13 Minke Street

“Diss!”

“Yes?”

The feeling that his heart was going to come out through his throat was not a rhetorical exaggeration, because Karen was really experiencing it right now.

When he looked at the child’s drawing and recognized the identity of the murderer, he couldn’t help but exclaim his grandfather’s name in surprise; but not only was the the ‘murderer’ was standing at the doorway, he even added a ‘Yes?’.

That soft sound rang in Karen’s ears like a sudden thunderclap.

Karen, who was sitting on the bed, instantly straightened his back and stood up.

At the same time, the notebook in his hand closed.

“Did you just call me?” Diss asked.

“I…yes, I have something to discuss.”

Diss nodded. “I was also looking for you.”

“What a coincidence, Grandpa.”

“Come to my study.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

Diss turned and left.

Hearing the sound of the study door opening, Karen immediately opened the notebook, tore out that page, and rolled it into a ball.

Next he glanced at the glass of milk and water on the desk, but ultimately stuffed the paper ball into his pocket, abandoning the idea of swallowing it down.

After leaving the bedroom, Karen entered Diss’ study.

The furnishings of Diss’s study were no different from an ordinary study, with nothing particularly luxurious or unique about it. The chandelier in the center of the study was on.

But Karen remembered that night in the study, Diss had lit candles.

Diss was sitting behind the desk. Karen pulled out a chair and sat down, acting as naturally as he could – at least that’s what it seemed like.

At the moment, Karen could only put aside the matter of that drawing for now. First of all, he didn’t feel any emotional attachment toward his ‘parents’. In fact, in the memory of the original ‘Karen’, his memories about his parents were hazy at best. So if “Karen’s” parents really died as the drawing showed, it wasn’t really a fundamental problem for him.

Furthermore, what he needed to do now was preserve his own life.

“Do you want to speak first, or should I?” Diss asked.

“Grandpa, please go first.”

“Your uncle told me about what happened today, and he also told me about the new position he wants to arrange for you in the company. You’ve become so cheerful now, you can even help others with their inner pain?”

Karen replied, “It’s precisely because I was depressed for so long that I’ve learned to listen and know how to counsel others.”

“Are you willing to do these things?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m a part of the Inmerales family. If I have the ability, I’m willing to come help the family; not just the company, but also the people in the family, my…family members.”

“There is a vacant deacon position at Minke Street Church recently. If you want to help and guide others, this position is actually more suitable.”

“I don’t want to be a deacon at the church.”

“Oh, why not?”

“I want to do things from my own position, not…under the name of God.”

“Isn’t that the same?”

“It’s very different.”

“How is it different?”

“I think the relationship between family members is innate, not a gift from God. Family members don’t need God to smooth things over.”

“Go on.”

“Uncle Mason needs money, Aunt Mary needs money, and Aunt Winnie needs money too after her divorce.”

“In this family, we don’t lack money.”

“But in this family, we still don’t have enough money.”

“I don’t actually want my children’s lives to be spent on making money, because you can never make enough money. There are more meaningful things in life.”

“But most meaningful things are very hard to accomplish if you don’t have enough money.” 

Diss fell silent. Karen also stopped talking.

After a long pause, Diss broke the silence. “Do you like money a lot?”

“Grandpa, I’ve already said it before. Uncle Mason, Aunt Mary, Aunt Winnie, including Mina, Trent, and Chrissy who are growing up, they all need money. What my family needs is what I want to fight for.”

Diss reached for the teacup on the table.

Karen got up and picked up the thermos bottle from the corner of the desk. “Grandpa, do you need a change of the tea leaves?”

Diss shook his head.

Karen poured in the hot water, put down the thermos bottle, and sat down again.

“Do you think you can earn the money you need and more by relying on this? I know you earned 20,000 lubi today. Actually, I’m also very curious why that gentleman was willing to pay such a high fee?”

“Because he knows how to value things.”

“The problem lies here. People who know how to value things are always in the minority, and those who, in addition to valuing them, have money and are willing to spend it generously, are even rarer.”

“I’ll think of other ways. I believe I can figure it out.”

“Alright.” Diss took a sip of the tea. “Now, what did you want to talk about?”

“Grandpa, I want to resume my studies.”

“Oh, do you want to go back to school?”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

“You just said you want to work and earn money for the family.”

“I don’t need to go to school every day. I can learn by myself while helping with the family business, but I need you to help me with the school registration.”

“Are you planning to go to college?”

“That’s my plan.”

“Which college do you plan to attend?”

“St. John’s University in Vienna. I heard it’s a top university in the world.”

“Yes, it is universally recognized as such. But do you think you will be able to enter?”

“I feel that as long as I study diligently and keep striving-“

“No, no, no.” Diss interrupted Karen. “You misunderstood my meaning.”

“What do you mean, Grandpa?”

“When people get older, they like stability and enjoy seeing their children and grandchildren gathered around them.”

Karen was stunned. In his original conception, going to college in another country was a way to deal with the relationship that was good for both parties.

You know I’m not your grandson.

You also know that I know you know I’m not your grandson.

I’m leaving Roja City and Ruland Country for good reasons.

From my perspective, I’m finally breaking away from this family, I… am free.

From your perspective, your grandson is actually still alive, only living far away; he is still studying, and the distance can create both beauty and fantasy.

Isn’t this good for both of us?

Diss took another sip of the tea and said, “I don’t feel assured with you going far away.”

“But Grandpa…I’m grown up now. According to Roja City customs, I’m already an adult at fifteen.”

“In my eyes, you’re still just a child, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless…I die.”

Don’t even think about leaving this family before I die.

Of course, you can choose to run away from home, but you can try it and see.

Karen parted his lips slightly, took a deep breath, and then the expression on his face changed from slightly stiff to gentle again. He stood up and smiled. “Actually, I couldn’t bear to part from Grandpa either. Being able to stay by Grandpa’s side has always been my greatest happiness.”

Diss nodded, and then looked towards the study door, indicating that the conversation was over and he could leave.

Karen turned around. His gentle smile slowly faded away, leaving only a grave expression on his face.

As Karen walked to the door of the study, he heard Diss’s voice behind him again: “By the way.”

Karen immediately turned around, all smiles, and asked, “Grandpa, is there anything else you need?”

“The hospital called to say that he is awake. I have something to do at the church tomorrow. You can go and visit Mr. Hofen on my behalf.”

“Okay, Grandpa. Thank goodness, God bless, Mr. Hofen is finally awake.”

“Well, go to bed early.”

“You too, Grandpa.”

……

Karen returned to the bedroom. Trent, who had already washed up, was lying on his bed ready to go to sleep. Seeing Karen coming back, he immediately sat up and reminded him, “Brother, mom asked me to remind you to eat your supper.”

“Alright, I know.”

Karen saw the 300 lubi under the milk cup.

Calm down. Close your eyes, then open it again.

Karen opened the drawer, took out another 1,000 lubi with the 300, and walked over to Trent.

“Brother…I can’t take your money.”

“Hold out your hand.”

“Brother…”

“Hold it out!”

Trent held out his hand.

Karen placed the 1300 lubi in Trent’s palm, then lowered his head and moved his face close to Trent’s face, saying word for word, “Don’t be disobedient.”

Trent pursed his lips, but eventually nodded.

Karen stood up straight, and suddenly realized that it was really inappropriate to take out the stress he had just received from Diss on Trent.

So he gently patted Trent’s head, comforting him. “Brother can earn some more, and I don’t lack pocket money. Don’t let your mother know, and of course, don’t spend it recklessly either.”

“Yes, Trent understands. Trent will listen to you, brother.”

“Go to sleep.”

“Good night, brother.”

“Good night.”

Karen sat down at the desk with the lamp on.

He took out the crumpled piece of paper from his pocket again, wanting to unfold it, but after unfolding it halfway, he crumpled it up again.

He picked up the glass of milk and drank it down in one gulp.

Then he threw the ball of paper into the water cup, picked up a spoon, and stirred the paper in the water cup until it completely dissolved.

After doing this, Karen rested his forehead on his hand, remembering his grandfather’s words:

‘Unless I die….I don’t feel comfortable with you going that far away.’

So when exactly will you…

“Sigh~” Karen picked up the bread on the table and took a big bite, feeling a bit helpless.

He still couldn’t bring himself to utter this curse.

Although Diss had wanted to kill him before – hmm, probably still did now – he hadn’t actually killed him yet. Before he killed him, it didn’t seem right to resent or complain when he was eating Diss’s food, drinking his drinks, using his things, and living in his house.

What else could I do?

Karen spread his hands wide. “I wish Grandpa a long life,” he mumbled.

If Diss doesn’t let him go, then he can only hope that Diss can live a long life.

Because the meaning of Diss’s words can also have another implication.

Just like Ron had said, he would spend his last 1 lubi before he died. What if one day Diss suddenly felt unwell and sensed that his time was running out? Then, before he leaves….

Karen licked his lips, laughing at himself. “He will probably take me with him too.”

……

The study.

The black cat Pu’er was walking on the desk, pacing back and forth.

“He talks about earning money for the family and mentions the family every three sentences. How heartwarming and touching! Diss, have you been bewitched by him?

“He just wants to use his so-called family status and rely on this so-called family affection to control you. He only said these things to survive!

“What, Diss, could it be you actually believe the words he said are true? Are you deceiving yourself?”

Diss just sat there silently.

Pu’er continued striding elegantly back and forth on the desk.

“Look, look, is this still our Judge Diss? Our Lord Diss, it seems he really is getting old, starting to care about family relationships and forgetting his duties.

“Diss, Have you forgotten how you killed your son and daughter-in-law back then?

“Why? Faced with a grandson, you can’t bear to do it?

“And you….don’t you have more than one grandchildren!”

Finally, Diss’s gaze fell upon Pu’er.

Under this gaze, Pu’er shrunk back a few steps.

At this moment, Diss spoke, “Order…Cage.”

Black tendrils radiated out from Diss’s body, instantly enveloping the area around the desk and isolating it from outside.

“Diss, what are you doing?! Don’t be impulsive, I’m waking you up, I’m warning you, I’m helping you!”

Diss’s hand fell directly onto Pu’er’s back, pressing it down.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!”

Pu’er let out heart-rending screams.

Then, the screams turned into a series of meows: “Meowwww!!!!”

Looking at Pu’er, who was enduring the torture under his palm, Diss still had no expressions.

He only asked lightly: “Are you teaching me what to do?”

……

Today, there was no business at home, and Mina, Trent, and Chrissy have all gone to school.

After eating the breakfast Aunt Winnie prepared, Karen went downstairs and saw Paul and Ron chatting in the garden.

“Good morning, Young Master Karen.”

“Good morning, Young Master.”

Ron was especially enthusiastic because of the 500 lubi yesterday.

Karen asked Paul, “Will you need to take the car out later?”

Paul shook his head. “Haven’t gotten a call yet.”

Ron said, “I feel like today will be a nice, relaxing day. Mr. Mason and Mrs. Mary haven’t gotten up yet.”

Uncle and auntie were still in bed since there was no business at home today.

“Paul, can you drive me to the hospital? I’m going on Grandpa’s behalf to visit Mr. Hofen.”

“Of course, Young Master.”

It wasn’t very convenient to use the Inmerales’ car for personal trips elsewhere, but going to places like the hospital was perfectly justified.

Sitting in the uncomfortable and gloomy car, Karen reflected as he sat on the cushion: “We could get a new hearse, actually.”

This one was a modified car after all. A proper hearse has a recess in the middle for the coffin, fixed seats and armrests on both sides, and more spacious interior.

“Mr. Mason wanted to replace it long ago, but Mrs. Winnie disagreed.” Paul started the engine and the hearse began moving down the Minke Street.

“Paul, turn over that way, go past the front of the row houses.”

“Alright, Young Master.”

However, just as Paul had turned onto that road, Karen changed his mind again. “Never mind, Paul. Let’s just turn back and go straight to the hospital without the detour.”

“Yes, Young Master.” Paul wasn’t impatient at all. His temper really was much better than Ron’s. Of course, if you gave Ron a tip, he would immediately become extremely enthusiastic.

Karen had wanted to pass by his uncle’s first love’s house again and glance at the window on the second floor. But on second thought, his grandfather wasn’t in the car after all. For safety’s sake, it was better to dismiss this idea.

About ten minutes later, Paul drove the car into the hospital parking lot.

“Young Master, I’ll wait for you here.”

“Okay.”

Karen got out of the car and headed for the hospital building.

Going up the steps, he realized he had come to see a patient but hadn’t even brought any fruits or flowers.

Should he go out and buy some fruits first?

After hesitating a moment, Karen decided it was too troublesome and didn’t bother.

“Excuse me, which room is Mr. Hofen in?”

“Mr. Hofen? Please wait a moment, let me check for you.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The young nurse at the reception desk was flipping through the patient roster for the area. As she flipped through, she would occasionally look up and size up Karen, a faint smile on her lips.

Karen politely smiled and waited patiently.

Since he had inherited this handsome face, he could only bear with the troubles that came with it.

For example, this young nurse was deliberately taking her time looking up the information just so she could take a few more glances at him.

After a while….

“Found it. Mr. Hofen is in room 301, bed number 2.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you need me to take you there?”

“No need, thanks.”

Karen went up the stairs to the third floor. Room 301 was right by the stairs, so he arrived as soon as he came up.

Pushing open the door, there were two beds inside. Mr. Hofen lay on one bed, while a middle-aged woman in a caregiver’s uniform was fast asleep on the other, snoring softly. She didn’t even notice when Karen opened the door.

The caregiver was slacking off.

Karen went to wake her up, but just then, Mr. Hofen’s voice rang out, “She works three jobs and is exhausted. Let her sleep a while longer.”

Karen turned around and looked at Mr. Hofen lying on the hospital bed. His head was bandaged. Before Karen came in, he seemed to have been reading a newspaper. His recovery looked decent.

“I came to visit as soon as I heard you were awake.” 

Karen, who had arrived empty-handed, sat down beside the hospital bed.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Mr. Hofen’s mouth. “I didn’t fall to my death. You must be very disappointed.”

Karen shook his head and said candidly, “If I wanted to, you probably wouldn’t have made it to the hospital alive.”

Mr. Hofen’s brow furrowed slightly in puzzlement. “What’s this, you’re not even pretending anymore?”

“Pretend what? I’m Karen. It’s just that my near-death experience changed me a bit. It’s normal for someone’s personality to shift after almost dying, isn’t it?”

“I’m curious why Diss would still let you live.”

“I’m Grandpa’s grandson. What you’re saying is quite uncalled for.”

“Do you not know what sort of thing you are?”

“I already told you. I’m just Karen.”

Mr. Hofen lifted his neck, revealing the cross necklace around it. “Take it off.”

“Alright.” 

Karen reached out and removed the cross necklace from Mr. Hofen’s neck.

Mr. Hofen stared at Karen. He said, “Now I will tell you what you really are.”

“Not bad for a philosophy professor. I’d actually be happy to discuss philosophy with you.”

“Grasp it!”

“What?”

“Hold the cross with your hand!”

Karen stared at the cross necklace dangling in his hand that he had just removed from Mr. Hofen’s neck. He didn’t move.

“What’s wrong, are you scared?”

“No.”

“Then grasp it! As long as you hold it in your hand, you will be able to see what you really are.”

“Mr. Hofen, it’s fine to have divination as a hobby, but it’s really not appropriate to be too obsessed with it. Otherwise, it will affect your real life.”

“If you are what I believe you to be, when you hold it willingly, your soul will be destroyed.”

“Are you making up a story?”

“Yes, so grasp it and play along as I continue this story.”

Karen hesitated.

“What are you hesitating for? Grasp it! What, could it be you’re even deceiving yourself? Hahaha, I don’t know why Diss still lets you live. Maybe he’s also gotten old, gotten so old that…”

Mr. Hofen’s eyes suddenly bulged wide.

Because he saw with his own eyes that Karen, sitting in front of him, grasped the cross in his left hand.

One second.

Three seconds.

Ten seconds.

Half a minute.

After grasping the cross, Karen didn’t move at all.

Mr. Hofen propped himself on the hospital bed with both hands and tried to get up with difficulty. But at this moment, Karen suddenly leaned forward and let out a cry: “Boo!”

“Arghh!”

Mr. Hofen was so frightened that he lost his balance and fell back onto the bed. But he was still staring at Karen in disbelief.

Karen tossed the cross necklace next to Mr. Hofen’s pillow. He spread his arms wide and spun around in place, saying, “Didn’t you say my soul would be annihilated? See, nothing happened to me at all.”

“Impossible! This is impossible!” Mr. Hofen started muttering to himself incessantly.

“Get some rest. I’ll visit again in a while. Hopefully, things will be more normal by then.” Karen pointed to his own forehead. “Goodbye, Mr. Hofen.”

Having said that, Karen walked out of the ward.

“His soul wasn’t annihilated by the Purification instrument. Could I have been wrong? Is he really not a demon?”

……

As Karen descended the stairs, the nurse at the reception desk greeted him with a sweet smile. Karen returned the smile.

Exiting the hospital building and descending the steps, Karen didn’t head directly to the parking lot to find Paul. Instead, he went to a corner of the hospital garden, crouched down, and covered his mouth with his right hand.

His left arm flailed about almost crazily. “Fuck…it hurts like hell!”

After a series of flailing, Karen finally stopped.

He placed his left hand in front of him and slowly uncurled his palm.

On the palm of his left hand, there was an “X” shaped scar, like a burn, but the wound seemed to have been sealed shut, so there was no blood.

Looking at this burn mark, Karen sank into deep thought.

After a long while, he muttered quietly to himself, “So…what exactly am I?”