An infinite journey starting from paradise

Lin Shangren repeated Stella's words, taking in the beautiful, green-eyed blonde. She had a slender figure, fair skin, and two scarlet teardrop moles beneath her left eye. She wore a dark blue gothic dress and a matching beret, looking demure and elegant, like a carefully dressed BJD doll.

[Name: Maryse Stella]

[Race: Human female]

[Position: Academic researcher and art guide at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum]

[Status: Peaceful, sequelae of aphasia]

[Note: The child of an Italian missionary and a Japanese nun was born with aphasia. Even after treatment, they still have difficulty in carrying out normal daily conversations, but they can speak fluently when discussing art-related topics.]

"Then let's go and take a look." Lin Shangren said with a smile, "Excuse me, Miss Tour Guide."

Walking through the long corridor lined with paintings of various kinds, Lin Shangren discovered that the themes of the works on display were mostly about life and death: death, rebirth, broken limbs, and ruined walls. Among them, the works by Mamiya Shinxiang evoked a strong sense of paranoia.

Lin Shangren is also convinced that this artist, Mamiya Shinsou, must have witnessed much death—his paintings, especially those depicting corpses and severed limbs, are incredibly realistic. His work isn't hyperrealistic like Leng Jun's, but the details—the texture of muscle in severed arms, the shattered bone fragments, the crushed flesh—are remarkably true to reality.

"This guy must have been a doctor, or he's specifically studied the condition of corpses," Lin Shangren pondered. "That's right. During World War II over a decade ago, even if you were far away from the main battlefield, you could still see corpses of various forensic quality in the rear."

Thinking about it, Lin Shangren and his group followed Stella to a separate exhibition hall at the back. The exhibition hall was extremely empty, with only a huge oil painting on display, a painting that was difficult to describe.

The background of scarlet mixed with darkness, the ghostly figures of skeletons looming in and out, the corrosive gases of blood and sulfur steaming out mixed together, this is the background of the painting, like hell.

But what truly surprised Lin Shangren was the subject of the painting. In the center of the painting was a huge, shattered black eggshell, stained with blood. Within the eggshell sat a beautiful, black-haired girl, completely naked, like a newly hatched bird. But she had no wings or limbs—a beautiful girl, like a human stick, gazing at Lin Shangren and his companions with a melancholic gaze.

"Kuchiki-san?"

Tsumeko, who was standing by, subconsciously called out Kuchiki Fuyuko's name.

Yes, the girl depicted in this painting "The Girl in the Shell" looks very similar to Kuchiki Fuyuko, they are almost the same person.

"This work, painted by Mamiya Shinzo at the end of the war, depicts a young girl emerging from her shell in hell and being reborn. It is considered his greatest masterpiece."

Stella solemnly introduced the painting.

"Ms. Stella." Lin Shangren interrupted her, "Excuse me, who is the model for this painting?"

"Model?" Stella looked at Lin Shangren in confusion.

Lin Shangren continued to ask, "Is it a lady named...Misa Nakahara?"

"That... I'm not sure." Stella said, "He's Mamiya Shinsou's assistant, right? I heard he's..."

"ah!"

Before Stella finished speaking, a clear male voice suddenly interrupted Lin Shangren's question. Lin Shangren turned his head and saw a handsome young man in a white shirt walking towards them. He was holding something that looked like a magazine in his hand.

He walked straight towards Zhuizi.

"You are Mr. Shishinomiya, right?" The young man smiled warmly at Tsuchiko, "I am Ge Cheng."

The boy, calling himself Ge Cheng, showed Tsuizi his magazine. Tsuizi also took out "Nene's Egg" and said, "Hello, Mr. Ge Cheng. It's nice to meet you."

Lin Shangren looked at the young man. For some reason, he always felt that the young man looked familiar, and his eyebrows seemed to be somewhat similar to someone he knew.

"Toruko?"

Yes, this boy looks somewhat similar to the little girl named Mizuhara Toruko.

【Name: Mamiya Shinji】

[Race: human male]

[Identity: Writer]

[Status: Nervous]

[Note: The author, also known by the pen name Ge Chengxin, is the author of "Nenneth's Egg."]

"Mamiya Shiner?"

Lin Shangren suddenly became alert. This name was the same as the maker of the corpse wax incense in Saeki Kaori's office that could allow demons to possess mortals.

"He's the author of the 'Divine Comedy' fanfiction, so could he be the creator of the corpse wax?" Lin Shangren rubbed his neck. "He's the person Zhuizi wants to meet. It looks like this is their first meeting...

Nervous? Why would he be nervous? Because he was going to meet Tsubomi, or because of... me?

It was strange. Judging from the behavior of Hayashi Naoto and Tsuiko, anyone with a discerning eye could tell they were in the same group. But when Mamiya Shinji came over, he didn't even glance at Hayashi Naoto. This was obviously abnormal.

"Then let's trick him."

Thinking about it, Lin Shangren forced a kind smile and said, "Ah, isn't this Mr. Mamiya? Why are you here?"

Hearing Lin Shangren's words, Mamiya Xin'er's expression froze for a moment, then quickly adjusted. He pretended to be puzzled and asked, "What did you say? Did you recognize the wrong person?"

"Aren't you Mr. Mamiya Shinji?" Lin Shangren said with a smile. "Your pen name is Ge Chengxin, the author of 'The Egg of Nenis.' I heard Saeki Kaori mention you before. She really likes the incense you make."

"Incense? How did he know about incense? He just mentioned 'Mom's' name. How far has he investigated? Whose side is he on? What does he want to do?"

Mamiya Shiner was horrified, and it was difficult for her to maintain her composure. "You...what are you talking about?"

Mamiya Shinji is certain that she had no personal involvement in the demon's gradual control of the principal of Sakuraha Girls' Academy through the use of incense, and only provided some corpse wax. How did Lin Shangren know about this?

The doctor just told these accomplices the information about this guy named Lin Shangren yesterday. How come he is here today?

Is it a coincidence?

"No... this guy... he must know something. But he must not have found the crucial evidence yet." Mamiya Shiner made a judgment. "Just deny it to the death. He's not a policeman... We have to get out of here quickly and destroy the evidence. And they have to be dealt with too."

Having made up his mind, Mamiya Shin'er suppressed his fear and said, "You must have recognized the wrong person. I am indeed Ge Chengxin, the author of "The Egg of Nenis", but I don't know anything about incense, and I don't know Saeki Kaori either."

"Is that so?" Lin Shangren smiled meaningfully.

There must be something wrong with this kid in front of me. I can arrange some memory recovery techniques and various criminal arts for him, and raid his house at the same time.

"Ah, maybe I remembered it wrong." Lin Shangren laughed, "After all, Saeki's mental state hasn't been very good recently, it's almost like she's been possessed by a demon.

By the way, Mr. Mamiya, do you know Tatsuhiko Kusaka? He used your work, The Dark Bible, er, no, The Egg of Nenis, to commit a series of crimes.

Looking at the aggressive Lin Shangren, Zhuizi couldn't help but ask: "Teacher, what are you talking about? You and Mr. Ge Cheng..."

“No photography allowed here!”

Stella's scolding saved Mamiya Shin'er from trouble.

Lin Shangren turned around and found that Stella was standing between a young man in a grass-green jacket and a cowboy hat and the Shell Girl.

"Let me take the photo. It won't cause any loss," the young man said.

"No. Just, no."

Stella said calmly and firmly. "But I already have permission to interview," the young man said. "My name is Sen Yeyue, and I'm a photographer. Here, my business card and my permission slip."

Lin Shangren glanced at the business card in the young man's hand and saw a big "森" written in bold black handwriting. The handwriting of this word was exactly the same as the handwriting on the sketch that Aoki Fuyushi had given him.

"Oh, what's going on today? All the clues are coming at me all at once? I didn't activate the [Lucky Pervert] either."

After thinking about it, Lin Shangren directly launched the Eagle Finger on Mamiya Shiner. This guy was the most suspicious and had to be controlled first.

The sure-hit strike and the eagle finger were launched at the same time, and Mamiya Shiner felt his body go limp and then he lost consciousness.

Seeing Mamiya Shiner fainted, Tsuiko exclaimed: "Mr. Ge Cheng? Teacher, Mr. Ge Cheng has fainted!"

"I saw it."

Lin Shangren helped Mamiya Xiner up from the ground, and then shouted to the photographer who called himself Mori Yeyue, "Hey, sir, can you come over and help me? Someone has fainted."

"what?"

Sen Yeyue was also a warm-hearted person. He quickly came over and asked, "What's wrong? What's this?"

"It seems to be low blood sugar."

Lin Shangren said as he extended his hand to Sen Yeyue, and then another patient with hypoglycemia appeared on the floor.

Chapter 102: One-handed Driving and Sandalwood Punishment

"Ah, what happened? Why did this person fall down?" Zhuizi shouted in panic.

Stella, a staff member, was completely frozen in place. She had never encountered a similar situation before. She just stood there, not even thinking of calling security or other staff. She just stood there like a toy with a broken spring.

"It seems he's also a little hypoglycemic."

As he spoke, Lin Shangren stretched his body seemingly casually, but in fact he was storing up a sure-hit attack in case of emergency.

He continued, "Miss Tour Guide, can you please call a few security guards? I'm a doctor, and there's a hospital nearby that I'm familiar with. I can take them there for treatment. Miss Tour Guide? Alice Stella!"

"!"

Stella, whose name was called, suddenly came back to her senses. She asked nervously, "What happened to them? What...what should I do?"

Looking at Stella, who seemed to have a brain crash, Lin Shangren felt a little helpless. Although the character of the "three-no girl" is cute, it is easy for problems to arise when put into real work.

"Forget it...Zhuizi, you and Ximei help your boyfriend up, I will carry this guy and get them into my car." Lin Shangren said to Zhuizi.

"Huh? What boyfriend? Also, don't order people around without permission!"

"How about you fight this guy?"

"Huh, what does this have to do with me?!"

Having said that, Tsuiko still helped to help Mamiya Shinji up angrily.

After putting the two unconscious people in the back seat of the Packard, Lin Shangren slammed the door shut.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Shishinomiya. Well, I should send them on their way." Lin Shangren said, "Ximei, get in the car. And, Mr. Shishinomiya, see you tomorrow."

Just as Lin Shangren was about to open the car door, Zhuizi grabbed his arm and said, "Say, you're not planning on abandoning me, are you?"

"There are only four seats in the car. Besides, didn't you just say that you have nothing to do with this matter?" Lin Shangren said.

"Why is it okay? Mr. Ge Cheng and I agreed to meet here, and we haven't discussed what we wanted to discuss yet. How could I let you take him away? Besides, how would I know where you would take Mr. Ge Cheng? What if you have bad intentions towards him?" Zhuizi said stubbornly, "He is such a delicate boy, but he is still a handsome boy. Who knows what a cruel teacher like you would do to him?"

"Fuck you...Okay, then you can get on. There's no extra room on the bus, but you can squeeze between my legs."

Lin Shangren originally wanted to play rogue and make Zhuizi give up, but who would have thought that Ximei beside him suddenly pulled Lin Shangren's sleeve and said, "Shangren brother... I can sit on your lap. I'm smaller. And... uh... it's nothing."

"Ah this..."

"Well, let's put it this way."

Zhuizi was the first to open the car door and sit in the passenger seat.

Lin Shangren had no choice but to sit in the driver's seat and let the petite and lovely Ximei sit on his whip... legs.

Ximei's body was light, and her round, elastic bottom felt incredibly soft against Lin Shangren's thighs. She curled up in his arms like a little rabbit. As if feeling a little uncomfortable, she shifted her bottom, nestling between his legs. She rubbed the back of her head affectionately against his chest.

"Just right." Ximei said.

Ximei's body fragrance and soft hair tickled Lin Shangren's nose, and he started the car. Although the Packard was a top luxury car at the time, its engine's shock absorption effect was obviously not comparable to that of later models.

The vibration of the roaring engine was transmitted from the engine to under the seat, and along with the vibration, Ximei let out a small moan.

"Brother Shangren, it's nice to sit like this once in a while. Would you like to take me for a ride like this tonight? Brother Shangren, is that okay?"

Ximei shook her waist and rubbed Lin Shangren with her little butt.

"Of course...you can." Lin Shangren said in a somewhat stiff tone.

Obviously, the soft seat has been changed to a hard seat, and is moving towards changing the hard seat into a socket.

"Let's talk about it later. Let's go to the hospital first."

"Hey, teacher, which hospital are you sending them to...ah...suddenly...I feel so sleepy."

A surge of sleepiness suddenly flooded into Zhuizi's mind. She shook her body, leaned on Lin Shangren's shoulder, and then fell into a deep sleep.

"Brother Shangren, what happened to her?"

"Maybe it's low blood sugar."

As he spoke, Lin Shangren reached out and touched under Ximei's skirt.

"Brother Shangren?"

"I can drive one-handed."

As he spoke, Lin Shangren stepped on the accelerator. What followed was the daily operation of an experienced driver:

The engine starts and the connecting rod is pushed into the cylinder. Driven by the engine, the connecting rod continuously reciprocates and moves the piston up and down in the cylinder, constantly rubbing against the cylinder wall. Fortunately, Ximei has enough lubricating oil, otherwise this frequency of friction would easily cause damage to the cylinder wall.

What follows is even more ancient history: compression stroke, expansion stroke, exhaust stroke, in short, it’s stroke, stroke, stroke!

The scenery outside the window kept changing, from the commercial streets of Ueno to the wasteland of Nerima. Yumi's expression gradually became blurred, and the voice that had been suppressed in her throat gradually came out.

As the Packard got closer to its destination, the safe house, the speed increased, the temperature rose, the sound became louder, and the cylinders became increasingly overwhelmed.

Then, with a scream from Takigawa Yumi, she took the initiative to sit back, and bumped into Lin Shangren's thigh. Then there was an even louder scream!