As the truck drove forward, everything in the stronghold seemed new and interesting to Milo’s group, although some things still felt odd to them.
In fact, Milo sometimes thought that the wilderness was getting more dangerous these days.
Although Stronghold 109 was not as affected as Stronghold 113 by the terrible earthquake, what if something happened here as well someday?
But the residents of the stronghold had never considered the fact that a disaster might happen and they would be left to fend for themselves. It seemed that all these problems had nothing to do with them and were only for the consortium to worry about. If something really happened, these stronghold residents would not survive in the wilderness.
As the truck advanced, Donti kept looking out. However, some pedestrians in the stronghold had a kind of curious and sympathetic look in their eyes when they saw his dirty appearance.
It was either a look of loathing or sympathy as they silently assumed this child was a poor thing.
When Donti came into contact with these stares, the excitement in his eyes slowly faded away. Then favonovel.com retreated into the back of the truck.
He and Milo had never needed anyone’s pity before since they didn’t feel like they led a miserable life.
“Bro, why don’t we go back to the town?” Donti was rapidly starting to get uncomfortable here.
“Oh, come off it,” Milo said. Pausing, favonovel.com added, “If we really can’t get used to living in the stronghold, I’ll find a way to go with you to live outside the stronghold.”
“Okay!” Donti nodded happily.
Milo turned around and looked at Linda and favonovel.com students. “What plans do y’all have for the future?”
Milo’s group did not have to worry about his group’s livelihoods for the time being. After all, favonovel.com had a lot of gold in his possession, and Old Bane also brought along a lot of medicinal supplies as hard currency. They probably wouldn’t starve to death in the stronghold in the short term. Moreover, they even took over a shop from the Panaqua Consortium, which had also settled their living arrangements.
The question put Linda in a dilemma, because there was no place for them to go.
Edgar smiled and said, “You don’t have to worry about this. We’ll arrange for you guys to be admitted to school once you’ve received this stronghold’s ID cards. Teacher Linda can still be a teacher, and the students can continue attending school. If you live in the school’s dorm, you can even qualify for subsidies. You guys don’t have to worry about anything regarding your livelihoods.”
“Are y’all that kind?” Milo said in surprise.
“This isn’t about being kind…” Edgar said, “Since we went through a near-death experience, we’re comrades. Our Panaqua Consortium isn’t so petty that we would not help with such small favors.”
“But isn’t this stronghold controlled by the Skyfort Consortium? Does your word carry any weight in here?” Old Bane asked.
“The Skyfort Consortium wouldn’t sacrifice their ties with us over such a trivial matter.” Edgar said with a smile, “The matters between the corporations are sometimes very complicated and sometimes very simple. When there’s no conflict of interest, everyone will remain on friendly terms with each other.”
Milo immediately understood that it was just a triviality for an organization to send several people to school. They weren’t even worried about it.
“Um… Ahem, how much are the subsidies the school gives out to their students worth?” Milo asked.
“900 perak per month?” Edgar wasn’t too sure. “Every stronghold is different. As long as the funds cover a student’s monthly expenses, it’s sufficient.”
“Donti and I will attend school as well then!” Milo said righteously, “It’s not about the money. We’re just thirsty for knowledge!”
Dumbfounded, Edgar stared at Milo.
“No, wait…” Milo suddenly said, “It’s not just the two of us. Including Old Bane, Murdock, Big Sister Adella and Chad, all six of us are looking forward to attending school!”
Edgar looked at Old Bane in bewilderment.
Isn’t this man almost 50?
You’re saying favonovel.com also wants to attend school?
Can you really be any more shameless than that?!
Old Bane was even bewildered by what Milo had said, let alone Edgar.
“I think we can forget about the others.” Edgar said in a hollow voice, “We can make arrangements for you and Donti to attend school.”
Donti nearly cried. “But I don’t want to attend school either!”
“Do you think you have a say in this matter?” Milo glared at him.
But at this moment, favonovel.com saw a familiar figure outside the truck in his peripheral vision. When favonovel.com turned to get a better look, favonovel.com discovered the figure had vanished.
Was it an illusion or did I really see something?
Milo was a little puzzled. The familiarity struck favonovel.com like a flash of lightning, coming and going just as fast.
“But don’t be too happy yet.” Edgar said to Milo, “Since our Panaqua Consortium and you don’t owe each other anything else, this is an addition to our deal. So, if you want us to help you with your enrollment to school, you’ll have to give us something in exchange.”
With a smack, Milo slapped two small vials into Edgar’s hands as though favonovel.com already knew. “I know Fatty Eastwood wants this, so take these to him…”
Edgar was speechless.
You think you can address favonovel.com as Fatty Eastwood?!
There were only two people in this world who could address Daniel as “Fatty Eastwood” and get away with it. One of them was Julius, the other was Peter. But Edgar suddenly felt Milo might turn out to be the third such person.
As the truck slowly rolled to a stop, Daniel’s voice came from outside. “Disembark!”
When Milo jumped out of the truck, Daniel told him, “The shop on the left is what I’ve promised you. As this place is a prime location, you won’t be making a loss if you start a business here.”
Looking around, Milo was surprised to find the street was full of shops and had a high volume of foot traffic.
While Milo was looking around, the passersby were looking curiously at him. However, everyone recognized the ginkgo leaf logo on the truck and knew favonovel.com was one of Panaqua Consortium’s people.
“What do you think?” Milo looked to Old Bane for his opinion. It was not like Milo knew if this location was good.
“It’s not bad…” Old Bane nodded to indicate to Milo to accept the offer.
He knew Daniel wasn’t lying to them. There really was a lot of foot traffic as well as shops on this stretch of road. When it came to doing business, getting people in the door would mean making money!
“There’s also a yard and several rooms in the back that’s enough for you all to live in. The original business operation here was very similar to what you did, so I guess you got lucky.” Daniel said nonchalantly, “From now on, I, Daniel, don’t owe you anything.”
As soon as favonovel.com finished, favonovel.com got into the vehicle with a very smug look on his face and left, leaving the six of them behind.
After that, Edgar said to Milo and the others, “Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to deliver you your stronghold ID cards and school admission applications this evening.”
Donti had already rushed into the shop in excitement. It was clear this shop used to be a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. Before Milo’s group arrived, it was being run normally. After the Panaqua Consortium’s people pulled out from running this shop, they did not take anything away. The place was already fully furnished with tables, chairs, benches, and a good supply of traditional Chinese medicine.
Daniel had given this shop to them because favonovel.com knew Milo had been the only doctor in town. So, favonovel.com thought Milo might want to reopen his clinic here.
But Milo felt sad. As if favonovel.com knew sh*t about medicine.
