PFC Chapter 4137 When the Pumpkin Ripens (9)
Chapter 4137 When the Pumpkin Ripens (9)
Chapter 4137 When the Pumpkins Ripen (19)
As the fireplace roared to life, the atmosphere inside grew increasingly lively. The children stuffed cake into their mouths while chattering excitedly about the cartoon characters they were dressed as. Sometimes they were talking past each other, but they didn't seem to care. Even talking to themselves could go on for quite a while.
Arrogance gave Aisha a look, trying to steer the conversation towards the surrounding natural environment. But just then, there was another knock on the door.
Arrogance raised an eyebrow; he didn't think anyone would ask for candy at this hour. Upon opening the door, a remarkably burly figure stood outside—Jason Todd.
“Good heavens, you look like a true Englishman,” he said arrogantly, sizing him up.
When Jason was still in Gotham, he particularly liked wearing biker-style clothes, like leather jackets and hoodies, which were completely at odds with his artsy nature. After studying in the UK, he surprisingly started wearing sweaters and trench coats.
He wore a light brown sweater, dark gray jeans, a long, fitted black trench coat, a tartan scarf, and even glasses.
"Oh my god, stop laughing at me, Professor. Selena's been laughing at me for half an hour." Jason shook his head helplessly and walked in.
"You haven't lost too much weight, that's good." Arrogantly closed the door, then said, "What made you think of coming over at this time?"
“Actually, I was supposed to land yesterday, but there were widespread flight delays in London, so I had to rebook and only just arrived,” Jason sighed, shook his head, and said helplessly.
“I thought you came back just to see if I had prepared any candy.” Arrogance grabbed a handful of candy from the basket beside him and placed it in his hand. Jason looked at it closely and then said, “Good heavens, what flavor is this? What the hell is lemon tamarind?”
"If you don't like these new candies, there are classic flavors over there. This looks like a new product from the food factory where Harley works..."
As Jason spoke arrogantly, he unwrapped the candy, popped it into his mouth, and his entire face scrunched up.
"My God, why is this so sour?!"
"You'll know when you hear the name," he said with an arrogant smile.
The children ran to the backyard to look at the pumpkins, and they sat down by the fireplace. Arrogance brought him a pumpkin pie, which Jason wolfed down.
How is Britain?
“It’s awful,” Jason said bluntly. “Cloudy, cloudy, cloudy. Rain, rain, rain. Fish and chips, blood pudding, farmer’s pie. I’ve really had enough.”
"What about the teaching quality?"
"It wasn't that great. I felt like I was attending the Queen's investiture ceremony in the last century, spending half the time listening to their speeches."
"I think it has a very classical literary atmosphere."
"I don't deny it, but if every morning you're in a gloomy weather, listening to those sleepy speeches, you won't have much enthusiasm for studying. I've been able to persevere until now purely because their tuition is too expensive."
"Yes, especially when you earn your own tuition. Do you get a holiday for Halloween?"
"Yes, we have three days off, but because the old professor is sick, we can actually have half a month off, as long as we can pass the exam in the end."
"That sounds pretty good. Have you decided where to go for fun?"
“No, I don’t have time to play. I have to go to work.” Jason sighed again. “The cost of living in Oxfordshire is not cheap. I don’t have enough points to begin with, and there are many places where I need to spend cash. I have to find a job that can cover my cash living expenses.”
"Did you apply to Brainiac?"
"Yes, but as you know, there's no other way out for someone majoring in classical literature except to become a classical literature scholar. I'm already prepared to do some manual labor."
"Don't be too pessimistic. Brainiac might just not understand your talents. If you don't mind, you could ask Barry if he needs any help."
"Doesn't he work in Los Angeles?"
"No, he went back to Gotham. Their office—the Department of Behavioral Science Analysis—has set up an office on Green Street, right across from Amanda's Federal Shield."
“Bullshit,” Jason said truthfully. “If I had to choose to be Amanda’s neighbor, I’d rather endure the high cost of living in Los Angeles.”
Do you know what they do?
“Aren’t they all just doing Brainiac’s odd jobs?” Jason thought for a moment and said, “What behavioral science analyst can compare to Brainiac?”
“Yes, they have. They’ve run into some trouble lately.” Arrogance paused briefly before saying, “Someone used a mysterious device to bypass Brainiac’s surveillance cameras, resulting in four child abductions. Although no children have been harmed so far, this can’t go on.”
Jason became slightly intrigued. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and said, "Someone can fool Brainiac?"
"Yes, we initially suspect it might be alien technology, but until we get real evidence, no one can say for sure. In this situation, they should be short-staffed. After all, because of Brainiac's presence, the FBI laid off more than 60% of its regular employees, and these employees were reassigned by Brainiac to positions in other organizations, and they can't be transferred back anytime soon."
Jason's eyes darted around; he seemed somewhat tempted. So he opened his phone, and before he could even ask Brainiac, Brainiac popped up a salary report on the screen.
Jason's eyes widened immediately. After coughing, he said, "Well, these child abduction perpetrators are really outrageous. Although I'm not a professional, I wouldn't refuse to contribute to this case if I can."
Then he chatted with Brainiac on his phone, seemingly inquiring about the specific progress of the case. After finishing the whole pumpkin pie, he let out a satisfied sigh and said, "I really can't stand British food at all, whether it's a famous restaurant in London or a country restaurant in Oxfordshire, I can't find a single decent dish."
“Then you can look forward to the Halloween banquet later.” Arrogant glanced at his watch. “It’s not even seven o’clock yet, and the banquet doesn’t start until eight. They can wait a little longer.”
Just then, a group of children ran in from the backyard. Fortunately, their greed prevented them from stepping in the mud, as their shoes were clean. So they ran from the backyard to the front yard in a flash, and no one stopped them.
Elsa led the way, followed by Billy, while Paul remained the last in the line. Just as the children were all running to the front door, Paul slowed down, walked over to Arrogance, and said, "Thank you, Professor, you're a good man. That was the best cake I've ever eaten."
"You're welcome, Mr. Austin. Would you like some candy to take with you?"
Paul hesitated for a moment, but he still beckoned to Pride. Pride crouched down, and Paul whispered a few words to him. Pride nodded and took a handful of candy from a nearby basket.
Paul ran to the front door, waved to him, and then ran out to catch up with the children in front of him.
"What did he say?"
Arrogance shook his head, but said to Jason meaningfully, "An alcoholic and gambler has no bottom line. If given the opportunity to exchange the things around them for money, morality cannot restrain them."
Jason seemed to understand something too. He turned to look out the window. The children hadn't run far; they appeared to be studying the newly trimmed hedges in the Schiller family's yard. The light from the porch shimmered on their faces, flowing over their light blonde hair and eyelashes. Their blue, green, and brown eyes, like spring streams and summer evening breezes, showed no trace of sadness or gloom. They seemed both out of place and yet dancing with the city.
This reminded Jason of his childhood, but not of any bad feelings. He was surprised to find that those days of running through mud, barely surviving in leaky cellars, walking among mud-brick houses, shoes covered in ice and grass clippings, had, with time, taken on a certain charm. Unlike the pure sweetness experienced by today's carefree children, finding joy in hardship was a different kind of fun.
However, he was still very happy that the children no longer had to work hard to fill their stomachs, and no longer had to wander the streets like a bunch of little mice, with wide eyes and a tense nerve, always on guard against stray bullets.
They walked laughing in the night, counting the differences between each fence, noisily knocking on each door, receiving so much sugar that their baskets were piled up like a small mountain, turning this festival, which originally had a somewhat terrifying connotation, into something as bright as an afternoon lake, as sweet as April honey, June wheat fields, and September chestnuts and pumpkins.
Arrogantly, he walked over and drew the curtains, picked up the gifts he had prepared beforehand, and glanced at his watch. If they left now, they should be able to make it in time for the banquet to begin.
“Let’s go,” he said to Jason. “Everyone hasn’t seen you in a long time, and they’ll be amazed at how much you’ve changed.”
Jason laughed, put on his hat, and got into the car. On the way to the manor, almost every house had lit up its porch. Some were filled with large pumpkins, some had witch's hats and scarecrows, some had small colorful lights decorated with pumpkins and bats, and some even had their front doors painted in yellow and purple.
Groups of children ran wildly through the street, knocking on doors and examining pumpkins. Social workers and pastors followed helplessly behind them, picking up the candy they dropped.
However, the area near the manor is not as lively. Most of the residents have moved away, but because most of the houses are quite old and considered protected buildings, Brainiac seems to be planning to develop the area into a cultural and arts district. Construction crews can be seen everywhere, and many intersections have been blocked off.
After taking several detours, Arrogance finally grew impatient. He called Harley, and after Harley gave him some directions, he was already two miles off course from his destination.
Finally, Raven teleported to the car and, somewhat reluctantly, led them on foot toward the manor. Because they had been delayed, everyone was waiting for them.
No one seemed puzzled by the presence of two Schillers; in fact, everyone present knew each other and understood the situation perfectly well. However, this didn't mean Schiller and his companions were welcomed; they were ridiculed for getting lost for at least half an hour.
“I don’t understand,” Victor said. “Isn’t this your own house? How can you not know where your home is?”
"Of course I know, but they blocked the road I usually take."
“I think it’s not ‘the most frequently taken’ road, but the only road you’ve ever taken,” Victor said, knowing him all too well. “You’ve lived here for years, but you’ve only ever taken that one road, not even the side road that leads to Wickwood.”
Arrogantly, he pulled out a chair, sat down, and said, "Come on, why would I need to go there?"
“I made up this place name; you don’t even know what places are around your home.”
"Of course I know, because you can go to the airport through that road, take a plane to England, and then you can always find a place called Wickwood, or some other 'wood'."
"That road doesn't actually lead to the airport."
"Thank you for reminding!"