Several cars pulled up beneath Small Earl's Finance Company while Lin Qi was making a phone call in a room across the street.
He stood by the window, which was tightly shut. Gefra in winter was deeply uncomfortable. Even thick clothing could not keep out the damp, cold air, as if clothes had lost all use in weather like this.
There was heating in the room, but even so, the fireplace was burning.
The temperature had dropped rather quickly, so quickly that when people still thought it should be autumn, the weather had already entered the depths of winter.
Beautiful lace curtains hung on either side. He turned slightly, holding the telephone receiver in one hand with a cigarette between his lips, while the other hand flicked a lighter.
With a crisp ding, the cigarette caught fire. He took a deep drag, drawing the thick smoke into his lungs until they expanded, every corner filling with smoke.
The nicotine fully came into contact with his alveoli at that moment. Large quantities of nicotine quickly entered his brain through his bloodstream, stimulating Dopamine secretion.
His entire mood seemed to relax in an instant.
The call connected at precisely that moment.
"You're having a great time in Gefra?" Mr. Truman's voice made Lin Qi feel somewhat nostalgic.
What he missed was not communicating with Mr. Truman, but the way the Federation spoke.
The Gefrans' accents were truly unpleasant. The arrogance that seemed to well up from nowhere made even the sound of their speech disagreeable.
Lin Qi smiled and agreed. "The phone line is secure. Gefra's temperature has dropped quickly these past few days. Is it the same in the Federation?"
"Yes. The weather forecast says Bu Peien will begin snowing tomorrow or the day after. Winter arrived much earlier this year