Who left their last words here?

Chapter 45 A Bowl of Braised Pork; Wang Doesn't Care (Please Read On!)

After quickly tidying up, Bai Zhou picked up his suit jacket and slung it over his shoulder, ready to leave.

The sound of crows suddenly came from upstairs—

"Bai Zhou, someone is looking for you."

"—You'd never guess who it is."

"...?"

Bai Zhou certainly couldn't have imagined it.

At this time and in this place, who else would be looking for him besides hunters wielding knives and guns, ready to cut him into eighteen pieces?

Bai Zhou immediately tensed up.

Then, he stood by the window and saw a figure pacing and hesitating downstairs.

Long, melancholic hair and a sharp, bushy beard.

He was leaning on a long steel rod in one hand and holding a paper bowl in the other.

...Is it him?
That bearded guy from last night?
What is he here for?

"Uncle, this can't be your territory, can it?"

As I stepped out of the villa, the incessant chirping of cicadas filled the air...

Bai Zhou wore a puzzled expression.

But in fact, his left hand was behind his back, and he had already secretly gripped the black short stick.

not sure……

It's because of those two missing underlings.

That's a pity, if that's the case...

"Is it really you?"

The man stood amidst the weeds, leaning on a steel bar. His clothes were tattered, and he smelled strongly of sweat.

But what greeted us even before the smell was his rough voice, and the first few words that followed were harsh and unwelcoming.

"—So small, floating around outside, is that comfortable?"

"You really don't plan to go home?"

...But before Bai Zhou could answer, his accusatory aura crumbled on its own.

Because he clearly saw the dilapidated house behind Bai Zhou and Bai Zhou's energetic spirit.

It doesn't seem like he's just putting on a brave face.

Then, he frowned and asked in a muffled voice:

"You spent the night here all by yourself?"

It wasn't just one person...

Bai Zhou blinked.

"Someone told me that they saw you around here today when they were out picking up trash."

"I was a little worried, so I came to check..."

"I didn't expect you to actually be here."

You saw it? How did you see it?
Bai Zhou pondered for a moment and concluded that he must have been seen by a scavenger passing by when he was washing his face by the river at noon.

He remembered him, but he didn't expect that the scavenger was the bearded man.

—Do you scavengers even have territories?
"It seems you're not just a spoiled rich kid as I thought."

Shaking his head, the bearded man actually bent down on his own initiative:

"I'm sorry, I had preconceived notions."

"No no……"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhou waved his hands repeatedly.

You can't really blame him.

Judging from Bai Zhou's age, his decent clothes and heavy suitcase, it's hard not to have a preconceived notion.

He lost his parents at a young age, his hometown was bombed into ruins, and he was eventually hunted down by a mysterious organization all over the city...

This experience is still too bizarre.

Not to mention that ordinary people can't imagine it, even if Bai Zhou said it out loud, he would be sent to a mental hospital for treatment.

"So, you called me here because..."

Bai Zhou asked uncertainly.

"Everyone has their difficulties, and we won't inquire about the specific reasons; that's the rule in the industry."

The bearded man waved his hand.
"But to be honest, being homeless is very hard, and it's shameful; nobody looks down on you."

"You're still young, you can definitely find a job in the city!"

The bearded man's voice paused here.
"...But if you really feel that you can accept this kind of life, that's fine too."

"If any other scavengers make things difficult for you, just say they are my people and have already paid their share."

“My surname is Qiao, and they all call me Old Qiao, Old Qiao from the South City.”

As he spoke, the bearded man pointed in the direction they had come from:
"If I feel lonely, I want someone to keep me company..."

“Go find us where we were last night.”

"I take back what I said yesterday."

"But if you go, you have to hand over a portion of your daily earnings; that's the rule."

"It's fine if you don't want to go, it's up to you."

After saying that, Old Joe handed over the paper bowl he was holding.

His movements were stiff, clearly indicating his unfamiliarity with such actions; the paper bowl nearly collided with Bai Zhou's chest.

"This is……?"

Bai Zhou blinked.

"Braised pork!"

"I bet you haven't had a meal in a while."

Old Joe's voice was dry and monotone, as if he wasn't used to saying such things.

"You're lucky, kid. Today is the base's once-a-month meat-eating day. I exchanged money for half a pig and cooked it myself."

"The bowl... is clean... hasn't been used, don't worry."

In the small paper bowl, there were several pieces of shiny, fatty meat.

The rich, dark sauce, the trembling fat reflecting the blinding sunlight, the burnt soy sauce aroma mixed with the meat fragrance and a hint of sweetness wafting over.

Bai Zhou was stunned for a moment.

He had assumed that the older man was trying to recruit him.

But in the end, he carried a disposable paper bowl all this way...

Is this all it's for?

"Uncle, you may have misunderstood something."

Bai Zhou waved his hand repeatedly.

"Actually, I didn't want to be a scavenger. Even if I eat your flesh, I will not join you."

"Ok?"

Old Joe raised his eyebrows twice, then nodded with satisfaction.

"So you're looking for a job? Then you should fill your stomach first..."

"nor."

Bai Zhou told the truth: "I don't have that plan for the time being."

Old Joe choked up for a moment.

"...So you're going home?"

"There are no plans to do so at the moment."

Shirashu's answer was quite frank.

But the more he talked, the more the uncle started to puff out his beard and glare, his face turning red.

"You won't do this, and you won't do that?"

"Are you going to sleep in this dilapidated house until you starve to death?"

"So young, with hands and feet, and no illness, how can you not support yourself?"

Even when scavenging or collecting trash... you should have the right attitude!

Speaking loudly, he forcefully shoved the paper bowl containing braised pork into Bai Zhou's hands, causing a few drops of broth to spill out.

"...Never mind, I was just being nosy."

"whatever!"

Old Joe turned and left, grumbling and cursing.

It's not long-winded at all.

It seemed that he felt at ease as long as he handed the braised pork to Bai Zhou.

Even Bai Zhou's words of thanks and refusals could not stop him from leaving.

"...Just like that, you left?"

Holding this bowl of braised pork that looked like it had fallen from the sky, Bai Zhou, whose stomach was rumbling, was somewhat bewildered by his current predicament.

Wait... what is all this about?!

He had just told those two unlucky scavengers the story of the river god and the axe.
Unexpectedly, I encountered another version—

The bearded river god, who emerged from the lake, asked Bai Zhou which axe he had lost.

But Bai Zhou was not a woodcutter at all; he was just a poor passerby who didn't even have a rusty iron axe.

However, the bearded river god didn't care what he said at all; the river god simply wanted to reward him and give him something...

Everything happened too fast.

Before Bai Zhou could even ask or decline,

He suddenly had a bowl of braised pork in his hand.

Did they know each other before? Why is she being so nice to him for no apparent reason?
Regarding this question...

In truth, Bai Zhou had some suspicions in his heart.

Because when Old Joe was talking to him, the way he looked at him didn't seem like he was looking at Bai Zhou at all.

It's more like looking at someone else's shadow.

Reminiscing, feeling sentimental, and then frustrated by the lack of progress.

Perhaps, there are some stories behind him.

—But Bai Zhou had no intention of prying into other people's privacy.

After all, the meeting and parting of strangers are all predestined.

Just keep the benefits the other party gives you in your heart.

For Bai Zhou, this sudden act of kindness was an experience that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

—It's a bit like being an orphan being taken care of by everyone in the Wancheng Hutong.

"..."

Thinking this, Bai Zhou looked down at the bowl of braised pork in his hand.

It's still warm.

I pinched off a piece and put it in my mouth.

It seems no cooking wine was added; the pork had a very strong, unpleasant odor, the seasoning was rough, the meat was of poor quality, and it was greasy and fatty.

But, how should I put it?

Bai Zhou chewed, his mouth puffing out.

...Perhaps it was because I hadn't eaten for so long, but the meat actually tasted quite different.

good smell.

—At least, in Shiraishu's view.

This braised pork is much tastier than the extra-refined meat dishes in the base canteen.

“You’re right, Raven.”

"There are good people and bad people everywhere."

While eating, Bai Zhou turned his head to look at the girl in the trench coat standing next to him.

Crow has been here since the beginning, listening in the whole time.

Otherwise, Bai Zhou wouldn't dare to easily eat food offered by others.

"At least I can be sure that he wasn't lying."

The crow shook its head and said uncertainly,

"Perhaps he sees his son's shadow in you?"

Who knows?

Bai Zhou shook his head, then took another piece of pork belly from the small cardboard box and put it in his mouth.

It melts at the entrance.

His stomach stopped growling, and the heat from the meat transformed into a warm current that swept through his body, allowing Bai Zhou to gradually relax.

Bai Zhou smacked his lips, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction.

Then he handed the box over.

"Would you like to try some? Actually, it's not bad once you get used to it." "No need."

The crow shook its head.

The wild grass swayed, and the wind blew through her long, jet-black hair.

A faint fragrance wafted out, almost imperceptible.

"I no longer need to rely on low-level energy sources like protein and fat to sustain my life."

As she spoke, she took out two coffee beans from her pocket and gently put them into her mouth to chew.

Let the damp wind carry a touch of the burnt aroma of coffee.

"This is enough."

……

Life's encounters are always quite wondrous.

Just now, Bai Zhou was eating the food offered by a stranger, a beggar uncle.

Now, he's heading to the city center for an expensive Michelin three-star restaurant.

The braised pork was just the beginning.

In particular, Shirazuki walked for three hours along the map to get to that restaurant.

Crow didn't follow; she said she had something to do.

Mysterious.

...Throughout the journey, Bai Zhou never took off his mask, keeping a very low profile.

Although walking was tiring, he gained a lot of new insights into this unfamiliar city.

Surprisingly, the bears in Tinghai City can actually "eat people" in the street.

—He witnessed it with his own eyes!

In front of a store called "Sweet Snow City",
A human arm suddenly emerged from the gaping mouth of a large brown bear!
There are clearly humans struggling inside.

At that moment, Bai Zhou almost slid in and kicked the bear away.

But a little girl passing by beat him to it, screaming and rushing over to hug the big bear, saying things like "What a cute bear!"

—This made Bai Zhou wonder if there was another hidden story behind it?

Finally, before the sun completely set.

As the sky was ablaze with fiery sunset clouds, around 6:30 p.m., the white boat arrived at the bustling city center, teeming with people.

—By the way, the first time I saw the fiery clouds,
Bai Zhou thought it was crows that had arrived!

So this blue planet is really strange. The sun is golden and the moon is white, so why does it turn red when the sun and moon alternate?

Their city has a blood moon at night, so it's quite normal for it to turn red in the evening.

What gives you, Earthling, the right to do this...?

Isn't that very abnormal?
But he soon had no time to think any further.

Because he saw a "familiar face" there.

Several men in black suits strolled along the street, casually glancing around.

The silver briefcase in their hands was quite familiar to Bai Zhou.

—The Special Administration's Field Team!
Bai Zhou's first instinct told him...

They came looking for him!

Feeling a chill run down his spine, Bai Zhou quickly lowered his head and hurried through the crowd while wearing a mask.

They came so fast...

Has everything at the base been taken care of?

A tense and oppressive feeling permeated Bai Zhou's heart.

The bustling streets seemed to have turned into a midnight graveyard, no longer offering him any sense of security.

Who knows when we might run into the Special Administration's pursuers...

Fortunately, Bai Zhou no longer needs to stay on the street.

Because he has already reached his destination—

L'Ambroisie

He came for the "pocket money" left by the crows in the shop.

Knowing full well the dangers within Tinghai City, I still resolutely came here—

The purpose was to obtain the equipment and supplies left behind by Raven.

Interestingly……

L'Ambroisie means food offered to God.

Also known as "the delicacies of the gods", its signature dishes are black truffle foie gras and mille-feuille, as well as chocolate tart.

—Of course, these were all things that Crow and he said.

It seems that Crow used to frequent this restaurant quite often, to the point that he hid some of his "pocket money" here.

"……what?"

Suddenly, Bai Zhou discovered the blind spot—

At that time, crows should at least have food to eat.

"Clothing requirements for entering the store: Men must wear shirts and dress pants, and women must also dress appropriately?"

Bai Zhou read aloud the words on the sign at the entrance.

Isn't this just a coincidence?
Bai Zhou glanced at himself.

White shirt, dress pants, and a suit jacket slung over his shoulder.

Although he was carefree and irresponsible, he was quite in line with the rules.

—Could this have been within the crow's expectations?
At the store entrance, all sorts of gold signs are pasted on it, densely packed and layered:
[A Century-Old Traditional French Cuisine]

【Tinghai City Purple Pearl Three Diamonds】

[Made in the Michelin Guide three stars every year]

[The No. 1 Must-Eat Food in the Sea Area]

【…】

I don't know how serious it is.

With a "smack"—

Pushing open the shop door separates the inside from the outside.

Bai Zhou inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

It was as if some sudden sense of urgency had drifted away.

Welcome to L'Ambroisie!

Pushing open the door, which exudes the aroma of truffles and money, you are greeted by a polite waiter.

The dazzling glow of the crystal chandelier, the luxurious and elegant wall decorations, and the swaying shadows of trees visible from the window—all create a soft and elegant atmosphere, seemingly out of place in the modern city outside.

—And Bai Zhou, on the other hand, is an uninvited guest who is completely out of place in both of these environments.

All the guests were dressed in formal attire, with serious expressions, and they all deliberately lowered their voices when they spoke, as if speaking loudly would make them seem inferior.

Only Bai Zhou looked around, completely oblivious to the stares of others, curiously observing the scene.

Good evening, sir.

The waiter was speaking again, his voice low.
But beneath his polite manners lay a subtle, indescribable pride.

The waiter quite naturally extended both hands, intending to take the suit from Bai Zhou's hands...

But he glanced at the sweat on Bai Zhou's forehead and his dirty suit, which was covered in obvious dust.
Then, without making a sound, he withdrew his hands, which were covered in white gloves.

Oh... I understand.

They sell insurance and run sales.

then,

The polite waiter reached out and stopped the white boat, expressing his tactful intentions:

"—Please get out!"

"Selling insurance is not allowed here!"

Bai Zhou: "?"

What is insurance?
The "Arbitrator-300" does have something called insurance...

Does this person want him to take out his gun and let me see?
Or is this also part of a coded communication?
...After Bai Zhou explained that he had come to eat,
The waiter looked him over suspiciously:
"Do you have an appointment?"

"reserve?"

Bai Zhou recalled the words Ya had taught him before he arrived, and answered uncertainly:

"I... I shouldn't need an appointment?"

"what?"

The waiter was utterly astonished.

For Shiraishu's frankness.

—And you still say you're not selling insurance!

No, you're definitely not selling insurance.

Are you here to cause trouble?
L'Ambroisie has been open for nearly two hundred years, and there has never been a customer who didn't make an appointment!

But if you ask around in Haicheng, which celebrity, dignitary, or high-ranking official wouldn't consider it an honor to be assigned to the [L'Ambroisie] position?

So he quietly made a hand gesture behind him.

Two more waiters immediately approached quietly.

...Then, two waiters approached.
They all clearly heard Bai Zhou's next words:
"Room 101, [L'toile Voilée]"

Reciting the tongue-twisting name, as if it were a mysterious incantation learned during past special training, Bai Zhou recited the unintelligible lines as if reading aloud:

"I have come to listen to the unfinished nocturne."

After saying that, Bai Zhou blushed.

What an awkward line!
—Doesn't the crow feel ashamed to leave behind such a coded message?

I don't really understand the extraordinary beings of your mysterious world!
But on the other side—

Room 101?

The three waiters were stunned for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, a plump figure flashed past them like a nimble gust of wind.

That is……

manager?

A waiter called out in bewilderment.

At this moment, more and more people gathered at the entrance.
The "high society" in the hall all turned their attention to this place.

Then, they all began to doubt whether they had misheard.

"certainly--"

"Of course, you don't need an appointment."

Facing the young man wearing a mask at the door,
The usually proud and insistent manager displayed a humility they had never seen before, his smile spreading across his face like a blooming flower.

"—Because L'Ambroisie will always reserve the best spot for you!"

He glared at the three still bewildered waiters, shooed them aside, then bowed slightly, raising his arm:
"This way, please."

Amidst the speculative gazes in the hall,

Stepping onto the deep red carpet, inhaling the aroma of truffles and red wine in the air,
Bai Zhou walked straight into the depths of the restaurant, where others were not allowed to enter.

At this moment——

"Da da……"

Several more men in black suits carrying suitcases hurried past the shop window.

A floor-to-ceiling window separated the inside from the outside.
Two separate worlds.

Bai Zhou walked deeper into the hall, while the Special Administration's pursuers searched for him in the distance.

—The two figures accidentally crossed paths, but then gradually drifted apart.

As evening approached, the sunset faded, and darkness descended upon the sky.

Large, dark clouds were gathering in the distance.

A storm is brewing—

In the air-conditioned, opulent high-end restaurant...

The hall, which should have been quiet, was now bustling with activity.

The manager led the way, the waiters followed, and even the legendary, proud, and rarely seen head chef rushed over afterward.

They stood there, crowding around Bai Zhou, whose expression was blank and whose eyes were blinking, hidden behind his mask.

—Like the moon surrounded by stars.

The self-proclaimed upper class in the hall could only stare at his retreating figure with admiring glances, their opinions varied.

But found nothing.

This is simply beyond the realm of VIPs...

It was as if the king had returned to his loyal territory.

All eyes are on them—

But the king didn't care.

(End of this chapter)