Bart the Vagrant

"I... I have no money."

Bart said quietly as he sat in the warm café.

He didn't dare look up at the person opposite him, his eyes darting around, and out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of two Vagrant outside, and subconsciously glanced at them again.

"Haha, I'm the one who brought you in, how could I let you spend money?" Arthur chuckled heartily, his lips twitching slightly as he pulled out a few coins from his inner pocket.

"Wait here for a moment, I'll go buy some food."

"... Hmm." Bart lowered his head and replied softly with a nasal tone.

As Arthur walked, he pondered what to buy later.

This amount of money can only buy the cheapest loaf of black bread and two large cups of cheap tea; it's not even enough to buy a second loaf of black bread...

That damn profiteer! Their sign says unlimited tea refills, so why the headcount system? Otherwise, I could have bought a second loaf of bread...

He hadn't considered the possibility of not buying tea.

This cheap black bread is practically inedible if eaten dry.

Thinking this, Arthur walked to the counter and placed the coins on it:

"A loaf of black bread, two cups of tea."

The Attendant behind the counter glanced disdainfully at the grime-covered, blackened coins, then Trick produced a small wooden stick and scraped them into the drawer.

Reluctantly, she looked away from the tabloid that pirated "Great Detective Sherlock," turned around, and took two large glasses of brown liquid with floating tea dust.

He then picked up a cold, hard piece of black bread from the shop window and placed it on the wooden tray, gently raising his chin to indicate that everything was ready.

She turned her attention back to the tabloids, not saying a word from beginning to end.

Arthur silently put the last coin into his inner pocket, pressed it down twice, picked up the tray, and walked back the way he came.

As he was about to return to his seat, he smiled.

"Eat up, Brother Bart."

"Be careful not to eat too quickly, or you might choke."

Bart stared at the black bread, swallowed hard, and was just about to put it in his mouth when he noticed that Arthur had only ordered a cup of tea.

He quickly took back the black bread and tried to break it open.

But whether it was a problem with the ingredients, or the weather getting colder and the food hardening, or he was too hungry to continue, he failed several times.

Arthur paused for a moment, then reached out and pressed down on the other person:

"Oh, no need."

"I've already eaten at the same place that day; some tea will do."

After saying that, he smiled and picked up his teacup, taking small sips as he tried to keep his eyes off Bart, who was wolfing down his tea.

I'm so hungry... The amount and variety of Holy Communion are getting smaller every day...

Thinking about it, he quietly sucked in his stomach again.

Outside the coffee shop at this moment.

Fors glanced back at the Vagrant feasting by the window, couldn't help but swallow, and secretly kicked her roommate.

Xiu pursed her lips, having lost count of how many times the other person had urged her. She sighed helplessly and nodded almost imperceptibly.

The two stood up one after the other and walked in different directions.

In the alley diagonally opposite.

A hoarse voice suddenly rang out from the inky shadows:

There's something wrong with these two people.

"They are women, and they are definitely not homeless."

"You stay here and keep an eye on Arthur. Don't let him out of your sight for even half a minute. Make sure he's loyal enough to the God not to report us."

As soon as the words were spoken, another voice rang out:

"Yes, Deputy Bishop."

Inside the coffee shop.

Bart finished the black bread with his tea in a whirlwind, and a slight blush returned to his pale face. He said softly, "Arthur, Brother Arthur."

Arthur waved his hand, quickly turned around and glanced at the other customers. Finding no one paying attention to the two Vagrant, he lowered his voice and asked:

Where have you been these past few days?

Why weren't you waiting for Holy Communion at the place where the sermon was given that day?

With a look of reminiscence, Bart murmured, "I... I didn't want to trouble others, so I went to the docks these past two days to look for work."

"But there's so little work lately, so little, nobody wants me..."

at the same time.

West Borough, Avery Restaurant, a private room.

"This Restaurant must be expensive, right?" Vera, wearing a brand-new black long trench coat, glanced at the room's decor and looked at the woman in the light white dress opposite her.

Although he wasn't particularly fond of gourmet food and entertainment, since he lived in the West Borough, he had inevitably heard of this Restaurant's reputation.

"Of course it's expensive." Beyoncé said softly, her face showing distress.

"If it weren't for the fact that you gave me that special edition of ' Great Detective Sherlock,' which I couldn't buy, I would have at most treated you to two Desi Pie."

"No, just one. Eating too much at night is hard to digest."

I'm thinking of your health.

Completely unsure how to react, MI9 Lieutenant Colonel Vera scratched his head and smacked his lips.

"How about I treat you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Beyoncé covered her mouth and chuckled.

You...

"Can't you tell this is a joke? You said I'd thank you, do you want a devout Believer of a Goddess to go back on their word?"

"Um?"

"... Uh..." Vera touched the tip of her nose. "That's not what I meant."

"Exactly, it's too expensive here."

"Alright, stop trying to be a gentleman, Police Officer."

Beyoncé chuckled, pulled something that looked like an invitation from her small handbag, and waved it mysteriously, saying, "This is a voucher for Avery Restaurant."

"It was a gift from one of the older actresses' suitors at the theater. She got tired of the food there, and since I had just helped her with a small favor, she gave it to me."

"As long as we don't order any extra food, we won't have to pay a single penny."

After saying that, she rang the small bell behind her and showed the meal ticket to the Attendant knocked on the door and came in. Soon, a table full of delicious food was laid out.

The dishes were all exquisite, but the portions were small.

"Oh, I've been wanting to have this meal for a long time, but I just haven't been able to find anyone to come with," Beyoncé said with a smile.

"You got off easy, Police Officer."

After a moment of silence, she tapped the table speechlessly. "Why don't you open some champagne? I've been talking for ages, I'm practically dying of thirst..."

"Okay, okay." Vera quickly did as she was told.

Beyoncé raised her bubbly crystal goblet and flicked it lightly with her finger.

"Clang--"

The crisp sound was like clinking glasses.

Her eyes crinkled with a smile:

"We're too far apart, let's just toast like this, Police Officer."

"Bang!"

In a cheap coffee shop, two rough porcelain teacups clinked together by the window.

Bart took a deep breath and nodded vigorously:

"Okay, Brother Arthur, although I don't quite understand what we're supposed to do, just look at this life-saving bread you brought us tonight..."

I'll listen to you!

"Starting tomorrow, I will help you guide your brothers and sisters, and strive to be received by the Archbishop in person as soon as possible to receive the baptism of God."