Chapter 49 I have a story, do you have wine? Beijie's classic riddle...
The rain outside was getting heavier, beating against the windows.
Huibara walked to the edge of the island. She needed some space to think.
She reached for the teapot, only to find it was already cold. Like a chilling disguise, a calm that could no longer continue.
The kitchen, a place full of the atmosphere of life, is where the most unearthly confrontation takes place.
"Want some more tea?" she asked, obviously trying to change the subject.
Huiyuan: I'm pouring tea strategically. As long as I start following the process, you won't have the nerve to continue questioning me.
However, she is facing Vermouth, a woman who never plays by the rules.
A Record of Scientists' Failed Attempts to Extinguish Dangerous Ambiguities with Hot Drinks
Bei Jie: Tea? I want the look of your pupils shaking as a side dish.
"I, want something stronger." Vermouth followed her and said, changing the subject: "Kudo must be hiding something. People like him are always like this."
Rejecting bland tea and choosing stimulating wine is not just an order, it is a declaration: the game is upgraded, don't play tricks with me, I want to hear the truth and a more exciting confrontation.
Pressing forward step by step, not giving the slightest chance to breathe. The Queen's performance art.
And, incidentally, she's also stepping on "Kudo." "People like him," what kind of people? Those who are sunny, righteous, and favored by the world. This is both a test of Akai Shuichi, a show of hostility toward Kudo Shinichi, and a rejection of all the "light" around Haibara. Vermouth's subtext: You belong only to darkness, to me.
Huibara hesitated for a moment, then moved a footstool, reached into the tall cabinet with her little hands, and took out a bottle of brandy.
"It's for medicine."
Seeing Vermouth's amused expression, she explained.
What a cute little statement that is trying to cover up the truth.
She actually had some liquor. And it was stored high up in a cabinet, suggesting she didn't use it often, but she kept it as a reserve.
"Of course it's for medicinal purposes." Vermouth said softly, "Everything you do has a scientific basis, doesn't it?"
Top-level sarcasm, top-level sarcasm, and also top-level pampering.
This sentence translates to: OK, OK, OK, you're right, my little scientist. You're so careful even when you lie... cute, cute (Beijie's filter is thicker than bulletproof vest)
She was laughing at her, at her pretense, at her cute excuses. The gentleness that sees through everything but doesn't point it out is the most deadly.
Huibara still felt exhausted. Too much had happened that day, and now there was this trial. She felt like she was trapped in a complicated script, where everyone played their own role, and she was both actor and audience.
If only all this were just a dream.
Her mind began to wander again. The medieval film she had recently seen came to mind—tall stone towers, mysterious runes, alchemists brewing secret elixirs by candlelight.
Perhaps the world is a giant simulation game, and the details are only rendered when the player looks at a certain place.
Just like now, the more she cares about Vermouth discovering Okiya Subaru's identity, the more temptations will come to her.
"Your neighbors seem to really care about you. Almost... like professionals."
Sure enough, I'm back to square one again. I can't get over this "neighbor" hurdle. He keeps talking about the neighbor next door, Mr. Wang (not that).
"Professional," she said, hitting the nail on the head. Vermouth's acumen was truly terrifying. She was practically on the verge of the truth.
The pause after "almost..." was full of temptation, like a cat punch, poking Huibara's heart again and again.
Bei Jie's Test No. 10086: Neighbors are important, am I important? Tell me quickly.
"He just likes to meddle in other people's business." Huiyuan poured a small glass of wine and slid across the counter like a bartender in a movie. "That's all."
"Nosy" = "Helping elementary school students fight organizations every day" Sad complaints never get old.
The transparent glass filled with wine slid gracefully across the smooth table, and finally stopped precisely next to Vermouth's hand.
This is not only the bartender's show of skill, but also the tacit understanding between masters.
The confrontation between the two queens was so ceremonial that even the passing of the glasses of wine was so ritualistic.
Sister Bei's sight: the movement of the wine glass, Shirley's fingertips...
"Yeah. Two visitors in the space of an hour. You, a reclusive scientist, are quite popular."
The best jealous speech of the whole audience.
"Reclusive scientist"—this title is full of possessiveness. It means you're supposed to be my "caged bird," and now all these people are watching? I'm not happy.
The vinegar queen, Bei Jie, is online. The sour smell in the air overwhelms the brandy.
The emphasis on “popular” is on “I’m jealous but I don’t say it directly”, the tsundere aesthetics of Sister Bayonetta.
Translation: I am not enough? Shirley's fish pond management crisis warning.
Q: What is Vermouth's true psychology when she says this?
A. Conduct data analysis on the visitor flow to Dr. Agasa’s home.
B. I feel deeply relieved that Haibara Ai’s social skills have improved.
C. Why are so many pigs trying to dig into my cabbages? No, I need to fence off the vegetable garden.
D. It's time to buy the Kudo residence. (Bessie hair knife)
(Choose C and consider D as the next course of action.)
"coincide."
"Based on my experience, there may not be such a thing as coincidence in this rice flower."
Vermouth walked to the window and looked out: "Especially when it comes to silver bullets. Especially when your neighbor's gestures look like someone who has received professional tactical training."
Here it comes, Sister Bay's "workplace veteran radar" is beeping.
"From my experience" - Translation: I've eaten more salt in the winery than you've drunk reagents.
Bei Jie's first rule of survival: If your neighbor is too capable, he's probably an undercover agent. (Science's Theorem of the Universe)
My cousin next door: I disguised myself so well, how come I got seen through again? Oh, it's someone from the same industry, so it's okay.
Huiyuan decided that she couldn't fall in the same place twice. "I don't know what you are talking about."
Are you talking about Senmo? The wind is too strong and I can't hear you clearly.jpg
“Please.” Vermouth looked back at her. “Shirley, I’ve been in this business longer than you have. I know how agents operate. Your Mr. Okiya has the words soldier or law enforcement officer written all over him.”
Akai's flaw: He breathes with the FBI's standard rhythm.
You're a tough, quiet, social type, relying on your seniority to dominate others. This device has a built-in FBI identification system, more accurate than facial recognition. I suggest wineries install one for every manager to instantly double their KPIs.
Subaru Okiya: I am obviously a weak graduate student, don't slander my innocence out of thin air.
"You're so paranoid."
Ai-chan's Stubbornness: As long as I don't admit it and keep attacking Vermouth for being extreme, he is not Akai Shuichi.
Classic reproduction: Conan said to Xiaolan, "You think too much."jpg, and then got slapped in the face.
Being tough is a passive skill for Beika Town residents
"Paranoia has kept me alive." Vermouth walked away from the window, "just like your caution has kept you alive. However, the fact that you hid me in your bedroom shows that your caution may be... selective."
Translation: She said no, but her body honestly led me to the bedroom. Tsk tsk tsk, woman.
Beijie's Focus Shift Technique is activated. Target: Ai-chan's bedroom.
"Selective caution"? It's better to just say "double standards." (Pointing and gesturing)
Is it too ambiguous that my old enemy is hiding in my boudoir?
"Okiya Subaru." She pondered, picking up the cup. "No matter how you look at him, he seems like a quiet and humble man. He makes delicious curry and lives in Yukiko's house."
Sister Bei’s weird and weird class has begun. This series of adjectives is full of the calmness of "I have seen through everything."
How to describe the most terrifying neighbor in the most everyday words
And the key point of this Freudian slip is that she said Yukiko's house, not Kudo's house, because she had been to Kudo's house to look for Yukiko before. (Kudo Yusakufu is currently violating the warning)
However, at this moment, Huiyuan really does not have the extra bandwidth to analyze this very important branch information.
She was still thinking about the theory that the world was a game, and sometimes wondered why everyone was studying in the same class, why she and Conan were so tired, always having to pay attention to various details and strange things.
Some people, on the other hand, can enjoy the feeling of knowledge flowing across their smooth cerebral cortex, but every day they still eat delicious food, participate in interesting extracurricular activities, and enjoy the ordinary daily life of elementary school students.
It feels like a person who puts too much effort and is tense, compared to some people who choose to lie down in life, or those who have to focus on only one part of life due to intellectual limitations, has a low sense of happiness and still feels very tired every day.
What's the point?
Vermouth took a sip of brandy slowly, her eyes falling on Huibara, and continued to cue the neighbor Lao Wang: "He even scared the smart and calm Miyano Shiho and hid an international killer in her closet."
A treasure hidden in a golden house, right? And it's an internationally certified S-class dangerous goods.
She put the cup down, her smile gone, replaced by a sudden, humorless nervousness. "Why?"
Previous second: Cat and mouse, flirting time.
Next second: Interrogation room mode ON.
This "why" is so oppressive. It's like Yuan Tai's mother holding a failing test paper and asking, "Why?"
The atmosphere instantly changed from the ambiguous pink to the pale white of the interrogation room.
Smile disappearing technique. Bei Jie's one-click switch: charming queen, cold-faced torturer.
Huiyuan met her gaze, his expression remaining calm.
Vermouth knew. Or rather, she suspected. How much?
"If I'm hiding something, it's for a reason. I wouldn't trust a senior member of the organization with everything I know about her."
The reckless kitten reaches out its claws. The pinnacle of tsundere: clearly moved, yet still drawing a line in the sand.
Subtext: You may be charming, but I'm not a love-struck person. Don't try to trick me, you big-eyed, high-ranking official. (But it's also true that I'm hiding you in my bedroom.)
How to Say the Most Double-Standard Words in the Hardest Tone
"Smart girl." Vermouth said with a smile, "Trust should never be given lightly. I think this is another painful lesson we have all experienced."
"We." That's a great word. It instantly transformed us from the enemy camp to the "alliance of victims."
The atmosphere suddenly becomes philosophical, a moment of resonance between the two scarred queens.
So the conclusion is: you can sleep in the bedroom, but you can’t trust her? (Strange play has increased)
Two Tsunderes' Trust Crisis: We Both Have a Bright Future (Referring to Mutual Suspicion)
Every word that Bei Jie says is jumping back and forth between exposing the vest and flirting with girls, and every cell in Ai Jiang is doing crazy sit-ups between "being alert to the enemy" and "heart beating faster".
It is suggested to change the name to "My Killer Sister Can't Be This Flirtatious" or "How Can I Keep the Secret of the FBI Next Door After Being Exposed in Front of My Enemy"
Vermouth narrowed her eyes, walked to the dining table, and picked up her bag, an expensive designer piece.
Nothing special, just the daily show-off of the rich woman in the organization. #Luxury goods are the villain's battle robe#
"Expensive designer work": Translation: My appearance fee is very high. If you don't answer the questions properly, I can leave at any time. Sulli, you can do whatever you want. #WalkingVersailles#
"I should go now," Vermouth said, looking in the small mirror and skillfully adjusting her golden wig. A must-read for "On the Self-cultivation of Villains." Always maintain a movie queen-level expression, even if you're about to pull out a gun (not)
"While we had a great afternoon, I have other appointments to go to."
A textbook example of playing hard to get. First a candy ("having fun"), then a stab ("having another appointment").
The "date" or something, the bet of a bag of spicy noodles was fake, just to see Ai-chan's frustrated expression. It's just a classic Aquaman line, nothing special.
"I had a lot of fun" + leaving immediately = the push-pull tactics of a scumbag woman.
Huiyuan felt both relieved and doubtful: "That's it? You show up, disrupt my life, and then disappear?"
"Liberation" is the scream of the rational brain, and "doubt" is the whisper of the emotional heart.
The subtext is: "Can't you disrupt things a little longer?" (bushi)
Think about this sentence structure, "You appear, disturb me, and then disappear", isn't this the standard process of Aquaman/scumbag? But when it comes from Ai-chan's mouth, why is it full of the grievance of an abandoned puppy? #Come pick me up#
Ai's inner OS: It's good to leave, but why are you really leaving? (biting the handkerchief) Textbook-level tsundere contradiction. #mouth-dislike-body-honest-level-tenth-level-scholar#
Vermouth is the irregular variable of Haibara's life, even more difficult to solve than APTX. #The Nemesis of Scientists is the Movie Queen#
"Well, then, do you want me to stay?"
Vermouth raised an eyebrow and asked, full of the confidence of "Little guy, I understand your thoughts completely." "We can invite your detective friends to dinner. Maybe even your ordinary graduate student neighbors. Have a formal popcorn party, the classic kind."
Eyebrow-raising + social bomb = the peak of Bayley's bad taste.
Deliberately dancing in the minefield to test Ai Jiang's bottom line. #疯痞美人の情趣你不懂#
"Formal party"? Translation: I want to see you and Kudo-kun play elementary school students in front of me (funny) #成人の降维击#
"You know that's not what I meant." Huibara's defense was weak and feeble.
How to express "I just want to be alone with you" in a negative sentence with a tsundere #Juxue reading comprehension compulsory test#
The blonde woman's smile gradually became more evil: she was getting anxious.
Vermouth raised an eyebrow.
Another raised eyebrow. A second goal.
Silence speaks volumes here, a single expression conveys a thousand words, and then Vermouth calmly says, "Oh? So what do you mean? Tell me."
After thinking about it, Haibara decided not to let Vermouth drink alcohol, so she heated up the tea again and used this ordinary thing to calm herself down.
Using housework to calm the mind, is this the calming magic engraved in the DNA of East Asians?
Hot tea = a calming agent for sadness. Scientists’ sense of ritual: Even if the world collapses, they must complete the experimental steps first (tears)
The action of pouring tea is a defense mechanism in psychology, which regains a sense of control over the environment through repetitive and safe behaviors.
"You haven't told me why you came here?" she asked, trying to take control of the situation.
Subtext: "Stop talking about useless things and get down to business." He wanted to use reason to pull the atmosphere back to normal, but unfortunately his opponent was Vermouth. #Reason loses to heart#
Vermouth didn't leave and took the tea: "Maybe it's just like I said, I just want to see what happened to my favorite scientist."
She looked at Huibara. "The genius who created APTX-4869 has been reduced to playing detective games with children. It's so poetic."
As expected of an actress, she has mastered the art of literature. What she admires is not the weakness of Haibara Ai, but the struggle and contradiction of Miyano Shiho's genius soul in the body of a child. This is the aesthetic attraction.
The aesthetics of Sister Bei's venomous tongue. The first person to turn sarcasm into love poetry. #Hate is Stronger Than Love Literary Genre#
"You didn't come all this way for poetry."
Seeing that she was not leaving, Huibara secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then continued to speak bluntly: Stop the empty talk and give me something real.
As expected of a scientist, he has perfect logical thinking and can directly expose the other party's literary rhetoric.
One is idealistic, the other is pragmatic. They are never on the same page, yet they are somehow compatible.
Translation: Speak human language. And... have you written enough about my life observations? #The shame of being seen through#
“No,” Vermouth agreed, her expression growing serious. “I’m here because a faction within the organization is hunting you down more aggressively than before. They’ve developed a new method for tracking victims of APTX-4869.”
Now, let's get down to business. Classic trope: I'm not here to talk about love with you, I'm here to save your life (and talk about love while I'm at it).
The value of this information is roughly equivalent to a long-term meal ticket plus a pass to enter the house many times. This investment by Sister Bei is a sure win.
And she had obviously admitted it. She was trying to play hard to get by leaving just now, because she would not leave without telling her this important information.
Danger, Ai-chan, danger. Sister Bei's Sichuan Opera face-changing. Flirting one second, battle report the next. #Sister's Intelligence Network is always ahead of the curve#
Is Bayonetta acting as a double agent for love?
Huiyuan was stunned: "What tracking method?"
It is the instinctive curiosity of scientists towards unknown technologies, and also the alertness of prey to danger.
Asking this question was equivalent to tacitly accepting Vermouth's identity as the source of information, and the relationship became closer.
"The kind that could catch up to your doorstep no matter how careful you are."
Translation: "It's dangerous outside, only in my arms... no, it's safest next to me."
This sentence is both a warning and a form of pressure, suggesting that Huiyuan's "safe house" is no longer safe and she needs a new shelter. And who can provide it? It's hard to guess. (Doge)
#Alarmist confession# Sis, how come I’ve seen this routine on a certain website eight hundred times, but it still smells so good.
"Why are you telling me this? Why are you warning me?"
Ai-chan's core question is: "What are you after? Because I'm small, or because my doctor's family has good food?"
Haibara’s inner thoughts: If you dare to say “A secret makes a woman woman”, I will immediately call Conan.
Vermouth smiled again, mysteriously and dangerously: "Just consider it a professional courtesy between former...colleagues."
"Colleagues"? You call them colleagues? Office romances are purer than this, right? #Redefinecolleagues#
Beneath the hypocritical excuses of professional etiquette (no) and flirting (yes) lies the special treatment that cannot be hidden.
"We have never been colleagues," Huibara said.
"No." Vermouth agreed, with a hint of gloom in her expression that Huiyuan didn't want to dwell on. "We're more interesting than colleagues, aren't we?"
The sugar content of this sentence directly hits the meter. The three words "more interesting" leave room for the creation of countless million-word fan fiction.
"More interesting" can be interpreted as enemies, confidants, accomplices, the same kind... all relationships that are higher than "colleagues" and are full of taboos.
The organization's crazy aesthetics: killing people is heartbreaking, and flirting is even more heartbreaking. #Bounce repeatedly on the edge of danger#
The trap of Sister Bei is in place: Let’s explore the abyss of “interesting” Shirley~
Huiyuan knew she should tell Vermouth to leave, take her warning and memories, and disappear. But she found herself asking softly, "How long will you stay in Japan this time?"
I finally asked. My rationality completely collapsed, and my emotions took over completely.
This is not asking about the length of stay, this is asking: How many chances do I have left to see you?
This question is like handing over half the key to your home. It's like handing a pillow to a hungry wolf. (Good job, another one.)
Vermouth's smile grew even wider. "That all depends on how much fun I find your company."
The Queen said: Please me and I will stay.
The choice is thrown back again, it’s high, really high.
The "you guys" here is quite clever; it can refer to "you and your little detective," or "you as Haibara Ai and you as Miyano Shiho." #TheArtofLanguage#
Instantly change from passive to active and take control of the whole situation.
"I'm not here to entertain you."
Huiyuan's final stubbornness: "I am very principled." (Although the principle is on the verge of breaking)
This sentence is like a kitten stretching out its claws when it is annoyed. It has no killing power and is even more adorable.
Vermouth put down the cup and smiled gracefully, "Then why am I still here, Shirley? Why don't you call your little detective friend back to expose me?
As soon as the name "Sulli" came out, the group instantly switched to the organization channel. This was a sign of power: "Stop pretending! This little girl game is over."
"Little Detective Friend"—was she deliberately mentioning Shinichi to provoke him? Bei Jie's jealousy was quietly overturned. #HiddenPossessivenessObservation#
Huibara remained seated, undaunted. "Perhaps what I want is information and intelligence that only you can provide."
The duel between these two highly intelligent couples is so unpretentious, using "intelligence" as a fig leaf.
Ai-chan remained calm. Under absolute oppression, she maintained the composure and dignity of a scientist.
"Is this all you want from me?" Vermouth leaned over, resting her hands on the table, her face level with Huibara's. "Information?"
The ultimate compression of physical distance. A warning of danger distance, completely shrouding the opponent in one's shadow, forming absolute control. In Haibara's field of vision, there was only Vermouth's face.
At this close distance, Huibara could smell Vermouth's perfume, see the golden light flashing in her blue eyes, and almost taste the memory of that night in New York.
A feast for the senses. An all-round bombardment of smell (perfume), vision (eyes), and taste (memory).
A full-on attack from all five senses. Perfume is poison, eyes are like fire, and memories of New York are wine—Ai-chan's rationality is melting. #SensoryAddictionRecord#
The New York night is screaming. It is the taste of hatred, redemption, and fate. The cornerstone of Bei Ai's Orange School universe#
Did you taste the famous table-bang scene of Bei Ai?
A. The Stockholm aesthetic where hate outlasts love.
B. Emotional game theory of two people with the highest IQ.
C. The embodiment of “my sister’s waist is not a waist but a deadly scimitar”.
E. All of the above (tangerine smell.)
Question: What was Vermouth thinking when she bent down?
A. This little guy has really long eyelashes. I want to count how many there are.
B. If she keeps being stubborn, I'll kiss her. (Kiss on the cheek)
C. Will APTX-4869's side effects improve skin? Let's study it more closely.
D. Tonight’s script was so successful that the Oscar owes me a little golden man.
"That's what I want. To understand the game you're playing."
Straightforward. Huibara is saying: Sis, stop playing those heart-pounding games and just tell me the script so I can decide whether it's a BE or HE ending.
The tone was more like a bit of tentative coquettishness (bushi) than a question.
Huiyuan's Test: Sister, what kind of script-killing game are you playing?
Q: What is the real reason why Sister Bei took the risk to find Huiyuan? (Multiple choice)
A. The law of true fragrance, I am attracted to Shirley.
B. Incite talented scientists to defect and pave the way for their rebellion.
C. Enjoy teasing a former colleague (and secret crush?). All the probing and information suppression is just to see her panic and feign composure, a cute expression. It's the complex and twisted way adults flirt.
D. Confirm Akai Shuichi's identity and make a big news story. Pave the way for subsequent actions.
E. Simply wanting to have a bite of the cookies made by Xiaolan (Belan’s party is delighted).
F. She actually came to see Conan to ask if there was anything else Hawaii hadn't taught him.
G. All of the above (In the world of science, everything is possible.)
Vermouth replied softly, "It's just a suggestion. The information I possess can keep you alive. And I find your knowledge...very valuable."
Here it comes, Bayonetta’s classic riddle man speaks.
"Your knowledge is valuable" = "I really like your brain, and I really like you as a person. Hand over the APTX-4869 formula, sister."
What is a high-end hunter? (Tactical retreat). The subtext of Bayonetta's words is: "Follow me, I guarantee you won't die, and I'll take care of Gin." Isn't this a thousand times more appealing than "I'll support you"?
Sister Bei's dangerous speech: I hold the golden medal of immunity from death, but it depends on your performance (dog head)
"I remember everything we did in New York, Shirley." Vermouth's voice dropped an octave. "Every detail."
"That's not the point. If the organization finds out you've been looking for me but haven't reported it—"
Haibara: You're killing yourself! If our affair is discovered, we'll sink into Tokyo Bay.
Sad rationality: Organizational discipline cannot be forgotten. Sister Bei's operation is too sexy.
"Let me worry about the organization." Vermouth interrupted her and waved her hand: "I have been dealing with those people for longer than you have lived."
It’s confirmed, Sister Bei is the old witch (crossed out) and senior executive of the winery.
This sentence is incredibly girlfriend-powerful. Translation: "Don't worry about my crazy colleague, I can handle it."
Belmode: A woman makes a secretanization a joke.
Bei Jie's Versailles: When I was joining the organization, you were still drinking milk.
On Seniority and Voice at a Winery
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
