Gene from the 13th Department of Bright City

Today is just September 1st

At around 7 o'clock in the morning, the entrance of a school on the middle floor was already crowded with many students. Many students looked unhappy and were carrying large and small bags of things, ready to enter the school. Except for some young students, Except for the children, the older children come to school by themselves.

"Classmate, do you want to buy a watch?"

A childish voice sounded among some female students on one side of the school gate. The group of girls looked at this seven or eight-year-old boy with curly hair and very old clothes, but very clean. The one next to him was carrying a small bag. The younger girl, four or five years old, looked at them cautiously.

"What styles are they available in?"

Immediately, the boy raised his arms and rolled up his sleeves. On them were metal watches of different colors, and some cute-looking small items decorated among them, including a watch with the pattern of "Tokyo Zero". Every piece looks quite delicate.

"How much."

"Ten dollars a piece."

However, many girls were in trouble at this time because they had no cash on them. The boy immediately took out a light and shadow mobile phone. The female students were a little surprised and quickly completed the transaction. The female students chose their favorite watches. The boy He started to turn to other people again, and the little girl behind him followed closely.

"Xima, the harvest should be good today. You can have whatever you want later."

At this time, in a team from Section 5 that was on duty in the distance, several members of Section 5 planned to arrest the two children. The team leader stopped them and shook his head.

"Forget it, these are two children from the local orphanage, let's just pretend we didn't see them."

"It wouldn't be good to leave it alone like this, captain."

The squad leader smiled and shook his head.

"As long as these brats don't cause any trouble, just let them go."

This kind of watch made after work has become popular during this period. Many people in the upper class will wear one, whether it is a watch or a pocket watch. This retro style is spreading in the city, and many people are very fond of it. I like solid wood furniture.

In less than 20 minutes, Irving had sold more than ten watches and earned more than 100 yuan immediately. The most important thing was that the people from Section 5 did not come to take care of this kind of watch made of scrap metal and then painted. They are all processed by themselves. The cost of this kind of watch is more than 2 yuan, and you can make a lot of money by buying it.

Owen just thought that school would start today and he should be able to sell a lot of them. He made a large order with a friend in the orphanage who made watches, and then wholesaled them at a low price and sold them on the street.

Originally, the sale of this kind of goods required compliance with regulatory qualifications and taxes, but no one was in charge. Now the orphanage where Owen and Xima are located has become a small commodity processing factory.

All this is thanks to Peristan and Xingyuan. The two often find some craftsmen who are willing to help and teach the children something. Now most children can make some gadgets and sell them on the street. , can be sold easily. Life in the orphanage began to change two years ago. Everyone does not need to wait for relief funds. They can still have money in their hands. The children who earn the most can earn two or three dollars a month. thousand.

"Come here kid."

At this time, the team leader of Section 5 shouted, Owen and Xima walked over, some members of the department came closer, and Xima seemed a little scared.

"Ten dollars a piece, my lords."

Several clerks began to select, and then they bought some with Irving. There were still more than ten watches left. Irving began to sell them on this lively street again. Until 8:34, Irving had a watch in his hand. All the watches were sold out, and Xima looked at Owen with a smile and joy.

In just one morning, I already had 500 yuan, and after excluding costs, I made nearly 400 yuan in one morning.

"Let's go back and have breakfast."

Xima nodded. She didn't like to talk much. She only spoke occasionally, but the only people she talked to were Owen. Irving led Xima away from this lively street, but when they passed a snack shop, both of them Attracted by the scent, I couldn't help but look over.

But the two of them didn't go. The cheapest food at the snack shop here costs 1 yuan a portion. They planned to go back to the orphanage and make some food by themselves.

In today's orphanages, no one needs to worry about their own lives. They have money to buy whatever they want to eat. The orphanage is now more like a small trading market, and everyone will trade spontaneously. After people get the items in their hands, they pay and sell them outside.

Each person only needs to pay 10 yuan to the dean every month to support the water and electricity bills. Most of the children have transformed their rooms into their own factories. Owen and Xima will make some small luminous objects, which are used every time. Monthly sales are okay, but the prices are low, and many items can only be used in some banquet venues or store decorations. There is always demand, but most of them rely on primitive machines to process. Production cannot keep up.

The two of them can only do more than 20 jobs from morning to night, but they earn a lot of money every month.

Owen was managing the money, and Xima never complained. The two of them were already hungry. When they got up in the morning, they just ate some porridge prepared last night, and they were already very hungry now.

On an old and deserted street, most of the shops were closed, except for a small supermarket that was still open. After thinking for a while, Owen walked towards the supermarket.

"It's rare to make so much money today, let's buy some meat."

Xima said after hesitating for a while.

"J."

After thinking for a while, Owen pulled Xima and walked away. The two of them entered the supermarket first. When the supermarket owner saw the two of them, he immediately smiled and went over to say hello, and then he carried a bag of things and handed them to them.

There were some fairly fresh vegetables inside, many of which were from yesterday. The two of them happily thanked them again and again.

After the two bought 500 grams of pork, they turned around and left. 500 grams of pork cost more than 10 yuan, which was a bit reluctant for the two of them. The light and shadow mobile phone cost nearly 2,000 yuan. They also did it to facilitate business and finally saved money. bought.

I rarely make phone calls on weekdays. I only pay 5 yuan per month for phone and Internet service fees, and I rarely browse the web because Internet service fees are not cheap.

After leaving the supermarket, the two walked towards the orphanage, but as soon as they returned to the entrance of the orphanage, they heard a violent noise, the sound of something smashing, and the sound of glass breaking. The two ran away quickly In the past, some children who came to the street early to sell things were also standing at the door, watching, and the hysterical roar of the director Liu Ting came from the orphanage.

"Get out, get out of here."

There was a loud bang and the sound of glass breaking again.

Owen pulled Xima and ran over. After asking, he found out that someone from the business department was coming.

The two took a look and realized that people from Section 1, Section 5, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8 and Section 9 were all here, including the councilors from the district office.

"Don't get excited Liu Ting first, let's have a good talk."

A council member stood at the door of the dean's office. At this time, the dean's office was in a mess, and dean Liu Ting was extremely excited at this time.

"You bastards, scum, go away. If you want to do anything, you can do whatever you want. You don't care about the criminal cases in society. Now you want these children to die. Are you human? It's what humans do. You scumbags know exactly where the pitiful monthly relief money has been in the past few years. What do you want to do now? If you want, just kill these children now. Now Take out the gun immediately and pull the trigger directly to save them from being deported one day in the future."

More than 40 people from the administrative department came, but everyone just stood silently in the yard. No one spoke, including several local regional officers. Everyone seemed to be waiting for Liu Ting, who was extremely excited, to calm down.

"Liu Ting, we are here today just to find a solution. No one said they want these children to die. Please calm down first."

At this time, all the children in the orphanage put down their work and just looked at these people angrily. The orphanage is now very large, with nearly 200 people.

Some new wooden houses have even been built in the front and back yards. Nearly 70% of the children are able to be self-reliant, and there are still some younger children who need care.

Liu Ting began to sob at this time.

"How on earth do you want these children to survive? Tell me, who of you can afford it, you? You? Or you?"

Liu Ting pointed at the people in the business department, but no one answered. The councilor of the district office in front of her was childhood sweethearts with Liu Ting. He came here to persuade Liu Ting not to continue like this, because they His behavior has violated the law. If it is not controlled, it will not be easy for them if the people above investigate it, but everyone knows the current situation.

This orphanage slowly improved two years ago. Liu Ting's family was originally a large local family, but after her parents died, Liu Ting began to run the orphanage because she saw those helpless people. The child finally made up his mind to do something for these children.

After the orphanage was established, Liu Ting realized that the funds were simply not enough. The children were like monsters that could eat money. Liu Ting's family fortune was gone in a few years. Coupled with the various problems that appeared in the city, the orphanage continued to suffer. It has been very difficult since.

In the past, we relied on some donations to get through the most difficult times. Later, welfare subsidies appeared, and because of the use of local councillors, including some corrupt elements in the administrative department, very little ended up in the hands of the orphanage.

Finally, thanks to a series of activities launched by Pai Rui Stan and Xing Yuan, the orphanage turned around. They regularly donated to the orphanage every year. However, now these people came to say that what Liu Ting did was illegal.

Liu Ting was about to explode. Because of everything these people said this morning, they hoped that Liu Ting could go through the relevant qualifications and procedures. Before these things were completed, no more business activities were allowed.

Liu Ting is not a fool. It is impossible to go through these procedures. Many of the small items made by these children are not qualified at all, but they can earn a little money to maintain their lives. What they do now is equivalent to Let these children die.

"Okay, everyone, let's go back today. I will have a good talk with Liu Ting."

At this time, the children around looked at the person in charge angrily, followed by a burst of shouting.

"Get out."

All the children shouted for a while. No one had ever paid attention to them, and no one had cared about them. But now these people came and wanted to take away everything from everyone. Some younger children started crying.

A large number of department officials left the orphanage, and several department officials looked at everything helplessly.

"There is no other way. Someone will bring them some food later. This matter must be resolved. After all, we are in a dilemma."

Several officers also discussed and tried to send some food and drink when applying for relevant qualifications, so that at least these children would not starve. They also felt helpless. After all, human hearts are made of flesh, and most officers We all know how this orphanage came through the suffering step by step.

Therefore, they told their staff not to care about these children selling small items.

Liu Ting pressed her forehead angrily and cried. She didn't know what to do. If the children lost their only source of income, death would be waiting for them. It was difficult for the orphanage to be able to accommodate more children. live on.

The children all gathered together, hoping to comfort Liu Ting. At this time, there were cries everywhere in the yard. Occasionally, they ran over with a smile, stood on a table and shouted.

"Since it's just about qualifications, let's all work together. As long as we work harder, we will definitely pass the qualification review. There is no need for us to cry. We can all choose our own way of survival. This is our way of survival."

Owen's words had some effect, but many children were more confused and helpless. At this time, a child said.

"Dean, call Mr. Peristan and Mr. Xingyuan and ask them to help us."

Liu Ting stopped crying. The district councilor in front of her handed over a handkerchief. Several children walked over and kicked and beat the district councilor.

"Jinbiao, why don't you speak for us?"

"Yeah yeah."

The children all started making noises, and the district councilor named Jin Biao smiled helplessly. He often comes here. He helped everyone in the orphanage when it was most difficult, so many people still have a good impression of him.

"I think Owen is right. Don't give up on yourself. Come on, kiddos, let's eat quickly and sell more stuff before the review officially starts."

At Jin Biao's suggestion, many children planned to start cooking for themselves. Liu Ting was still crying. Jin Biao pulled her into the principal's office and started to pack up her things. Many of the things were for the children. Some of the handicrafts she made were semi-finished products. In a rage, Liu Ting threw these things at the people in the business department. They didn't do anything and basically couldn't say anything.

"Why are you making such a fuss? We are in a legal society now, and many things cannot be solved by just making such a fuss. Don't cry."

Jin Biao was comforted. He had liked Liu Ting for a long time, but Liu Ting had never promised him anything. However, Jin Biao still came over often, and often used his rights as a member of parliament to organize charity activities for the orphanage. .

"Then what do you say? Many of the things made by these children are impossible to pass the review, and many of them are even infringement, including technical expenses. These are not affordable for these children. It is not easy. Everyone’s life has improved a bit.”

After Jin Biao picked up the things, he walked to Liu Ting and patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"I will speak out at the next city meeting, but don't expect anything because I am a low-key person and I am just a non-sectarian council member."

Liu Ting smiled, pursed her lips, shook her head, and then said thank you.

Looking at the lively children in the yard, Jin Biao sat at the desk, leaning back comfortably and said.

"That's good. I'll contact some shops and let these children work temporarily. Then you don't have to worry about food for the time being. I will find a way."

"Your salary is not high, so don't take your own salary every time."

Liu Ting turned around and leaned against Jin Biao's side. Jin Biao laughed.

"It's nothing, I'm just helping you. After all, you have helped me a lot since I was a child. I can only become a member if you and your children help me canvass votes everywhere."

Liu Ting lowered her head shyly and hummed. At this time, the children's booing sounded outside the window, and Liu Ting left Jin Biao's side in embarrassment.

"Kids, don't come to make fun of adults, your dean and I are just..."

Jin Biao didn't say anything further because he didn't know what Liu Ting was thinking, so he didn't say they were friends.

"We grew up together."

Owen and Xima were at the stove in the backyard. They planned to make fried meatloaf and had already started tinkering with it. This stuff has a long shelf life and tastes very good. Some children came over with envy.

"Make it smaller, otherwise there won't be enough points."

Xima hummed, and the two of them started cooking hard. In the end, 500 grams of meat was made into meatballs mixed with vegetables and a little bit of meat. They made a lot, and many children came over. In the end, everyone They were given a very small piece, and Hima and Owen only ate a little bit.

This is why Xima doesn't want to buy meat, because every time Owen will share it generously with others.

"It's the last one, you can eat it."

Owen put the last meatball into Xima's bowl. She hummed and ate the meatball without hesitation. After the two of them finished eating, they sat by the stove. Owen smiled happily and looked at Staring at the sky, Xima was leaning against him. The two of them had been almost inseparable since childhood. However, Owen also made it clear that the two were not brother and sister. Xima's mother was a friend of his own mother and handed Xima over after her death. Entrusted to his mother.

Owen just has some memories, but these memories are very strong. The person Owen is most grateful for in the memory is Lao Cheng. If it weren't for Lao Cheng, he and Xima might have died on that cold land. Owen often said, Live well according to his own wishes and live happily every day. Because Lao Cheng saved his life, he has to live well even more.

Even if there is something unhappy, Owen will still smile, because Owen knows that a smile is the most precious thing in that land, because his mother said.

Gradually, Owen fell asleep. Xima did not leave. She didn't want to sleep very much, but if she left now, Owen would wake up. Xima looked at the children cleaning up around her and looked back at the principal's office. , the principal and Jin Biao were happily chatting about something, the corners of her mouth raised slightly.

What the dean often said to everyone is that no matter where they are in the future, as long as they are back to back, they will be able to live a good life, as long as they have good intentions.

Xingyuan also often talks to children when giving lectures, saying not to let the coldness of society swallow up your own kindness.

After a while, Liu Ting's mood completely improved. She called Peristan first and then Xingyuan. Xingyuan said she would come right away, while Peristan said she would come later.

"Is Mr. Perrestein busy?"

Liu Ting hummed. Now Jin Biao has also thought that if this orphanage system is to continue to exist, the voices of two famous people in Bright City are necessary, and Jin Biao also plans to go Visit more reputable social figures. Only with everyone's collective voice can the orphanage under this model survive.

Nowadays, many middle- and lower-class orphanages in the city are struggling to survive because of the mentoring operation launched by Peristan and Xingyuan back then.

Jinbiao also knew that the small items sold by the children were far lower than the market price, which had hindered the normal market economy to a certain extent, but there was nothing that could be done about it. The children had no way to survive.

Even though there are education subsidies and maternity subsidies for children, these subsidies are only limited to families that pay taxes normally, so they are not available to children. However, seeing that the orphanage is finally getting better, Jinbiao must find a way.

"I'm leaving first. You should rest. I haven't seen you so angry for a long time. It's hurting your health."

Jin Biao said and was about to leave, but Liu Ting stopped him.

"Hey, by the way, did you go on a blind date before?"

Jin Biao smiled awkwardly.

"Just deal with it. After all, if I don't achieve something, I don't plan to get married, of course."

Jin Biao stared at Liu Ting sideways and said.

"There are also special cases, let's forget about them."

Looking at Jin Biao leaving, Liu Ting sighed helplessly. She did have a good impression of Jin Biao, but she couldn't take the initiative to speak, and Jin Biao was a bit insensitive.

Some children began to leave the orphanage with their belongings, without even clearing the stove. They planned to obey Gold Label and try their best to sell the gadgets they made before the formal review began.

Liu Ting glanced at the two children lying next to the stove and laughed helplessly. These two children were indeed a little gloomy at the beginning. They saw this society at an age when they didn't need to see darkness at all. In the darkest part of the story, Xima was okay, but the child named Owen remembered everything. Liu Ting once asked about those cruel memories, and she couldn't help but shed tears every time.

"As long as everyone stays together, we will definitely get through this difficulty!"