After school, Xia Qinghuan, Jian Ai, and Guan Tao got on the bus to South City together.
As soon as she got into the car, Xia Qinghuan looked around with wide eyes, her face full of curiosity.
Seeing this, Jian Ai smiled helplessly and asked in a low voice, “You haven’t taken this before?”
Xia Qinghuan nodded excitedly.
The daughter of the Xia Group always traveled by her family car when heading out. There were countless luxury cars in the garage at home, so why would she take the public transport?
Let alone buses, Xia Qinghuan could count the number of times she sat in a taxi with her fingers.
The bus moved and stopped. Xia Qinghuan found it quite interesting. Also, this direction was the complete opposite of her house. After half the bus ride, the buildings became older and the streets became narrower.
As soon as they entered Zhonglou District, Xia Qinghuan could not help but say, “So Zhonglou District is so dilapidated.”
“Is this your first time in Zhonglou District?” Guan Tao was a bit surprised and asked with a shocked expression.
Xia Qinghuan nodded without hesitation.
Guan Tao: “…”
Jian Ai: “…”
Guan Tao and Jian Ai couldn’t help but look at each other, thinking that this was too exaggerated.
She was a local of Baiyun City, after all. Although Zhonglou District’s economy was behind, it was still neighboring Haicheng District. Furthermore, there were many tall buildings, so it was not considered dilapidated.
This was the first time Xia Qinghuan had come to Zhonglou District in fourteen years…
Jian Ai could not help but take a look at Xia Qinghuan and gave her a heads-up. “That’s not all. When we reach South City, you’ll know what true dilapidation is.”
Xia Qinghuan smiled indifferently and thought to herself, “Everyone knows that South City is a slum. Even if they haven’t been there, they’re already mentally prepared.”
…
Twenty minutes later, when Xia Qinghuan stood at the junction and looked at the short flat houses, fences, and courtyards that could be seen everywhere, as well as the potholes on the big dirt road, she froze on the spot as if someone had poked her aperture.
Had she…
Entered a village?
Jian Ai and Guan Tao looked at the dumbfounded Xia Qinghuan and couldn’t help but look at each other and smile. Guan Tao was the first to say, “Miss Xia, South City welcomes you.”
Gu gu gu…
An old hen passed them by leisurely. The corners of Xia Qinghuan’s mouth twitched imperceptibly.
“Let’s go. My house is just in front.” Jian Ai did not tease her. Instead, she naturally pulled Xia Qinghuan’s hand and walked home together.
After a while, Xia Qinghuan came back to her senses. The shock in her eyes faded, and it was replaced with curiosity and scrutiny.
South City was an old district. Although it was poor, the population was very dense. Therefore, once it was demolished, these people would flood into the city in batches.
Under the tree by the road, on the stone bench at the entrance of the courtyard, older people could be seen everywhere. Occasionally, a mud-covered child would run past.
Looking at the small and dark houses, Xia Qinghuan’s heart thumped. Jian Ai and Guan Tao had grown up in such an environment.
Xia Qinghuan was born into a top-notch noble family, so she naturally had never seen the suffering of the people at the bottom. At that moment, her emotions were complicated, and she felt a lingering heat from shock.
When they reached Jian Ai’s house, Guan Tao bade farewell to the two of them and went home. Jian Ai explained to Xia Qinghuan, “Guan Tao’s parents get off work relatively late. Usually, after she finishes school, she’ll go home and cook dinner for Uncle and Auntie.”
Xia Qinghuan nodded with a blank expression, and she felt an indescribable sadness in her heart.
Although she had become good friends with Jian Ai and Guan Tao, she had never really understood them.
After bringing Xia Qinghuan into the house, Chen Jin stuck his head out of the kitchen as usual. When he saw Jian Ai return with a girl, he was first stunned, but then he smiled and greeted, “You’re back!”
