Childhood Trauma

"You're the end of summer?!"

Eri was truly shocked, and even gasped softly, but fortunately, this corner of the library was quiet enough.

She was certainly aware of this novel that was now causing a sensation in the literary world and among readers; in fact, she herself was a reader of it and had been deeply moved by Tetsuya Ishigami's twisted, obsessive, yet incredibly pure love.

But she never expected that the author "Xia Mo," who could write such profoundly insightful stories about human nature and with amazing emotional tension, was actually the Chinese boy in front of her who looked about the same age as her daughter.

This was no longer just surprise, it was downright horrification.

Seeing the disbelief shining in Eri Kisaki's usually calm and wise eyes, Lin Ran nodded in satisfaction, confirming once again:

"Genuine or genuine."

Eri Kisaki took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. Looking at the smiling boy before her, she realized for the first time with such clarity—

This world truly belongs to geniuses.

The person before us is undoubtedly a genius among geniuses.

……

That's why top lawyers are truly top lawyers; their composure is remarkable.

Lin Ran watched as Eri simply took a breath, pursed her full red lips, and the turbulent waves surging in her sharp eyes quickly subsided, restoring her calm and rationality.

She pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses and said in a solemn and sincere tone, "Lin... no, Teacher Xia Mo, please allow me to apologize again for my rudeness just now. I was narrow-minded. Literature and aesthetics should not have national boundaries. Your talent is admirable."

Lin Ran was naturally delighted to receive such a sincere apology and expression of respect from such a beautiful and mature woman.

You should know that this is none other than the invincible Queen Eri!

It's not easy to get her to say the word "admire".

"Attorney Fei, you're too kind. I prefer you to call me by my name rather than 'teacher,' or... you could call me 'the great writer,' would that be fine too?"

Lin Ran blinked, a hint of youthful cunning in his eyes.

Eri Kisaki's lips curved into a slight smile at his playful words, her icy demeanor melting away slightly. "Okay, Lin Ran..."

"What was the real name of that work you just saw?"

She couldn't help but ask the question that concerned her the most.

Lin Ran stopped keeping him in suspense: "Snow Country."

"Snow Country..." Eri Kisaki repeated softly, her eyes revealing a sense of relief and deeper appreciation, "Just as I thought." "It's beautiful, it's very fitting."

The atmosphere between the two eased completely, and after chatting for a while, the topic naturally turned to literature.

Having lived two lives, and now immersed in books in this one, Lin Ran possesses an extremely vast knowledge base. Whether it's literature, history, philosophy, or social phenomena, she can readily discuss them fluently.

His insights are often unique and profound, yet his words are always humorous and elegant.

As a successful elite woman, Eri Kisaki possesses exceptional knowledge and vision, making it difficult for ordinary people to pique her interest in Intellect.

But at this moment, she was clearly attracted to him.

This young man's words and actions possessed a composure and insight far beyond his years. Conversing with him did not feel like facing a younger generation, but rather like exchanging ideas with a knowledgeable and mature peer. In some aspects, his perspective could even bring her new inspiration.

This wonderful exchange, transcending age and status, brought Eri a long-lost sense of joy.

Since Yukiko and her husband moved abroad, she hasn't had a proper chat with anyone outside of work, a heart-to-heart talk, or an exchange of ideas in a long time.

Although her daughter Xiaolan is thoughtful, she is still young and has limited life experience and knowledge. Moreover, as a mother, there are some topics that cannot be discussed in depth.

As for the husband, Kogoro Mouri, who is practically dead in name only, separated from his wife for ten years, and whose mind is probably only filled with horse racing and beer...

Eri Kisaki didn't think the two of them would have anything to talk about.

……

Before they knew it, the two had been chatting for quite a while.

It wasn't until the library lights suddenly went out with a "snap," leaving only a few dim emergency lights, that they realized how late it was.

"It's only 8:30, is the museum closing that early today?"

Lin Ran glanced at her phone with some confusion.

The two emerged from a hidden corner behind the bookshelves and found that the reading area outside was indeed empty.

It's likely that their location was too remote, and the administrator didn't notice them when clearing the area. After patrolling around and assuming no one was there, they turned off the main lights as usual and prepared to leave work.

"It seems we got too engrossed in our conversation."

Eri Kisaki shook her head; she rarely became so absorbed in herself.

The two didn't seem to mind, and using the emergency lights as a guide, they headed towards the elevator to leave.

However, accidents always happen unexpectedly.

The elevator descended smoothly, and just as it reached the first floor, before the metal doors were fully open, a dull and clear "thump!" was heard from outside, followed by a short, abruptly cut-off groan.

The elevator doors slid open slowly to both sides.

The smiles on the faces of the two people who were chatting and laughing suddenly froze.

Directly in front of them, under the lights of the elevator lobby, stood a man in a well-tailored suit whose back looked somewhat familiar, holding a metal baseball bat with his back to them.

At his feet, a man in a manager's uniform lay sprawled on the ground, his face covered in blood, his eyes wide open and pupils dilated. He had lost all life, and his unseeing death looked particularly grotesque under the stark white light.

It's Director Tsugawa.

And the one who died tragically at his feet... seemed to be another administrator on duty tonight, I think his name was Yutian?

Noticing the movement of the elevator behind him, the man turned around abruptly.

That face, which was always adorned with a kind smile, was now splattered with specks of blood, and his eyes were sinister and cruel.

"Hiss~ Your mother!"

Lin Ran gasped, almost cursing out loud.

Childhood trauma struck him instantly!

It wasn't enough to scare him with cartoons when he was a kid; now that he's grown up, we need to give him a real-life "review and refresh his knowledge."

Almost instinctively, Lin Ran slammed her hand on the elevator's close button.

Having just dealt with Tamada, the librarian who had discovered evidence of his drug dealing and was about to call the police, Tsugawa Hideji was in a state of high tension and post-murder rage. He never expected that there would still be someone in the library at this time, and to make matters worse, that someone was coming down in the elevator and witnessed the entire murder.

Upon seeing the somewhat familiar face in the elevator, Director Tsugawa's eyes instantly flashed with a frenzied killing intent.

"stop!"

He growled and tried to rush over to stop the elevator doors from closing.

But it was too late.

"bite--"

As Lin Ran frantically pressed the buttons, the elevator doors slammed shut, shutting out the twisted, ferocious face of the curator, Tsugawa.

The elevator gave a slight jolt and began to move upwards.

With things having come to this point, Director Tsugawa's eyes turned completely sinister. He glanced at the direction of the stairs, and without the slightest hesitation, immediately chased after them.

Since we've been seen, let's go all the way and keep these two witnesses here to "accompany" Yutian. We absolutely cannot let them leave the library alive!

Inside the elevator.

Lin Ran glanced helplessly at the lawyer beside her, whose expression was calm as he dialed the police.

I almost forgot, this guy is also a grim reaper.

In the anime, two people always die every time they appear. In the original work, the other party should have also come to the library, but not herself. Eri Kisaki finished her research and went back early, so she didn't encounter the scene where Director Tsugawa killed the murderer and hid the body.