Chapter 22: Your family is still my family's top sister's calmness
Q, the real intention behind Sister Bei's earth-shattering question "Your house or mine?" is closest to which of the following?
A. "Does the doctor have any good curry rice? I'm thinking of grabbing a meal." (The Purity and Disguise of a Foodie)
B. "Could you please delve deeper into the dating techniques of amber in bioarchaeology?" (Academic discussion, mutual progress)
C. "A secret makes a woman, woman. Do you want to create a bigger secret together tonight?" (A timeless classic, a professional troublemaker)
D. "That museum is too dark. It affects my selfie. Do you have a makeup mirror and a fill light at home?" (Professional ethics of a female celebrity)
E. I would like to visit your laboratory and take a peek at the progress of the development of the antidote for drug A.
C. The moonlight is so beautiful tonight, it’s a good time to do something.
D. None of the above, she just wanted to see Huibara's girl's room.
"Don't be silly."
Huiyuan replied coldly, her pulse quickening and the discomfort still lingering inside her: "There may not be room for you in my humble abode."
Translation: My house is too small to accommodate a big beauty like you.
The doctor's house is huge, isn't it? There's even a massive laboratory underground. In a metropolis like Tokyo, where every inch of land is valuable, this is truly luxurious.
"Oh, then, I do have a few... suitable and interesting places to take you to." Vermouth's smile was purely mischievous.
The implication is that you shouldn't leave tonight.
Huiyuan frowned. Rather than going to Vermouth's home, it would be safer to stay at home. And there were surveillance cameras at home.
"But I'm really curious about how the great Miyano Shiho is doing lately. Playing house with the kids must be... fun."
The sarcasm has reached its maximum level.
Sister Bei: Seeing you fall from a genius scientist to an elementary school student, I feel very relieved, hehe.
Huiyuan: No, hehe. Hum.
Huiyuan narrowed her eyes: "Now it's Huiyuan Ai. If you want to come to my house, there must be some rules."
Oh, the rules are set.
Is this, Masaka, trying to tame the wild Bayonetta?
The first house rule: No real names allowed.
"Rules?" Vermouth smiled. "My dear, when have I ever followed the rules?"
Rules? What are those? Can I eat them?
Huibara didn't want to pay attention to her, so they walked in silence for a while, the tension in the air crackling like static electricity.
Static play (not)
Huibara couldn't help but secretly glance at the blonde woman next to her.
Countdown to being caught peeping: 3, 2, 1...
Even disguised as a tourist, Vermouth exudes an effortless elegance, which makes Haibara realize that she is wearing children's clothes and looks very childish.
Sister Bei: I look like a supermodel in any outfit, but you look like a primary school student in your school uniform (because you are)
The fashion gap caused by age difference is too real.
"Hey, stop staring at the Lun family~" Vermouth whispered, not looking at Huibara, and said calmly: "Someone will gossip."
Gossip: Look at that foreign beauty flirting with the elementary school student.
FBI: Open the door!
"Ah, I think people are already talking about it," Huibara retorted, "a strange American woman who claims to be just an ordinary tourist passing by, but can use her inordinately rich knowledge of Japanese history to help the Investigation Section solve a case."
"I'm so smart, aren't I?" Vermouth said proudly.
The degree of narcissism in the scientific world: Vermouth > Kid > Kudo Shinichi.
Bayonetta-style Versailles: I'm so good~
"But you yourself are quite amazing, able to recognize patterns in stolen items at a glance."
"It's just basic logic." Huibara said disdainfully, although she still felt a little proud of the compliment.
Tsundere Huiyuan is online: I am very happy to be praised but I can't show it.jpg
"There's nothing basic or simple about you, Shiho."
Translation: You are special, one of a kind.
Hearing her call her real name again, Huibara couldn't help but quicken her pace.
Haibara: Danger, danger, danger, danger.
"Perhaps you're right. But it seems my precautions need improvement. It was so easy for you to find me today."
Huibara, are you blaming her or just acting like a spoiled brat?
Preventive measures: Use a fake name and that’s it.
Bei Jie: That’s it?
When they reached the main road, Huibara hailed a taxi.
"Rice Flower," Huibara told the driver and added her address.
This "rice flower" is not an address, it may be Beilu Modou, the determination to sleep there tonight. #Die together invitation#
Vermouth raised an eyebrow: "Oh, you've invited me home? Oh, the Lun family is really too abrupt."
That practiced eyebrow raise, that feigned "Ouch!"—experienced Miss Bei couldn't have been more at ease in imitating the innocent young (former) scientist. A textbook fishing tactic—learn from it!
"I would rather put my enemies where I can see them." Huibara replied coldly.
Little do we know that in this world, so many people act in the name of "enemy" in love and hatred. This is the writing method of "the more you try to cover up, the more obvious it becomes". #The King of Hard Mouth Huiyuan Ai#
"Is this our relationship? Enemies?" Vermouth leaned closer and whispered, "How strange. I don't remember enemies usually doing...what we do in New York."
New York, heavy snow, Chris Wynyard, toys, 18-year-old Miyano Shiho, riding...
Stop, stop. Huiyuan stopped the little movie playing in her mind.
Fortunately, the taxi driver was driving carefully on the rain-slicked streets and seemed not to notice their conversation.
Moreover, this time, they finally spoke in English in the back seat of the taxi as a double insurance.
Huihara had a mixed-race face and hair color, but the driver didn't find it strange that she spoke English.
She turned her head to look out the window, trying not to pay attention to Vermouth sitting next to her.
"Your essence won't change overnight." Huiyuan finally chose to say coldly, "What you have done won't change either."
Ai-chan started to add value. This was a reminder to the other party, and also to herself.
But such clear-headed statements are often seen as a flag in extremely feuding couples. #Never give in on matters of principle# (Really? I don't believe it.jpg)
"So, what did you do, Shirley? Your hands aren't clean either."
Here it comes. The revealing part.
While this question may seem like an attack, it actually means, "We are all the same, so we understand each other best." It's just the ordinary bond of "accomplice."
The truth of this statement is disturbing, yet undeniable. Before APTX-4869 transformed her into a child, Miyano Shiho had developed poisons for the organization—and these poisons had undoubtedly killed people. The list was long.
"I am trying to atone for my sins." Huibara said calmly.
Beneath the calm lies a turbulent sea. Ai-chan's path to atonement is destined to be lonely. But now, it seems she has a "dangerous" companion? (Laughing sideways)
"You mean, hiding in Mika, playing house with Professor Agasa, and following that little detective around? How adorable."
With this tone of voice, the word "cute" has a completely different flavor when it comes out of her mouth. #Jealousy or just teasing the cat#
"By the way, your two little detective friends are amazing." Vermouth continued, shaking her hair and expertly combing it with her fingers. She exuded charm all the time.
You two, so which member of the detective team is excluded? Karasuma Genta?
"Especially that freckled boy. What's his name? Mitsuhiko? He's such a detail-oriented guy."
Masaka, she even remembered the details about Mitsuhiko. With such observation ability, she must have observed everyone around Ai-chan.
Huibara pursed her lips. "The Junior Detectives are more insightful than most adults realize."
Inner thoughts: Stop snooping around. #The protective Ai-chan is also very handsome#
"Unlike your police friend." Vermouth's smile was beautiful and cool. "But that police officer couple is really cute. So serious. And so... ignorant."
The subtext is "They are too naive, and we are the same kind." #高佐风评被害#
Gao Zuo: We are innocent background boards, thank you.
"Officer Takagi and Officer Sato are both good people." Huibara unconsciously defended them, "They should be very grateful for your help."
"Tina's help," Vermouth corrected, her eyes never leaving Huibara's face. "But I have to say, your knowledge of World War II-era forensics... is truly unexpected. How can a biochemist have the time to study military forensics?"
Here it comes. Masters clash, each move deadly. Sister Bay's locked gaze, this focus, clearly says: "My beloved, how many surprises do you have that I don't know about?" #Details control showdown# #My vest is useless in front of you#
Huiyuan continued to maintain her poker face and said calmly, "How can a popular actress with a full schedule find the time to become a professional assassin?"
A beautiful counterattack. Ai-chan's rhetorical question directly kicked the ball back. Her IQ is online, and her aura is not inferior. This is the push and pull of adults (?). #You come and I am satisfied# #Queen behavior#
For a moment, the two people in the back seat fell into silence. The silence was Cambridge tonight... no, it was the Beika Town taxi.
This silence, is the next step going to be an accidental firing? (rubbing hands in anticipation.jpg) #Tension is full, who understands#
"You're right." Vermouth's laughter was quite pleasant: "We all have our own...extracurricular interests."
What are your extracurricular interests? Nighttime explorations of enemy strongholds, New York City hotel simulations, and heated arguments in cars?
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire context switched to an ambiguous channel. "Extracurricular" actually means "dating after class".
On one side is a calm, rational and guilty young scientist, and on the other side is a multifaceted, charming and decisive movie queen killer.
They talked about the past, the organization, and atonement. But perhaps, what they were saying was, "I haven't let you go yet."
Ultimate Multiple Choice Question:
The "extracurricular interests" mentioned by Vermouth are most likely referring to:
A. Participated in the art performance of Beihua Town Senior University, focusing on cross-dressing skits.
B. Study "An Actor's Guide" late at night and do role-playing.
C. Have some "academic exchanges" with a tea-haired genius girl in New York and explore the intersection of pharmacology and philosophy together.
D. All of the above. After all, the time management of this actress with many faces is so terrifying.
Classic Beika scene: chatting in a taxi and plotting the next step. The taxis in Beika Town have witnessed too many secrets.
Uncle driver: As long as I drive fast enough, Shura Field (and danger) can't catch up with me.
"Speaking of amber, I know a Swiss paleontologist," Vermouth said. "He has no ties to any government or organization. He can conduct research completely and without bias."
Bayley's connections are incredible. From Hollywood to academia, there's no one she can't get her hands on. Swiss? Paleontologist? Sounds pretty neutral (and expensive).
"Is he trustworthy?" Huiyuan asked, even though she already knew the answer. However, her original intention was to keep the amber pendant and study it herself.
However, bioarchaeology was not her specialty. Even if she were to conduct research on her own, she would need to use Dr. Agasa's connections to find some professional professors to help with the identification, especially if it involved the use of specialized equipment.
Although the word "biology" is included in this discipline, there are too many small classifications under the broad category of biology, and each classification requires an expert with an IQ above the average person, and it would be impossible to fully study them even if one spends his entire life on them.
For Huiyuan, the most important research now is the prototype and antidote of APTX. If he suddenly enters a field that he is completely unfamiliar with, it is foreseeable that this side quest will take up a lot of time.
Ai-chan: Asking despite knowing the answer.jpg But there's still a process to go through. After all, trust is a luxury neither of them can currently afford.
For two people walking in the dark, trust is more precious than gold.
"To be honest, everyone is the same." Vermouth replied with a wry smile.
This bitter smile, with a little bit of clarity and helplessness, is so cool.
"All I can say is that he owes me his life, which is usually a reliable motivation."
As expected of you, Vermouth.
In her world, "owing life" is hard currency.
"Reliable power"... refers to the mastery of PUA (a positive word for handsome).
Bei Jie: There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests (and life-saving grace). This is very capitalistic and also very realistic.
You might think she relies on her charm, but actually she runs the world by relying on favors.
Huibara nodded, she was very excited by tonight's adventure, but also exhausted, emotions she hadn't allowed herself to feel in months were now surging dangerously within her.
The classic post-war "sage time" is not, it is the "emotional blowout period".
Once the adrenaline wore off and Haibara's defenses were at their lowest, Bayonet really knew how to pick the right time. #Dangerous Edge Crazy Test#
Isn’t this the ultimate application of the suspension bridge effect? It is easier to produce emotions after experiencing danger together, Sister Bei, a master of psychology.
"Why did you come back?" she asked again. This question had been lingering in her mind, and every time she asked it, Vermouth would dodge the question. "This time, I'm going to tell the truth."
Vermouth turned around and looked her in the face. Under the soft light of the car, without her disguise, she looked both charming and exhausted, something Huiyuan understood all too well.
The legendary "Broken Beauty" buff is fully stacked.
"I told myself it was for this reason." She pointed at the pendant and said, "Intelligence shows that these people are collecting something valuable. And the organization wants it too."
Organization: Why do I have to take all the blame? #ToolmanOrganization# (Subtext: I have to find a reason to see you, otherwise it would be so unreserved~)
"but?"
A single word carries a thousand meanings. A young scientist who values words like gold.
Explicit statement: I don’t believe even the punctuation marks in your words, so give me something concrete.
"But actually, I can also send someone to get it."
Vermouth's slender and beautiful fingers brushed a strand of brown hair across Huibara's face.
Huibara sighed, didn't say anything, and didn't avoid her. She just quietly felt the woman beside her - her smile, her scent, and her elegant and relaxed demeanor even when disguised as a tourist.
Memories of eighteen-year-old Miyano Shiho in New York flashed back unconsciously: at a party, she drank too much, a conversation about biochemistry that somehow led her to a suite, and then...
In a Manhattan suite on a snowy night, Vermouth's beautiful biceps lines, and eighteen-year-old Miyano Shiho, she was surprised at the poses she could make.
The taxi stopped in front of Dr. Agasa's house. Vermouth paid the fare and Haibara led her to the front door, thinking rapidly in her mind - Dr. Agasa was going to attend a meeting tomorrow, so the house would be empty.
Bringing Vermouth here is dangerous and even stupid.
But she needed answers. She needed to understand why, after all this time, the most mysterious leader in the organization had come to see her.
"Let the wolf in" literature. Like. Modo Modo.
The right time and place are all here. All that’s missing is the right people (referring to Ai-chan’s half-hearted agreement).
"Need answers." Curiosity is the primary productive force (and also the primary motivation for committing suicide). Huiyuan's scientific spirit has struck again.
Ai's inner drama: "Dangerous. But it also seems a little exciting? What if she has ulterior motives... I will... I will let her succeed halfway? No, one third. No more."
However, the risk was much higher than she was willing to admit.
She said no, but her body honestly walked towards danger (Miss Bay). A woman's heart is like a needle in the sea, and Ai-chan's heart is like the Pacific Ocean.
Chinese translation: Ai: "It's over, Barbie Q, this time I'm going to fall into the hands of a woman. My damn, nowhere-to-place charm."
The light from the street lamp shines on the amber pendant worn by Vermouth, a perfectly frozen fossil that has been preserved after going through untold hardships.
Huibara suddenly felt that her own existence was similar to this, a scientist preserved in amber, suspended between her past and future selves.
Frozen in time, trapped between the past and the future, beautiful yet sad.
"I can't trust you completely," she said finally.
"I know." Vermouth's smile was innocent. "If you really do that, I won't respect you."
#Top Queen's Calmness# #High-Level Flirting#
Translation: "If you don't believe in me, you are finished. If you believe in me, you belong to me."
When Vermouth said, "If you really do this (trust me easily), I will not respect you", which of the following is her true inner thought closer to?
A. "Little idiot, it would be so boring if you were so easily fooled." (Purely a gaming mentality)
B. "She's definitely my type. Smart, cautious, and challenging. I like her." (Admiration and a desire to conquer coexist)
C. "Your distrust hurts me a little, but I understand and respect your choice." (Mature understanding and a little bit of loss)
D. "The plan works. Everything is under control. The next step is..." (Old Thousand Layer Cake's calculation)
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