it only the whiskey trio present? What about gin and vodka?
They can't run away, Gin and Vodka will definitely participate. The reason why they are not mentioned is because they were called to a meeting by the senior management and came a little late. Also, even if they are included, the number of people participating in the game will still be an even number, so it will not have any impact.
Well, by the way, their suspicion is not unreasonable. I even suspect that they knew that Gin had planted a bug on me before he left. Otherwise, according to their usual habits, even if they were playing the alarm clock game with me, they would not be targeting each other in every sentence... Uh, to be precise, Bourbon and Rye were targeting each other?
And Scotland also helped secretly.
In the end, it was Lei who lost the game. But before I could let Lei draw his hand to choose truth or dare, Gin and Vodka came in covered in snow.
He even brought me the fried chicken I ordered! Yay!
I cheered, opened my arms and ran over to hug the fried chicken in the hand of my dearest - Vodka.
Gin deadpanned, "Idiot."
I sighed helplessly, facing Vodka's numb eyes and the surprised, amused, and complicated looks of the Whiskey trio. I stuffed the fried chicken back into Vodka's hands, turned around and opened Gin's windbreaker, and reached in without hesitation to hug his thin waist. I stood on tiptoe and gave him a loud kiss on his cold, hard chin.
"Mua!"
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The author has something to say: Apologies for being late, red envelopes will be sent in the comment section
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Today's update is in this chapter, and the deleted plot is added back. Those who have subscribed before do not need to purchase it again. Just consider it my apology TT
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Hahahahahahaha I can take a day off tomorrow! Even though I have to go back to work the day after tomorrow, I can take a day off! I'm going to have a good sleep! When I wake up, I'll see if I have time to make up for my debts (pointing fingers)
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For other plots of the Christmas Eve party, please refer to the Christmas extra chapter of "The Bartender". It doesn't matter if you don't read it.
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Retract previous statement
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