Chapter 33: A day in the life of a loafer
This was Chen Lun's first breakfast at Mrs. Caroline's, and the first rice he had eaten since crossing over.
He was secretly moved to tears and declared himself thoroughly satisfied.
Mrs. Caroline was an excellent cook. The rice, coated in egg and stir-fried in butter, had a rich aroma, while the chopped celery scattered over the cod and shrimp added a fresh, delicate flavor.
Although Chen Lun was not particularly fond of fish, he finished every last bite, then enjoyed a cup of floral tea.
"Is that your husband, Mrs. Caroline?"
He had noticed the two framed photographs on the cabinet and could not help asking.
Mrs. Caroline turned around, glanced at them, and answered with a smile:
"Oh, yes. That's my husband, Henry... and our son, Oliver."
"Are they in Amber City now, too?"
Chen Lun asked.
Mrs. Caroline fell silent for a moment.
"No. Henry gave his life for the empire many years ago... Oliver did, too."
Mrs. Caroline rose to fetch the photographs and wiped the dust off them with a handkerchief.
One photograph showed a young Mrs. Caroline alongside Mr. Henry in military uniform. The other was of their son, Oliver.
"They died bravely during the overseas landings... may the sun's radiance shine upon them forever."
Mrs. Caroline offered a prayer, then quietly set the photographs down.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Caroline."
Chen Lun apologized.
Beside him, Froy also glanced his way. Even through the black silk, he seemed to sense the faint reproach in her "gaze."
"It's all right, little Jack. It's all in the past..."
Mrs. Caroline regained her usual smile and came over to refill Chen Lun's floral tea.
"Flowers bloom like fire, and like loneliness.
Time may make people forget, but as long as I still remember them, that's enough..."
Chen Lun looked at the gray-haired woman, unsure what to say.
He had actually heard of the campaign Mrs. Caroline mentioned. The Trisoul Empire had coveted lands beyond the continent for a very long time.
The vast island closest to the Trisoul Empire lay beyond the far east. It was called Fog Island, and it had inhabitants and a civilization of its own.
The Trisoul Empire's overseas landings could, in fact, be described as a colonial war.
Yet every attempt over all those years had ended in failure.
Even several updates into the public beta in his previous life, the empire's plans for colonial rule had made no progress. Who knew what powerful forces lurked on Fog Island, capable of repelling the empire's attacks?
"Mrs. Caroline, your cooking is wonderful. Could you teach me?"
Froy set down her spoon and raised her head with a smile.
Mrs. Caroline was surprised, then happily sat down beside her.
"Of course, little Froy."
Chen Lun was also surprised by Froy's request.
But a moment later, he guessed her intention. She was probably trying to distract Mrs. Caroline from her grief.
What a good girl.
"Remember to cook the cod in milk beforehand, and don't let it fall apart when you cut it into pieces..."
As Mrs. Caroline enthusiastically explained the finer points of making the fish and egg rice, Chen Lun gave Froy a thumbs-up.
Froy responded with a faint smile.
Chen Lun then thanked Mrs. Caroline for her hospitality and headed out.
After leaving the hallway, he planned to spend the day loafing around. As he passed the café beside the flower shop, however, he saw Connie and Kent sitting beneath a patio umbrella outside.
Kent was gesticulating as he spoke, his expressions exaggerated, but Connie remained unmoved.
She sat with her arms folded, her mind wandering.
Chen Lun paid them no attention and took no interest, choosing to walk straight past.
In an alley across the street.
Two young men from the Iron Fist Gang were smoking out of boredom.
"Hey, buddy, why don't we just go in and grab that girl from out of town?"
"You must be crazy. Viscount Pompey from the inner district specifically ordered that this street be looked after, especially that flower shop.
I heard the landlady, Mrs. Caroline, is the widow of one of Viscount Pompey's comrades... if you want to get yourself killed, leave me out of it!"
The young man who had suggested grabbing her was startled.
"How did you find that out?!"
"Don't forget, the boss often goes drinking with those big shots from the inner district. Last time, one of the officers under them happened to mention it."
The young man dropped his cigarette butt and tugged at his leather jacket.
His companion, however, was growing impatient.
"So what do we do now? That girl from out of town hides inside all day...
Only the guy comes out to wander around. Why don't we kidnap him first, then make him bring the girl out?"
The young man who had dropped his cigarette took off his felt cap with a helpless look and scratched his head.
He looked at his companion as though he were an idiot.
"Go ahead and try. If he calls the police, both of us will be in a drainage ditch the next day, guaranteed."
"Fine, fine. We'll wait a little longer!"
Chen Lun bought a newspaper and sat on a bench in the square.
On the temporary wooden platform nearby, a monk from the Red Apple Church was once again tirelessly preaching.
"Ah, great Lady Rose, thank you for granting us health and vitality, passion and vigor...
Your compassionate gaze falls upon the people of the world, sowing seeds in the garden that grow into trees...
The sacred worms consume the apples and turn them into Fruit Honey, taking pity on the suffering and sickness of humanity, soothing their sorrow and misfortune..."
With a look of compassion for all humanity, the monk descended from the platform.
Two church guards appeared from somewhere, each carrying a tray filled with little boxes.
Many of the gathered residents rushed forward excitedly, competing to buy the little boxes.
"Praise Rose."
The monk touched his left chest and forehead with his index finger, then spread all five fingers and held his palm toward the sky in a gesture of prayer.
Watching the red-robed monk, Chen Lun could not help grumbling inwardly.
Hey, Red, you're scamming people again. Why not take a break and go perform a few sacrifices instead?
Chen Lun knew exactly what those little boxes contained.
It was a secretion from a supernatural creature called "Fruit Honey," which could heal people and strengthen their bodies.
Its side effects were not obvious, but selling it was deeply unethical.
It shortened people's lifespans and was mildly addictive.
Fruit Honey was the excretion produced by finger-sized supernatural maggots after eating apples.
The mere thought disgusted Chen Lun.
But these ordinary people knew nothing about that. Instead, they were willing to make enormous "donations" in exchange for this miraculous medicine.
He sighed softly. The Red Apple Church really was good at this sort of thing.
"Hey, do you think Councilor Daniel's tax cut proposal will pass?"
"No chance. It's far too unrealistic."
Two office workers chatting on a nearby bench caught Chen Lun's attention.
The name sounded familiar, so he turned the newspaper over.
Sure enough, a large section featured a slightly plump middle-aged man holding forth. It was Councilor Daniel, the subject of so much recent discussion.
"Ah, Councilor Daniel is a kind, upright man. It's a shame the council never listens to his suggestions."
"A good man? I'm not so sure... his proposals are obviously dead on arrival.
He's probably just using them to attract attention and win votes. I heard he's planning to run for a council seat in Fossil City..."
The office worker spoke with disdain, apparently harboring little fondness for the councilor.
His companion grew annoyed.
"How can you say that about Councilor Daniel? He's one of the few councilors in Amber City willing to put himself in ordinary people's shoes!"
"Oh, come on... take this proposal, for instance. After a tax cut, Amber City wouldn't have enough money to keep running.
There wouldn't even be any Lamplighters to light the kerosene streetlamps. Try not to fall into a ditch when you go out at night!"
The two office workers began arguing, but Chen Lun was no longer listening closely.
He had suddenly remembered something. This Councilor Daniel seemed to be the target that small guild had protected in his previous life.
And this very councilor would ultimately be killed by Dolly...
Chapter 34: Kent would gladly show you the way
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