Chapter 491 Little People

Upgraded equipment and high-end leather shoes donated by kind-hearted people made Lin Xian's walk on the paved road much more comfortable, and his pace quickened a lot.

It took him half an hour to walk back to the old street where he first traveled to, and soon he found the little black kid carrying newspapers... dejectedly hawking newspapers.

His voice was also weak:
"Newspaper... newspaper... today's newspaper..."

It sounded a lot like a Roomba robot with a dying battery.

He probably already had the image of being beaten when he got back home playing on repeat in his head.

Lin Xian strode forward.

The little black kid heard footsteps approaching and excitedly raised his head, but then his eyes widened, he took a step back, took a deep breath, and was about to shout at the top of his lungs—

"Shut up, don't start wailing."

Lin Xian interrupted his spellcasting, and a coin popped out of his right hand, which the little black kid grabbed as a conditioned reflex.

He opened his palm and saw a 10-cent coin.

Enough to buy many newspapers!
The little boy looked at Lin Xian in shock.

"Keep the change. Consider the extra as compensation for emotional distress."

Lin Xian said.

Then he turned around, waved his hand, and left.

The little black kid looked at the back that came and went in a hurry, and then he realized that he had profited greatly from the disaster!

He hurriedly bowed to Lin Xian's back:

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!! I wish you a happy day!"

...

"Oh...you."

Walking away, walking on Lin Xian's left, she smiled helplessly:
"When you were poor, you shamelessly went to the church to freeload; then, when you had a little money, you revealed the face of a nouveau riche, not saving at all. If you continue like this... no matter how much money you earn, you will eventually waste it all."

"It's only right to give some compensation for emotional distress."

Lin Xian explained:
"After all, the price of a newspaper snatched from someone can't be the same as one that was bought normally, right? Although your first impression of me may be bad, that was indeed a last resort. In reality, I still have principles. At least I can't let others bear the consequences of my mistakes."

She nodded silently:
"Indeed, my initial impression of you was quite bad, especially when I saw that you were not devout to the Lord and only wanted to freeload. I really wanted to leave you behind."

"However, now that I see that you are true to your word and do what you say, my impression has changed a lot. Speaking of which... are we really going to Brooklyn Heights? The round-trip bus fare isn't a small amount either, it will greatly reduce your already meager fortune."

"Oh, don't worry about money at this time."

Lin Xian smiled:

"Enjoy the moment while you're alive. No one knows which will come first, an accident or tomorrow... As for the money, you don't have to worry too much. Maybe when we get to the wealthy area, the people there are rich and gullible, and I might even be able to earn more money."

As they chatted, the two walked to the bus stop.

Coincidentally, a bus stopped at the station. Lin Xian pulled up onto the bus:

"Let's go, let's set off!"

...

Buses in the 1950s were very slow, probably due to the complicated road conditions.

After Lin Xian and bought tickets, they found a seat in the back and watched the passing street scenes.

...

"Up to here is the farthest I've ever been."

After the bus had been driving for half an hour, she pointed to a clearly wide and clean avenue in front and said softly:

"Since I was born, I haven't left Brooklyn, not just Brooklyn... actually, I haven't even left the Brownsville neighborhood."

"Grandma's orphanage was set up here, and after the orphanage closed, I've been wandering here. If I'm lucky, I can find a part-time job; if I'm unlucky... like now, I can only eat the church's relief meals and look for some job opportunities."

Looking out the bus window.

Lin Xian couldn't see her expression.

But from her voice, he could also tell that her life in recent years had been very bumpy.

"It's much better for men."

Scratching the back of her fluffy ponytail, she continued:

"Men can at least do some manual labor to make a living, and it's no problem to get a salary to support themselves. But I haven't gone to school and have no education... the cashier and salesperson at the bakery don't want me."

The next moment.

The bus officially drove out of the Brownsville neighborhood, out of the "world's boundary line", and headed towards another landscape of Brooklyn.

This place was obviously much cleaner and wealthier than the previous area.

The buildings were newer, the clothes of the people on the street were more upscale, and there were more and more boxy or round cars... The standard of living had increased by several levels.

She opened the bus window.

Sticking her head out, she took in the beautiful scenery of her first time stepping out into the world.

"Haven't you seen this kind of scene before?" Lin Xian asked.

She shook her head:
"No, at most I've seen similar pictures in newspapers that others threw away on the street... or sometimes when I pass by a shopping mall, I can glance at the TV inside. This is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes."

"It's hard to imagine that this is just the wealthy area of Brooklyn, and it's already so beautiful. What kind of scenery is Manhattan, which is known as the center of the world?"

She blinked and took a deep breath.

She felt that the air here was fresher and clearer:

"Thank you for bringing me here, Lin Xian."

She turned around.

Looking at Lin Xian with a slight smile, two crescent moons and a small dimple at the corner of her mouth bloomed instantly:

"If one day, I have the ability to go to Manhattan... I will definitely take you with me."

Lin Xian chuckled:
"You're the one who's always bragging, aren't you also drawing a big cake for me? You don't even have the money to take the bus, and I'm the one treating."

"No way!"

She blushed a little from what he said.

Lies don't hurt people; the truth is a sharp blade.

"I also keep my word!"

She forcibly grabbed Lin Xian's right hand, hooked his little finger, and performed a universally used contract ceremony—

Pinky swear.

"Pinky swear."

Her eyes were serious as she looked at Lin Xian:

"[If I say I'll take you to Manhattan, then I will definitely take you.]"

Looking at the familiar and kind face in front of him, Lin Xian once again saw Chu Anqing's smiling face.

Manhattan...

He and Chu Anqing had indeed been there.

On the roof of the Aman Hotel, Chu Anqing also faced the evening breeze, opened her arms, imitated Lucy from the movie *Titanic*, and said to the entire Manhattan, the entire world, and Lin Xian behind her:

"You jump, I jump."

Who would have thought.

It turned out to be a prophecy.

The two of them actually re-enacted this scene on a spaceplane 20,000 meters above the ground.

"Hey! Say something."

Hooking Lin Xian's finger, she urged Lin Xian, who was in a daze:
"Don't you believe me?"

Lin Xian turned around.

Looking at their little fingers hooked together:

"I believe you, I definitely believe you."

"Tsk, look at how perfunctory you are. Anyway, you just wait. I will definitely take you to Manhattan."

"Okay, I'm waiting."

Ding————

The bus arrived at the station, and the driver picked up the loudspeaker and announced it manually.

Lin Xian and looked at each other for the last time, their hooked little fingers released, and they stood up and got off the bus.

Walking out of the car door.

The sun shone down again.

The city here was brand new. The Brooklyn Heights area was also the wealthy area of Brooklyn.

The surrounding commercial streets were very prosperous, and the crowds of people coming and going were full of energy, happiness, and joy.

Sure enough, the disparity in the world was great.

"Brooklyn Heights Promenade..."

Lin Xian looked at the map provided next to the bus stop sign, his index finger sliding on it:
"It's here. We still have to walk west along the pedestrian path and cross this commercial street."

She nodded and followed behind Lin Xian.

On the road, the two of them in church attire and wanderer attire had a nearly 100% return rate. Everyone looked at them with unfriendly, even disgusted eyes.

But...

It didn't matter.

Lin Xian and didn't care. Lin Xian knew that this was not his world, it was like a dream; and for , this kind of gaze ran through her life, and she was already used to it.

There were crowds of people in the commercial street, and there were all kinds of shops.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly.

Lin Xian noticed a watch shop on his right.

He habitually touched his left wrist... empty.

In the past, whether in reality or in dreams, Lin Xian had gotten used to wearing a watch. He really needed an accurate time to calibrate his dream entry and exit times.

After this time travel was completed, he always felt empty and insecure in his heart, and the lack of a watch was also a very important part.

Not being able to know the exact time really made people panic.

Lin Xian walked over and looked at the watches displayed inside through the display window: "Damn... why not just rob a bank."

She also leaned over.

She noticed that Lin Xian's gaze was fixed on a Rolex watch, with a price tag of 200 US dollars:

"Why are you looking at a Rolex for no reason! Is that something you can afford?"

"Huh?"

Lin Xian was stunned:
"I used to wear a Rolex."

"Ew~~~~ don't brag."

She scoffed:

"Wearing animal skins, without shoes... and then wearing a Rolex watch, why don't you say you drive an aircraft carrier?"

"..."

Lin Xian was speechless for a moment and had to continue looking for a cheap watch in the display window.

According to US time, because there was a 12-hour time difference with Dragon Country, 00:42 at night became his earliest dream entry time, and he still needed a watch very much.

As a result, the two of them searched to the end and found...

Even the cheapest watch cost a full 20 US dollars.

"Too expensive."

...

Lin Xian couldn't help but sigh.

In 1952, watches were indeed a luxury item, exclusive to the upper class.

Productivity determines everything.

When Lin Xian was in school, watches costing a few dollars or a dozen dollars could be seen everywhere in street boutiques, and they were no different from street goods.

But in the 1970s, the three major items for Dragon Country people to get married were watches, sewing machines, and bicycles... which shows how high the status of watches was at that time.

It seemed that it was the same in the 1950s in the United States.

"Let's go, don't look at it."

She pulled Lin Xian away:
"The cheapest one costs 20 US dollars, we can't afford it. Speaking of which, why are you so interested in watches... do you like watches very much?"

"No."

Lin Xian shook his head:
"It's not a question of whether I like it or not, but that I really need a watch."

"Really need?"

Tilting her head:
"But... we can't afford it. You don't even have 2 US dollars on you, not even enough to buy a watch strap. Okay, okay, this is not something for people like us to fantasize about, let's go."

Lin Xian sighed.

Finally, he glanced at the watch shop window with reluctance and turned to leave.

...

About half an hour later, the two stepped onto the steps and arrived at the famous Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

This was indeed the best place to look up at the skyscrapers of Manhattan across the river.

At a glance, it was all prosperity.

In the current year of 1952, Manhattan was worthy of being the center of the world. This city with skyscrapers lined up was a unique landscape on the entire planet.

"It's really prosperous..."

She stood up straight and praised:

"Sure enough, you were right, this is indeed the best viewing point for Manhattan."

Lin Xian also stood beside her.

Looking at old-fashioned Manhattan.

He pointed to a spot next to the Empire State Building and said to :

"In another 20 years, a twin-tower building, the World Trade Center, will be built there, about the same height as the current Empire State Building."

Huh?
She turned her head:
"How do you know?"

Lin Xian smiled slightly:
"I saw it in the newspaper."

What he didn't say was that on September 11, 2001, the famous 9/11 incident broke out, and two planes crashed into the World Trade Center, destroying the entire complex.

After that, a memorial was built there, known as "Ground Zero", which became a new landmark in New York City.

"The rolling Yangtze River flows eastward..."

Lin Xian whispered in Chinese.

This was history, this was the long river, witnessing everything rising from the ground, and then submerging everything and returning to zero.

He turned his head and looked at the entranced :

"Speaking of which, is your biggest dream in this life to go to Manhattan?"

"Yes."

She nodded, her eyes reflecting the sparkling waves of the Hudson River:

"It sounds a bit exaggerated... but I really want to go to Manhattan to see it. If I don't go, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

"Although I know, and grandma often tells me, that a person's life should realize many values, there are many things worth working hard for, and it's the same no matter where you live... but I still want to go to Manhattan, just to have a dream, to see the center of the world."

"Oh, that's what I say, but who knows how long this dream can last? Maybe when I grow up a bit more, become a bit more mature, I will completely give up this idea, honestly accept reality, and live in Brooklyn for the rest of my life."

...

"Don't give up."

Lin Xian shook his head:
"I believe you will. You will be like those glamorous girls, wearing your favorite white dress, standing at the highest point in Manhattan, looking down on the whole world like a princess."

Pfft—

Lin Xian's awkward words made her burst out laughing:

"Hahahaha... what... what princess, what era is this, big brother! Are you still living in a fairy tale world? There are no princesses in this world anymore!"

She smiled and wiped the corners of her eyes:

"Besides, I'm not a princess, I'm not even Cinderella."

"Hey, stop talking about me. It's rare to come here, what about you? What's your dream? What is your dream?"

Lin Xian took a step forward.

Leaning on the riverside railing, he looked into the distance:
"My dream..."

He pursed his lips and said into the wind:
"My dream is probably... [to hope that I don't let down everyone's expectations, to be able to successfully save everything, and to become a qualified savior.]"

...

...

The air suddenly became awkward and silent.

"Huh?"

She looked at Lin Xian with strange eyes:

"Are you... are you serious?"

Lin Xian nodded: "Does it sound unbelievable?"

"Well, savior or something... it's like listening to a fairy tale."

She paused and continued:

"But, every dream is worth respecting."

She smiled, stretched out her hand, and patted Lin Xian's shoulder:

"[Then I wish you all the best... to become the greatest savior in the world!]"

Lin Xian chuckled and turned to look at :

"[Then I also wish you... to become the most beautiful princess in all of Manhattan!]"

The two looked at each other.

And couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Okay, okay, let's stop joking."

She waved her hand:
"Let's be more realistic and think about what to eat for dinner."

Lin Xian looked around:

"Why don't we just buy something nearby?"

"How can we do that, it's too extravagant!"

She dissuaded:
"Let's go, let's go back to our original place, back to where we belong... let's just buy some bread to eat for dinner, and we can go to the church for relief meals tomorrow morning."

...

When the two of them returned to the Brooklyn slums, it was already late and night had fallen.

Lin Xian bought some bread and milk and shared it with , which was much better than the relief meals in the morning.

In the evening, wanted to take Lin Xian to the park to spend the night.

But Lin Xian insisted on finding a cheap hotel.

She felt it was incomprehensible:

"Lin Xian, the cheapest hotel costs 30 cents a night. This money is enough for the two of us to live for several days. How can we be so wasteful?"

"It's different. This money really can't be saved."

Lin Xian said seriously.

He had very important things to do tonight.

Would he still dream after traveling back to 1952? What changes would there be in his dreams?

He was very curious.

Tonight...

He had to find a safe place and try it out!
(Dear readers, if you feel that the plot of this paragraph is progressing slowly and is relatively watered down, you may want to temporarily put it aside and read it after the end of the volume.

In fact, this volume has only just started with 6 chapters. This is an inevitable drawback of single updates; at the same time, it is a new environment and the male and female protagonists are unfamiliar with each other, so many plots need to be laid out in order for the subsequent plot to explode, so it seems relatively long and dull.

But trust the author, this volume, like the first volume, has no problem reading it in one breath. Necessary foreshadowing is indeed necessary.)
(End of this chapter)