Vera, who had adjusted her outfit, sat back down at her seat, "I’m a single mother. Maybe I won’t marry again for my child, but I have the right to control my own body." Updates are released by 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅✦𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾✦𝗇𝖾𝗍
Normally, such words would be hard for her to say, but now, with emotions high and Lynch’s response so crucial, she felt she should act a bit more "open."
They were both adults, and Lynch quickly understood what she meant. They might become occasional lovers, but it wouldn’t affect their respective lives.
This little secret between two people seemed to draw them closer, and after breaking through that significant barrier in their relationship, certain things became smoother.
"Sabin City isn’t a place suitable for development, you know. I have some financial accounts..." Lynch continued enjoying his breakfast. The maid’s bacon was well-cooked, which he liked a lot.
Don’t be fooled by how cooking bacon seems easy; not everyone can make it well.
If it’s cooked too long, all the fat is rendered out by high heat, making the bacon dry, hard, and tasteless, which isn’t suitable for breakfast.
If it’s too undercooked, the unique smoky flavor of the bacon doesn’t come out, and the excessive fat makes it greasy, affecting the flavor of the lean portions.
The bacon must be cooked just right, with a slightly crispy surface—not all over, just in a few places—so it can roll up easily, with the fatty sections slightly translucent, indicating that the fat is just right.
Not greasy, while retaining a soft, tender texture, with a bit of a crisp finish. That’s the ideal bacon, but not everyone can achieve it. The key is in the timing and heat, which are difficult to master, hence the need for various kitchen tools, yet many people still can’t do it right.
Watching Lynch eat his breakfast gave Vera a special feeling. She didn’t answer Lynch’s question but asked, "When will you leave here?"
"Here?" Lynch paused, knife and fork in hand. "Sabin City?" Seeing Vera’s nod, he thought for a moment, "I’m leaving for Bupen on the 28th, but I’ll be back in early January. Not necessarily here, though. If the Governor wins reelection, I have to attend his celebration."
Lynch didn’t have much time for personal matters during this period, and he would be busy until mid-year.
"What’s the matter?" he asked, "Is there something special?"
Vera nodded, "If you’re not in a hurry to leave, I can make you breakfast tomorrow morning."
Lynch was somewhat surprised but gladly accepted, "Of course, no problem. No matter how special the matter, I’d stay for that breakfast."
He was always so understanding. Vera stirred her milk and responded to Lynch’s previous question, "I know about those accounts you have in Bupen and heard you made money?"
Even accountants have their own channels of information. Sharing this kind of insider news is seen by many novice accountants as proof they’ve entered a certain level circle, so they talk about gossip and news unknown to the general public to show they’re no less than others.
But they don’t realize some silent accountants have greater skills.
In the office every day, with so many subordinates, some words would inevitably reach Vera’s ears, like Lynch’s several financial operations, which became temporary news in the industry. So she knew Lynch had made money.
Lynch nodded noncommittally, "I set up a few foundations. It’s fine when there’s no business, but once there is, things get complicated, especially concerning funds."
Hearing this, Vera nodded. Although private equity funds don’t have to disclose accounts publicly, the Tax Bureau has the right to review their books to check for tax evasion.
These things don’t happen all the time. When there’s no clash of major forces, the Tax Bureau doesn’t typically monitor private equity funds that could explode at any moment.
Who knows if the shareholders include the President or the Tax Bureau Director, so they avoid it if they can.
But avoiding and not checking doesn’t mean they can falsify or skip bookkeeping, and some information can be more sensitive, requiring not just professionals but trustworthy people.
Even if Lynch couldn’t get into Vera’s heart through that short connection, he had other ways.
Love, reason, desire, fear—the four curses life can never escape, a master once told him, and Lynch found it very reasonable.
It’s the upgraded version of carnal desires, few words but more insightful.
While wrapping bacon, dipping it in the runny egg yolk, and chewing, Lynch said, "Besides you, I trust no one, so if possible, I hope you can oversee comprehensive financial work over in Bupen, and..."
He picked up his napkin, dabbing at the oil on his lips, "I plan to set the headquarters in Bupen; it’ll be there for at least the next decade."
Vera, not very political, suddenly had an epiphany and blurted, "Because of the President?"
Lynch didn’t hide it from her. Sometimes showing one’s social circle and connections is the best way to demonstrate strength, "I have a good relationship with the President. The next ten years will be my fastest-growing decade. I need you, Vera. Will you consider it?"
Vera was still a bit hesitant, having lived in Sabin City comfortably, and wasn’t yet accustomed to the idea of suddenly moving.
Bupen isn’t a particularly livable city, and Federation citizens know that. People live there not because it’s suitable but because they’re fighting for their future.
In Sabin City, you can see leisurely passersby chatting idly as they stroll.
People sunbathe by the roadside, most often in winter, gathering when the weather is good, with a small stove among them, heating some low-quality coffee, milk, or something else, enjoying a half day’s leisure.
But in Bupen, there’s none of that. A bestseller a few years ago, titled "Bupen Doesn’t Believe in Tears," bluntly told everyone how dreadful the city was.
Failure, pain, illness, depression...negative emotions flourish, physical negativity erupts, and no one stops to look if you need help.
The protagonist, a youth with dreams going to Bupen for his ideals, ultimately dies on the street.
A sudden illness, he falls in the center of the busiest intersection, yet no vehicles, no people stop. No one calls the police or offers help; they’re all frenziedly squeezing their time for a slightly dignified life.
They can’t even care for themselves, so how could they care for others?
His death, accompanied by a tear, resonated across the Federation, especially among job seekers struggling in Bupen, leading to a massive protest, lying en masse at Bupen’s biggest intersection, trying to awaken people to certain things.
However, most involved in the protest weren’t native Bupen people but tourists or people from outside joining in.
Real Bupen residents don’t have time to waste an entire day on such activities.
So when people talk about Bupen, no one considers it a livable place. The mayor once protested against the author, accusing him of distorting Bupen’s image. But everyone knows the truth.
These concerns left Vera uncertain whether to move there. But her lack of immediate, strong opposition told Lynch she could be persuaded.
"Bupen has the Federation’s most advanced technology, science, healthcare, everything imaginable and unimaginable, and if it exists, it’ll appear in Bupen first."
"Education too, with many experts residing there, serving the children, and many figures you’d only see on TV or book covers would walk into your life, providing your child superior education."
"Vera, the future world will only open doors to those with higher education. Education will directly correlate to social class."
"What kind of education you have will determine what you can do, not whether you have the capability."
"For your career, your child, or better living conditions, moving to Bupen is a great choice."
"And..." Lynch stood up slowly, extending his hand to Vera, "I also need you."
It’s unclear which point moved Vera, but after a brief hesitation, she took Lynch’s hand.
She didn’t say yes or no, but both knew she agreed.
This new life seemed quite exciting!
Once the decision was made, Vera wasn’t lost in regrets. She asked, "What about the staff here, should they stay, or come along?"
"You can bring some you think are good, who get along with you, and are trustworthy. As for the rest, there will be a branch office here..."
Business in Sabin City is far from over and will continue for a long while!