13 Mink Street

Chapter 114: Are You Out Of Your Mind, Piaget?

“Heh.”

Karon had just woken up. After listening to Pu’er recount what happened last night, he finally realized his cat and dog had actually done so much. Holding the note in his hand, he said, “Is this a secret gathering of Light vermin?”

Pu’er analyzed the situation. “That would mean that the former owner of this place should be a believer of the Church of Light. He must have attended a lot of these secret gatherings, but he has since moved, so the notice for this next gathering ended up being intercepted by us.”

Karon shook his head. “That’s too much of a coincidence. I don’t buy it.”

“But maybe it really is that coincidental.” Pu’er flicked her tail.

“He moved and didn’t know to update his address? The Church of Light isn’t like the Wall God Church; The Wall God Church is merely targeted by the Church of Order, but the Church of Light is a target of the entire ecclesiastical world’s joint hunt.

“He moved, and the letter was delivered to the new owner? With such a crude system in place, how could their organization have survived?”

“If not for this stupid dog’s voice successfully luring the crow over, we would never have received this notice. The crow itself was able to distinguish the recipient. In fact, last night it observed you through the window for a long time, and it was already preparing to leave without delivering the letter.

“Most importantly, it’s very likely the previous owner didn’t know how to report up the chain, due to being at the very bottom.”

Even with Pu’er’s explanation, Karon was still unconvinced. He was a cautious person.

“Woof, woof, woof.”

“What did he say?”

“It said the previous owner was probably just an outer-ring believer, a Divine Servant at best. Outer believers are extremely mobile, due to having no connection to the core of the organization.

“Also, Light vermin can only preach in secret now, so their core layer is even smaller than before. I also think that the former owner might have followed his son to a colony in order to spread the Church of Light again in the colony, because the colonies are not within orthodox churches’ coverage. Even though the people there have their own primitive faith, they’re easier to gnaw into, and there’s less monitoring.”

Karon shook the note in his hand, then silently raised his head to look at the ceiling.

“Karon, what are you looking at?” Pu’er asked.

“I’m looking to see if someone is watching us.”

“I think you can think about it in a simpler way, much like how this apartment complex was developed by the Allen Consortium.”

“Maybe I have persecutory delusions.”

“Woof, woof, woof.”

“What is he saying now?”

“He said your worry isn’t groundless, so what are you going to do with this note? Will you go to this secret gathering of the Church of Light?”

Karon tossed the note aside. “ Only an idiot would go.”

After saying that, he got out of bed and went to wash up.

As soon as Karon left the bedroom, Pu’er immediately lowered her voice to curse at the golden retriever, “You actually suggested sending Alfred to kill Alaia’s whole family to see if this was coincidence or some sort of setup?”

The golden retriever looked at the cat with both ears plastered to his head.

“The reason I didn’t translate for you just now is because I think that what you said is unbelievably stupid! Can’t you learn from that radio demon and keep up with his preferences?”

The golden retriever whimpered twice and flopped back onto his bed.

“But anyway, the two of us don’t have anything to do while we’re stuck at home right now, so we can observe our surroundings.”

The golden retriever immediately perked back up and stood.

“But our focus isn’t Alaia’s family; We’ll observe our neighbors in the apartment building, as well as some interesting people nearby. At the very least, we should sort out what’s happening right at our doorstep first. What do you think?”

“Woof, woof.”

Hearing that, Pu’er’s whiskers twitched. “You also said there’s another possibility, that different people’s constitutions attract different things more easily? That because he is Karon, some things will actively drift toward him in the form of coincidences?

“Oh, my god. I bet Karon definitely won’t like that explanation. He won’t like having a constitution that draws trouble either.”

“Woof, woof.”

“You’re saying the world calls for gods, and gods selectively respond to some calls?”

“Woof.” The golden retriever nodded enthusiastically.

“That was well said. That’s radio demon level.”

After washing up, Karon changed into a slightly more serious outfit. Facing the mirror, he used a comb to tidy his hair into something stricter. Even so, because his body had too handsome an appearaance, no matter how much seriousness he added, he still gave off a slightly frivolous feeling.

As he went downstairs, he happened to see Alfred speaking with Hend, then closing the door.

“Young Master, Zenn had Hend bring us breakfast.”

“Alright.”

The breakfast was plentiful, but there were only two portions. In a normal person’s perspective, a cat and dog did not count as people.

There were two chicken wraps, two corn flatbreads, and a big bottle of hot milk. After one bite of the chicken wrap, Karon commented with some surprise, “The sauce is really good.”

If it can earn Young Master’s praise, it must be excellent, Alfred thought. He didn’t take a chicken wrap, but the corn flatbread instead. That was because he knew his young master did not like corn-flavored foods.

Karon ate both chicken wraps by himself and drank a large cup of milk.

Alfred matched the Young Master’s eating rhythm. When the Young Master finished the last sip of milk, Alfred also put the last piece of corn flatbread into his mouth. “Young Master, where are you going?”

His outfit showed that he was going out.

“Yesterday I saw an opening advertisement in the newspaper for a psychology clinic.”

“Do you plan to guide the pitiful who have lost their way in their hearts, Young Master?”

“The clinic’s owner is Piaget.”

“Oh, a pitiful person willing to pay a reasonable price.”

“I think I can find work there. Piaget is the kind of person who won’t care about my education.”

“Alright. I’ll go borrow a car from Alaia.”

“Doesn’t he need it?” Karon asked.

“Today he’s taking Hend to the hospital in Mulberry Port to look at his ears. The whole family will take the train, and they might not be back until tomorrow. His savings seem to have gone into medical expenses for his son. Now, every time he closes a deal and gets a commission, he takes his son to see the doctor again.”

“Alright then.”

Alfred borrowed the car from Alaia. Karon got in. Alaia walked over and said to Alfred, “There’s a fuel card for the Mandal gas station in the compartment. If the tank runs low, you can refuel there.

“Young Master Karon, good morning. I wish you a smooth journey.”

“You too.”

The Adams Psychological Practice was located in the center of the city. Awkwardly, Karon hit the morning rush-hour gridlock.

The moment the window was opened, it was all choking exhaust. Quite a few drivers at this time had their windows down, smoking while waiting in a habitual, irritable way. Perhaps the smell of smoke could drive off those black exhaust fumes.

Karon shut the window tight and silently rested his forehead against the glass.

In Roja City, you would never see such a scene. It was more like a small, lazy city, but York City, from the outside, was already not much different from a future metropolis.

“Young Master, next time you go to work, I’ll drive you to the station first, then accompany you on the tram.”

Karon nodded.

“If Alaia weren’t taking his child to the doctor, he would have taken me to the used car market today to buy a car. Young Master, you need to approve my budget, but 10,000 rels will be enough. We can buy one about as good as Alaia’s. There are cheaper ones too, but they won’t be this comfortable.”

Karon nodded again.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

In Roja City, Alfred had driven a limited-edition Santelan.

Traffic recovered bit by bit. Karon had set out at eight thirty in the morning, but he arrived at his destination when it was twenty minutes to eleven. The congestion was truly terrifying.

In Marcan, “York” did not only have a definition of busy, but also the definition of congestion, which was why York City had the nickname “Congestion City.”

Fortunately, a car just happened to pull out from the white-lined roadside space. Alfred seized the opening and parked as fast as he could, snatching the spot. Otherwise, they would have had to hunt for an underground lot or driven far to find another roadside space.

After getting out, Karon loosened his neck. He was standing beneath the Santor Tower, as Piaget’s clinic was inside it. However, when Karon turned to look across the busy road at the building across the way, his gaze tightened.

“Curtis Building.”

“Young Master, Curtis Building is an old landmark in York City. Many films have used it for location shooting,” Alfred introduced. “Eh, what a coincidence.”

While stuck in traffic, Karon had told Alfred about last night’s incident as well.

“Young Master, do you need me to investigate inside that building?”

“No. Treat it like we didn’t see it.” Karon had no reason to get involved with Light vermin. Even though Rasma’s guarantee meant that he could resume contact with his family, it didn’t mean his identity could be publicly exposed. “Let’s go to the clinic first. I’m afraid they’ll be closing for lunch soon.”

Karon led Alfred into Santor Tower. Piaget’s clinic was on the twenty-first floor. Once they entered the elevator, Karon stood in a corner and Alfred made space for him.

The elevator stopped and started as people entered and exited.

Thinking again of the traffic on the roads, Karon truly felt as though he had returned to his previous life and the years he had spent working before starting his own venture. The feeling was like a fish without gills forced to keep swimming beneath the surface without pause. A small portion of fish mastered an artistic way of presenting something, and could lead other fish up to the surface to breathe fresh air.

That was why many artists’ classic works were created when they were poor and ordinary, because after they had been ashore too long, they had already forgotten the stifling feeling beneath the surface.

Ding. Twenty-first floor.

Alfred pushed past the crowd in front and led Karon out of the elevator. The clinic’s front desk was staffed by two young beautiful young women in professional attire. “Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?”

Karon answered, “Please help me contact Mr. Adams. I was sent by his father to deliver something to him. My name is Karon.”

Sometimes, a well-intentioned lie could save a lot of trouble, like, sorry sir, without an appointment you can’t enter, or, I’m Piaget’s friend, have him come out to see me.

“Alright, sir.” The receptionist made the call, and soon smiled at Karon. “Our boss is in a meeting. Miss Bertha hopes you can wait in the office for a moment. I will show you in.”

Led by the front desk lady, Karon and Alfred entered the clinic. It was quiet inside, but you could see “busyness.” There were many doctors, and there were “clients” lined up waiting.

The boss’s office was at the very back, with a secretary’s desk outside.

“Hello, are you Mr. Karon? Please come in.” The secretary opened the office door. Karon went in, though Alfred remained outside. “Please have a seat. Would you like coffee or tea?”

“Ice water.”

“Alright, I will bring it right away.”

Two walls of the office were floor-to-ceiling windows. The view was excellent, and Karon couldn’t help walking to a window and admiring it. He had once also had a clinic of his own, but it had not been on the same scale as Piaget’s, and he had not had such a luxurious office.

At that moment, the office door was pushed open. “Hello, Mr. Karon. Here is your ice water.”

The voice belonged to a different woman, so Karon turned and looked at who had entered. She wore a black uniform, her hair brushed smooth, and her entire appearance quite natural.

Most importantly, she looked a great deal like Linda.

She handed the glass to Karon with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Karon. I am Bertha, Mr. Adams’s personal assistant.”

While accepting the water, Karon could not hold back a smile as he looked at Bertha.

“May I ask what you are smiling at?”

Karon shook his head. In his heart he could only marvel. You are still the one, Piaget. You even play dress-up in your own clinic.

“I will hang up your coat,” Bertha offered as she moved behind Karon and helped him remove it.

Because Karon was holding the cup, he could only raise his arms, but in the process of unfastening the buttons at his chest, Karon discovered in shock that Bertha’s fingertips were deliberately tracing small, gentle circles on his chest. He was certain she was doing it on purpose.

A deep chill of discomfort rose from the bottom of his heart. Piaget, you’re going a bit too far.

While slipping the sleeves off, Karon shifted the cup from his left hand to his right, and the coat finally came off.

Bertha went to hang it up. “Please sit.”

Karon sat down on the sofa, and Bertha casually leaned close and sat beside Karon. Beneath the skirt of her universe, she crossed her legs that were wrapped in black stockings.

“Can you tell me first what the old gentleman sent you to see the boss about?”

“Sorry, I can’t.”

“Alright, it’s fine. You are truly too polite.”

Bertha shifted her legs again. Karon moved his gaze away. In Allen Manor, when he gave Eunice foot massages, he felt warm and relaxed, but at this moment, with these legs, he instinctively felt repulsed, and even a little sick.

He wanted Bertha to hurry out, saying she was going to urge her boss, then quickly change so that Piaget would walk back in and give Karon a normal hug. They would talk, and finally Karon would be allowed to stay and work in the clinic.

Thus, Karon urged, “Could I trouble you to press Mr. Adams again? My matter is rather urgent.”

Hurry up and turn back into a man, my friend.

“The boss’s current meeting is important. He is discussing developmental plans with investors, but it should end soon. Also, Mr. Karon, do you dislike me?”

“No. I’m just rather shy and introverted. I’m not good at communicating with young women, especially a beautiful one like you.”

“No. I also graduated in psychology, and your micro-expressions tell me that deep down, you reject me. Can you tell me why? Did I do something poorly that triggered your aversion?”

Bertha stood up and moved to stand in front of Karon. She did not tug her uniform skirt back down after it rode up from sitting, as was habit. Instead, she opened her arms generously and bent at the waist.

Not only did this cause the black patterned band at the top of her stockings to show, even her deep cleavage was on full display.

Karon wanted to wash his eyes. Oh my god, Piaget, you even padded your chest?

“Or...” Miss Bertha continued, sounding as if she were sincerely questioning him to the point that she had forgotten about the proper boundaries between men and women, “Your orientation isn’t toward women?”

As she spoke, she moved closer. Her hands braced on Karon’s knees and slowly shifted upward, as if to confirm her observational findings, full of provocative intent.

Karon sighed. Dissociative identity absolutely does not sound cool. In truth, its harm can be severe.

Once an identity split off, it wouldn’t become a pet, appearing whenever a person called. From the moment it appeared, it would be like a “baby,” and would begin to grow and enrich itself.

Don’t think that after losing your wife, splitting out a wife persona for yourself is a beautiful love story, because your wife persona will gradually become richer and develop. You might even quarrel because of it, causing the relationship to break. In the end, your wife might even cheat.

Of course, she would still use your body to cheat.

Karon had originally thought that as a professional, Piaget capable of controlling himself within limits, but now, Karon felt Piaget had become lost. As a friend, Karon felt it was his responsibility to wake him up.

Or perhaps it really would be as Alfred had said after breakfast, a pitiful person willing to pay a reasonable price.

It seemed Karon might be earning consultation fees from Piaget again. He reached out with both hands and grabbed Bertha’s wrists. With a tug, she nearly stumbled into Karon.

He looked up at her with a serious expression and sternly said, “Listen. I hope you can be clear-headed right now, and I also hope you understand what you are doing. I believe the real you will regret some of what you just said and did.

“Now, please restore your rationality immediately, and then I can help you undergo systematic treatment.”

“Mr. Karon, do you have violent tendencies and enjoy performing extreme acts of violence alone?” Bertha smiled like a scholar having seen through Karon’s preferences. “But you are truly too handsome. The first time I saw you, I couldn’t resist wanting to get close to you.”

“I promise you, I’m willing to call myself out and let you treat me, and I will also treat you. We can treat each other together, alright?”

At that moment, someone knocked on the office door. Karon released his grip, and Bertha immediately straightened, quickly tidying her skirt and collar.

The door was pushed open, and it was Piaget himself who walked in. He saw Karon sitting on the sofa and immediately spread his arms and strode over excitedly. “Karon! When I heard the secretary’s report, I was wondering if it might just be the same name; I didn’t expect it really to be you. Hahaha, my good friend, it’s wonderful to see you here!”

Piaget wrapped Karon in a hug, then smiled and introduced Bertha, “This is Bertha, my personal assistant.”

Bertha wore a polite, professional smile as Piaget patted Karon’s arm and said, “How is it? When I first interviewed her, I was shocked too. She looks so much like Linda, doesn’t she?”

“...”