Trafford's Trading Club

776: Chapter 20: Humble 776: Chapter 20: Humble Chief Jose’s nickname is “Greedy Fat Pig”.

As the name implies, Fat Pig naturally refers to the layers of fat on Chief Jose’s body that make anyone frown.

Yet, despite this, women willing to climb into Chief Jose’s bed could form a line a hundred meters long, and most of these women come from decent families—because he is the leader of this city’s official violent institution.

Foreign media have more than once jokingly called the country’s police more violent and dark than those bleeding gangs.

Chief Jose apparently embodies the foreign media’s statement quite well.

In fact, 13 years ago, Chief Jose wasn’t quite the greedy crocodile he is now.

But since the launch of an operation called UPP, where the state’s violent institutions “liberated” many slums in a bloodless manner, this was when the “Greedy Fat Pig’s” wealth took flight.

As for why, it’s obviously for the global sports event that was recently held.

To make the world feel that this country, especially this city, is not as unsafe as the media reported, the nation’s government pulled out all its Magical Treasures — and indeed, the effects were quite remarkable.

As for whether such effects can continue, that depends on one’s perspective.

But for Chief Jose, these matters are trivial—because his wealth has accumulated to an astonishing degree, even if he loses his official position, he can go abroad and become a wealthy tycoon, enjoying life to the fullest.

Yet, despite his smooth journey, Chief Jose’s mood has been clearly irritable these days.

For instance, the voluptuous secretary in front of the office was just pushed out a few minutes ago with a pale face.

You see, Chief Jose most enjoys having that voluptuous secretary kneel beneath his desk, providing him with services beloved by all—naturally, people generally believe it’s because Jose is too fat that if he really had the secretary’s legs up during activities, he might die suddenly.

As everyone looked at the wronged secretary, they pretended not to see anything.

A toy no longer favored naturally loses its value.

As for why Chief Jose was irritable, it seemed to be due to the series of murders that have occurred intensively these days.

From the gang leaders, local Members, to important figures in the economic domain, those who died these days were all people of immense power; the anger this brings is something even the “Greedy Fat Pig” may not be able to endure.

At this moment, the entirely fat-covered Chief Jose suddenly opened the office door, just as everyone was wondering whether Jose would swagger out or walk directly, this tyrant-like chief bellowed in a low voice: “Tonight the Speaker is going to the City Theater to watch the performances, so make sure all security measures are in place!

If there’s any slip-up, I won’t let you off easily!”

The Speaker is a true big figure in this country, no wonder Chief Jose’s mood is so bad now—probably because the frequent murders of important figures made the nation’s bigwigs vaguely uneasy. … … “Theater station—!”

An empty reminder rang from the bus, Caroline leaned against the window seat and glanced at the City Theater outside.

This building, which can be described as splendid, was very dazzling, making Caroline slightly uncomfortable and drew her gaze back.

It was just by chance she noticed a few police cars parked here, which immediately piqued Caroline’s interest—the police even began putting up caution tape here.

Probably some big shot is coming here tonight?

From what is remembered, this theater is always used for events that showcase national culture, and often hosts programs like “某某 Music Festival”.

Caroline shook her head.

Even though for the sake of the guests, she can instantly turn into an elegant lady, inside there’s no change at all—naturally, when a man tears her clothes off, the so-called elegance vanishes.

So, she only has one thought about such places used by the upper-class Aristocrats to flaunt themselves: When will she have enough money to buy this castle-like place to live?

The bus passengers, clearly like Caroline, also noticed the beginning arrangement of police forces at the theater, yet there was no discussion.

Small citizens don’t care about national events… let alone the fact that she’s herself a practitioner walking the edges of law?

Later, the bus went through a section of closed road.

On one side of the road was a tall wall, completely blocking the view on that side.

Caroline looked at these long walls bored—such walls are naturally not for defense use.

Its sole purpose is to conceal the scene on the other side—yes, on the other side of the wall is where she grew up, that chaotic place.

Caroline sneered coldly, while everyone on the bus was used to it by now, seeming indifferent. “…Hospital, arrived—!”

Caroline got off the bus, raised her head, and glanced at the horrifyingly large building, likely the best medical facility in this city.

The daylight was somewhat dazzling, with sunlight reflecting off the dense glass, making Caroline frown involuntarily, yet the cold air emanating from the hospital entrance made it feel somewhat comfortable. “I want to register… hmm, Internal Medicine.” Caroline directly walked to the bustling registration counter.

She spent over half an hour before getting her number, yet when it was her turn, it was probably already afternoon.

Caroline thought for a while, then headed straight to the inpatient department.

This visit to the hospital is mainly for a detailed examination—she doesn’t know if her fertility is gone, but at least she wants to understand her body’s condition, so in case it’s taken away in the future, she at least knows where the problem lies.

As for heading to the inpatient department, it’s naturally for a visit.

Not a tremendously talented but blind or leg-disabled young musician, because Caroline isn’t the Cinderella in fairy tales, so there’s no romantic chance encounter like in romance novels—originally, Caroline never believed in love, that consumable thing.

Not those cheesy movie lovers, and certainly not a sick relative.

Even less likely is someone she adopted on impulse, a child with a terminal illness whom she needs the hospital’s care to survive—even if something like this did happen, Caroline feels she would ultimately give up due to the exorbitant medical expenses.

Spending her savings or even bearing debts for a non-related person, just a burdensome package picked up on a whim… Caroline believes her Soul has not yet accidentally ascended to that great extent. “Just a near-dead colleague…”

In the district, the street walkers have gotten used to calling her Nia, including Caroline who also calls her that.

Nia is more than twice Caroline’s age, about thirty-five or thirty-six.

Women of this age, even if they don’t maintain themselves well, might be at Auntie’s Level.

However, Nia, living in the ward now, looks haggard, her body skinny and hair falling out, making her seem like an elderly woman over sixty.

Her condition is very complicated, reportedly due to multiple abortions leading to uterine cancer.

Moreover, because she neglected her body, she’s developed cirrhosis symptoms… and even her immune system seems problematic.

She is basically using her life’s savings awaiting death in this hospital.

Nia is considered a ‘Senior’ who took care of Caroline rather well early in her lone struggle after running away from home.

Upon knowing Nia’s condition, she visits her once or twice a month—usually during her non-productive days. “I bought flowers, let me put them up.” Caroline glanced at the bedridden Nia.

This is probably the most desolate final act of life as a sex worker.

Caroline can’t even see any more hope for survival in Nia’s eyes.

She seems to have no children, naturally no lovers, and as for family, there’s probably a question mark there too.

Anyway, Caroline hasn’t heard of anyone other than herself coming to visit this dying person.

Actually, every time Caroline sees Nia’s appearance, she gets scared, feeling as if the person lying in the hospital bed is herself.

That picture of staring at the ceiling in despair without blinking makes her legs weak, difficult to breathe. “Do you want to eat an apple?

I’ll peel one for you?” Caroline pulled a chair to sit beside the hospital bed.

Nia didn’t speak, just turned her gaze and fell onto Caroline, as if only then she noticed someone she knew was beside her. “They said they can do surgery on me.

If successful, I’ll have a half chance of surviving.”

Caroline, concentrating on peeling the apple, suddenly heard the dry voice and widened her eyes, looking towards Nia—Nia was also looking at her.

This was the first time Caroline saw something other than dead silence in Nia’s eyes. “But I don’t have enough money.” Nia slowly said another sentence. “You… you want me to help you?” Caroline instinctively guarded against Nia’s gaze at the moment, hesitated, “You know, I can’t give much.

If it’s too much, I…

I can’t help either.”

Caroline instinctively moved her position, blocking the handbag placed on the back of the chair—inside was the bank card she always carries with her, containing a fortune. “I know.” Nia shook her head with difficulty.

Her gaze made Caroline feel terribly uncomfortable, Caroline instinctively looked elsewhere.

Nia slowly said, “I want you to find someone for me.

He is a lawyer, also a frequent client of mine back then, he can help me.” “Lawyer…” Caroline exclaimed, “Sounds like a rich person?”

Perhaps some romantic story, who knows…

Caroline speculated like this. “My property, I want to hire a lawyer to help sell it.

This surgery, I want to try no matter what.”

This dying woman showed a strong desire to live, Caroline frowned, “Your house there is probably not worth much.”

That kind of old tenement in a slum, basically hard to sell.

Even if it does sell, it obviously won’t be enough—this hospital burns money every moment. “I have another house in the Western District.”

Caroline was extremely surprised.

The Western District is a newly developed area, mainly residential, the housing prices there are expensive, working-class people can hardly afford it… the house, turns out Nia already had a big house of her own early on.

This woman about to die had achieved her once long-standing goal… just about to die, at this moment having to sell the house to survive.

Caroline felt indescribably uncomfortable.

Later, it was time for her examination.

Caroline hazily underwent a lot of checks under the doctor’s and nurse’s instructions, the results would be available in a week’s time.

She cared less than she did at first.

She only knew, she eventually agreed to Nia’s request to try finding that man who perhaps had a romantic story with Nia in the past. … …

So saying… am I time-traveling or not?

Looking at the vast darkness in front of him… or the chaotic void, Fish Ball Qiang, standing there in daze for a while, subconsciously scratched his armpit—it’s itchy here.

The place he’s at now is a huge platform extended from one side.

The tiles on the platform present a color resembling jadeite, but the material is clearly not jadeite.

Fish Ball Qiang was absolutely sure about this—since he was carrying a piece of family heirloom jadeite.

Fish Ball Qiang frowned again, turned around, looked ahead… a massive palace.

What style, Fish Ball Qiang couldn’t say.

But this palace dwarfs any image of a palace he’s seen before.

A magnificent hall built on a gigantic platform, and this platform floats amidst chaotic void… if it wasn’t for witnessing an almost Superman-like battle before coming here, Fish Ball Qiang might think he’s dreaming?

He subconsciously squeezed the card he was holding… no doubt, coming to this place was due to picking up this card, but the key is…

The key is, what the hell is this place?

He’d been here quite a while, though his phone had no signal, it clearly could still check the time—over half an hour!

How should he get back?

Are there any scary things here?

Just then, a shadow suddenly flew out from a corner of the huge palace, getting closer and closer…

Fish Ball Qiang used all his eyesight, finally saw the true appearance of this shadow.

It was a very cute girl, wearing a blue one-piece swimsuit popular only in some insular country, and she had a… yellow duck swimming ring?

The girl had short hair, looked about twelve or thirteen years old… she seemed to have noticed the person suddenly appearing on the edge of the platform, so she quickly descended. “Little sister, what is this place?” Fish Ball Qiang swallowed.

Solemnly, he had no peculiar preferences for this kind of figure of girls, he just desperately wanted to know where he was.

Of course, seeing this girl descending from the sky also made Fish Ball Qiang tense. “The gap between the two sides, Void’s Lost Paradise.” The girl responded expressionlessly, then looked Fish Ball Qiang up and down, suddenly frowned, without saying a word directly asked: “How did you, this worthless uncle, get in here?”

Sorry for being this worthless uncle…