13 Mink Street

Chapter 11: Demon?

"Dis!"

"Yeah."

The feeling of his heart nearly leaping out of his throat wasn't just an exaggeration, because Karen was experiencing it now.

As he looked at the children's drawing and recognized the murderer, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise;

"Murderer,"

had been standing at the doorway at some point,

and then he added:

"Yeah."

The soft sound, like thunder in Karen's ears, echoed.

Karen, who had been sitting on the spring bed, instantly straightened his back and stood up.

At the same time,

he closed the notebook in his hand.

"Were you calling me just now?" Dis asked.

"I... yes, something."

Dis nodded. "I need you too."

"Haha, what a coincidence, Grandpa."

"Come to my study."

"Okay, Grandpa."

Dis turned and left.

Hearing the sound of the study door opening, Karen immediately opened her notebook, tore out the page, and crumpled it up.

She then glanced at the glass of milk and water on the desk, then ultimately stuffed the crumpled paper into her pocket, giving up the thought of swallowing it.

After leaving the bedroom, Karen walked into Dees's study.

Dees's study was furnished like any other, nothing particularly luxurious or special. The central chandelier was ablaze.

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

Dees sat behind the desk, and Karen pulled a chair over and sat down, naturally—at least, it looked natural.

For now, Karen could only put the painting aside.

First, he had no feelings for his "parents." In fact, even in Karen's memory, his impression of them was almost hazy. Therefore, whether Dis was truly responsible for Karen's parents' deaths, as depicted in the painting, was not a fundamental issue for him.

Furthermore, his priority now was to save his own skin.

"Do you want to speak first, or should I?" Dis asked.

"Grandpa, go first."

"Your uncle told me about what happened today and the new position he wants to assign you at the company.

You've become so cheerful now, able to help others overcome their sorrows?"

Karen replied, "It's precisely because I was depressed for a long time that I learned to listen and offer comfort."

"Are you willing to do these things?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a member of the Immelais family. If I have the ability, I'd like to help my family, not just the company, but also the people, my... my family."

"There's a deacon position opening at Mink 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?"

"I want to do things from my own perspective, not... in the name of God."

"Is it different?"

"Very different."

"What's different?"

"I think family relationships are innate, not divinely bestowed. Family members don't need God to smooth things over."

"Go on."

"Uncle Mason needs money, Aunt Mary needs money, and Aunt Winnie needed money after her divorce."

"Our family isn't short of money."

"But we're not rich enough."

"I don't really want my children to focus their lives on making money, because you can never make enough money. There are more meaningful things in life."

"But most meaningful things are difficult to achieve without money."

Death fell silent, and Karen stopped talking.

After a long pause,

Death broke the silence: "Do you really like money?"

"Grandpa, I've already said this: Uncle, Aunt, and Auntie, including Mina, Lent, and Chrissy, who are growing up, all need money. What my family needs is what I strive for."

Death reached for the teacup on the table.

Karen stood up and picked up the thermos from the corner of the desk. "Grandpa, do you need to change the tea?"

Dis shook his head.

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

"Do you think you can earn the money you need and enough with this? I know you made 20,000 rubles today.

Actually, I'm also curious why that gentleman was willing to pay so much?"

"Because he knows the value of things."

"That's the problem. Those who know the value of things are always a minority, and those who also have the money and are willing to spend generously are even rarer."

"I'll find another way. I believe I can do it."

"Okay." Dis took a sip of tea. "Now, tell me about your business."

"Grandpa, I want to resume my studies."

"Oh? You want to continue studying?"

"Yes, Grandpa."

"You just said you want to help the family and earn money."

"I don't need to go to school every day. I can study on my own while helping with household chores. But you need to help me with my academic registration."

"Are you still planning to go to university?"

"Yes."

"Which university?"

"St. John's University in Wayne. I've heard it's one of the best in the world."

"Yes, that's widely acknowledged, but do you think you can go to university there?"

"I think as long as I study hard and keep working hard..."

"No, no, no."

Dis interrupted Karen.

"You misunderstood me."

"Grandpa, what do you mean?"

"I'm old, and when people get older, they like stability and want to see their children around them."

Karen was stunned.

In his original vision,

he had envisioned going to university in another country as a mutually beneficial solution.

You know I'm no longer your grandson.

You know I know you know I'm not your grandson.

I left Luojia City and Ruilan Country for a legitimate reason.

In my mind, I finally broke away from this family. I was... free.

In your mind, your grandson was actually still alive, far away, still studying, allowing for the beauty and fantasy of distance.

Wouldn't that be a win-win for both of us?

Dis took another sip of tea and said, "I'm worried about you traveling so far."

"But Grandpa... I'm already grown up. According to Luojia City customs, I'm already fifteen years old and an adult."

"In my eyes, you're still just a child, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless... I die."

Until I'm dead, don't even think about leaving this family.

Of course, you can choose to run away, but you can try.

Karen parted her lips slightly and took a breath. Then, her expression shifted from a slightly stiff one to a gentle one. She stood up and smiled.

"Actually, I can't bear to leave Grandpa either. Being able to stay with him has always been my greatest happiness."

Dis nodded, then glanced at the study door, signaling that the conversation was over and you could leave.

Karen turned around.

The warm smile faded, leaving only a solemn expression.

As Karen reached the study door, Dis's voice came from behind her:

"Right."

Karen immediately turned around, her smile rekindled, and asked, "Grandpa, what else do you need?"

"The hospital informed me that he's awake. I have church tomorrow, so please go see Mr. Hofen for me."

"Okay, Grandpa. Thank God, Mr. Hofen is finally okay."

"Well, you should get some rest."

"You too, Grandpa."

...

Karen returned to the bedroom. Lent, already washed and ready for bed, was lying on his spring bed. Seeing Karen return, he sat up and reminded her:

"Brother, Mom asked me to remind you to eat your midnight snack."

"Okay, I know."

Karen saw three hundred rubles under the glass of milk.

She closed her eyes,

opened them again,

Karen opened the drawer, pulled out another thousand rubles, along with the three hundred, and walked over to Lent.

"Brother... I can't take your money."

"Hold out your hand."

"Brother..."

"Hold out!"

Lent held out his hand.

Karen placed 1,300 rubles in his hand, then lowered his head, bringing his face close to his, and said word by word:

"Don't disobey me."

Lent pursed his lips, then finally nodded.

Karen straightened up, suddenly realizing that it was inappropriate to take the emotions she had just felt at Dis's feet out on Lent.

So she reached out and gently patted Lent's head.

He soothed:

"I can make money, and I don't need your pocket money. Just don't let your mother know, and of course, don't spend it recklessly."

"Yes, Lent, I understand. I'll listen to you."

"Go to sleep."

"Good night, brother."

"Good night."

Karen sat back at his desk, the lamp on.

He pulled the crumpled paper out of his pocket again and tried to unfold it again, but after halfway through, he crumpled it back into a ball.

He picked up the milk and drank it in one gulp;

Then he dropped the crumbed paper into the glass of water and, picking up a spoon, mashed it up in the water.

After doing this,

Karen held his forehead with his hand, his grandfather's words resurfacing in his mind:

"I'm worried about you going on such a long journey... unless I'm dead."

So, when are you going...?

"Ah."

Karen, somewhat helpless, picked up the bread on the table and took a big bite.

He couldn't bring himself to utter this curse.

Although Dis had wanted to kill him before—well, he probably still did—he hadn't done it yet. Before he did, he'd eaten, drank, used, and lived in his own way. It was too embarrassing to resent him.

What else could he do?

Karen spread his hands.

"I wish Grandpa a long life."

If Dis wouldn't let him go, then he could only hope Dis would live a long life.

Because Dis's words had another meaning;

Just as Ron had said, he wanted to spend his last 1 ruble before he died;

What if Dis suddenly felt unwell and felt his time was running out? Then before he passed away...

Karen licked his lips.

He said self-deprecatingly:

"Maybe he'll take me with him."

...

Study.

Pu'er, the black cat, strode across the desk.

"He keeps saying he's making money for the family and never leaves them. How heartwarming, how touching. Dis, have you been deceived by him?

He's just trying to use his status as a family member, relying on this so-called kinship, to control you. He's only saying this to save his life!

What,

Dis,

Do you believe what he says is true?

Or,

Are you just deceiving yourself?"

Dis sat there, silent.

Pu'er continued to pace back and forth across the desk with the graceful gait of a cat:

"Look, look, is this still our Judge, Lord Dis?

Our Lord Dis, it seems, has truly aged, beginning to care about family ties and forget his duties.

Dis,

Have you forgotten how you killed your son and daughter-in-law?

Why now,

Faced with a grandson,

you can't bring yourself to do it?

And you,

have more than just one grandson!"

Dis's gaze finally fell on Pu'er.

Under his gaze, Pu'er took a few cat-like steps backward.

At this moment,

Dis spoke:

"Order...cage."

Black lines emanated from Dis's body, instantly enveloping the area where the desk stood, creating a kind of isolation.

"Dis, what are you doing? Don't be impulsive. I'm waking you up, warning you, helping you!"

Dis's hand

fell directly on Pu'er's back,

pressing down,

pressing down.

"Ah ... "Good morning, Master Karen."

"Good morning, Master."

Ron was particularly enthusiastic, because of the 500 rubles he'd received yesterday.

Karen said to Paul, "Do you need a car later?"

Paul shook his head. "I haven't received a call yet."

Ron said, "I think today should be a pleasant and relaxing day. Mr. Mason and Mrs. Mary haven't gotten up yet."

Uncle and aunt took advantage of the lack of business at home to stay in bed.

"Paul, can you drive me to the hospital? I need to visit Mr. Hofen on behalf of Grandpa."

"Of course, sir."

The Immeles family car wasn't very convenient for private use elsewhere, but it was perfectly acceptable for places like hospitals.

Returning to the car, which had been a source of suffering both in life and death, Karen sat down on the cushions and sighed:

"We could actually get a new hearse."

This one was a modified one, after all. A proper hearse would have a recess in the middle for the coffin, fixed seats and armrests on both sides, and more space.

"Mr. Mason has wanted to change it for a while, but Mrs. Winnie wouldn't allow it."

Paul started the car, and the hearse began to roll down Mink Street. "Paul, turn that way and go in front of the townhouse."

"Okay, young master."

However, just as Paul had turned onto that road, Karen changed his mind. "Forget it, Paul, let's just turn back and go straight to the hospital without taking a detour."

"Okay, young master." Paul wasn't impatient at all. His temper was indeed much better than Ron's. Of course, if you tipped Ron, he'd instantly become incredibly welcoming.

Karen had thought of stopping by his uncle's first love's house and taking a look at the second-floor window, but then he thought, since Grandpa wasn't in the car, he decided to play it safe and gave up the idea.

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

"Young master, I'll wait here."

"Okay."

Karen got out of the car and headed towards the inpatient building.

Only when he reached the steps did he realize he was visiting a patient and hadn't even brought any fruit.

Go out and buy some fruit or flowers before coming back?

After a moment's hesitation,

Karen decided it was too much trouble and gave up.

"Hello, which room is Mr. Hofen in?"

"Mr. Hofen? Please wait a moment while I check for you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The young nurse at the information desk was flipping through the patient roster for the area. As she did so, she glanced up at Karen, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Karen continued to smile politely, patiently waiting.

Having inherited such handsome features, she must also bear the hardships that come with them. Alas.

For example, this young nurse deliberately checked slowly just to keep an eye on him a little longer.

Finally,

"Found it! Mr. Hofen is in Ward 301, Bed 2."

"Thank you."

"Do you need me to take you there?"

"No, thank you."

Karen walked up the stairs to the third floor. Ward 301 was right at the landing, so she was there straight away.

She opened the door to the ward and saw two beds. On one lay Mr. Hofen, and in the other, a middle-aged woman in a nurse's uniform was sound asleep, snoring softly. She hadn't even noticed Karen had pushed the door open.

The nurse was slacking off.

Karen went over to wake her,

but then,

Mr. Hofen's voice rang out:

"She works three jobs and is exhausted. Let her get some more sleep."

Karen turned and looked at Mr. Hofen lying on the bed. His head was bandaged. He'd probably been reading a newspaper before Karen came in, and he seemed to be recovering well.

"I knew you were awake, so I came to see you right away."

Karen, arriving empty-handed, sat down beside the bed.

Mr. Hofen sneered. "I didn't fall to my death. Are you disappointed?"

Karen shook her head and said bluntly, "If I had wanted to, you probably wouldn't have made it to the hospital alive."

Mr. Hofen frowned slightly, puzzled. "What? You're not even going to act anymore?"

"What's there to act for? I'm Karen. It's just that my previous illness has changed me quite a bit. After all, you almost died, so some personality changes are normal, aren't they?"

"I'm curious why Diss let you live."

"I'm your grandfather's grandson. That's a very boring thing to say."

"Don't you know what you are?"

"I told you, I'm Karen."

Mr. Hofen raised his neck, revealing a cross necklace.

"Take it off."

"Okay."

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

Mr. Hofen stared at Karen and said,

"I'll tell you what you are."

"As expected of a philosophy professor, I'd be happy to discuss philosophy with you."

"Hold it!"

"What?"

"Hold the cross with your hand!"

Karen looked at the cross necklace hanging from her hand, which she had just removed from Mr. Hofen's neck, and didn't move.

"What? You're scared?"

"No."

"Then hold it. Once you hold it, you'll know exactly what you are."

"Mr. Hofen, divination is just a hobby. It's not appropriate to become overly obsessed with it, or it will affect your real life."

"If you were that thing, and you took it, your soul would be annihilated."

"Are you telling a story?"

"Yes, then hold it. Cooperate with me as I continue this tale."

Karen hesitated.

"What are you hesitating about? Go ahead and hold it. What? Are you even deceiving yourself? Hahaha, I don't know why Dis would keep you alive. Perhaps he's old, too old..."

Mr. Hofen's eyes suddenly widened.

He watched Karen, sitting right before him, grasp the cross in her left hand.

One second,

Three seconds,

Ten seconds;

Half a minute;

After grasping the cross, Karen lay motionless.

Mr. Hofen, bracing himself against the bed, struggled to rise. At that moment, Karen suddenly bucked forward, letting out a cry of "Ouch!"

"Ouch..."

Frightened, Mr. Hofen lost his balance and fell back onto the bed, but he kept his gaze fixed on Karen, incredulous.

Karen dropped the cross necklace next to Mr. Hofen's pillow, spread her arms, and circled back to where she was.

"Isn't it said that souls are annihilated? Look, how come nothing's wrong with me?"

"Impossible! This is impossible!" Mr. Hofen began to mutter to himself.

"Rest well. I'll come visit you again soon. I hope things will be back to normal by then." Karen pointed to her forehead. "Goodbye, Mr. Hofen."

With that, Karen walked out of the ward.

"His soul wasn't annihilated by the Purification Vessel.

Am I wrong?

He's really not a demon?"

...

As they walked down the stairs, the nurse at the front desk smiled sweetly at Karen, and she smiled back.

After leaving the inpatient building and walking down the stairs, Karen didn't go directly to the parking lot to find Paul. Instead, she walked to a corner of the hospital garden. She squatted down, covered her mouth with her right hand, and flailed her left arm frantically. "Fuck... it hurts!" After a series of flailing movements, Karen finally stopped. She placed her left hand in front of her and slowly spread it open. On the palm of her left hand, a burn scar in the shape of a cross appeared. However, the wound seemed to have been burned, so no blood flowed out. Looking at the burn mark, Karen fell into deep thought. After a long pause, she finally asked herself: "So... what am I?"