bustling city

"Jesus healed those who were suffering from serious diseases, not because he thought their situation was not perfect..." The sunlight falls perfectly on the stone building exterior wall, and the artificial lawn in front of the court, and the shade of trees scattered in the open space and between houses.

Perhaps it was the endless wind that brought the bishop's mellow and bright voice full of tolerance and love from the slightly opened windows of the church.

"He healed them because their souls asked for that healing...healing was part of those souls' experiences...he saw the perfection of the process, and he deeply understood the soul's intent..." "You are filled with fear— Sitting on the lawn, Zhou Jin leaned against the stone wall that was slightly warmed by the sun, imitating the tone of the bishop and whispered, "What you are most afraid of is that my biggest promise may be the biggest lie in life. "

*The soprano in the earphones, bubbling like the spring of milk and honey in Canaan, is singing a German lyrics sweetly and tenderly—this is the "homework" left for him by Yan Jun.

Zhou Jin thought about it for a moment, and answered to the air to himself: "Mendelssohn No. 30 No. [-], No. [-], the lyrics are taken from Heine's poem "On the Wings of Singing"."

After finishing speaking, he turned on the Walkman to confirm the answer, a complacent smile appeared on his face, and he snapped his fingers.

"UndinderFernerauschenDesheiligenStromesWell'nUndinderFernerauschenDesheiligenStromesWell'n." (*German: The waves of the holy river in the distance made noise) Zhou Jin squinted his eyes comfortably, repeating these two lyrics playfully, like tasting candy between his lips and tongue.

In the room separated by a wall, there was a creaking sound of chairs moving. After that, the bishop said a regular prayer, and then everyone said "Amen" in unison. Zhou Jin stood up and patted the back. There may be dust, knowing that the big worship is now over.

Men and women in costumes came out of the church one after another. They walked along the stone path in the vestibule to the side of the road, where various luxury cars were parked. In an instant, they will carry their respective masters to the place of lust and pleasure.

This is the most prestigious church in Mephisto City. It is said to be prestige, but in fact it is just because the dignitaries in the city are used to visiting: in this city of chasing fame and fortune, their movements represent authority to a certain extent.

Zhou Jin was wearing a casual attire, and now he pulled up the hood of his coat to cover his face, wandering around inconspicuous corners, as if he only lingered in the surrounding flowers and plants, almost mixed with the gardeners, no one noticed he.

It wasn't until he saw Yan Jun walking out with the bar owner on his arm, laughing and talking with other fellow travelers, and standing on the porch saying goodbye, that he looked at crowded places a little more frequently than before.

After a while, Yan Jun and his female companion came over.

After going to the bar for the first time, it took a long time for Zhou Jin to know that the girl’s name was Shea, and it was said that she was a mixed race of Egyptian and Irish descent. She speaks fluent and natural Chinese—so natural that one cannot help thinking that it is her mother tongue.

In short, this woman's past is more suspicious than Yan Jun's. Zhou Jin was only curious for a while at the beginning, but after he couldn't find out anything, he lost the patience to inquire.

When going out to attend important gatherings, Yan Jun often brings Xi Ya to act as his lover. The two behave intimately and tacitly in public, and sometimes Zhou Jin can't help but suspect that the person who spends day and night with Yan Jun is not himself. But Shea.

At this moment, Xi Ya was holding Yan Jun's arm, resting his arm loosely on Yan Jun's arm, leaning over to his male companion, turning his head and half covering his mouth to whisper something to him, after finishing speaking, both of them laughed, this The movement was maintained until they were completely out of sight of the crowd.

Only less than half a second apart, they separated quickly like magnets of the same polarity, their expressions were still relaxed and natural, but there was a layer of intimacy and flirting that only exists between lovers.

Zhou Jin stood up straight, with one hand behind his back and the other in his trouser pocket, nodding to the people who came.

Anyone who has seen Yan Jun watching from the sidelines of the gambling table when the two met for the first time will be surprised to find that only three months have passed, and even the change of seasons has not accumulated enough power to change the natural scenery. Zhou Jin, who was exposed like a dagger at the beginning, now has almost the same posture as Yan Jun at that time, and his lackluster ordinary clothes can hardly conceal the dignity exuded in his demeanor.

If you really want to talk about the difference, it's probably just that Yan Jun still looks deep and stable, while Zhou Jin is more like a newcomer who has just entered the social circle and is full of energy.

People can see his undisguised disdain from his blazing eyes, his ambition is like the diamond in the center of the queen's crown, indestructible and shining without reservation.

Even though we spend almost every minute together 24 hours a day, the relative situation in the training room is always different from this situation.

Facing the sun, Yan Jun himself couldn't help being a little surprised when he saw Zhou Jin's appearance.

"Now I can't help but call you Mr. Zhou," Shea said with a half-joking tone, "otherwise I always feel rude."

As she spoke, she stretched out her hand. Zhou Jin politely held her knuckles lightly, leaned over and gave her a polite kiss on the back of her hand.

"It's too high," Yan Jun corrected, "It will make the lady feel that you are taking advantage of the opportunity."

Zhou Jin straightened up in embarrassment, and said hello, "Brother Yan."

Yan Jun nodded and continued the topic just now: "A place about one centimeter below the last joint is the most suitable place - if you are really not sure, just kiss the last joint of her middle finger directly.

Again. "

Xi Ya stretched out her hand for him to practice, and said: "What else is it called Brother Yan, let's call it Strict.

Or just call it strict—fuck, it's too strict! "Zhou Jin thought for a while, and realized that this was a game of splitting words, so he smiled very face-saving.

- they go around the church.

From the suddenly open meadow behind came the sound of a small band playing.

Yan Jun listened for a moment, then turned his gaze to Zhou Jin.

The latter responded immediately: "Bach, Goldberg Variations, for string trio."

Conversations like this have probably happened countless times between the two.

"When you brought him to Cuscuta, I thought to myself that such a wild horse might not be tameable—it seems that I underestimated you."

Shea said sincerely.

Yan Jun shook his head indifferently: "You underestimated him."

The place where the small band played was arranged like an open-air venue.

The morning has just passed, and noon has not yet arrived. The dew on the grass has not yet evaporated completely. It looks wet and greener than before, which makes people feel affectionate.

"Ah Jin won't be with you today, I'll take a leave of absence for him."

Yan Jun said.

Shea spread her hands, expressing that she had expected it a long time ago: "What else can I make you come to the church?" She said.

In the past three months, Zhou Jin has been trained by Yan Jun from manners, business at the gaming table, and fighting. Only when it comes to the bar, he specially asked Shea to let Zhou Jin Become an impeccable bartender.

During that time, Zhou Jin was like a wild beast that was suddenly trapped in a cramped cage. There were barbs on the railing of the cage that could penetrate flesh and blood. Not to mention struggling, he just didn't pay attention when turning around. Whenever you touch it, you will experience bloody pain.

He felt that he was in purgatory, exhausted, and had fiercely resisted Yan Jun's inexplicable extra request.

However, as in the past, Yan Jun did not give any explanation for his decision, and asked Zhou Jin to comprehend it by himself.

Later, Zhou Jin gradually understood when he thought of the false identity Yan Jun had prepared for him.

——The safest way to remember an identity is to become it.

Shea wandered across the meadow to the other end alone, not knowing what she was going to do, that was not the route back to Mephisto City.

I don't know what the theme of the open-air banquet is. It's probably still early now. Except for the string orchestra rehearsing on the spot, the meadow is empty, and there are only the two of them standing between the rows of seats surrounded by flowers.

"Our first opponent," Yan Jun said, "you'll see him in a while."

Zhou Jin lifted his spirits and looked at Yan Jun expectantly.

The latter patted the back of the chair next to him.

Following Yan Jun's instructions, Zhou Jin immediately noticed that there was a string of English words embroidered on the silk chair cover, and the content of the text was different on each chair: that was the names of the attendees.

In the position next to Yan County, there will be a man named Doroer.

Dorol.

Zhou Jin recited the name silently in his heart.

This is his first opponent.

"Like you, he is also a young novice gambler who specializes in Texas Hold'em. It is said that he is invincible in all major casinos without a single loss - the most famous battle was in Atlantic City at the beginning of this year. Here, I won [-] million US dollars.

Mephisto invited him to play an exhibition match here two weeks later, but Doroel didn't specify an opponent, saying that he could face anyone as long as he wanted. "

"So arrogant?" Zhou Jin asked with contempt beyond words.

"It's not all madness.

He has signed an agreement with the casino.

This person is well-known, and there will definitely be people taking risks with sky-high stakes just to win him—and the casino not only wants him to win, but also his cooperation. "

"Understood, the banker himself wants to make money from the challenger."

Zhou Jin understood, he looked straight into Yan Jun's eyes, like the eyes of a hound looking at a hunter before chasing a hare, loyal and fanatical.

"What about you," he asked, "what do you want?" Yan Jun raised his hand to caress the back of Zhou Jin's neck, pressed his shoulder, and brought him closer to him: "I want you to win him.

Win a hundred dollars, neither more nor less, but discredit him. "

Note: *From "Dialogue with God", I just borrowed it~