Jenny was angry and anxious.

She finally got her wish and was admitted into the Barrow Singing Group, and was qualified to study and sing in it.

The long-term hard work has paid off.

I never thought that my mother would go back on her word about the reward she had promised me.

Tonight's banquet is very important to her.

If I could get the attention of the seniors in the singing group, I would have the opportunity to perform on stage earlier.

"It's only three pounds!"

Jenny sniffed, her eyes reddened:

"At worst, I can pay you back when I make money. Do you want me to make a fool of myself at my first banquet?"

"Everyone else is dressed up beautifully, but your daughter is the only one who is laughed at by others for wearing ragged clothes?"

"That's three pounds, not a small sum." Mary also looked embarrassed: "Besides, joining the concert is just the beginning. There are many other places waiting to spend money. Newcomers can't make money in a short period of time."

"You are just an apprentice now, there is no need to dress up so nicely, a similar dress will do."

If it was one pound, or even two pounds, she might grit her teeth and agree to it.

But it was three pounds!

How long will it take me to earn three pounds?

If this money is used at home, how long can it support the expenses?

It's not that Mary was unwilling to buy a dress for her daughter, but the price of three pounds was indeed beyond her expectations.

I knew that things on this street were not cheap, but I never expected that any dress would be so expensive.

The daughter refused and looked aggrieved.

promise,

The family will face financial difficulties.

For a moment, Mary also struggled.

"What a coincidence."

At this time, a familiar voice sounded:

"Landlady, Jenny, you guys come here to shop too."

“Karl!”

"Baron Karl!"

The mother and daughter turned around when they heard the sound and saw Carl, dressed in the inspector's uniform, coming out.

"yes."

Mary forced a smile:

"I'll bring Jenny over to see it."

"I heard that Jenny was admitted to the Barrow Singing Group?" Carl said with a smile: "Congratulations!"

“The Barrow Singing Group is qualified to sing gospel hymns. If Jenny can perform on stage, she will definitely be the guest of honor at many banquets.”

Whether or not a singing group can sing "gospel hymns" is an important distinction in judging the status of a singing group.

Can't sing.

They can only mingle among the common people.

Many women in such singing groups even became prostitutes, and their reputation became increasingly worse.

The opposite is different.

Singing gospel hymns requires the singer to maintain physical purity, otherwise it will be considered disrespectful to the gods.

Only this kind of singing group can be accepted into the "high-class hall".

"Thanks."

Jenny lowered her head and covered her red eyes: "I just joined the singing group. It takes a long time to learn. I don't know when I can go on stage."

"Your voice is very distinctive. I believe you will be able to perform formally soon." Karl said politely, and then looked at the dresses on display:

“This is a nice dress.”

"yes."

Jenny's eyes lit up, and she said hurriedly, "I think so too. Mom was planning to buy it for me."

As he spoke, he pulled Mary's sleeve.

you……

Mary's eyes were filled with panic; she really didn't want to buy it, but it was not a good idea to directly refuse her daughter at this time.

Jenny also saw this, so she took the opportunity to verbally "coerce" her.

"Yeah?"

Carl smiled and said:

"Jenny got into the singing group, and I haven't given her a gift yet, so why don't you let me buy it for you."

"ah!"

Jenny's face was filled with ecstasy, and she covered her mouth with her hands: "Really?"

"Of course." Karl nodded and waved to the clerk:

"How much?"

"Three pounds!"

"good."

“Don’t.” Seeing Karl take out his wallet to pay, Mary finally came to her senses and said hurriedly, “I’ll buy it.”

"It doesn't matter." Carl shook his head: "I was just wondering what gift to give."

"Jenny, go try the clothes on first. If there's anything that doesn't fit, ask them to modify it. It will be quick."

"OK."

Jenny shook off Mary's arm, took the dress with a smile and walked towards the dressing room.

"I'm so sorry."

Seeing that things had come to this, Mary could only apologize helplessly: "I'm sorry for costing you money."

Carl waved his hand.

He had just heard the quarrel between the mother and daughter, and since he really wanted to give them a gift, he simply paid for it.

Three pounds was nothing to him, but it was a considerable sum for an ordinary family. Even though a carriage ride cost three or five pence, in fact, riding in a carriage was not an expense for an ordinary family.

Mary counted every penny.

"Baron Karl."

Walking out of the dressing room in a gorgeous dress, Jenny made an invitation: "The seniors of the concert tonight are holding a banquet for the newcomers. Can you accompany me?"

"sure!"

Jenny said enthusiastically, "It is our honor to have a noble attend the banquet."

Mary, who was standing by, opened her mouth but hesitated to speak. She had originally agreed to let him accompany her to the party.

"Okay then."

Carl nodded:

"I will definitely go then."

* * * "Your uncle's neighbor has a carriage. He will take you to the banquet. Remember to be polite."

In the room.

Mary helped her daughter get dressed, "Karl won't go until he gets off work, so I don't know when he'll arrive. Don't blame him if he doesn't go. After all, the inspector has a lot of things to do."

"knew."

Jenny swung her sleeves and said impatiently, "I'm leaving."

"Bring money." Mary put the wallet she had prepared into her hand: "You are grown up now. You can't go out without money."

"Thank you, Mom."

Jenny smiled and kissed Mary on the cheek, waved, and walked out holding up her skirt with both hands.

This was the first time she had officially attended a banquet as an adult, and it was a banquet for a singing group, so she was already feeling impatient.

Arrive at the banquet venue.

There are already quite a few people waiting.

"Noscan!"

"Prey!"

"Jenny!"

“…”

The newcomers greeted each other, admired each other's attire, and waited for the arrival of their seniors.

Not long.

"Percy-senpai!"

"Senior Oberon!"

“…”

Several senior members of the singing group arrived one after another.

Compared to the green newcomers, although these guys are not much older than them, their behavior is more mature.

banquet.

It's very rare for newcomers.

It's commonplace for them.

However, only the relatively marginal members of the team came. The real core members did not participate in the banquet. I guess it was because the status of the newcomers was not high enough.

"Jenny, the clothes are nice." The team's backup lead singer Percy came to Jenny and asked with a smile:

“It shouldn’t be cheap, right?”

"Not bad." Jenny said a little reservedly: "Three gold pounds."

"Oh!" Percy raised his eyebrows: "As I recall, your family's conditions are not very good."

"Yes." Jenny blushed, "A friend gave it to me."

"Friend?" Percy frowned subconsciously:

"Male friends?"

“…” Jenny lowered her head: “Yes.”

"He's willing to spend so much money on you. It seems like he's thoughtful." Percy sighed and continued, "But I have to remind you that if you want to be the lead singer of a group in the future, you can't touch anything between men and women."

“Without a pure body, many shows cannot be performed.”

…

Jenny's expression changed slightly.

"Who's Percy?"

As the two were talking, a loud voice rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of men in police uniforms marching towards them with a menacing look on their faces.

"I am."

Percy raised his hand quickly:

"What's up?"

"Yes." The leading police officer nodded:

"There is a case that may be related to you. Come back with us to investigate."

"ah!"

Percy's face changed drastically:

"At this time? Can we not go?"

"What do you think?" The police officer frowned and asked impatiently:

"I know you are members of the Barrow Singing Group. If there are no problems, you can go back tomorrow."

"But..." Percy turned around, his eyes full of help.

However, everyone else had different expressions. Even a few good members of the group avoided looking at him, and it was obvious that they had no intention of helping to speak a few words.

"What's wrong?"

Karl just got off the car and saw this scene in front of him: “Ham, long time no see.”

"Baron Karl."

The police officer named Ham had a stern face and looked dignified, but he smiled when he saw Carl:

"What a coincidence, you are coming to the party too?"

"yes."

Carl nodded:

"What is this doing?"

"This..." Ham hesitated for a moment before saying:

"A little thing."

(End of this chapter)