Under the pitch-black curtain a stream of unremarkable black and tiny organisms streaked across the silent night skies in large numbers. As the street lamps had stopped functioning this left only the dim moonlight to illuminate the skies the insignificant scene that was occurring was undetected by humans nor the road surveillance center. Even if they had discovered it by chance they wouldnt have been too overly concerned
In a toilet located at the boundary of Ink Town.
Its about time. As he loitered around here for almost half an hour Ji Bai looked at his bright cell phone screen with knitted eyebrows. Only when he saw the time above the screen had successfully turned from 5:59 to 6:00 did his mind start to relax as heaved out a sigh.
Rationally speaking nobody was willing to stay for more than 5 minutes in a toilet if they were able to. However he had no choice because in reality 5 minutes after he had hung up Lin Tuos call Ji Bai had successfully arrived into Falling Origin District one of Ink Townstoilets.
This period of time was perhaps the most awkward moment of his life. He would only invite suspicion upon himself if he were to immediately call Lin Tuo back. More importantly his allowance would probably be canceled by that resentful four-eyes. Ji Bai would probably die on the spot if that happened!
Since this was the case he could have only waited for a while. However Ji Bai had no intention to squander the time away. To him the idea of stinginess didnt only apply to just money but to time as well.
Perhaps he could have done something meaningful. For example ideas like burying himself in a street-wide search to see if there was any money left behind etc. Maybe he could use this time and turn it into cold hard cash!
Theres no need to praise me for having such amazing crisis awareness skills. You would do the same thing when youre driven crazy by poverty!
However Ji Bai eventually decided against doing any of his so-called ideas this early in the morning. This was because after getting into a toll-free toilet with great difficulty it would have been a big shame If he were to immediately leave like that.
If I dont squat until my legs turn numb today I wont be going out!
Today was like any other day for old man Zhang who was past his sixties. As he carried the breakfast box and water bottle his wife passed him and arecently bought newspaper wedged in his armpit he punctually arrived at his post. He glanced at the minute and hour hand on his watch. As he saw that they were properly pointing towards 6 a trace of a smile formed on his wrinkled filled face.
Even though his salary wouldnt be docked if he was late he was exactly punctual as he had arrived neither a minute more or less. This job was a position with no obligations and the wages were fairly average. Yet Ol Man Zhang didnt mind the meager wages; He had long retired for many years and had both the pension and deposits that would ensure a carefree life in his later years. The reason he had taken this job was simply so he could keep himself occupied.
It was the same old as usual. He comfortably sat in the pavilion beside the toilets he opened the lid of his lunch box and began to leisurely read his newspapers.
Right at this time a human silhouette began to leisurely walk out of the toilet and move past Ol Man Zhangs vision.
Hmm? Other than an old buffer like myself theres actually a teenager thats up this early?
Ol Man Zhang slightly took note of this and moved his line of sight back to the newspaper once again. Following which his eyes sprang wide open as something felt wrong to him.
Wa-Wait Why did this boy walk out from the females toilet??
Hey culturalized ahem Lin Tuo. Im at Ink Town. Where is the contact youre talking about? Ji Bai had almost failed to rein his mouth in. As he was just about to finish his insult his mind suddenly thought of how Lin Tuo might be the financial backer that was going to give him his allowance. As the saying went One should not bite the hand that fed you. Before Ji Bai would receive his allowance it would be best not to be at the receiving end of the hands ire.
Hey! You wanted to say culturalized gangster didnt he?! On the other side of the call Lin Tuos mouth twitched. He then felt a trace of astonishment. Youre there already? I still thought you needed another hour.
Really? I took a cab here. My god did you know the number from the fare meter was about to burst from this trip alone? The subsidy
I got it! I got it! Why does everything that comes out from your mouth have to do with money! You can tell me how much it is when you reach here. Tell me your precise location. Lin Tuo unhappily said.
Haaah Alright. Alright. Ji Bai had a face filled with smiles his heart overdosed with sweetness and satisfaction as if he had eaten a mouthful of honey.
Proceed ahead and stop once you see a big building whose sign reads Starlux Book City. You can just wait at the bus stop in front of it. I will inform the contact at once Lin Tuo said after Ji Bai had reported his current location.
Before Ji Bai could clearly inquire about the unique characteristics of his contact and how to differentiate him/her from everyone else a busy signal tone resounded from the other end. When Ji Bai dialed back the only thing thats waited for him was a series of automated lines stating; The user is currently engaged at the moment.
Haaaah! You culturalized gangster! This must be retaliation from how I hung up on you earlier right? He said as he spat a mouthful of phlegm to the ground Ji Bai placed his phone and hands inside his pockets and proceeded ahead. Sure enough a big tattered building with a large horizontal sign appeared in his vision after a while.
As the skies had not completely brightened and it was the winter season there were only a few people in the bus stop.
Even with his strong physique squatting in the toilet for nearly an hour still took quite a lot out of Ji Bai. His body quickly shifted downwards as he sat on the bench in front of the bus stop and took a break.
Mister~ Do you want to buy some candies? A gentle and adorable voice directly entered Ji Bais ears who was currently closing his eyes and relaxing. He opened his eyes and looked around he couldnt see anybody.
Hiss Have I encountered a ghost in the middle of this great winter?
Mister I-Im here~
Ji Bai was slightly shocked. What entered his vision as he shifted his eyes down was a girl whose small figure barely reached Ji Bais waist. She had a head full of soft and fluffy silver hair while the features of her face were cute and delicate almost like a dolls; her smooth and white skin was like that of a superior white jade while below her long and compact eyelashes laid a pair of violet gem-like eyes.
At this moment her sparkling and translucent gem-like eyes carried traces of faintly discernible tears. She puckered her small rosy and cherry-like lips a few traces of nervousness and fear could be heard in her tone. The dress she wore was mended with an assortment of patches and there were still some traces of holes lying about It was a small loli that would arouse faint feelings of love and affection from the people who saw her.
In such a cold winter these clothes were simply not enough to protect against the cold; Ji Bai could even see that her cheeks were red due to the winter air and that her small legs were shivering.
M-Mister d-do you want to b-buy some candies? ~I-Its very cheap
Only after she spoke again did Ji Bai who was in a daze notice the contents of the broken fruit basket that the silver-haired girl was carrying. There was a mixed assortment of sweets contained in it.
This image as well as it being winter. Could this be the upgraded version of the matchstick girl?
Ji Bai very much wanted to refuse. After all he was already as poor as a beggar. Where did he have the spare money to buy sweets? However Even though the words have reached his throat he wasnt able to say it.
D-Do you think y-you can buy a c-couplei-if its possible? M-MotherMy mother really n-needs the money
These words instantly stabbed into the softest spot of Ji Bais heart. All of a sudden he suddenly recalled a scene: a leaf floating in the heavy rain.
As knights cutting down criminals was the only manner they knew to protect the people around them yet they were incapable of cutting down every injustice and disaster that existed in this world. Thus there was only one thing that he could do right now.
Without looking Ji Bai placed all the money he had in his pockets inside the small girls broken basket.
Thats all that I have on me. I hope it will be of assistance to you.
T-This Thank y-you thank you b-big brother!~ The small girl felt wild with joy. As she was reaching out into her basket to grab some candies in accordance to how much he paid she was stopped by Ji Bai.
Just this one will do. Ji Bai looked at her and gave her a smile.
B-Big Brother~Thank y-you truly
..
Under Ji Bais eyes the small girl with the shabby outfit carried her basket and walked into the distance.
Tch what a pauper. He only has that much money on him. Her pitiful expression quickly faded away the girl wore an expression filled with disdain as she looked into the basket.