novelTele Chapter 324 The Human Touch: I Have a Friend in the City
Chapter 324 The Human Touch: I Have a Friend in the City
Chapter 324 The Human Touch: I Have a Friend in the City
Before we knew it, it was already the morning of the next day.
Xiao Yun sat atop the Mirror, gazing at the sun slowly rising over the sea, lost in thought.
Last night's transactions went very smoothly, including the final decision regarding the little girl's custody.
However, the price he paid gave Xiao Yun a real headache.
"One of my brothers ran into some trouble at Senlong Harbor."
"Recently, traces of what appeared to be goblins were found there. We had planned to join forces to capture some slaves to sell, but a week ago, he suddenly disappeared without a trace."
"To be precise, the entire Senlong Harbor has lost contact. If you can help me rescue my brother, then I'll leave this little girl in your care."
These are Nicholas's original words.
Xiao Yun still remembers the extremely complex expression on Nicholas's face when he said those words.
It was as if she wanted to refuse the request herself.
After all, the two sides are currently in a cooperative relationship, and both the abnormal little girl and the Senlong Harbor where goblins have appeared are huge pitfalls.
But Xiao Yun still accepted the commission.
After all, stopping the dark web's actions is tantamount to disgusting that bastard Gu Shen.
This is very important to Xiao Yun.
"It's just a matter of traveling a little further, and I'm quite interested in this new species, the goblin."
In the various games before the time travel, goblins were always representative monsters with extremely strong reproductive, survival, and adaptability abilities.
Both reproduction and survival are connected to life, and perhaps we can find a way to restore our strength.
Xiao Yun silently pondered his plan, and in that very moment, the sunlight had already illuminated the dark sky.
Windbreak Harbor awakens from its slumber, and small boats line up at the dock, bringing early risers, porters looking for work, and hawkers.
The shouts of people speaking different accents rang out, noisy and chaotic, yet they gave people a warm feeling.
"This is what civilized society feels like. It seems the managers of Windbreak Harbor have pretty good governance methods."
Xiao Yun nodded slightly, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips as he looked at the everyday life before him.
Although more than a dozen conflicts broke out on the dock in just a few minutes, they were mostly just a few words of cursing and no extreme behavior occurred.
Even powerful professionals exercise great restraint here.
The social classes that are naturally divided by strength still exist here, but the weak at least have a little breathing room and space to survive.
"If I weren't afraid of being hunted down, I would really like to stay here for a few more days."
Xiao Yun muttered to himself, when suddenly he caught a familiar scent.
Following the smell, I saw several faces from Dongda University setting up stoves and iron pots, throwing strands of oily dough into the oil.
In another large pot, soy milk was bubbling. A middle-aged woman brought over a pile of porcelain bowls, lined them up, added some pale yellow liquid to them, and ladled in a large spoonful of boiling hot soy milk.
In the scalding steam, the soy milk slowly cools in the morning chill and gradually solidifies, becoming as smooth as pudding.
"Oh wow, they even have fried dough sticks and tofu pudding! Holy crap, is that lady over there making steamed buns?!"
Xiao Yun's eyes lit up, and his stomach rumbled with hunger.
Although some of the preparation methods and ingredients were slightly different from what he remembered, the familiar taste still made it hard for Xiao Yun to refuse.
Xiao Yun leaped up and arrived at the stall in a few steps, rubbing his hands together and staring at the steaming food with starry eyes.
"Uncle and Aunt, how much are these steamed buns and fried dough sticks?"
Xiao Yun asked casually, then froze himself.
"I almost forgot, the currency system collapsed a long time ago; it should be a barter system now."
Just as he was about to go back to get some low-grade resources to pay for his meal, he suddenly saw the uncle who was frying dough sticks raise a shiny, oily finger.
"Meat buns are one yuan each, vegetarian buns are two for one yuan, and fried dough sticks are also one yuan."
Xiao Yun stood there, stunned, looking around blankly.
I confirmed that it was at Windsor Harbour, not at the breakfast stall downstairs from my home.
Just then, the aunt next to him said with a smile, "Child, judging from your appearance, you must be out and about a lot and not often stay in Harbour City, right?"
Xiao Yun shook his head and listened silently as she continued to explain.
"This old man is very carefree and can't explain things clearly. This one dollar refers to the money issued by the Worry-Free Chamber of Commerce."
Upon hearing the words "Worry-Free Chamber of Commerce," a glint of light flashed in Xiao Yun's eyes.
"Worry-Free Chamber of Commerce ————"
"Yes, I heard it's a big guild at our Dongda University, known for its benevolence and high reputation."
As she spoke, the aunt took a coin out of her apron pocket.
It looks similar to the one-yen coin from the University of Tokyo, except that the peony on it has been replaced with the World Tree.
"We're getting old and our minds aren't working as well anymore. Even if we barter, we don't know if we'll get ripped off. Money is much more convenient. We can just take it to the Worry-Free Merchant Guild and buy things. It's so easy."
The aunt put the coins back and said enthusiastically to Xiao Yun, "Young man, would you like to open an account at the Worry-Free Commerce Club? New customers get a 10% discount on purchases!"
Hearing this familiar customer acquisition rhetoric, Xiao Yun couldn't help but chuckle.
"No need, Auntie, I don't like money."
Currency is very convenient, but during the conversation, Xiao Yun also discovered that the money box contained more than just the currency issued by Wuyou Township.
There are coins with sun images, coins with flame images, and coins with images of gods.
Xiao Yun even saw what appeared to be currency issued by the Ideal State.
The value of each currency is not the same, and there are even differences between each stall.
For example, here, the currency of Wuyou Township can buy a steamed bun for one yuan, but at another stall, one yuan of Wuyou Township coins can only buy half a black bread no bigger than the palm of your hand.
Without a unified standard, the value of different currencies is very confusing, and they can only be used in small transactions such as breakfast stalls.
"This is so troublesome, it's so hard to even get breakfast."
Xiao Yun glanced longingly at the golden, crispy fried dough sticks, then turned to leave.
"Hey, hey, young man, don't go!"
His aunt suddenly stopped him and put a basket of steamed buns in his hands: "Come, come, we're all from the same hometown, sit down and eat, and Auntie will give you a bowl of tofu pudding."
"Let me tell you, this way of ordering tofu pudding is something I invented after I transmigrated here, and it tastes even better than before—"
My aunt kept talking nonstop while her hands kept moving.
Soon, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and tofu pudding filled with braising liquid were placed on the small table in front of Xiao Yun.
"Eat slowly, and let me know if you're not full."
Xiao Yun smiled and nodded, saying, "It's enough, more than enough, but—I don't have the money to pay."
"Hey, they're all our own kids, what's a few steamed buns and fried dough sticks?"
Auntie waved her hand dismissively, looked at Xiao Yun, and a hint of reminiscence flashed in her eyes: "My son is just like you, he likes to explore the world."
"We old folks are useless and can't be of much help, but at least we can't let the Dongda students who are stopping by go hungry."
As she spoke, her aunt scooped up two more tea eggs and placed them in front of him.
"Eat, or your aunt will get angry if you don't finish your food."
Xiao Yun wisely raised his hands in surrender, then, with a smile on his face, ate everything on the table clean.
"Not bad, not bad, Auntie, your steamed buns are even better than my mom's, especially the tofu pudding and the braised meat, they're amazing!"
"Uncle's fried dough sticks are really authentic, a million miles better than the pre-made ones at our school."
Hearing Xiao Yun's praise, the couple's faces lit up with smiles.
When Xiao Yun mentioned that he wanted to pack some back for his companions to try, the couple were very generous and wanted to give Xiao Yun the whole stall.
Finally, Xiao Yun returned home laden with breakfast enough for ten people.
Before leaving, taking advantage of the couple's inattention, he casually placed a bottle of spiritual spring water and some potions rich in faint life force under the stove.
Although they are not particularly precious resources, they can still improve the health of these two individuals. The Fountain of Spirit contains vitality and can also heal mental trauma. It can also be used to treat minor illnesses and accidents.
It was one of the few things he had that wouldn't cause them any trouble.
With a smile on his lips, Xiao Yun nimbly weaved through the crowd and returned to the [Mirror] in a few steps.
As soon as I stepped onto the deck, I saw Jing Feiwan standing there.
A slight smile played at the corners of her eyes as she quietly watched Xiao Yun, seemingly having been waiting for a while.
"Hey, you're up! Come on, come on, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and tofu pudding. Eat them while they're hot, they taste amazing!"
Xiao Yun greeted him warmly, and Jing Feiwan nodded and said with a smile, "I heard you shouting over there a while ago."
As she spoke, she picked up a steamed bun and carefully handed it behind the veil.
Biting into the soft dough releases a burst of rich broth into your mouth, where the aroma of meat and spices explodes together.
"They're delicious, but I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to try the steamed buns your mom makes herself."
Jing Feiwan asked with a smile, her tone somewhat probing.
Just now, she heard Xiao Yun mention that his mother also makes steamed buns.
But upon hearing this question, Xiao Yun's expression darkened, and he whispered, "My mother can't cook—"
She had never even bought him breakfast.
Jing Feiwan was stunned, her eyes filled with panic.
Just as he was about to apologize, he saw Xiao Yun wave his hand and resume his previous smile.
"I'll go call Eric. After breakfast, he'll sell the stuff, and then we'll wander around town and see if there's a suitable place to use our A+ level skills."
Jing Feiwan nodded and said, "Yes, I have a friend in the city who is an alchemist. She should have some connections."