Chapter 37 I'm so grateful to her. Bourbon's anger level is up!
Good morning, Gin!
"Have you had lunch? I have some Scottish bento boxes here."
"Speak up to me, Gin!"
"Gin, Gin, Gin..."
Chinatsu Takanashi was brought into the organization by Gin, and he taught her all sorts of skills, so it's normal that she sticks to Gin.
However, in the past few days, Chinatsu Takanashi has been appearing around Gin much more frequently than usual.
After the mission ended, Gin ran into Chizuru Takanashi again.
The drizzle was light and hazy, not heavy at all. Takanashi Chinatsu stood by the roadside, and even though there was a shopping mall nearby where she could take shelter from the rain, she exaggeratedly shielded herself with her arms, like a poor dog abandoned by its owner.
Upon seeing Gin's car, she suddenly curled up and sneezed slightly.
Gin: ...
That's so pretentious!
But he still made Vodka stop the car.
"Get in the car," Gin said, opening the window to signal.
Chinatsu's eyes lit up, and she happily jogged to sit in the back row.
Gin glanced at her and thought, "Goodness, her clothes aren't even soaked. She's just posing for a photo."
"Gin, thanks to you, otherwise I would definitely have gotten sick." Takanashi Chinatsu held onto the back of the car and leaned over to greet Gin.
"Sit still."
"Can I lie down comfortably?"
"……what ever."
Takanashi Chika immediately lay down, the soft, skin-friendly fabric of the small bed making her comfortably squint her eyes.
"Ah, this feels so good, Gin. Did you modify your car like this for me?"
Gin did not answer.
"Your surname is Kurosawa, right? Is that your real surname?"
Vodka subconsciously glanced at Chinatsu Takanashi, then quickly looked at Gin with concern. No one in the organization would ask about someone's real name.
Gin's eyes were indifferent, and his lips were pursed into a straight line.
"Kurosawa... If I marry you, will I also have to take the surname Kurosawa?"
Vodka shuddered at those words, but luckily his driving skills were superb, preventing him from crashing into the wall.
Gin retorted sharply, "Don't talk nonsense!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? You're just flirting with me, but you don't want to marry me?" Takanashi Chinatsu kicked the back of Gin's chair.
Gin shut up again.
"Gin, you're such a coward, aren't you? You don't even dare to take responsibility?" Takanashi Chinatsu said meaningfully.
Is that her brother?
It's normal that the people in the organization, who were hiding from her, tried every means to treat her well and refused to reveal the truth when she was young.
But now that she's an adult, why won't he tell her? Even though he doesn't trust Vodka, and they've had many private meetings, Gin has never mentioned it once.
If Rum hadn't suddenly caused trouble, and if Vermouth hadn't said those words, she might still be in the dark.
"If you don't take responsibility, then I'm really going to go find a Scottish boyfriend~" Takanashi Chinatsu provoked lightly and cheerfully.
Gin kept a straight face, but Vodka couldn't stand it anymore.
"Black Cherry, isn't your brother good to you? How can you use another man to upset him!"
Takanashi Chinatsu blinked, then suddenly smiled and asked, "Vodka, you're so angry, does that mean you like me?"
Help--
Vodka's face turned pale instantly.
He barely dared to look at Gin's expression, his neck stiffened as he stared straight ahead, his tone rigid: "No, I don't like you!"
"You hate me?" Takanashi Chika teased him again.
"I don't hate you either!" How could Vodka dare to hate Black Cherry? Even if he wasn't killed by this woman, his older brother would beat him to death.
"So do you like me or hate me?" Takanashi Chinatsu wouldn't let him off the hook.
Vodka's face turned bright red, and finally, in a moment of inspiration, he said, "I like Yoko Okino!"
A burst of silvery laughter came from behind.
Gin rubbed his temples, his tone helpless: "Stop teasing him, he's not smart to begin with."
"He can only blame himself for following the wrong person. The person in charge won't answer me, so can't I even have some fun?" Takanashi Chinatsu stared intently at Gin from behind.
Gin pondered for a moment and said, "Scotland is no good."
That's ridiculous. Do you think there are any good people in the organization? Takanashi Chinatsu pursed her lips.
"Both Touya and Yukito are very good."
"Stop!" Takanashi Chinatsu immediately got goosebumps. What was this guy saying? Did he even know what he was talking about? Even rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrows; not everyone likes childhood friends!
"In short, don't look for a boyfriend in the organization."
Takanashi Chinatsu deliberately didn't do as he wanted, asking, "Why are you lecturing me? By what right are you lecturing me?"
When faced with such a question, Gin always remains silent.
"You have no right to lecture me. Whether I'm looking for people from the organization or the cops, you can't control me." Takanashi Chinatsu deliberately provoked Gin, wanting him to quickly confess everything to her.
The more time she spent with him, the more certain she became.
He let the rumors spread unchecked, doted on her in every way, and even liked to scare her and pat her head. If Gin were her biological brother, everything would make sense.
But Gin refused to say it, while Takanashi Chinatsu wanted to confront him directly, but she felt annoyed by his strong reaction last time.
On what grounds? Not only does he deny it, but he also points a gun at her. Does he really think she has no temper?
"Go to the hospital to see Bourbon when you have time. He's a useful person." Gin couldn't admit his identity, but he was protecting her in another way.
"Bourbon?"
"I'll send you the details."
When Takanashi Chika returned home, she quickly received the contents compiled by Gin. Seeing the torture inflicted on Bourbon, she couldn't help but gasp.
How despicable! How cruel!
Although she understood that this was to tie Bourbon to her side, wasn't beating Bourbon half to death a bit too much?
Kenji Hagiwara floated over, glanced at the contents of his phone, and immediately widened his eyes: "That's so despicable!"
Chinatsu immediately explained, "It wasn't my arrangement!"
"Of course I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about Gin. Bourbon is his colleague, right? Is your organization's corporate culture that terrifying?" Kenji Hagiwara shuddered.
First intimidation, then beatings, and finally redemption—it's a complete process of mind control.
But that's not all; there are actually quite a few supplementary plans that Takanashi Chinatsu needs to implement herself.
This whole process will turn even the most shrewd person into a loyal dog!
"You're not really going to do this, are you?" Kenji Hagiwara asked, looking at Chinatsu Takanashi in horror.
“Of course not.” Takanashi Chika shook her head. Bourbon had already suffered enough. Although it was wrong of him to pull out her hair, she had already been beaten, so this matter could be put behind her.
At most, she'll be a little gentler and cooperate with a policy of appeasement.
As for the "power" in the "benevolence and severity" approach, she thought it best to skip it; Bourbon's small frame couldn't withstand another beating.
The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was always stronger than in other hospitals. Despite its strong and pungent odor, it couldn't mask the rusty smell that permeated the air.
Getting shot today and losing an arm tomorrow is the norm in the organization, especially for the action team, who always do the most dangerous work, and of course, they get paid a lot. But Takanashi Chinatsu still doesn't understand what's so good about this kind of job where you can make money but not spend it.
If she had her own team, it would definitely be different from the team led by Gin. Apart from fighting against the organization, they would just lie low and do nothing, gathering intelligence and occasionally causing some minor disruptions.
Scotland is the talent of the action team, and Bourbon is the expert of the intelligence team.
Chinatsu even suspected that Gin did it on purpose to diversify the talents in her team.
They arrived at the ward. Takanashi Chinatsu knocked on the door, her fingers touching the cold wooden door, and a chill seeped in.
"Please come in." Bourbon's voice was relatively calm.
Chinatsu Takanashi pushed open the door with one hand, and with the other hand, she instinctively held up the bouquet of sunflowers she had brought, a bright smile immediately spreading across her face.
"Bourbon, are you alright? I heard you were injured, so I came to see you." Takanashi Chinatsu walked over and placed the bouquet on the bedside table.
Bourbon's head was bandaged, and he had multiple injuries to his body. His left leg was in a cast and he was suspended in mid-air by a sling.
He wasn't resting; instead, he was holding his phone. Intelligence personnel can work remotely; as long as they have a phone, they can continue working.
But when he saw Chizuru Takanashi, Bourbon deliberately turned off his phone and placed it on his bedside table.
"Black Cherry, thank you for coming to see me." Bourbon's lips curled into a faint, wistful smile, tinged with a hint of pain.
"Does it hurt a lot? Should I call a doctor for you?" Takanashi Chinatsu asked immediately.
"No, I'm used to the pain."
That's terrible!
Takanashi Chika suddenly felt a little awkward. The reason was that Bourbon's injury was mainly because of her, and she didn't expect Gin to make such a big fuss about her.
So, should I use psychological manipulation on him next? I can't bring myself to do that.
"Gin went too far. I've already argued with him." Although she felt bad, Takanashi Chika still had to do it.
"You and he had a fight?" Bourbon's eyelashes fluttered slightly, a hint of fear showing in his eyes.
Was he afraid? Of course he should be afraid. Even Takanashi Chika would find it hard not to be afraid when facing an angry Gin.
She was just more unrestrained, more arrogant, and more fearless, because Gin's anger was never directed at her.
Thinking about it this way, it does reveal the ugly face of those who benefit from the status quo.
"Don't worry, even if we argue, he would never hurt you because of it."
Bourbon shrank back, his usually shrewd and confident purplish-gray eyes beneath the bandages now dull and lifeless, looking lost and bewildered.
“I’ve already warned him, don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” Takanashi Chika wanted to hold his hand to comfort him, but when she glanced over, she noticed that both of Bourbon’s arms were wrapped in bandages.
Ahhhhhhh—
Gin —
How could he be so ruthless? He recommended talented people to her, only to cripple them, leaving her wondering when they'll ever be truly useful.
"Th-thank you," Bourbon stammered.
He silently shrank his neck, as if trying to hide his body under the thin hospital blanket.
Faced with the terrifying Bourbon, Takanashi Chinatsu felt a headache coming on and was at a loss for what to do.
A combination of carrot and stick?
What's with the "power"? Gin has scared people half to death! She needs to think of a way to appease him.
Chika Takanashi struggled for a long time, unable to figure out how to invite Bourbon to join her. Would it be too opportunistic to invite him directly?
“You…” Bourbon uttered a breathy sound, then hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Bourbon had lost his usual domineering demeanor, and this vulnerability and brokenness aroused Takanashi Chinatsu's protective instincts. She asked with the gentlest care, "Did you run into any trouble? It's okay, you can tell me anything."
Seemingly drawing courage from Takanashi Chinatsu's voice, Bourbon's voice became much smoother: "Thank you, you saved my life. From now on, I'll do anything you need, no matter what. Black Cherry, thank you so much."
A single, glistening tear clung to the corner of her eye, poised to fall.
"Lord Rum betrayed me..." Tears finally slid down her cheeks, tracing an elegant arc and soaking the white pillowcase.
Chinatsu's anger flared up instantly.
Damn rum!
Rum is a coward and a cunning fellow. On the surface, he pretends to value Bourbon, but in reality, he lets Bourbon pull her hair. Bourbon doesn't know her identity, but Rum knows it perfectly well. Didn't he consider the consequences at all?
He must have considered it, but he just didn't care.
Ultimately, Bourbon was just a subordinate that Rum thought highly of and was worth cultivating. But Rum had plenty of subordinates like that, so having more Bourbon wouldn't make a difference.
Once her identity is confirmed, Rum will naturally promote Bourbon.
Even if her identity couldn't be confirmed, Rum only took a few shots, and even Gin didn't dare to kill him directly. But a minor character like Bourbon might have been killed if Gin hadn't wanted to spare him.
Although there wasn't a single good person in the organization, Rum was definitely the worst one!
"You're great at intelligence gathering and you've perfectly completed the tasks he assigned you, but Bourbon, you need to understand that you're not the only one who can help Rum with his missions. He doesn't care about you at all." It's a form of manipulation, but it's also genuine emotion.
Takanashi Chika felt increasingly indignant for Bourbon; if it weren't for Gin's sudden impulse, this poor handsome young man would have lost his life!
"But it's okay, I care about you. From now on, you'll stick with me and ignore that bastard Rum. He doesn't even treat you like a human being!" she said indignantly.
"Hmm." Bourbon bit his lower lip, making a dull, nasal sound.
Takanashi Chika sighed, took a tissue and wiped away the tears on his face, carefully avoiding the bandage on his head.
“I will come to see you often. I will also talk to Rum personally about your transfer to my place. Don’t worry, he won’t dare to make things difficult for you or target you.” Takanashi Chinatsu coaxed him in a tone that was meant to comfort a child.
Like a gloomy sky suddenly bursting into colorful fireworks, Bourbon's eyes lit up as well.
His eyes were purple, like Kenji Hagiwara's, but with a touch of gray. Despite his youthful appearance, his gaze was calm and steady. At this moment, he was looking at Chinatsu Takanashi with a doe-like affection and hope, which made her feel even more weighty.
Her sense of responsibility kicked in instantly. She had to take good care of Bourbon. Although Bourbon had made mistakes before, he had corrected them and relied on her so much. She had to be a qualified leader.
They want money! They want power! They want profits!
You must make good use of your power and ensure that the people under your command live freely and prosperously!
With a proud and confident stride, Chika Takanashi arrived full of trepidation, but left with her chest held high and her face full of pride.
In the ward, Bourbon stared quietly at the closed door, the vulnerability and longing in his eyes instantly turning into cold, hard frost.
Bourbon curled his lips into a smile, a deep sense of sarcasm in his eyes.
Just as I expected.
That day, when Gin answered the phone in front of him and put on that show, Bourbon sensed something was wrong.
He vaguely realized that Gin might be paving the way for Takanashi Chinatsu, and that he might be making himself completely submit to Takanashi Chinatsu.
Being aware of something does not mean one can resist it.
When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Bourbon chose to endure for the time being, and he is still enduring it today.
Besides, it was his own choice.
If he had changed his stance and chosen a different ally, Bourbon would never have made this choice in the past. After all, Rum was the organization's second-in-command. If he could get close to Rum, his status in the organization would rise accordingly, and he would also be able to obtain more intelligence.
Even Gin is far inferior to Rum.
But then, another option presented himself was Black Cherry—the boss's adopted daughter.
His muscles trembled with excitement, and his heartbeat quickened.
He realized that this might be an opportunity, a golden opportunity that he would never have another chance to seize if he let it go.
Although Black Cherry doesn't yet hold real power in the organization, as the boss's adopted daughter, she definitely has access to more core secrets. Moreover, the boss clearly trusted Black Cherry more that day at the research institute, and even Rum suffered a great loss at her hands. Even if Black Cherry and Gin really are siblings, the boss doesn't intend to pursue the matter at all.
Anyone with eyes can tell whether something is strong or weak.
So Bourbon compromised, or rather, he made the choice voluntarily.
He abandoned Rum and joined Black Cherry. In order to destroy the organization, Bourbon was willing to put on an act, whether it was showing weakness or other means.
The result was quite good. Bourbon was certain that Black Cherry believed him and was very indignant on his behalf.
Although she was very favored and had exceptionally good luck, her mind was practically immature compared to the other old foxes in the organization.
Deceiving a little girl like this is much easier than deceiving an old fox like Rum. Given time, Bourbon can become the subordinate that Black Cherry likes best and trusts the most, which is absolutely impossible with Rum.
It's a pipe dream to expect an old fox like Rum to trust someone wholeheartedly.
Black cherry... black cherry...
This is his chance!
Just as Bourbon was lost in his fantasies, the door to the ward suddenly opened.
Bourbon immediately became alert, especially when he saw who had come in. A sense of crisis exploded in his mind, and he almost immediately sat up straight, trying to resist.
"Gin, what else do you want to do?" Bourbon shouted, feigning panic. "Black Cherry just came to see me, and she told me you weren't allowed to hurt me! You can't..."
"Is this interesting, Bourbon?" Gin's cold voice made Bourbon catch his breath, and his performance faltered.
Gin closed the door and approached Bourbon step by step.
Bourbon cautiously stepped back, but his leg, which was in a cast, prevented him from escaping.
"She thinks she's a clever cat, at least from the predator's perspective, but in reality she's just a lamb," Gin commented softly.
Bourbon immediately realized who the other person was referring to: Black Cherry.
Indeed, even though Black Cherry repeatedly played pranks on the organization and even kicked Rum into the water without being punished, she was just a lamb, at most a deer that liked to cause trouble and jump around everywhere. Herbivores can never become predators.
She was too naive and innocent, which is why Bourbon dared to act in front of her and to plan to exploit her.
Black cherries are herbivores, but gin is not.
Gin grabbed Bourbon's arm, and a sharp pain instantly erupted from his arm, the blood seeping from the wound quickly soaking through the bandage.
But this time, Bourbon did not show weakness or beg for mercy as he had when facing Black Cherry. He clenched his teeth tightly, and the muscles in his face were trembling, but he did not utter a sound.
Gin maintained his grip and remained indifferent.
His voice was more like an icicle piercing straight into people's hearts, causing pain and chilling them to the bone.
"I warned you."
Gin kept his word; he had indeed been keeping an eye on Bourbon.
Compared to the Scottish, who were well-known and came from the operations team, Bourbon, who came from the intelligence team, was more difficult to control and more troublesome.
If it weren't for the fact that Takanashi Chika needed someone skilled in intelligence to be by her side, and if Bacardi wasn't temporarily unable to leave Rum's side, Gin wouldn't have found Bourbon.
"It seems you didn't take my words seriously at all." Gin's eyes were like those of someone looking at a dead man.
“I…I won’t betray her.” Bourbon endured the pain, his voice weaker, but still firm: “Gin, I haven’t betrayed her, and I won’t do anything to her, but I use my advantages to gain some benefits. That’s my way of life. You can’t force me to change just because you don’t like it.”
"The way to conduct oneself in the world?"
“Yes, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using tricks to gain benefits. We’re all part of the organization, you can’t be misunderstanding, right?” Bourbon didn’t avoid Gin’s gaze, looking him straight in and accepting his scrutiny.
Gin's grip loosened slightly.
Bourbon breathed a sigh of relief and pressed his advantage: "As long as I don't betray her, as long as I perfectly execute every task she gives me, what's wrong with her favoring me a little more? You can't punish me on your own because of that."
"You're using her."
"As long as I don't do anything to harm her, what's wrong with using her to climb the ladder? Cooperation should be a win-win situation, even if we have a superior-subordinate relationship. Gin, don't you want your subordinates to climb higher?" Bourbon argued eloquently.
Gin laughed mockingly. "You're good at sophistry. But Bourbon, if I find out you've done anything to harm her or even just to make her uncomfortable, you're no longer alive. Whether you're sane or delirious, remember this: your life depends on her."
Bourbon's heart sank, but he nodded heavily and smiled ingratiatingly, "Of course, I'm very grateful to her."
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Author's note: China came to visit Bourbon.
Bourbon: A naive girl who, although she was beaten up by Gin, has now calmed down.
Gin came to visit Bourbon.
Bourbon: Rage level up up!
Hahaha, Qin-ye is here specifically to stir up hatred for Qian-nai!
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Aww, there's a clip tomorrow! Update at 9 PM tomorrow night, and there will be red envelopes dropping in the comments section~
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