bookbashuk Chapter 89 The North City Approaches
Chapter 89 The North City Approaches
After making this deduction, Lu Chen thought of another point.
—If it is the former, that is, miner No. 2 cooperated with someone to divide up the child's [1 year], then the other party is very likely also a parasite.
Only two parasites of equal status could possibly share that [1 year].
If the other party has a higher status—even if it's profession number 242, it's still one level higher than parasite number 243.
Whoever holds a higher position will inevitably dominate the entire collaboration and the distribution of profits.
Therefore, in the City of Time, there is a high probability that there are parasites plus parasites, or other "cooperative" combinations where people of the same profession work together and share the profits.
As for how the two parasites and the two poor people managed to cover the costs of pregnancy and postpartum care, Lu Chen had no way of knowing for the time being.
...
The second scenario involves Miner #2, who is a product of this logic.
The parents of Miner No. 2 cooperated to have him in order to obtain the "1 year" that Miner No. 2 was born with.
However, after turning 16, Miner #2 was fortunate enough to retain his initial capital for one year.
Or perhaps they managed to preserve some of it.
If this is the case, then the identity of miner number 2 as a "parasite" is perfectly reasonable.
—Your parents will only give you vocational skills if you hand over [one year's] initial funds;
This is a deal.
If you don't pay, or don't pay in full, you'll naturally only be a parasite without any skill requirements.
Of course, it is also possible that the parents of miner number 2 were also parasites.
As fellow parasites, neither of them possessed any skills, which could be taught to Miner #2.
Without any "chips" in hand, the two were unable to obtain all of the initial funds of Miner #2 [1 year].
Perhaps it was divided equally among the three, with each receiving 120 days, or perhaps it was distributed according to contribution or something similar...
"Perhaps, only in such a family structure can a normal family atmosphere exist."
"Parents may not have much to give their children, but the children do have [one year's] worth of initial funds."
"Therefore, parents can only give their children the love they deserve, whether it's genuine or not."
"A child who grows up in a normal family atmosphere and with the love of his parents, and who has a huge sum of money in his hands when he turns 16, will naturally not be indifferent to his parents' financial difficulties and poverty."
Thinking of this, Lu Chen couldn't help but let out a long sigh, feeling a strange tightness in his chest.
Based on the above deductions, Lu Chen was told frankly: In the City of Time, only the children of two poor people can become 'children' in the true sense of the word.
The other situation involves the rich and their children.
Lu Chen guessed that since both parties were wealthy, they certainly wouldn't care about the child's mere initial funding of "1 year".
For the sake of childbirth safety, wealthy women will not gamble on their ability to have a natural birth or survive a life-threatening situation.
A child born in a clinic to a couple who are willing to spend a year, or even several years, of hospitalization fees is certainly not the child they conceived in order to obtain that year.
Therefore, the rich and their children are also likely to be "normal" children.
Children from rich families are children, and children from poor families are also children;
Only two people who are neither rich nor poor, or one rich and one poor, would have an "abnormal" child out of self-interest...
"Outrageous."
"That's absolutely outrageous..."
Sighing and lamenting, Lu Chen's thoughts began to drift away.
Lu Chen thought of the 'seduction' that Yu had given without warning a few days ago, but which wasn't entirely a joke.
Could it be that Yu also wants to have a child with me for the sake of [1 year]?
After a moment's thought, Lu Chen shook his head and dismissed the possibility.
—Jade isn't that poor.
Yu doesn't lack that [1 year], nor would she intentionally seduce Lu Chen for a mere [1 year].
Most importantly, jade is also a resurrected entity.
Also in 2025—living in that 'normal' world.
Lu Chen doesn't believe in jade, but he can accept the bizarre concepts of childbirth and reproduction in the City of Time.
Lu Chen thought again: After turning 16, why should a child with [1 year] of experience have to give up all [1 year] in exchange for the parents' professional skills?
Go out and find someone, even if it takes 180 days, isn't that more cost-effective than giving your parents a year?
Unable to figure out the reason, Lu Chen assumed that there was some key detail that he had not yet grasped.
For example, once an Indigenous child turns 16, they don't necessarily need to acquire vocational skills to directly register for the corresponding profession and work in the corresponding factory.
Perhaps it requires parental recommendations, or finding connections, favors, or other favors.
"Outrageous."
"Strange..."
Lying flat in the makeshift hospital, Lu Chen pondered and let his mind wander.
And every now and then he would mutter to himself, "How strange!"
As time passed, Lu Chen finally closed his eyes and unconsciously fell asleep.
I slept without any dreams.
At 6 a.m. the next day, Lu Chen was woken up by the shop owner right on time.
I stepped out of the hotel, took out some black bread and water from my backpack, and squatted by the roadside to eat a simple breakfast.
At around 6:40, Lu Chen arrived at the bus ahead of time and waited for the driver.
—Yu didn't give Lu Chen much to say about this trip.
There are only a handful of points to note.
The most crucial point is that you must never miss the bus.
Lu Chen never ignored Yu's warnings, nor dared to ignore them.
What happened next made Lu Chen feel grateful that he had paid an extra 15 minutes for the wake-up service last night.
—At 6:54, the driver opened the car door and got into the driver's seat.
About two minutes later, everyone who had gathered outside the car got on.
Then, without hesitation, the driver closed the door, started the vehicle, and drove straight to the next stop.
There were still 4 minutes until departure.
But the driver didn't care at all.
Although he didn't say a word from beginning to end, his indifferent expression was clearly answering Lu Chen's questions.
—People who are really afraid of missing the bus will definitely come early to wait.
—If you choose to time your trip, you deserve to miss it…
The buses have resumed their service.
It will stop in the northwest corner of the city at noon today to recharge before continuing its journey.
Tonight, we will arrive in the northern part of the city.
—Arriving at the legendary "rich area," where law enforcement officers, ranchers, and other powerful figures gather.
Lu Chen didn't know what he could gain in Beicheng.
But Lu Chen was certain that this would not be the last time he came to Beicheng in the near future.
— Previously, when No. 9529 revealed the news about District 17, he clearly told Lu Chen and Yu that the inter-district passage was located in the North City.
Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, Lu Chen and Yu, who have made up their minds to go to District 17, will take the bus to the North City again.
So this trip wasn't just a "free time" for Lu Chen; he took advantage of his free time to take a city tour.
This also serves as an opportunity to first scout out the northern part of the city and gather information.
That way, when they go to Beicheng with Yu next time, they won't be completely clueless.
...
Today's journey was quite different from yesterday's.
Yesterday, from the South Gate to the West Gate, a distance of 200 kilometers, Lu Chen felt like he was just going around in circles near the South Gate.
The scenery along the way was all the same, with no obvious changes.
But today, as the bus travels from the west gate to the north gate—and as the northern part of the city gets closer—the scenery on both sides of the street begins to change noticeably.
Cleaner and neater buildings;
More composed pedestrians, walking more slowly;
And then there were all sorts of luxury cars, a dazzling array that Lu Chen recognized all too well.
—Before even reaching the North Gate, Lu Chen had already sensed the special nature of the North City.
Little did Lu Chen know what other shocking and outrageous experiences awaited him in that "wealthy neighborhood of the 18th ward"...