Low-Rise Building District
The boy ran wildly along the uneven, sunken road toward the morning sun, then tripped over a stone with a bang-- and fell to the ground.
"Careful, Jielin."
A light laugh came from above him.
The boy looked up. A dark-skinned short-haired youth in simple clothes stood nearby, extending a hand to him.
"Thanks." The boy took the youth's hand and staggered to his feet, chuckling foolishly. "I was running too fast."
"Something good happen?"
The youth looked at the smile on his face and asked with a grin.
"Yeah, Mr. Lynn helped me contact a doctor. That doctor was willing to operate on my mom for a really low price."
The boy spoke quickly, his voice filled with excitement. "I'm taking my mom to Saint Ilan now."
"Need help?"
The youth smiled. "I happen to have a car."
"No, no, I shouldn't hold up your business, elder brother Vels."
The boy hurriedly waved his hands. He glanced at the old appliances and repair equipment in the shop behind the youth, as well as the television playing the news, then continued, "Some older brothers and sisters in the convoy delivering supplies for the free clinic are willing to give us a ride."
"Alright then. I hope everything goes smoothly for you."
Vels smiled and clapped his hands. Then he suddenly realized something and slowly asked, "This Mr. Lynn you mentioned, is he Mayor Lynn?"
"Yes!"
The boy nodded rapidly. "That Mr. Lynn!"
"Is he trustworthy?"
Vels frowned instinctively, then looked at the television behind him. "The people he recruited all seem to be criminally corrupt officials. Won't those politicians cheat you?"
"Mr. Lynn is a really good person!"
The boy's face immediately flushed red as he retorted, "The free clinic today was arranged by him."
Then he