Chapter 452: Dreams

There were many children like Red in the Lower Distract, and just by looking at their faces, it could roughly be guessed that they were probably born in Tunnel 32.

There was large amounts of red ore in that tunnel, which was one of the cheapest resources in the whole Lower District. Such ores were easy to mine, with little use, and the only function being for 'temporary consumption.'

It was termed 'temporary consumption' because it wouldn't cause death immediately after consuming it. After all, ore was something that wouldn't simply be digested in the stomach and might even grind the stomach and intestines to pieces.

Red ore, however, was different. It dissolved into powder upon coming into contact with stomach acid. This powder accumulated in the stomach and intestines, allowing the person consuming it to fill full, but over time, it became indigestible and eventually led to death.

Long-term consumption of red ore would turn one's offspring red, and that was how Red got her name.

When Red brought the ore from the fourth level that glowed with a blue water-like light to the designated exchange point, it surprised everyone there. Such blue ores had long disappeared from the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors, and the energy from such a piece of ore could power a car for its entire lifetime.

However, Red was subjected to a barrage of queries because of this. Her instincts told her that she absolutely couldn't say that the necklace had protected her, and thus Red insisted that she had found it herself.

To her surprise, these people actually believed her, or at least they pretended to.

"Luckily, I'm rather clever," said Red as she carried her week's worth of rations back to her tent. "Those greedy people would definitely have taken my necklace otherwise."

Lin Jie nodded in earnest as if he were treating Red as an adult. "Indeed, there's a rule in the Lower District that says private possessions aren't permitted."

"Mm, not bad, not bad. Little Lin remembers well and should deserve praise," Red nodded like she was all grown up. Now, she would often unintentionally mimic her grandmother's tone, treating Lin Jie like a child.

Lin Jie eyed the food in her hand which that rare-grade gem ore had been exchanged for. Although it was only a week's worth, and it seemed that Red had been taken advantage of, she still happily cooked up a pot of food.

"Uwah! It smells so good!"

Soft, fragrant flour had been cooked into a paste and burnt in several places, but it was still the most delicious and only food in the Lower District.

"Here, this is yours." Red filled two bowls with gruel and handed one to Lin Jie. "You can use Grandma's bowl."

Lin Jie received the bowl, which was chipped, and took a mouthful of the gruel that Red had made. Besides the charred taste, there was a strong smell of mold. It was all moldy food that had been thrown away by the Upper District.

Given the dietary and living conditions here, it was no wonder someone being able to live past the age of thirty was considered miraculous.

Red lowered her head and ate with great enthusiasm, drooling during the entire process.

While Red was chubby, her appetite wasn't that huge, but still, that bit of food she had gotten definitely wouldn't last Lin Jie and her for a week. Therefore, the most urgent matter was to continue searching for more ore.

After three days of relentless effort, Red finally found a piece of ore that belonged to no one and was a precious ore that could be exchanged for a week's worth of rations.

Mining was both a physical and mental torment. At night, Red had to sleep next to the ore vein in case someone else took it. Moreover, she also had to take care not to be bullied and have the ore stolen away.

"Those adults are all bullies," Red said to Lin Jie as she carefully chiseled away at the rock.

Lin Jie was casually seated at the side, watching Red.

Red continued to mutter, "That's why I don't want to become an adult. Grandma says that people become bad when they grow up... Hey! Are you even listening to me?!"

"I am," replied Lin Jie nonchalantly. Red was pacified and continued, "Grandma also said that humans must have dreams. And that's the greatest difference between humans and animals."

"Oh right, do you have a dream?" Red suddenly halted work and asked. Her black and red eyes were filled with anticipation as well as reason and clarity, completely unlike the pupils of others who had been mutated.

"Um, I guess so?" Lin Jie pondered for a moment and answered.

"What is it?" Red asked excitedly.

"Probably to become the owner of a bookstore, live an ordinary life, and be able to help provide some guidance to the lives of others."

"What's a... owner of a bookstore?" Red fell into deep thought after hearing about this dream.

"You'll know when you get up there."

Lin Jie's casual remark got Red really excited. "Right, right. You also think I can go up there, don't you?"

Lin Jie nodded.

"Tell me more about what it's like up there. It's my long lost home and also where my ancestors once lived." Red's light voice sounded cheerful and lively, like a distant song blooming into a flower in this dull tunnel.

Lin Jie was slightly moved and took a deep breath before he began to describe in earnest about what was 'up there.'

An ore emitting faint light was in Red's hand. Although its quality wasn't very good, it still barely made the requirements.

Red wiped off the dirt on her face weakly. She had a naturally larger build than most, and now, even her clothes seemed shrunk on her. Her round face had slimmed down, and her eyes had gotten larger.

It had been about a week since she had last eaten, but Red couldn't keep track of time. Most within the Lower District couldn't do so either.

"This stone can be exchanged for three days' worth of food," Red held the ore and placed it parallel to her face, the color of it reflected in her eyes, which was a pretty sight to behold.

Lin Jie glanced at the stone in Red's hand, then at the sketchy administrators beside them. These fellas were like Red and the others, denizens of the polluted Lower District that had never been to the Upper District in their whole lives.

But now they were the minions of the Upper District, relying on the power and influence from above, and were called 'administrators.'

Because of the watchful surveillance of these people, Lin Jie had a vague feeling that they probably didn't believe Red's claim on how she had found the blue gem. They were constantly watching her, waiting for her to go on another adventure to the lower levels so that they could find out how she managed to come back alive from the fourth level.

Lin Jie had a frown as he observed those people. They seemed rather disappointed to see that Red refused to go deeper down to mine for ore even though she was practically starving.

"Let's go exchange this for food," Red said feebly, still managing to eke out a smile.

"Alright, I'll cook this time. I can make dishes from the Upper District," Lin Jie suddenly said 'generously.'

They had been living together for over a month, and he had always been like a spoiled young master who never ever lifted a finger to do anything.

"That's great!" Red swelled up in excitement like a balloon inflating. "Fantastic, my dream is going to be half realized!"

Red happily ran to the designated point for exchange. Lin Jie followed behind, while still keeping on the bunch of administrators that had been following Red. After expressing some disappointment amongst themselves, they eventually ended the monitoring of Red.

Using 'Enchanted Heart Alteration,' Lin Jie changed his own image in the minds of others to that of a burly, twenty-year-old male. A strong, healthy male at this age would stand atop the power hierarchy in the entire Lower District. As such, with Lin Jie standing by her side, Red didn't get duped of a proper share and received a whole week's worth of food.

"I got a week's worth of food for just this one piece of ore. Last time, they only gave me a week's worth for that blue gem. They are really bad people!" a pouting Red grumbled.

Lin Jie followed behind without offering any words of comfort. His words were now scarce, and he only spoke when discussing dreams with Red.

As they walked to Tunnel 32, they saw a crowd gathered in front of the tents where people stayed.