mijobooks Chapter 167 The Boundary Between Heaven and Hell
Chapter 167 The Boundary Between Heaven and Hell
Chapter 167 The Boundary Between Heaven and Hell
The ginkgo trees on the street have all shed their leaves, leaving only bare branches pointing straight to the sky.
TV stations and media outlets are still arguing fiercely over the ratings battle between "The White Tower" and "Hot-Blooded Detective," with all sorts of sensationalist headlines flying around, such as "The last stand of Takuya Kimura's fans" and "Shin Kitahara's acting has reached godhood."
But for viewers actually sitting in front of the TV, these fan wars have become insignificant.
Because of the plot, this truly sharp blade finally pierced the softest spot.
The first season finale.
Zaizen Goro had just ascended to the professor's throne, and the famous "general visit" was still echoing in the minds of the audience; the exhilarating feeling of being in high spirits had not yet dissipated.
Immediately afterwards, a basin of ice water was poured over his head.
Because of the death of Sasaki Yohei.
The honest, unassuming bento shop owner died on the operating table because of Zaizen Goro's arrogance before the surgery, which caused him to ignore the shadow on his lungs.
It wasn't some earth-shattering medical accident, just a small but potentially fatal oversight.
The audience, who had been cheering for Zaizen, fell silent instantly.
On the screen, Goro Zaizen stands under the operating lights, staring at the stopped heart monitor. His expression shows a moment of surprise, which is quickly masked by a colder rationality.
"This is an act of God."
That's what he said to Satomi.
That calm, almost cruel attitude made the air in front of the television freeze.
Even geniuses make mistakes.
Arrogance truly is the greatest original sin.
Sato family.
The heating in the living room was on full blast, but the atmosphere was freezing.
Sato's father sat on the sofa, the cigarette in his hand had burned down to the filter, but he forgot to smoke it.
His face was somber, and the deep frown lines between his brows were etched there.
As a middle-aged man who has struggled in this cruel society for many years, he can actually understand Zaizen.
Once someone climbs to that position, that confidence can inflate into arrogance. That "I'm the expert, I'm in charge" attitude...
Arrogance is the inevitable poison of power.
He also made mistakes.
In his youth, he ruined a big deal due to overconfidence and neglected the client's hidden needs in order to achieve sales targets.
"————What an idiot."
He muttered a curse under his breath, but the curse contained a sense of helplessness at the capriciousness of fate, as well as a hatred for his own shadow.
Mrs. Sato, standing next to her, also looked worried.
She was no longer the housewife who would only swoon over Kitahara Shin's face.
Mrs. Sato: "Honey, what do we do now? His family will definitely sue him, won't they? That Mrs. Sasaki looks so pitiful, a widow and orphan—although I really like Zaizen, he really did something wrong this time."
Sato sighed and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.
Sato: "I'll definitely sue. And once it goes to court, my reputation will be ruined. That's the price—the higher you climb, the harder you fall."
The two discussed the plot with great concern, as if Zaizen Goro were their good-for-nothing relative.
Just then.
Xiao Jian, who had been sitting on the carpet, suddenly burst out laughing.
"Ha ha!"
Xiao Jian pointed at the TV screen, his face displaying a childlike, black-and-white, innocent cruelty: "Serves him right!"
"Mom and Dad, why are you so upset about this scumbag? He killed someone! That Uncle Sasaki was so pitiful, all because he didn't examine him carefully! This kind of irresponsible doctor deserves to be punished, what's there to sympathize with?"
The Sato couple were stunned.
They looked at their son's righteous and awe-inspiring little face and were speechless for a moment.
Yes.
In a child's world, the law of "a life for a life," "debts must be repaid," and "mistakes must be punished" are natural principles.
Only adults can weigh the pros and cons and understand the helplessness and struggle behind the "bad guy".
Seeing his parents' silence, Xiao Jian felt a surge of relief.
For the past few weeks, he'd been forced to watch this eccentric uncle whose face screamed "ambition," and he couldn't even watch Kamen Rider. Now that he saw this eccentric uncle in trouble, he was absolutely thrilled.
"Hmph, I knew it! Bad guys never end well!"
Xiao Jian concluded smugly.
Sato's father and wife exchanged a glance, but neither of them objected.
There's really no way to refute that.
This was originally a cruel fairy tale made for adults.
Half an hour later, it was dinner time.
Steaming hot food was laid out on the table.
Xiao Jian picked up his chopsticks and excitedly prepared to start eating. The euphoria from earlier hadn't worn off yet, and he felt a surge of appetite today.
however.
His smile froze when he saw the plate in front of him.
There were only green vegetables.
Lush green spinach, boiled broccoli, and a bowl of white rice.
But in her parents' bowls were fragrant fried pork chops and grilled fish.
"—Dad, Mom?"
Xiao Jian looked up, completely bewildered. "Where's my meat?"
Mrs. Sato slowly picked up a piece of pork cutlet, took a bite, and heard a crisp sound:
Mrs. Sato: "You've been eating too much oily food lately, which isn't good for your health. To prevent yourself from getting sick like Uncle Sasaki, you should start eating more vegetables from today."
Sato's father nodded, his face serious as he agreed, "That's right. We should have a sense of reverence, starting with food. Eat up, it's all for your own good."
Xiao Jian:
'
""
He glanced at the bowl of vegetables, then at his parents' hypocritical "I'm doing this for your own good" faces.
The fleeting pleasure I felt earlier vanished instantly.
He bit his chopsticks, letting out a desperate cry in his heart:
Am I really your biological child?!
Kitahara Shin! I'm not finished with you!
Although children may not understand it, for the vast majority of adult viewers, the reputation of "The White Tower" took a qualitative leap that night.
If the first half was a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping drama, then from this moment on, it becomes a drama about humanity that strikes at the soul.
People no longer simply hope to win money.
People started to worry about him.
The audience worried about how he would face the impending legal storm and what he would do after being abandoned by everyone. This complex psychology of "knowing he is guilty, yet still hoping he can stand up" brought the audience's attachment to the show to its peak.
The viewership ratings remained rock solid.
Kitahara Shin's apartment.
The night outside the window was deep and dark.
The television was already off, but the oppressive atmosphere seemed to linger in the living room.
Izumi Sakai sat on the sofa, hugging a cushion, her eyes red.
She was a kind-hearted girl, almost fragile. When she saw Sasaki die on the operating table, and when she saw Mrs. Sasaki crying her heart out in the corridor, she couldn't stop her tears from falling.
"What's wrong?"
Kitahara Shin walked over with two cups of hot milk. Seeing her like this, he smiled helplessly. "It's just acting, don't take it so seriously."
Quanshui took the milk, sniffed, and looked up at him.
Those clear eyes held a hint of fear and inquiry: "Shin-kun—you won't become like that in the future, will you?"
"What will it become?"
"Like Zaizen—who disregarded human life to climb the ladder. He became a—bad person."
Kitahara Shin paused for a moment.
He looked at the spring's face, which was filled with worry.
This silly girl actually brought the character from the play into real life.
He reached out and gently patted her head.
"Who do you take me for?"
Kitahara Shin smiled, his tone gentle yet firm: "I am an actor, and Zaizen Goro is the mask I create. A mask may leave marks after wearing it for a long time, but I will always know who is behind the mask."
"and----"
He pointed to his heart: "With you all here, how could I possibly get lost?"
Feeling the warmth emanating from above, the spring water slowly calmed down.
Yes.
He is Xin Jun. He is the man who would race his car for her, cook for her late at night, and guide her when she is lost.
How could it be that cold-blooded Zaizen Goro?
She held the warm milk, took a small sip, and felt the warmth flow down her throat into her stomach.
After a moment of silence, as if summoning immense courage, she suddenly spoke: "Xin-kun."
"Um?
""
"Next year—I want to go back to my hometown for a visit."
Spring Water looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation: "Would you—come with me?"
Kitahara Shin paused in his milk-drinking sip.
Go back to my hometown?
This was an extremely unfamiliar word to him.
He had been an "orphan" for over two years since transmigrating to this world. His original parents had long since passed away, and he had lost contact with his relatives. In this world, he was truly all alone.
"I----"
Kitahara Shin put down his cup, his eyes slightly dimmed: "I have no family left in this world."
These words were spoken softly, yet they were like a stone thrown into the heart of a spring.
She looked at the man before her, who was always strong, composed, and seemingly omnipotent, yet at this moment revealed a hint of loneliness that was hard to detect.
That feeling of loneliness made her heart ache and want to cry.
Without any hesitation.
Spring Water reached out and grasped his hand tightly.
Her hands were a little cold, but she gripped them tightly, as if trying to transfer all her body heat to him.
"Then...would you like to come back with me?"
Looking into his eyes, Quanshui said earnestly, "I can introduce you to my parents. Although they are just ordinary people, my dad is a great cook, and my mom is very gentle—they will definitely like you."
Kitahara Shin was stunned.
Meeting the parents?
So you're meeting my parents already?
"Well----"
Kitahara Shin blinked, somewhat hesitantly: "Can we really be this hasty? I mean—after all, I'm a public figure, and our relationship—"
"It's okay."
Quanshui smiled, a rare stubbornness in her smile: "My parents don't watch much TV and don't know anything about the entertainment industry. Besides—I trust my judgment. I think you're great, and there's no problem with introducing you to them."
Looking into her eyes, which were filled with trust, Kitahara Shin couldn't bring himself to refuse.
On this cold winter night, there is a girl who is willing to share her home with you and open her safe haven to you.
This sentiment is both profound and heartwarming.
"----good."
Kitahara Shin grasped her hand in return and nodded: "Then I'll go back with you. Two days, I'd like to rest a bit too."
"real?"
Quanshui's eyes lit up, and she smiled like a child, "Great! I'll call my mom as soon as I get back!"
"Thank you, Shin-kun."
She happily shook his hand.
However, at this heartwarming moment...
"Oh, right."
As if remembering something, Izumi added, "Akina-nee will be coming with us too."
5
'
Kitahara Shin's smile instantly froze.
His eyes widened, wondering if he had misheard.
"What do you mean? Why is she going too?"
Before Quanshui could explain, a lazy and familiar voice rang out from behind the sofa.
"What? Can't I go?"
Akina Nakamori, dressed in pajamas and holding a fashion magazine, strolled over slowly.
She walked around the sofa and plopped down on the other side of Kitahara Shin, leaning against his shoulder.
"Or are you trying to take advantage of your trip back to your hometown to steal the spring water, without letting me, the 'third wheel,' come along?"
Akina looked at him with a smile, her eyes filled with a hint of mockery.
Kitahara Shin felt a chill run down his spine.
This is about meeting the parents! Bringing one girlfriend home is nerve-wracking enough, but two? And this combination of "the main wife" and "the favored concubine"?
Is this because they think the scene isn't chaotic enough?
"I—I didn't say you couldn't go."
Kitahara Shin smiled, his survival instincts kicking in as he said, "I'm just—a little surprised. After all, it's going to Izumi's old home. What are you going to do there?"
"Shopping, traveling."
Akina rolled her eyes at him and said matter-of-factly, "Izumi and I have already made plans. There's a very famous shrine there, and we're going to get an amulet. We'll also visit the place where she grew up."
After saying that, she turned her head to look at Quanshui, and put on a gentle older sister's face: "Right, Quanshui? The three of us can go shopping together, buy some local specialties, and then come to your house for a meal."
Izumi nodded obediently: "Yes! Akina-nee is right. And—if the three of us go back together, Mom and Dad probably won't think too much about it; they'll just think it's friends visiting."
'
'
Kitahara Shin was utterly speechless as he watched the two women working in unison.
Good guy.
So you guys were in cahoots all along?
Using a "threesome" to cover up the awkwardness of "meeting the parents" and also travel together?
That move—it's truly brilliant.
"Alright."
Kitahara Shin sighed and pulled them both into his arms.
"Since you've all made up your minds, what else can I say? I'll just be the driver who carries the bags and drives the car."
Two women's lighthearted laughter rang out in the living room.
After dinner, the living room lights were dimmed a bit.
Kitahara Shin didn't linger. Holding the script with the red airplane illustration in his hand, he pointed upstairs and said, "You guys chat, I'll go upstairs and study this pig's psychological activities first."
After all, he was voicing the main character for a Miyazaki Hayao film. Although the old man said he could just "play himself," he still wanted to thoroughly understand the lines.
"Go on, go on, don't bother us."
Akina waved her hand, looking like he was in her way.
Once Kitahara Shin's figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, only two women remained in the living room.
Quanshui sat cross-legged on the carpet, her ever-present notebook spread out in front of her. She bit the pen, her brows slightly furrowed, as she scribbled and drew on the paper.
Akina leaned back lazily on the sofa, holding a cup of black tea in her hand, her gaze fixed on Izumi's focused profile.
"How's it going? Got any inspiration?"
Akina asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of guidance characteristic of a senior.
"Hmm—it's probably taking shape."
Izumi stopped writing and handed the notebook to Akina somewhat embarrassed: "Akina-nee, look at these few sentences—I wanted to write something that seems to be about the bond between friends, but is actually about—that unspeakable love."
Akina took the notebook and looked at it for a while by the light of the table lamp.
The handwriting above is neat and powerful, and each lyric is like a poem.
"In the crowded streets, only you can see the real me."
"It doesn't matter if you're not understood, as long as you have that look in your eyes, that's enough."
Akina smiled.
She understands this feeling all too well.
As a "singer" who has been in this industry for many years, she knows very well how to hide her personal feelings in the melodies of the public.
"Well written."
Akina handed the notebook back to her, her fingers lightly tapping the sofa armrest as if keeping time: "As for the music style, I think it shouldn't be too sad. Since this is our first collaboration, how about trying something like—a more upbeat City Pop style? Or perhaps a ballad with a touch of rock?"
"We can use harmony."
Akina leaned closer, their shoulders almost touching: "You're in charge of the clarity in the high notes, and I'm in charge of the depth in the mid and low notes. It's like—we're confiding in each other."
Spring Water's eyes lit up: "Is it like a conversation?"
"Yes. Dialogue."
Akina pointed upstairs, a mysterious smile playing on her lips: "Besides, this song—only the three of us know its true meaning."
"Although it's sung for the whole world, every 'you' in the lyrics refers to that idiot above who's studying pigs."
"This is our secret, and also our public 'confession' to him."
The spring water paused for a moment.
They wrote their love for that person into a song and sang it to everyone, but only they themselves understood the deeper meaning behind it.
This secret romance made her heart pound.
"Um!"
Quanshui nodded emphatically, gripping her pen tightly, her eyes shining even brighter than before: "Then this sentence—I want to change this sentence. Change it to 'I want to go see that sea with you'—"
"Okay. Then I'll think of a melody for this part, how about something a little more upbeat?"
"Okay." Akina looked at her and smiled slightly.
In the play, Goro Zaizen is about to fall into hell.
But in real life, Kitahara Shin is heading towards heaven.
enjoy