Chapter 415 Deep Virtual Reality 243
Samantha arrived in Jiangning District on a rainy day.
The vehicle drove into a world without neon lights, a place that was quiet and desolate. Although the factory where they used to live was not a good place either, she had grown up there and was used to it.
Although it was a poor place, it was lively and bustling with people, even though the women were often sick.
However, there is one better thing about this place: it's clean.
Samantha had personally witnessed the insects that the security guards had removed, not only those hiding in various corners, but also those inside human bodies.
Those who were infected by the insects have disappeared. They were said to have been sent for treatment, but will they really be able to come back? Samantha doesn't know, and doesn't want to know.
Because all she needed to do was protect herself and her younger brother.
They were lucky enough to get a single room with a simple kitchen and a small double bed, which was enough for her and her brother.
Nick is only five years old. We can figure out how to partition off a small room for him when he's a little older.
Or she could save up some money and move them to a bigger house.
I heard that the furniture and other items inside were supported by a joint donation initiated by a city councilor. It can be said that this is a rare instance of them receiving funding from a wealthy person.
Moreover, it was an unconditional and non-malicious grant.
That's amazing.
"Sister, look, there's another rabbit here!" Nick came running over, a rabbit-shaped metal piece lying in his thin palm.
"So cute, but what is this for? Oh, there are words on the back." Nick couldn't read, and just stared at Samantha with his round eyes.
"Welcome to the start of your new life. If you need to work, please take this to Beijie Street in Jiangning District to find Tess."
Samantha, who was initially a little uneasy, gripped the metal plate tightly. She was afraid that this was a scam, and that they would lure people over and then sell them to the black market.
But deep down, she still harbored a sliver of hope—what if?
She was not even sixteen years old. Let alone whether she could squeeze into a factory to work, even if she did, she would only receive the lowest wage and would not be included in the social security program; she would be an unregistered person.
This means that even if she is injured, disabled, or dies during her work, the factory will not bear any responsibility whatsoever.
But if she doesn't work, she can't survive. The government's subsidies for minors are only enough to maintain the bare minimum for survival. If she or Nick gets sick, all that awaits them is to endure, and if they can't endure it, they will die.
They can't afford medical treatment or medicine.
Actually, there's another advantage to coming here: after the reorganization and calculation, she and Nick can actually receive the subsidies instead of being exploited at every level and never reaching their hands.
Samantha didn't think for long before squatting down to be at Nick's eye level and saying, "Nick, there's still half a loaf of black bread here. I'm going out for a bit. You have to stay home and behave yourself. Don't open the door no matter who comes to call you, okay?"
“Nick will be good.” He often stays at home alone, and although he sometimes feels lonely, he knows that his sister works hard to earn money to support the family, so he won’t make a fuss.
He longs to grow taller. His sister says that when he's a head taller than the stove, he can help with cooking. Right now, he can only help his sister clean.
After checking all the doors and windows, Samantha felt relieved enough to leave. Although she planned to go to North Street to find the person named Tess, she was also cautious and quietly followed behind others, observing them.
Suddenly, she saw a person, a woman with a slender figure.
Samantha knew the woman; she had a bad reputation. Everyone said that the woman did that kind of work, that it was dirty. Not only would men make fun of her, but the women around her also felt ashamed and openly or secretly belittled her.
However, Samantha's focus wasn't on that; rather, she found it strange that she didn't see the men who usually swarmed around women like flies.
She also seemed to be going to North Street. Did this woman also receive a metal card?
Having a normal job would certainly be better than her current, much-criticized job.
Samantha didn't look down on women like the others did. After all, everyone was just trying to eat and survive, and nothing was shameful. She even rummaged through the trash cans often.
They don't have any cleaning robots there, just simple covered trash cans.
Moreover, she learned a way to protect herself from women: to cover her face with mud. Even if she wasn't pretty, couldn't grow her hair long because it was hard to manage, it would still become a reason for others to covet her.
Samantha was a tomboyish girl who smelled terrible, so as not to attract disgusting stares.
She had no parents and had been to an orphanage, but she escaped. Some orphanages not only had competition among children, but also adult devils. She was cautious enough to escape when she sensed something was wrong.
They seized a piece of land at the processing plant and have lived there ever since.
A light rain was falling from the sky, and footprints were left one after another on the muddy ground. The future was unknown, and there might not be happiness, but they never stopped moving forward.
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