EBE Chapter 92 is full of nostalgia
Chapter 92 is full of nostalgia
"These noodles are so soft," Lily whispered, her words muffled by her stuffed mouth.
Li Wei added some water to the pot, the flames illuminating his profile.
He reached out and pushed the noodles that had floated out of the pot back in, his fingers accidentally touching the scalding hot broth.
I subconsciously pulled my hand back; my fingertips were a little red.
Jamie sat next to him, slowly munching on a loaf of bread, occasionally glancing at Levi.
The wariness in his eyes had long since disappeared, replaced by a hint of dependence.
He tore off half of his bread and handed it to the little boy next to him, who took it and quickly stuffed it into his mouth.
After dinner, the children did not go to sleep immediately, but gathered around the fire and asked Li Wei to tell them stories.
Li Wei thought for a moment and then began to tell some adventure stories he had heard before.
It tells of people crossing deserts, climbing mountains, and sailing the seas.
The children listened intently, their eyes wide, occasionally letting out exclamations of surprise.
Some children would even ask what happened next, their little hands clenched into fists, worried about the protagonist in the story.
Jamie sat on the far side, listening intently.
Nodding from time to time, as if he were also in the adventure scene of the story.
He quietly took out the money Li Wei had given him from his pocket, intending to return it to Li Wei, but then hesitated.
His chapped, rough hands gripped the banknotes, his knuckles turning white.
He glanced at Li Wei, then at the sleeping children beside him.
In the end, I put the money back in my pocket, but I held it even tighter.
As night deepened, the children gradually fell asleep, their breathing even and steady.
Some children were curled up in their blankets, their brows slightly furrowed, as if they were having a bad dream.
Some children have smiles on their lips, perhaps dreaming of delicious food or a warm home.
Li Wei stood up gently and carefully tucked each child in, his movements soft and gentle, as if afraid of waking them.
The warehouse was quiet, with only the occasional crackling of the flames and the sound of the wind rushing past the window.
Li Wei walked to the warehouse door, pushed it open a crack, and saw that the snow outside was falling heavily again.
Snowflakes fell gently and quickly accumulated into a thick layer on the ground, covering the traces of the children's previous play.
He exhaled, and the white mist quickly dissipated in the cold air.
He took his phone out of his pocket, and the screen's light illuminated his face in the darkness.
He found Bruce Wayne's number, a number he had for a long time, though the two rarely contacted each other under this alias.
His fingertip hovered over the dial button. He paused for a few seconds, but ultimately didn't press it. Instead, he put the phone back in his pocket.
It wasn't that he was embarrassed to contact the guy, but it was nighttime, and if the madman had gone out to be a vigilante, he wouldn't be able to get in touch with him at all.
Li Wei walked to the pickup truck, opened the door, and got in.
It was cold inside the car, and the windows were covered with a thin layer of frost.
He started the car; the engine sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night, accompanied by a slight vibration, and the pickup truck slowly started moving.
He pulled a piece of paper from the glove compartment with the address of Wayne Manor written on it.
In fact, although Li Wei had been there before, he couldn't remember the exact address.
He folded the paper, put it in his shirt pocket, and then turned on the car lights.
The headlights illuminated the road ahead, and the snow began to fall again, swirling and landing on the windshield, where it was wiped away by the wipers into streaks of water.
The pickup truck's tires rolled over the snow as it headed towards the city center.
On the back seat of the car were several bags of leftover food and beanbags that the children had played with during the day.
The snow clinging to the sandbags had melted, leaving damp marks.
Jamie, who was sleeping on a simple wooden bed, was startled when he heard the sound of an engine coming from outside.
Then she silently buried her head in the blanket, tears streaming uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.
Li Wei gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the Gotham streets shrouded in night ahead.
The buildings on both sides of the street were pitch black, with only a few shops occasionally lit up with faint lights, like fireflies in the darkness.
He recalled the sleeping faces of the children in the warehouse, their satisfied smiles as they ate hotpot, and their joyful figures as they played.
He knew that a hot pot meal and a few blankets couldn't solve the fundamental problem.
The winter in Gotham was long, and cold and hunger were constant companions for these poor children.
These children need a truly warm and safe place, enough food and clothing, and an environment where they can grow up in peace.
The pickup truck drove along the empty streets as the snow fell heavier and heavier, reducing visibility.
Li Wei turned on the radio, and intermittent news broadcasts came through.
It broadcasts updates on Gotham City's security situation, the charitable activities of the council members, and the latest developments of the Wayne Enterprises.
He turned up the volume and listened carefully, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel, the rhythm syncing with the engine sound.
As the car drove into the city center, the Wayne Group's building stood tall and magnificent in the night.
The glass curtain wall on the exterior reflected the faint moonlight, making it look like a cold palace.
Li Wei parked the car in the parking lot near the building, turned off the engine, and the car instantly became quiet, with only the howling wind and the sound of snowflakes falling on the roof remaining.
He sat in the car, looking at the Wayne Group building, his fingers once again reaching for his phone in his pocket.
This time, he didn't hesitate. He took out his phone and dialed the contact number on the paper. Maybe that guy didn't go to be a vigilante tonight.
The phone rang a few times before being answered quickly.
A deep, magnetic voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with a barely perceptible wariness.
"Who is it?"
"I am Li Wei."
Li Wei spoke calmly, "I'm looking for Mr. Bruce Wayne. I have something very important to discuss with him, um... about the homeless children in Gotham."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then a response came: "Is this Mr. Levi? Mr. Wayne isn't home right now, but perhaps I can offer you some advice."
Hearing the response on the phone, Li Wei was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.
The person opposite should be Afu; this is no ordinary butler.
"Of course, Butler Afu."
Looking at the snowflakes outside the window, Li Wei said, "There is a group of children who need help now. They are spending the winter in a cold warehouse."
They lacked food and clothing, and a safe home.
I know Mr. Bruce has always been doing charity work and helping those in need.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before Afu said, "Okay, Mr. Levi, I will pass this on to Mr. Bruce."
If all goes well, someone should contact you tomorrow.
Hearing what Afu said, Li Wei knew that the matter had been settled. He exchanged a few polite words with him and then hung up the phone.
He put his phone back in his pocket, leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and the children's faces reappeared in his mind.
He knew that contacting Bruce Wayne was just the first step; there was still much to be done.
To ensure that the funds actually reach the children, it is necessary to avoid legislators and businessmen who profit from them, and to secure a truly safe environment for the children.
The snowflakes continued to fall, covering every corner of the city.
Li Wei opened his eyes, pushed open the car door, and the cold air immediately rushed in, making him shiver.
He knew Bruce Wayne would help, but he didn't know how many difficulties this would encounter.
But he had to try, for the sake of the sleeping children in the warehouse, for all the homeless children in Gotham City.
He must do his utmost to bring a little more warmth and a little more hope to this cold winter.
Just as he was thinking, a frantic roar of an engine came from afar.
Hearing that unrestrained roar, Li Wei knew it was definitely Bruce.
It seems that this vigilante who frequents the shadows has had some free time lately and has started to build up his playboy persona.
I originally thought this guy would become a vigilante, but it seems that's not the case.
Li Wei thought for a moment, then started the pickup truck and drove towards the direction from which the sound came. Perhaps talking to this guy in person would bring some unexpected surprises.
The roar of the engine grew louder and louder until it abruptly stopped in front of a neon-lit bar.
The pickup truck roared hoarsely as it bumped along the snow-covered streets toward the direction from which the engine sound came.
Soon, Li Wei arrived at the entrance of a bar. He had to admit that in Gotham, you had to have a car, even if it was an old car.
However, Li Wei's pickup truck looked somewhat out of place in the parking lot.
The sleek, jet-black Lamborghini sports car beside him reflected the surrounding lights.
This was in stark contrast to the rusty, creaking Ford pickup truck that Li Wei was driving.
Li Wei slammed on the brakes, and the pickup truck let out a heavy sigh as it stalled.
He pushed open the car door, and the cold wind, carrying snowflakes, rushed into the car, making him instinctively shrink his neck.
The red carpet at the entrance of the bar was laid out straight, with retro-style streetlights standing on both sides, casting dappled shadows on the snow with warm yellow light.
Two doormen in black suits stood at the door; they were tall, and their elegant wristwatches peeked out from their cuffs.
Their gazes swept over Levi's pickup truck and then settled on Levi himself.
His coat was covered in snow and dust, and the cuffs were worn shiny, making him stand out from the well-dressed guests around him.
Li Wei closed the car door and walked towards the bar entrance.
As soon as he stepped onto the red carpet, the doorman on his left stepped forward and stretched out his arm to stop him.
"Sir, do you have an appointment?" The doorman's voice was indifferent, his eyes filled with undisguised scrutiny.
Li Wei stopped walking, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the note in his pocket.
"I'm looking for Mr. Bruce Wayne."
"Mr. Bruce?" The doorman on the right sneered, looking him up and down.
"Sir, not just anyone can come in here."
His gaze swept over Li Wei's shoes, which were covered in mud and snowmelt, leaving faint marks on the red carpet.
"I have an appointment with him," Li Wei said calmly, reaching into his pocket to take out his phone to prove his point.
The doorman on the left waved his hand impatiently: "Don't waste time, leave now. Everyone who comes looking for him says the same thing. Can't you come up with something else?"
His hand was on Li Wei's shoulder, and the pressure was quite strong.
Li Wei frowned and turned to avoid the other person's touch.
Just then, the Lamborghini's door opened, and Bruce Wayne stepped out.
He wore a well-tailored dark gray suit with a silver brooch on his lapel, and his hair was neatly combed.
With a perfectly measured smile on his face, he was exactly the same as the rumored playboy.
"Let me see who's come to see me."
Bruce looked at Levi as soon as he got out of the car, his eyes filled with a mischievous smugness.
"Oh, it's Mr. Li Wei. I wonder if Mr. Li Wei has received our group's lawyer's letter?"
Upon hearing the words "lawyer's letter," Li Wei would have spat on the ground if he didn't need this guy's help.
I don't know what's wrong with this guy. It's just that he knocked out a security guard at Wayne Group's power company in order to solve a problem.
When Bruce found out, he actually sent him a lawyer's letter.
The above is a long list of things, but it can be summed up in two words—losing money.
Li Wei, of course, wouldn't pay any money and simply ignored the lawyer's letter.
But now that Bruce mentioned it, he plans to frame the lawyer's letter when he gets back.
He would expose this guy who thought he was being very good at pretending, as long as the opportunity arose.
Seeing that Li Wei didn't speak but his expression kept changing, Bruce thought he had gone too far with his joke.
He shrugged apologetically at Li Wei, then looked at the two doormen.
"Mr. Levi is my friend." Bruce's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable force.
The two doormen's expressions changed, and they immediately withdrew their arms and bowed their heads respectfully: "Mr. Wayne."
Bruce ignored them, walked straight up to Levi, glanced at his coat, and then at the pickup truck not far away.
"Your car is nice, it has a vintage feel."
Li Wei twitched the corner of his mouth, didn't reply, and followed Bruce into the bar. Now was not the time to let this guy be smug.
As the doorman pushed open the heavy solid wood door, a warm, cozy scent wafted out, mixed with the aromas of alcohol, perfume, and food.
The interior of the bar was a stark contrast to the cold outside. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its light reflecting off the marble walls and making them sparkle.
The floor was covered with a thick Persian carpet, which made no sound when you stepped on it.
The booths are separated by semi-transparent screens, and each booth is equipped with its own pendant light, providing soft lighting and creating a private atmosphere.
The waiters, dressed in smart uniforms, moved between the tables and chairs carrying trays.
The wine glasses on the tray were crystal clear, filled with wines of various colors, and the ice cubes clinked together with a crisp sound.
Most of the guests were dressed in expensive clothes; the men were in suits and ties, and the women were exquisitely made up, carrying designer handbags, and occasionally chuckling as they chatted.
Li Wei's gaze swept over the bar, where rows of fine wines were displayed.
He didn't recognize most of the words on the label, but he could tell from the shape of the bottle and the packaging that it was quite valuable.
A bartender was mixing drinks for a customer with practiced ease.
Stir the ice cubes in the glass, then pour in the amber-colored liquor and garnish with a fresh mint leaf.
"What would you like to drink?" Bruce sat down in a booth by the window and gestured for Levi to sit opposite him.
A waiter wearing a black vest and bow tie immediately stepped forward and handed over a menu with a leather cover.
The menu is thick and heavy, with gold-embossed patterns on the cover, and you can smell a faint leather scent when you open it.