Chapter 125 Ivy's Broken Wall Ayumi's Romantic Imagination
Shiho and Ayumi passed by a broken wall covered with ivy. It was a relic left over from the war, but now it has become the most poetic backdrop of the academy.
The scars of history have been carefully framed by time and turned into scenery, with a sense of whitewashing the truth.
Just like Shiho's life, the scars of the past have now become the backdrop for her aloof temperament.
The case is solved. This broken wall really captures the atmosphere.
Perhaps this refers to class stratification. Past violence, plunder, and injustice (the scars of war) have, over time, been glorified into so-called "heritage" and "scenery" (the upper class).
Translation: What you think of as a peaceful life is nothing more than the bloodshed your ancestors fought for you. The so-called aristocratic history, when opened, is often filled with shameful stories of how one rose to power.
She couldn't help but think of the class stratification or hereditary political clans in the island country on the other side of the Eurasian continent, such as Heiji Koubu and Momiji Otsuna.
Then he remembered his plan to use Neon Hereditary to find the real murderer and seek revenge for his parents and sister.
"Shiho, have you seen the latest graduate salary report from the Financial Times?"
When the young detectives grew up, they started talking about finance and internal competition, and had to face the interrogation of capital at a young age.
Ayumi Yoshida exhaled a puff of white mist, her bright eyes gleaming with innocence. She clutched a thick volume on Comparative Politics to her chest, her other hand pointing toward the distant City of London, as if she could see through the swirling snow to a financial jungle of glass, steel, and desire.
Although they were talking about finance, those sparkling eyes were still those of the innocent Ayumi.
Comparative Politics paired with the Financial Times. Ayumi, you're the top dog. This imagery seems to ignite the flames of striving behind Ayumi.
Shiho tilted her head slightly, her brown hair twitching in the cold wind. Her expression remained as calm as ever, her aura as unfazed as if facing a catastrophe.
This damn cool feeling. Even Vermouth would say, "Oh wow, my little cat is cool today too."
"Not interested," she said, her voice simple and cold, which was quite appropriate for the early winter weather in England with light snow.
The Queen is only interested in the APTX4869 antidote, contestant Higo (Betner is furious), and Fusae's bag.
Money? Tacky. When I was in the organization, the project funding I handled was always measured in hundreds of millions of US dollars.
"Come on," Ayumi took two steps to catch up with her, walking side by side with her on the cobblestone path leading to the library. The light snow under their feet made a slight rustling sound. "The starting salary for fresh graduates at top investment banks is 85,000 pounds. For the first year, that doesn't include bonuses."
She pronounced the number with both lightness and emphasis, as if it were not a string of cold numbers, but a key that could open all doors to happiness. The tone was like Yuan Tai saying "Open sesame" to the rice.
Ayumi, a kind girl who tries hard to pull her best friend into the "mortal world".
Shiho: Oh. (Inner thought: How many limited edition bags would that be enough to buy? Let me calculate.)
It is a true portrayal of the hard-working children of middle-class families, who are full of concrete, glittering consumerist desires for the future.
Born into a typical middle-class family in Tokyo, Ayumi's admission to Fairhaven, a prestigious women's academy known for its prestigious socialites from Europe and around the world, was a result of her hard work and dedication. For her, every opportunity here was precious, and every minute was worth expending every ounce of energy to fully absorb.
Ayumi, the "small town test-taker" from Beika Town, bravely entered an elite university. Respect her.
"Do you know what this means?" Ayumi turned around and walked backwards, her skirt swaying, looking so cute.
Dangerous moves, please do not imitate. The famous Tucao role ahead is about to go online.
The graceful curve of Ayumi's skirt is about to hit Shiho's solid wall of realism.
But Shiho raised the corner of his lips slightly and sighed: "It means you will hit a tree."
Here she comes. Miyano Shiho, the queen of rants, the atmosphere destroyer. Logic is always on point.
Ayumi's romantic imagination was brought back to the real world by Shiho's words.
"No way." Ayumi deftly dodged a lamppost. "It means we can live in Kensington. Buy flowers at Harrods every week. Have afternoon tea at Sketch."
Kensington, Harrods, Sketch… Ayumi-chan’s London dream is very specific. It’s obvious she’s done her research; these are all the hallmarks of upper-class London living.
Shiho's heart was calm: Oh, I am familiar with these places. There is a blonde woman who always takes me there.
(Starts to apply for a loan) A blonde woman: Baby, if you want to go, I'll take over Sketch.
"Reservations for Sketch's afternoon tea must be made three months in advance." Shiho's focus is always so clear and deadly.
She wasn't even denying the cute Ayumi, she was just stating a fact, but it was extremely destructive.
Ayumi is on the first level (imagining the future), and Shiho is on the fifth level (thinking about feasibility). Is it possible that she's not uninterested, but just finds booking too troublesome? (Or perhaps someone has already booked it for her?)
"Then book it in advance." Ayumi stopped, pouted a little, and put her hands on her hips, "Shiho, can't you have a little imagination?"
Here comes the soul-searching question. For a woman whose imagination is entirely focused on scientific research and reasoning, how do you ask her to imagine afternoon tea?
Q: When Ayumi asked, "Can't you have a little imagination?", our Queen Shiho Miyano's real thoughts were closest to which of the following?
A. (The pragmatism of a scientific mind) "My imagination is all used up in calculating drug molecular structures and evading the organization. The annual quota is limited and cannot be borrowed."
B. (The persistence of a fashion guru) "Imagine what? Imagine Fusha drawing next season's new bags and limited edition colors? I'm pretty good at that."
C. (who is also waiting for her Vermouth today) "Imagine a blonde woman driving a Harley to pick me up and saying 'Move it, Sherry'? Sorry, this happens every day, no extra imagination required."
D. (Humanoid Self-Walking Wikipedia) "Imagination is an electrochemical process in which neurons reorganize based on existing memories and knowledge. Wasting energy on such meaningless assumptions does not conform to my personal law of conservation of energy."
The library is just ahead, its classical spire looming in the snow and fog. After all, London is the legendary city where Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper shared the same KPI.
Classical architecture paired with thick fog – is this snowy fog real fog? Could it be Bayonetta’s entrance effect? (Tactical retreat)
With this atmosphere, will a sister in a windbreaker walk out from the snow and fog in the next second, holding a cigarette and saying to you: "A secret makes a woman woman"?
"But you're right, the base salary for investment banking," Shiho added, continuing her graceful walk down the cobblestones, "doesn't include bonuses. If you perform well, your total income in the first year could reach 150,000."
The elegant steps refer to a female scientist who is 1.7 meters tall and has legs 1.2 meters long walking down the streets of Europe. (I can imagine the scene, thank you)
"Fifteen thousand! Where can I live then?" Ayumi's voice was filled with longing. "It must be an apartment with a view of the Thames, right?"
Ayumi's supporting role is online, responsible for providing all the unrealistic idol drama fantasies.
A room with a Thames view? Wake up, Ayumi-chan! That's a level you can't even afford at 221B Baker Street.
Shiho glanced sideways at her, a look that suggested, "You know nothing about capitalism."
Shiho: There are so many things to complain about that I don't know where to start. I'll just give you a look and let you figure it out for yourself.
"A one-bedroom apartment in Canary Wharf rents for around £2,500 a month," she said calmly. "After deducting taxes and rent, there's still around £4,000 left."
The passive skill of the science master: perform financial calculations accurate to two decimal places anytime and anywhere.
Canary Wharf, the City of London. Tsk, she wasn't here to live, she was here to reign.
The monthly rent is 2,500 yuan, and there is 4,000 yuan left... This story is too real and causes strong discomfort.
"Four thousand pounds..." Ayumi counted on her fingers, "How many Burberry bags can I buy with that?"
Ayumi, Mina-san's internet mouthpiece. Isn't that how sisters chat? No matter how much your annual salary is, it all comes down to "how many bags/lipsticks you can buy."
Pattern, pay attention to the pattern. Our Ayumi-chan's pattern is so simple and straightforward.
Shiho: Let me talk to you about survival.
Ayumi: Sis, how many skins can this combat power be converted into?
"About two." Shiho said accurately, calmly and elegantly.
"Two per month?" Ayumi, pupils tremble.jpg
"If you don't eat or drink."
A fatal blow. Shiho-chan, a contemporary internet anti-pretense expert. A professional who has been shattering girls' dreams for a hundred years.
"If you don't eat or drink," academically speaking, this is called revealing the absurdity of the other party's logic through reductio ad absurdum.
In layman's terms, "You're thinking about Senmo."
Ayumi pouted, "Damn! Shiho-chan is such a killjoy."
Ayumi: My happiness is gone.jpg
A light breeze blew by, picking up a few fallen leaves covered in snow. Shiho reached out and smoothed her wind-blown hair.
Brown hair, ice-blue eyes, wind, falling leaves, a beautiful woman with a sense of fragmentation. The image is so vivid, this is not just walking, this is filming a music video.
She continued: "A sandwich at Pret A Manger is five pounds. A latte at Starbucks is four pounds. A taxi from the City to Mayfair is twenty pounds. Afternoon tea at Sketch starts at a hundred pounds."
The dish naming part. Miyano Shiho, a human weed-puller. Memorizing this entire piece of advice could serve as a guide to discouragement from living in London.
Detail-oriented, Pret and Starbucks, a life-saving meal for London office workers.
Sketch afternoon tea, Masaka, did Dr. Shiho also study which position has good lighting and which filter has a high output rate?
"Oh, I saw it on Instagram." Ayumi's eyes lit up. "The bathroom at Sketch is perfect for taking photos. It's the one that looks like a space capsule."
One sentence exposed the true nature of a Level 10 Xiaodigu user: "The space capsule bathroom is suitable for taking photos."
The sisters found their common ground. No matter what Michelin is, in the end, it all comes down to the same thing: looking good in photos.
Shiho nodded. "So, one hundred thousand pounds is just an ordinary decent middle-class life in London."
Chinese translation: "This little money, just enough to live on."
Versailles, this is the ultimate Versailles. If a million-dollar annual salary can only lead to a "decent" life, then what about everyone else? A "proletarian" life of "shattered flesh and blood"?
"A respectable middle class..." Ayumi pouted thoughtfully.
Ayumi: This vocabulary is beyond my knowledge, I need to download the language pack again.
The two walked across a lawn covered in a thin layer of snow, where several freshmen were walking on the snow in their snow boots. The carefree laughter of the students passing by was heard all around them, while Ayumi was calculating the weight of survival.
"Shiho-chan," Ayumi suddenly asked, "Why do you know so much about this?"
The highlight of the whole play. Once this problem comes out, the background music should be changed, switching from a light and daily routine to a heartfelt narrative.
Shiho was silent for a moment.
What was she keeping silent about? She was retrieving data from the past decade or so, hesitating whether to show the Excel file filled with blood and tears to this naive girl.
“Because I’ve done my homework.”
Chinese translation: "Because I have no choice."
"Homework?" Ayumi's little head was a little overloaded.
"Since I was sixteen, I've been researching the cost of living in London," Shiho said softly. "House prices, commodity prices, transportation costs, entertainment expenses... I have an Excel spreadsheet where I record all the data."
Miyano Shiho, under the surveillance of the organization, worked as a top scientist while planning an escape route for herself in her mind, even down to the price of a sandwich.
Excel spreadsheets…are truly the ultimate tool for researchers. Whenever you encounter a problem, start by pulling up a spreadsheet and analyzing it.
What kind of beautiful, strong, and miserable ceiling is this? This is no longer a simple "homework", it is a survival ark built for oneself in desperation, and each line of data is a plank.
And Shiho's first choice wasn't the United States, where she was studying. America is a vast country, and there are many places perfect for seclusion, whether it's a grand retreat in the city or a small retreat in the city. For example, you can hide away in a Colorado ski resort.
But she still chose to live in seclusion in London. After all, she is a Japanese-British mixed-race, half of her blood is English, and her relatives are also here, such as her aunt Mary Akai.
Akai Mary worked on MI6 in London, and was considered a local force in London. Furthermore, it was very convenient for her to check anything she wanted.
However, this time, when Vermouth suddenly appeared and invited her to participate in this strange biological experiment that spanned nearly a century, she had not yet contacted Akai Mari. On the one hand, she felt that she could handle the matter, and on the other hand, perhaps it was due to some subtle thoughts that she was unwilling to admit.
Ayumi stopped and looked at her in surprise.
"You started when you were sixteen...why?"
Shiho also stopped. A little bit of the hazy sunlight on the snowy day fell on her face, casting a little light in her ice-blue eyes.
Half is the brightness in the sunshine, and half is the past in the shadows.
"Because I want to know," she said slowly, "how hard someone like me has to work to gain a foothold in this expensive and highly competitive global first-tier city."
The key is not "try harder" or "establish yourself", but "people like me".
Chinese translation: "People like me, without a home, without a past, without an identity, with my hands stained with blood (I think), carrying all the original sins, all alone, and can only rely on myself."
This is a profound anxiety of "rootlessness." When individuals are cut off from their original social networks (family, hometown), they experience a huge identity crisis.
She wants to use the most rational and capitalized way (money) to "find her roots" in this world and find a place where she can settle herself.
"Someone like you?" Ayumi was puzzled. "You are the top student in the grade."
The student mindset still dictated success or failure based on grades. Ayumi's naiveté pierced her heart. She didn't understand that when it came to survival, being number one in class was a useless aura.
"It's because I'm only number one in my grade."
The aftereffects of these words were stronger than Conan's anesthetic needle. They instantly dispelled all the glory of being the top student in the class, leaving only a sense of desolate desperation.
She is not a genius who has everything, she is a gambler who has staked everything and only has "intelligence" as the chip left.
Okay, now the question is, who is the most suitable person to appear in front of Shiho at this moment?
A. Kudo Shinichi, delivering the message “Don’t worry.”
B. Dr. Agasa, bring a bowl of hot soup.
C. Vermouth, handed over an unlimited black card and said "Follow me".
D. Shuichi Akai, silently observing from three hundred yards away.
"Ayumi, you know what? In London, there are so many things more important than grades. Connections, family background, accent, manners..." She paused, "and luck."
Key points: connections, family background, accent, manners, and luck. Isn't this the legendary "five pieces of old money"?
"But as ordinary university students, everything starts with a good job, right? If we're lucky, getting a job in investment banking means we can live in Notting Hill. Not in a cramped cubicle shared with five other people, but in a real apartment with a bay window and a separate kitchen."
Ayumi felt that this five-piece suit was beyond her comprehension, so she returned to her thoughts on the beautiful life after graduation. The voice was tinged with dreaminess, and a picture of London life seemed to unfold before her eyes.
From this perspective, Ayumi is actually a realist, only looking at some certain little happiness that she can reach.
But, Notting Hill. This is no longer a simple life, this is a love movie.
Bay window. Independent kitchen. What is this? It's a romantic haven for the middle class. It captures the pain points of everyone who's shared a house in a big city, striking a precise blow to the...
"We can wake up to the birdsong of Hyde Park in the morning, rather than the quarrels of our downstairs neighbours. We can go to an independent cafe in the East End and have a pour-over coffee for £35 instead of instant coffee."
Thirty-five pounds for a pour-over. Over three hundred yuan a cup of coffee, are the coffee beans made of gold?
Remember, the shirt only cost nine pounds and fifteen pence. Of course, this shirt is an ordinary shirt you buy in the supermarket, not an expensive custom-made shirt made in a tailor shop in London.
A cup of coffee can buy four or five shirts. After hearing this, Shiho just wanted to say: Thank you for the invitation. I just got off the plane. I am allergic to instant coffee, but I am more allergic to the 300 yuan IQ tax.
"On weekends, we can visit art galleries, see a West End play, or, on a whim, buy a Eurostar ticket and spend a weekend in Paris. The pieces hanging in our wardrobes aren't cheap imitations of fast-moving consumer brands, but designer pieces that are truly high-quality and can be worn for years."
Yes, the cute Ayumi who was born in the middle class of Beika Town would never buy an ordinary cheap shirt that costs 9 pounds and 15 pence.
You know, in Mihua, she lived in a very expensive luxury apartment. The kind where Kidd could land on the balcony and say hello to the little girl when he got tired of flying.
Although my network of contacts has been somewhat reduced after moving to a foreign country, my expectations for the quality of life are always higher.
Her vision of life after graduating and landing a lucrative investment banking job in London is the ultimate dream template for blogger Xiao Di Gua. #ootd #weekendexhibition #travelwithspontaneoustravel #Parisvlog
This isn't life at all; it's a moving LV commercial. I suspect Ayumi will pull two macarons out of her trench coat and say to Shiho, "Here, I just brought them from Paris."
At this point, Ms. Miyano, who preferred to remain anonymous, was thinking, "Thanks, I'm allergic to drama, and even more so to your impulsive spending habits. I'd rather spend that money on a few more high-end computers to run various biological simulations in my lab."
Ayumi stopped and turned to face Shiho, her cheeks flushed and her arms open as if she wanted to embrace the entire London air.
Here comes the classic idol drama move. Turn around, face her, open your arms. Is the next step to say, "Shiho, look, this is the kingdom I built for you?"
Ayumi is affectionate, the background is slow motion + soft light. Our Shiho has no expression on his face, and his inner comment is: Oh.
"That's a kind of... freedom." Ayumi concluded, her eyes clear. "The freedom to not have to worry about bills and to live purely for what you like."
It's elevated. The theme has been elevated. It's elevated from material comfort to a philosophical level—financial freedom. Ayumi's words, "Live for what you love," are so poignant. They instantly dispel the preceding "materialistic" consumerist tropes and transform them into a pure pursuit of idealism.
Shiho listened quietly without interrupting her. She looked at Ayumi, at the light in her eyes, so pure, so passionate, that she was a little dazed.
At this moment, Shiho's inner world is probably in ruins, and Ayumi is like an unaware child, happily flying a kite on the ruins.
"Thirty-five pounds for a cup of coffee?" Shiho finally said, "Are those coffee beans from unicorns?"
Here she is. Miyano Shiho, the queen of rants. The MVP of the show. With one sentence, she brought Ayumi back down to Earth from the skies above London.
A master of metaphors. And a damn charming, scientist-like sense of humor.
Ayumi was amused by her and burst out laughing, and the previous sense of ritual was instantly broken.
It's ruined. Ayumi's "London Dream" press conference was precisely detonated by our Shiho's "unicorn bomb".
"Shiho. You're always like this." She pushed Shiho in annoyance.
#How wonderful it is for girls to be close to each other# This push pushed away the unfamiliarity and brought intimacy. Shiho's sharp tongue automatically turned into interest in Ayumi.
"I'd like to know more," Shiho said slowly, "why someone who's been participating in math Olympiads since she was six would yearn for this kind of life so much."
The ultimate blow. The real ultimate blow has arrived. If the previous complaints were just an appetizer, this one is the coup de grace. It strikes directly at the soul.
Miyano Shiho, a woman of clear-headedness and high intelligence, is not only a master of scientific research but has also completed a postdoctoral degree in human observation. With a single sentence, she can see the essence of phenomena.
She did not deny Ayumi's dream, but became curious about the "motivation behind the dream."
Ayumi's smile froze for a moment. Just for a moment.
"Because doing the exercises doesn't cost money." She said briskly, and started walking again, "But living does."
"The exercises were free," so she immersed herself in a unique world where she could achieve a sense of accomplishment without having to consider the cost. However, those "luxurious" dreams were precisely due to the reality of "living expenses" as a student who had traveled across the ocean from Japan.
An unrealistic dreamer turns into a clever girl who uses dreams to fight reality. Beneath the seemingly dreamy appearance lies the most realistic core.
"Do you remember the first time we met?" Ayumi suddenly asked while looking at the library in front of her.
High-energy warning ahead. Non-combatants, please note: a classic nostalgic plot is about to unfold, and the first law of idol dramas—"Baby, do you still remember?"—has been triggered.
"In the chemistry lab. You knocked over my beaker."
Hahaha, you are worthy of it, Miyano Shiho. One sentence to knock down all the pink bubbles, single by your own ability, I admire you without leaning on the wall. #ChatTerminator# On how to kill the conversation in one second
Shiho OS: Thanks for the invitation, but I don't have a heart. Don't bother me if you're just a love-brained person. I'm more concerned about where the "body" of my beaker is now than anything else.
"That was an accident." Ayumi blushed, her innocent face hitting an iceberg. "I mean, what book were you reading at that time?"
Shiho thought for a moment and said, "Principles of Organic Chemistry."
It's very reasonable, very consistent with the character of a top student, and unexpectedly boring... Wait, Qiaodou Madai, things are definitely not that simple.
"Wrong." Ayumi smiled proudly, "It's Vogue. It's hidden behind the textbook."
Oh my god, this science geek is secretly a fashion icon? What's "contrasting cuteness"? (Tactical backpedal) She's a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, but secretly she's researching this fall/winter's trendy colors.
“Although I work in a laboratory, I will always be a trendsetter,” said Miyano Niuhuroku Shiho.
Shiho was stunned. The background music should be: "Oh no, it's the fluttering of my heart... No, it's the feeling of having my secret discovered."
In reality, Haibara Ai was discovered by Vermouth reading a fan fiction of the ancient classic yuri movie "Dark Night Lily" starring her and Kudo Yukiko, and it was an 18R one with a particularly vulgar cover.
In this simulated world, this is the second level, and Dr. Miyano was caught by the cute Ayumi again, secretly reading a fashion magazine.
It only takes a second for Shiho's cool personality to crumble. Pick it up quickly.
"The cover features Keira Knightley, wearing Chanel's Fall/Winter couture collection," Ayumi continued. "You were so focused you didn't even notice I was standing next to you for five minutes."
Is this observation ability due to a 24K titanium microscope? I suggest sending him directly to the Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigation Division.
"so what?"
Shiho: You've laid so much groundwork, what exactly do you want to say? (Takes out sunflower seeds)
"So," Ayumi stopped and looked back at her, "everyone is pursuing something. Some are pursuing truth, and some are pursuing beauty."
Golden quote time. +1 for the must-have quotes for literary youth.
She paused.
What are you talking about? A killer move: "And some people want both."
This sentence can be engraved directly on the Kindle cover.
Dr. Shiho Miyano has an IQ of 180. She pursues both scientific research and fashion, and strives to excel in both.
"I'm just doing a reasonable cost analysis," Shiho shrugged, not minding being caught by her darling little cutie. She smiled and said, "What do we have to pay for that kind of life? From a top kindergarten to a top primary school, to Eton College or a place like our Fairhaven, or even Oxford or Cambridge... Our lives are like a precisely planned assembly line. Every step cannot go wrong."
Here comes the science student's dimensionality reduction attack. When the cute little Ayumi was talking about life and ideals, she had already started analyzing the return on investment (ROI).
A calm madman, an elegant complainer, I love it. This is the child who exposed the emperor's new clothes (adult version).
"Reasonable cost analysis" translates to: "Don't give me empty promises, show me the PPT and data first."
But didn't Shiho's life start at the organization's base? And she was sent to study in the United States. Eton, Cambridge, etc., that's too fresh.
"We were taught from a young age to be the best problem solvers. Solve the most difficult math problems, write the most perfect essays, and win prizes in various competitions. The ultimate reward for all this effort is a ticket to the City of London, in exchange for a Notting Hill apartment and an expensive £35 cup of coffee."
From elementary school to university, I worked tirelessly. The ultimate reward: an expensive cup of coffee.
What she didn't say was that in a capitalist country with a long history like Great Britain, some children in some families have grown tired of drinking this expensive 35-pound cup of coffee since childhood and simply look down on it.
"This sounds..." Shiho paused, as if searching for the most appropriate word, "like a well-planned scam."
Precise. Sharp. Targeted. As expected of the developer of APTX4869, he sees things down to the molecular level. This sentence could be framed as the highest agenda item for the Anti-Involution Association of People Living in Capitalist Countries.
The smile on Ayumi's face slowly faded. She lowered her head and looked at the tips of her shiny black leather shoes.
My smile gradually disappeared when my thoughts were spoken.jpg.
Ayumi: I just wanted to have a relationship (crossed out) and be good friends with you, but you gave me a cruel lesson in social philosophy.
"But... isn't this the only path we know?" she whispered, confusion in her voice. "From childhood, everyone has told us that getting high scores, getting into a good school, and finding a good job are the keys to success. If this path is wrong, then where is the right path?"
Kid, stop asking! You'll be kicked off Earth Online if you keep asking. The woman in front of you has had a much more exciting journey, like... a battle of wits with the FBI and the CIA?
Shiho raised an eyebrow: "You said success, then what?"
Shiho: Please continue. I want to see if the fragrance of money can touch my already frozen heart.
"What then?" Ayumi raised her head, her eyes sparkling. "That's one hundred thousand pounds. We can rent an apartment with a bay window in South Kensington, go to Borough Market to buy the freshest oysters and cheese on weekends, watch West End plays at night, and fly to Italy's Amalfi Coast on holidays... We can buy that bag we've seen so many times in the window of Harrods..."
Ayumi had looked at a lot of houses in London, sometimes in Notting Hill, sometimes in Kensington. The "London Celebrity Lifestyle Guide" that Xiaodigu saw on his homepage was so complete that it could be called a standard template.
Miyano Shiho's inner thoughts: A. I'm a little tempted. B. What can I do with this little money? C. I'd rather use it to upgrade my lab equipment. D. Vermouth keeps trying to hit me with her black card. It's so annoying.
The picture Ayumi paints is still concrete, vivid, and imbued with the alluring sheen of the consumerist age. It's a carefully packaged dream called "exquisite life," ubiquitous on social media.
Isn’t this “life in the circle of friends”? With a filter, who wouldn’t be a lady of good fortune?
At this moment, Vermouth sneezed gracefully in the distance and took a sip of Burgundy wine. "A secret makes a woman woman, but money can make a woman happier. My little sister's dream list is good, but it's a bit small. Let's buy Harrods first, and then we can talk about which bag to buy."
Shiho stopped and looked at her quietly. Ayumi's cheeks were a lovely pink.
"I go to Harrods every week to buy flowers. A conservative estimate is two thousand a year. Afternoon tea at Sketch is one hundred and fifty, and I go twice a month..."
"Wait," Ayumi interrupted her, "Why do you have to go twice?"
"Once with a colleague, and once with..." Shiho paused, "a friend."
Oh my, this friend, is she serious? Does she have to change her disguise every time she goes out?
"And clothes," Shiho continued writing. "Working in investment banking, clothing is a big expense. A decent suit costs at least a thousand pounds."
“You can buy discounted ones.”
“Discounted Armani is still Armani price.”
Yes, top luxury brands can't sell shirts for nine pounds and 15p, no matter how much they discount. It's possible to sell off-season clothes through in-house friends and family sales. But in a highly competitive market, wearing out-of-season clothes will also be criticized.
A pigeon landed on a branch with many leaves fallen, shook off the thin layer of snow on its wings, and tilted its head to look at them.
"To maintain your ideal lifestyle, your annual salary would need to be at least 150,000. And even if you work hard and overtime, you might not be able to earn that."
Ayumi was silent.
"Shiho."
"Um?"
"Why do you have to calculate so carefully? And use Excel?"
This time, it was Shiho's turn to remain silent. She stared at the branch. The pigeon had already flown away.
"Because..." she whispered, "If you want to pursue something, you have to know the price."
Ayumi, looking at Shiho's beautiful profile, was secretly planning in her mind.
The library is just ahead. A perfect date spot for sapiosexual couples. The atmosphere is quiet, perfect for a few whispers, or... a surprise attack. (Rubbing hands together)
"Shiho." Ayumi A went up.
"Hmm?" With a slightly nasal tone, it is the classic style of the cold Queen Shiho.
"We can share the apartment."
A classic that lasts forever. Here it comes. The first icebreaker for lesbian relationships: "Let's rent/live together." #TheFirstLawofLesbianFiction#
The subtext of this sentence is roughly equivalent to: "Can I invade your life?" "I want to see you every day when I open my eyes." "Let's get married." (bushi)
Ayumi is pretty good, she is worthy of being one of the Teitan Three Idiots (crossed out) from the Junior Detective Corps, she is very active and throws a trump card right from the start.
Shiho raised her head and met Ayumi's serious gaze.
"In Kensington, we can split the rent," Ayumi said quickly. "That way, each of us only needs fifteen thousand. We can use the money we save to buy more flowers occasionally."
After a round of detours, I decided to choose Kensington, a wealthy area in London with an elegant environment and good public security, which is very suitable for hiding a beautiful woman (crossed out again).
"The money I save can be used to buy more flowers." Ah, what a wonderful confession! She didn't say she'd save money for bags or clothes; she said she'd buy flowers. This is the ultimate romance for an artistic young woman.
This is a picture of a future where "with you, life is as beautiful as a flower every day." Ayumi, did you secretly take some love talk class?
On a snowy winter day, a little bit of sunlight passed through the sparse branches, giving Ayumi a golden edge.
"Occasionally?" Shiho interrupted, curling her lips. "Let's say you can earn $150,000 a year and live in a wealthy area like Kensington. After rent, you'll only have $76,000 left. After 40% tax, that leaves you with $45,000."
Miyano's Humanoid AI Computer, Atmosphere Destroyer Shiho, is now online. A throwback to the TV series, Conan reasoning while Haibara coolly spit out a comment. Yes, that's exactly what it feels like.
Ayumi's smile froze for a moment. The smile gradually disappeared.jpg
Ayumi: I'm talking about feelings with you, and you're charging me a tax???
Shiho continued to calculate, snowflakes falling on her dark brown hair. "After deducting the rent, the utilities, transportation, and daily necessities—"
After all, in London, water, electricity, and heating are not cheap. The Snow Queen is calculating her livelihood coldly while snowflakes crown her. This scene is both beautiful and ruthless. It's simply amazing. #Beautiful, strong, and miserable top atmosphere#
Shiho's calculations were smooth and completed in one go, which shows that this damn reality has forced the talented scientist to become a living accountant.
"Okay, okay, I know you're good at math." Ayumi pouted, "But this is still much better than ordinary people, right?"
Ayumi fought back. By acting like a spoiled child. "Pouting" is a classic skill. Facing a rational attack, emotional defense is the only way out.
After all, the investment banking job she mentioned is the highest-paying job a university graduate with no background can get in London. Some local graduates earn 40,000 to 50,000 yuan a year in this job. They also live in London and work hard.
After all, they attend an elite university, so in their own little bubble, going into investment banking seems to be a matter of course, or it seems that everyone is working towards this career path, but it is impossible for all university students living in London to go into investment banking after graduation.
The two passed by the fountain in the center of the campus. The fountain had stopped flowing in the winter, and a thin layer of ice formed in the pool.
"Strong?" Shiho stopped and turned to look at Ayumi. "Do you know the house prices in central London?"
Shiho's class started, and the first lesson was "Introduction to London Real Estate".
Ayumi shook her head. I was terrified.jpg A capital "Moe".
"The average price is 20,000 pounds per square meter." Shiho's voice was calm. "A small apartment of 50 square meters costs one million pounds."
The calmer the tone, the more thrilling the numbers spoken.
"Then... just work hard, get more bonuses, and then save money." Ayumi said in a low voice.
Our Ayumi is an indestructible cockroach. Even when she is hit on the beach by the huge waves of reality, she can still struggle and say, "Then save money."
"Whispering" shows that she is seriously lacking in confidence, but still refuses to give up. It's heartbreaking and funny.
"Save?" Shiho smiled. "Let's say you can save 20,000 a year. That's pretty optimistic. In ten years, it'll be just enough for a down payment."
So now the question is, where is the woman who can easily afford a down payment on a one-million-pound house in London? (Looking at Vermouth, who is nowhere to be found) So the essence of this Logos simulation is "economic foundation determines CP relationship"?
Ayumi bit her lower lip.
Q: Facing Shiho’s dissuading remarks about the “ten-year down payment”, what is Ayumi’s best response strategy?
A. Cry loudly and yell, "I don't care, I don't care, I just want to be with you." (Such a spoiled child)
B. Pull out your phone and open a job search app: "Which investment bank in London pays the most? I'm going to submit my resume right now." (Strive for strength)
C. She tilted her head, smiled, and said sweetly, "That's okay. Then we'll work hard together for ten years. It's our anniversary now."
D. Silently block Shiho, turn around and run to the nearby Beika Bank, wanting to apply for some "CP start-up funds." (Swordsmanship)
After all, in this second level of Logos simulation, Genta, who is somewhere unknown, is still thinking about his eel rice, while Ayumi and others' plans to enter the society after graduation have already leaped into the middle class in London.
"About the incident where my primary school classmate suddenly started planning a luxurious life in London."
Moreover, in the world of science, living in a luxury apartment means you're a potential victim in the next crime. Those French windows and fireplaces? Those are all passages left for the murderer to commit the crime.
The boots made a rustling sound as they stepped on the thin snow.
"Ayumi-chan, what you just said was just a beautiful trap."
The longing on Ayumi's face froze. She blinked, a little confused. "A trap? Why is it a trap? Doesn't everyone want to live that kind of life? The seniors at school are desperate to get into those companies. That's... a symbol of success."
Ayumi: I'm just a child, why are you telling me this?
"Everyone" is the first person to be taught a lesson by the boss. "Symbol of success" is one of the favorite brainwashing packages of capital. Shiho, the anti-brainwashing master, is online.
"Success? Who defines success?"
Here it comes. The ultimate question of the three philosophical questions.
This corner of her mouth, this irony, brought back the time when she first saw Conan say, "Your justice cannot save everyone's lives."
If Vermouth heard this, she would be so confused that she would say, "That's my girl."
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