Chapter 1269: Welfare Park
Fresh Flower City was an exceptionally clean city. Therefore, the shops in the commercial district at the city center were mostly high-end establishments. Regardless of the business, environment was the top priority. There was no concept of maximizing space usage; walking into any store gave one the feeling that it wasn't a store at all.
Entertainment venues, which were almost nonexistent elsewhere, were also concentrated here. What was commonly referred to as "high art" could be found in this area. From a certain perspective, the people coming and going here seemed to have the word "sanctity" hanging over their heads.
"Can this even be considered an entertainment venue?"
The players who had come out of curiosity were somewhat disappointed.
Xu Huo noticed several top-tier aircraft entering and exiting a flower arrangement club. After inquiring with nearby shopkeepers, he learned that the main business hours for these city-center establishments were at night, though daytime reservations were required. This was the most luxurious club in Fresh Flower City, requiring same-day reservations. Ordinary people couldn't get in; membership was necessary.
However, to become a member of this club, one needed not only status but also skill in floral art—in the true sense of the word. At the very least, one had to showcase their artistic talent at the club to be recognized by the owner.
The owner had considerable influence, reportedly backed by the District Government.
"This club generally doesn't entertain outsiders, but do you see the top floor? At night, the exterior sunshades open, and those below can see what's happening up there. So there are also open-air parties nearby. You might even catch a glimpse of important figures who are rarely seen. Come by at night and you'll see." The shop assistant handed Xu Huo a party identity card. "Use this for a twenty percent discount."
Nearby, other shop assistants were also promoting their own stores, all using similar pitches.
"A party!" a young female player nearby exclaimed excitedly. "Then I definitely have to come! I love joining in the fun!"
Beside her, a man with a small mustache, poorly dressed but carrying various gourmet foods, nodded and said with a smile, "Come! Definitely come! I'll look for a job in a couple of days."
About a hundred meters away, two disguised high-ponytail individuals sold several boxes of Card City specialties to a short, stocky man. After receiving the items, the short man handed them to his companion, a fair-skinned male player. Only after the fair-skinned player nodded did the two parties part ways.
The short man and his companion entered the underground station and took a train away, while the two high-ponytail individuals found a relatively cheap eatery nearby for a meal.
Xu Huo leaned against the window. After finishing his last sip of soup, he paid and left the eatery. Following the map, he found the Yongxing Hotel.
He chose the cheapest tier of room and checked in after using his membership card for a discount.
The room was on a lower floor, and the windows were completely sealed, blocking out all outside noise. However, standing by the window, he could take in the entire view of the hurried pedestrians on the street.
Those still wandering the streets during lunchtime weren't necessarily wealthy. There were also many people wearing the same clothes, but the occasional glimpse of fabric at their cuffs and collars revealed their financial straits—they had even sold the undergarments distributed simultaneously by the District Government.
Few people on the streets were accompanied by children.
After standing by the window for a while, Xu Huo sat down, took out a prop, and gave himself a completely new face. He also changed his clothes and shoes before heading out.
Taking the underground transit, he arrived at Fresh Flower City's Welfare Park—all children in Fresh Flower City without parents had to live here until the age of sixteen. It was a large, self-contained complex with all necessary public service facilities like schools and hospitals. Apart from the fact that the main residents were children, it wasn't much different from other places.
As soon as Xu Huo entered the park's territory, a flying surveillance drone approached and followed him all the way to a school.
He happened to see a group of children running.
There weren't many teachers at the school, but there were plenty of security guards. A minute later, a player stood behind him. "Non-residents of Fresh Flower City are not allowed to linger near the school. Please leave."
Xu Huo turned around and looked at the woman five meters away. "I mean no harm. I heard there's a welfare home here and wanted to sponsor a couple of children."
Fresh Flower City wasn't short of money, but to demonstrate its care for orphans, it didn't refuse charitable donations. However, they only accepted White Notes.
The woman's expression didn't change. She pointed to the distant office building. "For sponsorship matters, talk to the office staff. But even if you're sponsoring, you can't loiter around the school. Leave now."
Xu Huo nodded agreeably and walked toward the office building.
The office staff were a bit more enthusiastic. They welcomed him in and summoned the park's general director.
The director sat down with a fat, round belly and a beaming smile. "May I ask how much the gentleman wishes to donate?"
"I actually want to provide targeted sponsorship for one or two children," Xu Huo said.
The director's smile deepened. "Sir must have just arrived in Fresh Flower City. For a newcomer to first think of these parentless children shows you are a very kind-hearted person. However, our Fresh Flower City has its own rules. There is no such thing as targeted sponsorship. Any charitable funds will be evenly distributed to every child."
"Furthermore, non-residents cannot adopt children."
"Children are naive and innocent. All we can do is minimize potential risks. Therefore, anyone who adopts a child must accept monitoring by Fresh Flower City."
"I see," Xu Huo said. "When I passed by the school earlier, I noticed the children seemed to be in very good spirits, quite different from what I've seen in other districts. It seems the children of Fresh Flower City are well taken care of."
"Naturally." The director said with considerable pride, "I can say with certainty that even in District 001, you won't find a city with better welfare benefits than Fresh Flower City. Almost every child raised here becomes a success, and a significant portion will become players—the future pillars of Fresh Flower City!"
Xu Huo nodded and made a personal donation of two hundred thousand White Notes.
The director didn't find it too little. Chuckling, he saw him out and welcomed him to visit again.
As he was leaving, he encountered several fifteen- or sixteen-year-old children entering. All of them were very handsome. The leading boy smiled when he saw the director. "Perfect, no need to go looking for you. We're here to sign."
Unlike the typical perception of orphans, these children all wore expressions of varying degrees of arrogance. The boy who spoke didn't even look directly at anyone, but the director showed no displeasure. Smiling, he took the pen and signed for them one by one.
"I didn't expect you to be leaving the park so soon. I heard Little Crane has decided to continue his studies at the Han Clan. The Han Clan is only slightly inferior to a few major corporations in Fresh Flower City. With the Han Clan's backing, your future is boundless."
The boy called Little Crane didn't speak. The girl beside him lifted her chin slightly, sharing in his pride. "The Han Clan's car has already arrived. Little Crane won't have to wait until he officially becomes a player. He can change his surname to Han tomorrow."
(Chapter End)