How to Stop the Villain from Going Crazy
Translator: Fuyu
Chapter 39 - Want to sow discord and hostility between Erik and her?
Bo Li suddenly thought; Erik had frequently taken her to watch shows the past several days. Was it because she said she wanted to start a circus?
There were only the two of them right now. To form a circus, other performers would have to be recruited.
Oh! That was why he kept taking her to see shows. He was helping her scout around for talents.
Fortunately, she had seriously watched all the performances. Otherwise, she would be in trouble if he asked her on a whim which performer she liked and she couldn't answer his question.
She would prefer a crossdressing beauty, an animal trainer, a deformed performer, a giant, and a dwarf.
She had a reason for wanting a deformed performer.
Erik still hadn't told her why he wore a mask. She had a feeling that getting that secret from his lips would be a major turning point in their relationship.
She couldn't straightforwardly say that she knew he looked terrifying so it was okay for him to take off his mask. Thus, she could only find a disfigured performer to subtly convey the meaning of "I don't mind your appearance".
She didn't know if Erik would understand.
Bo Li had a diligent worker mentality and planned on writing a project plan to give Erik after she was done with her bath.
However, when she came back to the hotel room, Erik was gone.
Bo Li sighed in relief.
Like salt, Erik's company stimulated the senses, but these two things had to be enjoyed in moderation. Otherwise, it was a fatal health hazard.
Bo Li stopped a hotel employee and gave him some change to buy a few notebooks for her.
The manager's wallet was richer than she had thought. She had found out that a male worker could only earn 300 dollars after working hard for a year. The manager's wallet contained 1,000 dollars, not including the other foreign currencies.
When she found out how much 1,000 dollars was worth, she had to take several breaths to resist the impulse to flee with the money.
Ten minutes later, the hotel employee came back with the notebooks along with a letter. He said a gentleman asked him to bring it to her.
Bo Li had a bad feeling, but she didn't show it on her face. She took the notebooks and the letter and thanked him.
It was obvious that the letter could only be from Trique or Boyd.
She felt peeved. Erik had run away too quickly. What if the letter contained content that sowed discord?
If he was still around, she could hand the letter to him and have him deal with it as he liked.
Bo Li regretfully opened the letter.
Never mind. She would read the letter first. If there was something wrong, she could toss it to Erik later.
[To Miss Polly Clermont
I'm very sorry I haven't contacted you in a long time. I had an accident. A violent criminal cut off my finger.
I've been inconsolably sad these past several days. I feel crippled. I didn't want to leave my room ever again. It's Mr. Trique that rescued me from my depression.
Even though I've been very sad, I haven't forgotten what you entrusted to me.
A gathering will be held on Mrs. Ciri's house this Saturday. The invitees are well-known psychics. I secured an invitation for a female companion. I'm inviting you to go with me.
Address: 128 Garden Villa Street.
Lawrence Boyd]
Bo Li was surprised to find out that Erik had only cut off Boyd's finger instead of killing him.
Perhaps, it was because she had repeatedly brushed shoulders with death after transmigrating, so her temperament had become cold. She didn't think it mattered if someone like Boyd died.
Who knows how many women he deceived with his psychic act?
Moreover, the women he tricked might not necessarily be rich. His victims might also include girls from poor families.
Since ancient times, it was impossible for psychics to help for free, which mean that he probably committed financial and s*xual fraud.
Although the women's movement existed in the 19th century, it was primarily for calling for voting rights, holding social, literary gatherings, forming women's trade unions, and so on. It was until the 1960's that views on s*xuality underwent a major shift.
At this time, women could only be relatively free in their thoughts. Their bodies were still bound by many constraints.
Take those crossdressing beauties. They could cut their hair short, wear suits, and play the roles of gentlemen on the stage. However, as soon as they stepped down from the stage, they had to change back into their dresses. Otherwise, they might be at risk for being arrested on charges of "indecency".
The outcomes of women that Boyd defrauded must be bitter.
So, she hadn't been bothered when she thought Erik killed Boyd.
Bo Li lowered her eyelashes. She stuffed the letter into a drawer and began to write a circus project plan.
In the evening, a hotel employee delivered two more letters along with the dinner.
Bo Li expressionlessly opened it.
[To Miss Polly Clermont
I know you've seen my letter. I'm too embarrassed to see you. Please forgive me for continuing to communicate with you through letters.
Have I become a charlatan in your mind? Please believe me. I'm a genuine psychic. When I touched you that day, I saw many enigmatic things in your blood. You have a mysterious origin.
Unfortunately, my learning is too shallow. I can't interpret those fantastical images. That's why I invited you to the psychic gathering to help you solve your difficulties.
Those female psychics are famous, genuine talents in the psychic community. I hope you don't ignore their achievements because of me.
Lawrence Boyd]
The other letter was from Trique Terry.
[Dear Poli, or should that be Polly?
Please rest assured that I'm a tight-lipped man. I won't tell anyone that you crossdressed as a man or inform the vice squad to arrest you.
If I'm guessing correctly, Erik was the one that cut off Boyd's finger?
You're such a naughty girl. You secretly interact with that devil, but never mention his existence.
I'll forgive you for the sake of your good appearance and tell you something that even your former employer didn't know.
Erik's origins aren't as simple as you think. He's not the pitiful, abused teenager you think he is.
He has the appearance of the devil, but even the devil would be frightened by what he's done.
You might have heard he's a master of trapdoors, but did you know he was once a powerful official that no one dared to approach in the Persian Empire?
The Persian who let him go told me that the most decent house would turn into a terrifying hell once he got his hands on it. He'll be able to eavesdrop or perhaps hear through echoes of everything you do.
Even though he's been gone for a long time, the people there still don't dare to speak loudly. They fear that he's standing behind them and listening.
Just think about it, he watches and listens to your every move and word. No matter where you go, he'll follow you like a shadow.
You're a smart girl. Do you really dare to associate with such a frightening person? Do you really think you can find safety by staying with him?
Do you want to get rid of him? Go to 128 Garden Villa Street. See you there.
Trique Terry]
Bo Li finished reading and stuffed the two new letters with the first one. She would give them to Erik as soon as he appeared.
Want to sow discord and hostility between Erik and her?
No way.
Translator Ramblings: I'm so used to how common crossdressing is in historical Chinese dramas and webnovels that I thought the author was making this up, but if you google history of US laws against crossdressing, there's a lengthy wikipedia section on it.
Will make up Thursday’s part on Friday.