People in Tokyo, the world is clear

"Did the senior and his wife have a quarrel?"

"I'm such a failure. My submissions to this year's literary awards were rejected everywhere, and the sales of my previous book were basically zero last month. My editor keeps pushing me to submit the manuscript, but I have no confidence or faith in my new book."

Suddenly overwhelmed by a kind of depression mixed with guilt, Dongye whispered his wife's nickname.

"She's really hard-working. She works during the day and has to carefully budget her living expenses at night. Actually, I know I shouldn't bring up the idea of ​​going skiing at the summer resort in Yamagata right now. But I just..."

"I see."

Lin Sen took over the man's words, almost choking up, and said, "Living cramped at home for so long, sitting in front of a table and lamp all day and all night, thinking about a hopeless future... This pain needs to be released. I understand."

"Ultimately, I lost control of my emotions." The writer raised his glass again and sipped it. "The Prime Minister naturally thinks she understands me...but I probably rarely think from her perspective myself."

"Actually, this is mutual. Madam must know that you've been under a lot of pressure lately. However, both of us need an outlet for our emotions."

"Ugh."

Dongye raised his head and looked over. "Speaking of which, Xiaolin, do you have a lover?"

"Have."

"You said, aren't relationships between people always awkward and complicated? Perhaps, as time goes by, we will always hurt each other inadvertently."

"."

This statement was not wrong. However, Lin Sen always felt that the direction described by the two people was probably not on the same channel.

But, what's the point of it?

Being able to chat is also a kind of entertainment.

Just follow the emotions that surge in your heart and exhale:

"I can only say that every family has its own problems. Sometimes, I really don't know what is the best thing to do."

"Does Xiaolin have any emotional troubles? Things should be getting better lately."

"On the contrary. Worse."

"what?"

Dongye blinked, "Your royalties for the past two months should be quite substantial."

“For some things, it would be nice if money could buy a happy ending.”

Lin Sen's words probably had a certain meaning, but to the writer sitting opposite him, it clearly sounded quite different.

He obviously misunderstood and gave her a probing look, trying to read something from her expression.

Then, he made his own judgment, nodded in agreement with the opinions he had heard, picked up the chopsticks and picked up the side dishes in front of him.

"That's right. Perhaps, expressing love with all your might in your own way, but not getting the response you want, is the greatest pain."

"..."

Suddenly, I felt someone cut my chest.

A complex expression appeared on his face, and he looked at the writer in front of him.

In order to ease the atmosphere, he took the initiative to pour another glass of wine and brought it over to find the glass containing the drink.

"Then, let's just hope that lovers won't be hurt in the end. Kobayashi... come!"

"Come..."

The cups clinked gently.

Then, Lin Sen couldn't help but take a deep breath:

"Tell me, Tono-senpai. What does it feel like when your love isn't appreciated..."

"I understand. I really do."

The writer, whose face began to turn red, finally relaxed a little.

He reached out and patted her shoulder. "Just like what Mr. Natsume said. If I were the kind of person they wanted me to be, I wouldn't be in so much pain."

"..."

"But, in fact, from the very beginning, there was no room for choice. Love is like this. The moment you meet, fate is cast. There is no room for choice for a moment."

"..."

"Often, because of love, we appear clumsy. And because of love, we don't know how to communicate. Then, indifference and rejection will carve a small wound into the soul. This wound will not heal, but will only expand little by little with each tear, until all happiness and joy flow away, leaving only dry sorrow."

"I."

"So all that's left is a single request and a single hope. I'll use my last bit of strength to knock on the door of your heart. Before I'm hoarse, even if you don't respond, please don't drive me away... That's probably the mentality, right?"

"Stop talking about it."

I could only look up and drink the soda in the cup in one gulp, suppressing the strange emotions that surged up in my mind:

"What can I do?"

“I think, let’s build understanding.”

Dongye gave his own answer, "I just hope that the person who senses my feelings can at least give a decent response. True love is probably the most precious thing in the world and the thing that should not be ignored."

"...Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore."

"it is good."

Dongye withdrew his hand and glanced outside the door.

It was almost evening, and Uncle Tiger was preparing to officially open the shop.

Exclamation:

"Some things always feel better when you talk about them. Maybe it can also help you sort out some emotions and thoughts, and face life better."

"Is that so?"

Then, Lin Sen took a deep breath and glanced at the profile of the potential famous writer in front of him.

In a deep voice, he said:

"Senior Dongye."

"what happened?"

"If you're short on money, just ask."

"this."

The young writer looked back in surprise, but soon his face turned panicked and he quickly waved his hands.

"I, didn't mean that."

"I know. In fact, I have always admired the work of Mr. Higashino. I just hope that I can help you in allowing you to create with peace of mind."

"Xiao Lin..."

"At the moment, I'm still well-off and have plenty of spare cash. My point is, please don't refuse. I just hope to see your new work as soon as possible."

Perhaps the sincere expression touched something in my heart.

Dongye suddenly raised a hand and covered his eyes with his fingers. After a while, he sniffed and rubbed his nose with a little force.

Just put it down:

"I do not know how to put it."

"When you can, pay me back. There's no rush. As for your wife, you can probably just use it as a side job. Take her skiing, and you can relax, senior. How about this suggestion?"

Afterwards, Dongye was speechless.

Before leaving in the evening, he solemnly reached out with both hands and held my right arm.

"Please allow me to say thank you. Also...may lovers finally be rewarded."

"Senior Dongye, you don't have to add that last sentence."

"Blame me, blame me."

The writer laughed drunkenly, "I mean, I really hope your life gets better, Xiaolin!"

"That sounds good. Thank you for your kind words."

Chapter 79: Facing Torture

I kind of forgot how long it was since I last walked home alone amidst the setting sun.

A few days, a week, or a month.

The rosy glow filled the sky like a drink cup that had been knocked over.

Deep red, orange, and violet interweave. The strongest colors on the palette saturate the white cotton clouds.

Humans are creatures with a rich sense of color.

Thus, melancholy and joy, tranquility and enthusiasm were simultaneously shaken to overflowing, overturned, and completed a fantastic fusion -

"Click."

Lin Sen opened the door and went straight to the bathroom.

Before the sun sets completely, wash away the smell of alcohol and food brought in from outside.

It was a peaceful daily routine. However, as the hot water trickled down my neck, I inexplicably recalled an extra scene.

Recalling the face that came towards me on tiptoe, and the warm feeling on my chest.

Suddenly, the heartbeat accelerated, and the blood and body temperature rose slightly.

However, when he hurriedly changed his clothes and went out, he came to his senses and covered his forehead when he stood in front of the neighbor's house.

"We won't be able to meet now."

"Also, have all the people gone home?"

It seems so.

The faint sounds of conversation disappeared behind the door. Even in the stillness of the night, no sound could be heard.

For a moment, I felt a complicated sense of regret.

But after taking a breath, I adjusted my mood and went back to complete the last thing I expected to do today.

I took out the manuscript paper from my backpack and started thinking about a new plot.

Since I became financially well-off, I have slowed down my creation a little.

Plus there are so many other things going on. Therefore, recently, I only have time to fill about ten pages of manuscript paper a day.

It is true that I rarely experience this kind of good time of sitting alone and creating quietly.

Usually, I would stay up writing during a few short periods of immersion with my female editor at home, chatting casually with her.

If there is any difference between the two, one is in a calmer mood like in the current scene, and the other is probably in a longer period of contemplation.

No longer actively interrupting.

I wasted half the night. When I came to my senses, I estimated that an hour or two had passed.

Then the warm aroma of food with a hint of fire lingered at the tip of my nose.

There is also a slightly strong sesame aroma, which is probably the culprit that makes people subconsciously sober up.

Then, the beef and pork slices that seemed to have been simply boiled were placed in front of him along with the sauce, and a small bowl of plain noodles was also served with it.

A soft and clear voice came from my ears:

"We had hot pot at noon and in the evening. These are the ingredients we didn't put in. Are you hungry?"

"We won't meet."

"That means you're not allowed to see me, not vice versa... Yeah!"

Grabbing the white wrist of the person who exclaimed, which was holding the plate, Lin Sen placed the slender fingers in front of him and gently sniffed the faint smell of cooking fire.

So the girl curled up her hands shyly.

"It doesn't smell good."

"On the contrary. I really like this hand that still has the scent of cooking for me."