195: Chapter 195 Revisiting the Factory District

The light rail slowly came to a stop at the station in the Factory District.

"Ooh, finally off the train!"

The brown-haired female student stretched. "I was about to rust away on that train..."

Following the group off the train, Li Ming looked around the station.

The maintenance was worse than expected; perhaps due to a lack of cleaning, the entire station had a dingy, grey feel to it.

"Li Ming, this is the Factory District," Glack said. "This should be your first time here, right?"

"More or less," Li Ming replied. "It's a bit more dilapidated than I imagined."

"I understand. Aside from the number of factories, this area hasn't really changed much," Glack recalled. "Originally, there was only one munitions factory here. It only gradually transformed into a multi-purpose Industrial Zone after the state of war ended."

"I see."

"Alright, it's about time. Today we're going to the Hualefu factory," Glack said. "It's under the guise of social practice. I'm telling you now just in case you didn't know."

"Hualefu... I understand." Li Ming glanced at a roadside camera. A red light flashed at a familiar frequency before going dark. "The surveillance system here seems as strict as the one in Longchuan Workshop."

"I've never been to Longchuan Workshop, but is that really the case?"

"Indeed. I occasionally go to Longchuan Workshop for business. Of course, it has nothing to do with that so-called Zhongxing Society."

"I believe that. You don't look like the type to join them."

"Don't judge a book by its cover, Glack. Some people look well-dressed and refined, but in secret, they're perverts who enjoy kidnapping young women from decent families to work in brothels."

"Ha, true... Hualefu factory has had its share of incidents lately. Wasn't the manager of the Hualefu factory decapitated in the street by a Ship Girl recently? The factory was thoroughly investigated right after." Glack laughed, his brown hair seemingly catching some dust. "Li Ming, you're absolutely right. That manager really was a piece of work."

"Mhm? How so?"

"Allowing his management to act like tyrants in the Hualefu factory grounds and suppressing workers—those were the minor offenses. The worst part was that he helped the Hualefu Group cover up the existence of underground dance halls and taverns. Have you heard of Kevin Muller, who was recently exposed and executed by someone unknown?"

"Uh... I know a little?" Li Ming wrinkled his nose.

"He did a lot of things. For example, he led people into Longchuan Workshop to forcibly conscript young women of the xia people—and other struggling young women, too. And it was all backed by so-called laws. Can you believe those underground establishments had official documents?"

"Let me get this straight. You mean they're legitimate on the surface, but in reality, they're doing dirty business behind the scenes."

"Ah, exactly. Li, your summarizing skills are impressive."

"It's nothing."

"Anyway, that's about it. I heard this Kevin had quite a few mistresses. Now that he's dead, they're all fighting his legal wife for the inheritance. It's the illegitimate children I feel sorry for; they're probably having a rough time."

"That sounds terrible."

"It really is." Glack shook his head. "Alright, they're getting ahead of us. Let's catch up."

"Sure."

The two of them jogged a bit. Li Ming observed the streets; it was exactly as Alert's report had described.

The roadside guards shrank back when they saw their clothes, afraid of disturbing them.

Li Ming thought for a moment. Seeing two male students who seemed to need a restroom, they asked a guard for directions and headed toward a worker dormitory.

"...Glack, you go ahead. I'm going too."

"Alright then, Li. Remember the way."

"No problem."

Seeing him walk on, Li Ming circled the entrance of the worker dormitory. Once he was sure he was out of sight, he leaned against a lamppost, very close to the guard.

Officer Black was a bit nervous. Although the person looked like one of the xia people, those clothes weren't something he could afford to offend.

Li Ming pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and offered it to Officer Black. "My friend, want one?"

Officer Black was surprised, but after a moment's thought, he accepted it.

"Sir, is there something I can help you with?"

"Nothing much. You should know who we are."

"I know, the academy's Rights Society. Your leader spoke with us."

"So I wanted to ask you a few questions."

Officer Black was surprised. "Why? We aren't workers, are we?"

"Are you guys doing okay?"

"Ah..."

"Do you have an annoying superior who makes you do this and that every day? Someone who forces you to carry clubs and risk being beaten by workers to suppress their protests, only to be hated by the Labor Union?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"My point is, you're actually not that different from those workers."

"You mean..." Officer Black didn't finish his sentence. He lit the cigarette and brought it to his lips.

"Don't be so quick to deny it, my friend." Li Ming took out his thermos, unscrewed the lid, and shook it. "Don't overthink it; these are just some of my observations."

"By the way, don't you smoke, sir?"

"Me? I don't smoke; I could never get used to it. But I don't mind others smoking." Li Ming shrugged. "Personally, I do social surveys, which is why I joined the Rights Society. Of course, I'm a bit different from them. I'm hoping to see this place from your perspective."

"I must say, sir, your approach is certainly unique." Officer Black took a deep drag. The cigarette tasted quite good. "But sir, do you really have enough time?"

"It's fine, my friend. I'll listen to as much as you can tell me."

"Alright then."

——————

"A6!"

A petite young girl pounced on him. Li Ming picked her up and stepped out of the corner.

She was wearing casual clothes today. The only things that hadn't changed were her visible tail and her hair clip.

Her milky-white short hair seemed like the only warm color in this world.

She hadn't brought her Ship-Slaying Sword or rifle today, looking like an ordinary girl next door... or perhaps the kid next door.

Regardless, Li Ming carried her to the Hualefu factory before finally setting her down.

Using his student status, he successfully brought A6 inside. Li Ming saw the other students still gathered in front of the factory's main building in the distance and headed over.

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