This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 102. I totally get it!

Chapter 102: Chapter 102. I totally get it!

Although the truth from nine years ago was still distant, Beichuan Si now had at least an investigative target.

Shenzhu Village, the Magong Family—these were all subjects that needed investigation.

But when Beichuan Si thought about how there was so little online coverage even about ’Shenzhu Village’, let alone things like Shenzhu Shrine.

"But the local library in Shimadu City might have records, if it recorded the newspapers initially covering Shenzhu Village..."

From the diary of Magong Dongzi, it was not difficult to infer that during that time, she had merely been a junior in Shenzhu Village. Therefore, the history of Shenzhu Village might be traceable even back to the Showa period, conservatively estimated to the Taisho era, and possibly as far as the even more distant Meiji era.

If customs from such a distant era were passed down, then it was quite normal for them to be intermixed with ’barbaric’ and ’bloody’ practices.

Magong Dongzi mentioned it later in her diary.

Loss of blood...

Loss of blood? Why the loss of blood? If it was deliberately extracted, why the urgency? And who would take the blood without caring about the life of Magong Dongzi?

What entanglement was there between the Magong family and the Shenzhu family?

With the current clues still too sparse, Beichuan Si could only offer a few scattered guesses.

"Magong, taking the diary shouldn’t be a problem, right?" After placing the diary back into his school bag and ensuring it was properly stored, Beichuan Si turned his head to ask.

In truth, even if Magong Tong disagreed, Beichuan Si was not intending to return the diary to her.

After all, it was of great use to him, and for Magong Tong, keeping the diary was merely for remembrance.

Uh...

Magong Tong’s lips quivered.

’Why ask if the diary is already in the bag?’

She held back from asking this question and just nodded her head gently:

"Beichuan, you’ve already helped me so much... besides, we came here with Grandma Dongzi’s permission. Taking the diary shouldn’t be much of an issue, just—"

Magong Tong took a few small breaths and finally mustered the courage to look up and ask:

"Why do you want to help me so much?"

Indeed... she and Beichuan Si had only talked a bit after the winter break. Beichuan Si really didn’t need to bother with her, letting her be on her own would have been enough. But why was Beichuan Si so concerned about her?

Taking her for walks, even helping her find someone to adopt her cat.

Magong Tong was a girl completely lacking in self-confidence—she felt she was too skinny and ugly, her complexion pallid as a corpse, surely Beichuan Si wouldn’t be interested in someone who looked like this.

But if it was not affection, then why was Beichuan Si putting so much effort to help her?

Magong Tong couldn’t understand, which is why she asked.

Thus, she stood there in front of Beichuan Si, her legs trembling slightly, her voice a bit shaky.

She was ready, prepared to apologize the moment Beichuan Si showed any displeasure.

Magong Tong’s timid gaze occasionally swept toward Beichuan Si, hoping to discern something from his face.

But it was completely futile.

Beichuan Si maintained an unperturbed demeanor, as if he had anticipated her question.

He paused his packing, turned back, and said:

"It’s because by helping Magong, I can get a reward."

"Get... a reward?" Magong Tong’s tone was hesitant.

"Indeed, by removing the curse on you, I can also gain considerable benefits."

Beichuan Si straightened his back, his black eyes-steadily meeting Magong Tong’s.

"Is... is that so?"

Magong Tong, stuttering and hesitating, revealed her usual character again.

She couldn’t ask who would give Beichuan Si a reward, nor what kind of reward Beichuan Si would receive.

But Magong Tong felt there was one thing she could do.

"Beichuan, please wait a moment."

Magong Tong hurriedly stood up, the tatami mats making thumping noises as she stepped on them.

She quickly went out the door, her footsteps fading away and then returning nearer.

Magong Tong walked back in, clutching a delicate little suitcase tightly.

The suitcase was about ten centimeters in length and width, not very big.

Without saying a word, she thrust the suitcase into Beichuan Si’s hands.

What is this?

Beichuan Si didn’t speak, his gaze lifted to look at Magong Tong, seemingly puzzled.

Magong Tong’s face turned red, but she still explained, "Beichuan, where you might receive compensation... I don’t know, but... but I feel I must give you something."

"My parents always give me money to buy new clothes... but I, I’m not really into dressing up, so I’ve never used it... it’s all in here, I’ve tidied it up before... it’s probably 500,000 yen."

Probably 500,000 yen?

We are different.

Hearing this amount, Beichuan Si’s mouth involuntarily twitched.

"I hope you can accept this money, Beichuan. This is my compensation to you," Magong Tong said, sitting up straight, looking calm, but her toes in the white socks were nervously curling up.

Beichuan... probably won’t accept it, right?

Because Beichuan looked both handsome and powerful...

But I have nothing else to give Beichuan besides this money.

She desperately hoped Beichuan Si would accept the money because she was really embarrassed to trouble him so much.

Yet, on the other hand, she feared that Beichuan Si might not accept.

As she anxiously pondered, Beichuan Si’s voice arose:

"Magong, I will accept this money. Likewise, I will certainly help you break free from the curse."

Beichuan Si accepted the suitcase and set it beside him, nodding at Magong Tong.

Hearing his words, Magong Tong unconsciously gasped in surprise.

"What’s wrong?" asked Beichuan Si.

"I... I thought someone like you, Beichuan, wouldn’t even care about such a small amount of money," Magong Tong stammered.

She wasn’t pained about giving away her money but was astonished that Beichuan Si would actually accept it.

"Don’t be surprised," Beichuan Si shook his head. "No one dislikes money. By accepting Magong’s 500,000 yen, it will also help me complete the investigation more efficiently."

Of course, a key factor was that Beichuan Si was actually short on money recently.

Traveling to Iwate Prefecture via the Shinkansen had cost more than 30,000 yen, plus staying at a fairly nice inn had cost another 20,000 yen.

And then there was the money spent on clothes.

Adding it all up, Beichuan Si had been spending quite a lot recently.

His previous estimate was indeed proven right; the 100,000 yen a month from Beichuan’s mother really wasn’t enough for his expenses.

With this injection of funds from Magong Tong, he wouldn’t have to be distracted worrying about money.

Beichuan Si wasn’t a saint, nor did he like to feign moral superiority, and since he could indeed accept Magong Tong’s money, there was no need for pretense in refusing it.

Moreover, the investigation in Shimadu City would require travel expenses such as food, lodging, and clothes.

"So that’s it..." Magong Tong made a ’now I fully understand’ sound.

But she was still somewhat confused, really not understanding what Beichuan Si meant.

I also don’t know, but I didn’t dare to ask.