Chapter XXXIV: Reconciliation

Early on Friday morning, Director Ochiai entered the museum as usual before the rest of the staff arrived.

As he grew older, his sleep became lighter and lighter, and he often woke up from a restful sleep at three or four o'clock in the morning, one step ahead of the rooster to see the dawn.

Director Ochiai liked this too, as his short sleep allowed him to spend more time with the museum's collections. He is more attached to the garden of art than to sweet dreams.

He has remained celibate for many years and has few relatives, but these dazzling collections have accompanied him for decades, growing old with him through the years.

For Mr. Ochiai, this museum is his true home, and these precious collections are his real family and children. He lived and worked here until he died.

But this warm dream, which lasted for decades, was ruthlessly shattered by an uninvited guest.

When I think of the man named Manaka, the calm state of mind of Director Ochiai, who is infected by the artwork, will be violently shaken. He didn't like the real estate dealer, the strong smell of copper, and the contemptuous attitude he had towards art.

Just last month, the former owner of the museum, who had been running the museum for many years, decided to sell the museum along with the collection due to financial pressure, and it was the owner of Manaka who finally won the land.

When Director Ochiai first met with Boss Manaka, he sensed the strong smell of money in this man, so he was extremely disgusted with him.

Although at the time of the acquisition, the owner promised that the museum would continue to operate. But Director Ochiai still couldn't believe him, how could such a businessman who only valued money be interested in art?

What happened later also confirmed Director Ochiai's judgment. The owner of Manaka has no interest in the museum and its collections, and plans to break the contract and turn it into a more lucrative luxury hotel. Director Ochiai saw his bad behavior, but could not do anything about it.

If only you had money, if you have a lot of money, you can take the museum back from Manaka. Director Ochiai has always prided himself on not being interested in fame and fortune, but now, he is extremely eager to become rich overnight and protect his children from the hands of Boss Manaka.

However, he can't get rich overnight after all, he is just an ordinary museum director after all, and he can't defeat the real boss with rich assets.

"Perhaps, today will be the last time I will see you." In the early morning art museum, Director Ochiai stood in front of the artworks that had accompanied him for decades, tears streaming down his eyes.

His gaze swept over each work of art, and all he saw were the memories he had accumulated over the decades, but because of the real boss, these memories were all in vain. And these works of art, which he regarded as children, will also usher in a tragic fate.

"That man, it's a demon!" Director Ochiai stood in front of an oil painting called "Heavenly Punishment", looked at the demon nailed to death by the long sword in the painting, and sighed, "He wants to destroy this place for his own selfish interests, he is a demon at all!" ”

"But the demon in the painting still has a righteous knight to crusade, and who can kill the demon in reality?"

Suddenly, Director Ochiai was stunned as if he had thought of something, and his eyes were about to melt into "Heavenly Punishment"

Village. He turned to look at the medieval knight's armor stored on the other side of the room, and a bold and terrifying plan began to rise in his mind.

"Yes, if you want to take back the museum from the demon, you can only kill him! It is up to me to be the knight of justice, and I will pierce his heart with my sword and make him pay for his selfishness and breach of the covenant! ”

"That's right, that's all I can do. I was desperate and had no other way to save the museum! Let me kill Manaka, even if it is stained with demonic blood, I will not hesitate to suffer the damnation! ”

Believing that he had found a way to salvation, Director Ochiai excitedly paced back and forth in the exhibition hall, allowing the uncontrollable fanatical desires in his chest to destroy his water-like state of mind, reducing himself to a puppet of desire, and slowly approaching the abyss from which he could never recover.

At this moment, a voice that made Director Ochiai extremely annoying interrupted his thoughts:

"Director Ochiai, you really came so early."

Director Ochiai turned his head and made eye contact with Boss Manaka, whom he was planning to kill. He suppressed the frenzy that was surging back and forth in his chest, and politely greeted the boss of Manaka:

"Why did you come so early today, Boss Manaka?"

"Actually, I have something to discuss with the museum staff today. Of course, before I do that, I'm going to hear from you. ”

Finally, it was time for a showdown, and what he wanted to discuss was nothing more than layoffs. Director Ochiai's killing intent towards Boss Manaka has increased a few points. And the boss of Zhenzhong, who is unaware of this, is still talking about his troubles to himself.

"Actually, after I bought this museum, I was thinking about how to make a profit. At first, I was reluctant to convert this place into a luxury hotel and make a lot of money by taking advantage of the location. ”

"But now, I remember the agreement I made with my previous boss, and sure enough, I want to continue to run the museum."

All of a sudden, Director Ochiai even began to wonder if he was so old that he had something wrong with his ears? He couldn't believe that such words could come out of the mouth of that mercenary real boss.

“…… Are you serious, Boss Manaka? Do you really want to keep the museum running? ”

"That's exactly what I intended." Boss Manaka replied affirmatively, "At the same time, I was also thinking about how to turn the museum into a profit. ”

"To be honest, I don't know anything about these artworks, and I have never had any experience in running an art museum before, if I am allowed to manage it alone, I am afraid that the museum will lose even more money."

"So today, I would like to exchange views with the old staff of the museum represented by you, and I hope to get some inspiration from you about management."

"Director Ochiai, I've offended a lot before. I apologize for my previous arrogance towards you and these works of art, and I ask you to forgive me. ”

"If you want to run an art museum well, you must have the help of Director Ochiai, so please give me a hand!"

Looking at the extraordinarily sincere boss Manaka in front of him, Director Ochiai's eyes hidden behind thick white eyebrows couldn't help but stare out. He really couldn't believe that the sincere and humble person in front of him was the same person as the mercenary and selfish real boss before.

What the hell is going on?