City of Burning Snow

He thought he was being called to be a personal bodyguard, or at worst a secretary, and the word "partner" never entered his head. He was taken to the office, and he dug his ears, not sure if he heard it wrong up.Dostoevsky closed the door softly to shut out all noise.

Dostoevsky has an innate grace in his gestures, but he has little in the way of continued candor.Repeatedly, he spread his hands, as if this was all the answers. "Look, just do me a favor."

"...Why did you choose me?"

"Because I trust you." Dostoevsky handed him an unfinished letter on the table.It was a document legalizing the partner, and there was only one signature missing on it, "Actually, there is nothing to do, I have already gone through all the formalities."

Gogol took the paperwork.He was silent.The other party didn't seem to think that he would really refuse this matter at all, all he needed was a buffer time.

"You can come and go freely in all the places I can enter. We have the same status, and you don't need to be additionally approved. You don't have to go back to the Sentinel to live a life of doing nothing. There are a lot of jobs piled up around me every day. We have a lot of Chance to go out."

Like handing the other party a birthday present, Dostoevsky waited for Gogol's reaction. Seeing that the other party was so silent, he quickly tried to enlighten the other party.

"I know that you have always regarded me as a good friend. So do I. So we don't need to really combine, just pretend to be in front of people. When the recent turmoil passes, I will help you forge another identity."

"No."

"Why not? This matter will not affect your future happiness, and you don't have to worry about me breaking through your spiritual defenses. You know me best, and I will not violate your heart if I violate anyone. Honestly Tell me, why are you so hesitant?"

"No, because of me, I like, like..." Gogol's thoughts knotted, "I like..."

I like you.

Under the expectant gaze of the other party, Gogol suddenly wished that the air conditioner in this room could be turned colder.He took the letter and started fanning his cheeks.He couldn't say it.

"I want you to tell me about the incident beforehand! What's the matter, why are you suddenly so eager to find a partner?"

"The situation is too late." Dostoyevsky knocked on the table thoughtfully, not paying attention to the change in Gogol's expression, "I also thought about other possibilities, but I think this plan is sure to be safe .If I tell you and you will agree, I can make a few words now. Where do you want to start?"

Does that mean you agree?Gogol waved his hands again and again: "No, no, I'd better think about it first."

Dostoyevsky was so bright-eyed.Gogol was afraid that the outright refusal would damage the friendship they had just picked up.According to his understanding of Dostoyevsky, the other party may have carefully considered this matter for a long time. He has made a lot of considerations before, and now he may hurt his self-esteem by refusing.He couldn't understand how Dostoevsky would think that Gogol could agree to such a big event with a silly smile and a slap on the forehead—is Gogol such a casual person?He felt extra dizzy.

Who is Dostoevsky, the only senior guide in the new Russian tower.The low-level soldiers and such a big man have exchanged birthday gifts for seven years. Everyone can see that this is already the limit that Gogol can do in the eyes of everyone.

A frizzy and careless person like him never forgets to give Dostoevsky a birthday present for seven years.Even a fool could see that he liked him, and even Goncharov was jealous of him for it.During the years when he liked Dostoevsky, he didn't dare to mention the meeting because of his physical condition.He had always felt that Dostoevsky himself would gradually discover this—

Many people in the sentry post laughed at him because Gogol couldn't hide things.When he likes someone, he can't wait to pick off the stars and flowers and send them to him.He did not expect Dostoevsky himself to be so slow in this regard.

This person is still peeking at the clock from the corner of his eye.

"Even if you don't need to have deep, deep contact, you were affected by just touching me a few days ago." Gogol reminded him, "How can we become 'partners'? My physique is not accessible to guides! It's to open a door for you or something, but I'm sure I can control it, and I consider myself a 'partner' in front of others, and we still have to be two or three meters away... Isn't that weird?"

"It's not that serious." Dostoyevsky said, "I've already prepared in advance. I've done simulations along your train of thought these days. If there is a high fever reaction when I touch it next time, I will It can be handled perfectly. Besides, we don’t need to conduct a pairing test, just register. There may be regular shallow mental training, and I will find a way to shirk it.”

Gogol was defeated.How can it be so difficult to convince?

He may never have the chance to pierce the window paper in his life, and he still cares about what Dostoevsky said just now, "I have thought about other possibilities"—he cares about the meaning of these words.

In addition to Gogol, Dostoevsky also has plans B, C, and D. He tried his best to discuss issues rationally, but he was already caught in a dilemma:

If he accepts it now, he will acquiesce in the "false partner" that the other party called before and agree to an instant transaction; if he does not accept it, he will lose the most precious trust between the two, and Dostoevsky will not adopted him.

"All registered partners have to re-test the indicators. With so many eyes staring at you, even if you try to deceive the observers, you will be discovered. Besides, you know, all the guides who tried to open my spiritual department are dead. It's..."

"I won't die. If you do hurt me, I'll destroy your mind and use you as a backstop. I think it's fair."

Gogol smiled weakly.It's fair.Talking about such a dark idea in a serious way made him feel that the other party was a little cute.He felt that his mentality had no chance of winning in this conversation, and he struggled in the end.

"There must be another better way..."

"That's why I asked you to come. I need a partner, and I trust you. All that matters is your signature. When you sign this paper, I will share my life according to the promise on it." The plan—that is a secret that only a few people know, and I thought you would be interested in hearing about it."

"Only you know whether it is a life plan or not, but the contract is written in black and white and everyone can see it! In the end, there is only one fact cast in front of you: I have become your nominal partner."

"That's right." Dostoevsky's eyes sparkled. "I need you. Be with me, Nikolai."

I need you.

The sentinel's head was hot, and he almost agreed, because the guide really couldn't just listen to it!He quickly put the side of the paper with text on the table. "That won't work either!" said Gogol. "Absolutely not, I don't want to sign this name as soon as my head gets hot, I..."

Nor did he want to lose Dostoevsky's sole favor at this time.It suddenly occurred to him that since he hadn't made up his mind, he should pretend to run away and accidentally tear off the piece of paper—wouldn't that be all right?A moment of indifference flashed across Dostoevsky's eyes.The bird-like mentality made Gogol's side faintly windy, and he didn't stop him.

"I see, are you such a person?"

Gogol's heart sank.The wind fell back stealthily. "no!"

"What isn't it?"

"Whatever you want to say, I'm not what you think I am."

"I see. It doesn't matter."

Dostoyevsky didn't want to listen to his defense anymore, he reached for the paper that Gogol had pressed on the table. "Give me back this piece of paper, you don't have to sign this name."

Speaking so bluntly, there was no need to continue the discussion, and he asked Gogol to let go.Gogol held the paper tightly and did not dare to let go.

"I think it's too risky to match up with a sentry who may cut you into pieces at any time!" He argued, "I'm doing it for your own good. Pretending to be a partner is too dangerous, as long as it's not this kind of plan, I will I can help you [-]%!"

——I just want to become a real partner with you!

He swallowed the truth back into his mouth, and the confession was full of chest. He actually messed up such a simple thing——

He let him down, Dostoevsky was about to implement plan B, he not only made Dostoevsky no longer trust him, but also started to get angry, he couldn't explain to himself, he had to return the uniform he just got without wearing it Going back, before going out, Goncharov wanted to scold him for being inferior, he looked up in a daze in his heart, but saw that the other party was looking back at him rather blankly, and the paper he drew made him stagger .

"You like me?"

He looked back, only to realize that the other party didn't wear gloves today.The fight just now caused Dostoyevsky to touch his finger and was overheard... Gogol was also taken aback.A century is not as long as this one.At this point, he could only grit his teeth and tell the truth.

"Yes, I like it."

"Are you serious?"

"... Can't you just take it seriously!" Gogol blushed, "I, I'm also a Cossack! Can't I be serious this time in my life?"

"I see, then go out and eat something."

Gogol is a bit down. "……What?"

Almost at a speed that even the sentries couldn't react, the paper on the table was pulled away.Dostoevsky put it back in the envelope and put it away in the elm chest of drawers.

The mood of the guide at this time can not be seen from the expression.

"The open-air cafe on the top floor is just in the direction of going out."

"...What about the contract?"

"It's as if I haven't discussed it with you."

tbc.