When we arrived at the fifth district of Central City, it was exactly eight in the morning, and everything was just right.
The airship docked, and various service facilities automatically gathered around.
I stood behind Jiang Sen, watching another attendant he had brought operate the smart facilities. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of reflection. Indeed, intelligence is valuable, but human effort is priceless.
Under the attendant’s operation, we quickly left the airship docking area and boarded a vehicle.
Of course, from the outside, the vehicle looked no different from the ones driven by the wealthy in the outer districts. But once inside, you’d notice the intricate details and system designs that were remarkably clever. I mean, I’ve never seen a vehicle in my life that had a dedicated row of controls for servants.
What a bunch of lunatics!
As the vehicle gradually approached the city center, I saw many beautiful landscapes through the window. There were mountains, water, scenic views, birds flying by, quiet benches, and even wild animals. What the hell? I’ve been working so hard to escape the depths of the mountains and make it to the bustling inner city, only to find that the inner city is just another version of the mountains?
Jiang Sen also noticed my gaze and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
I replied, “The scenery here is beautiful.”
Jiang Sen paused for a moment and said, “It is, but unfortunately, it’s all artificially created.”
“What do you mean by artificially created?” I asked.
“It’s completely simulated nature using technology and devices,” Jiang Sen explained. “People in the inner city revere the power of nature and strongly oppose excessive reliance on intelligence and technology. They generally believe it’s a form of human rights exploitation.”
I fell silent.
Jiang Sen chuckled softly, “What? Do you think it’s foolish?”
He added, “Actually, I do too.”
I thought a decent person probably shouldn’t be too sharp.
But thinking is one thing, acting is another.
I couldn’t help but say, “If they love green mountains and natural landscapes so much, why don’t they just move to the twelfth district?”
“They did,” Jiang Sen replied, then added, “You used to be a resident of Central City. You should know that the public areas in the districts have access restrictions. You need a certain amount of points to enter and use them.”
I laughed. Class restrictions, huh?
I said, “I didn’t know that.”
Jiang Sen was taken aback and asked, “Weren’t your parents servants in the third district of Central City?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I was eligible to attend school there,” I replied with a smile, lowering my voice. “The school I attended was always in the sixth district. I know you might say, isn’t Delisa in the third district? Yes, that’s the main campus. From what I know, to study there, you need proof of certain assets.”
I continued earnestly, “But I still don’t understand why people with asset proof would work as servants. Is it—”
It was a lie, of course. I knew.
The comprehensive schools in the inner city not only require proof of assets but also consider the parents’ jobs, education, and household registration. Students are also expected to have extracurricular activities, awards, and honors to gain admission. Some people from the outer districts may have money, but if their status is questionable or they haven’t reached a certain level of influence, they’ll settle for sending their children to schools that appear to be for servants’ kids. These schools are located in the inner city, offering high-quality education and inner city student status, making it easier for them to get into inner city universities and fully immigrate there.
Jiang Sen pondered for a few seconds, his expression shifting from deep thought to silence, then to complexity. This time, he didn’t apologize to me. I guessed his path must have been completely different from these people.
He said, “I suppose it’s some kind of unwritten rule.”
I replied, “Ah, I see.”
Another silence followed.
He asked, “You… aren’t angry?”
I thought for a moment before answering, “I’m used to it.”
I added, “I’m used to resigning myself to fate, used to compliance, used to the disparity. Besides, it’s all in the past. I don’t like dwelling on the past, thinking, ‘Oh, if only I had done this or that.’ Because I’ve already been through enough hardship. Looking forward, I can hold my head high. Looking back, I’m left with nothing but hesitation and fear.”
I smiled, but in my mind, I tried to recall all the sad things I’d experienced, hoping to bring a misty sheen to my eyes. Not only would this moisten my eyes, but it might also evoke some sympathy.
When the poor feel sympathy, it’s heartfelt but doesn’t amount to much.
But when the wealthy feel sympathy, even the slightest bit can make someone’s life easier for a while.
My heart is hard, but I guessed his wasn’t.
Jiang Sen looked at me, his face slightly tilted, almost reaching out. But his hand quickly changed direction, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. He handed it to me and said, “It’s a bit warm in the car. Wipe your sweat.”
I didn’t take the handkerchief, instead smiling and saying, “You’re mistaken. I’m not sweating.”
Jiang Sen’s hand froze, then he withdrew it, saying, “Oh.”
He then asked, “Do you dislike me?”
I didn’t answer directly, instead asking, “Why would you ask that?”
“I admire you, and I feel like we’re friends now,” Jiang Sen averted his gaze, his jawline sharp, his voice soft. “But sometimes I feel like maybe you dislike me, and it’s just your good nature that makes you tolerate me.”
He immediately added, “What I mean is, you’re sincere, but you’re also kind.”
How could I not be tolerating you? If any ordinary alpha had said something so disgusting to me, I would’ve punched them already. But you’re not ordinary, and you’re rich and powerful, aren’t you?
I asked, “Do you remember that I tried to bribe you when we first met?”
Jiang Sen thought for a moment, a small smile appearing on his face. “Yes, I remember. It was the first time I’d ever been bribed. Hard to forget.”
“See, I’m not as sincere as you think. I can be scheming too, and I’ve had to abandon some morals to survive,” I continued. “You know what? I also pick my targets.”
Jiang Sen frowned, “Hmm?”
I said, “For example, I love Yalian, but I would never tell him about my past.”
Jiang Sen’s frown eased, and his eyes slowly lowered, showing a pleased curve.
“I thought you’d be closer to your beloved, my fiancé,” Jiang Sen joked. “This makes me feel a bit less threatened. At least I don’t have to worry about you stealing him away.”
I added, “That’s all in the past. I promised you that after saying goodbye, I wouldn’t think about him anymore.”
Jiang Sen chuckled, “I hope you can keep that promise.”
The vehicle had already entered the fifth district of Central City and stopped in front of a rather opulent hotel.
I pretended to be confused, looking around, “Why are we stopping here?”
“This is the hotel I’ve arranged for you. During the period before and after the trial, you won’t be able to work, and you won’t have any income. So I want you to at least live comfortably. This is the best hotel in Central City, and I’ve already prepaid the room and meals,” Jiang Sen paused, then added, “During this time, I’ll have to take Yalian back, so I might not be able to accompany you. But I’ll be there on the day of the trial, don’t worry.”
As soon as I stepped out of the vehicle, a man who looked like a hotel manager came out to greet me.
A young attendant behind the manager bowed and handed me a brocade box. Before I could open it, the car window rolled down, and Jiang Sen looked at me, saying, “This is a terminal I’ve prepared for you. It has my contact information. If you encounter any difficulties, just let me know. There’s also a balance on the terminal. You can use it for anything you need.”
He hesitated for a few seconds before adding, “You can also charge things to the life manager. I don’t mind.”
“I mind,” I frowned, handing the terminal back. “You’ve already provided me with food and lodging, and that’s more than enough. I don’t need the terminal or the money inside it. I can’t accept something I didn’t earn.”
Jiang Sen pressed his lips together and said, “This is compensation. Disen is my subordinate. I should compensate you.”
I said, “But—”
Before I could finish, the car window rolled up, and the vehicle started moving.
I shouted, “Jiang Sen!”
A few seconds later, the terminal lit up, and a message popped up.
[Jiang Sen: I’m sorry. This is the only way I can think of to compensate you. I hope you can forgive me.]
Heavens, I was forced to accept it.
I pretended to be reluctant as I typed out a response, feigning unwillingness but having no choice but to comply.
The life butler and attendants urged me to get moving, so I followed behind them like a country bumpkin. I have to say, this hotel truly lives up to its reputation as the best. Not only is it as grand and luxurious as a palace, but it also includes countless entertainment venues. However, what puzzled me was that this top-tier hotel was entirely manual, everything seemed oddly outdated.
As I toured the place, I asked, “Don’t you have any ordering robots or fully automated escalators here?”
The butler smiled and replied, “We firmly believe that only through genuine care can guests feel the warmth and attentiveness of human interaction. Moreover, we advocate for using human labor whenever possible to create more job opportunities.”
I mulled over his words for a moment and suddenly understood.
Imagine a wealthy person losing their temper at a robot, and the robot responds, “I didn’t understand your request. Please repeat it.” But if you direct your anger at a person, they’ll tremble like a leaf and plead, “I’m sorry, I failed to meet your expectations. Please give me another chance!”
My room was located on the top floor, which offered the most expansive view. The top floor also had a massive open-air platform, complete with a pool and a beach. But strangely, the place was swarming with people, all holding banners, and there was even a blimp overhead with a banner of its own.
Before I could ask, the butler explained, “This is one of the best vantage points in the Five Cities, visible to nearly half the population when they’re out and about. As a result, it’s often used by the authorities to display slogans or for rallies and propaganda events.”
I didn’t ask what they were protesting, because I had already moved closer and could see the bold lettering on the banners: “We need more people to build Central City!” “For a better tomorrow, for a brighter future! Join the Five Cities Army!” “Improve omega rights!”
“I can make out one banner calling for military recruitment, another for equality. But what does ‘We need more people to build Central City’ mean?”
I asked sincerely.
“It’s a call for people to have more children,” the butler explained, somewhat awkwardly, after a few seconds. “In recent years, Central City has been facing a severe decline in birth rates.”
I fell silent. I don’t have children because I have morals. You privileged elites in Central City don’t have morals, yet you’re not having kids either?
The butler, likely aware that I came from the outer ring and carried a bit of disdain for the inner ring, quickly added, “The government means well, offering many incentives, but people still aren’t willing to have children. In a few years, the inner ring might become even more sparsely populated. It’s hard to say what will happen.”
I said, “People in the outer ring are very fertile. If you’re worried, why not open up access? You’d have a population boom in no time.”
The butler didn’t respond.
I pressed, “Is that not a good idea?”
The butler chuckled, “You’re quite the joker.”
I insisted, “I’m not joking.”
The butler stayed silent again.
I tried to negotiate, “If you need labor, why not just recruit adults? Seriously, they’d call you ‘Dad’ in a heartbeat, no hesitation.”
The butler said, “…Miss, let’s take you to your room.”
Before he finished speaking, I heard someone burst out laughing.
What the hell is so funny?
I’m being serious!
