Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1671: Chapter 21: Relatively Ideal State

Morning.

Lei Yaz had already opened the Magic Energy Glamour in the living room early in the morning, intending to see if there were any news reports about the fire that broke out late last night by the artificial canal on East Thirteenth Street.

But to Lei Yaz’s disappointment, from the beginning to the end of the morning news program, he couldn’t find any report at all.

Was it intentionally concealed by the authorities?

Even if ‘Happy Domain’ Club cannot be reported, but such a large residential building catching fire at midnight, quite a few nearby residents would know.

“Good morning, Lei Yaz.”

Just as the young man was pondering, the morning greeting brought him back to his senses — Lei Yaz hurriedly looked over and indeed saw the elder brother and sister from yesterday walking down from upstairs together.

Seeing Boss Luo and the maid walking down together, Lei Yaz suddenly thought of something — upstairs in his apartment, there was only one room, if the elder brother and sister stayed overnight upstairs, doesn’t that mean they were in the same room?

In the Undersea City, the education on genders seems somewhat strict.

There is nothing like the mainland, human civilization’s network… The children of the Undersea City access counseling mostly through Magic Energy Glamour, books, and the teachings of elders.

In Lei Yaz’s understanding, only officially legally registered young men and women could live together in a room… Unrelated men and women need to live separately before obtaining a marriage permit — of course, they can meet.

That cluelessness towards the opposite sex, under the influence of the gradually awakening hormones of youth, immediately began to take effect — Lei Yaz suddenly found himself somewhat unwilling to look directly at the two who had slept in the same room the night before.

Did they… perhaps sleep on my bed?

On… on my bed!

Lei Yaz felt his throat even dry at this moment — he hurriedly picked up the water cup and took a big gulp. But his mood couldn’t calm down, his eyes were somewhat reluctant to look directly at the two people in front of him.

“Good… good, morning!”

“Your spirit doesn’t seem very good.” Boss Luo casually said: “It seems you didn’t rest well last night, Lei Yaz… Did something happen.”

“No…” Lei Yaz hurriedly shook his head, laughing awkwardly: “Nothing special happened.”

He had decided to keep what happened last night a secret, buried in his heart.

“I… I made some breakfast.” Lei Yaz said quickly: “It’s in the kitchen… It might not taste great, but… Thank you for leaving me a late-night snack last night. I’m going to the studio now… That’s it.”

Lei Yaz walked past Boss Luo and the maid with a blushing face.

Boss Luo suddenly said at this moment: “Wait, Lei Yaz.”

“??”

Boss Luo smiled and said: “Are you still planning to participate in tomorrow’s Flywheel competition.”

“Yes, I will participate.” Lei Yaz nodded, his gaze still very determined.

Boss Luo asked: “Did you find anyone to be your supporter.”

“No.” Lei Yaz shook his head, rather helplessly: “Couldn’t find one before, and even less so now… A good supporter is very sought after, even a trainee would probably already be booked at this time.”

“Hmm…” Boss Luo nodded, then asked: “Well, what do you think about the two of us?”

“You two?” Lei Yaz was stunned, then reacted and widened his eyes, “But… but didn’t you refuse me yesterday?”

Boss Luo casually said: “Now we are interested, so I hope you can accept us to participate in this grand event of the Undersea City… Consider it as our active request.”

Active request.

Passive invitation.

Lei Yaz was a bit confused — For him who was currently lacking supporters, whether active or passive, the result was obviously the same… What’s the difference?

“Unwilling?”

“No, no! Absolutely not!” Lei Yaz quickly waved his hand and shook his head, then showed great joy, “Really! I’m happy beyond measure! Thank you! It’s just that…”

“What is it?”

Lei Yaz thought for a moment and said: “Why… Why suddenly help me with this? I might not win any place, also might not get the reward contribution points. I really don’t have extra contribution points on me right now, so I can only repay you after I work… This?”

“I said.” Boss Luo slightly smiled: “We are interested, hoping to engage closely with this grand event of the Undersea City, hence we need entry tickets. Obviously, by being your supporters, we can get the best spectator seats.”

For such a reason, Lei Yaz hardly believed it… But he didn’t dwell too much, just kept this favor in his heart.

“Then, it’s decided.” Boss Luo shook his hand at this time: “But regarding Flywheel, I really don’t understand, I can only assist at most. You Ye, for the assembly of Lei Yaz’s new Flywheel, I’ll leave it to you. In exchange… I’ll handle lunch and dinner affairs today. I also want to take a look at the Undersea City’s market and grocery stores.”

“I want to see the deep sea ingredients.” The maid sighed somewhat regretfully.

Lei Yaz initially wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing the elder brother looking so excited, the words got stuck in his throat.

He somewhat dazedly followed the beautiful elder sister back to his studio… Well, to be precise, he was led by the beautiful elder sister to his studio.

Led?

“Then, let’s assemble the new Flywheel before this morning. The afternoon will be for debugging.” The maid said calmly at this moment: “Since you are participating in the preliminary selection tomorrow, the resting time tonight should be sufficient.”

Lei Yaz opened his mouth.

He didn’t blame the elder sister — she didn’t know the workload of assembling a Flywheel.

Lei Yaz thought that if he could succesfully assemble it before the competition tomorrow, it would already be incredibly fortunate, as for debugging that might have to be done on-site — as for resting? Impossible!

But when Lei Yaz saw the magic energy circuit board suddenly taken out by the maid, his eyes widened in disbelief and he said: “This… Is this a brand-new magic energy circuit board? When did you engrave it?”

“Before resting last night.”

Looking at the confident smile of the beautiful elder sister, Lei Yaz suddenly felt — perhaps tonight, he really might get a good night’s sleep.

Hmm… Where shall I sleep tonight?

…

…

People’s faces were filled with smiles of happiness and contentment, pedestrians on the road liked to greet and bless one another.

There is no chaotic street crossing or littering… Customers don’t haggle with store owners, as the quality of goods is good.

They don’t discuss their wages… Contribution point salaries, because even janitors can afford everything on the market.

There are rich people, rich people who can buy more things.

But there are no poor people, social productivity suffices to elevate the living standards of the populace temporarily above material dependence… No comparisons, through effort, they can get better things.

“Sorry for rushing, and bumping into you!”

“It’s okay, I wasn’t paying attention either.”

People seem accustomed to this kind of life, like a gently flowing river, you’re upstream, I’m downstream, eventually, we’ll all flow into the sea, no difference.

There is an Emperor, but only the Emperor, no Aristocrats, the Emperor is also a Guardian. There are army soldiers, weapons, but no invasion, only defense.

It is an idealized world like Utopia… at least, on the surface, it appears so.

Except for the absence of a visible sun, except for the gigantic enclosing cliffs around the entire Undersea City like walls… except for the constitution and penalties in a Utopian world which shouldn’t exist.

And war, war against the Sea Demon Clan.

Except for the promotional video of the Flywheel competition broadcast on the immense glamor screens in the commercial street.

People shouting hoarsely, like spectators in an ancient Arena… on the track, armed to the teeth, the Flywheels colliding, stamping… devouring like monsters.

Carrying two bags of ingredients, Luo Qiu had stood before the enormous glamor screen in the commercial street for a long time.

“Mom, I want ice cream!”

Beside him, a boy tugged on his mother, heading towards a roadside mobile ice cream cart… Boss Luo looked over, finding it intriguing.

He had toured the market, as well as stores like supermarkets—yet discovered that in this Undersea City, ice cream wasn’t sold.

But there was a mobile ice cream cart.

At this moment, a long queue had formed before the ice cream cart… no cutting in line, no arguments, one after another, customers took the long-awaited treat for children from the cart owner and left.

Until the last ice cream sold out, those queued behind quietly dispersed.

The cart owner looked in his twenties, with skin slightly dark like the common folk, hair messy and unruly, covering his eyebrows, while silver glasses hid his eyes.

The cart owner noticed a young man who hadn’t left from the front counter and was slightly surprised: “Today’s allocation is sold out, if you want more, you’ll have to wait until next time.”

Boss Luo smiled and said, “I’m just curious… it seems like ice cream is only sold here. It’s not even visible in street stores.”

“That’s why my business is so good.” The young cart owner smiled: “Those stores already have designated goods for sale; if they want to sell new items, they have to apply to the Kingdom Government. It’s too troublesome, so the store owners don’t bother selling.”

Boss Luo was curious: “Even if it could increase sales, they wouldn’t care?”

The cart owner smiled: “Even without selling ice cream, their business isn’t bad. Shops in the Undersea City are all profitable.”

Boss Luo pondered and then said: “Is it because the types of goods for sale are all assigned?”

The young cart owner nodded: “That’s right… For instance, the front store only sells three fixed types of fruits, while the adjacent one sells another three. Shops here are like this, ensuring business always comes in. Likewise, because store products differ, the quantity ordered also varies, so there’s no competition.”

Boss Luo shook his head, “It doesn’t sound like shops, more like something else.”

“What thing?” The young cart owner suddenly showed interest and asked.

Boss Luo said, “Vending machines… Kingdom Government vending machines.”

“It’s different.” The cart owner shook his head: “Vending machines lack thoughts, but these shopkeepers have their own thoughts. They find ways to sell more of their goods, like better after-sales services.”

“All positive means?” Boss Luo suddenly asked.

“Of course, all positive means.” The cart owner nodded and immediately countered: “Shouldn’t they be negative means?”

“Then what about you,” Boss Luo asked again, “Why not open a shop, increase production, let more residents buy ice cream? Expanding operations is a positive approach, isn’t it?”

“I’m different.” The cart owner laughed: “I’m not here often, I only make ice cream to sell when I’m free; normally, I have other work.”

“The Undersea City doesn’t allow extra part-time jobs, does it?”

“It’s a hobby.” The cart owner smiled: “After deducting costs, all revenue goes to the government.”

“It’s a rather special hobby.” Boss Luo nodded.

“I like to see the smiles on these children’s faces.” The cart owner casually remarked as he tidied up the booth: “A child’s smile looks better.”

“But there’s more disappointment… Many kids didn’t get ice cream.” Boss Luo added.

The cart owner replied: “If I were to satisfy all the kids here, I’d have to spend all my time making ice cream, and it’d still not be widespread. But I sell here regularly, those who’ve bought once will graciously let those who haven’t. Adults hope all kids can share the same joy.”

“It’s truly a beautiful city.” Boss Luo smiled.

“Yes.” The cart owner nodded, “A city like this is beautiful… Well, I’m leaving. If you feel like having some, swing by here more often, if I’m around, I’ll be in this area.”

Without persisting, Boss Luo watched the cart owner slowly leave.

The giant glamor screen in the commercial street still played clips of tomorrow’s Flywheel competition…

…

…

A mobile ice cream cart quietly drove into a deserted alley and slipped into the garage of a residential house.

The young cart owner got off and walked into the house.

He unbuttoned his collar, and instantly his somewhat dark skin turned fair… The young cart owner took off his glasses and raked through his hair… a wig.

Changing into new clothes, the cart owner opened the house’s door.

A girl dressed in a silver robe stood outside, softly saying: “Emperor, the military department wants to see you.”

“Today, I met an interesting person… but he doesn’t seem to be from the Undersea City.”

The girl in the silver robe had a change in her gaze.