Chapter 914: 563. Calculation and Killing
At five in the morning, Qing Chen stood at the entrance of the Black Swan Restaurant.
Many people on the street were pushing carts filled with freshly made soy milk and steamed buns.
Usually, only the wealthy can afford such food, but the Fourth District is an exception. Here, there are dancers and waiters who have just earned their tips.
And various people trying to make a living in this district known for its abundant nightlife, all living lavish and indulgent lives.
Only in the morning can they become sober.
This time is the quietest in the Fourth District, yet it's also the most lively.
The dancers stood by the roadside, waiting for taxis, no longer dressed in glamorous and skimpy outfits, but wrapped in thick coats.
The atmosphere was no longer so crazy, and everyone seemed to have returned from another wild world back to reality.
The bun seller was all smiles, but the sellers themselves probably couldn't bear to eat a bun.
Qing Chen turned and looked towards the roadside, suddenly seeing Zhang Mengchan asleep under a lamppost.
He smiled and, using the steps Mother Ye taught him, circled behind the boy, intending to cover the boy's mouth, pretending to be a Kidney Cutter's abduction.
However, unexpectedly, the boy woke up early.
"Huh," Qing Chen wondered, "How did you know someone was approaching?"
The boy thought for a moment and said, "I don't know. Ever since I sold my eyes, it's been like this. I even know when someone is watching me from behind. It's been my secret to surviving in the Ninth District for so long. I haven't told anyone before, but now I'm telling you, boss."
"Boss?" Qing Chen laughed, "You've gotten used to it quite quickly."
Qing Chen was pondering why Zhang Mengchan's sensory ability seemed so much like an A-Class sixth sense!
Even Lian Qingchen didn't possess this ability!
"Walk 10 meters ahead and turn your back to me," Qing Chen said.
Zhang Mengchan didn't know why but complied. Qing Chen first looked elsewhere, then suddenly cast a murderous glance at the boy.
In an instant, the hair on the back of the boy's neck stood up!
This was a reaction to sensing danger!
Indeed, it was a sixth sense!
Qing Chen had heard that some people, being deprived of a certain sense, would have their brain allocate perception to other organs.
For instance, some blind people might have especially good hearing, or those who lose their sense of taste might have an exceptionally strong sense of smell.
But he didn't expect that after Zhang Mengchan's eyes were taken, the world compensated him with a sixth sense!
"Sixth sense," Qing Chen patted the boy's head, "Quite lucky."
Zhang Mengchan was stunned for a moment, "Boss, I'd rather not have a sixth sense. I want my eyes."
Qing Chen was taken aback, then bowed deeply to Zhang Mengchan, "Sorry, I misspoke."
Zhang Mengchan hurriedly said, "Boss, you don't have to do that. I don't mind."
Qing Chen shook his head, "Whether you mind or not is your business. It's my business that I misspoke. Let's go have breakfast. How many buns can you eat?"
"Can I eat as much as I want?" Zhang Mengchan looked at Qing Chen expectantly.
"Yes, eat as much as you want, eat until you're full," Qing Chen laughed.
"Then I can eat 12!" Zhang Mengchan said excitedly.
Qing Chen was amazed. Those steamed buns were each the size of a fist; he could only eat a maximum of four.
He tentatively bought 12 for Zhang Mengchan and watched him stuff them all into his mouth, drinking two cups of soy milk along the way.
While paying, Qing Chen sighed, "You really can eat. By the way, why did you come here?"
Zhang Mengchan said, "The art club flattened the pigeon coops, and Xiao Qi said he was going to flatten the neighboring club. But Lao Luo said the time wasn't right yet and wanted to wait a bit. I found it boring, so I came to you. Did you say something to Lao Luo? He's been treating me well since last night, and I'm not used to it."
Qing Chen laughed, "Don't worry about it. Lao Luo is a good person. He used to roam the streets, and people who do that are especially mindful of relationships, with no malice intended."
"Are we going back now?" Zhang Mengchan bounced happily.
"No, you go back. I have things to do," Qing Chen said.
"Can you take me with you? I can endure hardship, I'm not afraid of danger," the boy said.
"Then what are you afraid of?" Qing Chen asked.
Zhang Mengchan thought for a long time and said, "I'm afraid I'll spend my whole life living in a pigeon coop, with no family, no friends. I'm afraid that I can see the end of my life at a glance. If I can live more excitingly, it's okay even if I die."
Qing Chen pondered for a moment, "Then come with me."
Zhang Mengchan's eyes lit up.
Qing Chen walked towards the end of the long street in the Fourth District first, "But you say you can endure hardship, that has yet to be tested."
"Haven't I suffered enough?"
"No, enduring poverty is not enduring hardship. The ability to endure humiliation and hardships for an ambition and goal, to become focused and persistent for a goal, that is enduring hardship. Enduring hardship is an active ability, not a passive one."
Zhang Mengchan wasn't sure if he understood, but he remembered it.
...
...
The Fifth District.
Downstairs at the Peace Dove Building, a young man had just come down to throw out the trash.
Just as he opened the trash can, a little boy brushed past him.
The young man instinctively felt something was wrong. He dropped the garbage bag and felt his pocket, his phone was gone: "Damn it!"
With that, he chased after the boy.
In the cold winter, the boy used a scarf to wrap his head entirely, only exhaling visible breath in the air as he ran into an alley, only to find a dead end at the end.