19.Refreshed and renewed

Matt rarely slept in late these past few years. After waking up, he was full of energy and went out to buy back two servings of a hearty breakfast. Lin's leg was getting better on its own, so there was no need to save money for the best hospital in the capital, and the pressure wasn't as great. They could try to slightly enjoy the beauty of life. "Brother, when is Arthur arranging for me to work?" Matt asked."In just a few days, I've also asked him to help me contact the newspaper editor. When he comes back, we'll make progress on both of our matters," Lin sipped his hot soup and ate his pie, vowing in his heart never to deal with black bread again.

Matt smiled, "Suddenly without work, I really don't know what to do."

"Rest well," Lin was the opposite, living a very leisurely life, and had written drafts all night last night, finalizing the first draft of the third story in the "Sherlock Holmes Detective Collection."

"Can't sleep, everything feels so good "Everything feels so much better, so relaxed and delightful." Matt hadn't experienced this kind of life for a long time, free from responsibilities, able to leisurely enjoy a hot breakfast with his brother.

"It's only the beginning, things will get even better in the future," Lin wasn't sure if Arthur would come by today, and if he could confirm he wouldn't, he would have liked to go out and take a stroll with Matt, breathe some fresh air.

Breakfast was quickly finished, and Matt, who couldn't stay idle, suggested, "Let's go for a walk, it should help with your recovery."

The recovery of the leg was closely related to the points exchange, it's not something that can be resolved by just taking more walks.

The subsequent saving of two hundred points was not to be wasted. However, Lin did not refuse Matt and walked with him back and forth at the alley mouth twice. It was tiring, but he truly missed the feeling of walking alone. "Brother, I'm really happy to see you standing up again, I think mom and dad would be happy too if they saw it from heaven," Matt said as he helped Lin back home, glancing at the cloudy sky. "I hope so," Lin casually replied. Since they were waiting anyway, Lin went back and started writing the first draft of the fourth story, while Matt read the third story with great interest. He would occasionally offer some of his own small suggestions. It wasn't until the afternoon that Arthur paid another visit. "You're finally here. Let's make a more formal introduction this time. This is my brother Matt, and this is Arthur." Lin first helped Matt and Arthur to get acquainted. "Hello." "Hello." Matt and Arthur shook hands. "Would you like a cigarette?" Arthur habitually took out his cigarette case.

"No, thank you." Matt had never touched cigarettes to save money. "Do you mind if I smoke in the house?" "No, it's fine. Go ahead and smoke." "Alright." Arthur entered the house and sat on the bed with Matt. To make room for them, Lin sat in his wheelchair. "You really need to move to a new place soon. This place is barely big enough for three people," Arthur suggested, tucking his legs in the cramped room.

"It all depends on the news you bring," Lin said with a smile, urging him to get on with it. "Good news," Arthur didn't beat around the bush, "First, about your brother's job, we have a warehouse here that needs a loader. The work is not heavy; just move the goods when they arrive, and do whatever you want when there's no cargo. Of course, the pay is not as much as a chimney sweep, but I can guarantee that the wages will not be withheld. If they dare to owe, you come to me, and I'll help you sort it out." "Alright, the money just needs to cover food and rent for my brother and me," Matt had no high demands. "That's settled then, if there's no problem on your end "Then I can take you over there later to get familiar with the place," Arthur lit a cigarette and took a puff, "Now, about Lin's novel submission. The editor named Fan Leng is quite satisfied with your story, and I think he is interested in publishing it."

Lin was most concerned about the payment: "How much money is offered?"

"He wants to discuss it with you in person. I've scheduled a meeting for tomorrow afternoon at a café in the wealthy district."

Lin nodded slightly: "Then I'll go over tomorrow afternoon."

Arthur raised his hand: "Also," "He asked me about your situation, and I said you'd find out when you meet him. I was thinking, whether to meet him as someone from the slums or to disguise yourself as someone who's not so easily bullied, that depends on you. You have a day to consider and prepare."

"Disguising an identity is not easy either, do you have any ideas?" Lin hadn't been in direct contact with the editor Fan Leng yet and wanted to hear Arthur's opinion first.

"These kinds of editors usually have a lot of experience; if the disguise is too poorly done, it's easy to be recognized. But if you go to see him looking so shabby, he will definitely take advantage of the fact that you have no background and extort you badly," Arthur said.

"In summary, you can pretend, but don't overdo it; that should achieve a balance." Matt, listening in, interjected, "Even the newspaper editors are like that?"

"The people in the wealthy district are profit-driven, and they all scheme against each other. When they encounter people from the slums, they will be even more ruthless, which is quite normal," Arthur stood up, flicked the ash from his cigarette outside the house, "The key is how we respond; we definitely can't just give away our interests to the other party."

"If he offers too low a price, then we'll find another newspaper to continue submitting to."

"Do you think other newspapers will be any different from him

"Do they do better?" Arthur glanced at the naive Matt.

"How about this: Say that I come from a northern city and am a traveler. I had an accident while passing through Zword City, and you saved me. Because I injured my leg, I had to stay in Zword City during my convalescence, so I planned to write some articles to make money." In the dozens of seconds while Matt was indignant, Lin came up with a background.

Arthur commented, "It's not easy to be debunked, and it's not like the background of the slum area which is easy to be despised. With this identity to negotiate, it should be better. I think if he checks your story for any flaws, with your mind "Should be able to handle it properly." "There should be no problem. I'm seeking cooperation with him, not being his prisoner. If he's asking all sorts of questions and being impolite, as if he's investigating me, he wouldn't have made it this far." Lin was quite confident.

"You need to prepare a decent set of clothes, and also refine your background a bit more." Arthur pointed out Lin's current shortcomings.

Lin looked down at his clothes, old and tattered.

In the future, when entering and leaving the wealthy district, having presentable attire is very important.

"Is the money enough?" Lin was worried that with no income for four months, Matt wouldn't have much money left. "There's a little over six hundred copper coins left," Matt was also unsure if this money would be enough to buy clothes that could make an impression. "If necessary, I can lend you some," Arthur had exchanged all the points from his first cleanup mission for money, and lending this money to Lin, whose novel was sure to be published, would definitely not be a loss, "but I'll have to charge some interest." "Alright, in that case, buy one for my brother as well. He can act as my attendant then, which would be more "Persuasive." Lin wasn't afraid of owing money; the more he owed, the more passive Arthur would be.

The most important thing was that the investment in two sets of clothes and interest could very likely land him greater benefits in the negotiation with the editor.

The value of the additional benefits would undoubtedly be greater than the value of the clothes and interest.

"Shall we go then? Take a bath and then check out the clothing store for some suitable clothes?" Arthur got up.

"Let's go, and also buy a walking stick; I'll need to get used to walking more in the future." Compared to sitting in a wheelchair, Lin preferred to walk.

Walking, even though it would be strenuous and he would have to endure severe pain.

The three of them left the house, first took a bath, and then went to a clothing store situated between the wealthy district and the slum area, where they spent eight hundred copper coins, or eight gold coins, on two sets of decently made clothes and shoes.

This was equivalent to almost three months' wages for Matt, which made him wince in pain.

But when he changed into the clothes and stood in front of the mirror, seeing himself as if he had transformed into a different person, Matt felt less upset. He just sighed, "It's really nice to have money."

Lin, leaning on the cane that Arthur had picked up along the way, stood with Matt: "We still have a long way to go."

"Yes, sir." Matt bowed respectfully, playing his part.

"Not bad." Lin made an evaluation, "When you get there, just be more generous and don't look around nervously."

It was as if fate had determined it, Lin had stayed at home for years without doing any heavy work, his hands were smooth and delicate, which was quite convincing.

As for Matt, with his hands covered in calluses, it didn't conflict with the identity he was supposed to portray.

Arthur was still dressed in a black trench coat with the security bureau's badge on the shoulder: "Well, at first glance it's not bad, the rest depends on you two tomorrow."