The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

The son of Lady Louisa Lampson, named Mike Lampson.

Mike is 13 years old.When he was ten, Mr. and Mrs. Lampson began talking about sending him to school, and they were considering a high school on the West Side.

But at that time, it was just a consideration, because they still needed to save money to afford tuition and meals.

Three years ago, the Lampson family dreamed of moving into a big house in the East City one day in the midsummer sunshine; three years later, Mike Lampson lay down in a cold grave in the cold winter snow.Only his mother watched the scene.

There were only seven or eight people standing in the chapel.Louisa Lampson stands at the forefront, expressionless.She stared blankly at the small coffin in front of her.Mike Lampson's body will be cremated shortly.

The bishop of this small church is an old man with white hair.He read the eulogy in a drowsy voice.

"Young children...!"

Siles vaguely heard him say that.

"...I hope your soul can rest in the embrace of my God."

The eulogy was over quickly.Luisa thanked the bishop mechanically with a pale smile.Several young men came out and carried the coffin to the back of the church.Luisa let out a sob and trembled.

She leans on a church chair.A woman came over to comfort her, but soon, the people in the church slowly faded away.That's the end of a funeral.

Siles came to her side and said softly, "Ms. Lampson, sorry."

Luisa wore a plain black coat and dressed herself more decently, so that she was able to muster up the courage to attend her son's funeral.Her eyes were red and her voice was trembling: "Mr. Noel. My child...my Mike..."

She slumped on the chair, her eyes glazed over, and the tears left cold trails on her cheeks.

Sirius sat down beside her.

After a while, Louisa's emotions gradually calmed down—or rather, it was as calm as stagnant water.She whispered: "Sir, I would like to ask you to do me a favor... I am willing to give anything for it."

"...please tell me." Sirius said.

He didn't really need anything from Louisa.he thinks.However, he can't refuse a mother's determination now.Rather, he thought it would make Louisa feel better.

Those backlogged, crazy, sad and desperate emotions always need an outlet.And Luisa's "desperate" wording is a manifestation of this emotion.

Siles kept a quiet silence, listening to Louisa's words quietly.

"...When I returned to Ramifa City, I thought about whether to contact you. But I guess you hadn't returned to Ramifa City at that time, and besides, I had to be busy with my husband's funeral. So , this matter has been delayed for a while.

"When the weather was getting colder, my neighbor suddenly told me that the Darwin Hospital had launched free clinic activities, and widows like me could bring their children to the clinic. I was moved.

"Mike seemed to be doing better after I came back. He even knew that I was his mother and not some ghost trying to kill him. But sometimes, he would wake up in the middle of the night with a start, and then himself in the middle of a dream. Talk to yourself, as if you are talking to someone.

"I was still worried, so I took Mike to Darwin Hospital. The doctor over there checked Mike's condition and prescribed a medicine for him...I have already lost everything because of this medicine."

Having said that, Luisa suddenly raised her head, and looked at a smaller statue of Antinam placed in front of the chapel.She murmured, "I should be thankful that there was no charge for funerals in churches in the past."

Siles was silent.

Luisa suddenly laughed lowly, and then said almost hysterically: "There is no charge for the funeral, but there is a charge for everything else! There is a charge for seeing a doctor, taking medicine, and renting a house; you have to charge when you are alive, but you don't need it when you die! "

She let out a heart-piercing wail.In her opinion, as long as she has enough money, Mike's madness can be cured.However, she just had no money.

So they had to find a way to make money; so they went to the Neverland;

Siles hesitated for a moment, and finally he could only say dryly: "Sorry."

He seems to be saying this to Louisa all the time.

Louisa shuddered, then slowly calmed down.She said hoarsely and vaguely: "I'm sorry..." She hung her head and wiped her tears, her withered fingers were covered with frostbite, "I can understand what you mean...I can understand. But there are some things..."

She was silent for a while.

Finally she said: "I hope you can help investigate the cause of Mike's death."

……cause of death?Siles couldn't help but startled.He thought, but hadn't Mike's body been taken to be cremated?

Luisa continued: "It was on that train that I first heard the term... 'runaway time rails'. At that time my husband...

"As you can see, my husband seems to be a different person suddenly. It feels too weird, and he is somewhat similar to Mike. So, after returning to Lamifa City, I inquired about some news.

"...Some neighbors in the west city know some related rumors. What they said is not clear. I just got a general understanding and know that it is an item with magical power.

"Then... I thought of Mike. Mike... he once got something. I don't know, we were too busy, and I didn't understand what it was.

"I'd rather he was sick than a completely changed person because of that horrible, unbelievable thing. I don't understand how this could happen, I don't understand ... why our lives suddenly changed look.

"...Three years ago. It was three years ago that Mike's spirit suddenly started to become bad. Now that I think about it, he seems to have gotten that thing three years ago..."

Siles asked in a low voice, "What is that?"

"I don't know." Luisa said softly, "During that time, Mike's mental state was very bad, as if he suddenly went crazy. We didn't have time to carefully check the items in the house. At that time, the house was always messy.

"The only thing I remember is that it seemed to be a chain, a bracelet or a necklace. Mike had it with him all the time."

Sirius nodded thoughtfully.

Luisa continued: "I think that might be the truth about Mike...Mike's death. But I've been looking for the past two days, but I can't find it. I think maybe when he ran out some time ago, I accidentally dropped it somewhere."

She looked at Sirius expectantly: "Do you have a way to get that thing back?"

Looking for something?Siles thought.

He thought for a while, and then said, "It's possible. However, I need you to provide one of Mike's belongings."

Qin Duo once told him about several object-finding ceremonies, and the ceremonial manual provided by the Historical Society also mentioned many related time tracks.

In short, if one wants to find an item, the revealer first needs to know what the item looks like, secondly, the owner of the item, and finally, it is best to be able to obtain something related to the item.

For example, the belongings that were also carried by the owner of the item.

Knowing this, Siles made the request to Louisa.Of course, he may need to find a ritual specifically for finding objects - [Trace Tracking] is a possible choice, but he also needs a suitable "power-providing" helper.

... If the vagabond Bourne hadn't been on the opposite side of the church in the past, then his scouting attribute of 89 points would be an excellent choice.Siles couldn't help sighing regretfully in his heart.

Luisa seemed to be lost in thought. After a while, she said: "The clothes and daily necessities have been burned. The neighbors think it will...they think it will bring bad luck."

This made Sirius frowned.He thought that after her husband and son passed away one after another, a widow's life in West City might be very difficult.But Siles couldn't think of any way to help Luisa immediately.

Give money directly?But Louisa Lampson was no young waif like Jimmy.How to provide help is also a question worth considering.

Luisa said: "...you think the small bowl that Mike eats in is okay? It's his special bowl. We've been preparing food for him since he got sick..."

As she spoke, her expression gradually became broken again.

Siles said in good time: "Of course, Ms. Lampson."

Luisa took a deep breath and said, "Please wait for a few minutes, I'll go home and bring that bowl over."

Siles nodded.He didn't follow, he knew that Louisa might need some time alone at this moment.

He waited less than 10 minutes before Luisa returned with a slightly chipped earthenware bowl.She said: "This bowl was specially purchased a few years ago.

"At that time, we were used to buying bread in a bakery, and there was a pastry chef there, we had some friendship with her. At that time, she was not in good health and felt weak all the time, so she left the bakery and did some handicrafts at home. matter.

"This bowl was bought from the handicraft store where she later consigned items."

As she said that, Luisa suddenly smiled wryly: "I think this is also a job that suits me quite well."

Siles was slightly taken aback, and looked at the clay bowl with a surprisingly surprised expression.

Three years ago, he thought?A pastry chef who quit because of his frail health?Doing some handicraft work now?

...Isn't that Eric Collins' wife? !

Siles's impression of the lady was fixed on a thin, pale but gentle middle-aged woman.He didn't expect that Louisa Lampson, whom he met unexpectedly on the train, had an intersection with Mrs. Collens.

Mrs. Collens's name, he remembered, was...

"... Ms. Harriet Collens?" asked Siles. "Is this the lady who is the baker you speak of?"

Luisa looked at Siles suddenly, terrified, and she couldn't help saying: "You...how did you know her?! This is too coincidental...you actually know her?"

Siles was also a little surprised that it was really Harriet.

Then he said: "The address I gave you is 13 Milford Street. Mrs. Collens is working as a rent collector there now."

"It turned out to be so!" Louisa couldn't help saying. "When I went to deliver the letter, I saw her husband, but not her. I didn't expect that she was there..."

Her voice gradually became softer, and she seemed a little surprised and sighed.Three years have passed, time flies, and old friends meet again.

She seemed in a mood to reconnect.Siles was also happy to see the result, and he said: "Perhaps you can visit them when you are free. They will be very happy to receive you."

As Siles said this, he thought to himself that he has always dealt with Eric more.He didn't expect that such a subtle and vague clue was also involved in Eric's wife.

Thinking of this, he was startled suddenly.Then, he warned himself: Don't be misled by the prophetic theory that Alfonso guy believed in.Louisa's relationship with Harriet was a mere coincidence.

……I hope so.

When the subject was over, Siles said goodbye to Louisa.Louisa seemed to be planning to go home, but after watching her leave, Sirius hesitated for a moment and returned to the church.

He found the bishop of this small church, the gray-haired old man, and asked about Louisa.The bishop seemed a little surprised, but also very gently introduced the past of the Lampson family to Siles.

Neither Mr. Lampson nor Mrs. Lampson has a regular job. They work all over the West Side, running errands, sweeping, carting, washing clothes, weaving, etc. They do everything.However, things never got better.

After the successive deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Lampson, Louisa may continue her busy life, even if she becomes a widow.

Siles nodded thoughtfully, and he took out three ten-coin bills from his wallet, and asked the old and gentle bishop to hand them over to Luisa in the name of "charitable donation".He dare not give too much, nor is it suitable to give too much.

No matter what, it is a little thought after all.he thinks.

After finishing this matter, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the suppressed emotions in his heart had been dispelled a little.He left the chapel, the snow stopped outside, and there was a little snow on the side of the road.Siles found the right direction, and then headed for Ernestine's Tavern.

In a nearby abandoned house, he finds Jimmy.

Jimmy was wearing a heavy overcoat, and when he saw Siles, he greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning," said Siles.

"Good morning, sir. Thanks to you, otherwise we might all be frozen to death in this cold weather." Jimmy said sincerely, "Thank you for your help and kindness. The money you gave made all the waifs in the West City happy." It's been a little easier."

Siles smiled a little, and said in a low voice, "You're welcome." Then he said, "I'm here about Bourne the Bum. Anthony said you saw him?"

"Yes!" Jimmy replied hastily. "Not long ago...Let me see, I saw him near the Canla River on Thursday night."

Kanla River?Siles couldn't help but startled.

The place reminded Celes of Mike Lampson almost instantly.

Mike ran out of the house on Wednesday, the day the first snow fell in Ramifa.His mother found his body on the banks of the Kanla River on Friday afternoon.

Jimmy met Bourne, a homeless man, near the Canla River on Thursday night.

Siles wondered if the last places where these two people appeared were the same.Could Bourne the Tramp have anything to do with Mike's death?

Based on the current information, Siles is only suspicious, not sure.

Perhaps the tramp Bourne was heading to the Canla River for other reasons?Or maybe Mike's body was just dumped there?Perhaps they are just distributed along different banks and directions of the Kanla River, one dead and one alive, and there is no intersection at all.

While Siles was thinking, Jimmy continued to talk: "I went near the Kanla River to pick up garbage. You know, there are many noble mansions in the northern suburbs, so occasionally some nobles will appear on the upper reaches of the Kanla River We can pick up the unwanted garbage and sell it.

"Anyway, that night, we went there. Then I saw a figure...he...he seemed to have his upper body submerged in the icy river water. I thought it was a corpse, but waited We walked in, but he suddenly straightened up.

"That's when I found out he was Bourne the Tramp. We chatted for a while after that."

As he said that, Jimmy showed a look of fear and boredom, as if Bourne's appearance had caused him some trouble.

He hesitated for a while, and then said: "He greeted us as if nothing had happened. I asked him where he had been for so many days, but he asked me back, saying that he found that the clothes on my body were new, and asked me how I got money buying clothes.

"I was freaked out because I didn't expect him to find out... I vaguely said it was just good luck and picked up clothes that were still new. Then he said... he said he had been near the Kanla River for some time in the past , but didn't see much of us...

"He said we must have gotten rich. I didn't know how to answer this, I could only slur a few words, and then separated from him. When we walked away, he was still sitting there, his upper body was soaked , but it seems that they don't feel the cold at all... they keep looking at us."

Jimmy shuddered.

Sirius nodded slowly.It didn't surprise Sirius that the bum Bourne could spot Jimmy in his new clothes.After all, that was also a character card with 89 scouting attributes, but he was disguised as a homeless man.

But why did he appear in the Kanla River?Why do you immerse your upper body in water?Why chat with Jimmy about money and new clothes?

Siles was quite puzzled by this.

He asked other questions, but that was all Jimmy knew.It was dark at that time, and he couldn't see the specific situation of Bourne clearly, such as clothing and dressing-this is also the reason why he was frightened, because Bourne could tell at a glance that he was wearing new clothes.

Besides, Jimmy never saw Bourne again after that.

Siles thought for a moment, and felt that it was difficult to thoroughly investigate the problem, so he restrained his thoughts for the time being, and just asked, "What does Bourne look like?"

Jimmy thought for a while and said, "He's a man in his thirties, with a hunchback and squinting eyes... By the way, he has a mole here." Jimmy nodded his nose.

Sirius nodded understandingly.

Jimmy realized that the topic was over, so he hesitated, and asked softly: "Sir, can I ask...have you decided what business to do with that store?"

"Still thinking about it," said Siles. "Maybe we can make a decision by the end of the year. What do you think of children's toys?"

Considering that the world doesn't seem to have a concept of "educational toys", Siles only mentioned "children's toys" in the end.

Jimmy scratched his hair in confusion, and said a little confused: "I don't quite understand... what kind of toy?"

Siles couldn't help but get stuck.He suddenly realized that if he really wanted to sell those toys, then he first had to let people in this world accept the relevant gameplay.

He said: "If there is a chance, I can make some samples for you to try. Maybe...the store can also sell some other things."

Jimmy nodded and said with interest: "I see. Sir, I am looking forward to the toys you brought."

Siles smiled slightly, and said goodbye to Jimmy.It was almost noon, and he went directly to the nearby Ernestine Tavern for a meal.Eric happened to be there, and Siles took this opportunity to chat with him and mentioned the matter of Louisa Lampson.

Eric couldn't help but exclaimed: "Is that someone my wife once knew? That's really a coincidence."

Siles nodded too.

Eric said: "I hope my wife can comfort this poor lady." He shook his head again as he said, "However, this will eventually require her to come out on her own."

Siles nodded, but couldn't help but sigh.Such a tragedy may not be able to "come out" lightly for anyone.

After lunch, Siles planned to go to Bain's bookstore to attend the novelists' party.However, it occurred to him that it seemed to him that he hadn't visited the shop on Dawson Street for a long time.

He once asked the managers of the underground black market to help tidy up the shop, but after so long, Siles never heard from there again.He was worried that something might happen over there.

In addition, in the past period of time, a lot of things happened in the Duchy of Const and the Land of Never Embers.He was a little curious about the operation of the underground black market.

Not long after, Celes arrived at Dawson Street, and saw again the man who had received him last time.

"Sir!" said the man, "I'm impressed with you. Have you decided what store you want to open?"

"Some ideas," said Siles. "How's business here lately?"

"Oh..." The man hesitated for a moment, and then asked cautiously, "Why do you ask this question? Please rest assured that our transactions here are as usual."

Siles thought to himself, the more he said that, the more problematic it seemed.There is no silver 300 taels here.

He asked, "Just a casual question. Is there really a problem?"

The man couldn't help talking.He said, "It's not . . . it's not the question you imagine, sir."

They stood in front of the empty shop.Siles turned to look at him, his eyes were cold and calm, and he asked, "What's the problem?"

The man was silent for a moment in his gaze, and finally said helplessly: "Okay! Well, sir. You may have heard some news, but anyway, Dawson Street is still in operation, not the principality's high-level Fighting can affect it.

"You must not believe those nonsense. We have opened a black market here for many years, and there are related rumors every year, but next year, we are still here, and we will always be here!"

Siles was slightly taken aback, and said calmly: "I would like to believe this, but is there any evidence?"

He thought, sure enough, the atmosphere among the principality's high-level officials has been quite uneasy recently.

"Evidence..." The man hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Don't you think our business is going well now?"

"It is true now, but no one can say what will happen in the future."

The man looked at the empty shop in front of him. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Sir... You must know that there is a minister of the principality standing behind us."

Minister of the Principality.Sirius narrowed his eyes slightly.

The entire administrative system of the Duchy of Const can roughly be compared to the constitutional monarchy of Earth, but in the Duchy of Const, the rights of the Grand Duke are far greater than those of similar systems on Earth.

The contemporary grand duke has a closer relationship with the military, but a little less relationship with the administrative officials, what this man now calls "ministers"; moreover, the attitude of the nobles is more ambiguous.

Some of these aristocrats are just waiting to die, while others have a lot of money, and some of them will also participate in the administrative affairs of the Principality.However, very few nobles can really take the position of ministers. In the hundreds of years of history of the Principality of Constance, there have been only a few noble ministers in total.

The aristocrats who are keen on administrative affairs mostly just appear in a detached attitude, appearing as "advisors", "staff", "helpers" and other similar identities.

But it cannot be denied that these nobles will indeed have a certain influence on the Grand Duke and ministers.

... Which minister is the "minister" this man is talking about?

A name came naturally to Siles's mind - the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he thought.However, it is difficult to prove their guess is correct.

Siles was silent for a moment, then said, "I see."

The man also breathed a sigh of relief, and said very graciously: "You don't have to worry. In short, you can open the store whenever you want. We sincerely look forward to your arrival."

Siles was noncommittal, said goodbye to him, and then went shopping in the underground black market.He was not too surprised to find that, on the whole, the business here was not affected in any way as the man said.

Of course, due to the weather, the transportation of some items is still a problem, so things including time rails and some daily necessities have increased in price.

While wandering around, Siles suddenly realized that the children's toys he wanted to sell were simply incompatible with the overall style of the underground black market.He couldn't help thinking, can he really make money?

Of course, to a large extent, his purpose of opening the store was to consume the dividends that Grayson's company gave him.He always felt that it was ill-gotten wealth, so he might as well put it on the market.

He strolled around for a while longer and realized that the underground black market had a wide variety of commodities, and there were also many daily necessities.If it weren't for the sunless underground, Dawson Street would look like an ordinary market place.

Of course, considering the minister of the principality behind it, this is not surprising.

... What was really surprising was that here Siles accidentally ran into an acquaintance.

Jon Mansfield.Detective Jon.

The young detective is standing at the door of a shop, looking thoughtfully at the time track on the booth.

He noticed Sirius' gaze, so he turned his head to look over.He was obviously surprised, and then smiled: "Professor Noel, long time no see."

"Long time no see." Siles walked in front of him, "I left Ramifa City during the winter vacation."

"No wonder." Jon said, "I still want to inquire about your whereabouts with the novelist."

Siles was startled, and said with some surprise: "Is there anything you need to ask me?"

"Uh..." Jon touched his chin, and then said, "I can't say...it's a big deal. It's just that I want to discuss the Grayson incident with you, after all, we experienced the scene that happened in the palace kitchen together. "

Siles suddenly realized.

From a detective's point of view, Jon is probably very curious about the hidden truth behind the Grayson incident.However, due to various reasons, the investigation and truth of the Grayson incident have always been kept secret.

As for the discovery of Siles in the Everland, even fewer people know about it.

Siles thought for a while and said, "Maybe we can talk in another place."

"Of course!" Jon replied readily.

They walked along Dawson Street all the way to Logan's Market.It just so happened that Siles could take a cab to Bain's bookstore there.

On the way, Siles gave a general account of the ins and outs of the Grayson incident, including a little mention of what happened in the Land of No Embers.Of course, he didn't go into great detail.

Jon listened thoughtfully, nodding now and then.He didn't ask too many details.After Siles finished speaking, he sighed, "It turns out that there are so many complicated pasts in it."

Siles fully agrees with his idea.

"Thank you for clarifying my doubts." Jon laughed. "By the way, I heard about what happened in the Historical Society. Congratulations, professor, you have successfully recovered the reputation you deserve."

Siles was slightly taken aback.He couldn't help but wonder, was Jon referring to the ritual of "self-reincarnation"?

But how could he be so well-informed?

Siles was a little confused, but thanked Jon very naturally.He thought that the mysterious atmosphere shrouded in this detective became more and more intense.

"You're welcome, Professor. After all, the Historical Society owes you." Jon said with a smile.

These words made Siles feel once again that Jon seemed to have some personal enmity with the Historical Society.

Considering that Jon once joined the Historical Society and then quit, this sentiment does not seem incomprehensible.Jon appears to be trying to draw Cilleus into his fold.

After chatting, they walked to Logan Market.Siles took out his pocket watch and looked at it, and found that it was past twelve o'clock, so he said goodbye to Jon.

Before leaving, Jon seemed to have thought of something, and said, "By the way, professor, I found that the price of time rails has risen a bit recently, maybe it's because of the weather, or maybe there's something wrong with the Land of Embers.

"In short, if you want to buy a time track, you'd better get it early, lest you won't be able to buy it later."

Siles thought for a while, and then said: "I don't have any time tracks that I need right now... No, there may be one, a time track that [Trace Tracking] can use."

Detective Jon was a little surprised to hear this, and then said: "In that case..." He took out a magnifying glass from his pocket, handed it to Siles, and said with a smile, "Then I will give you this magnifying glass. "

Siles couldn't help but startled.

"At the back kitchen of the dinner, I passed out. But when I woke up, everything was resolved. Is that your credit?" Jon said, "Although you don't take the credit, no matter what, I still I am thinking of your kindness, and you just explained my doubts to me.

"In short, I'm a detective. Since this magnifying glass can help you, I will give it to you."

Siles hesitated for a moment, finally took the magnifying glass, and thanked Jon for his kindness.

He thought, according to his memory, as a detective, Jon's investigative attributes are also very good.It did relieve him.

Of course, he felt that there must be related rituals of finding objects at Qindo's place.But no matter what, he didn't need to reject Jon's kindness at this time.

Soon, he bid farewell to Jon, then boarded a rental carriage and headed to Bain's bookstore.Detective Jon was left alone, still standing where he was, silently staring in the direction Sirius left.

After a while, Jon suddenly laughed.He said, "Cileus Noel..." He pronounced the name with some amusement, and then said to himself, "See what you can find with this magnifying glass."

He laughed, and turned around to look in the direction of Dawson Street in Lamifa West City.He stared fixedly for a moment, then retracted his gaze, and walked slowly into the wind and snow.

It's snowing again in Ramifa City.

This cold weather made Siles, who walked into the warm third floor of Bain Bookstore, couldn't help but sigh.

He hoped that when he left Bain's and returned to 6 Hayward Street, Cendo would be there and the stove would be lit.Earthlings who once hated open fires for warmth were finally awakened by the cold air.

He sits down.Today's gathering of novelists is even smaller, just him, Antonia Cumming, and Maynard Daves.

Maynard looked at the joke a little bit, but also with a worried expression, he said: "That guy Arvid's cold has worsened again. It's so pitiful."

Siles was a little surprised to learn this, he said, "Isn't Arvid's cold getting better soon?"

"Yeah, but when the first snow arrived, the situation got worse again." Maynard shrugged, and he looked at Siles suspiciously, "You seem to have a cold too?"

Siles said helplessly, "That's true...but it's getting better soon."

Then Antonia said: "You must take care of your health. This winter has never been colder than it has ever been."

Maynard nodded and said, "I heard that some railroad tracks were damaged by sudden heavy snow. And it's only November. I really don't know what the situation will be like in the next three months. If you ask me, spring should come soon.”

Siles couldn't help but startled.

Only then did he suddenly realize that this world is different from Earth, and does not have such a well-developed transportation network.In addition, the fog also blocks communication in many areas.

In other words, if a major meteorological disaster really occurs this winter, the world's industrial, agricultural, and economic systems may fall into a short-term collapse.

It may not be that serious and terrible, but it can be called a disaster anyway.

He couldn't help but echo Maynard's statement.

Maynard rubbed his chin: "The railroad tracks crushed by heavy snow, the trapped train and passengers... This seems to be a suspense story. However, I seem to have heard of this story somewhere..."

He was lost in thought.

Antonia laughed, and she said, "You've been thinking about your new novel recently. Why don't you spend this winter in peace, the cold weather always makes people not want to pick up a pen."

"That's true." Maynard nodded, "It's just that I can't control myself."

Antonia smiled very gracefully, and just said: "You should learn from me. I have already refused to accept letters from the publisher."

Maynard stared at her dumbfounded.

Antonia said nonchalantly: "The postmen will send those letters back. Don't worry, I have specially prepared tips for the postmen, so as not to increase their burden."

Siles: "..."

An unheard of way of dragging manuscripts.

Maynard glanced at Antonia, and finally choked out a sentence: "But, Ms. Cumming, I am also looking forward to your new work."

Antonia smiled and said, "Then you can look forward to it slowly."

Maynard: "..."

He whimpered and curled himself into a ball.

Siles couldn't help smiling.

They chatted about the weather, new works, food, and more.Afterwards, Siles asked Maynard one thing: "Maynard, about the