Chapter 43 A Man Who Loves to Read is Really Handsome (Thanks and Additional Updates)
After a battle the previous night, both his body and mind were weary.
He glanced up to find a striking figure mopping the living room floor.
"Good morning, Mr. Jack."
Connie stood up, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and gave him a radiant smile.
Clearly, her mood was good today.
"Good morning, Connie."
Chen Lun responded and entered the bathroom.
After freshening up, he came out just in time to see Floey coming in through the door.
The freshly-bathed dog, wagging its tail excitedly, darted out from behind Floey and pounced at Chen Lun\'s feet.
"Did you go to Mrs. Caroline\'s for a meal?"
Chen Lun asked Floey while patting the dog\'s head.
"Hmm… I learned how to cook some dishes from Mrs. Caroline, I made these with her."
In Floey\'s hands was a plate filled with some meatballs and pies, along with an apple and a cup of tea.
She pursed her lips, facing Chen Lun, her tone filled with anticipation:
"I brought some over; would you like to try?"
Chen Lun smiled and took the plate.
"Of course."
Floey revealed a smile.
She quietly listened to Chen Lun\'s footsteps until he stopped by the dining table.
Chen Lun set down the food and noticed Connie, still cleaning.
"Have you eaten, Connie? Would you like to join me?"
Connie seemed somewhat flustered and quickly shook her head.
"No… no need, Mr. Jack."
She pointed in the direction of the door.
"I\'ll go downstairs to make breakfast soon, and I need to prepare one for my father too."
"Alright then."
Chen Lun shrugged and started eating.
He picked up a meatball, and under Floey\'s expectant "gaze," he popped it into his mouth.
The delicious juice overflowed, with a hint of the unique smoky flavor of smoked meat and a touch of fruitiness.
"Delicious."
Chen Lun exclaimed in surprise.
"It seems you have a real talent, Floey."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Floey giggled softly, covering her mouth, and elegantly sat down on the sofa.
It could be said that Chen Lun was very comfortable with his breakfast today, perhaps it was psychological, but he could feel the care put into making this meal.
After eating, Connie promptly came over to clean up.
Chen Lun wiped his mouth with a napkin and took a sip of tea.
"Connie, I heard you are taking courses at the technical college?"
"Yes, Mr. Jack.
I study mechanical theory at Cypress Leaf Technical College in Amber City. I\'m very interested in that area of knowledge."
Connie\'s lips curled up as she mentioned this.
Chen Lun silently nodded.
He got up and returned to his room, soon coming back with two items that he placed on the table.
"Connie, take these things and study them."
"Are these... the weapons from those thugs last night?"
Connie picked up the Mechanical Glove and Blunderbuss, her face showing surprise, then she looked excitedly at the items in her hands.
"Although they look roughly made, the ideas behind them are quite unique!"
"I\'m glad you\'re interested."
Chen Lun said with a smile.
Then he got up and walked towards the door, turned his head back to Floey and said:
"I\'m going out for a walk, I\'ll be back later."
"Okay, be careful out there."
Floey said softly, facing him.
...
The news about Viscount Pompey and Dolly had been handed over to Gary. Chen Lun alone could never match the efficiency of the entire Iron Fist Gang.
They were an underground force in the Outer City District, skilled in gathering intelligence from various sources.
Moreover, with Gary\'s familiarity with the Inner City District and his acquaintance with many important figures, it wouldn\'t be long before they had some results.
Now, Chen Lun had other plans.
Such as reading.
After descending the stairs, he headed straight to the bookstore next to the flower shop.
From Kent, he had obtained "Recorder Ken Bernie\'s Memoir," which had successfully granted him the "Recorder" Sub Occupation.
This had given Chen Lun an insight.
That was to seize every opportunity to acquire Supernatural Knowledge, as a seemingly unremarkable book might conceal a treasure.
"The Old Cripple\'s Bookstore."
Chen Lun glanced at the wooden sign and pushed open the door.
An old man sitting behind the counter looked up at Chen Lun but didn\'t plan to stand up.
"Please feel free, but do not soil or damage the books."
He stroked his presbyopic glasses and continued to look down at the thick tome in his hands.
Chen Lun walked a few steps inside and noticed that although the bookstore was small, it was not short on books.
Bookcases filled three walls, and another lay horizontally across the middle. He walked to the back and even noticed a mini spiral staircase leading up to an upper partition.
Chen Lun looked back at the old man, who was absorbed in reading, paying no mind to him.
So he quietly climbed the spiral staircase to the upper level.
The space was cramped and narrow; he couldn\'t even stand straight but had to bend over.
There was a window in the wall, and the lighting wasn\'t too dim.
Similarly, the bookcases against the walls here were filled with books. Some books even piled up in a corner because there was no space left on the shelves.
"I\'ll start from here then."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Chen Lun nodded in satisfaction.
With such a large base, his chances of finding a book containing "treasures" were greater.
Time always slipped away quietly while reading.
He didn\'t know how much time had passed.
Chen Lun\'s attention was suddenly caught by a familiar voice.
"Mr. Tao Te, I\'m here to return a few books."
"Oh, Miss Caroline, please do... and by the way, you look beautiful today."
Then Mrs. Caroline\'s light laughter followed.
"You\'re always so witty, Mr. Tao Te."
"The Sun as my witness, I\'m just an honest old chap."
Chen Lun put down the book in his hands and descended the spiral staircase.
Mrs. Caroline was holding two books, chatting with the bespectacled old man behind the counter.
"Hey, Little Jack!"
Mrs. Caroline was somewhat surprised to see Chen Lun, but she quickly greeted him.
"I just went upstairs looking for you. Little Floey said you had gone out; turns out you were here reading."
She walked over slowly, smiling kindly:
"In my hometown, Amethyst City, there\'s a saying, \'A man who loves to read is like the Sun, not even with both hands can you block his brilliance.\'"
"Miss Caroline is saying you\'re a bright young man, lad," the old man interjected.
Mrs. Caroline gave him a playful glance, which elicited a chuckle from the old man.
"While loving to read is a good thing, you shouldn\'t skip meals... Luckily, we can still make it back in time for dinner."
Mrs. Caroline set down the books in her hands and motioned for Chen Lun to leave with her.
Chen Lun looked outside at the evening sky; it was already night.
"Thank you for your trouble, Mrs. Caroline."
"You\'re too polite, Little Jack... Speaking of which, Little Floey and I learned a specialty dish that\'s perfect for dinner tonight, and you can have a real taste soon."
"I look forward to it."
The two of them chatted briefly.
He followed Mrs. Caroline out of the bookstore, heading toward the hallway.
Yet, he sighed to himself.
Unfortunately, he had rummaged through every book in the bookstore\'s upper partition and hadn\'t found any with Supernatural Knowledge.
Although this was to be expected, today\'s lack of findings still bothered him slightly.
"I\'ll come back tomorrow and take another look..."