novel-bin Chapter 19 Everyone is trying their best to live.
Chapter 19 Everyone is trying their best to live.
This is commonplace in Gotham.
Jung Eun sighed, looked away, and stopped paying attention; too much attention wouldn't do her any good.
Jason quickly grabbed the keys and jogged over.
The stairwell of this apartment building is well hidden, narrow and small, and partially concealed by the wall, blending into the shadows, making it perfect for ambushing someone from behind.
Once inside, things were a bit better. Perhaps to prevent friction from escalating into armed conflict, the staircase was spacious enough for two people to walk side by side.
The hallway was dark, with only a skylight on the corner platform, through which light shone in like rays.
The rented room was on the fourth floor, and Jason led him into the very last room. The dusty room number was a dark yellow, with "404" written on it in red paint.
As soon as they pushed open the door, the two of them were choked and coughed.
The room was completely dark, gloomy and cold, as if a chill was emanating from it.
Zheng En went in first and pulled open all the curtains. The sunlight was just right, and with the light, the whole house looked much more comfortable.
At first glance, it seems to have everything you'd expect: a TV, a coffee table, and a sofa.
Once the curtains are drawn, you can clearly see that there is a terrace outside.
Jason closed the door and followed Jung Eun onto the terrace, where they could see the street view and the subway entrance not far away. Pedestrians came and went, and there were food trucks parked nearby.
"How are you feeling?" Jason asked him.
"fine."
Zheng En walked through all the rooms and didn't feel any dissatisfaction. Perhaps his expectations were too low; he thought the house was quite nice no matter how he looked at it.
Jason knew that his tip was practically guaranteed after hearing this.
Zheng En handed over a hundred-dollar bill. "I've just arrived in Gotham, and I'll need your help to take me to the city center later."
Since he was unfamiliar with the area, he needed to familiarize himself with the most basic transportation routes.
Jason explained to him why he stopped him from buying the car yesterday: until a suitable house is rented, the car is essentially unclaimed property, and any car thief can take it away.
Even if they're lucky enough not to run into car thieves, the others don't mind doing some extra work to earn some extra money.
As mentioned before, the apartment buildings are under the jurisdiction of gangs, so thieves and thugs dare not cause trouble. Only when you become a resident can you park your car in such a place with some security.
As for going out, it's best to park your car in a parking lot where someone collects money and is in charge, or in front of a shop and give them a small tip so they can watch over the car for you.
For most modes of transportation, life outside the safe zone is fraught with risks.
If Jung Eun lived in another area, it would be fine, but the East District has its own unique cultural characteristics that are comparable to a strange tale of rules, and it will teach everyone a lesson.
After much thought, I realized that taking public transportation like the subway or buses is the most convenient option.
After deciding on his accommodation, he still needed to buy daily necessities and several changes of clothes. To be honest, Zheng En felt like he already smelled terrible.
Jason also wanted to take Jung Eun to the subway, which is the usual way for homeless children to get around. Taking advantage of their young age and short stature, they can easily squeeze under the turnstiles.
Security personnel either can't catch them or are too lazy to catch them; homeless children who can't be squeezed out of them are not their targets.
Seeing Jason about to disappear into the subway entrance again, Zheng En quickly took two steps, grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up like a cat, and flagged down a taxi on the side of the road.
"Let's sit here."
The East End and the Upper East Side are separated by the Sponge River. You can see that area full of high-rise buildings by driving across the bridge.
This area is more bustling than the East District, and there are many more normal-looking people here. There are office workers hurrying along in ties, and teenagers jumping off railings on skateboards.
Zheng En randomly picked a mobile phone store and was about to go in when Jason stopped him, saying, "Using a new phone makes you more likely to be targeted. You'd better buy a used one, the kind you won't feel bad about losing."
"It's safe inside the room, but you still have to go out eventually." He shrugged. "The East Side has no shortage of robbers and thieves, does it?"
Zheng En was persuaded and changed direction, heading towards the nearby secondhand phone shop. He didn't have high requirements for the phone; he picked out a decent one and went to pay.
The shop owner's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then he asked for eight hundred.
Jung Eun laughed in exasperation, "Do I look like a sucker?"
The shop owner tilted his head and looked away indifferently. Jason frowned, kicked the counter, and said impatiently, "Four hundred, take it or leave it."
The shop owner then noticed him. Seeing that the child in front of him was dressed like a typical homeless child, with a fierce face and an imposing manner, he knew that he had met someone who knew what he was doing.
"Alright, alright."
The shop owner reluctantly agreed, and seeing that the other party had no intention of bargaining, Jason couldn't help but click his tongue.
The price was still too high.
Even though it wasn't his money, he was still unhappy about spending too much. Zheng En was generous, and Jason liked him, so he didn't want him to suffer a loss.
After buying the phone, it was almost time for dinner. Jason hadn't eaten breakfast, and his stomach was growling, so Zheng En took him to a nearby burger joint.
This is a mixed-use neighborhood; you can find almost anything here. There's a gold shop right across the street from the burger joint.
Zheng En chose a seat by the window, and as soon as she sat down, she saw a peaceful scene outside.
As the hamburgers were served, a person wearing a mask looked around and entered the jewelry store.
As Jung Eun took her first bite of the hamburger, the robber fired the first shot.
Bread, meat patties, lettuce, pickles, and tomato sauce swirled together in my mouth, while passersby, shopkeepers, and robbers created chaos outside.
After Zheng En finished his hamburger, the table was a mess; after the robbers stole the gold, the shop was like a ruin.
After the guests left, a waiter came over with a tray to clean up the leftovers on the table; after the robbers fled, police officers arrived in a police car and questioned the people at the scene.
In Gotham, eating a meal is no different from robbing someone; everyone is living life to the fullest.
The police car, siren blaring, drove back to the station.
The GCPD (Gotham City Police Department) is located in the southern part of Gotham. The Upper East Side is in the center, the East Side is to the north, and to the south are a series of bustling areas including the Fashion District, Diamond District, and City Hall District.
This might sound like it means the South is safer, but the Diamond District is right next to part of Gotham City’s Old Town, and the GCPD is located at the border between the Diamond District and Gotham City.
As darkness fell, police officers gradually left work.
Marshall tossed his keys as he walked into the parking lot. He had recently bought a new car, a newly released Chevrolet. Compared to a police officer's meager salary, it was a considerable sum.
But he didn't buy it at the original price.
He recently got a promotion, a gift from a "friend." The higher he climbs, the deeper his friendship with his friend grows.
Although Arkham had a minor hiccup yesterday, his friends understood him.
If handled properly, this will not affect his friendship with his friends.
Marshall's face was reflected in the rearview mirror; his eyes, above his hooked nose, were deeply socketed and hidden in shadow. He muttered to himself, "If handled properly."