Zongman: Unknowingly trapped in the hatchet

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"I don't quite understand what big brother is saying."

The corners of Misaki's mouth twitched, like a frozen marionette.

A few roses lay crookedly in the snow, and their petals were wilting at an incredible speed.

"It's pointless to keep pretending now. I'm not here to ask for my money back. I just want to talk to you."

Su Qing was playing with the roses in her hands.

Although it is very fresh, it is just an ordinary variety. The market price in this season should be around 1000.

Speaking of which, if even he can tell that this isn’t Ecuador, Yukino should be able to tell that too, right?

I just don't know why she didn't make this clear.

"...Okay, if it's just a chat, I can agree to it."

Misaki bit her lower lip and nodded, but was ready to run away at any time.

She couldn't believe what Su Qing said.

What if this is just a delaying tactic by the other party?

She couldn't afford to gamble that much.

"Then let's talk about why we lie..."

Su Qing asked.

But before he could finish his words, the snow suddenly exploded into tiny ice crystals.

Misaki ran out like a frightened hare, her red scarf pulled into a straight line by the wind, leaving plum blossom marks of varying depths on the snow.

Su Qing looked at Misaki's running back and sighed softly.

He was in no hurry to chase after her.

After all, he was holding the music box in his hand, which was not very convenient.

What's more, an adult man chasing a little girl is weird no matter how you think about it, right?

It's possible that you might be judged as a lolita complex by passers-by who are brave enough to help others!

But it doesn’t matter.

With these footsteps, plus the perception of [Absolute Sense of Smell], it is enough to track the opponent.

That's how he came here just now.

In fact, he really didn't want to do anything to the little girl.

It can even be said that Su Qing admires the other party a little.

It is not just a matter of selling inferior products as good ones. Misaki cleverly uses human association to let passers-by judge for themselves that it is "Ecuador". At the same time, she is also screening whether the target knows about the goods, so as to further control the strength of the price reduction.

She even knows how to take advantage of her youth.

At this age, he is quite smart.

Just not very cautious.

Su Qing looked at the time. It was not yet eight o'clock, so there was still plenty of time. So he leisurely followed Misaki in the direction she left.

……

About seven or eight minutes later.

The colorful lights at the entrance of the alley illuminated the silhouette of a woman, her waterfall-like black hair swaying in the wind.

She looked down at the rose petals scattered on the snow like strawberry jam on a sundae.

The most important thing is that it is exactly the same as the one you have in your hand.

As she lowered her head, I wondered what the girl was thinking.

It was not until the cold wind from not far away, wrapped in the noise of passers-by, blew towards her that she slowly raised her eyes as if awakened.

The girl half tilted her face up, like a frostbitten lily of the valley.

The crow-feather-colored night slanted down from between her eyelashes, filling the depths of her pupils with a dark ocean.

Dark and deep.

There were no stars or moon in those eyes.

It just flows quietly with a liquid-like luster.

Just like the white snow hidden deep under the thick snow.

……

?

In an old apartment building, the musty smell in the stairwell mixed with the smell of disinfectant is like a wet blade against your throat.

The voice-activated lights stopped working on the seventh step, and the sharp sounds of wild cats could be heard from time to time.

The conditions here are so bad that it's hard to believe this is Tokyo.

But it’s also true that it has nothing to do with region or country. In fact, the rich are always just a handful of people.

Misaki tread lightly on the rotten wooden steps, letting out a teeth-grinding groan.

She glanced back warily.

No one followed.

Phew... Looks like I should have gotten rid of that big brother.

Misaki pulled up her sleeves, revealing a cute electronic watch. The lens of the watch was bright enough to reflect the shadow of her trembling eyelashes.

This was a birthday present her mother had given her long ago.

The time displayed on the screen is 19:43.

This was much earlier than she had ever returned before.

Misaki's eyes moved slightly, and after putting the watch away, her mind quickly became active.

She was so scared just now that she ran straight home in a panic.

But this is really too dangerous.

What if someone were to follow the clues and find out who was behind this? Wouldn't that be terrible?

Misaki pursed her lips tightly, her eyes showing a reflection different from that of her peers.

What the older brother said was right... I should indeed pick some students to target, at worst I could just get them at a cheaper price.

Anyway, her flowers only cost about 1,000 Sakura yen and were bought at an ordinary flower shop.

Wait, according to this idea, wouldn’t the success rate be higher if we ask couples to sell flowers?

Moreover, many girls are vain, and boys are embarrassed to save face, so they can try to raise the price a little bit...

Misaki subconsciously touched her pocket, and only after confirming that the money was still there did she feel completely relieved.

It seems that only cold banknotes can give this seemingly ten-year-old girl the rare sense of security.

Misaki peered through the blinds and noticed that the lights in the house were still on.

A few snowflakes fell on the window, creating a faint circle of light in the darkness.

Forget it, I won’t go selling flowers tonight. I’ve earned enough, so I’d better go home and see my mom.

Under the dim light, the sound of the key being inserted into the keyhole was particularly harsh, covering up the sound of footsteps.

"No need to run. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. I just want to talk to you. Besides, you can't outrun me even if you run."

A strange yet familiar voice fell on Misaki's ears like thunder.

The turning key suddenly stopped.

Misaki turned suddenly, her back hitting the rusty fire escape, making a sound like wind chimes.

The wild cat in the dark seemed to be startled by this, and its green eyes suddenly went out behind the trash can.

Why is this guy still haunting me?

And how did this come about?

Misaki's eyes quickly fell on a series of footprints on the snow.

It dawned on her.

Because of her age, she is very small in size, so she is easy to tell.

But even so, it doesn't make sense?

Because the footprints in some places are covered by other people, not to mention that there is snow not everywhere.

"Can we talk somewhere else? If you agree to my request, I will return all the money I cheated from you. I swear I won't run away again this time."

Misaki took a deep breath and made a final request.

It seemed as if there was some taboo here that made her feel scared. Even her voice was trembling. This time she was definitely not pretending.

"This should be your home, right?"

Su Qing didn't reply, but just glanced at the key on the door handle and made a perfunctory confirmation.

"It's not my house...it's the key I stole!"

Misaki clenched her fists, her nails leaving crescent-shaped marks on her palms.

She never felt that she was so unlucky. Even when she was looked down upon and insulted by those people for selling flowers, she never complained about her fate or wondered why she was not born in a better family.

No, maybe I have thought about it countless times.

It just got shattered countless times in the cold reality.

Now she only prays that Su Qing can leave here as soon as possible.

But all this just backfired.

When you are panicking, it seems like all the bad luck in your life is coming one after another.

"Xiaosaki, are you outside? Who are you talking to?"

The gentle, weak female voice instantly melted the icy air.

It also melted all the forced calmness on Misaki's face.

"No, no one, I'm just talking to myself!"

Misaki agreed in a panic, but the footsteps approaching behind the door became clearer and clearer.

How to do how to do?

The only thing she did was that she didn't want her mother to know.

Su Qing was still standing there, and it was too late to leave even now.

What's more, the other party doesn't seem to have any intention of leaving.

Misaki held back the tears that were about to fall, looked at Su Qing with a pair of pitiful eyes, and pleaded in a very low voice.

"Please, don't tell my mother what I did. I would do anything. Please, okay?"

……

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