seventh scale

Sorrow is their origin and their destination.

They were cursed.

"You are stupid, tyrannical and hopeless!" The angry witch stood far away at the bottom of the deep sea, on top of the reef, and sternly said, "I cast a curse with my thousand years of skill: you people will never be able to get what they love for the rest of their lives. For the love in my heart, it will turn into bubbles and disappear without a trace at the time of the seventh tide!"

Being killed by the mermaid king, the witch didn't directly exterminate the mermaid family, which was considered kind enough.

No, not her kindness.It is the tenderness of that woman.

"Daya, be good."

Nian is a tiny mermaid cub.

Unlike the fairy tales, they have no magnificent palaces, no pavilions with carved beams and painted buildings, and they are not even as good as the houses in the slums on the shore. mermaid.

He often propped up his soft cheeks, tilted his little head, and asked the patriarch for stories on the shore with his bright eyes.The patriarch always strokes his long curly brown hair with a nostalgic look, and then slowly, slowly tells him all the stories of his life.

"The patriarch is really the best mermaid in the world!"

However, the little Nian was always puzzled because he didn't know who his parents were; the patriarch said that he picked him up next to the trash can on the coast, and Nian was already three years old at that time.It is the name given by the patriarch, and it comes from the mermaid's poem "The fleeting time does not change, and it will always be in the world."

Of course, the intelligent and precocious Nian would not believe this set of arguments, so he quietly learned various languages ​​from the oldest old woman in the clan.He made up his mind that when he became an adult, that is, when a human being was 16 years old, he would go ashore to travel around and find his parents by himself!

Of course, Nian knew that his chances of finding it were very small. After all, although there were many mermaid gathering places in the world, all of them were hidden. Otherwise, the mermaid tribe would have been slaughtered by greedy humans long ago.

He simply has an obsession with warmth.

Time flies by, and in the limited time of the year, I used learning and knowledge to fill my missing emotions, and temporarily gained happiness to suppress the loneliness and...irritability in my heart.Ah, it's great to study!

"Hey, Nian!" is Qing, one of his best playmates, "I heard you will be an adult tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, yes! How do you feel? You must be super excited!" Another young little mermaid, who was only born five years ago, is currently the key protection object of the whole family.

"Brother A Nian! Come chat with us! Don't read this boring book anymore~" The little mermaid leaned close to Nian's head, just glanced at it and then screamed a headache, "Please, this is written in Elven language?! It's boring and difficult to understand."

Nian sighed helplessly, and spit out a string of bubbles in the sea, which made Qing and the little mermaid laugh.He closed the book in his hand: "Of course I'm excited. But in order to stay energetic until tomorrow, I decided to use reading to enrich myself, improve self-cultivation, and overcome laziness!"

The little mermaid curled her lips unhappily, then swam away with her little tail flicking.

Unfortunately, until she completely swam out of Nian's sight, Nian didn't catch up to tease her as she wished.

Because her brother A Nian was preparing various matters for escaping tomorrow with Qing, who also wanted to escape from the bottom of the sea.

"Qing, are you ready?" Nian always had an ominous premonition, and couldn't help asking Qing nervously again, "I mean, everything, including money, clothes,..."

"Excuse me, map, etc." Qing smiled indifferently, but became concerned about Nian, "Hey, Nian, what happened to you today? This is the seventh time you asked me! We obviously just went up to take a look Sunrise, let’s go shopping in the market and come back!”

Looking at Nian's tightly pursed lips and brown eyes that seemed to be talking, Qing, who was a few years older than him, stroked his hair soothingly: "Don't worry too much, don't be nervous anymore."

"Okay." Nian temporarily put aside the strange premonition, stretched out his hand and hugged Qing tightly.

Kiyoshi smiled softly and hugged him back tightly.

The morning light lovingly shines on every creature on the earth.

Scarlet, however, was upright, wantonly nibbling away at where Nian's vision went, and Nian's pupils had long been out of focus due to the excessively filthy water.That's good, at least, he doesn't have to bear the burden of seeing clearly the whole process of being brutally killed: First, the scales of the fish are carefully scraped off, and then he is dissected bit by bit starting from the heart, and finally becomes a pile of lifeless flesh with a disgusting smell .

Qing knew that Nian would not be able to see himself clearly for the last time, so he bit his lips kindly, and only managed to let out a few stern moans when he was dying of dementia.

What a kind Qing, when that treacherous trader pretended to need help, he stepped forward and knelt down to take him to a human hospital.But he never expected that the merchant accidentally saw them going ashore, so he hurriedly pretended to be injured when he fell to the ground with bright eyes, and then quickly trapped the two fish with drugs, and finally succeeded in getting the fish after repeatedly lowering the price of the fishmonger. Satisfied with the reward, he left with a smile on his face.

Qing has been bought for dinner by a wealthy human businessman.

Nian thought drowsily: "Probably, I'm going to die too." '

In the long and endless panic, Nian finally heard his end.

"Mom, he is so pitiful, let's buy him back and release him, shall we?"

It was the voice of a young boy.

Nian forced himself to open his eyelids, only to see the boy's light gray eyes in a daze, and then fell unconscious.

It is such a gentle light gray.Once you see it, you will never forget it.

When I woke up again, I was in a clean and huge bathtub filled with clear and transparent water, even more attractive than sea water.Nian regained his energy all of a sudden, and swam excitedly in the water. The big light brown fish tail swayed gently in the water, causing ripples after waves.

bang.

The wooden door of the bathroom opened, and a human teenager came in.The one I saw at the market in [-].

Showing his small fangs vigilantly, Nian made a low guttural voice, angrily warning this stupid human being who had stepped into 'his territory'.Nian can still see Qing's corpse almost as soon as he closes his eyes.

Greedy and tyrannical human beings.

"No, don't do this. I bought you back. I also used the royalties I earned from selling paintings. Now I am a poor man because of you." The boy smiled and shook his head. The light gray eyes were still bright.It was clearly a decadent and melancholy color, but it was engraved in his eyes, like planetary fragments that exploded in the universe.

"By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Leng Zhou, icy Leng Leng, Zhou of the cycle."

"What's your name?"

After a long time, he said in a low voice, "Year. The year of your age."

"Wow!" Leng Zhou suddenly gestured with his hands exaggeratedly, "Hey, if you say so, you are very similar to the legendary 'Nian Beast'! Both are little monsters that came out during the Chinese New Year, and they are silly and always act alone ..."

He was answered by several huge water sounds.

Nian suddenly sank himself into the bottom of the water, shrinking into a ball.He saw the tragic scene of Qing's death again.

Seeing that Nian stopped talking and was as dull as Leng Zhou knew that he had said something wrong, so he approached the bathtub cautiously, and when Nian came to the surface viciously, and was about to warn him, he suddenly stretched out the meal that he had just carried behind his back. Pan: "Eat some fish? You look weak, you need this."

Cuckoo.

Nian blushed in embarrassment, looked at his growling stomach, then snatched the plate ferociously, grabbed the fish and stuffed it into his mouth.

Leng Zhou was immediately amused, and quickly took out the tableware from his trouser pocket, "You have to eat with this, or you will get your hands dirty."

"Woo!" Nian was furious.But still loyal to his stomach, he took over the tableware.

Seeing Nian devouring the fish, Leng Zhou suddenly said, "Just now, I'm sorry."

"I, I didn't mean to poke your sore spot."

Nian: "?" Stupid human beings, I'm not mad at you!

Nian narrowed his eyes slightly: That businessman, he will be dissected completely by me.So will the fishmonger.Ah Qing, you will not die in vain.

…………

"Hey, Nian, have you really decided not to go back?" Leng Zhou was still a little unsure.Probably, happiness came too suddenly?

"Of course not!" Nian smiled, and rubbed Leng Zhou's soft hair, "I've wanted to go ashore for a long time, but now I won't go back." peddler~

"Hey, there's a supermarket here! Nian, wait for me, I'll go buy you something!" Leng Zhou stopped suddenly when he passed a tourist shop.

"Okay. Just pick a simple bracelet. This kind of store is all about cheating tourists, and the price must be inflated." Nian was a little disgusted, but he didn't refuse.

"You, how do you know that I want to buy a bracelet?!"

"Please, the small board at the door says 'Today's [-]% off two bracelets for best friends and couples!' Hey. I'm so childish. Hmph."

"Woo! I won't play with you anymore, I'm leaving!" Leng Zhou developed a little temper that was seen through, and simply turned his head and walked into the store.

Among the dazzling array of bracelets, Leng Zhou finally chose the simplest style: a red string with a cheap artificial small conch in the middle.Satisfied, Leng Zhou ran out of the store, just about to give this to Nian, but suddenly found that Nian was gone.

There was no one under the bright yellow streetlights.

Even the gentle moonlight seems to be laughing at Leng Zhou's stupidity at this moment.

'The confession that I thought about, I don't need it anymore. '

Standing at the intersection, Leng Zhou was suddenly a little confused.

…………

"Why don't you believe me!" Nian felt wronged and angry, and pressed Leng Zhou on the bed to almost swallow him alive, "I almost can't come back! I'm doing this to protect you!"

The little mermaid pointed sadly at the bloodstains all over her body, the most serious one was almost to the bone.

"Why should I believe you! You didn't tell me that day, and you left without making a sound! Do you know how uncomfortable I was at that time?" Leng Zhou was also very angry, speaking recklessly and fast It was so fast that I almost didn’t know what I was talking about, “Oh, by the way, a businessman just happened to be dismembered these days. It is said that when he died, the skin was taken off. Who knows if you did it? Maybe , you left without saying goodbye that day just to kill another fishmonger!"

"That businessman deserves to die! My Ah Qing died worse than him! At least I have already left his whole body! I am already very kind!"

For a moment, there was a dead silence.

Leng Zhou originally just hoped that Nian would realize his anger, and then coax himself.He didn't expect much, a gentle kiss was enough.But he didn't expect that Nian would say such cruel words, which completely shattered his fantasy of "cute Nian".

"Ha...haha...hahahaha...'kindness'? You call this 'kindness'? You are a, out and out, monster!" Leng Zhou roared almost hysterically.Then she lost her strength and buried herself in the warm bedding in an attempt to escape from reality.

But Nian paused and was stunned.

'Does he hate me? '

'Does the only human being I like hate me? '

'Do I, the only spouse I love and desire, think I'm a monster? '

scoff.

When he came back to his senses back then, he found that he was roughly tearing Leng Zhou's clothes.Leng Zhou lay in the rags, his gray eyes were dim, and Nian couldn't understand the emotions in it.

'fair enough. '

Suddenly, at the real moment, Nian found himself losing his sense of touch.

Nian watched sadly.He, like God at this moment, can only be an isolated observer.

Yes, it is the witch's curse.Monsters don't deserve happiness.

It is meaningless, purely a rape, Nian also sentenced himself to death in advance in the sadness and despair in his heart.My heart felt so empty.Both parties are in a painful union, and Nian doesn't understand why he still chooses to persevere.

Probably because mermaids are naturally dull and violent.

…………

【Gloomy roaring thunder, rapid and rough rain, the cold light on the boat; the crescent moon is hidden in the arms of the lonely dark cloud, hugging tightly, not willing to let a ray of the moon's brilliance escape.The merman, covered in scars and seriously wounded half to death, slapped the wooden deck one after another with its big light brown tail in vain.It was like ringing the death knell for himself.

'A Zhou, have you ever liked me?You, you, are you willing to share ten years of my life? 'The little mermaid was full of sadness, and there was a little hope in her eyes.

'No, never! The young man stood in front of the little mermaid, and clasped his fingers angrily, "A greedy, vicious and wretched monster like you should no longer live in this world!" '

Behind the boy, the witch hidden in the thick night smiled with satisfaction.

"But, but, I blocked this shot for you..." His brown eyes were full of disbelief.

'A liar full of lies! ' The boy interrupted him angrily, turned and left.

The proud witch leaned down and whispered in the boy's ear: 'Yes, that's it.The greedy merfolk are just trying to get your sympathy. With their healing speed, this kind of gunshot wound can't be fatal at all. '

'Yes, is it true?In this year, he will live a good life, right? 'After venting, the teenager still couldn't bear it deep in his heart.What if, what if the witch was just lying to him, and Ah Nian happened to know nothing?So the boy turned around.

He saw that Nian, who had been seriously injured just now and couldn't transform into form, staggered and stood up again, and then rushed over with all his strength, knocking him out all at once.

Covering the night, the witch chuckled a few times; she didn't show up and didn't stop her.She knew that this story was destined not to have a happy ending, but she just got excited and played with them for a while.

Leng Zhou's temperament is full of arrogance after being gentle, and his overly strong self-esteem prevents him from daring to face up to his feelings; and Nian, ah, a cruel mermaid, even if he wants to change, what can he do?Then, how can the ugliness that dissolves in the flesh and blood be eliminated with a mere determination!

The witch dragged her cloak that reached the floor, and left with a swing.In their story, she was just an insignificant announcer.

deep sea.

The dark grotto.

"Lord Patriarch! Please!" Nian dragged Leng Zhou, who was full of scars, kneeling in front of the Mermaid King, weeping softly.

The patriarch seemed extremely unbearable, but he still made up his mind and severely reprimanded: "First, you went ashore privately without discussing with the tribe, which is one major crime; second, you killed your companion because of this, two major crimes; Three, you actually, actually want to be a partner with a human being! Have you ever forgotten that curse?!"

"I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten, I, I have lost my sense of touch." Nian's melancholy brown eyes were full of pleading, "Master Patriarch, please..."

Before the words fell, Nian couldn't bear it anymore and passed out.

After another long time, the man sighed softly, stepped forward and hugged Nian.

"Forget it. Who told you to be her child." The tone was infinitely melancholy and thoughtful.

The oppressive and drowsy seabed is surrounded by cold and flowing ripples. Lying on the sand and breathing, it seems to fall into the clouds and fall into the crevice.The piercing and wonderful singing sounded, and in front of him was a bottle of dark green potion, which tasted like a delicious rainy season.Is the call in my ear?Under the brilliance of Xingzi, Leng Zhou heard...

"I like you."

"Who would want your likes? Get lost!"

At the end of the year, it turned into a bubble unfortunately.

The witch's curse back then was not absolute. In fact, she faintly left a way out, which was in the oldest magic book in the clan.As long as the lover agrees to share his life with him before turning into a bubble, the two can live together according to the mermaid's 200-year lifespan.

What an idealized romanticism.Unfortunately, it has been more than 200 years since that curse, but there has not been a single case of success.Human nature is the most difficult thing in the world to ponder.

'It's a pity for the child. 'The witch sighed.Then he suddenly thought of something interesting, and his dark green pupils shone brightly.

'Year, can you expect a chance to do it all over again? '

'All I need is a piece of your soul. '

I'm really curious about the smell of that extremely pure but filthy thing.The witch raised her lips.

So six deaths.

Six total failures.

The seventh time was the last time he could afford to pay. 】

In the ancient ceremony, all the long-sealed memories were opened at once, rushing to the heart, until the depression and pain overflowed, and Nian could no longer bear it.He suddenly fell to the ground, desperately looking at the scenes in his memory.

Every death is so similar.

Lonely and helpless, no place to die.

With almost zero hope, he consumed his soul in exchange for being reborn again and again.

The witch's spells just gave him a chance. No matter how many times, how could he get something that didn't belong to him just because of his affection?Fate is never fair.

In the scarlet magic circle, Nian had already sat up, and Leng Zhou was slowly waking up.

oppressive seabed

Surrounded by icy flowing ripples

lying on the sand to breathe

Like falling into a cloud, falling into a crevice

The piercing and beautiful hymns ring out

In front of me is a bottle of dark green potion

Taste is delicious rainy season

Is the call in my ear?

Under the brilliance of Xingzi, Leng Zhou heard...

"I like you." Nian seriously insisted on confessing, and a smile was pulled out miserably on his pale face, heralding that the tragedy would repeat itself again.The beginning is exactly the same, the process is exactly the same, but Nian still holds on to a ridiculously slim hope, humbly waiting for a response that will never come.

He has no chance.

It's just liking, not "love".

I understand it, I just like it.

But can't let go.

It's just the simplest liking, the clearest liking, and the most sincere liking; the innocent little mermaid never understands the so-called love, and just clings to the most beautiful warmth at the beginning of the story.

"You like me?" Leng Zhou responded viciously with an extremely disdainful expression, "Who the hell would want to be liked by a monster like you! Don't make me laugh! I don't want to see you again!"

The lost and desperate Nian slowly closed his brown warm but melancholy eyes, naturally he didn't notice the panic and worry in Leng Zhou's tone.

The little mermaid's hair was floating along the waves in the water. He was lying on the big black rock, his heart ached as if it had been completely crushed by a juicer; he knew the "juice" flowing out of it "It is kindness, the "kindness" that Leng Zhou expected.Suddenly, the sockets of his eyes became hot, and he felt the gentle sea kiss away the teardrops for him.His ridiculously dull simplicity and the dirtiest tyranny in his heart are combined to form a contradictory self, creating scenes of tragedies that make people laugh.

He had already lost the strength and courage to open his eyes, and Nian drew a bottom line for himself in his heart.A bottom line that doesn't matter whether you have it or not.Because he knows that even now, even if it's just a lie, as long as Leng Zhou apologizes to him gently and affectionately, he will hold on to his gradually transparent body and finish the fairytale-like final scene.

Sauce sauce sauce!

When the bell rang for the curtain call in the opera, amidst the emotion and happiness, this absurd fairy tale finally ended perfectly since then.From then on, no matter whether Leng Zhou fell in love with others, married or had children, it had nothing to do with Nian.Nian got his persistent "warmth" at the end of his memory, even if it was a false "warmth", it was enough for him to move himself.

What a worthless dignity.

Letting the icy sea water wash away his gradually clear thoughts, Nian calmed down the sorrow flowing around.

Before, he clearly couldn't figure it out, and he couldn't bear to let it go, but now he finally felt relieved, like a knife cut any of the threads, and then they all fell apart fragilely; at the end of Nian's life, Nian couldn't help but sigh that he was too sober. late.But he himself is sure he will never regret it.

The body finally became transparent.Then soften, little by little, all turned into foam.Taste, touch, sight, hearing, all gradually left him.It was as if a solid copper wall and iron wall had been erected all around, completely isolating him from this world, shrinking it into a big iron box that restrained him, and then he was exiled, exiled to a completely strange different world, exiled to... A world without cold weeks.

In the end, Nian died completely in the thick of grief that almost suffocated him, and in the impotent rage of Leng Zhou's unbelievable screams and roars.

Sorrow is their origin and their destination.

The author has something to say: I don’t know why, but finally I started sand sculpting again hahahahahaha! "Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang" "Incompetent Fury"!Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha I'm trying to make it easier!Praise me, praise me, I'm super obedient!

By the way, the content of the ellipsis in the prequel is the same as that in the main text by default!I won't go into details here, mainly because of the same content. Once again, you will definitely find it annoying, right?Do you think so?Hehehe, don't think I'm lazy.

------small theater-------

Leng Zhou: [Erkang hand] No!do not leave Me!

Nian: [covers ears and shakes head] I won't listen, I won't listen, I won't listen! (Actually, I want to hear it but I can’t hear it hehehe)

Witch: [Be nice and clever] Hold high the "buy seven get one free" sign!I am very conscientious! (I just want to reverse the attack and receiving, hehehe)

There will be small daily episodes in the future, so it's easy and entertaining!Please rest assured that it is absolutely non-toxic!

One comment, one episode!I do what I say!This year ends in May!

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Thank you little sister "LoCity" for your message! ! !A special notice is coming! !Post this weekend! ! !

#论，Why is this book also known as "The Simplest Method from Top to Bottom"##