svetikya Chapter 50 The Nickname Wasn't Wrong
Chapter 50 The Nickname Wasn't Wrong
She didn't have a large vocabulary, but she tried her best to continue Jung Eun's story, just like Jason had when he first met her. Unfortunately, just as Casey finished speaking, the cardboard blocking the door crack was blown down by the wind.
Perhaps the door wasn't sealed properly after it was opened, and a cold draft blew into the room through the crack, making the two children shiver.
She chuckled sheepishly and went to the door to stuff cardboard inside, saying, "It was an accident, an accident."
Zheng En went over to help, and also blocked up some of the corners on top of the iron gate that the children couldn't reach.
He knew that this was only a temporary solution and that the door would probably be drafty again the next time he opened it. So he started thinking about how to replace the door and improve their living conditions.
His past education instilled in him the most basic values. Although he didn't think he had the awareness to help others when he was successful, he felt guilty for not doing something when he saw several children living together, relying on each other for survival and resorting to cheating and deception.
The room was stuffed with cardboard, yet a clear gurgling sound could be heard coming from inside.
Zheng En turned around and saw the big boy sitting blankly on the stool, staring at Casey. "Stomach, hungry, hungry."
He was fine when he didn't speak, but once he started talking, his unusual mental state was revealed.
"It's not lunchtime yet, big guy, just bear with it and wait for Jason and the others to come back before we eat."
As Casey spoke, she couldn't help but glance at Jung Eun, who had attracted the attention of the people behind her because she had stolen the bread.
Although Jason said he had money to buy food, money always runs out eventually. She stole bread so that day would come later, much later.
When Zheng En caught up with her, she thought she had run too slowly and had been followed to her place. She hid behind the door, her heart pounding, watching for any movement outside.
Casey overheard the conversation between the other person and another person while pressed against the door. His actions and the information revealed in his words finally made Casey lower her guard and open the door to let Jung Eun in.
Seeing that the big man's unusual appearance couldn't be hidden, she decided not to conceal it anymore. "He was like this before he met us. Dr. Leslie said that he had a high fever when he was a child, which damaged his brain."
That's probably why the other person was abandoned on the streets and became a homeless child. Casey didn't say what came next, but Jung Eun could guess.
The fact that he was able to grow so strong while he was a homeless person is not only due to his good genes, but also because he had a strong foundation and never had to worry about food or clothing.
"Is it possible to cure it?" Zheng En wanted to ask, but she swallowed the question back down her throat. It was already difficult enough for homeless children to survive by sticking together for warmth, let alone be cured of this disease.
He changed the subject, "When are Jason and the others coming back?"
"Before dark," Casey answered without hesitation.
As they were talking, a gurgling sound started again.
But this time, the gurgling sound was very close. Zheng En looked in the direction of the sound, and Casey smiled awkwardly, "I used up a lot of energy today."
"I won't ask where you expended your energy."
Zheng En glanced at the time on his phone. It was only four in the afternoon, and there was still some time before dark, enough time for him to do some things.
He tapped on the iron gate with his finger, making a soft sound, mindful of the children who might still be sleeping inside. "How about we go out for a big shopping trip and have a nice meal tonight?"
Casey's eyes lit up, but she was too embarrassed to agree immediately. "Really?" She knew Jean was a great guy, but it was still hard to believe when she met him in person.
Pure kindness is rare in their lives, and every instance is precious.
The way the Asian youth smiled seemed to sparkle in her eyes.
"Of course."
Zheng En tried to unlock the chains and casually push the door open to leave, but failed. The centipede-like chains coiled tightly around the lock were clearly not something an outsider like him could easily handle.
Unable to open the door, he pretended nothing had happened and waited nonchalantly for Casey to come and open it.
The girl skillfully unchained the iron chain, and at the same time, a notification sound rang in Zheng En's mind.
[Beep]
[Mission: Dinner for the Street Children]
As you head to Crime Alley to find Jason, you gain a deeper understanding of homeless children.
You realize that they are no longer just superficial symbols, nor are they merely dispensable embellishments in this city.
They are flesh and blood struggling to grow in the mire, a dense footnote under the shadow of the city.
They are small yet tenacious; they are seedlings, they are the future.
You don't mind watering it when you pass by.
[Task Requirement: Prepare a dinner for homeless children]
[Task Reward: US$10,000]
Simulated points × 10
The friendship of street children (this might help you gather information in Gotham, after all, kids always notice things adults can't)
Jung Eun originally planned to take a taxi to the Upper East Side with the child, but after learning that he needed to buy food, Casey decisively stopped the driver and gave him an address instead.
She explained to Jung Eun, "This is the biggest market in the area, with lots of cheap food and secondhand items. We come here when we've made a big profit and want to treat ourselves."
Jung Eun paused for a moment, then said, "I won't ask you what you mean by 'made a big profit'."
No wonder he's the kid who can team up with the future Red Hood! He's so young and yet he spouts such outrageous things, and the truth is, they're all true.
After getting off the bus, you can see a huge market after walking just a few steps.
This market is built on a large, single-level floor beneath a residential building. Going down the slope on the side, you can see a sea of people below.
Zheng En had never been here before. He usually ate out and didn't need to cook. He also had plenty of money, so his knowledge of this area was naturally inferior to that of homeless children who frequented the streets.
The markets were all pretty much the same, with all sorts of vendors calling out their wares, much like the markets Zheng En had visited in China before her time travel.
Many people buy goods here, both legally and illegally. He glanced around and could spot three or four pickpockets. Some, less skilled, were spotted by their victims, leading to a fierce chase.
Casey skillfully slipped through the crowd and reached into someone's bag.
Jung Eun: "Ahem."
The girl's hand swiftly retracted, much faster than the man turned around.
She casually put her hands behind her back, backed up to Zheng En's side, and coughed a few times like him, "Cough cough, occupational hazard, occupational hazard, don't mind it."
He had anticipated this.
Zheng En sighed helplessly. No wonder everyone called her "Rat." It's true that there are no wrong nicknames, only wrong names.
If things continue like this, this kid might grow up to be a master thief, even rivaling Catwoman in skill.
Having been stopped once, Casey learned her lesson and obediently took Jung Eun to buy groceries.
Seeing that Jung Eun had bought a large amount of raw food such as beef and lamb rolls, she couldn't help but ask him, "What are you going to cook?"
Jung Eun feigned mystery, "What do you think?"
"General Tso's Chicken? Li Hongzhang Chop Suey? Fortune Cookies?"
Casey rattled off several dish names that Zheng En had never even heard of. Zheng En twitched his lips. "This must be the legendary Americanized Chinese food."
And the more they talk about it, the more outrageous it becomes. Who would stuff meat into a cookie?
Zheng En couldn't find what he wanted at the regular stalls, so he specifically went to the Chinese stalls and successfully negotiated a good price with the stall owners using his Hokkien.
Whether or not you gain an advantage is another matter, but the necessary procedures must be followed.