When he left the orphanage, it was already eight or nine at night.
In Satellite City, except for the depraved places Gecko often visited, the streets were already deserted by eight or nine.
The streets and alleys were quiet. Only the streetlights silently illuminated patches of darkness.
Walking along streets like these, he could almost hear his own breathing. It was as if he were the only person left in the world. Only occasionally would a rat dart through an alley at incredible speed, or a vagrant curled up inside a cardboard box stare blankly at him.
Lu Xin walked slowly with both hands in his pockets.
It had been a fulfilling evening. He could tell that Teacher Lu was in a good mood, and seeing their teacher so happy, that bunch of foolish children had become happy too. Of course, the more important reason for their good mood was probably that they had finally eaten dumplings, and had also received all the biscuits and candy Lu Xin had brought. It was practically New Year's.
Lu Xin had tied on an apron and made dumplings with the children. Then he had watched them sing and dance, and could only feel...
...embarrassed beyond belief!
He did not think those songs, sung several hundred miles off-key, were pleasant, nor did he find their clumsy, ducklike dancing enjoyable.
Nor did he think Eagle Catches Chickens was fun.
Unfortunately, he could only sit among a group of mischievous brats, mechanically applaud, and force a stiff smile.
The most relaxing part of the evening had been sitting outside on the steps with the old security guard, drinking his treasured baijiu, which he treated like a precious possession despite how spicy and throat-burning it was, while eating a plate of peanuts and a dish of dumplings