Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Chapter 198 Odor Protection Layer

The woman was taken aback, then gave a wry smile and nodded.

Much later, Ting Nan finally understood her expression: the blank stare was because no one had ever asked if she could come to her house; they all just barged in and made a scene whenever they wanted. The bitter smile was because she wondered if she could refuse.

"Auntie, what's your name?" For some reason, Ting Nan wanted to know her.

“My original name was Ito Kyoko, but now I’m called I-Kyoko. Haven’t you heard of me? The Japanese woman everyone hates?” Zuo Kyoko said self-deprecatingly.

Perhaps it was because she hadn't chatted with outsiders for too long, or perhaps she was indifferent, or perhaps it was Nan's kindness that made Yi Xingzi open up and talk without reservation. Besides, she wasn't exactly a secret in this county town.

"I don't know, Auntie. My name is Song Tingnan. I don't have much time to come out."

Yi Xingzi looked at Ting Nan and said seriously, "Then you should avoid contact with me. It's not good for you, and everyone avoids me."

"Have you ever been to the battlefield? Have you ever oppressed the Chinese people?" Ting Nan asked his question.

Yi Xingzi smiled bitterly, “Go to the battlefield? How could someone like me possibly do that? And it’s even more impossible for me to oppress the Chinese. I’m paying the price for my ignorance and recklessness when I was young. I’ve always been curious about the mysterious East. When I was eighteen, I ignored the international situation and came to China with my fiancé. Before I could even see the Forbidden City or climb the Great Wall, we were put under control.”

"Control? Does that mean being imprisoned? Didn't Japan have a consulate in China back then?"

“The Japanese consuls didn’t have time for us ordinary people; they were too busy! My fiancé offered me up to save his own life,” Ikko said calmly, recounting her past. “I became an outlet for some Chinese officials’ frustrations. When China won, they humiliated me; when China lost, they conquered me in bed. I was powerless to resist because I was Japanese and had to pay for my country’s mistakes. I deserved it!”

Ting Nan fell silent. She didn't know how to comfort Zuo Tengxingzi, nor did she have the strength to defend those people.

"Maybe I should die, but I'm not willing to accept this. Is this what China is like? And my fiancé, I'll live to prove him wrong!" Yi Xingzi's eyes were somewhat frightening.

The two walked in silence, the surrounding environment becoming increasingly dilapidated, with a stench emanating from it from time to time.

"You live here? Do you live alone?"

"No."

"Your lover?"

"He's not a lover, but he's better than a lover. He's my savior, my elder brother."

"Is he Japanese too?"

"No, he's Chinese, a local, and came from the battlefield. He has a wife and two children."

Do you live with their family?

“He’s not a family member, he’s all alone. He said he’s a sinner and doesn’t dare go back to implicate his wife and children.”

Shouldn't someone who has been on the battlefield be a hero? How can they be a sinner? Ting Nan didn't understand.

An even stronger stench made Ting Nan hesitate. "Miss, you can stop here."

"Um, how come you live next to this abandoned public toilet? How can you stand it?"

Yi Xingzi remained unfazed. "You'll get used to it. These smells are quite nice; they protect us and allow us to live peacefully."

"Xingzi, cough cough... Is that you back? Who are you talking to? Don't let anyone in."

"I understand, brother." Yi Xingzi answered loudly, then turned to Ting Nan and said, "Miss, thank you for today. I won't invite you in. You should leave here soon too!"

Ting Nan nodded. The smell was truly disgusting and made her dizzy. She left the fish and tofu.

Only when they are far away can Ting Nan's brain function properly. Is the stench protecting them? Well, who would want to go to that place?