Feast of villains

Chapter 74 74.Sorrow and joy are not the same

Author: Yuyu Kuaidong

Chapter 74 74.Sorrow and joy are not the same

In a warm room filled with incense, Tokisaki was applying makeup in front of the mirror.

Her hands, feet, neck and ears have all been carefully sprayed with perfume and powdered, in line with the requirements for going to the ball. She wears see-through stockings and white leather shoes with bows on her legs, and her hair style is almost done.

On the big bed next to her, a young woman was talking in a lively and lively tone.

"...I've been busy from morning until now, and I'm almost starving. I won't be able to eat the food in your new Yokohama for a while, so I can only rely on fruits to sustain my life. The old lady in charge even asked me to eat less.

No, you just want to starve me to death, eh, Tokisaki, why didn’t Nance come with you..."

Wearing only a cool skirt, Du Jingwen was lazily leaning on the bed, her fair and pink shoulders, bare feet and wrists all exposed. While she was talking to Tokisaki, she was holding a large bunch of grapes and gnawing on them.

While she was nibbling, a group of maids rushed outside the door and dragged her out of bed without any explanation.

An aunt in charge came in and told the maids to quickly comb the young lady's hair.

"I'll do it myself!"

"No, miss."

"Oh, my God, come on, that's it."

"It will get dark soon. Miss, please be quiet..."

Du Jingwen was being tortured here, while Shiqi had his hair styled and dressed in all the clothes by the maid.

"Are you okay?"

A middle-aged male voice asked outside.

"It's coming, it'll be ready soon." Du Jingwen put on a tulle skirt with the help of the maid, and shouted toward the door, "Dad, don't come in so fast..."

After a while, after the daughter hurriedly put on her dress, the head of the Du family was allowed to walk in.

His name is Du Xiuxian, and he is wearing a blue tuxedo, long socks and leather shoes.

I sprayed perfume and smoothed my hair with hair wax.

Mrs. Du who accompanied him in was wearing a velvet dress, walking slowly and elegantly.

"Hey, my beauty!" Du Xiuxian shouted, walking towards his daughter, "You are more beautiful than all of us..." As he said, he wanted to hug her, but her daughter stepped aside with a smile to avoid being caught.

Father wrinkles his dress.

"Hello, Miss Tokisaki." Mrs. Du greeted Tokisaki gently.

"Hello, madam, hello Mr. Du." Tokisaki responded obediently.

Du Xiuxian looked towards her and said with a smile: "Well... Miss Angel of the Monastery, it's a real honor for me to meet you. Please be sure to have fun tonight, and by the way, your boss, remember that when the time comes

Introduce me to..."

"Definitely!" Tokisaki said with a faint smile.

"By the way, I will also go to the monastery tomorrow." Mrs. Du took Tokisaki's wrist affectionately, "I haven't seen Reina since she left the imperial capital. I miss her so much..."

During the conversation, the four people left the room and walked to the front yard of the mansion.

In the damp and cold air, Du Jingwen accidentally mentioned that if the snow were heavier, the atmosphere would be more romantic.

The staff responsible for preparing the dance heard this and immediately arranged for people to prepare, just to make the guests have a more pleasant experience.

"Bang bang bang!"

175 snow bombs were launched into the sky, making the snow in Shin-Yokohama even heavier.

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Night gradually falls.

The refrigerated truck drove back to the city in the snow and wind.

There are some raised snowdrifts on both sides of the road, with some dried flowers or incense candles stuck on them.

Many people braved the wind and snow to worship.

"It looks like a snowdrift, but it's actually a pile of graves..." Clegg drove the car, his eyes passing over both sides of the road. "They said on TV that it would not increase the price of food, but in fact after the snow fell,

, the price of rice and pork has more than tripled... In the autumn, 1 kilogram of rice only cost 15 pence, but now it is almost 40 pence.

Nance calculated silently.

The monthly income of an ordinary employee in Shin-Yokohama is 4,000 pence. According to this price level, one month's income can only buy 200 kilograms of rice... The prices are terrible.

"Even though rice is not a precious thing, it is a big quantity and everyone wants to eat it." Clegg continued, with a slightly excited tone, "This is a hugely profitable business, and it is impossible for those big grain merchants to let it go.

The price of food will definitely continue to rise. The disaster relief materials distributed by the government may be the residue left after being ripped off a few times in the hands of citizens..."

He complained endlessly, while Nance nodded silently.

"Actually, it's okay to have rice to sell. Now some grain stores are still buying and hoarding goods, planning to save the rice until next year and sell it at a higher price." Clegg said, holding the steering wheel tightly: "

The city hall said that they would provide disaster relief, crack down on the behavior of driving up food prices, and ensure a continuous supply of food. If the citizens believed it, they would naturally not stockpile food when the price was not too high... The big grain merchants were talking.

Cooperate with the government's work, while reducing supply, secretly increase efforts to collect grain... Blindly collecting grain, based on the experience of the past few years, is almost a sure-fire business."

Speaking of these things, Clark's tone was a little low.

Nance's expression seemed indifferent.

Thinking about these things, he would feel compassion, but at the same time he felt powerless.

In the past thousands of years of human history, almost every political power has had laws prohibiting hoarding and raising prices. Especially in years of disaster, control over food will be more sensitive.

But this is never a question of whether the law is perfect enough.

In ancient times, it was a matter of whether the law could be passed down to the localities and whether the localities were willing to implement it.

In modern times, it is a matter of trade-off between the benefits and costs of disobeying the law.

Many people think that as long as the law is enforced and all the guys who eat human blood steamed buns are killed, the problem will be solved. But in fact, it is very likely that the referee, organizer and association are all from other people, and it is impossible to kill them.

If you have more, punish yourself with three drinks and then do whatever you have to do...

"Hey, Section Chief Adel." Clegg turned his head slightly and asked Nance: "If you become mayor, can you crack down on these grain merchants?"

Nance thought for a moment and sighed: "After all, it is too small for a person to face an entire interest group. To put it simply, I will make people angry. In a sense, I only care about interests and not about human nature.

This kind of thing is the essence of capital. Even if I were the mayor and dared to block their financial path, the end would not be much better. There used to be a small country in Northeast Asia, and even the president could liquidate their domestic capital..."

Craig's fingers drummed on the steering wheel.

Regarding the fluctuations in food prices, he was just filled with resentment that could not be resolved, and he just vented it out on Nance, a "politician" who was willing to listen to him. If he really wanted to think of any solutions or give any suggestions, he could not give them at all.

West Kowloon's colorful silks are fluttering, street lamps are lined up in long rows, luxury cars and horse-drawn carriages are crowding forward on the road, and they are gathering in this direction from the city... The grand dance is about to begin.

The refrigerated truck drove to Austin Road, and Nance got out of the truck and walked into the traffic control circle.

Craig looked through the car window.

In the cold air, the whole street here is decorated with street lights like a dream. In the brightly lit hall at the end there are some things that are out of reach: music, flowers, dance, the most beautiful girls in Shin-Yokohama...

…

Guests came in and out, chatting softly and wearing ball costumes. The ladies wore expensive sky blue and rose dresses, with diamonds and pearls on their bare arms and necks. They were extremely rich and luxurious.

.

The people's unhurried voices, noisy footsteps and cheers deafened Clegg in the distance. The bright lights and the flash of clothes made his eyes dim and he almost couldn't find it.

It's time to go home.

"Um?"

"strangeness……"

"Why does the snow seem to be getting a lot heavier..."

With a vague premonition in his heart, Clegg hurried back home.

After the snow became heavy, the road became more difficult to walk. The original journey of more than half an hour took more than two hours to return due to the dual impact of slippage and traffic jams.

It has turned completely dark.

As soon as he parked the car, Craig looked into the alley.

Flames shot across the roof and into the sky.

Suddenly, goosebumps appeared on his cheeks, and a chill shot through his heart.

The fire alarm bell rang suddenly.

He jumped out of the car and rushed home.

"Fire, fire!"

"It's on fire!"

"People inside, come out quickly!"

"Someone's house must have collapsed and crushed the stove..."

Fire broke out in the center of the slum.

Tongues of flames loomed in the billowing smoke, spreading sideways and engulfing the surrounding eaves.

Clegg struggled to squeeze through the fleeing crowd and ran back to his home. Along the way, the fire burned more intensely and the air became more and more choking... Looking down from a height, the fire looked like a game.

, a game that devours lives.

His tense temples were throbbing.

Several neighbors he knew ran from inside, and he raised his voice and asked, "Hey, how's it going inside?"

"The fire is too big, I don't know..."

"Is anyone hurt? Where's my mom?"

"They were all running out one by one. The fire spread quickly. Here, look." Those people waved their arms and fled the fire in a hurry.

Bursts of burning sounds erupted from the sea of ​​​​fire, and tongues of fire jumped up right in front of your eyes.

The way forward is already blocked by the line of fire, and you can only watch the flames devour everything inside.

The fire was scorching, and the snow under his feet melted, leaving messy footprints on the snow, which became muddy. Craig knelt on the snow, and someone next to him grabbed his arm tightly to prevent him from continuing.

forward.

His cheeks felt hot, but his eyes felt cold.

He blinked and controlled his tears, as if he saw his mother's face turned to ashes in the sea of ​​fire.

This process is full of unspeakable pain and sorrow.

※※※※※

"Bang~"

Several bright salutes exploded overhead.

Nance straightened his tie and entered the ball hall as the attendants bent down to welcome him.

In the huge room with the heating on, all the attendees were dressed up and every guest was a big shot. They wore uniforms, tuxedos, some wore long gowns with belts, and their wigs were powdered.

, like a swarm of bees flying around during the spring migration season, flying back and forth, sometimes sitting or standing, sometimes gathering or spreading out.

The crystal chandelier hangs on the four-story dome, illuminating the entire room with splendor.

The maids in uniforms elegantly shuttled among the guests carrying drinks.

After Nance entered the venue, he went directly to the table where the food was placed.

He has no idea of ​​seeing the upper class, and no one dares to talk to him. He is here just for Li Qinglian who may appear tonight, and to taste the dazzling variety of food.

I have to say that rich people really enjoy life.

The table in front of me is filled with dishes and tableware. There are four kinds of bread alone. Various delicacies, salads, soups, rare fruits in winter: strawberries, apples, oranges, five kinds of cheese and three kinds of ham.

In addition to coffee and wine, there are three brands of mineral water alone...

In the cold winter, sufficient energy is needed.

Nance took a plate and piled it with whatever he wanted to eat.

"Are you here to purchase goods?"

A quiet questioning voice came to my ears, even with a little bit of ridicule.

Nance calmly ate a piece of shrimp meat and looked sideways.

It is the tall female superintendent Erin with slender legs. Her bust and hips are plumper and more prominent than those of ordinary women, her waist is slender and tight, and she has a perfect body proportions like a magazine cover.

Her short hair is slightly brown, her nose is high and her eyes are full of vitality and sharpness.

Nance, who was originally sullen towards her, suddenly his eyes lit up. She was wearing a white cheongsam with a mountain ink pattern, and her leg lines that boldly extended from the slits at the base of her legs were quite perfect, even as beautiful as the queen's legs.

.

"Aren't you allowed to eat at the dance?" Nance asked as he watched.

"There is no objection, as long as you are not afraid of others laughing." Irene took a glass of champagne from the table, then sat down on the chair next to her, and inadvertently crossed her legs. The perfect curves of her exposed legs made her

There was a sound of swallowing from all around.

"As a kid who climbed out of the slums, having a full meal is my top priority." Nance sat down across from her with a pile of dinner plates and forked a piece of steak that was charred on the outside and tender on the inside, "Oh, delicious!

Do you want it?"

Erin sipped the champagne and said slowly: "This steak is too old. I usually only eat medium rare."

"Medium rare is actually old. I have a fresher way to eat it." Nance said while chewing. "Find a pasture. When the first ray of sunshine in the morning shines on the cow, chase it directly.

Come chew on your ass..."

"puff--"

The sudden smile made Irene almost knock over the champagne in her hand.

Her fair face turned a little red. She was smiling and holding back, so her smile looked awkward as if there were cavities in her mouth that were aching.

Nance lowered his head and continued eating his food.

This is by the window. Looking out is the harbor. You can see several cranes, docks, box-shaped warehouses, freighters, high-rise buildings... After nightfall, the garbage on the gray sea can no longer be seen. There is only reflection in front of you.

of prosperity.

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(End of chapter)